Sunday March 13, 2016
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur M@ilbox Three ingredients in the boiling cauldron of power DEAR EDITOR, I have seen some pretty inept or to be kind to Henry Jeffrey, naïve political analyses, one of which was too shocking for me and I thought my objection should be published so when historians write they could make use of it thus I replied. Dr. Henry stated that he could not believe that some of the backwardness seen in the past could be attributed to the deliberate intentions of the two parties that were in government, the PPP and PNC. That may be a deeply held attitude but the search of contemporary Guyanese history would prove Jeffery wrong I offered several examples of deliberate neglect the reproduction of which need not detain us here but it would be bordering on scholarly dishonesty for an academic to deny that the environmental neglect of Georgetown was not deliberate by the Jagdeo/ Ramotar regimes. It would be interesting to hear the response of Jeffrey should someone put that question to him Henry Jeffrey is at it again. Again the analysis falls off badly. I quote him; “The PPP was illegally kept in the political wilderness by the PNC for nearly three decades and when it came to office in 1992, the PNC became associated with persistent political disturbances and bickering with the government up to about 2004.
These confrontations were largely responsible for the ending of Ms. Janet Jagan’s presidency in 1999. What was the moral thing to do in these circumstances? The PPP/C had two choices. If it was to govern sensibly in something of the liberal democratic mould, it had to risk sharing power with its arch-enemy, the PNC. Given the distribution of power in the state apparatus (army, police, public service) at the time, this was a huge political risk. The other choice was to go for political dominance: the substantial diminution of the PNC and all its associated organisations.” That is half of the picture. Henry Jeffrey has been brutally unkind to President Hoyte and has obfuscated huge chunks of PPP’s egregious behavior that brought on the PNC’s recalcitrance. I will list three factors that drove the engine of power from 1992 until the demise of the PPP’s hegemony of May last year. The PPP’s leadership was the embodiment of messianism. Both Dr. and Mrs. Jagan cultivated this culture in every PPP member. It was a bombastic acceptance that the PPP was the only true historic party that had to face its baptism of fire but its vanguardist essence will cause it to survive and take its rightful place in leading Guyana. What was dangerous about this is that through
such lenses other competitors, intellectual critics and the citizenry are as politically inferior. I will offer just one example of each of the three factors as I go along in recognition of space constraint. For factor number one, I will cite the mistreatment of the WPA. The WPA was contemptuously tossed aside. PPP leaders went so far as to bad-mouth WPA leaders whenever the occasion arise. President Jagan told this writer that Professor Clive Thomas can only be appointed UG ViceChancellor if he competes with other applicants. Factor number two. The Hoyte period. Mr. Hoyte was a typical Anglo-Saxon emulator of West Minister politics Mr. Hoyte wanted to; deemphasize political criteria for employment in the public service, party domination of the state, extirpate corruption in high office, remove invincible apparatchiks he inherited from Mr. Burnham’s regime, confront the legacy of race preferences. All four PPP presidents – the two Jagans, Jagdeo and Ramotar completely reversed the directions of these journeys of Hoyte. This led to violent confrontation with the public service, the public sector, their unions and the PNC Finally, number three. Race played a tragic role in the violence that characterized the reign of Continued on page 6
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Kaieteur M@ilbox Did Moses Nagamooto fool the people who voted for him? DEAR EDITOR I just got back from a conference on the Grenadian Revolution sponsored by the University of the West Indies Open Campus in Grenada. March 13 marks the 46th anniversary of the Grenadian Revolution which resulted from the overthrow of the authoritarian regime headed by Eric Gairy. In my paper at the conference in Grenada, I opined that one of the positives of revolution is that they open spaces for fundamental changes of the status quo. I argued that the Caribbean has stood still in developmental terms partly because our governments have avoided revolutionary changes when the opportunities presented themselves. Our Independence leaders, once in office, became reformists at best, never going beyond the confines of political and economic correctness. I opened Saturday’s papers and saw the Prime Minister commenting on the granting of radio licenses. The PM said that his preference is not for rescinding the obnoxious and illegal PPP give away of broadcasting licenses to their friends and cohorts, but to give more licenses. I am not sure whether the PM is speaking for the government as a whole or for the AFC faction of the government, but I completely disagree with that approach.
No Mr. Prime Minister, you just cannot do that to those who voted for you in May 2015. No, you cannot do that to the historical moment you represent. Your government was elected as an alternative to “government as usual.” Yes, I know parties fool people on the campaign trail—they promise things which they know they will and cannot deliver. But your Coalition is not like that. Yes, I know that parties say things on the campaign trail but when they get into government, the realities of government force a rethink. I cut you that slack. I am sympathetic to the feeling that the government cannot go full throttle on prosecuting all of the PPP’s excesses committed by that party when they held office. I am understanding of the view that in our ethnic environment the charge of witch-hunting has ethnic consequences and as such the government has to be careful about how it moves on the PPP boys and girls. But, at least in the name of integrity, some of the most egregious offences have to be confronted. And this matter of the broadcasting
licenses is one of them. Those licenses should have been rescinded in the first days of the change of government. Some people got stinking rich as a result of the monopoly they enjoyed in the industry. Those licenses also represented a political advantage for one side of the political divide in the dissemination of propaganda. Others were denied equality before the law. And then there is the very obscenity that the act represented—the open misuse of power. No Mr. PM, you are wrong. What is the message you are sending to your supporters? Are you saying that the way to correct wrong in high places is to condone it in the name of political correctness? I am not advocating that the government must prosecute people without evidence. I am not advocating seizing people’s property. All I am asking for is a little consideration for the ordinary masses. They voted you in to government to clean up government not to sanitize the filth of the previous government. David Hinds
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Kaieteur News
Kaieteur M@ilbox Showers of praise for staff of the Mackenzie hospital DEAR EDITOR, On March 03, 2016 I went to the Mackenzie hospital in Linden after returning to Guyana to have a surgery done here with the recommendation of my sister .The treatment I received from the moment I stepped into the Mackenzie hospital was excellent in every respect and I have to give credit where it is due. The entire staff at the Mackenzie Hospital was concerned about my wellbeing and it showed not only during the check in process but while I was waiting in the emergency walk in room. Understanding my pain , the doctor who was on duty at the hospital on the
morning of Thursday March 03, 2016 took the appropriate measures to ease my pain and processed me with the necessary test to determine my condition. Two days later my surgery was done. The doctors, nurses and staff were very professional, respectful, kind, caring and appeared calm and efficient and I am very impressed with the services and treatment render to me and all those who were there seeking medical attention in very same area in the hospital. They are a perfect example of excellent organization and teamwork. I cannot applause them highly enough. I must say that the entire staff at the
Mackenzie Hospital have set the bar very high in the medical community. I would like to see that this type of first class nursing care that was provided to me at the Mackenzie hospital done at every hospital throughout this country; in brining relief to everyone who require medical care because in doing this we can save lives. In closing, I would to take this opportunity to say special thanks to the surgical term, the head of the male ward, Sister Cheryl Williams and all the wonderful nurses, doctors, family and friends that treated me while I was in the Mackenzie hospital. Rayvonne P. Bourne
From page 5 Janet Jagan and Bharrat Jagdeo. But they inherited it from presidency of Cheddi Jagan in 1992. The turning point in the political life of Desmond Hoyte as Opposition Leader was the Rosinante Coop issue under President Jagan Jagan in 1996.
A cooperative of African land holders were dismantled and given over to Indians. Mr. Hoyte was livid and became an implacable enemy of the PPP Government from President Jagan’s era until he, Mr. Hoyte died. The Rosanante affair was one of the causes in the later creation of “my fyaah/ slo
fyaah.” It is simply not the entire picture as Jeffrey painted it that when the PPP came to power, to survive it had to demolish the PNC. I won’t argue against that but there was more, much much more in the PPP’s boiling cauldron of power. Dr. Henry Jeffrey ought to know better Frederick Kissoon
Three ingredients in the boiling cauldron...
Sunday March 13, 2016
Kaieteur M@ilbox The ghost that will stalk Guyana forever DEAR EDITOR, Look between the rain drops for the words of the prophet. I said it before I’ll say it once more: “like my bones and my flute” the ghost of Walter Rodney will continue to haunt this land, guilty ones will have no rest, not until this matter – the truth and nothing else than the truth is respectfully and magnanimously embraced, signed, sealed, delivered – settled! With all the pomp and red-carpet being prepared for this year Independence Jubilee how wonderfully reassuring it would have been having this Rodney episode wrapped and presented to the nation, removing dark clouds and moving on. But lo! From all indications we seem set to continue the charade marching around and around – lost in a masquerade. What can one say about Tacuma Ogunseye’s letter on the President’s pronouncement on the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry report – I refer to that letter as “a word of wisdom”, very straight –up, forthright, frank, bold, honest, objective and respectable. If
this is not political maturity then tell me what is. This to my mind is the kind of thinking that is needed at this time to help us build as a nation – as a people moving forward with a common destiny. You know life can have swings, dips, trust and turns, as we say – the vicissitudes of life. Sometimes a thing that you fear like a plague and resolved to stay light years away from, as faith would have it comes around back like a boomerang to confront you, and there is nothing that you can do about it except to face it head-on. Now the President for his part has said before that he was in Yugoslavia at the time of Walter Rodney’s death. Good for him. But are we not stepping into a new dawn, then lets walk bravely, head and shoulders held high towards a new horizon. As children we were taught to “speak the truth and speak it ever, cause it what it will – he who hides the wrongs he did does the wrong things still”. And these are the values we implant into our children and admonish them to beware of, but often times by our actions
it appears as if they must be cast aside when we become adults. Look here; the President hitherto has won himself all sorts of accolades, praises, respect and moreso within the Christian community, he is admired, a disciplined and upright man who has stayed his course – the “this is the day that the Lord has made” man, a real man of God who quotes scriptures, fine, thus it behoves him to demonstrate to us and the world that he is truly one of Guyana’s finest leaders. Look how many years have gone by – a nation bleeds, isn’t it time for closure, for how long more are we going to allow this national blight to drag on. The President should not allow them to cause him to stumble and fall on this Walter Rodney C.O.I; sure the inquiry has made a hefty dent into our national treasury, an enormous sum – could have built 10 schools! says the President – then let it not be seen a total waste, remember we are supposed to be starting a new. The President ought to be losing sleep over this ugly state of affairs ,thus I fully endorse what Donald Rodney has written in the Stabroek News of March 3rd 2016: “President Granger should be leading the way on truth and reconciliation for the benefit of Guyana as a whole, instead of appearing to be squandering opportunities to do so”. Frank Fyffe
Sunday March 13, 2016
Kaieteur News
Steel companies fires about 700 in Trinidad PORT OF SPAIN – CMC - The Trinidad and Tobago government has described as a “real tragedy” the decision by ArcelorMittal Point Lisas, a subsidiary of the world’s leading steel and mining company to send home more than 600 employees. “We want to know what’s the status of the workers’ separation benefits. My understanding is that other creditors may have priority over the payment of benefits to the workers,” Labour Minister Jennifer BaptistePrimus said. The move by the steel and mining company came less than 24 hours after the Industrial Court had ruled against the company and fined it TT$24 000 (One TT dollar =US$0.16 cents) as well as criticising the procedures used in laying off over 500 of its employees last December. President General of the Steel Workers Union (SWUTT) Christopher Henry told reporters that at least 700 workers had been terminated by the company. Henry called for “an immediate intervention” by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, noting that the decision of the company places a “tremendous burden” on the existing state
of the local economy. ArcelorMittal in a statement said that it intends to comply with the ruling of the Industrial Court and promised to pay all monies owed to employees, “that they are legally entitled to receive, pursuant to the Judgement of the Court”. Henry said the move by the company is “the fallout of lack of preparation with having legislation in place to protect citizens… the working class, from the capitalist system that allows them (multi-nationals) to be able to come into your country, plunder and rape your country and leave”. He said the company has offered a month’s salary for workers, “to survive on for the rest of the year”. BaptistePrimus said she the company filed for insolvency and that she is “in the process of responding to the company to enquire what type of winding up process is this and who are its creditors”. She said the government is developing a ten-point plan which includes liaising with the business community to try and match the skills of laid off workers with available jobs. In its statement, ArcelorMittal said it has been under “severe financial distress” since mid2015 and that a combination
of local and international challenges have resulted in the decision to close. The company said it has been recording losses since 2009 and that since November last year, the plant has been idle when 480 workers were temporarily laid off. In addition, the company cited the proposed “major increases” in the price of gas and electricity at a time of falling commodity prices which have rendered production costs uncompetitive. “Additionally, proposed increases to port rental fees, announced property taxes and business levies have further contributed to the unsustainability of the business. As an export-led business, ArcelorMittal Point Lisas has also been severely impacted by the drop in international steel prices and global overcapacity in steel production,” the statement stated. The company said that it held discussions with the government and other stakeholders in an attempt to find another solution including a potential sale, or a transfer to the government, but that the discussions have not had a successful outcome.
$150M spent on Red House restoration, but no progress -PM
Trinidad Guardian - Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley said Friday that more than $150 million was spent on the restoration of the Red House project over the past eight years with nothing to show for it. In a ministerial statement to the Parliament, Rowley said the multi-million project will now be completed with major adjustments, including the scrapping of the previous tender and the opening of a new tender. “After all that time and all that money, construction works are yet to commence, while the number and severity of the roof leaks have been exacerbated and the building, structural, historical and architectural elements have grossly deteriorated,” he said.Rowley said no other building in the country was as rich with history as the Red House, adding that “under this Government the Red House will be restored and will provide a permanent adequate home for the Parliament of T&T.” Rowley is the chairman of the historical restoration oversight sub committee of
Dr Keith Rowley the Cabinet He said as of Friday’s date, Parliament was “no closer to returning to its original home than it was five years ago.” He said the entire roof of the Red House remains in need of restoration, although there was a “roofing contractor permanently on the project for the past eight years.” He said more than $23 million was spent on roof repairs. The PM also told legislators: • millions were spent on
various designs for the Red House but never materialised. • more than $31 million was spent on the current design He said the new People’s National Movement Government “intends to ensure that this expenditure is not wasted and that the project continues with modifications given our economic circumstances.” He said under previous administrations, bids were invited for public tender, adding that the special purposes state company Udecott had advised that tenders “considerably exceeded the projected estimated sum.” According to Rowley, “We have been informed that tenders ranged from $411 million to $694 million. This tender process has been abandoned and new bids will be invited.” He said there will be changes to the original user brief for the project, which included a proposal for establishment of a parliamentary complex with the companion building on the site north of the Red House.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday March 13, 2016
Sunday March 13, 2016
Dem boys seh...
Donald Dumb was a half term president A runner name Doug Larson mek a statement which, if Guyana did know it woulda never mek a lot of dem tun president, much less Jagdeo. De man seh, “Instead of giving a politician de keys to de city, it might be better to change de locks.” If dem boys did know this before dem wouldn’t only change de lock to de city, dem woulda change de safe at de treasury. And if dem did do that dem wouldn’t have had to look for police to lock up Jagdeo, Boyah, Babbie Brian and de one and only, that fat crook, Brassington. It now come out that Jagdeo, that scamp, and Brassington, that crook, sell de shares what de people had in GTT fuh US$30M and mek a bicycle contract which today Guyana cannot collect de remainder of de money. And is not dem boys seh suh; is de new man Winston Odle who tek over Brassington office seh suh. Odle seh de contract was like wha Courts or Lucky Dollar does mek out when you buy something pun terms. Brassington and Jagdeo never want to see de Umana Yana build back. Jagdeo did promise de Amerindian society to build a bigger, brighter and more beautiful benab near to Celina. Is dem boys bruck up de move. Remember de excuse he give to de nation fuh moving de Sparendaam tower that was holding up he mansion? Is de same excuse dem give to move de benab from in front de Pegasus. It was blocking de view of their newly built Barriatt Hutel. If de people of Guyana did listen when dem boys was talking in de Waterfalls paper all this wouldn’t happen. Dem boys hope you all listen now and remember— we are reminding you for de very last time— ”Politicians and diapers should be changed often — for de same reason” And if you don’t know is not de pee, like de Pee Pee Pee does mek you change de diaper. Dem boys can give you thousands of reasons why you need to change dem every term, and if you vex, change dem every half term, like Donald Dumb. This new set wha now sit down in de chairs did promise everything under de sun. Almost one year now and only some of dem promise come through. Talk half and figure what goes into a diaper other than de Pee Pee Pee, Hap New and Hay Heff See.
Kaieteur News
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Relocation of utilities affected progress of US$46M West Dem. Road project – Snr. Engineer It should have been about 30 per cent along but the West Coast Demerara Road Improvement Project remains about 20 per cent completed. This is according to Senior Project Engineer within the Ministry of Infrastructure, Mr. Kester Hinds, who attributed it to delayed relocation of utility services. The US$46.8 million project includes the widening of 30.7 kilometers or 19 miles of road stretching from Vreed-enHoop, West Coast Demerara, to Parika, East Bank Essequibo. The project is being undertaken jointly by Surrey Paving and Aggregate (SPA) Limited, a Jamaican Company, and BK International. It is slated to be completed in three years and, according to Hinds, January marked one year into the project. Works including widening and overlays of the thoroughfare in addition to the cleaning of culverts, commenced at the East Bank Essequibo end, a move that was based on the fact that there is likely to be minimum disruptions in terms of traffic volume there. Disruptions are expected to increase as the work moves towards the Vreeden-Hoop end, Hinds noted. The contractors are currently engaged in the building of
Senior Project Engineer, Mr. Kester Hinds concrete drains in the vicinity of Anna Catherina. And in order to facilitate the ongoing works there was need to relocate utility services in the area, Hinds said. He disclosed that the project could have been further along. And this, he added, was due to the fact that “we had challenges initially getting the utilities relocated. That has contributed somewhat to the only 20 per cent progress thus far.” And the challenges, he noted, essentially hindered the contractor from taking advantage of the prevailing “”fantastic” weather. “Based on the timeframe and the weather
being favourable we should have been further along more like 30 per cent,” said Hinds. But given the fact that only 20 per cent of the work has been completed, there is still a great deal left to be done. Thus far there has been no significant work between Vreed en Hoop and Meten-MeerZorg, according to Hinds. Despite some delay, he is optimistic that the project will be completed within the stipulated time and within budget. The ongoing project is being funded by the Caribbean Development Bank and the Guyana Government and has five components. In addition to the changes to the road layout, the project includes: a driver and community awareness project which is being coordinated by GeoTechVision; a public relations component which is being led by Tagman, a monitoring and evaluation aspect which is being undertaken by a Canadian Company and a road safety education for schools which is being undertaken by Transport Research Laboratory of the United Kingdom. But according to the Senior Project Engineer, the changes to the road layout are
in fact particularly important aspects of the road project since they are intended to incorporate facilities to cater to the more vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. And this, he noted, would include a cycle lane and walkway for pedestrians and in some sections provision for parking along the 19 miles of road. “What we find most of the time is that when you are driving, a cyclist is just in front of you and of course they slow down the flow of traffic and they essentially expose themselves to danger as well. So we want to independently make provisions for them so the cycle lane will be there in some areas,” said Hinds. Despite the noble intent of the project some residents within the vicinity of ongoing works are not very happy. This is in light of the fact that “persons who are living on the upper end (East Bank Essequibo), they have been suffering from a dust problem and we apologise to them,” related Hinds. “He disclosed that while “the contractor has been consistently wetting the roadway that is not working of course because the road is very, very dry.”
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Kaieteur News
Sunday March 13, 2016
Central Housing Police to conduct further committee recommends investigation into woman’s death Deputy Head sent on leave Injecting abdomen with gramoxone…
Investigators will be conducting further investigations into the death of Liloutie Raggernauth, who allegedly injected her abdomen with gramoxone in an attempt to abort her foetus. This newspaper was informed that ranks are trying to verify whether a second person had a hand in the woman’s death. The woman’s partner is likely to be questioned by ranks soon. There are reports that he too works at the poultry farm where the woman was the supervisor. Raggernauth died at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after she
reportedly injected herself with gramoxone. A Post Mortem examination performed on her remains revealed that the 30year-old woman was pregnant. The examination also showed that the woman died as a result of poisoning. This newspaper was informed that the woman’s relatives were only aware that she was pregnant when Government Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh, conducted the examination and revealed his findings to them on Friday. Her stomach content was handed over to the police and a toxicology test will be done. Reports are that
Closure notice Due to the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC) National ‘Race of Champions’ Meet scheduled to be staged over two days, from March 19, the South Dakota Circuit will be closed to vehicular traffic from 06:00 hrs-18:00hrs on both days. The Club also wishes to advise vendors that only those interested in selling food will be allowed to enter and that they may make contact on telephone #231-5457 for more information or visit the office on Albert Street.
Raggernauth, in an attempt to conceal her pregnancy from her parents, used a syringe that contained the poisonous substance and injected her abdomen at the farm last Monday. However, when she started to vomit, she was rushed to a private hospital and was later transferred to the GPHC where she was hospitalized for two days until she succumbed. This newspaper understands that even while the 30-year-old woman was hospitalized, her relatives had no idea what she was being treated for and assumed that she was having severe abdominal pain. A very reliable source told this newspaper that before the woman died, she confided in a doctor. “She told the doctor that she took one of the syringes with poison that was on the farm and injected her abdomen,” the source said. While she did not state the reason for her act, this publication understands that Raggernauth and a married man were sharing a relationship. However, the individual subsequently went back to his wife, leaving the now dead woman. It was some time after noon on March 7, last, that she started vomiting continuously and crying out for abdominal pain. One of her friends contacted her father and she was taken to a private hospital and then rushed to GPHC where she later succumbed.
A critical committee of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) has reportedly recommended that the entity’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Denise King-Tudor, be sent on administrative leave. According to CH&PA’s staffers over the weekend, the Land Allocation Committee, appointed in December, has been trying to understand several deals and transactions conducted over time. However, the committee, which comprises Board Members and headed by Mark Jacobs, complained last week that the Land Administration Department was not cooperating in the face of requests for critical documents and information. According to CH&PA officials, the committee had written to Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, and Junior Minister, Valerie Adams-Patterson, informing that requests for documents since early January had gone unanswered. On March 3, there was an emergency with the various Ministers within the Ministry of Communities. In addition to the three Ministers, present also were Permanent Secretary, Emil Mc Garrel; Chairman of the Board, Hamilton Green; CEO, Myrna Pitt; King-Tudor, the lawyer and the Heads of the Committees of the Board of CH&PA. According to CH&PA staffers, during that meeting the Ministers were told that
Deputy CEO, Denise King-Tudor
CH&PA’s CEO, Myrna Pitt
there was a lack of cooperation from senior functionaries with regard to the provision on timely basic information requested by the committees. At that meeting, the CH&PA officials were given directives to comply. Last Monday, the Deputy CEO proceeded on leave, reportedly without informing the Board of Directors. It left in limbo several questions and requests that had been made for information. The Land Allocation Committee, as a result, wrote the Chairman of the Board, copying it to the Ministers. The committee recommended that the Deputy CEO be sent on administrative leave immediately. The committee cited the ongoing crisis in CH&PA’s Land Administration, the backlog of applications, the complaints from the public and ongoing instances of malfeasance. The committee also instructed that all documents and information requested be immediately handed over by management. Contacted yesterday, Jacobs referred Kaieteur News to the Chairman of the Board and for CH&PA matters to the CEO. “Additionally, you can contact Minister Valerie
Patterson. While I champion freedom of information, I am not the person authorised to discuss Board matters with the press.” As Director of Operations, King-Tudor is responsible for all land allocations in Guyana as well as the Enforcement Division of CH&PA. The Land Allocation Department is also responsible and oversees the large tracts of land allocated to private developers. CH&PA staffers said very little of this information has been shared with the Board of Directors. The Land Allocation Committee is mandated to oversee all transactions and operations of the Land Administration Department. It can also investigate irregularities. With more than 25,000 applications on file for house lots and turn-key homes, CH&PA is under pressure to find new lands. There have been increasing complaints of corruption at CH&PA with allegations that persons who are not entitled to house lots receiving one while others have received multiple lots. Currently being investigated is issue of the large tracts of lands on East Bank Demerara which have been behind in developmental schedules set by the authority. The authority has been ordered to clear up the backlog and tighten the application process to reduce corruption.
