Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

The same beaten path It has been said that a people usually get the leaders they deserve. The past five decades have provided a reality check in this regard for Guyanese. Even today, there continue to be disquieting developments that suggest we are on the same beaten path in terms of surreptitious behaviour. Sadly it seems as though the people of this nation will forever be exposed to blatant contempt by those in authority. If we are to go by the daily reports in the newspapers of the unpleasant doings of some of our politicians, the truth of that observation cannot be contradicted. Morality, it would appear, is insignificant. It used to be that the often complained moral lapse of politicians was in the realm of the acquisition of power. “Machiavelli” was the name invoked to describe the notion that one should be prepared to walk over one’s grandmother to achieve (and keep) office. Some justified this sort of behaviour by saying that the followers of “The Prince” were actually “amoral” and not “immoral”. Politics, in this view, was beyond the sphere to which moral judgement applied. It was not the path or the means by which one achieved power that mattered: it was to which end that the power, once obtained, was used. By this measure, it was presumed that the politician in office was supposed to act for the good or betterment of the people. The means justified the ends. Our long era of colonial rule was of this ilk. The indigenous peoples and those that were thrown into the colony were to be ruled with a “firm” hand because they were not actually conversant with what was in their best interests. While the everyday practices of colonial rule might violate some of the norms of morality back in the “mother” country, it was okay since in the end, the benighted populace were being brought into the orb of civilisation. Ruling with an iron fist was a dirty job – it was outside the moral order – but someone had to do it. It was part of the white man’s burden. But if the truth be told, we know to our cost that means can never be separated from ends. We were, after all, dealing with human beings and the fine distinctions between “amoral” and “immoral” did not in the end prevent the insidious effects of the violation of moral rules from taking their toll in all strata of the society. Colonial society was always a very hypocritical society and the neuroses fostered by that hypocrisy became a feature of colonial life. The critique of that hypocrisy and its distortions became a rallying point for the politicians who opposed the colonial order. But it has been our great tragedy in the post-colonial era that those distortions and those neuroses continue unabated. But if we think about it, how could it be otherwise? Our politicians continue to operate from the same “amoral” premises in their pursuit of power, as did the colonialists. Slander opponents, frame them up, accuse them of every sort of depravity: take no prisoners. Under this scenario, however, the impact on the people is even more insidious and invidious: the leaders, after all, are “our own people” – they are supposed to follow our common moral rules. We are not barbarians to be run roughshod over, for our “own good”. The fig leaf of “amorality” is exposed for what it always was: immorality of the highest order. And if the big ones can be immoral, the little ones will follow. We do not need any fancy theory to understand the phenomenon. We have to somehow infuse morality into our politics. We must. If we do not, the pathology will consume us all. We know it can be done: not all post-colonial societies are sick. But change must begin with our political leaders. It is change we have been promised, time and again.

Friday May 20, 2016

Dr. Bulkan debunks Baishanlin’s claim against govt. DEAR EDITOR; In relation to the threat by Bai Shan Lin against the Government of Guyana reported by Demerara Waves (see ‘Bai Shan Lin wants GRA to release seized vehicles; UN Chief written over dispute’, http://wp.me/p74HcF-4A9) , my reading of the ‘Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Guyana and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on the promotion and protection of investments’ (signed on 27 March 2003) is that Bai Shan Lin has absolutely no claim against Guyana for actions against its numerous illegalities and defaults. On another matter - if there is no FDI document for Bai Shan Lin, how could there be fiscal concessions for more than ten years? Minister with some responsibility for the Natural Resources Sector, Raphael Trotman, and Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, allegedly said that they could not find the documents covering the foreign direct incentive (FDI) tax concessions awarded by the PPP/C regime a decade ago to the Chinese transnational logger Bai Shan

Lin (‘Concessions granted under PPP must be renegotiated – Govt. Official’, Kaieteur News 18 January 2016). The Ministry of Finance has been awarding tax concessions to BSL annually during this decade, and publishing the amounts from time to time in the Guyana Chronicle. So some person or unit in the Ministry of Finance must be aware of the legal authority for such dispensation. If the currently chaotic Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) and Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) are unable to deal with this simple case, no doubt our Attorney General, Basil Williams, has reminded the Cabinet that the National Assembly itself can take action? ‘Where it appears to a legislative body that anyone within Guyana is able to give any information with respect to the subject matter of any question arising for its determination or has any books, plans, or documents in his possession or under his control in any way relating to the subject matter of that question, that body may cause a summons to be issued to the person . . . requiring the person to be and appear

DEAR EDITOR; The Dragon roars, spits fire, and the Jaguar finally pays attention. Is this some kind of fictional storyline? Certainly not! Bai Shan Lin’s overture to the UN Boss to “remind” Guyana of its treaty obligations is not only real but is a cas e s tu d y w h ich d r aw s international attention to how China does business in developing countries. Industrially, China has been expanding over the last three decades in various sectors including, housing, mining, transportation, and technology. In the course of its economic growth, it needs to satisfy its voracious appetite for exploiting Guyana’s virgin resources as it did in other parts of South America and Africa. For ten years, the PPP Government granted these companies the most favored status to invest virtually unchecked and has also rewarded the leaders with Guyanese citizenship. The forensic audits have found that many of these investments contracts were giveaways of the country’s resources with very little scope for monitoring and accountability.

Further to that, many arrangements are not on the books. However, Anand Goolsarran’s audit of the Guyana Forestry Commission is insightful of how the previous government conducted business in secrecy through a network of top officials and the blessings of Freedom House. Bai Shan Lin’s move to the UN boss has illuminated the fact that this company and its affiliates are not private companies but state companies, as the United Nations charter would allow for the settlement of nation to nation disputes; this much I suspected with Harmon’s mission to China. In my letter on April 13, 2016 I questioned, “Should we prioritize our diplomatic relationship focusing on the benefits of China’s investments, or the short-term repossession of assets?” It will be prudent to re-negotiate the contracts with Bai Shan Lin and its affiliates at the diplomatic level with the direction of our Foreign Affairs Minister who also heads the Department of International Economic Cooperation. In hindsight, it seems more apparent that Harmon’s intervention to opt for

before the legislative body . . . for the purpose of being examined (and, if so required, then and there to produce the books, plans, or documents mentioned in the summons . . .’ (section 3 (1) in the Legislative Bodies (Evidence) Act (cap. 1:08, 1880/1977)). This Act goes on to prescribe penalties for failing to appear when summoned and for failing to produce the documents. Thus the National Assembly can compel evidence from the Ministries, Bai Shan Lin itself and from the innermost recesses of the PPP/C. We look forward to immediate action by the National Assembly, given that Bai Shan Lin has been receiving more than US$ 40 million income annually from its sales of unprocessed timber logs, entirely contrary to approved national policies and the manifestos of the main political parties since 2006, plus those investment incentives, but has failed to construct even the foundations for its long promised US$70 million wood processing facility. And don’t forget the sales of steel imported duty free by BSL and then sold on to the private sector instead of being used for construction of the BSL wood processing facility. Janette Bulkan

How China does business in Guyana

Hotel Tower former employees still not paid DEAR EDITOR; After workers were not paid by the previous owners of Hotel Tower, the Minister, Ms. Simona Broomes intervened and the matter was placed before the court. Several court hearings later resulted in the magistrate ruling that the workers must be paid no later than December 2015. To date, the workers are still to be paid. Checks

were made by said workers in relation to this payment. However, The Ministry of Social Protection seems unable to provide answers. Mr. Editor, the hotel has reopened its doors and is now under new management. Its former workers are frustrated and wish to see some resolution of the matter. Concerned Worker

negotiation rather than retaliation was the more prudent and statesman approach. The rush to judgement now appears as a short-sighted knee jerk reaction. It appears that by virtue of this recent legal maneuver, our Ministries of Business, Foreign Affairs, and Attorney General’s office should now proceed to scrutinize the details of these contracts with the goal of reaching a win-win outcome for both China and Guyana, deriving benefits befitting both the Dragon and the Jaguar. Seizing of a few vehicles is chicken feed as compared to big projects when properly negotiated with an economic power-house as China. The streamlining of these contracts can bring jobs and economic development. Bai Shan Lin wants its vehicles and concessions, but where are the deliverables such as the woodprocessing plant, new roads, and jobs for our people? Fortunately or unfortunately, the coalition government is expected to straighten this mess. The PPP Government treated the resources of the nation as their private property. Former President Jagdeo initiated the early contracts and although his succeeding President Ramotar suspended Parliament on November 10, 2014 he found it opportune to renew this investment agreement in January, 2015 for a period of three years without Parliament’s blessings. It leaves one to question other possible investments, giveaways, and concessions in this period leading up to the elections on May 11, 2015. The void and frustrations created by the failure of proper hand-over of all the contract documents from the previous administration and the inaction of some (Continued on page 5)

Friday May 20, 2016

Kaieteur News

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EPA replies to Charles Government must play its part in protecting children Ceres DEAR EDITOR; The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) refers to the letters written by Mr. Charles P. Ceres which were published in the the Stabroek News, Kaieteur News and Guyana Chronicle, and hereby issues responses as to the functions of the Agency in executing its mandate under the Environmental Protection Act, No. 11, 1996, that have been called into question. EPA has the authority to compile a list of consultants The EPA has the authority under the Environmental Protection Act, 1996, to compile and amend a list of approved persons to carry out environmental impact assessments as stipulated in clauses: 4. (3) In the exercise of its functions the Agency shall: a. Compile and amend from time to time with the assistance of internationally recognised environmental groups a list of a p p ro v e d p e r s o n s w h o h a v e t h e qualifications and experience to carry out environmental impact assessments. 11. (4) Every environmental impact assessment shall be carried out by an independent and suitably qualified person approved by the Agency. EPA’s procedures for registration of consultants have been long established These stipulations under the Act were operationalized in the early years of the Agency, after deliberations by the relevant Boards, by Management of the Agency, well before the current staff were employed. Further, it is instructive to note that the writer of the letters was a member of the Environmental Assessment Board (EAB) when the operationalization of these stipulations was deliberated at the level of the Boards. Referring to Clause 4(3) a of the Act, the approved procedure of the Agency in compiling a list of consultants is: (i) Consultants register with the Agency using the online Consultants’ Registration Form and payment of an annual administrative fee of US$15; and, (ii) Consultants submit information relevant to their qualifications and experience, along with the form in which the consultant makes a declaration to uphold professional and academic standards by affixing his/her signature to the form. Further, the EPA requires that an EIA be done by a team of consultants; this is in the public domain and reflected on its website (www.epaguyana.org): “The EIA is done by a team of independent consultants selected by the developer and approved by the EPA. Each consultant must have knowledge and experience relating to at least one relevant area of the project, and together, the team must be able to comprehensively assess the impacts of the project on all areas of the environment, including the human population”. It is important to note that the Agency does not deny anyone from registering. Consultants register of their own free will and determination that they are qualified in their area of expertise and are competent to undertake the necessary environmental studies. The information in the registration forms are then compiled by the EPA and this list is shared with developers who may require the services of consultants. The EPA’s records show that eleven (11) consultants were registered in 2013, twenty (20) in 2014, nineteen (19) in 2015, and

eleven (11) in 2016. The list for 2016 comprises: Esan Cadogan; Coastal Dynamics Limited (CDL) (T&T); Natasha Sawh; NRM Solutions (T&T); Green Engineering (T&T); Environmental Management Consultants (EMC); Environmental Sciences Limited (ESL) (T&T); CSA Ocean Sciences Inc. (T&T); SYGMA Environmental (T&T); Eustace Alexander; and, Godfrey Marshall. More details on these consultants can be obtained from the Agency. EPA amends the list of Consultants annually Another aspect of Clause 4(3) a, is that of amending the list from time to time. The Agency follows the approved procedure of amending the list annually. However, in the event that a developer sources a consultant not on the list, then the Agency requests that the registration of that consultant be undertaken, and the list is amended. It must be emphasized that consultants are required to register annually. The Agency cannot assume that a registered consultant of a particular year would be available in the following year. In this regard, while Mr. Ceres has registered previously, he has not registered since 2014, hence the Agency could not put his name on the current list of consultants. No need as yet to consult with internationally recognised groups A third aspect of Clause 4(3) a, is that of the Agency seeking the assistance of internationally recognised environmental groups in compiling and amending the list of consultants. This particular stipulation addresses the concern that the expertise in some areas may be lacking locally, and, as a recourse, the Agency may approach international groups to provide assistance in identifying relevant experts. If the need arises, the Agency would explore this option. Screening criteria for consultants are under revision The Agency is currently developing more robust screening criteria to align with international standards in identifying and approving qualified and experienced environmental consultants. Upon completion, these criteria will be submitted to the EAB for approval. It should be noted that Clause 11(4) is the determining stipulation with regards to conducting EIAs. For every EIA, the developer has to submit a list of consultants to be approved by the Agency in order to undertake the studies and the preparation of the EIA. It should be noted that the current system does not specify separate criteria for firms and individuals. This issue would, however, be addressed when the screening criteria for registration of environmental consultants are revised. EPA’s records indicate that the application fee of US$15 per year has been in place since registration began in 2001; this fee is also expected to be revised. In closing, the EPA consistently adheres to the stipulations in the Environmental Protection Act, a practice it will endeavour to continue do. However, as issues are highlighted by stakeholders, the Agency would endeavour to rectify them. In this regard, the Agency would welcome any contributions the public may have regarding issues in the legislation of the Agency. Public Relations Department, EPA

DEAR EDITOR; The famous German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche said, “it is good to express a thing twice right at the outset, and so to give it a right foot and also a left one.” Truth can surely stand on one leg, but with two it will be able to walk and get around. In the Kaieteur News editorial of May 16, “A Breakdown of The Family”, all the root causes for the moral turpitude which has enmeshed Guyana, was carefully delineated, and measures aimed at remediation proffered in abundance. However, with no malice aforethought, or any intent to rend holes in your journalistic display, permit me to point out what in my opinion was a blatant omission. Regarding specifically your reference to the rape and abuse of children especially those from poor homes, where the likely perpetrators were identified. Therein lies the crux of the problem, blatant omission at addressing the root cause of the problem—the adults. Yes, those adults who in order to satisfy their sexual urges, utilize their fiscal ability to take advantage of the poverty, frailty, vulnerability, and naïveté of these young, developing minds . Despite the plethora of remedial measures nowhere in the editorial is any specific reference/ mention made regarding these adults and what form of treatment should be administered. Convictions are more dangerous foes of truth than lies. The question posed in the editorial. Why is the government not acting faster to prevent or reduce domestic violence and the abuse of children? Seems misleading at best. Is this behavior a new phenomenon? No, it has been around for years, in fact it may even surreptitiously be celebrating its own presence during this 50th.anniversary.Do not be mistaken, as I have said before I am all in agreement with what has been said in the editorial , but at the selfsame time we must call a

spade a spade and not a mere garden tool. The Government to whom you have alluded that should be acting fasterto improve this lamentable situation should instead be working in tandem with agencies aimed at treating and eradicating this longstanding scourge. Within the very governmental structure lurks some of theses said miscreants. Even in my youthful era in Guyana, while a junior Civil Servant, there were circulating rumours of government officials who frequently sought sexual favours from underage females. Once again according to Nietzsche truth is dirty, but when it is s h a l l o w, d o e s t h e enlightened man dislike to wade into its waters. The truth be told the answer does not only lie with parents and those in authority to protect children, but with the Government. No longer can we allow our heads to be stuck in the sand like the proverbial ostrich but instead the truth should be faced head on and dealt with. Aren’t these very adults the ones who are supposed to protect these young impressionable minds open to immoral influences, instead of sending through their actions a distorted message to these females, that their bodies can be sources of revenue? The purity of our young females must be protected and the issue addressed with the adults being shown for what t h e y r e a l l y are—conspirators, guilty to some degree of quasi grooming. The blame and shame does not all lie in a straight line; we cannot afford to give the adults seeming editorial immunity by excluding them from the

equation. Critics have argues that adults especially those in authority find it easy to influence the young that the notion of consent becomes meaningless. As we prepare for our 50th, an era of change I am sending the call loud and clear, summoning all in authority the powers that be to immediately address this issue from the perspective of the main agent, the initiator and the adult. Treatment should include the processes by which the reports are assessed, investigated, and substantiated. The adult is the initiator or at best the u p h o l d e r. A l l t h a t i s necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing. True evil lies not in the depraved act of the one, but in the silence of the many. Yvonne Sam

