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Kaieteur News
KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8491, 225-8458, 225-8465 Fax: 225-8473 or 226-8210
Editorial
Those state agencies In Guyana, as in many other countries, good and transparent governance does not simply happen. It is important that the people recognize that good and transparent governance requires honesty, accountability and hard work and the building of appropriate skills and competencies. There must be an investment in ensuring that responsible personnel are supported with the capacitybuilding and required material for the practice of good governance. Many would agree with this perspective, but unfortunately, this is not always so. During the tenure of the former administration, there were too many untold stories of board members, chair persons and Chief Executive Officers (CEO) of state agencies and corporations who were appointed not because of qualifications, experience or skills but because of political affiliations. This widely accepted practice which also exists today is not good for Guyana. In many instances political influence sometimes trumps good policies, transparency and accountability. As a result, the conflicts that usually ensue in such cases within the board of directors or between the CEO and the Chair Person often result in mismanagement and inefficiency. In the past, although nominations and appointees to the various boards proved to be fit and proper persons, many times they did not have the skills, qualifications or competence to advise the government or adequately manage or supervise personnel. There are anecdotes of board chair persons and CEOs who were only interested in wielding their power to illegally authorize the use of finances and contracts. This is a woeful practice which proves that tougher guidelines are required to manage the affairs of state boards.There must be alternative ways to facilitate the selection and training of board members toprovide effective management to all public agencies. Under the former government, most state agencies were found to be corrupt and many including the Guyana Energy Agency are still corrupt. The recent controversy generated at GPL concerning the secret tape recording and the alleged forging of qualifications by its former Acting CEO should not have only led to his dismissal but also a complete overall of its policies. The government should make sure that the policies and guidelines of all state agencies and corporations are very clear. Ambiguity generally leads to poor management and corrupt practices as is currently the situation at GPL whose former Deputy CEO ran away with G$27 million. However, there are qualified and competent persons who serve on the boards of each State agency and corporation. Given the modern complexity of good governance and public scrutiny by this newspaper and others, every chairman, CEO and member of a State board must be qualified to meet the demands of the public.Board chairmenand CEOs are mandated to contribute to good governance and proper management of state agencies, all of which must be aligned to government policy. In the scheme of things it is the reason why they report to respective ministers of government on matters relating to strategic development and fiscal management of state agencies. Given these current parameters, no chair personsor CEOs of a State board is independent. Notwithstanding, a board’s best protection against competing interests is managing its risks to include a diversity of informed opinions, and making transparent decisions and be accountable. In this way, the country will see better and transparent governance, thereby improving the accountability of all state boards and corporations which, in turn, will result in better-quality performance.
Sunday March 06, 2016
Kaieteur M@ilbox Send your letters to Kaieteur News 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown or email us kaieteurnews@yahoo.com
Authoritarian state violence should never be excused or justified DEAR EDITOR, I have long come to the conclusion that there is a hard-core segment of Guyanese society, predominantly African Guyanese, that would never under any circumstances come to grips with the fact that the PNC and its founder-leader, Mr. Forbes Burnham, committed grave excesses when they occupied the seat of government. The debate over the Rodney COI Report has reconfirmed this feeling. This same segment of the population would give the party and the leader every credit for every positive development, small and large, that occurred in Guyana between 1964 and 1992. The leader gets credit for every positive thing but is denied the same for
the negatives. In fact, many would deny that any negative developments occurred during that period. We know that that is not humanly possible, but in our pursuit of heroworship, we silence reason. That kind of popular political instinct comes from a particular place. It is both a response to and defense against a similar instinct that resides on the other side of the political divide. Dr. Jagan and the PPP are constantly constructed by a mainly Indian Guyanese segment as incorruptible, saintly and devoid of any political immorality. The party and the leader are presented as the opposite of the deep flawed Burnham-PNC. This narrative of self and the other is
deeply embedded in our political psyche. It varies in its intensity within the respective groups, but it’s there. It gets very crazy at times. How can people defend, with a straight face, the Government and State when it comes to Walter Rodney’s assassination, but in the same breath indict the very State and Government for the assassination of Courtney Crum Ewing and vice-versa? The reason is that we divide the Government and State between theirs and ours. Theirs are bad and ours are good-good versus evil. Speaking of Rodney, his greatest sin in the eyes of those who are wedded to the African Guyanese narrative, is that he, an African, opposed an African (Continued on page 6)
Sunday March 06, 2016
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Kaieteur M@ilbox
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Damning accusation against Understanding the rationality of Guyanese squatters the APNU-AFC Government DEAR EDITOR, Please allow us the space in your newspaper to expose an vey unacceptable plot that is orchestrated by the organizers of Guyana’s Golden Jubilee Celebration. The organisers of Guyana’s Golden Jubilee Celebration should explain to Guyanese why Johnny Q Sound Company of Trinidad and Tobago will be awarded the contract to handle all the light and sound jobs for this event. Explain to Guyana why Johnny Q Sound Company will be granted tax-free concessions to import their equipment. Johnny Q Sound Company purportedly sold themselves as the premier sound company of Trinidad when in reality Rent-A-Amp is the leading sound company of Trinidad. We were informed that Johnny Q Sound Company plans to use the tax-free concessions to import their equipment into Guyana and after the Jubilee celebration, ship out a small proportion of that equipment and leave the rest here in Guyana and work in collaboration with the local Cloud 9 Inc. We do not know if this is true? We are asking if this is true. Can we have a response from Johnny Q? So Guyana will be granting Johnny Q Sound Company tax-free concessions to set up shop here in Guyana, in an industry that is already struggling. This is already happening in the Timber and Mining Industry; we cannot have this extended to the Entertainment Industry. This decision is rather troubling and should be condemned forthwith. How on earth, could this be allowed to happen? This is very unpatriotic! Is this how a Government for the people operates? The answer to that will be a resounding NO! A Government for the people will give the contract to its people, Guyanese. This Government should not allow this atrocity to materialize. The organisers’ defense may be that Guyana’s entertainment industry is not equipped with the desired quality of equipment. Guyana has four major sound com-
pany companies; combine these four and we will have enough sound for 50,000 to 100,000 people. Guyana successfully hosted Mega Concerts with International Artistes such as R. Kelly, NeYo, Trey Songz , Donne Clerking ,Sami Yusif and a whole host of Caribbean act such as Beris Hamond and Machel Mantano et cetera so the organisers cannot argue that local entertainers lack the expertise and experience for a celebration of this magnitude. If the organisers have low confidence in the local sound engineers, why not bring in a foreign high profile engineer or two to guarantee the standard you desire? Charity begins at home. Award the contract for the light and sound jobs to local (Guyanese) Sound Companies instead of Johnny Q Sound Company of Trinidad and Tobago. Does it make a lot of sense to award the contract to the Trinidadians which will effectively pump money into Trinidad’s economy instead of Guyana’s which is already suffering tremendously? You have no inkling how adversely the 2 a.m curfew has affected and will continue to affect the entertainment industry but that is a subject for another discussion. These local Sound Companies employ Guyanese. These local sound companies take that burden off the government. That is a few hundred people less in the unemployed category. It is very unpatriotic of the organisers to award the contract to Johnny Q Sound Company of Trinidad and Tobago. This Government should not allow this atrocity to materialize. Is there any other nation in this part of the hemisphere that is as disloyal and unpatriotic as Guyana? I think the answer to that will be a resounding NO! Which other nation with a struggling economy will grant tax concessions to foreigners and allow them to penetrate an already struggling industry when the locales can do the same job? These types of decisions stemmed Guyana’s rage and caused us to vote for change. Regrettably, this
is NOT the change Guyanese voted for! Is the decision to contract Johnny Q Sound Company for GUYANA’s Jubilee Celebration in the best interest of Guyana? Award the contract to local sound companies. Do these little things to stimulate Guyana’s economy. Everybody is crying out. Everyone is feeling the harsh effects of this crippling economy. What on earth are the organisers doing? To say I am appalled by this decision would be an understatement. Guyanese had such high hopes of this government. It will be very hypocritical of this administration to engage in the very acts they once chastised the previous administration for. As the old proverbial saying goes “You know what you get, but you don’t know what you gun get”. Guyanese are living to witness that daily. It is way too soon for such atrocity to begin. We are not having it! We will not take this lightly. Guyana deteriorated to the state it is today because for too long Guyanese sat back and stay quiet on issues that affect them negatively. Martin Luther King Jr said; “our lives begin to end the day we stay silent on matters that affect us”. Guyanese will be affected negatively by this administration’s decision to contract all the light and sound jobs to Johnny Q Sound Company of Trinidad and Tobago. We appeal to the administration to truly be a government for the people. Do what is right by Guyanese. Charity begins at home. Award the contract for the light and sound jobs to local (Guyanese) Sound Companies instead of Johnny Q Sound Company of Trinidad and Tobago. Keep the money right here in Guyana. Let it circulate right here, in our economy. Support local! Concerned citizen (name supplied)
DEAR EDITOR, I read in Kaieteur News of 1st March 2016 that the Minister with responsibility for housing - Ms’ Valerie Adams-Patterson observed that some persons who have been allotted house lots are selling these. The Minister also voiced government intention to “regularize many squatting areas.” As it relates to the Minister’s observation, it is perfectly understandable why the poor would sell their house lots which they could not use for absence of resources to build homes. As regards Government’s decision to regularize many squatting areas, this is a development I applaud even though regularization will do little to reduce the challenges posed to the society by squatting. The make- up of the squatter population to some extent explains why a squatting area is usually made up of poorly constructed houses and quickly takes on the appearance of a ghetto. When squatting, the poor cannot afford to use their scarce resource in constructing strong, beautiful homes when they know at any time those buildings could be bulldozed. The construction of more sturdy and beautiful houses in squatting areas is one of the only likely positive outcomes deriving from regularization. But since squatting is a resort of the poor, shabby buildings will continue to be a feature of such areas even with regularization. The squatting problem is widespread in Guyana and it seems to be most prevalent in and close to our towns and the capital city; this is no surprise. In the case of Georgetown, the squatter community is made up of primarily two groups. First, unskilled and semi -skilled persons who have moved to the city in search of employment. Secondly, the ranks of the squatting population is made up of natives of the city who are from poor families living in
overcrowded homes who are seeking to start their own families. Squatting in the city and its immediate environ is placing unbearable pressure on the city’s infrastructure. An ugly consequence of this pressure becomes visible with the fairly regular overflowing of the city’s sewage system. A system that was not designed to cater for so many citizens. It seems to me that for us to bring an end to squatting at least the following has to be corrected: (a) we will have to make development a bit more even across the country, if not citizens will be forced to migrate to the city. (b) The minimum wage will have to be a livable wage, (c) The price of material for building homes will have to be within the reach of low income citizens. On this latter point, I have always felt that when we allowed the clay brick production to die we were inadvertently making it more difficult for the poor to be able to build decent homes. Had we helped the clay brick factories to stay in production there is good reason to believe that the price for these bricks would have fallen, leading to increase use by citizens and a reduction in our need to import so much cement. Also clay bricks are much more attractive than cement blocks and makes painting unnecessary, thus contributing to the further reduction in the cost of building a home. Mister Editor, when we look at squatting in this fairly comprehensive manner it dawns on us that squatting initially was a symptom of greater problem/s in the Guyanese society. It was because we left this symptom unattended that allowed it to grow into a problem. I am disturbed, since what the honorable Minister had to say about what the Government’s plans to do in an effort to reduce squatting, gives me little comfort that its objective in this matter will be realized. Claudius Prince
Lawlessness on the harbor bridge must be stopped DEAR EDITOR, I write you this letter in the hope that highlighting this issue will result in the Guyana Police force putting measures in place to rectify this lawlessness. The La Grange Old Road which leads to the western entrance of the Demerara Harbour Bridge usually allows one way traffic in the mornings towards the bridge. This one way traffic now accommodates five lanes of traffic since the shoulders of the road were graded. It is unfair for law abiding citizens to join the line and wait their turn to get on the bridge when other persons drive on the sides of the
road shoulders causing damage to the parapets and then jostle to the front of the line and past you. I have noticed this trend for a number of weeks now and no measures are being put in place to curtail this lawlessness. I suggest a police on a motor bike to patrol this area to maintain a fair queue system. I am kindly asking you to publish this letter to bring some relief concerning this issue. If you have an email or telephone number of the relevant authority I can raise this issue with please email it to me. Please email me if you need any further information. Andrew Chase
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Kaieteur M@ilbox They didn’t send in the Fated, slated, stated; negotiators the prison riots Kaieteur M@ilbox
DEAR EDITOR, It is with great shock that I learnt of the death of some 17 prisoners, most on remand apparently, following riots at the Camp Street jail. My sympathy to the relatives of those who lost their lives. Prisoners Lives Matter! This ongoing saga at our prison will leave a stain internationally on Guyana just at a time when we seem to have been successfully rebuilding the country’s image. What irks me however is the approach taken by the authorities in dealing with the protests by the prisoners. This is not the first time there was an uprising at the prison and if only there was institutional memory about dealing with such protests, this unfortunate result would never have been. Allow me to recall many, many years ago, on the occasion of one of the anniversaries of the prison service there was an “uprising” of sorts which began late one Saturday. If my memory serves me right Oscar Clarke was then minister of home affairs. The police was sent to surround the prison as fires raged within. Prime Minister Burnham was appraised of the situation and late that Saturday night summoned the then director of prisons whose name I think was Byron France. I was a young journalist at the Graphic back then and was assigned to cover the story. Mrs. Irvine, wife of then UG vice chancellor Dennis Irvine, was a counsellor at the prison and was among the team that met with Burnham late that Saturday evening. The decision taken was that a “negotiating team” would meet with the prisoners on Sunday. Heading the team was none other than President Arthur Chung, commander-in-chief of the armed forces along with Mrs. Irvine, Minister Gavin Kennard and a representative of the Guyana Council of Churches. Oscar Clarke was not on the team and as a journalist I found that strange. On the mere announcement that a team was coming in to meet with them, the prisoners suspended their protests. The team went in on Sunday afternoon and the prisoners were assembled in a hall. Some roamed the prison yard....this was the welcoming committee
(ringleaders) which included a man well up in age, of mixed race, who was serving a life sentence. I can see his wrinkled face until today. This very day West Indies was playing India in a match somewhere in the Caribbean, perhaps Jamaica. West Indies was doing especially well and some of the prisoners wanted an update on the match. President Chung ordered that a radio be sent in so that the commentary could be heard. The prisoners delight was cut short for India, facing some hostile bowling, declared with three wickets still standing, and West Indies won the match. President Chung and the team made onthe-spot decisions many of which pleased the protesting prisoners. I was amazed how happy these prisoners, who the previous night were rioting, had become having been paid a visit by the president and his team. Now, I thought long and hard before including this part of the story in this letter. The editor will decide whether to include it. It was left out of the article I wrote back then. In seeking comments from the prisoners about their satisfaction with the meeting, the ring leader said to me something along these lines. “We trust these people. The government ain’t send no black or coolie people to talk to we. These are good people.” Mrs. Irvine and the representative from the council of churches were white, Chung was Chinese and Kennard was a “redman”. And they say Burnham didn’t have shots. This was a masterstroke on the part of the “Kabacka”. So why was a negotiating team not sent in as soon as it was determined that the situation was escalating? As a former home affairs minister was Oscar Clarke contacted to offer advice about how to deal with this matter? Oscar Clarke might be too old to be Mayor of Georgetown but he might do well to serve on an independent commission of inquiry into this latest horror. Involving the youth in the country’s affairs is great but we must balance youth with experience and institutional memory. Wesley Kirton
DEAR EDITOR, Now that the smoke has cleared away, the dead has been identified, the prison environment has been fated, principal prison employees stated (Deputy Prison Director) and an inquiry slated. Permit me to ask a question yet again, hopefully for the final time—Quo Vadis? When will the rhetoric cease. The conflict is known, the clinical demands, the beat and the cast pages still unchanged, except that the montage this time was a building. The current Government has immediately put in place a Commission of Inquiry, chaired by Retired Judge James Patterson, Former Director of Prisons Dave Erskine and human rights activist Merle Mendonca, all with the intent of ascertaining the causes behind this so called powder keg. Perhaps it is timely to jog the minds of the likely inquirers, as well as the general public regarding reports, reviews, recommendations that were conducted regarding the same situation that has once again unfolded before our very eyes. July 2001, a team from Britain, the Consultancy Group of the British Government Cabinet Office Centre for Management and Policy Studies presented its Prison Reform Re-
port to the then Minister of Home Affairs Ronald Gajraj. In another reformative face saving process, Cecil Kennard, former Chancellor of the Judiciary, again presented to Gajraj a 30 page Report of Board Of Inquiry into the February 23, 2002 Escape of Five Prisoners from Georgetown Prison. The Carter Centre of America also presented another report in 2002, calling for the establishment of a Criminal Law Review Committee to examine existing laws, practices and procedures for the criminal justice system especially imprisonment. In like manner, the Guyana Prison Service also produced their own 2001-2011 Strategic Development Plan based on workshops, consultancy reports and visits. Yet again, in the wake of improvement Justice Ian Chang handed over to over to the Speaker of the National Assembly in May 2004 a 28 page recommendations Report of the Disciplined Services Commission, regarding improvements to the Georgetown, Mazaruni and New Amsterdam prisons. So many reports! So many recommendations! So many years later and still so little change. Before they add yet another inquiry report to the
list then pray tell the populace what part if any of the afore-stated recommendations have been adhered to? What new manifestations does President Granger hope to have revealed from this hastily contrived Commission? that would be different from the previous one. Perhaps the populace would be better served by having questions answered as to the dispensation of the previous recommendations. This is certainly not the time, with so such a grim death toll, to have face saving measures instituted, as a placatory measure. To quote George Santayana-”Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” How true! Nevertheless, though not the intended message of this letter, there are certain facets of the deadly prison fire that does reveal a totally incompetent prison, staff, administration, not to mention blatantly lax security and safety procedures. Reading through the newspaper that happens to also have readers throughout the diaspora, I was on a whim, led to muse that a bifurcation may be in order , with certain types of news reported to the populace and another type to the intelligentsia. Yvonne Sam
that that relationship ended over ASCRIA’s perception that the government and State were becoming authoritarian. The point is that by the time Rodney arrived in 1974, the government had already gone astray. And what is also forgotten is that thousands of African Guyanese joined Rodney’s resistance against the very government they voted for. Guyana’s politics are not as simplistic as the dual-narrative suggests. As an African Guyanese, I am pleading with the African Guyanese community not to descend to the point of justifying Government and State violence. As a people who have for 400 years been victims of extreme forms of State Violence and still are. We have to set an example to others both in terms of our conduct in government and in our outrage against official vio-
lence. We have to value all lives, including the lives of those opposed to our views. We Africans are a diverse people and have always generated diverse ideas—it is one of our beauties. And if we have not learned by now how to treat with that diversity of thought and action without resort to mindless violence, we will be forever doomed. Let us learn to love our idols without hating their rivals. There has to be a way to praise Burnham’s virtues without denigrating Rodney. And there has to be a way to look our past, the good and the not so good aspects of it, straight in the eye and acknowledge both our beauty and our ugliness. The ultimate test of humanity is our ability to be human even in the face of adversity. Many are asking for us to move on, but we cannot move on in denial; we
have to be honest with ourselves. It was our poetic voice, Martin Carter who penned the following thought-From the nigger yard of yesterday, I come with my burdens/ To the world of tomorrow I turn with my strength. I am also calling on our political leaders to do better. Now is the time for visionary leadership. The role of the leader is not only to run a government, but to be a source of reason. As political leaders we have to find a way to quarrel less and reason more. Difference is normal, but when we attach bad meaning to difference it becomes dangerous. Guyana has to learn quickly how to deal with differences in our politics. Our leaders have to set the example and if they do, our society would be a healthier place David Hinds
Authoritarian state violence...
From page 4 government. The antiRodney narrative in the African Guyanese community fuses three sometimes contradictory elements. First, the Comrade Leader had nothing to do with his demise. Second, he was wrong to oppose his fellow Black leader. Third, because he did so, his murder is justified. Why Rodney couldn’t work with Burnham rather than opposing him, they ask. They conveniently forget that one segment of Rodney’s party, ASCRIA and Kwayana, worked closely with Burnham during the years 1964-71 and
Sunday March 06, 2016
Kaieteur News
OPPOSITION KNOCKS GOVT.’S CRIME PLAN
David Lee Trinidad Guardian - The Opposition has called for Government to facilitate a local or regional consultation on crime and use citizens’ suggestions in addressing the problem. In a statement, United National Congress chairman David Lee said: “At this point one can safely say that one of the basic constitutional rights is being violated as citizens no longer feel safe nor are they able to enjoy their property comfortably. “It’s the role of Government to upkeep this right by strategically finding measures to battle the horrendous wave of crime plaguing T&T. “The views, concerns and solutions of citizens are critical in the fight against crime. Crime is an issue which must never be politicised. However, there’s no denying it is the stringent role of politicians and those in authority to not only take responsibility but create measures to protect citizens. “Government must, therefore, show an ‘all out’ attack on crime as well as criminal elements as we seek to protect the greatest asset of our nation, our human resource. It’s quite bewildering that Government’s approach at this time appears very laissez-faire and non-committal.” He said the UNC would
continue to offer its suggestions and solutions to fight crime. Lee added: “My heart goes out to the families affected by crime due to murder of loved ones. The records will show that at this point in 2015 under the People’s Partnership, the murder rate was substantially lower than it is presently.” In recent days, Prime Minister Keith Rowley has acknowledged that crime levels, particularly murders, were unacceptable. Following last month’s double murder of two schoolboys in Laventille, soldiers were called out to help patrol the crime hot spots. Apart from the crime problem facing T&T, Lee also said businesses and individuals were increasingly constrained by the minimal and nominal amounts of foreign exchange made available to them for purchase from commercial banks. “The various Chambers of Commerce, such as those representing San Fernando, San Juan, Couva/ Point Lisas and Chaguanas have all confirmed that businesses within their respective regions have been facing this dilemma.” Lee said it was important to note that one of the major concerns raised by the business lobby groups was the allegations of inequitable dis-
tribution of foreign exchange by the Central Bank. “Therefore, it is pertinent to the sustainability and protection of the economy that both Central Bank and the Ministry of Finance implement mechanisms which are geared to not only educing the shortage of foreign exchange, but ensuring equity as it relates to its distribution,” he said. “It’s of public importance to have this rectified as soon as possible, as failure to do so will result in businesses and individuals being unable to honour their contractual and financial obligations to foreign suppliers. “Further perpetuation presents disastrous repercussions, such as the collapse of businesses, loss of jobs, destabilisation of the economy, a loss of confidence in T&T by foreign investors and suppliers as well as an unprecedented plethora of social problems,” Lee said. The Central Bank has reverted to the previous regime in distribution of foreign exchange to commercial banks after People’s National Movement assumed office in last September but business people are still complaining about the lack of foreign exchange available from their bankers.
St Lucia and Barbados to negotiate maritime boundaries CASTRIES, St Lucia — The governments of Barbados and Saint Lucia have decided to proceed to the negotiation and conclusion of an agreement that will establish a maritime boundary between the two states. Officials from the two countries met in Barbados from March 1 - 4, to prepare a draft of the maritime boundary delimitation agreement. They were joined by officials from St Vincent and the Grena-
dines who recently concluded similar negotiations with Barbados. St Vincent and the Grenadines and Barbados signed a maritime boundary delimitation agreement on August 31. The heads of delegation underlined that these negotiations and, in particular, the provisional agreement between Barbados and Saint Lucia bear testimony to the spirit of cordiality that has characterized all of these negotiations. The United Na-
tions Convention of the Law of the Sea, to which both states are party, entitles them to claim an exclusive economic zone of up to 200 nautical miles. As a result of the proximity of these states, there is a necessity to delimit their maritime boundaries. The delimitation of maritime boundaries facilitates the effective governance of these maritime spaces and creates certainty for users. (Caribbean News)
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Govt. must move ahead with forensic audits - US diplomat By Kiana Wilburg Since the Granger-led administration launched a series of forensic audits last year June, the citizenry has been anxious to see the findings. Accompanying the anxiety is the accusation by the political opposition that Government is only using the forensic audits as excuses to fire those who served the former regime. Considering this, Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy in Guyana, Bryan D. Hunt says that Government can certainly address the fears and uncertainty of the citizenry as well as the accusation by the political opposition in two ways. The envoy says that the coalition administration must move expeditiously where the forensic audits are concerned and that it must make the process transparent. He said that the government cannot go wrong should it adopt this approach. In a recent interview with this newspaper, Ambassador Perry Holloway said, “I think first and foremost that the government needs to move ahead with deciding the way forward with these audits. You know an audit can tell you a whole lot of things. “It will give you things that are criminal and things that are noncriminal such as things that have to do with procedural breaches. So we don’t know what’s in those forensic audits.” The Deputy Chief of Mission said that it is important for the government to decide what it is going to do with those audits and make a determination as to what prosecutions need to go forward against those who violated the law and then move those cases into the judicial system. “And I would say that they do so in an expeditious fashion. Additionally, the best way to remove fear and uncertainty is to make the process transparent. If government moved to file
Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy in Guyana, Mr Bryan D. Hunt cases against those who violated the law then absolutely that will deal with the uncertainty and fear in the public. But no one should get a free pass. “Also, I think they should move forward with prosecutions and then allow people to have their day in court and if there is a reasonable case by those accused, you allow the other side to present it, “expressed Hunt. The American envoy asserted that if Government has decided for whatever reason in a given entity, no criminal cases are going to be derived from the audit then it is important to make that known. The diplomat added, “The government at the minimum should make the employees, but ideally the public, aware that the findings of the forensic audits of Agency X will not result in any criminal prosecutions because they did not find sufficient evidence for criminal wrong doings.” Last week, Junior Finance Minister, Jaipaul Sharma, said that while he understands that the public may be impatient, he is asking them to just wait a little bit longer. Government is expected to release numerous forensic audit reports in a matter of two weeks, he said. He promised that it will
not be a second longer than this deadline. Only four of the 50 forensic audit reports launched by Government have been released. These are 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. Sharma said that most of the reports are complete but are under review as the respective entities must have a chance to respond to some of the damning findings uncovered by the forensic auditors. Some of the firms contracted to conduct the forensic 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 (GoInvest). Ram and McRae bagged some $20M for auditing the Guyana Geology and Mines
Commission (GGMC), the Guyana Gold Board and the E-Governance Project among others. Sharma said that Cabinet is working at a considerable pace as it is looking into at least one report at almost every meeting. The Junior Finance Minister was reluctant to say how many reports will be released and in what order. He said that this is a decision that will have to be made by the Cabinet members. Sharma insisted that the reports must receive Cabinet’s blessings before being released. It was in May 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). Several audits were also launched in July while others started in later weeks. While the report on NICIL has been completed for months now with criminal proceedings still to take shape, those on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU) have been completed for a longer period. Most of the forensic audits have unearthed several hidden accounts, with billions of dollars poised to be transferred to the Consolidated Fund by year end. Government stated that this phased transfer process has already started. More importantly, the forensic audits in some cases have reportedly not only uncovered fraud and various forms of corruption, but investigators have also made several critical recommendations for the way forward on several agencies and sectors, all of which Cabinet is yet to see.
