Kaieteur News
PAGE 04
Sunday November 11, 2018
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
REMEMBERING OUR WAR HEROES
R
emembrance Day also known as Poppy Day is commemorated on the second Sunday of November each year to honour all those who died in the World Wars. It is observed in a number of countries around the world to remember the members of the armed forces who died in the line of duty during the two World Wars. In Guyana, Remembrance Day is observed annually on the Sunday closest to November 11 to officially honour and pay tribute to our fallen heroes—the men and women who fought and made the ultimate sacrifice during the wars. Before the end of the Second World War, the day was known as Armistice Day, but was renamed Remembrance Day in 1945. It was inaugurated to observe the truce signed by representatives of Germany and the Entente (AngloFrench Alliance between France and the United Kingdom) at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 to officially signal the end of World War I and the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919. Remembrance Day is a day when poppies are worn by persons in many countries, including Guyana, as a symbol of respect and as an emblem of remembrance of the men and women who served and died in the two World Wars. Poppy Day originated from a poem titled “In Flanders Field” written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, a doctor in the Royal Canadian Medical Corps. Colonel McCrae’s poem was inspired by the fact that despite the massive devastation caused by the war in several towns, villages, farms and forests, thousands of poppies sprang up in the spring. The poppy is a white flower that symbolizes the belief that there are better ways to resolve conflicts and it embodies values that reject the killing of fellow human beings for whatever reason. The red poppy represents the blood that stained the flowers on the battlefield during the First World War. On this day, Guyanese are reminded of the brave soldiers who fought in wars in such far-off places as Egypt, France, Belgium and East Africa. The day is marked by parades of the country’s uniformed ranks in Georgetown, New Amsterdam, Linden and other towns and villages. However, the biggest activity is normally held at the Cenotaph, which is the national war memorial monument located in front of the Bank of Guyana building, at the junction of Church and Main Streets in Georgetown. The Cenotaph was unveiled on August 14, 1923, by the British Governor Graeme Thompson. It has four faces and on each face bears the inscription of four potent words: Devotion, Humanity, Fortitude and Sacrifice. Each year, the observance of Remembrance Day is held under the theme “Lest we forget” to remind us that wars and acts of violence can render the world asunder. Scores of Guyanese from across the country would attend the ceremony, which begins with a military parade followed by the Presidential Salute and two minutes of silence to acknowledge our soldiers who served and who died in World Wars I and II. Wreaths are laid by the President and commander of the armed forces, the Prime Minister, Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, President of Guyana’s Veterans Legion, the Mayor of Georgetown, Heads of Missions, and members of the Diplomatic Corps. Remembrance Day is a commitment to peace and a reminder of our war heroes who fought and died in the two World Wars in pursuit of freedom and peace.
Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.
This lobby against Copyright is fuelled by contempt for Guyana’s creative persons DEAR EDITOR, My colleague Freddie Kissoon’s article on Sunday, Nov 4 Kaieteur News is extremely puzzling because he has never written anything about the creative industry before; much less from a first person comment on Copyright, which is a complex economic process that requires a knowledge base learned from participation as a lawyer or artist involved in copyright issues. Freddie did imply Bharrat Jagdeo as a reference source; the thing is that former President Jagdeo was trained in the soviet bloc. Communism has always perceived the individualism of copyright as offensive, and neither of these gentlemen were ever proponents of copyrights in the interest of the creative community of this nation. The first six paragraphs of his column dealt with no copy right, Trademark or Patent issues. The references to subsidies offered to farmers by American and European governments further in the article also does not envelop copyright practices, but are subject to trade agreement arguments. The TRIPS agreement has so far evolved through several negotiations. We are already enveloped and subject to copyright restrictions from abroad. Should our manufacturing industry kick start in the next few years, our trademark capacity to trade must be intact; the world is not waiting on us, our problem is our lack of adequate expertise in corporate trade laws.