How China does business in Guyana From page 4 principal legal officers to clean up this mess will be addressed in future columns. For the issue of Bi Shan Lin’s complaint, we are finally back to the negotiations table before any United Nations intervention. Meanwhile, the Chinese Dragon which depicts nine different animals and symbolizes power, strength, and good-luck in things of nature, stalks the land. How will this fierce Jaguar portrayed in our Coatof-Arms and Golden Jubilee symbol respond? Max Wallerson

Friday May 20 2016

Kaieteur News

U.S. House seeks to tighten restrictions on Pakistan aid Reuters - U.S. lawmakers are looking to use a defence policy bill to increase restrictions on military aid for Pakistan, expressing frustration with what they see as Islamabad’s failure to crack down on Afghanistan’s militant Haqqani network. The $602 billion (£412.2 billion) National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, passed by the House of Representatives late on Wednesday would block $450 million in aid to Islamabad unless it does more to fight the network, which lawmakers see as a major threat to U.S. forces in Afghanistan. The bill requires the Pentagon to certify that Pakistan is conducting military operations to disrupt the Haqqani network, not letting the network use North Waziristan as a safe haven and actively coordinating with Afghanistan’s government to fight the network along their border. As they finalised the 2017

version of the annual bill, House members added three amendments related to Pakistan. All passed by unanimous voice vote. One added a fourth requirement to the release of the aid, that the administration certify Pakistan has shown progress in arresting and prosecuting Haqqani network senior leaders and mid-level operatives. Another required that the Secretary of Defense certify Pakistan is not using its military or any funds or equipment provided by the United States to persecute minority groups. And a third added a “sense of Congress” that Shakil Afridi is an international hero and calls for his immediate release from prison. Afridi is a Pakistani doctor believed to have helped the CIA hunt down Osama bin Laden. Pakistan sentenced

Afridi in 2012 to 33 years in jail on charges of belonging to a militant group, which he denies. That sentence was overturned and Afridi is now awaiting trial on another charge. Pakistan says its courts will decide Afridi’s fate, and has angrily criticized U.S. politicians, including Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, over calls to release him. The House version of the NDAA is not the final version of the legislation. It must be combined with a Senate bill before being sent to the White House for President Barack Obama to sign, or veto. However, there is also strong criticism of Pakistan in the Senate. This month, Senator Bob Corker used his authority as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee to bar the use of any U.S. funds for Pakistan to buy American F-16 fighter jets.

Caribbean warned about influx of Venezuelan refugees if food shortages continue CARACAS - CMC – Caribbean governments have been told to brace for an influx of refugees from Venezuela if food shortages continue. The mayor of the town of Chacao, to the north of here, Ramón Muchacho said that people have been reduced to hunting cats, dogs and pigeons for food. “As hunger deepens, we

could see more Venezuelans fleeing by land or sea to an island,” Muchacho said. Venezuela saw a new wave of looting last week that resulted in at least two deaths, countless wounded, and millions of dollars in losses and damages, as desperation sets in among hungry residents and the country appears to be on the verge of com-

plete collapse and chaos. On April 27, the Venezuelan Chamber of Food reported that the c o u n t r y ’s f o o d p r o d u c ers only had 15 days left of inventory. Oscar Meza, director of the Documentation Center for Social Analysis said that measurements of scarcity and inflation in May are going to be the worst to date.

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Kaieteur News

Friday May 20, 2016

Friday May 20, 2016

Kaieteur News

Mental pollution

AND CRIME Guyanese have been stunned by the youthfulness of those who are committing or are being charged with crimes. From young boys riding around on CG motorcycles robbing and at other times shooting their victims, to those allegedly plotting murder, young people are involved in a lot of crime. All manner of explanations are being ventured. There is the view that the unemployment situation is to blame. There is the view that parents are not exercising enough control over their children. There is the view that the criminality is due to the pervasiveness of the drug trade. Perhaps there is some truth in each of these views. The bottom line, though, is that there must be some force that pushes an unemployed person to turn to crime. After all, there are thousands of unemployed and desperately poor people who do not steal in order to survive. There are many parents, also, who neglect their children, but the overwhelming number of these children do not steal. So what is it about these particular deviants that cause them to become criminals and to be so violent? Music and movies have always had a powerful influence in shaping the character and personalities of young people. This has been from the distant past. Music and movies are cultural industries that influence the behaviour and character traits of people, young and old. In the old days, young people were not exposed to violent movies. They could not be. There was no television and movies were shown at the cinemas. Movies were rated, and movies with violence and explicit sex were restricted to audiences eighteen years and over. The young people were therefore shielded from the violence of movies. It was not until they were matured that they were allowed to see a movie with violence and explicit sex. Today, the youngest child can see all kinds of violent movies at home, they can go on the internet and download movies about persons going to a home, tying up the occupants with duct tape and robbing them. If you look at some of the murders and robberies taking place, they are like replays of movie scenes. The kids are watching these movies, and, because of their immaturity, they feel that they can do the same and get away with it. The young generation is learning the art of crime from movies because of the free-

dom that the television and movie rentals and the internet permit. You can go on Netflix and other streaming websites and download violent movies and become obsessed with these movies. There are pornographic websites which are being viewed by school boys and school girls. So we have to be on the guard against greater sexual permissiveness in schools. The other major influence is music. There is a genre of music that actually gives hero status to convicts. The music videos actually project a sympathetic image of convicts. When young people actually see these images and the sympathy that is shown to convicts, it sends confusing signals to their young minds. Instead of the villains being detested, they are actually turned into heroes. The other problem is the kind of music that is being listened to by our young people. There is a particular trend now in which a DJ is constantly interjecting into the music and really there is nothing intelligent about what these DJs are saying. The music is far from

enlightening. This is the sort of mental pollution that our young people are exposed to from a young age. The music has a huge following and therefore there is nothing to discourage the young people from listening to it and therefore being influenced by it. The government made a good decision when it implemented the 2.00 a.m. curfew for bars and clubs. That is a long term measure to reduce crime, because it is aimed at imposing discipline on a society that has become highly undisciplined. The benefits of that measure will not be felt until four to five years from now. It will, however, never be felt if the government constantly backpedals and grants periodic waivers. If you cannot be consistent in sustaining a curfew for bars and clubs, how are you going to enforce measures to end the mental pollution of the minds of our young people, caused by movies and music?

Two infant deaths in less than a week In a matter of days there have been two cases of infant mortality at the Georgetown Public Hospital. These followed c-sections performed on the pregnant mothers. Public Health Minister Dr. George Norton, however, has stated that these deaths were unavoidable since both pregnancies were high risk. According to a Pan American Health report — Health @50 in Guyana: Progress health report 1966-2016— infant mortality increased to 23.3 per 1000 live births at the end of 2014. The rise in Under One-year infant mortality rate was related to an increase in neonatal infections. The lowest the rate has been is 10.8 live births per 1000 in 2009. Last Thursday the life of a 21-year-old mother was saved after she had undergone an emergency C-section at the hospital. She had apparently suffered a ruptured uterus and began bleeding profusely. But the baby remained in

a critical state in the Intensive Care Unit until Sunday when he passed away. The mother is still recovering in the hospital. It was her fourth pregnancy and was deemed a high risk case due to short intervals between her previous pregnancies. Norton had stated that pregnancies had placed pressure on her uterus, resulting in its rupture. The woman was 40 weeks pregnant. On Monday, a 17-year-old girl was left “brain dead” in the Intensive Care Unit after undergoing a similar surgery. Minister of Public Health Dr. George Norton confirmed that she died yesterday. According to the PAHO report, the ministry has implemented control measures to address the problem of infant deaths in Guyana.

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Friday May 20, 2016

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

Guyana at 50: dyslexic, dystopian, dysfunctional In my heart I believe Forbes Burnham had something to do with Walter Rodney’s death. In my heart I know Burnham was driven by power lust. But I deeply concede that Burnham was committed to the removal of the ordained privileges, divine rights and social supremacy of the semi-rich and moneyed classes in Guyana. From the time Burnham died, every succeeding government pursued policies that were not cognizant of the economic and political rights of the labouring masses and the

list includes the Coalition Government of 2015. I make no apologies. This is not personally directed to any leader in the AFC and ANPU. It is my objective analysis based on my studies on politics and society. I remember I was a teenager during the early years of the Burnham era when a man from the middle class named Claude Vieira, who was the Chief Principal Officer (next to the PS) in the Education Ministry, was charged and jailed for fraud. That would never happen

in Guyana under any postBurnham administration from 1985 onwards. That would never happen in 2016. I remember when I was a teenager during the Burnham years when a very rich, propertied man from Mahaica, Mustapha Ali, was charged for death by dangerous driving and jailed for five years and the Court of Appeal upheld the High Court decision. It is virtually impossible to have these convictions in Guyana since the passing of the Forbes Burnham epoch. Which policeman, magistrate, judge, ruling politician would allow persons from the upper classes to suffer such a fate? This is a tenth rate banana republic where money buys justice and it does so openly and barefacedly. I see two Guyanese men of European extraction who ride all over this place (meaning parts of Region 4) without helmets and not a traffic cop dare to stop them. Dale Andrews (of this newspaper) and I went to Ruimveldt police station after we saw the son of one of these men passed the station without a helmet. The ranks told us they don’t know about this guy and/or any guy riding without a helmet. We see the “eyepass” when we are out-

side Kaieteur News, but the police don’t. This is Guyana after 50 years of Independence. Here is what we haven’t learnt in those fifty years and perhaps never will. People say rocket science is a complex subject, but street lights technology in Guyana (only in Guyana), is far more formidable. I was coming home on the UG Road on Monday afternoon when I saw the technicians fixing the street lights from the Beharry Residence right up to the Cyril Potter College of Education. On Tuesday night, lights eventually came to that important roadway. On Wednesday night, the lights died. They are still dead as I write. This incredible ancient rite has been going on all over Guyana. The guys fix the lights one day; the next day the lights are gone. Really, after 50 years of Independence we cannot get street lights to work. It is only natural to ask what have we achieved after 50 years of sovereignty. But it is not only

a lack of achievements but also lack of mental thinking that has characterized 50 years of failure. This poor country attempted to spend scarce foreign exchange to bring CPL cricket. We were saved only by the wealth of Trinidad who outbid us. Why would a piss poor country like Guyana think it can compete with wealthy Trinidad? We have a huge cricket stadium just built eight years ago, but we have spent precious millions (even if donated) to build a bigger structure just to celebrate the Golden Jubilee. After 50 years of Independence, the fire engines roll out of the congested Stabroek Market Square and as the drivers accelerate, pedestrians, women with small children at their side, women with babies in their arms, itinerant hucksters with their goods in huge baskets, have to run like wild animals out of the machines’ pathway to avoid being mashed to pieces. Yet we can use D’Urban Park as a place

Frederick Kissoon to build colossal stands instead of putting the fire engines there. But there is hope. I heard after the bacchanalian, carnivalesque escapades at D’Urban Park are completed, the fire engines will roll out to D’Urban Park and will sit on top of the stands which will be their new home. When there is a fire, they will roll down the stands. One day the stands may collapse. Seventeen prisoners were burnt alive in an overcrowded prison that has long outlived its usefulness. What a stark, tragic reminder of our stagnation over the past fifty years.

Dem boys seh...

Send Donald Dumb to jail This newspaper doesn’t mek joke. De reporters do watch de government of de day and report de facts. Dem boys always know that some people in de govt always jokey and Donald de Dumb is one. He so dumb that when one of ee minister get ketch thiefing de taxpayers money, he, Donald, write a letter to inform de AG that is he Donald give de man permission to use de money fuh he self. And this only come about because de new Attorney General start an investigation into de missing money. He send home a lady, and when de lady realize that she gun end up in jail, she and a Chat-3 cook up a story and get Donald de Dumb to seh he authorize de thiefing of de money. When dem boys hear he write that letter, de first thought that come to mind was that this letter was done when he was President of Guyana. It wasn’t until de reporter tell dem boys that de letter write a few weeks ago. Well dem boys seh he is de dumbest of de dumb Guyana got and would ever get. He and all of dem who thief de taxpayers money fuh dem personal use should go straight to jail fuh that. Dem boys did know all de time

that de ex-AG was a crook. Dem boys believe that this present one is not a crook; but a scamp and dem boys gun keep a close watch on him. Dem boys keeping a close watch on BK and all dem rest of contractors too. Dem develop a style under Jagdeo. Dem does bid fuh every contract. Some of dem got 30 contracts and dem ain’t even got five workers. De question is, ‘How can these people finish these contracts on time?’ De reason fuh giving so many contracts to one man/company was simple. Kickbacks. BK get a lot of contracts. Nuff deh half way, quarter way, three-quarter way and some deh no way. He deh pun de East Bank Road contract. That road ain’t done yet and it causing women to mek pickney before dem meet de hospital. He also deh wukking pun de West Dem road. This road, according to de govt, now deh behind time and it will end up ketching up wid de Berbice road, soon. Dem boys hope and pray that man don’t start delivering babies pun de road before dem, too, meet de hospital. Talk half and hope Soulja Bai get to de bottom of this story.

