Sunday March 27, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Vincent Alexander says these students are misleading readers
Hamilton Green is like the moon; daybreak will come
DEAR EDITOR, Marcus’ entry into the arena on the denial of grades to students-at-law ( Cox, Marcus and Mustapha ) warrants a response if only to debunk Marcus’ misrepresentation of what is “full registration”. At the University of Guyana, a student only becomes eligible for full registration when he or she has paid the requisite fees. It therefore stands to reason that based on the information provided by Marcus, one can only conclude that they were not fully registered and not entitled to write examinations and or receive results for examinations which they were not entitled to write. The registration process required three acts by the University: recommendation by the Department, endorsement by the Assistant Dean and approval by the Assistant Registrar, Admissions. Only after all three of those sequential acts are completed can a student be deemed to be fully registered. The first
two acts focus on the academic preconditions for registration. They seek to determine the student’s eligibility for the courses for which he or she proposes to be registered. The Assistant Registrar confirms the correctness of the recommendation and endorsement and upon the determination and payment of the requisite fees approves the registration. The latter act never occurred in their cases. Marcus further argues that they were never told that they could not, or should not, have written the examinations which they were clearly not entitled to write, though they had not completed payment and consequentially were not registered. To write a final examination at UG, one is required to be issued with an examination slip which clearly indicates the examinations which one is entitled to write; and is the basis for entry into the examination. They were never issued such slips. In addition, the University
published in prominent places and on official notice broads, around the campus, the prohibition that ‘no one who had not completed registration and had not been issued an examination slip should present him/her for any examination’. They cannot claim ignorance of these stipulations, since they had all, previously, completed programmes at the University and would have undertaken and met those requirements, umpteen times. In fact, it is because of their prior attendance at, and graduation from, the University and their noncompliance with the loan repayment schedule that they were being denied access to new loans, for new programmes. The bottom line is, they did not pay their fees which they indicated they would have paid by way of loans. The case of Cox will be used as an actual illustration of what occurred. Cox is a former government sponsored student-at-law, Continued on page 6
President Granger doesn’t have the courage to remove Lawrence DEAR EDITOR, Allow me the opportunity to commend the number of organisations which have publicly taken the position on the unacceptability of Volda Lawrence continuing to hold the position of Minister of Social Protection following her disturbing statements in relation to the APNU-AFC candidate Harding scandal. Their publicly stated position certainly lends credence to the authenticity of those organisations rather than merely being an anti-PPP outfit parading as an ostensibly bi-partisan one. Over the last ten months, the noted and noticeable silence of what were once the most vocal organisations and who were once the most selfrighteous purported political actors when the PPP was in office has unmasked their true identify of being an unavowed anti-PPP antagonists. With reference to my letter published on the 18th day of March, 2016, where, inter alia, I identified Lawrence’s incompetence and condemned the shameless perceived use of her ministerial position for partisan political purposes in breach of the oath of office she swore to before God, I stopped short of calling for Lawrence to be fired for two reasons.
first, one would expect that in light of the revelations and public outrage even among the APNU-AFC supporters any person with a single fibre of moral rectitude would, on their own volition, resign immediately. Having said that, that expectation ought to be tempered with an ample dose of reality check when we consider the fact that Lawrence waited a very long time to finally obtain a ministerial position so it
would be extremely unlikely that she would resign especially with the recent increase of ministerial salary of nearly $1m per month and perks amounting to several more millions. The love of money and power has a remarkable way of clouding the lens of personal penitence. Second, the area of ministerial appointment and, of course, disappointment is entirely the president’s Continued on page 6
DEAR EDITOR, One can only watch in amazement at the pivot if not the pirouette by the 82 year old Hamilton Green as he undertakes his new responsibilities as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Central Housing and Planning Authority, (CHPA). This Octogenarian has moved from presiding over and condoning every conceivable misconduct and transgression by his fellow Councillors and Officers at the Georgetown Municipality for the last 22 years to now being the picture of moral rectitude as the Chairman by demanding the highest standards of professionalism and accountability from the staffers at the CHPA. But then again one should not be too surprised, as in the past he moved from being a strong man and hatchet man to a Moral and Spiritual Revivalist. Since 1994 after Green became the Mayor of the capital with much pomp and fanfare, there has been an explosion of illegal vending, both itinerant and fixed on the pavements of law abiding and taxpaying business owners. This was encouraged by him because he considered it politically expedient, counting on the vendors for votes to support his failed attempt at the national elections and then later using them to protest against a former Town Clerk with whom he had a running battle. This situation allowed the City Constabulary to have a field day, shaking down vendors all over the city. These constables made
millions for themselves and their superiors. The then Mayor also allowed Building Inspectors from the City Engineer’s Department to first draw building plans for new homeowners in the city, and then turn around and approve the very plans they and their colleagues drew, a clear conflict of interest. He also allowed these inspectors to turn a blind eye to all the serious violations of the building codes and municipal by laws in the city.
One would have to be blind not to see the illegal covering of drains, construction of pavements, additions and renovations to buildings that go too close to fences, buildings going up without proper foundations leaning soon after, a threat to nearby buildings, the burgeoning of commercial entities in residential areas, something that he could rectify now as Chairman of CHPA. But it did not end with the Officer Corps, but continued with his colleague Councillors Continued on page 6
DEAR EDITOR, What an interesting political “Providential” situation in the year of our “Historic Golden Jubilee of Independence”, with the attendance of our fine ‘daughter of the soil’ actress, C.C. H Pounder, attending the celebrations in New York. Since my husband spent much of his childhood in the Providence district, has fond memories of the area, and his father was head of the primary
school there during and after the war, we discuss the present ‘situation’ daily. We have concluded that Guyana can now be regarded as famous for yet another wrong reason - we have our own ‘Providencegate’ or, shortened, ‘Provigate’ - we prefer the shortened form. “The best laid plans of mice and men...”. One wonders what the former US President Carter now think? Geralda Dennison
Memories of Providence, EBD
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Sunday March 27, 2016
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Vincent Alexander says these... The Town Clerk enumerates From page 5 who failed to graduate from the UWI-UG law programme. He subsequently completed a BA at UG. He then applied and gained entry to read for a degree in Law. He proposed to pay by loan and upon application to the Loan Agency was granted a loan on condition that he paid monthly installments either for an outstanding loan or the current loan, since he might have passed the statutory age for accessing a loan. He defaulted on that agreement, hence he was not granted a loan in his second year. He approached the Assistant Registrar who gave him an extended deadline to pay his fee. He defaulted on that arrangement and for the two latter academic years of the programme never completed registration, including the non-payment of fees. He, however, in defiance
of all of the University’s lawful notifications to all students, on the stipulations with regard to being registered as a perquisite to attending examinations, and in the face of his own prior experience and knowledge, proceeded to sit examinations with the facilitation of officials who were well aware of their wrong doing. At the end of the third year when the Examinations Division refused to release the grades for examinations unauthorizedly/ conspiratorially sat, Cox approached me for a resolution to the matter. He was offered advice on a payment arrangement that the University was prepared to entertain but never responded to the offer. He however kept badgering the University for the release of ill-gained grades and some three years after the University had
closed the case came forward with a belated letter from Mr. Rekha ( Finance Secretary) to the effect that the Loan Agency was then prepared to issue loans, retroactively. The University had already determined, and had maintained, that the case was closed. The circumstances of his colleagues were pretty much the same, in principle. Marcus and Mustapha had less and lesser, respectively, degrees of interaction with the University as they pursued their cases in the political corridors and piggy backed on Cox’s pursuit, as is the case, even now. I have avoided being judgmental in this missive. I have laid the facts bare and will continue to rely on the chips falling where they may, be it administratively or juridically. I derive no joy from the foolhardiness of this matter. Vincent Alexander
From page 5 domain so the decision to fire or not fire Lawrence is more a reflection of the moral composition of Granger than a reflection of Lawrence’s depravity since the buck always stops with the president. That being so, it is extremely unlikely that Granger will fire Lawrence because he simply does not have the political capital or
personal courage to so do. Consequently, and on instruction, the issue will be downplayed by the government and many of their supporters who disagree will simply stay quiet. The most obvious question illuminating the visceral hypocrisy is what would have been the reaction were it a PPP/C minister who made those statements?
In any event, the inevitable consequence of the axe remaining in stasis is a continued destruction of the APNU-AFC legitimacy in government. But more importantly, however, it is the children of Guyana who will pay the ultimate penalty for Granger’s inevitable decision not to fire Lawrence. Charles S. Ramson MP (PPP)
President Granger doesn’t have...
Hamilton Green is like the moon... From page 5 where one was well known for selling putrid and stolen meat, a violation of public health regulations, whilst another waived interest on property taxes illegally and broke all tender board procedures in approving purchases, whilst many others had their relatives
employed or contracted with the Council, a clear case of nepotism, all of which the then Mayor was fully aware but did nothing. Fast forwarding the tape we now see Green halting the building of turnkey homes, launching a number of investigations in several transactions by the entity,
sending home key officials of the CHPA, demanding all sorts of information and records. What is up with Green and this epiphany? Why did he not do the same at City Hall? There is an old Guyanese saying ‘Moon ah run till daylight ketch am’. Mark Roopan
his achievements
DEAR EDITOR, Over the last eight months, we have witnessed the swift transformation of the city of Georgetown. But we need to push the boundaries of possibilities at the Mayor and City Council for sustainable development of our local communities and city. Ugly, smelly, flies-infested garbage heaps, clogged waterways, dirty alleyways, unkempt parapets, and impassable roadways have disappeared from most of our local communities. Our environment is breathing again and the threat posed by certain nuisances and environmental negatives to our public health has been almost eliminated from our local communities. Georgetown is now an amazing place and its beauty continues to unfold as we continue to clean and green every part of it. Of course, individuals, with their own agendas, will continue to find fault and be critical of our efforts; it is part of the democratic process, and we appreciate it. Nonetheless, our responsibility, at city council, is to stay resolutely on course, to be professional mindful of our commitment to deliver quality service to all citizens of Georgetown. This is our mandate. However, assertive collective actions by the city council have facilitated important changes in the city. These were necessary to reverse the negative trends which were restricting the socio economic and cultural development of this great city and depressing the morale of staff at the municipality. All of our municipal buildings were dilapidated, in some cases, unsafe, that has changed. The buildings, in City Hall compound, which allow the operations of our Engineers and their technical staff and the City Constabulary have
been restored. These works have significantly enhanced the operations of those departments and sections concerned. As a result, it is anticipated that revenues from those departments will increased by about four percent. We are now working on repairing the accommodations for our attendants at our sluices. This is a vital service area. Also, we are repairing the building that facilitates our public health clinic, for hundreds of mothers and infants, in Albouystown. Our engineers are repairing the Municipal Training Complex and will begin works shortly on the Mayoral Complex. Within another two months, we will begin to construct a new building, at City Hall compound, to house and facilitate our administrative and some operational departments. This is necessary to permit the commencement of works on City Hall Building, and to organize and coordinate the specific and general operations of the Georgetown municipality. In our commercial areas, our technical teams have been engaged in building works at the Kitty Market. This has several benefits including: community reputation and image, enhancement of local cultures, social interactions and economic development. In addition, it is anticipated to increase market revenue by a modest six percent when it is reopened in another few months. So it is an investment by the council. We are also working to make ‘Bourda Green’, at Bourda Market, a double decker Municipal Business Centre with allowances for drive through arrangements and parking. And to refurbish East Ruimveldt and La Penitence Markets. These are likely to increase overall market revenue by more than twenty five percent and total revenue of the council by a noticeable percentage. On the soft side, we have been restoring open green spaces, playgrounds and recreational facilities for our
children, youths and senior citizens. These spaces facilitate social enhancement, cohesive community development, promotion of cultural and sporting activities. We are now restoring our Promenade Gardens e, repairing its bandstand and reactivating all of its fountains. We are creating a space second to none in this city for environmental health and beauty. Going forward, administration believes that the city needs to see its operations to deliver quality service to citizens from two frames- the ‘new green thinking’ and globalization. Perhaps, the single- most significant phenomenon that is influencing this green thinking is Global warming and climate change. This has ushered in unprecedented and very troubling challenges to environmental and public health. Shifting patterns of rainfall and other unpredictable and unprecedented climatic conditions are affecting ways in which homes, local communities and cities are organized and even how individuals carry out basic routine chores on a daily basis. Rainforests releasing more of CO2 as regions become drier, oxygen poor ocean zones are growing, very serious and extensive vegetation die- off as a result of warmer droughts, ocean acidification- heavy negative impact on marine ecosystems with threat to fish populations are just a few of the new environmental situations which are affecting our lifestyles. These changes are affecting the way human society interacts with the natural environment. This has encouraged studies into linkages between environmental conditions and certain public health problems. Increase in mosquito borne diseases such as Malaria and Dengue Fever, and increased heat stress in humans and other mammals with consequences on personal health. Town Clerk City of Georgetown
Sunday March 27, 2016
Kaieteur News
Pakistan, Iran aim to boost trade to $5 billion
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (R) shakes hands with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani at the Prime Minister’s house in Islamabad, Pakistan, in this March 25, 2016 handout photo. REUTERS/Press Information Department(PID)/Handout via Reuters
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) Pakistan and Iran aim to increase annual trade volumes between the two countries to $5 billion by 2021, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said yesterday. Sharif spoke at a business conference with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who arrived in Islamabad on Friday for two-day talks focused on increasing Pakistan’s electricity imports from Iran, boosting trade relations and reviving plans for a gas pipeline between the two countries. “In the five years strategic action plan signed yesterday we have aimed at boosting our bilateral trade to the level of US Dollars five billion by 2021,” Sharif said. “More land routes for trade on our border, trade exhibitions, industrial and
agricultural cooperation and mutual recognition of standards will boost trade.” Trade between Pakistan and Iran fell to $432 million in 2010-11 from $1.32 billion in 2008-09, according to the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, after western powers imposed sanctions on Tehran aimed at halting a nuclear program they suspected was aimed at developing a nuclear bomb. Most of the sanctions were lifted in January in return for Iran complying with a deal to curb its nuclear ambitions. “Iran has the capability to help the development of the economic infrastructure of Pakistan including roads, railways dams and others area,” Rouhani said in his speech at the Pakistan-Iran Business Forum. Iran currently exports
around 100 megawatts (MW) of electricity to the areas of Pakistan that border Iran. Pakistan is in the final stages of negotiating a deal that will increase that to 1,000 MW, the ministry of water and power has said previously. Energy-starved Pakistan suffers about 12 hours of power cuts per day and is keen to import Iranian oil, gas, iron and steel. Iran is interested in Pakistani textiles, surgical goods, sports goods and agricultural products. Pakistan also plans to set up industrial sites in the impoverished border area, especially petrochemical storage, and link the infrastructure to a $46 billion project with China dubbed the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
After bleak week, Pope Francis offers Easter message
Pope Francis
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis said yesterday that darkness and fear must not prevail as he concluded a bleak week in Europe with a message of hope during an Easter Vigil service in St. Peter’s Basilica. Francis entered the silent and darkened basilica with just a single candle guiding him at the start of the vigil. As he reached the altar, the basilica’s floodlights flipped on in a symbolic show of light after the darkness of Jesus’
crucifixion. In his homily, Francis said the hope that Easter brings is a lesson for the Christian faithful to cast aside the hopelessness that can “imprison” people inside of themselves. “We see and will continue to see problems both inside and out. They will always be there,” he said. But he insisted: “Let us not allow darkness and fear to distract us and control our hearts.” The lengthy vigil service
includes a papal baptism for 12 adults hailing from around the world. A few hours after it ends, Francis will preside over Easter Sunday Mass and offer his annual Easter blessing. Francis’ message of hope followed his bleak condemnations on Good Friday and earlier in the week of the attacks by Islamic extremists in Brussels and elsewhere. During remarks Friday at the Colosseum capping the “Way of the Cross” procession re-enacting Jesus’ crucifixion, Francis denounced the “terrorist acts committed by followers of some religions which profane the name of God and which use the holy name to justify their unprecedented violence.” While the pope was at the Colosseum, his chief almsgiver was out on the streets of Rome giving out sleeping bags to the homeless Friday night in a show of papal support for the city’s least fortunate.
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NIS seeks proposals to invest its $Billions The National Insurance Scheme (NIS) is looking to strengthen its long term existence and is now inviting investment proposals. According to an advertisement in the newspapers, the entity in its opening call, is inviting companies or financial institutions to submit the investment proposals. The investments of NIS
monies do not necessarily have to be in Guyana. They could involve entities from within the region. These investments can be equity, debt or other appropriate financial instruments, NIS explained. “Investments will be assessed for financial sustainability and balanced with the appropriate risk that will guarantee the social
PNCR
The People’s National Congress Reform extends Easter Greetings to all Guyanese and more especially, to members of our Christian Community, both here and around the world, on the occasion of the celebration of one of the most important events in the Christian Calendar. This festival, which commemorates the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, contains both in its symbolic significance, and its secular relevance, important and powerful messages. For the members of the Christian Community, the Easter story represents the fulfillment of God’s Prophecy that mankind would be offered the hope of eternal life through the sacrificial death of His son, Jesus Christ and His subsequent Resurrection from the dead. It is this faith which has kept the worldwide Christian Church alive and enabled its followers to significantly
contribute towards making the earth a better place for all mankind. The Easter season in Guyana is best known for the widespread kite flying activity that is seen by many as a representation of the theme of the Resurrection. Whatever may have been its origins, kite flying attracts widespread participation of Guyanese, from all walks of life, regardless of religion, ethnicity or culture. It, therefore, offers another opportunity for Guyanese to share common experiences and understand each other better. Let us hope that the symbolism of our kites soaring to the heavens inspire all Guyanese to emulate the example of Jesus. Let us be inspired by the hope of the resurrection and work together for a good life for all Guyanese. A HAPPY AND BLESSED EASTER TO ALL!
GAWU The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) joins our Christian community in observing and celebrating the annual event that is Easter. Easter is a time when the Christian community the world over commemorates the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But the story of the life and trials of Jesus Christ reverberates to this day. Forces to which Christ stood up and preached against are still among us and working against the simple and poor peoples. Jesus Christ embraced the poor, imparting into them hope and faith. For this he was hounded, persecuted and crucified by the then dictators. This was the reality of his time, hundreds of years ago. Yet, such parallels, with differences, abound in our world of today, and Guyana is no exception.
For Christians and nonChristians, Easter focuses on an exemplary life that epitomizes unflinching courage, unwavering faith, humility, and empathy and care for the poor are inspiringly illustrated. These qualities, coming to us over the ages are today sorely needed worldwide, as we engage today’s Caesars and their authoritarian henchmen to bring about an alternative social and economic order. GAWU urges serious reflection at this time we see much significance in the cleansing season of Lent as we recognize that Easter is a time when hope springs eternal. It is also that time when kites soar high. We, in Guyana must continue to strive to let our spirits also soar high with fresh achievements and new victories for the poor and voiceless. GAWU wishes all Guyana a happy Easter.
protection benefits expected of the scheme.” NIS said that the proposals must be for investments within the range of $300M to $3B with duration of medium to long term. The proposals must be accompanied by audited accounts for the three most recent years of operation. The closing date for the proposals are April 8 with NIS making it clear that it reserves the right to reject proposals not consistent with its policies, investment goals or mandate. NIS has been, over recent years, seeking ways to invest the billions of dollars it holds in reserve. With few options, dwindling contributions and increasing payments, the call for investment proposals would be one of the options that the entity is considering. In January, the David Granger administration announced measures to haul the entity back into a more solid footing. The measures included the recovery of over US$26M invested in the now bankrupt CLICO. The scheme is facing tough times with its annual payouts level with the contributions from workers. With a falling number of contributors, especially from self-employed persons, and benefits likely to increase in the coming years, NIS is facing a major challenge – how to raise its revenues. While it has billions of dollars in cash, the growing deficit is what is worrying. It is already in a big hole, with $5.2B invested in the Trinidad-owned CLICO in limbo after the company’s Bahamas sister company collapsed in 2009, pulling down the others with it. NIS, with a large chunk of its monies invested, was left on shaky ground. A court case has gone nowhere. In January, Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, in his 2016 budget presentation, acknowledged that the scheme has been facing several challenges over the years, including a lack of compliance by both employers and employees, combined with unprofitable investments. “In 2016, the Government intends to examine options for repayment of $5.24 billion owed by CLICO. To this end, the Government will start discussions on the modality of an arrangement that will see NIS recovering this money over the long term,” he announced. Additionally, it is the intention for the Management of NIS to “work diligently” to ensure greater compliance through the enforcement of the laws. “This year, management will be targeting delinquent
NIS is looking for investment proposals from Banks and other companies. businesses and employers, in order to recover the $1.3 billion in arrears owed to the scheme. The NIS will also be examining an appropriate investment policy to guide its investments to ensure that future investments are profitable.” The Minister noted that NIS plays an important role in enhancing the capacity of the poor and vulnerable to manage risks such as unemployment, disability, sickness and old age. “Given this, as well as Government’s commitment to reduce poverty and inequality within our society, we will ensure that profitability is restored at NIS, over the longer term,” he promised. But getting NIS back on track, especially with regard to that US$25M investment in CLICO, may take some doing. In October 2013, Guyana learnt from the then People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/ C) government that CLICO (Guyana) had already been liquated and that the money secured from the sale of its assets had been paid out to more than 4,000 policyholders.
One of the properties that NIS received was the one on Camp Street where the current Headquarters of the Guyana Revenue Authority sits. How NIS decided to invest US$30M in CLICO, money that was later transferred out the country under questionable circumstances, has never been answered. What is known is that soon after CLICO (Guyana) went belly-up in 2009, its local chief, Geeta Singh-Knight, was appointed a key official in the US$40M Berbice Bridge. She was also placed as a marketing official in the troubled Guyana Sugar Corporation. Several big policy holders were allowed to cash in and recover their monies, including close associates of the former PPP/C government. Despite complaints, both the Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar administrations refused to carry out an inquiry similar to investigations being done in Trinidad, where angry politicians had called for heads to roll. In 2010, the CLICO
Bahamas Liquidator reported that his “preliminary view of the documentation suggests that policies were never issued by CLICO Bahamas. Moreover, the premiums received from Guyana and Suriname were never paid to CLICO Bahamas. “It appears that the funds were remitted directly to a bank account held in the name of CLICO Bahamas at Ocean Bank, Miami, Florida, and to another account held by the company in Trinidad.” In his third report to the Bahamian Supreme Court on the life and health insurer’s liquidation, Craig A. ‘Tony’ Gomez, the Baker Tilly Gomez, Accountant and Partner, said the US$34M and US$15.5M claims submitted by CLICO Guyana and CLICO Suriname had not been approved. “After further consultation, I have rejected the above claims received from Guyana and Suriname,” Gomez said. Guyana had appealed the matter which is still pending, but to date Guyana is yet to receive any of the money invested by CLICO (Guyana) including more than US$34M belonging to NIS.
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Night court among upcoming measures to reduce case backlog - Trotman - Finance Ministry to provide funding Following on the heels of the recent meeting between the Executive and the Judiciary, a number of initiatives are on the cards for easing overcrowding, including the introduction of night courts to get more cases processed in a shorter time span. This was announced by Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, on Thursday. He said that these measures were discussed at the Cabinet level on Tuesday and that the Ministry of Finance has already been approached for a special budgetary arrangement, though he declined to give a specific date for implementation.
“A number of initiatives were itemized. From what I’ve heard, these are going to be implemented soon,” he said. “Right now the thrust is to reduce the backlog of cases and to bring the number of prisoners, particularly in Camp Street, down. Of course, the Commission of Inquiry that is ongoing will also produce very good recommendations about the overall state of our penal system.” “We are looking at night courts between the hours of four and eight, to process cases (Magistrates Courts currently have sessions from 09:00hrs until 14:00hrs).The intention is not to send more people into the prisons, but
Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman only to process those who are being detained to see whether they should go on bail and so forth.” “Those are the initiatives that we hope to see in place within another few weeks. The Ministry of Finance has been approached about a special budgetary
Prisoners during the recent disturbances at Camp Street arrangement, because that was not contemplated in the 2016 budget. So that will have to come via a financial paper before Parliament. The next sitting of the National Assembly is May 4, so these are things we can expect soon.” Trotman added that only measures which are feasible would see immediate implementation. One example he gave was the suggestions that it was time to construct a new prison. He acknowledged that while it might be necessary, it was not feasible from a financial standpoint. “It might not be financially feasible now; it may have to be on a longer term basis. No doubt we need a new prison outside of Georgetown. (But) complaints about the condition of the prison have to be addressed immediately. You would know that with the assistance of the US government we have sent a large body of officers for training in how to react in emergencies.” Overcrowding and judicial sloth have been identified as some of the prevailing causes of prisoner discontent. This came to the fore when a catastrophic fire in the Camp Street penitentiary on March 3, resulted in the deaths of 17 prisoners and injuries to others. A CoI into the incident has since been launched on the orders of President David Granger. Prisoners from Camp Street have taken the stand, with part of their testimony attesting to the length of time their cases would take to be called. In its wake, the meeting between the Executive and Judiciary was arranged. The talks were held in the Boardroom of the Court of Appeal. Present were Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo; Vice President and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan; Attorney General and
Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams; and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon. The justice system was represented by the Chancellor Carl Singh, Acting Chief Justice, Yonette Cummings-Edwards; Director of Public Prosecution, Shalimar Hack and Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. THE HUMANISTIC SIDE OF JUSTICE During a recent interview with former Chief Justice Ian Chang, he had offered insight into how the humanistic side of justice could be used to address overcrowding in the prisons. Chang stated that when it came to prisoners going on remand, it was important that with those offences for which they could be bailed, consideration is showed. According to Chang, he had adopted a policy of not refusing bail outright, but leaving that option open for the prisoner. The former Chief Justice (Ag) made it clear that discontent and resentment can potentially escalate if a feeling of hopelessness prevails in the system. Another contributory factor to overcrowding that has been highlighted is the many youths who have been incarcerated under the current Narcotic Drug and Psychotropic Substances Control Act 1988. The law stipulates that anyone found in possession of marijuana is liable to a fine of $10,000 or three times the monetary value of the drug. It also mandates that if in excess of 15 grams of cannabis, the offender must be sentenced to a minimum of three years’ imprisonment. Last year, the imprisonment of former national footballer turned coach, Vibert Butts, by a city Magistrate for the possession of marijuana sparked moves to change the law. A Bill seeking to amend the 1988 Act was drafted by Attorneys-at-Law Nigel Hughes and Mark Waldron.
