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AIETEUR NEWS

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PAGE ONE COMMENT

J

ustice (retired) James Patterson should be asked to step down as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission.

Not only is his appointment non-consensual, but the misrepresentation that he was the Chief Justice of Grenada adds fuel to the raging controversy over his appointment.

The Curriculum Vitae (CV) of Justice Patterson which was handed over by President Granger to the Leader of the Opposition indicated that Justice Patterson was a former Chief Justice of Grenada.

Justice Patterson this past week confirmed that he was never the Chief Justice of Grenada but had acted as

Chief Justice of that country. He attributed the mistake to a slip of the pen.

Yet, when pressed by reporters he could not remember the year in which he served as Chief Justice.

If it was a 'slip of the pen' that the word "acting" was left off the CV, how does one account for the lapse in memory in not recalling the year when he acted as Chief Justice? Would the CV not have stated a date when Justice Patterson would have acted in the position he says that he acted? How come that year cannot now be recalled? And how does one explain why it took so long for a simple 'slip of the pen' mistake to be corrected.

This nation cannot accept such a mistake or the explanations given especially by someone who will have a decisive say in the outcome of any election in Guyana. What is more disconcerting is the long time that it took for the alleged mistake to be corrected.

It also means that the President could have been misled into believing that Justice Patterson was a former Chief Justice and therefore based his decision on this untruth.

The President had an obligation to undertake the necessary due diligence on someone he was appointing. It is clear that he did not do a proper due diligence. The appointment should be revoked.

Auditor General report confirms massive irregularities at GECOM P. 9

- contract splitting, awards to highest bidders, $$$ wasted on items not needed Little progress seen in P. 7 $700M Port Kaituma hospital The incomplete hospital

COI report finds…

Gunmen rob 'Hostile' relationship between Top Cop, Deputy caused P. overseas couple rift among senior ranks 7 at Kitty seawall - placing some officers out of the Force mulled

P. 19

- escape with car

CV controversy...

P. 22

Soil scientist, Dr. Oudho Homenauth, is a 'Special Person'

Pressure mounts for GECOM Chair's resignation P. 3

P. 21

Kaieteur News

PAGE 04

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 call for a dictator Ethnically polarized politics, disputed elections, an ailing economy, rampant crime, corruption, and impending oil money. Sounds familiar? It is happening in Guyana.

President Granger’s decision to unilaterally appoint 84-yearold retired Justice James Patterson as the chair of Guyana Elections Commission has disturbed many.

As head of state, the President is responsible for overseeing the implementation of policies and the development of the country. He is ultimately accountable to voters for the outcome, especially if it is negative because our system of government is defined by its leader.

This feature emphasizes not only the primacy of the President as “primus inter pares” but also, that the buck stops at him. It is also worthy of note that in our system of governance, persons appointed to serve on the executive at the level of Cabinet do so at the pleasure of the President and discharge their public duties on his behalf.

Given the aforementioned facts, many observers of politics naturally have been taken aback by the President’s decision. Not only is it puzzling to them, but it certainly does raise questions about the lack of communication between the President and the AFC, the major partner in the coalition government. The AFC cabinet members have stated that they were not informed about the President’s decision on such a key appointment.

They are of the opinion that it should have been discussed at the level of Cabinet before any public announcement was made, especially since it was considered a contentious issue.

However, they have supported the President’s decision.

During this time there was another serious problem facing the country. We refer here to the impending strike by teachers at the state-run schools over salary increases.

Members of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) walked out of a salary negotiation meeting with the Minister of Education and her negotiators, claiming that they were bullied by the Minister into accepting a meager salary increase.

According to the GTU, the government has failed to fulfill its 2015 campaign promise to “immediately review and correct the existing deficiencies in the remuneration and conditions of service of teachers.”

As a result, the GTU announced that it would call a nationwide strike for every Thursday and Friday of each week to pressure government to honor its promise.

The threat caught the attention of President David Granger and in short order he met with the teachers’ union. A few hours later the union announced that it had removed the threat, that it was no longer going to pursue the strike option.

Why did the President not intervene earlier? Because he is one who employs people to work and he expects them to do so.

He is not a micro-manager.

This should expose the weaknesses in some of those in public offices but Guyana is a society that looks no further than the leader.

The mistakes of everyone are laid at the foot of the President.

The result is that people can be heard saying that the President has to acknowledge what is going on and act decisively as in the case of the appointment the GECOM chair person and on other pertinent issues.

He has to show the nation that he is in control. Indeed his mettle was tested with that appointment.

He proved that he is his own man and he makes his decisions when necessary.

Perhaps because of the personality of his predecessors who all exhibited signs of dictatorial behavior in keeping with the national perception of a leader.

Granger is no dictator but sometimes a man can be made to be what the people want him to be.

Sunday November 05, 2017

Kaieteur M@ilbox Send your letters to Kaieteur News 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown or email us kaieteurnews@yahoo.com

We do not know of this new group speaking on behalf of the Rastafarian community.

DEAR EDITOR, I have noted letters in the media from ACDA. and an organization purported to be representing Rastafarians in Guyana.

For the record, ACDA was invited by the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo to participate in the consultations with civic society seeking their views and proposed names for the post of Chairman of GECOM in keeping with the constitutional provisions.

ACDA. was invited to attend the March 20, 2017 and June 26, 2017 consultations; unfortunately they had been inadvertently left out from the first one

held on December 1,2016, This was corrected and they were invited to the other consultations. ACDA. did not send any representatives to either of the meetings. Nor did ACDA submit names as all the civil society bodies were invited to do whether they actually attended or not.

In fact, a number of organizations, despite not attending, used the opportunity to submit their nominees. .ACDA was again invited to attend the Leader of the Opposition’s meeting with civil society on October 25, 2017, and again, ACDA did not attend.

Surely ACDA. could have used its voice to

promote names who, in its opinion, were “fit and proper persons’ to hold the chairmanship of GECOM. It failed to do so. Therefore, its race-laced assault on the PPP/C and the 18 eminent persons whose names were submitted to the President has relegated ACDA, as an organization that is clearly misled by some of its leaders, who are well paid employees of the government as advisors, and, for being wantonly irresponsible and divisive. A reputation l am sure some of the ACDA. members I know do not wish to have.

The Rastafarian Council has had cordial and constructive engagements

with the PPP/C in government in all of the National Stakeholders Forum chaired by former presidents Jagdeo and President Ramotar. This has continued with the PPP/C as the Parliamentary Opposition in this and other consultations, and, in this instance on the appointment of a Chairman of GECOM. The Council sent a representative to the previous consultations and as recent as the October 25, 2016 meeting with the Leader of the Opposition.

We do not know of the new group speaking on behalf of the Rastafarian community.

Gail Teixeira, M.P.,

Sunday November 05, 2017

PAGE 5

Kaieteur News

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Kaieteur M@ilbox

The game must go on but the rules must be adhered to

The GCCI began this level of disrespect we are now seeing against our President

DEAR EDITOR, I beg to differ with the views expressed by Adam Harris with respect to the decision of president Granger to select the 84 years old James Patterson as head of The Guyana Elections Commission. Harris seems intent to just belittle the performance of the previous commissioners rather than deal with issue of the president not finding anyone “fit and proper” in three lists submitted by the opposition leader. I am not going to spend time discussing the merits and demerits of the claims made by Harris with respect to the previous chairmen of the commission. However I must point out to Harris that it is not a matter of Jagdeo taking his “bat and ball” and going home. Yes, Harris, the game must go on but the rules must be adhered to. If not, the fielding side(opposition) must be en-

titled to review(s) ( to use another cricketing metaphor.). If not, then the result will be compromised and highly questionable. I ask of Harris to stop being a defender of the government and just be realistic. Please call a spade a spade.

On the same issue of Gecom chairmanship, I find Freddie Kissoon did an excellent article on the decision of the president to select Patterson.

Kissoon puts forward four points to Prime Minister Nagamootoo, in which he identifies the flaws of the president’s decision. I wish Harris was as thorough as this. Among the points Kissoon made were two excellent ones: The president identified age as a criteria in the identification of public office holde r s . Ye t , a s K i s s o o n pointed out, this criterion

was not adhered to by the president in the selection of Patterson.

The removal of Justices Cecil Kennard and Prem Persaud due to age comes to mind.

The most important point, in my estimation, that Kissoon makes is the last one where he wonders why Nagamootoo and the AFC by extension, and the wider public, were not consulted in this very important decision- making process, if the president finds the names in the three lists to be not “fit and proper”.

The president just made a unilateral decision and that is that. O ne wonders if the AFC has any voice in decision making of the coalition Government.

Are we seeing history repeating itself with Burnham and D’Aguiar? I wonder.

Mahindra Persaud

DEAR EDITOR, The level of gross disrespect demonstrated against the nation’s President in Parliament on Thursday is tragically profound.

With this single act, the PPP has laid bare its intentions of sabotaging all semblances of a return to common decency and the rule of law in this nation.

However, unfortunately for the vast majority of wider Guyanese political observers, this debased crassness of the PPP’s behavior came as a surprise. Readers would recall that it was only a few months ago that the PPP’s dominated business organ - the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) launched its Business Guyana magazine at a high profile reception at the Georgetown Marriot, At the time, the President of the GCCI, Deodat Indar choose to deliberately insert his photo

and message ahead of President Granger in the newly launched business magazine.

Many may have missed the symbolism of this arrogant act of gross disrespect towards the President personally and the Office of the Presidency but this subtle yet vulgar act gave a resounding indication as to the intended direction of the PPP in the lead up to 2020.

The PPP are desperate.

They are facing irrelevance like no other period in their history. The party’s politburo is very well aware of this and they are gripped with panic every time they gaze into their crystal balls. As a result, with Jagdeo as their leader, their natural response is to cater to

Jagdeo’s renowned vulgarity and head into the political and racial gutter, get nasty. For one moment do not doubt that Indar’s subtle ‘slip’ with the GCCI’s magazine represented a PPP rehearsed test run in shameless vulgarity, disrespect and rejection of protocol to President Granger, the morally decent Guyanese people and the preservation of a moral barometer in this country..

The months ahead will provide interesting theater for political observers but my wise counsel to the PPP would be to get rid of Jagdeo now or face the very looming reality of a crumbling empire built on evil and corruption.

Lunthas Lass (jr)

PAGE 6

Sunday November 05, 2017

Kaieteur News

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Kaieteur M@ilbox

The judgment of the chief justice supports that the president acted constitutionally DEAR EDITOR, I offer a review of the key findings and reasoning of the Honourable Madame Chief Justice in support of my view that the judgment of the Honourable Madame Chief Justice supports the contention that the President acted constitutionally when he appointed the Honourable Justice James Patterson as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission. In this regard, I respectfully submit that an understanding of the judgment of the Honourable Chief Justice would place in context and perspective the decision of the President.

Before I turn to the case proper, a brief note on interpreting judgments of the court is necessary. The decision of a case, known as the judgment, is usually long, containing a lot of comment, explanations and the legal principles on which the decision is made. The legal principles on which the decision is made, in a particular case, is called

the ‘ratio decidendi, Latin for the ‘reason for deciding.’ It is the ‘ratio decidendi’ or the ‘reason for deciding’ that becomes binding precedent and which forms part of case law.

All other parts of the judgment which do not form part of the reason for deciding is called obiter dicta, Latin for ‘things said by the way.’

Things said by the way are often discussions by the judge of hypothetical situations and or alternative situations, which are usually only of persuasive precedent. It is therefore critical that when reading a judgment one is able to separate the reason for the decision from matters not directly connected thereto. Of course, Judges and lawyers disagree often on reasons for deciding a particular case; since the judge never says what is the reason for deciding any particular case because the reason for deciding a particular case is gleaned from reading the whole case.

Armed with this informa-

tion, I now turn to the case at hand, Marcel Gaskin and the Attorney General. According to the case report, the applicant (Mr Marcel Gaskin) sought an interpretation of Article 161(2) of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana by way of a declaratory order on four questions (a, b, c, &d). I will deal with them separately so as to provide the key findings under each and later, the reason for deciding. Below are the questions and key findings.

Question a: Whether the list of persons for appointment as Chairman of the Elections Commission required to be submitted by the Leader of the Opposition under the said Article 161(2) must a judge, a former judge or a person qualified to be a judge?

Answer: The Honourable Madame Chief Justice answered this question in the negative.

Key Findings of the Judge: (1) Article 162(2) contem-

plates two categories of persons- a Judicial Category and a non-Judicial category and these two categories are of equal weight. (page 20) (2)The Judge found that a list submitted by the Leader of the Opposition could comprise “ six judges, six former judges… six fit and proper persons… one judge, five fit and proper persons” or any combinations from these two categories and there is no priority for judges to be firstly considered. (pages 20; 21) (3) “…Reference to any “any other fit and proper person” in the context of art 161 (2) speaks to the qualities that one would look for in the appointment of someone as a judge but a nominee does not have to have legal qualifications or training.” (page 20) (4) “It cannot be gainsaid that the said qualities of integrity, honesty and impartialityare what are required in a GECOM Chairman… and the reported statement of he President that he would choose someone who is ‘fit to be a judge’ mirrors

I told City Hall’s Legal Affairs Committee to refer this sex assault case to the DPP DEAR EDITOR, Please grant me the space in your publication to clear up a misconception that the public may have regarding the sordid situation at City Hall involving a rank of the City Constabulary and a minor.

I fear that my good name will be impugned if I fail to let the public know my stance in this matter..

First of all let me state that I am not a member of the Legal Affairs Committee, but like all other Councillors, I have the right to attend any of the various Committee meetings including the Legal affairs.

I should also add that while Councillors are eligible to attend any Committee meetings, as non members, they do not have a vote.

As Deputy Mayor, I re-

ceived an invitation to attend a meeting of the legal affairs Committee on September 13, 2017.

I showed up at the appointed time for the meeting which sole agenda was to deal with the alleged sexual abuse of a minor at the City Constabulary Regent St outpost on August 23, 2017.

After observing the trend of the meeting I stood up and voiced my opinion that no one in the meeting was a member of the legal profession or even close to being one and as such it’s my opinion that this case should be referred to the Office of the DPP post haste. My concerns were noted and minuted.

At the next meeting of the Legal Affairs Committee on September 29, when the Corporal and Lance Corporal were “cross examined” for want of a better word, by the Committee I again stood up and again stated that the Guyana Police Force and the office of the DPP should be called in immediately. I went on to state that the longer we took the greater will be the public fallout with the City Council when this gets out to the media.

As I recall, I went as far as to refer that the proceedings as a “kangaroo court” in my opinion.

I’d also like to mention that Councillors Welton Clarke and Bishram Kuppen voiced similar opinions to mine at the said meeting.

Needless to say, The rest is history.

I would now like to address the dismissal of Corporal Bhavegans by the Town Clerk.

It is my opinion that this is a wrongful termination of services of an aspiring young constable and brilliant court prosecutor for the M&CC. How in God’ s name could Cpl Bhavegans report the sexual encounter between the officer and the minor when the said officer was, at the time, the duty officer in charge of the outpost !!

In my opinion Cpl Bhavegans did the right thing.

He waited for the shift to change at 7 am and then reported the incident to the incoming senior officer.

I would like to commend him for his common sense approach to the matter.

I would like to state that the above letter is my individual statement and I do not speak on behalf of the Mayor and the City Council Lionel Stanislaus Jaikaran Deputy Mayor Municipality of Georgetown

my interpretation of who a fit and proper person… should be.”( page 20) (5) “While it is appreciated that The President will ultimately make the appointment, it must be from a list of six persons that has been submitted to him by the Leader of the Opposition once he finds the list not unacceptable” (page 14).

(6) “ Given that the list must not be unacceptable to the President, it follows that it is he [the President] who will ultimately make the final determination of who is a fit and proper person to be appointed as Chairman of GECOM.” (page 22) Questions (c) and (d) were combined by the Honourable Madame Chief Justice: (c) Whether the President is obliged to select a person from the six names on the list unless he has determined positively that the persons thereon are unacceptable as a fit and proper person for appointment? And (d) whether a finding of fact by the President that any one or more persons is not a fit and proper person renders the entire list unacceptable?

Answer: The Honourable Madame Chief Justice answered both questions (c) and (d) in the negative.

Key Findings of the Judge: (7) “…It is not mandatory that the entire list of names be acceptable.”

(8) “…Once there is a person named who is acceptable then the President has the discretion to choose this person.

However, the President can nevertheless exercise his discretion and reject the entire list as being unacceptable…”

Question (b) (b) Whether the President is required under the Constitution to state reasons for deeming each of the six names on the list submitted to the President as unacceptable?

Answer: The Honourable Madame Chief Justice answered both questions (c) and (d) in the affirmative.

Key Findings of the Judge”: (8) “There is no requirement under the Constitution for the President to state reasons for deeming each of the six names on the list or the entire list to be unacceptable.

Nevertheless, the modern thinking is that reasons for decisions and actions should be given.”( page 30).

(9) “…I hold that reasons for rejection must be given whether as regards the entire list of names that is unacceptable or some of the names on the list that has resulted in the rejection of the list.” (page 30).

(10) “ The submission of the list does not mean that the President is obliged to accept the list or the persons named in it.” (page 30) (11) “ He [the President] must, however, give reasons for doing so that is known why there was a rejection so that he [the President] could properly move to apply the proviso to article 161(2) which allows for the appointment of persons from the judicial category only.” (page 30).

(12) “…In this case the applicant is not seeking to inquire into the discretion exercised and the judgment arrived at but to have clarified how such discretion or judgment should be exercised given the provisions of article of 161(2).”

(13) “It does appear to me that failure to submit a list as provided for speaks to the provision of an acceptable list as discussed earlier. If by not choosing any of the persons listed, the President thereby finds the list unacceptable, the proviso to Article 161 (2) would apply and the President should go on to appoint a judge or former judge or a person who would qualify for the appointment of a judge in Guyana or the Commonwealth to the post of Chairman of GECOM.” (page 32) Reason for deciding I respectfully submit that the Honourable Madame Chief Justice reasoned that the widening of the categories of persons from which to appoint a person as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission introduced categories of equal weight and nominees therefrom need only to have the qualities of integrity, honesty, impartiality and independence, which as a matter of substance ought to reside in persons in the judicial category and in persons in the non-judicial category.

The determination of who is a fit and proper person, providing reasons for rejecting a list and selection or non selection of a person from a list or the rejection of the entire list is a subjective matter with lies within the jurisdiction of ‘discretion of the President’ which discretion should (Continued on page 7)

Sunday November 05, 2017

PAGE 7

Kaieteur News

Little progress seen in $700M Port Kaituma Hospital

COI report finds…

‘Hostile’ relationship between Top Cop, Deputy Caused rift among senior ranks Placing some officers out of the force mulled

The incomplete hospital.

Residents of Port Kaituma, Region One, are again questioning the pace of work at the $700M hospital that appears to be stalled.

The project was launched around three years and was supposed to have been commissioned last year.

However, about seven contractors later, it seems that this will take a little more time.

Earlier this year, Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence, during an inspection, was not happy. For example, there was the issue with the doctors and nurses’ quarters.

The Minister then did not elaborate on the actions that are likely to be taken against the defaulting contractors.

While the main building of the hospital was long completed by R. Bassoo and Sons Construction Company,

it was revealed in April that the works being undertaken by six other contractors were lagging behind.

The contractors were given three months to complete their respective works.

The contractors responsible for other aspects of the project are Alvin Chowramootoo, N and A Constructions, Cummings Electrical, Satar Mohamed and Son Construction and Hardware Supplies, J. R. Edmondson Building Works and Integrated Works.

The Supervisory Consultancy firm for the project is Kalitech Inc. While Chowramootoo is tasked with completing the mortuary and admin building, N and A Constructions, is responsible for the Infectious Diseases building.

Cummings Electrical is tasked with the electrical

works, Satar Mohamed has responsibility for construction of the nurses’ quarters and J. R. Edmondson has been contracted to construct the doctors’ quarters.

Meanwhile, Integrated Works has been contracted to undertake some special installation works.

The ministry reported in July that the works are about 80 percent completed.

The visit to the new Port Kaituma Hospital by the Minister and a team represents her third visit there since assuming the position of Public Health Minister earlier this year.

The Minister had also previously instructed the visitation of a team to ensure that what is being built meets the specification and also that it is applicable to the services that the public health ministry is hoping to provide.

The ‘hostile’ relationship that existed between Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud, and Acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine led to divisions among the officer corps of the Guyana Police Force.

This is the scathing observation that was made by the Commissioners who were appointed to investigate the behavior of ranks who spearheaded the alleged assassination plot against President David Granger.

Aside from Persaud and Ramnarine, the report identified Assistant Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken and Senior Superintendent Wendell Blanhum as “the main protagonists,” who “lack the professionalism to lead the Force in this touted period of reform and transition.”

“It is evident that the bitterness that exists between these two officers (Persaud and Ramnarine) led to schism in the officer corps of the GPF, and factions being created,” the 109 page report into the alleged assassination plot against President David Granger stated.

“The report described the rift as a most unwelcome development, while concluding that “everything must be done to stamp it out.”

“Serious consideration must be given to having all the main protagonists reassigned, even if it means placement outside the GPF. “The Commission is of the view that the process to heal the cancerous schism that has been identified in the senior ranks of the GPF should commence as soon as possible. Any delay will cause the situation to continue of even become worse,” it concluded.

The scathing report on the ‘rift’ observed that “the GPF is too important a state agency to allow infantile squabbles, especially among senior members, to interfere with its operation.”

“There is a clear indication that the main protagonists (Commissioner Persaud/ Assistant Commissioners Ramnarine and Hicken/ Senior Superintendent Blanhum, lack the professionalism to lead the Force in this touted period of reform and transition.

“The Commission is of the firm view that the recommendations contained in this report will go a long way towards repairing the damaged relationship which exists in the officer corps of the GPF, and will also assist in restoring public confidence in the ability of the GPF to deliver its mandate to serve and protect the citizens of Guyana.”

Digicel takes wireless telephone service to Coomacka

The judgment of the chief justice...

From page 6 be exercised fairly and impartially, without prejudice to the President acting independently under the proviso to Art 161(2).

Comments In light of the findings identified above and what I extracted as the reason for deciding, my respectful submission is that nothing in the judgment of the Honourable Madame Chief Justice when set against the actions of the President amounts to unconstitutionality on the part of the President. However, at the time of this decision, the issue of resorting to the proviso was indeed academic, since then the situation changed as the President went ahead and made a decision in relation to the lists as submitted. In keeping with the judgment, the decision by the President that the three lists,as submitted, were unacceptable led naturally to the triggering of the proviso to Art 161 (2) by the President.

In the context of the find-

ing that the President, should provide reasons, though not a requirement of the Constitution, for rejecting a list or names thereon, it is my respectful submission that providing reasons cannot be elevated as the trigger for the proviso since the President’s decision is not dependent on reasons given nor the acceptance by the Leader of the Opposition of the reasons to be given - that is to say that providing reasons are not more important than finding the list unacceptable which is the trigger and which is supported by the judgment of the Honourable Madame Chief Justice. This does mean that providing reasons are not important, however they are not fatal. Consequently, the time line for giving reasons has to very flexible and, when given, serves an aid, ex-post facto, to triggering the proviso. At the end of the day it comes back to whether the list is acceptable or unacceptable to the President, even where reasons are expected in ac-

cord with the spirit of the constitution. The fact that providing reasons is not a condition precedent to the President’s decision, though important, elevates giving reasons to the category of ex post facto. In the result, I respectfully submit that an absence of reasonsfor rejecting a list because it is deemed to be unacceptable is not equal to unconstitutional actions when the proviso to Art 161(2) is triggered.