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
Sunday March 13, 2016
Kaieteur News
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First Lady, US Charge D Affairs take anti-violence campaign to Berbice The start of the march for an end to gender based violence
Young Berbicians at the anti violence rally First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger and United States Charge D Affairs, Brian Hunt, were among a number of dignitaries that attended and spoke on Friday at the Roadside Baptist Skills Training Centre Inc. rally held at, No. 68 Village, Corentyne, Berbice. The aim was to raise awareness about the prevalence of gender-based violence and suicide. The rally was held under the theme, “Silence hides violence; speak out!” Mrs Granger called on the youths to reset their mindsets and to speak out against social ills such as bullying and domestic abuse to help create a more compassionate society. The First Lady said she fears that violence has become so ingrained in the nation’s psyche that persons have become indifferent to it, while others no longer seem to know how to respond to it. Speaking about violence in the society Mrs Granger wondered why Guyanese are
so accustomed to genderbased violence that it amuses us whenever we see it occurring or seeing how prevalent it is in our society. “Is a woman who is not working for a salary, less than a woman who is earning? We have to value the contributions of the women who stay at home and take care of the children… I want you to recognise that every life has value; that every person, male or female, is contributing something to this society in which we live. “They are bringing something distinct and Godgiven when they come into this world and we should help them. Sometimes …some people look at us and laugh. You’re either too fat or too thin, too tall, too short, maybe our features may not be formed as beautifully as other people’s, but that doesn’t take away from who we are and our essence.” The First Lady noted, too, that while the Government has joined other countries worldwide in observing
International Women’s Day 2016, under the theme “Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step it Up for Gender Equality” the achievement of this goal requires action from every person. “It is hoped that the world will reach gender parity by 2030, but something that bothers me a lot is how do we get there? “These things cannot happen unless we ourselves change our behaviours. In order to achieve the UN’s 2030 Agenda on gender parity, Guyanese must first take a stand against wrongdoing and practice empathy, within homes and families and within communities. “Sometimes we see a child being bullied in the school and we do not say anything, but this where we should step up and speak out. One of the things we need to do is to look at behavioural change, look at how we see ourselves and how we look at everyone else. One of the things we should think about is respect; (Continued on page 67)
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Kaieteur News
Sunday March 13, 2016
To sell Marriott ...
Govt. may have to complete Casino, Entertainment complex –Sharma
The Marriott Hotel Winston Brassington
Junior Finance Minister, Jaipaul Sharma
Marcia Nadir-Sharma
Junior Finance Minister, Jaipaul Sharma, is of the firm belief that any serious attempt to sell the Marriott Hotel would perhaps see the Government pushing for the completion of the hotel’s casino and entertainment complex. In a recent interview, Sharma said that this was one of the issues raised during a meeting with the members of the subcommittee set up to plan the way forward for Government regarding the future of the Marriott.
The politician said that the subcommittee members are expected to meet with the representatives of Atlantic Hotel Inc (AHI) on Monday to make a final decision at the subcommittee level, on the way forward. Beverly Harper, Ansa Mcal Chief Executive Officer, was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors at Atlantic Hotel Inc. (AHI) last year. AHI is the Special Purpose Company established to own the Marriott Hotel in Kingston,
Georgetown. The new Board was installed last year with its other Directors. They include Larry London, Derrick Cummings and Patricia Bacchus. AHI was previously headed by Winston Brassington and Marcia Nadir-Sharma. The Junior Finance Minister explained, “We are stuck with the Hotel and we have to sell it but in order to do so we have to make it more attractive. To do this, we may have to complete the
entertainment complex with its casino and that I suppose would not take long.” He continued, “At this point, the hotel I can say is at a break-even stage and that is good. But on Monday when I meet with the AHI people, we will get a detailed breakdown on how they are doing with the expenses and how it is performing.” AHI had initially approached Republic Bank to secure a loan from a consortium of investors to raise of US$27M. However, this was cut short as a result of court action filed by then opposition Member of
Parliament, Desmond Trotman. That court action resulted in only US$15.3M being transferred from Republic Bank to Atlantic Hotel Inc for the multi-million dollar hotel. Sharma noted that the case, according to his information, has been dropped. Now AHI has access to some US$11M. This is the remainder of the $27M loan from Republic Bank. He said that the meeting on Monday will decide whether AHI would be interested in investing the remainder of the money now available to them into the completion of the Hotel’s
entertainment complex. However, the Casino and Entertainment Complex of the facility was proposed at an additional US$16M. The US$60M Marriott Hotel was met with much contention by the then Opposition bloc A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC), when it was being constructed under the previous regime. The project had been criticized for lacking transparency. Managing the construction shares of the company was Atlantic Hotel Incorporate (AHI), a Continued on page 14
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8 yrs later, former NBS boss, family still await justice Almost nine years ago, three senior officials of the country’s biggest mortgage lender, New Building Society (NBS), ended up in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, charged with fraud. One of the three Managers was Chief Executive Office (CEO), Maurice Arjoon. He was on the verge of retiring when the charges came and he was dismissed from NBS, losing his pension and other benefits. The court cases were dropped after the main witnesses stopped coming to court. However, stain on the men’s lives and that of their families remained. They have been fighting for years to clear their names and to receive their benefits. The swearing in of the Ombudsman, Justice Winston Moore, in January 2014, saw Arjoon seizing the opportunity. He filed a complaint. Months later, investigations and a report by the Office of the Ombudsman cleared the men. The damning report by the Office of the Ombudsman concluded that police wrongfully charged the former CEO and two of his Managers for fraud. The report said that the men suffered grave
injustice and should be compensated for losing seven years of their lives. However, since that report, little has happened to give the men justice. A new Government, under President David Granger, took office in May last year, following early General Elections. The report of the Ombudsman, in keeping with the laws of the country, was sent to the National Assembly in November 2014, but was not tabled until July 2015, under the new Government. It has not yet come up for debate or handling. Today, Arjoon is again calling for the matter to be debated. Arjoon disclosed that on October 1, 2015, he wrote President David Granger
explaining how he has been denied justice. He is asking the President for a number of things. “I am asking that the Ombudsman’s report be addressed in the National Assembly when Parliament reconvenes. It should include compensation for the victims, by the state, the re-opening of the case and prosecution of the perpetrators of this criminal act.” He told the President that it is now over eight years since this grave injustice commenced. A civil matter- “Arjoon vs NBS”- has been ongoing for over four years due to various delays with a conclusion not expected in the near future. “This includes payment of pension rights which has been illegally withheld for over eight years.”
The former CEO said that he asked the President to intervene to help speed up the matter being handled in the National Assembly, the country’s highest law-making forum. The letter to the President last year was copied to Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo; Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman; Attorney General & Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan. Indeed, President Granger replied to Arjoon on October 30, 2015, indicating that he has sent the matter to Prime Minister Nagamootoo, who is the Leader of the House, for his consideration.
On November 15, the Prime Minister in a Facebook post promised that as “Leader of Government Business in the House, I am taking steps for a debate on the findings of the Ombudsman.” Last year when the report was laid in the National Assembly, both Arjoon and his wife were in the Chambers. He said then it would be a small victory for him and his family. He wanted to see an end to the matter. “I am kindly asking our new Government to treat this matter as urgent and ensure that all the victims finally get justice and that the perpetrators are dealt with according to law.” Arjoon claimed that he was framed after he refused to illegally endorse the lending
of $2B, in 2006. Arjoon’s decision to only lend $350M in keeping with the country’s financial laws apparently angered former President Bharrat Jagdeo who allegedly threatened to deal with the CEO. The Ombudsman’s report also questioned the role that Director of Public Prosecution, Shalimar AliHack, and her husband, Sheik-ul-Hack, played in the investigations. The report also questioned the police over missing key exhibits and failure to follow-up of obvious questions. The report also called for the case to be re-opened. Also charged were Operations Manager, Kent Vincent and coworker, Kissoon Baldeo. Continued on page 67
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Region 10 Council meets with Alesie The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) is in discussions with Dr. Turhane Doerga of the Alesie Group to expand cassava cultivation in Region Ten. Regional Ten Chairman, Renis Morian, has confirmed that he had two meetings with Dr. Doerga, IMC Chairman Orrin Gordon, and Head of the RDC Agriculture Committee, Douglas Gittens, to discuss the way forward. Mr. Morian said that a cassava sample was taken and the council is awaiting determination of its suitability for the manufacturing process envisaged; if unsuitable, another sample from another farmer in another area will be submitted. Once a suitable strain of cassava is identified, it would give rise to extensive cassava cultivation by farmers to meet the demands of the new enterprise. In a meeting with farmers recently in Old England, Linden, the Region Ten Chairman encouraged them to plant. “Agriculture is the way forward, especially now that we are trying to get this deal with an investor, Linden will be on the go through agriculture. Plant cassava, sweet corn, cash crops,” he insisted. The farmers were enthusiastic and are ready to be part of the initiative.” While visiting the
Regional Ten Chairman, Renis Morian community Morian said the Council is also taking note of lands available to facilitate similar ventures with the aim of scaling up agriculture in Region Ten. He said that while pepper has already been cited as a possible future investment, the RDC is presently looking at marketing one product at a time. “So this is a sensitization stage to let you know that we are expanding agriculture and you can’t expand agriculture unless you get a market. So before we expand, we have to get a market. We’re trying to do them simultaneously, securing markets and produce and looking at the quality,” he said. Anticipating approval of the cassava sample, the Continued on page 71
Govt. may have to...
From page 12 subsidiary of the National Industrial Commercial and Investments Limited (NICIL) which falls under the Government. The Marriott was also given “extravagant incentives and benefits”, which left other local hotel operators screaming over the unlevel playing field. Despite the controversy, the hotel was opened to begin its phase one operations. Three months later, the 197-room facility was already showing signs that it was not going to be the overnight success the PPP claimed it would be. In fact, Marriott racked up a $60M loss up to the end of June, 2015, according to Government officials. The state-owned hotel’s biggest expense is its electricity consumption. Its monthly bill to Guyana Power and Light (GPL) is in excess of $25M. This has been a major factor why construction of a critical component of the hotelthe adjoining entertainment complex- has not started. Marriott’s electricity tab would contrast starkly with that of its nearby competitor, the Pegasus Hotel, whose electricity consumption
averages $15M monthly. Marriott also has a fivemegawatt generator with the capacity to power the Kingston area. It has been using this from time to time. While in Opposition, the AFC, of which Hughes is a member, had made it clear that the party would revisit, review and if necessary impose sanctions on the hotel should the party get into Government. However, the Minister explained that while the former Opposition was critical of how the hotel was handled, it has no reservations about the actual Marriot franchise itself. “I want people to understand that the concerns we had about the Marriott were purely in terms of the fact that we as an administration did not feel that the Government should spend (US) millions on a hotel,” related the Tourism Minister. She said they had felt that the private sector or international investors should have been the ones to put their money into the Hotel, without spending taxpayers’ dollars. Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, had also stated that once the price is right, Government would be willing to part with the Hotel.
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New Govt’s hands tied due to reckless sale contract - Odle Sale of GTT 20% shares...
By Abena Rockcliffe From all indications, the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL)—under Winston Brassington’s management—was in such a haste to sell Government’s share in the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) Company that it failed terribly to formulate a proper sale agreement. As a result, the new government is having a hard time trying to secure the outstanding sum owed by Datang Telecom Technology and Industry Group. In 2012, NICIL sold Government’s shares in GT&T for US$30M of which Datang paid up US$25M. The balance of US$5M was to be paid within a period of two years, but that account is yet to be settled. Brassington failed to get the Chinese company to settle its debt. Because NICIL’s management has been unable to secure the outstanding sum, the Board of NICIL has intervened. However, even the Board
Former President Bharrat Jagdeo
Former CEO of NICIL, Winston Brassington
Deputy Head of NICIL, Marcia Nadir-Sharma
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon
Chairman of NICIL’s Board, Dr. Maurice Odle
is having a hard time in this regard. Chairman of NICIL’s Board of Directors, Dr. Maurice Odle, told Kaieteur News that Datang is now saying that it will not pay up unless it is given more seats on GTT’s Board of Directors. The 20 percent shares it now owns only entitles Datang to one seat on the Board. However, the company is holding out that it must inherit all that the Government of Guyana enjoyed while it was in possession of the shares. It was a case of
government having a privileged position and was given two seats on the Board. But according to Dr. Odle, GTT is not willing to give Datang more than that to which it is entitled. Dr. Odle, who described GTT as an “innocent partner” said that the telephone company is maintaining that Government and Datang have to sort out their own problems. However, he said that the company is only willing to give Datang a seat commensurate with the amount of shares it owns.
“Nothing more, nothing less”. There is a stalemate. “That is what is holding up
is now pondering its next move in this regard. The Chairman explained that sale agreement is of no
agreement. They sold the shares as if they were selling a car or a piece of furniture.” In this regard, Dr. Odle pointed to the fact that the shares were sold in a manner that resembles a hire purchase agreement. He said, “It was not done professionally. There should have been a definitive price and NICIL should have stood firm on collecting all the money at once. Now that Guyana finds itself in this position it is hard to find a solution because of (Continued on page 67)
This was not the usual sort of agreement. They sold the shares as if they were selling a car or a piece of furniture. resolution on the matter and Datang is adamant that it will not pay until it gets what it wants.” Dr. Odle said that NICIL
use to NICIL as it was not formulated in the best interest of Guyana. The Chairman said, “This was not the usual sort of
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Caribbean to pay close attention to antibiotics resistance The overuse of antibiotics given to animals that are later served as meat in the food industry is slated to be high on the agenda when World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) is observed on Tuesday. Given the emphasis this year, the observance will be held under the theme “Antibiotics Resistance” The overuse of antibiotics in livestock is a growing concern largely because it allows resistant bacteria and resistance genes to spread from these animals to humans through the foodchain. As a result, human infections with antibiotic resistant bacteria can be difficult or impossible to cure, and may lead to death in some instances. Moreover, because livestock and foods of animal origin are traded worldwide, this could
contribute to antibiotic resistance in countries which are far removed from where the problem originates. This state of affairs has been emphasised jointly by the CARICOM Competition Commission (CCC) and the Caribbean Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA). The two entities have stressed that “the need to act now in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is therefore imperative, given the fact that as net food importing countries the Member States of CARICOM are certainly not immune to this new global threat.” In 2013 alone, the region imported approximately US$19.8 billion in meats and edible offal from extra-regional partners. Additionally, many CARICOM countries are home to several international fast food restaurants such as
McDonalds, Burger King and Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), which may import meats and meat products consumed in large quantities by nationals. Consequently, a careful approach must be taken and strategies developed and implemented to protect CARICOM consumers from antibiotic resistant foods and the dangers associated with them. In light of this, CCC and the CAHFSA believe that holistic, inter-sectoral and multifaceted approaches must be developed both at the national and regional levels in CARICOM. This integrated approach would facilitate the effective coordination of resources and actions needed to control the importation, sale/distribution, and most importantly the use of antimicrobials in order to
deal with this critical issue. It is also the view of the CCC that national consumer protection agencies (NCPAs) within the region have a significant role to play in national strategies to curb antibiotic resistance caused in this manner. NCPAs are designed to p r o t e c t the rights of consumers as well as to ensure the availability of accurate information about products in the market place. NCPAs are ideally equipped to collaborate with other national stakeholders and agencies to raise public awareness of antibiotic resistance, and to prevent its development and spread in the food-chain. At the regional level, CARICOM has identified antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as an important public
Nagamootoo, Ramjattan discuss security of Australian Cricket Team in Guyana in June A meeting on Friday between Vice President Moses Nagamootoo and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, and Australian High Commissioner to Guyana, John Philbeam, discussed the security concerns for the visiting Australia cricket team. The Australians will be coming to Guyana in June for two One Day internationals. Mr. Philbeam was named Australian High Commissioner to Guyana in
November 2015. He formerly served in many other capacities for the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Assurance was offered to the Australian High Commissioner that security of the team while in Guyana will be of top priority. Ramjattan added that any other specific security request will be fulfilled. Mr. Philbeam said that the security measures in Guyana are of top standards in the Caribbean.
Ramjattan acknowledged this. He said that this was because of the quantity and quality of the training given to ranks of the Guyana security forces. Nagamootoo and Ramjattan were presented with documents regarding the plans of the Australian Government for dealing with issues regarding border security. These documents were a summary of the Border Management Programme which Australia has. The plan highlighted
some of the issues affecting the border such as terrorism, drugs, corruption in customs, illegal immigration, refugees, etc. Minister Ramjattan assured Mr. Philbeam that Guyana will continue to work with Australia and international partners to seek areas of collaboration that will enhance the effectiveness of the Security Sector in Guyana and maintain the safety and security of the country’s citizenry and those whom we welcome as guests.
and agricultural health issue. Accordingly, an AMR workshop was held in Paramaribo, Suriname, in October 2014 as part of the activities to commemorate Caribbean Week of Agriculture. At that workshop, the Chair, then Minister of Agriculture, Guyana, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, opposed the widespread use of antibiotics in agriculture, saying that this has serious implications for human health. In January 2015, another workshop organized by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) was held in Trinidad and Tobago. The objectives of this workshop were to heighten awareness among senior policy makers and public and private sector officials on the issue of AMR and to chart the way forward on the role of governmental organizations and the private sector in monitoring AMR. An outcome of the 2015 workshop was an agreement on the need to control the use of antibiotics in animal husbandry and in human health, through an integrated AMR Surveillance System at the national level and to collect relevant data that will assist regional institutions in making informed decisions. Consequently, CAHFSA is in the process of putting a system in place to collect data on the use of antibiotics in animal husbandry in Member States, and to establish electronic data bases nationally and regionally to process this data, to assist the
region in making informed decisions. Additionally, the workshop agreed on the need to adopt and implement international standards to monitor AMR and the usage of antimicrobial agents. These standards have already been developed by the Codex Alimentarius Commission and the World Animal Health Organization (OIE). They are presently being examined by CAHFSA with a view to recommending their adoption as regional standards. According to the organizations, “It is important to note that several institutions of the CARICOM Community have vital roles to play in tackling this very serious issue.” An integrated strategy needs to be developed for regional institutions responsible for protecting consumer welfare, whether directly or indirectly. In this regard, the CCC intends to collaborate with these agencies to develop a communications strategy to educate CARICOM consumers, and to ensure that mechanisms are in place to carefully monitor the importation of meats from extra-regional trading partners. Moreover, for WCRD 2016, the international consumer protection community is once again tackling the issue of consumer health and diets. The focus in 2015, was on encouraging consumers to make smarter decisions on the foods they eat, while calling on food producers to reduce the level of salt, sugar and fat found in processed foods.
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Let’s talk mosquitoes By Sharmain Grainger Mosquitoes were probably here before mankind inhabited the earth and probably will be here for many, many more years to come. I say this to emphasize that there is no point in trying to have them extinct altogether. What is however recommended and is very achievable, I believe, is controlling the size of their population by doing some rather simple things. By simple, I mean embracing the notion that “cleanliness is next to godliness.” Keeping your immediate environment clean should be your responsibility. By simply discarding containers in which water can settle for days or clearing a clogged-up drain could help get rid of a great deal of your mosquito troubles. But there are some less obvious water accumulating sites that can also be very friendly to mosquitobreeding activities. These can include flower vases, clogged gutters on your roof and even tyres. You should know that old tyres that are stored around the yard are an especially perfect haven for mosquitoes to breed. Whether left in an upright or lying position they have this great way of holding water for days after rainfall. And mosquitoes simply love stagnant water since it helps them to thrive unabated. And they can breed well in both fresh and dirty water. According to experts, most mosquitoes only need water to be stagnant for about three to four days before they start to make use of it as a breeding site. Once ideal, the female mosquito can reportedly lay between 100 and 300 eggs in a body of water. And based on some reports, a single mosquito could help to unleash a new batch of mosquitoes in your environment every week. It is important to note that a female mosquito can lay from 1,000 to 3,000 eggs during her lifetime. And her lifespan
can range from a week to several months. Just imagine how many mosquitoes are already in your environment and are preparing to infiltrate, if you have the conditions that are conducive for breeding. But what makes the mosquito breeding process really frightening, if you take the time to think about it, is that the female mosquito needs our blood to nourish her developing offspring. This is the only reason mosquitoes bite. What you may not know is that as adults, mosquitoes are really vegetarians, as they feed on plant nectar for their survival. Their babies, however, need our blood to join them. Moreover, it has long been established that only the female mosquitoes indulge in the feeding of their babies, which in the developmental stage are called larvae. But what scientists were able to ascertain is that in taking our blood, mosquitoes have been leaving behind residues. And among these residues are in fact viruses such as Malaria, Dengue Fever, Chikungunya and Zika, among others. In essence, if a mosquito bites a person who is infected with one of these viruses it can easily transmit the virus to an uninfected person while sucking their blood. Creepy, but proven to be very true. It is even creepier if you saw a close-up of how a mosquito drinks on your blood pretty much like a vampire. You can check out many such eerie videos on YouTube. They, however, can’t transmit the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This is a fact that has been established for years, otherwise it might have been extremely taxing on Governments to cater to the needs of a vastly infected population. But Governments already see mosquitoes as a major threat. This is in light of the fact that they already leave many Governments
financially spent, tackling the known viruses they transmit. The local health sector has time and again attested to the fact that millions are spent annually to combat mosquitoborne viruses. And dealing with emerging mosquitoborne viruses is certainly not very comforting to Governments and citizens alike. Currently, the most feared The water in this tyre is a suitable breeding site.
mosquito is the fairly domesticated Aedes type. They live among us, they breed among us, and so they easily transmit viruses among us. The Zika Virus is probably one of the most dreaded, currently, due to the fact that it has been linked to birth defects and autoimmune disorders. Protecting pregnant women is a high priority of Governments, since many children in Brazil have been born with defects believed linked to the virus. Otherwise, the virus is reportedly rather mild, but if symptoms are apparent they can be easily treated. It manifests itself similarly to Dengue Fever and Chikungunya with muscle and joint pains, rash, headache and fever with added conjunctivitis (pink eye). Although Guyana has been able to confirm five cases of the virus thus far, there have been no reports of
THE BACCOO SPEAKS The prison situation is going to get interesting with testimonies that seem to conflict with what really happened the other day. But it would be a while before that happens. Prison wardens would suddenly attract the hostility of other prisoners because they would see the situation in a different light. ** The weekend would see an interesting
A mosquito in biting mode
development. A wanted man would be arrested in the most unlikely place. The wanted man would be operating in plain view. It is going to take an observant policeman to make the detection. ** Another road fatality would occur along the eastern corridor. A pedestrian is going to step into the path of an oncoming vehicle.
pregnant women contracting the virus. This is according to Minister of Public Health, Dr, George Norton, who told me last week “we have been extremely lucky.” He insists though that his Ministry is not naïve about the possibility of such an
occurrence. Moreover, the health sector has been engaging in regular fogging and residual spraying to help keep to a minimum the transmitting vector. But the health sector cannot do it alone. Your help
is also needed and probably won’t cost you much more than a little time and effort, all in the interest of protecting yourself and family. Maybe we can take a page out of the life of the female mosquito, which sacrifices being a vegetarian in order to ensure that her young ones can thrive. By this I mean, sacrifice some time today to ensure your immediate environment is clean, thereby helping to reduce the mosquito population and safeguarding your family’s wellbeing.