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Dem boys seh...
When Donald sing, casino licence does give away Old people got a saying. “Show me your company and I will tell you who you are.” And dem ain’t talking bout a business company. Dem talking bout you friends. Some people got nuff friends. Even de devil got a friend. Jagdeo didn’t got fingers and toes and hands and foot to count he friends. He had Bobby and de other Bees; he had Irfaat and Ashni and de Chat-3. When he been at the top he did everything on earth for Bobby and he other friends. Some get land, Babbie get billion-dollar contracts; some get lands and contracts. And some jus get money. Was a sweet time. Some of dem get so much money that dem didn’t know what to do wid it. One man try to buy Bourda and one try to buy a plane. Dem boys wish he did buy de plane. By now he woulda have to sell it. Donald de Dumb did look like Santa. People think he was a nice man. Dem boys had a lot of hope in him. But he tun out to be just like Jagdeo, only he was a better singer. Jagdeo friends tun he friends. What he couldn’t do fuh dem he allow Jagdeo fuh tell him what to do. Jagdeo seh give dem more land and contract and property. That is how Pradoville2 come about. But Jagdeo smart. He go to Line Path, Skeldon and he talk to people bout rice. Dem people don’t plant rice. When he ketch heself he talk bout sugar and that is how he end up talking bout Wales. He tell dem people that Soulja Bai should tek de independence money and fix Wales. Dem boys she he forget he coulda tek de Marriott money and fix Wales and Skeldon. He had Georgetown suh stink that if he did tek a portion of de money he give to Babbie, he coulda clean de whole country, and fix Wales. Donald Dumb been pun de GuySuCo Board and he didn’t even think bout fixing Wales. De same Donald sit down and because he like go in hotel and sing, he pass a Iaw that every place wheh he sing would get a casino licence. That is how Sleep Out get one. Guyana never know bout this till de Olympic Man talk bout it last week. De plan is to attract all dem church people and dem collection. Even dem pickney who does play pun de Merriman Mall gun visit de casino. That was more money fuh de boys. Talk half and invite Donald to sing if you want open a casino.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday March 06, 2016
GRA meeting this week with importers on used tyre ban - income tax returns now possible electronically By Leonard Gildarie F o l l o w i n g announcements of an impending ban on the importation of used tyres and stricter measures to collect taxes, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has announced a series of public activities. According to notices last week, the agency which collects taxes on behalf of the state, said that on Wednesday a critical meeting to discuss the ban will be held at its Camp Street Headquarters. The meeting with the importers of used tyres will be held at 10:00 am in the 5th Floor Training Room. GRA, in its notice, said that the focus of the meeting will be to discuss restrictions on the importation of used tyres for cars, minibus and pick-up tyres. “The Revenue Authority recognizes the relevance and value of the contribution of importers to the achievement of the objectives of the organization and is committed to facilitating their involvement in its work and activities,” GRA said. During the recent passage
of the 2016 National Budget, Government announced a number of measures with regard to imported vehicles and tyres. Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, announced that Government will be moving to ban the importation of used tyres and lower the taxes on new ones to ensure they are affordable. Jordan also announced that there will be a removal of the Excise Tax on motor vehicles that are under four years old and 1500cc. These vehicles currently attract Excise Tax at the rate of 30 percent with an effective tax rate of 118.7 percent. With this removal, Jordan explained, the effective tax rate will be reduced to 68.2 percent. Another major impact from the budget would be the reduction of excise tax from 50 percent to 10 percent on motor vehicles under four years old – that is for vehicles between 1500cc and under 2000cc. The effective tax rate of 152.3 percent for this category will be reduced to 85 percent. From May 1, the Finance Minister also announced,
GRA has announced a number of workshops across the country to sensitize taxpayers on the importance and need to file their returns. there will be restriction on the importation of used and/or reconditioned vehicles older than eight years old from the date of manufacture to the date of importation. However, the announcements were met with protests from tyre and used car importers. The country has scores of
used tyres importers with containers being shipped in monthly. Government in justifying its decision on the used tyres cited safety and environmental concerns. However, importers have been arguing that there are no scientific data locally that link used tyres to accidents. Government has said that
the importers will be allowed to liquidate their stocks. With regard to used cars importations, dealers have warned that from calculations, the restrictions of vehicles eight years and older will in effect make it unaffordable for the normal family as new cars cost more, even in the face of a reduction
in the excise tax. Meanwhile, GRA also announced that it is now possible to complete the Individual Income Tax Return electronically. Previously, the returns had only been available for manual completion and submission. With a new Board of Directors and changes in its management, GRA has been setting itself a number of targets. Initial reviews by the Board found a number of worrying things when it came to the country’s tax collections. The reviews hinted that key commercial areas were showing worrying low collection compared to other depressed areas. Lucas said that non-compliance existed especially among selfemployed persons. It is believed that Guyana collected only about 60 percent of the taxes it is due. In the coming weeks, GRA said in its notices last week, it is heading to Berbice to conduct three days of workshop starting tomorrow. “The workshops will focus on, but are not limited to, discussions on Income Tax Deductions and Ascertaining Chargeable Income based on NIS Deductions.” The workshops will be held at Tiara’s Academy, Trinity Street, New Amsterdam from 9:30hours to 11:00hours and 13:30hours to 15:00hours and Tuesday March 8, 2016 — New Amsterdam Technical Institute, New Amsterdam from 13:30hours to 15:00hours.Businesses, GRA is also asking self-employed persons and individual taxpayers who are interested in attending the workshops to contact its Communication & Tax Advisory Services Division.
Sunday March 06, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Traffic chief hospitalized Application filed to dismiss Pradoville 2 land case following vehicular accident Almost two weeks after the Guyana Police Force (GPF)’s Second in Command, Assistant Commissioner Balram Persaud, succumbed following a vehicular accident, another member of the force has been involved in yet another accident. This time it is Traffic Chief, Superintendent Dion Moore. Moore, according to reports, was a passenger in a motorcar heading north along the East Bank Demerara (EBD) Public Road in the vicinity of Guyoil Service Station at Providence when the driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a utility pole. While the driver of the vehicle escaped without injuries, Moore sustained a fractured leg and rib. He is said to be in a stable condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)’s High Dependency Unit (HDU). Kaieteur News understands that the senior police officer was picked up from the scene of the accident in a semi-unconscious state and rushed to the hospital where he remains a patient.
Traffic Chief, Dion Moore The driver of the vehicle is in police custody. On February 5, Balram Persaud was driving along the Schoonord Public Road, West Bank Demerara, when he lost control of his car,
which toppled several times before slamming into a utility pole. He was hospitalized for almost two weeks before he died from injuries he sustained in the accident.
The legal challenge to the sale of plots of land at Pradoville 2 took a surprising turn when Attorney for Ramesh Dookhoo and Florrie Ramnauth, Devindra Kissoon, intervened in the proceedings and filed an application to dismiss the case instead of defending the matter. A group headed by former APNU Member of Parliament Desmond Trotman moved to the High Court last September seeking, among other things, to have the sale of the land declared null and void. They argued that the sales were done surreptitiously at undervalued prices to former government Ministers, officials and cronies of the PPP/C. Trotman and the Committee for the Defence for the Constitution Inc, represented by Senior Counsel Rex McKay and Neil Boston, Bettina Glasford and Brenden Glasford, filed the constitutional action claiming that they were discriminated against in violation of Article 149 of the Constitution, seeking ten declarations to
have the court declare the transfer of lands unlawful and asking the Court to set aside the “purported sale and transfer to the putative owners” of the said parcels of land and an order directing each owner that the legal and beneficial ownership of the lands vest in the Minister of Finance. Both Ramesh Dookhoo and Florrie Ramnauth purchased lands in Pradoville 2 in 2010. Ramnauth later constructed a house. Kissoon, in filing his application to dismiss, argued that the action “Constitutes a gross abuse of the Court’s process, being filed more than five years after the passage of title to the Intervenors, this in ordinate delay alone as a matter of law being sufficient to dismiss the Applicants’ motion.” Kissoon argued that if the Court grants the reliefs sought, the intervenors would be deprived of their property in violation of the constitution without just compensation. Kissoon also argued that the applicants have failed to demonstrate that they are true comparators to the
purchasers of the Pradoville 2 land, that they have failed to properly state how they have been discriminated against, there being no proof that they even attempted to purchase the lands, and that there is a separate procedure under the Acquisition of Lands for Public Purpose Act which provides the only constitutional basis upon which land can be seized from a private citizen. Kissoon argued that the Trotman-led applicants were laboring under the “misconception that the Constitution is panacean in character, capacitated for the eventual solution of all legal problems.” Kissoon’s motion to dismiss comes up before Chief Justice Yonette Cummings on Tuesday.
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Sunday March 06, 2016
Composition of COI will ensure recommendations are int’l best practice
The government has given assurances that even though the official Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Camp Street Commission of Inquiry (COI) does not make mention of upgrading the standing orders, the Commissioners will still ensure that this is done. This is according to Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, during a press conference at his Ministry on Friday. He was responding to questions of whether the COI would also be looking to what level the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) conform to international standards. Ramjattan made it clear that while the Terms of Reference doesn’t make specific mention as to whether the standing orders will be upgraded, he believed that the recommendations will fill that vacuum should it be determined as necessary.
“As a general rule (when) Commissions of Inquiry are set up,” Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, also said, “There is always a requirement for them to make recommendations or any other recommendation that may not have been established in the Terms of Reference.” He said that the COI will also follow the rule of thumb in utilizing what are generally the international best practices in the industry. “They will make general recommendations to the Minister on any action, whatsoever, that will avoid a recurrence of that situation,” Harmon said. “You will also recognize from the composition of that COI,” Harmon stated. “(There is) a retired Judge, an expert on Human and Prison Rights and a former Director of Prisons who would have had extensive training and exposure in prison situations not only
in Guyana and around the world.” For years, there have been concerns about the Camp Street prison’s condition. Concerns have been raised about whether the prison was up to par with international standards. There have also been calls for moving the prison, which is in the heart of Georgetown. All this came into sharp focus over the past few days, as uprisings in the prison resulted in the deaths of 17 prisoners and injuries to other inmates and prison officers. In the wake of all this, a COI has been announced. That inquiry will be chaired by retired Justice James Patterson, and will have former Director of Prisons, Dale Erskine, and Human Rights Activist Merle Mendonca as members. The inquiry is tasked to “investigate, examine and report on” the causes, circumstances and the conditions that led to the rioting and all subsequent disturbances at the prison. It will inquire into the nature of the prisoners’ injuries and will also seek to determine whether the conduct of
Officer in Charge of the Prison, Kevin Pilgrim, with Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon the Prison Officers on March 3, last, and afterwards was in line with the Standard Operating Procedures normally followed by the officers. The Commission of Inquiry (COI) is expected to determine whether the prisoners died as a result of the prison officers’ negligence, abandoning their duty, disregarding instructions or inaction on the night of March 2 and the morning of March 3. It is also understood that
the COI is mandated to consider the views of stakeholders such as prison staff and their unions and members of the Judiciary (the backlog and sloth of cases is a primary concern of prisoners). Staff from the Ministry of Public Health and Social Protection will also make submissions, as well as the Camp Street prisoners themselves and any other stakeholders deemed appropriate. RECOMMENDATIONS It is expected that the COI
will examine and make recommendations to improve the physical infrastructure of the prison. He also noted that the existing security arrangements pertaining to how prisoners are managed will be looked at. Recommendations will also be made relating to the appropriate treatment of prisoners in compliance with the law. Finally, the COI will be looking at making recommendations to prevent any further disturbances.
Sunday March 06, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Aspiring doctors tour Lyken morgue
Some of the aspiring doctors pose for a photo with Gordon Lyken (left) and Dr. Dawn Stewart (right) after the tour of the morgue. Some first year medical students of the University of Guyana (UG), were yesterday given a close-up of some of the processes used by funeral homes to carry out the cleansing, embalming and other preparation of corpses. The students, who appeared on edge at first, quickly relaxed after they came face to face with a fresh corpse at the Lyken Newburg Funeral Home in Norton Street, Georgetown. Unfortunately though, only one of them is inclined to pursue a career in pathology, a branch of medical science primarily concerning the examination of organs, tissues, and bodily fluids in order to make a diagnosis of disease that caused death. Conducting the tour were
representatives of the funeral home including Dr. Dawn Stewart who explained to the students the basic procedures. Both Dr Stewart and her husband Gordon Lyken are trained in the art of embalming. An embalming demonstration was done later that morning. The student doctors were also offered a closer view of the refrigeration compartment. Dr. Stewart, who served as an Air Force Nurse in the United States Army, was also able to provide some tips to the students on the handling and the storage of the bodies. She was able to shed some light on protective measures that should be taken, along with the do’s and don’ts in operating in such an
environment. Sharice Rahat who wants to pursue a career in pathology found the tour very interesting. She was in no way taken aback by the sight of some of the charred bodies from the unrest at the Georgetown Prisons. “My mom was a nurse and she is accustomed to those things. Sometimes she would go to the morgue and I would go with her,” the budding Pathologist told Kaieteur News. But what led her to choose to pathology, an area in medicine that is in desperate need of expertise in Guyana? She had an interesting response. “I can’t deal with someone dying on me, so I decided well I’ll deal with someone that is already
dead,” she said, eliciting much laughter from her colleagues. But apart from that, she explained that this aspect of science is very interesting, since it involves a lot of medical investigation and since she is a great fan of television shows like law and order and CSI, Pathology grabbed her interest. “I decided to become a pathologist since I was in form one. At that time I did not know that Guyana was lacking in the field but as I grew older and I became informed and that made me more excited to be not the only one, but someone to start a trend that maybe more persons would want to come into the field,” Rahat said. She said that looking at the bodies did not affect her
at all. “It’s what I expected to see.” Not so for some of her colleagues. Rehana Fareed was not too excited by the sight of dead bodies lying on the tiled slab or in the freezers. “I expected this but it was a bit gruesome,” she said, making it clear that that was not the field of medicine she wanted to be a part of. “I prefer to deal with the living, saving lives. But as a doctor you will have to deal with things like this,” Fareed told this newspaper. Another young aspiring doctor, Nicolas Elliott, was impressed with the manner in which the corpses were kept. He said that the morgue tour will certainly be of assistance to him in his future studies.
“You know now that people die and you know that when they die they are not just thrown aside, that their bodies are still taken care of properly and Science goes on,” Elliott said. This was the first time that local medical students visited the Lyken Funeral Parlour Morgue as part of their medical programme. According to Gordon Lyken, the students were apprehensive at first but they soon became very interested once the tour began. “I was joking around at first, asking them if they wanted gloves. I was surprised when all of them said yes and I had to go and get a box of gloves for them. They had never touched a dead body before,” Lyken told this newspaper.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday March 06, 2016
NURSE WILLING TO HELP REFORM NURSING PROFESSION IN GUYANA By Sharmain Grainger “It cannot be seen as a career to just get money. You have to try not to think about the hours you are working or the money you are getting,” said Nurse Claudette Powell. In June she will celebrate a 40-year milestone in the nursing profession. The native Jamaican, who has for a number of years been residing in the United States, has worked in all areas of nursing. And during an interview with this publication she reminisced on her extensive nursing career. “I have worked in the hospital setting, and I strongly believe that all nurses should pay their dues at the bedside...I did 10 years of that, and 10 years I did home health care. I was into management and adjunct teaching. For the past 10 years I have been into consulting,” disclosed Powell. She also has a keen focus on regulatory affairs including policies, procedures and compliance related to the nursing profession. She has held influential positions including President of the Jamaica Nurses Group of New York, the oldest Caribbean Nurses Organisation; President of the Caribbean American Nurses Association, which represents at least 10 territories, including Guyana, and she has also chaired the Jamaica Diaspora Health Sector in the US. She was the recipient of the prestigious Governor General Award last year for exemplary leadership in the health field on behalf of the Jamaican Diaspora. She currently holds the position
of Vice President of the Jamaica Nurses Group of New York. Powell, during a recent interview, recalled entering the nursing profession back in the day because she really wanted to take care of people. “A little girl would say to you, ‘I want to be a nurse because I want to take care of people’ – that was the bottom line. But unfortunately that has since changed,” she considered as she mused over concerns surrounding the whole notion of nursing today. But, according to her, the nursing profession is that that must embrace empathy, and is intended to be farther reaching than merely a patient in a hospital bed. She posited that nursing care should take into consideration the whole family and even how it will take care of a sick love one. “You have to have feelings for this family that is grieving...unfortunately there are different reasons, I think, why the way nurses operate today has changed and I think it has to do with how they (nurses) are taken care of. “They are not being paid (enough), although you are not supposed to look at the money, they still need to be paid well,” said Powell as she considered that in developing countries like Guyana, the situation is likely to be worse when compared to developed countries like the United States. “The attitude is likely to be worse because of low income, they don’t feel valued, they don’t feel respected,” speculated Powell as she pointed to the lack of regulations to control the behaviours of nurses. In the US, for instance,
Nurse Claudette Powell
she noted, that medical personnel, including nurses, have to be cautious about how they speak to patients. “You have to watch it, or you will be out of a job in the United States if you don’t know how to deal with patients; you could be sued,” she related. She disclosed, “There are times when you are in the US that you can tell when someone migrated from a Caribbean country. They become so frustrated because they cannot get away with treating patients anyhow.” And it is simply because nursing is being seen as a ‘second career’ by some people that the prestige formerly associated with
nursing it has been lost. “You have retired people going into nursing now because there is always a need for health care workers. When you are going to do that I am not sure that you would have the attributes that it takes to be a nurse. So unfortunately we are losing it a bit,” added Powell. And the depreciation of the nursing service, according to Powell, is a rather worrying one, since at some point “we all need to seek some form of nursing care.” And the troubling state of affairs, she added, has even transcended to the care offered by doctors. But remedying the situation, according to
Powell, would require the intervention of Government. And she is convinced that among the intervening measures should be a move towards increasing the salaries of medical personnel and improving their general working conditions. “Make the working environment more appealing, cut down on long work hours...If measures are not taken to improve the working condition the first opportunity these people get they are going to leave and we can’t afford to have these people leaving; we need some people to remain and take care of us,” said Powell. She spoke of the brain drain situation that has been plaguing not only Guyana but other Caribbean islands as well. And Powell is only too willing to lend her support to Guyana to help transform the nursing profession. She currently sits on the Advisory Board of the Ministry of Health in Jamaica. “If the nursing Association here asked for help, even if it is not me, I have several colleagues who will be willing and able to come and do some
consulting and share best practices.” And lending support, Powell said, is certainly not a dictatorial process but rather a fact finding mission is the key. “You have to hear from the people in the system,” said Powell as she recalled conducting such a process in Jamaica sometime ago which yielded the desired outcome. Just recently Powell, who is Vice President of the Guyana-Jamaica Friendship Association (GJFA) which has a keen focus on helping to improve health and education in the two territories, was involved in a mini fact finding mission during a visit to Suddie, Essequibo Coast. Guyana born, Dr. Frank Denbow is President of GJFA. “We will leave with information and then we could talk about it and see how we can help even in some small way,” said Powell as she reiterated her willingness to share her expertise with not just the two Caricom member states but others as well.
Pomeroon River is drying up The prolonged dry season continues to take a toll on every aspect of life. Residents living in the Pomeroon River have reported that the River has dried up significantly. They said the water in the mighty Pomeroon River is low. The creeks which provide potable water have all dried up. Residents are complaining that the water in the Pomeroon River now has a high level of salinity (salt water) and is damaging their crops. The water whenever used for bathing also causes discomfort. The people are praying for the rains. Pomeroon residents are dependent on farming.
Sunday March 06, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Early morning fire GPHC doctor abuses reporters
An early morning fire yesterday left one home razed and another in the same yard, at Bush Lot, Corentyne, Berbice, badly damaged. At least four persons are homeless including a pregnant woman, it was reported.
13-year student missing A 13-year old student of lot 35 Section ‘C’ Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara was declared missing by her relatives yesterday. Kelly Bacchus was last seen on Tuesday morning wearing her school uniform - white shirt and green kimono. Her mother, Pamela Bacchus, said that this was not the first time her daughter has gone missing. Pamela said that Kelly left for school but never turned up. She subsequently made contact with family, relatives and friends to locate the teen but to no avail. A report was made at the Diamond/Golden Grove Police Station the following day. “I just want she come home, whatever the matter is, we will sort it out,” the teary eyed mother said yesterday.
Missing: Kelly Bacchus
Reporters from various media houses across the country were caught off guard on Friday when the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)’s Director of Medical and Professional Services, Dr. Sheik Amir, started to insult them. The reporters had approached the medical staff for an interview after being told that patients were turned away from the national referral hospital on Thursday last when the prisoners from Camp Street prison were rushed there suffering from burns as a result of the unrest at the prison. Dr. Amir launched into a tirade. The reporters all stood there wondering what caused him to behave in such a manner. At one point he told the reporters, “So you would not have studied journalism and I am aware of that…but let’s act like we did.” “That is a stupid question,” he said in response to a query. He literally shouted at a female journalist to put her camera down when she raised her hands. He was in his domain. The bewildered woman simply did not want to put her camera on the floor and was simply trying to rest it on the lap. When Amir first entered the room for the interview, instead of asking the reporters not to record immediately, he yelled on top of his voice at them like little children. “Stop recording! Who is recording? Stop recording!” One of his medical colleagues said that Dr. Amir is an “arrogant man” and that he would usually behave in that manner. “We are journalists and he knew we could report on his behaviour and he still behaved like that. Imagine if a normal person, let’s say a patient at the hospital, went to him to ask something, how he would behave,” one
Director of Medical and Professional Services, Dr. Sheik Amir reporter said. When a recording on the doctor’s outburst was played to other medical personnel at the same hospital, they were in no way surprised. “We always get complaints about our doctors but when you have these doctors working under someone, who himself, does not know how to speak to people, then it is no surprise,” the doctor said. Another related, “He is the Head of Professional Services. At least he could have behaved in a more respectable manner. This is giving all the doctors at this hospital a bad name. I listened to the recording; no questions were asked so I am still puzzled about what angered him to that extent. Maybe he has issues at home or he was having a bad day.” Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton could not be reached for a comment yesterday.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday March 06, 2016
Berbice rice farmers upset over halting of aerial pesticide spraying Rice farmers are up in arms. They want the government to intervene in a dispute that has developed between rice farmers and the pesticide and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB) that is threatening to ruin their rice crop. The crux of the matter is the recent decision of the PTCCB to stop aerial spraying of the farmers’ rice and deny Air Service Limited’s (ASL) request for any further spraying of the farmers’ crop. Rice farmers of Regions Four, Five and Six are mostly affected by the latest indiscretion by the PTCCB. The farmers convened an emergency meeting at the Nand Persaud and Company Limited Head officer at No.36 Village Corentyne where over 25 large scale farmers converged. The farmers are seeing the move by PTCCB as discriminatory since they say that Guysuco is being allowed to do aerial spraying and they see no logical reason why they cannot be allowed to do likewise. According to Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the company, Haseef Yusuf, the farmers are very aggrieved for a number of reasons. He stated that farmers are likely to lose their crop because of the heavy infestation of paddy bug and
caterpillars. “If there is no spraying soon, farmers will lose their crop. He said that the continued denial by the PTCCB of the farmers’ request for aerial spraying also comes at a time when the farmers were severely affected by the ongoing El Nino weather conditions. Yusuf said the PTCCB’s strange decision to block ASL from conducting aerial spraying of rice fields followed complaints from members of the public over the possible harmful effects such spraying could have on communities in close proximity. However, Yusuf is contending that Guysuco has been spraying for years and the PTCCB never made a move against them. This is also despite several complaints by residents that they are being affected. He is wondering why the different postures since both crops are equally important and of much benefit to Guyana. Yusuf also argues that only large scale rice farmers are utilizing the facilities and most of their cultivations are far from residential areas. “Manual spraying is not effective since there is an acute shortage of manual labour and it is impossible to treat the large acreage under cultivation.