I conclude by saying that the judgment of the Honourable Madame Chief Justice supports the contention that the President acted constitutionally in appointing the Honourable James Patterson as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission and did not or purport to inhibit the President from resorting to the proviso and appoint a Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission.

Gary A R Best Rear Admiral (rtd) Attorney- at- Law

The traditional stomping of the tower Digicel Guyana yesterday commissioned its tallest tower at Coomacka, commonly called ‘The Mines’, a small village in the mining town of Linden.

Residents now have access to mobile phone service from the 462-foot tower located in the heart of the community.

Chief Executive Officer of Digicel, Gregory Dean, underscored the company’s contributions to propel Guyana into the mobile communication era.

Dean said that the tower was erected in the community to relieve residents of issues with accessing the internet.

He explained that the height of the tower will enable surrounding communities to ac-

cess signal.

He noted that the site has been optimized and further

improvements will be conducted in the coming weeks (Continued on page 72)

PAGE 8

Kaieteur News

Sunday November 05, 2017

Sunday November 05, 2017

Dem boys seh...

Patto gun pad up de voters list de same way he pad up ee CV Soulja Bai does jog every day. Yesterday Patto join him. While dem was running Pastor Massiah watch dem full in dem face and seh “Remember Proverbs Chapter 28-Verse1 which states clearly— The wicked shall run when no one is cashing them.”

Dem boys hear Patto stop right away, tun round and go home.

Dem boys believe he remember de wickedness he do wid he CV. Soulja Bai put him in a very, very important position based pun that same CV wha he pad up. Se same Soulja Bai always seh he wants a fit and proppa person for de GECOM chair.

In fact, it tek he and de scamp Jagdeo a whole year, every week with a back and forth, wid dem list. All you hearing was “Me send a list; “We nah get de list. “ “We gun send back a list.” “We waiting pun de list.” When de list come was Soulja Bai don’t like nobody pun de list. Jagdeo send three list. Soulja Bai didn’t like none.

De thing end up wid de two of dem behaving like yo-yo; up and down, round and round all the time till de nation get fed of de two of dem.

Den Soulja Bai drop Patto pon de nation like a bomb shell. He decide that Patto was de only fit and proppa man he coulda find.

He seh Patto CV show he was Chief Justice in Grenada in 1987.

When Jagdeo check de man background he realize de man is a con and exposed him. When de media try to brackle Patto to clear the air he went into hiding and never answer his phone.

Soulja Bai was also silent and that mek de nation feel some crookishness was afoot. Den de AFC lef Soulja Bai pun ee own when dem seh dem was never consulted on Patto appointment.

One month past before dem coulda corner Patto at parliament.

He had nowhere to run suh he finally said to the media it was a slip of his pen and that he forgot to put he was acting CJ. At de same media interview he seh he can’t remember which year he act. Now is this man fit and proppa fuh that office??

Dem boys seh if he fuhget to put acting pun ee CV and then he can’t remember wha year he served as de acting CJ, then how can a nation trust him with their vote count.

He may very well count 50 fuh PPP, 50 PNC and 50 fuh AFC and de next day tell the nation he can’t remember how de vote count and who get what.

Dem boys believe that since he can pad up ee CV then he can do more than pad up de votes or de voters list.

Talk half and wait fuh see when he gun tender ee resignation

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

Auditor General report confirms massive irregularities at GECOM -contract splitting, awards to highest bidders, $$$ wasted on items not needed A year of denial of wrongdoings at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is not standing up to the test as state auditors have confirmed serious procurement breaches at the entity.

GECOM is the body that oversees general and local elections in Guyana and is suppose to be above board with absolutely no questions about its accountability and transparency.

GECOM is considered so critical to the holding of free and fair elections in Guyana that there is an ongoing quarrel, stretching back to February, over the selection of a chairperson.

Last year, amidst

investigations by this newspaper stemming from complaints by whistleblowers, a number of worrying things were found, involving contracts of several hundred of millions of dollars.

GECOM’s in the throes of

seeing its Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally, retiring, stayed largely silent on the allegations of fraud, only saying that it is awaiting the outcome of investigations by the Audit Office.

Auditors descended on GECOM’s facilities shortly

after the stories broke.

Earlier this year, in clear retaliation of the pieces by Kaieteur News, GECOM pulled their ads from the newspaper. It was only recently that one placement was made after the matter was Continued on page 70

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 05, 2017

Sunday November 05, 2017

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Kaieteur News

The Prestige line of products serving Guyana for over 20-years By: Davina Ramdass Prestige Manufacturing and Bottling Company is a local business that is owned

by Ramanand Prashad. From a humble beginning, the company was able to take off in 1997.

The business offers to the Guyana market 18 products that are all inspired by the customers themselves and the availability of the World’s greatest agricultural resources.

In 1997, Prashad took over the business from his grandfather, Pandit Bholanauth Ojha. The Pandit was dedicated to the product and spent most of his time producing Prestige Essence and vended it himself by walking to his neighbours who were willing to support the product.

Prashad was able to take over the business located at Lot 10 La Grange, West Bank Demerara, and further develop the family’s secret recipe. He made a name for himself in the process.

With the fast growing sale of the company’s Essence, other products evolved and were much appreciated by the customers.

Noticing the vast amount

The manufacturer of Prestige products receiving an award in 2012

Some of the products provided by Prestige Manufacturing of quality agricultural products that were being wasted or thrown away, while in other countries these were considered as ‘treasure’ Prashad went beyond producing just essence.

He noted that the additional products were produced with the intent of utilizing more of the country’s agriculture and providing customers with more of what they need and want all through the year, despite that

Pressure mounts for...

(From page 3) Minister, Jennifer Westford, acted as President of Guyana and in her capacity as Minister of Public Service approved the structure for the Child Care Protection Agency.

“If she [Westford] went and put on her CV that she was President of Guyana.

Would that make her a fraud or would that be a human mistake? If Moses [Nagamootoo] goes next five years…and say he was President of Guyana…would that make him a fraud? Was he ever the President of Guyana or was he acting President of Guyana?”

Manickchand questioned.

There is no constitutional provision as Acting president.

One performs rthe duty of president in the absence of the president. Edghill flawed President Granger who told the media that he was studying the CVs of the 18 nominees from Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo.

“If he had done some due diligence on Justice Patterson, he would have known whether the man was Chief Justice or not because it was the President who represented to the Leader of the Opposition and to the nation that the man he is swearing is highly qualified and competent he was the Chief Justice of Grenada,” Edghill stated.

He stated that the Government intended to dupe the

nation and ‘they were caught with their pants down’.

The PPP/C maintained that Justice Patterson’s appointment was constitutionally illegal and has moved to the High Court to quash the appointment.

product may be out of season.

Mangoes, for example, are not always in season, however there is a need for it all through the year. Products of such nature are now made available. The shelf life is extended with the use of preservatives, he said.

Products by Prestige In the line of products offered by the company, in addition to their historic Mixed and Almond Essence, there are Mustard Oil, Green seasoning, Mustard Hot Sauce, Hot sauce, Chinese sauce, Cassareep, Cake Colouring, Mango Achar, Tamarind Achar, Tamarind chutney, Lime Achar, Bilimbi Achar, Karaila in Lime Sauce, Vinegar, Cherry Pickle Pepper and Miracle seasoning Production

The production varies according to the product itself. Prashad noted that there is a different process for each of the items.

For example, in the line of seasonings and peppers, raw materials are purchased from farms or markets and are then sorted and cleaned, ridding the materials of any unwanted objects. They are then batched off and sent to various sections for production.

Getting the word out According to the company’s producer, “The business grew and is still growing by word of mouth.”

He said that the customers who tried the product are usually satisfied and would tell their families and friends about it.

This played a major role

in helping the company to get to a stage where it can be satisfied with the revenue it generates.

Business now and then As the manager took time to look back over the past years of production, he related that there is certainly much difference.

Prashad said the business is now fully organized and compliant with the Food and Drug Departments in Guyana, Canada and the United States of America. Canada and the United States are two of the foreign countries to which the company exports.

It is notable that from the inception of the business, Prashad’s grandfather handled everything. However after he took the responsibility of sharing the family’s product, he was able to employ three workers. The staff has since expanded to 15, exclusive of the distributors.

The manager noted that

the number of employees would vary, as per the work load.

Participation The company has been participating in a number of exhibitions and promotions to give their customers a chance to ‘get back’.

Prestige Manufacturing Company is presently an exhibitor at ‘Uncapped’, the Agro-processors Exhibition, Market and Food Festival.

Additionally, the company distributes hampers to Temples in East Coast and West Coast Demerara, almost every week. It also participates annually in GuyExpo.

New Ventures As the company strives to utilize its agricultural resources, it does not believe it has reached its zenith.

Prestige promises a new product to soon hit the shelves of supermarkets and shops across the country in (continued on page 16)

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Sunday November 05, 2017

Kaieteur News

Over 70, 000 self-employed citizens escaped GRA’s tax net last year –AG The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) continues to experience difficulties in getting delinquent self-employed persons to pay their fair share of taxes. In fact, over 70,000 self-employed citizens escaped GRA’s tax net for last year.

This was highlighted by Auditor General, Deodat Sharma in his latest report.

As at 31 December 2016, Sharma said that there were 131,893 registered self-employed persons in the GRA

database of which 92,326 were identified as active. However, only 18,337 persons or 20% of the active registrants filed returns. Therefore, a total of 73,989 persons or 80% of the active registrants did not file their tax returns. Sharma said that similarly two years ago, 78,993 persons did not file their returns.

The Revenue Authority has since explained that in light of the number of selfemployed taxpayers not filing returns and the limited re-

sources at the disposal of GRA, it has adopted a risk management approach to prioritize the high risk taxpayers with great revenue implications.

GRA said that demand notices are issued to defaulting self -employed taxpayers on a continuous basis. In addition to this, the authority said that it raises assessments in the absence of the returns in some instances.

Furthermore, GRA said that during the period Janu-

ary 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016, a total of 18,543 demand notices were sent to defaulting self-employed taxpayers.

In addition, four cases were sent to the Legal Services Division for action to be taken for failure to submit tax returns.

With the aforementioned in mind, the Audit Office recommended that the Authority pursue all possible avenues to have delinquent self-employed persons comply with the requirements of the Income Tax Act with a view of maximizing revenue collection.

Statistics provided to the Tax Reform Commission (TRC) tell a depressing tale of the history regarding tax evasion among self employed professionals, particularly, doctors, accountants and lawyers, the overwhelming majority of whom, declare gross income well below $10 M per year.

Auditor General, Deodat Sharma The Commission during its review of the tax system last year, noted while in Guyana the situation has improved somewhat with the self-employed contribution to tax revenues increasing from 0.56% of tax revenues in 1992 to 2.56% in 2014, given the

prevalence of the self-employed in the economy that percentage has to be considered negligible.

The Committee said that one measure of relevance is a comparison of the taxes paid by the self-employed compared to the taxes paid by employed persons. The Committee in this regard exposed that self-employed persons paid $3.5B in income tax in 2014 while employed persons paid some $18 B, in other words, more than five times as much. This was the sorry case in 2014 but the gaps between the two groups in preceding years were worse.

In order to address this problem, the Commission noted that the Government had introduced legislation in 2003 for the use of presumptive taxation to address the self-employed.

The members of the Committee noted that a World (Continued on page 71)

Sunday November 05, 2017

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 05, 2017

FINANCIAL LITERACY:

Entrepreneurs must manage Cash Flow to Survive Why is cash flow and cash flow management so important?

The focus of this article is on cash and cash flow (liquidity) management. Cash flow is generally acknowledged as the single most pressing concern of the SME (small and medium sized enterprise). The research literature has shown that cash flow challenges are a common concern among entrepreneurs around the world.

In fact, small businesspersons cannot survive if they cannot manage their company’s cash

flow. If cash flow is not maintained, it can easily put a strain on the business and in extreme cases, cause it to shut down.

A U.S. Bank study found that 82 percent of small businesses fail due to poor cash flow management skills. So let us discuss what is cash flow and cash flow management.

According to Investopedia.com, cash flow is the movement of cash into or out of an account, a business, or an investment over a given period. The cycle of cash inflows and outflows plays a crucial role

in a business’s financial health. A business is in good financial health when cash inflows exceed outflows.

Along the same line, cash flow management describes the process of anticipating and planning for cash receipts and disbursements.

Specifically, cash flow management is the process of managing the short-term liquid resources of the business to optimize its results. Poor cash flow management is one of the leading causes of business failures.

The literature indicates that many businesses fail not

because they are not profitable, but because they run out of cash. Thus, the statement of The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC): “Businesses can run for an extended period of time without being profitable but fail the day their cash reserves dry up.”

The challenges of cash flow management Understanding your business’ cash situation is crucial to making sound business decisions. SME owners must strive to understand and “always be in-touch with the cash

aspects of their enterprise, regardless of the profits reported.”

Cash flow management research performed by BDC has shown that approximately 70 percent of business owners know their exact cash positions or balance, while another 28 percent have an approximate understanding of it.

Nevertheless, the research identified several issues relating to the cash flow of business owners as respondents to the survey: · Being passive about collecting receivables (late or

Dr. Terence Smith, Deputy Governor, Bank of Guyana irregular payments) · Not keeping a cushion of cash on hand or having enough cash to cover expenses Continued on page 71

Sunday November 05, 2017

Kaieteur News

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Sunday November 05, 2017

Kaieteur News

New Amsterdam has new Mayor and Deputy

Mayor Winifred Haywood

Deputy Mayor, George Tucker

The town of New Amsterdam now has a new Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

Former Deputy Mayor Winifred Haywood will now sit in the Mayor’s chair after she was unanimously elected to serve in the position.

The former long serving councilor was elevated to the top post following the sudden resignation of Mayor Kirt Wynter.

Mayor Winifred Haywood, a retired head teacher and former President of the Guyana Teacher Union, is a practising preacher at the Mission Chapel Congregational Church in New Amsterdam. She is a long serving member of the council and the only one returning from the past era.

During that time, she served with distinction in various posts including that of Deputy Mayor. With her vast experience and work attitude she is seen as a good foil and inspiration to guide the new members and lead the council forward.

Many observers said that Mrs. Haywood should have taken up the mayoral position at the start of this new era.

She has been hailed as an inspirational leader and mentor by many of the new members. Mrs. Haywood served in various positions including head of the Parks and Playfield Committee.

Businessman George Tucker was elected as Deputy

Mayor.

Following the election both the mayor and deputy mayor promised to work even harder for the enhancement of New Amsterdam while at the same time providing improved services for the citizens within the township.

Haywood in her thank you speech expressed gratitude to her colleagues for the confidence shown in her. She thanked them for their support shown during the past months she served as Deputy Mayor.

Haywood said that she knows that the job would be challenging, but with the help of her colleagues she has the confidence that they will be successful in addressing a number of issues affecting the town.

Deputy Mayor Tucker was also grateful to his colleagues for electing him to serve in the post. He promised to give it his best shot and to give the Mayor his full support in getting the work done.

Both Mayor Haywood and Deputy Mayor Tucker are pleading with residents to abide by the by-laws and regulations of the Mayor and Town Council.

A massive cleaning up project is presently on going in the town with the Burnham Park, Mental Hospital Compound and Playfield and The Esplanade Park Areas being attend to at the moment.

The Prestige line of...

From page 11 the coming days. It was disclosed that the launch of the new product was slated for 2016 however it was withheld with the intent of making it better, before making it available.

In response to a question, Prashad said that the item will make use of one of the most popular export items and will

be launched “soon”.

Achievements Prestige Manufacturing and Bottling Company has been able to grab an award from the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) in 2012 for its outstanding contribution towards the development of the agroprocessing sector in Guyana.

Sunday November 05, 2017

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Kaieteur News

‘The Helpline’ - an initiative aimed at restoring mental wellbeing

By Sharmain Grainger In the quest to offer support to persons in emotional distress, Youth Challenge Guyana [YCG] since February of this year introduced a new project dubbed ‘The Helpline’. The project, which has a reach to multiple regions, has already provided its services to in excess of 500 people.

According to YCG’s Executive Director, Mr. Dmitri Nicholson, the European Union [EU]-funded initiative is one that is designed to help restore the mental wellbeing of those in need, through the means of 24hour counselling services.

The initiative represents an addition to the Non-Governmental Organisation [NGO]’s health programme which has over the years included HIV/AIDS counselling and testing.

“Our goal is that people understand and seek counselling as a friendly service so that they can access it for their emotional needs,” said Nicholson of YCG’s newest venture.

To develop the plan for ‘The Helpline’, YCG was able to partner with two other NGOs Merundoi and Family Awareness Consciousness Togetherness [Fact]. With $87.9 million EU funding, the project was literally able to take off in February. The initiative’s primary aim has been to join ongoing efforts to reduce the country’s suicide rate.

As such, the decision to introduce ‘The Helpline’ was not coincidental. Nicholson revealed that it was based on the findings of a research conducted by YCG that recognised the impact of suicide on the society.

Suicide has been one of the

most glaring issues that have been linked to mental instability in Guyana. In 2012, Guyana was on the map for having the highest suicide rate in the world.

However by 2015 the numbers started to decline. This translated to an all-time high suicide rate of 44.2 per 100, 000 population and had fallen to 20.6 per 100,000 population.

Although in recent years Guyana’s suicide rate has considerably dipped, Nicholson noted that the situation still remains a public health challenge. A number of homicides have also been linked to the depleted mental health state of the individuals.

“Part of the reason that a number of these issues persist is because people may not have access to the services

Foundation. Through this wide collaboration, counselling services are available to members of the public, of all ages, in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and 10 Although funding for the project will last for three years, Nicholson revealed that efforts are being made to build the capacity of the organisations involved so that the counselling services can be maintained.

“We are hoping that the linkages we have will help to strengthen people’s access to counselling services even after the three years of this project,” said Nicholson, who anticipates that the outcome will be a society which has more people with improved mental wellbeing.

“The better people feel about themselves, the less likely they are to harm themselves,” the YCG

support such as ‘The Helpline’ initiative will help to advance such efforts.

“Part of the reason that a number of these issues persist is because people may not have access to the services that help to prevent them from reaching to a point of feeling that there is no hope to cope with their circumstances...this project has been changing that.” that help to prevent them from reaching to a point of feeling that there is no hope to cope with their circumstances...this project has been changing that,” said Nicholson. It is for this reason, he divulged, that the initiative has been implemented as part of an inter-agency partnership.

Other regional organisations that are currently on board include: Hope For All, Exceptional Centre for Youth, SASOD, Volunteer Youth Corps, CPIC Monique’s Caring Hands, United Bricklayers, Comforting Hearts, Mibicuri Community Developers and Linden Care

Executive Director said, as he noted that the counselling encounter is not intended to be a one-off interaction, since it is expected that an ongoing counsellor-client relationship will develop. “The programme is so designed that there are followup sessions so that the counsellor can determine whether the client is reaching personal goals that have been set out,” Nicolson informed.

The Ministry of Public Health has been deliberately putting measures in place to enhance its delivery of mental health services. In this regard,

The Baccoo Speaks The focus is on taxis.

Many have been hijacked in the past, and this week the trend would continue, but with a difference. Some young men would have no interest in the vehicle but in the money they suspect that the driver has collected. This is how a group would suffer.

The attack on the taxi would occur in the presence of some off duty policemen. ** A fire would break out in

YCG’s Executive Director, Dmitri Nicholson

ries a stigma...some people think of it as only suicidal people or those who are insane and on the streets. We don’t want that stigma to be attached to the counselling services we offer, because we are catering to people’s emotional wellbeing, which is a category of mental health.”

He therefore amplified, “we want people to see our counselling as a first option and the best option when they encounter an overwhelming issue.”

Nicholson explained, too, that counsellors attached to ‘The Helpline’ are universitytrained [both local and overseas] in the areas of Social Worker, Sociology and Psychology, and they are bound by a strict confidentiality clause to be a part of the counselling project.

a home not far from the city.

The homeowner would be out of the house but his

companion would be in the house. The initial belief would be that the fire was electrical in origin.

Neighbours would try to contain the blaze but their efforts would be futile. ** Another road accident would claim two more lives.

This time the crash would be caused by a vehicle trying to overtake around a bend.

Silly actions sometimes are fatal.

According to Nicholson, “we have found over the years that the term mental health car-

While counselling is a main element of ‘The Helpline’ project, it also entails outreaches to

schools, media events and other activities geared at enlightening the public about the nature of emotional difficulties that could warrant counselling. The majority of counselling sessions thus far have been for persons experiencing marital issues, those unable to cope with personal difficulties and financial crises.

“The feedback that we have gotten from clients is that some of them have already started to see in themselves a greater degree of self-awareness and a greater understanding of their own relationships with their spouses and their families. Many of them have seen changes in the way they have been able to relate to people, and some have actually said to us they found it more useful to talk to a professional rather than going to someone who does not understand counselling,” Nicholson related.

As part of the ongoing project, Merundoi, will in the new year undertake a serial drama for radio and television to highlight the various services that are available to help improve mental stability in the nation.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 05, 2017

Sunday November 05, 2017

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Kaieteur News

My life: A reply to the PPP The PPP issued a press release in which it stated inter alia; “The truth is under Jagdeo’s Administration, Paul Slowe’s upward mobility in the Force landed him the post of Assistant Commissioner of Police. However and most importantly under the PPP’s administration, there was no interference with the Service Commissions.” The PPP in its idiotic, narcissistic overdrive could not see how silly it was to juxtapose the two statements.

In the first part, the Jagdeo regime is given credit for the occupational elevation of Slowe. In the second part of the boast, the PPP tells us it never interfered with the functions of the Service Commissions, of which the Police Service Commission (PSC) is one such entity, and it is that commission that promotes police officers after recommendations from the hierarchy of the force.

Elementary logic would lead you to the conclusion that if the Jagdeo presidency didn’t interfere with the Po-

lice Service Commission, then Slowe’s promotion was the result of his work in the force and his promotion by the PSC. What is the relevance then of stating it was under the Jagdeo administration that Slowe experienced promotion? It simply means that the Jagdeo regime had nothing to do with the upward movement of Slowe, and governments come and go, but public servants get promotion. But in its stupidity to claim plaudits for its fictional achievements when in power, the PPP leadership couldn’t see that in mentioning Slowe, it exposed its incompetence as a political party.

Let’s look at another PPP press release. This one is on my life. It included the following; “When the PPP took office in 1992, Freddie Kissoon was living in his mother-in-law’s house in Hadfield Street, Wortmanville. When the PPP demitted office, Freddie Kissoon was and is still living in a mansion located in a highly residential compound

in the city of Georgetown.

When the PPP assumed office, Freddie Kissoon commuted by minibus. When the PPP demitted office, Freddie Kissoon was driving an SUV.” It is a group of sick people that lead the PPP. If you are a stranger to politics you would never know that it was under the PPP Government that my wife was harassed out of her job at GO- Invest, after serving fourteen years, and lost her pension because under Jagdeo the insurance company, CLICO, had collapsed.