Two books that I can recommend for study among us explorers are ‘Protect or Plunder understanding IPRs’ by Vandana Shiva and ‘IPRs, the WTO and developing countries’ by Carlos M. Correa. Those explore the pros and cons and options. To quote Shiva, “Indian medicines are far cheaper than even those in industrialized countries and other developing countries like Pakistan and Indonesia. This is primarily because many developing countries like Pakistan have continued with the colonial 1911 Patent Act inherited from the British, which has maintained total dependence on imports with no development in indigenous capacity for production.” Again –”In 1977, the South African government also passed a law to provide access to affordable medicines by using the provisions of compulsory licensing and parallel imports. The aim was to reduce the cost of treating HIV/AIDS by 50 to 90 percent. With over 4 million Aids patients, the government action was a public health imperative. Yet, all the pharmaceutical giants mobilized to challenge the South African law.” South Africa changed their laws to purchase medications from countries like Brazil and India, many of the big drug companies cut their costs to c o m p r o m i s e . Va n d a n a S h i v a emphasises the energies towards local content, rather than the laziness that we are enveloped in. The physiology of copyright constitute licence, contracts, franchises,
sale of rights that do not involve ‘the copyright’ production rights, all based on the laws that we craft. Eric Clapton did not steal “I shot the Sheriff” from Bob Marley. Cover tunes work like this: you locate the publisher, serve them with proper notice and pay the statuary royalty rate. However, if the publisher has not copyrighted the song, it becomes ‘public domain’ and can be used by anyone without paying royalties. In an interview with Bob Marley in the book, “Bob Marley Reggae King of the World” Marley was asked “I noticed when “I Shot the Sheriff” came out, I heard your tune on [the black radio station] WBLS but on the other stations, I heard Eric Clapton’s. Why do you think that was? Marley replied: “Well, people don’t know how to dance reggae, them don’t know where the beat drop.” Marley also spoke in that interview about the differences between Contracts and Agreements. In respect to Comic Books and other literary works mentioned and casually inferred in the article, the broad conclusion was completely clueless and self serving. I had in 2011 entered an MOU for the development of a non-fiction graphic novel which manuscript and layout pencil pages I had begun and shelved with a NY entity. In late 2014, the contract was signed, the book digitally submitted. Within three months, I received an email asking for amendments to the contract through his (Continued on page 6)
Sunday November 11, 2018
Kaieteur M@ilbox These firefighters have disgraced the nation and the Guyana Fire Service DEAR EDITOR, I am so disappointed having learnt about the wholesale theft by ranks of the Guyana Fire Service of personal properties belonging to the crew and passengers of the crash-landed Fly Jamaica aircraft at CJIA. I consider this an act of international notoriety that puts our country in a bad light. What is even appalling is the fact that firefighters who are internationally recognized as first responders, are expected to uphold humanitarian goals and practices in life threatening situations where persons’ lives are at risk or endangered due to natural or man-made disasters. Take for example the heroic and exemplary performance of firefighters currently fighting raging wildfires at Northern and Southern California. There has not been a single report of looting or theft by the firefighters even though they are active in an affluent neighbourhood where the rich and famous live and where there may be many valuables lying around. Thus for Guyanese first responders under the guise of firefighters to act in such an irresponsible and disgraceful manner is to bring the noble service of firefighting into disrepute. To steal from crewmembers and passengers at a time when they had to ‘run for their lives’ from a crashed passenger airplane is a crying shame and a grave embarrassment to our country and people. This despicable act has brought into sharp focus once again the much debated question of trust and respect for ranks of the disciplined services.
This time, it is the Guyana Fire Service, that has reignited the public confidence debate, not because of acts of heroism nor magnanimity by its ranks, but because of acts by its own ranks that have damaged irreparably, the humanitarian image of the Guyana Fire Service. By defaming their badges as a symbol of public faith and by the sullying the public’s trust in the Fire Service, the ranks involved in petty theft while aboard the crashed aircraft, abandoned the lofty ethics of the Guyana Fire Service. They should be decorated with badges of shame. Common decency and professional conduct were replaced by greed for other people’s property. The crashed aircraft became a target to commit crimes that offered a high reward with little effort and risk. These are called opportunity crimes. The GFS Stakeholder Consultation Forum held recently at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre to address Emergency Medical Technician services (EMT) was expected to ‘see all members within the GFS being trained in first responder skills in order to save lives in emergency cases.’ However, the lectures delivered at that event, seem to have fallen on deaf ears in light of the crimes committed on the aircraft by ranks who would have attended the forum. And Minister Ramjattan’s question; “Are we up there for certain planes landing in difficulty? Ensuring minimum damage is done or no damage at all” though timely, appears to have signalled the possibility for ranks in the
PAGE 5
Kaieteur News