Nand Persaud and Company Limited, Corentyne, Berbice.
The rice farmers are already faced with low prices and high costs of production. Yusuf stated. In a technological world aerial spraying is far better more effective and less costly. With aerial spraying, there is only an overlap of about 10 feet while with the motor blower the overlap could be between 20 and 30 feet. With the hand spraying, the overlap could be up to 70 feet. Another factor is that
most cultivations are way down into the back lands, sometimes as much as 17 miles. Workers do not want to travel such far distances. Farmer, Harry Beharry, stated that the PTCCB is now becoming a pest. “Look who make up the Pesticide Board! None of them are farmers. They sit in an office and want to make decisions about what goes on in the field.” The farmers noted that the current weather conditions are ideal for paddy bugs. With Ariel spraying there is more chance of the chemical going deeper into the root and killing the pests, while with the hand spraying the pest
will go into the root and hide and after a time reemerge and destroy the crop. Agriculture Minister Noel Holder has been contacted on the issue and has since met with the PTCCB. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also met with the PTCCB to discuss the issue. However, the farmers believe that Holder should take a more proactive stance since time is running out. However, according to the farmers they were told by Minister Holder, that the regulations on aerial spraying stipulate that the plot of land being sprayed by aerial
spraying should be one mile away from others. The farmers again are asking what about Guysuco. Minister Holder stated that a policy document on aerial spraying is being prepared and will be available in a few months. The farmers say the rice crop is greatly infested by pests including paddy bugs and caterpillars and is at the mercy of being destroyed. Suriname has been doing aerial spraying of rice for a number of years and no one has been adversely affected. The farmers need immediate action before their livelihood is ruined.
Sunday March 06, 2016
Kaieteur News
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NCERD giving keen attention to Special Education Needs in schools - convenes week-long training session for teachers By Sharmain Grainger Did you know that Special Education Needs (SEN) children are in every classroom in Guyana? Well this was intimated to me last week by SEN Subject Specialist, Savvie Hopkinson-Hamilton. Mrs. Hopkinson-Hamilton is attached to the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) located in Kingston, Georgetown, and was last week among the key facilitators at a SEN workshop for Georgetown teachers. Although NCERD is known to facilitate professional development sessions for teachers, this session was perhaps one with a little difference. It was done with financial support from Basic Needs Trust Fund. While the majority of those in attendance were public school teachers, at least one representative from a privately-operated school, in the person of Ms. Marcia Smith of Gifted Hands Centre, took advantage of the fiveday training session that commenced on Monday and ended on Friday. Its purpose, according to Mrs. Hopkinson-Hamilton, was to engage teachers towards heightening their effectiveness when delivering lessons to children with SEN. And while teachers of all levels were represented, the majority were primary level. They were all enlightened about ways they could integrate, more effectively, into their teaching methodologies, techniques and strategies suitable for
SEN Subject Specialist Keon Cheong engages the teachers.
Mrs. Savvie Hopkinson-Hamilton, SEN Subject Specialist.
SEN children in their classrooms. “This training will allow for acquainting and preparing teachers to recognise and identify signs of learning challenges in their classrooms,” said the SEN Subject Specialist as she pointed out that “it will also equip them with information on special education needs, categories of disabilities in Guyana, and the impact of disability on learning.” Moreover, with the training offered to the teachers during the past week, it is expected that they are now poised to better manage students with special needs. But in order to do this they would first have to identify those special needs. But since the focus of the training session was only on mild forms of SEN, the associated behaviours teachers were taught to discern included some as simple as the constant tilting of the head or even squinting.
The Baccoo Speaks Fires are back. Another house would go up in flames in the eastern part of the country. No one can explain why. Some will say arson, but the truth is still to be uncovered, and it may not, because people would refuse to cooperate with the investigators. ** Just when one thought that criminal activity would take a rest, another group of men would target a dwelling house. The police will be ruthless in their search. They will pick up some people who would not be involved but who would know the perpetrators.
That is when some parents would realize the gravity, because of what the jail has become. ** Another river accident will occur and again carelessness on the part of a driver will be to blame. One vessel would have smuggled goods.
The prolonged redness of eyes, could also suggest that a child has a vision problem, according to HopkinsonHamilton. And then there are subtle hearing impairment issues faced by some children in the classroom which, according to her, could hinder their academic performances if undetected and not addressed. But with the training, it is expected that the teachers will be better able to observe simple indicators or signs. Once detected, though, Hopkinson-Hamilton noted that a process to enlighten the parents or guardians must ensue. And there is some help forthcoming from the Ministry of Education for children with some challenges, HopkinsonHamilton disclosed. For instance, those with visual impairment can be referred to get some assistance to access eye tests and even spectacles through the
Ministry’s School Health Unit. However, while visual and hearing-related issues may be among the more easily detected in the classroom, Hopkinson-Hamilton noted that there are other conditions that might go completely unrecognised as a special needs issue. Teachers were moreover enlightened about conditions such as dyslexia, which is simply referred to as a reading disorder whereby children are unable to identify letters and words. And then there is dysgraphia, having difficulty with letter formation. Hopkinson-Hamilton however noted that while teachers can observe the children in their care “we ask them to be careful with terms, because we do not want our teachers to put a definitive label to what they see. Some of these are educational diagnosis and we are not trained in educational diagnosis, so we don’t want the teachers to try to diagnose children, but rather,
they can only deduce that they have tendencies consistent with the known conditions.” But the SEN Unit at NCERD also has the mandate to do further tests with children found to have the behavioural challenges, to help ascertain what their specific weaknesses are. “In this way we are able to help teachers with strategies that are applicable that they can use in the classroom to help children so that their academic performances can be improved,” the SEN Specialist explained. Some students, according to her, can be treated right in the classroom if teachers use the right methodologies. Hopkinson-Hamilton pointed out too that “all some students require is extra attention so that they can grasp concepts and master skills. But this may not be possible if cases are found to be severe physical disabilities”. “Teachers are encouraged to make accommodations and adaptations in their plan,”
Hopkinson-Hamilton noted as she asserted that “even for children who are gifted, special provision must be made for them. If the work is below them they will become bored and frustrated. Those who are very weak or slow and the work is above their heads, they too will be frustrated and feel like they are not achieving anything”. While it is not expected to be an easy task for teachers, since some classes have in excess of 30 children, Hopkinson-Hamilton said that the efforts of teachers will be monitored, with a view of determining if the training provided is meeting the needs of teachers and, by extension, their charges. It is expected that the trained teachers will share their knowledge with their peers through staff development sessions, thereby advancing the efforts of NCERD to address the special education needs of children within the system. Hopkinson-Hamilton was ably assisted by SEN Subject Specialists colleagues Keon Cheong and Joseph Wangija.
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== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==
Barry Dataram came to my home; I wasn’t interested Mr. Barry Dataram turned up at my gate last week Thursday, in the morning hours. I went out to him, he identified himself, told me what he wanted to talk to me about. I wasn’t interested. I called Dale Andrews in the presence of Mr. Dataram. I didn’t get an answer. I then phoned Kaieteur News. Leonard Gildarie answered. I asked him to interview Mr. Dataram. He agreed. Dataram agreed too. Dataram never showed up at Kaieteur News. I got a few words of chastisement from my KN colleagues for not interviewing Dataram myself. One KN journalist said in the presence of Mr. Glenn Lall that I was afraid. I was laughing when he said that, but it is the truth. I do not do drugs journalism. I am simply afraid for my life. I will not end up as the Guyanese version of the murdered journalist from the Republic of Ireland, Veronica Guerin (please see the movie on her work and death). I am sorry if I disappoint you, but I do not do drugs journalism. I have mentioned twice in my columns, a few months ago, that President Granger was photographed shaking the hand of a woman who is a big cocaine trafficker. I didn’t even offer certain dimensions that could have led others to identify her. I left it vague and general. The hierarchy of CANU cannot tell me they do not know about this woman. They do. I am convinced that they do. The evidence against this woman is overwhelming. Yet CANU questioned her for a fleeting moment in 2013. I chose not to record and publish Dataram’s complaints because I believe reporting on drug trafficking is a dangerous profession in Guyana. There are things I know but I have never even
touched on them, even in a single line in my columns. The question that obviously will be asked of me is that the government has changed, so journalists should be safer. I don’t buy that even for a second. There are high-ranking policemen and CANU officials that are dubious characters. These people will kill journalists. What can the Granger Administration do for you after you are dead? I believe that if journalists are killed over investigative journalism into the drug trade, there will be serious investigations ordered by the President. But that doesn’t mean the killers will be caught. That doesn’t mean the evidence will be easy to procure. Rogue cops and rogue members of the anti-narcotics agencies are not little boys. These are dangerous people with silicone anger on their faces. They will try to silence you. They have the resources. What is unbelievable and also stupid about people in CANU and the police force, is that they think that when they intercept drug pushers and take their cocaine and money, these people will remain reticent forever. Some do. Others don’t. Some confide to members of the media. I know about what took place during a CANU raid on a house on the East Bank close to Georgetown. Half of the millions found in the house were not recorded. I am going to leave it as vague as that, suffice it to say, the East Bank village is not far from Georgetown. One should give the Coalition Government the benefit of the doubt – they are new in office and with time they will confront the drugs trade. But security officials involved in trafficking and
stealing drug money aren’t going to get scared and run away. I sent away Mr. Dataram because it is my unshakeable belief that large media houses should pursue those accusations - the type Dataram is making - and not individual media operatives. In the case of these media houses, they will be careful not to publish the byline of
their journalists. This country’s population is too small for the media community not to receive sensitive information on the cocaine trade. Also, this country’s population is too small for huge drug barons to not come under the radar of CANU and the police. The simple fact is that Georgetown’s society is tiny. Things leak out all the time.
I was inside the office of the Alliance For Change last month and just at random I asked one of the AFC activists if he knew a dubious character who secures bail for people. And he did. He told me what that individual does, who he does his thing for, and where you can locate him. You think the police and CANU don’t know some big
Frederick Kissoon names and their drug connections? In a small society there are no secrets. Sorry for turning you down Mr. Dataram but I confess; I ran away.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday March 06, 2016
Inquiry into prison disturbance begins tomorrow A 3-member Commission of Inquiry (CoI) will from tomorrow begin to assess the circumstances that led to the disturbances last week at the Georgetown Prison which resulted in the death of 17 prisoners and injury to others, including prison officers. The recommendations will chart the way forward for improved prison facilities and procedures.
The Terms of Reference stipulate that the CoI will enquire into all circumstances leading to the death of the prisoners at the Camp Street Prison on Thursday last, report the findings and conclusions to the Minister of Public Security, and make recommendations to avoid a recurrence. The Commission comprises Justice James Patterson, Merle Mendonca
and retired Director of Prisons, Dale Erskine. The Inquiry will investigate, examine and report on: · The causes, circumstances and conditions that led to the disturbances on the morning of the 3rd of March, 2016 that resulted in the death of 17 Prisoners and any other subsequent disturbances at the Camp Street Prisons.
· The nature of all injuries sustained by the Prisoners during the disturbances of the 3rd of March, and any other subsequent disturbances. · The conduct of staff of the Guyana Prison Service who were on duty on 3rd of March (to determine whether their actions were) in conformity with the Standard Operating Procedures of the Guyana Prison Service. · Determine whether the deaths of the 17 prisoners was the result of negligence, abandonment of duty, disregard of instructions, or inaction by the Prison Officers who were on duty on the night of the 2nd of March, and the morning of the 3rd of March, 2016. RECOMMENDATIONS The Commission shall make comprehensive recommendations to ensure the security of the prisons with emphasis on improvement of the physical infrastructure, and the delivery of humane management and control of
prisoners in compliance with legal and other requirements. RULES OF PROCEDURE The Inquiry must consider the views/ positions of stakeholders who may include: · Staff of the Prisons and their representative unions · Members of the Judiciary · Prisoners accommodated within the Camp Street facility · Functionaries in the Ministries of Public Health and Social Protection · Any other stakeholder whose input would be deemed appropriate This commission shall render its report, findings and recommendations to the Minister of Public Security by the 15th of March, 2016 or such other date as the Minister of Public Security shall determine. The Inquiry shall be conducted continually in the Conference Room of the Department of Public
Service, Ministry of the Presidency, 164 Waterloo Street, South Cummingsburg and in such other places as the Chairman may determine. The Inquiry shall be held in public, with reservation of the Commissioner s t o exclude any person/s deemed unfit for the due conduct of the Inquiry, the preservation of Order, or for any other reason. The Commission shall commence work on the 7th of March, 2016 and the C h a i r m a n s h all take appropriate steps to ensure that the Commission completes its work and submits its report within the aforesaid time. The Chairman and one other Commissioner shall constitute a quorum. Subject to the above, the Commission shall be governed by the provisions of the Constitution of Guyana, the Commissions of Inquiry Act, Chapter 19:03, the High Court Act, Chapter 3:01 and any other Laws enabling.
Sunday March 06, 2016
Kaieteur News
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My column
Retribution is a bitch About 20 years ago, someone from overseas had told the government that the Camp Street jail was badly sited; that it should be removed and the site, which represents prime real estate, be converted to something profitable. Even the developed countries had the knowledge to put prisons far away from the civilian population. In cases where they were so constructed, they were built in such a way that the violent criminals were placed far underground. When the Camp Street jail was built more than one hundred years ago, the authorities never envisaged that the place would be so full. However, they selected a site at Mazaruni, far from the civilian population and as remote as remote could be. There is talk that as far back as a century ago, the plan was to construct another large prison on an island in the Essequibo. Mazaruni was for the hardened criminals, while Georgetown would have accommodated in-transit prisoners, those on remand, and those who had relatively short sentences. As a boy, I recalled my parents talking about the authorities “losting” somebody at Mazaruni. That was the dreaded prison.
I visited there on many occasions, both as an Information Officer and a member of the Prisons visiting committee. That place had a lot going for it. It had a large farm, livestock farms, poultry pens and of course, cricket and football fields. The prisoners were not cooped up. They had room for exercise and they were gainfully employed on the farms. Indeed there have been the odd riot and the escapes, but nothing like what happened four days ago in the city. On the same plot of land in the Mazaruni is another prison, Sibley Hall, for young offenders. Sibley Hall was also home for some political detainees way back in the 1960s. I suppose that like most people, prisoners feel comfortable in the city. They can access just about anything and they know that their loved ones are not far away. They can shout messages to passersby on the streets and be assured that the message would reach the intended person. However, the overcrowding could not have been something good. It is not tolerated in nature. Science shows that in overcrowded rat colonies, the rats devour the young; they
cull the population down to manageable proportions. I have also read that sea lions attack and kill the newborn (not their own) because they too abhor overcrowding. And so it is with other animals. Nature never intended that there be overcrowding in any society. It has been found that murder rates are higher in those societies that are overcrowded. It is as if something in the brain is released that allows people to do weird things under such conditions. It is no different in homes. The best homes are those with fewer people. Some argue that there is more of everything to go around—more love, more conversation and even more space. Overcrowded classrooms are not the best places for learning and this has been explained ad infinitum. So why should one expect anything other than what happened late last week in the Camp Street jail? Some may argue that the criminal has only himself to blame, that he does not need to do things to enter an overcrowded facility. There are reports that after the brouhaha on Wednesday night, the prison authorities moved to reduce the overcrowding by
shipping some people to the Mazaruni Prisons, but the very prisoners objected. I know one prisoner who was shipped from Camp Street to New Amsterdam. When he landed there he was overwhelmed to the point that he said that he does not want to go back to Georgetown. However, we still had the overcrowded situation in Camp Street, where anything could be had—marijuana, cocaine, cigarettes and cell phones. The authorities raided on Wednesday and found some things. This reportedly angered those who suffered the loss, so there was the first fire. Of course, in the past there had been fires, but none was enough to threaten the prison population. So I suppose those who set the fire didn’t expect things to get to the point they did. Unless the people who set the fire were not those in the
cell block that lost 17 men and may yet lose another soon. One officer said to me on Friday that after the search on Wednesday they thought that they had got anything worth finding. Yet the next day in the same location they found even more. How could this be? It turns out that prison officers help foster the criminality in the prisons. And now I am forced to wax sentimental. Yes; the people who died were accused of committing heinous crimes. Most of them were there for murder. One of them happened to have a quantity of arms and ammunition. But they all died horribly. Some say retribution is a bitch; that it happens during one’s lifetime. If indeed those people were murderers then somehow, the dead reached from the grave to visit those men with death. But then again, in this
Adam Harris society we believe that the law should take its course. Some of those men might have walked, given the nature of justice. That was not to be. Yet the prison situation needs to be revamped. In the same way the government built the Marriott they may consider building a bigger and more modern prison, because the number of criminals keeps increasing. Until then, one may consider asking the prison officers to be honest, and so save the lives of their colleagues and even some criminals.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday March 06, 2016
What is the local govt. system? How does it work? Following the announcement of the date of local government elections (LGE) by Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan, this column has been almost totally dedicated to educating the public about LGE. In previous articles we have shown how local government is essential for democratic governance. We have proven, too, the logical and causal link between strong local government organs and human development. Today, we examine the system itself; how local government is constructed.
The system of local government is described and defined by law. Articles 12, 13, 74 and 75 of the Constitution define the role of local government. The Local Democratic Organs Act, Cap 28:09 describes the system, and other Acts govern aspects of local government. Currently, local government is composed of 62 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and nine municipalities or towns. Each municipality or NDC is divided into a particular number of constituencies. Each
municipality or NDC is led by a council called a local government organ. The number of councillors is two times the number of constituencies. For example, the municipality of Georgetown has fifteen constituencies, therefore, it has thirty councillors. The NDC of Ramsburg/ Eccles has nine constituencies, it therefore has eighteen councillors. Councillors are chosen by the people in local government elections. Half of the number of councillors are chosen from a Constituency List and half, from a Proportional
Representation List. So, what does this mean? Candidates contesting in local government elections can run on a Constituency List or on a Proportional Representation (PR) List. Candidates on the Constituency list are elected to the council on a first-pastthe-post basis. This means that the candidate with the most votes wins in his or her constituency. Candidates on the PR list are elected by proportion. This means that the fraction of persons chosen from each list submitted by a
political party or other group is the same as the fraction of voters who choose that political party or group. For example, if the APNU+AFC submits a list of PR candidates to contest in Georgetown, and ninety percent of the ballots cast is for the APNU+AFC’s PR candidate, then, ninety percent of Georgetown’s PR councillors will come from the APNU+AFC’s PR list, etc. The ballot paper will therefore have two parts, one part for a single constituency candidate and one part for a list from a political party or group. A voter can vote for a constituency candidate from one political party or group, and a PR candidate from the same political party or group, or, from a different party or group. The APNU+AFC will be fielding candidates in local government elections on March 18, in most of Guyana’s 580 constituencies. The coalition will also contest LGE in a number of communities, by submitting
lists in every municipality in almost all of the NDCs. We encourage you to turn out in your numbers on that day, and vote solidly for the APNU+AFC. Our symbol is the key with the palm of a hand. Our colours are green and yellow. We urge voters to choose unity instead of division. We ask you to vote for a better life for all, instead of poverty and despair. We exhort Guyanese to opt for clean surroundings, better services, responsible government and an end to corruption. We ask you to vote for the APNU+AFC’s constituency candidate as well as our PR list of candidates. You will have two votes on your ballot paper. For a better life, both of those votes should be for the APNU+AFC. Guyanese deserve a better life. It is up to you to choose a brighter future. Remember that strong local government is the gateway to a good life and the vehicle to clean and safe communities.
Sunday March 06, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Acid Reflux: The “burn stomach” we often complain about By Dr. Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine As our population becomes unhealthier, especially from consuming poor diets, acid reflux disease is becoming more common. Studies are now showing that symptoms of acid reflux disease have risen by 50% over the last decade. Preventing or controlling acid reflux is an important step in being able to have a productive and healthy life. WHAT IS ACID REFLUX? Acid reflux is when the acid that is normally in your stomach backs up into the esophagus, a tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach. Another term for acid reflux is “gastroesophageal reflux disease,” or GERD. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ACID REFLUX? The symptoms include: * Burning in the chest,
known as heartburn * Burning in the throat or an acid taste in the throat * Stomach or chest pain * Trouble swallowing * Having a raspy voice or a sore throat * Unexplained cough IS THEREANYTHING I CAN DO ON MY OWN TO IMPROVE MY SYMPTOMS? You might feel better if you: * Lose weight (if you are overweight) * Raise the head of your bed by six to eight inches * Avoid foods that make your symptoms worse * Cut down on the amount of alcohol you drink * Stop smoking, if you smoke * Eat a bunch of small meals each day, rather than two or three big meals * Avoid lying down for three hours after a meal * Avoid anti inflammatory pain medications such as Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Advil etc. WHAT FOODS
AGGRAVATEACID REFLUX? Certain foods may stimulate the production of stomach acid and may irritate the esophagus. Common foods that may cause acid reflux include: · Onions and garlic · Chocolate · Alcohol · Fatty foods · Coffee (caffeinated and decaffeinated), tea, cola, energy drinks · Spicy foods · Tomato and citrus juices · Mint · Pepper · Aerated drinks WHAT TREATMENTS CAN HELP WITH MY ACID REFLUX? There are a few main types of medicines that can help with the symptoms of acid reflux: antacids, surface acting agents, histamine blockers, and proton pump inhibitors. All of these medicines work by reducing or blocking stomach acid. But they each do that in a different way. Antacids and surface
acting agents (Tums, DICA, Gastrivol etc) can relieve mild symptoms, but they work only for a short time. Histamine blockers (Ranitidine etc) are stronger and last longer than antacids and surface acting agents. You can buy antacids and most histamine blockers without a prescription. Proton pump inhibitors (Prilosec, Prevacid etc) are the most effective medicines in treating GERD. Some of these medicines are sold without a prescription. But there are other versions that your doctor can prescribe. SHOULD I SEE A DOCTOR ABOUT MY ACID REFLUX? Some people can manage their acid reflux on their own by changing their habits or taking nonprescription medicines. But you should
see a doctor if: * Your symptoms are severe or last a long time * You cannot seem to control your symptoms * You have had symptoms for many years You should also see a doctor right away if you: * Have trouble swallowing, or feel as though food gets “stuck” on the way down * Lose weight when you are not trying to * Have chest pain * Choke when you eat * Vomit blood or have bowel movements that are red, black, or look like tar Following the steps
Dr. Zulfikar Bux above should help to keep your symptoms of acid reflux under control. Do not ignore your symptoms, since acid reflux can lead to catastrophic consequences over time.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday March 06, 2016
SUNDAY SPECIAL MASSIVE CORRUPTION UNEARTHED…GOVT. FOOTING BILL TO BRING IN ILLEGAL FUEL As questions continue to increase over the mismanagement of the country’s fuel import business, more details have emerged. Government’s oil supplies from Trinidad and Tobago are also far from transparent. According to documents, the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) has been bringing in shipments of petroleum products, including diesel, weekly. Guyana Oil Company (GuyOil) pays for the charter of two oil ships to bring oil from Trinidad. An estimated $4M is being paid daily for the two ships. However, only half of the shipments have been coming for GuyOil. The other half, shockingly is coming, free of shipment costs, to private importers. Guyana had turned to the Twin Island Republic after supplies from Venezuela, under the PetroCaribe arrangement, were halted last year. Under the arrangements, GuyOil would sell the fuel and remit the proceeds to GEA. According to Government officials and exGEA employees who are privy to the scheme, the entire Trinidad purchase stinks to high heavens, and involves hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenues to Guyana and Trinidad. ”What is wrong with the transactions is that the vessels have also, according to documents, been bringing in fuel for third parties. In essence, someone is jockeying and riding free on the vessel while taxpayers are footing the bill,” a GEA official explained. The arrangement with the vessels - one of which is the MT Tradewind Union - would raise questions as to why GuyOil and GEA did not move to increase their volumes on each shipment. It is not a question of storage. IRFAAN ALI RAN HOUSING’S $$$B ACCOUNTS WITH ‘PENCILAND PAPER’SYSTEM To enhance the system used to manage and properly account for billions of taxpayers’ moneys, the former regime purchased the Integrated Financial Management and Accounting System (IFMAS) from a Canadian firm. This was some ten years ago.