That stranger would never know that it was under the PPP’s hegemony that my contract at UG was terminated five months before its completion. At the same time, another UG lecturer who was a member of Ogle branch of the PPP was charged for sexual misconduct in his classroom, and was allowed to continue at UG. Let’s analyze this press release on me. And I would ask readers to keep in mind the totality of asininities in the arguments of the PPP. It is pellucid for any reader to see

the PPP has tied my upward mobility to its success as a government. This is not only deceptive, but downright moronic. My wife and I worked as any other public servant anywhere in the world, saved our money, and bought the necessities of life.

What has that got to do with the Jagdeo presidency? My wife worked at GO-Invest. I worked at the University for twenty-six consecutive years.

I applied for promotion at UG, got it based on peer assessment, and got salary increases like every other lecturer. What did that process, normal in every public sector institution, have to do with President Jagdeo and his ministers?

Hundreds of millions of people live their lives ambitiously and work hard for

what they achieved. Those accomplishments are what life is about, what civilization is about. They have absolutely nothing to do with governments, which come and go like the morning sun in almost all countries in the world.

When the PPP came into power in 1992, there were financially comfortable professionals in science, teaching, medicine, law, engineering, technology, computer science, architecture, accountancy, agriculture etc. living in suburban areas. Was it the pre-1992 government that gave them what they had?

Was it the direct hand of the government that kept these people alive financially during the 23 years of PPP’s reign? Or was it that these people worked for what they accumulated? Now that the

Frederick Kissoon PPP is out of office, will these people be pauperized?

Let us end on a hilarious note. If the PPP was directly responsible for my social elevation, then the Jagdeo cabal was a miserable failure. He ran Guyana fifteen years after I bought my car in 2000.

Yet when the PPP demitted office, I was still driving the same car. The PPP forgot to buy a new car for me in those 15 years.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 05, 2017

MPs rebuke the PPP for threatening to undo the nation’s gains A group of relatives were gathered in the living room of the Copelands’ house in Alberttown, Georgetown all watching the television coverage of the ruckus in front of our venerable house of Parliament this past Thursday. People were protesting on Brickdam as is their right, but they continuously shouted obscenities. It was crude, and Mrs. Copeland covered her grandson’s ears.

She preferred that he didn’t hear (or see) grown-ups, half of our leaders all dressed up in suits, behaving worse than the Camp St. prisoners he saw last July when they set fire to the prison. Her daughter Allison, a 24-year old trainee teacher, stood rooted there with both hands cupping her face, brows raised, mouth slightly open in disbelief. Parliament was in session and everyone was waiting for H.E. President David Granger to take the podium.

Every Minister of Government was there as were members of the Diplomatic Corps, some of Guyana’s High Commissioners and Ambassadors to the same countries whose envoys to Guyana were present. H.E. President Granger took the podium and Mrs. Copeland’s household took some seats and the floor in front of the TV to watch as the heckling and shouting from the Opposition benches increased. Placards appeared, held

high and the Copeland family saw a close-up of Bharrat Jagdeo holding a placard, looking mighty pleased with himself. He was smiling, but we cannot print the family’s descriptive comments.

Allison, the Teacher-in-training, asked her Uncle Kenneth, “but … but is this normal? In Parliament ... can they do that?” He just shook his head and silence reigned. The family’s response was the same at the end of the President’s barely audible speech. They were ashamed. Nearly every head was bowed, eyes looking to the floor.

Mrs. Copeland found her voice and very quietly said, “No, no, no. We can’t go back to this embarrassment. We had long years of listening and watching that man and he people curse everybody, ‘buse out everybody, even the overseas diplomats. We were so shamed, and we couldn’t say a word in case he take away the little we had. Nah, we are not going back there. (Guyanese) people deserve to be proud. We get back that ‘proudness’ now, so we can’t let these (PPP) people take it away”.

She was shaking her head vigorously from side to side.

A short while later her teenaged son, Jameel, found a clip online, put his laptop computer on the tall centre table and turned up the volume. Minister Cathy Hughes was say-

ing: “We had the highest (level) dignitaries sitting there … Is this the way Guyana wants to present itself? Is that the best we could be on such an important occasion as the opening of a session of Parliament?”

Then Minister Sydney Allicock opined: “I think the time has come, if we’re truly interested in the development of Guyana and the unification of the nation, for us to put all our efforts into building the confidence of our people. At the very least, the Opposition should have listened to the President instead of behaving with what I call “Gutter Politics”.

Minister Simona Broomes came next: “I feel embarrassed for them. I know the PPP is a wild bunch, but to come here and demonstrate that level of wildness … I have been exposed to their behaviours and culture (and even I was shocked). They should have done better for themselves”.

Minister Annette Ferguson had her turn at the microphone in the corridors outside the Parliamentary chamber: “We didn’t expect better from them. This is the nature of these people. The President came here today to set the tone (for this session of parliamentary deliberations, to talk about) what the Government has been doing, our projections and measures (for future programmes) to come.

The (awful) behaviour of the Opposition speaks volumes. We are leaders in this great land, but do we expect our young people to pattern their behaviour after this? (What happened here today just sends) a distasteful message”. Minister Dawn Hastings added, “I was saddened; I was as embarrassed as my colleagues when I saw what was coming from

Parliamentarians who really should be role models for the young generations, and for our young parliamentarians. It saddened me as a leader, as a teacher. (This can’t be) what our Guyanese children expect of us. Would they be motivated to become Parliamentarians? I don’t think so”. The last to speak on that clip was young MP, Jermaine Figueira of Linden.

He said, “This was uncalled for. It sends a bad message to the international community (some of whom were present) that we have a very irresponsible Opposition. They (PPP) obviously do not understand that they are also responsible for helping to craft the laws that guide this country. Their behavior showed disrespect to our President who, as everyone knows, is doing a good job serving this nation”. Everyone in the Copelands’ living room remained silent, but they all straightened up one by one from the positions that all had taken – heads resting on palms, eyes focused on the laptop’s screen. The shaking heads began to nod.

Uncle Kenneth, Mrs. Copeland’s brotherin-law, broke the silence with: “Well, but what will stop them from doing it again at the next (session of) Parliament! Is really the pappy show he love. He don’t feel good unless he get attention, even if he getting criticized he don’t care. Attention is attention for that man, and he gon squeeze out every ounce of reporting, every picture in the newspapers and he voice on the radio until people get really fed up. We are in for a ride”.

That’s when young Allison crowned it all with, “But Budget Day is not this month? God help us!”

Sunday November 05, 2017

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Kaieteur News

My column

A case of the jumbie and the coffin The coalition government has been accused of many things, some of which were orchestrated by the opposition. For one, it has been accused of a slowdown in the economy. Just the other day, businesses were complaining about a downturn. They all claimed that consumer spending was down and that not much was happening.

A few of them reported that their imports were down as evident, they said, by the number of containers they imported.

This was followed by the debacle in foreign currency.

Suddenly the exchange rate shot up to unprecedented levels. Businessmen and the casual holiday maker soon found that they had to dive deep into their pockets. Many claimed that they could not get the required foreign currency from the commercial banks. And this was true.

But while the local businessmen were complaining, the Chinese businesses were booming to the extent that they opened their doors on Sundays. The local businessmen then complained that the Chinese were undermining them.

When I asked, I heard that

the Chinese embassy was importing goods on behalf of the Chinese community, thus providing goods that were cheaper as a result of the absence of duties. I did investigate and even attracted the ire of the Chinese embassy.

The ambassador invited me to inspect the embassy compound to verify the claim that the Chinese embassy was the largest importer of containers.

I have noticed that the foreign currency situation has normalized and this happened when Central Bank intervened. For one, the Central Bank set about limiting the spread between which the banks and the cambios could buy and sell currency.

The Central Bank also promised to investigate, but that investigation never got going because suddenly, the volume of foreign currency increased on the local market.

However, the exchange rate crept up slightly. Someone was still making money in this area.

This past week I happened to be chatting with a businessman and he revealed something that never crossed my mind. Indeed the conversation crept to the economy and I, not being an economist,

could only listen.

I was made to understand that Bharrat Jagdeo enjoyed 48 per cent of the votes. By that, it meant that the People’s Progressive Party secured 48 per cent of the votes. However, the 48 per cent of the votes controlled close to ninety per cent of the economy. The message didn’t take long to get through to me. The PPP was using its power to control the economy to the detriment of the government.

I had heard that the Opposition Leader was going around telling his supporters who held political power in the regions not to sign off on projects. That would slow down any development in the region. Some Regional Executive Officers spoke of this trend but there was precious little they could do.

They tried to get things going, but they had to contend with the Central Tender Board. Contractors won bids and sat on projects during the mobilization period. A few then started the project and asked for extensions.

The highpoint of the conversation centered on taxes. I was told that most businesses try their best to avoid

paying their fair share of taxes. They would hide money. But such things always have a down side. I now hear that many of them want to bring out the money but they are now scared of the anti-money laundering laws.

So they have money that is all but meaningless.

I can understand the quandary. They cannot deposit such large amounts into the commercial banks without having to explain the origin of the money. India’s Prime Minister Modi caused something like that to happen in his country. He removed the large currencies from circulation and caught many businessmen who were hoarding currency. Guyana cannot attempt this because the economy is far too small, but it would be interesting to see those businessmen who have tons of money in some quarter. I would suspect that this money is finding its way into the commercial banks in small quantities, hence the seeming ease in the local economic situation.

But the Finance Minister is being pilloried for causing the situation in the first place.

Some are saying that he attempted to clean up things

much too quickly. My impression is that governments are expected to turn a blind eye to some corrupt practices. But with the anti-money laundering legislation one can see what is happening.

Indeed the businessmen got the money legally, but because of their actions, it’s their own jumbie coming to haunt them. This happened to many large drug dealers in Mexico and Colombia. I saw photographs of warehouses full of money which for practical purposes have no value.

That is how some drug cartels win the support of the peasantry; they simply share out some of that money.

The businessmen may have to do the same thing to stimulate their very businesses.

The political opposition is aware of the situation. Many are going round talking to these moneyed people asking them to ‘Hold strain’ but there is a limit to how much strain a man can hold. Perhaps now is the time for the businessmen to pay their staff so much better in an effort to reduce the stockpile of money.

Indeed, they would also have to confront the tax man, but that would be the least of

Adam Harris their problems. No longer can people really enjoy the money they have in their mattresses, because it has no real value.

Situations like this led to the removal of large stocks of paper money for transactions in the developed world. The result is that people pay their taxes, even though they may not want to. Guyana is heading in this direction. Increasingly people are using debit and credit cards. Pretty soon we will see more and more terminals in business places.

But for now, development is crawling, but lessons are being learned. Christmas is around the corner and I am waiting to see the increased spending on the part of the importer.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 05, 2017

Companies, communities and citizens can cooperate (Address of His Excellency Brigadier David Granger President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana to the 30th Anniversary Celebration of Amazon Caribbean Guyana Limited on October 29, 2017) The Barima-Waini Region – a lovely and luxuriant area of 20,339 km2 that makes it a little smaller than Israel – is a place of great promise. The Region’s abundant freshwater sources, fertile soils and warm climate make it suitable for agricultural development.

The Barima-Waini Region has the potential to become a powerhouse of agricultural production. This Region can help to make this country and much of the Eastern Caribbean food secure even as the country reduces its reliance on the traditional sugar industry.

The Region is intensifying the development of agriculture and agro-processing. The opening of a processing facility for turmeric at Hosororo on the 8th October this year is evidence of this thrust. The celebration of the 30th anniversary Amazon Caribbean Guyana Limited (AMCAR), a company which pioneered the development of the ‘heart of palm’ industry thirty years ago, is further evidence of this thrust.

The company created an industry. It has begotten a ‘model’ which has transformed a previously overlooked commodity into an industrial product and a remote area into an agro-processing centre. The ‘model’ emphasises the importance of hygiene, marketing, quality assurance, phyto-sanitary and sanitary standards and regularity. The industry’s strict adherence to these standards and the certification of its products, have al-

lowed local products access to European supermarkets and restaurants.

The ‘AMCAR model’, backed by thirty years of experience, has been tried and tested.

Investment in agro-processing has been shown to have the potential to create upstream demand and produce downstream exports.

This country’s food products can enhance their presence in the kitchens and dining tables of the Caribbean and Europe. This country, in order to do this, must diversify agricultural production and expand output. This country must move production up the value chain, through agro-processing, particularly in nontraditional products from the hinterland.

The AMCAR ‘model’ is a most appropriate vehicle to achieve this by bringing company, community and citizens together in a partnership that involves capital by the company; land allocated by the State and labour by the communities and citizens. This ‘model’ has: - stimulated job-creation for harvesters and those employed in the factories; it empowered citizens and communities; promoted innovation and technology transfer; it added value to primary production, thereby promoting increased production through higher farm incomes and reduced crop losses; it extended diversification into other crops such as mangoes, papaws, pineapples and watermelons; - supported the livelihoods of more than 1,000 persons from various communities and provided an assured market for farmers and harvesters; it is export-oriented, allowing for local production to penetrate international markets;

- spawned the transfer of technologies, especially in the areas of agro-processing, marketing and quality assurance; it entrenched adherence to international standards and the certification of these standards, which in turn allowed for export-market penetration.

Hinterland agriculture is integral to the establishment of a resilient and robust agricultural sector. More than 80 per cent of this country’s agriculture takes place on our coastland which, owing to its susceptibility to the adverse effects of climate change – droughts, floods and weather extremes – have inflicted losses and increased costs on agriculture on the coastland.

Hinterland agriculture can foster a more resilient and robust economic sector. It can do so by encouraging food production; by promoting more resilient and higher-yielding crop varieties; by diversifying production into non-traditional crops; and by stimulating agro-processing to reduce crop losses and increase farm incomes.

Hinterland agriculture will enhance the standards of living of hinterland residents and their communities through enterprise and employment. Hinterland agriculture can help to reduce the outward migration of young, working-age persons. Hinterland agriculture can boost national production and promote diversification. It can improve the resilience and robustness of the sector.

The Government’s thrust in extending local democracy is also expanding the economy.

The establishment of capital towns at Mabaruma for the Barima-Waini Region, at Bartica for the Cuyuni-Mazaruni Region and at Lethem for the Rupununi Region and the strengthening of regional administration have started to pay economic dividends.

This is evident in the conduct of Regional Agricultural and Commercial Exhibitions (RACE) which act as catalysts for food-processing. RACE events at Anna Regina, Bath

Settlement, Lethem, Linden and Rose Hall and next month at Lusignan, have the potential to promote production at the ‘cottage’ and community levels and to generate regional pride by naming products such as ‘Rupununi essence.’

Spices are being produced and processed in this region. Sun-dried tomatoes are being produced in the Potaro-Siparuni Region. The Rupununi Region is increasing its production of cashew and peanuts. Regional agro-economies are growing everywhere.

Innovation, through agro-processing, also is fundamental to creating a more resilient agricultural sector. Agro-processing will increase farm incomes by making products from food, some of which would otherwise have been lost to spoilage. Agro-processing adds value to food production. Agro-processing encourages production, enhances food security and promotes the agriculture industrialisation. The transfer of technologies, by companies from technologically-advanced countries, can accelerate agro-processing at the industrial, community and household levels. This country looks forward therefore to continued investment in agriculture and agroprocessing by utilising a ‘model’ which involves a partnership between companies, communities and citizens. This ‘model’ has the potential to transform the economic development of hinterland communities, empower communities, enrich citizens and ensure local, national and regional food security. The observance of the thirtieth anniversary of Amazon Caribbean Guyana Limited, therefore, is significant to the economy of this country and the communities of this Region.

I applaud its commitment to boosting local food processing and its support for agriculture and agro-processing. I support the company’s efforts at diversifying its production line. I wish the company continued success in the future.

Sunday November 05, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Dehydration in Children: Water is life

By Dr Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine I am not campaigning for GWI today, but I had to borrow their “water is life” phrase to emphasize the seriousness associated with dehydration.

Dehydration is the term doctors use when the body loses too much water. Losing too much water is a problem, because the body needs a certain amount of water to work normally. Another word doctors sometimes use is “hypovolemia.”

Dehydration can be mild or severe. Mild dehydration doesn’t usually cause problems. But if mild dehydration isn’t treated, it can progress to severe dehydration very fast. Severe dehydration is a medical emergency and is often life-threatening.

Children are at higher risk for dehydration than adults.

There are a few reasons for this: - Their bodies are smaller - They are more likely to get viruses that cause vomiting and diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration.

- Babies and young children depend on adults to give them liquids, and might not

be able to tell someone if they are thirsty.

WHAT CAUSES DEHYDRATION? Dehydration occurs when your body loses more water than you take in from drinking and eating.

It’s normal for people to lose some water from their bodies every day, for example, in their urine and bowel movements. But some things make people lose a lot of water. In children, this can include: - Vomiting - Diarrhea - A high fever - Problems or medicines that cause a person to urinate more than usual Some things keep people from taking in enough water.

For example, children might not drink or eat if they have an upset stomach or sore throat.

WHATARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DEHYDRATION? People with mild dehydration might not notice any symptoms.

As dehydration gets worse, it can cause symptoms

such as: - Feeling thirsty - Urinating less often, or having dark yellow or brown urine - A dry mouth or cracked lips - No tears when the child cries - Feeling tired or confused - Feeling dizzy or lightheaded - Eyes that look sunken in the face - A “sunken fontanel” in babies – A fontanel is a gap between the bones in a baby’s skull. When babies are dehydrated, the fontanel on the top of their head can look or feel caved in.

Severe dehydration can make people stop breathing normally or go into a coma.

WHEN SHOULD YOU CALLA DOCTOR? Call or visit a doctor if your child has any symptoms of dehydration.

You should also call if your child: - Has diarrhea that lasts more than a few days - Has vomiting that lasts more than one day - Can’t keep any fluids down

- Vomits blood or has bloody diarrhea - Hasn’t had anything to drink in many hours - Hasn’t needed to urinate in the past 6 to 8 hours (in older children), or hasn’t had a wet diaper for 4 to 6 hours (in babies and younger children) IS THERE ATEST FOR DEHYDRATION? Yes. Doctors can do blood and urine tests to check for dehydration and see how severe it is. Your child’s doctor might also do tests to look for the cause of the dehydration.

HOW IS DEHYDRATION TREATED? Dehydration is treated with fluids.

Children with severe dehydration usually need to be treated in the hospital. Treatment might involve getting fluids through an “IV,” which is a thin tube that goes into the vein (in Guyana we call it “getting saline”) or getting small sips of a special fluid designed for children with dehydration.

If your child only has mild dehydration, you can also

treat it by giving them fluids to drink. You’ll know that the treatment is working when: - Your child urinates more often and the urine looks pale yellow or clear.

- Your baby has more wet diapers.

Some fluids help treat dehydration better than water, because they give the body the right amount of water and salts.

You should use the following fluids to treat your child’s dehydration: - Oral rehydration solutions – These are special drinks meant to help with dehydration, such as Pedialyte. You can buy them in a store or pharmacy.

Try to give your child a few teaspoons of fluid every few minutes.

If your baby won’t drink it from a bottle or cup, you can feed him or her with a spoon or syringe.

- Breast milk – Babies who breastfeed should continue to breastfeed.

- Apple juice mixed with an equal amount of water The child can return to their normal diet once they are no longer dehydrated.

Keep giving extra fluids if

Dr. Zulfikar Bux your child’s vomiting or diarrhea continues.

CAN DEHYDRATION BE PREVENTED? Yes. To help prevent dehydration, you can: - Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids, especially if he or she is sick and has a fever.

- Give your baby or young child an oral rehydration solution as soon as he or she starts vomiting or having diarrhea.

- Give your child extra fluids when it’s hot out, or if he or she is exercising.

Remember, dehydration can progress rapidly, especially in children. Once you suspect that your child is at risk of dehydration, initiate rehydration and contact your doctor before it gets worse.

PAGE 32

Kaieteur News

SUNDAY FAKE KIDNAPPING OF TRINI…‘ABDUCTORS’ BOOKED VICTIM’S PLANE TICKET Trinidad national, 33-year-old Sawak Maraj, seems to have an obsession with kidnapping. In 2001, Maraj was supposedly abducted in Trinidad and Tobago and his alleged kidnappers demanded a ransom of TT$200,000 from his parents, who own a real estate business in the twin-island republic.

Another time he was allegedly kidnapped in the United States of America.

While the Trinidadian cops were never able to connect the dots, they did find it strange that in less than an hour after the ransom was paid, the alleged victim managed to run away from his so-called kidnappers and ended up in front of a police station.

And of course, Maraj did not see his kidnappers’ faces because they took his spectacles.

Fast forward 16 years later, the mechanical engineer was kidnapped once again but this time in Guyana and the case was cracked.

While investigators from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Major Crimes Unit have already established that the Trinidadian national

faked his own kidnapping, he continues to stick by his story of being abducted.

And, like the 2001 scenario, Maraj has told ranks that he did not see his kidnappers’ faces because they took away his spectacles, cash, phone and gold chain. ”This man changes his story by the seconds. He said the kidnappers took his glasses but last night (Friday October 27) like he forget and went in his bag and pulled out his glasses to read his statement.

Then when he was asked, he had some long story,” a police source said.

The 33-year-old man was taken back to the hotel at Madewini Resort up the Soesdyke/Linden Highway Saturday to provide a detailed account of his so-called kidnapping.

CUSS-DOWN POLITICS POISONOUS TO GUYANA’S CHILDREN The political discourse in Guyana is reaching an all time low.

The leaders of the Opposition and the Government have often been found guilty of engaging in “inelegant” language when addressing each other in and out of the Parliament.

Many social and political activists are warning, however, that this does not augur well for Guyana’s

children; the future leaders of tomorrow.

Vice Chairman of the Alliance for Change (AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan, was the first to admit that the political discourse is on a daily basis, being diminished and degenerated, particularly by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

Ramjattan said that the PPP he knew, which was dominated by the likes of the Jagans and the Ramkarrans, is no longer recognisable.

He insists that the time is now for the political debate to be enhanced. The AFC Executive Member said that it is important for politicians to always bear in mind that even when engaging in the trade of insults, the element of sophistication must not be absent.

Ramjattan said, “The Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, is not good with diction or the proper use of his vocabulary. That is one of his biggest problems. Indeed, in every democracy, you will have people who will be extremely critical but the words used are what will make the democracy an advanced one as against one that is callous and degenerate.” ”And I feel that the language Jagdeo uses really makes it bad for the political discourse. I feel that when you do that, too, you make people who have to respond to you, sink to a degenerate level. We automatically try to respond in same manner to him. I have tried as best as I could to avoid such behaviour but I miss it sometimes.”

The politician added, “Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo and I, we are Indo-Guyanese who are called ‘Neemakharam’ when we confront him but we get the brunt of him too. We have to watch how we take it.

“I am happy Moses indicated that when Jagdeo goes low we have to go high. Our President is also one who goes high. He does not use nasty words like Jagdeo. But the political debate has to get to a higher level.”

Ramjattan said that politicians need to be mindful of their words, especially those that are “disgraceful and reprehensible” lest the po-

Sunday November 5, 2017

litical class as a unit be degenerated.

NY LAWYERS MOVE TO BLOCK BISRAM’S EXTRADITION Lawyers for embattled New Yorkbased businessman, Marcus Bisram, who has been ordered extradited from the US to face a murder charge here, are confident that he will not be sent back.

Updating Kaieteur News Saturday, Bisram’s lawyer, Mario F. Gallucci of Helbock Nappa and Gallucci LLP, in an emailed response to questions, said that a Writ of Habeas Corpus will be filed within the next 10 days.