The Bill is also founded on the experience of several citizens—predominantly youths who have been incarcerated for small quantities of cannabis or cannabis resin, and who as a result of their incarceration have not only added to the prison population, but have been exposed to hardened offenders. Trotman was asked about the fact that prisoners had cell phones in their possession. Over the past week, the fact that prisoners not only have cell phones, but also internet connection and drugs in their possession, has been highlighted in the media. “This is a phenomenon that we are seeing which is not unique to Guyana. We are in the throes of an information revolution. Guns have been known to be smuggled into this and other prisons. Cell phones, drugs, food and in some cases even conjugal visits have been common features. It happens all over the world.” “We expect that when this Inquiry is over, these matters will be addressed in terms of what ratio of officers to prisoners we need to increase or maintain. I don’t believe that the military has a role to be deployed in the prisons. They are for the defense of our national territory and to assist the police in issues of national security.” The Minister also responded to suggestions that Guyana’s prison service should be privatised. He stated that whether this is done or not might very well depend on the outcome of the CoI. “There have been suggestions that the prisons should be privatized as is done elsewhere whereby private security firms are brought in to take care perhaps of the softer parts of enforcement. So these are things that the CoI will have to consider and make recommendations on.”
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Weeks after housing land deal inked…
BK sells 100 acres to BaiShanLin for US$8M - had bought the land for US$2.2M eight weeks earlier, now suing for money owed
Baishanlin Managing Director Chu Hongbo
BK’s boss, Brian Tiwarie
Just eight weeks after striking a deal for a 100-acre plot of prime housing land behind the Providence Stadium, businessman Brian (BK) Tiwarie turned around and sold it to the Chinese logger for nearly four times the value. However, Chu Hongbo, principal of BaiShanLin Forest Development, has failed to pay the balance of US$4M and now the matter is before the court. Tiwarie had asked for US$8M. The logger had agreed to pay the balance by April 2015. He bought the lands for $471M but only paid $117.7M as an advance. It meant that his company, Sunset Lakes, still owed CH&PA some $344M when he sold it to Chu Hongbo in April 2014. The CH&PA transaction in 2014 would be a mere indication of the amount of money at stake when it came to the lands on East Bank Demerara. CH&PA reportedly had no official notice that the company had been sold. Rather, Sunset Lakes was introduced as a joint venture partner. The relationship between Tiwarie and the Chinese logger appeared to have soured after the latter failed to pay and he was sent several lawyer’s letters. In February, Tiwarie filed a court action again Chu Hongbo demanding the return of the 1,000 shares of Sunset Lakes. The businessman also wanted the US$4M he received as deposit be forfeited and that another US$4M, representing interest and principal at 24 percent, be paid. Tiwarie is also demanding $50M in damages for breach of the agreement and an injunction blocking Chu Hongbo from blocking, selling or encumbering the property. Representing Tiwarie in the matter are Attorneys-atLaw, Mohamed Khan and Kashir Khan. Several housing developers are facing the possibility of their lands being repossessed for
failing to meet deadlines. A number of them, like BK, have reportedly sold their plots, but those transactions will be illegal as CH&PA’s agreements are specific--the developers are to build homes, not sell the lands or sell houselots. The Sunset Lakes land itself has been dominating the news for a while now. A few years ago, Sunset Lakes unveiled an ambitious gated community with a shopping mall. The homes are selling for at least $40M apiece. However, Sunset Lakes has now started advertising to sell house lots, in breach of the agreement. Chu Hongbo is facing a storm of inquiry over companies that he controls in Guyana. The Sunset Lakes transaction would continue to raise alarming questions about CH&PA, which oversees the state’s housing programmes. The deals, signed under the previous Government of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic, have been angering state officials and citizens alike, for a simple reason. There are more than 25,000 applications for house lots in the database of the CH&PA. There are few plots of land for housing remaining in the East Demerara area. The new Government is under pressure to find new lands. Between 2011 and 2015, hundreds of acres of prime lands were parceled off and sold to private developers by CH&PA. Many of them breached conditions by failing to build within the stipulated time. Instead they were selling off lands as house lots, instead of constructing homes. CH&PA paid little attention to what the developers were doing. Shortly after the David Granger administration took office last year, senior housing officials paid surprise inspection visits to lands stretching from Eccles to Golden Grove. These lands went to two dozen developers.
Businessman, Brian Tiwarie, has sued Chinese logger, Chu Hongbo, for failing to pay off US$4M he owes for 100 acres of Providence lands. The inspection team found little activities on the lands. The developers were hauled in for a meeting and given a February 2016 deadline to complete infrastructural works. However, not much progress has been made. There were questions itself about some of the developers. One of them is Luxury Realty, whose director, Ravie Ramcharitar, is also a senior official in Queens Atlantic Investment Inc. That company is controlled by Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop, the best friend of the ex-President Bharrat Jagdeo. Luxury Realty benefitted from 28.8 acres of prime lands at Providence, but has done little since receiving the lands in December 2013. Another person who benefitted was Mohamed ‘Arafat’ Qualander, one of the owners of Queensway, a Water Street business. In November 2011, three days before General Elections, he signed a deal with CH&PA for 35 acres of land behind Golden Grove. He paid $500,000 per acre. He is a close friend of former President, Donald Ramotar. At the time, CH&PA was headed by former PPP/C Minister of Housing, Irfaan Ali. Under his watch, the ‘Remigrant’ housing scheme was launched but its administration and who really received lands from the CH&PA are now being investigated. Reportedly, the current CH&PA Board of Directors, headed by City Mayor, Hamilton Green, has launched a number of investigations in several transactions by the entity.
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Entity paid firm $77M for work that could have been done internally Badrie’s one-man show at GuyOil…
-$millions paid for software but never put in use When it came to the running of the state-owned Guyana Oil Company (GuyOil), under Managing Director, Badrie Persaud, almost all the rules were being systematically broken. Not only did Persaud take unilateral decisions, without seeking permission for contracts from the then nineyear-old Board of Directors, but he oversaw the spending of monies and even loaning of fuel as if they were his personal business. He promoted staffers who were not qualified and on vacancies that were never advertised and even played a role in back-dating a contract
that was for his nephew, also a staffer of GuyOil. According to a shocking forensic audit report by Nigel Hinds Financial Services, released last week by the government, the losses overtime for GuyOil and by extension the people of Guyana would have amounted to hundreds of millions of dollars. The problem is that the audit only covered just over three years-- the period November 1, 2011, to May 31, 2015. The audit would not be enough to determine the true extent of damage done to GuyOil. Persaud, who was
candidate of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/ C), for the May 2015 elections, was sacked in late February by GuyOil’s new Board of Directors. The Board in a short statement said it reviewed the audit report and concluded that it no longer has confidence in Persaud. There were several glaring cases highlighted by the auditors. One of them had to do with millions of dollars. Outside Help GuyOil’s Operations Assistant, Robert Lynch, was supposed to perform a number of duties including preparation of engineering cost estimates, designs,
specifications and monitoring of contracts. However, during the period being audited, it was discovered that GuyOil paid out over $77M to Marcel Gaskin and Associates to do Lynch’s job. “The forgoing indicates that the internal capacity of GuyOil to prepare cost estimates, design and monitor contracts was invariably outsourced to Marcel Gaskin & Associates Ltd by the Operations Department led by Mr. Reggie Bhagwandin, Operations Manager.” This, the audit report said, unnecessarily hurt GuyOil’s operations, financially. Another transaction that would have raised eyebrows about the GuyOil Chief’s sincerity when it comes to transparency and accountability was the purchasing of special software Project Job Costing and Purchase Orders. GuyOil procured the modules in 2013 but to date had not been utilized, resulting in a waste of
financial resources. Auditors examining the transaction, found that GuyOil was using a specific company, Powercompu. That company had no other competitor as GuyOil was single-sourcing the services, in breach of procurement processes. “There was no breakdown in each year of licensing to determine the costs of used and unused modules. Discussions with the Marketing Department revealed that no staff was ever trained to use the Customer Relation Management (CRM) module.” Three modules related to procurement of goods, services and construction were purchased at a cost of $10.5 Million over the period March 2013 to March 2015; these modules have never been used by GuyOil. What made matters worse was that every year, GuyOil was paying over $3M for licence to use some of the programmes, or in this case, its non-use. (See Table)
A one-man show at GuyOil: Badrie Persaud
Powercompu is owned by contractor Manesh Seeram who is also GuyOil’s accounting local solutions provider for ACCPAC. The procuring was handled by the IT Control Officer, Network Administrator, Finance Manager and Managing Director. It was discovered that between November 1, 2011 to Continued on page 14
Sunday March 27, 2016
Kaieteur News
Weak CH&PA agreement allows developer to sell East Bank houselots - Ex-Finance Minister says that purchase was for company, not him
Saisnarine Kowlessar makes a point during a tour of Republic Gardens yesterday. Ex-Finance Minister, Saisnarine Kowlessar, yesterday, insisted that he never benefitted from lands that were sold in 2011 to CARICOM General Insurance Company. Rather, he was acting as a mere officer of the company when he signed off on the agreement, he said. The 50 acres of lands has since been converted into a gated community behind the Republic Park area. Kowlessar was among a number of CARICOM’s officials who took Kaieteur News on a tour of the project yesterday to talk about the progress of works. Located behind Continental Park, in what was once a cane field, the area has roads and about 50 percent taken up with homes. Known as Republic Garden, the gated community will join Buddy’s and Windsor Estate that have done significant work in realizing what has been promised to Guyana. Almost 20-odd developers have been granted hundreds of acres of prime lands along the highdemand East Bank Demerara corridor. Many of the developers, including close friends of the previous administration, have held on to the lands, not doing much despite conditions that they had to build infrastructural works and sell completed homes within a certain time. According to Joshua Safeek, the owner of CARICOM General Insurance, and the tour guide, his company responded to an advertisement by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) around 2010-2011 for proposals to develop housing lands along the East Bank Demerara. The company was among several that attended a
meeting in early 2011 with CH&PA officials, among them Chief Executive Officer, Myrna Pitt, among others. “We submitted an application and were successful. We were later shown the spot that was allocated to us…the part that we are standing on.” According to Safeek, the company started to mobilize but soon after, the owner of nearby Continental Park filed a court case, claiming the allocated 50 acres. The court case only ended in December last year, delaying the deadlines of CARICOM General Insurance. The court ruled in favour of CARICOM, Safeek said. The official insisted that Republic Gardens is no “cookie cutter” affair. The company is very deliberate in allowing owners of the homes to choose their style. “You can take a look at our drainage and way we set up. We would have completed this community a long time ago, in keeping with the conditions, had it not been for the court delays.” According to the 2011 agreement with CARICOM General Insurance, a company that had its registered office at Ruimzeight, West Coast Demerara, Kowlessar is the Chief Executive Officer. CARICOM General Insurance bought the 50 acres at $5M per acre. Based on the agreement, the company was expected to proceed immediately to carry out infrastructural works, including access roads, bridges, culverts, drainage, water and electricity networks. The agreement itself was very vague, giving little deadlines to the developer. Another sister company of CARICOM General Continued on page 14
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Entity paid firm $77M for work that could... From page 12 May 31, 2015, GuyOil paid over $90.8M to Seeram, who was chosen under questionable circumstances. Below is a table detailing some of the purchases made from Powercompu:
GuyOil somehow ‘loaned’ over $31M in fuel to Rusal, GPL and SOL but overlooked signing an agreement for it to be paid. Meanwhile, GuyOil and its Managing Director were also not paying much attention when it comes to dealing with fuel, which is the lifeblood of the entity. In 2010, Persaud loaned the Bauxite Company Guyana Inc. (BCGI/RUSAL) $12.1M in fuel. That same year, almost $2.6M went to the Guyana Power and Light Inc. In 2014, SOL, a competitor, was loaned $16.7M in fuel. There was no loan agreement for the $31M in fuel, the auditors said. “The loaned fuel was still owed to GOCL as at May 31, 2015. In addition, the timing of the return of the fuel during a period of low fuel prices could cause significant losses to GuyOil.” There was no documented policy or loan agreement governing fuel loaned to various agencies totalling $31,434,041 for years 2010, 2012 and 2014 that were shown as a reduction in inventories and disclosed. CONTRACT SPLITTING It is unclear from the audit report what relationship Rusal shared with GuyOil that would warrant fuel being delivered to that bauxite company without an agreement. On Friday, Kaieteur News reported that auditors found evidence of contract splitting. Between November 1, 2011 and May 31, 2015, GuyOil purchased fuel totaling $94.5M from one Deodat Dhanrajh. Dhanrajh was a major
shipper of fuel contracted by GuyOil. It is unclear why the Managing Director turned to Dhanrajh. What is clear is that a week before the May 11, 2015 elections, GuyOil purchased from Rubis, one of the major sellers in Guyana, some 238,481 litres for $47.4M. The transaction was for $199 per litre. GuyOil then turned to Dhanrajh, the transporter, two days later taking an order from him at the same price. The auditors in flagging the transaction believed it was a clear case of staggering and splitting of a full order to facilitate Dhanrajh in the transaction. Two days later, GuyOil changed the wholesale price to $198. It amounted to millions of dollars in losses for GuyOil. Persaud, from the report, gave out contracts and benefits without any control to family and friends. During the audit review period, Persaud awarded transportation contracts worth $62M to his brother, Indarjeet Persaud, and a construction contract for $860,000 to his nephew, Avinash Persaud. The audit found that the brother continued to provide transportation services with the fuel tankers although the contract period had expired. The report recommended that Persaud be disciplined for non-disclosure of conflicts of interest, awarding of contract
Weak CH&PA agreement... From page 13 Insurance - CARICOM General Land Development Inc. - on April 2, 2014, went ahead and closed another deal for a nearby 25-acre plot in April 2014. The developer was supposed to pay $225M. This time, the agreement was very specific. The property will have to be used for only residential purposes and for the construction and sale of houses only. This company was supposed to complete all infrastructural works eight months from the time works started. Failure to start infrastructural works within the timeframe could have resulted in CH&PA rescinding the agreement and forfeiting 10 percent of the deposit paid. The housing lands to private developers are currently being reviewed with CH&PA’s new Board expected to announce some decisions with a few weeks on possible sanctions for developers who have not delivered. Some 25,000 applications are on file at CH&PA for house lots.
to his nephew and multiple breaches of GuyOil’s procurement policies. The report also flagged Persaud’s decision to become a candidate for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic national list for the May 11, 2015 General Elections. GuyOil also breached its own agreement with dealers allowing them to get credit on fuel supplied without a bank guarantee or security bond— in other words, GuyOil had no protection against a customer who refused to pay. As a matter of fact, the report said, GuyOil was not concerned about its inaction to manage the collection of monies from customers. “There was and continues to be major irregularities in the charge system used for fuel sales to customers with charge accounts. “A 10% sample of 758 charge customers was conducted and our findings revealed that over fifty percent were irreconcilable and improperly managed.” In one case, a GuyOil staffer even signed a guarantee that a customer, Mohamed Bacchus, would get a $5M credit limit. The guarantee was signed by Leonard Khan, then Manager of the Castrol brand and the brother-in-law of Bacchus. With regard to how GuyOil went about procuring services and supplies, Persaud overlooked a system where he invariably went to a single person or company. The audit report explained that GuyOil does not have a credit card facility and in order to obtain goods from overseas; monies for purchases from GuyOil were transferred to the account of employee Azaad Hassan, the IT Network Administrator. Government said it has launched a probe into its fuel purchases that were transacted by GuyOil and the regulatory agency, Guyana Energy Agency, amidst allegations of vast corruption that cost the country billions of dollars in the last decades. GEA’s Head, Mahender Sharma, is facing pressure to step down after an audit of that entity raised troubling questions about his management.
Sunday March 27, 2016
Kaieteur News
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BaiShanLin illegally grabbed five major forest companies
- Calls made for Chinese company to surrender those state forest concessions for re-allocation Enjoying special benefits from the former regime, unimaginable waivers and pardons from the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), and gobbling up billion-dollar concessions on an annual basis were just not enough to satisfy Chinese company, BaiShanLin Forest Development Inc. It wanted much more than this. A recently released forensic audit report prepared by Chartered Accountant Anand Goolsarran exposed how the company made swift moves to gain control of five major companies in the forestry sector. These companies include Sherwood Forrest Inc, Haimorakabra Logging Co., Wood Associated Industries Co. Ltd., Puruni Woods Inc. and Kwebanna Wood Products Inc. The Forensic Auditor stated that in July 2007, Sherwood Forrest Inc. was granted a permit covering 167,066 hectares. In May 2010, Chu Hongbo of BaiShan Lin acquired 100 percent ownership of the shares in the company and became the
Managing Director. The other Directors were Chu Wenze and Zhang Li Na. The State Forest Exploratory Permit (SFEP) of the company was converted into a Timber Sales Agreement (TSA) on May 8, 2015 while the Environmental Permit was granted on the same day. This was the last business day before the May 2015 National and Regional Elections. Goolsarran also noted that the Guyana Forest Commission granted Woods Association Industries Co. Ltd a TSA in January 2000 covering an area of 26,085 hectares. In April 2009, Mr. Chu Wenze, bought over the shares in the company. With effect from April 3, 2012, the new Directors were Zhang Li Na, Chu Wenze and Chu Hongbo. In August 2004, Puruni Woods was granted a SFEP covering an area of 110,253 hectares. The Commission converted the SFEP into a TSA in July 2007. In August 2013, Heilongjiang Forest Engineering and Processing Development Inc. bought 90
per cent of the shares in the company, and Mr. Chu Hongbo became Director/ Secretary as well as the Managing Director. Goolsarran also documented in his report that in April 2009, the Forestry Commission granted Kwebanna Wood Products Inc. a TSA covering 87,361 hectares. The original company was A. Mazaharally and Sons but the new company was incorporated in January 2008. In October 2010, there was a change in directorship of the company, with Mr. Chu Hongbo becoming the Managing Director while the other directors were Chu Wenze, and Chu Tongwei. The forensic auditor noted however that there was no evidence that the specific approval of the GFC was granted in relation to the change of ownership/control
Baishanlin Managing Director Chu Hongbo
GFC Commissioner James Singh
Chartered Accountant Anand Goolsarran
of these companies. He argued that in the circumstances, the holders of the Timber Sales Agreements should have surrendered their authorisations to the Commission. He emphasized that these companies hold TSAs covering a total of 441,119
hectares. This means that BaiShanLin had access to a total of 627,072 hectares of State forest. Goolsarran said that since the Forests Act prohibits the transfer of ow n e r s h i p / control of a forest c o ncession without the specific approval of the
Commission, then the five concessionaires that have transferred such ownership or control to the officials of BaiShanLin should be made to surrender their concessions to the Commission for reallocation to other potential concessionaires.
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Sunday March 27, 2016
IDB report… CJIA does not have connectivity, passengers to become a hub - US$150M expansion would not make a difference
CHEC and airport officials, along with former President Donald Ramotar and former Public Works Minister Robeson Benn, as they turn the sod for the beginning of the project. An Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) report entitled ‘Constraints to Regional Air Connectivity between Countries of the Guyana Shield and South America’ has debunked the reasons given by the previous administration for the US$150M Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project. The report, which was done by air transport specialist, Andy Ricover, and released last November, states that based on the lack of infrastructure and scarcity of origin and destination (O&D) traffic at CJIA compared to Guyana’s larger and more connected neighbours like Brazil and Venezuela, it would be unrealistic to think of CJIA developing into a regional hub, notwithstanding the political will. This is contrary to what the previous Government had stated. The report also noted that the airport capacity is not determined by the size or the existing conditions at airports’ passenger terminal, but by the physical features
of its airside (runway and taxiways). It states that the number of connections and timely service are also a factor for a hub. It points out that both Guyana and Suriname have limited options to develop non-stop services to most destinations in South America and Europe. In the report, it was explained that there are two kinds of hubs. One works as an entry gateway to the country, distributing passengers to other local destinations. There are also those that work as a connection between two or more international flights, passing by a connecting hub. The report observes that in these hubs, airlines use sixth freedom rights to transport passengers between two countries that are not on the route of the airline. This commercial aviation right allows an airline to fly from a foreign country to another while stopping in one’s own country for nontechnical reasons. “A hub must be geographically located in a way that allows passengers
The proposed extension
to connect to other destinations without implying an important delay in the main route,” the report stated. “Hubs should be evaluated in both qualitative and quantitative terms.” “In quantitative terms, the important driver is the number of available connections, while in qualitative terms the most important variables are the total time to connect between flights and the simplicity of the process.” “A fundamental characteristic inherent to hub airports is the need to have a (high) volume of O&D traffic,” the report said. “Even when Paramaribo and Georgetown airports could in the future develop the necessary infrastructure to become hub airports (which they currently don’t have), they would still need to have a large O&D traffic volume so as to attract an airline to develop a hub in one of these airports.” “Given that O&D traffic demand in these countries is (Continued on page 65)
Sunday March 27, 2016
Kaieteur News
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A medical mystery or a rare condition? By Sharmain Grainger Why would a 32-year-old woman, after giving birth, be unable to walk? Well, that is the question that doctors at both private and public hospitals here, have so far been unable to answer over the past month. She appears physically healthy, but the moment she attempts to take a step her limbs simply engage sleep mode. She is even barely able to sit up and breastfeed her newborn. I speak of Shellon Atkinson, a city resident, who is essentially a medical mystery to doctors who have attended to her since she gave birth on February 20, 2016, at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). She’d rather not have her photo published with this article, but I believe her story, and even without her photo, it is one that should be told so that maybe someone could be better cared for if they suffer from an ordeal such as hers. I am by no means a medical expert, but I am inclined to embrace Atkinson’s belief that what happened to her could have been handled in a much better manner, even if it was unavoidable. Atkinson is convinced that the literal collapse of some of her motor skills occurred maybe during or soon after giving birth and is linked to just that – giving birth. She doesn’t try to hide the desperation she feels to be normal again, and you can hear the fear in her voice that being an invalid could possibly be her ultimate fate. Rewind to the beginning of this year. She was just like any normal young woman excited to give birth to her baby. She’d made all the necessary plans and though she wanted
to deliver her baby at a private hospital, she adhered to a relative’s appeal to do it at the Georgetown Public Hospital. Atkinson remembers every aspect of being hospitalised. In fact she was hospitalised for just about one week before she actually delivered. At 41 weeks pregnant she was told that labour would have to be induced. When nurses observed signs of her going into labour, Atkinson recalled that she was asked to go to the labour room. With mounting pain, she walked like any other pregnant woman would to have her baby delivered. She remembers it was a difficult delivery. She remembers everything, even being told by an attending nurse to “hold your ankles and push.” But she also remembers feeling too weak to push and having told the nurse just that. “No, no, no you have to push,” she recalls hearing the nurse say before the nurse
The Baccoo Speaks
There have been the fires now there will be the road accident that will cause people to wonder why there is not more care on the road. A car would be speeding on the roadway when something will go wrong. Even the eyewitnesses would say that they could not understand why the
driver did what he did. ** Kite flying would be decent in the city. The open spaces would ensure that there is no contact with electric wires. The same would not be said for the rural area. But as has been the trend, there would not be as many kites in the skies as there were in the past. ** A robbery would occur in the city. Two men on bicycles would attack a car in which a man would have someone with money. However, a police patrol would be in the area. There would be gunfire and an injury, but no fatality.
pushed her (Atkinson’s) knees down in such a way she believes it ruptured something in her very feminine area. Immediately after giving birth, she wasn’t remotely aware that something was gradually occurring in her anatomy that would soon make it impossible for her to walk. After all, she thought she was merely recovering from the pains associated with delivery. In fact she believed all was well until she was required to stand to have her vital signs checked. Atkinson recalled that as soon as she got up from the bed on which she’d moments before lay, and touched the ground, she collapsed. But it wasn’t a fainting spell. Nurses at first were sure she’d fainted and, according to Atkinson, “a nurse gave me something to smell.” An x-ray was eventually done and it was found that her pelvic bone was dislocated by at least one centimetre. But after multiple
examinations at the GPHC she was told that she really should be able to walk even with the existing situation. But she and her family members are convinced that there is something else amiss. “I don’t know if it is a pinched nerve or muscle problem, but something is very wrong. I still can’t walk and it is such a painful situation,” said Atkinson. As such her family took her to a private hospital and there she was x-rayed and an ultrasound was done. Aside from the pelvic dislocation, a mass was detected in the area near her private part. In fact it is believed that an infection had occurred as a result. The doctor at the private hospital was suspicious that cotton wool or some foreign object was left inside of Atkinson, but was eventually able to deduce that the mass was in fact a blood clot. However, the deduction over at the private hospital was that nothing detected
should have prevented her from being mobile. And of course she remains devastated as would any normal person who, for all of their life, has been able to operate independently and suddenly is bedridden. “One month I have been in bed. I have to get support for everything, even to care for my baby,” Atkinson recently lamented. She, however, has a theory of her own. Atkinson recalled, while hospitalised at the public hospital, hearing a conversation between some medical personnel, one of whom questioned why she (Atkinson) was allowed to have a natural birth given the size of her baby. Her baby’s size at birth was 4.9 kilograms which is equivalent to 10 pounds 13 ounces; a rather big baby. This has caused Atkinson to conclude that her resulting situation must have had something to do with the size of her baby. But no medical personnel she has seen has
corroborated this theory. But there must be some plausible explanation. So I decided to surf the internet a bit. I kept coming up with ‘Symphysis pubis dysfunction’. While I am not concluding that this is her condition, there are some eerie similarities. ‘Symphysis pubis dysfunction’ (SPD) is said to be a rather rare but well known pelvic problem that occurs during or after pregnancy. But based on my readings it most often starts to manifest long before delivery and the appropriate thing is for a doctor to recommend a caesarean section instead of natural birth. Essentially, this condition causes the symphysis pubis or pelvic area to become unstable. It manifests with very noticeable pains and therefore it is not likely that it could have been overlooked during pregnancy. Moreover, my speculative theory is that Atkinson could be suffering from after-pregnancy SPD. The condition is known to generally manifest with back pain, a grinding sensation in the pubic area, pain between the legs and of course difficulty walking. I however have not yet come across a single article where it caused complete immobility. Could it be that Shellon Atkinson is suffering from a severe case of SPD? Or is she suffering from something else altogether? What I am however sure of is that her condition is something for the medical experts to determine hopefully soon, in order to give this desperate woman peace of mind. What should be comforting to Atkinson is that if it is SPD, she is likely to recover with some exercise and other prescribed activities recommended by a medical expert.