Friday May 20, 2016

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Kaieteur News

Murder of retired professor…

GuyOil to increase Childcare Agency investigates whether kero price from today

parents can be held accountable

The teens outside court on Tuesday The Childcare and Protection Agency (CC&PA) has taken a keen interest in the case involving the arraignment of five teens for the murder of retired professor Pairadeau Mars. Officials are trying to ascertain whether the parents of the three minors should be held accountable for any delinquent behaviour that caused their children to end up with murder charges. “We are looking into the matter to see how we can hold

the parents accountable,” a CC&PA official said yesterday. “Parents have to take responsibility for their children’s behaviour. Where are the parents? These are children who are underage, and the parents have control, and should give account for them. We don’t want more of this. We want parents to wake up and take more control, to take charge. Parenting is the issue here. Who has been parenting these children?” Continuing on the issue of

negligent parents, the official observed that “a lot of (underage) girls are going out and having sex and bringing home money, and the parents are saying nothing. That is trafficking. A lot of times parents are the traffickers of their girls.” On Tuesday, five teens were remanded for the murder of 75-year-old Pairadeau Mars, who was found bound, gagged and strangled in his Lot 395 Bissessar Street Prashad Nagar home, two Thursdays ago. The accused included two

girls, aged 15 and 17, as well as one 15-year-old boy. The eldest accused was said to be 18. According to reports, the 17year-old girl was living at the home of one of the boys, who is 16. The 17-year-old female accused was reportedly known to the professor since she would usually visit his home. The teenage girl reportedly told police that she contacted her 16-year-old boyfriend and told him that they could have robbed the pensioner since he was home alone.

The Guyana Oil Company yesterday announced that with effect from today, there will be an adjustment in the price of kerosene by $5.00 per litre at all of its service stations. This adjustment, GuyOil said, will see the price moving from $90 per litre to $95 per litre in Georgetown; and from $91 to $96 per litre in Berbice and $92.00 per litre to $97.00 per litre in Essequibo. “Despite our efforts to keep the price for this

important commodity as affordable as possible, this adjustment has become necessary due to an increase in acquisition cost at source,” the entity said. “Significantly, however, despite this minor adjustment, GuyOil wishes to advise you our valued customers, that our kerosene prices remain significantly lower than the competition in all the regions.

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Friday May 20, 2016

Kaieteur News

Nigel Hughes condemns City Council for ‘Dread Shop’ demolition The Mayor and City Council has moved to demolish shops in the Stabroek Market area, but attorney at law Nigel Hughes has condemned the action as being unlawful since the matter is engaging the

attention of the court. ‘How can you breach an order of the Court of Appeal which states that the matter was set to go to court for mediation - and come and destroy a building in total, and show complete

disrespect and disregard for the court of Appeal,” Hughes said, adding that the Town Clerk is saying by his actions that he has no regard for the rule of law. “This means the citizens are not protected by the law,

because those who are responsible for enforcing, have clearly intended to disregard it,” he chided. Hughes is representing 73-year-old Anthony Forde called “Rasta Man” who is the owner of the “Dread Shop” that was located in proximity to Stabroek Market, and next to the Island Snackette and Pizzeria since 1968. The general area is referred to as “Lucky Square” The building was yesterday torn apart by ranks of the city constabulary around 3 am, reportedly without notice. Hughes said to members of the media yesterday that he spoke to the Town Clerk who confirmed that this was the action of the city council.

He stated that there is currently a dispute between the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and the Mayor and City Council as to who really owns the plot of land. The matter was in court long before Guyana gained Independence, to ascertain who owns the property. Hughes disclosed his clients were always paying taxes to the Council and not the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, who believe that they are the owners of the land. However the lawyer said that his clients were regularly attending court in relation to the matter, under the instruction of the Court of Appeal, but the ministry failed

to turn up for mediation. Hughes said he was made aware by the City Engineer that the city council was responsible for the demolition, however he indicated that “once the Court of Appeal has conduct in a matter, nobody can seek to pervert or interfere with the actions of the Court of Appeal, who ordered mediation in this matter, and the Attorney General’s Chambers having accepted it. So the town council does not have any jurisdiction to cut across or override the Court of Appeal since they are subject to the Court of Appeal.” The lawyer said he has asked the owner of the shop to (Continued on page 13)

Remnants of the demolished structure

PAHO report on Guyana finds…

Inadequate management and distribution causes “artificial” shortages in health sector Inadequate logistic management and distribution of commodities in the public health sector is the cause of “artificial” shortage of these products, a Pan American Health Organization report disclosed. The report, Health @50 in Guyana: Progress Health Report 1966-2016, revealed that from the early 1970s, there has been difficulties in the acquisition of adequate health commodities, which included medicines. The issue persisted until the 1990s, when through an IDB grant, an essential medicines list was developed and drugs and medical supplies were acquired through the International Dispensary Association (IDA). This made certain that essential medicines were procured at favourable prices. However, the report indicated that challenges still remain with the management and distribution of these products to the periphery, which results in artificial shortages. Earlier this year, a drug shortage was reported within the public health sector, which saw officials from the Georgetown Public Hospital and the Ministry going before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and reporting the stock out. It was reported that 186 drugs were completely out of stock or in short

supply. Meanwhile, in 2014 the previous administration was forced to dump over $80 million worth in expired drugs while in 2015, the new government sent back $600 million in pharmaceutical drugs from the regions to the central government. The report added that although a decentralized healthcare system was established in Guyana with the aim of reducing imbalance in the distribution and accessibility of services, the issue remained. This, the report noted, was due to human resource shortages and the inefficient distribution of health commodities. It explained that since citizens were failing to access these services, after a while they would bypass the facilities at the community level and proceed to the more central level. But, this only resulted in a strain on the central levels, causing overcrowding and long waiting time. Public Health Minister George Norton acknowledged the report, stating that the ministry is tackling the issue at a regional level, by allowing the regions to send out their requests instead of the ministry allotting without consultation. He stated that distribution of these commodities, especially medicines had in fact caused millions of drugs to be dumped.

Friday May 20, 2016

Kaieteur News

Ramotar writes AG to defend Nandlall’s use of public funds for personal benefit

PS Ministry of Legal Affairs, Indira Anandjit Former President, Donald Ramotar

Former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall

Attorney General, Basil Williams

By Abena Rockcliffe-Campbell

missing Commo n w e a l t h Law Books are valued at almost $3M and the computer parts are estimated over $2M. Williams told the media, “The PS authorized those purchases and the books cannot be found.” He had said that he was hoping for a “plausible explanation” as to where the items have disappeared to. Yesterday, Williams told the media that the Auditor General took a long time to respond to the Ministry. “In fact I had to inquire.” He said that, eventually, Sharma reported that “in the case of the law books, the former President Ramotar wrote the Auditor General’s office, and stated that he and the then Attorney General had some sort of private agreement that the Attorney General would spend money from the votes of (money budgeted for) the Ministry of Legal Affairs to buy the law

books and keep them for himself.” Williams said, “As I understand it, he (Ramotar) is saying that she (the PS) is not culpable or blameworthy, because he had an agreement with Nandlall that Nandlall could use the Ministry’s money to buy these books and keep them for himself.” Williams said that he still cannot understand why a former President would write admitting that he was in breach of financial regulations. The Attorney General said that Ramotar is probably depending on his presidential immunity for protection from being hauled before the courts. “But I say

Former President Donald Ramotar has admitted to Auditor General, Deodat Sharma, that he authorized former Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, to utilize state funds for personal purposes. This was revealed after Attorney General Basil Williams forwarded a case to Sharma for investigation. A few months ago, Williams asked the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary (PS), Indira Anandjit, to proceed on administrative leave to facilitate an audit into the disappearance of millions of dollars worth of law books and computer accessories. Williams said that the Ministry only found out that the books were missing after the discovery by state auditors. The Minister said that the

this… it is criminal.” Williams emphasised that he does not accept the excuse given by Sharma. “We do not accept that the former President could have an agreement with Nandlall to spend the state’s money for personal benefit. I do not know if being a former president he believes he has immunity. “It is one of the strangest things you would find in any part of the world, that an agreement could be made between two government officials to spend taxpayers’ money for private purposes.” In the interim, Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator, Melissa Tucker, continues to act as the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary.

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Nigel Hughes condemns... (From page 12) assess the damage that he has suffered “because we intend to have the government to pay immediate compensation for all he has lost.” The owner, Anthony Forde, who is solely dependent on rent from the building, told members of the media that he has not only lost a historic landmark in his life, but well over $1M in financial losses. A cousin of Forde told members of the media that he was there when the ranks came and did not allow them to remove their items out of the building. He told Kaieteur News that freezers, tables, a pool table and television sets were among the many items destroyed by the ranks. “All dem doing is taking food outta people dem mouth! No notice …no time, no nothing, everything just up and gone.” The City Council is also looking to demolish the building next door, Island Snackette, owned by Elva Hawker, since it shares the plot of land. The woman’s daughter, Abiola Fung, said the business has been in the family for generations. She recalled growing up with her mother who went to the Council many years ago to submit a plan to have the business established. Fung said that her mother started out with a small stall on the square selling food until she erected the building years later. She said she wonders why the Government is now claiming the land, when they had been paying taxes to the Council for over 50 years. She said it was business as usual until she got the call in the morning that her neighbour and friend for many years had lost his entire business to the City Council and they were gunning for hers next, with or without objections. The woman said when she asked for some time to remove her items she was refused by the council.

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Friday May 20, 2016

Kaieteur News

A case of miscommunication? Committee ready to receive Legal Affairs Minister, SARU Head applications for prospecting permits conflict each other on draft legislation - Small miners will be given priority – Minister Trotman The Closed Areas Committee – a group that advises the Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, on the availability of lands for mining, among other things – is now ready to receive applications for consideration for prospecting permits to mining lands. This was disclosed by the Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Raphael Trotman during a press conference yesterday hosted at the Ministry’s Brickdam, Georgetown offices. Trotman stated that last month the Ministry had announced that it was in the process of finalizing arrangements to make lands

available for small miners. “The Ministry remains very committed to ensuring that small miners - who are a valuable part of the natural resources sector - are able to ply their trade in a way that is beneficial to all. However, this must be done within the confines of the laws of Guyana and according to the guidelines and regulations that govern the sector,” Trotman stated. At the Closed Areas Committee meeting held on Tuesday last, where both the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) were represented, it was agreed that the CAC is now ready to

receive applications for consideration for prospecting permits to mining lands. Trotman said that it was further agreed that the priority will be to small mining operations. “The size of allocated lands will be 422 acres approximately, which shall constitute a block. A miner may be considered for a grant up to a maximum of 3 blocks – 1266 acres, and this will be based on the miner’s competency and resources, both financial and technical.” He said These blocks, Trotman stated, will be given out in the 6 mining districts – Berbice, Potaro, Mazaruni, Cuyuni, North West and Rupununi. He continued that the (Continued on page 29)

It appears for the time being that there is a case of miscommunication between the Ministry of Legal Affairs and the State Asset Recovery Unit (SARU). It was on Tuesday that SARU head, Dr. Clive Thomas, informed this newspaper that the draft legislation for his department was completed. He even revealed that a copy of the legislation was already made available to the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams. Dr. Thomas said that the Ministry would be leading the national consultations to be done on the draft legislation, which is critical to the work needed to be effectively carried out by SARU. However, Williams said yesterday that he is not in possession of the draft legislation for SARU. In fact, he is under the impression that work is still being done on it by the World Bank. Thomas on the other hand insists that the draft legislation has been completed. He said that much help was provided in this regard by the World Bank and

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams

SARU Head, Dr. Clive Thomas

the United Nations. The SARU Head said that he is elated that the draft legislation for his department is finally completed and more importantly, that it has been given the blessings of international asset recovery and fraud specialists. The economist hopes that the legislation will be taken to Parliament in a timely manner, at least by August. “I am happy that this is finally finished. The experts made some extremely useful inputs to the draft legislation in terms of how we are to strengthen our security and how prosecution should be

handled. The draft Bill also sees SARU getting the sort of legal backing that it needs when it comes to certain fraud cases.” Dr. Thomas also expressed sincere appreciation for the help being extended by Mr. Brian Horne, a specialist from the United Kingdom. Mr. Horne, who is a Guyanese by birth, has spent most of his life in the United Kingdom. He has worked in more than 22 countries in the field of the recovery of state assets and the successful prosecution of defaulters.

Friday May 20, 2016

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Kaieteur News

Regional Chairman forced to adjourn RDC meeting for the fifth consecutive month The Region Five Democratic Council is led by the Opposition: Regional Chairman, Vickchand Ramphal, and Vice Chairman Rion Peters. The Regional Chairman, however, has been subjected to harsh criticisms after he was a no-show when President David Granger, in January, visited the Region to hand over some buses under the Three B’s Initiative. The APNU+AFC members of the RDC have been contending, since then, that the actions of the Regional Chairman were deliberate, and that he was disrespectful to the President. They have been demanding an apology from the Regional Chairman, before he would be allowed to chair any sitting of the RDC. Mr. Ramphal, on the other hand, did say, in January, that his actions had nothing to do with disrespect for the President. However, for the fifth month running, the RDC has not been able to deliberate because of the actions of the APNU+AFC members. The meeting was scheduled to begin at 10:00 hours, yesterday, but at about 09:50 hours the APNU+AFC

Councillors denied the Regional Chairman access to the head table councillors took up the seats around the head table, effectively occupying the seats that would normally be occupied by the Chairman, Vice Chairman, and the Regional Executive Officer. The group led by Councillor Hudson, went into an opening prayer for what they classified as a church service, after which Hudson took the floor to do a presentation on respect. By this time, senior public servants had begun to arrive for the meeting, and were told, “Welcome to church.” The Regional Chairman arrived at approximately 09:55 hours, but was prevented

from taking up his position at the head table. He subsequently left the room, and returned this time, accompanied by the Vice Chairman and other PPP members of the RDC. The Chairman then called the meeting to order amidst heckling and the continued presentation from Councillor Hudson. The national pledge was recited. However, the Chairman was forced to adjourn the meeting without going any further. Mr. Ramphal said that it is unfortunate that the RDC is not allowed to sit and discuss matters concerning Region Five. He said that councillors

Ex-police groups of Canada, US, donate to President’s ‘Five Bs’ programme Representatives from the Ex-Police Association of the United States of America and the Canada Chapters, yesterday, donated US$1,760 ($352,000) to President David Granger’s ‘Five Bs’ programme, during a courtesy call at the Ministry of the Presidency. Mr. Leroy Charles, President of the Ex-Police Association of the USA, Mr. John Johnson, President of the Canada Chapter and Mr. Nicholas Suffrein, President of the Guyana Chapter, also discussed with the President the possible areas in which they can lend assistance to the Guyana Police Force (GPF). Minister of State Joseph Harmon also attended the meeting. Accepting the donation from Mr. Charles, President Granger said that the money will be used to augment the ‘Boats, Buses and Bicycles plus Breakfast and Books’ (‘Five Bs’) programme. “Both my wife and I and the entire Government support the idea of keeping our children in school… We want to ensure that our children do not drop out of school because they don’t

have transport, so this cheque will be applied to providing bicycles. It is very encouraging that you all in the diaspora continue to think of your homeland, think of the Force and the children of this country,” President Granger said. Meanwhile, Charles, in an invited comment, said that the meeting was convened to share ideas and discuss possible areas of collaboration between the Government and the ExPolicemen Associations based in Guyana, Canada and the United States. ”The purpose of the meeting is to bring the expolicemen from Canada, America and Guyana to see what assistance we could give to the ex-policemen and also the Guyana Police Force; [to] see how we can assist in educating members and

preparing them for life after the Police Force,” he said. The President asked the Association to prepare a memorandum with the various recommendations, so that the matters raised can be discussed with the Minister of Public Security and other relevant stakeholders. ”I believe the meeting with the President was very upbeat. I am optimistic that at the end of the day we will be able to accomplish a lot. We are satisfied with the response of the President. We feel that the President is supportive of our cause and he also gave us the opportunity to further our cause,” Mr. Charles added. The President was inducted into the United States Chapter as an ex-officio member and into the Canadian Association as an honorary member.

are the eyes and ears of the Region. They identify needs within the various communities and point them

out to the RDC for action where necessary. The current standoff can only negatively affect the Region, he said. He added that actions of the APNU+AFC members are denying the people the representation they deserve. APNU Councillor Hudson said that the APNU+AFC side of the RDC is expecting Mr. Ramphal to offer an apology, whether orally or in writing, so that things can return to normal at the RDC. He also said that works are being carried out despite the standoff. He added that a number of contracts are soon to be awarded despite the present situation, but admitted that current situation does not

Regional Chairman of Region Five, Vickchand Ramphal allow any new project to be taken before the RDC for ratification.