IFMAS, an electronic method of accounting, was intended to replace all manual systems being used by the State. It was felt that the “pencil and paper” system of accounting allowed for too many loopholes for corrupt practices. IFMAS was essentially intended to be a tool for checkmating various forms of financial corruption with taxpayers’ moneys. But after spending $132M to secure the Canadian system of accounting evidence seen by this newspaper shows that Former Minister of Housing, Irfaan Ali was not making use of it. In fact, he allowed the accounts system of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) to operate in a “pencil and paper” manner. It is something that even continues to this very day. This would appear to be rather suspicious to some persons given Ali’s respected background in finance. At one time, he even served in the Ministry of Finance and has on more than one occasion boasted of his knowledge in best practices in accounting. Kaieteur News understands from reliable Government sources that Board Members of the Central Housing and Planning Authority held recently, a meeting to address a number of matters one of which includes the system of accounting at CH&PA. This entity operated as the main arm of what was formerly
known as the Housing Ministry. Members of the Board were disappointed in the fact that the accounting system for the Housing Authority was manual and hoped for provision to be made for the implementation of a structured computerized software package. MONDAY EDITION MASSIVE CORRUPTION UNEARTHED…INSPECTOR WRONGFULLYTARGETED BY GEAAFTER SEIZING STOLEN FUEL MARKER The oil and gas industry is of critical concern for nations across the globe, providing both the fuel that drives transport and global distribution and the excise tax revenues that sustain governments and support national economies. But fuel adulteration, commingling, smuggling, franchise abuse and excise tax evasion pose serious threats to the revenues of governments and energy companies worldwide. So says Authentix, a Texan, US-headquartered company. Authentix is the company that the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) has been using to determine whether imported fuel is legal or not, under systematic and random sam-
pling. Authentix estimates place the losses in revenue from these illegal practices near US$100 billion per year to governments and private companies. With such large revenues at risk, the integrity of the fuel supply and efficiency of fuel tax collection is of vital importance. Through a fuel marking programme, supplied by Authentix, GEA, like many other similar regulatory agencies around the world, have been using a special mixture to determine whether fuel is being sold illegally or being adulterated. Fuel imported into Guyana is supposed to be marked so that if later checks are made, it will be ascertained that the fuel is legal and taxes have been paid. GEA has different markers for fuel coming in under concession arrangements, like one specifically for the fishing industry, and another for the domestic market. As concerns continue to grow over the management of Guyana’s fuel importation business, there are strong indications that the Authentix fuel markers which are supposed to be tightly guarded by GEA have been making their way into the hands of smugglers. Because of the money that is at stake from fuel smuggling in Guyana, fuel markers have been fetching a high price on the black market. It has long been suspected that some fuel inspectors of GEA have been deliberately under-marking the fuel and selling the extra to smugglers. The under-marking has been discovered time and again but very little has been done by GEA to sanction the inspectors. A lax control system of the markers in custody by GEA has been allowing seepages, causing hundreds of millions to be lost each month as smugglers use it to even pass the illegal fuel to gas stations. TEARS FLOW AS ASST. COMMISSIONER BALRAM PERSAUD LAID TO REST Tears flowed Sunday as friends, family and colleagues paid tribute to the late Assistant Police Commissioner, Balram Persaud, at his funeral service. Among the anecdotes, it was highlighted how warm hearted and willing the fallen police officer was to give a helping hand to friends, family and his subject Minister. In the almost two-hour-long service at the Police Sports Club ground, Persaud was described as a ‘24 hour a day, 365 days a year police officer’. Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan also paid tribute to the man who gave him a helping hand when he first became a Minister. ”It is true when you come into a ministry as I did, not knowing very much about it,” Ramjattan related. “(You need) the services of someone who is going to be there. One of the first things he said to me was, bro, you know what you have to do? (He did this) because we were very close friends. And I told him hardly, but you are here.” Ramjattan noted that with Persaud’s help and the help of other senior officers supportive of him, his duties were made that much easier. ”That is something we must pay tribute to this man for. Because he never held back (his help), as some others I have come across would. I have seen (that attribute) with other officers and senior ranks, (Continued on page 33)
Sunday March 06, 2016
Kaieteur News
(From page 32) sharing that knowledge and that is an attribute that we must have.”
also treated and sent away and is in police custody.” Other reports out of Matthews Ridge indicate that the suspect was intoxicated at the time, and that there were reports that he was physically assaulting a woman at his home.
TUESDAY EDITION MASSIVE FUEL CORRUPTION UNEARTHED…IMPORT LICENCE ISSUED TO BUSINESS WITH NO STORAGE FACILITIES -GEA BOARD STARTS INVESTIGATION A fuel import company embroiled in questionable shipments from Trinidad and Tobago was granted its licence by the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) despite not meeting requirements. However, there is no evidence that the company even owned storage facilities to hold the fuel it said it was bringing in. It was unclear what criteria GEA used in granting the licence the law – the Petroleum and Petroleum Products Regulations of 2014 is very clear. The importer would have had to submit, as part of the application, a list of all storage facilities that will be used, including ones that will be shared. The applicant would have had to also give the locations of the storage facilities and details of the type and capacity for the different petroleum products, including of the owner. However, there are no indications that the Georgetown-based company had any storage capacity for fuel despite bringing in thousands of gallons of diesel overtime, with shipments made as recent as last month. An “IMPORTING/WHOLESALE LICENCE” was granted to the company on November 11, 2014, and signed by GEA’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Mahender Sharma. The granting of the licence would contradict what GEA said Monday in a statement issued, responding to allegations of corruption facing that body. GEA said contrary to what was stated, there is no record of the grant of any Import/Importing Wholesale Licences that have not satisfied the statutory requirements. GUYOILSACKS EMBATTLED CHIEF – AFTER FORENSIC AUDIT FINDS SEVERAL UNAUTHORIZED DECISIONS More than seven months after being sent on leave, Managing Director of the Guyana Oil Company (GuyOil), Badrie Persaud, has been sacked. The decision took effect Monday. GuyOil’s Board of Directors, in a statement, made it clear that it has no confidence in the official’s ability to execute his duties “honestly, objectively and efficiently”. According to the statement, the board along with Nigel Hinds and Associates Financial Services, reviewed the documents and verified the findings of a forensic audit conducted by the firm for the period November 1, 2011 to May 31, 2015. The forensic audit was ordered by the David Granger administration shortly after it took office in May last year. GuyOil’s board said that Persaud, as Managing Director, took unauthorized decisions during the period. The audit report was recently handed over to the Ministry of Finance and it will have to be studied by the Cabinet of Ministers. According to the statement of the board, “Based on the findings which documented unauthorized and inimical
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SERIOUS QUESTIONS ARISE AS CHINESE LOGGER GRANTED FUEL EXPORT LICENCE
Sacked: GuyOil’s chief, Badrie Persaud actions taken by the Managing Director, the Board of Directors, at its spec i a l b o a r d m e e t i n g h e l d o n We d n e s d a y 1 8 t h F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 6 , d e t e r m i n ed that it could no longer have any confidence in Mr. Persaud’s ability to execute the functions of Managing Director honestly, objectively and efficiently.” The board said that in the circumstances, it decided to terminate the services of the Managing Director, whose annual leave ended on February 27, with immediate effect. Persaud will be entitled to what is owed to him in accordance to the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act Cap 99:08. WEDNESDAY EDITION POLICE SGT. SLAIN, TWO OTHERS INJURED …AS RAPE SUSPECT RUNS AMOK A r a p e s u s p e c t r a n a m o k Tu e s d a y, shortly after 17.00 hrs at Matthews Ridge, North West District, stabbing a police sergeant to death and wounding two other ranks who were trying to arrest him. Police Sergeant 16934 Leonard La Rose, 52, was stabbed in the neck and was pronounced dead at the Matthew’s Ridge Hospital. Another rank, identified only as Schultz, was stabbed in the chest. A third policeman, identified only as Lewis, was wounded in the hand. The attacker, identified as Dennis Marks, was shot in the right leg. He was treated at the Matthew’s Ridge Hospital before being taken into custody. A police release stated that at about 17.30hrs Tuesday, police ranks stationed at Matthews Ridge, NWD, went to arrest Dennis Marks who was wanted pending investigations into a report of alleged rape. ”During efforts to arrest him, Dennis Marks attacked the ranks with a knife, stabbing Sergeant 16934 La Rose to his neck and two other ranks to their chest and right hand, respectively. He was subsequently shot by a rank to his right foot. ”Sergeant La Rose was pronounced dead on arrival at the Matthews Ridge Hospital. The police rank who was stabbed to his chest has been admitted to hospital, while the other was treated and sent away. Dennis Marks was
A Chinese company, China Zhonghao Inc., appears to have had the first jump in the country’s fuel export business. While Guyana has not even started to pump oil as yet, the Chinese company has been granted a licence to export fuel. The details were published in the Official Gazette of February 13, last, and are raising eyebrows. Indeed, the amended Petroleum and Petroleum Products Regulations of 2014 allow for applications to be made for an export licence for fuel. However, it seems that the licence for China Zhonghao will be the first, even surprising insiders of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) who said that they are not aware of any being granted before. The regulations indicated that an applicant desirous of exporting petroleum and petroleum products has to apply to the agency and must lodge supporting documents. These documents are the same as for wholesale or import wholesale licences. The applicants must provide specifications of the petroleum and petroleum products to be exported and a list of all ports of exit or export for the petroleum and petroleum products to be exported. In early January, Government disclosed that a multi-million-dollar bulk fuel importation operation on the East Bank of Demerara, was on hold, with the Chinese owners asked to dismantle an unauthorized wharf construction. According to Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, the operation called “Falls” and located at Coverden, reportedly built a larger-than-authorized wharf.
Police Sergeant Leonard La Rose THURSDAY EDITION MASSIVE CORRUPTION IN FUEL IMPORTATION…GOVT LAUNCHING PROBE INTO GEA, GUYOIL, LICENSING Government will be launching investigations into the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), Guyana Oil Company (GuyOil) and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to determine how rooted these agencies really are in corruption. This was confirmed by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, on Wednesday. His comments came in the wake of startling revelations concerning these agencies, by whistleblowers. Harmon also made it clear that such an investigation would be separate from the investigation that the GEA’s Board of (Continued on page 34)
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(From page 33) Directors has started, with GEA Head, Mahender Sharma, and his staff having to provide details. He stated that it would cut across the respective agencies. ”Of course, there will always be investigations into matters like this where large sums of money is being spent, especially the people’s money,” he related. “So certainly yes, this is not just GuyOil. It has to be the Guyana Energy Agency and the Guyana Revenue Authority. So there is going to be an investigation.” GEA, the agency charged with purchasing fuel for GuyOil, and the Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL), as well as monitoring/marking to ensure taxes have been paid, made the news in a bad way last week after whistleblowers accused the management of overseeing a system that allowed widespread smuggling. More than half of the fuel brought into Guyana is said to be smuggled. With GEA officially importing US$561M worth in fuel back in 2014 for the country, the taxes lost from smuggled and illegal fuel would be staggering, especially for a small economy like Guyana which is already struggling from a compliance issue. RIOT ERUPTS AT GEORGETOWN PRISON Close to 70 prisoners held in the Capital ‘A’ Section of the Georgetown Prisons vented their frustration at the sloth of justice in Guyana, by setting a section of the prison on fire. Prison officers, vigilant police officers and fire fighters were all kept busy Wednesday night. The blaze was spotted around 21:30 hrs.
This created a situation that saw the authorities trying to contain the blaze as well as the irate prisons who were screaming, “Freedom! We want Freedom!” Kaieteur News understands that the prisoners were protesting because they said that they have been charged for serious offences such as murder and rape, but are yet to get a fair hearing in the court system. The streets were blocked off by the disciplined services who did a good job of keeping scores of curious but concerned residents at bay. Initially, firefighters tried to extinguish the fire from outside the prison walls but failed. They were then forced to breach the fence at the John Street section and so controlled the blaze from the inside. FRIDAY EDITION 17 DEAD…AFTER INMATES SET PRISON BLOCK ON FIRE In the worst prison riot in memory, 17 inmates were killed and at least eight others injured after being trapped in a raging fire in the notorious Capital ‘A’ Block of the Camp Street Prison. Confirmed dead are Jermaine Otto, called ‘Fungus’; Rayon Paddy, Sherwin Trotman called ‘Bad Boy’, Anthony Primo called ‘Cruel,’ Shaka Mckenzie, Kirk Clarke, Latchman Partap, Chaitram Dharamdat, Aaron Eastman, Andrew Philander, Randolph Marks, Rohan Teekaran, Hilary Amos, Ashraf Ali, Delroy Williams, Clifton Joseph and Richard Hubbard. Sixteen of the dead were piled into a truck and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s mortuary in the afternoon, while Jermaine Otto’s body arrived several hours earlier, with the injured.
The injured included Oswald Yaw, Randolph Marks, Collis Collison, Samuel Beaton, Ignatius France, Andel Forde and Marcellus Verbeke. Forde and France were admitted to the Burns Care Unit, while Verbeke was admitted to the Male Surgical Unit. Other inmates were reportedly treated for minor injuries and discharged. Most of those who died were on remand for high-profile killings. PRISONERS REFUSED TO COME OUT OF BURNING BUILDING - OFFICER IN CHARGE -PRESIDENT ORDERS PROBE President David Granger has instructed that a three-man panel be set up immediately to investigate all the circumstances surrounding Thursday’s unrest at the Camp Street prison that resulted in the deaths of 16 inmates. This was announced by Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan, who shared a hastily-arranged press conference with senior prison officials at the Ministry of the Presidency, hours after the situation was normalized at the country’s main penal institution. Ramjattan said that the decision to establish the three-man panel was arrived at during a meeting of the National Security Committee, in the wake of the deadliest prison unrest in the entire Caribbean. On Thursday, prisoners in the Capital ‘A’ Block of the facility lit fires which reportedly got out of control, leading to several of them being burnt to death, while others suffered from smoke inhalation. Ramjattan told members of the media that the President and members of the National
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Security Committee were adamant that the administration got to work quickly to ascertain what were the causes and reasons for the unrest so that a recurrence could be avoided. He confirmed that apart from the 16 persons who are dead, five other inmates received varying degrees of injuries. SATURDAY EDITION DAY 3 OF CAMP STREET UNREST... SEVERALSHOT BUTAGREEMENT REACHED TO HALT PROTESTS Seven inmates were shot even as seven prison wardens were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) when the deadly Camp Street Prison unrest continued Friday. Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, who rushed to the scene managed to broker an agreement to halt protest action by the inmates who, around 06:00 hrs, managed to set fire to a wooden building and ruptured the steelworks to gain access to the compound. The Law enforcement officials were reportedly forced to take drastic action. They used teargas, rubber pellets and bullets to contain the commotion. The prison wardens, who came in contact with teargas, were identified as Roy Shanks, Jason Maltay, Andrew Moore, Travis Gould, Errol Daphness, June Lewis Charles and Joel Jones. Prisoners, Shawn Edinboro and Nigel Armstrong, sustained gunshot wounds while Sukdeo Dharamdat, Seon Edwards, Marc Angoy, Davendra Persaud and Floyd Ramit (Continued on page 35)
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were shot with pellets. Dharamdat’s son, Chaitram Dharamdat, was killed in the fire on Thursday. He was burnt beyond recognition. Nigel Anthony Armstrong, 19, an inmate in the Capital block, sustained two gunshot wounds to the left thigh and a third to the right thigh. Relatives of the injured prisoner alleged that he was shot while trying to flee from the tear gas fumes. After the injured were carried to the hospital, an 18-man delegation representing the prisoners was escorted to the Prison Officers’ Sports Club where they met with Vice President and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon. During the meeting, Ramjattan expressed condolences to the family and the inmates for the loss of lives. He described the situation as, “most unfortunate.” Briefing the media after the meeting, Ramjattan explained that several concerns were raised by the inmates and those that can be addressed at the ministerial level will be resolved almost immediately. According to the Minister, several grievances were raised during the engagement. Among these were the conditions of the prisons, the food provided to the inmates, the treatment meted out by some prison officers and the length of time they spend waiting for their cases to be heard in the courts. “Those matters that can be dealt with administratively, we are going to deal with them almost forthwith, those that need evidence will be dealt with by the panel of investigators; the Board of Inquiry which will start as soon as possible to hear the complaints of the prisoners,” Ramjattan assured. Ramjattan is of the view that the engagement with the prisoners was interesting and proved useful for the administration. During the meeting, the Ministers were able to secure the assurance from the inmates that normalcy would be restored Questioned as to whether the Government will look weak by engaging the prisoners and addressing their issues, the Minister replied “Absolutely not; it is meeting them to meet their demands. I feel it is a useful thing talking to them and hearing their versions too because indeed they could be speaking to the prison authorities and the prison authorities listening to them and not acting,” he said. Minister Harmon told the media that he endorsed the views of Minister Ramjattan. THIRD SUSPECT HELD FOR REGENT MULTIPLEX MALLOWNER’S MURDER Seven months after Regent Multiplex Mall owner, Ganesh Ramlall, was gunned down in his home, police have held a Diamond, East Bank Demerara man for the July 2015 killing. The suspect, a 35-year-old Diamond, East Bank Demerara resident known as ‘Banana,’ was arrested yesterday in Georgetown by a member of the Police Major Crimes Unit who recognized him. Police have been trying to locate the suspect for some time, ever since they received reports that he played a major role in the attack. Already facing charges for Ramlall’s murder are Lennox Roberts, 32, of 2279 Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo and Fazeel Bacchus, 21, called ‘Javed’ of Lot 7 Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara. Both accused are taxi drivers. They were detained shortly after police
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raided a house at Craig, East Bank Demerara where they arrested several persons, including the suspected shooter of Ramlall. Ramlall, also known as ‘Boyo’, had just returned to his La Jalousie, West Coast Demerara, home on July 5, 2015, when four men confronted him near an outside washroom. The intruders shot the 48-year-old businessman to the head and chest before escaping with their victim’s jewellery and a wallet. The bandits prematurely aborted the attack when the businessman’s wife and neighbours raised an alarm. Ramlall’s relatives and friends responded by posting a $5M reward for information that would lead to the capture and prosecution of his killers. DIPLOMATS, PSC CLASH OVER GUYANA’S POOR CORRUPTION RANKINGS Guyana continues to rank poorly on the International Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) but the government of the day insists that significant moves are being made to address this state of affairs. Asked Friday whether it believes that Government’s efforts are sufficient, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) answered in the negative. But before elaborating on its reasons for holding this view, it heavily criticized the credibility of the international report. In fact, members said that they do not even believe the report and what it says about Guyana regarding corruption. PSC Member, Gerry Gouveia, was candid in telling the media that he has a “big problem” with the report “mainly because it is a perception index.” He said that the PSC is concerned that the Integrity Commission and the Public Procurement Commission are taking too long to get up and running. “But I would say to you that I take great offence to that report and I would say to you that we have never been approached by the people who do those surveys to get our opinions. We don’t know where they are getting that opinion and so the Corruption Perceptions Index is one which seems to be lopsided…” These thoughts were expressed during a PSC press conference which was held at the Waterloo street head office, on Friday. While the PSC has no confidence in the CPI reports, opinions expressed by representatives of the American, British and Canadian missions clearly indicated that they believe
the report can be quite valuable to any Government. British High Commissioner, Greg Quinn, said that it is a point where he feels he and the Commission Member might differ on the topic. He said that Gouveia’s point is fair, if indeed they have never been approached but in terms of the CPI itself, he said that he and his Government see it as being useful and relevant because it is a perception report on what the people actually feel is happening. “And if people feel that there is a corruption problem then that by itself is an issue that is worthy of being addressed because that is the fundamental
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problem…People believe that there is a corruption problem and that is one of the issues which must not be ignored… should they be talking to the PSC? But that aside, the CPI is still a valuable and useful process.” Deputy Head of Mission of the US Embassy, Bryan Hunt, said that from the American perspective, it all depends on what the CPI is being used for. The Ambassador said that any statistical survey or one that is based on perceptions can be a constructive instrument once used correctly. Hunt explained, “If someone is taking the CPI and saying, ‘because of this rank, Guyana is more corrupt than (X country)’ then that would be an incorrect use of that tool. “But what the tool tells you is how people perceive Guyana and that is important because the way people perceive Guyana, drives investment decisions both from the interior and from the exterior. “So it is important to know if you are perceived to be corrupt to know what you need to change whether that is in policy, media engagement, or public education.” The American diplomat said that at the end of the day, the CPI is a positive tool in understanding how people think and why Guyana may be on a difficult road as opposed to other countries. But Gouveia remained unconvinced. He told the media that the CPI report is based on opinions offered from Guyanese within the 83,000 square mile border and not of those in the Diaspora. He said that when one takes this into consideration and the fact that the PSC has never been consulted or any of its members then it would be hard to place any confidence in the report.
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Can Guyana checkmate tax evasion with FATCA? By Kiana Wilburg For years, Governments around the world have tried to prevent major players from evading taxes. To avoid certain measures attached to reporting their wealth, some persons have resorted to placing their ill-gotten wealth in accounts outside of the country. This is the very situation before tax chiefs in countries like Guyana and global superpower, the United States of America (US). Acknowledging that international ways of hiding money, lawfully and unlawfully attained, and evading taxes, call for international ways of stopping it, the US in 2010 implemented the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). In this series, I will share with you an extract of my interview with Chartered Accountant Shawn Naughton, who has a firm understanding of how FATCA works in fighting tax evasion and how Guyana stands to benefit from signing on to the agreement. Naughton has written on the issue extensively, in particular his publication
called, “FATCA; Guyana’s Pilot into International Tax”. He has always been concerned about the tax revenue being lost to Guyana. The following are our exchanges: Kaieteur News (KN): You have written on FATCA extensively. What is the main objective of your financial publication? Shawn Naughton (SN): Guyana has a few international tax agreements and as such Guyana remains isolated from the world in regards to sharing and obtaining international tax information. The main objective of my article is to let our citizens know about FATCA so they will know how it may affect them; as well as how the USA is benefiting from international tax and how Guyana can also benefit by making sure international income is properly taxed here in Guyana. KN: Could you explain for our readers, what FATCA is? SN: Sure. FATCA is an international tax tool for improving compliance by US
taxpayers with the tax laws of the USA. The US tax laws provide that all its citizens and resident taxpayers are to be taxed on their worldwide income. The problem with this law is both with voluntary compliance and enforcement. Typically, US taxpayers would report income earned on assets situated in the USA to the IRS, but would not report income they earned and assets they hold, in say Barbados, to the IRS. This might be because the taxpayer is unaware of his obligation to report his worldwide income and assets. It could also be because he is aware that should he not report foreign income and assets, the IRS would find it near impossible to find out about such unreported income and assets. FATCA, as an international tax tool, attempts to get the needed information directly from foreign revenue authorities, such as the GRA, which receives the FATCA information from financial institutions, in which the taxpayers with some ties to the USA have deposited income.
Chartered Accountant, Shawn Naughton
KN: So FATCA provides alternatives to getting the needed information should foreign income and assets not be reported by US taxpayers? SN: Well, yes and no. FATCA does provide an alternative source of the needed information. The information is however to be received by the IRS (from the foreign revenue agencies and/or financial institutions) whether or not the foreign income/assets are reported by the taxpayer. This allows for the cross-checking of information received under FATCA with that reported by the relevant taxpayer.