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Sunday March 27, 2016
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== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==
Pictures that portray death of a country on the 50th year of its birth When Donald Trump’s popularity began to widen, people met me and asked what
was wrong with the American people. They should have asked what was wrong with
the Guyanese people. As a Guyanese you have to be possessed with illu-
sions of superiority to think that something is weird with the American people that they
Porous hoses sending water everywhere else but the burning building
An exercise in futility for the firefighter with the hose
can vote for Trump for President. When you look at the total local government election results, Guyanese would gladly vote for a candidate ten times sillier, stupider and crazier than Donald Trump. After twenty-three years of PPP’s domination, a new government came to power ten months ago. In local government elections, a majority of people voted for that party that was in office for twenty-three years and in which time, rural development not only stood still but regressed. Before the local government elections last week, this newspaper carried countless stories of macabre, depraved corruption that sucked the life out of this country under the PPP. Just check the past few days of this newspaper’s editions and see what happened with land giveaways, the conspiracies at the Guyana Energy Agency and Guyoil hundreds of millions of dollars were lost to this poor land. While the hemorrhage of money went in corrupt directions, backwardness continued to stalk the lands of Region 2, 3, 5, 6. But look at the LGE results. In Wakenaam, an island where its inhabitants are fleeing to more prosperous parts of Guyana, the count was 773 for the ruling coalition to 1,430 for the PPP. You go to Wakenaam during the 23 years of PPP rule and you saw a land that time forgot. Between Mon Repos which has the dirtiest market in the world to La Reconnaissance, the PPP picked up 7,501 votes to 686 for the coalition. Between Tuschen and Uitvlugt, APNU-AFC got a mere 1,619 to the PPP’s 7,006. In electoral jargon that is a massacre. Raphael Trotman, (whose presence in politics shows the abject wretchedness of Guyanese politics since colonial times, in that you don’t know if he is AFC or APNU, if he is an AFC Minister or APNU Minister, if he is an AFC Parliamentarian or APNU Parliamentarian), said on Thursday that the Coalition is satisfied with the results. A contest whereby the Coalition lost the national LGE by 29,000 votes, Mr. Trotman said the Coalition is satisfied with the outcome. In the darkness of Mahaica where motorists have to pray that they do not run off the road at night, the Minister is happy that Mahaicans rejected his party (oops – which one AFC or APNU?) Maybe we have entered the season of political
Frederick Kissoon masochism. If you think it is incredible that a country can elect Donald Trump as President, then, what do you call the madness of the LGE results in Guyana last week? Backwards districts without lights, roads, clean environments, furnished schools, police protection, water supply, medical facilities, employment opportunities, still voted for a party that brought on these disasters and which had been in government from October 1992 to May 2015, almost 23 years. In this period, with a rundown economy, the PPP leaders using state money, built a Marriott Hotel for 60 million American dollars Let’s juxtapose life in Guyana under the PPP that overall won the total number of votes cast in the LGE. Sixty million US was spent on a Marriott, but the country folks that voted for the PPP will not be able to save their homes when fire strikes, because the hoses of the fire tenders have more holes than a basket. Surely, such a sordid state of affairs cannot be attributed to the APNU-AFC Government that is just a mere ten months in power. The photographs in this column show that the building on fire could not have been saved, even if the fire service had responded in the speed of light, because the water was going elsewhere and not at the structure that was burning. One colossal hole was sending a tsunami-like flow to another building about four houses away from the flaming structure. In fact, this building was damaged by the misdirected water; part of the façade and the shed were destroyed. The term, “misdirected” needs explaining. Because of the gargantuan hole, the velocity was going elsewhere. As you can see in another photo, several smaller holes were sending water to the ground and not at the burning building. Then there is the photo in which one of the firefighters is standing aimlessly with a hanging hose, waiting for water to flow through it. All of this – the LGE results and the porous water hoses - is occurring weeks before we celebrate 50 years of Independence.
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Sunday March 27, 2016
BE PREPARED! THOUSANDS ARE COMING FOR OUR 50TH JUBILEE
The Guyana Jubilee Festival will take place from 19 to 22 May, 2016 at the national stadium. It is an excellent opportunity to show to the world the best of our cultures and our ways of life, our celebrities and everything else that is uniquely Guyanese. It is designed to put on show products and services that were made/conceived in Guyana, by Guyanese from all walks of life. On Tuesday 22nd March, Minister responsible for Tourism, Hon. Catherine Hughes, formally launched the Festival on the lawns of Colgrain
House with a stirring message for our compatriots: BE PREPARED. Here is an extract from her message: “The Ministry has already confirmed that more than 60,000 overseas-based Guyanese will be travelling to Guyana to participate in the Golden Anniversary celebrations. The online social media platforms, online news feeds, live streams, local radio, newspapers and most things electronic have been recording unprecedented hits/views by people from across the globe. In short, Guyana is beginning to expe-
rience the high level of international recognition for which we have long been striving. The Guyana Jubilee Festival is going to be an explosion of our country’s finest cultures - our arts & craft, fashion, cuisine and the highlight - our music. Over four days in May, an array of some of our most talented artists this country has produced over the past 50 years will throw the best birthday bash we’ll ever see. This Jubilee Festival will be a truly Guyanese event that puts Guyanese talent on show, ranging from perform-
ing to cooking, painting and sculpting, designing and decorating. Despite the opinions being circulated in some quarters, Guyana does indeed have a lot to celebrate, a lot to be thankful for. Allow me to enumerate just a few: . The Linden/Soesdyke Highway, the first of its kind in the Caribbean. . The first floating bridge in the Caribbean, the Demerara Harbour Bridge, that was designed by a Guyanese, Captain John Coglan, to last only 10 years but 38 years later it is still serving its purpose. . Guyana has produced some multi-faceted people, outstanding in their various fields of endeavour including the former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Sir Shridath Ramphal; our first female Chief Justice then first female Judge at the Caribbean Court of Justice, Madam Desiree Bernard; Justice Mohammed Shahabuddin, a former Justice on the World Court; Nigel Harris, previous Chancellor of the University of the West Indies, who is now settling into the University of Guyana; and the captain of the West Indies Cricket team at the height of its success, Clive Lloyd. We are also very fortunate that so many thousands of Guyanese who left these shores, whether it was one year ago or 50 years ago, still feel an extremely strong connection to their homeland. I know that because I experience it. Guyanese people living in the United States, Canada, England, Germany, Africa, Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad, etc. talk to me about their longing to come home, to be home, to be able to contribute to the upward movement
Minister responsible for Tourism, Hon. Catherine Hughes of Guyana. They tell me about the things they do in their adopted countries to remain psychologically connected to Guyana. They celebrate all of Guyana’s national events, and they make sure that their children who were born there, or who left Guyana too young to remember, are aware of their Guyanese heritage. I have to share this story with you. There is this family resident in North Carolina. The mother is Guyanese and her husband is Canadian. He had never heard of Guyana before he met her about 10 years ago. Now, she works at a large corporation alongside Americans, transplanted Europeans and a few West Indians. One day last year she began to tell her colleagues about Guyana. They were very interested and every few days she was answering questions about this place that she came from. Around November last year she told them about our 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations. Within one week, 24 people from her company
made plans to come to Guyana with her family. Their flights and hotels were booked in December 2015 for a party of 28 – 24 colleagues, June-Ann, her Canadian husband with her 2 American children. I told you this story to demonstrate the high level of interest in Guyana, and to explain why every single hotel, Bed and Breakfast, and other hospitality facility in Guyana is solidly booked for April to June. We’ve been asking home owners in Georgetown, the East Coast and East Bank, in Berbice, Linden, West Coast, Essequibo and elsewhere to make their spare rooms available to visitors. Of course, there are a few standards that must be complied with, but the hard part is that almost everyone has family members coming too. This particular period – the run-up to the Jubilee celebrations - is Guyana’s Primetime. It has already started, and the key words are…Be Prepared! Thousands of Guyanese, their friends and families from all over the world will be here. That’s thousands of mouths to feed with Guyana’s tasty foods; thousands of feet that will walk into your business places; thousands of people to sell your products and services to; thousands of people to entertain. This is the time for businesses to advertise, to expose your products and services, since so many eyes and ears are now tuned to Guyana. Think of the benefits – new markets in foreign countries, expansion of your businesses to include other products, and more investments in Guyana. This is a wonderful opportunity to literally catapult our economy into the stratosphere.”
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STRUCTURE OF THE FESTIVAL The Festival has been carved into six main components: . “A Night of Spiritual Upliftment” that will present a fusion of Guyanese religious devotion and entertainment - Indian, Christian, Muslim and other religions. . The second night of Everything Guyanese will showcase our variegated cultures - Amerindian, East Indian, Chinese, African and Portuguese in dance, song, drama and poetry. This is also the “Wear Your National Colours Night”. . On Saturday 21st May is the night of the living legends - percussionist Keith Waithe, singers Terry Gajraj, Sammy Baksh, Sash Persaud, Aubrey Mann, Dave Martins and the Tradewinds, and others. . The Festival will be crowned on Sunday
22nd May by Concert Nexxt Generation that puts young Guyanese talent – X2, Lisa Punch and performers from the studios of Kross Kolor Productions. . The fifth component will be Guyana’s biggest Fashion extravaganza to be staged in the afternoon hours from 19 to 22 May on the Colgrain lawns. Every acclaimed Guyanese fashion designer including Donna Ramsammy-James, Sonia Noel, Carol Fraser, Pat Coates, Andrea Braithwaite and Derek Moore will put on show their clothing, jewellery, shoes and accessories. . In the daytime for the duration of the festival, Guyanese products will be on exhibition at the stadium - agro products, tourism products, food and beverages, arts and craft. There will also be a playground for children.
Sunday March 27, 2016
Kaieteur News
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My column
Today is Easter Day, when Christians would flock the churches. They would be celebrating the resurrection of their Lord and Saviour. When I was a lad my parents were into the church. I remember the midnight mass in the days when Den Amstel did not have electricity. Night is made for sleeping, so you could imagine how it felt when your parents would wake you up and send you to bathe then get dressed for the midnight mass. These days children are not asleep at 10 and many are on the streets because the parents seem not to be in control. The altar would be decked out in white and the brass candle-holders would be gleaming. The church would be full and by the time the service is over people would be going home in groups. Back then homes had no security grills and doors were protected by flimsy locks, but no one sought to invade them. People did not have to worry about being robbed on the streets. Of course there was fear in the hearts of the young children. I had to pass by a cemetery. In fact, the church, St Jude’s Anglican, at
Blankenburg, was in the middle of three cemeteries, one to the north, one to the west, and the third to the south. To my young mind there were ghosts, and every piece of paper in the cemetery sent flutters through my heart. Normal Sundays were soup days, but Easter Day was different. In our poor household, sardines were the choice dish. These days are a far cry from then. I hardly go to church, choosing to spend the day resting or watching the children raise their kites. Kite flying was not a big thing in our home because my stepfather pushed religion to the limit. He contended that flying kites was making a mockery of the Lord. That didn’t mean that in the days leading up to Easter that I did not fly a kite, but I couldn’t let my parents know. I am certain that my mother went along because she didn’t have to worry about finding money to buy kite paper. In Dem Amstel, boys made their own kites. To buy a kite was a travesty. There were the cricket matches, called fête matches. The players did not worry too much about who won; the
drinks at the end of the game were more important. In my teenage years I played quite a few fête matches. I couldn’t drink too much liquor then; that came later. Then there were the parties and not at the night clubs, because there were none. Dances were held at the Community Centre. By then I had moved to Beterverwagting, where there was a cinema. These offered interesting movies on Easter Day and parents were not averse to sending their children. I was starting to gravitate to girls, so Easter Day was one opportunity to steal a kiss. We didn’t walk in together because of the prying eyes of the adults, but whoever went in first kept a nearby seat. Life as a youth was just enjoyable. These days, Easter Day is still fun, but there are no fête matches for me, unless I am a spectator; no night clubs because the music is beyond my comprehension; and not too much alcohol because I hate the next day feeling after a good binge. Television has replaced the cinema for me. The best Easter Days were spent at Bartica. There was the Bartica Regatta. It
seemed as if all of Guyana headed to Bartica. There were not many hotels, but just about every visitor had a relative there, so there was no problem with accommodation. The boat races were nothing but extraordinary. There were a few disasters. None occurred during the river swim from Kaow Island to Bartica, a one-mile swim, but some occurred during the boat races. One year a fellow died, so the organisers merely placed his body on a buoy and continued the event. Of course there were criticisms of that decision. Then one year a young man died on the beach. I still don’t know how. Hundreds of people surrounded him, but he went under in about two feet of water. When someone missed him I remember Terry Joseph, a friend, found his body mere inches from the seawalls, in water that was no more than knee-deep. The beach was always full of people. There was music, drinks of course and a lot
of fun. But the greatest fun came at the beauty pageant. The very people who were hugging each other during the day were now fiercely divided. And Bartica had some beauties. There was Verda Andrews who went on to become Miss Guyana and Pamela Apple, who lent her name to a joke that still does the rounds. It is said that she was at the Luckhoo Pool in Kingston when someone recognized her as the Bartica beauty queen. Some radio announcer immediately thrust the microphone into her face and asked her some questions about Bartica, and how she was enjoying her reign as regatta queen. Then he asked her about her favourite dish. The joke is that Ms. Apple replied, “Pyrex.” This year there would be another Regatta Queen dubbed Miss Bartica Beach. Instead of the pageant being staged on the beach, it would be at the Bartica Community Centre. That would be exceed-
Adam Harris ingly crowded because if it is one thing that Bartica supports, it is their Beauty pageant. Then there is the Rupununi Rodeo, a calendar event. That is another fun event with lots of girls, the type we now see a lot of in the city. Many coastlanders would head there, too. I have not gone there in years. And there too the people would judge their beauties. I will not be there, sadly enough, but I will still have a grand Easter Day, and I wish everyone the same.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday March 27, 2016
The Local Government Commission Guyana’s Constitution was revised in 2001, thereby strengthening the role of local democracy. New constitutional provisions came into being guaranteeing the authority and independence of local democratic organs which include the nine municipalities and
sixty-five neighbourhood democratic councils. The Local Government Commission - provided for under article, 78A – stated : Parliament shall establish a Local Government Commission, the composition and rules of which empower the commission to deal with as it
deems fit, all matters related to the regulation and staffing of local government organs and with dispute resolution within and between local government organs. Parliament’s intention was to reduce the influence of the central government by placing the oversight of local
democratic organs under the purview of a Commission and not a government Ministry. The objective was to allow for the management of towns and communities, free from central government’s control which in the past frequently proved oppressive or suffocating. Citizens, in this way,
were expected to play a more meaningful role in addressing local issues and solving local problems. The Bill to enable the establishing of the Commission was eventually passed in the National Assembly in August 2013 and subsequently received Presidential assent. This Commission will soon be established. The Commission’s functions, outlined at clause 13. (1) of the Act, are as follows; The Commission shall have power to deal with all matters relating to the regulation and staffing of local government organs including employment and dismissal of staff and with dispute resolution within and between local government organs, and in particular shall (a) monitor and review the performance and implementation of policies of all local government organs, including policies of taxation and protection of the environment; (b) monitor, evaluate and make recommendations on policies, procedures and practices of all local government organs in order to promote effective local governance; (c) investigate any matter under its purview and propose remedial action to the Minister, whenever or wherever necessary; (d) monitor and review
all existing and proposed legislation, and or policies and measures relating to local government organs and to make recommendations for any legislation or any amendments to any legislation and or policy to the Minister; (e) examine and propose ways of enhancing the capacity of local government organs. The Commission,once established, will take over most of the current oversight role exercised by the Ministry of Communities. The Ministry, therefore, will no longer have the ability to degrade the capacity of local government organs which will now be able to exercise executive authority in keeping with the autonomy guaranteed by the constitution. The Commission will oversee not only municipalities and NDCs but also Regional Democratic Councils as well as Amerindian Villages. The Act states, at Clause 13. (5): In the discharge of its functions the Commission shall have regard to the provisions of the Municipal and District Councils Act (Cap. 28:01), the Local Government Act (Cap. 28:02), the Local Democratic Organs Act (Cap. 28:09), the Amerindian Act (Cap. 29:01), and any other provisions bearing on matters of local government.
Sunday March 27, 2016
Kaieteur News
Aspirin use: The benefits AND RISKS DISCUSSED By Dr. Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine Aspirin is a commonly used drug, with almost everyone having a bottle with it in their home. It was initially used to treat pains and fever, but with the advent of more potent pain and fever medications its use has been transformed to important protective roles. Research has shown that aspirin has a vital role in decreasing the risk of certain health problems. Unfortunately not everyone knows of the benefits of aspirin use and more importantly, the risk associated with its use. Today we will discuss both sides with the hope that it will lead to more appropriate use of aspirin. CAN ASPIRIN PREVENT HEALTH PROBLEMS? Yes, aspirin can prevent a few different health problems in certain people. For example, in people who have had a heart attack or stroke, aspirin can help prevent another heart attack or stroke, or even death. Studies also suggest that aspirin can prevent heart attacks in people who have never had a heart attack or any type of heart or blood vessel disease. Plus, aspirin might protect against some forms of cancer and help people live longer. The type of cancer that aspirin seems to help most with is cancer of the colon or rectum (the lower part of the bowel). CAN ASPIRIN CAUSE HEALTH PROBLEMS? Yes, aspirin has a downside. It can cause serious internal bleeding. When aspirin causes bleeding, it is usually in the stomach or intestines. But bleeding can also happen in other parts of the body, such as the brain. The risk of bleeding while taking aspirin is not the same for everyone. Some people have a higher risk than others. You are more likely to bleed while on aspirin if you: . Have had ulcers in your stomach or intestines (called peptic ulcers) . Are 65 years old or older . Take high doses of medicines called nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as diclofenac (brand names such as voltaren) or ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin). . Use medicines called corticosteroids (such as prednisolone) in the form of pills or injections . Take medicines called “anti-coagulants” or blood thinners. HOW DOES ASPIRIN PREVENTHEALTH PROBLEMS?
Dr. Zulfikar Bux When it comes to problems that affect the heart or blood vessels, aspirin can help because it helps prevent blood clots. Heart attacks and some strokes happen when blood clots form inside arteries. Aspirin helps keep that from happening. When it comes to cancer, experts aren’t sure why aspirin might help, but results of several studies suggest it does. WHAT DOSE OF ASPIRIN CAN PROTECT ME? Experts think the best dose to prevent health problems is 75, 80, or 100 milligrams a day. This is often called lowdose aspirin. It is much less than the 325-milligram dose in a single aspirin pill that is used to treat pain. HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO TAKE ASPIRIN? People who choose to take aspirin to prevent heart
attacks or cancer will need to take it for many years. Aspirin starts preventing blood clots almost as soon as you take it. That means it can protect against heart attacks right away, but the protection wears off if you stop taking aspirin. It takes several years before aspirin protects against cancer. SHOULD I TAKE ASPIRIN TO PREVENT HEALTH PROBLEMS? That is a decision you will have to make with your doctor. First ask your doctor or nurse whether you are someone who might benefit from taking aspirin. Next, ask if you would be at risk of bleeding if you took aspirin. Then work with your doctor to make a decision that is right for you. Be aware, though, that experts do not think that healthy people younger than 50 should take aspirin to prevent heart disease or cancer. They do think it could help people who are 50 and older, but only if they are not at high risk of bleeding. Also, if you have already had a heart attack or have a strong family history of cancer, the decision you make with your doctor will be very different. **** Reaching out to Ms. Sant Persaud Dear Ms. Persaud, I read your letter and we wish to help you in any way we can. Please call 225-8482 or 225-8473, and provide us with your contact details. We will figure out a way to make this better.
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SUNDAY SPECIAL IF RADIO, CABLE, TV LICENCES NOT REVOKED, GUYANA LOSES Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge, has added his voice to the debate over the revocation of the granted radio and cable licences under the Jagdeo regime. “The act by former President Bharrat Jagdeo was improper, reprehensible and illegal.” The Member of Parliament said that as a President, one should not use the position to hand out state assets to family, associates’ families and/or political parties. He said that it was wrong in 2011 and it is still wrong. Greenidge said that if the illegal radio and cable licences are not revoked then Guyana would lose. The Foreign Affairs Minister believes that legal grounds do exist for the revocation of the radio and cable licences. He said that there is always a legal basis on which to challenge actions that public officials are empowered to take under the law. Greenidge asserted that such actions are subject to administrative law and are to be exercised in the public interest unless a specified category of beneficiary is named in the law. He emphasised that the decision is not to be exercised arbitrarily but on the basis of advice from the relevant competent authority and should not be for the benefit of the public official, his/her associates or relatives. “Mr Jagdeo’s decision did not meet this test so it should not stand. If beneficiaries of criminal actions by state officials can expect to
Kaieteur News
From left: Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Tamara Rodney; GECOM Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally; and the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, at a GECOM Press Conference at the Commission’s Waterloo Street location continue to enjoy the benefits then corruption is unlikely to be ever stamped out. The risk of disclosure, exposure and reversal is itself a powerful deterrent. “But if wrongdoers and the beneficiaries of wrongdoing know that the improper decisions are likely to be reversed even after the passage of relatively long periods of time, they will not be so keen to be party to such behaviour again.” $BILLIONS TURN-KEY HOMES IS A WILD-WEST ‘SCHEME’ Almost three years ago, at the height of the housing sector boom in the country, an ambitious project to provide low income families with 1,000 ‘turn-key’ homes was launched by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration. A new area, called Perseverance, behind Providence, East Bank Demerara, was earmarked for the homes. Former President, Donald Ramotar, declared the project open. From indications, it appeared that the Ministry of
Housing, under Minister Irfaan Ali, and its operating arm, the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), went about hiring groups of contractors to build the homes. There are no clear indications what procedures were used to hire the groups and whether these fell in line with the accepted national procurement processes. A new Government is in place now and following complaints, the new CH&PA’s board has launched investigations into various housing programmes, including those 1,000 homes. The initial indications are that of a wild-west situation when it comes to ensuring value for money and the turnkey homes. That fact that CH&PA was using its officers to purchase materials under questionable procurement arrangements also triggered serious concerns of the board. CH&PA’s CEO is Myrna Pitt. The first phase is for 200 homes and many of them are still incomplete. The homes are two-bedroom facilities, 20 feet by 30 feet and come with bathroom and toilet facilities and a kitchen sink. At least 30 families have moved in.