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Friday May 20, 2016

Kaieteur News

Jagdeo denies PPP Cabinet interfered with NIS decisions In the wake of a damning forensic audit report into the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), Former President Bharrat Jagdeo is denying that his administration has had a hand in the way the outfit handled its money and invested in projects. The forensic audit which was conducted by H.L.B.R. Seebarran & Co. highlighted instances where critical decisions were made in NIS operations. The supposedly autonomous Board of Directors was bypassed. Former Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon had served as Chairman of that board. During a press conference on Wednesday, Jagdeo, President from 19992011, stated that as far as he could recollect, Cabinet had

Former Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon nothing to do with investments of NIS resources, that is to say it made no decisions. Jagdeo acknowledged that such decisions were rightfully within the remit of

the board. He stated that Cabinet did have dealings with NIS on several occasions, but that this had more to do with looking at the future of NIS and its sustainability from an actuarial review perspective. He added that another issue which was discussed was the Colonial Life Insurance Company (CLICO). “So we (Cabinet) dealt with NIS many times, but never about where NIS should invest its money. The only time that came up was when they made some investment in the (Berbice) bridge. But subsequent to that, no.” “I remember years ago, NIS had made some investment into Laparkan at that time. And they came to me and you had some other people (who) wanted to access NIS money. As Minister of Finance I did not approve it at that time. That was a long time ago. But Cabinet did not discuss the investment of NIS funds.” The “some investment” into a bridge which Jagdeo referenced is the investment of $2.59B in the Berbice Bridge, commissioned in 2008. The bridge has reportedly racked up $1.5B in accumulated losses, based on

the 2014 audited financial statements and had controversial engagements with the current Government when attempts were first made to get the bridge toll lowered. “Some of the decisions, including the purchase of shares in the Berbice Bridge Company Inc. (BBCI), are continuing to severely impact the scheme’s cash flows and the recoverability of the investments,” the auditor had reported. In another case, the report flagged that in a meeting of the board held on July 30, 2012, the General Manager informed the Board that Cabinet made a decision for the scheme to purchase a property in Paramaribo, Suriname, for •535,000. “There was no evidence that the Board had deliberated before agreeing on this investment nor was there any evidence that a feasibility study was done to determine whether the price paid was consistent with the value of the property,” the report disclosed. “In fact, many of the members had served on the Board for many years, but when the minutes of the Board of Directors (BOD) for the last four years were

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo reviewed, they confirmed that critical decisions, in particular those for investments, were made by Cabinet and not the BOD. This is not what the NIS Act intended, as it provides guidance on how the Board of Directors should be appointed and regulates its proceedings.” In the audit’s findings, a 2011 construction of a new office at Corriverton, Berbice, was also flagged as being too costly. In fact, a valuation two years after the office was built had placed the cost at only $38M. The Corriverton branch had featured negatively under the previous administration, after

documents relating to the construction revealed what appeared to be high costs for the building. It was an embarrassment for NIS, which was also facing tough financial times as its expenses outstripped its income. The report noted that the NIS board took it upon itself not to have the contract handled by the National Board for Procurement and Tender Administration. Rather, the bids were handled by the Tender Evaluation Committee. The reasons given were because of delays in the procurement at the National Tender Board. NIS was already facing problems, with little returns on its investments. It had lost almost $5B in the bankrupt CLICO and the Berbice Bridge would be its second biggest investment. It was found that under Dr. Luncheon, NIS had little say with the operation of the bridge despite its massive investments. The forensic auditor however recommended that the current ‘Concession Agreement’ be restructured to allow NIS to have a more dominant role in view of its shareholdings.

Friday May 20, 2016

Kaieteur News

Passengers to fly non-stop from US for Jubilee celebration - Guyanese in NY, Florida to benefit Guyanese living in New York, Florida and throughout the United States of America now have an additional option for air travel to Guyana, both for the Golden Jubilee Independence celebrations this month and also with a full schedule starting in July for the summer holidays. According to a press statement issued yesterday, One Guyana Air Travel in collaboration with Eastern Air Lines and Travelspan Inc. will offer non-stop flights from Miami (MIA) and New York’s (JFK) and other International Airports to Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) in Guyana today and tomorrow. These flights will be bringing to Guyana quite a number of visitors and returning Guyanese from the Diaspora to celebrate the nation’s 50th Independence anniversary. These flight services will continue with five weekly flights from July 1 through to September 11, 2016. One Guyana, according to the press statement, created the partnership with Eastern and Travelspan mainly because of the “overwhelming demand for reliable and affordable air transport to Guyana, combined with a strong commitment to serve the travelling public from the continental United States, Canadian and European cities”. “The flights are timed to provide excellent connecting opportunities at both JFK and Miami from cities throughout the US, Canada and Europe,” the press statement further outlined. The United States Department of Transportation granted Eastern Air Lines approval to

provide these new charter services on February 10, 2016, followed by approvals from the Government of Guyana on May 12, 2016. Minister of Public Telecommunications/ Tourism, Catherine Hughes, was pleased about the timely and much needed collaboration among seasoned air carriers. “There is no better time for this to come to pass. With the large amount of people booked to visit Guyana over this period, we welcome all carriers that could provide safe transportation for our residents and visitors before and after the Jubilee celebrations,” the Minister said. Eastern Air Lines operates the state-of-the-art 737-800 ‘next generation’ aircraft, and “will provide convenient schedules with comfortable Business and Economy seating, new onboard ambience lighting, particularly to enhance sleep in-flight. The modern conveniences will certainly enhance the overall experience that passengers will have”. President and CEO of Eastern Airlines, Mr. Ed Wegel said, “We are extremely pleased to be working with Travelspan and One Guyana which have over 21 years of experience in this market…and we are excited to be part of the 50th Anniversary celebrations with the Guyanese Community. We hope and expect to be serving this market for many years. “With the experience and expertise of Travelspan, One Guyana Air and Eastern Airlines customers are expected to experience a superior quality of service, ensuring the comfort, safety and hassle free travel of all our passengers.”

Committee ready to... (From page 14) GGMC will receive applications and will provide the CAC with the background information of applicants to allow the committee to make informed recommendations to the Minister for approval. The details for the process of making the applications, and the criteria to be applied, will be published in the daily newspapers, the Ministry’s website at: www.nre.gov.gy and through other media outlets, the minister said. Trotman stated that the next, immediate order of business would be to

address the application for persons who require alternative blocks of mining lands. “At this point in time we are not contemplating a lottery, because we want to ensure that those with the greater need will be given the first preference.”

A mini health check is the first step to donating blood

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SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 647-1773/660-5257 SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana passport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. INNOVATIVEMARKETING& PUBLISHINGINC–TEL:6004212: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Repairs at low cost: Fridges, air- conditioners, washing machines, TVs, microwaves, freezers- Call:6294946 or 225-4822 Stunning designs with largest variety of plants by experienced landscapers! Call: 219-0468 / 648-1821 Building Construction: house plans & estimates, floor sanding, lacquering & painting, boat for Santa Mission –Call: 650-4362 Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigrant Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496; 662-6045 Repairs to any type of television, amplifiers, etc at home. Call: 675-5831 Custom Brokerage Services: imports, exports, vehicles, containers, barrels, etc. Call: 682-4090 or email: stephenenrico@gmail.com Building Construction needs? Contact Pacific Development Inc. We do from start to finish. Call: 2236035

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Friday May 20, 2016

Kaieteur News

Female to work in food van. Call: 689-4339; 611-5013 1 General domestic age 28-45 with cooking experienced. Call: 614-4358

Signature Sensation Beauty Salon: 50/50 special on services for $1000. Call: 2258701; 622-2643

WANTED One domestic must know to cook, 1 cleaner and 1 experienced waitress $70,000-$80,000 monthly. Call: 610-5043 (all live in) One experienced hairdresser. Apply at Magic Touch Salon. Call: 225-6492 Republic Park family needs an experienced caregiver, live in, 1 week on 1 week off$13,000. Call: 667-2535 FAST GROWING FOOD DISTRIBUTON COMPANY LOOKING FOR DRIVER/ SALESPERSON & CANTER DRIVER WITH POLICE CLEARANCE & EXPERIENCED - CALL: 231-8529/ 231-8344 Pump Attendants. Call/Text/ Whatsapp: 627-2550 Experienced sales girls wanted in Bourda Market, Stall A and B. Call: 227-3407 BOND WORKER/CANTER DRIVER. MONDAY TO SATURDAY, OVER 21YRS WITH POLICE CLEARANCE. CALL: 2318529; 231-8344 Porters apply in person @ Alabama Trading. Georgetown Ferry Stelling. 1 Nail technician preferably from East Bank –Call: 2653586 One salesgirl to work for 2 weeks in a snackette. Call: 226-2320 TO LET 3 Bedrooms: 1 bathroom, unfurnished house @ Diamond Housing Scheme $50,000 monthly (available immediately). Call: 216-2995; 693-6610 One bedrooms apartment $40USD per night, large 6 bedrooms @ Soesdyke, Highway -$3000 monthly . Call: 600-0036; 223-1273 Newly constructed 2 bedrooms apartment and 3 bedrooms house in safe & healthy environment- Call: 698-6496; 622-6512

VEHICLE FOR SALE

FOR SALE

FOR RENT

Toyota WILL VS-low mileage, 2010 Kawasaki Ninja 250r- imported from the USA, low mileage. Call: 674-9002 AT192 -$400,000 cash-Call: 695-3709

LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620

Toyota Fun Cargo, AT212, AT192, RZ, 4 Door Canter, Wagon (Suzuki Viatara 4WD) Nissan pickup 2008 unregistered. Call: 644-5096; 697-1453 Tractor Massey Ferguson from Canada: MF165-$1.7M, MF135-$1.1M, MF265$2.1M, Loader 165 -$2.4M. Call: 682-5230; 628-9596

Toyota Hilux Vigo, ex cab 4WD, gas, 2700cc, 2TR Auto cc, 2006. Call: 616-5595; 6740434

Vreed-en-Hoop Junction: church, office, lessons place, storage bond, private school, others -$20,000- Call: 6036400

Pickup from Canada, 4 door loaded 2005, Toyota Tacoma -$2.3M. Call: 682-5230; 6289596 Ford Ranger -$1.5M, Ford F150 Sport -$1.5M. Call: 6825230; 628-9596 Golden Jubilee Sale: Reduced Prices!! 2004 Toyota IST$2.0M, 2007 Toyota Auris $2.5M. Call: 609-3650; 2268953; 226-1973 Golden Jubilee Sale: Reduced Prices!! 2007 Nissan BlueBird -$2.4M, 2007 Toyota Rush $2.9M, 2003 Toyota Verossa -$3.3M. Call: 609-3650; 2268953; 226-1973 Golden Jubilee Sale: Reduced Prices!! 2005 Toyota Raum $2.3M, 2006 Mazda Axela $2.3M, 2008 Toyota Hiace $3.3M. Call: 609-3650; 2268953; 226-1973 Golden Jubilee Sale: Reduced Prices!! 2005 Toyota Premio $2.5M, 2005 Toyota Allion $2.4M, 2007 Toyota Rav4 $6M. Call: 609-3650; 2268953; 226-1973 Toyota Hilux 5L Diesel Engine, stick gear 18" mag rims. Call: 692-9577; 229-2379 1 Leyland DAF LF HIAB truck 5 ton HIAB new, hardly used GTT 2960 -$4M. Call: 622-6746 1 FUSO Crane GTT 20 -$4M; 1 HINO ranger wrecker GVV1890 -$4M, 1 HIAB Canter GTT 7140 -$3.5M. (negotiable) Call: 622-6746

Wholesale Pork for sale @ $230 per lbs. Call: 644-8396

Prominent business premises for rent @ 106 Smyth Street, Used: office furniture, filing Georgetown. Call:226-3560 cabinets. Call: 621-9759 Pure Dachshund, de-wormed Shop for rent in Lethem -$15,000. Call: 216-0521; 694- 2850sqft front line- Call: 6257171 3567 1 Exclusive Three bedrooms XBOX One 500GB with apartment @ First Bridge games. Cheap! Call: 683-8386 Diamond -$70,000. Call: 2251 Houselot 100X50 at La 5533; 225-5258; 615-2622 Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Bottom flat for business Demerara. Call: 699-3499 situated in prime business 1 New model IST, PTT -$1.7M area @ Robb Street Bourda. negotiable, 1 new model Call: 226-1647 Allion PSS -$2.5M negotiable, 1-2 Bedroom apartment for 1R6 Yamaha CD $600,000 rent at MonRpos North, negotiable. Call: 622-7201 E.C.D -$60,000 Call: 688-6005; Brand New: 1-21 gal air 692-9295 compressor, 2- 12 ton press,220 ton press, 2-3 ton floor jack, 3- 10" miter saw. Call: 2641538; 667-7405 Brand New: 3- 12" Miter saw, 5- air hose (50ft), 2-hand truck, 2 Toyota Tundra. Call: 2641538; 667-7405

LAND FOR SALE

One Isuzu trooper diesel engine and transmission 4JG2 turbo intercooler, foreign used. Call: 669-2290

Land @ La Grange Public Road to Sea Dam 4 Acres for commercial or Housing Scheme-Call: 625-1514

Stamps! Valuable Stamp collection -12,000 and over for sale. Call: 624-7341; 227-6817

Tuschen -$1.2M, Zeelugt $1.2M, La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.2M, Herstelling –$5M. (All prices negotiable). Call: 642-1252