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The spiritualist’s missing guest By Michael Jordan If there is one mother who has a right to be worried about the fate of a missing daughter, that woman is Joylyn Brotherson. And you would be worried, too, if your daughter had vanished without a trace, and if she had once lived at the home of a female friend, who turned out to be a murderess. Mrs. Brotherson’s daughter, June Ann Davis, disappeared in 1999, when she was just 18. Mrs. Brotherson fears that an infamous, empty lot in Second Street, Alberttown, Georgetown, may hold the answers to the fate of her missing child. You see, the body of another woman was dug up in that same lot. It was in July 1999, that Joylyn Brotherson went for a five-month stay in St. Maarten, leaving her then 18year-old daughter, June Ann, and other siblings at the family’s Lot 306 West Ruimveldt home. Mrs. Brotherson returned from St. Maarten in December, and was upset to learn that June Ann had moved out.
Self-proclaimed spiritualist Patricia Alves She was told that her daughter was living at the Lot 14, Second Street, Alberttown home of a female acquaintance. Mrs. Brotherson decided to check on her
daughter. The woman with whom June Ann was said to be staying was a self-proclaimed spiritualist named Patricia Alves. ‘Mother’Alves’ home was
always spotlessly clean. The boards leading from the gate to her front steps—and the steps themselves—were scrubbed white. This work was done by ‘Mother’ Alves, and by female guests who sometimes sought lodging at the home of the ‘spiritualist’. One of these women was Monica Reece, who would eventually be brutally murdered in Main Street on Good Friday of 1992. But when Joylyn Brotherson arrived at the property, ‘Mother’ Alves informed her that June Ann had taken ‘Sabbath’ there and left. Mrs. Brotherson retuned a few more times to ‘Mother’ Alves’ home. According to her, ‘Mother’ Alves always had a different story about her daughter’s whereabouts. Once, she was told that June Ann had just left. Another time, ‘Mother’ Alves reportedly told her that June Ann was in Suriname. Joylyn Brotherson didn’t believe that her daughter was in Suriname, since she had all of June Ann’s travel documents. At the time, though, she wasn’t unduly worried, either. After all, she thought, “she’s big enough, and maybe she wants to see how the world stay.” But some time later, she learned that a male acquaintance of her daughter’s had been charged with murdering a woman. Like June Ann, that male acquaintance had once stayed at ‘Mother’ Alves’ home. The man was eventually freed of the murder charge,
but Mrs. Brotherson suspected that the man might have also killed June Ann. She expressed her suspicions to the police, who re-arrested the suspect and questioned him about June Ann. However, they were forced to release him after finding no evidence to link him to the teen’s disappearance. But that was not the end of the matter. On February 14, 2002, residents of Second Street, Alberttown, were shocked to learn that police had dug up a woman’s decomposing body from ‘Mother’ Alves’ backyard. The body was that of 32year-old Camille Sibnauth, of Anna Regina, Essequibo. She had been badly beaten and had suffered a fractured skull. The police had been tipped off after one of ‘Mother’ Alves’ neighbours peeped through a fence and saw the ‘spiritualist’ burying Sibnauth’s body in a shallow grave. The investigators learned that Sibnauth had stayed at ‘Mother’ Alves’ home for several months. Witnesses would later inform detectives that Sibnauth was often beaten. The discovery of Sibnauth’s body aroused fresh fears in Joylyn Brotherson about her daughter’s fate. She became even more concerned when some
Alberttown residents claimed that her daughter was sometimes subjected to similar beatings as Sibnauth. Again, Mrs. Brotherson visited the police. This time, she pleaded with them to dig up ‘Mother’ Alves’ backyard, just in case her daughter was also buried there. But to her dismay, those pleas went unheeded. Patricia Alves served a ten-year sentence for the murder of Camille Sibnauth. She was freed, only to be faced with a charge of attempted murder, allegedly following a failed ‘exorcism’, just last year. Prior to that, a mystery fire razed her home. The last time I spoke with her, Joylyn Brotherson continues to hope that her daughter has escaped a similar fate as Camille Sibnauth, and that ‘Mother’ Alves’ backyard holds no more secrets. “I would be really glad to see my child, even if she is living another life,” she told me. “I just want to touch her and hear her say: ‘Mommy, I am alright…’ “ If you have any information on the whereabouts of June Ann Davis, please contact Mrs. Joylyn Brotherson at Lot 306 West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, or on telephone number 223-2822. You can also contact us at our Lot 24 Saffon Street address, or on telephone numbers 22-58473, 2258458, or 22-58491. You can also contact Michael Jordan on his email a d d r e s s mjdragon@hotmail.com
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== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==
Witch-hunt only becomes witch-hunt when there is no evidence One of the theories being offered for the absence of information on the plethora of forensic audits which begun shortly after the APNU+AFC took office is that the ruling coalition wants to avoid charges of witch-hunt by the PPP. If that is so, then it is terrible strategizing and moral back-sliding. Last week, the President of Brazil was indicted for corruption. Was someone out to get former President Lula? If ruling parties are afraid of prosecuting corrupt former rulers, then why do they want to have power in the first place? If the ruling Coalition is going to become intimidated by mischievous and wicked fictions thrown at them by the PPP, then there was no reason for them to have sought power in the first place. What do APNU and AFC leaders think the PPP in opposition will do? Support them? Cheer them on with bouquets? Fill up the letter pages of the newspapers with praise for a good job being done? Politics has similarities with many other areas of life, and this includes business management. If I want you to give me two million for my land, I am not going to ask for one million. I will be extravagant. I am going to ask for 12. You will reject that, but you will be under enormous
pressure not to go way down to one. So what you do? You go way below 12 and you go as low as two. I get what I set out to achieve in the first place. Had I initially asked for two million, you would have said 500,000. If the opposition rejects their one seat on state boards and demands four, and you give them three, you have been outfoxed. If, as Dr. David Hinds says he believes, the Coalition has slowed down the audits because of fear of cries of witch-hunt from the PPP, then the Coalition won’t be in power for too long. A ruling party cannot respond to every demand of an opposition, because that is the nature of an opposition; they go for the jugular. That is the language they understand, that is the demand their constituencies make of them, that is the nature of politics. An opposition is going to cry foul when there is no need to, because it feeds the emotions of its constituencies. Surely, the Coalition must be watching the circus with Donald Trump. Trump will go to redneck lands and say the most bigoted things, because those kinds of folks want to hear that language. There are huge differences in the political culture of countries on the
map. Guyana’s politics is very complex. The PPP is not your run-of-the-mill party. It was born with enormous myths and has evolved with a culture of mythology that reinforces its messianic mentality. It is not the kind of party that believes in the essential traits of democracy. As much as we hate violent right-wing, racist parties in Europe, it would be unthinkable for the leadership of those parties not to have a membership vote on leadership change. The National Front’s membership in France elected its current leader. The PPP cannot imagine such a process in its biology. PPP leaders will not go to its membership and ask them to vote in a leadership contest. That is not the way the PPP understands democracy. If there weren’t forensic audits, the PPP would have found another thing and labelled it witch-hunt. If the Coalition thinks that after it slows down the audits, the PPP will slow down its propaganda, then the Coalition leaders know absolutely nothing about politics. Maybe Alston Stewart, the AFC’s wonder boy from Jamaica, will have to be summoned to Georgetown to continue teaching Guyanese leaders
how to think for themselves. Witch-hunt is the use of state resources to persecute people who oppose authoritarian governance. Anti-corruption investigation after dictatorship falls is a totally different world, a different concept. Anticorruption action is the moral obligation to people and country to bring justice to a nation by prosecuting people who committed acts of grave criminality. Governments do not compromise on the
pursuit of justice for short term electoral gains. This is a no-win situation. First, it emboldens your enemy because you are perceived as weak. Secondly, it lacerates the psyche of your supports who feel betrayed. Thirdly, you may end up as fools because you are deluding yourself into thinking that appeasement will convert PPP constituencies to your cause. Maybe in other countries, but not in ethnically-driven
Frederick Kissoon Guyana. Fourthly, your anticipated 2020 electoral gain may elude you, because your own supporters may not vote next time.
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Sunday March 13, 2016
YOU HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO CHOOSE YOUR OWN COMMUNITY GOVERNMENT Local government is defined as people having the authority to make decisions or pass laws in a small geographic area near to them. In Guyana, local government is the town council, the Neighbourhood Council, or the council of village elders. They make up the community government and they manage the affairs of the city, a town, district or village with direct input from the people living there. Briefly, the function of local government is to create the environment for peace, order and cleanliness, to provide facilities for
recreation, to assist citizens with the requirements to start up large or small businesses, to intercede on their behalf with national institutions, and to ensure the smooth conduct of business. Education also falls under Local Government’s purview. Among other things, the neighbourhood or district council ensures that school buildings are properly maintained and rehabilitated when necessary, that teachers and staff are available, and that students are able to access learning material from municipal libraries, electronically, or by sharing.
The municipal, neighbourhood and village councils should not restrict themselves to roads, rates and rubbish. Some services and functions are discretionary, i.e. a council can choose to provide them but does not have to, or they may require Government or the private sector’s input. These range from large revenue generation projects, arts and entertainment activities, sport and recreational facilities and some pest control services. Individual neighbourhood councils can determine what they need to do to ensure that
peace, order and healthy living are in place and maintained. Essentially each council makes its own decisions based on the advice it receives, based on financial considerations, and on their own developmental programmes. Please, select a Candidate you can trust. Get familiar with their positions on the issues that are dear to you. Make sure you know about his/her leadership abilities, and ask your neighbours their opinions. Come together and choose the candidate and party that you KNOW will work to make your lives better. The APNU+AFC are proving that WE CAN and WE WILL. We have been dealing effectively with a long list of national problems, issues and physical conditions that had been allowed to fester for more than 20 years. We have only just begun to implement the programmes and projects needed to restore all of Guyana to what it used to be. Just look around and you’ll witness the beginning of the progress that APNU+AFC has made. While it is nearly impossible to fix everything immediately or all at once, this party is determined to do whatever it takes within the parameters of the law to give our people back their dignity and pride in themselves, in their communities and country. In nine months we have begun to lay the groundwork for a proper national education system; for the introduction of advanced technology all across the nation; for the development of a tourism industry that is driven by the PEOPLE; for the upgrading of our national infrastructure
such as airstrips, bridges and stellings; for inclusive housing development; for the good life for every Guyanese. You have been involved all the way and now you will have again the power to determine what goes on in your communities. All we ask is that you choose wisely come 18th March when you vote for your local government. Please bear in mind that you should choose the persons and parties that you could trust to deliver on their promises and on your demands for a clean, well ordered environment, excellent conditions for your children to grow and learn in, and business ventures for the youths to secure jobs in. Unfortunately you were taught to depend on the government for everything, so they made every decision for you, which most often was not for your benefit. The previous government fired the neighbourhood councils you had before and imposed Interim Management Committees made up of their party members, people who did not belong to your communities and so were not interested in improving your life or your livelihood. That stops on 18th March! The APNU+AFC government is putting back into YOUR hands the power to determine how your community should be cleaned and kept clean; where the playgrounds for your children should be sited and how it will be upkept; how street lights should be acquired and where they must be put up; the makeup of the PTA in your children’s school; and everything else that concerns the affairs of your community. When you take control,
very soon thereafter you will be able to see the potential for development that exists right inside your community. Do you remember (or do you know) that Guyana used to be called the breadbasket of the Caribbean many years ago? We still have the same resources, you just have to take control of them! It will be YOUR decisions that tell your neighbourhood councils that the community will no longer tolerate garbage piles, no more potholes, that the community needs street lights, and that they have to be the connection between you and the Ministry of Public Health to fog and sanitize your surroundings to protect your family from the Zika virus. Of course, you are responsible for keeping your own yards and parapets free from refuse that could hold water or dew. Take control of your neighbourhoods and reject those who come to sow seeds of disunity, those who try to turn you against your neighbour because of one difference or another. We all work towards the same goals and almost everyone would have a contribution to make. COHESION is the key to Guyana’s growth. We encourage you to turn out in your numbers on 18th March and vote solidly for the APNU+AFC. Our symbol is the key in the palm of a hand. Our colours are green and yellow. We urge you to choose UNITY instead of division. Vote for a better life, better services, a responsible local government and the end of corruption. It’s all up to you next Friday. A strong community government is the gateway to a good life and the vehicle to clean and safe communities.
Sunday March 13, 2016
Kaieteur News
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MY COLUMN
The week was one of smiles and frowns I have been smiling a lot these past few days. For one, I enjoyed some interesting occasions, one of them the birth anniversary of my boss, Glenn Lall. He shared the same birthdate as the late Desmond Hoyte. In days gone by he would track the party Congress Place hosted for Mr Hoyte and enjoy himself as much as anyone there. He would say that the drinks tasted better than when he bought and of course, it was cheaper. Then Hoyte died and Glenn was left to fund his own parties. If the truth be told they were bigger and better affairs than those hosted for Mr Hoyte. Glenn had many friends and it seemed as if each of them had the date, March 9, set down in stone somewhere, because these days people don’t use diaries much. Smart phones have put paid to that. This year Glenn jumped on a plane out of Miami. He said that he enjoyed his birthdays better when he is
in Guyana. And what a party he had. Forget the liquor; that flowed better than Venezuela could pump oil. The fun came from the people who turned up outside the offices of the Kaieteur News. One friend was heading to work when she stopped to extend a birthday wish. Somebody offered her and her friend she had come with a drink and something to nibble. Her friend had more resolve. The woman stayed on and became bleary-eyed. A police patrol had to drop her off to her place of work. Then there was a man who professed to be a one-man band. What a band it was. He produced songs that lampooned every member of the sporting party, much to the amusement of the people around. That was when I turned to Glenn and asked him about getting old. “Who getting old?” Then I reminded him of the time when I was his age and he called me an old man ready to go out to pasture. That was when he came up with a gem.
He said that times have changed and that these days people were getting younger, everyone else except me. Then came Saturday night. My friend David Coates was enjoying a birthday. It was a surprise that brought his nieces from overseas. Who says one can’t hide in Guyana? He has friends all over the place but none of them happened to be at the airport either Friday or Saturday. If they were, they surely did not know his nieces. Coates, I call him Lammy, was told that he was going to a family dinner that night. He was going to be joined by his children. Imagine his surprise when he walked in and found that there was more than family. And there were his nieces, one of whom he swore he spoke with in Canada that morning. Such is the nature of the telephone service these days. I smiled, too, at what came out of the commission of inquiry set up to investigate Guyana’s worst prison riots.
One prisoner testified that the prison wardens went too far when they conducted a search. The man had the nerve to tell the commissioners that if the wardens had found ten cell phones, they could have taken six. The ganja should have been left alone because that is what helps the prisoner pass his time. Then there was the prisoner who said that he was sleeping when water from a fire extinguisher woke him up. Imagine a man sleeping in a tiny cell amidst all the confusion, including burning mattresses and very vocal prisoners. Because of his sleep he could not see who started the fire. Neither could he say who began the riotous behaviour. It just goes to show that prisoners have a closely knit society, although from time to time they would turn on each other. Then there was the story of a former soldier, because he is now dead, insisting on standing by his fellow incarcerated men. A prison warden invited him out
of his cell. This warden even reminded the man that they were joint services colleagues. “Eastman come out.” The man declined. “Lance corporal Eastman step out.” Eastman reportedly said, “I doing jail.” Then he walked back into the cell and to his death by fire. Such was the situation that a prisoner who was on remand for an airport robbery—people who tail arrivals and pounce on them when they reach home—dies of a heart attack. That has not been made public until now. But there is a horror story in all this. Former Director of Prisons, Dale Erskine, told the media that ten prison wardens are there to guard 1,000 prisoners. It is no fun. They can’t supervise recreation, so the prisoners must remain in their cell for much longer. One commissioner who visited the prisons spoke of entering a war zone occupied by “the wretched of the earth” and their oppressors. This was not a good depiction and I could understand when
Adam Harris he said that he saw prison wardens who looked as though they had not slept in three days. The descriptions of what goes on inside the prison walls should be a deterrent to anyone contemplating a life of crime, but that seems not to be the case. In broad daylight a man uses a gun not far from the prison to rob another. He shot a man who went to the aid of the victim, then escaped. People just take chances in the belief that they are different and will not have to go to prison.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday March 13, 2016
Clearly, it will not be business as usual March 18, 2016 will be a historic day in Guyana. On that day, citizens will finally – after a half century of independence – have the opportunity to take control of their own destinies. Understandably, many Guyanese are asking; what will change after local democracy is renewed by the election of new councillors? The journey towards renewal began in earnest on
September 9, 2014, when then Leader of the Opposition, Brigadier David Granger, wrote to former President Donald Ramotar urging the former President to hold long overdue local government elections. As we recall, President Ramotar ignored the letter. On September 18, 2014, Brigadier Granger announced that A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) would
commence weekly picketing exercises outside the Office of the President. Even after the protests commenced, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) regime refused to budge from its authoritarian stance. Today, finally, grassroots democracy is in sight; on Friday, Guyanese will have the opportunity to take what rightfully belongs to them. Citizens will have the chance
to choose their community leaders, as is mandated by the Constitution. After new councils are in place there will be changes in the method and mode of governance in Guyana. It will be possible for government to fully implement the strategic vision of community empowerment to which the administration, at the highest levels, is steadfastly
committed. In his message to the nation on Republic Day 2016, President David Granger said, “Democracy is about placing power in the hands of the people. The changes wrought by becoming a republic were part of a process of democratic renewal. They were intended to place power into the hands of the people by making the small man the real man.” “They enabled the common folk, through their communities, collectives and cooperatives, to promote their economic self-improvement.” “We will fulfill our promise to conduct local government elections in order to empower our citizens in their village communities and municipalities after two nightmarish decades of municipal despotism. Local government elections will empower residents and enrich communities.” The new councils will be empowered to fulfil their mandate with the independence and autonomy to which they are entitled. They will not be beholden to central government, instead, they will be answerable to the people who elected them.
They will be answerable only to the people whose issues will be paramount. Gone will be the days of central domination. Instead, the new dispensation will bring with it a culture of collaboration and co-operation between local and central governments. Finally, among the major changes will be the greater involvement of civic society in the processes of local development. The administration believes that meaningful involvement of non-governmental organisations and other groups is essential for community, regional, and national development. In the words of President Granger, “Community and non-governmental and civil society organisations play a critical role in bridging the governance gap. These organisations have a decisive role to play in animating development within communities.” Clearly, it will not be business as usual. The stagnation which had characterised life in the past will be left behind. Change is coming, and for all Guyanese, it will be a breath of fresh air.
Sunday March 13, 2016
Kaieteur News
Alcohol misuse: Do you really know what it is doing to you? Withdrawal symptoms can include: •Sweating or a racing heart •Hand trembling •Insomnia (not being able to sleep) •Nausea or vomiting •Seeing, feeling, or hearing things that aren’t really there (these are called “hallucinations”) •Being restless •Anxiety •Seizures (these can be serious, even life-threatening)
By Dr. Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine I am unfortunately seeing an increasing number of patients with alcohol-related conditions, and it would be unjust if I did not highlight the effects of alcohol misuse. Alcohol has many detrimental effects on our organs over time and has contributed to so many deaths in our history. Early detection of problems associated with alcohol misuse is key in preventing disorders and deaths associated with it. Knowing if you are drinking too much is a vital step in halting the downhill effects of alcohol. HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM DRINKING TOO MUCH? If alcohol is having a negative effect on your life, you are probably drinking too much. Answer these questions: *Have you lost control of your drinking? For example, do you sometimes find that you drink more than you meant to? *Do you need to drink larger and larger amounts to get the effect you want? Or do you get sick or feel physically uncomfortable if you cut down on your drinking? *Have you lost your job, gotten in trouble with the law, or had problems with your friends or family because of alcohol? If you said yes to any of these questions, or if you just think you have a problem, mention it to your doctor or a responsible family member. He or she can help you find out if you do have a drinking problem. Do not be embarrassed to talk with him or her about it. Alcohol problems are common. But there are treatments that can help. WHAT HAPPENS IF I KEEP DRINKING TOO MUCH? People who drink too much can get serious liver and heart disease. They can get different types of cancer. And they can damage their brain. Plus, people who drink too much are more likely than people who do not to: *Have car accidents *Kill themselves *Drown *Be seriously hurt WHAT IS ALCOHOL USE DISORDER? Alcohol use disorder is basically the medical term for alcoholism or alcohol addiction. People who have alcohol addiction have two or more of the following
WHAT TREATMENTS CAN HELP? Dr. Zulfikar Bux problems. The more of these they have, the more severe their disorder. *They end up drinking more alcohol than they planned to or for a longer time than they planned to. *They wish they could cut down on alcohol, but they can’t. *They spend a lot of time trying to get alcohol, getting drunk, or recovering from being drunk. *They crave or have a strong desire or urge to drink alcohol. *Because of their alcohol use, they often don’t do things that are expected of them, such as go to work or school, remember family events, and clean their home. *They keep drinking even if it causes or worsens problems in their relationships or interactions with other people. *They stop or cut back on important social, work, or fun activities they used to do. *They keep drinking alcohol even in situations where it is dangerous to do so (such as while driving). *They keep drinking alcohol even when they know they have a physical or mental problem that was probably caused or made worse by their drinking. *They need to drink more and more to get the same effects they used to get with less. Or they get less effect from using the amount that used to get them drunk. This is called “tolerance.” *They have “withdrawal symptoms” if they stop drinking alcohol after drinking for a long time.
People who have problems with alcohol can: Ï%See a counselor (such as a psychologist, social worker, or psychiatrist) Ï%Take medicines Ï%Take part in a support group All of these treatments can help, and they can be combined. There are a few different medicines that doctors can use to treat alcohol problems. These medicines work in different ways. They can: *Change the way your brain responds to alcohol so that it is less fun *Reduce your craving for alcohol *Make you feel sick if you do drink *Help you feel less sick when you stop drinking CAN I STOP DRINKING ON MY OWN? Many people get over their drinking problem on their own. But people who have been drinking several days a week for weeks in a row should not try to cut down without the help of a doctor. Alcohol is a drug and continuous use will cause levels to build up in your body. If you stop right away, withdrawal symptoms will develop as the levels drop and it can even kill you. It’s best to talk with your doctor so that you can slowly decrease your drinking and stop it over a few weeks. It is said that you do not know what alcohol is doing to you until it’s done with you. Today I am letting you know what it’s doing to you so that you can end it before it ends you.
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Kaieteur News
ing. 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.