Minister Patterson is reported as telling the Government Information Agency (GINA) in January that several new home-owners complained that structures, which cost up to $4.9M ($4.4M for the house and $500,000 for the land), were poor. Minister Patterson has assured affected persons that all efforts will be made to correct the faulty work. Recently, a key committee of CH&PA’s Board of Directors recommended that the entity’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Denise King-Tudor, be sent on leave pending an investigation. CONCESSIONS WILL NOW BE CAPPED FINANCE MINISTER The ad hoc system which allowed investors to benefit from open-ended concessions will soon be a thing of the past, says Finance Minister, Winston Jordan. The politician said that the scheme is one which is no longer sustainable and as such, a much more beneficial and legal policy will be in place. He said that moves are already being made in this regard. “For the foreseeable future, we will have to use an incentive regime to attract
The bond of the 1000 ‘Turn Key’ homes at Perseverance East Bank Demerara Vandals broke into this new home last week
Sunday March 27, 2016
and encourage investors but we will have to use a regime that is more sustainable.” The Finance Minister added, “What was done before was that concessions were given out in an uncontrolled manner. You would see in some cases that concessions given to certain firms or persons were open-ended and worse yet, not monitored.” The Member of Parliament said that his Ministry is hoping to define the manner in which the concessions are granted, while pushing to have the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), monitor the concessions better, in a much more effective way. He said, “In fact, investors or businesses are supposed to file annual returns with the GRA and this has not been done in almost every instance…so we need to move swiftly because not to do so is an illegal act. It also means that the relevant agencies are not doing their job.” The Finance Minister emphasized the point that concessions must be capped. INT’L OBSERVERS LAUD LOCAL GOVT. ELECTIONS PROCESS The International Observers of the Local Government
Elections (LGE) declared that those elections were free, fair and credible. The U.S. Embassy, British High Commission and Canadian High Commission last week Saturday congratulated the Guyanese populace on the democratic process that is the LGEs, which was conducted on Friday, March 18. “We wish to reiterate our strong and considered opinion that the voting and counting processes in the Guyanese local government elections were free, fair, and credible.” The entities stated that their diplomatic observer teams, consisting of some 90 observers, which spread throughout nine regions, found nothing to question the integrity or credibility of the voting process. The International Observers continued that “once again” the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has done a “credible job” in ensuring that “this critical election day phase of the process was free and fair.” “We would like to congratulate Chairman Dr. Steve Surujbally, Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, and the Commissioners and staff of the Guyana Elections Commission for their successful organization of these polls.” The election was held in 71 Local Authority Areas, which included 62 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and nine municipalities – an overall total of 508 Constituencies. Of those constituencies, 149 of these were a “no contest” since only one party would have expressed interest in contesting in the election. A whopping 507,663 voters were captured on the Official Voters’ List and 1,562 Polling Stations were open to (Continued on page 33)
Sunday March 27, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Small’s relatives gathered at his home
Executed: O’Riley Small From page 32 facilitate voting. MAGISTRATE’S SENTENCE ENCOURAGES DISHONESTY …MAN FINED LESS THAN QUARTER OF WHAT HE STOLE The current sentencing policy employed by some Magistrates has led a local businessman to conclude that stealing in Guyana is a profitable venture. This was after his former employee was fined $100,000 by a city Magistrate for embezzling $500,000. In the process he made a profit of $400,000. The livid businessman is Frank Sanichara, Chief Executive Officer of Sueria Manufacturing Company. The convict is former employee, Kevin Waaldijk. And to add insult to injury, Waaldijk took to the social media to boast about his freedom leaving Sanichara to lament his loss. “It is profitable to steal in Guyana; if you talk to any 10 businessmen, they will tell you that embezzlement has become a crisis, and the court is not doing us any favour,” Sanichara told Kaieteur News. Waaldijk, who was employed as a salesman by Sanichara’s company, was arrested last August after he was accused of embezzling the funds he was entrusted with. After a trial that lasted almost eight months, he was found guilty by Magistrate Fabayo Azore in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court two Fridays ago. But instead of imposing a mandatory prison sentence, the Magistrate ordered Waaldijk to pay a fine of $100,000, much to the businessman’s surprise. The penalty also shocked the police ranks who had worked on the case. In court, Waaldijk smiled and cast a mocking glance at Sanichara when he heard the verdict. The fine was quickly paid from the $150,000 bail that Waaldijk had posted. An obviously disap-
pointed Sanichara told Kaieteur News that while he is not too familiar with the sentencing guidelines for such offences, he is certain that justice was not served. MONDAY EDITION DRUG DEALER MAY HAVE ORDERED HIT ON O’RILEY SMALL - ALLEGED GUNMAN, ASSOCIATE STILL IN CUSTODY, THIRD MAN BEING SOUGHT SOURCE A known drug dealer may have organized the execution of former robbery accused O’Riley Small, who was gunned down in the yard of his Smyth Street home last week Saturday. That’s the theory detectives are following, even as they continue to question the alleged gunman and one of his associates. The police were still trying to locate the alleged mastermind. Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum would only confirm that a third man is being sought, while declining to comment on a possible motive for the killing. But there were indications that charges could be instituted soon against the man suspected of pumping ten bullets into Small. The suspect, employed as an armed guard at a popular night spot, was detained after a hoodie that appeared to be similar to the gunman’s was retrieved from his car. His hands were also reportedly swabbed for possible evidence of gunpowder residue. An associate of the suspect was also held. Small was said to have also worked at the same night spot. Small, 31, of Lot 2 Smyth Street, was riddled with bul-
lets by a gunman dressed in a ‘hoodie’ just as he returned home from one of the city night spots. ILLEGALLYISSUED RADIO, TV, CABLE LICENCES…GOVT. MUST HAVE CLEARAGENDAON TACKLING CORRUPTION UNDER PPP - DR. DAVID HINDS The recent support by certain Government officials for the revocation of radio, television and cable licences arbitrarily granted under the Jagdeo regime, is a positive development in the direction of justice and fairness, says University Professor, Dr.
M&CC workers demolishing the pavement
David Hinds. He noted however that the endorsement for the revocation as expressed by Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge and Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan is not enough. Dr. Hinds said that the Government must have a clear agenda on tackling this issue and corruption as a whole under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C). He is also challenging the Government to come forward with a statement to set the record straight. CITY HALL
DEMOLISHESANOTHER ‘ILLEGAL’PAVEMENT Armed with jack-hammers, a crew from the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) last weekend demolished what they said was an illegally constructed pavement in Camp Street. The pavement was at the back of an unfinished building being constructed by businessman Rizwam Khan, who deemed the M&CC’s action as an unfair and spiteful act. But an official from M&CC said that the businessman did not receive permission from the Council to build the structure.
Khan, though, is claiming that he did not build the pavement and even if he had wanted to, he would not have needed permission. “We don’t have to get permission to do the pavement. Why didn’t they break City Mall pavement? It is five feet higher than me own. Why didn’t they break down Footsteps pavement? It is nine feet higher than me own.” Khan stated that he bought the plot of land from the owners of Kissoon’s Furniture Store a few years after their establishment was destroyed by fire. The man said that the Council never notified him about having any issues with the pavement. He said that he was only informed that it was being demolished the previous morning after receiving a call from his security guard. In the meantime, the businessman said that he is going to leave the pavement just as it is. “Who walk there and bruk their foot is they problem,” he exclaimed. TUESDAY EDITION 28 ACRES OF PROVIDENCE LANDS PARCELED OFF TO RAMROOP’S DIRECTOR As questions continue into the transactions of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), it appears that close friends of officials within the previous PPP/C administration were benefitting big time. Some 28.80 acres of land in Providence went to Luxury (Continued on page 34)
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From page 33 Realty Inc., a company which lists Roopnarine Ravie Ramcharitar as the Director/ Secretary. Ramcharitar is one of the main faces and Directors within Queens Atlantic Investment Inc. (QAII), a company that is controlled by Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop. Ramcharitar is a former Director of the Berbice River Bridge Company. He resigned last year after a clash with Government over reducing rates for the bridge. On his Linkedin account, he is listed as the General Manager of New GPC, a company that had the right to supply billions of dollars of drugs, each year, for Government. The transaction between Luxury Realty Inc. and CH&PA was inked on December 17, 2013. With a purchase price of $168M, Luxury was asked to pay just $58.8M (35 percent) upfront with the rest, $109.2M over a period– $42M when infrastructural works are completed, and the rest when the Certificate of Title is passed. Luxury was mandated to use the scheme for residential purposes and for the sale of homes only. Ramcharitar was supposed to complete all infrastructural works within eight months. Like many other of the 20odd developers to whom CH&PA and ex-Minister Ali also sold lands on the East Bank, Luxury has also failed to meet deadlines. There is very little evidence of infrastructure works and activity. PROVIDENCE ‘REMIGRANT’ SCHEME… CENTRAL HOUSING OFFICER DECIDED WHO ISAREMIGRANT According to officials of the Ministry of Communities, who are investigating the transactions of the remigrant housing scheme, recent checks found just two completed homes and six others under construction. The land behind Republic Park
Kaieteur News
GEA’s CEO, Dr. Mahender Sharma
Former Housing Minister, Irfaan Ali, whose party lost power in May last year after early elections, had said that over 5,000 applications had come in for lands in the Remigrant scheme. A few months ago, as land owners complained about conditions, contractors started to build concrete drains and pave roads into the area. But all that may pale in comparison to what is being discovered. According to CH&PA, applications for lots in the socalled ‘Remigrant Scheme’ had to be done online on its website. It appeared that the person processing the applications was a senior official in the Information Technology department. From indications, he replied to online applications and determined who could be considered a remigrant. Under the country’s regulations, only the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can determine who becomes a remigrant (a person returning to Guyana to live). A number of persons who
owned lands said that they never had any transactions with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. GUNPOWDER RESIDUE FOUND ON O’RILEY’S ALLEGED KILLER -SUSPECT ADMITS TO DROPPING VICTIM HOME Forensic experts have reportedly found gunpowder residue on the hands and clothing of a detained night club security guard, who is the suspected trigger-man in the killing of O’Riley Small. Kaieteur News understands that some of the residue was retrieved from a ‘hoodie’ that detectives retrieved from the suspect’s car shortly after arresting him at the night club at which he was employed. An eyewitness had told police that the gunman who killed Small was dressed in a similar ‘hoodie.’ “Based on (forensic) analysis, large quantities of gunpowder residue were detected on both the jacket and body of the suspect.
“This is consistent with evidence gathered so far that ‘Max’ (the suspect) was the trigger man,” a police source said. A post mortem revealed that Small, 31, was shot nine times at close range with a firearm that used .40 ammunition. That ammunition, which is of a larger calibre than the 9mm ammunition, left gaping holes in the victim’s chest, stomach, back, neck, jaw, thigh and one of his hands. BANDITS SHOOT BUS DRIVERAND DELIVERY MAN IN SEPARATE ROBBERIES Bandits shot Linden bus driver Elvin Lorrimer (who later died) and wounded a Royal Castle delivery man during separate robberies in Hadfield Street and Garnett Street, Campbellville on Monday night. Lorrimer, 53, of Kara Kara, Linden, was shot in the chest at around 20.00 hrs while sitting in his vehicle at the Linden bus park in Georgetown. He sustained at least two gunshot wounds. He succumbed five hours later,
Sunday March 27, 2016
around 01:00h. There are reports that Lorrimer, who is also a pastor, was shot when he resisted his attacker. An eyewitness said that she was standing nearby when she heard a gunshot. She then saw Lorrimer lying on the roadside. According to the woman, she then heard another gunshot, and saw two men on a motorcycle riding in the direction of the Stabroek Market area. Lorrimer was then rushed to the Georgetown Hospital. His distraught wife said that the father of four has been working as a minibus driver for some 18 years and has a church at Moblissa, on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway. He left home at around 09.30 hrs on Monday. She received word of the attack from an individual who plies his trade at the Linden bus park. In another brazen robbery Monday night, Satycharran Karran, a 36-year-old Royal Castle employee, was shot in the left hand and the leg while making a delivery in Garnett Street, Campbellville. The robbers made off with Karran’s CG motorcycle. 2016 LGE HAD 47% TOTALVOTER TURNOUT - GECOM - RECOUNTS IN DISTRICT 6, REGION 3 PRODUCE UNCHANGED RESULTS The recounts sought by the People’s Progressive Party in Berbice and parts of Region Three did not affect the final results of the elections, the Guyana Elections Commission said Monday. The Commission also released figures indicating that the voter turnout for the historic Local Government Elections (LGE) on Friday, March 18 was 47 percent. The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) had called for limited recounts in District 6 because it was not satisfied with its showing in the Municipal Elections (New Amsterdam, Rose Hall and Corriverton).
According to the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, the request for recounts was made in the Municipality of Rose Hall, while limited recounts were requested in Constituencies 5 and 7. He had noted that in the Municipality of MaidaTarlogie, on the Corentyne, there was a request for a recount. In addition, he had noted that in the Macedonia/ Joppa Local Authority Area there was the request for the recount of one constituency. In Rose Hall, Lowenfield had said that there was a probable tie that might have resulted in the call for a recount. Lowenfield had added that there were still some “statutory subsets” for GECOM to satisfy before the entire exercise could be brought to a close. In the 1994 elections the PPP won Rose Hall outright. WEDNESDAY EDITION FORENSICAUDITAT GEA FINDS…SHARMA PRESIDES OVER MASSIVE CORRUPTION - AGENCY OPERATES ILLEGALLY WITH CURRENTACCOUNTING SYSTEM The Fuel Marking Division of Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) has been found to be a haven for corruption of all sorts due to frail internal control systems. This was concluded by the forensic audit report prepared by Nigel Hinds Financial Services. In fact, auditors stressed that the abuse of and non compliance with the rules and regulations of the programme is closely linked to high levels of fuel smuggling. The auditors also took issue with the polygraph testing. They emphasized that evidence shows that the controversial polygraph testing, was failed by the Head of Fuel Marking, William Holder, in September 2010. However, he was never sent off the job, while 30 others who failed the test were sent packing. The auditors found a virtually non-existent validation of the fuel marking process for imported bulk fuel. They also found a very weak internal control system for fuel marking concentrates and the absence of adequate monitoring of the Trawlers Association vessels. All these create wideranging opportunities for fuel smuggling, the report said. The auditors said that this resulted in GRA and GEA’s ineffectiveness to monitor fuel imports. The forensic auditors have recommended “strong disciplinary action” for CEO, Dr. Mahender Sharma. They (Continued on page 35)
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From page 34 accused him of poor management. And as if the astonishing scales of corruption within the departments of the GEA weren’t enough to leave forensic auditors disturbed, they stumbled onto evidence which showed that the entity was illegally operating an accounting system. The auditors noted that the entity was using an accounting software called “Peachtree” to automate and manage its accounting functions. However, the agency does not have a licence to use Peachtree Accounting Software. The auditors found the use of the software in this manner to be illegal. They recommended that the agency immediately purchases a licence to legalize the current use of its Peachtree accounting software. There were also a number of other irregularities found within GEA’s financial systems. The auditing team noted, for example, that GEA has been incorrectly recording funds that it collects from oil companies on behalf of the Government of Guyana as revenue on its financial statements. EX-FINANCE MINISTER BENEFITS FROM 25 ACRES OF HOUSING LANDS Ex-Finance Minister, Saisnarine Kowlessar, appeared to be one of the beneficiaries of lands on the East Bank of Demerara. In April 2011, months before former President Bharrat Jagdeo, ended his two-terms in office, an agreement was signed between the Central Housing and Planning Authority and CARICOM General Insurance Company, a company that had its registered office at Ruimzeight, West Coast Demerara. The agreement named Kowlessar, who served as Finance Minister in the PPP government, as the Chief Executive Officer. CARICOM was buying 50 acres behind Republic Park for $5M per acre. Kowlessar ’s company was expected to pay $62.5M upfront and the rest when the title passed. Possession of the 50 acres was granted on the signing of the agreement. Based on the agreement, the company was expected to proceed immediately to carry out infrastructural works, including access roads, bridges, culverts, drainage, water and electricity networks. CH&PA said that the designs of all the homes to be built by the company had to be approved by the authority. It appeared that the company breached the agreement
Kaieteur News
enue leakage racket at its branch at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, involving several Customs officers who are being investigated for their role in a scheme to defraud the Authority of millions of dollars in state revenues. Initial reports are that the importers save almost 50 per cent on the taxes they should pay on their imports. Of the money they pay a mere two percent goes into the government coffers. The remainder is pocketed by the Customs ranks. Investigations into the scheme are ongoing. The matter appears to date back several years and is linked to a select group of importers who appeared to have been allowed to clear goods without paying the correct or prescribed amount of duties.
A weeping Roy Lewis after he was sentenced
as it went ahead and sold house lots. FORENSICAUDIT REPORT ON GINA REVEALS…$20M RECKLESSLY WASTED ON ‘THE GUYANESE’ It would appear as though the Government Information Agency (GINA) basically handed $20.1M to Neeaz Subhan and Kwame McCoy. Some of this money went to print and distribute a newspaper called “The Guyanese” which was circulated in and around the New York area. What is worse is that GINA did not even record an income despite the newspaper attracting paid advertisements. This was revealed in a special audit report conducted on the state agency. The special forensic audit report also found that a Rajiv Sanchara was the one who received the handsome salary to print and distribute the newspaper in the USA. Additionally, the report found that GINA also paid $8,373,355 for television and radio programmes in New York. These programmes started in September 2014. It was revealed that no revenue was received by GINA for advertisements during these programmes. Recommendations have since been made for the expenditure on the newspaper to be recovered. Since the APNU+AFC Coalition assumed office, the paper which was circulated fortnightly in the USA, was cancelled. Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan, had bemoaned the “taxpayer-funded” newspaper on several occasions. He referred to it as a creature of the past regime which was only intended to carry the propaganda of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C).
GINA’s Former Head, Neaz Subhan had refused to answer critical questions from Kaieteur News on this newspaper claiming that it was an internal matter. Publisher of Kaieteur News, Glenn Lall, who has been printing the New York edition of Kaieteur News for more than 15 years, had explained that the money reportedly spent by the government to print six issues of ‘The Guyanese’ could have printed two years, or 100 issues of that same fortnightly newspaper. SPURNED CHILD PREDATOR WHO KILLED TEEN GETS 26 YEARS Thirty-nine year-old Roy Lewis of Glasgow Housing Scheme who was on trial in the Berbice High Court for Murder, but had earlier pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter, was on Tuesday sentenced to 26 years in jail by Justice Franklyn Holder. This was after a probation report was presented by Senior Probation and Social Services officer, Egla October.
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Lewis was on trial for brutally murdering his 18-yearold foster nephew Devon Da Silva called Devon Lewis of Sisters Village, East Bank Berbice, on December 27, 2012, at Sisters Village. Da Silva was stabbed to death while in bed with his girlfriend Ashley Whyte called ‘Toya’ at her parents’ home. The youth, who was reportedly forced into a longstanding intimate relationship since he was 14 by Lewis, was reportedly asleep beside his girlfriend when Lewis entered the house and stabbed him several times about his body. The Post Mortem report stated that the deceased was stabbed nine times – four times to the neck. His girlfriend was also injured. The teen managed to jump through a window, but died before receiving medical attention. GRA UNCOVERS RACKETAT ITS TIMEHRI OPERATIONS The Guyana Revenue Authority has uncovered a rev-
PRESIDENT PARTICIPATES IN CHOWTAL SINGINGAT STATE HOUSE As Guyanese prepared to celebrate the festival of Holi or Phagwah on Wednesday, President David Granger on Tuesday evening joined members of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangha for a Chowtal session on the lawns of State House. Chowtal is a genre of folk music originated from the Bhojpuri Region, Northern India and has been preserved for over 178 years in Guyana. In his brief remarks after a spirited round of Chowtal singing, the Head of State said that the festivities associated with the festival of Holi is an expression of the culture which is part of the Guyanese experience that started to flourish after the country gained independence. He explained that these festivals contribute to national unity, in that they help citizens to understand and appreciate the uniqueness of the country’s diverse cultural mosaic. The President
pointed out, however, that most of the festivities are confined to the coastland and urged the religious groups to visit riverine and hinterland communities and host some of these cultural activities there, so that people will get a better understanding of the Guyanese society. THURSDAY EDITION CENTRAL HOUSING HELD PRIME PROVIDENCE LANDS 3 YEARS FOR BK INT’L Construction giant, BK International Inc., which purchased 100 acres of prime lands aback of the National Stadium in Providence, East Bank Demerara, was allowed to breach several parts of its agreement with the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA). The authority took no action to force Sunset Lakes Inc, BK’s subsidiary that was developing the lands, to meet deadlines although it was handed over since early 2011. Sunset Lakes, which was registered to Brian Tiwarie, the owner of BK International, is now in the control of Chinese logging investor, BaiShanLin Forest Development. BK had said that BaiShanLin was partnering with his company to develop the lands and that it was not sold. However, CH&PA has no documents to say how BaiShanLin took control. It is unclear what monies BK received and whether taxes were paid on it. According to CH&PA documents, on February 21, 2011, the authority’s Chief Executive Officer, Myrna Pitt, wrote Tiwarie, the Managing Director of BK International, indicating that 100 acres has been identified at the Eccles/ Providence location. Pitt made it clear to Tiwarie that the lands were being sold for the development (Continued on page 36)
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From page 35 of land, construction and sale of houses only. The 100 acres were divided into two plots - the first 71.09 acres were being sold for $5M per acre while the remaining 28.91 acres for $4M per acre. The total cost was $471.09M Sunset Lakes agreed to complete infrastructural works, including paved roads, drainage, electricity and water networks within three months of agreement being signed. Tiwarie agreed that the land must only be utilized for the purpose it was allocated– the development of land, construction and sale of houses only. It appeared that although Tiwarie was informed of the lands in February 2011, it was not until three years later, in February 2014, that an agreement of sale was inked. CH&PA held onto it for Sunset Lakes for three years. By then the price was inexplicably reduced to $458M, from the original costs of $471M. Within months after signing the agreement with CH&PA in 2014, Tiwarie and Sunset Lakes handed over the property to BaiShanLin. The Chinese company in turn, shortly after, unveiled an ambitious gated community project. But that development along the East Bank Demerara corridor is in deep trouble with works stalled for months now. SHARMAAS PPP CANDIDATE WAS “WHOLLY INAPPROPRIATE” – AUDITORS SAY Forensic auditors have flagged various irregularities at the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) during its investigations, some of which point to poor corporate governance at the entity. The auditing team of Nigel Hinds Financial Services said that Section 18(2) (c) of the GEA Act 1997 mandates that the Agency’s Board Members shall consist of any number of persons not exceeding seven. However, its investigation revealed that during the period January 25, 2011 to June 30, 2012 there were eight board Members. In addition, the auditors took note of the fact that GEA’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Mahender Sharma, was a candidate on the PPP/C national list of candidates for the May 11, 2015, General Elections. They said that adherence to the decisions of a political party concurrent with managing a state-owned corporation, is “wholly inappropriate” and “creates conflict of interest issues” that have very negative implications for employee morale, use of GEA resources and the image of GEA.
Kaieteur News
FORMER SHERIFF NIGHTCLUB AND BAR RAZED BY FIRE Persons residing along Sheriff Street were interrupted from their Phagwah (Holi) celebrations after the once popular, Sheriff Restaurant and Bar, went up in flames around 15:00 hours Wednesday. Devo Pooran, who said he was the owner of the building, related that he received a call from a neighbour who informed him that the building was on fire. Asked if he knew what could have caused the blaze, Pooran said that he was told that one of the “power lines” was sparking. This, he said, could have been responsible for the fire. However, Pooran said that he is a little puzzled since the building was, for a long time, without electricity.
The man said that he was in the process of selling the building. Now he would be contemplating his next move. Guyana Fire Service (GFS) Divisional Officer in Charge of Operations, Sparman Hampton, said that they received a call a little after 15:00 hrs that a building was on fire at Sheriff Street. “We immediately responded with three fire appliances, one from Campbellville and two from central. When we got there the entire upper floor was engulfed in flames,” the fire officer explained. He added that there were some problems at first but fire fighters were able to contain the blaze to where it started in the upper flat of the twostorey building. FORENSIC AUDIT REPORT ON GFC RECOMMENDS… REPOSSESS
STATE FORESTS, RECOVER COST OF CONCESSIONS TO BAISHANLIN - HALTALLAGREEMENTS WITH COMPANY Very soon, the Granger administration will have to make a crucial decision on whether it will bring the hammer down on a Chinese company found with a history of corruption in Guyana, or continue to treat with it diplomatically. The current administration was recently in receipt of a forensic audit report prepared by Chartered Accountant, Anand Goolsarran. This report documents numerous irregularities which go as far back as 2006, when BaiShanLin International Forest Development Inc was incorporated. The main objective of the company, when it came in
2006, was to set up downstream wood processing operations in Linden and on the East Bank Demerara. In his audit report, Goolsarran revealed that on November 4, 2011, the Guyana Forestry Commission granted a State Forest Exploratory Permit (SFEP) to the Chinese company. This covered 104,783 hectares of State forest. On the surface, everything seemed well with this arrangement. But what alarmed the forensic auditor was that BaiShanLin was blessed with the permit (SFEP) for which it failed to meet the necessary requirements. The criteria the Chinese firm failed to meet included (a) the submission of audited financial statements for the last five years; (b) evidence of technical and financial qualifications; and (c) a history of compliance.