A Writ of Habeas Corpus is used to bring a prisoner before the court to determine if the person’s imprisonment or detention is lawful.

“We expect that we will be successful on our Writ and Mr. Bisram will be immediately released. He, as always, refutes all allegations and is quite aware that he is the victim of a corrupt Government.

“He understands that the Government is making false promises to the poor family of the decedent and just hopes that someday this family will realise that he in no way, shape or form had anything to do with this tragedy,” Gallucci said.

According to the lawyer, Bisram has always been a benefactor to Guyanese “since his great success in United States”.

“It should be noted that prior to this tragedy, Mr. Bisram was Guyana’s top benefactor. He hopes that once he is released to be able to continue to assist his country both monetarily and also in removing the corruption which permeates the Government of your country.”

According to the lawyer, Bisram’s defence team is working closely with local counsel, Sanjeev Datadin, and will continue to do so until Bisram is vindicated.

On October 12, less than a year after a shocking case that alleged a police cover-up and attempted bribery of investigators into the killing of a Berbice carpenter, a New York court two Saturdays ago ordered Bisram be extradited to face the court in Guyana.

Bisram’s lawyers were told that in contrast to a criminal conviction, the certification for extradition is not directly appealable and is subject to a “limited review by way of a petition for a writ of habeas corpus to the district court.”

The lawyers were advised that Bisram’s last minute options of “Habeas Corpus” proceedings is available only to inquire whether the Judge had jurisdiction, whether the offence charged is within the treaty and, “by a somewhat liberal extension, whether there was any evidence warranting the finding that there was reasonable ground to believe the accused guilty.”

MONDAY UNCLE, NIECE DROWN DURING BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS A student of the Houston Secondary School drowned Sunday, while celebrating her thirteenth birthday, and her uncle is missing after attempting to rescue her during celebrations at the 12th annual Rockstone Fish Festival.

Dead is Marsha Prince, of Bagostown, East Bank Demerara.

The body of her 50-year-old uncle, Gavin Morris, of West Bank Demerara is still to be recovered.

The incident occurred at around 15:00hrs.

The teen’s family was among hundreds, who attended the final day of the Rockstone Fish Festival held at the Rockstone Village, some ten miles west of Linden in Region Ten, Upper Demerara-Berbice area.

According to information, after spending some time at the fish festival Prince, her younger sister, whose only name was given as “Lily”, and other relatives went to take a swim.

Moments after, Prince and her sister drifted into the deeper part of the river as a result of the waves reportedly generated from a passing boat.

A cousin of the teen said that she heard Prince screaming and saw her struggling in the water.

According to the cousin, she raised an alarm and her uncle plunged overboard and pushed Prince’s sister (Continued on page 33)

Sunday November 5, 2017

(From page 32) to shore. As he went back to rescue Prince, he apparently encountered difficulty and went below the surface.

Prince’s body was subsequently recovered and taken to the Wismar Hospital mortuary to await an autopsy.

GOVT. TO RELEASE SEVERAL HIGH-PROFILE REPORTS THIS WEEK –ALLEGED PRESIDENTIAL ASSASSINATION PLOT, 2016 CAMP STREET PRISON RIOT AMONG FILES More light is expected to be shed on several high-profile events as crucial reports from separate inquiries are to be circulated to members when Parliament reconvenes on Thursday.

The circulation of the reports to members in essence indicates that the content will be available to the public.

The reports to be circulated to members include the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the allegations of a plan to assassinate President David Granger; the Camp Street Prison disturbances of March 2016 that resulted in the fiery deaths of 17 inmates; and the September 2016 discovery an illegal twin engine Cessna Aircraft at the Yupukari Airstrip, Region Nine, Upper Demerara/ Upper Takutu area.

Also to be circulated are reports from the inquiries into the collapse of a mining pit at Rock Creek, Puruni, Region Seven, Cuyuni-Mazaruni area which resulted in the death of Keen Wilson; and the deaths of Antonio George and Joshua George on July 7 when a fire des t r o yed the Drop-In Centre in Georgetown.

There are also two finance-related reports to be circulated.

These are the report of the Auditor General on the construction of the new access road to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and a special report from the Public Procurement Commission’s investigation into the procurement of emergency drugs by the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 33

President David Granger has faced numerous questions from journalists about making several reports public, especially the Camp Street tragedy and the alleged presidential assassination plot. The Government has opted to do so via the parliamentary process.

It is widely believed that the Paul Slowe-led CoI and the subsequent report into the alleged presidential assassination plot may see changes to the hierarchy of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

The Commission’s terms of reference had included investigating and reviewing the full range of the actions and responses of the GPF to the reports and the extent to which such actions were conducted or executed with due diligence.

TUESDAY STATE BANKS ON LEASING LANDS, SELLING FACTORIES Moves are underway to select an international accounting firm to value the assets of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) for privatisation and divestment.

On Monday, according to Colvin Heath-London, Head of the Special Purpose Unit (SPU) established under the state-owned National Industrial & Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) to handle the transactions, a selective tender process was conducted for an international firm to conduct the valuation.

“Selected tenders were invited from PriceWaterHouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, Deloitte, and KPMG to provide the services to the SPU as International Financial Services Provider.”

The selected firm would be conducting the valuation of all assets under the control of GuySuCo, in addition to other advisory and financial services.

The tender closed Monday.

“When the tender closed the SPU had received submissions from all four of the invited companies. An award should be made within two weeks. It is expected that the valuation of the assets and the preparation of a prospectus will be completed by the end of January 2018.”

Speaking about the approach

being taken by the SPU, HeathLondon explained that he believes that “there is a future for sugar in Guyana, and that sugar production must be protected and remain part of the economic mix in the economy.”

He hastened to add, “How sugar is protected depends on a combination of options for the existing assets involved in sugar production.”

In the mix of options being contemplated are privatization and diversification.

“The SPU is interested in companies, both local and international, that could integrate the production of sugar into their existing operations and product mix.”

Heath-London said that “companies that are in rum production, other beverage manufacturing, and food processing, for example, would be ideal as potential operators of some of the current GuySuCo assets.

“The position being taken by the SPU is that all of what are considered GuySuCo assets are really national assets vested in the control

of GuySuCo. As such, while factories could be sold to potential operators and investors, lands will not be sold but could be leased so that they remain the property of the state.”

PPP COMMISSIONERS EAGER TO RAISE FRAUD ISSUES… AS NEW GECOM CHAIRMAN STILL TO CALL FIRST MEETING Newly appointed Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), retired Justice James Patterson, is still to call his first meeting of the Commission. Commissioners of the Opposition, People’s Progressive Party (PPP), are eager to address several pressing issues, including a forensic report into the alleged $100M fraud that surrounds the purchase of communication radios.

Auditor General, Deodat Sharma, has indicated a willingness to use the powers of his office to call in the police if the Commissioners fail to act on the recommendations in his report.

The audit report was handed

over to Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, who is also the accounting officer, but without the meeting of the Commission, further action has not been taken.

GECOM’s Secretariat, which is headed by Lowenfield, is being accused of deliberately overseeing a system of procurement frauds involving hundreds of millions of dollars in purchases– from radios, to pliers and batteries, to toners.

PPP/C Commissioner, Bibi Shadick, finds it astonishing that the Commission has not met, especially since Government is set on moving past Patterson’s controversial appointment on October 19.

“It is not as if work doesn’t have to be done,” Shadick told Kaieteur News yesterday.

The Commission has not met since Dr. Steve Surujbally officially worked his last day as Chairman on February 28, 2017. According to Shadick, the Commission usually meets on Tuesdays and on additional days should other pressing matters arise.

“I don’t know the reason for the delay in calling the first meeting. We have important matters to be addressed. We have the two reports that came from the Auditor General; these are very important and we would have dealt with (them) in the normal course of things. Without a meeting, the report cannot move forward,” Shadick stated.

BIG EUROPE-BOUND COKE SHIPMENT BUSTED The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) last week Saturday unearthed over 147 pounds of suspected cocaine in a container of rice destined for Belgium, Western Europe.

The discovery was made at the John Fernandes Wharf. Operatives from the Container Control Programme assisted in the raid.

According to information received, the substance was discovered hidden in sealed 45-kilogram bags of rice destined for export to Belgium.

The bags bore the label of a company called Golden Grains Investment owned by an Andre Poonai.

The company is located at Lot 111 Barr Street, Kitty.

CANU ranks are looking for a shipper in Mahaicony who sources said was not a regular shipper. He had made a similar shipment in 2012 and has since been under the radar.

Kaieteur News was informed that the raid commenced at the wharf since Friday, last, and the finding was uncovered just before noon the following day.

The bags of rice were in five containers but the substance was found in one of the containers.

CANU said that the exercise saw the offloading and searching of five 20-foot containers filled with rice.

The containers were scheduled to leave Guyana the same evening the raid started.

The broker responsible for the (Continued on page 34)

PAGE 34

(From page 33) shipment was taken into custody and is assisting in the investigations.

WEDNESDAY EXXON TO PAY US$300M TO RESOLVE U.S. POLLUTION CASES (Bloomberg) Exxon Mobil Corp. agreed to pay more than $300 million to resolve air pollution violations tied to e i g h t c h e m i c a l plants in Texas and Louisiana, one of a pair of environmental settlements with oil companies announc ed by the Trump administration Monday.

Separately, Denver-based PDC Energy Inc. agreed to pay $22.2 million after storage tanks were found to be leaking smog-forming compounds.

The cases are among the most notable environmental enforcement actions by the Trump administration, with at least one target that hits close to home.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was chief executive officer at Exxon until late last year.

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt has vowed to get tough on corporate polluters.

The Exxon case involved thousands of tons of toxic air pollutants such as benzene that streamed from 26 industrial flares at five Texas facilities and three in Louisiana, according to a Justice Department statement released Monday.

The violations stretched as far back as 2005.

Under the settlement, Exxon will spend $300 million in new anti-pollution and monitoring gear, pay a $2.5 million fine and spend $1 million to plant trees around its Baytown, Texas, plant. ”These investments, which include flare monitoring equipment and flare gas recovery systems, will help improve flare efficiency at these chemical facilities, which are among the largest petrochemical complexes in the world,” Aaron Stryk, an Exxon spokesman, said in an e-mailed statement.

“Exxon Mobil complies with environmental laws, regulations and permits.”

In June, the Trump administra-

Kaieteur News

tion filed a civil lawsuit alleging that PDC repeatedly violated the Clean Air Act and Colorado air pollution rules by allowing volatile organic compounds to escape from more than 80 groupings, or batteries, of condensate storage tanks near Denver.

The EPA alleged that PDC failed to adequately design, operate and maintain control systems on those tanks, resulting in the leaks and contributing to a smog problem in the area, where ozone levels exceed federal limits. The case was brought at the request of the EPA and Colorado authorities, following state inspections from 2013 through 2015.

PDC owns and operates hundreds of oil and gas production facilities in Colorado’s DenverJulesburg Basin.

FAKE KIDNAP PLOT…TRINI SENT TO GT JAIL – ARREST WARRANTS ISSUED FOR TWO COMPATRIOTS From sipping juice in a comfortable hotel to spending time in police custody, Sawak Maraj, the Trinidadian national who faked his own kidnapping to get money from his parents was Monday charged with the crime.

He appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The 33-year-old Chemical Engineer was indicted for conspiring with others to commit a felony and giving the police false information.

Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan remanded Maraj to the Georgetown Prison until November 16. It is unlikely that he will be kidnapped from the high security penitentiary.

Particulars of the first charge against Maraj alleged that on October 27, at Georgetown, he knowingly gave false information to the police, stating that he was kidnapped and that his abductors demanded US$700,000 for his release.

It was further alleged that on the same day at Madewini Resort, Soesdyke/Linden Highway, Maraj conspired with other persons to negotiate to obtain a ransom of US$700,000. The Trinidadian national pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Attorney for Maraj, requested

for his client to be granted bail pending trial.

The lawyer told the court that should bail be granted, Maraj will be accommodated at the Marriott Hotel. The lawyer said that his client poses no risk of flight, although he is not a native of Guyana.

But Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore strongly opposed bail for Maraj, citing that he indeed is a flight risk.

Moore disclosed that police are still on the hunt for two men who assisted Maraj with the fake abduction. According to Moore, the men have been blacklisted at airports in Guyana and Trinidad.

Meanwhile, police have issued wanted bulletin, in connection with the crime, for 40-year-old Anil Antonio Mahabir and 42-year-old Vejhy Ramdass, both of whom last known address is listed as Trinidad and Tobago.

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Mahabir and Ramdass is asked to contact the nearest police station or the police on 225-6411, 226-1389, 227-2128, 2267065, 225-2227, 225-0575 or 911 Maraj arrived in Guyana last week Saturday via the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri.

He reportedly left the airport in a taxi and was heading to a hotel on the East Bank Demerara, when he

Sunday November 5, 2017

disappeared. He reportedly came to Guyana to attend a job interview with Exxon Mobil.

It was a Guyanese who went to the hotel and made reservations for Maraj.

Shortly after, the engineer left the airport, a photograph of him with someone holding a cutlass to his neck, was sent to his parents and other relatives in Trinidad and Tobago.

APPLICATION TO QUASH BISRAM MURDER CHARGE THROWN OUT Attorney-at-Law, Sanjeev Datadin has been ordered to pay a court cost of $250,000 after he was cited for an abuse of process by Justice Gino Persaud Monday.

Justice Persaud also struck out the application which sought to quash the murder charge brought against New York-based millionaire Marcus Bisram.

Bisram is charged with the 2016 murder of Berbice carpenter, Faiyaz Narinedatt, who was found dead on the roadway at Number 70 Village, Corentyne, Berbice.

His lawyer, Sanjeev Datadin was ordered to appear in court to address in relation to proceedings related to the highly controversial Bisram murder case.

Datadin had applied to the High Court to have murder charge against Bisram quashed.

Based on his application, the lawyer sought an order nisi to quash the charge laid against his client on the grounds that the indictment is irrational, unreasonable, unfair, an abuse of power, unlawful, unconstitutional, unfair, and without legal foundation.

In his address to the Court Monday, Datadin said that he regretted not submitting the legal arguments to support his intention to withdraw.

He noted, however, that the decision was taken based on instruction he received from his client. ”The last thing we intended to do was offend this Honourable Court,” the lawyer stated apologetically.

The attorney explained that the initial application was based on the view that his client is innocent.

Datadin also pointed to claims that the State’s only eyewitness in the matter is a teenager who cannot read or write, and had recanted his statement during the Preliminary Inquiry, (PI) at the Magistrates’ Court.

THURSDAY PPP/C UNDERCUTS 2018 BUDGET PRESENTATION …SUBMITS MOTION TO REDUCE VAT TO 12% & OTHER FISCAL MEASURES The People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) has undercut the Government’s upcoming 2018 budget presentation by submitting its own Motion with a range of fiscal proposals, including scaling back the Value Added Tax (VAT) on some services and products.

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo warned that the declaration

by Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, of no new taxes for 2018 may sound good, but in the wider scope of the economy, the damage financially is already done. ”When he says there are no new taxes in this year’s budget, is he saying that they are not going to introduce new taxes, but increase rates?

Frankly speaking, the damage is already done to productive sectors and to welfare. They will have a hard time finding new taxes to put in place; so no new taxes, don’t (Continued on page 35)

Sunday November 5, 2017

(From page 34) mean anything,” Jagdeo told reporters Wednesday.

The former President and Minister of Finance said, that since the coalition Government came to power in 2015, it has progressively introduced measures that adversely affected the mining and forestry sectors.

According to the Motion submitted by the PPP/C, they are hoping to reduce VAT to 12 percent as proposed by the APNU+AFC Coalition during the 2015 electoral elections. The Motion also seeks to reverse VAT on essential food items; electricity and water; pharmaceuticals and medical supplies; and all education goods and services.

The PPP/C Motion also wants to remove ‘burdensome taxes’ on the mining sector by reducing the contributors’ tax from 20 percent to the original 10 percent and remove the two percent final tax paid by miners.

As it relates to fiscal policies, the PPP/C’s Motion seeks the reversal of the Bank of Guyana Cabinet-directed decision to licensed currency dealers, commercial banks and cambios, to limit the spread between the buying and selling rate of the US dollar to no more than $3.

While the motion calls for an increase in wages and salaries in the public service, it does not offer specifics. Additionally, the motion calls

Kaieteur News

for active negotiations with the unions for increases of salaries and benefits for public servants and teachers. The PPP/C has been accused in the past of forgoing the negotiating process with unions and imposing salary increases across the board.

The PPP/C’s motion as submitted to the National Assembly, calls for the release to the public of the ExxonMobil agreement with Government. Also, some projects which the PPP/C had pursued during their years in Government are also stated in the motion to be restarted, including the Amalia Hydro Falls project.

In education, the motion calls for the restoration of the ‘cash care’ programme for each child registered from nursery through secondary and an increase to $ 20,000 per child; restore and increase the school uniform vouchers to $4000 per child across the country; and the removal of VAT on education goods and services.

MINGO SELECTED CHAIRMAN OF LGC Mortimer Mingo and Andrew Garnett have been selected to be Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Local Government Commission, (LGC) respectively. Kaieteur News has learnt that the appointment of the Chairman and Vice Chairman fol-

lowed a meeting with Local Government officials on Tuesday.

Last month, Guyana’s first-ever Local Government Commissioners were sworn in before President, David Granger.

The team consists of three members of the Local Government Commission (LGC) nominated by the Opposition Leader; three were nominated by the President, one nominated by the Minister of Communities and one representative of the trade union.

The current commission is made up of former Region 10 Chairman, Mortimer Mingo; former Region Four Chairman, Clement Corlette; senior executive of the Alliance For Change, Marlon Williams; educator, Joan Ann Romascindo; union leader, Andrew Garnett; former Town Clerk of Georgetown, Carol Sooba, and former Government Ministers, Norman Whittaker and Clinton Collymore.

The President’s appointees are Mingo, Corlette and Romascindo, while the Opposition-nominated members of the commission are Sooba, Whittaker and Collymore.

Garnett represents the unions, while Williams is the appointee of Minister of Communities, Mr. Ronald Bulkan In accordance to the Constitution, the establishment of the LGC is part of reinforcement of local democracy and regulating the management of communities and neighbourhoods.

The Local Government Commission is expected to have oversight over the local Government systems and provide for the autonomy of the systems.

The establishment of the commission has been in the pipeline for two years. However, weeks after it was set up, the political composition of the LGC has become a source of concern. There is a debate as to whether persons selected to sit on the commission can actually work together to resolve issues and find solutions to problems affecting the local government organs.

Explaining the logic behind the selection, Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan said that

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Government’s hands were tied in relation to the names presented by the opposition.

FIRST LADY LABELS IMPERSONATOR A “DAMN CROOK” Someone has been impersonating First Lady, Sandra Granger over the past few months, and a peeved Mrs. Granger on Wednesday described the con artist as a “damn crook”.

The first lady went public about this matter some time ago, but brought the issue up again at the GTT Pinktober activity at the entity’s Brickdam head office. ”There is a woman going around the place, who is impersonating me.

This has been going on for months.

She has an assistant and she is calling people and saying she is me and is duping people out of their money, using mobile money.”

Mrs. Granger went on to say that the fraudsters have already fleeced victims of hundreds of thousands of dollars. She noted that the press and social media had highlighted the issue before.

Most recently, just about four days ago, the first lady explained, “A woman called… she is now telling them that she can get visas for them and this is throughout the country.” She noted that the fraudster started her activities in the interior locations but has now spread the scam to other areas.

She encouraged persons to inform their friends and family that, “The first lady and her husband (President David Granger) have no scholarships to offer. All government scholarships come through the Ministry of Public Service. Only countries can issue visas to their respective countries.”

The first lady said she was asked to “hold off”, since she had complained to the Guyana Police Force. However, “nothing has happened” since her complaint, according to her.

She expressed great dissatisfaction on the matter because of the number of people that are being deprived of their hard earned cash.

She even said that there was one woman who was in tears after she sent $90,000 to the fraudster with the hope of her daughter and niece obtaining scholarships.

While describing the impersonator as a “damn crook”, she said, “The young man who helps her is equally culpable, I hope that they are caught”.

FRIDAY ROWDY, PLACARD-BEARING OPPOSITION DISRUPTS OPENING OF PARLIAMENT …AS PRESIDENT DELIVERS ADDRESS PROMISING PETROLEUM BILL, OTHER IMPORTANT LEGISLATION President David Granger laid out Government’s legislative agenda for the next year during an address at the National Assembly which was disrupted at times by deafening chants from the opposition People’s

Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) members who waved placards inside the chambers at the opening of the 71st sitting Thursday.

Before the sitting started, a crowd of about 200 PPP/C protesters, barricaded across from the Parliament Building, greeted President Granger and Government Members of Parliament (MPs) as they drove into the compound.

It was anticipated that the PPP/ C would have walked out of the chambers once the President started his speech. Instead, their MPs took the surprise decision to sit through the address and launch their sit-in protest.

For the most part, President Granger appeared unfazed, although at times his speech was drowned out by the heckling inside the chambers, where members of the diplomatic corps and other specially invited guests were in attendance.

The President told the Parliament that Government will pursue a vigorous legislative agenda for the remainder of this year and into 2018.

According to President Granger, the focus of the agenda will be mainly on six principal areas. He said Government will seek to finalise Bills which have already been introduced into the National Assembly, including the Cybercrime Bill 2016; Food Safety Bill 2016; Civil Aviation Bill 2017; Constitutional Reform Consultative Commission Bill 2017; Petroleum Commission of Guyana Bill 2017 and the Animal Welfare Bill 2016.

The Government, the President stated, will focus on anticorruption legislation and plans to introduce the Protected Disclosures Bill 2017, which is intended to combat corruption and other wrongdoing by encouraging and facilitating disclosures of improper conduct in the public and private sectors.

He said Government will also amend the Integrity Commission Act to ensure the independence of the Integrity Commission.

President Granger noted that Government is aiming at modernizing and updating existing legislation to align it with international (Continued on page 36)

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(From page 35) best practices.

peared to be unprofessional conduct of some ranks who spearheaded the probe into claims by civilian, Andriff Gillard, that another individual, Nizam Khan, had offered him $7M to assassinate President Granger, or to find someone to do the job.

SIX YEARS LATER, $618M CJIA ACCESS ROAD STILL INCOMPLETE – BK OVERPAID $76M Leading up the 2011 general elections, negotiations were in full swing with the Chinese government for a loan to expand the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), at Timehri.

The airport project, birthed under the Bharrat Jagdeo administration, included the building of a brandnew terminal building with all the whistles and bells, including bridges, and a longer runway to facilitate wide-body planes.

The 2.5km access road was part of the four-lane East Bank Demerara extension a n d w o u l d h a v e complemented the expansion of the airport.

Fast-forward to November 2017, the four-lane access road leading from the Timehri Police Station to the airport remains incomplete.

A performance audit report by the Auditor General on the construction of the new access road was laid before the National Assembly Thursday and what it is saying about the handling of the access road project is deeply worrying, in relation to the manner the previous administration handle taxpayers’ dollars.

Not only did the tendering process seemed skewed with questions over whether it was properly advertised and enough time given to contractors to properly submit bids, but there is evidence that the government of the day had failed to monitor properly, causing the project to be incomplete six years later, and little chance of recouping an overpayment of $76M to the contractor, BK International.