33.6 Acres Farm Land @ Kuru Kuru Linden Soesdyke Highway, one garden tiller. Call: 225-7794; 679-1151 1 AT192 Carina car for parts, 1 TD 27 Engine complete with transmission turbo intercool. Call: 669-2290 MOULDINGS, SPINDLES, HAND RAILS, PINE CUPBOARD DOORS 16X27 -$3200 (KNOT FREE)- CALL: 621-1278

High value transported land, Greater Diamond, E.B.D $7.5M negotiable. Call: 6847234 Bartica (corner lot) $2.8M; Eccles -$5.5M, Herstelling (corner lot) -$3M, La Parfaite$1.3M & $2M. Call: 611-7223; 604-2207 1 Land for sale @ Yarrowkabra -$10M- Call: 6219759

LEARN TO DRIVE

Poultry waterers @ 4,500, Incubabtor, Hatachery, 1 Back-hoe. Call: 662-4975

Land @ Gated Community (front). Call: 644-8174

Soman, Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997

1 Model M Truck, gym & salon equipment, 1 cash register, 3 TV sets (all used). Call: 622-4386; 696-4397

37’X724’ large land @ Bagotville West Bank, gold & diamond land. Call: 6000036; 223-1273

TO LET

Roxie’s Fashion Independence custom made clothing: costume, spandex, metallic & plain, leotard & tights. Call: 227-8538; 6964397; 622-4386 Roxie’s Fashion has on sale flags (coloured), Independence casual wear dresses @ 301 Church St. Call: 227-8538; 622-4386

One three bedrooms flat concrete house for rent-Call: 678-9413 New self-contained 3 bedroom house, upper flat, security cameras; security lights, window screens @ Diamond, E.B.D. Call: 2260880; 603-0067

FOR SALE One complete 6" Dredge for sale. Call: 667-7512; 625-9358 (Continued on page 31)

Friday May 20, 2016

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Kaieteur News

Pilot breakfast programme targets three East Coast sites In order to ensure that learning is optimal within the classroom, the Ministry of Education has introduced a pilot breakfast programme. The programme was introduced on April 3, 2016 at three study sites within the Region Four Education District, reaching a total of 657 children. These sites along the East Coast of Demerara are Buxton, Friendship and Enmore, which are a little less than eight kilometres apart. The schools being targeted are: Hendons Nursery (30 children); Buxton Primary (19 children); Company Road Nursery (73 children); Company Road Primary (63 children); New Friendship Nursery (153 children); Ghandi Memorial Nursery (95 children); Enmore Primary (66 children); Blossom Scheme Nursery (72 children) and Enmore Newtown Nursery (86 children). These sites, according to information disseminated by the Ministry, were selected to ensure that cultural acceptability is assessed within the two main coastal ethnic groups. The Ministry has recognised too that “these communities have considerable experience of community efforts and, all communities have women with food handling certificates; training would thus be needed only in basic nutrition and bookkeeping.” The hunger experienced by a child due to an inadequate breakfast and/or because he or she has a long and arduous journey to school, is a major contributor to poor academic achievement. Moreover, the Ministry said that its aim is to expand and improve its school feeding programme to include a nutritionally balanced breakfast so that the impact of the crucial morning learning hours is not diminished. “This pilot study is intended to examine the feasibility of implementing such a

- intended to help enhance learning process Pupils at the New Friendship Nursery school being served breakfast VACANCY Cashiers for supermarketCall: 624-0033. 1 Cook & 1 maid. Call: 624-0033. Security In store (daytime) –Call: 6803863.Driver for water truck. Call: 680-3863

breakfast programme in schools in the coastal regions that have no cooking facilities. It will provide the essential information on cost, nutritional adequacy and community engagement to guide decisions on the design and budgetary implications of a full national school feeding programme (SFP), to be implemented in phases,” according to the Ministry. Among the objectives of the initiative is to examine the feasibility of providing a nutritious breakfast consisting of a sandwich and a flavoured milk-based drink to children in nursery schools and Grades One and Two of primary schools in the three coastal communities. This move, according to the Ministry, is to ensure the contribution of the meals provided to healthy eating habits with a sustainable approach based on the use of locally produced foods. The programme is also geared at assessing the acceptability of the various breakfasts offered and to provide basic nutrition education to enhance the acceptability of healthy local food, taking into consideration cultural patterns of consumption.

The pilot initiative, according to the Ministry, will help to determine the cost to cater per child as well as the increase of the cost if utilizing local and healthy food, and to determine the nutritional value of the school breakfast options. The school breakfast, during the pilot programme, will be compared to what children are afforded at home. The Ministry will also be able to assess the extent of the communities’ engagement and their willingness to help contribute facilities, time, cash or food commodities and to enhance social participation. And the Ministry will be looking particularly to families and Parent Teacher Associations to help contribute to nutrition education of schools so as to help ensure sustainability of the programme. The programme, according to the Ministry, is expected to provide the basis for the development of a detailed plan for a sustainable school feeding programme that provides young children in coastal schools with a nutritious and culturally acceptable breakfast and promote and facilitate linkages with local production, with special

consideration to small farmers. Guyana’s school feeding programme currently provides a snack of fortified biscuits and juice to all children in nursery schools and in Grades One and Two of primary schools. Additionally, in hinterland primary schools, children are offered a hot lunch, prepared by trained community cooks and based, to the extent possible, on foods produced by the community. In addition, as with the ongoing hinterland communitybased lunch programme, the intention is to engage local communities and farmers, so that the SFP contributes to poverty reduction, national development and national food and nutrition security. The pilot study is expected to be followed by a stakeholder meeting which will essentially set the pace for Phase Two of the initiative. Phase Two will include the establishment of an intersectoral committee to guide all school feeding activities, engaging key relevant ministries. Further phases will include the testing of school gardens and the establishment of a rigorous monitoring and evaluation system.

Diplomatic relations cannot trump the law... From page 3 provided under the Constitution, namely, you take a lawyer and plead your case in court,” the Foreign Affairs Minister asserted. He added, “But once the authorities are satisfied that they are acting properly, then foreign firms do not have any basis for demanding that otherwise be done and I am not aware that Guyana and BaiShanLin have any agreement that can be mediated by the United Nations.” The Foreign Affairs Minister said that when it comes to investors in a country, the Investment Agreement specifically says in the event of

From page 30

disputes, how they will be handled - as you have the International Centre for the Settlement of Disputes, for example. He said too that matters can also be settled in the local courts. “I don't want the public to think that there is any extraterritorial body that can say they got a complaint from an investor and without looking at what happened or how the law was broken, can say 'restore their vehicles' as in this case with BaiShanLin,' Greenidge explained. The Foreign Affairs Minister emphasized that Guyana's law is paramount. He said that “foreign companies cannot hide under the

shield of diplomatic relations when the law is broken and diplomatic ties cannot be used or brought up when it's time to defend BaiShanLin”. He insisted that “Diplomatic considerations cannot and must not trump the law.” BaiShanLin, which came here a decade ago concentrating at first on logging, has spread its branches into various sectors, with its activities ranging from gold mining to housing development, ship building, transportation, and commerce. It was granted almost $2B in duty free concessions and other waivers, on the condition that it invests in a wood processing plant in Linden,

among other things. Ten years later, and the company is still to fulfill its obligations to Guyana. It still owes the Government hundreds of millions of dollars for at least one property, an unfinished hotel at Providence, it has purchased. Several staffers were reportedly laid off last week, with the company claiming that negative publicity exacerbated the situation. The company, which has registered around 20 subsidiaries, says it has run out of money, with its majority shareholder, China Long Jiang Forest Industry Group, announced to take control of local operations this year.

Landscape Maintenance Vacancy: Hardworking, pleasant, team player, 17-28 years. Contact: 219-0468/ 6212453 Need a job? Call JFWW (local & international) earn -$5,000$20,000 daily –#233-6517; 638-0595; 622-1957 MondayFriday 9am-5pm/ www.jobfairworldwide.com Female secretary must be 2535yrs, computer literate & at least Grade 2 in English. Call: 643-4049 Evening cashiers, porters. Apply at Survival, 16 Vlissengen Road & Duncan St., with application and passport size photo. Office clerk (senior/junior) with CXC English/ Mathematics & computer knowledge an asset. Call: 2237500 One caterpillar mechanic to work in the interior-Call: 2235273/4 Real Estate staff must be able to ride. Contact GME Realty: gmerealestate@outlook.com Roxi’s Fashion has vacancy for 1 seamstress & 1 sewing machine operator. Apply @ 301 Church St. Call: 227-8538; 622-4386 Bond clerk, security officer, office assistant, cooks, tractor drivers, cashiers/ waitress, accounts clerk, civil engineer. Call: 603-4541/ chungsvacancy@gmail.com CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM Aidan’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up, cheapest rate, low security- Call: 698-7807 Wing’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up rental- Call: 690-6494

PROPERTY FOR SALE Brand new 2 storey concrete building in 5th Avenue, Diamond, E.B.D, all modern amenities -$41M –Call: 6629335; 612-3244 Transported property @ Grove $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461 Vreed-en-Hoop -$45M, Anna Catherina -$9.5M, $12.5, Boreseree -$6.5M, Uitvlugt $4.5M, Tuschen -$4.5M. Call: 642-1252 Prime Business spot @ Anna Catherina, Public Road. Call: 667-2536; 628-0016 Property @ Cummings Street; 4 storey building, club, 8 self contain rooms. Call: 628-0016; 667-2536 Transported property in Regent Street between Wellington & Camp. Call: 625-1514 Transported property, prime, furnished liquor restaurant & bar, 2 freezers, 1 pools table, double lot @ E.C.D- $24.5M neg. Call: 600-7228 House for sale @ West Ruimveldt, South Ruimveldt. Call: 662-4975 House for sale: 2 storey wood & concrete in Enterprise, owner leaving. For more information call: 692-0335; 229-6078 House and land @ Diamond, La Parfaite Harmonie, Tuschen etc. Contact Pacific Development Inc: 223-6035 Property @ Enmore – Hope West: building overlooking Foulis. Call: 602-2818; 649-1434 Tuschen: 2 storey concrete building; Tain: 2 Storey wooden & concrete building, price negotiable. Call: 2319690; 231-9693 between 8:00hrs-16:00hrs, Mon-Fri. Corner property in Grove, 1 block from Main Road- Flat House, price negotiable. Call: 1905-626-2572 1-3 Storey wooden concrete building @ Mc Doom Public Road, next to Gas Station serious offers only. No Agents: 699-4486 Need help acquiring a home then contact Pacific Development Inc. “Making Dreams Realty”. Call: 223-6035 One front house and one 2 storey back house for sale @ 180 Charlotte Street Bourda. Call: 226-5183; 227-6817; 6247341

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Kaieteur News

Friday May 20, 2016

Friday May 20 2016

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Kaieteur News

EgyptAir jet vanishes after mid-air Clinton calls Trump too unsteady to be president plunge over Mediterranean Reuters - An EgyptAir jet carrying 66 passengers and crew from Paris to Cairo disappeared from radar over the Mediterranean yesterday in what Egypt said could have been a terrorist attack. The Egyptian civil aviation ministry initially said Greek authorities had found “floating material” and life jackets likely to be from the plane, an Airbus A320. Greek defense sources told Reuters the material was discovered in the sea 230 miles (370 km) south of the island of Crete. However, late yesterday EgyptAir Vice President Ahmed Adel told CNN that the wreckage had not been found. “We stand corrected on finding the wreckage because what we identified is not a part of our plane. So the search and rescue is still going on,” Adel said. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi ordered the civil aviation ministry, the army’s search and rescue centre, the navy, and the air force to take all necessary measures to locate debris from the aircraft. In a statement issued by his office, Sisi also ordered an investigative committee formed by the civil aviation ministry to immediately start investigating the causes of the plane’s disappearance. Egyptian Prime Minister Sherif Ismail said it was too early to rule out any explanation for the crash, including an attack like the one blamed for bringing down a Russian airliner over Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula last year. The country’s aviation minister said a terrorist attack

was more likely than a technical failure. Officials from multiple U.S. agencies told Reuters that a U.S. review of satellite imagery so far had not produced any signs of an explosion aboard the EgyptAir flight. The U.S. officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters, said the conclusion was the result of a preliminary examination of imagery and cautioned against media reports suggesting the United States believed a bomb was responsible for the crash. They said the United States has not ruled out any possible causes for the crash, including mechanical failure, terrorism or a deliberate act by the pilot or crew. Greece had deployed aircraft and a frigate to search for the m i s s i n g p l a n e . Egypt said it would lead the investigation and France would participate. Paris said three investigators would arrive in Egypt on Thursday evening. In Washington, President Barack Obama received a briefing on the disappearance from his adviser for homeland security and counter-terrorism, the White House said. A White House spokesman said it was too early to know the cause of the crash and offered condolences. Greek Defence Minister Panos Kammenos said the Airbus swerved 90 degrees to the left, spun through 360 degrees to the right and plunged from 37,000 feet to 15,000 before vanishing from Greek radar screens.

According to Greece’s civil aviation chief, calls from Greek air traffic controllers to flight MS804 went unanswered just before it left Greek airspace, and it disappeared from radar screens soon afterwards. There was no official indication of a possible cause, whether technical failure, human error or sabotage. Ultrahardline Islamists have targeted airports, airliners and tourist sites in Europe, Egypt, Tunisia and other Middle Eastern countries over the past few years. Asked if he could rule out terrorist involvement, the Egyptian premier told reporters: “We cannot exclude anything at this time or confirm anything. All the search operations must be concluded so we can know the cause.” French President Francois Hollande also said the cause was unknown. “No hypothesis can be ruled out, nor can any be favored over another.” The aircraft was carrying 56 passengers, including one child and two infants, and 10 crew, EgyptAir said. They included 30 Egyptian and 15 French nationals, along with citizens of 10 other countries. The Canadian government said on Thursday two Canadian citizens were aboard and Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion said Canadian officials were working with authorities to confirm if any other Canadians were on the flight. The U.S. State Department said there was no indication that American citizens were on board.

Reuters - Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton pivoted to a general election match-up against Republican candidate Donald Trump yesterday, saying he is dangerously unpredictable and not qualified to be president. Confident that she is finally close to defeating U.S. Senator Bernie Sande r s o f Ve r m o n t f o r t h e Democratic nomination, Clinton turned heavy fire on Trump, who has been running about even with her in national polls of voters looking ahead to the Nov. 8 presidential election. On the Republican side, Trump promoted top aide Paul Manafort to serve as campaign manager and chief strategist, the Trump campaign said. Corey Lewandowski, the Trump aide who has been campaign manager, retains that title and will continue to oversee dayto-day operations, the campaign said.

Hillary Clinton In addition, Trump has hired veteran Republican lawyer A.B. Culvahouse to help vet potential vice presidential running mates, a source close to the campaign said. In a CNN interview, Clinton used the example of the apparent downing of an EgyptAir plane from Paris to Cairo to say that Trump would lack the skills to bring together U.S. allies to respond to global threats. “I know how hard this job

is a n d I k n o w w e n e e d steadiness, as well as strength and smarts in it, and I have concluded that he is not qualified to be president of the United States,” Clinton said. Trump, the Republicans’ presumptive presidential nominee, has been intensifying his criticism of Clinton by lobbing personal attacks at her and her husband, former President Bill Clinton.