SUNDAY SPECIAL GOVT. MUST MOVE AHEAD WITH FORENSIC AUDITS - US DIPLOMAT 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 population 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 non-criminal, 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 cases against those who violated the law then absolutely that will deal with the un-
Sunday March 13, 2016
MONDAY EDITION PRES. GRANGER SEEKS LONG TERM SOLUTION TO PRISON SERVICE PROBLEMS – CONDUCTS FACT-FINDING MISSION AT MAZARUNI PRISON
certainty 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. TRAFFIC CHIEF HOSPITALIZED FOLLOWINGVEHICULAR 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. Kaieteur News understands that the senior police officer was picked up from the scene of the accident in a semi-conscious state and rushed to the hospital. 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. GFC BOARD INVESTIGATING CHINESE FOREST CONCESSION IN BERBICE –COMMISSION FACES CASH SITUATION AFTER $$$ TRANSFER TO CONSOLIDATED FUND The new Board of Directors for the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) has started meeting. A number of major issues are being dealt with. Among these are the budget of that forest regulatory body and a State Forest Exploratory Permit (SFEP) granted to Chineseowned Rong-an Inc. in 2011. According to officials close to the board, since their appointment earlier this year, directors have met and a number of pressing issues have been raised. GFC is the body that monitors activities in the forestry sector, but with increased focus on transparency and management, there have been scathing criticisms of the operations. Recently, government disclosed that all of the country’s productive forests have been allocated, the majority to foreign companies. What is left is in highly inaccessible places and in reserves. There have also been complaints also that several large concessions were re-possessed under questionable circumstances from holders and sold, transferred or became joint ventures with companies that were largely close to the previous administration. One questionable transaction is being examined by the new GFC board headed by Chairperson, Jocelyn Dow. It has to do with a 2011 granting of a state forest exploration project (SFEP) to Rong-an, a Chinese company that also has interests in oil exports and imports, gold mining and hous-
The Government of Guyana is exploring its options for medium and long term solutions to the challenges facing the Guyana Prison Service (GPS). President David Granger, accompanied by Minister of Public Security, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan and Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, last Sunday, visited the Mazaruni Penal Settlement in the CuyuniMazaruni Region. Regional Chairman, Mr. Gordon Bradford and Commander of F’ Division, Mr. Ravindradat Budhram also joined the President at a meeting with staff of the institution and on a tour of the facility. The team paid close attention to the infrastructure of the settlement, including the maximum security area, a workshop and the staff quarters. The visit is part of Government’s assessment of all the GPS facilities to determine current physical and human resource capacity so that informed decisions can be made on how best to improve the way the service functions. President Granger referred to the visit as an important fact-finding and problem-solving mission and assured the staff and officials present at a briefing meeting, held before the tour of the facility, that problems within the GPS will be resolved within the limit of the country’s resources and to the best of the Government’s ability. Referencing what is now Guyana’s worst prison riot in history, where 17 inmates lost their lives at the Georgetown Prison last week, the President noted that the prison service has had problems that are endemic that must be solved. “Our presence here is not just a gut reaction. It is a plan to ensure that there is a long term strategy. We are ensuring that the Guyana Prison Service fulfills its mandate. We have to build a system in which persons who enter this service as inmates would have the best opportunities for rehabilitation and those who are incorrigible… would be prevented from bringing harm to society,” the President said. The Head of State added that if these changes had been made over time, then the tragedy that occurred in Georgetown may not have happened. He said, “What occurred in Georgetown ought not to have occurred had improvements been introduced to the Guyana Prison Service over a period of time… Some of the measures, which could have corrected or could have prevented the events of last week were not implemented.” RAMOTAR SLAMS DELAY IN RELEASING FORENSIC AUDIT FINDINGS – SAYS GOVT. HAS COMPROMISED TRANSPARENCY Former President Donald Ramotar is not only lashing out at the Government for moving too slowly with the release of the forensic (Continued on page 33)
Sunday March 13, 2016
(From page 32) audit reports, but is also accusing it of compromising the transparency of the process. His comments come in wake of the sacking of the Managing Director of the Guyana Oil Company (GuyOil), Badrie Persaud a little over a week ago. The former President said that he finds this entire process to be highly unethical. He said that it also cements the opposition’s fears that Government is involved in a witch-hunting exercise and called on it to make public the report of the findings of a forensic audit. Ramotar referred to a recent statement in which the Guyoil Board of Directors made it clear that it has no confidence in the official’s ability to execute his duties “honestly, objectively and efficiently”. According to the Guyoil statement, the Board along with Nigel Hinds and Associates Financial Services, reviewed 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 Cabinet. Ramotar contended that if Government found the report solid enough to take certain decisions, then it should make the said report public for scrutiny. TUESDAY EDITION CASINO LICENCES WOES DEEPEN…BUDDY’S US$25M HOTEL STALLED AFTER PREVIOUS GOVT. CANCELLED DEAL A week after Guyana learnt that a casino licence was promised to Church Street hotel, Sleep In, there are disclosures now that another one was also committed to a Sheriff Street development. However, in January last year, months before early general elections in May, the Guyana Office for I n v e s t m e n t (GO-Invest) cancelled a Memorandum of Agreement (MoU) it signed with businessman, Omprakash ‘Buddy’ Shivraj. It appears that the casino licence promised to Shivraj was instead re-assigned to Sleep In, which is currently expanding one of its hotels on Church Street, with an opening set for May. Shivraj’s hotel, located around his pool hall facilities on Sheriff Street, as a result of the cancellation, is now stalled and the businessman is examining his options. According to Shivraj, a businessman who has investments in housing schemes and other real es t a t e v e n t u r e s t h r o u g h o u t the coastland, he became aware that a casino licence was promised to Sleep In last week, following a report in Kaieteur News. He believes now that the reason given by GO-Invest was flimsy. He said that this was a surprising turn of events as he had applied to the previous Government a number of years now for one. Under the gaming laws, only three casinos are allowed in each of Guyana’s 10 Regions. Already, Princess Casino at Providence has one with another committed for the state-
Kaieteur News
owned Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown. The remaining one, it appears, was promised to Shivraj. As a matter of fact, Shivraj managed to sign a MoU with GO-Invest for the building of a hotel and casino on Sheriff Street at his entertainment spot. It would have involved a foreign investor. Shivraj had gone ahead and spent up to US$7M ($1.4B) to construct two buildings-— one a seven-storey building and another, eight storey. It has been stalled for several months now. The businessman explained that the US$25M project which would have comprised 160 rooms, 28 luxury apartments, tennis court on the roof, a five-storey parking lot for 100 vehicles, bowling alley, banquet hall, fine dining restaurant, pool on the second floor, is stalled. NEW PRISON OUT OF THE QUESTION AT THIS TIME— RAMJATTAN In the wake of the recent Camp Street Prison tragedy that left 17 dead and several others injured, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, is saying that calls for a new Prison will not be met at this time. He said, too, that prisoners will not be given all that they are demanding. The Minister told Kaieteur News that this is solely because of the fact that the government simply cannot afford to fund these requests at the moment. Ramjattan said that Guyana will get a new prison when the country finds itself in a better position, financially. The Minister said that when the prices for the main commodities Guyana produces escalate and the country rakes in greater profits, only then can the government be able to build a new prison. Ramjattan said that based on the information he received, the cheapest prison has a price tag of no less than $6B. He pointed out that shabby work cannot be risked as strong walls and good ground are needed “so that the prisoners won’t be able to burrow themselves like the Mexican drugs dealer.” “Imagine if we move to spend that sort of money now, the media would rip us apart. You will ask if that is our priority just eight months in office,” said Ramjattan. He continued, “Should the comfort of pris-
oners be our priority? Should we close down another sugar estate to get at least a $2B from there to offset expenses? That would be absolute trouble.” GROVE MINER CHARGED WITH MURDER OF GIRLFRIEND, 18 The 22-year-old porkknocker accused of fatally stabbing his young girlfriend 41 times about her body, was Monday remanded to prison on a murder charge, when he appeared in the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court. After being on the run for almost one year, Shivnanand Roopnarine of 478 Grove Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, was captured last week Friday by police in Mabura. Reports of the young man altering his physical appearance proved true. He looked completely different at Monday’s court hearing, sporting a low hair cut, compared to photos that were posted of him in the media with braided hair. Roopnarine, who had no legal representation, was not required to plead to the indictable charge which read that on April 19, 2015 at Sophia, he killed 18-year-old Alicia McPherson of Lot 612 ‘C’ Field Sophia. He was remanded to prison until April 28
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by Magistrate Zamilla Ally-Seepaul. WEDNESDAY EDITION HISTORIC RULING!…APPEAL COURT ORDERS RETRIAL FOR FREED LUSIGNAN MASSACRE ACCUSED Some three years after they were freed by a jury, the Court of Appeal has allowed the appeal of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and ordered a retrial of two Buxton residents for their alleged role in the massacre of 11 persons at Lusignan. The two men, James Anthony Hyles, known as ‘Sally’ and Mark Royden Williams, called ‘Smallie’, were freed in August 2013, five years after they were charged for the gruesome killings that sent shockwaves throughout Guyana. The High Court trial was heard before Justice Navindra Singh. Immediately after their acquittal, the DPP, through Prosecutor Judith Gildharie-Mursalin, served a notice of appeal, using the avenue provided by the Court of Appeal Amendment Act 2008, which gives the DPP the right to (Continued on page 34)
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Kaieteur News
Government-owned hospitals earlier this year, the Materials Management Unit (MMU) is expected to engage in discussions with Regional Health Officers (RHOs) on good medical supplies’ procurement practices. These include requesting the correct quantity of drugs to suit the needs of the respective regions. Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Shamdeo Persaud, informed Hinterland RHOs about this undertaking during a recent meeting. He pointed out that there should be no wastage, nor shortage of medical supplies, if best practices are adopted. The CMO also noted that transportation of these supplies is no longer a problem in hinterland communities. Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton, also touched on the issue during the meeting. The Minister noted that in 2014, the previous administration had to dump $84M in expired drugs, while in 2015 the APNU+AFC government “sent back $600M in drugs from the regions to Central Government.” He explained further, “This money was put back into the consolidated fund.”
(From page 34) appeal High Court decisions. At the appeal, the state was represented by DPP Shalimar Ali-Hack, while Nigel Hughes represented number two accused James Anthony Hyles and Roger Yearwood appeared for Mark Royden Williams. The Court of Appeal comprising Acting Chancellor Justice Carl Singh, Acting Chief Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Justice BS Roy found that there were several irregularities at the trial and the cumulative effect rendered the not guilty verdict unsafe and unsatisfactory. The court gave seven reasons for its decision. DISCIPLINED FORCES’LGE VOTING... US EMBASSY OBSERVERS LAUD PROCESS, GECOM The United States Embassy on Tuesday congratulated the people of Guyana and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on the “successful conclusion of the disciplined services vote as part of the 2016 Local Government Elections.” The Embassy said also that it was pleased to have observed the process as members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), and the Prison Service participated in the first local government elections in more than 22 years. “The Embassy team of observers found nothing to question the integrity or credibility of this critical phase of the voting process and the Guyana Elections Commission is to be commended for its logistical arrangements for this phase of the process,” a release from the Embassy stated. Embassy observers were pleased that some locations saw comparatively high levels of overall voter turnout. However, this was not the case at all polling places and, at some polling stations, turnout appeared to remain relatively low. In addition, a “sizable number” of prospective voters in some areas arrived at incorrect polling locations or without national identification cards. “Guyana Elections Commission procedures were wholly adequate to deal with these eventualities and the polling staff performed “admirably in ensuring the integrity of the process while avoiding voter disenfranchisement,” the embassy noted. The embassy also stated that these observations point to the need for all stakeholders to redouble voter education and mobilization efforts in advance of the March 18 general vote. “It is our Observer Team’s hope that civil society, media organizations, and political parties will play a key role in this regard.” “The Embassy of the United States of America will continue to work with other observer groups throughout the local government elections process and will again, have teams in the field on March 18th when the general public has the opportunity to vote. The Embassy encourages all Guyanese citizens to participate in this historic election.” SIX YEARS LATER…$600M SUPENAAM STELLING FALLINGAPART, MORE REPAIRS TO BE DONE Some six years after it was commissioned, the multi-million-dollar beleaguered stelling at Supenaam, Essequibo, is in need of serious repairs. The stelling is a critical point linking for Government-owned ferries that take goods and passengers from the Essequibo coast to Parika, which links the city. And it is falling apart. Over the last weekend, Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, announced that emergency repairs will be made. The decision was taken during a visit by Ferguson along with Minister of Pub-
Businessman Omprakash ‘Buddy’ Shivraj lic Infrastructure, David Patterson. ”Some millions were spent on the Supenaam stelling under the previous administration and in less than 10 years of its existence, the state of the wharf is one that is troubling, and so we did the assessment, and I want to assure the citizens of Essequibo that corrective works will be done,” Minister Ferguson told the Government Information Agency. This stelling was commissioned more than six years ago to the tune of $431M. But changes and modifications after initial problems pushed the final cost to $600M. THURSDAY EDITION GOVT. MUST MOVE WITH HASTE TO CORRECT BROKEN PROCUREMENT SYSTEM—US DIPLOMAT – CURRENT STRUCTURE REMAINS OF CONCERN Guyana’s leaders are faced with a number of economic challenges with only a finite amount of resources to tackle it. So says Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy, Bryan Hunt. It is from this vantage point that the American diplomat insists that Government must move expeditiously to close the gaps in Guyana’s procurement system, since these gaps do not encourage adherence to the principle of ensuring value for money. In a recent interview, Hunt said that from the contracts he has seen, it certainly appears that the contract management standards used internationally have not historically been used in Guyana. He said that he is however aware that Government is planning to lift the current standard. ”I hope that they move in this direction expeditiously because the current system is concerning. It is concerning to the USA because Guyana has a limited amount of financial resources and the Government has a large number of challenges it has to apply those resources to, and when those resources are not being optimized then the development of the country and the people are going to suffer.” The American diplomat asserted that it is important for the government to look at the entire procurement system with an aim to blocking all conceivable loopholes. He insists that value for money must be had at all times. Hunt said, too, that civil servants must be trained to do proper drafting and overseeing of contracts. The emissary then explained that breaches in procurement practices are taken very seriously in the USA as it should be in any other territory.
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Sleep In owner, Clifton Bacchus Hunt said, “The way our system works is that certain things would be written into the contract which specifies the standard of work the contractor is expected to deliver. CASINOAGREEMENTS SIGNED UNDER PPPADMIN. TO BE RE-EXAMINED - GOVT. Amidst questions about casino licences, Government on Wednesday disclosed that members will soon be appointed to a new Gaming Authority. The authority is the body that regulates gaming in Guyana, including the fledging casino business. Recently, the debate of casinos raised its head again after former magistrate, Kalam Juman-Yassin, complained about a casino going up at a new Sleep In hotel under construction on Church Street. He said that it was located too close to a mosque and church and in a residential area. However, Sleep In owner, Clifton Bacchus, does not see a problem. He said that there hasn’t been any objection to the Church Street casino. Bacchus has an agreement with the previous administration for a casino licence once he built a hotel that had more than 150 rooms. Over the weekend, Sheriff Street businessman, Omprakash ‘Buddy’ Shivraj, complained that he believed that a casino licence promised to him by the previous administration was instead given to Sleep In. Under the laws, only three casinos are allowed in each region. There are 10 regions in Guyana. For Region Four, the Georgetown Ramada Princess has one while another has been earmarked for the state-owned Marriott, in Kingston. The one remaining licence, it appears, is in high demand. On Wednesday, Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Raphael Trotman, questioned by the media during the post-Cabinet press briefing, made it clear that the agreements signed with regards the operations of casinos, by the former Government will be re-examined. ”As far as I am aware, only one casino license was granted by the previous Gaming Authority. That was for the then Buddy’s International. I am not aware as to the term of that license or persons selling his or her interest in the hotel could pass as the new owner.” $600M DRUGS SENT BACK FROM REGIONS TO CENTRAL GOVT. LAST YEAR Amidst a reported shortage of drugs at
FRIDAY EDITION FORENSIC AUDIT REPORTS TO BE SCRUTINIZED BY LEGAL MINDS BEFORE POLICE – RAMJATTAN A number of forensic audit reports have been handed over to the Ministry of Public Security where they will be initially perused by legal minds, for irregularities of a criminal nature, and then forwarded to the police. This is according to Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan. The attorney-at law noted that Cabinet on Tuesday decided that a sub-committee would be formed to scrutinize some of the major forensic audit reports. The committee will include Ramjattan, Attorney General Basil Williams and Junior Finance Minister, Jaipaul Sharma. The Minister noted that the sub-committee will go through the reports with an aim to determine which deal mainly with administrative irregularities and which enter the realm of criminality. The Parliamentarian said that the matters of an administrative nature would require disciplinary action against those at fault, while those of a criminal nature will be forwarded to the police for further investigations. Ramjattan said that it would be too burdensome to just hand the reports over to the police only to find that some reports speak only to administrative improprieties. THIRD MAN CHARGED FOR MALL OWNER MURDER
Murder accusrd: Kurt ‘Banana’ Erskine A third man was Thursday remanded to prison, after being charged with the murder of (Continued on page 35)
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(From page 34) Regent Multiplex Mall owner, Ganesh ‘Boyo’ Ramlall. Appearing before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan was Kurt ‘Banana’ Erskine, 35, of Lot 285 Section C, Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara. The father of four was not required to plead to the indictable charge which alleged that on July 5, 2015, at La Jalousie, West Coast Demerara, he murdered Ramlall, during the course of a robbery. Erskine was captured last Friday by police in Georgetown. Police had been trying to locate him for some time, ever since they received reports that he played a major role in the attack. Erskine, a welder, was represented by Attorney Lyndon Amsterdam. The Attorney told the court that his client is surprised at the charge leveled against him, since the murder occurred almost a year ago. Amsterdam, however, told the court that his client intends to prove his innocence. Police Corporal, Deniro Jones presented the prosecution’s case. The matter was transferred to the Leonora Magistrate’s Court for March 29. Two other men, Lennox ‘Soldier Man’ Roberts, 32, of 2279 Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo and Fazeel ‘Javed’ Bacchus, 21, of Lot 7 Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara were charged last year, for killing the businessman. They were arrested after police raided a house at Craig, East Bank Demerara, shortly after the killing. According to reports, on July 5, last, Ramlall had just returned home from a barbecue and had gone to use an outdoor bathroom at his premises. The 48-year-old businessman was reportedly confronted by four men and was shot to the head and chest. The bandits took his jewellery and a wallet before escaping. PRISON OFFICIALS MADE NO ATTEMPT TO PUT OUT FIRE – WITNESS TELLS COI Standing before an extremely quiet gathering, two inmates Thursday presented their testimonies to the Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the Camp Street Prison riot which claimed the lives of 17 prisoners last week Thursday. Dressed in yellow t-shirts and black pants with matching rubber slippers, the men, both of whom are accused of murder, stood before the Commissioners and related their versions of what transpired on that day. Taking the stand first was Capital A Block inmate, Dwayne Lewis, who has been in the facility for the past eight months. While under oath, the prisoner told the commissioners that he was packing his “things” to exit the division when the prison wardens locked the door from the outside. The fire later started in the centre of the division. He could not say how the fire started but claimed that it escalated when tear gas was thrown into the room from the outside. ”When the fire started, the prisoners start breaking the wall from Division A to go to Division B.” Lewis recounted that as the prisoners were trying to break the wall to escape; six cans of tear gas were thrown into the building. “It started to burn our eyes and skin. We run to a small ventilated area and started calling for help.” He said that as they were screaming for help, they got no response from the authorities. “The fire started to get bigger and bigger and took over the whole cell, causing some of the inmates to be badly burn up.” Lewis said that he ran to the front entrance and continued calling out for help.
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Jagdeo’s best friend, Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop “I saw the hole in the wall with fire blazing around it and I made my escape through it. I came out through Capital B Division and I walk down the step and I was escorted to the hospital.” He said that while crawling through the hole, he was burnt on his abdomen. The witness stated that up until his escape, the prison administration made no attempt to put out the fire. SLAIN SGT. LAID TO REST -DESCRIBED AS COURAGEOUS BY TOP COP Police Sergeant 16934 Leonard La Rose was on Thursday laid to rest at the Christianburg Cemetery with full military honours including a 21-gun salute. The burial followed a poignant funeral service at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground, where persons travelled from all across the country to pay their final respects. La Rose was a resident of Wisroc, Linden. Among those paying respects and giving glowing tributes was Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud. Persaud described La Rose in glowing terms, reflecting on his career, where he was promoted to Corporal in 2009 then to Sergeant in 2014. The commissioner said that La Rose was “a very courageous individual – a very good public servant and a very dedicated policeman”. He reflected that La Rose would have paid the ultimate price, doing that which he loved to do.” The slain police Sergeant was also paid tribute to in poetry and song, with the veteran vocalist Winston Caesar singing the song ,”He ain’t heavy”, which drew many a tear and loud applause. A group of trainee teachers also sang two touching renditions, one of which was the famous “Lean on me’, which was their way of telling one of La Rose’s daughters, who is also a teacher, that they are all there for her. Sergeant La Rose, 52, was stabbed in the neck and was pronounced dead at the Matthew’s Ridge Hospital last week Tuesday (March 1st). Another rank was stabbed in the chest, while a third 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 police custody. IMPORTERS JITTERYAS GOVT. APPEARS FIRM ON ISSUE OF USED TYRES Government appears resolute on its plans to prohibit the importation of used tyres for
Ex-President, Bharrat Jagdeo cars, pickups and minibuses, but there may be some room for proposals from worried operators. On Wednesday, several importers attended a meeting at the Camp Street head office of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to discuss the “ban” announced in January by Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan. During his reading of the 2016 budget speech in January, Jordan, in announcing a number of measures including tax reductions on cars, signaled Government’s intentions to address the environmental fallout from used tyres and its dumping. The Finance Minister gave “notice of intent to ban the importation of used tyres and to reduce taxes on new tyres to encourage their use.” He said that the ban will come into effect as soon as some procedural hurdles are cleared. The announcement had created worry by used tyre importers who feared a loss of business from their investments. There are scores of tyre shops around the country with at least 20 containers or an estimated 20,000 used tyres entering Guyana annually. With the taxes on new tyres too high, many car owners have been opting for the cheaper, used tyres. Operators have said that vehicle owners will not afford to buy new tyres. However, the David Granger administration said that there are safety issues involved with the dumping of damaged tyres, a major environmental issue. There were also complaints about some importers bringing in tyres, including ones from countries that have snowy conditions, that are unfit for use in Guyana, a tropical country. On Wednesday, importers were told that nothing has been made law yet and that their input was needed. It was stressed that the ban was not finalized and what is on the table is a restriction on the importation of used tyres. SATURDAY EDITION FOUR YEARS LATER… BROADCAST AUTHORITY READIES TO ISSUE MORE RADIO, TV LICENCES More than four years after several radio, television and cable licences were doled out under questionable circumstances to close friends of the Bharrat Jagdeo administration, there appears to be significant moves to correct the situation. On Friday, Government announced that the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) has committed to speed up the processing of applications for a number of media houses and others.
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The applications have been pending for years now with the GNBA, under the last administration, appearing to have dragged its foot in the processing. In so doing, the previous Government allowed a number of operators to cement their place with some of them even refusing to pay their annual licensing fees. A new board was appointed under the chairmanship of Leonard Craig, after the David Granger-led administration took office last May following early general elections. Within the last few days the authority, which regulates the airwaves, has met with television broadcasters, warning of the need for them to toe the line with regards to programming. A review of the fees is underway with disclosures that many broadcasters, including those granted licences by Jagdeo, owed millions of dollars, placing the authority in a financial bind. On Friday, Craig was present at the National Communications Network (NCN) along with Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo for the commissioning of the entity’s satellite east station multimedia teleport. Speaking with reporters, Craig disclosed that earlier the day, he and other members of the GNBA board met with PM Nagamootoo. “…We gave an undertaking that we will speed up the issuance of new licences based on applications that we currently have on file,” the GNBA official disclosed. Currently, the authority has over 25 applications for television, radio and cable licences on file. Craig did not immediately disclose the names of the applicants. However, it is known that several of them are prominent media houses, including Kaieteur News and Capitol News. RAMROOP’S TVGCOLLECTEDOVER $225MFROMLEARNING CHANNEL - NCN’S ONCE HIDDEN TELEPORT FACILITIES NOW OPERATIONAL A questionable four-year deal that cost taxpayers over $225M has finally ended with Government on Friday commissioning an earth station that has the capacity to transmit programmes of the Guyana Learning Channel (GLC) throughout the country. The commissioning will mean that TVG 28, an operation owned by Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop, will lose over $40M in revenues annually that came from the contract acquired under the previous administration. The teleport facility is expected to raise capacity of the state-owned National Communications Network (NCN) to transmit live events. And that is only the beginning. NCN has already acquired more equipment to transmit from anywhere in Guyana— live. The contract with TVG was a secret one until a Parliamentary Committee learnt a few years ago that Ramroop’s company was being paid $3.6M monthly to transmit GLC’s programs, which targets students. What was shocking was when last year it became know that NCN had for some time now had the capacity to also beam down the GLC programmes to remote Amerindian and other communities. The problem is that NCN never installed the equipment that was left lying, apparently deliberately, in several boxes in the compound of that entity. It was only discovered last year when the new administration took office. On Friday, it was disclosed that NCN managed to within a few weeks unpack the boxes and operationalise the teleport.