guise of first responders to commit opportunity crimes under the pretext of saving lives and protecting property. This was clearly demonstrated at the scene of the crash landed Fly Jamaica aircraft. The embarrassing incidents of theft perpetrated on an international aircraft by ranks of the Fire Service must have brought home to the Chief Fire Officer, the need for more intense screening of applicants and rigorous, ongoing training for recruits to the Guyana Fire Service. Strict supervision of junior ranks by a senior experienced officer at all times especially in operational situations as the one involving theFly Jamaica is of critical utmost importance. Finally, it is imperative that the Firefighter’s Prayer be drilled into the heads of every new recruit so that he or she, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will and under the most difficult circumstances will, at all times, uphold the noble ideals enshrined in the said prayer; ‘When I’m called to duty God, wherever flames may rage, give me the strength to save a life whatever be its age; Help me embrace a child before it’s too late, or save an older person from the horror of that fate; Enable me to be alert and hear the weakest shout, to quickly and efficiently put the fire out; I want to fill my calling and give the best in me, to guard my friend and protect his property; And if according to your will I have to lose my life, please guard with your protecting hand, my children and my spouse.’ Yours faithfully, Clement J. Rohee
Kaieteur M@ilbox GYRATING LADIES AT CRICKET OFFENSIVE TO CHILDREN DEAR EDITOR, I had the pleasure of attending the Windies vs Bangladesh ICC Women’s World T20 game at Providence on November 9, 2018 in the company of some little girls crazy about cricket. It was their first time at Providence to see cricket and their first time at an International Cricket event. They could not contain their happiness and excitement at being there. They were all squeals and giggles and busy with blowing up their Windies paraphernalia. Having successfully navigated all the necessary hazards and indignities of attending a public event in Guyana, as I was busy getting us settled into our seats in the Orange Stand to watch the game, a tiny nine year old tapped my arm urgently to gain my attention and pointed in horror and disgust in the direction of the ground. I was shocked to see the expression of nausea and hurt on her face and followed her gaze to see what could possibly be so offensive at cricket. The offensive and traumatic view was three half-naked female backsides in our faces gyrating to the sounds of some up-tempo music, ostensibly to create ‘atmosphere’. Had I seen
these dancing girls first, I would have thought nothing of them since as a Guyanese adult, we are desensitised to such things. We accept this behaviour as normal. However, the innocence of childhood has an intrinsic morality of its own. That a nine year old child can feel traumatised by such a view ought to shake us out of our complacency. It means something is wrong with this behaviour. I hurriedly gathered the girls and tried to console them from the almost pornographic views they had just witnessed, and went to the extreme other end of the stand so they could see the cricket and not be burdened by the offensive view. However, it was not possible to ignore this view because in the Orange Stand, these gyrating women were placed near the TV Screen and near the Scoreboard. As we settled into new seats, the opening ceremony began. The solemnity, dignity and discipline of the ceremony with National Anthems and sweet well-behaved little boys fully dressed in white escorting the fully focused and fully dressed female cricketers out onto the field contrasted sharply with these gyrating ladies. It made me question their purpose at the
game, especially a Women’s cricket match with a bunch of women on the field doing something completely different from marketing their bodies. How would the public react if we had dancing men in g-strings exposing their bottoms and crotches instead of these women? Women continue to degrade and cheapen themselves in many ways. I think the organisers of cricket in Guyana need to rethink their inclusion of these half naked gyrating ladies as part of cricket. Patrons need to wear clothing out in public to attend the games, the cricketers are also fully dressed on the field and entertainers need to wear clothing too. Going to cricket should not be a traumatic event for a child and it is imperative that, as a Guyanese adult, I do some little thing to stand up for the rights of children in this country. All the other activities to create ‘atmosphere’ at the cricket games have some technical content. Cheer leaders can be attractively dressed, athletic and sport-oriented instead of selling sex as these ladies are doing. I hope for some improvement in conscience for future matches. Yours sincerely, Concerned Citizen.
PAGE 6
Sunday November 11, 2018
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Improved healthcare at New Amsterdam local and those from the over- were accompanied by the loHospital seas mission during their one cal doctors, also visited pa-
CITY HALL LOOKS AS IF IT COULD COLLAPSE AT ANY TIME
DEAR EDITOR, Kindly permit me space in your newspaper to express gratitude to the New Amsterdam Hospital on providing outstanding services to patients. I sincerely compliment the overall management, doctors, nurses and other staff of the hospital based on the period of time I spent at the institution as a patient. I must express that the treatment was above par.The doctors, both
week period in November 2018, along with the nurses and theatre staff have provided excellent service. Every patient in the surgical ward was given equal attention by the team that worked to provide paramount healthcare.I must point out that the local doctors visited the ward several times per day including evenings to communicate with each patient so as to ensure that their recovery was well underway. The overseas doctors, who
This lobby against Copyright... From page 4 agent asking for extensions that would neutralise the contract. I rejected it. By the end of the contract year, the publisher had failed to publish. I sent a letter warning on the 90 day contractual extension. He proceeded by using Staples or some other copy service to runoff some copies then placed them on Amazon. I received via mail two of the contracted twelve copies; they were horribly done. I used a local lawyer Leslie Sobers to convey my concerns, and the books were withdrawn from Amazon. In due course, the contract was cancelled and my work and copyright certificate are intact. I had other experiences that instructed me on the importance of copyright, and an understanding of contracts. This lobby against Copyright is not fuelled by knowledge of what it entails, but rather contempt for the thousands of Guyana’s creative persons, from a constituency with an aversion to paying people they would prefer to rob, who will be empowered and employed in Cultural Industries, from Science to the Arts. Yours respectfully, Barrington Braithwaite