According to the report, the performance audit sought to determine whether the ministry managed the project in an economic and efficient manner, and ensure that the works were in compliance with international best practices and all relevant laws, regulations and authorities.

The audit covered the period January 1, 2011 to September 15, 2016.

BK International, which is under fire for a number of other multimillion-dollar state projects, including the delivery of two water wells, was awarded a contract for $618.4M, with the project expected to start in July 2011 and finish a year later.

Sunday November 5, 2017

2016 AUDITOR GENERAL REPORT FINDS… GRA FAILS TO SUBMIT RECORDS TO SUPPORT $30B IN EXEMPTIONS TO BUSINESSES

SATURDAY SHAKEUP IN THE POLICE FORCE IN THE MAKING VERY SOON – MINISTER OF STATE The heads of some of the Guyana Police Force top brass are likely to roll, following the release of the damning Commission of Inquiry report into the alleged assassination plot against President, David Granger.

Likely to get the proverbial axe is Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud, who may be “made to resign,” or “be removed from office for misbehaviour.” It also recommended that he be investigated for perjury.

The report was also especially harsh on Senior Superintendent, Wendell Blanhum. It accused him of “arrogance” and of “lying” to the Commission. It recommended that he be booted from his position as Crime Chief.

Disciplinary action was also recommended against Assistant Police Commissioner, Clifton Hicken, who the report said, should be investigated for perjury.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon on Friday promised that the public will know ‘very soon’ of these changes.

“The actions on the recommendations have not been made public as yet, they are in the contemplation of His Excellency (President Granger), but I can say, we have taken those recommen-

dations seriously, and action will be taken on them,” Harmon told journalists.

“You will get something very soon on the recommendations of the COI.” The COI focused on what ap-

Auditor General, Deodat Sharma, is disappointed that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has failed to produce records to support $30B in exemptions it gave away to businesses last year.

In his latest report, Sharma noted that tax exemptions granted to companies were equivalent to 54 percent or $30.287B of the total exemptions granted for the year 2016.

Sharma said that total exemptions came up to $56.073B. The Auditor General noted, however, that the total value of tax exemptions granted in respect of Investment Agreements facilitated through the Guyana Office

for Investment and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission could not have been determined.

In this regard, he said that a review of the records of the Authority revealed that a total of 59 agreements in respect of 41 investors were approved during the year 2016.

The Auditor General said it should be noted that in accordance with the Investment Act of 2004, a procedural audit of the incentives granted to an investor or an investment enterprise is required to be carried out annually by the Auditor General.

He noted however, that no records or documentations were submitted to facilitate these audits.

GRA, in response, said that the categories of tax exemptions in the report are those that were built into the system several years ago and are subject to limitations.

Nevertheless, it said that the IT Division is in the process of implementing a system that will facilitate a breakdown of the ‘Companies/Businesses’ category so that more informative reports can be generated.

Sunday November 05, 2017

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Can You Trust the Labels on Your Supplements?

Think you know what’s in your favorite supplement?

Think again.

More than half of the herbal and dietary supplements analyzed by researchers contained ingredients that differed from the list on their labels.

Some had hidden ingredients that might actually harm health, researchers said.

Bodybuilding and weightloss supplements, in particular, tended to contain ingredients not listed on their packaging, said lead researcher Dr. Victor Navarro, chair of hepatology for Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia.

Chemical analyses found that product labels did not reflect ingredients for 80 percent of bodybuilding and performance enhancement supplements, and 72 percent of weight-loss products, the researchers reported.

“We found that half of the bodybuilding supplements in our analysis contained undeclared anabolic steroids,” Navarro said.

The researchers and health experts are concerned that these mystery ingredients can cause lasting liver damage.

More than 20 percent of liver damage cases reported to the U.S. Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network are attributed to herbal and dietary supplements, the researchers

said in background notes.

Sonya Angelone is a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She said, “Your liver is your major detoxification organ. That’s why you’re going to see liver problems with these products.” Angelone, a San Francisco registered dietitian, wasn’t involved in the new study.

Navarro and his team analyzed more than 200 supplements reported to the liver injury network by hundreds of patients, to see whether their labels reflected the actual contents.

Only 90 of 203 products had labels that accurately reflected their content, the investigators concluded.

In one case, a bodybuilder who became very ill from liver damage had taken a supplement that contained tamoxifen. That’s an anti-estrogen drug typically taken to prevent a recurrence of breast cancer, Navarro said.

“Tamoxifen counteracts some of the steroid effects guys get from using the bodybuilding supplements,” Navarro said. “The liver injury he experienced is exactly what you see with tamoxifen toxicity.”

The Council for Responsible Nutrition is the leading U.S. trade group for dietary supplements. A spokesman noted that Navarro’s study

has not yet gone through the rigorous peer review required for publication in a medical journal.

“Dietary supplement manufacturers are required to declare all ingredients on their product labels. Products that contain undeclared ingredients are illegal,” said Duffy MacKay, the council’s senior vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs.

“Before drawing any conclusions, this new research should be peer reviewed and confirmed, and the companies should be contacted for a response. Furthermore, in the name of transparency, the product names should be publicly disclosed,” MacKay continued.

MacKay added that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration should inspect any manufacturing facilities in question and take enforcement action against those “proven to be blatantly ignoring the laws.”

Angelone said she wasn’t surprised to find that anabolic steroids had been mixed into some of the bodybuilding products.

Supplements sold for weight loss or muscle building “tend to be contaminated the most, and usually they’re contaminated with unlabeled drugs because that’s how you get a quick effect,” Angelone said.

Climate Change May Bring ‘Browner’ Waters, More Disease A surge of diseases could become a consequence of climate change, scientists warn.

Extreme rainfall and melting permafrost associated with a warming climate are causing more organic matter to wash into lakes, rivers and coastal waters. This so-called “browning” of the world’s waters reduces the ability of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays to disinfect them effectively, and could lead to an increase in diseases caused by waterborne germs, the researchers said.

The finding stems from a study that analyzed water samples collected from lakes around the world, from Pennsylvania to New Zealand.

Using a model from the U.S. National Center for Atmospheric Research, the investigators calculated the ability of UV radiation from the sun to destroy pathogens in the water of each lake, known as the solar inactivation potential.

The researchers determined how much UV light hits the surface of the various lakes throughout the year and how deeply it reaches.

After measuring how much dissolved organic matter each water sample contained and assessing the wavelengths of light it absorbed, they estimated the impact this dissolved matter had on the sun’s germ-killing power.

“Much of the research emphasis up to this point has been on the browning itself, not the ecological consequences,” the study’s lead author, Craig Williamson, said in a news release from the research center.

“We were able to determine that, in some cases, browning is decreasing the ability of sunlight to disinfect water by a factor of 10.

This could have serious implications for drinking water supplies and coastal fisheries across the globe,” he explained.

Williamson is an ecologist at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

The study, published online recently in Scientific Reports, found that browning in regional lakes has reduced the potential for UV radiation from the sun to inactivate pathogens in the water.

Areas around the lakes’ edges, which are heavily used by people, have a much higher concentration of dissolved organic matter than their centers, the researchers found.

The sun’s disinfecting power can also wane after a heavy rainfall, the study showed.

For instance, using water samples from the region where the Manitowoc River flows into Lake Michigan, scientists found that the pathogen-killing effects of UV radiation were reduced by 22 percent after a strong storm, which washed more organic matter into the water. Lake Michigan supplies drinking water to more than 10 million people.

Water-treatment plants would also have more trouble killing waterborne germs because of an increase in dissolved organic matter, the study authors said.

The new findings highlight the importance of understanding the full effects of climate change, the researchers said.

Sunday November 05, 2017

Kaieteur News

Talent of the week…

Reanna Ebony Chase: Determined to be an exemplary role model for her peers Sixteen year-old Reanna Ebony Chase is a charming and ambitious young woman who is determined to be an exemplary role model for her peers. One of the ways she is pursuing this goal is through participation in the Miss Guyana Talented Teen Pageant to be held today at the Promenade Gardens. It is being hosted by Simpli Royal Executive Producer Ms. Pamela Dillon. The resident of Sophia is currently attending the Government Technical Institute and is aiming for a Diploma in Science. Her dream job is to become a surgeon. She shared with Kaieteur Entertainment that her platform for the pageant is, “Women In the Home.” In this regard, Chase shared that she chose to support this cause since women have so many unique qualities but they are often forgotten and robbed of opportunities they deserve. Furthermore, Chase shared that she has been training “night and day” for the “big day”. In this respect, the charming young woman shared that she has been do-

The beautiful and talent Reanna Ebony Chase ing several sessions of vocal and modeling training.

Should she become queen, Chase said that she would commence a Women Empowerment Organization. She asserted that she would also mentor teens who would desire to be a part of such pag-

eants. The beautiful belle noted too, that one thing she would do to improve Guyana’s image as a beauty ambassador would be to showcase Guyana’s diverse culture, hospitality and help facilitate the promotion of this by having a clean and secure environment.

As it relates to the pageant, Chase said this is her first pageant but she is not overcome by nerves.

She said, “It is my first time. But my thoughts thus far are that it is a bit challenging, but the challenges are being surpassed. I am not the usual girly-girl. I am more of a tom-boy so being in this pageant pushes me to tap into my femininity as I’m now growing into womanhood.”

Chase added, “My advice to other contestants is that they should give this pageant their best…To whoever takes the crown home Sunday night, it is important to note that we are all queens. There are no losers in pageantry for we have learned and gained so much throughout this journey.”

Preparations underway for Guyana Carnival 2018 After weeks of growing interest, the wait is over! It is finally here! Guyana Carnival is here! The Guyana Carnival Committee is a dynamic and diverse group of optimistic and excited people who are anticipating the official launch of our inaugural Guyana Carnival 2018.

This idea was birthed out of Guyana’s 50th Independence celebration when the country recorded thousands of arrivals of visitors to Guyana. The Minister of Tourism at that time, the Honorable Cathy Hughes had eluded to the fact that Guyana should capitalize on celebrating this event on a grand scale annually. With this call to action serving as the catalyst, the committee saw it fit to formulate a grand event to satisfy the demand of the masses. The event will be marketed heavily both locally and internationally in collaboration with media houses and event coordinators throughout the Caribbean, North America and Europe.

Carnival Guyana will provide a major economic boost to several industries, with taxi drivers to hairdressers, clothing stores to hotels and airlines to restaurants will see an increase in busi-

ness. It will also bring about much needed exposure to our local musicians and DJs. Carnival is a well-known cultural phenomenon celebrated in several Caribbean and LatinAmerican countries and is known for elaborate costumes, festivities, entertainment and frolic.

Participants engage in events and festivals such as premium fetes, cooler fetes and boat rides. It is a much-anticipated season for revelry and enjoyment amidst all the troubles and struggles of life. The theme for Carnival Guyana 2018 is “Genesis’, with the festivities being held during the period 18th-27th May. It is intended to be a destination event targeting those in the Diaspora and others from around the world withworld class events such as all-inclusive parties, concerts, boat rides, day tours and a grand costume day parade, through the beautiful streets of Georgetown, known as “mas”. The all-inclusive packages will include hotel accommodation, admission tickets, costume, food, drinks and day tours to the country’s most fascinating tourist sites.

The Committee is excited about the band launch, which will be nothing short of amazing featuring a cast of locally

and internationally renowned fashion designers. This will take place on December 2, 2017 (more details on venue and list of attractions will follow soon). After the band launch, customers will have the opportunity to register for a section online, through a committee member.

Registering in the band means you will be a masquerader in Guyana’s first ever Carnival and will be enjoying the benefits of an all-inclusive, international standard road experience. Patrons will receive a costume, goodie bag, lunch, snacks, free premium drinks and security all day while masquerading through the streets to some of the most versatile and renowned DJs. A frequently asked question the Committee wishes to address is: what is the difference between Mashramani and Carnival?

Mashramani is our local cultural festival “celebration after hard work” as defined by the Amerindians and celebrates Guyana becoming a republic.

Contact guyanacarnival@gmail.com for further inquiries. Stay tuned for more updates coming soon.

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Kaieteur News

Grove man seeks medical help for paralyzed arm Hopeful of once again becoming the person he once was is Dave Singh.

Dave Singh, a 32-year old of Grove, East Bank Demerara, lost mobility in his left arm last Christmas Eve after an accident at Hope, East Bank Demerara. He was returning home at the time.

Singh says he has no memory of what transpired, but just remembers waking up

in the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation on Christmas morning.

He said he was not informed by the medical practitioners that the nerves were damaged in his arm, but was given a prescription to buy the necessary drugs he needed for treatment, since the hospital was out of supplies.

Singh does not have any

close relatives and currently lives with his cousin in Grove, East Bank Demerara. He said he was not sure if this may have prompted the doctors at the institution to treat him the way they did.

He said the doctors conducted an X-ray. The results of the test were never explained to him, he said.

After a week went by, he said there was no

improvement in his arm. He was in pain and could not move the arm. He was unable to lift it, or hold anything with his hand. He also said he now feels little or nothing on the arm.

This resulted in him visiting a man in Wales, West Bank Demerara, whose only name was given as Kanchan.

Kanchan is said to be wellknown on the West side for his massages and other services that he would offer in the area of orthopedics.

After consultating him, Singh said he then became aware that his nerves had been damaged. Following the discovery, he noted he became discouraged and worried about his livelihood.

He said that he was confused about what to do and how to get help.

He said before the accident he used to conduct minibuses. His present situation prevents him from carrying out his normal daily routines. As hard as it may sound, Singh told Kaieteur News that he walks and sells vegetables around his community just to stay alive.

Yesterday he set about trying to become a vendor.

The man lost his mother when he was just a child and lived with his drunkard father

Dave Singh giving support to his left arm

for a number of years before dropping out of school at the age of 14.

He is currently seeking

medical help from persons within the medical fraternity, hoping to get back the life he once had.

Medical mission opens today Starting today, hundreds of Guyanese will be able to benefit from one of the most experienced and professional medical missions which has been visiting these shores since 2005.

This is according to Dr. James Cort, an Internal Medicine Specialist. He is part of the mission.

Speaking with Kaieteur News on Friday, Dr. Cort said that the 39-member team consists of 15 doctors, five of which are Guyanese. He said that other doctors on board are from Grenada, Jamaica, Barbados, the USA and Nigeria.

Dr. Cort asserted that there will be two pharmacists, two lab technicians, two respiratory technicians, and nurses. He noted that the mission will be looking at several ailments such as diabetes, high blood pressure, allergies, back pain, knee pain etc.

The Internist said, “While we will be visiting several communities, we don’t limit ourselves to treating patients from only that area. We have DAYS Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Internal Medicine Specialist, Dr. James Cort had patients from all over the country come to the area where we are providing our service.

“No one would be turned away. But this is not all that we are here to do. The outreach at the clinics is just part of it.”

Dr. Cort said that the team conducts surgeries primarily at New Amsterdam hospital.

He said that the team would be doing several surgical

LOCATION Fyrish , Region Six Manchester, Region Six Belladrum, Region Five Mahaica and Beterverwagting Buxton East LaPenitence

procedures such as general surgery, orthopedic surgery, vascular surgery, and gynecologic surgery.

He said that they would be partnering with the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) but to a lesser extent. The Internist said that the mission is still working on getting a permanent presence there.

“It will take a little while at GPHC. We will have two doctors there…In fact, we will have two Jamaican doctors there,” Dr. Cort added.

Additionally, he said that this year, the mission would be including dental care in its care services. In this regard, he said that they would be getting the assistance of the Rotary Club. He said that members of the club would be accompanying the team at all of the locations.

The Internist added, “We do ophthalmology at all of the sites too. This year we will be using the local ophthalmologist where we would be treating patients with eye diseases, such as glaucoma…who ever needs glasses, we would assist them in that regard.”

Dr. Cort then provided Kaieteur News with a schedule for the medical mission starting today and the areas in which they would be found. See chart below for more details.

Sunday November 05, 2017

STANDARDS IN FOCUS

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Kaieteur News

Weighing and Measuring Tips for Christmas Shopping During this busy shopping season, it is customary for consumers to engage in the purchase of goods, such as rice, flour, sugar, meats, preserved fruits and cooking oil by Weights and Measures. Although the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has been executing its mandate to ensure that all weighing and measuring devices used in trade are verified (stamped), consumers have meaningful roles to play which would guarantee that they are not given short weights and measures.

The following are ten of these roles:

1. Buy goods from vendors who are using verified scales and other verified devices. If used properly, approved devices give correct weights or measures.

2. Look for GNBS verification seals on devices. The affixed GNBS seals are one way of determining whether the device (scale) was verified.

3. Make sure the device used to weigh or measure your goods is clean and tidy. Dirty devices often give inaccurate weights and measures and can cause the contamination of goods.

4. Make sure that you can see the measuring indicator of scales. Ensure that the scale

is positioned in a manner which will allow you to see the weighing process.

5. Do not buy from vendors or shopkeepers using the domestic (kitchen) scales. These scales are not approved for commercial trade because their internal mechanisms are quickly worn, hence they give inaccurate weights.

6. Do not accept purchase if you have doubts about your weight or measure.

7. Buy in metric quantities.

Devices used in the market place are in metric units and by requesting goods in metric quantities you are assured of the

quantity of goods issued to you.

8. Buy all solids by weight instead of measure. Rice, peas and channa are solid goods and all solids must be weighed, not measured.

Request these goods in grammes and kilogrammes.

9. Buy prepackaged goods that are labeled with the quantity (net contents). For example: 450 g, 1 kg, 3 litres, etc.

10. Call the GNBS hotline or visit the Weights and Measures office in your Region and make your complaints if the need arises.

For further information please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0069, 219-0065, 2190062 or visit the GNBS website: www.gnbsgy.org

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Cut down trees & treating the land.Call:627-5969 Are you looking for(2) bilinguals with excellent communication skills to work permanently with your company? Call: 693-825/6679057 PASSPORT, PERMANENT & VISITOR VISA APPLICATION, PROFESSIONAL IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT – SABITA IMMIGRATION SERVICES. CALL: 613-3920/ 625-3767.

Eagle’s: Re-gas –low prices, washing machine repairs, gas stove, plasma flat Screen, computer repairs & more. Call: 697-2969/6460966

Sunday November 05, 2017

Kaieteur News

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

1 Medium size Fridge in good condition.Call:2278433 534Crown & Pinion. Tel# 648-2413, 660-9154 Pharmacy for sale 4 Stalls Bourda Market .Tel #6034017 Laptop &Desktop Computers from $49,000. 1300 TVL -8 Channel DVR with 8 Cameras complete$69,000.FutureTech: 231-2206, 660-2010 One apple i-pad for sale.Only one month old next to brand new.Excellent condition contact:654-1159 Video games and consoles at affordable price. Repairs to video game system .Call:6722566/265-3231 1. Cat 320 BL Excavator, 1. Cat 215 B Excavator, 1. Cat 428 Back- Hoe, 1. Leyland Daft Truck, 1. 8CU.YD. Mack Cement Mixer Truck. Contact: 275-0367, 275-0538/ 683-7225 1. Double Steel Wheeled Road Roller, 1. 9-Wheeled Pneumatic Roller, 1. 450GLNS. Bitumen Spray Kettle, 1. Honda 450 ATV Bike. Contact: 275-0367, 275-0538/ 6837225 2 Bedrooms apartment at 329 A Field Sophia. Contact: 2191045/ 625-0940

DRESSMAKING Working uniforms etc. Professionally done.Also Designing/sewing classes. Call Sharnice (Canadian Trained) .676-6312 FOR RENTAL

LEARN TO DRIVE Dance classes to keep fit, lose weight, build self-esteem and have fun. Studio 87 call:676-6312

ECD 2Bedroom $40,000 & 60,000/3 Bedroom 80,000, GT 1Bedroom $60,000/2Bedroom 70,000. Contact: 6450944/231-0861

PEN PAL You deserve a relationship filled with love and excitement. Call Harmony Singles 676-6312

EBD 2Bedroom $60,000/ 3Bedroom$70,000, WCD 2Bedroom $35,000/3Bedroom$ 50,000. Contact: 6450944/231-0861

VACANCY

WANTED

Experience accounts clerk between the age 23-50 years.

Apply at Alabama Trading.65-66 Robb street bourda.

Security to work in the interior. Must have Military/ Police background. Age range 35-50. Contact # 2269768

Cook/ baker and Kitchen Assistant for interior location. Applicants must have experience. Call:618-2020 Counter Attendants apply to Dian’s Deli. Barr Street Kitty next to the Fish shop. Call: 225-3700

Sales persons. Apply at Shantas .225 Camp and New Market Street.

Live in waitress to work in a bar.Call:604-6606/692-4649 Wanted one experience cook and counter staff.Tel#2260554

E x p e r i e n c e d salesman,generaldomestic,porter.

Apply with hand written application & recommendation @ Keyfood, McDoom Village.

Experience sales girl. Apply in person to Alabama Trading.

65-66 Robb streetbourda.

Captains valid certificate of competence as Master of Power Driven Vessel.Call:226-1100,2265380 Porters, Wood mizer, Resaw and Ripsaw operator, Moulder operator. Eccles Industrial Site E.B.Dem. Call Richard 609-7675/ 674-1705/ 233-2614

1 2-Bedroom self- contained apartment. Plantation Providence, E.B.Dem. Contact: 6186207/673-1617 1 Bedroom apartment fully furnished, grill, tile floor. Price negotiable $ 60,000 month. 25 Craig Street/ delph AvenueCampbelville. Contact :613-7542/223-1332 EDUCATION First Aid/CPR Classes on Saturdays. Contact St. John AMBULANCE Brigade Telephone:225-9082

2 bedroom bottom front apartment for rent in Station Street Kitty. Working professionals preferred. Please contact 652-3587/652-3593

SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc.

-CosmetologyCourses:$90,000 Technician Course: $35,000.

Call: 647-1773/660-5257 Furnished newly renovated self-contained room, water & electricity, 12 Sussex Street Charlestown -$30,000 monthly! $30,000 Security.

Call:219-1951/689-8757

VEHICLE FOR SALE

Meadow Bank, long term rental. Fully furnished 3 bedrooms apartment, parking, cameras etc- Call: 671-4221 Property for rent - 2 storey house at Republic Park, E.B.D$1200US. Call 647-1773 Apartment for rent , 7-8 Plantain Walk,West Bank Demerara. Call:264-2639

One bedroom self- contained, unfurnished apartment at Herstelling New Housing Scheme EBD. Prefer person with vehicle. Tel # 671-4169.

Bottom flat apartment $50,000 monthly E.B.D. Call:687-3017 Rooms in Alberttown- Call: 225-3234

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

FOR RENT 2 Bedroom apartment@ 59 Prince William St. Plaisance ECD.1 Bedroom apartment furnished@2287 Flying Fish st. (Exit) North Rumiveldt.

Call:218-1107/673-4745.