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‘Tinninben Animation’ places spotlight on child abuse in Guyana By Kiana Wilburg
Sexual abuse of children is a well-known phenomenon and a grave issue in Guyana. But how can we teach children about the power and importance of disclosure when these things occur? How can we furnish them with the right tools and information, so they know how to deal with it, not after the crime is done, but before it happens? Well, Chief Storyteller at Tinninben Animation and CEO of Tagman Media, Alex Graham has been working alongside a commendable team to do these very things with a compelling animated series called Nancy’s story. NANCY’S STORY Graham shared that Nancy’s Story was born out of an effort to extend the work that Tagman Media was doing under a programme that he and his team had developed called the TELL Scheme. He said that back in 2010, just after the historic passage of the Sexual Offences Act (SOA), he and his team were contracted by the then Ministry of Labour Human
Chief Storyteller at Tinninben Animation, Alex Graham Services and Social Security, with funding from UNICEF, to develop a communications strategy to educate the public about the new offences, and penalties under the Act. Graham noted that it quickly became obvious that well designed, developed and produced Public Service Announcements were going to provide information to citizens, but would do precious little to really help victims and potential victims of sexual abuse. He said, “As we studied
this problem, we recognized that a major area of weakness was this thorny issue of disclosure. Most victims didn’t want to tell. We also recognized that so many victims were children. And so the ‘TELL Scheme’ was born. It is an interactive suite of tools designed to encourage disclosure among primary school aged children.” The Tagman CEO continued, “But there were struggles with finding funding for the production of the materials, because they were not contemplated in the UNICEF Project and there were no available resources at the ministry.” In the midst of that struggle, Graham said that he and his team were developing the animated feature because they recognized that broadcast could get them past some of the production and delivery problems associated with the printed and administered TELL Scheme materials. Graham said that by this time the ministry called on the services of ChildLink, a local non-governmental organization which aims to
A scene from Nancy’s Story: Boys Too
create a society where every child has the right to grow up in a safe and secure family and community. Graham asserted that ChildLink embraced the concept and went looking for funding from commercial sponsors and the British High Commission and succeeded. As a result, a multistakeholder partnership for the sake of Guyana’s children was born. “I do not keep track but by now hundreds if not thousands of children in most regions of Guyana have been exposed to the TELL Scheme, and rates of disclosure among children keep rising. We acknowledge and thank ChildLink for the effort,” expressed Graham. He added, “However, nothing pushed the envelope like the animated video Nancy’s Story. The power of animation to connect with children (and people of all ages) the almost unlimited repeated broadcasts by TV stations especially the Learning Channel and NCN made Nancy’s Story a household staple.” Graham said that he believes the success of Nancy’s Story was based on a number of factors, one of which includes the obvious fact that it was an animated film. He opined that animated products are very popular with children and well-liked with many adults, especially those with children. “Also, I believe it succeeded because it was bold - there was Uncle Brian in a bed with Nancy on national TV… I think that it succeeded, because it was relevant as well. The mounting cases of child sexual abuse gave everyone cause for concern. Also, Nancy’s Story was authentic. There was no attempt for it to be fake and it had light
Another scene from the Sequel moments and a good song,” said the chief storyteller. THEANIMATION PROCESS With regard to all the intricacies that went into the creation of Nancy’s Story, Graham explained that funding provided did not cover all of the costs and for the sequel of the film, there was no funding period. He noted that other work was being done for the studio to survive while working on Nancy’s Story in between the breaks. But Graham noted that while the end result is amazing to watch, animation itself is time consuming. “We have to get our creative team together to develop a strong storyline. Sometimes that comes quickly or sometimes it may take several meetings over a period of time. Once we are satisfied with the storyline, the writers get down to the task of producing the script and the artists start working on developing the characters (in the sequel the new characters) and developing the scenes for the action,” he explained. “When the script is settled and characters and scenes are drawn, the animators start a process called rigging which means adding the capacity for movement to the designed
characters. While animators are rigging, another team is doing the voice casting and a first cut of the recorded voices become the base for the animation.” The Chief storyteller said that sometimes, at this stage, a rough animation called an animatic is produced, so they can get the feel for how the product is going to look and sound. This gives them the opportunity to see how the story is working and what needs attention. “Sometimes at this stage we bring in outside consultants to see how we treated various issues to make sure that all the elements work well…you know… educators, counselors, child protection specialists and whomever might be needed,” he expressed. Graham said that when this is done, they get the final voices, the sound track and the like. He said that the final stage is the editing after all the animation is done. He noted that the voice recording and sound/music production is done at another studio. THE SEQUEL: SEXUAL ABUSE OF BOYS Recently, Tinninben Animation launched the sequel of Nancy’s story. This time, it was called, “Nancy’s Story: Boys Too.” Graham explained that in (Continued on page 72)
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103 years later… GAWU The date was March 13, 1913; exactly 103 years ago when 15 sugar workers were snatched away from the face of the Earth - shot by colonial police at the Rose Hall Estate, Berbice. This incident later became known as the Rose Hall Disturbance while these workers became known as the Rose Hall Martyrs. 14 men and one woman were killed. The dead were Badri, 26; Bholay, 33; Durga, 72; Gafur, 27; Jugai, 30; Juggoo, 37; Hulas, 25; Lalji, 45; Motey Khan, 26; Nibur, 75; Roopan, 25; Sadulla, 23; Sarjoo, 21; Sohan, 33; and the lone female, Gobindei, 32. Their bodies were transported in jute bags on donkey carts to the New Amsterdam Hospital. Forty-one workers were also injured. This horrific incident has been deemed by the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) as “one of the ugliest reminders of British colonialism and another manifestation of the brutal conditions our forefathers had to contend with,” “Removed from this landmark event by over 100 years, we nevertheless get a grasp of what was at the root of the riot and killing from the work of researcher and author, Basdeo Mangru.” The turn of the 20th century saw a spike of work stoppages and strikes in the Estates. As workers grew more active in resisting their oppressive conditions or in attempts by Managers to deprive them of things they were already receiving which, in those times, seriously impacted their lives. The problems and issues on the Estates were accumulating and resistance, as a consequence, was increasing. “Ten (10) years before the Rose Hall incident, Mangru wrote that another major incident took place at Friends Estate where several workers were killed. The issue was a
demand for a wage increase,” At Rose Hall in 1913, what triggered the workers’ protests was the reneging by Manager, James Smith, of a promise of four days of additional holidays to workers due to their positive and encouraging work performance. This retreat, it seems, came at a time when discontent was rife. It ignited an obviously combustible situation, which quickly deteriorated. One action led to a counter-action eventually leading to the shooting of the workers. “Significantly too, researcher Mangru wrote that this riot was raised in the Legislature of India by the Indian nationalists who used this horrifying act to strengthen the call to end the indentureship system,” the GAWU said. “The GAWU, through established much later after this barbaric event, recognized the struggles and sacrifices of generations of sugar workers whose contribution have brought about many changes in workers living and working conditions.” The GAWU said that they “specifically give recognition and pay tribute to those who fell at Plantation Rose Hall. They left a legacy which runs through the veins of the contemporary workforce of the sugar industry. This anniversary furthermore affords us the platform to remember with fondness and pride those who also courageously fought and heroically fell in the struggles in other plantations in other parts of the country.” These fallen workers, GAWU said, reminds them that sugar’s history is enriched by the struggles, sacrifices and the sweat and blood of the working class. That spirit has been kept alive over decades and survives to this day in the industry. “We accuse colonialism and the plantocracy system
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salutes Rose Hall Martyrs The Rose Hall Martyrs Monument in Berbice
it sustained for these brutal deaths. In this event, we see that the owners’ class will stop at no crime to protect their property and profit. But the workers’ sacrifices were not in vain.” In the time that has elapsed since this historic event at Rose Hall Estate, the workers in the industry and the industry itself have advanced in several ways. It is, therefore, regrettable that attempts are constantly being made to rollback hard won gains in the industry. “Increasingly, sugar workers find themselves
engaged in actions to defend their rights and interests against our home-grown bureaucrats and their hirelings. Our times, in many ways, differ from the era in which the Rose Hall Martyrs lived. Conditions are not the same and the demands we make are different yet continue to revolve around the fight for decent and rising wages and better working conditions.” “Indeed, such are the struggles before the workers in Guyana and the world over. And, while demanding, on one hand, these class struggles
hold out the promise of further achievements, and significant social changes in the future. “Many years have gone by since that fateful period when the workers from Rose Hall were killed. 103 years later we pay respect to their memory. They dared to challenge the existing socioeconomic order for a better day. But improvement is a constant feature of our existence and in our day, a new generation continues to raise its voice and make fresh demands for all-round improvements.”
“In our fight of today, we also remember past battles and those like the Rose Hall Martyrs who have been the victims of colonial plunder and exploitation. “History’s lessons should not be forgotten lest workers lower their vigilance and succumb to disunity to their detriment. Workers struggles have not come to a close. Indeed, their struggles continue but in a different context and in different circumstances than what faced the Rose Hall Martyrs,” the GAWU statement concluded.
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THE AMAZING BENEFITS OF
Garlic
Garlic is an herb. It is best known as a flavoring for food. But over the years, garlic has been used as a medicine to prevent or treat a wide range of diseases and conditions. The fresh clove or supplements made from the clove are used for medicine. Garlic is used for many conditions related to the heart and blood system. These conditions include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, coronary heart disease,heart attack, and “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis). Some of these uses are supported by science. Garlic actually may be effective in slowing the development ofatherosclerosis and seems to be able to modestly reduce blood pressure. Some people use garlic to prevent colon cancer, rectal cancer, stomach cancer,breast cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer. It is also used to treat prostate cancer and bladder cancer. Garlic has been tried for treating an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia; BPH), diabetes, osteoarthritis, hayfever (allergic rhinitis), traveler’s diarrhea, high blood pressure late in pregnancy (pre-eclampsia), cold and flu. It is also used for building the immune system, preventing tick bites, and preventing and treating bacterial and fungal infections. Other uses include treatment of fever, coughs, headache, stomach ache, sinus congestion, gout, rheumatism, hemorrhoids, asthma, bronchitis, shortness of breath,low blood pressure, low blood sugar, high blood sugar, and snakebites. It is also used for fighting stress and fatigue, and maintaining healthy liver function. Some people apply garlic oil to their skin to treat fungal infections, warts, and corns. There is some evidence supporting the topical use of garlic for fungal infections like ringworm, jock itch, and athlete’s foot; but the effectiveness of garlic against warts and corns is still uncertain. There is a lot of variation among garlic products sold for medicinal purposes. The amount of allicin, the active ingredient and the source of garlic’s distinctive odor, depends on the method of preparation. Allicin is unstable, and changes into a different chemical rather quickly. Some manufacturers take advantage of this by aging garlic to make it odorless. Unfortunately, this also reduces the amount of allicin and compromises the effectiveness of the product. Some odorless garlic preparations and products may contain very little, if any, allicin. Methods that involve crushing the fresh clove release more allicin. Some products have a coating (enteric coating) to protect them against attack by stomach acids. While garlic is a common flavoring in food, some scientists have suggested that it might have a role as a food additive to prevent food poisoning. There is some evidence that fresh garlic, but not aged garlic, can kill certain bacteria such as E. coli, antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella enteritidis in the laboratory. HOW DOES IT WORK? Garlic produces a chemical called allicin. This is what seems to make garlic work for certain conditions. Allicin also makes garlic smell. Some products are made “odorless” by aging the garlic, but this process can also make the garlic less effective. It’s a good idea to look for supplements that are coated (enteric coating) so they will dissolve in the intestine and not in the stomach. www.medicaldaily.com
Sunday March 13, 2016
Behati Prinsloo Is Pregnant, Expecting First Child With Husband Adam Levine
http://www.eonline.com: Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo’s family is about to get bigger! The Victoria’s Secret model is pregnant, E! News has learned. This will be the first child for the Maroon 5 frontman and Behati, who is 3-4 months along in her pregnancy. “She knows what she’s having and she’s very excited,” a source tells E! News. Adam and Behati tied the knot in July 2014 in a lavish wedding in Mexico. Very shortly after The Voice coach revealed to E! News’ Catt Sadler that they were anxious to get their family started. “Yeah, we’re gonna do it at some point in the notso-distant-slash-undisclosed-slash-I-really-have-noidea-big-question-mark future,” Levine said, and then quipped, “Is that ambiguous enough for you?” So how many kids do they want exactly? It turns out, a ton. “Like 17. Is that reasonable?,” he jokingly said, and added, “I love kids so much, though. I love seeing kids on the set, too.” The couple has put their love on display on more than one occasion, as they packed on the PDA on their one-year anniversary while taking a trip down to Cabo—the same place where they wed the year before. An eyewitness said Adam startedserenading Behati with Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” in front of a group of onlookers. After he was done crooning, Adam gave his wife one heck of a kiss on the lips. Kids must have been on the brain for a while, as Behati also told Net-A-Porter’s The EDIT that children were a “definite” with Adam. Congratulations to the happy couple! We can’t wait to find out whether it’s a boy or a girl.
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Sunday March 13, 2016
Zeelugt murder…
Prime suspect believed to be in Suriname The prime suspect in the murder of 41-year-old Bibi Zabida Khan, whose battered body was found in a trench at Zeelugt, West Coast Demerara (WCD) last January, is believed to be in Suriname. Randolph Williams, a cane-cutter, disappeared after murdering his wife on January 21, last. Yesterday, this newspaper received information that the suspect in the brutal murder might have fled Guyana via the “backtrack” route to neighbouring Suriname after killing his spouse of 11 years. A Post Mortem examination performed on the remains of the mother of three revealed that she had been beaten, stabbed and strangled. The woman’s battered body was discovered in the trench, one day after she went missing from her Seaview, Stewartville home. This newspaper understands that residents at Zeelugt told police that Randolph Williams was seen beating her on the Public Road. When residents rushed to rescue the woman, Williams pushed her into a nearby trench then jumped after her. There are reports that the man stabbed her while they were in the trench and strangled her. He later fled into a bushy area. Initially, the woman’s relatives were informed that Williams was hiding in Essequibo at his relatives. They were told that immediately after murdering Khan, he took a minibus and traveled to Parika, EBE, where he joined a boat and
Wanted: Randolph Williams
Dead: Bibi Zabida Khan
journeyed to Essequibo. Her relatives were convinced that he was hiding in Essequibo since he is originally from a village on the Essequibo Coast and all of his family members are currently residing there. However, they are now being told that the killer might be in Suriname. This newspaper was told that the killing might have stemmed from allegations of infidelity The couple’s neighbours said that Williams and Khan lived together for 11 years and like every husband and wife, they too had their issues but no one of them expected to see such a tragic ending. “They does quarrel; she does move out and then they does make up back and he does ask her to move back with him,” one of the neighbours said. He explained that over the years there were several rumours of Khan being unfaithful to her husband but Williams was never aware of this information until last December when he was informed that his wife had a
cellular phone which she used to communicate with other men. “He said if he ever finds out that she is cheating then he will kill her and kill himself,” another neighbour related. The neighbours who reside in proximity of the couple said that some time last month, Williams told his wife that he was going to work but instead he hid in a chicken pen at the back of the yard. According to the neighbours, Williams waited a while in the pen and then quietly walked to the step. There, he reportedly heard his wife talking to someone on the phone. “He listened to her and then he walk up to her and tap her on her shoulder and collected the phone,” one of the neighbours said. Kaieteur News was told that after a month, the couple moved past their differences and continued their relationship. They are puzzled as to what led to the killing. Investigations are ongoing.
National Assembly Clerk acquires... From page 18 GGMC information, Isaacs in 2012 acquired 27 concessions. Of the total 45 concessions he has, 20 of them are in his name while the remainder is with a number of partners. Eight of the concessions have been converted to Mining Permits with the rest to Prospecting Permits Medium Scale (PPMS). Earlier this year, from GGMC data, there appeared to be a mad rush under last administration to give out mining lands. According to records, over the last two years the GGMC processed more than 4,000 applications. In 2014, almost 3,000 transactions were recorded. This fell to just over 1,100 last year. The figures would be significant when one considers that in 2013, more than 1,300 applications were processed.
In 2012 there were 2,500 applications processed. That was the highest recorded figure since 2005 when there were 124 transactions for mining permits, mining licences and other prospecting applications. The number of applications actually picked up in 2009 with 971 transactions that year. In 2011 there were 1,100. This was the signal year for the rush to grab mining lands. Of course, as world prices for gold climbed, there was that rush by miners for more lands, spiking in 2012. A glance at the last two years also found that Chinese-owned acquisitions by the Clinton Williams-led Board grew significantly months before the May 11, 2015 General Elections which the David Granger administration won
by a slim majority. Especially benefitting were two companies–Rong An Inc. and logging company, BaiShanLin Forest Development Inc. Buying up mining lands in his own name was BaiShanLin's local principal, Chu Hongbo. Chu Hongbo's company is facing intense scrutiny for activities in Guyana where the company benefited from billions of dollars in tax waivers and other concessions, including logging and housing lands. GGMC's Board of Directors was chaired over the last two years by Clinton Williams. However, the life of that controversial Board came to an end in December with Government naming city businessman, Stanley Ming, as the new Chairman.
Sunday March 13, 2016
Kaieteur News
Prime Minister chides Opposition for misinformation First Vice President and P r i m e M i n i s t e r, M o s e s Nagamootoo, said y e s t e r d a y, t h a t h e w a s perturbed by the expression of “shock” being reportedly experienced by the Opposition P e o p l e ’s Progressive Party over the adjournment of the National Assembly to May 4. Prime Minister Nagamootoo, who is also the Leader of Government Business in the House, said that the Opposition knows fully well that no sittings would be advised before Local Government Elections and during the Easter and Phagwah holidays. Additionally, there is an ongoing capacity building programme among the parliamentarians of Guyana, Canada and the United Kingdom for which several seminars have been scheduled overseas during April. The Speaker, the Clerk and Deputy Clerk, Clerks of Committees and other key parliamentary officers are due to travel to the United Kingdom for such events. Prime Minister Nagamootoo explained that the Assembly could have been convened in the absence of the Speaker had the Opposition named and nominated a person for the post of Deputy Speaker. The PPP rejected convention and chose to frustrate the work of the National Assembly while feigning shock over the adjournment which could have been avoided had the party felt compelled to occupy the seat of Deputy Speaker. The adjournment to May 4, is therefore not unreasonable in the prevailing circumstances. It is most disingenuous therefore for the PPP Opposition to seek to lecture the government on lapse in sessions, especially when it is taken into consideration that when it strangled Parliament for nine continuous months between July 2014 and April 2015 by proroguing Parliament then dissolving the House when the PPP was faced with a no confidence motion. The Prime Minister proffered that the PPP’s should be most concerned about its own cavalier attitude towards Parliament, for which it has so far shown a significant amount of disrespect, first
New Govt’s hands tied due to.... (From page 15) the fact that NICIL consented to an agreement that forces Guyana to petition a United Kingdom (UK) court to resolve financial issues. The merit of NICIL’s decision to sell the shares was questioned by auditors. The NICIL audit report revealed that a considerable amount of revenue has been lost due to that sale. During the period 2002-2011, Government received $5.261B in dividends from the shares, or an average of $526.1M per annum. The audit report stated that
government suffered a major loss in the disposal of the shares and that the sale was a blunder. The Auditor said that by disposing of the shares, “the Government would have lost $1.578B, equivalent to US$7.616M, in revenue during the period 2012-2014.” At a press conference he held a little before his retirement, Brassington could not have given the media any logical reason why government was so eager to sell the GT&T shares. The eagerness to sell was called into question when Brassington said that the
8 yrs later, former... First Vice President and Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo by boycotting then by refusing to nominate a Deputy Speaker then by staging four walkouts within five months. Prime Minister Nagamootoo said that he explained the six-week adjournment to the Opposition Chief Whip Ms. Gail Teixeira after the March 10 sitting because he felt that the Opposition would have had notice of the capacity building events thought the Parliamentary Management Committee and Guyana Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association of which it is an active member.
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From page 13 The high profile case was widely reported in the media not only because of the amount involved, but because of the fact that NBS is the biggest mortgage lender in Guyana. Vincent is now the Chief Executive Officer of Food For The Poor, one of the biggest nongovernmental organizations in the country. He has sued NBS for $500M. He said that his dismissal left him with a huge mortgage payment every month. For months, he could not even speak because of the shock. The Arjoon family was literally ostracized by persons that they once knew. “I told reporters that I am innocent and the truth will come out. Although internal and external investigations at NBS and the trial at the Magistrates’ Courts cleared us, it is solidified seven and a half years later by
this report from Guyana’s Ombudsman.” His photos too had been splashed more than anyone in the local newspapers. He said in 2014: “The persons who conspired to get us charged took away seven and half years and continuing of our lives and that of our families. We have suffered immensely. Their actions can be considered evil and criminal…” He had asked then for Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar Ali-Hack; Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh and former NBS Chairman, Dr. Nanda Gopaul, and others involved in his “frame-up” to be “relieved of their positions, investigated and be dealt with according to law”. “I will never forgive or forget their evil faces. Through their evil actions, the lives of a few men and their families were taken away and their reputations hurt. Justice has to be served.”
government was forced to take the deal with the Chinese company as it was getting no better offers at the time. Even though he could not have defended the reason for sale, Brassington said that he thinks that Government made a good call in selling. Brassington admitted that Government used the money collected from the sale to offset expenses of the Marriott Hotel. Asked about the fact that he agreed for Guyana to petition the UK court for resolution on any financial matter, Brassington had told Kaieteur News that it was “normal” for an agreement to have those sorts of arrangements. Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, who sits on the NICIL Board, had explained that if the court route is pursued, the government will have to spend millions of dollars
to get the outstanding sum from the Chinese company. Alternatively, Harmon promised to approach China’s Ambassador to Guyana, Zhang Limin for his intervention. It is not clear what role the Ambassador is playing at this time and whether Harmon had indeed approached him as promised. Countless attempts made to contact Harmon proved futile. The name Datang had previously remained obscure as a result of the confidential agreement which was entered into in early 2011 with the PPP Government. It only came to light following the finalization of the sale. Datang had come in for scrutiny after it was discovered that the company actually featured in a US intelligence report as a company with links to the Chinese Military and was accused of spying.
First Lady, US Charge... (From page 11) respect for yourself and others.” Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy in Guyana, Mr. Bryan Hunt, also praised the initiative. He stated, “During your march along the road (yesterday) if you changed one life, or allowed one person to walk away from abuse then you have accomplished a lot,” he said. Mr. Hunt then used the opportunity to encourage the audience to utilise their democratic right and vote next Friday when Local Government Elections are held, after a 23-year gap. Also speaking at the activity was Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Protection, Ms. Laurene Baird, who commended the initiative. She said that issues such as suicide and gender-based violence are those which test the moral fibre of a society. She pointed out that Government is cognisant of these issues, and are taking steps to remedy them This year, the Ministry of Social Protection is focused and is placing emphasis on building strong support systems among other initiative.