tients before and after surgery to discuss their individual health issues. Kudos also to Mr. Alex Foster, the Focal Point Person for the Public Health Ministry in Region Six, who plays a great role in ensuring that the staff are committed to their duties, as he was noticeably checking on the operations of the wards.Some people tend to be incoherent in that while I was leaving the hospital and having stopped at the outpatient clinic, an intolerable man was demanding immediate attention despite the fact that others were being attended to and were there before him.All in all, I can safely say that the management of the hospital is well administrated and any mishap to a patient is beyond human control.Keep up the good work and I urge all staff to cooperate for the continued betterment of healthcare at the New Amste r d a m Hospital.Congratulations to the Minister of Public Health and all others who are working assiduously to provide quality healthcare in Guyana. Best regards. Satisfied patient
DEAR EDITOR, I go to Georgetown about five times a week and I pass near City Hall constantly. A very close look at that building tells me clearly that that building can collapse at any moment. The posts and ceiling that hold up that building are very weak and rotten. The constant vibration from heavy-duty trucks and many heavier vehicles is constantly eroding and weakening the foundation of that building. If something is not done with City Hall building soon, I am afraid it will soon collapse and many innocent lives will be lost. To maintain these buildings seems to be of no interest to the past or current administration. Royston King, the current Town Clerk on leave in an interview on television said it will cost 0.9 billion dollars to rebuild City Hall; actually a billion dollars or more is estimated. I give below a brief history of City Hall, from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: Georgetown City Hall is a nineteenth-century Gothic Revival building located on
the corner of Regent Street and Avenue of the Republic in Georgetown, Guyana. The building was designed by architect Reverend Ignatius Scoles in 1887, and was completed in June 1889. The building houses the offices of the Mayor, the City Council, and the City Engineer. Georgetown City Hall is often described as “the most picturesque structure” and “the most handsome building in Georgetown,” as well as one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in the Caribbean. In 1995, the Government of Guyana proposed Georgetown City Hall as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The building currently occupies the status of “tentative listing”. From that brief history that I have quoted, I learn that City Hall is 129 years old and in that period of time nothing has been done to restore and rehabilitate the pristine beauty of this magnificent architecture. It is imperative that we preserve what we have or we will lose it. The High Court is another shabby looking
building that needs a face-lift and some beautiful paintings. A close look at the statue of Queen Victoria and one can see one of her arms is missing. The GPOC building is another eye sore to Georgetown; full of vagrants sleeping and living around it and it is extremely stink from urine and faeces. I see some rehabilitation work is being done on St. Georges Cathedral over a year now but it seems that will take a lifetime and members of that congregation to put their lives at risk at the mercy of God because that building can collapse anytime. The Bank of Guyana needs to be painted over and many more prominent buildings in the City have become a perpetual eye sore. My father used to tell me, ‘’When a man doesn’t work to build something, he will never value it.’’ The truth in that can be clearly seen at the collapsed state of City Hall and no one seems to care. It’s about time these buildings be restored to its former glory by our current administration. The problems that I have (Continued on page 7)
Sunday November 11, 2018
PAGE 7
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Kaieteur M@ilbox
This entire episode is a staged artifice designed to excite political sympathies DEAR EDITOR, My contention that the seizure of the Berbice Bridge by Minister David Patterson amounts to the compulsory acquisition of private property without the payment of adequate compensation at current market value is in violation of Article 142 of the Constitution, excited a number of critical responses. My critics appeared to have predicated their disagreement upon the fallacious assumption that I support the Berbice Bridge Corporation Inc.’s proposed increase in tolls. I wish to make it emphatically pellucid that I do not support the proposed toll increase. Some accused me of not appreciating the American concept of “eminent domain”, which authorises the State to compulsory acquire private property for public purposes. Our Courts, in a series of cases
dating back to the early 1930s, have repeatedly ruled that this concept of eminent domain is akin to and captured by what is now Article 142 of the Constitution: Baird v Baird [193137] LRBG 14; Inland Revenue Commissioner v Lilleyman [1964] LRBG 221;Bata Shoe Company Guyana Limited v Commissioner of Inland Revenue (1976) 24 WIR 172;Attorney-General v Caterpillar Americas Co (2000) 62 WIR 135. Therefore, whether it is described as eminent domain or compulsory acquisition, once invoked by the State, the payment of prompt and adequate compensation at market value is an indispensable ingredient, if it is to be lawful. No amount of political discolouration nor prejudiced rhetoric can obfuscate this legal truth. In my letter, I cited a number of historical and contemporary examples of PNC Gov-
City Hall looks as if it... From page 6 seen with this country is a very lackadaisical and lethargic one. We wait until something is completely destroyed then we try to pass a budget to fix it that costs billions to fill unscrupulous pockets. Please permit me, Editor, a few more lines about the East Coast road. This road construction is getting from bad to worse - daily hours of long lines of traffic in the mornings and afternoon. Citizens go to work late, our kids to school late. I am wondering if these engineers really know what they are doing. They break and dig up everywhere in front your homes; you can’t even drive out of your own yard, with make-shift bridges for the old and elderly. In my opinion, if they were building this road by 1000 meters in stages, the job would have been long completed; but the engineers are dragging this work out to wreak billions of dollars for very poor quality work and the rainy season is already here. I am calling on the Ministry of Public Works to get this East Coast Work completed by a scheduled deadline. Regards, Rev. Gideon Cecil