Simply stated, the USA wants information on foreign assets held by its taxpayers. The USA will also be able to better locate its taxpayers as a result of information received under FATCA. From this information, the USA will be able to determine which taxpayers have not been reporting all of their income and assets. This knowledge could then lead to the relevant persons being assessed to additional taxes and associated penalties by the IRS. KN: Guyana has many US citizens living and doing business here for years. Would these persons and
their businesses be affected by further taxing? SN: It is expected that FATCA will identify over eight million US citizens who reside outside of the USA. Under the tax laws of the USA, these persons are responsible for paying taxes on their worldwide income which, of course, includes income earned in Guyana. If the persons you refer to were not complying with this requirement, they could be assessed to additional taxes and associated penalties (for non-compliance) by the IRS. It should however be noted that some businesses are recognized as separate from the (US) persons who own these businesses. Such entities are not likely to be subject to US tax, as these entities would be resident for tax purposes outside of the USA. Put another way, the person could be a US tax person while the entity he owns is a resident of Guyana. Note that whether the entity is considered separate from its owner has nothing to do with whether it was incorporated as a company. This could be a technical point, and tax-legal advice (continued on page 45)
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Can Guyana checkmate tax evasion with... From page 36 may need to be sought. If the entity is not considered separate from its owners, then the IRS could assess the owners further as a result of income earned by the entity. KN: If US citizens who reside in Guyana already pay taxes to the Guyana government, how is it that the US can tax these persons further? SN: The USA reserves the right - under its laws - to tax its citizens and US taxresident persons on their worldwide income, whether or not these persons have already been paying taxes in other countries. In the case of these taxpayers, the US would effectively ‘tax-up’. If the US calculates the tax on the worldwide income (say US$100,000) of one of its
citizens at US$35,000 while that taxpayer paid tax of US$30,000 on the same income in Guyana, the difference of US$5,000 will be payable to the USA. The effect is that US citizens and/or tax-resident persons will pay tax of US$35,000 on this level of income, regardless of whether it is earned in the USA or in some other country. Remember that as US citizens, when in trouble, can call on the US government for assistance wherever in the world they reside. KN: What effect would FATCA have on Guyana? SN: Not just Guyana, but all countries are required to supply the USA with certain information about taxpayers who have some connection to the USA. In the case of Guyana, this would be by
GRA forwarding the information to the IRS (after collecting the information from local financial institutions). In the case of North Korea, because that country does not agree to comply with FATCA, financial institutions in that country would forward the information directly to the IRS. Because data/ information protection is usually a legal issue, many countries will have to make changes to their laws to facilitate FATCA compliance. Put in a nutshell, FATCA could be a significant investment, especially for smaller countries. However, if a country does not comply, its financial institutions and businesses receiving payments from US sources are subject to a significant mandatory FATCA penalty of
approximately 43 percent ($3 on each $7 of payment). KN: Do you have any specific concerns about FATCA as it relates to Guyana? SN: There is a move towards international cooperation in tax matters globally. Assisting the USA with the enforcement of FATCA is one small example of this cooperation. Countries should however be allowed to decide on what assistance they can offer (given the investment involved) without having to pay a penalty for not being able to comply. FATCA requires that $3 of every $7 of relevant deposits, made into a financial institution that is not FATCA-compliant, be paid to the IRS by its taxpayers. There is no such withholding in the case of
deposits into FATCAcompliant institutions giving these institutions a significant advantage. My second concern relates to reciprocity of intended benefit under FATCA. This is where, for example, GRA agrees to forward US taxpayers’ financial information to the IRS and the IRS agrees to do the same for Guyana as it relates to Guyanese taxpayers. This information is the first step in helping GRA
to verify that Guyana’s taxpayers are properly reporting money held outside of Guyana. KN: So would Guyana be able to receive information about its elusive taxpayers? Will we benefit greatly if we sign up to this arrangement? And what are we required to get done in order to be eligible for this? (The answer to that question and more in next Sunday’s Edition)
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Research indicates another common mosquito may be able to carry Zika (Reuters) - Research by scientists in Brazil indicates that a mosquito more common than the one primarily known to transmit Zika infections may possibly be able to carry the virus, a development that could further complicate efforts to limit its spread. The mosquito species
Aedes aegypti has been identified as the main transmitter of Zika infections, which have been linked to thousands of birth defects as the virus spreads rapidly in Brazil and other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. But the scientists in Brazil announced on Wednes-
day that they were able to infect another species, Culex quinquefasciatus, with the virus in a laboratory, raising concerns that Zika could be carried by a species more prevalent than Aedes aegypti. They said much more research is needed to learn whether the Culex mos-
quitoes can transmit Zika infections. In Brazil, Culex quinquefasciatus is 20 times more common than Aedes aegypti, the researchers said. The research, conducted by scientists at the government-funded Oswaldo Cruz Foundation in the northeastern city of Recife, is part of an
ongoing trial in which researchers injected 200 of the Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes with rabbit blood infected by Zika. The virus, they said, circulated through the mosquitoes’ bodies and into their salivary glands, meaning they might be able to transmit a
Zika infection by biting a person. “We saw an ease of infection and an ease of dissemination of the virus to the salivary glands,” Constancia Ayres, the lead scientist in the study, told Globo, Brazil’s leading television network. Public health authorities (Continued on page 49)
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Research indicates another common... Culex quinquefasciatus could keep a virus in circulation during cold months. Though the Culex mosquitoes prefer to feed on the blood of birds, they also commonly bite humans, especially
Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are seen inside Oxitec laboratory in Campinas, Brazil (Reuters photo) From page 47 have cited Aedes aegypti as the mosquito overwhelming responsible for spreading Zika, with another species of the same genus, Aedes albopictus, also transmitting the virus in smaller numbers. There has been evidence about other mosquitoes linked to Zika. For example, researchers have found more than 20 mosquito species carrying the virus in Africa, although it was unclear whether they all transmit the disease effectively to humans. MOSQUITOES IN THE WILD The Brazilian research has yet to be published in a scientific journal or reviewed by scientific peers elsewhere. The foundation said more work was needed to determine whether Culex mosquitoes in the wild already are carrying the virus as well as whether they can transmit Zika infections. Foundation spokeswoman Fabiola Tavares on Thursday said the researchers, who will begin capturing Culex mosquitoes in areas near Recife where the virus is known to be circulating, will now proceed toward answering those questions. The ad-
ditional research could take up to eight months, Tavares added. If a mosquito besides Aedes aegypti were found to transmit Zika infections in large numbers, it could make it more difficult to contain the current Zika outbreak that the World Health Organization last month declared a global public health emergency. Much remains unknown about Zika, including whether the virus actually causes microcephaly in babies, a condition defined by unusually small heads that can result in developmental problems. Brazil said it has confirmed more than 640 cases of microcephaly, and considers most of them to be related to Zika infections in the mothers. Brazil is investigating more than 4,200 additional suspected cases of microcephaly. Traces of Zika virus have been found in the bodily fluids and tissue of mothers and babies affected by microcephaly. Culex quinquefasciatus also exists in more temperate climes, such as the southern United States, where it is known to carry the West Nile virus, and can survive winters. Unlike Aedes aegypti,
in rural areas. That means that targeted pesticide use and other mosquito control efforts for that species, which rests in trees and other high areas, would need to be different from those for Aedes aegypti,
which rests in low spots, often indoors. “You can’t spray up high the way you can around buildings,” said Grayson Brown, director of the University of Kentucky’s public health entomology
laboratory who was not involved in the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation research. If Culex mosquitoes were indeed proven to transmit Zika, Brown said, “it would really complicate the public health issue.”
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ZIKA CAUGHT 'killing' brain cells
It was able to destroy or disrupt the growth of neural progenitor cells, which build the brain and nervous system, in lab tests. The discovery, published in the journal Cell Stem Cell, adds weight to claims that Zika is causing brain abnormalities in babies. However, the US researchers caution this is not yet the conclusive link. There have been more than 4,800 confirmed and suspected cases of babies born with small brains - microcephaly - in Brazil. It is widely thought that the Zika outbreak is to blame, but this has not been scientifically confirmed. The team from the Johns Hopkins, Florida State and Emory universities infected a range of tissue samples with Zika virus for two hours and then analysed the samples three days later. The virus was able to infect up to 90% of neural progenitor cells in a sample leading to nearly a third of cells dying and the growth of the rest being disrupted. A similar effect in a developing brain could have devastating results. The virus was able to infect only 10% of other tissue types tested including more advanced brain cells, kidney cells and embryonic stem cells. Prof Guo-li Ming, one of the researchers, said the findings were significant and represented a first step to understanding the link between microcephaly and Zika. She told the BBC News website: "Neural progenitor cells are especially vulnerable to the Zika virus. "They are giving rise to the cortex - the primary part [of the brain] that shows reduced volume in microcephaly. "But this research does not provide the direct evidence that Zika virus is the cause for microcephaly." She said studies looking at brain organoids or animal studies were still needed.
In the overcrowded hospitals of Recife, the teeming Brazilian city at the epicentre of the crisis, medics have long assumed that the Zika virus is to blame. In a sweltering waiting room last month, where anxious mothers were clutching babies with abnormally small heads, Dr Angela Rocha told me that she was convinced of the link. In a normal year, she said, she might see five suspected cases of microcephaly while in the previous few months she had seen more than 200. When I asked whether it would be wise to wait for a full scientific analysis with peer-reviewed conclusions, she looked at me with scorn. With so many cases, and more in prospect after the next rainy season, we do not have time to wait, she said. It is unclear why these cells should be so vulnerable, but it appears they do not mount an immune response to Zika infection. While not definitive, the study adds to mounting evidence including Zika being discovered in the brains of dead babies as well as in amniotic fluid. Brain development researcher Dr Madeline Lancaster, from the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, said the study was a "significant step forward". She told the BBC News website: "The effect they see could well explain the surge in microcephaly and it opens the door for many further studies into how the virus is affecting stem cells and whether this affects their ability to generate neurons in the developing brain. "I think it's a very important contribution and is extremely timely." But she agreed with the researchers that more research was needed to "test whether Zika does indeed affect neuron generation and brain size" as well as how it crosses the placenta.
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Kaieteur News
CLOONEY: Hollywood ‘Truly Failed’ On Diversity
The movie star and activist says cinema has had “great moments”, but that the film industry has fallen short in recent times. George Clooney has told Sky News he believes Hollywood has “really truly failed” on diversity in the past few years. The actor is currently starring in the new Coen brothers film Hail Caesar, about the film industry during the 1950s. While the decade is viewed as the twilight of a golden age of cinema, Clooney believes people often wrongly romanticise the past. “Yes it was easier if you were white and male, but probably not easier if you were a woman or a minority or had polio so there are an awful lot of things that have got much better,” he said. Clooney added: “It is something that ebbs and flows. “We have periods of time in our history when we’re really good at it. “The United States particularly has had great moments of civil rights movements and great moments in cinema as well. “And we’ve also had the last couple of years when we’ve really truly failed, not just about nominations but about who is making films and who we’re putting in front of the camera.” :: Oscars Chris Rock Confronts Racism Row Hail Caesar’s stars include
Josh Brolin, Channing Tatum, Ralph Fiennes and Tilda Swinton, and are based on the true story of a film industry fixer whose purpose was to protect the image of the studios and its stars. It was a time when everything was controlled by the studio system. Real life, however, was more shocking than fiction, according to Swinton. “They did not leave any stone unturned in terms of covering up the mess of human life. “They were doing really nasty things, covering up drive-by shootings and getting women to have abortions, really scary stuff. “The Coens have cleaned it up a little bit in this film. “It was a tough time but it was completely controlled, like the fixer says to my character ‘The audience doesn’t want to know about all the human mess, they want to believe this guy is a good guy’.” :: A Very Political Oscars: What Issues Came Up? Tatum believes that although audiences want to see more of the “mess of human life” now, things are better for stars than before. “I think we as actors probably have a lot more freedom to do things that we want to do but there are probably some beautiful things of anonymity and you didn’t have to worry about the internet and everybody taking pictures of you.”
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GFC board investigating Chinese forest concession ... (From page 3) company that also has interests in oil exports and imports, gold mining and housing. The concession, some 57,000 hectares, is located on the right bank in the Upper Berbice River area. GFC board members said that they became aware of it through notices by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the local newspapers. Rong-An, in an EPA application for an Environmental Authorisation, said that it wants to sink US$50M in investments in Guyana with US$20M in the forestry sector. The company was seeking rights to harvest timber in the productive areas of the concessions, to extract around 40 cubic meters of lumber daily and transfer this to the Kwakwani water front area where the company has a large log depot. Rong-An in its EPA application is planning for the operation to have a lifespan of up to 50 years with an additional 80 persons employed when it receives the permission. However, GFC board members are querying why the commission did not seek to take away the concession from Rong-An as its threeyear life span for the permit had elapsed. According to board officials, GFC’s management is claiming that Rong-an had applied for an extension. The problem is that extensions on
holding on to billions of dollars without transferring these to the fund, which is monitored by the National Assembly. GFC was one of the bodies under scrutiny. Millions were transferred from GFC’s reserves last year. According to board officials, GFC’s management is claiming that it is cash strapped and will likely have to receive a cash injection to run its operations. In the past, it appeared, GFC would dip into its reserves to meet expenses. This year, GFC’s budget is around $1.3B, with $800M alone coming from taxes from log exports. The rest is coming from royalties, acreage fees and licensing. The board has asked Commissioner James Singh, whose contract has been renewed to this year-end, for reports on a number of issues, including Rong-an and the fi-
Mr Su Rong (r) and Mrs. Rong of Rong-an Inc.
time are not allowed for exploratory permits in the forest. It has raised startling questions. A flyover in the Berbice area back in August 2014 found that there were logs in a riverside compound at Kwakwani, Berbice River, and
a large pontoon alongside. Meanwhile, GFC’s finance situation is also a matter being considered by the new board. It was explained that the commission shortly before the May 11 General Elections had hundreds of millions of dol-
lars in its accounts but was ordered by the David Granger administration to transfer these into Government’s main account- the Consolidated Fund. While in opposition, the coalition had queried why a number of state bodies were
nances of GFC. With Guyana’s forests tied to Norway’s US$250M, there has been tighter monitoring of the country’s forests with the previous government saying that all was above board. NORWAY. In addition to Dow as chairperson, the other persons on the new board are marketing executive, Troy Cadogan, as the Vice Chairman while members are Clayton Hall, Aaron Fraser, Vanessa Kissoon, Mr Khalawan- representatives of the Forest Producers Association and the Forest Producers Development and Marketing Council, the Opposition, Commissioner of GFC, workers’ rep and Legal Officer of GFC, Ministry of the Indigenous People’s Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture, Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association and forestry consultant, Dr. Janette Bulkan.
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Sunday March 06, 2016
Nandlall says State was shortchanged in Budget cut appeal case, Trotman feels vindicated By Abena Rockcliffe The Court of Appeal ruled on Friday that the National Assembly can indeed make amendments to the National Budget. This ruling overturned a previous decision handed down by acting Chief Justice Ian Chang during the life of the Tenth Parliament. This was a case filed by the then Attorney General, Anil Nandlall after the Opposition Parties—A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC)— had cut the National Budget taken to the House by the PPP Government in 2012. Chang ruled in the favour of the PPP Government that the combined parliament opposition had no right to amend the Budget. Chang said that the power of the National Assembly is to either approve or disapprove. The then Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman, had challenged Chang’s ruling in 2012. He had ruled in the House that the
Former Speaker, Raphael Trotman
Former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall
Attorney General, Basil Williams
Attorney-at-law, Roysdale Forde
National Assembly can decrease a Budget but cannot increase sums that were appropriated. Friday’s ruling was handed down by acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Carl Singh who presided over the proceedings along with Justices of Appeal Yonette Cummings-Edwards and B.S Roy. The court found that Chang’s approach on the matter was markedly narrow and restrictive. Further, it was noted
that aspects of Chang’s ruling were found to be “troubling.” Yesterday, Nandlall told Kaieteur News that he hadn’t seen the ruling. His only knowledge about it is based on what he would have read in the media. However, he said, “I suppose the case was not defended.” The former AG said that while he was the one who initially filed the case, he was removed
from the case as a result of the change of government which saw him being replaced by APNU’s Basil Williams. “So it became a case between Basil Williams and Khemraj Ramjattan who defended Raphael Trotman but they are all on the same side,” said Nandlall. Nandlall said too that he feels as if he became caught in some sort of “strange matrix.” The
politician pointed out the fact that the government offered no new arguments in the case. However, Attorney at Law, Roysdale Forde said that Nandlall was being less than honest in presenting over the state of affairs the way he did. Forde, along with Khemraj Ramjattan, defended Trotman. The Attorney said that the bottom line remains that the court does not see parties or party officials, it sees litigants. He noted, too, that Attorney General Basil Williams did not concede or offer any concession in anyway. Forde said that the only new argument was a written and submitted by himself and Ramjattan on behalf of Trotman. Further, the Attorney said that Nandlall is fully aware of the fact that in examining the appeal, the Court would have looked at all the arguments presented by him when he was Attorney General as well as those presented by Pretima Kissoon who represented the State then, and remained the State representative during the appeal case. Forde said that Nandlall presented the position of the then government and that
Nearly one year after failed attempt…
Impassioned debate among Georgetown LGE candidates held at Theatre Guild Guyana finally had a chance to judge its election candidates, based on their plans for elected office and their performance under pressure, during a town hall like debate at Theatre Guild last evening. The debate featured six contestants for council seats in the Georgetown constituencies. The candidates were Dr. Phillip Thomas, from a Guyana Nation Builders Corps; Mark Benschop, Sherod Duncan from A Partnership for
National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC), Michael Leonard from Team Legacy, Clayon Halley from Youth for Local Government, and James Cole from the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). They fielded questions from a panel of questioners comprising of civil society and journalists who queried their policies. The candidates, who made fiery and impassioned representations
of their cause, all provided assurances that change for the way in which the city of Georgetown is managed was on the horizon. In the run up to last year’s General and Regional elections, there was an attempt to bring the two main parties together for such a debate at the Theatre Guild. However, the PPP pulled out of the debate, citing issues with the air conditioning. The APNU+AFC
candidate at the time, David Granger, had gone on to discuss his platform. There were also failed attempts to organize a debate in 2011. Local Government Elections (LGE) is slated to be held on March 18. However, the joint services would be voting on Tuesday. Already, candidates have begun their campaigns in the nine municipalities and the 62 Neighborhood Democratic Councils.
position was recorded and considered by the court. Also, Forde said that the submissions were written. “So there was no hanky panky. I am disappointed that he (Nandlall) made it seem like there was.” Attorney General, Basil Williams, told Kaieteur News that the decision is “too late” and is of no benefit to “us now because we are now in the government.” Asked to respond to the sentiments expressed by Nandlall, Williams said, “I do not know what is it that Nandlall is trying to say. At the end of the day the PPP lost the case.” While Williams said it is too late, Raphael Trotman told Kaieteur News that he feels vindicated. The former speaker of the National Assembly said that when he made the decision in 2012 that the opposition is indeed allowed to cut, he was vilified. He said that the entire episode with regards to the proposed Budget cuts was unprecedented in the English speaking Caribbean. However, he did his research and communicated with other Parliaments around the world some of which had dealt with such a situation. Trotman said that from his extensive research he found that it was indeed constitutional for the National Assembly to reduce a Budget even though it cannot add to it. The Minister said that the ruling by the Court of Appeal shows that his ruling handed down in the National Assembly was in order and indeed harmonizes with the constitution of Guyana. Trotman said that it is good to know that a properly constituted court which would have objectively reviewed the case, has vindicated him, “because as I said, I was vilified.”
Sunday March 06, 2016
Kaieteur News
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PERIODONTITIS – Advanced stages of gum disease By Dr. Neromini Fagu One of the hardest things for me to do as a Dentist is to tell a patient that he or she will lose a tooth. And because people are not aware of how serious gum disease is, it is easier for them to hear that the reason for a lost tooth is due to tooth decay rather than gum disease. But gum disease is silent and usually the pain is not noticeable until the condition becomes worse. When gingivitis is left untreated it may progress to periodontitis. This form of gum disease is irreversible and the ligaments and bone that are lost will not be replaced by the body. There are several stages of periodontitis and the earlier it is diagnosed the better the prognosis of treatment. Early Periodontitis: This is the stage after gingivitis, and where the redness of the gums increases. There is bleeding when brushing and flossing, and bad breath worsens. The ligaments that attach the tooth to the bone become inflamed and there is minor loss of attachment, and pockets measuring between 4 to 5 millimetres (mm) may start to develop between the gum and the teeth.The tooth is not shaking (mobile) at this stage. Moderate Periodontitis: Here the infection extends deeper below the gum and destroys the supporting bone and ligaments. There is 30% to 50% loss of bone support and slight tooth
mobility. The pocket depth increases to between 6 and 7mm. At this stage eliminating the bacteria through daily oral hygiene is impossible and the bacteria are regularly entering your bloodstream causing stress to your immune system. Advanced Periodontitis: This is advanced breakdown of supporting periodontal tissues with pocket depth extending to greater than 7mm and significant gingival recession. There is severe attachment loss and more than 50% loss of bone support and greater tooth mobility. Periodontal abscesses occur more frequently and spontaneous bleeding and pus drainage occurs.
TEST AND DIAGNOSIS In order to determine the severity of your periodontitis your dentist may do the following: · Measure Pocket Depths: A special instrument called a periodontal probe may be used to determine the depth of the pockets around your teeth. In a healthy mouth, this depth usually measures between one and 3mm. Pockets deeper than five mm may indicate periodontitis. · Dental X-rays: A series
of x-rays may be taken of your whole mouth or specific areas where deeper pockets are noticed in order to assess the amount of bone loss. The x-rays will be used at a later date to evaluate the progress of any treatment, or any continued bone loss. TREATMENT The type of treatment will depend on the severity of the condition. The main goal of all treatment is to remove the tartar and bacteria and to stop the destruction of bone and ligaments. In the early stages
of periodontitis the following non-surgical treatment methods may be used: · Scaling: Removal of tartar and bacteria from the tooth surfaces and beneath the gums using instruments or an ultrasonic device. · Root planing: Smoothing of the root surfaces to prevent tartar build-up. · Laser therapy: Laser is used to disrupt bacteria from around the tooth and inside the gum pocket giving bone and gum pocket a chance to heal. · Medications: Antibiotics may be prescribed to help control bacterial infection. This includes the use of medicated mouth rinses, the insertion of antibiotic gels in the pockets or taking systemic antibiotics. In cases of advanced periodontitis, surgical treatment may be needed. These include: · Flap surgery: This treatment aims at reducing the pocket depths. Tiny incisions are made in the gum to lift the gum tissue back to expose the roots for scaling and root planing. · Soft tissue grafts: One of the consequences of gum disease is the loss of gum tissue. In this treatment small amounts of tissue are removed from the roof of your
Dr. Neromini Fagu mouth (palate) or another donor source and attached to the affected area. This procedure can help reduce further gum recession, cover exposed roots and give your teeth a more pleasing appearance. · Bone grafting: If the bone surrounding your tooth is destroyed bone grafting may be done. Small of amounts of your own bone or synthetic or donated bone may be placed at the affected site. The bone graft helps to anchor your tooth in place and also serves as a stimulus for natural bone regrowth. · Enamel matrix derivative application: A special gel containing the similar proteins found in developing tooth enamel is applied to the affected area to stimulate the growth of healthy bone and tissue. For more information contact OMNI DENTAL at 295 Quamina Street, Georgetown Tel: 227-0025, Parika Tel: 260-3133 or send emails to nerominifagu@hotmail.com.
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STANDARDS IN FOCUS
Used tyres in Guyana Ever since the commencement of the importation of used tyres in Guyana, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has been monitoring this commodity under its Standards Compliance programme to ensure they meet the requirements of the following three standards: Specification for pneumatic passenger car tyre, Specification for new pneumatic tyres for commercial highway vehicles, and the Code of Practicefor the storage of tyres, inner tubes and flaps. Monitoring of this commodity is done by Inspectors at ports of entry, bonds and outlets, where tyres are examined for labelling and quality requirements. Annually, approximately 50 Importers and 70 Used Tyre Dealers register with the GNBS to import and sell tyres on the local market. A large majority of these registrants are involved in the trade of used tyres, which are imported mainly from Europe, and in a few instances, North America. These used tyres are rejected after use in the
country of origin for varying time periods and for various reasons unknown to the buyers hence, one cannot vouch for their quality and fitness for use upon arrival in the respective country for resale. To ensure used tyres meet the quality and labelling requirements for importation, the GNBS provides importers with a copy of the relevant national standards and advises them to ensure that their foreign suppliers are aware of the requirements to minimize rejects at the time of examination in Guyana. It must be pointed out that used tyre inspection is a very labour intensive activity as tyres are individually inspected for defects. Our readership and users should also note that even with individual inspection, some defects are not visible to the naked eye and may not be detected, so users are not quite sure of the kinds of defects that may be present at the time of purchase. On an average, over 260,000 used tyres are imported annually into Guyana. Over the last four years the GNBS has inspected over 1.1 million
Town Clerk ignores... (From page 61) anybody, and it was only the minutes of what happened when I moved the no confidence vote. No agenda. So I don’t know what kind of disrespectful things going on in this place”. According to him, he then learned that the meeting was called to discuss general matters. The motion against the TC came following her decision not to rescind disciplinary letters against two of the Council employees. Gordon had stated that the matter is a trivial one, adding that Bowen engaged in the action against the employees while she was on sick leave which, according to him, meant she was technically off the job. The IMC Vice Chairman, Eric Harry, who was present in the compound, said he was not going to chair the meeting. “I am not going to chair the meeting because the Chairman did not discuss anything with me. He didn’t tell me the purpose of the meeting or the agenda; also I will not sit with the TC.” The Town Clerk has since refused to comment on the issue.
used tyres that were imported at an average rejection rate of approximately 3000 per year. In addition, during routine surveillance inspections of used tyre outlets, due to inappropriate storage Inspectors have found tyres with damaged beads, evidence of dry rot, failure to meet the 4 mm thread depth requirements, patches and plugs occurring in close proximity to each other among other defects. Tyres, which are found with these defects are destroyed by the GNBS and returned to importers and dealers for disposal. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT Given the rate of rejection for non-compliance to standards, (close to 3000 per year) in addition to those that were changed and discarded after use on vehicles, disposal of rejected used tyres is a real cause for concern. It is not abnormal to drive by and see tyres disposed of in a careless manner that provides fertile breeding grounds for mosquitoes which cause the spread of mosquito-borne diseases that pose concerns for our health authorities. SAFETY CONCERNS Given the fact that there are hidden defects in used tyres, human lives are placed at even greater risks especially given the practice of over-inflating and underinflating these tyres, using the wrong size, overloading buses used for public transportation which puts added weight on these used tyres, coupled with speeding on the roadways. One must now take an honest look and ask the question, should safety be compromised for price? After carefully considering all of the foregoing content, users and commuters alike, should after introspection, make up their own mind as to the real benefits of new tyres versus used tyres. Finally, importers and dealers of used tyres are asked to note that they will still be required to register with the GNBS as it will continue to monitor the quality and labelling of both new and used tyres imported and offered for sale in Guyana, until such time when the proposed ban takes effect and used tyres have been phased out. Next week, this column will focus on the care and use of tyres to ensure their safety and longevity. For further information, kindly contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 2190065, 219-0066 or 2190069.