For sale 1.R2 Minibus $900.000 negotiable BMM series. Contact: 644-1354

LAND FOR SALE Prime land to build that dream home. Not far from Princess, New Thriving, Massy, HJ water world $13M neg- Call: 669-8397 28 Acres of land @ Soesdyke Public Road.By owner.Interested persons please send information to P.O 101184 Farm(East Bank)New Scheme $3.5m, ParfaiteHarmonie (upfront)$1.5m,Uivlugt $3.5m(high income).Tel:6511969/667-1960

Allion, Primo, Fielder Wagon, Spacio, Bluebird, 212 Carina, NZE, Honda CRV, Toyota IST, RZ & Pitbull – Call: 650-7501 Fielder Wagon in excellent condition.Call:664-0802 Nissan Pathfinder jeep& Nissan Laurel car fully loaded. Price negotiable $1.4 million each.Call:609-7766 1 Twin-steer, double axle Leyland DAF & 4 Flatbed Leyland DAF all in excellent condition. Owner migratingCall: 649-8449, 228-5655 SERVICES

EDUCATION Day Care and Pre-K classes available in Diamond Call Canadian School 2166921,216-6922 Register your child for after school classes for slow learners in Mathematics, Reading, Phonics, Spelling, etc. Call: 675-4379

PROPERTY FOR SALE 4 bedrooms 2 storey house on 2 large lots well maintained @ Zeeburg, WCD. Also a vacant large lot- Tel: 277-0024, 659-1206 New building with two apartment downstairs for sale.10 minutes from Georgetown .Call:675-1510/ 613-7964.

Kitty 2 Bedroom $18 million, 3 Bedroom$30 million,4 Bedroom$50 million. Contact: 645-0944/231-0861 Albert town 3 Bedroom$10 million, 2 Bedroom with business place $58 million,33 Bedroom $110 million. Contact: 645-0944/2310861 South 3 Bedroom$20 million,5 Bedroom $35 million,6 Bedroom$40 million. Contact: 645-0944/231-0861 East Coast 2 Bedroom $12 million,3 Bedroom$19 million,4 Bedroom$16 million.

Contact: 645-0944/231-0861 West Coast 2 Bedroom$6.5 million, 4 Bedrooms $7 million, 5 Bedrooms $12 million.

Contact: 645-0944/231-0861 House and land for sale.

Hope E.C.D. Contact: 6114273 Large 3 bedroom house on spacious land. All amenities in tact. Versailles Public Road W.B.D. Call: 609-7766/2641141.

Spacious 4 bedrooms concrete home with modern amenities @ New Amsterdam Berbice opposite N/A police station. $79M negotiable- Call: 718-6830884, 682-2046 308 Eccles block BB East Bank Demerara- Tel: 6720733, 233-2376 One(1) three(3) Bedroom concrete house located in a gated community at Schoonord, W.B.D. All rooms self- contained. Contact:6602233

VACANCY

BUILDING CONTRACTOR, HOUSE PLAN OR JUST AN ESTIMATE.GIVE US A CALL 216-0671/692-8464/622-0267

One experienced legal computer clerk. Call: 624-7087/ 226-4283/258-0213/ email:husainsaphier@yahoo.com

TOLET

Sales Representative. Must have own transportation.

Apply at King’s Liquor Guyana Inc. Call: 223-3217/ 19

Camp ST. Area Middle & Upper floor, for Offices, School and other type of Business. Call Richard 6097675/ 674-1705/233-2614

TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 2257878 (24HRS)

(Continued on page 69)

Sunday November 05, 2017

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Kaieteur News

CONSUMER CONCERNS

The Salt Fish Industry and its Modernization

By PAT DIAL Just as whisky is the wine of Scotland and rum is the wine of the Caribbean, Salt Fish is regarded as a food of the Caribbean. Salt Fish, as we know it to-day, became an essential part of the Caribbean diet some 600 years ago after Columbus’s arrival in the Americas. It predates rice and “ground provisions”.

When Europeans first arrived in the Caribbean, Central and South America they found the rivers and shores teeming with fish. Fish immediately became an important part of their diet and since there were large deposits of salt in easily accessible places such as Curacao, fish began to be salted so as to preserve it and provided them with a store of food as they traveled.

African slavery was introduced shortly after Columbus’s arrival and Africans were fed with salt fish as a cheap, nourishing and easily obtained food. When the plantation system developed, salt fish as a cheap form of protein became a staple in the diet of the slaves.

And over the centuries, slave society developed a rich corpus of salt fish recipes, many of which survived after Emancipation.

Among these salt fish recipes were salt fish cakes made in a variety of ways with various combinations and ingredients.

Salt Fish was combined with other forms of cooking. Salt Fish and bread and Salt Fish and plantains became a unique part of Caribbean diet.

In addition, many Caribbean territories developed their own particular salt fish recipes such as salt fish and breadfruit cooked in a variety of ways in the Windward and Leeward Islands and Akee and Salt Fish in Jamaica. Akee was introduced from West Africa in the 18th century to feed the slaves and it was immediately combined with salt fish to produce what is now the Jamaican national dish.

When immigrants from China, India and Madeira were imported to work on the plantations, they too grafted on salt fish to their cooking as for example “salt fish choka” in Indian cooking.

Most of the salt fish consumed in the Caribbean in the 19th and 20th centuries up to the beginning of World War II was imported chiefly from North America. During World War II salt fish could not be imported because German submarines (U-Boats) destroyed shipping and the

resultant shortage compelled some people to experiment in producing salt fish. The local product was not successful in achieving the standards of the foreign imports and after the War, salt fish importation quickly resumed.

In the 1970’s and 1980’s Guyana experienced serious shortages of foreign exchange and salt fish was not imported. This was the catalyst which gave the push for the establishment of a local salt fish industry.

Guyanese producers learnt from experimentation and experience and were able to produce a salt fish fairly comparable to the best foreign import. Locally produced salt fish was widely used and was sold in the main groceries.

In the last two decades, the quality of local salt fish deteriorated and the supermarkets did not stock it or very little of it. Into the reasons for this deterioration we shall not go, but the salt fish smuggled from Suriname, probably produced in Holland, was a constant reminder of the poor quality of our local product.

Salt Fish fell out of the diet of many people, especially the more

(From page 68)

CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL:656-0087,6435122 ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM DOLLY’SCARRENTAL-CALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIALOFFERS! . CALL: 690-6494 AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FORAIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807

affluent, but despite its poor quality, it was stoutly retained as a staple by the working class.

Today, many of the salt fish producers use fish which is beginning to deteriorate and which could be bought at a small fraction of the price of fresh fish.

And their methods of cleaning, salting and drying have remained primitive. The fish is dried in trays in the open which are subject to swarms of flies, bird droppings and dust and the finished product often has a rank smell.

The Regulatory Bodies are understaffed and cannot execute detailed inspections of these

producers. They are concerned with ascertaining that the final product marketed is wholesome and have to trust that cooking would destroy harmful bacteria.

The immediate hope for consumers having a healthy salt fish of international standard lies in competition in the market place. There are now emerging a few companies which are producing salt fish by state-ofthe -art methods The staff engaged in these very few companies are appropriately attired with gloves, aprons and proper boots and preparation of the fish and salting are done mechanically and drying is done

by solar power.

The use of solar power is more hygienic and results in more efficient production since the drying process no longer depends on the vagaries of the weather.

The few progressive companies produce with various types of fish such as snapper, trout, bangamary and others to meet consumers’ pockets. These few companies are having a growing share of the market and other producers are realizing that they have to raise their standards or go out of business. This is an example where the workings of the market are raising standards

as much as the efforts of the Regulatory Bodies.

One of the companies which thinks it is an exemplar in the modernization and marketing of fish production, and in particular salt fish, is Global Seafoods Distributors.

Many consumers have complained that the price of good quality Salt Fish has become so comparatively high that salt fish, once the poor man’s staple, is now a luxury food. With the expansion of the Industry and the introduction of greater efficiencies prices will fall and be affordable to all.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 05, 2017

Auditor General report confirms...

From page 9 ventilated. The fact that GECOM depends on taxpayers dollars to carry out its work, including the issuance of identification cards, plays a huge role as the entity has to abide with national procurement laws.

On Thursday, the Auditor General’s report for public spending was released. There were three pages of the report dedicated to the probe at GECOM, with disclosures that separate reports would also be

coming. The AG report focused on the now infamous $100M purchase of communication radios, as well as millions more paid for toners for printers, and nippers for ballot boxes.

The purchases all had to do with 2015 general elections.

Only 5 issued According to the report, a special investigation into the acquisition of radios in 2015 revealed that only five of the 50 radio sets ordered were ever issued despite the emergency

reasons advanced.

That shockingly meant 45 radio sets, including 15 Barrett and 30 ICOM, valued approximately $89.6M, were not utilized by the Commission.

In September, when checks were made by state auditors, six radio sets valued approximately $11.946M were inoperable.

Auditors found that the commission’s secretariat, headed

by Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, did not use public tendering for the procurement of

the radio sets, as the entity cited time constraints.

Requests for Quotations (RFQs) were sent out by the Administrative Department to three suppliers for the supply of 50 HF Barrett radios (brand of radios specified).

However, GECOM’s Administrative Department recommended the award to a supplier who quoted for two different brands and three types of radios even though one supplier met the criteria.

GECOM later claimed that the decision to go with Mobile Authority, a Water Street business owned by Michael Brasse, was based on the lowest contract price and not the types or brand of radios.

In fact, the GECOM only sought approval of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), after it had already sought quotations from suppliers and had even evaluated those quotations- a clear breach of the procurement process.

To rub salt on the wound, GECOM’s Administrative Department also evaluated the bids, another breach.

“Since the contract was signed a mere six days prior to the hosting of the Elections, it would have been impractical to utilize the radios purchased, as intended,” the Auditor General report noted.

Auditors said that it will be issuing a separate report on the investigation. GECOM’s procurement breaches did not stop at radios.

Not needed It also extended to toners for the many printers and photocopiers that GECOM had.

The problem with this, auditors said, is GECOM did not prove its case that the toners were needed and there was no evidence that the toners were

Former Deputy Chief Elections Officer, Vishnu Persaud

Former GECOM’s Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally

given out in a hurry to the various departments to use. In fact, GECOM was left with shelves of those toners after the elections.

The audit report said that investigations into the acquisition of toners and cartridges in 2015 and 2016 revealed that four contracts amounting to $38.464M were awarded to the same supplier, MTech Business Solutions, for the acquisition of ink toners/ cartridges using the restrictive method of procurement.

M-Tech is also, incidentally, owned by Brasse.

“In three instances the contracts were awarded to the highest bidder; whilst, in the other instance, the contract was awarded to the second highest bidder. Had these contracts been awarded to the lowest bidder, the Commission would have saved a sum of $18.988M,” the report said.

With regards to the purchase of nippers for the ballot boxes, GECOM in its request for quotations asked for Klein pliers.

However, the secretariat did not even considered what it asked for. Rather, it went for the more expensive Felo nippers.

State auditors, in the reports, said that GECOM could have saved taxpayers $2.988M if the Klein pliers were purchased

instead of the Felo nippers.

GECOM reportedly signed a contract with GECOM from Standard Distributors after also getting quotes from Fix-It Hardware and National Hardware. It so happens Standard Distributors is owned

by King Street businessman, Mahendra Brasse- brother of Michael Brasse.

In 2015, according GECOM figures, it doled out over $700M in contracts with more than 40 percent alone going to the two Brasse brothers.

They were in all kinds of things. They supplied batteries, toners, chairs, stationeries and the now infamous communications radio sets.

According to the Auditor General report, there were other cases that it found with GECOM’s purchasing.

For example, to escape the eyes of the Cabinet of Ministers, it split 11 contracts, amounting to $101.616M. The contracts were split in amounts of four, a situation which raises serious questions over the transparency of the transactions.

With Justice James Patterson recently sworn in as GECOM’s Chairman, Opposition commissioners have made it clear that they intend to raise the fraud issues when a meeting is convened.

Sunday November 05, 2017

Mom allegedly gives son gun to kill enemy From page 8 of the suspect’s mother and siblings.

In April 14, 2015, Munroe, called ‘Ocku’, was charged with robbing Lloyd Butchey of a gold chain, a Samsung Galaxy Smartphone and $12,000 in cash.

On March 31, 2016 at Lot 56 Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, Berbice, Munroe and another broke and entered the home of Erica Hope and stole two laptops, two cell phones and a DVD player.

Munroe was placed on $100,000 bail on each charge.

He was charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

He was also charged with robbing a Guyana Defence Force Lieutenant of one Apple cell phone.

He was also facing another charge of burglary in which he stole one Acer Laptop Computer, one HP laptop computer and one tablet. He has a number of ongoing matters pending, including break and enter and larceny, simple larceny, robbery under arms and throwing missiles among others.

Munroe who was on bail, had fled the area. He was sub-

sequently nabbed in Georgetown while being in possession of narcotics and was placed on $20,000 bail. He was unable to post the bail and was remanded to Prison there.

He had given his name as ‘Junior Munroe’ and a wrong address.

He was on bail again when he committed the last two atrocities.

In April 2016, Munroe was charged with robbery under arms and burglary.

His address was given as Lot 31 Savannah Park, New Amsterdam. It was alleged that he and others had robbed Lloyd Butchey of a gold chain, a Samsung Galaxy Smartphone and $12,000 in cash.

Munroe was also part of a gang that caused a prison fracas that occurred in the New Amsterdam Prison in 2014 in which four prisoners were brutally beaten and slashed.

That attack is widely believed to have caused the ensuing prison fracas in which Azumulla, and other high profile prisoners Quame Bhagwandin, Clarence Williams called ‘Wild Hog’, and Davendra Harrichand called ‘Bara’ were injured.

In September 2016, Munroe was shot in the abdomen during an altercation with ranks of an anti-crime patrol in Berbice who went to arrest him.

He somehow managed to flee into some nearby bushes, but turned up at the New Amsterdam Hospital from where he was transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital in a critical condition.

Later, he was out on bail after being charged with several offences.

Just three months ago, his brother, sacked prison officer Troybon Munroe of Canje, was shot dead when he and an accomplice attempted to rob a businesswoman on the Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown Railway Embankment Road in the vicinity of the Arthur Chung Convention Centre.

The dead man’s accomplice, Mark Griffith, of Wismar, Linden, turned up at the Georgetown Public Hospital with a gunshot wound to the chest.

The robbers had trailed the businesswoman from the Eugene F. Correira International Airport, where she had gone to collect a quantity of raw gold that had earlier arrived from the interior.

Entrepreneurs must manage Cash...

From page 14 · Paying suppliers before receiving payments from clients (timing between accounts payable and accounts receivable) · Preparing cash flow projections and not using a cash flow budget · Dealing with fluctuating demand and sales; overestimating future sales volume, and · Accessing additional credit or financing.

Some ideas on managing cash flow correctly An effective cash flow management strategy can streamline SMEs’ daily operations and transform revenue into profits. There are several factors to consider with cash flow, but the key is “If your expenses exceed you cash, then you have a cash flow problem.”

Cash flow is the lifeblood of a business and critical in its growth. According to Caron Beesley, contributor to the U.S. Small Business Administration, “small businesses are hugely dependent on their cash flow, and must either cut costs or scramble to find alternative funding when they are not being paid on time.

With money tight and bank loans hard to get, a cash strapped company can easily be pushed to the brink.”

The following are the basics of good cash flow management: 1. Do not be passive about past-due receivables – Jared

Hecht one of the contributors at Entrepreneur.com indicates that one of the fastest cash flow killers for small businesses results from unpaid invoices from clients.

“If you are not being proactive about collecting payments from your clients, you could be on your way to a dangerous cash flow situation.” Good accounting practices suggest that keeping an organized ledger is necessary for cash flow.

This will also help to speed up debt collection.

2. Use a cash flow budget – A budget helps you to set realistic expectations for future sales. Use budgeting software to create a detailed forecast and use that information to drive your business is one of the most impactful steps you can take to manage cash flow effectively.

3. Keep a cushion of cash on hand – If your business has a zero account balance, one month of slow sales could mean instant disaster.

So plan ahead and know where your cash is tied up.

Set money aside to safeguard your business from cash flow issues; maintain an account balance equivalent to at least two months of operating expenses.

4. Secure credit before you actually need it – Access to credit can make or break your business. The Red Door Capital Group suggests that, “the sooner you prepare your funding options, the less

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Kaieteur News

scrambling you will have to do later when cash flow becomes a problem.”

5. Do not overestimate future sales – Use a basic spreadsheet as your tool for cash flow projections. By applying quantitative forecasting methods, you can use actual past revenue data from your own business or other businesses in your industry as a basis for tracking trends and predicting future sales.

6. Do not spend recklessly – There are practical steps you can take to minimize your overhead costs. In the start-up phase, “keep your eye on the bottom line, considering the cost-benefit of every single expense.” Most new enterprises do not need massive office space or a large warehouse for inventory.

Budget planning is essential.

Make sure to spend your resources on expenses that will benefit the enterprise.

Concluding remarks Good cash management activities include maintaining sufficient reserves, minimizing idle resources, investing for future expansion and reducing borrowing and processing costs. In effect, cash flow management is vital to the health of your business and its long-term viability.

Next week we will examine some more aspects of financial education for entrepreneurs. Please send your comments or questions t o deputygovernor@bankofguyana.org.gy

Over 70, 000 self-employed citizens escaped GRA’s tax net last year –AG

From page 12 Bank Paper notes that presumptive income taxation is employed primarily in economies where ‘hard-totax’ taxpayers comprise the majority of the population and administrative resources are scarce.

It said that many of the persons affected are either unable or unwilling

to maintain the books and records required by the tax authorities, including for example the I n c o m e Ta x ( A c c o u n t s and Records) Regulations, published under the Income Tax Act. The World Bank considers presumptive taxation to be “an optimal method of curbing wide-

spread non-compliance without employing excessive government resources because it addresses the concerns of both taxpayer and tax authority.

Presumptive taxation provides taxpayers with a simplified option for tax compliance without requiring full financial transparency.”

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 05, 2017

PM says Montego Bay very important to growth strategy ST JAMES, Jamaica (JIS) — Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, says as one of the fastest-growing cities in the Caribbean, Montego Bay is very important to the Government’s growth strategy.

Speaking at the official opening of the GWest Medical Centre in Fairview, Montego Bay on Thursday,

Holness pointed out that the city is being positioned as a major centre for business, noting that the goal is to make it “a major hub for commerce in the Caribbean”.

“I am in Montego Bay quite often and for one reason only. I am here because great things are happening in the city. It can

now be easily described as the place of choice for successful business endeavours,” he said.

The prime minister noted that investments such as the GWest Medical Centre are the types of businesses needed in a city like Montego Bay, adding that business confidence is high “in this western city”.

Sunday November 05, 2017

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Kaieteur News

New push against terrorism financiers, violent extremism

Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi Trinidad Guardian - The Government’s push with international partners against financiers of terrorism and its bid to combat violent extremism are assuming front burner status.

Agreements were signed this week with Cuba and Sri Lanka to exchange information to track financiers of terrorism. Recently also, talks were held with visiting US officials, including Homeland Security members, on issues including combatting violent extremism.

Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi, whose ministry houses T&T’s Counter-Terrorism Desk, was involved in

both activities and was due back Friday night following a recent counter-terrorism conference in Argentina where the agreements with Cuba and Sri Lanka were signed.

Al-Rawi was in Argentina when that country mourned the deaths of five of its citizens in Tuesday’s terrorist attack in New York. The five were among eight Argentine citizens in New York for a reunion when they were mowed down by Uzbekistan born US- domiciled Sayfullo Saipov who drove a truck into them along a bike path.

While in Argentina, AlRawi signed memoranda of understanding (MOU) with the Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) of Sri Lanka and Cuba. The agreements allow T&T’s FIU to exchange information securely and enhance networking and co-operation with foreign FIUs in the fight against money launderers, financiers of terrorism and other criminal organisations.

Two US Congress delegations recently met Government to discuss regional issues, including combatting violent extremism, the US Embassy confirmed.

The officials met Al-Rawi, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Stuart Young and National Security Minis-

ter Edmund Dillon at the Parliament.

Delegations were led by Eddy Acevedo, Staff Director, Sub-committee on the Middle East and North Africa, House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Mandy

Bowers of the House Homeland Security Committee.

Both delegations met with government and other partners to evaluate implementation of the US/Caribbean Strategic Engagement

Act which was signed into US law in December 2016, the Embassy said. That law involves efforts to counter organised crime and illicit trafficking, support democracy throughout the Western hemisphere, strengthen

energy security and create jobs through increased trade and investment. In addition, they discussed regional issues, including Venezuela and joint US and T&T efforts to combat violent extremism, the Embassy added.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 05, 2017

Digicel takes wireless telephone service...

St. Lucia minister elected to MISPA executive CASTRIES, St. Lucia - CMC – Justice, National Security and Home Affairs Minister, Hermangild Francis, has been elected as the first vice chair of the Ministers Responsible for Public Safety of the Americas and Caribbean (MISPA).

Francis, a former acting police commissioner, was elected by proclamation during the MISPA conference in Honduras last month. He will hold the post until 2019.

A government statement noted that the MISPA dialogue took the form of three panel discussions on topics including InterAgency Cooperation, Coordination and Communication, Design and Implementation of Information and Knowledge Systems for better Public Security Management and Public Security Transparency, and Monitoring and Oversight Mechanisms.

From page 7 to improve data signal.

Telecommunication Minister, Cathy Hughes, expressed gratitude to Digicel for including members of the community in the commissioning.

She added that Digicel has become a very important partner in Government’s aggressive programme to make the country Information and Communication Technology (ICT) capable.

Guyana is on its way to being counted amongst the developing countries where telecommunication will play a very big role, she said.

“More importantly everything that our communication providers like, Digicel does.

Every tower they put up and every cell site they establish, represents another step in the right direction.”

The Minister said that the cell service providers

and the internet service providers are determined to reach everyone utilising information and communication technology.

She further added that some communities are learning very fast to use the many internet platforms.

“The residents will soon get great cell phone receptions and most of all, the possibility of strong reliable internet connectivity,” the Minster added.

According to Hughes, the Ministry of Public Telecommunication has so far installed free WiFi equipment in 93 secondary schools across the country. The students and teachers now have access to free internet in their computer labs and staffrooms.

She added that special programmes will be launched soon for primary schools countrywide; equipping students with computer

tablets which will be used in the classrooms.

She added that they have commissioned over 56 community ICT hubs along the coastland and hinterland areas.

She noted that the partnership with Digicel and other companies gives the people the ability to move and provide services in more areas.

Not forgetting the mothers and fathers and early school leavers, the Minister said that free internet is an inducement for them so that they can surf the web.

“You must use it to find out what business opportunities may lay in store for you.”

She urged the residents to be creative with fruits and vegetables that are in their community which they can sell online.

She said that Facebook is an easy way to attract people so the products will sell faster since a wider range of people will get the opportunity to see it.

Most importantly, she said, they should use online for training and entrepreneurial opportunities.

The minister said that her government is ready to work hand in hand with the residents of Coomacka and ICT hubs to provide free internet access to the people.

Sunday November 5, 2017

Kaieteur News

Blistering Munro ton helps New Zealand to level series against India (Reuters) - Opener Colin Munro smashed a career-best 109 not out to help secure New Zealand’s series-levelling 40-run victory in the second Tw e n t y 2 0 I n t e r national against India yesterday.

Munro smacked seven sixes and as many boundaries in his 58-ball blitz to help New Zealand post a commanding 196-2 in a match they needed to win to stay alive in the threematch contest.

India, who won the preceding one-day series against New Zealand, wobbled early in their chase and eventually managed 156-7 despite skipper Virat Kohli’s defiant 65.

Thiruvananthapuram hosts the decider on Tuesday.

Munro and Martin

Guptill gave New Zealand a flying start after skipper Kane Williamson opted to bat at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot.

The openers tore into the Indian attack during their 105-run stand in 11 overs.