Second ‘Chibok girl’ rescued, says Nigerian army Reuters - A second girl who was among more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram in a raid on their school in the northeastern Nigerian town of Chibok more than two years ago has been rescued, a spokesman for the Nigerian army said yesterday. Army spokesman Sani Usman said in an emailed statement that the girl was among 97 women and children held hostage by Boko Haram who were freed yesterday morning after clashes

between soldiers and jihadist militants in northeastern Borno state. Amina Ali Darsha Nkeki, the first girl to be rescued, was found by soldiers working with a vigilante group on Tuesday near Damboa, south of Maiduguri in the remote northeast where Boko Haram has waged a seven-year insurgency to set up an Islamic state. Officials confirmed Amina was one of 219 girls abducted from the government school

in Chibok in April 2014. Late yesterday, the army said an operation in Damboa at around 11 a.m. (1100 London time) led to the rescue of nearly 100 hostages that included the second Chibok schoolgirl. “We are glad to state that among those rescued is a girl believed to be one of the Chibok Government Secondary School girls that were abducted,” said Usman, adding that she was receiving medical treatment.

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Holness: Region should push for sustainable debt reduction strategies Jamaica Observer - Rose Hall, St James — Prime Minister Andrew Holness has warned that the region’s high levels of debt could retard and reverse social and economic development gains, as he urged regional governments to develop debt reduction strategies and increase productivity. “Management of the regional economy through this period of high debt must be among the highest priorities of the Caribbean Development Bank [CDB] at this time,” said Holness. “The challenge to the Caribbean is to achieve economic stability, underpinned by a sustainable path to debt reduction, while pursuing economic growth.” The prime minister, who was addressing the 46th annual Board of Governors meeting of the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall Wednesday, argued that the region’s development has been achieved at the expense of the accumulation of debt. “This is certainly the case for Jamaica as it is for other member countries of the CDB. Indeed, a common characteristic of the economies of CDB member states is the unsustainable high levels of Debt/GDP,” he remarked.

Friday May 20, 2016

Kaieteur News

Andrew Holness “Some of us have made bad choices, which have resulted in high public debt, and in Jamaica’s case the socialisation of private debt has been a major contributor. However, it is important to note that our accumulation of debt as a region cannot all be attributed to profligacy, mismanagement and poor governance,” he added. On the contrary, he said, much of the debt that the region carries has been as a result of vulnerabilities to natural disasters and the exposure of undiversified economies to the vagaries of commodity price volatility. He argued that Jamaica has shown that a societal resolve to economic reform, structured around debt reduction, is an attainable goal.

“While we remain vulnerable, important strides have been made. However, Jamaica’s economy has also shown that such strategies in isolation are insufficient. Nogrowth austerity is unsustainable and not an option. Economic growth is paramount,” he emphasised. Holness told the delegates that, given fiscal limitations, growth cannot be stimulated by counter cyclical spending. “Instead, growth has to be led by a risk-thinking and dynamic private sector. However, this does not often happen automatically and the governments of the region need to pursue policies that improve enabling environments, remove distortions, attack corruption, improve labour productivity, improve national security and attract greater foreign investment,” he said. But Holness acknowledged that “this is no easy task,” noting that the CDB has a crucial role to play in the transformation of thought and policy that is required. He said while debt forgiveness is not on the policy menu, “debt for policy swaps” could be one of the ways that could be looked at to reduce the high levels of debt.

Faith bodies blast IRO boss’ child marriage claim Trinidad Guardian There was no consensus on the Inter-Religious Organisation’s (IRO) decision to support the continuation of child marriages, Archbishop Joseph Harris said Wednesday, adding that forcing children into wedlock is “legalised statutory rape.” Harris made the claim in response to IRO head Brother Harrypersad Maharaj’s announcement that members had unanimously agreed that no law should interfere with their custom at a recent meeting. It also came as other faith-based organisations condemned Harrypersad’s stance on child marriages, believing it had the backing of all IRO members. Addressing issues relating to the Catholic faith in an interview on the Archdiocese of Port-of- Spain’s Facebook page yesterday, Harris said neither he nor the church’s regular representative, Fr Martin Sirju, attended the meeting and were thus not part of that discussion. He said they were also not contacted by the IRO on that decision nor did they put forward any agreement on the position. “It is wrong to say it was unanimous because the

Archbishop Joseph Harris Catholic Church certainly does not agree with that proposition,” Harris said. Widespread furore had erupted in response to the IRO’s stance, with Maharaj adding that child marriages are one of the best methods to shape moral and spiritual values in terms of family life. Further defending the position, he said that age did not determine maturity. But according to Harris, in addition to children not understanding the concept of marriage, it can also be physically harmful. And while the custom might be based on culture, he said not all aspects of culture were good. Harris added: “Cultures are never perfect. In cultures you have good customs and bad customs and in any culture there are customs which you have to reprobate and customs which you have to exalt and make better. The Catholic Church says you have to evangelise the culture. “From where I sit, I have been listening to doctors and psychologists ... Intercourse and childbirth for 11, 12, 13 and 14-year-old girls are not good. And so from a purely physical point of view, that should not be allowed and if it is part of the culture, then the culture has to be

evangelised and the culture has to be brought to a spot in which relationships and marriage relationships are truly understood. “A 13-year-old, a 12-yearold does not understand what marriage is about and so they should not be forced. A 13-year-old is a child, a 13year-old ought not to be forced into that type of relationship. That is legalised statutory rape.” Adding to the condemnation was administrative officer at the Silver Lining Foundation (SLF) Kennedy Everett Maraj, who said they could not support the infringements of children’s rights. He said children should be able to play, learn, grow and mature and that marriage has no place in the life of a child. He said the current position adopted by the IRO diminished childhood and made practices such as child marriages appear acceptable. “Among the rights of a child detailed in the UNCRC are the right to education, play, protection from all forms of violence and freedom from sexual abuse. Allowing a child to enter into marriage shows contempt for the rights of the child and is a violation of these fundamental rights,” Maraj said.

Friday May 20 2016

Kaieteur News

Canada PM Trudeau says ‘I am human’ after fracas, cites job pressures Reuters - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, under fire for getting involved in an unprecedented physical fracas in Parliament, said yesterday that he was only human and in a high pressure job but promised there would be no repeat of his actions. Trudeau, impatient at what he saw as stalling tactics by the opposition ahead of a vote on Wednesday evening, crossed the floor in the House of Commons to grab one legislator and drag him to his seat, accidentally elbowing another in the chest. He has apologized three times already and said he would accept any punishment meted out by a special committee of legislators examining the incident. “I think people understand that there is a tremendous amount of pressures that come with this job and I am human,” Trudeau said in his Parliament Hill office, which was dotted with pictures of Trudeau, his family, and his former prime minister father as well as a Lego canoe with four miniature figures in it. “But I think at the same time, a big part of recognizing strengths and weaknesses is when you make a mistake you admit it, you make amends, you ask for forgiveness and you make sure it never happens again.” The affair was a rare public loss of control for Trudeau, 44, who led his Liberals to power last October with a promise of “sunny ways”, and dented his image. Telegenic and tattooed, Trudeau has gained a rock star level of celebrity thanks partly to an avowed feminist stance and he is often swarmed by fans seeking selfies.

Justin Trudeau “Quite frankly a lot of people said: ‘Don’t worry about it, everyone has bad days’. But the people who know me said ‘OK, Justin, is there something bugging you? Is the atmosphere in the House getting particularly toxic?’” he said. Trudeau said his response was that “you can’t separate one from the other” but that he should have refrained from getting involved in the incident, which was gleefully dissected on Twitter with the hashtag #elbowgate and splashed on newspaper front pages across the country. “I made a poor judgment call in wanting to step in on a situation that I should have just let evolve without the prime minister thrusting himself into the middle of it,” he said. Trudeau is in no immediate political danger since the next election is not due until October 2019 and opinion

polls put him far ahead of his rivals. The special committee of legislators could find him in contempt of Parliament, thereby potentially triggering a vote of confidence which he would easily win given the Liberals’ majority in Parliament. The incident, while mild compared to the brawls between legislators in Taiwan, Japan and Ukraine, was rare in Canadian politics. “We started this parliament with the promise of ‘sunny ways,’ but what we’ve seen in particular in the last few weeks is the furthest thing from that,” Rona Ambrose, leader of the official opposition Conservative Party told the chamber. Tensions are rising as opposition members complain about what they see as Liberal attempts to pre-empt discussion on a bill that would allow assisted death.

Chinese jets intercept U.S. military plane over South China Sea: Pentagon Reuters - Two Chinese fighter jets carried out an “unsafe” intercept of a U.S. military reconnaissance aircraft over the South China Sea, the Pentagon said on Wednesday, drawing a rebuke from Beijing, which demanded that Washington end surveillance near China. The incident, likely to increase tension in and around the contested waterway, took place in international airspace on Tuesday as the U.S. maritime patrol aircraft carried out “a routine U.S. patrol,” a Pentagon statement said.

The encounter comes a we e k after China scrambled fighter jets as a U.S. Navy ship sailed close to a disputed reef in the South China Sea. Another Chinese intercept took place in 2014 when a Chinese fighter pilot flew acrobatic maneuvers around a U.S. spy plane. The intercept occurred days before President Barack Obama travels to parts of Asia from May 21-28, including a Group of Seven summit in Japan and his first trip to Vietnam. China claims most of the

South China Sea, through which $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei have overlapping claims. Wa s h i n g t o n h a s a c cused Beijing of militarizing the South China Sea after creating artificial islands, while Beijing, in turn, has criticized increased U.S. naval patrols and exercises in Asia. The Pentagon statement said the Department of Defense was addressing the issue through military and diplomatic channels.

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Friday May 20, 2016

Kaieteur News

Cozier should get National Award says Minister Roopnarine Name Media Centre after ‘Reds’ who turns 77 today By Sean Devers Iconic Barbadian Radio and TV commentator and Cricket Journalist Tony Cozier who died on May 11 in his home land at 75 will be cremated today in his homeland.

Cozier was the voice and face of West Indies Cricket for over 50 years and Education Minister with responsibly for Sports Dr Rupert Roopnarine, recommended a Guyana National Award be given to Cozier, a true citizen

GTC to stage May 29 Race Meet at Mocha Turfites and fans will be given no reprieve because following the completion of the Four Horseman Promotion Meet at Port Mourant this Sunday, the Georgetown Turf Club has organised its ‘Golden Jubilee’ Meet for May 29, at Mocha. According to a release from the GTC, most of the country’s top stables will be in attendance and fans could expect some exciting races throughout the day. The event is being organised by President of the GTC Michael Sims to commemorate Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary

celebrations and speaking with kaieteur Sport earlier in the week he said he expects the day’s activities to exceed the previous Meet which had a large turnout after almost three years of inactivity. The H&Lower event will be the feature race of the day with prize monies totaling $375,000, while the co-feature is the J&L Lower race. This race carries prize monies in excess of $250,000. For more information persons could contact Sims on tele #669-8163, Compton Sancho 602-1567 or D. Smith on 660-4961.

of the West Indies. If that materializes it would be wonderful for the family of Cozier who not only made an outstanding contribution to Barbados but to cricket in the entire West Indies. The Media Centre at the Kensington Oval is named after him. Minister Roopnarine, a former First-Class off-spinner, is no doubt aware of Joseph ‘Reds’ Perrier’s contribution to not only cricket but all sports. He should encourage Government to rename the Media Centre ‘the Reds Perriera’ Media Centre while he is still alive. Reds, who hails from Pomeroon and celebrates his 77th birthday today, is known around the World as a Guyana’s best Radio cricket Commentator. He and Cozier were the only West Indian voices in India and Australia when the Caribbean team played Test matches there in the early days. Reds, who was given the Arrowhead of Achievement (AA) National Award previously, has also commentated on almost every Sport and was one of the broadcasters calling the action in a world title boxing contest in Jamaica. Reds who moved to St Lucia in 1984, was an Administrator for National Sporting Associations, set up the Reds Perriera Foundation to raise funds for sporting Associations and Sportspersons and was the Director of Sports at the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Minster Nicolette Henry, who is in charge of the Sports

Ministry, should be aware that Reds severed from 19731978 as advisor to Minister of Sports Shirley Field-Ridley in the PNC Government or that the late Roy Fredericks was not only Guyana’s best opening batsman but was also the Minister of Sports in the Forbes Burnham Government. Fredericks is also the only person in the World to score a First-Class double century while severing as a Government Minister and a Member of Parliament when he made 217 against Jamaica at Bourda in 1983. When Minister Henry attended the opening of the Aquatic Centre and was asked about the naming of the Stands, she shot down the idea saying that she did not want the spend the next five

years defending the names. Fredericks and Perriera were among the names suggested in addition to Clive Lloyd, the only West Indian to Captain West Indies in three consecutive World Cup finals; winning the first two in 1975 & ’79. He is also still the most successful West Indian Test Captain, while no other Guyanese Captain has more than his two Regional First-Class Titles in the 50 years Guyana has played as Independent nation. Every other International cricket venue in the West Indies, except Guyana has names of their outstanding players on its stands. Among the other names suggested were Rohan Kanhai, considered Guyana’s best batsman, Lance Gibbs

(the first bowler to take 300 Test wickets and still the only West Indian spinner with over 300 wickets), Colin Croft (Guyana’s best fast bowler and only one with 100 Test wickets), Shiv Chanderpaul (Most First-Class and Test runs for Guyana, also most Test matches by a West Indian and most Test Centuries and only triple century in the last 50 years by a Guyanese), Ron Legall (Guyana’s best Book Scorer and longest serving statistician), Carl Hooper & Ramnaresh Sarwan (Along with Chanderpaul are Guyana’s best modern day batmen). We will have to wait and see if any of the names suggested are attached to Guyana National Stadium at Providence.

Friday May 20, 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) New romantic ties can be made; however, you must make sure that your motives are not selfish before you make your move. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You can get the attention of important individuals but it might not be the time to get them to help or to back your ideas. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You will be able to work with fine detail today. You might find that a coworker has been two faced. This will not be the day to have minor surgery. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Do what you can to help them but don't neglect your own family. Your ideas may be good, but they aren't necessarily right for everyone. You can make life easier for an older member of your family. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You need to make changes that will raise your self esteem, such as a new hairstyle or a new image. Don't let friends or relatives make you feel guilty if you're not able to attend one of their affairs. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Overstatement will be your downfall. Catch up on overdue paperwork. Bring work home if it will help you get caught up.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Try n o t t o d o n a t e t o organizations if you can hardly afford to take care of yourself. Don't count your chickens before t h e y h a t c h . Yo u c a n expect changes at your work place. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You can make professional changes and direct your energy into making all the right moves. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Don't let peers distract you or push their work your way. You may have to take a short trip to visit someone who hasn't been well. Get together with friends for some competitive physical activities. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Your self esteem will benefit. Friends will be loyal and caring. You may be ill-treated if you have to deal with institutional environments. Things are looking up. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Overstatement will be your downfall. Avoid lending money or belongings to friends. Opportunities for romance are present. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You will be able to borrow money in order to invest. You can't make things better if you don't know what to fix.