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STANDARDS IN FOCUS
CARE AND USE OF TYRES The care and use of tyres should be of paramount concern to drivers and vehicle owners so as to ensure safety and prolonged usage. Generally, the cost of tyre care is negligible when compared to repair or replacement costs. The level of maintenance and the manner in which tyres are used on vehicles demonstrate care or a lack of it. For many years, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has been monitoring new and used tyres under its Standards Compliance programme to ensure that they meet the requirements of national standards. Monitoring is done by Inspectors at ports of entry and at bonds and warehouses, and involves the examination of the commodity to ensure compliance with labeling and quality requirements. However, monitoring by the Bureau is not enough to ensure that safe tyres are used on our road ways. Frequent examination and care by users go a far way to guarantee that their tyres take them a far way, safely. As drivers, simple actions like checking your tyre pressure to make sure that they are properly inflated can make a real difference in how long your tyres last. Under or over-inflated tyres don’t wear evenly and won’t last as long. For example, a tyre that is constantly 20% underinflated can last 20% less in use. That means, a new tyre that could last approximately 95,000km would be worn out by 75,000 km. In addition, since the front and rear axles and the
right and left side of vehicles wear down tyres differently, rotating your tyres regularly between the different positions will ensure they wear evenly and last longer. A visit to the experts is not necessary to determine the ideal requirements for optimal performance of your tyres. Usually tyres are adequately labelled with the information needed to guide users as to their size, pressure and load requirements, which must be complied with to ensure safety and to avoid the loss of lives due to road accidents. The following are some tips which will help in the care and use of tyres: TYRE PRESSURE a. Check the air pressure of each tyre at least fortnightly. Incorrect tyre pressure can lead to the inside of the tyre being damaged, resulting in tyre problems or even a blowout. b. Tyres must be inflated to specified pressures. The pressure inside warm tyres is naturally higher and must be reduced, and on cooling, can fall below the minimum tyre pressure. (Driving, especially at high speeds, causes heat build-up in tyres). c. Incorrect tyre pressure causes premature and uneven tyre wear. Underinflated tyres have a higher rolling resistance, which means higher fuel consumption. TYRE DAMAGE a. If a tyre is visibly damaged (that is, it has a fracture or a cut that exposes the carcass) or has an unusual wear pattern, the tyre must be taken off and examined as quickly as possible by a tyre specialist.
b. Driving over curbstones or over potholed roads may cause internal damage to tyres, leading to failure at high speeds. c. Check tyres regularly for damage as sharp stones, nails etc. can penetrate the tyre thread. Theseneed to be removed. Check also if there are bulges or cuts on the sidewall. d. For virtually all vehicles, rotating the tyres from one axle to the other is permitted. In certain cases, changing them crosswise/ diagonally can also be advantageous. This does not apply to directional tyres. It is also advisable to have the alignment checked at 10,000 km intervals. e. Harsh acceleration, braking with locked wheels and fast steering movements shorten the service life of tyres. TYRE REPAIR a. Thread damage or cuts that extend to the breaker, belt or beyond must be repaired by the hot vulcanization process. Repairs using cold temporary repair measures, such as plugging, are used as emergency means to take you home and should be rectified immediately without any delay. Proper care and use will extend the life of tyres and reduce the incidence of accidents due totyredamage or “blowout”, so drivers are urged to monitor and properly use their tyres to ensure safety on the road. For further information, kindly contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 2190065, 219-0066 or 219-0069 or visit the website: www.gnbsgy.org.
Sunday March 13, 2016
Sol Guyana Inc conducts maintenance exercise at manatee pond
The team from Sol Guyana Inc interacts with tourists during the maintenance exercise at the Manatee Pond at the Botanical Gardens yesterday. As part of fulfilling its corporate social responsibility SOL Guyana Inc., conducted yet another maintenance exercise at the manatee pond at the Zoological Park and Botanical Gardens in Georgetown. A team of managers and employees from the Regional Petroleum Company, which has a local office at Lot BB Agricola, East Bank Demerara, visited the Zoological Gardens between 9:00 am and 12:00 hours yesterday. They cleaned and painted the manatee pond and its surroundings areas. Managing Director of Sol Guyana Inc. Orlando Boxhill said that the project is part of the Company’s commitment to education and environmental conservation. He noted that from the inception of bringing energy based products and services to Guyana, SOL has embarked on a number of social projects. In addition to maintaining the manatee pond at the Zoological Gardens, the company has also contributed to a number of charities in its efforts to reach out to the wider public. Among the beneficiaries are the Ruimveldt
Children’s Aid Centre and a number of wildlife conservation projects specifically Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation Society (GMTCS). According to Boxhill, Sol Guyana has been involved in environmental conservation and educational initiatives for more than a decade. He said that SOL’s involvement in the conservation project has been a twofold blessing for the organisation and the Guyanese public. “By cleaning and maintaining the (manatee) pond we are educating and bringing the attention of the public to these gentle giants,” Boxhill added. The Managing Director disclosed that a significant share of the company’s annual budget is earmarked for these projects. According to him, Sol will continue to provide support to Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation Society and the Manatee Holding Pond at the Botanical Gardens since it provides a vital link between Sol and Guyanese public.
Sunday March 13, 2016
Kaieteur News
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CONSUMER CONCERNS
WORLD CONSUMER RIGHTS DAY - ACTIVITIES By PAT DIAL Last week this column touched on the theme of World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) which was “ANTIBIOTICS OFF THE MENU”. World Consumer Rights Day is one of the most important events in the Consumer Community’s calendar and it has many facets. We would again be highlighting WCRD this week but showing a different facet. The Ministry of Business under whose aegis the Consumer Affairs Division falls, has arranged a number of impacting programmes to commemorate the Day - 15th March. Ms. Muriel Tinnis, Director of Consumer Affairs, ably assisted by Ms. Kushana Archer, has been engaged in perfecting arrangements over the last few weeks. We of the Guyana Consumers Association have always offered our cooperation and support and we are confident that the events will be as successful as they have been in previous years. The Day will begin with a Symposium starting at 9.00 a.m. at the Arthur Chung National Convention Centre. The presenters and discussion leaders are all very knowledgeable persons in their respective fields. The President of the Guyana Consumers Association will speak on Consumerism in general and the place of WCRD in it. The Representative of the Ministry of Health will speak on the threat to human health caused by the feeding of antibiotics to farm animals to stimulate growth and increase their weight. The Representative of the Ministry of Agriculture will speak on the increasing resistance to antibiotics and the policy options of the Government of Guyana to
reduce this emerging threat. The WHO/PAHO Representative will speak on Antibiotic Resistance: What the Agricultural Sector can do. The discussion session promises to be fruitful and lively. The Day will conclude in the evening with a Consumer Excellence Appreciation ceremony where some consumer advocates will be honoured followed by a dinner. The Minister of Business, Mr. Dominic Gaskin, will be the Speaker at this final session. There would be wide media coverage on television, radio and the Press of the main presentations. The Consumer Division of the Ministry of Business, the Guyana Consumers Association and the Consumer and Competition Commission will continue to pursue the goal abolishing or at least minimizing the serving of antibiotic fed meats in restaurants and the sale of such meats in the supermarkets. Before we end this offering we would briefly recap for the benefit of readers some of the ground we have already covered: (I) Existing antibiotics should be used strictly according to a doctor’s prescription or advice. Quite often, sick persons underuse or overuse antibiotics and if they do so, they could develop immunities to those antibiotics or similar types. Curing their future ailments becomes more difficult or impossible. (ii) Farm animals such as chicken, pigs, sheep and cows are widely fed on antibiotics to increase their growth and weight. When humans consume the meat of such animals, they are ingesting such antibiotics, eventually
developing antibiotic immunity. (iii) With antibiotic immunities, important medicines stop working and many simple ailments or surgical operations now become much more difficult to treat or become lifethreatening or deadly. The way of dealing with this problem is (a) To have the international fast foods chains such as McDonald’s, Subway and KFC cease serving antibiotic raised meats. And in Guyana this would include Banks DIH and Royal Castle. (b) National Legislation banning the use of antibiotics to increase the growth of farm animals. The European Union has already done so. (c) Widespread public education on the dangers of consuming antibiotic-raised meats. The Media and School system must be involved. The Guyana Consumers Association has written the four main fast food chains in Guyana asking them to come on board as McDonald’s and Subway have done in the United States. We have also written the Ministry of Education to have knowledge of the dangers of the consumption of antibiotic raised meats propagated in the School System.
Bruxism: Teeth Clenching and Grinding By Dr. Neromini Fagu The medical term for clenching (tightly holding your top and bottom teeth together) and grinding (sliding your teeth back and forth over each other) is bruxism. Bruxism is a very common condition that affects adults as well as kids. Most people are unaware that they grind their teeth. It can happen during both the day and night and is classified into awake bruxism and sleep bruxism. Awake bruxism is the involuntary clenching of the teeth and jaw with generally no grinding. Sleep bruxism is characterized by automatic teeth grinding with sustained jaw muscles contraction. Causes of Bruxism The exact causes of bruxism are not entirely clear but certain factors can increase your risk: Stress: Increased anxiety, stress, anger and frustration can lead to teeth grinding.
Some people have high levels of work-related stress and this can be a significant cause of bruxism. Age: Bruxism can affect young children, but it usually goes away by the teen years. The most common age group affected is ages 24 to 45 years. Personality type: Having a personality type that is aggressive, competitive or hyperactive can increase your risk of bruxism. Stimulating substances: Smoking tobacco and drinking caffeinated beverages or alcohol can increase bruxism. Bruxism is significantly higher in individuals whose lifestyle includes the use of certain illicit substances such as ecstasy and cocaine. Medications: The side effects of certain medications such as some antidepressants and antipsychotics have been shown to increase bruxism. Malocclusion: Abnormal alignment of upper and lower
Dr. Neromini Fagu teeth. Symptoms Bruxism affects sufferers in many ways and the symptoms can be short term, long term or permanent. Some of the physical symptoms of bruxism include headache, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) discomfort and muscle aches, facial myalgia (muscle pain), ear ache, tightness and stiffness of the shoulders, limitation of mouth opening, and sleep disruption of the individual as well as the bed partner. The oral symptoms are abnormal tooth wear, fracture of the teeth, inflammation and recession of the gums, excess tooth mobility, and premature loss of teeth. The most commonly cited area of pain is headache and it is estimated that bruxists (people who grind their teeth) are three Continued on page 71
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Kaieteur News
SERVICES
WANTED
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.
1 Security Guard at Eccles Industrial Site, with a valid police clearance. Call: 2332473
Building Construction: house plans & estimates, floor sanding, lacquering & painting, boat for Santa Mission –Call: 650-4362 Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves – Contact Nick: 6831312, 627-3206 Are you building or renovating? For quality construction services from foundation to fine finished. Call Carlos: 592682-9935; 592-223-2695 INNOVATIVE MARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Repairs to LED, Plasma, LCD and all other electronic equipment. Ordering of circuit boards. Abdul Electronics. Call: 225-0391 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158
SALON
PROPERTY FOR SALE
FOR SALE
FOR SALE
- Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 647-1773/660-5257
Transport property located @ Rosignol W.B.B: 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, fully furnished. Call: 679-3496; 6026333; 330-2576; 699-4689 (motivated settler)
Toyota Rear Differential 39.8 and 14.5 fiberglass boat with trailer and 35HP motor. Call: 678-9536
1 Fishing boat 46feet, round bottom, 48 Yamaha engine, 17 hundred pound 5"7", seine – Call: 259-3170; 661-6938
Hairdressers, nail technician, barbers, also hair & nail stations available for rental location: New Market StreetCall: 638-1106
Flat house in Grove, (corner property) 1 Block from main road, price negotiable. Call: 1905-626-2572 1-3 2flat bedrooms wooden & concrete house 20X50 @ Belle West, Canal No.2 -$9M. Call: 604-1299
Urgently needed land to buy in Eccles, Herstelling, Farm, Parfaite Harmonie, Uitvlugt, Zeelugt & East Coast. Call: 611-7223; 604-2207 Contract cars and taxi drivers. Call: 231-0002; 231-0316 One General Domestic. Apply in person @ R Sookraj & Sons 108 Regent Street. (Opp GBTI) Live in waitress must have secondary education, 1825yrs -$70,000 monthly. Call: 610-3974 Large quantity of selected 18months old coconut plants to buy between 2-3ft tall. Call: 231-1408; 642-9191 Nanny/domestic help needed in Kitty. Call: 227-6662; 6433061; 654-0382 Boys to work in the Interior, shop attendants. Call: 6741767 A General Manager for Diamond operation. Attractive Salary. Call: 2237165 Experienced pastry maker, cake decorator, counter servers, cashier, roti/puri cooks, apply at Hacks Halaal, 5 Commerce St.
Contract cars & drivers. Call: Passport forms, taxation etc. 227-1720, 227-1721 or 660Call Sir Dinesh: 666-6889 6102 Brian Moe @ 642-3543: Computer Technician: FB/ One experienced cook, with Brian.Moe.165: Home and knowledge in baking, apply Office visits at your comfort!! in person @ Bistro, 36 Public Road, La Grange W.B.D-Call: 678-3400 Experienced cashier & salesgirls wanted, please drop off application @ American Variety Store, 140 Regent & Light Sts. ASAP. Commercial spot for rent: salon & barber station. TOURS Motorcycle 250 rebel & night SURINAME EASTER hawk, foxtail palm plants for WEEKEND TOUR TRIP: sale. Call: 680-1198 SHOPPING, FUN, TOURS & SIGHTSEEING DOLPHINS Experienced drivers with MARCH 23RD -28TH, 2016. pleasant personality, able to CALL: 692-7270; 665- read & write, apply @ Hack’s 5171; 639-2663; 223-0056 Halaal 5 Commerce St. with hand-written application. Rodeo Tours: get your chance to be @ The One handyman to work in the Rupununi Rodeo this Easter Interior, must be 18-25yrs. Weekend, unbelievable Call: 680-2702; 661-3328 prices. Call: 226-3463 or email:delbon360@ 1 Male cook (baheir) to cook hotmail.com in the Interior. Call: 678-0565
Sunday March 13, 2016
Transported property @ Grove $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461 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 1-3 Bedrooms apartment, 1 master room, 2 bedrooms, 1 kitchen, dining area; laundry room, cameras and security lights @ Diamond . Call: 2260880; 671-1474 Three bedrooms top & bottom flat; at Lot 6 Mc Doom Public Road. Call: 2330528 Executive 2 bedrooms apartment in exclusive Residential Area , close to the Ogle Airport. Call for appointment: 653-2920 Self-contained rooms in Prashad Nagar. Tel: 2272993 One two bedrooms, fully furnished house, Lot 5 Bougainvillea Park, gated community and security guard. Call: 678-1234 Semi-furnished 2 bedrooms apartment @ 230 Block 8 Mon Repos. Call: 672-7431; 615-0725; 234-1618 4 Bedrooms house in Bel-Air Gardens; all modern conveniences; no agents!Call: 231-7839 during working hours House in Bel-Air Park: 3 bedrooms upstairs/ downstairs, all modern conveniences - $1600US monthly-Call: 231-7839 during working hours TAXI SERVICES GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
Property @ 650 Section ‘A’ Block Great Diamond East Bank Demerara. Call: 2254792; 609-1114 3068 Amelia’s Ward Linden: 4 bedrooms, 1 self-containedCall: 640-4731; 641-6450 Furnished 6 bedrooms house with attic, 4 self contained bedrooms located @ Anna Catherina, New Housing Scheme. Call: 611-5354; 615-4728 Brand new 2 storey concrete building in 5th Avenue, Diamond, E.B.D, all modern amenities –Call: 662-9335; 612-3244 Property for sale at Harry’s Avenue, 1 minute drive from Public Road Friendship, E.B.D- Call: 654-5385 Lall & Sons: property in Diamond -$9M, $14M, Grove-$12M, Middle Road $22M. Call: 604-6724 Lot 67 First Street Garden of Eden E.B.D – 7 (seven) acres of land with two buildings. Call: 639-8376 House & land @ Block 8 Mon Repos, E.C.D -$28M neg. Call: 654-4312; 629-3344, serious inquiries only. Fully furnished house with land, owners migrating, price negotiable @ 230 Block 8 Mon Repos. Call: 672-7431; 615-0725; 234-1618 House & land (3yrs old) for sale at Canal No.2 Polder, 53/ 4 rice land elsewhere. Call: 718-657-9040; 266-2897; 6909331 Sale/Rent: Alberttown; business spot, Cummings & Middle Sts, large store, new glass front, 3 lots, 3 separate entrances vacant. Call: 6214000
CAKES & PASTRIES Courses in cake decoration, pastry making & cookery; also edible images and Wedding dresses for sale. Call: 670-0798
1 Mercedes Benz – C200- Call: 690-6840; 693-3340; 277-3033 Land in 11th Street Diamond, EBD- Call: 698-7807 LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. 200 Layer birds recently started laying. Call: 650-5676 or 645-5947 for more information. Midea air curtains, 2pcs 5 ft almost new -$75,000, (2) 3ft $35,000. Call: 621-4000
Brand New HP Laptop: AMD Quad Core Processor, 15.6 LED Display, Widows10. Price: $ 120,000-Contact:6880407- 2263554 Jet-Ski for sale: 1500cc, super charged. Brand New! Call: 231-7839 during office hours Midea split air-condition, good, 12000 btu-$70,000. Midea split AC, 60,000 btu, 3 pieces - $120,000 each. Call: 621-4000 Metal cashier boot $45,000, 15" rims 5 holes set of 4 $30,000. Call:621-4000
1-4Cylinder, English Perkins with bearing block, already beded, in excellent condition. Call: 698-6796
King size bed complete with Mattress- $70,000. King size bed with mattress & night stands $110,000. Call: 621-4000
5 Acre farm at Pearl E.B.D, bearing fruit trees, equipped chicken pens etc, terms of sale negotiable. Call: 6921999
King size complete with mattress, large frame, with mirror, along with both sides built in cabinets- $300,000. Call: 621-4000
Live and pluck chicken- Call: 220-1043; 621-4304
2 Chest -of- drawers- $40,000 each, wardrobe- $40,000, dish washer (kitchen aid) -$60,000, Kenmore electric stove, 5 burners- $120,000. Call: 621-4000
Great Deals on video games & all gaming consoles. PC, phone games & applications. Delivery also – Call: 672-2566; 265-3231 CD/DVD duplicators, 1-7: $90,000, blue ray duplicators, 1-3 $60,000, DVD/CD 1-3 $50,000, CD/DVD 1-5 $75,000. Call: 621-4000 Complete 48 feet fishing boat: 1-48 & 1- 40 Yamaha engine, 2700lb seine, GPS, solar, ice box Contact: 663-0457, 6575171.
Large micro wave with exhaust fan $60,000 fits over stove , small micro wave Daewoo $10,000.Call: 6214000 Camera system 16 channels TB hard drive with 8 cameras$100,000, 12 ft wall divider$90,000. Call: 621-4000
Hummer rims with tyres 17", original 4 pieces- $100,000, electric treadmill with electric Led sign, programmable with incline $80,000 (minor remote, 12" x3 ft -$75,000, repairs). Call: 621-4000 video door bell ,swann brandAbs circle exercise machine $40,000. Call: 621-4000 $18,000, large metal desk Brand new KIA sports SUV. $45,000, 2 wooden desks$15,000 each, small metal desk Call: 624-5650 -15,000. Call: 621-4000 TV, large screens: 50", 60" 73" -$10, 00, $15,000, 30" metal fan -$15,000, 3 ft metal fan $45,000. Call: 621-4000 LEARN TO DRIVE
Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj Building- Tel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 615-0964; 689-5997 K’s Driving School (Berbice)learn to drive with a professional instructor. Call: 615-8536; 649-0979 for more information. EDUCATIONAL Private Custom Brokerage Certificate: training course29th March 2016. Register now! Call: 223-1506; 694-8322
2 Metal glass cases; 10 ft long -$120,000 for both, paper shredder- $10,000, receipt printer, 2 piece: $10,000.Call: 621-4000 Disco lights motorized, 6 piece some needs bulb all$75,000. Call:621-4000 Large metal sign frame, 5 lighted signs- $100,000, lighted sign: 2ftx8ft & sides 2ft x3ft- $40,000, lighted sign 4ft x 20ft - $75,000.Call: 6214000 Continued on page 71
Sunday March 13, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 71
BRUXISM: Teeth Clenching... From page 70
LAND FOR SALE Land 95X65 in high income gated community -$9.3M negotiable. Call: 609-0783 From page 69 times more likely to suffer from headaches than non-bruxists. TREATMENT The goals of treatment are to reduce pain, prevent permanent damage to the teeth, and reduce clenching as much as possible.Recommended treatments for bruxism include behavioural therapies and using mouth appliances.Other treatments, such as muscle relaxation exercises and sleep hygiene measures, may also help to manage the symptoms. Mouth guards and splints: These are usually made out of soft plastic or hard acrylic and can be custom made by your dentist to fit your mouth. They are mainly worn at night to even
out the pressure across your jaw and create a physical barrier between your upper and lower teeth to protect them from further damage. They can also reduce any grinding noises you make at night. Although mouth guards and splints may help reduce muscle activity in your jaw, they’re only able to control the condition, not cure it. Stress management: If you grind your teeth because of stress, you may be able to prevent the problem with professional counseling or strategies that promote relaxation, such as exercise or meditation. Listening to music, taking a warm bath or exercising can help you relax and may reduce your risk of developing bruxism.
Behaviour therapy: Once you discover that you have bruxism, you may be able to change the behaviour by practising proper mouth and jaw position. Your dentist will show you the best position for your mouth and jaw. Medications: In general, medications aren’t very effective for treatment of bruxism, and more research is needed to determine their effectiveness. Examples of medications that have been tried for bruxism include muscle relaxants and Botox injections. 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.
Region 10 Council meets with... From page 14 Chairman also told farmers he will not negotiate a price for them. “Once the sample that we sent up has been approved, it simply means that we would have to go into a lot of cassava production. We wouldn’t approve prices in the office. We would call a meeting with the farmers themselves because we don’t want to sign on to a price that would be bad for the farmer. We would want the farmers themselves to agree
on prices. And we don’t want a price that is fixed for the next five years. “We want a price that can be negotiated every year. When the time comes, we would want to bring the investor and sit with the farmers and get a consensus. When we get the document we will have farmers sign for farmers, I sign for the RDC and the investor signs for his enterprise.” Morian claimed, “If that sample is accepted and the
cassava in (other parts of) Region Ten don’t measure up to that sample, what we would have to do is to quickly spread the sticks around. It’s a Region Ten project across all barriers so we would want to share the (cassava) sticks.” Meanwhile, Gittens said the processing of crude oil in the Region was also discussed. Morian added that while the proposal was made, a plan is yet to be submitted for the setting up of an oil refinery in Linden.