Guptill clobbered three sixes in his breezy 45 before being dismissed by Yuzvendra Chahal.

Munro brought up his fifty in 26 balls and was on 79 when Chahal dropped him at deep cover. The opener took 54 balls to complete his second Twenty20 century.

Debutant Mohammed Siraj claimed his maiden international wicket when the paceman dismissed rival captain Kane Williamson for 12.

India’s reply got off to a contrasting start with the hosts losing both their openers inside the first two overs of their innings.

Kohli and Shreyas Iyer raised 54 runs for the third wicket before Munro struck, dismissing Iyer for 23.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni (49) struck three sixes but the mounting run rate prompted Kohli to try to accelerate and he perished in the process.

Paceman Trent Boult claimed 4-34, while spinners Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner also bowled tidy overs.

Sco r e s : New Zealand 196 for 2 (Munro 109*, Guptill 4 5 ) beat India 156 for 7 (Kohli 65, Dhoni 49, Boult 4-34) by 40 runs.

Sunday November 05, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Don't count your chickens before they hatch. Deal with the needs of children. Try to iron out any friction over money with your mate or conflicts could prevail.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Relationships may be hard to handle. Don't draw too much attention to yourself at work.

Don't push your mate away.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) If it can make you extra cash, it will be even better. Don't let the moods of those you live with get you down. Don't overextend your self in order to add luxury items to your entertainment center.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Refuse to let others make unrealistic demands of you.

Your doubt could lead to insecurity. Use discretion, especially if involved with someone from work.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Don't hesitate to present your unique ideas. Visit friends or relatives you don't get to see very often. Emotional situations could bring out your stubborn nature.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Don't be afraid to say what's on your mind. Take the time to help old friends or relatives who have had a stroke of bad luck. You should get out and meet some of those clients that you only speak to on the phone.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Don't be too open or put your faith in unreliable coworkers. The locks, stove, gas, or electric wires may not be secure. Someone may be trying to damage your reputation.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Don't settle for less than the best. Purchases will be well worth it and they will last a long time. Difficulties relating to children will be stressful.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Do things that involve children. You are best to work at home if you can. Reevaluate your motives.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Don't let your jealous imagination play games with you.

Your disciplined attention to jobs will enhance your position. Find ways to make extra cash. Start making things or reusing rather than buying ready made.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Catch up on your reading and correspondence. Romance will be yours if you get out and do things in large groups.

Take a second look; another person's philosophy may be extremely different from yours.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Ask a close friend for advice.

Property purchases should be on your mind. You can make changes that will enhance your appearance.

PAGE 75

Boots All stars, Regal Masters, Floodlight, Speedboat...

(From page 77) Khemraj Sumair 2-19.

Albion Masters were bowled out for 108 in 16.1 over sin reply. Sumair struck 56 not out as David Harper snared 319 and Parsram Persaud 2-16.

At DCC, Floodlights got the better of Fisherman XI 34 runs. Led by 57 from Ramo Malone, 23 from Ravi Lutchman and 21 from Unnis Yusuf, Floodlights posted 159-6, taking first strike. Fisherman XI made 125 all out in 18.5 overs in reply. Robert Mohan made 46; Malone claimed 3-33, R. Narine 2-15, Ravi Lutchman 2-20 and V.

Latchman 2-25.

In the final preliminary round games played earlier, Albion Masters beat Marine Masters by eight wickets at Eve Leary. Marine Masters were skittled for 47 in 15.4 overs, batting first. A. Khadroo grabbed 4-14 and R. Khellawan 2-9. Albion Masters replied with 48-2 in 4.1 overs. Khemraj Sumair made 18; E. Sukhai had 2-13.

At GDF, Regal Masters defeated Tristate by eight wickets. Tristate were bowled out for 58 in 15 overs, taking first strike. Laurie Singh captured 3-5 and Eric Thomas 2-

17. Regal Masters responded with 60-2 in 4.3 overs. Mahase Chunilall made 36 and Mahendra Hardyal 17 not out.

E. Prashad took 2-5.

At Eve Leary, Corriverton overcame Farm XI by 70 runs.

Corriverton took first turn in the middle and rattled up 1909. K. Sobhai stroked 76 and Keon Sinclair 30; Patrick Khan had 2-29. Farm made 120-9 in reply. Ravindra Ramnauth scored 34 and Quazim Yusuf 23. Eon Hooper picked up 2-16 and David Luknauth 225.

The competition concludes today at DCC.

All roads lead to Kennard Memorial Turf Club...

(From page 78) battle is anticipated. Among them are King Stanley, Red Jet, Natural Beauty, Red Region, Plane Land, Miss Angelie and Royal Cash will all be looking to cash in on the takings for the day.

The event for animals classified two years and lower has been added to the programme to replace the H and lower event. There is the race for K and lower animals for a winning take of $120,000 and trophy over five furlongs. The L1 and lower event has a first prize of $100,000 and trophy.

The other events are for

Felipe Massa: Williams...

(From page 79) that year he suffered a fractured skull when he was hit by a suspension part from another car.

He returned for the 2010 season but his new teammate was Fernando Alonso, who proved far superior and soon came to dominate the team.

Massa stayed with Ferrari until 2013 as a support driver to Alonso before joining Williams in 2014.

Marian Academy...

(From page 75) neither of the opposition.

Coach Winter posited following the victory that Marian are well on their way to a second title, “My team is very good technically and tactically. I do not see any other team (West Ruimveldt) that can beat us. No doubt we will lift this (2017) title.”

Goal scorer Malik Barker was adamant to not receive any individual praise for the effort since he believed that everyone had their role to play and he couldn’t have done it without his teammates.

The final will be contested this Saturday at the Thirst Park ground.

Horses classified L2 and lower and those unclassified for hefty pay days and trophy.

A number of side attractions for kids and adults are also planned for the day. As such, thousands are expected to throng the venue.

Meanwhile, a bevy of sponsors led by beverage giants Ansa McAl Trading, Nand Persaud Group of Companies, Colin Elcock Delmur Company Limited, The National Sports Commission, Fazal Habibulla, Rumours Racing Stable ,Golden Gloves Speed Boat Service, Norman Singh, Gansham Singh, Guyana Youth and Students Movement (GYSM), Hot and Spicy, Kennard Memorial Turf Club and Poonai Pharmacy.

Also on board are Anil Sawh, Raj Ramcharitar, Calypso Hut, Ken Drepaul, Kumar Singh, Wayne Nelson and Budd all of the USA. The list of entries include Flow Jo, Massiquita Dr, Physical Disturbance, Daddy Dollar, Release the Heat, Supreme Cat, Wise Tom, Storm, Princess Shoma, Perfect Return, Country Boy, Irish Boy, Country Girl, Little Star, Red Weasle, Little Kevin, UP Front, Sweet Silence, Red Fire, Royal Paymaster, Touch The Cash, Black Bird, Slim Shady, Luck Lucky, Outstanding individual performers including top Jockey, trainer and stable will be presented with trophies and other incentives compliments of the organizers.

Race time is 12:30 hrs.

(Samuel Whyte)

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Sunday November 05, 2017

Kaieteur News

Kaieteur Sports Week in Review SPORTS WEEK IN REVIEW This week we highlight some of the main events that took place in Guyana in sports. We can recall success in the Junior Guianas Tennis programme for the first time and several other successfully held events. Here are those highlights.

GUYANA CAPTURE CUP OF THE GUIANAS History was made as a strong Guyana Junior tennis team were able to finally turn the table on rivals Suriname and French Guiana in their annual meet.

It was a decisive win for the Guyanese team who played with passion and a high degree of discipline as they overcame all odds and were finally able to win the inter country competition for the first time in over 10 years of competing.

Now rebranded as the Cup of the Guianas (formerly Inter-Guiana Games), the tournament attracted top junior players from Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana who battled in the Under-12, Under-14 and Under-18 categories.

Guyana were dominant this year as they copped an unprecedented five gold medals and one silver in the six categories, with Suriname coming in second (five silver and one bronze), while French Guiana took third (one gold and five bronze). Final tally placed Guyana with 29 matches to 16 for Suriname and nine matches to French Guiana.

Outstanding performances at the tournament came from Jeremiah Kalekyezi and Vadeanand Resaul winning all six matches in the Under-14 category. Afruica Gentle and Kalyca Fraser also secured all wins in the Girls’ 18.

FRUTA CONQUERORS WIN GFA DIVISION GFF/NAMILCO FLOUR POWER U-17 TITLE Fruta Conquerors were crowned champions of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/Namilco Flour power, Georgetown Football Association division after amassing a total of 38 points from their 14 league games played. The GFA division of the nationwide tournament saw eight teams battling it out for a chance to go on and challenge for the title of best under-17 team in the country.

Conquerors were led by National defender Jeremy Garrett, who not only led his team, but the league scoring charts with a total of 10 goals. The final match day of the league saw the champions playing second place Eastville FC who finished on 30 points to a goalless draw at their home ground, Tucville. A formal match after they were already mathematically, champions of the league.

GDF GYM MARCHES AWAY WITH TITLE LENNOX BLACKMOORE NATIONAL NOVICE TITLE The Guyana Defence Force

Ms. London from the Department of Tourism, Ministry of Business presents the Welcome Bag to Ms. Rebecca Wiltshire of World Archery Barbados. Looking on from left are Ms. Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, Mr. Ronald Field, Mr. Thomas Field and Mr. Dwayne Grovesnor.

(GDF) gym retained the Lennox Blackmoore National Novice boxing championships hosted by the Guyana Boxing Association at the National Gymnasium on M a n d e l a Av e n u e a f t e r t h e conclusion of the three-day event.

The army men won eight of the 11 fights the final night to solidify themselves as the top Amateur boxing gym in the land of many waters and each victory was celebrated with much fanfare, led by the war tunes of the GDF’s musical band which was present on each night, adding tunes to compliment the in-house Deejay.

GDF’s Akimo Watts won the Junior Flyweight class against his compatriot Hakyim Bostwick (GDF) who got injured in the third round, forcing the referee to stop the contest.

The Lightweight final was another GDF vs. GDF match; Delroy Fordyce defeated Delon Garraway through a split decision after the three rounds.

Guyana’s Commonwealth Youth Games silver medalist, Keevin Allicock of Forgotten Youth Foundation gym, predictably defeated Trevor Motielall of Young Achievers boxing gym after the referee stopped the contest (RSC) during round one.

Kelvin Moore of Vergenoegen Boxing Gym was the third fighter from a civilian gym to upset the military after being granted victory

by RSC in the second round in the Elites Bantamweight final.

Lethem’s Savannah Boxing Gym’s James Anderson had to settle for the runner up placing in the Junior Welterweight class after being unable to cope with GDF’s Clinton Clarke forcing a RSC during the first round.

Welterweight Leon Semple outboxed Emmanuel Sancho to win a unanimous decision.

Orlando Norton abandoned his

Middleweight final fight against Okimey Baker during the third round, Darel McPherson didn’t even show up for his Light Heavyweight brawl with Renaldo Niles, Aubrey Headley was too much for Damieon Johnson in the Heavyweight final which the referee stopped in the third round.

Antonio Williams was the better boxer over three rounds, with a unanimous decision over Emmerson Farley in the Super Heavyweight class.

ICC OFFICIALS INSPECT NATIONAL STADIUM AHEAD OF 2018 WOMEN’S T/20 WORLD CUP A team of officials from the International Cricket Council (ICC) were in Guyana and conducted inspections at the National Stadium, Providence, which is one of the potential venues for the 2018 Women’s T/20 World Cup that will be hosted by Cricket West Indies (CWI).

The event will bowl off in one year’s time from November 3-24, featuring 23 matches between 10 teams playing in eight CWI member countries.

Upon completion of the inspections, the ICC team of inspectors will submit their reports to CWI that will make the final decision on which venues will be used for the 2018 tournament, in a few weeks.

I C C M e d i a a n d Communication Manager Sami Ul Hassan expressed satisfaction with a lot of the provisions at Guyana’s National Stadium.

Reigning t/20 world champions, West Indies women, will relish the home support and fans all around the world will have the opportunity to view every single match.

Ruchika Rana, Broadcast Production manager of the ICC, stated that they were only

scheduled to broadcast 10 games from the 2016 Women’s t/20 World Cup but they changed plans and televised all the games which was a good move because of the huge success of that and the following 50-over tournament. She stated that production wise, all systems appear satisfactory at the Providence Stadium and hinted that next year’s event, which will be produced in Hi-definition, may see the inclusion of the umpire decision review system (DRS) along with spider-cameras.

Marketing Manager of the Guyana Cricket Board, Raj Singh said some additional work is needed to be completed to bring the Stadium up to standard for their successful bid to host some of the games in the 2018 tournament.

Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, Barbados, Antigua & Barbuda and Grenada are all looking to host matches.

MOHAMED’S ENTERPRISE/NEW ERA ENTERTAINMENT 4TH FUTSAL TOURNEY KICKS OFF NOVEMBER 24 The fourth annual Mohamed’s Enterprise sponsored New Era Entertainment Futsal tournament was launched at Mohamed’s Enterprise Lombard Street business place. This year the competition will see a record 25 teams vying for a total $1million in cash and prizes with all the games set for the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court in Linden, from November 24th to December 26th.

Out of the 25 teams, seven of those will be Georgetown based in the anticipated brutal straight knockout format. The champion team is set to receive $500,000, the second place team will pick up $150,000, while third place is set to receive $50,000 and 4th finishers will be fashioned with a trophy.

Nazar Mohamed, proprietor of Mohamed’s Enterprise, stated that his entity will continue their sponsorship for as long as possible, since sports, more so in the Linden community, holds a very special place for him.

Sparta Boss, Meadowbrook, Customs, Bent Street and West Front Road ‘Gold is Money’ are among the city teams who will be participating in the event for the first time.

Each match night they will be give-a-ways from Ansa Mcal Trading Company.

KWATAMANG FC, ANNAI UNITED WIN 2017 PAIWOMAK CUP FOOTBALL TOURNEY The second edition of the Paiwomak Cup football Tournament saw Kwatamang and Annai United being crowned male and female champions respectively. Organized by North Rupununi’s premier football club the Paiwomak Warriors FC, the tournament saw the participation of five male and five female teams.

The male final was played before a capacity crowd at the Annai Sports Ground and had in attendance President of the Guyana Football Federation Mr. Wayne Forde who created history by becoming the first ever sitting GFF President to visit the North Rupununi, and President of the Rupununi Football Association Mr. Ken Grant.

Kwatamang struck through strikes from tournament MVP, Marcus Pervan in the 3rd and Carlie Jackson in the 32nd minutes, while Jasu Xavier pulled a goal back in the 78th minute for the losers.

In the female Final, strikes on either side of half time by Fiona Sandy and Garcia Joel respectively ensured that Annai United successfully retained their crown from 2016 by comfortably beating Kwatamang 2-0.

In the third place male playoff Annai United males defeated West Madrid 2-1, while in the third place female playoff, Three Hills, courtesy of a Luwanna Vanlong hat-trick defeated Crashwater 3-1.

The teams and MVPs collected cash prizes.

WORLD ARCHERY BARBADOS’ COACHES CONDUCTING TRAINING SESSIONS HERE Following a recent collaboration between the two regional entities, both of which are duly affiliated to the international governing body, World Archery Federation and World Archery Americas, World Archery Barbados made the necessary arrangements to provide Archery Guyana with the assistance of four (4) coaches, intended to aid in the further development of local Archers.

Mr. Ronald Field, Mr. Thomas Field, Ms. Rebecca Wiltshire and (Continued on page 75)

Sunday November 05, 2017

Kaieteur News

PAGE 77

Kaieteur Sports Week in Review (From page 74) Mr. Dwayne Grovesnor are in Guyana conducting coaching/training sessions with Archery Guyana over this weekend.

Sessions were set for the National Gymnasium from and Carifesta Sports Complex yesterday and today.

LINDEN, G/TOWN SHARE TOP HONOURS IN PNCR 60TH ANNIVERSARY DAY OF SPORTS Linden’s Swag Entertainment were crowned the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) 60th Anniversary Futsal Champion after squeezing past Bent Street by a 2-1 margin in the final at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) ground, Linden.

Watched by a large gathering of supporters and well wishers, the two finalists, despite a scorching first period went to the break with none managing to score thereby setting up an anticipated riveting conclusion and they did just that.

Swag Entertainment’s Shane Luckie broke the deadlock in the 12th minute when he unleashed a stunning left foot volley from just outside the penalty area to grab the lead for the host.

Four minutes later he was back in action with another strike of quality, firing a fierce left-footer into the goal from the left side.

Bent Street’s John Waldron made the clash interesting when he netted in spectacular fashion in the 18th minute, but that was all in vain as the final whistle sounded two minutes later to hand Swag Entertainment a well deserved victory.

Swag Entertainment were presented with the winning trophy

by Chairperson of the Organising Committee Minister Annette Ferguson, who committed to hand over the $200,000 first prize at a later date.

Bent Street received the runner-

Team Mohamed’s Matt Truelove with his Yamaha R6 will be looking to shave some time off his circuit record set in 2016 at South Dakota. up prize of $100,000 and trophy, while Broad Street and Ol Skool collected $50,000 and $25,000 respectively for their third and fourth place finishes.

GEORGETOWN BEAT LINDEN FOR PNCR 60TH ANNIVERSARY DAY OF SPORTS B/BALL CROWN Georgetown registered a narrow 87-81 win over host Linden to take the basketball segment of the People’s National Congress Reform 60th Anniversary celebrations Day of Sports/Family Fun Day. Travis Burnett led the scoring for the visitors with a game high 32 points, while Shane Webster was next best contributor with 18.

Other notable scorers included Nikoloi Smith and Sherlon Lrgall who supported with 10 and six points apiece.

For Linden, Harold Adams registered team high 19 points, while the duo of Neil Marks and Joel Webster supported with 10 points apiece. Terron Welch was the next best score with seven points.

Earlier, Georgetown confirmed their presence in the final, courtesy of a 112-63 triumph over Berbice after Linden was given an automatic bye to the final.

Webster led the rout with 26 points, while Legall, Burnett, Malcolm Powdar and Carlos Edwards added 16, 12, 10 and 10 points respectively. For Berbice, Kwesi Mickle led the way with 24 points, while Shemar France poured in 14 points. Kevin Emmanuel and Mickel Lewis added eight and seven points respectively.

And Turning Point won the dominoes competition after beating a star-studded field, while there were a number of outstanding performances in the Track & Field segment.

Lots of prizes were also distributed to winners of the novelty events including a guitar, bicycle, lap top computer among others, while the children received prizes for the quiz contest.

Among those in attendance apart from Minister Ferguson were

Attorney General (AG) Basil Williams, senior Party members Valerie Adams and Jennifer Perreira.

GTM GUYANA FITNESS GAMES HEALTH AND FITNESS EXPO SET FOR NOV. 11 AND 12 AT CASH Some of Guyana’s top cross fit athletes along with their Surinamese counterparts will match their skills when the Guyana Fitness Games hosts their Health and Fitness Expo on November 11 and 12 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The event, which will test athletes’ strength and endurance in various activities, was launched at Giftland Mall, East Coast Demerara.

Director of Sports Christopher Jones lauded Guyana Fitness Games and encouraged Guyanese to support the event. Jones said that a fit and healthy nation is of paramount importance and advise Guyanese to live a healthy lifestyle.

Roger Yee of Insurance Company GTM, which is one of the sponsors, indicated that they are happy to be associated with the games once again, while Errol Nelson of Banks DIH, another sponsor, said that it is part of their corporate responsibility to promote healthy lifestyle which is evident in this event. Anita Rampersaud of MACORP added that she is looking forward to a successful event and wished the competitors well, while Jamie Mc Donald expressed gratitude to the sponsors.

Cross Fit games involve Powerlifting, weightlifting, endurance running etc; among the local athletes set to take part are Dillon Mahadeo and Semonika Duke.

TEAM MOHAMED’S SEEKING TO BREAK CIRCUIT RECORD AT CMRSC MEET Team Mohamed’s are looking to better their track record at the

South Dakota Circuit which they set in 2016 when the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMRSC) hosts the final leg of the Caribbean Motor Racing Championships (CMRSC) on Saturday & Sunday, November 11-12 at the South Dakota Circuit.

Mohamed’s racing, which revs strictly in the superbike class in the CMRSC, are well on their way to championship honours following the final leg in Guyana after blowing away the competition in the three completed legs, competed in Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica. Not only did they make light work of opposition but also the tracks after setting lap records at each of those circuits.

Team Mohamed’s biker, Bryce Prince set those lap records in which he recorded 1 minute 1 second in Barbados, 41seconds in Trinidad & Tobago and 1 minute 15 seconds in Jamaica. Meanwhile, Prince’s teammate, Matt Truelove, recorded an incredible 33.3 seconds at Guyana’s South Dakota Circuit, the overall track record at the Timehri route.

Owner of Team Mohamed’s, Azruddin Mohamed, said he believes that his three Yamaha R6 motorcycles are virtually unbeatable and his team’s only opposition is their track record at South Dakota that they are gunning to crack again.

A twenty-seven race programme was unveiled by the GMRSC to headline the final leg of the Caribbean Motor Racing Championships including the much talked about Barbados based Suzuki Radical SR-3 display on both days as well as drifting action.

Qualifications will also be held on Saturday morning, November 11 from 10:00hrs with races beginning from 14:00hrs.

Scrutineering will take place on the Thursday and Friday and before qualification on Saturday.

COURTS Pee wee Football 2017

Marian Academy and West Ruimveldt to contest final

By Calvin Chapman Yesterday’s match-day of the COURTS/Banks DIH sponsored under-11 boys Pee wee tournament at the Thirst Park ground was the most exciting day of this year’s competition and fans were treated to two electrifying semifinal matches contested between four teams, either of which had what it took to become 2017 champions.

All four of the teams displayed surprisingly good technical ability and tactical knowledge but at the end of yesterday’s play, the two teams that were hungrier for their final berths eventually won.

In the first semi-final match, West Ruimveldt Primary proved to be the “Best” and achieved a come

from behind victory against Sophia Primary to end the Greater Georgetown lads rampaging form.

Sophia Primary had pulled off a surprise emergence out of the group of “death” that featured defending champions St. Angela’s and i n a u g u r a l w i n n e r ’s M a r i a n Academy.

S o p h i a ’s D a v i d We e k e s extended his goal tally to five after firing his team ahead following some dangerous runs and attempts on goal by leading goal scorer, West Ruimveldt’s hero, Ian Daniels. Ian Daniels played all across the front line for West but was more permanent at the left midfield position. Daniels displayed superior pace, vision, control and striking ability and slotted home the

equalizer for West, the first of his brace.

With score at 1-1 at full-time, the game was extended to extra time and Daniels completed his brace when he shot his team into the lead after six minutes of that period had expired to take his goal tally to 10. When the final whistle blew, his team and their barrage of supporters were in ecstasy.

During a post-game interview with the press, Daniels explained that, “It was a good game. Coach (Jamal Pedro) told us what to do and we did it and we won”, the lad further stated what was his motivation for such a spirited performance, “My dad said that if I’m the top scorer in the tournament, I will receive a special

gift from him.”

In the second match, Marian Academy marshaled by national under-15 coach Devon Winter who has good experience coaching youngsters from his time spent with Herstelling Raiders, scored early and shut up shop in their 1-0 needling of Enterprise Primary.