Sunday March 06, 2016
20 participate in army’s infectious disease training
Emergency measures: Participants during an exercise last week on infectious disease. Twenty participants, drawn from several local agencies benefitted from information shared during a Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) conducted at the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), between Monday, February 29 to March 3. The SMEE, a Guyana Defence Force and United Stated Southern Command (US-SOUTHCOM) partnership a c t i v i t y, focused on vector-borne infectious diseases, an army statement said. The participants, including a four-man team from the US National Guard and led by Lieutenant Ethan Reid, spent the last five days discussing in part, the history of vectorborne infectious diseases, the circumstances and conditions that lead to outbreaks and their spread, the identification of symptoms in persons suspected to be infected, initial patient/case management of persons with an unknown illness, and elements of Advanced First Aid. Zika, Dengue, Chikungunya, Ebola and Malaria, were the particular vector borne viral diseases under the microscope, and all participants agreed that the experience was one in which they all learned from each other. Addressing the activities during the fiveday session, Lt Reid noted that all the local participants displayed a high level of knowledge regarding several aspects related to vector-borne diseases. He lauded the demonstration of readiness and procedural correctness of the Ministry of Public
health as it relates to responding and treating with citizens affected by vectorborne diseases. “I was privileged to see the system at work during a chance visit to the Ministry of Public Health. From my observations, the Guyanese system is following guidelines and protocols established by the World Health Organisation. “That is a good thing. It means that your policy makers understand the environment and how to engineer the necessary responses and implement mechanisms for providing solutions to the population,” he said. However, the absence of sustained communication between local stakeholder agencies was flagged as an issue that needs immediate corrective action. “While the overall system is procedurally sound, there must be stronger and sustained communication between the stakeholder health and emergency operations agencies, which also includes communities and their leaders. Communication within agencies must be clear, taskoriented and geared toward efficient outcomes. The same can be said for inter-agency communication and communication between agencies and the communities. Learning of the presence of vector-borne infectious disease in a community, the identification of symptoms, treatment interventions for victims, eliminating proliferation and growth centers of vectors and sustaining individual, community and national response will succeed only to the extent that communication and
education strategies are robust and efficiently handled,” he said. CDC’s Alana Walters said that activities such as the SMEE are a necessary element in Guyana’s efforts to build capacity. ‘These for provide us with the opportunities to learn from our US counterparts and also share with them information on how we approach such issues, in this case, a public health matter. “Through discussions, we understand our strengths become aware of whether or not there are deficiencies in our processes. This can only redound well in our everyday efforts at finding solutions for our citizens.” The SMEE is one of several which are usually conducted by the GDF in collaborations with its partners in US-SOUTHCOM. Bilateral Affairs Officer, Captain Christopher Hill said that the US teams are usually drawn from the Florida National Guard and various teams share various areas of expertise. Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Mark Phillips, indicated that the SMEEs function as capacity building mechanism. He noted that while most are geared toward military – specific issues, some, like this one, lend to the broadening of knowledge of persons from outside of the GDF, and a strengthening of the capacity of the Force’s partner stakeholders in national development. The agencies which participated in the SMEE included the GDF, the Ministry of Public Health’s Vector control Unit, The Environmental Protection Agency, The Red Cross, and the Civil Defence Commission.
Sunday March 06, 2016
Kaieteur News
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CONSUMER CONCERNS: ANTIBIOTICS OFF THE MENU! PAT DIAL Every year on March 15, World Consumer Rights Day is commemorated worldwide as a celebration and to strengthen solidarity within the International Consumer Movement. It is an occasion which comes under the auspices of Consumer International (CI), the largest Consumer Federation in the world and of which most countries are either members or affiliates. The Guyana Consumers Association under the leadership of the late revered, Eileen Cox, became one of the earlier members of CI much over half-a-century ago and the Association has always maintained its membership participating in all CI activities including the International Congresses. Each year consumer organizations mark World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) by highlighting an issue which is of importance to consumers worldwide. For example, one year our theme was “Cell Phones” or another year it focused on the very high “exploitative charges made by money-transfer companies” on remittances to Third World countries. The highlighting of these
issues helps to make consumers more aware of their rights and generally results in some improvements. The Theme this year, 2016 is “ANTIBIOTICS OFF THE MENU”. The aim of this theme is to curb the widespread overconsumption of antibiotics in human medicine and the use of antibiotics in Agriculture to promote faster growth of livestock rather than as a veterinary treatment. Indeed, about 50% of the world’s antibiotics is used in Agriculture, most of it to promote rapid growth and artificially quick fattening of chicken and other farm animals. Many people are aware of the dangers of over-consumption of antibiotics in human medicine but few are aware that all the meats they consume at fast food outlets, as for example chicken, have been artificially grown and fattened by antibiotics and that when they eat such meats they are ingesting dangerous amounts of antibiotics resulting in their unwittingly developing resistance to antibiotics used medically. What is antibiotic resistance? It simply means that bacteria become resistant to the use of antibiotics. When antibiotics cannot act, simple infections such as strep
throat, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, tuberculosis and gonorrhea become more difficult and sometimes impossible to treat. And routine surgical operations such as caesarians and hip replacements become deadly. Appendicitis operations which once used to be deadly became routine with the advent of modern antibiotics. With antibiotic resistance, such surgery could again become deadly. If urgent action is not taken, we could be heading for a post-antibiotic era in which important medicines become ineffective and stop working. It is one of the biggest public health crises the world is beginning to face. In the Developed World, this crisis is being dealt with in three ways: Firstly, there is, as in the European Union, a complete ban on the use of antibiotics as growth promoters for livestock. Denmark has gone furthest in protective measures and is held up as the example of good national policy. In the United States, however, it is still permitted to use antibiotics as growth promoters. The second approach is to secure the involvement of Business. The three biggest interna-
tional Fast Food Chains are Subway with 44,500 restaurants in 111 countries, McDonald’s with 35,000 restaurants in 119 countries and KFC with 18,000 outlets in 115 countries. Consumer advocates and CI have been pressuring these Chains to get on board and some progress has been made. In March last year, McDonald’s announced that chicken served in its United States outlets would be free from antibiotics within two years. In October last year, also, Subway announced that across the United States, it would be serving chicken
raised without antibiotics. A complete transition would happen within two to three years. In Guyana, the biggest Fast Food Chains are Banks DIH and Royal Castle and they are being now asked to get on board. A great part of the meats used in the restaurant business is imported and the restaurants themselves and other importers as well as Government must ensure that meat imports are not antibiotic raised. The third way is for NGO’s, the media and Governmental authorities, to educate the public on the issue and
also to cooperate with each other in public education and information. The Ministry of Business and its Consumer Division led by Ms Cheryl Tinnis have worked out an interesting programe for WCRD and the Guyana Consumers Association would be giving them full cooperation and support. The campaign promises to be effective and successful. The Guyana Consumers Association would soon be writing Banks DIH and Royal Castle asking them to come on board just as McDonald’s and Subway have done in the United States.
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SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals and Black Opal - Cosmetology Courses - Nail Technician Course Call: 647-1773/660-5257 SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana passport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. Building Construction: house plans & estimates, floor sanding, lacquering & painting, boat for Santa Mission –Call: 650-4362
WANTED 1 Security Guard at Eccles Industrial Site, with a valid police clearance. Call: 2332473 Female domestic to work in Trinidad, must be educated and know to cook. Between 25-35 years. Call: 1868-683 1528 1 Domestic worker & 1 domestic cook to work in Cummings Lodge, E.C.DCall: 621-8478- between 9am to 4pm
Female worker wanted sound education, Repairs & spare, fridge, secondary freezer, A/C, washers, computer literate-Tel: 622stoves – Contact Nick: 683- 5518 1312, 627-3206 Live in waitresses to work in Passport forms, taxation etc. Bar – Call: 604-6606; 692-4649 Call Sir Dinesh: 666-6889 Large quantity of selected Brian Moe @ 642-3543: 18months old coconut plants Computer Technician: FB/ to buy between 2-3ft tall. Call: Brian.Moe.165: Home and 231-1408; 642-9191 Office visits at your comfort!! Experienced dispatcher & R e p a i r s a t a f f o r d a b l e hire car driver @ Princess prices: fridge, a i r Hotel Providence – Tel: 616c o n d i t i o n e r, w a s h i n g 5419; 265-7075 m a c h i n e s , d r y e r s , T V, microwaves & freezer-Call: We seriously pay cash for land in Eccles, Herstelling, La 610-5846 or 661-8158 Parfaite Harmonie, Uitvlugt Are you Building or & Zeelugt. Call: 610-9359 renovating? For quality construction services from 2 Salesgirls, 2 porters foundation to fine finished. $18,000 weekly. Call: 223-9677 Call Carlos: 592-682-9935; Taxi Drivers; in Georgetown 592-223-2695 – Call: 664-0802 Experienced staff for wash way- Call: 646-8748
PEN PAL
We are offering a 2005 unregistered premio car for any land in Eccles or Herstelling-Call: 604-2207; 611-7223 Maid to cook and clean for East Bank area- Call: 614-4358
Indian overseas male is seeking female age 29yrs & older with good personality –Call: 671-6591 (no texting).
One live in housekeeper-Call: 223-0654
Canadian male: seeking female 22-35yrs, for serious relationship preferably. No texting! No private calling! Call: 667-0635
Experienced cook, apply in person @ Millenium Maner Hotel with application, 43 Hadfield St., Werk-en-Rust between Camp & John Sts.
TOURS
Hire car drivers with or without cars & dispatcherCall: 611-8600, 655-1717
SURINAME EASTER WEEKEND TOUR TRIP: SHOPPING, FUN, TOURS & SIGHTSEEING DOLPHINS MARCH 23RD -28TH, 2016. CALL: 692-7270; 6655171; 639-2663; 223-0056 Tours to Suriname Mar 24-28, 2016 -$34,000, Aruba – July 22nd-25th -$120,000, Airfare & accommodation) excluding food & transportation. Call: 660-0312
Hairdressers, nail technician, barbers, also hair & nail stations available for rental location: New Market StreetCall: 638-1106
Experienced pastry maker, cake decorator, counter servers, cashier, roti/puri cooks, apply at Hacks Halaal, 5 Commerce St. EDUCATIONAL Music 2016!! Register – learn to play musical instruments and train your voice-Call: 225-1151/ 6789489
VACANCY Elite Pharmacy: Experienced pharmacist & assistant, salesperson with knowledge of selling OTC drugs. Call: 663-0376; 231-2122 Experienced full time/part time pharmacist, pharmacy assistants & general staff @ Pharma Choice, Durban & Louisa Road. Call: 661-3124 Hairdressers, nail technician, barbers, also hair & nail stations available for rental location: New Market StreetCall: 638-1106 One sales representative. Call: 225-8205 Landscape maintenance vacancy: hardworking, pleasant, team player 17-28 years. Contact: 219-0468/ 621-2453 Atleast 3yrs experienced salesgirls @ Christine’s Variety Store on Lombard St. Manager / Accountant. Requirements: Atleast (1) year experience in similar position, Peachtree knowledge would be an asset. info@xen1net.net. (592)613-7852 Accounts Clerk: apply in person with a handwritten application @ Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling. Painters: apply @ Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling. Porters apply in person @ Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling. Experienced Bartender to work at 704 contact # 2235274 CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM Wing’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up rental- Call: 690-6494 Aidan’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up, cheapest rate, low security- Call: 698-7807
Sunday March 06, 2016
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Vreed-en-Hope Junction: Lessons place, office, storage bond, church -$20,000$25,000-Call: 603-6400 Canteen and washbay @ 15 Good Hope, East Bank Essequibo. Call: 690-6840; 693-3340; 277-3033 Executive 3 bedrooms upper flat in South Ruimveldt Park: Call: 628-7496 or 617-0560 Lodge apartments (Vlisssengen/Durban): unfurnished $40,000-$90,000 monthly, furnished (for visitors) USD$600USD$1,000 monthly- Call: 677-9638 Lodge (Vlissengen/ Durban): Professional/Office/Business space, (no food retailing). Call: 677-9638. Apartment for rent @ 186 Waterloo Street. Call Shawn: 652-9062 Lower 2 bedrooms apartment, with water, electricity @ Paradise Public Road, E.C.D, security deposit -$40,000 monthly. Call: 625-9939 2 Flats; 6000Sq.Ft of prime space, @ 14 Longden & Croal Street, formerly Salt & Pepper –Call: 663-0376 House for rent, top flat 3 bedrooms, bottom flat, 3 bedrooms @ First Bridge Diamond.Call:664-1030;613-5212 Spacious 2 bedrooms apartment in Festival City, asking -$80,000 negotiable. Call: 619-2141; 616-7366 Three storey 75X28feet concrete building, open floor, two offices, two washrooms @ 25B Princes St., Charlestown. Call: 223-0654 One two bedrooms apartment in Cane View Ave. South. Call: 672-8055 Spacious 2 bedrooms house @ Triumph, inside toilet & bath, preferably working couple -$50,000 negotiable. Call: 615-4178 1-3 Bedrooms apartment, 1 master room, 2 bedrooms, 1 kitchen, dining area; laundry room, cameras and security lights @ Diamond . Call: 2260880; 671-1474 Apartments for rent in Nandy Park, recently renovated, free Wi-Fi. $70,000. Call: 641-3318 CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM Eternity cars rental. Call: 6155315; 231-7374
FOR SALE One two tons forklift, one blocks machine, one Leyland truck (scrap). Call: 617-9230; 269-1406 40 HP Yamaha 40 KVA generator, tyre machine, air compressor. Call: 694-0535 Toyota Rear Differential 39.8 and 14.5 fiberglass boat with trailer and 35HP motor. Call: 678-9536 1 Mercedes Benz – C200- Call: 690-6840; 693-3340; 277-3033 Business for sale – Copy & sign shop, serious call only: 695-2199 Roxie’s Fashion Sale!! Black tights -$1,000 & leotards $1,500 from 6pcs up. Call: 2278538, visit: 301 Church St. South C/Burg. Cheap! Cheap! CCTV Security Surveillance Kit, 8 Channels DVR with built in Hard Drive, 8 bullet cameras – Tel: 621-4740; 686-3500 175 DAF dump truck #GNN 5366- Call: 664-1030; 613-5212 Great Deals on video games & all gaming consoles. PC, phone games & applications. Delivery also – Call: 6722566; 265-3231 LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. One Nissan 2002 bus – GRR. Call: 642-1141 Marathon Moto, single phase, 7½ HP & transformer. Call: 233-2725 1 Steel hull cargo boat 50’X13’X6’ engine- 671-GM. Call: 691-5104 One full size double bunk bed for sale- Call: 623-5533price negotiable HF3 Functional Hydraulic, core drilling rig, good, good for mining –Call: 642-0038 1 Fishing boat 46feet, round bottom, 48 Yamaha engine, 17 hundred pound 5"7", seine – Call: 259-3170; 6616938 1 Model M Truck – Call: 2278535 King Roxie’s Fashion Sale!! Swim suits -$1,000 up visit 301 Church St. South C/Burg. Call: 227-8538 Large land at long Creek Linden Highway- Call: 2590275; 259-0505 or 678-5113 Genuine Yamaha parts, for sale from 2HP to 250HP. Call: 670-4056 TAXI SERVICES G R TA X I S E RV I C E . CALL: 219-5000; 2271982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
VEHICLE FOR SALE First Class Auto: Rush, IST, Runx, Sienta, Bluebird, 06 Premio, 06 Allion, Fielder, Spacio, Noah. Call: 627-8383; 638-3045 Toyota Raum, AT192, Fun Cargo, RAV 4, Tundra, L-Touring Wagon, IST, 4X4 pick up sold DEF, (Ducati 1098cc) Call: 644-5096; 697-1453 212 Carina, Toyota Ipsum, Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota Vigo – fully loaded. Call: 6097766/ 225-8427 1 Nissan pickup enclosed, ideal for snackette -$280,000. Call: 601-4929; 664-5444 Mitsubishi Canter, GPP, year 2001. Call: 645-7274; 601-6901 One model M Bush Truck with winch, excellent condition-Call: 261-5514; 6983662; 698-3014 Unregistered Bluebird 2006 model, TV, Reverse Camera, Dark interior low mileage $2.3M. Call: 655-3400 AT192 Carina- Call: 668-8431 Toyota Vios- PKK Series, price $1.2M, price negotiable. Call: 644-6346 2001 Toyota Allex, Mileage 77,000km, $1.6M negotiable, first owner (female), in excellent condition. Call: 6871263 One Toyota fun cargo, mini -van AC, CD, 17" mags, flair kit, never work hire, in excellent condition -$1.2M. Call: 618-1047 Carsmart Auto Sale: Fielder$2,095,000, Ist-$2,095,000, Audi A4-$3,795,000, BMW 318i-$2,695,000-Call:6500402\654-5504 Carsmart Auto Sale: Premio(08)-$2,895,000, Clight Premio (05)-$2,450,000, Spacio-$2,095,000-Call:6500402\654-5504 Carsmart Auto Sale: CAT 928F Loader-$7.3M, Hyster forklift 6000LB with 4 cyl Perkins-$1.5, Diesel welder with 4 cly Perkins-$895,000Call: 650-0402\654-5504
LAND FOR SALE Providence Scheme (115ftX81ft) located on a Cul de Sac close to Bai Shan Lin -$8.2M negotiable. Call: 6014163 or 223-0719 100X100 residential house lot @ Kuru Kururu – first hill from Soesdyke Junction. Call: 680-6136 Land 95X65 in high income gated community -$9.3M negotiable. Call: 609-0783 Continued on page 71
Sunday March 06, 2016
Kaieteur News
GUYANESE REMANDED FOR LARGE BAJAN COKE HAUL Barbados (Barbados Today)- Two men charged in connection with Wednesday’s six million dollar drug bust at Carlisle Bay, have been remanded to prison until March 31. Guyanese national, Neville Hillary Phagu, 39, and Barbadian Jeffrey Harrington Callender, 48, of Coral Land, Haggatt Hall, St Michael, appeared in the District A Magistrates Court yesterday morning. They were represented by attorneys Satcha Kissoon
and Romain Marshall. They were jointly charged with possession of cocaine, possession with intent to supply cocaine, trafficking cocaine, possession of cannabis, possession with intent to supply cannabis, and trafficking cannabis. Phagu was additionally charged with importation of cocaine and importation of cannabis. Police seized one boat, 122.9 kg of cocaine and 94 kg of cannabis during the operation.
From page 70
LAND FOR SALE One 50ftX80ft fenced land at Mon Repos E.C.D (Martyrsville) price-$3.5M negotiable. Call: 220-0538; 645-2395; 629-5300 Vacant land for sale in Eccles, East Bank Demerara 70’X100’- Call: 623-6136 Lot 12 Mon Repos, E.C.D, First Street, Market RoadCall: 220-7330
TO LET
ANIL GOT IT WRONG question of involvement of anyone, must restrict itself to the facts admissible under the evidence Act Cap. and the common law of England. Professor Keeton in a study of the functioning of the Tribunals of Inquiry Act in England 1921, in his Treatise Trial by Tribunal (1960) page 18 said: “In sifting the facts concerning the existence of rumours giving rise to the inquiry, all evidence is relevant and this part of the inquiry is simply fact-finding. “When the question of the involvement of a particular person in a particular transaction is under consideration, however, the Tribunal restricts itself to the facts admissible under the
normal rule of evidence.” If a Commission were permitted to condemn anyone on hearsay evidence without applying the normal rule of evidence it would be a return to the tyranny of the Court of Star Chamber which had become synonymous with misuse and abuse of power. There is no dispute that a commission of Inquiry is not a Court and its proceedings are not judicial, quasijudicial or administrative, nevertheless the rules of fairness and fair play must be observed. In Re Pergamon Press Ltd (1970) 3 WLR 792 Lord Denning said: “Seeing that their work and their report may
lead to such consequences, I am clearly of the opinion that the inspectors must act fairly. This is a duty which rests on them, as on many other bodies, even though they are not judicial, nor quasi-judicial, but only administrative...” In the same case, Sachs L.J. said: “It seems to me... very clear that in the conduct of the proceedings there must be displayed that measure of natural justice ... the Inspector’s duty, in their statutory fact-finding capacity to produce a report which may be made public and thus cause severe injury to an individual by its findings”. Rex H. McKay, S.C.
PROPERTY FOR SALE Transport property located @ Rosignol W.B.B: 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, fully furnished. Call: 679-3496; 6026333; 330-2576; 699-4689 (motivated settler) House & land (3yrs old) for sale at Canal No.2 Polder, 53/ 4 rice land elsewhere. Call: 718-657-9040; 266-2897; 6909331 House & land located @ 2nd Avenue; Section ‘A’ Block Diamond, Housing Scheme. Price negotiable. Call: 6749266; 622-1458
Neville Phagu (left)
Kaieteur M@ilbox DEAR EDITOR, In a letter by Mr. Mohabir Anil Nandlall published at page 6 in the Stabroek News of 27th February, 2016 headlined: “Hearsay evidence inadmissible in a court can be received in an inquiry” At page 7 of his letter, Mr. Nandlall stated: “Regarding the evidence it is trite law that the rules of evidence applicable to a Court of law in litigation do not apply to Commissions of inquiry. This is a universal principle...” A Commission of Inquiry appointed to make findings of fact is permitted to admit hearsay evidence. However, the Commission is obliged when considering the
Page 71
Sisher Real Estate- Tel: 2314681; 652-6565; 670-7171: One 2 bedrooms apartment to let @ 23 B Lyng Street Charlestown. Apartment in Eccles & rooms in Alberttown- Call: 225-3234 Eccles furnished apartment includes cable, internet, A/C, etc, visitors preferably. Call: 233-3974 One 2 bedroom apartment $45,000 monthly. Contact Petboy @ Howes Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, between 10:00am-4:00pm 2 Bedrooms apartment to let, also air-conditions for sale. Call: 688-2430 One fully furnished house @ Lot 5 Bougainvillea Park. Call: 678-1234 Three bedrooms concrete bottom flat in South Ruimveldt Gardens -$80,000. Call: 218-1949 Apartments in Eccles. Call: 225-3234 NOTICE We seriously pay cash for land in Eccles, Herstelling, La Parfaite Harmonie, Uitvlugt & Zeelugt. Call: 610-9359
Newly built 3 bedrooms flat concrete property 22ftX48ft, land 50X90ft @ Vision Garden Versailles, W.B.D -$11M. Call: 616-0111 House for sale with 3 bedrooms upper & bottom flat, @ Lot 153 Green Acres, Stadium Road- Call: 681-7366 Church and 2 storey building Lot 180 Charlotte Street Bourda-Call: 2276817; 624-7341 Transported property @ Grove $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461 Property @ 650 Section ‘A’ Block Great Diamond East Bank Demerara. Call: 2254792; 609-1114 Property @ prime location - 18 Acres, suitable for h o u s e lots/farming @ Independence St. W.B.D, any reasonable offer accepted. Call: 675-0506; 663-0753 Furnished 6 bedrooms house with attic, 4 self contained bedrooms located @ Anna Catherina, New Housing Scheme. Call: 611-5354; 6154728 1 -Two storey concrete building @ Eccles Exora Avenue: 4 bedrooms, 1 master room, 50X30feet $60M. negotiable – Call: 6724190 Brand new 2 storey concrete building in 5th Avenue, Diamond, E.B.D, all modern amenities –Call: 662-9335; 612-3244 Lot 67 First Street Garden of Eden E.B.D – 7 (seven) acres of land with two buildings. Call: 639-8376 Property @ Lot 87 Albert Street- Call: 669- 8701
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Kaieteur News
Sunday March 06, 2016
Lot 12 Camp Street still not safe - prisoners This is not the time to be remanded to Camp Street! This is the warning from a number of inmates who said that despite the brokered peace following unrest which claimed the lives of 17 prisoners, the situation at the facility remains tense. On Friday prisoners agreed to halt their protest following a meeting with Minister of Public Security,
Khemraj Ramjattan, and Minister of State, Joe Harmon. A number of compromises were hammered out. “I want to remove from Camp Street. It ain’t safe no more,” one inmate declared. He described Friday’s riot which occurred after the Thursday tragedy, as the scariest moments of his prison stay, adding that the
security of the prisons came under direct threat. He told this newspaper that on Friday, even the Prison Wardens as well as the other Joint Services ranks were scared while angry prisoners were running amok, casually breaking down buildings in the facility in protest over their dead colleagues. “The only place they did not break was the strong cell
that Cobra and dem deh in. If dey de come out was madness in hey,” the prisoner told this newspaper. He said that he was recently committed to stand trial in the High Court and given the way things occur in Guyana, it is not likely that he will go to trial in less than two years. “I have a long time before my trial come up and remaining in here in dis overcrowded place is like giving up your life,” the prisoner added. According to another prisoner, who was in the Capital A Block shortly before
the tragedy struck on Thursday, the prisoners who died were crying out for help as the fire raged through the building. He said that he was among those inmates who were called out from the block while others refused to come out. He said that minutes after he and others were confined to an area “downstairs”, he heard loud screaming for help. “Like dey throw tear gas in de building and some of de men get blackout. Some who dead went in de toilet and they dead right in deh,” the prisoner told this newspaper.
Minister Ramjattan has announced a three-member Commission of Inquiry to look into the circumstances that led to the worst prison riots in Guyana’s history. The panel includes former judge James Patterson, Human Rights Activist Merle Mendonca and former Director of Prisons Dale Erskine. He had told members of the media last Thursday that the administration will be earnestly engaging the magistracy, judiciary and the DPP with a view to facilitating speedier trials to ease the overcrowding at the camp street prison. He also gave a commitment to address the other grievances of the prisoners such as better meals and increasing the number of telephone calls they can make to their relatives. According to the prisoner who spoke to this newspaper yesterday, the inmates seem to have managed to secure a good deal for themselves much to the annoyance of wardens, who now appear to be sitting back and allowing things to run its course. He said that for yesterday, prisoners were surprised by bread and porridge for dinner, something that was unheard of in the past. Self support also resumed for prisoners whose relatives provide their meals. However, he said that in this tense period after the riots, wardens should maintain their vigilance since things can get ugly again. “After all, this is prison and people will always want their freedom,” the prisoners said.