Eccles New Scheme, already bobcat & land filled, brand new, main road-$6M. Call: 604-2207; 611-7223 Herstelling New Scheme, corner lot (100ftX50ft) 4th Bridge -$3M. Call: 604-2207; 611-7223 Lall & Sons: Parfaite Harmonie$1M, $1.3M, $1.6M, Tuschen $3M, Uitvlugt, Providence $9M, Kitty-$19M,Sandpit Yarrowkabra -$90M. Call: 6046724 Prime high income land in La Parfaite Harmonie (100ftX50ft) -$2.5M & $1.6M & $2.6M with foundation. Call: 604-2207; 611-7223 Lot 12 Mon Repos, E.C.D, First Street, Market RoadCall: 220-7330 CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM Wing’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up rental- Call: 690-6494 Aidan’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up, cheapest rate, low security- Call: 698-7807 Reliable Rentals: cars for rent…. Low rates and security deposits, special rates for long term. Call: 2272322; 614-3509 LEGAL NOTICE TAKE NOTICE that there will be a Public Action at the Supreme Court Bond at Lombard Street, Georgetown, on Thursday 31st day of March,2016 at 10:00 a.m. The following items will be sold to the highest bidder. 1. One (1) White Fridge Hiseuse No. RD/33WR Serial No. 1B0256Z0001RHKC3JS40052. 2. One (1) Music Set Acoustics Model No. 81 (double four speakers) RAMLAKE PERSAUD (Plaintiff) -and SAVITREE LACHMAN (Defendant) Terms of Sale ……. Cash Plus 3% Auction Sale Duty
Registrar (ag) Supreme Court of Judicature
VACANCY Hairdressers, nail technician, barbers, also hair & nail stations available for rental location: New Market StreetCall: 638-1106 1 Domestic cleaner, must able to prepare vegetarian meal, apply @ Alabama Trading, Georgetown, Ferry Stelling, Stabroek. Sales Representative (with license), Industrial Engineer (Diploma/Degree) – Telemarketer, Labourer. apply:jkeshwani.alesie@ gmail.Com- Call: 269-0026 Male security, male desk staff, 30-45yrs old @ 233 South Road Lacytown. Call: 225-0198
VEHICLE FOR SALE Toyota Raum, AT192, Fun Cargo, RAV 4, Tundra, L-Touring Wagon, IST, 4X4 pick up sold DEF, (Ducati 1098cc) Call: 644-5096; 697-1453 Toyota Carina 212 -$1.1M, Toyota Ipsum -$2.2M, Nissan Pathfinder -$1.6M, Toyota Vigo -$4.5M. Prices negotiable- Call: 609-7766/ 225-8427 AT192 Carina, automatic, price $700,000- Call: 668-8431 Unregistered Allion: 2004, fog, dark interior, TV DVD, CD. Price: $2M- Call: 617-5536
Unregistered Bluebird 2006 model, TV, Reverse Camera, Bulldozer operator, site Dark interior low mileage e n g i n e e r / t e c h n i c i a n , $2.3M. Call: 655-3400 experienced Human Resource Personnel. Good salary-Call: PPP Series, Premio, excellent condition- Call: 695-9927; 261-2280; 668-7104 639-7844 Persons to hand work and pressing in sewing factory. Honda CRV (RD5), stick gear, PNN series - $2.1M Call: 264-2763; 642-6079 negotiable. Call: 691-1198 Experienced waitresses, cooks, bartenders, bouncers AT192, 212, Allion, needed @ Eden Bar & unregistered Premio, Hilux Lounge (East Bank). Call: for Surf, BRR, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 appointment 652-0074 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call:680-3154 One Housekeeper for Xenon We buy & sell vehicles for Hotel contact 225-0254 cash, also parts available & Bl a c k H a w k S e c u r i t y 30 seater buses; Extra Cab Services is ac c e p t i n g pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: applications. Must be able 680-3154 to read & write. Call: 231- Prado TZ, Automatic diesel, 8232 for appointment, Mon- PHH series -$4.5M, fully loadedFri; 9:00-5:00 Call: 233-2546; 688-5554 Live in housekeeper to care 2001 Toyota Allex, Mileage for child. Call: 656-1284 77,000km, $1.6M negotiable, first owner (female), in Industrial sales person excellent condition. Call: 687needed, must have own 1263 vehicle; age: 21-yrs old. Contact: 688-0407- 2263554 Toyota Avensis in immaculate condition. Call: Security officers wanted by 676-0706 between 09:00amsecurity company-Contact: 06:00pm 672-1920, between 8:00amToyota Vios- PKK Series, 5:00pm price $1.2M, price negotiable. DRIVER/Salesman: 3 years Call: 644-6346 driving experience with Van Mercedes Benz armoured; Sor Lorry. Call: 676- 6700 300 right hand drive, 19" rims, leather interior, sound TO LET system, $1.2 Million.Call:621Two bedrooms apartment - 4000 $42,000 monthly. Call: 687-3017 Bottom flat in Diamond, 1st Bridge -$35,000 monthly – Call: 694-4276; 680-6399 Apartment in Eccles & rooms in Alberttown- Call: 225-3234 Three bedrooms concrete bottom flat in South Ruimveldt Gardens -$80,000. Call: 218-1949
TO LET Spacious 2 bedrooms apartment in Festival City with car parking etc. Asking $G70, 000. Call: 619-2141; 616-7366
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‘Tinninben Animation’ places spotlight... (From page 46) this episode, one sees that Nancy has grown up a bit, is in a new school and making new friends. One of her new friends, a boy, Stephen, is the victim of grooming and sexual abuse at the hands of an older male relative. The Chief storyteller said that Nancy, because of her own experience, is able to lead him to disclosure so that the abuse would stop. The Tagman CEO said, “In this sequel, we get to expose grooming, an offence under the Sexual Offences Act 2010. We get to show the challenge some families face when they are split (for the sake of betterment), we get to break some stereotypes about offenders and important sub-plots show reference to the justice system at work and even the media as responsible. But we pushed the envelope on the sex scene.” Graham said that he and his team had the challenge of ensuring that the message was pellucid and that the scenes were authentic so that victims could identify with them. But, as with Nancy’s Story, they had to ensure that there was no vulgarity, that in the end it was a product for general audiences and allowed parents to guide their children through open discussions. “In other words, we had to push the envelope but stay within the parameters that made Nancy’s Story succeed,” added Graham. “We chose to tackle the issue of the adult male abuse of boys. This is a very difficult matter. This is a matter that is either not discussed or is discussed with some extremely ugly stereotypes – like the assumption by some that every gay man is necessarily a pedophile, just to name one.” Graham asserted that the sequel is of great importance, because the issue of boys as victims of sexual abuse is swept further under the carpet than that of girls. He noted that one statistic suggested that as many as one in six boys is the victim of some level of sexual abuse, just a little lower than one in four girls. Graham intends to make more animated films about raising awareness about child abuse and also has future projects which will focus on other social ills. He revealed that Nancy’s Story will have another installment this year that would both be placing the spotlight on dealing suicide and/or Trafficking In Persons. Graham said that there are different products in various stages of development that, with the right resources, could see the light of your TV screens and social media platforms.
Sunday March 13, 2016
Kaieteur News
FLOW moves call centre to Jamaica, promises more than 350 jobs
Flow’s Garfield Sinclair (2nd left) and Joseph Matalon, directors of ADV Communications and Chairman ICD GROUP sign the contract. Looking on are (L-R) Kent Macphee, Ceo ADV Communications and Alvin Storkes, Cable & Wireless SVP Customer experience.
KINGSTON, Jamaica – A partnership agreement has been signed between FLOW and Advantage Communications Ltd. (ADV) that sets the stage for the telecommunications company’s multi-million dollar investment to repatriate its call centre to Jamaica, and create 350-plus jobs. Officials of both companies welcomed the move that they said would see more Jamaicans finding gainful employment in a world class state-of-the-art Customer Call Centre of Excellence never before seen in this part of the world. “Clearly, this significant investment to bring back the call centre to Jamaica is a direct
response to what our customers have been telling us. We are making a huge investment of some US$6 million in Jamaica as we move to totally transform our customer experience,” CEO of FLOW Jamaica, Garry Sinclair said at the official signing ceremony earlier last week. “This is certainly a case of putting our money where our mouth is.” ADV has completed the first phase of the programme which is scheduled to be fully operational by mid-year. “We currently have over one hundred of the best and brightest Jamaicans, trained and developed to deliver unprecedented customer
experiences, on the phones serving our FLOW patrons,” said ADV Communications Director and Chairman of its parent Company ICD Group Holdings, Joseph Matalon Joe Matalon also said. Sinclair expressed confidence in the capacity of ADV to deliver. The addition will bring to two the number of Customer Call Centres of Excellence situated in the Caribbean for the Cable & Wireless Communication group. The centre will co-exist with FLOW’s already operational call centre in Trinidad. However, calls originating in Jamaica will be routed to Jamaican agents. (Caribbean360)
Caribbean nationals nabbed in US immigration sweep FLORIDA, United States (CMC) – The United Sates Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency says it has arrested a number of Caribbean immigrants among 25 convicted criminals in a major immigration sweep in Central Florida. ICE said that the unidentified Caribbean nationals were from the Turks and Caicos Islands, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana. ICE said that the other migrants were from Ecuador, the United Kingdom, Morocco, Mexico, El Salvador, and Canada and that the sweep targeted “criminal aliens who pose a threat to public safety. “All encountered had criminal records, some were felony convictions for serious or violent offences, such as manslaughter, child abuse, robbery, false imprisonment,
felony DUI (driving under the influence), hit and run, armed burglary, racketeering, as well as weapons and drug violations,” ICE said. Marc J Moore, field office director for the Miami ERO Field Office, which oversees
all of Florida, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, said “ICE prioritises convicted criminals and public safety threats for apprehension and removal”. Last year, ICE said it deported 235,413 individuals.
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Sunday March 13, 2016
Tensions high in Brazil before protestors head to streets
Demonstrators gather on the cathedral steps to show support for former Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, last Friday. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Tensions were high yesterday, on the eve of political protests planned around Brazil today by supporters of the governing Workers’ Party and those who want to see President Dilma Rousseff impeached. Opposition groups have been planning the proimpeachment demonstrations for weeks and hope the protests will draw millions onto the streets nationwide. But differences between the two sides have been sharpened by police actions earlier this month that saw Rousseff ’s predecessor, former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, spirited to a Sao Paulo police station to testify in a sprawling investigation of corruption at the state-run oil giant Petrobras. Some Workers’ Party supporters are expected to
stage their own counterdemonstrations on Sunday, setting up concerns by authorities over the possibility of violence. Supreme Court Justice Marco Aurelio Mello said in remarks in Rio de Janeiro’s O Globo daily he was afraid the protests could result in conflict and “even a corpse.” Sao Paulo Governor Geraldo Alckmin, of the opposition PSDB party, has banned government supporters from marching down the city’s main avenue today in a bid to “guarantee security.” Brazil is suffering its worst recession in decades, with new official statistics showing the economy shrank by almost 4 percent last year. Rousseff saw her approval ratings dip into the single digits in the first year of her second term in office
amid the spiraling recession. She is battling impeachment proceedings over claims she used state-backed banks to plug holes in the budget. She has not been implicated in the massive Petrobras corruption probe, which has already ensnared many of Brazil’s richest businessmen and top politicians from across the political spectrum. The investigation is now closing in on Silva, Rousseff’s mentor.
Brazil’s PMDB to decide on breaking with Rousseff in 30 days BRASILIA (Reuters) Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff’s main coalition partner served notice yesterday that it could break from her embattled Workers’ Party government in 30 days and join opposition efforts to unseat the leftist leader. At a rowdy convention of the fractious Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB), leaders quashed a motion by irate delegates who wanted to quit Rousseff’s government immediately, before it goes down in a political storm over corruption and economic recession. Instead the party agreed to put off that decision for 30 days and leave it to the party executive committee, ensuring its unity behind its leader Michel Temer, who is Rousseff’s vice president. Party insiders said this gives the PMDB time to gauge the level of support in the country for the impeachment of Rousseff sought by opposition parties in Congress, which could put Temer in the presidential seat.
Sunday March 13, 2016
Kaieteur News
New disturbance at Trump rally as crucial Republican contests near
A supporter holds up a book to be signed by U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Cleveland, Ohio yesterday. REUTERS/Aaron Josefczyk Reuters - Secret Service agents rushed to protect U.S. Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump on stage during a disturbance at a rally yesterday, a day after rowdy protests shut down his event in Chicago. Trump briefly ducked at the podium and four Secret Service agents scrambled to surround him after a man apparently broke through a security perimeter near the stage at Dayton International Airport in Ohio. Agents then grabbed the man, dressed in a black tee shirt and jeans, and hauled him away. His motivation was not immediately clear, and Trump went on to finish his speech, but the incident further increased tension after Trump’s Chicago rally was abandoned amid chaotic scenes on Friday. Trump’s Republican rivals hurled scorn at the New York billionaire, saying he helped create the nervous atmosphere that is now sweeping the race for the
White House with his fiery rhetoric. Trump blamed supporters of Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders for the incidents in Chicago where scuffles broke out between protesters and backers of the real estate magnate. He called the U.S. senator from Vermont “our communist friend.” The scenes in Chicago follow a series of recent incidents of violence at Trump rallies, in which protesters and journalists have been punched, tackled and hustled out of venues, raising concerns about degrading security leading into the Nov. 8 election. “All of a sudden a planned attack just came out of nowhere,” Trump said in Dayton, describing the events in Chicago. He called the protest leaders there “professional people”. Sanders, hit back, describing Trump as “a candidate that has promoted hatred and division.” “As is the case virtually every day, Donald Trump is
showing the American people that he is a pathological liar. Obviously, while I appreciate that we had supporters at Trump’s rally in Chicago, our campaign did not organise the protests.” Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton said the rhetoric at Trump’s rallies is of “grave concern” and President Barack Obama told a fundraising event in Dallas, Texas that political leaders “should be trying to bring us together and not turning us against one another.” The months-long Republican race may be coming to a head at nominating contests on Tuesday where Trump is seeking victories that might give him an almost insurmountable lead for the nomination. Primaries in Florida and Ohio will be particularly important since they are winner-take-all states, where all Republican delegates are given to the winner of the popular vote instead of being awarded proportionally.
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Syria’s govt. says won’t discuss presidency at talks Reuters - Syria’s government yesterday ruled out any discussion of the presidency or presidential elections at peace talks and criticised the U.N. envoy overseeing next week’s negotiations. The opposition in turn accused Damascus of trying to stop the talks before they had started - an exchange that reflected the huge challenges facing diplomats trying to build on a ceasefire deal that has cut violence since Feb. 27. Foreign Minister Walid alMoualem confirmed his government’s participation in the talks but said they would fail if the opposition had “delusions that they will take
power in Geneva that they failed to take in battle”. He also heaped criticism on U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura for already presenting an agenda for the talks and for his comment that presidential elections would take place in 18 months. “The government delegation will reject any attempt to put this on the agenda,” Moualem said at the televised news conference. “We will not talk to anyone who talks about the position of the presidency ... I advise them that if this is their thinking, they shouldn’t come to the talks,” he said, addressing the opposition. The talks will coincide with next week’s fifth
anniversary of a war that has killed more than 250,000 people, created the world’s worst refugee crisis, and allowed for the expansion of the Islamic State group. It is part of the first diplomatic push since the Russian air force intervened in September to support President Bashar al-Assad, reshaping the war his way and helping Damascus reclaim significant areas in the west. The ceasefire agreement, brokered by the United States and Russia, has been more widely respected than many expected, though fighting has continued on some important frontlines, including near the Turkish border.
Islamic State using birth control to keep supply of sex slaves - NY Times Reuters - The Islamic State is using several forms of contraception to maintain its supply of sex slaves, the New York Times reported yesterday, citing interviews with more than three dozen Yazidi women who escaped from the militant group. The New York Times reported that Islamic State used “oral and injectable contraception, and sometimes both” to ensure that the women did not become pregnant and could be passed among the fighters. “In at least one case, a woman was forced to have an
abortion in order to make her available for sex, and others were pressured to do so,” the paper said. Islamic State militants consider the Yazidis to be devilworshippers. The Yazidi faith has elements of Christianity, Zoroastrianism and Islam. Most of the Yazidi population, numbering around half a million, remains displaced in camps inside the autonomous entity in Iraq’s north known as Kurdistan. Until late last year, some 5,000 Yazidi men and women were captured by the militants in the summer of 2014. Of those, around 2,000 had
managed to escape or been smuggled out of Islamic State’s self-proclaimed caliphate, activists said. The New York Times, citing a gynecologist who carried out the examinations, said that out of the more than 700 Yazidi rape victims who had gone to a United Nations-backed clinic in Iraq, only 5 percent had become pregnant during their enslavement. Dr. Nezar Ismet Taib, head of the Ministry of Health Directorate in Dohuk which oversees the clinic, said that number was much lower than expected, according to the newspaper.
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Sunday March 13, 2016
Venezuela opposition launches protests, Maduro counters Reuters - Venezuela’s opposition launched a new protest campaign yesterday to oust President Nicolas Maduro, but support was thin and the ruling Socialists countered it with their own “anti-imperialist” rally. Though thousands on both sides took to the streets of Caracas, neither march recalled the pa s s i o n a t e rallies of recent years, with many Venezuelans exhausted by an economic and social crisis that seems to be worsening. The opposition alliance is pursuing a multi-pronged strategy to oust Maduro via protests, a recall referendum or a constitutional amendment to cut his term.
They hope to capitalise on anger over a deep recession, triple-digit inflation and rampant insecurity. “Venezuela is in chaos ... more misery, more crime and more destruction,” said Ruth Briceno, 35, a law student among several thousand opposition supporters in wealthy east Caracas. Two years ago, the opposition mobilized tens of thousands of people in nationwide protests. For weeks, Venezuela’s streets were filled with tear gas and burning trash. Similar protests have begun in the western city of San Cristobal, where such rallies often start, though they have yet to hit the capital.
Opposition supporters take part in a rally against Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro’s government in Caracas, yesterday. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins
On the other side of Caracas, red-clad government supporters protested against U.S. President Barack Obama’s renewing of a decree sanctioning various Venezuelan officials. “We’re here to defeat Obama’s decree. It’s stupid,” said Raiza Sucre, 50, a state employee. She boarded a government-funded bus at midnight to arrive in Caracas at 5 a.m. (1000 GMT) for the
rally that also drew several thousand protesters. From a stage, speakers blasted out “Yankee Go Home” and a recording of the national anthem sung by former leader Hugo Chavez, who died of cancer in 2013, before Maduro gave a thundering speech blasting Obama and his domestic foes. “Let them come for me. Nobody’s giving up here!” Maduro said, before mocking
Henry Ramos, leader of the opposition-controlled legislature. “I imagine him in Miraflores (presidential palace.) My God, save us from that! There’d be a national insurrection a week later.” Lacking the charisma, oratory and financial muscle of his popular predecessor, Maduro has failed to draw out the crowds and enthusiasm of Chavez’s rule. The multi-party
opposition coalition, too, may struggle in its bid to get people out onto the streets after the 2014 protests failed to bring about change. “I was expecting more people today; we have to pressure this government to go,” said painter Rafael Araujo, 62, at the opposition event, holding a placard that read: “Resign before the people turn on you!”
Sunday March 13, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Perez, Rutherford, Castello slam centuries Raymond Perez, Sherfene Rutherford and Alvin Castello stroked centuries when the Georgetown Cricket Association/Noble House Sea Foods second division two-day tournament continued yesterday. At DCC, Perez and Rutherford dominated Ace Warriors bowling as they added 265 for the second wicket to guide the host to 302-2 declared, batting first. Perez struck 101 not out (12x4,1x6) off 77 balls, while Rutherford made 169 (28x4,4x6) off 74 balls. Ace Warriors were 49-5 at stumps in reply; Ashmead Nedd and Rutherford claimed two wickets each. At Malteenoes SC, Castello slammed 137 (15x4,7x6) to lift Third Class to 275-9 declared against the host. Yuvindra Ramnanan made 38. Shaquille Moseley and Dellon Darlymple took two wickets each. MSC were 140-1 in response at stumps. Marcus Watkins scored 60 while Joseph Cupidore is on 43 and Floyd Rollins on 30. At Eve Leary, St.
Sunday March 13, 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Lending and borrowing may be a problem. Try not to jump to conclusions. You're in the mood to spend time with your lover. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You will gain valuable insight and knowledge through the experiences you have along the way. Visitors may relieve the tension. Health problems may prevail if you don't take care of them immediately. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Visit friends you don't get to see that often. Don't be too quick to judge others. Do your job and then spend some time with family; you'll be glad you did. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Any intimate relationships with colleagues will lead to gossip that could easily affect your position. Do not get upset over trivial matters. Someone you care about may not be too pleased with you. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) This will not be the best day for communication or travel. Take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Risky ventures may turn in your favor. Those you live with may be experiencing problems.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Travel and entertaining conversation will be informative and uplifting. Romance could develop through social activities or short trips. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Concentrate on getting ahead financially and let your personal life settle down for a while. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Read between the lines when signing contracts. Someone you care about may not be too well. You must not make unnecessary changes today. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Don't let your personal partner hold you back. If you're single, get out there and you'll meet someone new. Take your time and try not to overload yourself. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Don't beat around the bush; state your case in plain and simple terms. You can clear up important legalities and sign contracts today. Be innovative. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Don't press your luck with your loved ones. Electrical problems may be an issue. Your sensitivity toward those you love will capture their hearts.
Stanislaus were sent packing for 68, taking first strike against Police. Vishal Jaigobin bagged five wickets. Police responded with 236-7 declared. Rawl Browne scored 55, Jason Heyliger 33, Jaigobin 32 and Fitzroy Culley 31. Batting a
second time, St. Stanislaus were 76-2 at the close, trailing by 92. At Everest, the host were dismissed for 111, taking first knock against Gandhi Youth Organisation. Shaheed Mohamed got 44. GYO were bowled out for 126 in reply with
Chris Deonarine scoring 55; Javed Rasheed captured five wickets and Akshaya Persaud two. (Zaheer Mohamed) The competition c o n t i n u e s t o d a y.
Hodge’s maiden ton put Hurricanes... (From page 75) very disappointing Saturday turnout of no more than 20 spectators enjoyed the strokes. Another cluster of dark clouds gathered over the stadium as Hamilton sweetly drove Refier for four but Beaton soon trapped him LBW for 20 to leave the Hurricanes on 267-5. The burly 23-year-old Rakeem Cornwall joined Hodge who passed his previous highest of 78 but with the score on 283 Cornwall (11) was well taken at second slip by Johnson driving at a wide ball off Barnwell. Jacques Taylor joined Hodge who stroked Permaul for four to move to 96 before Taylor (6) inexplicably played no shot to a ‘slider’ and was trapped plumb in front at 298-7. Hodge turned Bishoo for a single to post his first three figure score in his 43rd First-Class game since his debut in 2008. His century came in 361 minutes, 276 balls and was decorated with 12 fours. The 300 came in 109.1 overs and provided the Hurricanes their third and final batting point. Hodge (105) and Jeremiah Louis (10) then saw their team to Lunch at
319-7. After Lunch the pair extended their partnership to 40 with Louis taking most of the strike. Louis (18) pushed forward to Bishoo and Tagenarine Chanderpaul at silly mid-off took another sharp catch under the bat to leave the Hurricanes on 3388. Tonge got off the mark with a spanking boundary off Beaton who responded with a vicious bouncer which had Tonge awkwardly taking evasive action on a track which had become easy paced. Tonge clobbered Beaton back past his ankles and pulled him one-bounce over square-leg for boundaries in his next over forcing Johnson to replace Beaton with Barnwell as Leewards passed their highest total for the season of 3688 against Jamaica. Tonge danced into Bishoo and dumped him for six and pulled him for four two balls later. Hodge continued to bat solidly and allowed Tonge to be the aggressor as the 50run ninth wicket stand was posted from 63 balls with eight fours and a six. The 33year-old Tonge hammered Reifer over his head for a boundary as the Leewards
joined Guyana (twice) Barbados & T&T as the teams with 400 totals this season. The 400 took 826 balls and included 47 fours and five sixes. Tonge celebrated with a six and a four off Permaul as he closed in on his sixth FirstClass fifty. When two away from that landmark Tonge survived a confident caught behind appeal off Reifer. He soon reached his 50 from 55 balls, 82 minutes six fours and two sixes. After hitting Reifer for a straight six Tonge skied the ball ‘miles’ into air for Tagenarine Chanderpaul to hold a well judged catch running back from cover as Reifer struck after Tonge was put down at mid-on by Johnson off his bowling. Tonge’s 59 lasted 91 minutes, 63 balls and included six fours and three sixes and his demise left the Hurricanes on 429-9. The 91run ninth wicket stand was 17 short of the record (108) for this season set by Marlon Richards and Uthman Mohamed for T&T against Guyana at Providence last year. Reifer then had Joseph caught behind for a duck one run later leaving Hodge stranded on 149.