Friday May 20 2016

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Kaieteur News

RHTYSC, MS donates scorebooks to Rugby Americas North (RAN) 15s’ Championship Upper Corentyne Cricket Association Captains express confidence ahead of tomorrow’s clash

The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, MS continued its unmatched reputation of assisting other Clubs and Cricket Associations to fulfill their mandate by making a donation of scorebooks worth $75,000 to the upper Corentyne Cricket Association. Club Secretary/ CEO Hilbert Foster and Executive member Mark Papannah visited the upper Corentyne area to make the presentation to VCCA President Dennis De’ Andrade and Vice President Sydney Jackman. Foster in brief remarks stated that the RHTYSC, MS over the last twenty years has shared out over $15M worth of sport gears to schools, Non-Governmental Agencies, churches, youth and sports organisations across Berbice. He stated that the RHTYSC was pleased to assist the VCCA as the body was without doubt one of the most active cricket association in Guyana with the hosting of cricket at all levels and cricket development programmes to lift cricket to an all-time heights. He urged the VCCA executives to uphold its high tradition of hard work and expressed confidence that the scorebooks would assist Clubs in the Upper Corentyne. The RHTYSC, MS Secretary/CEO blasted some cricket administrators in Guyana who seems only to be interested on holding on to power or seeking to gain power without devoting any energy or effort to make a positive difference to the game of cricket. He lambasted some cricket administrators at

-Three changes made to Guyana squad

RHTYSC, MS Executive Member Mark Papannah (right) hands over scorebooks to the VCCA President Dennis De’ Andrade and Vice President Sydney Jackman (centre). the Club level who seems only interested in blasting others on Facebook and noted that progress like those at the RHTYSC, MS is only achieved through hard work, vision and a strong desire to assist others to develop. The long standing Secretary/CEO also disclosed that the RHTYSC was Currently working on several proposals to assist numerous young cricketers and Clubs with equipment and other items during the rest of 2016. The Club would also be targeting cricketers along Berbice in a massive Say No to Drugs campaign which would be unveiled shortly and the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association was invited to submit the names of ten Clubs for an upcoming Say No to Drugs Cricket tournament. Foster also pledged that teams in the Upper Corentyne area would be invited in the proposed twelve

cricket tournament that the Club would be hosting later in 2016 including the RHTYSC/Ministry of Health Say No to Suicide Under-17 inter Club tournament which would start shortly. VCCA President Dennis De’Andrade praised the RHTYSC, MS for its continued assistance to cricket in the Upper Corentyne Area, noting that the Club has assisted several times in the past. The donation of the scorebooks was important, he stated as several Clubs were observed scoring in exercise books and reassured the RHTYSC executives that the scorebooks would be used for their intended purpose. The VCCA President also committed his executives to working harder to promote cricket in the sub-association in an effort to return Berbice to its rightful place in Guyana’s cricket.

Edward Matthews CC to be opened with activities this weekend Glen Eagles Sports Club in collaboration with the Ministry of Education Department of Culture Youth and Sports would be opening its newly refurbished Edward Matthews Community Centre ground for the Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary tomorrow. Activities get underway from 9:00 in the morning tomorrow. Apart from unveiling of a plaque at the venue, officials present will be part of an opening ceremony planned. Following the opening ceremony, the Ministry would be hosting a male and female cricket competition. The cricket opens with the Ladies competition. Glen Eagles vs 4R of Georgetown and Benaam vs Indigenous Warriors. The

Edward Matthews Memorial friendly match will be contested after the ladies action. The Males action will see Glen Eagle vs Hubu Recre-

ational Park, Parika Backdam vs Benaam Male Warriors. Other events include circle tennis and cricket for school teams.

Woodpecker Products Ltd... (From page 37) Lucas Jonas 11/8, 11/5, 11/7 In the Girls Under-13s Kirsten Gomes defeated Haley Carpenter 11/4, 11/6, 11/1, Madison Fernandes beat Teija Edwards 11/0, 11/0, 11/0 and Abosaide Cadogan defeated Aliyah Persaud 11/5, 11/3, 11/5 In the lone game in the Boys Under-11 division Michael Alphonso prevailed over Nathan Rahaman 11/4, 11/1, 11/3 Matches in the tournament were scheduled continue last evening.

Guyana’s ‘Green Machine’ Captain Richard Staglon speaking at a press conference at Olympic House y e s t e r d a y, a t tempted to dissolve any anxiety that fans may be experiencing in relation to the team’s preparedness f o r t o m o r r o w ’s c l a s h against Jamaica in the South Zone Division of the Rugby Americas North (RAN) 15s’ Championship, at the National Park Playfield. The vastly experienced Staglon, who has been a member of the national team for a number of years, was responding to a question posed by the media about the squad’s fitness in light of the inclement weather which according to him has negatively impacted their preparations ahead of tomorrow showdown against the Jamaicans. “Our preparations have been hampered somewhat by the rainy weather, but we are

not using that as an excuse for not being prepared. The guys have been coming out and we’ve been able to have the use of the Camptown ground and the Beach facility behind the Marriott Hotel,” Staglon told the media. Staglon said the team is about 95% fit and he expects the players to beat the Jamaicans despite not having the best of preparations. Manager of the Jamaica squad Tezra Sangster in his comments said that the game against Guyana is no different to any other and they are confident of doing well. He noted that Guyana is a very good team and while they will be facing them at home, they are not fazed by such a task, adding that it’s like going up against any other team on their home turf. The Jamaican Captain Hubert Thomas echoed similar sentiments to that of the Manager and even conceded

that the Guyana team is loaded with talent, but also expressed confidence of winning. “We’ve seen a few clips of them, we know they are very good, but I feel that we have a good team as well.” President of the Union Peter Green, who was in attendance, welcomed the Jamaicans to Guyana, but cautioned them that they will be in for a rough time on the field. Green also took the time to appeal to members of the public to desist from using the lone rugby field around this time since it is greatly affecting their preparations of the facility to host an international fixture. Meanwhile, the Guyana squad has made three changes to the one that faced Barbados last month with Claudius Butts, Seon Kitt and Toby David replacing Jacques Archibald, Ryan Dey and Keifer Lopez.

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Spartons capture Wiltshire/ Turning Point dominoes crown

Players in action during the finals. Spartons chalked up 48 games to win the final of the Mark Wiltshire/Turning Point four-game dominoes tournament which was contested recently at Meadowbrook. Rage marked 42 games to claim the runner up spot, while Execudos placed third on 38 games. Spartons were led by Colin Duncan and Clarence Whitehead with eleven and nine games respectively, while Ronald Beharry scored 11 and Ron Callendar nine for Rage.

Friday May 20, 2016

Kaieteur News

Spartons were also successful in the semi final encounter with 45 games ahead of Rage 41 and In-time 34. Linden Bowman and Whitehead got 11 games apiece for the winners while Shawn Morgan made 10 and Mark Welch nine for Rage. Meanwhile, Mark Wiltshire will be hosting a two-in-one-out six-game competition starting on Monday at 19:30hrs at Dynasty. The playoffs will be held on Saturday and Sunday at

Gauling Place, South Ruimveldt. Entrance fee is $10,000 and the winning team will take home a trophy and $150,000, runner up a trophy and $75,000 and third place $40,000. One re-entry will be allowed and all GDA rules will be in effect. The competition is being sponsored by Faye Joseph and Spartons Dominoes team. Teams can contact Wiltshire on 665 5855 for more information.

Blyden shines but Evergreen concede first innings Guyanese Travis Blyden struck an unbeaten 89, but his team Evergreen conceded first innings points to Woodland SC when the Trinidad and Tobago South Championship three-day league continued recently. Though Blyden batted fluently, he received little support as Evergreen lost their last five wickets for nine runs to be bowled out for 184 in reply to Woodland SC first innings score of 290. Woodland’s Neive McNally of Jamaica took 5 for 46 while his countryman Bryan Gayle claimed 4 for 46. Ato Rockcliffe was the only other batsman for Evergreen that showed resistance with 43.

Travis Blyden

Woodland SC were bowled out for 191 in their second turn at the crease as the game ended in a draw. The Jamaican duo of Gayle and McNally delivered yet again scoring 55 and 47 respectively. The pick of the bowlers for Evergreen were

Aden Sookraj who took 3 for 17, Alvin Ramlogan with 2 for 37 and Dominic Nandlal 2 for 36. Evergreen and Diamond United are joint top of the table on 120 points. The competition continues this weekend.

Digicel 2016 Schools Football launched -every region will be visited It’s here again. The highly anticipated Digicel Nationwide Schools Football Tournament was launched, during a simple ceremony that was conducted, at the Covent Garden Secondary School yesterday. In attendance at the occasion were CEO Kevin Kelly, Head of Marketing Jacqueline James, Communications Manager Vidya BijlallSanichara, Events and Sponsorship Manager Louanna Abrams, Sales and Marketing Manager Nalini Vieira, Head of Customer Care Sherwyn Osborne, Tournament Coordinator Lavern Fraser, Director of Sport Christopher Jones, Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde, schools representatives among others. James whose brainchild it was to conceptualise the event back in 2011 in her opening remarks told the gathering that the aim this year is to get as much as 180 schools registered which would mark a 9% increase in participation. She said that the tournament which is set to commence on June 10 with games scheduled for most of the Ten Regions will end on July 31 with the finals, at the National Stadium. James disclosed that the tournament which is designed for players under the age of 18 years is also intended to help develop their skills, while providing gateways for them to see many communities outside of their respective neighborhoods.

In giving a synopsis of the tournament, the Marketing executive informed that twelve regional champions will be crowned, while Region 4 has been divided into three sections thereby allowing teams a better opportunity to advance. Kelly in his presentation spoke of the passion and enthusiasm that is generated within the Company when this time comes around and called on members of the respective communities that matches will be played to come out and support their teams. He said there must be an awakening of support with the communities both in terms of support for the schools and also at the level of preparations since he believes that because the logistical preparations is so enormous it should not be left to Digicel alone to make the event a success. According to him, the benefits of such an undertaking is huge to all parties involved so there must be a collective effort made to reap the desired results. “We need everyone on board to make it a success, we are going to every region and community,” Kelly noted. He showered praise on all those who worked tirelessly over the years to make the tournament what it is today. Jones said it was indeed a privilege for the Government to be part of the tournament, adding that it is widely accepted as the most anticipated schools football event

annually. He reckoned that the tournament is perhaps the only chance many of the young participants have to see other regions. He urged the GFF to seize the opportunity being presented to them by Digicel to spot talent, while also calling on other corporate entities to follow in the footsteps of the Company. He closed by offering the Government’s continued assistance through the Ministry of Education towards the tournament. Forde in his remarks applauded the effort of Digicel over the past six years, adding that despite the tumultuous times football faced during the same period, they never allowed it to distract them from their programme. He said currently Guyana’s national team comprise members from 3-4 clubs, but now with Digicel’s involvement in the sport there is every possibility that more players from different regions can now be spotted and have a chance to enter the national grid. He expressed pleasure with the Ministry of Education being on board and promised unmitigated assistance to Digicel in the future. Meanwhile, the winning team will take away $1million, runner-up $700,000, 3rd place $400,000 and 4th place $350,000, all going towards a project of the respective schools choice. Additionally, every regional champion will be awarded $100,000.

Kaieteur News

Friday May 20, 2016

RHTYSC, MS and ‘B’ Division Police pay courtesy calls on Ministers The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, MS, Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation and its partner the Guyana Police Force ‘B’ Division Community Relations Department on Wednesday last paid courtesy calls on Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin and Junior Minister of Health DR. Karen Cummings. The joint delegation included the RHTYSC, MS Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster, Club Executive Mark Papannah and Asst. Supt of Police Keith Williams. The Club and the Community Relations Department of ‘B’ Division over the last four years have worked together in a massive Say No to Crime, Drugs, Suicide and Yes to Education, Life and Sports campaign directed towards 60,000 youths in Berbice. The delegation discussed with the Business Minister the hosting of a Youth Career and Business Fair. The main objectives of this event would be to assist youths to make a decision on their future careers, to educate youths about jobs available in the country, to showcase businesses in Guyana, to showcase local products, to inspire youths to establish their own business and to promote the Club’s highly successful Say No and Yes campaign. The proposed date of the Youth and Business fair is Thursday 22nd of September and the organisers would be working to attract over 100 booths. Minister Gaskin invited the delegation to submit a working document to his Ministry for possible sponsorship and congratulated the RHTYSC, MS for its record of service to Guyana. He described that events of this nature could be organised in each region in Guyana if the first one is successful and achieve its objectives. Foster updated the attentive Business Minister with a comprehensive report of the RHTYSC, MS history of achievements and plans for the future. The Secretary/CEO said a committee would be established to plan for the historic event, which would also form part of Guyana’s 50th Independence anniversary. The meeting with Minister Cummings centred on using sports to promote social ills affecting youths and the hosting of a massive medical outreach programme for a less fortunate community in the ancient county. Proposal for hosting of a football and basketball tournament would soon be submitted to the Junior Minister of Health. The organisers would use the two sporting tournaments to promote the danger of drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, suicide and other social ills affecting youths including gender violence. Teams for both tournaments would be drawn from “Hot Spots” areas identified by the Police Force. Foster stated that the RHTYSC, MS is on course to surpassing its 2016 target of 300 programmes/activities and is confident that these upcoming joint events with the Police Force would have a huge impact on the lives of youths in the ancient county.

Briso Promotions GBA card set for May 28 Promoter Seon Bristol (Briso Promotions) in collaboration with the Guyana Boxing Association will be hosting a Jubilee amateur card on May 28 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall starting at 19:30 hrs. Bristol, a former amateur boxer, told Kaieteur Sport yesterday that they are looking to stage 15 bouts on the card. He added that two cards were scheduled but were postponed and feels it is an injustice to the fans since there is no event for the Jubilee. Bristol said this event will help to develop the young talent and prepare them for other engagements. He stated that he met with two former boxers Lennox Blackmore and Kenny Bristol and both without hesitation promised to assist in making the card a successful one. The promoter indicated that former boxers who want to assist would be welcomed and can contact the GBA.

Minister Gaskin with Hilbert Foster and Asst Supt. of Police Keith Williams.

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Kaieteur News

Friday May 20, 2016

Guyana National Under 21 team members pose with the Ontario Under-23 selection after their practice match on Wednesday.