Goolsarran revealed that a key consideration for the grant of the permit was the reassurance BaiShanLin gave the government to build a state-of-the-art wood processing facility in Linden. It intended to do so since 2006. The forensic auditor revealed that the company had leased 200 acres for this purpose and had given a commitment to complete the facility by the end of 2013, following which the Government of Guyana would make available a further 100 acres for additional value-added processing. As a condition for the grant of the permit, the auditor discovered that the company was required to carry out an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) before any extraction could begin. It was also required to prepare a business plan and do a forest inventory. How-
ever, at the time of the expiration of permit on November 4, 2014, the company had not honoured its obligations. Taking into consideration that the Chinese company has failed to fulfill its obligations to Guyana, and the fact that the Forests Act does not permit a renewal of a SFEP at the end of three years, the contract with the company Goolsarran said, should be terminated forthwith. Goolsarran also recommended that State forest should be returned to the Commission for reallocation. In addition to this, he said that the coalition administration should consider terminating the investment agreements with the company and recover the value of the fiscal concessions granted to it. CONTRACT SPLITTING OF FUEL PURCHASES
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COST GUYANATENS OF $MILLIONS – GUYOIL’S FORENSIC AUDIT REPORT During his tenure, sacked head of the Guyana Oil Company (GuyOil), Badrie Persaud, approved thousands of transactions for that state-owned entity. Many of them breached protocols and cost the country millions of dollars because of the absence of proper procurement procedures. Some of the more blatant transactions found by the auditors involved GuyOil’s handling of fuel purchasing. Between November 1, 2011 and May 31, 2015, according to a report from auditors, GuyOil purchased fuel totaling $94.5M from one Deodat Dhanrajh. Dhanrajh was a major shipper of fuel, contracted by GuyOil. It is unclear why the
Managing Director turned to Dhanrajh. What is clear is that a week before the May 11, 2015 elections, GuyOil purchased from Rubis, one of the major sellers in Guyana, some 238,481 litres for $47.4M. The transaction was for $199 per litre. GuyOil then turned to Dhanrajh, the transporter, two days later taking an order from him at the same price. The auditors in flagging the transaction believed it was a clear case of staggering and splitting of a full order to facilitate Dhanrajh in the transaction. The auditors, Nigel Hinds Financial Services, were convinced that the fuel could have been sourced at a lower negotiated price based on the volume of purchases from Rubis. What made the transac-
tion even worse was that on May 3, 2015, GuyOil’s wholesale price was $172.30. Two days later, GuyOil changed the wholesale price to $198. It amounted to millions of dollars in losses for GuyOil. The auditors also said that on checking transactions with Dhanrajh, they found fuel purchases for the period January 1, 2011 to June 30, 2015 to be $94M. Dhanrajh shared a cozy relationship with GuyOil as he was allowed to even enter his shipping arrangements without the proper procurement processes being followed. “It was obvious that Mr. Dhanrajh enjoyed a special relationship with GuyOil in this and other arrangements,” the audit report said. During the period of review, Dhanrajh received $199.8M for shipping of fuel to GuyOil without even a contract in place. WANTED MAN EXECUTED, DUMPED INCEMETERY The bullet-riddled body of a 28-year-old wanted man, a murder suspect, was found around 06:00 hrs Thursday in Le Repentir Cemetery, Georgetown. The victim has since been identified as Steve Mohamed, called “Cheesy” of Alberttown, Georgetown; Kaneville and Friendship on the East Bank Demerara. He was shot five times to the head and once to the chest. The gruesome discovery was made by someone who was jogging in the area. Kaieteur News understands that detectives found no bullet casings at the scene. This suggests that the victim was executed somewhere else and his killers dumped his body there. Investigators believe that the killing occurred sometime Wednesday night and his lifeless body was taken to the cemetery shortly after he was executed. In 2015, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) had issued a wanted bulletin for Mohamed in relation to investigations into the murder of Quacy Thompson which occurred at Mowasi Landing, Konawaruk. Thompson, a miner, was reportedly involved in an argument with Mohamed during which he was stabbed and shot to his body in July 2014. Mohamed escaped from police custody in 2015 and a wanted bulletin was issued for his arrest. Last February, Mohamed was sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined $200,000 at the end of a trial that went on in his absence.
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Can Guyana checkmate tax evasion with FATCA? (Conclusion) By Kiana Wilburg
Whether we want to accept it now or later, the inescapable truth is that tax evasion affects us all. The effects of this crime may seem localised, but as nations trade and conduct business with each other, the economic standing of one will in turn affect the other. That is why some argue that a single country cannot solve the problem on its own. To confront this dilemma, the United States of America developed the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) in 2010. A few weeks ago, I started a discussion on this topic with Chartered Accountant, Shawn Naughton. Today, I bring conclusion to the threepart series on whether Guyana can actually end tax evasion with FATCA. Kaieteur News (KN): How can Guyana benefit from getting more involved in International tax issues? Shawn Naughton (SN): I like the question, because it allows me to talk about a few other elementary areas of international tax, in addition to tax information exchange. I strongly believe that as we work with the USA on FATCA, we will increasingly appreciate the importance of international tax rules and begin, more and more, to embrace the idea of strengthening our own international tax rules. The following should provide some direction in this regard: USING INFORMATION EXCHANGE TO OUR BENEFIT It has now been established that the USA is here to recover taxing-up revenue which was being evaded because the relevant information was not being communicated. Guyana too needs our taxing-up revenue to stimulate our economy and help create jobs here. With reciprocal tax information exchanges, coupled with the effective use of the information received, Guyana too can checkmate tax evasion and avoidance by recovering taxing-up revenue. As Guyana cannot agree to FATCA with say, Barbados, since FATCA is unique to the USA, Guyana would need to sign alternative reciprocal tax information exchange agreements with Barbados and other major trade partners to recover the much needed tax revenue. Note that the USA and FATCA is not only here in Guyana, but is everywhere in the world as part of US
Chartered Accountant, Shawn Naughton attempt to recover lost tax revenue. A useful alternative tax information exchange tool is the Automatic Exchange of Information in Tax Matters (AEOI) agreement. This tool works by the relevant information being exchanged annually without it first being requested. Unlike FATCA which provides information about the offshore assets which generate income, necessitating further processing before assessments are possible, AEOI agreements provide the exact tax return information submitted offshore. This tool is therefore more direct than FATCA, but because it lacks a penalty regime (provided for under FATCA), it is less effective at getting countries to agree to the measure. It should be noted that taxing-up is of no effect if the country where income is earned, imposes a greater tax charge than would the country of residence. As an example, if income of $2,500 earned in Guyana is charged a tax of $900 here and the US taxes on the same income is $800, assuming the relevant taxpayer is a US citizen, USA will effectively not be able to tax-up ($800-$900=Nil tax-up). Taxing-down (country of residence refunding part of the overseas taxes paid) is not normally allowed. This has implications for the USA and other countries like Guyana seeking to tax-up offshore income as in some cases no more taxes would be payable. SIMPLE GROUP STRUCTURES INVOLVING TAX HAVENS I expect Guyana to have a deeper interest in international tax once we get comfortable with the enforcement of FATCA. Appreciating the importance of a company’s residence is a simple benefit, which should be derived from working on FATCA, and can go a far way in reversing tax avoidance attempts. There are many opportunities for tax
avoidance where a tax haven is involved in a multinational group of companies. HYBRID MISMATCHES International business transactions and structures create many opportunities for taxpayers to avoid paying tax. This is mainly because of the interaction of the tax laws of different countries (known by the technical name of Tax Arbitrage). Tax havens, as an example, charge low or no tax on some forms of income earned, and may not share taxpayers’ information. In Delaware USA, a tax haven, information about a Limited Liability Company (LLC) is protected by legislation. Public access to information about LLC’s business structures and its ultimate owners are not made available. The income of LLCs can be considered either as corporate income, or as flow through income which is taxable on the owners of the company and not on the entity itself, under US tax laws. (This is often referred to as a check-the-box option and is the reason the LLCs are considered a hybrid entity.) The residence of the LLC is relevant for US tax purposes, but if the election of a ‘flowthrough’ entity is chosen, the elected residence may be in another country. A Delaware LLC can hold investments all over the world and may be able to avoid taxing-up on these investments. Note that as mentioned above, an entity which changes from being a ‘flow-through’ to being a separate entity under the laws of different countries is technically known as a ‘Hybrid Entity’. TRANSFER PRICING ISSUES AND TAX HAVENS Let’s consider the following hypothetical transfer pricing case: Kiana, a Guyanese resident taxpayer, owns two companies, Kiana Guyana Inc (KG) and Kiana Delaware Inc (KD). KG retails fuel in Guyana which it purchases from KD. KD purchases all fuel it sells to KG, from the Middle East (ME). If Kiana knows that the US would not seek to tax the operating income of KD, since there is no business activities in Delaware, prices might be set to artificially maximize profits in KD while KD might not report these profits to the IRS. ME might be shipping fuel directly to KG while significant profits are taken by KD for doing nothing other than moving a few papers. KD might well be represented by an office in Delaware which is never
opened (facilitated by companies like CT
Corporation, which takes care of the ongoing legal
responsibilities of hundreds (Continued on page 47)
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Can Guyana checkmate tax evasion... advanced international tax training, if we are to work efficiently and effectively in taxation. This will become, by far, more obvious once the oil and
(From page 45) of thousands of companies (285,000 companies) in a small building in Wilmington, Delaware. Taking the pricing advantage might be attempted because of the lack of transfer pricing rules in Guyana. Note that transfer pricing rules argue that profits should follow “significant profit-driven activities”. If there is no significant profitdriving activity being carried out by KD, pricing between KD and KG should reflect that. If there is no activity at the Delaware office it is likely that the management of KD is being done where Kiana resides; namely Guyana, making KD a Guyanese resident company so subject to tax here. Checkmate!! This may also apply to the hybrid mismatch if the LLC is not management in Delaware. PROVIDING FOR THE UNIQUE INTERACTIONS OF TAX LAWS A greater appreciation of the way the tax laws of the USA interact with our tax laws should result from our involvement with FATCA enforcement. This is significant since, unlike most other countries, the USA retains taxing-up rights based on the taxpayer’s citizenship. Our tax laws would therefore need to have provisions for dealing with the unique interaction
between our tax laws and those of the USA, in attempting to achieve equality of tax treatment across countries. TREATY LAW AND TAXATION The conditions agreed between Guyana and the USA, as it relates to FATCA or any other agreement, are applicable between these two countries only. As an example, Barbados or other countries should not benefit from the FATCA agreement between Guyana and the USA. This is very important and is worth mentioning, though it may seem obvious. As an example, let’s assume that Guyana and Barbados are the only signatories to such an agreement and there is a group of companies involving Guyana and Jamaica. The group could decide to form a third company, this time in Barbados, which will deal directly with Guyana. The company may be without substance; only being used for the purpose of benefiting under the treaty. If the benefits of the treaty are to
flow to Jamaica, through Barbados, without being intercepted, then the group would have succeeded in avoiding tax. International tax rules address this potential problem by tightly defining the beneficiaries of a treaty to exclude indirect benefits to non-treaty countries. KN: Shawn, this is a lot of useful information. Is there anything else you would like to say about international tax as we wrapup this interview/ discussion? SN: Of course. With increased globalization, all countries in the world need to improve their International tax rules and enforcement mechanisms in order to make sure that all taxpayers pay their fair share of the tax needed by the government to provide services to its citizens. International tax is a very specialized area of tax law. It is no longer sufficient to be an accountant, attorney or economist (used often as experts to discuss economic substance, especially in cases like the hypothetical example involving Delaware) without
gas industry comes on stream. Upstream oil and gas is a very specialized area of international tax, and Guyana will need its best tax minds to protect our tax revenue once
this industry comes on stream. Let us rise to the occasion. Let us embrace international tax rules. I thank you for letting me share my views.
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LGE’s revival has awakened the economic and self-sustainable potential of our regions - Head of State tells GCCI AGM President David Granger has cited the return of Local Government Elections (LGE) as the key to aid in the unlocking of the economic and self-sustainable potential of the state’s Ten Administrative Regions. The President related this to the members of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) as the entity held its 126th Annual General Meeting at Le Meridian Pegasus Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown, on Thursday last. The President, who was
lauded for his punctuality by the Chamber, told the gathering that the Government as well as the Private Sector must ensure that efforts to boost the country’s development should remain a top priority, and efforts should not be limited to the Capital, Georgetown, but throughout the nation. He also noted that the democratisation of local government is necessary for the planned economic takeoff of Guyana’s towns and regions. He continued that
President David Granger (second from left) shares a light moment with from left, outgoing GCCI president, Mr. Lance Hinds, Junior Vice President, Ms. Padma Kunjbeharry and GCCI Secretary, Mr. Nicholas Boyer. Guyana’s hinterland and rural landscape will be open for orderly development. With the towns leading the charge,
From left: US Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Perry Holloway, British High Commissioner to Guyana, Mr. Greg Quinn, Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Mr. Venkatachalam Mahalingam and members of the GCCI at the AGM. (Ministry of the Presidency photos)
this process will create unlimited business opportunities for the business community in Guyana. “Our aim is to modernise local government and to catapult our municipalities into the 21st century. Our objective is to catalyse the economies of our towns and communities. Tremendous opportunities for all will unfold as we boost the economies of our regions through the instrumentality of our ‘capital towns’. The challenges that present themselves will be dwarfed by the opportunities for economic growth that lie ahead,” President Granger said. He continued that the LGE, which was held on March 18, 2016, was more than mere respect for constitutionality, but a reaffirmation of Guyana’s political democracy and an opportunity for economic change.
The President said that the “colonial compound mentality” where the citizens were solely dependent on; central government to meet their needs, largely continued over the years due to the absence of local government elections. However, the elections have restored citizens’ rights to participate in decisionmaking in their municipalities and neighbourhood councils; and also the renewal of economic opportunities for innovation, investment and infrastructural development. “The elections for our neighbourhood democratic councils and municipalities paved the way for a change in the way our towns and communities are governed,” he stated. “This democratisation has been accompanied by the first major extension in municipal administration in over four decades, with the Official Gazette
(Extraordinary) published on October 21, 2015 authorising the establishment of three new towns: Bartica, in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region Seven); Lethem, in the Rupununi, Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo (Region Nine) and Mabaruma, in the Barima-Waini (Region One). Mahdia, in the PotaroSiparuni (Region Eight), is a village which will become a town later this year,” the President asserted. With the elections now over, local authorities are expected to be weaned off of Central Government dictation, domination and dependency. It will allow for a more collaborative and forward-looking model of governance, the President said. ‘CAPITAL TOWNS’ TO SPEARHEAD DEVELOPMENT “The new model will instil a ‘capital town’ mind set, (Continued on page 50)
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LGE’s revival has awakened the... (From page 48) which emphasizes the role of towns in moving beyond providing traditional municipal services. The new emphasis should be on promoting business, driving economic development and giving leadership to our regions. “Guyana will develop only if regions are strong. Our regions must no longer be viewed as mere administrative appendages of the Central Government. Our regions must become motors of economic growth. The potential of our regions is indisputable,” the Head of State said. He further noted that a ‘capital town’ will be established in every region to spearhead development. “Bartica will be the ‘capital town’ of CuyuniMazaruni. Lethem will be the ‘capital town’ of the Rupununi. Mabaruma will be the ‘capital town’ of BarimaWaini. Mahdia will become the ‘capital town’ of PotaroSiparuni. More suitable sites will be identified to transform the compounds into ‘capital towns’ in the coastal Demerara-Mahaica, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara and MahaicaBerbice regions,” he said. These ‘capital towns’ are expected to lead economic development in each region by encouraging growth through four factors: infrastructure, investment, information and communications technology and innovation. Infrastructure, the President said, will reduce transportation costs; provide access to markets; increase the competitiveness of production and stimulate increased output, while investment inflows will spur new industries and aid in overcoming competitive disadvantages and diseconomies of scale and by fostering job-creation, particularly non-agricultural jobs such as banking and engineering. “‘Capital towns’ can compensate for their lack of size with big ideas, bold innovations and business dynamism as innovative technologies would stimulate agro-processing and manufacturing while the playing field between rural villages and towns can be levelled by the application of information communication technology,” he added. The President also noted that ‘capital towns’, however
small in the initial stages, will grow into centres of economic vibrancy and engines of economic diversification. They must position themselves at the cutting edge of the economy, he pointed out. “Capital towns’ must provide the full range of public services: education, health, housing, water, energy, law enforcement, taxation, immigration, insurance and the registration of births, deaths and businesses. A person should not have to leave his or her region to obtain these services. Education is an important public service. Our town councils must take an interest in the education of our children. ‘Capital towns’ must provide economic services to citizens: commerce, shipping, insurance, banking, microf i n a n c i n g , telecommunication, tourism and manufacturing. The availability of these services will be an indicator of economic development within our regions,” the President told the meeting. Municipalities, he said, must function like corporations. This status will allow them greater autonomy and financial independence. It will also allow them to engage in promoting businesses, industries and manufacturing and, thereby, create employment. “Towns must become motors of business. A corporate model for our municipalities will allow them to actively promote and partner with private investors, for example, to process this country’s abundant agricultural produce for local use and for export. The expansion of agroprocessing can become a source of employment and profit for municipalities,” President Granger said. In order to address the challenges of urbanization, Central Government will implement the necessary systems to ensure that every region becomes an economic hub, he added. Meanwhile, Secretary of the GCCI, Mr. Nicholas Boyer, in brief remarks at the conclusion of the opening ceremony of the AGM, acknowledged that there are regions where potential has remained untapped by investors. He said this matter will be added to the Chamber’s agenda.
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'Save Abee' foundation funds... From page 62 the people. To spread the word, SAVE ABEE will go to four villages in each county, (Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo) and prepare a meal for the underprivileged. At this gathering, attempts to establish relationships with business associates will be made to see if someone can help provide a home or land, with which the foundation can extend its project to that village. “We would like to give back to each village, as our donors will be from many parts of Guyana, and as a means of
providing accessible educational resources to the children despite geographical location.” He said, “As the children continue to excel in computer courses, our foundation will grant a scholarship, (or scholarships, based on the availability of funds) to the children so that they can further their academic studies.” According to secretary of the Board, Hakeem Khan, the completion of the playground is being funded by the SAVE ABEE foundation. The entire concept started several years ago but funding was priori-
tized based on the needs of the children. “Over the past two years the board made two important decisions that were costly. Firstly, we brought in our own bus for the children. Then, because we weren't satisfied with the quality of education in the public school system we enrolled the girls into private schools which developed their academic standards,” he explained. Adding that the playground will have day and night capability, Khan said Guyana Goldfields is supplying play equipment.
CJIA does not have... (From page 16) scarce (and will probably continue to be scarce in the next 15 to 20 years compared to other regional hubs), it is unrealistic to think that an important airline will select either as a regional hub in the near future.” It points out that Brazil has the broadest connectivity level on The Guiana shield, with its 15 airports which currently offer non-stop services to 63 international destinations in seven different regions, some as far as Asia, Africa and the Middle East “being a member of the G-20 Group and South America’s largest economy,” the report stated. “Brazil currently has connectivity levels larger than many developed economies in the world.” The report observed that even Venezuela had a significant connectivity level, with 11 international airports providing service to 35 markets in five different regions (including eight markets located in Western Europe). All this is in contrast with Guyana, which has two airports-, the CJIA and the Ogle International Airport. “Given the limited options for Guyana and Suriname to develop non-stop services to most destinations in South America and Europe, the connectivity of both countries will depend on how well connected CJIA and Paramaribo’s Johan Adolf
Pengel International Airport (Suriname) are to close regional hubs.” It was noted that through establishing additional services to regional hubs, both countries would increase their connectivity, allowing departing passengers from CJIA to reach multiple destinations in South America and using these hubs as gateways to the rest of the continent. The report made it plain that despite needed investments to accommodate the rising level of passenger traffic, especially at CJIA, the current infrastructure of the airports would not have restricted the air transport sector ’s development or increased their connectivity for the foreseeable future. “Despite needed investments to accommodate an increasing level of passenger traffic, the capacity of the airport is not determined by the size or the existing conditions at airports’ passenger terminal, but by the physical features of its airside (runway and taxiways).” The IDB report also called for Guyana and Suriname to renegotiate restrictive bilateral air agreements currently in place with Brazil and Colombia, and to conclude more air services agreements with their South American neighbours. According to the report, Guyana has no air services agreement with Peru, Bolivia,
Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay or Ecuador, while Suriname has no air services agreement with Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Paraguay. In justifying the expansion project, the previous administration had pointed to the current space constraints and “growing tourism” as the reasons. Guyana’s geographic position at the northern tip of the South American continent had also been touted as ideal as a hub and a link to Asia and Africa. However, the expansion project cost generated numerous controversies. The initial contract with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) had excluded the company from taxes, duties, royalties and fees of all kinds normally imposed by Guyana. The contract was heavily criticized for its numerous concessions to the Chinese Contractor and was inked on November 10, 2011, days before the then president, Bharrat Jagdeo demitted Office. Last year, Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, had revealed that more than 70 percent of the money for the project had already been handed over to the contractor and expended. However, CHEC was at the time woefully behind schedule. Steps have, however, since been taken to amend the terms of the contract.
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Project Life and Victory Int’l partner on providing eye, dental care to citizens Guyanese have benefited from yet another annual visit from Victory International, Inc., a non-profit organization based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Victory International is always received by Project Life, a local non-profit organization dedicated to helping the needy and serving humanity. Project Life has as its Chair, Mr. Vibert Parvatan, and as its Vice Chair, Ambassador Rudolph Collins. US basedGuyanese Dr. Mark S. Vasconcellos has brought teams to Guyana for the past few years to provide theological training and humanitarian aid. This year ’s team
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
consisted of Pastor Joel Beckham, Pastor Shannon Scott, Teresa Long, Anna Elliot, and Carrie Ruppert. Mr. Beckham and Ms. Long are returning for the second time due their love of Guyana and affection for the people. Dr. Vasconcellos has traveled to many countries to share God’s Word and to help different people groups; however, in recent years he has dedicated his efforts in serving his country of birth, Guyana. Mr. Parvatan and Ambassador Collins hosted a ceremony at the Georgetown Club to welcome the team to Guyana and coordinated the humanitarian efforts throughout the week. During this past week the team provided theological training to pastors on Christian doctrine and worked with many local groups in providing eye-care and dental needs. During their visit the
Part of the project life victory international team distributes items to Primary School Students group distributed toothbrushes, toothpaste, and a number of personal hygiene supplies. The group was also invited the team to appear on Good Morning
Guyana to share its mission nationally via media broadcast. For the past few years, dozens of Guyanese groups have benefited from the
efforts of Victory International and Project Life to include: homes for the elderly, schools, prisoners, orphanages, sports clubs, needy people, and the local
church. All donations and services provided by Victory International and Project Life are provided to the people of Guyana free of charge.
Sunday March 27, 2016
Kaieteur News
City Council implements software to enhance services
Richard Langford The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is rolling out its tax and revenue generating software programme that will assist the entity in making payments more accessible to all. According to the designer of the project and Chief Executive Officer of Innovate Systems Inc. Richard Langford, a new software has been developed to assist the M&CC which is titled revenue collection management system. “The scope of the software is not only about revenue collection, it covers expenses and some of the outstanding features include the ability to store images of properties to assist with tracking inspections. The web based application will eventually will be rolled out online,” he said. He explained that eventually persons will be
able to make payments via the internet using the services of Paypal and GTT amongst others. Langford said the software encompasses the full accounting cycle and has other modules that can be linked to it that includes human resources and payroll. “The software will be able to track all the business processes starting from the entry point right through to the end point.” He explained that the Council is on a drive to generally improve its services and because the database is very deficient. The new software will allow multiple u s ers to speed up transactions, overcome space constraints, security and eventually make various payments. He explained that balances and budgets can be done much quicker with the system since it’s a full accounting cycle. According to M&CC Public Relations Officer, Debra Lewis, the software programme will allow the M&CC to have a more integrated approach which would alleviate the burden of having persons visit the Council in person in order to make payments. She said that the programme will also assist in accountability.
Dredge Owner fatally shot by Ex-Police officer Feroz Khan, 29, of Fourth Avenue, Bartica, Region Seven, was shot by his employee and former member of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Shawn Sandy, on Thursday last. The incident occurred some time around 15:00hrs at King Buoy Hole, Mazaruni. The police said that 40-year old Sandy, of Alexander Village, Georgetown, allegedly found a handgun and was showing it to Khan when a round was discharged. The round struck Sandy on his right hand and Khan, to his abdomen. Khan was pronounced dead on arrival at the Bartica Hospital while Sandy was admitted to the hospital under police guard. Investigations are currently ongoing. However, relatives of the deceased are not convinced that the shooting was accidental since they said, Sandy gave “different versions” of the story to the police. “Sandy told the police that he found the gun, a 9mm pistol, in a clump of bushes and was cleaning the barrel when it went off. One time he said that Feroz go to chop him
DEAD: Feroz Khan and he shot him. He (Sandy) called Feroz wife and told her that he shot and killed Feroz. The police called her in for questioning (Saturday),” a cousin of the deceased man said yesterday. Khan was laid to rest yesterday morning. The post mortem (PM) report, according to the relative, revealed that Khan died from ruptured lungs. This, she said, resulted from the “explosive shots” that were used. Khan is survived by his two children and his pregnant wife.
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STANDARDS IN FOCUS Have you ever picked a product from the shelf of a store that was not labeled and because of that you ponder on what it was, what it is used for, how it is used, or of what it is made? Labels are essential to answer all these questions consumers may
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CONSUMERS – READ THOSE LABELS have regarding products. Labels are intended to guide consumers by providing key information on the products they intend to purchase. A well labeled product provides consumers with information to make informed choices and ultimately give guidance as to the product
quality and its monetary worth. Labels state how to care for a product and what the product contains. They also provide the necessary warning and precautionary information about products to help ensure the health and safety of users. Labels of goods imported,
Corentyne man chopped by intruders, one in custody A Corentyne resident was on Thursday morning attacked and badly injured by about three armed bandits who broke and entered his home which he shares with his wife and children at Belvedere, Corentyne Berbice. The injured man, Yufraj Ramphal, 27, was at home with his wife when the home invaders some of whom he recognized broke into their home, and carried out the attack.