ernments’ confiscation of private properties without the payment of any compensation, or where compensation was paid, it was a mere pittance compared to the market value of the subject properties. Former Prime Minister of a PNC Government, Mr. Hamilton Green, came out to bat in their defence. He obdurately refused to admit that the examples which I gave, were real and factual and which can easily be verified by a most cursory examination of the public record, as there is a paper trail, even in the judicial system, where many of these transgressions ended up. Try as he may, Mr. Green will not succeed in obliterating these historical and contemporary truths. Mr. Green pleads ignorance about the Government’s seizure of the building, which housed Citizen Bank. To joggle his peculiar memory, the property to which I referred, is the one located at the corner of Charlotte and Camp Streets, which was seized from the Singh’s family and converted to the infamous Sijan Plaza, a Government-run store, where only a privileged few could have shopped because the only acceptable legal tender was United States dollars. The legal challenge by the Singh family to the State’s acquisition of their property without the payment of adequate compensation, recently concluded before the Caribbean Court of Justice where the family was awarded compensation against the current Attorney General to the tune of several million dollars. As regards Echilibar Villas and
Takuba Lodge, Mr. Green argues that these properties were acquired only after detailed negotiation with the owners. The owners are still around, and their version is radically different. I suggest that he speaks to them to refresh his memory. The remainder of Mr. Green’s letter consisted of ad hominem attacks and extraneous issues unworthy of my comment. Another commentator argues that the Berbice Bridge is not private property as it is owned by the State. This overly-simplistic argument disregards the millions of United States dollars that was invested in the Bridge by private capital. If this gentleman is to have his way, then Governments and private investors will never converge on any given project using the model utilised for the construction of that bridge because after the foreign capital is injected, the Government can easily chase the investor out and reclaim the property since it belongs to the State. Mildly put, this argument has no place in a serious discourse in a democratic society governed by the rule of law. The Minister’s invocation of “public safety” being in jeopardy as the basis for seizing physical control of the Berbice Bridge is simply a clumsy contrivance. Proposed increase in tolls has absolutely nothing to do with public safety. I therefore maintain that the Minister’s takeover of the Berbice Bridge is wholly unconstitutional. All the Minister had to do was to refuse to implement the increased tolls
as only he is authorised by law to implement tolls. This was made very clear to the company by me, as Attorney General, when the company approached the then Government for an increase in tolls in 2014. Instead of his precipitous and unlawful act of acquisition, the Minister, from a position of strength, ought to have requested the company to justify the proposed increases. From my understanding, based upon the contract between the Government and the Company, the request for increased tolls is unjustifiable, having regard to the extant revenue stream, which does not sharply depart from what was projected. Indeed, by now, the rates are expected to decrease, not increase. This raises the issue of whether the Bridge is being managed competently. The Minister’s political colleague, Dr. Surendra Persaud, is the Chairman of the Board appointed by the Government and the buck stops at him. The deluge of arguments regarding who the shareholders are and that they cannot hold the country at ransom, are political and emotional
drivel intended to politicise the matter. It is beyond the scope of this article to address the anxieties expressed about the safety of the NIS investment in the Bridge. But those who expressed those fears should take comfort in the fact that the Government has appointed Dr. Surendra Persaud as the Chairman of the National Insurance Scheme. At a minimum, as Chairman of the Bridge Company, he has a fiduciary duty to protect that shareholder’s interest of which he is also the Chairman. Instead of pursuing the normal, established and reasonable courses of action, outlined above, the Minister chose the irrational, authoritarian and unconstitutional route of seizure. It is simply unjustifiable. Hence, I embrace the Leader of the Opposition’s contention that this entire episode is a staged artifice designed to excite political sympathies for electoral gains. That the date of implementation of the proposed increased tolls is the same date of the Local Government Elections simply corroborates this thesis. Anil Nandlall
PAGE 8
Kaieteur News
Sunday November 11, 2018
52ND University of Guyana Convocation ceremony Hundreds conferred with certificates under new UG Programmes
A section of the graduates at the 52nd Convocation ceremony held yesterday
S
ome 1700 graduates were present at the National Cul tural Centre yesterday as the University of Guyana, (UG) conferred on the graduates degrees, diplomas and other certificates from several new programmes, which were introduced as part of the syllabus for this year. The new programmes included the Diploma in General Psychology, Master of Medicine-Emergency Medicine, Master of Medicine-Family Medicine, and Bachelor of Science-— Medical Rehabilitation—the first batch of students to graduate with the option in Speech, Language Therapy and Audiology. The faculty of Natural Sciences also graduated it first Associate of Science in Information Technology, Bachelor of
From left: Professor Nigel Harris, Philanthropist, Jairaj Sobraj and UG Vice Chancellor Professor Ivelaw Griffith during the conferral of the honorary doctorate degree
Science in Information Systems, and Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and Associate of Science in Biology. And the Faculty of Social Sciences produced its first Bachelor of Social Science in Business Economics; and its first batch of students from its School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation [SEBI]. During the convocation ceremony, UG Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith, told the graduates that this year the University is celebrating a number of new achievements. He said that among the new programmes, UG for the first time in its 55 years of existence has conferred Honorary Doctorate Degrees on four distinguished Guyanese.