Malik Barker made no mistake after he received a ball that was squared to him inside the box by captain Chad Henry, which he expertly slotted in with a left sidefooted shot through the keeper and the near post, into the back of the net. That goal, which eventually was the decisive strike, was celebrated with much glee by the team, especially the animated skipper, Henry and the scorer

Barker.

After that goal, Marian were careful and kept as much as four of their six players inside their half defending but still managed many a t t a c k i n g p l a y s . H o w e v e r, Enterprise Primary were in no way going to go down easily and they had their fair share of raids, some resulting in one-on-ones with Marian’s goalkeeper who had to pull off several fantastic saves to see his team safely through to the final, after normal time.

Marian Academy’s team appeared to be more organized than some senior football teams and each player knew exactly what their roles were and executed to the best of their ability which was second to (Continued on page 73)

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 05, 2017

All is set for 30-mile cycle road race Dey, John and Ramshuchit hold their own as organised by FACC Bermuda, T&T and Barbados take medals Caribbean Junior Road Cycling Championships – Time Trials

Female top performers - Bermuda’s Alyssa Rowse (centre), Amber Joseph of Barbados (right) and Suriname’s Tachana Daiger.

By Franklin Wilson in Barbados In association with Queensway Security Service and Secure Innovations and Concepts Inc. Competing at this level for the first time, the Guyanese trio of Curtis Dey, Briton John and Jonathan Ramshuchit held their own against seasoned campaigners and in some cases with better equipment when the Time Trials of the 12th Junior Caribbean Cycling Championships were contested yesterday in St. Phillips, Barbados.

With a number of riders missing the route at challenging bends due to lack of stewards at those

points by the organisers, the Guyanese still managed to turn in creditable performances.

In the Junior category, Curts Dey managed to place 8th of 15 competitors covering the two lap course in 31:08.85, Matthew O liverira of Bermuda equipped with a Time Trial Cycle winning the event in 28:00.53.

John, one of over six riders who suffered as a result of poor management of the course ended in 12th place in 33:19/.95. Claiming the silver and bronze medals was the home duo of Jacob Kelly and Kyle Gill in 29:16.52 and 30:13.97.

Riders from Antigua and Barbuda, Guadeloupe, St. Lucia, Belize, Trinidad and

Tobago also competed in the event.

In the Juvenile segment of the race, which saw the pre-juniors doing one lap, 14 Ye a r - o l d J o n a t h a n Ramshuchit, the smallest of the group in terms of stature, placed 6th of the nine athletes.

Ramshuchit who will be in this category for the next two years was timed at 17:06.33 and ended ahead of St. Lucia’s Quami Robinson (17:19.32) and Grenada’s lone competitor at this event, Charles Karaga (18:31.91).

Winning the gold, silver and bronze medals were T & T ’s E n r i q u e D e Comarmo (14:08.35), B e r m u d a ’s N i c h o l a s Narraway (15:07.08) and Antigua and Barbuda’s Rene

Gayral (15:37.37).

In the female race which attracted only four athletes, Bermuda’s Alyssa Rowse won the one lap contest in 15:57.10 with Amber Joseph of Barbados taking the silver in 16:10.58 and Suriname’s Tachana Daiger the bronze in 18:14.24. The other female athlete was Taralee Ordonez of Belize.

Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) President Horace Burrowes in an invited comment said he was proud of the cyclists despite issues with the course, noting that they performed to the best of their ability. ”These guys did their best despite the challenges they encountered due to a lack of personnel to direct them and keep them on course. We were not the only nation affected but we did our best. This group of cyclists has great potential, the fact that this is their first exposure at this level and the kind of performance they put in tells what can be achieved with consistent investment in them.”

Burrowes underscored the importance of being able to attend these high level competitions which allows the riders to gain much needed exposure and it also presents the opportunity for them to develop by taking on their fellow peers from the Caribbean.

All five Guyanese riders will be in action today in the Road Race as they seek to end this year ’s championships on a high by medalling.

A representative of Payless Store presents the sponsorship to Cycling Coach Randolph Roberts (left).

All the top junior cyclists of Berbice especially those preparing for Annual National School Track and Field, Athletics, Cycling and Swimming Championship are expected to hit the road t o d a y. T h e y w i l l b e competing in the Flying Ace Cycle Club organised 30 miles road race for schoolboys.

The event will see riders from District 6 Corentyne and District 15 New Amsterdam/ Canje thrown down the gauntlet in their quest for supremacy. As they continue preparations for the National championships scheduled for Leonora Track and the West Demerara Public Road.

Coordinator Randolph Roberts of the FACC, who has been organising a Track Attack cycling event just before the National School Championship every year, decided that he will change up things this year and organise a road race instead, since there are also a number of road races at the National School Championships.

He said that the event is usually staged just before the National School Championships, as it is used as a warm up for the many

athletes from the three districts in Berbice.

The two District, especially District 6 (Corentyne) have been doing exceptionally well over the years at the National Schools event. They are the defending champions.

The event pedals off at 10:00 hrs from in front of the Vishal and Sons Sawmill at Crabwood Creek, proceed to NO52 Bridge before turning back to finish at the place of origin.

U14 and female cyclists will ride from No 66 Bridge to the finish line, while BMX cyclists will pedal from D e a n B u s i n e s s Establishment to the finish line.

There will be prizes for first six finishers, the first three females, first four U14, the first three 9-12 BMX and first three 6-9BMX riders.

Meanwhile, Payless Variety Store has been added to the list of sponsors that includes Greenidge Refrigeration Services, Attorneys at law Gossai and Gossai, Ming’s Optical, Hand in Hand, Art Sawmill, Vishal Singh and Son’s Sawmill and Prems Chicken farm among others.

(Samuel Whyte)

Sunday November 05, 2017

Kaieteur News

PAGE 79

GFSCA Guyana Cup 7

Boots All stars, Regal Masters, Floodlight, Speedboat secure final spots

Keith Fraser

By Zaheer Mohamed The seventh edition of the Guyana Softball Cup organised by the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) is set

Khemraj Sumair for an exciting climax as some of the leading teams locally have secured their places in the finals following comprehensive semifinal victories yesterday.

In the Open division,

Eric Thomas

Boots All stars defeated Farm XI by seven wickets at the Police Sports Club, Eve Leary. Farm XI batted first and never recovered after a bad start and were sent packing for 84 in 16.3 overs.

Sheldon Adams and Ralph Layne made 15 each as C. Ramdhani claimed 4-16 and Roy Persaud 3-16. Boots All stars responded with 85-3 in 10.5 overs. Keith Fraser struck an unbeaten 40.

K. Sobhai At DCC, Speedboat beat Corriverton in the second semi final played last night.

In the Masters segment, Regal Masters beat Albion Masters by 37 runs. Regal Masters batted first and

Ramo Malone managed 145-8. Eric Thomas scored 50; Mahase Chunilall 18 and Rudolph Rodrigues 15 not out. Extras contributed 21 as W. K. Khadoo had 2-9 and (Continued on page 73)

CWI Digicel Regional 4-Day C/Ships

Jaguars roar to 7-wkt win over Volcanoes Rutherford named Man-of-Match

By Sean Devers in St Lucia In Association with Vnet Communications & Regal Stationary Guyana Jaguars maintained their lead after two rounds of the CWI Digicel Regional four-day Championship when defeated the Windwards Volcanoes yesterday by seven wickets with a day to spare at the Daren Sammy Stadium.

Kirk Edwards struck four boundaries in a 79-ball 54, Kaveem Hodge made 44, but only Shane Shillingford, who was last out for 36 with two fours and a couple off sixes of the other batsmen offered fight as Volcanoes fell for 244.

Left-arm spinner Ve e r a s a m m y P e r m a u l captured four wickets to take his tally to 15 from two matches, while Keon Joseph (3) and Man-of-the-Match Sherfane Rutherford, who followed up his 6-32 and even half-century with two more scalps, bowled well for the Jaguars, who laboured to 41-3 in the dying stages of

the day.

Set 41 for what seemed an easy win, the Jaguars top order again made the small target seem as hard as climbing mount Roraima carry two men on your shoulders.

The badly out of sorts Rajendra Chandrika (7) got himself into an awful tangle and top-edged a quick short ball from left-arm pacer Obed McCoy to leave the Jaguars on 9-1 before Chanderpaul Hemraj (8) was caught behind off a lively Ray Gordon, who also dismissed Skipper Leon Johnson (4) five runs later to leave the Jaguars in a mess at 30-3.

The level-headed Vi s h a u l S i n g h j o i n e d Tagenarine Chanderpaul, who batted much better than he did in the first innings when threw his wicket away with an out of character pull to a ball he would usually not play at, to see Guyana home.

Earlier, Volcanoes began the penultimate day in overcast conditions on 54-1 with their most prolific batsman Devon Smith who fell to Joseph for a duck, the

wicket to fall.

S k i p p e r Ty r o n e Theophile added two to his overnight 37 before he was dropped at slip then edging the next to ball to Chandrika at second slip off Joseph as the hosts lost an early wicket at 58-2.

First innings top scorer Hodge and Edwards joined forces on a still lively thirdday track on which the odd ball kept low and added 58 between them before Edwards was also taken by Chandrika at second slip just after reaching his 30th FirstClass fifty to leave the score on 116-3.

Teenager Roland Cato (19) was looking organised until he edged Rutherford to Johnson at first slip four runs later then H o d g e a n d Gain Benjamin tried to repair the damage with a 43-run fifth wicket stand, but once Benjamin (17) was taken at short-leg by Singh pushing at one that bounced from Permaul at 163-5 it was always on the cards for a three-day finish.

Shillingford got going with a six off Permaul and

Tyrone Theophile looks back to see his shot off Keon Joseph being taken at 2nd slip yesterday. (Sean Devers photo) played in positive fashion and along with Jordon (11) put together 24 for the ninth wicket but when Jordon was removed by the 19-year-old Rutherford at 236-8 and Sherman Lewis (1) was trapped LBW to Permaul one run later Shillingford threw his bat at everything before he edged Permaul to give Bramble, who made 90 in the Jaguars first innings,

his fifth catch of the match.

Guyana travels to St Kitts tomorrow to face second placed Leewards Volcanoes from Thursday from 10:00hrs in the match of the third round.

Scores: VOLCANOES 151 (Kavem Hodge 48, Gian Benjamin 24, Kirk Edwards 24; Sherfane Rutherford 632, Keemo Paul 2-28) and 244 (Kirk Edwards 54,

Kavem Hodge 44, Tyrone Theophile 37, Shane Shillingford 36; Veerasammy Permaul 4-53, Keon Joseph 3-53, Sherfane Rutherford 2-50).

JAGUARS 357 (Vishaul Singh 119, Anthony Bramble 90, Chanderpaul Hemraj 50; Obed McCoy 3-56, Tyrone Theophile 2-48) and 41 for three (Ray Jordan 223).

PAGE 80

Seamers persevered but better pitches needed, says Law

Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel, pictured here bowling during the second Test, managed to work up a good head of steam on the Queens Sports Club pitch. (Photo courtesy CWI Media) B U L A W A Y O , Zimbabwe, CMC – Head coach, Stuart Law, has lauded the determination of the West Indies seam attack on the flat track at Queens Sports Club but has urged authorities here to improve the standard of their pitches in order to aid the development of the Zimbabwe side.

Both Tests in the just concluded series were played at Queens and on both occasions, the pitch proved flat, dry and unresponsive, with West Indies managing to come away with a 1-0 series win.

Though unsuitable for fast bowling, both new-ball bowlers Shannon Gabriel and Kemar Roach, along with captain Jason Holder, managed to trouble Zimbabwe’s batsmen in spells where they worked hard to create pace and movement.

“Credit where credit is due. On very slow, low wickets to have Shannon Gabriel and Kemar Roach doing what they did out there, was outstanding to watch,” Law said.

“When the ball was flying through it excited everybody at the ground.

You could hear the crowd getting behind it as well.

They toiled manfully out there in those conditions.

The first Test match was very hot, very dry but they kept coming, they didn’t give up.

“Every time they got the ball in hand, they answered

Sunday November 05, 2017

Kaieteur News

the call from the captain.

Those guys have been great – and the captain himself. In this Test match, [he got] a hundred in the first innings and he bowled beautifully as well in tough conditions.”

In the first Test, the Windies seamers picked up just six wickets as legspinner Devendra Bishoo ended with a nine-wicket match haul on a pitch that turned before lunch on the opening day.

However, the second Test proved also difficult for Bishoo as the turn was slow and Zimbabwe’s batsmen had little problems negotiating the right-armer.

He finished with four wickets in the match but Gabriel and Roach were especially outstanding, accounting for nine wickets between them, as the contest ended in a stalemate.

With the two-Test tour of New Zealand starting later this month, Law said the quicks would be anxiously anticipating the conditions there.

“I can’t be more proud of our boys. The fast bowlers get a rough end of the stick on these types of pitches but in the end it proves hard for the spinners as well,” the Australian noted.

“It was that slow the batsmen had time to adjust every time it moved. All in all we played well, I’m very pleased where we are. Our fast bowlers are quality and I bet they’re looking forward

to going to New Zealand.”

Zimbabwe have struggled following their return to Test cricket and lie bottom of the international rankings, without a single win in four years.

The Windies series represented an opportunity for them to make strides against a higher ranked side but Law said if pitches remained as they were, then Zimbabwe would be worse off.

“The challenge is always going away from home and to play your cricket on slow, turgid, nothing wickets, it’s not going to set yourself forward and continue your growth to win games of cricket,” Law said in a frank assessment.

“We have issues all around the world with the quality of pitches particularly when a touring team lands on your shores.

I’d just like to see a more even contest between bat and ball.

“We’ve come from England where the ball was swinging and seaming; it provided great cricket. It really did.”

He continued: “There are a lot of people out there saying that Test cricket is dying. On a pitch like that [at Queens], yeah it is. No disrespect, they (Zimbabwe) played the conditions, they utilised what they had to get ahead but for the growth of the sport, to continue the growth of the sport, I think we need to be playing on better pitches.”

Berbice Volleyball Association releases activities for the rest of the year The Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA) which is considered one of the most active sporting organisation in Guyana still have a full plate of activities left for the remainder of the year.

This is according to President Levi Nedd. Nedd a former national Captain and present national head coach who is presently in French Guiana with the National U20 male and female teams.

According to Nedd the year has been satisfactorily so far and the remaining activities will be completed in early December.

Among the activities on the BVA radar is the Annual

Levi Nedd Balram Shane Inter Club First Division Tournament

which will be played at either the Albion Sports Complex or the Port Mourant Volleyball Court.

There is the Three Door Strikers Second Division Tournament slated for the D Edward Ground West Coast Berbice. There is also a one d a y B e a c h Vo l l e y b a l l Tournament planned for the No63 Beach.

The BVA is not about playing alone as there are r e f e r e e s a n d c o a c h ’s workshop and courses planned.

The BVA will continue its training for the U19 male and female teams preparing for the Inter Guiana Games (IGG) next year.

All roads lead to Kennard Memorial Turf Club for No28 Bush Lot in Action Charity meet All preparations have been completed and all systems are in place with thousands expected to throng the famous Kennard Memorial Turf Club, Bush Lot, Farm today.

The occasion is the one day horserace meet organised by the No28 Bush Lot in Action Charity Group

of Kildonan Corentyne, Berbice.

Six races are on the day’s card with over $2M in cash and trophies at stake and an exciting and riveting day of horseracing is anticipated.

Over 50 horses have been entered for the day’s action with horse owners rushing on board to get their

animals registered in time for the event.

The feature event is for animals classified J and lower over a distance of 6 furlongs with the winner taking away $170,000 and trophy. A competitive field has been entered for the contest and a ding dong (Continued on page 73)

Rain forces Sabina Park abandonment KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – West Indies A’s hopes of levelling the threematch one-day series against Sri Lanka A were scuppered as wet conditions, resulting from rain, wrecked the second one-dayer at Sabina Park here Friday night.

Not a ball was bowled in the day/night affair as conditions remained unfit for play throughout the evening, forcing match officials to abandon the contest.

It means the third match, scheduled for the Trelawly Multi-Purpose Stadium

Ground-staff at Sabina Park were kept busy by the weather. (Photo courtesy CWI Media)

today, now becomes a do-ordie encounter for West Indies A who trail 1-0 in the series following their twowicket defeat in a lowscoring first game last Wednesday.

The hosts lost the preceding three-match “Test” series 2-1.

Sunday November 05, 2017

Kaieteur News

PAGE 81

Felipe Massa: Williams driver to retire at end of the season BBC Sport - Felipe Massa is to retire from Formula 1 at the end of this season.

The Brazilian intended to quit F1 at the end of 2016 but returned to Williams after Valtteri Bottas moved to Mercedes following the retirement of world champion Nico Rosberg.

Massa, who has won 11 grands prix, says this time his decision is final.

T h e 3 6 - y e a r - o l d ’s decision was influenced by the fact he wanted certainty on his future before his home

grand prix next weekend.

“I agreed to return this season to help Williams when the call came,” he said.

“I have now enjoyed four great years with the team, but my career in Formula 1 will finally come to an end this season.”

He originally said he wanted to continue racing in F1 in 2018 but Williams are not yet ready to finalise their driver line-up for next year.

Massa, who achieved his biggest successes for Ferrari, added: “I take so many great memories with me as I

prepare for my final two races in Brazil and Abu Dhabi, and although they will be emotional, I am looking forward to ending on a high note and preparing for a new chapter in my career.”

Williams deputy team principal Claire Williams said: “I would like to thank Felipe for all he has done for the team over the last four years. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with him.

“We are especially grateful that he agreed to postpone his retirement from F1 for a year, after Valtteri

Persaud third, Braithwaite sixth after day 2 at CSF Championship in Australia

joined Mercedes, which demonstrated the depth of the relationship we built during our time together.

“We appreciate that it wasn’t an easy decision for him to return, after having such an emotional send-off at the end of last year. On behalf of [owner and team principal] Sir Frank, and all the team, we give our very best wishes to Felipe for the f u t u r e . ” Wi l l i a m s a r e strongly leaning towards giving the seat alongside Canadian rookie Lance Stroll to Robert Kubica, who has not raced in F1 since suffering life-changing injuries in a horrific rally crash in February 2011.

But the team are taking their time to make their decision because of the length of Kubica’s absence.

He has only partial movement and atrophied muscles in his right arm and although the 32-year-old impressed Williams in two tests last month, there are inevitably unanswered questions as to whether he is

Felipe Massa has won 11 grands prix and made 41 podiums in his 15 years in F1. (Getty Images) strong enough to do a race distance at full pace on the toughest tracks.

Their reserve driver Paul Di Resta, Sauber racer Pascal Wehrlein and Red Bull reject Daniil Kvyat are also options.

Massa’s worldwide admiration Massa made his debut in F1 in 2002 for the Sauber team but enjoyed his greatest period of success after joining Ferrari in 2006, initially as team-mate to Michael Schumacher in the seven-time champion’s final season for the team before his first retirement.

Massa came close to

winning the world title in 2008, losing out only when Lewis Hamilton moved into the fifth place he needed to overhaul him on the last corner of the last lap of the final race of the season.

Massa won the race, the Brazilian Grand Prix, and his dignity on the podium as he battled the conflicting emotions of a home victory and losing the championship won him worldwide admiration.

He never achieved the same success again.

Ferrari were less competitive in 2009 and at the Hungarian Grand Prix (Continued on page 73)

Guyana Open Golf Tournament

Christine Sukhram leads women after day one Ian Shaw (Scotland), Mahendra Persaud and Lennox Braithwaite discuss at Belmont Rifle Range.

G u y a n a N R A’s t o p marksmen are flying the Golden Arrowhead high along the Gold Coast in Australia, with very good performances after two Stages of the CSF Championship.

The championship has attracted all the top shooters in the world who will be representing their countries a t n e x t y e a r ’s Commonwealth Games, being held at the vary range.

Fullbore Captain Mahendra Persaud finished third on the second day, while Lennox Braithwaite was sixth.

The depth of skills and experience of all these top shooters are remarkable.

After the smoke had cleared, the Stage 1 Aggregate saw five shooters ending with scores of 105.

However, it was Braithwaite who prevailed with the highest V count of 14. His 105.14 was ahead of Jim Bailey 105.13 (Aus),

Peter Jory 105.12 (Gurnsey), J a c o b u s D u To i t 1 0 5 . 1 2 (South Africa) and Jan Jonck105.7 (South Africa).

Braithwaite shot scores of 35.7, a perfect score with all shots being in the V-Bull at 300yds, 35.4 at 500yds and 35.3 at 600yds. It was an outstanding day for Braithwaite and Guyana on the opening day.

Fullbore Captain Mahendra Persaud also had an outstanding day and was only one point behind, shooting 104.6, with scores of 34.2 at 300yds, 35.2 at 500yds and 35.2 at 600yds.

However, the leaderboard changed at the conclusion of day two action.

Australian Jim Bailey took the ascendency with an overall aggregate of 254 points with 31 VBulls ahead of Petrus Haasbrcek of South Africa (254.24), Persaud (254.14), David Luckman of England (253.33), Parag

Patel of England (253.23), Braithwaite (252.29), Peter Jory of Gurnsey (252.25), Jim Paton of Canada (251.29), Peter Thurtell of Australia ((251.25) and Christopher Watson of Wales (251.24) rounding out the top ten on the list.

The close scores speak volumes of the ability of these marksmen and the Guyanese pairing is expected to battle hard to remain in the top spots.

The fullbore marksmen are attending this Championship in preparation for next year’s Commonwealth Games and they had also participated in the Canadian National Fullbore Championships last August.

The Guyana Olympic Association has been in the forefront of their preparation along with Secure Innovations &Concepts Inc. The CSF Championship concludes on November 8.

Seven-time champion Christine Sukhram swings during day one of the Guyana Open at Lusignan Golf course.

Guyana’s leading female golfer Christine Sukhram is well on her way to yet another title in the most prestigious tournament on the local calendar, the Guyana Open, which is being hosted at the home of the sport in the land of many waters, the Lusignan Golf course.

The tournament, which

has participants from nine countries, saw a total of only four participants in the female division that was completed just before press time.

Sukhram leads the lot with a gross score of 82 strokes.

Second placed Shanella Webster trails the seventime Guyana Open Champion by four strokes with a total score of 86.

Meanwhile, Joann Deo is third with 89 and newcomer Anasha Ally is last with 130.

Play began at 6:00hrs at the nine-hole golf course on the East Coast of Demerara and the women had to do two rounds around to complete their 18-holes. The results of the men’s first day was not full known.

(Calvin Chapman)

t r o Sp Caribbean Junior Road Cycling Championships – Time Trials

CWI Digicel Regional 4-Day C/Ships

Dey, John and Ramshuchit hold their own as Bermuda, T&T and Barbados take medals

Jaguars roar to 7-wkt win over Volcanoes Rutherford named Man-of-Match

Kirk Edwards punches Veerasammy Permaul who took four wickets for the Jaguars yesterday.

(Sean Devers photo)

Guyana’s representatives at yesterday’s Time Trials (from right), Curtis Dey, Jonathan Ramshuchit and Briton John.

COURTS Pee wee Football 2017

Marian Academy and West Ruimveldt to contest final

From left, Marian Academy’s goal scorer Malik Barker and Captain Chad Henry have an energetic celebration after the game’s solitary goal was scored against Enterprise

West Ruimveldt’s Ian Daniels (left) holding off a defender as he sets to receive a lobbed pass.

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