The man’s wife, Bibi Afreeza, who is reportedly pregnant and was also at home with the children, was hit on her head with a metal pipe by one of the intruders. Ramphal was chopped on his forearm, head and upper arm. One of his fingers was severed. This is reportedly the third time that the family has been attacked. One man has been arrested and is in custody as the investigation continues.
manufactured and distributed in Guyana must comply with the requirements of the Guyana Standard Specification for the labeling of commodities – Part 1: General Principles which is a mandatory standard. This standard was developed to ensure manufacturers adequately label their goods so that consumers can select the goods best suited to their needs. Other standards are available at the Bureau of Standards that address the labeling requirements for specific goods, for example: the labeling of electrical appliances, labeling of footwear, labeling of animal feed, etc. Consumers, when shopping, it is your responsibility to ensure that you take time to read and understand the labels of the
goods you intend to purchase, especially if those goods can affect your health or safety. Here are some labeling tips to keep in mind: IDENTITY – Information about the producer/ manufacturer must be stated. If the producer does not put his name and address on the label you should not buy the product. Also make sure you know what the product is, for example, “Benn’s Crunchies”, is this breakfast cereal, snack or pet food? C E R T I F I C AT I O N MARKS - Throughout the world, there are standards bodies, independent regulatory bodies and testing laboratories which examine products to see if they meet quality standards. When they are satisfied that the Quality Assurance procedures are adequate, and
the process, materials, and finished product are of consistently good quality, a mark is awarded. Regarding electric and electronic appliances, certification marks such as, CE, UL, CSA, FCC, NOM and CCC are placed on their labels to guide consumers who are trying to find quality products. Product labels must be in English Language and should state the Brand, Type of product, Name of Manufacturer or Distributor, Country of Origin, and where necessary information on the care, maintenance and precautions for use, and the manufacture and expiry dates. For further information on this subject, please contact the Guyana National Bureau of Standards on Telephone Numbers: 219-0065, 2190066 and 219-0069.
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CONSUMER CONCERNS
Consumerism and religion share ethical, social aspirations PAT DIAL Guyana has experienced a really Holy Week in the week which has just passed since two holy days of our two great national religions fell in close proximity to each other. The first was Phagwah or Holi and the other was Good Friday. The message which all World Religions bring is much the same though the metaphor and terminology they use may differ. Very often, followers of various religions tend to focus, not on the deeper meanings of their Faith, but rather how it is expressed. When they do this they conclude that the various religions do not lead to the same essential goals and truth. The reason why terminology and metaphor and expression of various religions differ is simply because they made their advent in the world at different millennia. Hinduism, as we know it, could be traced back to nine or ten thousand years ago while Christianity is approximately two thousand years old. Accordingly, Man, nine or ten thousand years ago, used language differently with different metaphors and expressions to express the same Truths than thousands of years afterwards. But when we are analytic and discerning enough, it may surprise us to find the moral and ethical message of all religions is the same and even their metaphysics do resemble each other. Last week, Holi or Phagwa was the first of the holy days followed 24 hours later by Good Friday. Phagwah, like all very ancient holy days, has many traditions meeting in it. The main tradition is that King Hiranya Kasipu had once practiced the most strenuous and rigorous religious austerities and as a result had achieved many supernatural powers. Among the powers he achieved was that he could never be killed in either night or day, that he could never be killed on the earth and that neither man nor animal could kill him. He felt himself
immortal and became an extreme tyrant. He finally declared that no God could harm him and that he himself was God and compelled his subjects to worship him. But his young son Prahalad refused to worship him as God. The knowledge of Prince Prahalad’s opposition spread to the citizens who were given a sense of morale. But Hiranya Kasipu was no ordinary tyrant and he decided to murder his son. He tried a number of stratagems but each time Prahalad miraculously escaped. Eventually, the people’s sufferings became unbearable. God saw the terrible tragedy and decided to incarnate himself on earth, eliminate the evil and restore normality. He decided to incarnate himself as Narasingha, a being who was half man, half lion, One day, at dusk, Hiranya Kasipu decided to visit the main temple to ascertain that no one was there to worship. He arrogantly strutted about shouting that he was God and if there was another God, let that God come forward and kill him and in his demented rage, he struck one of the columns with his sword. Immediately and unexpectedly, God incarnate as Narasingha came out of the column and attacked him. They struggled until they tumbled to the steps of the temple. Here, Narasingha managed to catch Hranya Kasipu by the throat, lifted him off the earth and strangled him. Hiranya Kasipu therefore met his death at dusk which was neither night nor day, and he was strangled off the earth by a being that was neither Man nor animal. The people wildly celebrated and this celebration came to be known as Holi or Phagwah and was perpetuated over the thousands of years to the present. The story of Good Friday and Easter are very well known: God reincarnated himself in human form as Lord Jesus to renew the message of Peace, Love, Morality and Compassion to Mankind.
Lord Jesus’s teaching began to make an immediate impact and the purveyors of evil decided to use their power to kill him by crucifixion which they did on the first Good Friday. Jesus’s murder was a very sad event but it helped to propound God’s message in a dramatic and reverberating way for which human beings are constantly grateful. The drama became more memorable with the Resurrection when God shows, even to the doubting persons like Thomas, that Jesus was indeed an incarnation of God and is still alive. Today, Sunday is Easter and commemorates the Ascension which completes the message of Jesus. Hinduism and Christianity and all World Religions teach the message that all human beings are equal, that Man must not oppress or exploit his fellow Man, that poverty and want must be minimized, if not eradicated and that all human beings are a brotherhood and should meet as a fraternity. Though Religion stresses redemption and salvation and is mainly concerned with matters of the Spirit, it is also interested in the betterment of Society in a more general way. It is apposite to point out that that Consumerism has no difference from the ethical, moral and social teachings of Religion. Everyone is a consumer and we think of the consumer community as being a worldwide fraternity. All consumers are equal with equal aspirations and when consumer people meet each other in any part of the world, they do so with welcome closeness. One of the primary concerns of consumerism is to prevent anyone from being exploited and we are committed to minimizing poverty. We are also committed to fairer distribution of Society’s wealth. The ethical and moral teachings of Religion are on all fours with Consumerism. GCA’s email: patdial26@gmail.com
THE IMPORTANCE OF DENTAL X-RAYS By Dr. Neromini Fagu Some oral conditions are just not visible through the naked eye, and so other tools are needed to help in their detection. An important diagnostic tool in Dentistry is the dental x-ray also called a dental radiograph. Dental x-rays can detect even the slightest traces of oral health problems at their earliest stages, such as cavities, gum disease, oral infections, and some types of tumors.Dental x-rays are used to investigate conditions as well as to confirm a diagnosis. With the advancement in technology, it is now safer to have dental x-rays done. The newer digital imaging technique uses sensors and computers instead of developing x-ray film in a darkroom. There are several benefits of using digital dental x-rays: · There is much less radiation and therefore safer · There is no wait time for the x-rays to develop · The images can be stored or sent electronically to another dentist or specialist if needed · The image can be
enhanced and enlarged many times its actual size on the computer screen, making it easier for your dentist to show you where and what the problem is. · Measurements can be taken of the tooth for use in different procedures such as root canal treatments The need for dental x-rays is based on individual assessment and whether you are a new patient, a follow-up patient, adult or child. In most countries, new patients will undergo a full set of mouth xrays to evaluate their current oral health status and to form a baseline for future comparison. Follow-up patients may require x-rays to monitor their gum condition or their chance of tooth decay. Children may need to have dental x-rays more often than adults in order to monitor the growth of their adult teeth. Dental x-rays may be done more often if your dentist is tracking the progress of a dental problem or treatment. Some common dental procedures that may require an x-ray are as follows: · Extraction: Your dentist may need to know the
Dr. Neromini Fagu position of the roots of the tooth to avoid complications during the extraction. Dental x-rays are especially important when removing wisdom teeth and teeth that have severely broken down. X-rays may also be taken after an extraction to ensure all the roots have been removed. · Fillings: Not all teeth that have decay can be filled. Sometimes the decay is too deep and filling is not an option. An x-ray will help your dentist determine the extent of the decay and the correct course of treatment for the tooth. · Gum Disease: Persons suffering from severe gum disease will have bone loss. An x-ray will help your dentist to determine the amount of bone loss and monitor treatment progress. · Dental Decay: Sometimes decay is not easily visible to the naked eye and exists in areas the dentist cannot see. When this occurs between teeth it is referred to as interproximal decay. Continued on page 71
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SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
WANTED Housekeeping staff to work at Hotel. Call: 638-2027 from 9am to 4pm
Hairdresser/sales representative needed for hair products. Must have a Visa Application: U.S.A, vehicle. Call: 231-4999; 677Canada & UK; Guyana 0480, email:irbcguy@gmail. passport application. Graphics com design, advertisement. Tel: One bulldozer operator to 626-7040; 265-4535. work in West Bank area. Call: Building Construction: 694-3978; 627-9909 house plans & estimates, Bill clerk (girls) to work at floor sanding, lacquering & grocery stall in Stabroek painting, boat for Santa Market, experience is an Mission –Call: 650-4362 asset. Call: 226-9800 Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves – Contact Nick: 6831312, 627-3206 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 JADESCO offers: Architectural designs (house plans), 3D designs, construction, rehabilitation works and estimates. Call:612-0468; 649-3059 Brian Moe @ 642-3543: Computer Technician: FB/ Brian.Moe.165: Home and Office visits at your comfort!! PEN PAL Indian male is seeking female, age 30-33yrs. Write: M.D, 7475 Goreway DR #47 Mississauga on L4T 3T3 Canada.
Housekeeper to cook for an Indian Family in Turkeyen, 6 days @ $15,000 weekly. Police clearance and reference required. Call: 655-6766 Operator, porters/labourers. Apply at Wieting & Richter Ltd. We pay cash for land in Eccles, Herstelling, Parfaite Harmonie, Farm, Uitvlugt, Zeelugt, Berbice & East Coast. Call: 611-7223; 6042207 Live in domestic must know to cook and bake -$80,000 monthly. Call: 610-5043 Live in waitress must be able assist with lotto and top up$70,000. Call: 610-3974
SALON
VEHICLE FOR SALE
- Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 647-1773/660-5257
Toyota Fielder & L-Touring Wagon, AT192, AE100, Funcargo, Tundra, Pickup 4X4 solid DEF, (Ducati 1098cc). Call: 644-5096; 6971453
Modfiw Beauty Salon is looking for professional cosmetologist to rent beauty station. Call Marcia: 682-2604
We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BRR, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call: 680-3154
PROPERTY FOR SALE Flat house in Grove, (corner property) 1 Block from main road, price negotiable. Call: 1905-626-2572 Transported property @ Grove $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461 House & land fully furnished, 3 self contained rooms, 1 master bedroom, alarm systems, 9 cameras, 7 AC units. Call: 628-0016; 667-2536 House & land at Good Hope E.C.D -$32M negotiable. Call: 654-4312 & 629-3344 House & land @ Block 8 Mon Repos, E.C.D -$27M neg. Call: 654-4312; 629-3344, serious inquiries only. Church and 2 storey building Lot 180 Charlotte Street Bourda-Call: 227-6817; 6247341
One Toyota Premio PTT series. excellent condition, reverse camera-$1.850M, prices negotiable. Call: 6280481 Smart choice Auto: 08&06 Premio, 08&06 Allion, 212, Runx, IST, Fielder. Call: 6523820; 665-4529 2005 SPACIO -$2.2M NEG, 2006 PREMIO-$2.3M NEG, NOAH & VOXY-$1.7M NEG. ALL VEHICLES FULLY LOADED & UNREGISTERED. CALL: 642-7295 One Toyota Hilux E/Cab pickup M/T 3RZ engine. Call: 676-0931
One experienced sales clerk to work at Curtains & Drapery. Call: 225-2224 Driver/porter @ Carmen’s Funeral Home, Little Diamond, E.B.D. Call: 2655010; 647-1776
Must Sell! Owner migrating: Two bedrooms concrete house, recently built, in Werk-en-Rust -$30M negotiable. Call: 645-6498
White Avensis 2006, 66k mileage, newly painted, rims, LED, good condition 2.8 million neg. Call: 6923368
Female domestic to work in Trinidad, must be educated and know to cook. Between 25-35 years.Call 1868-755-1990
Persons to take care of 1 Elderly woman between the ages of 40-50, night job. Call: 623-7914
One roadside, 2 storey building @ V/Hoop, ground excellent for restaurant or other business –Call: 6540779 House & land (3yrs old) for sale at Canal No.2 Polder, 53/ 4 rice land elsewhere. Call: 718-657-9040; 266-2897; 6909331
LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj Building- Tel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 615-0964; 689-5997
CAKES & PASTRIES Courses in cake decoration, pastry making & cookery; also edible images and Wedding dresses for sale. Call: 670-0798 TO LET Rooms in Alberttown- Call: 225-3234
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. One 30", 4 burner gas stove with large oven, owner migrating. Call: 613-0836 or 259-0953 Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, motors, etc. Call: 225-9032;647-2943;6045198 ADORABLE PUPPIES FOR SALE. CALL: 615-0146 Labrottie puppies (jet black) for sale @ $50,000/each; 5 weeks fully de-wormed & vaccinated. Call: 654-7683 One 20 tons dump, one truck tray, one blocks machine, one ZF gearbox. Call: 6179230/269-1406 (9 Stalls) 64 to 72 (47feet long x 7 feet wide) @ La Penitence Market Albouystown. Call: 663-1597; 218-4837 XBOX360 E with games & controller PS3 super slim with games & controller. Call: 6838386 Brand new KIA sports SUV. Call: 624-5650 Dachshund Puppy, dewormed -$12,000 Call: 2160521; 694-3567
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Furnished salon @ 153 Middle Road La Penitence. Call: 665-3307 Executive Furnished 4 bedroom house@ Republic Park, EBD-Call 600-2031 Furnished 2 bedroom house@ Farm, EBD $150,000 per monthly neg. Call 6002031 Executive semi furnished 4 bedroom house, air condition, Lamaha GardensCall 600-2031 Two bedrooms, bottom flat, with A/C, hot & cold, security, overseas clients only- Call: 226-1519 2 Bedrooms apartment in Eccles for rent, recently built, fully secured -$80,000 per month. Call: 641-0568 Three bedrooms apartment @ 19 Avenue, Diamond Housing Scheme. Call: 6178215 KITTY APARTMENTS: 2 BEDROOMS,1BATHROOM, GRILLED, BRAND NEW, NO AGENTS,NOSHORTTERM. STARTING $70,000 MONTHLY. CALL: 695-1138
1-Toyota AE100 Wagon. Call: 618-8040; 658-1272 1 Toyota RZ, year 2011, price$1.6M, 2 Recon Winch 17500lb. Owner migrating. Call:649-8214; 679-1415; 2332583; 674-8589
Private Custom Brokerage Certificate: training course- Contract cars and taxi drivers 29th March 2016. Register (salaries paid). Call: 231now! Call: 223-1506; 694-8322 0002; 231-0316
TAXI SERVICES G R TA X I S E RV I C E . CALL: 219-5000; 2271982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
Unregistered Bluebird 2006 model, TV, Reverse Camera, Dark interior low mileage $2.3M. Call: 655-3400
Brand new 2 storey concrete building in 5th Avenue, Diamond, E.B.D, all modern amenities –Call: 662-9335; 612-3244
1 Person to cook various meals, between ages 40-50, must live on West Bank or West Coast. Call: 623-7914
EDUCATIONAL
Sunday March 27, 2016
LAND FOR SALE Eight (8) Acres farm land at Kuru Kururu with creek passing through-Call: 6431861 Eccles -$6M, Herstelling $3M, La Parfaite Harmonie $1.6M & $2.6M, Dairy (100ftx50ft) -$3M. Call: 6042207; 611-7223 1.5 Acre W.B.D. Call: 6580115
CAR RENTAL
Land at Yarrowkabra 200ftX300ft, price $1.300M. Call: 645-0489
DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM Aidan’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up, cheapest rate, low security- Call: 698-7807
VACANCY 1 Male professional baker to work in St. Maarten. Please send resume marguritagrocery@hotmail.com/ Contact: 1721-526-63610/ 1721-580-9232
Wing’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up rental- Call: 690-6494
One maid who knows Indian cooking and a helper cleaner for a salon spa. Call: 231-0734.
VACANCY Accounts Clerk/Salesgirls, apply at D.Singh & Sons. Call: 226-1316 ACCOUNTS CLERK, MINIMUM qualification CXC Accounts Grades I,II, familiar with QuickBooks POS & Accounts. Email : info@guygas.com Apply in person at Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling, Stabroek. RA Soda: male & female workers, bond clerks, accountants, drivers, housekeeper, worker with mechanical idea. Call: 3302399/ 623-5920 1 Female cleaner apply @ Technical Services 18-23 Industrial Site, Eccles. Porters, apply in person at Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling. One domestic cleaner must be able to prepare vegetarian meal. Apply in person at Alabama Trading Georgetown, Ferry Stelling.
Sunday March 27, 2016
Kaieteur News
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‘Police Informers’…Are their days numbered? The term ‘Police Informer’ is often used loosely; but in reality it is a necessity in almost every country that has to grapple with high crime rates. Guyana is no exception. But the conditions and modus operandi vary when it comes to law enforcement interaction with informants. While some countries use their own law enforcement operatives to infiltrate criminal gangs, others like Guyana use ex-criminals to make their work easier. “We do not have a structured programme for informants. We have what we refer to as ‘sources’ and they do get a monetary incentive from time to time,” a senior police officer confirmed recently. But the use of ex-criminals comes with a risk. What happens when they are no longer of value or when they become out of control? It is against this backdrop that one such operative spoke to Kaieteur News, detailing the intricacies of being a ‘Police Informer’ or ‘a Snitch’ as they are sometimes referred to. It is no secret that the local police have long relied on such persons to infiltrate and in some cases, eliminate criminal elements. However, the use of excriminals was not only done to fight crime but also to perpetrate crimes. The recent death of O’Riley Small awoke something in former informant, Lennox Wayne, who told this newspaper that he feels lucky that he is in prison and not in a refrigerator. He said that like himself, Small was part of a group of persons with criminal backgrounds that were recruited as informants by the police to help them rein in other criminal elements. According to Wayne,
Small’s death came as no surprise to him, since “he was on the list, long.” Wayne, who blew the whistle on a number of police excesses after he was incarcerated for murder, is convinced that his time is still to come. The offshoot is that he is being extremely careful while awaiting trial. In other words he feels that he is now expendable. RECRUITMENT Informants are carefully chosen based on their criminal background. “It all depends on if you are a high or low profile criminal and what type of connections you have with the criminal underworld. “The police are always aware of who is doing crime and what their connections are,” Wayne said. He had just been released from prison after serving time for armed robbery when he was recruited. Upon release from prison, an ex-con is contacted either by message or sometimes “they just pick you up off the road.” The ex-con is taken to the headquarters of the Criminal Investigations Department at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary. “They tell you that the force is looking for a few good men who can help in fighting crime,” Wayne told this newspaper. He initially refused the offer in 2009, not wanting to be labeled a ‘Snitch’ in a small society like Guyana. But after constant pressuring by the police, he was forced to relent. “Every time a crime happen, they used to pick me up and lock me up for days. And it get really overbearing. So I had to agree to become an informant in 2013.” Wayne said that he was initially interviewed for the
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job by a senior CID operative, who offered to clear his name of past convictions. But to this day, Wayne is unsure if that was ever done. A payment package was agreed upon, according to the level of information that was delivered. For example, information leading to the recovery of firearm earned an informer $10,000 to 20,000, depending on the calibre. One was also able to obtain free fuel for whatever mode of transportation one was using; in Wayne’s case he used a motorcycle. He was also given a firearm--a Glock 40. He pointed out that the police are very careful not to have informants interact with each other. “We work with different people. They keep us separate.” In his case he dealt with a few operatives from the Tactical Services Unit, who instead of reporting to their immediate superior, were answerable only to a very senior officer. BLOWING COVER An Informer is always expected to be tough, even in the face of adversity, so as not to blow his cover. Wayne described a scenario that almost certainly
led to him being recognized as an informer. It was the year 2013 at a popular street football event at the National Cultural Centre. There the police had carried out a raid and Wayne, though a part of the operation as the main informer, pointing out criminal suspects, allowed himself to be arrested. “I was pulled in and accused of discharging a loaded firearm. I spent two days at Brickdam in the lockups among the other people they arrested. I could not blow my cover. But I was contacting my people and eventually word passed down and they released me. Everything went back to normal,” Wayne explained. There were occasions when he lured criminal elements to their capture or even deaths, something that Wayne now regrets. DIRTY WORK But the good work always has a downside; after all, leopards don’t change their stripes. The same informers began to feel the weight of their police contacts and with the help and encouragement of their connections in the Force, they began to feel above the law.
“They went further to have us do dirty work,” Wayne said referring to an execution attempt on a prominent businessman which is currently engaging the court. He spoke of things that the public had always suspected of the police. “They would hear about money moving around and they will tell you to go and get it. Make it look like a normal robbery. Most of the organized robberies, the police were involved in and these same people used to investigate it.” “They decide who gets charge or not,” Wayne said, adding that in some cases the police will even go to all lengths to protect the perpetrator. He identified two ranks from the police intelligence unit who were involved in the 2010 robbery at California Square, in East Ruimveldt, in which another policeman was chopped and robbed of his gold jewellery In another case, another policeman was held with a 9mm pistol following a robbery. Wayne told this newspaper, “Sometimes I go with them, sometimes I don’t.” He said that during his days as an informer, he threw caution to the wind and never thought that his life was at risk. After all, the harassment he suffered at the hands of
the police had stopped. “There are still many like me out there but they are getting a wrong deal because if anything goes wrong, the informer is always the scapegoat,” the ex-informer stated, not hiding his anger for the way he has been treated by the Police. The senior Police Officer who spoke to this newspaper said he has no reason to disbelieve that the things mentioned by the former informant did take place. The police have had cause to disband certain rogue units who functioned with informers like Wayne, after it could be not established which senior officer was responsible for them. This newspaper had reported about two years ago, that the present Commissioner Seelall Persaud, his deputy, the late Balram Persaud, and the former Heads of the Tactical Services Unit, Lyndon Alves and Errol Watts, had disclaimed responsibility for their operations. Strangely though, none of the informers was ever called to testify in a court of law. As for Wayne, he is willing to go before any Commission of Inquiry or court of law and testify about the role he played in what many would describe as the unorthodox method of fighting crime.
Habits are not the product of one decision — They’re the result of repeated choices that eventually become automatic responses. How can you know your true spiritual condition? By the company you keep and the choices you make. When you’re free to go, where do you choose to go? Whose company do you prefer?
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Sunday March 27, 2016
Kaieteur News
Lobbyists want details on parliamentarians’ expenses Trinidad Express - Several transparency lobbyists are calling on Parliament to publish details of parliamentarians’ expenses for the past ten years—from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2015. The group of lobbyists are the Trinidad and Tobago Transparency Institute, immediate past president of the Joint Consultative Council (JCC) Afra Raymond, Disclosure Today and the Constitution Reform Forum. They said in a statement Friday: “Recent revelations have sparked a national discussion on the use...of MPs’ entitlement to public money for the operation of constituency offices. “We are now having a vital and long overdue national conversation about the proper use of MPs’ benefits and the need for the public to scrutinise this aspect of public money expenditure.” The statement noted that details of the constituency office expenses of MP Marlene McDonald were disclosed to lobby group Fixin’ T&T under the Freedom
Afra Raymond
of Information Act. “That precedent having been established, it is difficult to imagine that any tenable objection could be raised to the publication of the same information for the other 40 MPs,” the lobbyists said. “We are therefore proposing to the administration of the Parliament that they take this historic opportunity to lead the transition from the current ‘Freedom of Information’ paradigm, in which citizens
have to apply for information, to the modern, more proactive, approach of ‘Open Data’ in which public information of interest is routinely published on a voluntary basis online, in searchable databases.” They added: “We also suggest that the Legislature consider the lessons from the UK Parliament (often considered to be our ‘Mother’ Institution), which, as a response to the parliamentary expenses scandal in 2009, announced the creation of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), intended to manage Members’ expenses at ‘arm’s length’ from the House.” Specifically, the lobbyists said their call was for the details of MPs expenses to be published for the ten-year period with quarterly updates. “Many of the positive steps taken by our Parliament in relation to disclosure of information were supported by former speaker of the House Wade Mark. We expect this to be continued by the current Speaker of the House Bridgid Annisette-George,” the groups said.