“So there is a lot to celebrate. Among you are a mother and daughter graduating and a twin brother and sister graduating together; there are a number of firsts for us as a university as well.” During a second session of the convocation ceremony, approximately 400 graduates came from the Faculties of Engineering and Technology, Health Sciences and Natural Sciences.In his feature address, Guyanese-born Professor Norman Munroe, who is Director, Office of Student Access and Success and of the Centre for Diversity in Engineering and Computing at Florida International University, (Continued on page 71 )
Sunday November 11, 2018
PAGE 9
Kaieteur News
Fly Jamaica Captain Basil Ferguson credited for landing plane safely …airline cleared to remove plane A flight track of the Fly Jamaica flight which crash-landed at CJIA
The Fly Jamaica aircraft at the end of the CJIA runway
A
viation officials have given Fly Jamaica the green light to remove the Boeing 757 which was forced to make an emergency landing at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) minutes after takeoff on Friday. And the pilot, Captain Basil Ferguson, is being credited with averting a major disaster after stopping the plane inches from a steep drop at the end of the runway. Kaieteur News understands that Ferguson has many years
of flying experience and was previously employed with Air Jamaica. Several passengers who spoke with Kaieteur News following the incident said that Ferguson should be praised for his effort to save the lives of the 128 persons onboard the aircraft. According to health officials, about ten persons sustained minor injuries while deplaning from the crashed craft. The Fly Jamaica flight departed CJIA at 2:10 a.m. for
Toronto, Canada. About 15 minutes into the flight, passengers recalled that the pilot reported that the aircraft was experiencing problems with its hydraulic system and needed to return to CJIA. According to flight maps, the airplane circled before attempting to land. Passengers recounted that upon touchdown, the aircraft sped past the airport’s terminal, past the end of the existing runway and onto the newly extended portion of the runway, which is not officially
DEM BOYS SEH
One set of thieves tek over from de odda
Before dis set of players go in office, dem promise to jail all the thief men and women including Jagdeo. Dem promise de moon. De only thing dat dem didn’t promise was de stars. But as everybody know, a promise is a comfort to a fool. Look at the findings of the AG 2017 report. Is a continuation of dem report when de PPP was in office. Year after year is dis same scenario playing out over and over. Fuh now, dem boys gon only share 20 headlines dat dem see in de newspapers in de last two weeks: -Auditor General finds 18 alarming financial irregularities in spending of $300M for G/Town Restoration Programme; -Govt. fails to submit payment vouchers to support expenditure of $107M for Durban Park –Auditor General; -Region Eight RDC cannot justify using highest bidder for contract to build incinerator; -Auditor General found contractor’s Bills of Quan-
tity to be significantly inflated; -Contractor gets completion certificate, 90 percent of payment before works beginAG Report; -Guyana Post Office in over $20B debt …Still to collect $9B owed by several agencies – AG Report reveals; -Almost two years later, Public Debt System still to be fully automated –Auditor General; -Public Health Ministry fails to return $1.62B in unspent funds to Treasury –Report; -Procuring agencies fail to report contracts awarded in excess of $1.5M to Tender Board –Sharma; -Auditor General unable to verify Govt.’s use of Lotto Funds for 2015 to 2017; -Two Sugar Industry Funds not audited in 38 years, another in nine year; -Contractor collects $112.1M for two projects last year; yet no works started; -HDM Labs takes six months to supply two weeks “emergency drugs” yet charges over $100M
more than other suppliers; -Auditors have trouble verifying lawful disbursement of PIDs worth over $12.8B; -Govt. fails to implement at least half of Auditor General’s 2015 and 2016 recommendations; -GDF certified and paid over $17M for nonexistent plumbing works; -”I did the work before contracts were awarded”Berbice contractor admits; -Govt. used seven rooms at hotel to store drugs, items destroyed by termites; -GDF car uses $3 million in gas in one year. Tek dat one. And dis is only de tip of de iceberg. De Audit man didn’t write bout de $25M rent per month for a bottom house drug bond in Albouystown. He also didn’t seh anything about de threatening letter BK write to de Govt and get pay US$6million overnight from dem. Talk half and y’all go tomorrow and vote for the Creator. He is the only savior Guyana gat. Dat is what dem boys know.