Sunday March 06, 2016
Kaieteur News
Philippines seizes North Korean cargo ship to enforce U.N. sanctions Reuters - The Philippines said yesterday it had seized a North Korean freighter that was covered by harsher United Nations’ sanctions against Pyongyang over its nuclear programme. Manila will also deport the vessel’s 21 North Korean crew and will await a U.N. inspection team from the United Nations, foreign ministry spokesman Charles Jose said in a text message. “In compliance with the United Nations resolution, the North Korean ship in Subic will be impounded and not allowed to leave port,” he said. The 6,830 deadweight tonne (dwt) cargo ship Jin Teng was one of the first sanctioned North Korean ships to enter a foreign port since the tightened sanctions were passed unanimously by the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday. Thirty-one North Korean ships are on the list.
“The world is concerned over North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme and as a member of the UN, the Philippines has to do its part to enforce the sanctions,” said Manolo Quezon, deputy presidential spokesman told reporters. The ship, flying a Sierra Leone flag, arrived on Feb. 27 and was unloading palm kernels. “We have sent teams to guard the ship until we get the formal order from the government,” said Commander Armand Balilo, coast guard spokesman. On Friday, the coast guard barred the ship from leaving port, citing safety deficiencies found during an inspection. The inspection was conducted after the U.N. passed the resolution against Pyongyang. The U.N. resolution said the 31 ships were “economic resources controlled or operated by Ocean Maritime Management and therefore subject to the asset freeze”.
Obama discusses Taliban peace talks with Afghan president - White House Reuters - U.S. President Barack Obama, during a video conference with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Friday, noted Ghani’s role in “working with Afghanistan’s neighbours to deepen regional cooperation and advance the reconciliation process with the Taliban,” the White House said. Obama also “underscored U.S. support for a peace process that reduces violence and
ensures lasting stability in Afghanistan and the region,” the White House said in a statement. Officials from Afghanistan, the United States, Pakistan and China said after a meeting in Kabul last month that the Afghan government and Taliban were expected to meet for direct peace talks by the first week of March in the Pakistani capital.
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Sunday March 06, 2016
Former Govt. Officials Ponder Their Job Options The Gleaner - As the dust settles on the country’s 17th general election, some former members of the political executive have already begun exploring employment opportunities. While most persons who spoke to The Gleaner Friday were still assessing their options, top investment firm Proven Wealth Limited used a full-page advertisement to publicly woo former Cabinet ministers Peter Bunting and Mark Golding. “Ok ... Peter and Mark ... We know that you are upset that your party lost the general election. But look on the bright side: We want you back!” read a part of the ad, which was published under the headline ‘CHEER UP’. And the feeling was mutual as both Bunting, the former security minister, and Golding, the former justice minister, indicated that they have accepted the invitation. The company later issued a statement announcing their re-appointment as directors of Proven Management Limited and, by extension, the Investment Management Committee of Proven Investments Limited, effective Friday. Golding, who also served as a government senator, also confirmed that he had accepted the invitation. “They have invited me to come back, so I have indicated that I am willing to do that,” he explained. However, the former justice minister indicated that “in all likelihood”, his full-time employment would be with the law firm of Hart Muirhead Fatta, where he is a partner. “I’ve been a partner on leave in the four years that I have been away, so I will probably be returning, and that will be my day-to-day job, but I am going to take a little time
off to recharge my batteries,” he disclosed. Bunting, on the other hand, sought to clarify his reappointment as a director of Proven. “I don’t want you think it’s like a full-time job or a paying job that I’m returning to. It’s nothing like that, so I don’t want you to read too much into it. It’s a sort of a commitment to attend a meeting every fortnight or from time to time as decisions require,” the former security minister noted. And what are his full-time job options, if any? “Being member of parliament for Central Manchester,” Bunting answered promptly. “It’s been just a week since election, so I am not saying there might not be other things, but for the time being, that’s what I’m focused on,” Bunting said. Sharon FfolkesAbrahams, an attorney-atlaw and former junior minister for industry, commerce and investment, indicated that she plans to devote more time to her church ministry that is based in the United States and Canada, while remaining
in the legal profession. “I’m an international speaker and I’m a lawyer [who is allowed to practice] in both Jamaica and Canada, but it’s safe to say I will remain in Jamaica,” said FfolkesAbrahams, who lost the St James West Central constituency that she won in the 2011 general election. Former junior minister for science, technology, energy and mining Julian Robinson said he had not signed off on anything, but indicated that he plans to explore his options. “I used to do management consulting work, so I’ll look at that as an option going forward,” said Robinson. He said that this is in addition to his duties as the parliamentary representative for St Andrew South East and deputy general secretary of the People’s National Party. Former attorney general Patrick Atkinson, who is also an attorney-at-law, said he had not yet made any decisions about his employment options. “Just cooling out for a while,” he told The Gleaner, while indicating that he could return to his law practice.
Saudi foreign minister says Assad should leave sooner, not later Reuters - Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said yesterday that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad must leave at the beginning of a political transition, not at the end. “For us it is very clear it’s at the beginning of the process, not at the end of the process, it’s not going to be 18 months,” Jubeir said during a visit to France. His comments came days
before the United Nations plans to reconvene peace talks to try to end the fiveyear-old civil war in Syria. The United States and other Western governments that were previously calling for Assad’s early departure have quietly backed away from that demand as his position has been strengthened by Russia’s military involvement in Syria since last September. Jubeir also said Saudi Arabia will take delivery of French arms it originally ordered for Lebanon. In February, Saudi Arabia suspended a $3 billion aid package for the Lebanese army in response to Beirut’s failure to condemn attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran. “We made the decision that we will stop the $3 billion from going to the Lebanese military and instead they will be rediverted to the Saudi military,” Jubeir told journalists during a visit in Paris. “So the contracts (with France) will be completed but the clients will be the Saudi military”.
Sunday March 06, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 75
Turkish police fire tear U.N. seeks to build peace gas at protesters, EU talks on fragile Syria truce laments rights record
Riot police use tear gas to disperse protesting employees and supporters of Zaman newspaper at the courtyard of the newspaper’s office in Istanbul, Turkey yesterday. REUTERS/ Osman Orsal Reuters - Turkish police fired tear gas and rubber bullets yesterday to disperse protesters outside the country’s biggest newspaper after authorities seized control of it in a crackdown on a religious group whose leader the government accuses of treason. A court on Friday appointed an administrator to run the flagship Zaman, English-language Today’s Zaman and Cihan agency, linked to U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, who President Tayyip Erdogan says was plotting a coup. Rights groups and European officials condemned the takeover, seeing it as proof that Turkey’s government silences dissident views. Other media outlets affiliated with Gulen’s movement were taken over in October, and companies including a bank have
been seized, wiping out billions of dollars in valuations. “Turkey has the right to question those who take part in a clear coup attempt, whether economic or journalistic, against an elected government,” Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said while on a trip to Tehran. “There is a legal process examining charges of political operations, including funneling illegal monies. We have never intervened in the legal process,” he said. Erdogan has repeatedly pledged to crush Gulen’s conservative religious movement, which he said has infiltrated the police, judiciary and bureaucracy since his party won power in 2002. “Extremely worried about latest developments on Zaman newspaper which
jeopardizes progress made by Turkey in other areas,” European Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn said on Twitter. European Parliament President Martin Schulz tweeted the takeover was “yet another blow to press freedom” and said he and Davutoglu would discuss it tomorrow. Critics have accused the European Union of turning a blind eye to Turkey’s rights record because it needs Ankara’s help curbing huge flows of refugees and migrants. Turkey, which borders Syria, Iraq and Iran, will join EU leaders in Brussels at a crisis summit tomorrow. Davutoglu said the “positive agenda will now be occupied and stained” with the issue of press freedom.
Reuters - A total of 135 people were killed in the first week of a partial truce in Syria in areas covered by the deal, a monitoring group said yesterday, highlighting its fragile nature just days before the United Nations attempts to reconvene peace talks. U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura said the talks, originally due to begin tomorrow in Geneva, would get off to a staggered start later in the week, with delegates arriving from Wednesday onwards. The U.N. said the delay was due to “logistical and technical reasons and also for the ceasefire to better settle down”. “I see us beginning on (Thursday) March 10 when
we will launch the process,” de Mistura said in an interview with pan-Arab newspaper Al Hayat. A pro-Damascus Lebanese TV channel, alMayadeen, reported from its own sources that talks had been moved to March 13. Reuters could not independently verify this. The five-year Syrian civil war has killed more than a quarter of a million people and created a massive refugee crisis in Lebanon, Turkey and the European Union. The partial truce, drawn up by Washington and Moscow, came into force more than a week ago and has slowed the pace of the war, although it does not include
Islamic State militants or the al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front. The opposition is dissatisfied with the implementation of the deal and has yet to say whether it will attend the new talks. Fighting continues in many parts of Syria, and rebels say the Syrian government, backed by Russian air power and fighters from Iranianbacked Hezbollah, has kept up attacks on strategically important frontlines. Fighting has also continued between rebel groups and Kurdish-backed forces in north Aleppo, and between rebel groups and Islamic State.
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Sunday March 06, 2016
Brazil’s ex-president Lula Govt. will maintain joint oversight defiant after detention of Jamaica economy, says new PM Sao Paulo (AFP) - Brazil’s ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva vowed to battle his opponents in the streets in a defiant speech, hours after being briefly detained as part of a probe into a massive corruption scheme. Wearing a red shirt with his leftist Worker’s Party yellow star on his chest, Lula gave an emotional speech to supporters where the charisma and feistiness that characterized his 2003-2010 presidency were on full display. “If they want to defeat me, they will have to face me in the streets of this country!” he told hundreds of supporters at a Sao Paulo rally. Lula, 70, even shed tears when he talked about how he lifted millions of Brazilians out of poverty during his two terms in office. Earlier in the day agents took Lula to a police station for questioning, raided his Sao Paulo home, the offices of the Lula Institute, and homes of family members and associates. Prosecutors said Lula was targeted as part of the Operation Car Wash investigation into a sprawling embezzlement and bribery conspiracy centered on the state oil giant Petrobras.
Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks during a press conference in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Friday. (AFP Photo/Nelson Almeida) The corruption scandal, which has already seen a Who’s Who of Brazilian politicians and businessmen face charges, is believed to be the biggest ever in Brazil. Lula was not arrested, but held for questioning over alleged “favours” received from corrupt construction companies implicated in a kickback scheme, prosecutors said. In a press conference shortly after being released, Lula said the decision to take him forcibly into custody for
questioning amounted to “judicial authoritarianism.” “If they wanted to hear from me, they only had to call and I would have gone, because I owe nothing to anyone and fear nothing,” he said. “They preferred to show power, arrogance, to make a show.” He was supported by President Dilma Rousseff, a close ally in the ruling Workers’ Party, who said she was “in complete disagreement” with the decision to detain Lula.
Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen looks on as newly installed Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, waves to the crowd at the swearing ceremony last Thursday. Photo: Dave Reid KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Prime Minister Andrew Holness says his administration will maintain the format of joint oversight of Jamaica’s economic programme. This, he says, is in recognition of the “challenges we face regarding our debt and the need to maintain fiscal discipline.” The prime minister was delivering his inaugural address, following his swearing in last week. Holness said his administration recognises the importance of, and values the relationship with the various bilateral and multilateral institutions and organisations with
which Jamaica is currently engaged. “These relationships have been critical in securing stability. We believe in preserving stability… but we must now build on this in a productive partnership with them to achieve inclusive growth and job creation,” the prime minister emphasised. Meanwhile, Holness said he is heartened by the private sector’s response to the new administration’s proposed forging of partnerships for growth and job creation. The prime minister said Jamaica’s development, going forward, rests on its ability to create “propositions of
value,” and attract investments to convert the value into wealth. He argued that within this context, the private sector, whether large enterprises or small businesses, was the main investor. The government’s role within this economic partnership, the prime minister outlined, is ensuring the rule of law; creating a safe, secure and fair environment for business; creating markets where none exist; ensuring transparency and access to information; and creating an efficient and supportive public sector. “In exchange, we want the private sector to unleash investments in the local economy. We want to see the return of the pioneering drive to create new industries, the entrepreneurial willingness to take risk, and the innovative insight to do things better and differently,” Holness said.
Sunday March 06, 2016
Kaieteur News
EBFA / Ralph Green U-11 League
Friendship upset defending champs Herstelling on debut Playing in East Bank organsied football for the first time, the village of Friendship made the best possible start when they defeated defending champions Herstelling Raiders 2-0 as play in the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) / Ralph Green sponsored Under11 League kicked off yesterday at the Grove Playfield. Both goals were scored via the penalty route by star of the Friendship team, Shavi Atkinson who led the team well and showed a good head for the game. The match started with both teams trying to feel each other out but it was the Friendship unit which looked the more experienced of the two as they passed the ball around with Atkinson leading the charge. In the 5th minute of the first half, Friendship were awarded a penalty which was clinically put away by Atkinson past
Friendship FC U-11 Team. Herstelling’s goalkeeper Tyron Persaud. The first half ended with Friendship holding on to their advantage. The debutants continued to look the better of the two sides and were again awarded a penalty in the 23rd minute for a handled ball in the area.
Atkinson again stepped up to take the kick and he scored again to give his side a 2-0 advantage which remained until full time in the 30 minute encounter. Competition will continue on Saturday morning at the same venue.
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Seegobin 73, Hossein 5-20 hand... (From page 77) opening stand before Doman was caught off medium pacer Joseph Manohorlall for 16. Manohorlall, who maintained a steady line gained lateral movement, picked up two more quick wickets before Seegobin and Danny Narayan steadied the innings with a fourth wicket stand of 63. Narayan hit four fours and one six in a quick fire 26 while Seegobin departed after hitting nine fours and one maximum. Ershad Alli propped up the total with a robust 43 which contained two fours and three sixes as Manohorlall finished with 5-
44 off 10 overs and Asif Eshak 2-22. Hossein then bamboozled Combined United batsmen as they were sent packing for 93 in 24.1 overs in reply. Shawn Pooran struck three fours and one six at the top of the order but got little support with Siddiq Mohamed 18 and Yuvindra Ramnanan 11 being the only other batsmen to reach double figures. Erick Sukrah claimed 3-5 and Narayan 2-29 for the winners. At Laluni, Farm overcame Providence by 65 runs. Batting first after the game was reduced to 37 overs, Farm
posted 264-9. Mahendra Dhanpaul cracked 45 (4x4,1x6), Abdul Khan 40, John Paton 39 and V. Manichand 35. Brentol Ross snared 3-13 and Timothy Andrews 3-20. Providence were bowled out for 199 in 31.5 overs in response. Gordon Ross scored 48, Lennox Andrews 42, Gobinda Muniram 36 and Safraz Ali 23. A. Bacchus captured 3-32, U. Manichand 3-48 and Paton 222. The competition continues today with North Soesdyke playing Nandy Park at Farm and Uprising facing Sandpipers at Laluni.
Death of Paul Persaud’s mom... (From page 76) KD Persaud would call from Canada and encourage me for hours when I was really down,” Persaud disclosed. “My mom was a Hindu, but I have given my life to Jesus and I know that he is alive. I used to have all
sorts of weird things inside my head. But now I intend to enjoy the rest of my stay here. Peter will take me to Splashmins and other places and I am enjoying my stay here,” Persaud said. A match was organsied by GCC on Thursday to honour
him and former Test players Chanderpaul and Reon King along with former England ODI batsman Monty Lynch were among those who participated. Persaud, who is an American Citizen, departs Guyana next Saturday.
Guyana Amateur Boxing Association... Sunday March 06, 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Try to understand their point of view. You are best to work at home, clearing up overdue projects. You may be thinking of starting your own business.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) They will jump at the chance to do something without you if it sounds like more fun. Your desire for excitement and adventure may be expensive.
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) If they're really interested, they'll wait. Don't bother getting even; they'll make themselves look bad. Refrain from arguing with your mate.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Romantic opportunities will flourish through travel or c om m u n i c a t i o n . Spend time getting to know each other. Follow your gut feeling r e g a r d i n g y o ur business ventures.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You can make or break your personal relationship today. You can make life easier for an older member of your family. CANCER (June 21–July 22) You may want to get a little extra rest. You are prone to infections and fevers. You can make financial gains if you are prepared to take a risk. You might be overly emotional concerning situations at work. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Don't forget to let your mate know how much you care. You will be able to make financial gains. Your charm will attract someone special. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You can offer your mate a commitment or promise that will help stabilize your personal life. Your positive attitude and intellectual outlook will draw others to you.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Be prepared for an active but rewarding day. Don't let your mate stop you from attending an event that could be most important. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Do things that involve children. Your suggestions for fund raising events will be well received. Your outgoing nature will surprise others today. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Insurance pay outs, tax rebates, or just plain luck. You may have a problem at work with a female coworker. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You can't do everything on your own. You can convince anyone of anything. Ease the anguish by offering assistance.
(From page 78) Amateur Boxing Association has been given a major boost with leading city private school, Chase Academy, offering a scholarship to a young pugilist. Ninvalle confirmed that following talks with Administrator/Principal, Mr. Henry Chase, he “graciously and unhesitatingly” agreed to support the association. The Chase Academy scholarship will be given to one young boxer competing in the upcoming International Schoolboys and Juniors tournament. This Caribbean first Schoolboys and Juniors tournament will be staged on April 29 and 30 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. If we are to have better athletes then the emphasis must be academics and sports. It is only through such a marriage that the full potential of our sportsmen and women can be realised, Ninvalle had pointed out. The details of the scholarship are to be sorted depending on the age of the selected boxer.
Barbados, Jamaica and St Lucia have so far confirmed participation. GABA has named a 40-
man squad to train for possible selection to represent this country in that competition.
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DCB/RSI Over40 20/20 Competition... Those witnessing the DCB/RSI Over-40 20/20 second round match at the DCC ground Friday were anticipating a huge score from West Demerara Mavericks who were accelerating in the first half of the innings against Lower East Bank Lions; but Lions captain, Johnny Azeez, halted the flow in the second half, capturing 5/17 to send Mavericks crashing. Eon Williams hammered seven fours and three maximums in 81 but when he fell, Mavericks never recovered. They slid from 108/3 to 144 all out in 19.2 overs, losing their last six wickets for two runs of which the last four went for no run. When Lions took to the crease, Sahadeo Hardiow and Shivnarine Chanderpaul showed intentions of finishing the match early as they
Kaieteur News
Azeez five-for set up huge win for Lions over Mavericks ...Tigers, Bears and Buffaloes record big victories also
Devkumar Persaud, Senior Account Anjanie Rohoman, Senior Account Executive of RSI Brokers, handing over Executive of RSI Brokers, handing over the MOM trophy to Rudolph Baker. the MOM trophy to Johnny Azeez. were scoring at 10 runs per over in the first eight overs. Hardiow fell for 36 but together with the new batsman, Saheed Mohamed, Chanderpaul continued pressing for an early finish. Chanderpaul was eventually caught on the long-off
boundary for an even 50 in the 14th over. Nonetheless, Mohamed continued ‘bang bang’ and finished the match in the 16th over, with his personal score being 45 (3*6s, 2*4s). At Zeeburg ground, Upper East Coast Tigers held off
West Coast Demerara Seals to a 20-run victory. Batting first, Tigers compiled 192/5 with Eon Abel and Mustaq Shah making 64 each. Abel hit five boundaries and five sixes, while Shah had seven boundaries and two sixes. LatchmanYadram found the
Stag Elite League – FINALE
Bakewell Slingerz back at the top with win over GFC; Fruta Conquerors edge GDF By Franklin Wilson GENESIS winner Bakewell Slingerz continued their unbeaten run in the FINALE of the Stag Elite League organised by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) when the defeated Georgetown Football Club 20 in feature match of Friday night’s double header at the GFC ground. Also in winner’s row were Fruta Conquerors who got past the Guyana Defence Force 2-1 to chalk up their second win in three matches which also preserved their unbeaten run as they moved into the third place behind Alpha United on goal difference, the other undefeated side. Slingerz looked red hot and seemed destined for another huge win following their 7-1 trouncing of the GDF in their previous encounter. But the home team, GFC stood firm in the second half as Slingerz muffed over a dozen chances in the final 45 minutes to walk away with a slim 2-0 win, points nonetheless that gave them back sole leadership at the top of the table. It was clear, the difference between the two sides with Slingerz asserting themselves by putting together multiple passes at a time to dominate possession for the entire game, over 90%. Vurlon Mills handed the West Demerara based side the lead on 26 min-
Sunday March 06, 2016
utes on the end of a fine bit of work with Trayon Bobb who also had a solid game. GFC’s teenaged goalkeeper Sesi Norville hands were not tough enough to withstand the power of Mills’ shot as the ball eased into the back of the nets. GFC were awarded a penalty in the 38th minute which was parried away comfortably by Slingerz’ custodian, Vincentian national player, Winslow McDowall to preserve his side’s advantage. Trayon Bobb doubled the lead in fine style two minutes to the break with a beautiful goal in the 43rd minute. The second half saw Slingerz all over GFC as they were able to work their way in the final third almost at will. But they were miserable in finishing, all their shots to goal either going wide of the mark or were saved by Norville. Fruta Conquerors also scored their goals in the first half as they dominated the Army; they also held the ad-
vantage in the area of ball possession. Jahall Greaves in the 18th minute and Shaquille Agard in the 35th minute securing a comfortable lead for the Tucville based side in the opening half. The final 45 minutes almost saw a resurgence of the GDF who suffered their second loss in as many matches. But even before the first half ended, it was strange that the GDF Technical Staff did not start with their strongest team after coming off a heavy defeat to Slingerz. Their number one goalkeeper Oswald Cornett was introduced in the 42nd minute for Carl Stephenson who looked off key and ordinary. Cornette’s introduction surely brought back some amount of assurance at the back for the Army which turned up to play in the second half as Conquerors’ game fell away. The Tucville boys looked less effective and gave up a goal in the 68th minute
when the nippy Delroy Fraser fired past Derrick Carter. As it turned out, it was the final goal of the match; Conquerors being able to hang on for the win which saw them moving into the third place. GDF is in 5th with three points from their lone win in three matches. The most goals have been scored against the GDF, 9 as opposed to scoring three for a goal difference of -6, the worst of any other team; surely not encouraging signs for their Head Coach and Staff. Round 4 play will start today at the GDF ground with the GDF having an opportunity to start the turn around process with a match against Pele who will be without the services of the inspirational Gregory Richardson who was red cared in their previous match. Today’s opening game will see Buxton United coming up against GFC at 18:00hrs.
boundary six times in a fast 39 also. Bowling for Seals, Rampersaud Shivpersaud took 3/20. Seals were keeping up with the run chase for most of the innings but their overs expired at 172/7. Their innings was built on the back of Rampersaud Shivpersaud who was unbeaten on 101 with eight boundaries and five maximums. Wasir Khan contributed 27. Eon Abel and Shameer Shahid took three and two wickets respectively. Georgetown Buffaloes overcame Upper East Bank Colts by six wickets at Everest ground. Colts totaled 146/8 with Sanjeev Datadin topscoring with 62. Buffaloes’ captain, Lenny Messiah grabbed 3/9 and Wilfred Whyte accounted for 2/13. Buffaloes reached the target comfortably with Rudolph
Baker hitting a half century (57) and Reginald Rodrigues scoring 42. At Lusignan ground, Georgetown Bears registered a 17-run win over Lower East Coast Bulls. Bears took first strike and posted 139/8. Jason Melville was the main scorer with 49 (6*4s, 2*6s) and Daniel Harricharran contributed 22. Dexter Jones and Guyanand Rambarran took three and two wickets respectively. In reply, Bulls were bundled out for 122 with Chandrika Jeenarine making 51. Carlos Reid and Mark Ferreira accounted for three and two wickets respectively. The third round is slated for Friday, March 11. Colts will clash with Bears at GCC, Buffaloes will lock horns with Bulls at DCC, Seals will take on Lions at Farm and Mavericks will go up against Tigers at Wales.