JPS Gets Green Light To Build 190MW Plant
The Gleaner - Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) says the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) has approved the construction of the 190megawatt gas-fired power plant at Old Harbour Bay, St Catherine. The Office of Utilities Regulation and the Electricity Sector Enterprise Team have also given formal approval of the power purchase agreement for the new facility, the power utility said. JPS President and CEO Kelly Tomblin said the utility was now finalising details of the project with equipment supplier General Electric Corp, and engineering procurement and construction company Power China. The latter company has been contracted to build the plant. The arrangements for the project are to be finalised within the next two weeks. JPS’ disclosure of the project approval follows its weekend announcement, via a posting on its website, that it had finalised an agreement with New Fortress Energy to supply the Old Harbour plant with natural gas. “We are now at an advanced stage in relation to closing the financing of the project, which we expect to be
Kelly Tomblin
completed by the end of April,” said the JPS chief executive. New Fortress is also the utility’s gas supply partner for the power plant at Bogue in Montego Bay. The Old Harbour plant will be a brand new facility. Once built, JPS plans to dismantle the current oil-fired plant at Old Harbour and return the site to brownfield status. “We anticipate that this new power plant will be generating electricity at below 13 US cents per kWh when it comes on line, which is remarkable, given the
necessity to build new infrastructure and bear the transportation and other logistic costs,” Kelly said. The timelines for the project were laid out during last November’s public consultations on the environmental impact assessment report. JPS said yesterday that there are no changes to the timeline for site preparation for the liquefied natural gas plant, which is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2016, giving the utility just days to hit that deadline. Construction will begin by the second quarter and the plant’s commissioning is expected by July 2018. JPS entered into a memorandum of understanding in December 2015 with a Chinese company, now identified as Power China to build the 190, megawatt plant. The Chinese company replaced the Spanish engineering and renewable energy firm Abengoa, which filed for bankruptcy protection just days after striking a deal with JPS. The Jamaican utility reaffirmed on Wednesday that the 190MW project is expected to cost around US$300 million.
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Trinidad judge strikes out opposition’s late election petition PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — High Court Judge Mira Dean-Armorer on Thursday struck out one of six election petitions filed by the opposition United National Congress (UNC) challenging the results in six marginal constituencies of last year’s general election in Trinidad and Tobago. Delivering an oral judgment in the Port-of-Spain High Court on Thursday, Dean-Armorer upheld an objection from the People’s National Movement (PNM), which said the petition for the La Horquetta/Talparo constituency should be dismissed as the political party was notified of the petition outside the five-day limit prescribed by the Representation of the People Act, the Trinidad Guardian reported. In its application the PNM claimed that the period began on September 19, 2015, the day after Dean-Armorer granted the UNC leave to pursue their challenge against the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) decision to extend the poll in Trinidad by one hour due to heavy rainfall on election day (September 7, 2015). However, the UNC said that while it delivered its documents to the assistant high court registrar on the day specified by the PNM, the period for giving notice of the petition started when the documents were stamped and
High Court Judge Mira Dean-Armorer
returned to its attorneys two days later as the process could not be done outside the court’s working hours. In her ruling, DeanArmorer said while the UNC endeavoured to meet the deadline by approaching the registrar on the weekend, the subsequent administrative delay over t h e w e e k e n d c o u l d not extend the strict deadline set by the legislation. Dean-Armorer’s judgment does not affect the five other petitions, which were filed within the terms prescribed by the legislation, the Guardian reported. Immediately after the ruling, head of the UNC’s legal team, former attorney general Anand Ramlogan said that the party planned to appeal. Dean-Armorer has set
tentative dates for the hearing of the remaining petitions from June 27 to 30. In its petitions, the opposition party is claiming that the EBC’s returning officers acted illegally when they followed the EBC’s directive to extend the poll, as the commission did not have the power to adjust the 6 am to 6 pm time period for elections. It contends its defeat in the constituencies was marginally affected by the EBC’s decision to extend the polling hours. The PNM and the EBC had initially challenged DeanArmourer’s decision to grant the UNC leave to pursue the petitions but her ruling was upheld by the Court of Appeal. Besides the petitions, Dean-Armorer has also been assigned two cases in which three private citizens are challenging the EBC’s decision. Social activist Ravi Balgobin Maharaj has filed a judicial review seeking the court’s clarification on whether the EBC had the constitutional power to make the decision. Irwin Lyne and Melissa Sylvan are claiming that the EBC breached the constitutional rights of Tobagonians by not allowing them an extension. Both cases have been deferred as they would be directly affected by the outcome of DeanArmorer’s decision on the petitions.
US prosecutors block bail for former Miss Jamaica runner-up
NEW YORK, United States (CMC) – A Brooklyn, New York, judge has agreed to release on bail a JetBlue flight attendant and former Jamaican beauty queen charged with leaving 70 pounds of cocaine at Los Angeles International Airport, but US federal prosecutors immediately blocked the judge’s decision. Marsha Gay Reynolds appeared in Brooklyn Federal Court on Friday supported by family, her minister, and a former New York City Councilman. She faces at least 10 years in prison if convicted. Reynolds was given US$500,000 bail, but Assistant US Attorney Alicia Washington requested a stay until an appeal could be heard by a US federal magistrate judge in Los Angeles. Reynolds had surrendered to police at John F Kennedy International Airport in New York on Wednesday. US federal prosecutors argued Reynolds abandoned two pieces of luggage after
Marsha Gay Reynolds
she was randomly selected for checkpoint screening. Reynolds, 31, kicked off her Gucci shoes and fled the airport leaving behind the drugs valued at US$3 million, and according to media reports somehow made her way home later to Queens, New York, where she surrendered to authorities. “The defendant’s coconspirator also has tried to flee to Jamaica as recently as
last night,” Washington told Justice Viktor Pohorelsky. Reynolds’ unidentified alleged co-conspirator has access to forged travel documents, Washington said. Reynolds, a former beauty queen in her native Jamaica, is a graduate of New York University, and is studying to be a nurse at Mercy College while working for JetBlue, the Daily News said. She has been suspended from her job. The judge okayed the bail bond, which will be secured by homes owned by Reynolds’ mom and the Pentecostal minister. She would be required to stay at her parents’ home in Queens but could attend school. “Miss Reynolds is a very good young woman,” said Allan Jennings, a former New York City Councilman, stating that he was a spokesman for Reynolds’ family. “She’s done all the right things in life except for this one situation. “She may not have been fully aware of what was in the bags,” he added.
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Islamic State dealt hefty body blow Syrian army, with Russian air with death of top aide: officials support, advances inside Palmyra
Reuters - Islamic State will struggle to recover from the death of a top aide, reported this week in a U.S. air strike, whose overview of the group’s finances, politics and administration was unmatched, Iraqi and U.S. sources said. Abd al-Rahman Mustafa al-Qaduli, also known as Haji Iman and Abu Alaa al-Afri, was a veteran jihadist with a bounty of $7 million on his head. That was second only to the $10 million offered for Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and accurately reflected his importance to the group. “This is the heaviest blow to Islamic State in terms of assassinations because Qaduli was at the heart of (its) ...administrative structure,” said Hisham al-Hashimi, an analyst who advises the Iraqi government on the militants. “Baghdadi can’t replace Haji Iman with a person of equivalent value. He will have to appoint three people to fill the vacuum... That reduces (Baghdadi’s)... efficiency and
leaves him more exposed to danger than before.” As well as heading the Shura council that advises Baghdadi, Qaduli was governor of the Syrian provinces and the group’s financial comptroller, Hashimi said. His death, and just before him that of war minister Abu Omar al-Shishani and the capture of an unidentified chemical weapons operative, “show that the United States has sources of information close to their top command
level,” the analyst added. U.S. officials say Islamic State is losing a battle to forces arrayed against it from many sides in the vast region it controls. The jihadist fighters were on the retreat this week in the strategic Syrian city of Palmyra. In Iraq, the group has been pulling back since December when it lost Ramadi, the capital of the western province of Anbar. The Baghdad government is hoping this year to recapture Mosul, the largest city in northern Iraq, seized by the militants nearly two years ago. “The loss of Haji Iman will be massive. Although (Islamic State) ... has a strong system in place to replace key leaders it still takes time to readjust,” said Ranj Talabany, an official from the Kurdish Zanyari intelligence agency. Unlike many Islamic State commanders, Qaduli came from Osama bin Laden’s al Qaeda rather than the dissolved Baath party of Saddam Hussein, who was toppled by a U.S.-led invasion in 2003.
Reuters - Belgian prosecutors have charged three men with terrorist offences, including a suspect who local media said appeared on security footage with two suicide bombers at Brussels airport shortly before they detonated their bombs. Prosecutors named the third man as Faycal C while media identified him as Faycal Cheffou, and said he was the man wearing a hat and a lightcoloured jacket in last Tuesday’s airport picture that showed three men pushing baggage trolleys bearing
luggage. Prosecutors said he had been charged with taking part in the activities of a terrorist group, and actual and attempted terrorist murder. His home had been searched though no weapons or explosives had been found. Two other men, Aboubakar A. and Rabah N., were also charged with terrorist activities and membership of a terrorist group. Rabah N. was wanted in connection with a related raid in France this week that authorities say foiled an
apparent attack plot. A total of 31 people were killed, including three attackers, and scores wounded in the Brussels attacks which were claimed by Islamic State and, as well as the airport, included a bomb on a metro train in the city center. The attacks in Brussels, home to the headquarters of NATO and the European Union, took place four months after Islamic State militants killed 130 people in Paris and sent shockwaves around Europe and across the world.
Abd al-Rahman Mustafa al-Qaduli
Belgium charges three men with terrorism after Brussels bombs
Forces loyal to Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad flash victory signs and carry a Syrian national flag on the edge of the historic city of Palmyra in this handout picture provided by SANA yesterday. REUTERS/SANA/Handout via Reuters
Reuters Syrian government forces advanced into Palmyra yesterday with heavy support from Russian air strikes, taking control of several districts in a major assault against Islamic State fighters, Syrian state media and a monitoring group said. Television footage showed waves of explosions inside Palmyra and smoke rising from buildings, as tanks and armoured vehicles fired from the outskirts. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it was the biggest assault in a threeweek campaign by the Syrian army and allied militia fighters to recapture the desert city and open up the road to Islamic State strongholds further east.
Observatory director Rami Abdulrahman said Syrian soldiers and allied militias had taken control of one-third of Palmyra, mainly in the west and north, including part of the ancient city and its Roman-era ruins. Soldiers were also fighting on a southern front, he said. Syrian media and Arab television channels broadcasting from the slopes of Palmyra’s medieval citadel, one of the last areas of high ground seized by the army on Friday, said troops had advanced inside Palmyra and had taken several neighborhoods. The recapture of Palmyra, which the Islamist group seized in May 2015, would mark the biggest reversal for
Islamic State in Syria since Russia’s intervention turned the tide of the five-year conflict in President Bashar alAssad’s favour. The group and al Qaeda’s Syrian branch the Nusra Front are excluded from a monthlong cessation of hostilities that has brought a lull in fighting between the government and rebels battling Assad in western Syria. The limited truce has allowed some aid deliveries to get to previously inaccessible areas under siege. The International Committee for the Red Cross said on Saturday it brought food and hygiene items to three areas of south Damascus the day before.
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Barbados airport reopens BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Regular operations have resumed at the Grantley Adams International Airport and the issue that triggered the strike action by air traffic controllers has been settled. Barbados’ lone airport reopened just after 1 p.m. after a seven-hour strike by workers acting in solidarity with Barbados Water Authority (BWA) employees who were demanding BDS$33 million (US$16.5 million) in increments overdue from as far back as 2006 and had been on strike for a week. Emerging around 7:30 p.m.
from a six-hour meeting at Government headquarters, chaired by Minister of Labour Dr. Esther Byer-Suckoo and attended by BWA top officials and the minister responsible for the Authority, Dr. David Estwick, the Barbados Workers Union (BWU) reported that an agreement on payment had been reached. “We have reached an agreement which we are sure will satisfy our constituents,” BWU general secretary Toni Moore said. “Increments will be honoured, as the union had requested and as was agreed by the parties previously, and
we have made some concession as we indicated too, that would be necessary.” But even before that deal was struck, flights were taking off and landing at the airport, as the air traffic controllers went back on the job while the BWA and BWU held talks. Up to that point, hundreds of travelers had been left in limbo as a dozen flights were cancelled and many more delayed. While the departure hall was packed with frustrated and concerned passengers, the arrivals hall was like a ghost town. (Caribbean360)
Sunday March 27, 2016
Lawmakers approve second nominee for post of prime minister PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti - CMC – It was second time lucky for interim President Jocelerme Privert after Parliament Friday approved his choice for prime minister less than a week after rejecting United States-trained economist Fritz Jean. Lawmakers in this Frenchspeaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country gave the nod to Professor of Administrative Law, Enex Jean-Charles, who has also served as an advisor to several heads of state. The Senate had unanimously ratified his policy statement late Thursday.The Lower House Chamber of Deputies voted in favour of Jean-Charles serving as a transitional government’s prime minister by a 78-1 vote with two deputies abstained. Well known in politics since 1988 as “the friend of everyone”, the new interim prime minister is a graduate of the University of Missouri in Columbia, as well as the University of Brussels. Since 1991, the 55 year0old is Professor of Administrative Law at the Faculty of Law and Economics (FDSE) of the State University of Haiti and
Jocelerme Privert
has published numerous articles and research reports on the administrative policy development, local participation and decisionmaking in administrative matters. He is the author of the Haitian Administrative Law Manual. On Sunday, Privert watched as legislators voted down Jean and the Provisional Electoral Commission (CEP) that is needed to organise the twice-postponed presidential runoff vote following President Michel Martelly’s
departure from office on February 7 without any successor being elected. Last week, Sandra Honore, the top U.N. envoy for Haiti, told the United Nations Security Council that Haiti was at a “critical juncture” in consolidating its democracy and the next few weeks would be decisive. “It is with a feeling of a heavy load in an extremely difficult situation that I accepted the post of prime minister,” Jean-Charles had said after his nomination was announced on Tuesday. Privert, who had earlier said he will wait for Jean-Charles to get the nod from parliament before naming members of the CEP, will now seek to move ahead with plans for development as well as fresh presidential elections scheduled for April 24. Before his nomination was approved Jean-Charles said his government would apply the “technical recommendations” of a special electoral commission that examined the disputed October 25 first round presidential vote and made various proposals to improve polling and overall transparency.
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Kaieteur News
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Explosive action anticipated at Guyana Cup Fever horserace meet at Port Mourant The day has arrived and all systems are in place for the event of the Easter season and despite the pack weekend of activities the place to be is the Rising Sun Turf Club, Arima Park, West Coast, Berbice. All roads are expected to lead to the popular venue for the red hot Guyana Cup Fever horserace extravaganza in collaboration with the Jumbo Jet Auto Sales and Racing stables. The seven race meet has a sumptuous $10M in cash, trophies and other incentives, up for the taking. The arena is expected to be jam-packed as thousands including many home for the Easter Holidays are expected to fill the venue. Over 80 of the country’s top horses have taken entry
and the question being asked is who will win the battle of Rising Sun. The track is in good condition and some fast times are expected to be recorded in the grand showdown. The feature A and lower special is the talk of the day with a whopping $1.2M and trophy up for grabs. The caliber of horses lined up is hairraising and to pick a winner would be a difficult task. C.P Got Even is always in the money and is in top form. A long rest will definitely do the animal the world of good. It will definitely be out to avenge it loss to Just Call Me Bass. CP prefers the longer distance, but has shown before that it can adapt to the shorter distance. Just
Over 80 entered and $10M up for grabs call Me Bass has proven that it is a force to be reckoned with. It is being call the undisputed champion at RSTC with four consecutive wins to its name. The horse seems to like the left hand track. It has speed and has shown that it can also finish. Stalemates Spit Fire and Plum Plum have both been in good form recently. Both are good pedigree horses, and are capable of going out early and running from down the pack. Their owners will be looking for a one two from them today. All eyes will be on the new sensation Golden Blue Echo. The racehorse has been
Sunday March 27, 2016 ARIES (MAR. 21APRIL 20) Your partner could also use some time alone with you. Don't let your stubborn nature get the better of you. Deal with in-laws today.
LIBRA (SEPT. 24 -OCT. 23) Put your energy into home renovations. Put all your energy into moneymaking ventures. Social gatherings will be conducive to meeting new potential mates.
TAURUS (APR. 21MAY 21) Emotional matters may not be easy for you to handle. Spend some time on yourself. You might find that coworkers will support your endeavors.
SCORPIO (OCT. 24 NOV. 22) Travel will result in new romantic attractions. Rethink your motives and make the necessary changes to yourself. Close deals that have been up in the air and move on to new ones that appear to be profitable.
GEMINI (MAY22-JUNE 21) Make sure that you make reservations early. Property investments, insurance, taxes, or inheritance should bring you financial gains. Social activity should be on your agenda. CANCER (JUNE 22JULY 22) Your trendy style and unique way of doing things will entice new acquaintances. New romantic partners may attend a function that puts you in the limelight. Expect your workload to be heavy. LEO (JULY 23-AUG 22) Try not to jump to conclusions. Resist any idle chatter. Try not to attempt to do something unless you are fully intent on following through with the plans. VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Lend an ear to children; it can make a difference. You may find it difficult to communicate. Don't let your personal dilemmas interfere with your goals.
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 23 -DEC. 21) Take a look at the possibilities of starting a small part time business with friends or relatives. Your love will not be willing to listen to your criticism. Listen to the complaints of others. CAPRICORN (DEC 22.- JAN. 20) You will meet new and exciting people if you attend social activities or sporting events. You can expect changes in your living arrangements. Overindulgence may be a problem. AQUARIUS (JAN. 21 FEB. 19) You are best not to discuss your personal life with others. You may not see your situation clearly. PISCES (FEB. 20-MAR. 20) You can increase the value of your dwelling. Look into residential moves that will give you more space. Keep the promises you've made or you can expect to be in the doghouse.
burning up the track at practice over the past week and will be looking to continue on its winning ways. The animal is fast and will be expected to go out early alongside the speedsters. As it showed in its only meet Golden Blue Echo can also finish and the likes of C.P Got Even, will have to be at their best. According to owner trainer Mohin Persaud the animal also likes the left hand track while it can go out early or run from the back and still win convincingly. He is assuring that all will be roasted at the end of the day. America Boss has settled in and is expected to give a good account of itself, if not go all the way. The newly imported King’s Knight and Climate Change of the Jumbo Jet Stable and Because I Say So of the Elcock Stable have all come to Guyana with a lot of characteristics. To analyze them would take the rest of this page. The owners are urging all to come out for a grand time and see the spectacle that will unfold. The likes of Swing East, Release the Beast, Right To Rule and Precise Gold will be battling for the winner’s take of $600,000 and trophy over 1400M in the F1 and lower event. The event for three year old, West Indies bred animals for a first prize of $400,000 and trophy over 1100M has such runners as Witchy Poo, Time Line, Caricom Dancer, Red Rocket and Isn’t She Charming. Rosetta, It’s My Choice, Settling Star, Midnight Blue and Big Man Bas will continue their battle to see who is boss in the G2 and lower 1400M race for a winning pocket of $400,000 and trophy. The Guyana Bred three year old maiden horses will have among them Fire ball, Lil Dude and She Is in Control among others competing for the first prize of $300,000 and trophy over 11000M. The likes of Cat Messiah, Jumbo’s Gift, She So Special, the Girl Is Mine, Sweet Return, Silver Bell, Atlantic Storm, Mary Ann, Glamour Queen and Amazing Run are all in the running in the H3 and lower 1400M event for the $250,000 winners take and trophy. The J1 and lower event over 1100M has a winner’s purse of $200,000 and trophy. Beverage Giants Banks DIH Limited, the Trophy Stall along with Crown Vibes,
Jumbo Jet, Nanad Persaud and Company Limited, Shariff Business Entity, Chester Fry Chicken among others are on board. Top horses, stables and jockeys will be awarded with trophies compliments of Ramesh Sunich Managing Director of the Trophy Stall of Bourda Market.
A number of added attractions and incentives including free kites will be given away on race day. Crown Vibes Entertainment Company along with Beverage Giants Banks DIH Limited, Trophy Stall and Chester Fry will be on hand for the grand after party and wash down. The coordinator is Nazrudeen Jumbo Jet Mohammed Jr. Race time is 12:00 hrs. (Samuel Whyte)
WILTSHIRE Dominoes on today Organising Secretary of the Georgetown Dominoes Association Mark Wiltshire will be hosting a dominoes tournament today at R and R Sports Club, Meadowbrook starting at 15:00 hrs. Entrance fee is $10,000 and prizes will be announced
before double six time. This tournament is expected to serve as a warm up for teams ahead of the Faye Joseph $2M competition. Among the teams set to battle for supremacy are Rage, Thunder, TNT, Mix Up, Spartons, Specialists and R and R.
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Sans Souci and SS Jaguars clash in Regal Sports/Trophy Stall T20 final today Sans Souci and Sans Souci Jaguars will renew their rivalry when they clash in the final of the Regal Sports/Trophy Stall T20 tournament today at the Wakenaam Community Center ground. Both teams are brimming with confidence having won their respective semi final matches with little hiccups. Sans Souci will be led by the experienced Wayne Osbourne and will look to ink their name on the trophy having failed to reach a final for the last three competitions, but are aware of the Jaguars strength. Apart from Osbourne, Sans Souci batting will be centered on Seon Venture, Roopnarine Persaud and Oyono Sampson while their bowling attack includes Keddernauth Naraine, left arm spinner Tavin Budram and off spinner Devon Rambarran. Siddique Mohamed has
been doing a fine job being at the helm of the Jaguars unit for the past three tournaments. He will be looking to support from All-rounders Nokta Moses, Derwin Daniells, Zameer Zaman, batsman Safraz Mohamed and Dellon Osbourne. Action gets underway at 10:30 hrs. Teams- Sans Souci; Wayne Osbourne (Capt.), Roopnarine Persaud, Oyono Sampson, Tavin Budram, Keon Venture, Seon Venture, Reyon Venture, Devon Rambarran, Galo Persaud, Kumar Persaud, Nkosie Dazzel and Jermain Wolf. Sans Souci Jaguars; Siddique Mohamed (Capt.), Nokta Moses, Beesham Moses, Zameer Zaman, Dellon Osbourne, Prem Persaud, Imran Mohamed,
Safraz Mohamed, Derwin Daniells, Rashaad Rasheed, Gladwyn Henry and Vijay Persaud.
From page 79 such a big sacrifice in defying his club to play for Guyana, emotions were running high, not only professionally, but on a personal level: ‘I dedicated yesterday’s win to my Uncle Adrian who passed away earlier in the year who was a huge fan of the Golden Jaguars’’ ‘’’:’I dedicated Tuesday’s win to myUncle Adrian, who passed away earlier this year, he was
a huge fan of the Golden Jaguars’. Cox was also appreciative of the home support given during Tuesday’s game: ‘I just want to say a huge thank you to all who showed support, which was huge for the team’. Indeed, crowd support was huge for the team, and just as importantly, Cox’s determination to represent Guyana has been huge for the country.
Siddique Mohamed
Emotions run...
Sunday March 27, 2016
Windies march to semis after thrilling win over South Africa NAGPUR, India (AFP) — West Indies captain Darren Sammy hailed a job well done after his side clinched a spot in the World Twenty20 semifinals with a tense threewicket win over South Africa Friday. The Windies successfully chased down a target of 123 with just two balls to spare for a third consecutive Group One victory, becoming the second team to qualify for the last four after New Zealand. “We came here to win this match and qualify, and we’ve done that, so we’re really happy,” Sammy said after his side’s victory at Nagpur’s Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium. The skipper admitted he was feeling “butterflies” as the Windies made hard work of it towards the end, going into the last over requiring nine runs to win. “We were under pressure chasing a low total, and every decision we took out there they responded. But I really want to commend my team,” said Sammy. It was South Africa’s second defeat of the tournament and means England secured a berth in the semis at their expense after a win against Sri Lanka yesterday. Proteas captain Faf du Plessis rued his side’s poor total of 122 for eight after Sammy won the toss and elected to field first. “It felt like the whole game we were half a step behind West Indies and we were trying to catch up the whole time,” Du Plessis said. The Windies rode on a gritty 44 from Marlon Samuels to prevail in a close finish. It looked like the Windies would canter home but Imran Tahir grabbed two wickets in the 17th over and the Caribbean side ended up going into the final over with a lot to do. Carlos Brathwaite hit a massive six before precocious fast bowler Kagiso Rabada bowled a wide. Brathwaite then grabbed a quick run before Denesh Ramdin carried the Windies over the line with a single. Samuels’ 32-run partnership for the third wicket with Johnson Charles (32) set up the chase only for the team to lose their way in the middle overs. Andre Fletcher made 11, while Chris Gayle surprisingly shone with the ball rather than the bat. The bighitting left hander smashed a four off his first ball but was clean bowled by Rabada off his second. Gayle had earlier claimed two wickets as South
Africa suffered from lack of partnerships in a crucial game for their survival in the tournament. Left-hander Quinton de Kock top-scored for the Proteas with 47 while David Wiese, batting at number seven, notched 28. Hashim Amla was run out for one on just the third ball of the innings. Captain Faf du Plessis came in and didn’t last long, scoring nine off seven balls before being caught by Sulieman Benn off paceman Andre Russell. It quickly got worse for the Proteas when Gayle, who has barely turned his arm over in recent years, grabbed the wicket of Rilee Rossouw. Rossouw’s dismissal, which the dreadlocked Gayle celebrated with a little jig, left
South Africa reeling on 20 for three after three overs. South Africa needed AB de Villiers to put a big score on the board but the classy stroke-player could only manage 10 before being cleaned up by Dwayne Bravo. David Miller then came in but lasted only four balls, bowled by Gayle. With just one win from two games, South Africa faced the prospect of being dumped out before they’ve completed all their groupstage matches and their future in the tournament was out of their hands. South Africa’s clash against the islanders tomorrow becomes a ‘dead rubber’ and the Proteas’ long wait for a first international trophy continues.