open. It is being said that the pilot experienced brake failure when he touched down. The aircraft careened into the chain linked fence before coming to rest in the trap at the end of the runway with the front of the plane perched above a ravine – the same area where a Boeing 737 operated by Caribbean Airlines overran and split in two on July 30, 2011.
The right wing of the aircraft was broken along with the engine. Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Egbert Field told Kaieteur News yesterday that the investigation is well on its way and Fly Jamaica has been cleared to remove the aircraft from the end of the runway where it was being secured by police and army
officers. Field disclosed that the airline, including the pilot and crew, will prepare statements for investigators and an interview will be conducted this week. He said, further, that he has started to engage with officials of the South American arm of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the (Continued on page 71)
PAGE 10
Kaieteur News
Sunday November 11, 2018
NRGI say... No safeguards exist to ensure
oil money will benefit future generations By Kiana Wilburg
I
n order for future gen erations to benefit to the same degree as present generations from Guyana’s oil wealth, the government must invest proceeds from oil production in education and productive infrastructure. But even though the Government’s Green Paper on the establishment of the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) signals the intention to take this route, there are no safeguards in place to ensure this happens. This was pointed out by the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) in its latest report which discusses the weaknesses of the Government’s Green Paper. Even if the government commits to spending oil money on certain priorities, the Institute said that there is also a risk that non-oil allocations on these items decrease, implying no net change in spending on devel-
opment priorities. NRGI suggests that the government could report annually on total spending allocated towards developmental priorities and ensure that net spending on these projects increases over time. Alternatively, it said that Guyana could impose a symbolic Malaysiastyle “golden rule” whereby oil revenues must be spent on investments for future generations, including scholarships, schools and productive infrastructure. BE WARY OF POLITICIANS In spite of the potential economic benefits that would flow from the introduction of a Natural Resource Fund (NRF) (also known as a Sovereign Wealth Fund), there remains the substantial risk that future Guyana governments will use resources of the fund for short-term political gain. This was also noted by NRF Analysts, Asim Ali and
Patrick J. Schena. In a special report titled, “Harnessing Oil Wealth in Guyana via a Sovereign Wealth Fund: Look Before You Leap,” the duo notes that while a NRF would provide a useful framework for capture and management of resource wealth, its impact is fully dependent on the
to Guyana. They contended that while flare-ups may have as much to do with Venezuelan domestic politics as with the oil exploration issue, a political-cum-economic framework between Guyana and Venezuela is necessary – perhaps with the support of regional
commitment of future governments to elevate the fund and its mission above short-term political expediencies. It stressed that the quiescent, but long-standing, territorial dispute between Guyana and Venezuela certainly increases the challenges of introducing an NRF
partners - for long-term realization of oil windfalls. TRIPLE CHALLENGE Also endorsing the views expressed by the analysts is the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The financial institution recently noted that Guyana faces a triple challenge in attempting to establish its Natural Resource Fund. It said that the Government has to decipher how to rapidly build stronger institutions; how to save for future generations and smooth consumption; and how to assure that the oil revenue spent in the short term, is planned and spent well to boost productivity and improve living standards. Given the nation’s weak institutions and poor capacity to execute projects well, the IDB said it would be recommended that Guyana saves as much as possible until the quality and capacity of institutions improve. The IDB sought to highlight that simply establishing a Natural Resource Fund is not a guarantee for fiscal stability. The Bank said, “In the first instance, the appropriate mechanisms to manage the Fund, clear and simple rules for withdrawals and deposits,
and issues related to governance and transparency, will be important to ensure that the Fund achieves its objectives.” The IDB said that the Santiago Principles, a list of 24 generally accepted principles and practices voluntarily endorsed by the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds provides some general guidance for countries. More substantially, the Fund needs to be supported by a strong fiscal framework. SET STRICT STANDARDS The IDB is not the only international body, which has cautioned Guyana’s authorities on the importance of having a robust Natural Resource Fund. The Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) for example, believes that there are several key factors emerging oil producers like Guyana must consider as it moves to establish a Natural Resource Fund. According to the Fund, the Government of Guyana must set clear fund objective(s) (e.g., saving for future generations; stabilizing the budget; earmarking natural resource revenue for development priorities). It said that the government must establish fiscal rules—for deposit and withdrawal—that align with the objective(s); establish investment rules (e.g., a maximum of 20 percent can be invested in equities) that align with the objective(s); clarify a division of responsibilities between the ultimate authority over the fund, the fund manager, the day-to-day operational manager, and the different offices within the operational manager, and set and enforce strict ethical and conflict of interest standards. It said that the oversight bodies for the Fund must require regular and extensive disclosures of key information (e.g., a list of specific in-