Former BVA president presents equipment to BVA and Corentyne River teams
Moleson V/Ball Strategic Board is handed over to Orealla Women’s Coach Mr. Brian Felix by Mr Gregory Rambarran. Ever since demitting office, former President of the Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA) Gregory Rambarran has promised to assist the BVA and those interested in playing the game in whatever way possible. Mr. Rambarran has since been keeping his word with a number of timely donations even while imparting his knowledge as he assists current President Levi Nedd in hosing lectures, seminars and coaching and refereeing. Rambarran, who recently demitted office after serving a number of years as president, is a trained Physical Education Teacher, a former player, referee and coach. Among the donations made was a Moleson Volleyball Strategic Board to Orealla Women’s volleyball coach Mr. Brian Felix. A referee’s kit was presented to the Berbice
Volleyball Association which was collected by BVA Secretary and National Player Ian Bagot. Rhonda Felix of the Siparuta female volleyball team received a Mikasa Beach volleyball on behalf of the Siparuta area to assist them in their training. Orealla female U19 player Andrea Welcome was presented with a Mikasa MVA 300 volleyball on behalf of her team. The presentation was done at a recent forum at Skeldon. Rambarran has also donated literature which includes periodicals and other books to the BVA, clubs and individuals. Rambarran whose family also has a long association with the game plans to continue to assist the BVA in any way possible. (Samuel Whyte)
Sunday March 06, 2016
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GCA’s GISE, Trophy Stall & Star Party Cricket
Mohamed-Ali hits maiden ton, spurs GCC to 328-8 declared By Sean Devers National Under-19 all rounder Renaldo MohamedAli stroked an accomplished maiden century to put GCC on top against Police at Bourda, while Gajanand Suknandan’s 6-42 and an unbeaten 58 provided GNIC with first innings points against GYO on day one of the latest round of the GCA’s GISE, Trophy Stall & Star Party Cricket two-day first division cricket tournament yesterday. At Bourda, the 17-yearold Mohamed-Ali hit 17 fours and two sixes in a confident 124 and added 169 for the sixth wicket with 17-year-old left-hander Sachin Persaud, who hit six boundaries in 62 on debut to help GCC to 328-8 declared. Vishual Jaigobin grabbed 4-64 and got support from Stephon Harris (2-48) for Police who were 46-1 at the end of day one. Reginald Rodrigues (4) edged a catch to the Keeper as Denzel Harry struck with the score on 7-1. Jason
GNIC reach 292-5 after Suknandan’s 6-42
Sachin Persaud misses a big sweep on his way to a debut half century at Bourda yesterday. Heyliger (19) and Kevin Leitch (18) put together 42 in an unfinished stand by the time play ended. Earlier GCC, asked to bat on a track with some assistance for the pacers, lost Robin Bacchus (4) with just four runs on the board and without Leon Johnson, Vishaul Singh, Raymon Reifer and Ronsford Beaton, the cops must have fancied their chances against the Bourda
Boys. But 20-year-old Manny Ford looked compact and along with Martin PestanoBell added 65 for the second wicket before he hit by a waist high full toss to mid-off after reaching the boundary four times in a 49-ball 28. Pestano-Bell, who hit seven fours in 42 from 62 balls, departed at 90-3 before two wickets fell for no run left GCC on 110-5. Persaud joined fellow
teenager Mohamed-Ali and the pair entertained the handful of spectators with attractive batting before MohamedAli hit Jaigobin to cover at 279-6. Jaigobin struck seven runs later when he had Persaud well taken at midwicket. Vishwanauth Ramlakhan was run out for 21, while Omesh Boodram was unbeaten on 21 when skipper Bacchus declared.
Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Karate Association host 2nd Annual Championship The Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Karate Association and Founder and President Master Lloyd Ramnarine hosted its 2nd Annual Karate Championship on Sunday, 28th February, 2016 at the National Gymnasium. Nine (9) clubs participated in the event. The clubs were the Black Cobra Karate Club from West Minister, Iron Fist Karate Club in Diamond Housing Scheme, National Martial Arts Karate Association, Jaguar Martial Arts Academy, Swami School Martial Arts Academy, Best of the Best Martial Arts Academy, Stanleytown Shotokan Karate Club, Harpy Eagle Martial Arts Academy, and Black Hawks Martial Arts Academy. The Guyana Mixed Martial Arts, which is made up of two branches, placed first in the championship. Stanleytown Shotokan finished second and Best of the Best third. From Black Cobra Karate Club, Alliyah Ramnarine in 1315 group placed 1st in traditional kata, 1st in weapon kata and 1st in freestyle kata, Zafar Ramnarine in 10-12 got 1st in freestyle kata, 1st in weapon kata and 2nd in traditional kata, Jaffar Ramnarine in 7-9 got 3rd in traditional kata, 2nd in weapon kata and 1st in freestyle, Daniel Persaud in 79 got 2nd in traditional and 2nd in kumite, Brandon
Renaldo Mohamed-Ali drives elegantly for one of his 17 boundaries during his maiden division one ton at Bourda yesterday. At Malteenoes, Chris Deonarine stroked 13 fours and a six in his delightful 79 but only his younger brother Michael Deonarine (17) and Keshun Singh (12) reached double figures as Suknanan was the architect of destruction. Jermaine Grovesnor backed up Suknanan with 346. GNIC then made a strong reply with Andrew Chung (34), Grovesnor (48) and An-
thony D’Andrade (45) all failing to build on good starts before Suknanan and Stephon Campbell joined forces in a century sixth wicket partnership with Campbell (57) and Suknanan (58) still together at the end of the opening day. Surendra Harrilall has so far picked up 3-42 with uncomplicated offspin. The action continues today from 09:30hrs.
Video trials, revised soccer laws approved by FIFA Some of the outstanding participants of the Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Karate Association along with Master Lloyd Ramnarine (standing right) display their medals. deolall in 7-9 got 2nd in traditional, 3rd in kumite, Akash Prashad in 10-12 was 2nd in freestyle kata and 2nd in the kumite. Tyrese Felix in 10-12 was 3rd in the traditional kata, Shiloh Sydney in 10-12, 1st in kumite, 1st in traditional kata and 2nd for weapon kata, Philip Jaikissoon in 13-15 placed 1st in kumite , 2nd in freestyle, 3rd traditional and 3rd in weapon kata, Akesha Wills in 16-19 got 1st in traditional, Christopher Mahadeo in 13-15 got 2nd in kumite, 3rd in freestyle kata, 3rd in traditional form and 2nd in weapon kata. Tafare Reece in 10-12 was 1st in freestyle kata, 2nd in kumite and 2nd in traditional kata, Arif chow in 10-12 got 3rd in traditional kata, 3rd in weapon kata, 3rd in kumite and 2nd in freestyle.
Iron Fist Karate Club from Diamond Housing Scheme had Diego Adams in 10-12 age group finishing 3rd in kumite, 2nd in traditional kata, Tarish Sookhoo in 1012 got 1st in traditional form, 2nd in freestyle form and 2nd in weapon kata, Tyrese Harris in 7-9 got 3rd in kumite, Elijah Gomes in 7-9 got 1st in traditional kata and 1st in the kumite. Mark Sookdeo in 7-9 got 3rd in the kumite, Mahendra Gorakh in 6 and under was 2nd in kumite and 2nd in traditional kata and Mahendra Singh was 3rd in traditional kata. Gratitude has been expressed to the sponsors, Director of Sports Mr. Christopher Jones for making this event successful. Among the sponsors are Modern Optical,
Jed from Hacks Hallow Blocks, Anand Persaud from Peter‘s Hall Dental Lab and Technician Andy from the same establishment. July’s Jewellery and Pawn Shop in Peter‘s Hall, Factory Prize owner on King Street, Holly Ceiza Triangle Day Care in La Parfait Harmony and Max Massiah (Maximum Sports Combat and Strength). Gratitude was also expressed to the judges and other officials. Persons interested in joining the Iron Fist Karate Club of Diamond Housing Scheme and Black Cobra Karate Club in La Parfait Harmony can contact telephone numbers 698-6727, 673-0823, 681-7062 or feel free to visit their website at www.gdma.webs.com or login on YouTube gmmaka.
CARDIFF (Reuters) Soccer’s law-makers gave the green light on Saturday to the use of video technology to aid referees in live matches starting no later than the 201718 season. The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the games law-making body, approved a two-year trial period allowing technology to be used in four questionable cases: to determine if a goal has been scored, sendings off, penalties and mistaken identity. “We have taken a really historic decision for soccer. IFAB and FIFA are now leading the debate and not stopping the debate,” new FIFA president Gianni Infantino told reporters at a news con-
ference. “We have shown we are listening to soccer and applying common sense. We have to be cautious but are taking concrete steps forwards to show a new era has started in FIFA and IFAB.” IFAB comprises four FIFA members and one member from each of the four British associations. The Board also agreed changes to the laws which will mean that referees can now send off players for pre-match fights; the ball can go in any direction at kickoff rather than only forwards and players can be treated on the field for injuries rather than having to leave it and wait for a signal to return.
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Sunday March 06, 2016
Colts, Bulls stampede to Death of Paul Persaud’s mom badly affected his Career Mecca III Super Eight -First round concludes tonight with triple header
U-19 record holder back home for first time in 15 years
Paul Persaud (2nd left) at Bourda with his friends and brother, who have all represented Guyana in Cricket. By Sean Devers Bulls’ guard, Terron Welch releases an uncontested floater in the lane Friday night on his way to dropping 39 points to lead his team to the next round. By Edison Jefford Top seeds, Georgetown’s Colts United and Linden’s Half Mile Bulls stampeded to the next round of the National Basketball Championships: The Road to Mecca III with blowout wins Friday night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Colts thrashed Linden’s Block 22 Flames 80-45 to advance to the Super Eight round with guard, Stanton Rose scoring 19 points and seven rebounds and centre, Shane Webster adding 13 points and Kurt English 12 points. After a 19-17 first quarter for Colts, the Burnham Courtbased team kept Flames to three points in the second quarter, while pouring in 22 points to more or less cement the huge victory. Selwyn Noble scored 10 points while Aubrey Johnson added nine points for Flames. In the feature game of the night, an all-Linden clash, Bulls grounded Jets 81-66 to also advance with guard, Terron Welch piling up 39 points and forward, Michael
Turner adding 11 points and eight rebounds. For Jets, Javon Nelson top scored with 19 points. Joel Webster supported with 15 points and the veteran forward, Alister Webster 12 points and nine rebounds. Jets were competitive up to late in the penultimate period when Welch caught fire. Forward, Travin Dryden dished a no-look pass to Welch that he finished to give Bulls a 15-14 lead to close the first quarter. The two teams exchanged points until Welch and Turner nailed back-to-back three point jumpers to go up 32-25 with a minute left before halftime. Bulls went into the halftime break that featured performances from models, dancers and singer, Calvin Burnett, leading 35-29; Jets’ lone consolation came early in the third period when Joel Webster finished a put back to haul them within three (4245) points. Welch nailed consecutive three-point jumpers to blow the game wide open; Welch went on an offensive rampage late in the third quarter and
Jets never threatened. The win kept the order with the top seeds moving forward in the tournament. Defending champions, Pacesetters will begin their title defence against Eagles tonight from 7pm, but before that game Linden’s Victory Valley Royals take on Berbice’s Rockers at 5pm. Winners of the first edition in 2014, Ravens, will play Falcons in the final game of the day’s triple-header at 9pm. The quarter-finals or Super Eight round of the National Basketball Championships will be played on Friday and Saturday with Final Four set for Sunday; the Final will be held on Saturday March 19 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. All the games will feature halftime entertainment from models, cheerleaders and artistes, which also includes giveaways for patrons. Kirk ‘Chow Pow’ Jardine is the host. The winning team will pocket $500,000 while second place will go home with $250 000, third $150,000 and fourth $100 000 respectively.
During the mid-80s and 1990’s Paul Durant Persaud was a household name in Guyana’s cricket and is the only Guyanese with 1,000 runs (1,033) in Under-19 cricket. It was no surprise when he made his First-Class debut against the Leewards in 1991 on his home ground Bourda. Persaud grew up in Kitty before leaving for the United States of America in 2000 where he has lived since then. This is his first trip home in 15 years. His First-Class career was off to an attractive start before he was run out for 36. The accomplished left-hander, who played 17 First-Class matches between 1991 and 1995, made one century and three fifties. He has scored more runs at youth level than Carl Hooper, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Narsingh Deonarine, Shiv Chanderpaul and Leon Johnson. During his four-year and 23-match Regional under-19 career after making his debut at home in 1987, the former Guyana youth team Captain dominated at the U-19 level despite never managing a three-figure score for Guyana at the youth level. Playing for the West Indies in three ‘Youth Tests’ in 1990 against Australia he scored his maiden youth century in the first innings at Sabina Park in Jamaica before following it up with a delightful 66 in the second innings. In the second ‘Test’ in Barbados Persaud made 41 and shared in a half-century stand with former Test opener Sherwin Campbell before getting 46 in the final ‘Test’ on his home ground Bourda against an attack which included leg-spinner Shane Warne. But the same year of his
First-Class debut, his mother, whom he cherished, died sending the talented youngster into Clinical depression which he did not recovered fully from for years after the death of his mother. Persaud played his last first-class season in 1995 when he scored 340 runs at an average of 40 after making his only hundred, a magnificent 110 against Jamaica at Blairmount in West Bank Berbice. Coupled with his fragile mental state, a serious back injury sustained playing in the English Leagues, Persaud suffered a nervous breakdown and was sidelined for 14 months. By late 1996, Persaud had regained his health, his form and his confidence, if not his fitness. The long period of inactivity had caused him to put on some weight. Persaud was on the comeback trail and after scoring his first division one double century for GCC and a successful 1996 season, he was again invited to Guyana trials. He was overlooked by the Guyana selectors and went off to play for Clarke Road in Trinidad. But after another outstanding local season in 1997, the GCC opener was again not selected. “I have qualified to play for Trinidad & Tobago since I have lived there for more than three months there. I have been invited to the T&T trials and I feel if I make runs there I will stand a great chance of getting into the Trinidad side,” Persaud said back then. He had made close to 400 runs in 1997 and was hurt by the way he was being treated by the Guyana selectors and informed then GCB President Chetram Singh that he was no longer available for Guyana. After making 27 and 64 in the T&T’s trails he was not selected for their team and
played a few games in New York but the stress of those disappointments caused a relapse in his depression. He flew to the USA 15 years ago and has not returned to his homeland until now. His depression got so bad that he had no interest in doing anything or going anywhere. He started gaining a lot of weight and kept himself out of sight. “When Chanderpaul who made the team a year after I did, came to visit me in New York I would hide from him because I did want him to see me like that,” Paul recounted. “I am now fully recovered and I don’t have any stress in my head now. I went for a walk in the (National) Park and the only disappointing thing is that nobody knew who I was. I have been to the Gardens and everything is different from when I was last here. There is a lot of development but the cost of living is too high for people who live here,” the former Guyana batsman said. The 44-year-old Persaud who has been working with a Delivery Service in the US for the past seven years has not picked up a bat in 15 years but remains involved in cricket by Umpiring in softball games on weekends. “It was because of Peter (his elder brother who also played at youth level for Guyana) that I got interested in cricket. I wanted to play for my country like him. He never once mentioned that I was sick to anybody. He always said I was ok and I respect and love him for that,” Persaud informed. “My brother-in-Law Siddiq Khan, my sister Susan Persaud-Khan, my dad Debabadin and my aunt Indrani Ali, who lives here have all been very supportive during my illness, while Uncle (Continued on page 73)
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Simmons out of World T20 due to back injury ESPNcricinfo - West Indies batsman Lendl Simmons w i l l m i s s t h e Wo r l d Twenty20 after suffering a back injury. The West Indies Cricket Board has not yet named a replacement and it is understood that the selectors, led by former captain Clive Lloyd, have not yet agreed on a unanimous choice. Dwayne Smith, who won the Man of the Match in the final of the Pakistan Super League after helping Islamabad United take the title last month, remains a favourite. The selectors, however, could also pick Barbados batsman Jonathan Carter, who was a part of the squad for the 2015 World Cup. Carter, who has only played ODIs for West Indies so far, made his debut in January 2015 against South Africa and went on to play three matches in the World Cup, scoring his only ODI fifty in the tournament. He has scored brisk hundreds for West Indies A and Barbados in the past and has played 51 T20 matches, scoring 906 runs, including one century and five fifties. Simmons is the fourth player
from the West Indies squad to be ruled out of the World T20 in India. Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard and Darren Bravo had earlier withdrawn from the team. Narine, who had been banned from bowling in internationals in November last year due to a suspect action stated cited “insufficient progress in the rehabilitative work” on his action as the reason for his withdrawal. Pollard had not rehabilitated sufficiently from a knee injury he suffered last November, while Bravo pulled out by stating he wanted to focus on Test cricket. Simmons was a part of the West Indies squad for the 2009, 2012 and 2014 editions of the World T20, although he did not play a game in 2012 when the side won the tournament. He has played 34 T20Is since his debut in June 2007, scoring 761 runs at an average of 25.36 with four fifties, and his last game in the format was against South Africa in January 2015. Since his last international appearance, Simmons has
Seegobin 73, Hossein 5-20 hand Ruimveldt easy win, Farm overcome Providence
Deonarine Seegobin
Trevor Hossein
By Zaheer Mohamed Opener Deonarine Seegobin struck a fine 73, while left arm spinner Trevor Hossein bagged 5-20 off 10 overs as Ruimveldt romped to a comprehensive 105-run victory over Combined United when the East Bank Demerara Cricket Association 50-over tournament continued yesterday. Seegobin was the main stay of Ruimveldt innings as he led them to a challenging 199 all out in 32 overs after
Joseph Manoharlall they decided to bat at Farm. Seegobin and Almando Doman added 55 for the (Continued on page 73)
played in T20 leagues around the world, including the Indian Premier League, the Caribbean Premier League, the Bangladesh Premier League, the Big Bash League and the inaugural Pakistan Super League. In that period, he has scored 1406 runs in 46 matches at an average of 32.69 with 13 fifties.
Jos Buttler watches Lendl Simmons sweep, England v West Indies, World Cup warm-up match, Sydney, February 9, 2015 ©AFP
Page 82
Kaieteur News
Sunday March 06, 2016
GHB names Junior Pan American Championships squad The Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) has selected 21 players, from which the final team of 18 will be chosen to represent Guyana at the Pan American Junior Championships, scheduled for Toronto, Canada from May 20th to 28th, 2016. The GHB was forced to make their selection earlier than usual due to the time required for the processing of Canadian visa applications for the players. The final 18 man team will be named in mid April a release from the GHB informed. The squad has been preparing for the Pan American Junior Championships since August of 2014, by competing in all local competitions in addition to two warmup tours of Trinidad & Tobago. On their first developmental tour in
December of 2014, Guyana won 3 of their 4 matches, while during their second tour in August of 2015 the team won 7 of their 9 matches. The squad includes 8 players who were part of the senior national team which drew 2-2 with Olympic qualifiers Brazil, on their way to a semifinal berth at the Pan American Challenge in Peru last year. The team will be led by experienced captain and midfield-general Mark Sargeant, with Andrew Stewart marshaling the defence and England-based playmaker Aroydy Branford returning to lead the strike line. The players have recently stepped up their physical preparations under the guidance of physical trainer Barrington Browne. As Head Coach Robert Fernandes indicated, fitness
Andrew Stewart clears the ball duringGuyana's 2-2 draw with Brazilat the 2015 Pan American Challenge in Chiclayo, Peru
will be one of the main areas of emphasis for the team in the 10 weeks leading up to the tournament. “As our last
four international tours have proven, both at the junior and senior levels, our ability to outwork our opponents
have kept us competitive and made up for our deficiencies in other areas. We can’t control our lack of access to an artificial pitch or to regular competition but what we can control is our fitness level and this is where we must be superior to our opponents.” 21 Man Junior National Squad: Mark Sargeant (Cap), Medroy
Scotland (GK), Kareem McKenzie, Keon McKenzie, Daniel Hooper, Shaquille Leung, Meshach Sargeant, Ian Burke, Michael Hing (GK), Rahim Oliver (GK), Rosario R a m s a m m y, A r o y d y Branford, Andrew Stewart, Leon Bacchus, Jael Gaskin, Omar Hopkinson, Hilton C h e s t e r, A t o G r e e n e , Paramanand Dindial, Troy Hodge and Nyron Joseph.
Guyana Amateur Boxing Association to place emphasis on its nursery Struggle on for funds to send team for Olympic qualifier Even as the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GBA) places emphasis on its nursery of boxing, the association has an immediate need for funding for its three member team to travel to the Olympic qualifying tournament in Buenos Aires Argentina from March 9 – 20. Speaking with President of the GBA Steve Ninvalle, Kaieteur Sport was informed that they are out over $2,200us to cover accommodation for two of the team members. Ninvalle informed that the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) has provides funding for accommodation for one of the team, while the National Sports Commission (NSC) has given the air tickets for all three members. The team comprises of boxers Desmond Amsterdam and
Henry Chase
Dennis Thomas, with Sebert Blake as Manager/Coach. Ninvalle is soliciting corporate intervention at this late hour to ensure the team travels to Argentina for this important event. Two of the country’s leading amateur boxers in Thomas and Amsterdam are making the journey. Both are Caribbean Championship gold medal winners and it is hoped these two will represent and make it to the Olympic Games. Meanwhile, the Guyana (Continued on page 73)
Sunday March 06, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 83
Milo Under-20 Schools Football Competition
Favourites advance as Round of Sixteen opens Despite all the favoured teams managing to register wins, yesterday’s start of the knockout phase in this year’s Milo Under-20 Schools Football Competition, which is being played at the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue, gave fans an early glimpse of the excitement that is in store for the remainder of the tournament. The most thrilling game of the day came in the Queen’s College versus Tucville encounter which the former managed to escape with a 6-5 win in the penalty shootout after regulation and extra time failed to separate a scoreless deadlock. In another fascinating clash, Bishop’s High Lloyd Anderson, who netted a penalty in the 75th minute of play, brought St. Rose’s High campaign to an abrupt end. The bruising battle kept the fans on their feet as the two schools engaged in a slugfest with both goalkeepers required to make brilliant saves to nullify some stinging efforts
Bishop’s High vs. St. Rose’s: Part of the action in the clash between eventual winners Bishop’s High School and St. Rose’s High School yesterday.
on both sides of the field. In the end, it took a spot kick from Anderson, who placed his shot high into the left hand corner of the goal to settle the contest. Earlier, former champions Lodge secured their berth in the quarterfinals with a convincing 3-1 triumph over North Ruimveldt. On target for the winners were Shamar Smith, who lashed in a double in the
Port Mourant Universal DVD name team for West Berbice Chamber 20/20 cricket The Port Mourant Universal DVD club has named a strong team to contest the rescheduled West Berbice Chamber of Commerce 20/20 cricket extravaganza slated for today at the C3 Park, Cotton Tree cricket ground, West Coast, Berbice The event which was originally scheduled to be played on Sunday February 28 was postponed because of rain. According to words out of the organizers all systems are in place and a fun filled and an action packed day is anticipated. Four top teams from the Berbice area are slated to participate including Cotton Tree, Blairmont, Universal DVD Port Mourant and Young Warriors. The day’s activity is expected to get cracking at 09:00 hrs with the two West Berbice teams in Blairmont and Cotton Tree, while the Two East Berbice team in Universal DVD Port Mourant and Young Warriors will clash at 12:00 hrs. The winners of the two preliminaries will clash in the Grand Final. According to a release from the Chamber, they are delighted to been a part of this initiative since it believes that investment in youths represents investment for the future. The Chamber welcomes the undertaking and urged residents to come out and support the initiative. The Chamber will continue to support the development of communities within which it serves. Admission is free and the WBCC will be having a food sale and bar to raise funds for the less fortunate children. Interest partners and sponsors are asked to come on board and support this initiative. The Port Mourant squad is: Avishkar Sewkarran, Troy Gonsalves, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Joshua Ramsammy, Andy Mohan, Samuel Kishnasammy’, Demetri Cameron, Loydell Lewis, Arrif Chan, Yudendra Harinarine, Nickolas Seenarine and Veramootoo Senwasane. Sponsors on board include Universal DVD Club, Alvin Chowramootoo Construction Services and Romell Jagroop Construction Services. For more information persons can contact telephone 592-328-7977, 687-9009 or email wbcic2015@gmail.com. (Samuel Whyte)
eight and 10th minutes, while Frank King’s 27th minute strike completed their tally. Matthew Harrison goal in the 46th minute was the lone response for North Ruimveldt. In the day’s other game, last year’s beaten finalist Dolphin kept their chances of meeting the final once again with a 4-1 thumping of Richard Ishmael. Shawn Mohammed in the 17th , L e o n Richardson-30th, Ryan Dowding-57th and Carl
-Round concludes today
Ly n c h - 6 5 t h were the p l a y e r s o n t a rg e t f o r Dolphin, while Tamiel Hudson-33rd was the lone marksman for Richard Ishmael. Meanwhile, play in the Round of Sixteen resumes today with four more matches at the same venue. In the opening fixture at 11:00hrs, Christ Church battle Queenstown Secondary, while St. John College and North Georgetown collide at 12:30hrs. In the third fixture at
Players from Dolphin Secondary and Richard Ishmael battle for possession in their encounter yesterday.
14:00hrs, Mae Secondary tackle South Ruimveldt Secondary, while defending champs Chase Academy square off against Kingston Secondary at 15:30hrs In the day’s full results: Game-1 Lodge Secondary-3 vs North Ruimveldt-1 Lodge Scorers Shamar Smith-eighth and 10th King Frank-27th North Ruimveldt Scorer Matthew Harrison-46th Game-2 Dolphin Secondary-4 vs
Richard Ishmael-1 Dolphin Secondary Scorers Shawn Mohammed-17th Leon Richardson-30th Ryan Dowding-57th Carl Lynch-65th Richard Ishmael Scorer Tamiel HUdson-33rd Game-3 Tucville-0 vs Queen’s College-0 Queen’s College won 6-5 on sudden death kicks Game-4 The Bishop’s High-1 vs St. Rose’s-0 Lloyd Anderson-75th
t r o Sp First round concludes tonight with triple header
Colts, Bulls stampede to Mecca III Super Eight
Forward, Michael Turner (left) finishes a two-handed put-back high off the glass that evaded Jets forward, Alister Webster at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Stag Elite League – FINALE
EBFA / Ralph Green U-11 League
Bakewell Slingerz back at the Friendship upset defending top with win over GFC; champs Herstelling on debut Fruta Conquerors edge GDF
Slingerz on the offensive against GFC in their feature clash on Friday evening last.
Shavi Atkinson (ball at feet) of Friendship FC in control against Herstelling Raiders yesterday at the Grove Playfield.
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