Sunday March 27, 2016
Kaieteur News
what needs to be done to obtain a positive result: the fans, the players, the staff, we’re all in positive spirits’, Cox declared. Indeed, co-captain of the Golden Jags Chris Nurse has played in Puerto Rico before for club Puerto Rico Islanders, and only this month joined newly-formed side Puerto Rico FC, so his knowl-
Sam Cox (left) celebrates with fellow Golden Jags after their 7-0 win over Anguilla. By Santokie Nagulendran When the final whistle blew at Providence Stadium on Tuesday night and Guyana secured their 7-0 victory over Anguilla, a sense of jubilation could be seen etched on all of the player’s faces: despite the lowly ranking of their opponents, it was a confident and assured performance that marked the first step on the road to the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup, which Coach Jamaal Shabazz has targeted qualifying for. For one player in particular however, the win had even more significance: Englandbased player Sam Cox had risked his career to play for the Golden Jaguars on Tuesday night. Boreham Wood FC, the club Cox is contracted to, took the unusual step earlier this month of publically criticizing Cox’s decision to represent Guyana in CFU qualifiers, as it meant he would be missing three of the club’s league games. Most clubs are happy to see their players feature for International sides as it raises both the profile of the club and value of the player: so in a surprising change from the norm, Boreham Wood Head Coach Luke Garrad would say of Cox’s decision: ‘Sam has put his own wants above that of his teammates and in my opinion that is not the behaviour of a club captain…it’s Sam’s choice and we need to plan without him’, suggesting Cox’s future at the club is in doubt as a result of choosing to represent his country. With such a huge sacrifice made to represent Guyana and a cloud of uncertainty hanging over his future with his club in England, Cox was in
good spirits nonetheless: ‘I feel we (Guyana) displayed a professional and ruthless performance against Anguilla, no disrespect to them but we were stronger in every department and the result reflected that’. Speaking on his own performance, he said: ‘I felt fit, strong and ready to go, although I should have scored! But it’s always nice to pick up an assist and for me, that’s just as rewarding.’ With numerous overseas players returning to the Golden Jaguars side such as Cox, Neil Danns, Marcel Barrington, Walter Moore and Anthony Whyte, it is a side which, on paper, are one of the strongest in the region.
Cox said he had no problems adjusting to the climate after only landing on Monday: ‘This time around it was much easier to adapt, on Monday we trained, focusing on possession play and team shape, everybody was just as welcoming as they were last camp (in June)’. The next hurdle for the Golden Jags is Puerto Rico, whom they face on Tuesday away in Puerto Rico, with the objective being to defeat them and finish as group winners. Puerto Rico, currently ranked 170th in the World and 14 places below Guyana, will be a tougher challenge than Anguilla, but the Golden Jags are confident. ‘We will prepare correctly and focus on
Black Sharks continue... From page 82 spot in the final against surprise package Ithaca Hardliners. The Black Sharks were led by the consistent Linden Joseph with a game high 21 points, as Joel Fraser 14 and Real Franklyn 8 supported. For the New Amsterdam Warriors Shamar France led their effort with 14 points, while Raymone Fogenay scored 10
and Kirk Fraser 6. The final is set for Sunday 3rd April at the Fyrish Basket Ball court, Corentyne, Berbice from 15:00 hrs. At stake in the competition are cash and other incentives for the winning and runner-up teams and outstanding players. The tournament is organised by sport enthusiast Vibert Garnett. (Samuel Whyte)
Afghanistan look to finish... From page 83 least 20 innings. Against South Africa on Friday, he came in at no. 9. By the time he came on strike for his first ball, West Indies needed one run off three. He cut in the air straight to Hashim Amla who dropped it - and West Indies prevailed. They will hope that Ramdin hits form to boost the team further. TEAM NEWS Afghanistan are likely to stick to the same combination, though they need to make a
choice between left-arm spinner Amir Hamza and an extra seamer. Given that this is a dead rubber, West Indies may ponder giving Jason Holder a go. PITCH AND CONDITIONS The Nagpur surface has offered slow turn right through the World T20, and will probably continue to do so in its last match of the tournament. Mid-day temperatures have been touching the low 40s range, and the 3pm start will test the fitness of the players.
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edge of the country will be a vital link for the team. Puerto Rico has not played an International game since June 2015, which they lost 2-0 to Grenada, but they are a side which always has the potential to defy the odds so Guyana cannot get complacent against them. With Sam Cox making (Continued on page 74)
Santokie Nagulendran
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Kaieteur News
Sunday March 27, 2016
NBS Second Division 40-Over Cricket Competition in Berbice
BCB TENELEC TOURNAMENT...
Hicks (120) Mahadeo (5-25) put Rose Hall Town into Semi-finals, Edwards 103 in vain
Defending Champions RHT Farfan and Mendes Under-15 Team off to winning start
- Tucber Park also through Rose Hall Town Bakewell held their nerve in a high scoring quarter-final encounter to squeeze out Young Warriors by just 9 runs to advance to the semi-finals of the New Building Society Second Division 40-Over Cricket Competition in Berbice. In the match which was played at the Area “H” Ground in Rose Hall Town, Rose Hall Town Bakewell opting to bat first was given a start of 63 in 9.3 Overs by two former Berbice youth cricketers Michael Hicks and Michael Felix. After Hicks fell for 44, Felix was joined by former Guyana wicket-keeperbatsman Delbert Hicks and the two of them added another 85 for the 2nd wicket before Felix was bowled for 45 at 148 for 2. Hicks continued in his hard-hitting style and he and former Berbice Under-19 cricketer Khemraj Mahadeo put on 80 for the third wicket after which Mahadeo went for 30 at 228 for 3. Hicks stuck around, continuing to belt the bowling around and helped Rose Hall Town to amass 294 for 8 in their 40-Overs with Hicks contributing 120 (11 fours and 7 sixes). Bowling for Young Warriors, Zaheer Moakan took 4 for 40 and Berbice Under-15 offspinner Aaron Beharry 2 for 38. When Young Warriors began to chase the daunting target they lost Mortimer Fraser for 0 with just 3 runs on the board. However, the
Delbert Hicks
Khemraj Mahadeo other opener, Waheid Edwards was not ruffled and undertook to keep Warriors in the hunt. Guyana Under-19 allrounder Kassim Khan proceeded to put on 84 in just 12-Overs before Khan became offspinner Khemraj Mahadeo’s first victim for 37. Edwards then partnered with Moakan and they continued to attack, putting on 36 in 5-Overs between them after which Moakan went for 27. The veteran Rudolph “Gussy” Baker then came in and he and Edwards kept Warriors on track, the two then put on 84 for the 4th wicket before Baker fell to Mahadeo for 44 at 207 for four in the 30th Over. Edwards continued to battle through and with some support from Amir Khan (23), he kept Warriors alive but with them needing 23 runs in the final Over, he eventually
Berbice Under-15 cricket champions Rose Hall Town Farfan and Mendes started on a successful note, their defence of their title when they defeated Tamarind Root and Albion on first innings in the 2016 Tenelec Under-15 Tournament. The team under the captaincy of Chanderpaul Govindan are seeking to emulate the Kevlon Anderson led RHT Farfan and Mendes Team which won the 2015 title. Playing at the Hampshire ground, they bowled out Tamarind Root for 99 in 31 overs as only Kevin Ramsammy 16 and Ryan Mahadeo 14 not out reached double figures. Bowling for the visitors, Kristoff Williams took four wickets for eight runs from six overs, Tyreece Sealey 3 for 20 and skipper Govindan 2 for 24. Needing to score 100 for first innings points, RHTFM rattled up 144 for 9 as Sealey returned with the bat to top-scored with an attractive 57 and received support from his captain Govindan 25, Kelroy Fraser 22 and Vijay Gopilall 15. Tamarind Root were 8 for 1 in their second innings when stumps were drawn.
Govindan claimed the only wickets to fall for two runs. Against Albion at the Area ‘H’ Ground, the home team fielded after losing the toss. The visitors were bowled out for 64 in 39.2 overs with only R. Karim 11, G. Ramesh 13 and F. Naidu offering any resistance to the bowling of Tyreece Sealey 16-2-5-24-5, Chanderpaul Govindan 8-1-28-02 and Matthew Pattaya 3-1-10-02. RHTFM in response, raced to 163 for 5 off just 30 overs as twelve years Mahendra Gopilall stroking a brilliant 80 with thirteen well struck boundaries, while Govindan continued his impressive all round performance with a polished 55 with six boundaries. Bowling for Albion, I. Shazam was expensive but claimed two wickets for 76 runs from 10 overs. With a deficit of 79 runs Albion were 56 for 5 in their second innings when stumps were drawn with H. Sukhai 17 and G. Rameh 10 not out at the crease. VijayGopilall and Tyreece Sealey finished with 2 for 6 and 2 for 20 respectively. RHTFM have now qualified for the Quarter-finals.
GOLYN 10/10 WEEKEND FIXTURES...
Pride at stake for teams Wahied Edwards fell in that Over for 103 (7 fours and 1 six), his efforts going in vain as Warriors ended on 285 for 9 in 40-Overs to lose by 9 runs. Khemraj Mahadeo ended with 5 for 25 from 8-Overs. Also through to the semifinals are Tucber Park who was granted a walkover after Skeldon Community Centre could only muster six (6) players for their quarter-final.
The Golyn 10/10 softball cricket tournament organized by the Guyana Softball League and sponsored by Golyn and sons, Trophy Stall and Miss Love Trading (West Coast) continues today with five matches slated. The teams will be playing to ensure their pride is intact as these matches will carry various challenges in terms of villages. The Fixtures are as follows: Rydem Star versus Ruimzeight: Rydem Star will want to register another win under their belt before taking on the big guns and Ruimzeight being a fairly new team will look to turn back their challenge and also be in the winning row themselves. Both teams are of equal strength and will look towards their experienced players to prove themselves
worthy of that tag. Amazon Warriors versus Praim XI: Both teams have some points to prove with each other with Praim XI having the edge by sheer experience. The energy of the younger players in Amazon Warriors can make the difference if they turn up in a mood to demolish their counterparts. This game will be full of emotion as both teams are gunning for each other. Crossbreed Warriors versus Superbet XI: Crossbreed Warriors will look to maintain their winning streak. Their opponents are not that confident when it comes to winning as they have been up and down in their last two encounters. West Coast Blazers versus Unstoppable XI: Both teams have explosive
players and will look to dominate the proceedings. The team that is consistent will be the victorious one. West Coast Blazers versus Mighty Lions: Blazers will look to take advantage against a team lacking confidence in their batting and their bowling can also crack when under pressure. Mighty Lions will look to gain a much needed win to boost that confidence as well get back to their winning ways. Meanwhile, the One Ball Manto will continue as spectators gear up for a winner being announced at the conclusion of the day’s proceedings. This format has brought out a lot of happiness to spectators as the prizes to be won are worth the chance in credit, sports watch, and trophies.
Memorex U17, Two-innings Cricket Competition in Berbice
Seecharan unbeaten 110 propels Port Mourant to first innings win over Whim
A well played unbeaten 110 by Emanuel Seecharam led his team Port Mourant to first innings points over Whim National when play in the 2016 Memorex U17, Two-innings Cricket Competition, organised by the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) continued in the Ancient County. Seecharran’s innings helped his team to 225 for nine in response to Whim National 120 all out. Whim National batted first and reached their total through 44 (5x4) from J. Prince and 38 by M. Charan. There were 30 extras. Bowling for Port Mourant, Antonio Kempadoo had destructive figures of 6-21, while Cheddi Budhu, Kevin Latiff and Ezikel
Kempadoo snared one each. Port Mourant in their turn at the crease found themselves in trouble at 31-4. But Seecharran batting at No3, clobbered 10 sweetly timed fours in company with Kameshwar Chaterpaul with 39(3x4), put on 101 for the fifth wicket to take their team out of trouble. Seecharran continued to flourish with lower order support from Budhu, with 14(2x4) as he reached his century. There were 35 extras. Bowling for Whim R. Apadhu took three wickets, while R Munroe and M. Charan supported with two each. The competition is continuing.
Sunday March 27, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Pele FC North American Alumni 45th Agricola and Grove headline Anniversary Football concludes STAG/EBFA Senior League...
today’s double header
Santos U-15 skipper Randy Roberts give his team a 1-nil win over Alpha yesterday at GFC.
Mervin Joseph Devon Jeffers
The battle of old rivals Agricola Red Triangle and Grove Hi Tech will headline today’s double head when the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) / STAG Senior league continues. Agricola goes into today’s clash ahead of the defending champions on goal difference with both teams posting wins from as many matches to date. Agricola also holds the distinction of being the only team with a clean record but that will be on the line today in what is anticipated to be a fierce tussle. Both sides have shown their offensive prowess scoring 9 and 8 goals respectively
Team Agricola Grove Mocha 2 Soesdyke Herstelling Kuru Kururu Diamond
P 2 2 1 2 2 2 2
W 2 2 0 1 1 0 0
in two matches each. Captain Winston Rawlins will have to come up big today as Agricola seeks to keep their unbeaten record intact. Help in this regard will come from Devon Jeffers, Jermaine Frank, Collis Samuels and Kacy ‘Boombie’ John. The home team will centre their challenge around the likes of Lloyd Matthews, Nickolai Matthews, Mervin Squires and Denzil Crawford. After their return to competitive football two years ago, Agricola defeated Grove 2-1 in the first round of the league but Grove rebounded in the second half Latest Points Standings D L GF 0 0 9 0 0 8 1 2 1 0 1 5 0 1 2 0 2 2 0 2 0
to defeat Agricola 2-0. Ever since Grove have been enjoying the better of the exchanges against their competitor even in the 7-aside version of the sport. Agricola will be coming out to change that today while Grove will be seeking to continue their dominance. Today’s curtain raiser at 13:30hrs will see Soesdyke Falcons taking on Herstelling Raiders with the former winning both of their matches against the latter in the last league, 6-0 and 4-0, respectively. However, Herstelling have since strengthened with a number of new signings, w hile former Timehri Panthers players have now signed up with the Falcons which would be led by Mervin Joseph.
GA 0 3 +1 6 4 4 10
GD +9 +5 3 -1 -2 -2 -10
Points 6 6
A week of activities began yesterday at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground with the playing of the junior matches after an exhibition match between the two top Primary schools girls team Stella Marris and St Stephen’s Primary. The events were organised by the North American Alumni of the Club which was founded in 1971 and most of the former Pele players now residing in the USA were present yesterday as was the club’s new President Robby Rambarran. Under overcast skies at the (GFC) Stella Marris Primary School led by Most-ValuablePlayer Sarah Matthias beat St Stephen’s Primary on penalty kicks 3-2, while Skipper Randy Roberts scored a 17 minute Goal from the penalty spot to give Santos FC a 1-nil win against Alpha United FC in the Frank Watson U-15 final. Stella Marris and Stephen’s went head with the nimble Matthias showing her skill in the evenly fought contest which ended nil all at the full time. Matthias scored the winning goal from the penalty spot. In another keenly contested affair the talented Roberts scored the game’s only goal from the penalty spot to give Santos the win after Alpha’s defender Travis Daniels was given a yellow card for ‘Handled ball’ inside the 18-yard box. Roberts, who was later adjudged the MVP of the tournament, calmly beat the diving custodian to his right to take the 30-minute to half at 1-0 which was eventual margin of victory when the game ended. The first game, scheduled to commence at 10:00hrs did not begin until 15:00hrs while th
after the under-17 match up the Pele Masters were set to play an overseas Veterans unit under lights last night. The U-17 game saw GFC beat Santos 2-0 with Tyrese Rowley netted the double in the 6th and 36th minutes. The MVP of that category was Steven King of GFC. The highest goalscorer was Kelsey Benjamin of GFC. Calvin Peters from Eastville Primary scored the most goals (5) in the U-17 tournament. Medals and trophies were presented after each game while Lap tops will be given to each of MVPs of each category at the Sports and Education Banquet at the Georgetown Club on Friday evening. Today there will be a family fun day from 10:00hrs and admission is free. (Sean Devers)
Calvin Peters scored the most goals in the U-15 tourney for Eastville Primary.
3 3 0 0
Hyman shines at Martial Arts tourney in T&T
G
uyanese Dellon Hyman performed outstandingly in a recent Martial Arts tournament held in Trinidad and Tobago. Hyman won the traditional kata in the masters and over-35 categories. He also placed first in sparring and weapons, second in the free style kata and third in sparring competing in the masters division.
Sarah Matthias was the MVP in Girls Primary school Football tournament for Stella Marris. Dellon Hyman
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Kaieteur News
Sunday March 27, 2016
3rd Star Party Rentals 11-Race NP Cycle Meet...
Orville Hinds takes feature race; Raphael Leung is Juvenile winner Team Evolution riders have continued their dominance of races at the inner circuit of the National Park, Guyana’s premier cycling facility when Orville Hinds notched up back to back wins yesterday with victory in the School Boys and Invitation 35-lap contest. Hinds, the leading Team Evolution riders so far this season, stopped the clock at One Hour 16 Minutes 31.71 Seconds to win the race ahead of teammate Michael Antony who was followed by Team Coco’s Junior Niles, Akeem Wilkinson, Paul Choo Wee Nam and mark Harris, the top six. Anthony was in encouraging form despite finishing second as he swept all eight (8) sprint prizes. Raphael Leung won the juvenile 10-lap showdown ahead of Brighton John and Deeraj Garbarran in 26 Minutes 18.85 Seconds. Leung and John shared the two sprint prizes.
Following are the full results Race Laps Placing 12-14 years Boys/Girls 3 Jerome Stephens (6’:06.27") Veterans Under-50 5 Junior Niles (12’:20"), Warren McKay, Mark Sonoram Veterans Over-50 5 Raymond Newton, Linden Blackman, Joslayn Congreives Juveniles 10 Raphael Leung (12’:18.85"), Brighton John, Deeraj Garbarran Mountain Bikes 5 Keon Thomas (11’:55"), Richard Charles, Ozia Macullay BMX Boys 6-9 years 2 Shay Sue Hang, Ajani Cutting, Aqueela Lewis BMX Boys 9-12 years 3 Jeremiah Harrison, Zab James, Shay Sue Hang BMX Boys 12-14 years 3 Adealie Hodge, Taran Garbarran, Jeremiah Harrison School Boys & Invitation 35 Orville Hinds (1.16:31.71"), Michael Anthony, Junior Niles, Akeem Wilkinson, Paul Choo Wee Nam, Mark Harris
UEFA Promotion continues at Altitude Bar and Lounge
Play in the game between Fyrish Black Sharks and New Amsterdam Warriors.
Heineken Brand Assistant, Keiron Brathwaite (second, left) presents a limited edition Heineken UEFA Champions League wrist watch to Adesina Flatts at Altitude Bar and Lounge.
Heineken’s Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Champions League (UCL) Series Promotion continued Thursday night at Altitude Bar and Lounge, Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, with Adesina Flatts winning an official UEFA-branded wrist watch after defeating Stephen Henry in a Foosball Competition. Foosball is a table assimilation of football and is part of Heineken’s UEFA Series Promotion at bars across Guyana. Both players displayed enthusiasm and were the finalists after several other rounds that included Heineken patrons at the Lounge. Heineken is a global sponsor of the Champions League, and as such, the brand
will continue to kick off its annual local promotion across Guyana. For the first time this year, the promotion will also kick off at bars outside of Georgetown. Customers across Guyana will have the chance to take part in similar Foosball competitions in the Heineken UEFA Series where football fans will be given the opportunity to enjoy the final stages of the Champions League. This year’s promotion will end with a massive final party slated for a date to be announced. It promises to be bigger and better than ever before. The purchase of buckets of Heineken gives participants the chance to enter the Foosball Competition to win prizes.
Individual category winners and other recipients of prizes pose with race organiser Hassan Mohamed (standing at right) following yesterday’s presentation.
There seems to be no way in stopping the destruction being created by the rampaging Fyrish Black Sharks as they destroyed a hapless and under-prepared New Amsterdam Warriors basketball club 55-38 to advance to the final of the third edition of the Anamayah Memorial Basketball first division tournament for teams in Berbice. The semi-final encounter was played on Thursday at the Fyrish Basketball court.
Black Sharks continue destructive path by mauling Warriors
The Fyrish Black Sharks made full use of home court advantage and were well prepared for battle. Sharks have played unbeaten so far and were out to an early 11-2 lead by the end of the first stanza. Black Sharks continued to hunt down the unprepared Warriors, counterattacking and making key steals to go to the half time break up 2610. Even with healthy lead the half time rest only served to reenergize the roving Black Sharks.
The resumption saw them forging ahead with vigour, scoring 20 points to their opponents 13 as that stanza ended 46-23. Despite the best efforts of the Warriors which came in the final segment that saw them scoring 15 points to the Black Sharks 11. It was evident that the once powerful Warriors were beaten and conquered as the Black Sharks maintained their unbeaten run with the runaway 55-38 win and a (Continued on page 79)
Sunday March 27, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 83
England beat Sri Lanka by 10 Afghanistan look to finish runs to reach World T20 semis their campaign with a bang
Afghanistan v West Indies, World T20 2016, Group 1, Nagpur March 26...
Sri Lanka’s Lahiru Thirimanne (C) reacts after his dismissal as England’s players run to celebrate. (REUTERS/ADNAN ABIDI)
NEW DELHI (Reuters) England held their nerve to beat Sri Lanka by 10 runs in a thrilling World Twenty20 Group One match on Saturday, reaching the semifinals and knocking the defending champions out of the tournament. Jos Buttler struck a blistering unbeaten 66 to power England to a commanding 171 for four after they had made a slow start. The 2010 winners then returned to blow away Sri Lanka’s top order before Angelo Mathews fought off a hamstring injury to drag his team back into the match with a brilliant 73 not out. Sri Lanka’s defeat also dashed South Africa’s hopes of qualifying for the last four. “I think we adapted a lot better today than we did against Afghanistan,” said En g lan d cap tain Eo in Morgan, referring to his team’s mediocre batting display in their previous match. “We showed we’re capable of playing both smart cricket and aggressive cricket.” Put in to bat, England lost Alex Hales in the second over but Jason Roy (42) and Joe Root (25) added 61 runs in 8.3 overs to steady the innings. Leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay dismissed both batsmen but Buttler capitalised on the foundation, hitting eight fours and two sixes in a 37ball blitz. STOKES SIX Morgan made 22 before being run out and Ben Stokes smashed the last ball, the only delivery he faced, from Thisara Perera for six. Sri Lanka made a dismal start to their reply as openers Tillakaratne Dilshan and Dinesh Chandimal were dismissed inside the first
eight deliveries. Milinda Siriwardena and Lahiru Thirimanne also went as Mathews’ side slumped to 15 for four. Skipper Mathews and Chamara Kapugedera (30) revived their hopes, mixing caution with aggression and smashing three sixes off an Adil Rashid over that produced 21 runs. Perera also scored 20 quick runs down the order but Mathews looked tired by the end and could only score four of the 15 runs required from the last over by Stokes. “We had nothing to lose
after we were 15 for four,” said Mathews. “Myself and Kapugedera decided we’d target a few bowlers. “It worked but unfortunately I didn’t have a (frontline) batter with me in the last couple of overs. It was a really good wicket...if we had another batter we could have got over the line.” Buttler was named manof-the-match for his typically belligerent knock. Scores: England 171 for 4 (Buttler 66*, Roy 42) beat Sri Lanka 161 for 8 (Mathews 73*, Jordan 4-28) by 10 runs.
ESPNcricinfo - More than two weeks into the tournament, and Afghanistan are still out there, playing in front of a global audience. That, in itself, is a victory, though their clash against West Indies is a dead rubber. Not merely content in having fun in the qualifiers, Afghanistan stormed into the Super 10s, and have made their presence felt. In each of their last three matches, Afghanistan have pushed their opponents, delivering a fright or two. And they have done so while showcasing a flamboyant brand of cricket that has caught the eye. As they enter their last highprofile match in the foreseeable future, they will look to go one step further and bag a major scalp. They will have to back up the flair with discipline, and sustain it over 40 overs if they are to bring West Indies down. West Indies, having secured their place in the semi-finals with a tight win over South Africa on Friday, will want to head to the knockouts unbeaten. With several players firing, West Indies are increasingly fancied as title contenders. They, however, made heavy
Denesh Ramdin lines up to play an attacking stroke ©Associated Press
weather of a 123 chase in their last match, and will have to be wary of Afghanistan who tested Sri Lanka, South Africa, and England. In the spotlight If Afghanistan are to pull off an upset, captain Asghar Stanikzai may well have to play a key role, in more ways than one. Though Mohammad Shahzad has had the limelight in this tournament, Afghanistan’s middle order needs to chip in. A n d S t a n i k z a i ’s c a l m
approach could provide some substance and stability. Stanikzai is also capable of playing the big shots, as he showed during his 62 against Sri Lanka. As a captain, he also faces the challenge of making the most of his spin resources. D e n e s h R a m d i n ’s struggles in this format have shown no signs of abating. He has the lowest T20I batting average - 16.12 among wicketkeeperbatsmen who have played at (Continued on page 79)
t r o Sp
Windies march to semis after thrilling win over South Africa Carlos Brathwaite and Denesh Ramdin celebrate West Indies’ win, South Africa v West Indies, World T20 2016, Group 1, Nagpur, March 25, 2016 ©AFP
Marlon Samuels reaches out to play one, South Africa v West Indies, World T20 2016, Group 1, Nagpur, March 25, 2016 ©AFP
Explosive action anticipated at Guyana Cup Fever horserace meet at Port Mourant Over 80 entered and $10M up for grabs
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