Junior Pan American Championships

National Junior Men play first warm-up match against Ontario Under 23 Selection The Guyana National Junior Men’s Hockey Team had their first taste of competitive play when they took on an Ontario under-23 selection on Wednesday afternoon in a practice match, before the start of the Junior Pan American Championships today in Toronto, Canada. The Guyanese started shaky and conceded two goals early in the first half, before Rosario Ramsammy pounced on a rebound to put his side on the score board moments before the half time whistle. The GT Boys gradually asserted themselves in the second half, creating numerous goal scoring opportunities that were not converted. A moment of individual brilliance by an Ontario forward extended the lead to 3-1 for the Canadians midway through the second half against the run of play. Defending deep in their half, Guyana would answer with their second after a devastating counterattack sprung by an Andrew Stewart interception which was finished by Aroydy Branford after a series of one touch passes up the length of the field between Stewart, Branford and Nyron Joseph. Head Coach Robert Fernandes stated that he was pleased with the team’s performance despite the 3-2 loss. “The boys started a bit tentative, but played their way into the game. We were lacking in some areas because we had some players in some unfamiliar positions. Two of our starting back four, Kareem McKenzie and Daniel Hooper are arriving tonight (Thursday) so we had to pull back some of our midfielders into defence and they have more attacking instincts so our defensive structure wasn’t the best today. One of our work horses in the midfield, Hilton Chester, also joins the team this evening (Thursday) and that will allow us to maintain a better defensive structure and be more versatile with our personnel higher up field. The practice games served its purpose, hopefully we execute well when it really counts against Chile on Friday.” The team takes on Chile today at 3:00pm, then Mexico tomorrow at the same time before playing second seed Canada on Monday at 5:30pm. Local fans will be able to stream the matches live on the www.panamhockey.org website.

Kaieteur News

Friday May 20, 2016

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Woodpecker Products Ltd Junior National Squash Championships opens

Rebecca Low (left) hustles to reach the ball as Maya Collins plays a drop shot on Wednesday. (Sean Devers photo) The Guyana Squash A s s o c i a t i o n ’s ( G S A ) Woodpecker Products Ltd Junior National Squash Championships which is sponsored by Digicel got g o i n g o n We d n e s d a y evening at the Georgetown Club Inc courts. This was the second Junior Tournament for the year and is being used to

select Guyana’s team for the Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Junior Championship in the Cayman Islands. Th e G u y a n a t e a m , which has won the overall team title for 11 consecutive years, is expected to be named on Sunday at the completion of the tournament.

Alex Cheeks plays a back hand shot against Anthony Islam on Wednesday night at the G/Town Club. (Sean Devers photo)

The opening day saw seven of the twelve categories being contested and several close and exciting matches were witnessed as players vied to register victories in their matchups. In the Girls Under-19 division Larissa Wiltshire beat Sarah Lewis 11/1, 11/4, 11/2, while Taylor Fernandes

got the better of Makeda Harding 11/1, 11/3, 11/8. The Boys Under-19s saw Alec Melville getting past Daniel Islam, the elder of the Islam Twins by three sets in a game which ended 11/1, 11/3, 11/6. In the other U-19 match Alex Cheeks defeated Matthew Phang 11/4, 11/7, 5/11, 11/9.

The left handed Alex Melville (left) and Daniel Islam in action in their contest on Wednesday night at GT Club. (Sean Devers photo) In the Boys Under-17s Alex Cheeks beat Anthony Islam 11/9, 13/11, 11/8. While in the Girls Under17s Rebecca Low beat Maya Collins 11/6, 11/8, 11/6, Ethan Jonas beat James Mekdeci 8/11, 11/8, 11/1, 11/0 and Demetrius De Abreu defeated Kamir Khan 11/4, 11/2, 11/6. Results from the matches

played: Boys Under 15 Daniel Islam beat John Phang 11/2, 11/0, 11/1 Anthony Islam defeated Samuel Ince-Carvahal 11/3, 11/3, 11/4 Shomari Wiltshire beat Jason Gomes 11/1, 11/1, 11/2 Gianni Carpenter beat (Continued on page 33)

Kaieteur News

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Friday May 20, 2016

Antigua Shooting Day 3 Report

Jamaican Nunez edges Persaud and Braithwaite to Individual title -Guyanese Felicien is O-Class Champ P.32

Ms. Shelly-Ann Hinds of Barbados By Franklin Wilson In Antigua with the compliments of Crown Mining Supply, Fitness Express, Safeway Security Service and Industrial S a f e t y S u p p l y Jamaican marksman Jose Nunez is the new Individual King of Caribbean shooting after taking the title from Guyanese Lennox Braithwaite who had won it for three consecutive years, 2012 – 2014, the last time the We s t I n d i e s F u l l b o r e Shooting Championships were held. Going into yesterday’s

Sherwin Felicien

New WIFBSC Individual Champion, Jamaican Jose Nunez

final day of three, Nunez was trailing Braithwaite and Leader after day two, Guyana’s Fullbore Captain Mahendra Persaud but was able to overtake both shooters to claim the coveted prize by a mere 2-points. The Jamaican, who has been shooting for over 31 years, won his second Individual title with a Grand Aggregate Score of 467 points with 38 Vs, he also won the final day aggregate with a score of 156.12; Barbadian female shooter and the Caribbean #1 ShellAnn Hinds turned in a prolific performance to end

the day behind Nunez with 154.16 and 4th in the Grand Aggregate (461.32). Persaud, who ended 3rd in the day 3 aggregate, placed 2nd overall with 465.43 followed by former champion and countryman Braithwaite with 463.33. It was not all disappointment for the Guyanese as Sherwin Felicien won the O-Class category while also placing 8th Overall with a total of 451.25. The other two Guyanese finishing in the top 20 were Fullbore Vice Captain Dylan Fields at 11th and Leo Romalho at 16th.

Done and dusted! Mahendra Persaud just after completing the individuals yesterday, narrowly losing out on the top spot. Speaking after his triumph, Nunez said that it was a great feeling to have won this prestigious title after a long time. He noted that the ammunition was excellent and the marking was also good. A life member of the Jamaica Rifle Association (JRA), he noted that the conditions were tricky for some people but he was able to handle it to the extent that

he came out as the champion. The Guyanese will now turn their attention to the Team Matches which will commence today with the Wadadli Cup where they have entered two 4-man teams. Team Jaguar is made up of Mahendra Persaud, Lennox Braithwaite, Ransford Goodluck and Dylan Fields. The second team is

named Team Harpy Eagles which consists of John Fraser, Sherwin Felicien, Peter Persaud and Ryan Sampson. Tomorrow the battle for supremacy as the Short Range Kings in the Caribbean will take centre stage where Guyana will be aiming to retain the title as the best at short range for the West Indies Fullbore Cup.

Mayor’s Cup football tourney starts today at Victoria Victoria Kings in feature clash with Agricola T h e M a y o r ’s C u p football tournament will get underway this evening at the Victoria Ground from 6:30pm on the East Coast of Demerara with a double header. Football fans on the East Coast will get the chance to witness the action and support their respective sides when the tournament kicks off. Coordinator Lennox Arthur informed that things are set for today’s

start. The opening encounter at 6:30pm will pit Buxton Bakewell of the East Coast against Grove Hi Tech of the East Bank Demerara, while at 8:30pm in the nightcap, home side, Victoria Kings challenge Agricola in another East Coast versus East Bank meeting. This contest promises to be keenly contested between two very attacking teams and the home fans are expected

to raise the roof in support of the Kings. Buxton Bakewell would be also looking to represent from the opening whistle as they set the tempo for the night, hoping for an East Coast ‘shut out’, beating their visiting opponents, setting the stage for the second game. The tournament is set to c o n t i n u e t o m o r r o w, Saturday at the Victoria Ground, at the same times with BV Triumph facing

Eagles, while Golden Grove tangle with Herstelling. More play is set for Sunday, this time at the Den Amstel ground on the Westside with another double header. Pouderoyen challenge Soesdyke in the opening game at 6:30pm, while Den Amstel take on Kuru Kururu at 8:30pm. The teams are battling for the Mayor’s Cup and a first prize of $700,000,

second $300,000, third $200,000 and fourth $100,000. Arthur, a former National footballer and Coach, has coordinated this event for all of its 22 years, he expressed gratitude to the fans, teams and sponsors who have been patient as they wait for the start of the event. This year’s tournament is part of the 50th Anniversary Jubilee celebrations.

Arthur also expressed gratitude to the sponsors who have assisted so far. Among them are: Aruwai Resorts, Ansa McAl, John Fernandes and Minister of State Joseph Harmon as the key supporters. Others to have thrown their support include the Government of Guyana, Macorp, Busta, Cummings Electrical, Bakewell, IPA, China Trading, E Networks, Namilco and BK International.

Kaieteur News

Friday May 20, 2016

PAGE 43

Wize Secret out of Suriname looks good for Independence Horse race meet One of the biggest crowds expected to witness a horserace meet in Guyana in recent times are expected to jam the Port Mourant Turf Club for the Jubilee Independence horserace spectacle set for this Sunday. Organised by the “Four Horsemen Promotion Group” the event has all the ingredients for an international affair and the signature sporting event for the Independence Anniversary. The Meet is so far the talk of the town and turfites can’t wait to see Guyana’s top horses in action as all the top runners in the country have been entered. There are eight races on the day’s card with over $8M in cash, trophies and other incentives up for grabs. What makes the event more interesting is that an overseas based horse is already here to compete, something that has not happen in decades. The handlers do not want to release much on the animal as yet. But what is known is that the animal, Wize Secret, which is owned by Tariq Abdoelrahman of The Club Neutraal Stable will be competing in the D category. The animal is trained by Danny Gummels

Special treat in place as over 70 entered

Wize Secret as it goes through its paces recently. and has been looking good at exercise and is expected to give a good account of itself. How it fears against the Guyanese runners is left to be seen. A few other new entries which have just arrived in the country will also be in action. The feature event for animals classified “A” and lower is however inspected to take the cake. With a sumptuous first prize of $1.5M and the 50th Independence Anniversary Cup from a total package of

over $3M covering a grueling 1900M. All the top animals have been entered including CP Got Even, Just call Me Boss, Plum Plum, Princess She Not, new sensations Kings Knight and Golden Blue Echo and Jack In My Style, American Boss, Lady Budapest and Carrie Azarie. It is no secret that the Surinamese champion Wize Secret will be competing in the race for D3 and lower horses with less than $100,000 earnings within the last 6 months, E and F

class and Lower horses for the $750,000 and trophy other 1400M. However, newly imported Media Day and Because I Say So will be looking to make some immediate impact, but with animals such Release the Beast and Campador in the line anything can happen. The other races are the G and lower and West Indies bred event over 1200M for a winner take of $350,000 and trophy. The H2 and lower event

over 1000M for a winning pocket of $300,000 and trophy. The three year old event for Guyana bred horses and West Indies bred non winners over $100,000 for a first prize of of $250,000 and trophy over 1000M. Horses classified I3 and lower will race for a winner’s purse of $200,000 and trophy over 1200M. Horses classified J3 and K and lower will be competing for a winner’s take of $175,000 and trophy over 1200M. There is also an event for horses classified K and L and lower over 1000M for a purse of $150,000 and trophy. Other top animals expected to strut their stuff on race day include Cat Messiah, Caricom Dancer, Glamour Queen, It’s My Choice, Red Jet, Liquid Lion, settling Star, Red Regent, Blue Lightning, Atlantic Storm, Witchy Poo, Quincy, Massiquita Dr, Super Bowl, Fireing Line, Affinity, Party Time, Daddy Dollar, Little, Something Special, She Is Royal, American Pharo Jet, Dem Ah watch Me, Progressive Kid, Replace D heat, Show Time, Dirt man, Time Dance, Rosetta, Plane land, Key For the Killer, Golden Kiss,

Amazon Warrior, Golden Sand, She In Control, Miss Kristina, Run Happy, Red Rocket and Isn’t She Charming are among the other entries expected to compete so far. A number of local and overseas companies and individuals are on board. Apart from the riveting action expected on race day, there will also be a number of giveaways and incentives for both participants and spectators on race day including a fair play prize of US$150 for a jockey that displays the most discipline throughout the day. The top Jockey along with the runner up, the top stable and champion trainer will all be presented with trophies and other incentives compliments of the Trophy Stall and the organizers. Thunderbolt Sound System will be ripping up the arena with pulsating music. Any additional details can be accessed by contacting Bobby Vaughn 624-6788, 223-5097, 227 7061, 333-0290, 333-0301, Fazal 657 7010, Ramnauth 337-5311 or Campton Sancho on 690-0569. The coordinator is Colin Elcock. Race time will be 12:30hrs. (Samuel Whyte)

Payless Variety Store supports 5 & 10K Run, Fitness Walk

Manager of Payless Variety Store Shonel Benjamin (right) hands over a cheque for an undisclosed sum to Organising Committee member Avril Black yesterday.

As athletes and fitness enthusiasts continue to confirm their participation in the May 22 ‘Golden Jubilee’ 5 and 10K Run and Health & Fitness Walk, payless Variety Store joined the growing list of supporters fro the event. Yesterday, during a simple ceremony that was conducted at the entity’s location on Wellington Street, Manager Shonel Benjamin handed over a cheque for an undisclosed sum to Organising Committee member Avril Black. The event is being organised by Rising Star Track Club in collaboration with the Office of the President as part of Guyana’s 50th Anniversary celebrations. It is being co-ordinated

by former Guyana track star Lorrieann Adams and Coach Leslie Black and established athletes and fitness enthusiasts will take to the starting line at the Square of the Revolution proceed along Hadfield Street into Mandela Avenue, before turning into Homestretch Avenue for the finish at the place of origin. Among the other entities o n b o a r d a r e : To u c a n Industries, Banks DIH, GTT, Real Value, BK International, Star Party Rentals, S&L Electrical, Toucan Industries, Antartic Maintenance, Payless Va r i e t y S t o r e , B r a n s Security, Kevin Jeffrey, Ming’s Products, Corona Beer, Cummings Electrical, Wa r t s i l a , M i n i s t r y o f Indigenous Affairs and Office of the President.

Meanwhile, interested persons can register at the Michael Parris Gym in the National Park, E-Networks on Camp Street and Fitness Express on Sheriff Street.

t r o Sp

Digicel 2016 Schools Football launched -every region will be visited

Digicel’s CEO Kevin Kelly (4th right) poses with Company executives, Director of Sport Chris Jones (left), GFF President Wayne Forde (next to him) and schools’ representatives yesterday.

Rugby Americas North (RAN) 15s’ Championship

Captains express confidence ahead of tomorrow’s clash -Three changes made to Guyana squad

Antigua Shooting Day 3 Report

Jamaican Nunez edges Persaud and Braithwaite to Individual title -Guyanese Felicien is O-Class Champ

Mayor’s Cup football tourney starts today at Victoria Guyana and Jamaica rugby Captains Richard Staglon and Hubert Thomas (centre) hug each other in the presence of President of the Union Peter Green (right), Jamaica Manager Tezra Sannister (3rd left) and members of the Guyana squad yesterday at Olympic House.

Victoria Kings in feature clash with Agricola

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