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Over 30 entries received so far for Guyana Cup Fever Horserace meet Over 30 entries has been received for the much anticipated Jumbo Jet organised, Guyana Cup Fever horserace
meet fixed for Sunday 27th March at the Rising Sun Turf Club. The seven race meet has
American Boss to face Just Call Me Boss, C.P Got Even and Score Even in feature event close to $8M in cash, trophies and other incentives up for
grabs with the feature event slated for horses classified A1 and lower for a winning purse of $1.2M. A look at the provisional programme will show the feature event is for horses classified A1 and Lower over 1400M for a winning take of $1.2million with a total purse of $2,200,000 and trophy. The event is expected to feature American Boss. The animal is an American bred horse with only one start in his career. The 3yr old Ya n k e e C o l t o u t o f U S stakes winner, Hat-trick, ran a good second in that meet at the Rising Sun Turf club, finishing behind Storm Bird. The connections of the Jumbo Jet stable have decided to push it up in class to compete in the A class where it is expected to compete with top horses such as Just Call
Me Bass, C.P Got Even, and Score’s Even among others. For now the Bass will start as favourite having defeated everybody and chalked up four straight wins at the RSTC. It’s my Choice; a 4yr old Trinidadian bred horse out of the Jumbo Jet Stable is coming back after a long layoff and will be competing in the F class event. The winning take is $600,000 and trophy over 1400M. There is an 1100M event for West Indies bred three year old animals for a top prize of $400,000 and trophy. The G2 and lower 1400M match up will see the animals racing for a winning pocket of $400,000 and trophy. The Guyana Bred three year old maiden horses will have a chance at competing
for the first prize of $300,000 and trophy over 1100M. Animals classified H3 and lower will be racing for a winning package of $ $250,000 and trophy. The final event will be for animals classified J1 and lower over 1100M for a pole position taking of $200,000 and trophy. The events will be held under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority. The Jumbo Jet stable having to play second fiddle to the Shariff Stable for the last few meets has rehired veteran trained ‘Black Boy’ Ramroop and will be looking to impress since the stable had some poor performances of late. A part from the riveting horses race meet expected on the track the organizers will be distributing free kites to children. Interested persons can contact Chandu Ramkissoon (624-9063 or 232-0633), Irshad Mohammed on 664-1650, Fazal Habibulla on telephone no 657-7010, Ramnauth 337- 5311 or 6971979 Campton Sancho on 6900569 and Rajendra “Jim-Jo” Jagdeo on 618-7278 for entry and information. The coordinator is Nazrudeen Jumbo Jet Mohammed Jr. (Samuel Whyte)
Sunday March 13, 2016
PCL FirstClass cricket By Sean Devers in Antigua In association with Care Cottages Antigua & Noble House Seafoods A maiden unbeaten 149 from 28-year-old Montcin Hodge highlighted the second day of the ninth round PCL First-Class four-day cricket match between Leewards Hurricanes and Guyana Jaguars at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium yesterday. Hodge faced 392 balls, 513 minutes and reached the boundary 17 fours in his 149 not out. He got support from Gavin Tonge (59), Kieran Powell (55), Daron Cruickshank (43), Keacy Carty (33) and Skipper Orlando Peters (29) all got starts as the Hurricanes reached 430, their highest total for the sea-
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Hodge’s maiden ton puts Hurricanes in charge son. Chris Barnwell (2-68), Veerasammy Permaul (2-77), Ronsford Beaton (2-82), Raymon Reifer (2-83), Devendra Bishoo (2-115) shared the wickets for the Jaguars who ended the day on 61-3 from 35 overs. Rajendra Chandrika got off the mark with an edge off Alzarri Joseph, being given caught behind off the West Indies under-19 speedster but the ball seemed to have touched only his pad and the Jaguars were 6-1. Leon Johnson, who along with his team-mate Vishaul Singh are the only batsmen with 600 runs, was next to go at 23-2 when he was stupendously taken down the leg-side by Jahmar Hamilton off Tonge for 12. Tagenarine Chanderpaul laboured for 79 balls and 114 minutes for 13 runs. The 19-year-old lefthander got himself bogged down before he was caught
behind in the 28th over at 523. Night watchman Bishoo (2) joined Singh who has so far faced 65 balls for his 20, and together they played in a watchful manner to remain unbeaten at the end of the day with the Jaguars 369 runs adrift of the Hurricanes total. Earlier, the Jaguars struck with the first ball of the day when pacer Beaton induced Peters (29) to edge a catch to Keeper Anthony Bramble before the Hurricanes had added to their overnight score of 237-3. But at the completion of Reifer over, a short sharp shower sent the players scampering off the field and caught the ground-staff completely off-guard with the score 43-4 after two overs. The sun returned in all of its glory and play resumed after a 26-minute stoppage with Hodge and Jahmar Hamilton, the only Leewards batsman with a century before
this round, at the crease. Hamilton square drove Beaton for four before bringing up the 250 in 537 minutes
Jaguars 61-3 in reply to Hurricanes’ 430 and a second batting point for the hosts with a cover driven
boundary off Reifer and the (Continued on page 73)
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Pacesetters, Raiders set up G/town vs. Linden semi-final showdown tonight
CMRC Champion Kristian Jeffrey coming for ‘Race of Champions’ Meet
-Mackeson Road to Mecca III reaches Final Four
-Father Kevin working hard to finish preparations
By Edison Jefford Pacesetters and Linden’s Retrieve Raiders set up a semi-final showdown tonight with respective quarterfinal wins in the National Basketball Championships: Mackeson Road to Mecca III at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Raiders were the first team to qualify for tonight’s Final Four clash, which begins at 7pm, with a 69-61 win against Victory Valley Royals Friday night. Raiders’ ‘big men’ bulldozed Royals with centre, Jason Alonzo putting up 25 points and 11 rebounds and forward, Dwayne Roberts scoring 23 points and 10 rebounds for doubledoubles. Royals’ forward, Harold Adams finished with 12 points and nine rebounds while guard, Marlon Pollydore and Ron Beckles both had nine points. Both Chris Williams and Orlando Glasgow had off-nights, which affected Royals’ offence. In the second game of the
night, Pacesetters defeated Linden’s Half Mile Bulls 8879 with guard, Travis Burnett unleashing a brutal offensive assault that proved unstoppable. Burnett dumped in 31 points and dished nine assist to lead Pacesetters to the Final Four. Shooting guard, Stephon Gillis was clinical from threepoint range. He made five big shots in his 19 points. Forward, Randy Richardson, a double-double machine, completed another one with 15 points and 16 rebounds. For Bulls, shooting guard, Keifer Tappin scored 19 points while guards Terron Welch and Kevin Easton had 13 and 10 points respectively. Tappin made a huge three-point jumper late in the fourth quarter that helped Bulls pull within five (76-81) before Easton followed up with another jumper from beyond the arc to give them real hope. However, turnover after turnover kept Bulls out of contention in crunch-time as Burnett finished easy plays.
Earlier in the game, Welch had helped Bulls to 11-7 lead midway through the first quarter, but Gillis nailed back-to-back three-point jumpers to regain the advantage. Pacesetters went on a 133 run to close out the first quarter leading 20-15; Gillis shot Pacesetters to a halftime 45-36 lead. Burnett continued to score at will in third period, putting Pacesetters up 55-43 with a classic baseline layup. Pacesetters maintained their offensive advantage throughout the last half of the game and scratch marked Welch which made it difficult for him to score. Welch had poured in a massive 39 points in his first game. Pacesetters played excellent defence on him. Defending champions, Pacesetters and Linden’s number one ranked Raiders will play for a place in Saturday’s Final tonight. The two teams will play in the feature game at 9pm. The other Super Eight clash was held last night with the winners playing in the first game tonight from 7pm at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Harris, Ramsammy star in Eccles... (From page 77) Uprising a fair start but after P e r s a u d w e n t for 13 and Ally for 35 (3x4, 1x6), the rest of t h e b a tting failed to give support with the exception
of B a k s h w h o m a d e 3 9 ( 3 x 9 ) a n d Te e k a r a m George 1 4 . K e v i n P l a n t z c l a i m e d 2 - 0, Kevlin Singh 2-8, Mark Roopchand 2-12, Harris 2-20 and Barker 2-21.
At Laluni, rain stopped play after Herstelling A were 114-8, batting first against Sandpipers. The competition continues today with Laluni hosting Herstelling B.
Motor racing fans that missed the chance to see the Caribbean’s best driver perform at last year’s season ending Caribbean Motor Racing Championship (CMRC) will have the opportunity to witness young superstar Kristian Jeffrey in action next Sunday. Jeffrey, who totally destroyed his opponents in the CMRC, last year, will be coming in from Canada this week to race in the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club National ‘Race of Champions’ Meet, at the South Dakota Circuit. Currently the most dominant racer in the region, Jeffrey, who drives a Mitsubishi Evolution VIII sponsored by Fly Jamaica and Stag Beer, will be aiming for a spot on the
Guyana team to travel to Jamaica for the opening leg of the CMRC so there is every motivation for him to produce a typical scorching performance for the fans. The young daredevil has become the talk within the Caribbean after obliterating the regional records and dominating strong fields in two short years during which time he has won back to back titles as well as the youngest champion. Jeffrey’s rise to the top of regional motor racing, though it has been quick, came as no surprise to many who’ve followed his career in the sport. He was once the karting champion and his adroitness as a racer was honed through many years of karting and
shared experienced from his father Kevin, also a top driver in the CMRC. The youthful racer is a born and bred sportman, having represented Guyana in Squash as well and was among the best locally and regionally so his fitness level and dexterity would have been enhanced by his participation in that too. One characteristic about his driving is that he is an exciting racer and fun to watch and leaves everything on the track. Meanwhile, his father Kevin told this newspaper that he is racing against the clock to finish work on his machine, but assured that the team is working hard to get him on the starting grid.
II Peru Junior Under-19 International Badminton Championships 2016
Guyana win two bronze medals in boys doubles
The Guyanese Top Doubles Pair of Sunburst Champion Narayan Ramdhani and Jonathan Mangra brought home Bronze Medals in the Under-19 Boys Doubles at The II Peru Under-19 Junior International World Ranking Tournament held in Lima Peru at the Regatas Club Badminton Courts March 8-11, 2016. The Local boys preformed extremely well at this high level Tournament which could only have carried their
experience & development even further. In the Semi-Finals Boys Doubles Playoff Narayan Ramdhani & Jonathan Mangra lost in a three setter to Peru’s Rodrigo Camogliano Telge & Nicolas Macias with Guyana winning the first game: 21-18, and loosing the next two: 921, 16-21. The GBA is happy to have started out the Year 2016 on a good note of medaling at the first international we participated in and
look forward to continue along this path, a release from the association stated. Gratitude was expressed to the GOA, NSC, Yellow Mining & Bounty Farm for making it possible for the players to bring home medals for Guyana. A Junior 10-Member Team will now be prepare for the Suriname Easter Junior Under-15 & 19 International Championships to be held in Paramaribo from March 25-27.
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Harris, Ramsammy star in Eccles victory O u t s t a n d i n g performances by Stephen Harris and Mark Ramsammy guided Eccles to a comfortable 90-run victory over Uprising when the East Bank Demerara Cricket Association 50-over
tournament continued yesterday. Harris and Ramsammy resurrected their team innings with a fifth wicket stand of 105 after they lost some early wickets, batting first at Farm. Harris timed
EBFA / Stag Senior League
Agricola, Diamond, Kuru Kururu and Soesdyke face off
Roger Dey The second day of the STAG / East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Senior League today will see potentially mouthwatering match-ups as teams seek to gain the advantage towards the top prize and bragging r i g h t s . Agricola Red Triangle which finished second to defending champions Grove Hi Tech in the last league will open their bid against Diamond United which placed sixth of the eight clubs last time around. The opening game features a clash between the Timehri based Soesdyke Falcons which placed third last time around coming up against Kuru Kururu Warriors which placed fifth. Leading the charge for the Wa r r i o r s w o u l d b e midfielder Cordel Johnson who ended as the third highest goal scorer with 10 goals in the 2015 league. Johnson will find able support in the form of forward Ryan Scott, Ethan Sparman (GK), Mario DeFreitas, Allen O’Selmo, Christopher Alleyne and Michael Charles in midfield along with defenders Kevon Walker, Christopher Fraser, Joseph Walker and Michael C a r r i n g t o n . Soesdyke will be fielding side made up of junior and senior players including the likes of Troy Johnson, Morrison Joseph, Kelsey Benson, Roger Dey, Roy
Cordell Johnson
Gordon Grant Garraway, Darwin Boston, Shannon Samnauth, Seon Davis, Alvin Adams, Tyrell Khan, Kevin Sobers and J o h n S e a l e s . Gordon Grant, who finished with 15 goals, second highest to Domini Garnett, the former Grove Hi Tech player who netted 21, will lead Agricola’s attack along with Winston Rollins, Devon Jeffers, Kacy John, Jermaine Frank and Collis S a m u e l s . Diamond United, their opponent must not be taken lightly as they too will be coming with a winning mindset. Diamond will depend on Eon Glen, Jermaine Leacock, Troy Forde, Eon Simon, Dellon Simon, Pernel July, Kronos Solomon, Nathaniel Paul and Orlando Bollers to lead their charge for an upset win. Game time is 13:30hrs.
the ball well, hitting eight fours and seven sixes before he was dismissed for 80, while Ramsammy stroked
six fours and three sixes in scoring 48. Daniel Barker got 26 and Lennie Pancham 13 as Eccles posted 227-9 off
their reduced 30 overs. Mohamed Baksh grabbed 331 and Harrinauth Pooran 324.
Irfan Ally and Kishan Persaud added 45 for the opening stand to give (Continued on page 76)
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EBFA / Ralph Green U-11 League Palm Court hosts Heineken UEFA Jones’ brace leads Grove Hi Champions League Promotion Tech past Diamond United Grove Hi Tech opened their quest for top honours in the Ralph Green sponsored East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Under-11 League on a positive note when the registered a 2-1 win over Diamond yesterday at the Grove Playfield. Captain Tyrese Jones netted either side of the 30 minute contest to guide his side to full points in the Group A clash. Five minutes into the match, Jones worked his way from the defensive end into the Diamond United box before smartly lobbing the ball over the head of the Diamond goalkeeper, Kemary Gittens. The first half ended with Grove in the lead by a single goal even as Diamond enjoyed a few good moments. The trend of dominance continued for the home team in the second half with Jones doubling the lead in the 18th minute from a free kick just outside the area on the left side. Shaka Braithwaite (second, left) collects his Heineken UEFA-branded Diamond never stopped trying even football from Heineken Brand Manager, Robert Hiscock in the presence though they were trailing and were rewarded of Heineken models at Palm Court Friday night. with a consolation goal in the 26th minute, Heineken’s Union of across Guyana. Foosball competitions at Jael Ross’ shot beating goalkeeper Romesh European Football Heineken Brand various bars in the Heineken Persaud to his left. The goal sparked celebrations from the A s s o c i a t i o n s ( U E FA ) Manager, Robert Hiscock UCL Series where they will Champions League (UCL) made the presentation and be given the opportunity to Diamond team with Ross somersaulting to 2016 Promotion continued told Kaieteur Sport that the enjoy the final stages of the celebrate. Soon after the final whistle sounded and Grove came away victors 2-1. Friday night at Palm Court, brand will continue to UEFA Champions League. Main Street, with Shaka support Guyanese passion This year’s promotion, Friendship took full points from Agricola Braithwaite beating Kurt for football in this Golden like last year’s, will end with Red Triangle which failed to show up for Baboolall in a Foosball Jubilee year. “Guyana is a massive final viewing party their match-up. Competition. extremely passionate about at a date to be announced. It B r a i t h w a i t e w o n a football,” he said. promises to be biggest one limited edition Heineken Heineken is a longto-date given the special UEFA-branded football after standing sponsor of the significance of Guyana’s w i n n i n g 5 - 0 a g a i n s t Champions League, and as 50th Anniversary Baboolall. Foosball is a table such, the brand has kicked off Celebrations. The purchase assimilation of football, and its annual local promotion in of buckets of Heineken gives is again a part of Heineken’s Guyana. Customers across participants the chance to U E F A 2 0 1 6 S e r i e s Guyana will have the chance win prizes in the Foosball Promotion at selected bars to take part in similar competition.
Tyrese Jones It was the second win for Friendship which had defeated defending champions Herstelling Raiders in the competition’s first match on March 5th. Matches will continue this Saturday at the same venue.
Sunday March 13, 2016
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STAG Elite League – FINALE
Slingerz motors on with win over Conquerors; Alpha salvage draw against GDF By Franklin Wilson Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United managed to salvage a draw against the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) while Bakewell Slingerz on account of goals either side of play continued their m a r c h t o w a r d s championship honours when the STAG Elite League FINALE continued on Friday evening last with round 5 matches at the GDF ground, Camp Ayangana. Contesting the feature match, Alpha United had to pull out all the stops to come away with an equal share of the points against the nippy GDF side which took the lead in the 14th minute through a well executed shot off the boot of Delroy Fraser. Right side midfielder Jeffery Perreira headed the ball into the path of the onrushing Fraser who eased his way between two Alpha defenders before he unleashed a powerful right
foot shot that rocketed past Alex Murray who stood between the uprights for Alpha. Alpha were without the services of Anthony Abrams, Anthony Benfield and Shavane Seaforth who all attracted red cards in their previous match against Slingerz. The intensity of that match on Wednesday night and the fact that the players had little or no time to recover before Friday’s encounter took its toll on the legs of the Alpha players. Both Slingerz and Fruta Conquerors also faced a similar scenario. GDF held the upper hand against the former number one side in Guyana with their nippy style of play keeping the Alpha players vigilant as ever as they sought to keep up. Alpha were finally able to neutralize the GDF’s advantage when their leading marksman, Delon
Lanferman latched on to one that he finished clinically in the 57th minute much to the relief of his teammates and Technical staff. The draw for Alpha saw them maintaining third place in the points standings on 8 points, one more than the Army in fourth place. Slingerz FC continued their unbeaten run with their fifth win in as many matches in the FINALE even as Conquerors had their chances to score but were not able to convert. Smart thinking by Vurlon Mills 36 minutes into the battle produced the opening goal in an otherwise tight clash. The ball was passed deep into the Conquerors area and while goalkeeper, Derrick Carter and a defender were both hesitant as to who should go for the ball, split second thinking from Mills saw him attacking the ball and heading past the flat footed Carter.
Action in the GDF vs Alpha United match. As the exchanges continued and Conquerors muffed their chances, Slingerz continued their search for another goal which came off the boot of another consistent player, a tormentor of many defences, Trayon Bobb in the 65th minute.
That goal put the sealer on the match for Slingerz now riding five points clear at the top of the points table on 15, Conquerors remaining on 10 points in second place. With two more matches to play, Slingerz seems destined for another title in
their short but exciting history so far. Round five matches were set to conclude last night at the #5 ground, West Coast, Berbice where home team Monedderlust opposed Buxton United and GFC faced Pele.
Milo Under-20 Schools Football Competition
Today’s quarter-finals a must see for scouts, fans To d a y ’ s r o u n d o f quarter-final matches in this year ’s Milo Under-20 Schools Football Competition is anticipated to provide enthralling action for fans, at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue. In the opening fixture at 11:00 hrs, Christ Church square off against South Ruimveldt and this encounter should provide the fireworks needed to get the day going with the outcome proving to be a difficult proposition. Rahul Alpin, Wainwright Adams and Shamar Carrington were the players on target for Christ Church in their previous game so it is automatic that they are ones that the team will be relying on to duplicate their last performance. They key to South Ruimveldt’s hunt for a place in the semi-finals rest on the display of Cecil Jackman, whose performance in their previous match was instrumental in the victory.
Part of the action in this year’s Milo Under-20 Schools Football Competition.
What more could be said about the game to follow between Lodge and Dolphin which rightfully could be looked at as the match of the day. Lodge, a former champion of the tournament, is expected to have in its line-up players the calibre of Shamar Smith, Frank King, Simeon Hackett and Leon Blake and this quartet is an explosive one and thwarting their goalscoring proficiency will require some robust and concentrated defending to
stop. On the other hand, Dolphin, beaten finalist last year, have make it no secret since the start of this year ’s competition that they intend to return to the championship round and win it all and the truth is that they’ve looked untroubled to date so Lodge will have to be at their best to obstruct their forward thrust. The prolific Shawn Mohammed, Leon R i c h a r d s o n a n d Ry a n Dowding will obviously have a say in their pursuit of
victory. In the third game of the day, defending champion Chase Academic Foundation opposes North Georgetown and while the latter impressed in their 4-2 win over St. John’s College in the Round of Sixteen segment, many believe that the reigning title holder ’s offensive firepower may prove too much for their opponent. Kelsey Benjamin, Rayn Hackett and Sunil Logan, goalscoerers in their previous encounter have looked irrepressible when on
the attack and could again dominate proceedings. On the other hand, North Georgetown’s Nehemiah Gomes has been lethal throughout the campaign and he has already shown what a one-man wrecking crew he could be, while support for his exploits could come from Daniel Nedd, Osafo Nedd and Christopher Wa d d e l l . T h e Q u e e n ’s College versus Bishop’s High is a game that has all the hallmarks of a blockbuster with bragging rights from all reports the central theme in this clash. These two schools have always looked for ways to dominate each other and today’s meeting is another opportunity for one of them to do so and with the expected huge outpouring of supporters from the respective camps the arena could be a sellout. Captain of Bishop’s High Shemar Britton, who is a former student of Queen’s College, will be at the helm of their pursuit of a place in
the semi-final and as usual his calm temperament will be integral to the team’s chances of advancing. Marquee player Lloyd Anderson, who netted the key goal to eliminate the highly-touted St. Rose High, is the main threat and everything hinges on how well he performs. Queen’s College who survived a penalty shootout against Tucville will hope to improve their individual and collective performances against Bishop’s High. Kevin Wills and Michael Hinter have been two of the key players in their setup and will no doubt be the ones that they depend on to lead them to victory. The full fixtures are seen below: 11:00 hrs South Ruimveldt versus Christ Church 12:30 hrs Lodge School vs. Dolphin 14:00 hrs Chase Academic Foundation vs. North Georgetown 15:30 hrs Bishop’s High vs. Queen’s College
t r o Sp
Pacesetters, Raiders set up G/town vs. Linden semi-final showdown tonight -Mackeson Road to Mecca III reaches Final Four
Pacesetters and national point guard, Travis Burnett (left) beats Bulls’ Michael Turner and Kevin Easton to the rim Friday night for an easy lay-up at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
CMRC Champion Kristian Jeffrey coming for ‘Race of Champions’ Meet
II Peru Junior Under-19 International Badminton Championships 2016
Guyana win two bronze medals in boys doubles
-Father Kevin working hard to finish preparations (Flashback)-CMRC champion Kristian Jeffrey (left) and father Kevin pose with his Mitsubishi Evolution VIII at the South Dakota Circuit.
Narayan Ramdhani & Jonathan Mangra of Guyana pose following their bronze medals in Boys Doubles at the II Peru junior U-19 international.
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