vestments; names of fund managers) and audits. It said, too, that oversight bodies must be allowed to do their work without a shred of political interference. The Fund said, “We wish to stress that the government should establish these and other rules and institutions governing natural resource funds through a process that generates broad political consensus. “Governments may not comply with even the best rules unless key stakeholders and the broader citizenry have bought into the need for government savings and constantly apply pressure to follow the rules.” It continued, “This has become apparent not just in natural resource-rich economies, but also in places like Europe where, from time to time, most member states breached the fiscal rules outlined in the EU’s Stability and Growth Pact even prior to the 2007-08 global financial crisis. We would also call on international institutions and advisors to carefully consider the implications of recommending the establishment of funds where public financial management systems are opaque and poorly functioning.” NRGI said that international advisors should recognize that the establishment of a Fund by itself will not improve resource governance. The Governance Institute stressed that Natural Resource Funds ought to be products of fiscal rules or macroeconomic frameworks that call for savings of oil, gas or mineral revenues. It said that the minimum conditions, such as clear objectives, operational rules, investment risk limitations, effective oversight, and transparency, must be present in order to improve natural resource governance.
Tackling literacy and numeracy
Sunday November 11, 2018
T
he Region Six Department of Education hosted a one-day Literacy and Numeracy fair, recently. The event which was themed “Literacy and Numeracy build life skills” was to promote and improve Literacy and Numeracy within the region. Teachers from across the region were invited to attend and observe the teaching and learning aids displayed, so as to capture ideas and take back to the classrooms. As teachers and pupils arrived at the Rose Hall Town Primary School, they were greeted by a vast display of Literacy and Numeracy aids and materials. Several booths were set up and were managed by members of the Literacy and Numeracy Committee. The presentations captured learners’ interest and level allowing them to learn in an interactive way. The Numeracy materials displayed were provided by teachers from various Nursery, Primary and Secondary schools across the region while the Literacy Materials were provided by the Literacy Committee of Region six. Literacy Coordinator, Ms. Vanessa Williams, stated that the event was a success. She was satisfied with the presentations. “The booths were never out of schools viewing and interacting. We had a full day,” said Williams.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 11
PAGE 12
Kaieteur News
Sunday November 11, 2018
Guyana must guard against “different kind of slavery” from oil giants By Abena Rockcliffe-Campbell Trinidad and Tobago has found itself in such a vulnerable position that its leaders are now regretting the decisions made which led to the island having to cope with the bleak reality before it. It seems to be the consensus that, at this point, finding a way out for Trinidad is no easy task. And if Guyana is not careful, it will attract a similar fate. Former Prime Minister of the twin-island republic, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, said as much as recently when she delivered the feature address at the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) dinner and award ceremony. Persad-Bissessar told those at the event that she was somewhat embarrassed to speak to Guyana on the
topic “Managing Oil and Gas Revenues – experiences and lessons learned from Trinidad and Tobago”. She said that this was so because, as it now seems, Trinidad made some very bad decisions along the way. The Trinidad Opposition Leader said, “This is apparent in the position in which we now find ourselves - a high energy consumer now made even more vulnerable in a volatile sector, tethered to the vagaries of international superpowers that will now control our energy requirements and outputs.” Persad-Bissessar said, “I am hopeful and fairly certain that this is one path that Guyana should never find itself on. Guyana should, above all other things, especially having been an importer of energy for so long, work towards ensuring its Energy Security and Energy Indepen-
- T&T Opposition Leader, Kamla Persad-Bissessar dence. These are critical to a country’s success and indeed future.” DO NOT GO BACK TO SLAVERY The former Prime Minister said that it is imperative for Guyana to keep its eye out for subtle forms of takeover that will, over time, become less subtle. She said, “You need to have robust legislation to protect your country’s patrimony but at the same time, it must not be so filled up with endless red tape and bureaucracy that will drive away investors.” “Also, you need a framework to ensure multinationals contribute adequately to the development of Guyana even as they invest and ben-
efit. You need this legislation so you don’t end up being purely exploited. “You don’t want to end up in a different kind of slavery. You don’t want to end up in a situation where they are just taking your natural resource and selling it back to you.” Persad-Bissessar then said something that further hits home to how similar Guyana and Trinidad are. Both countries once had thriving sugar industries. “Remember when we were about sugar, where sugar was king. They used to call us King Sugar, but what happened? They took the sugar from us when we were colonized, manufactured it and even our chocolate they took and then sold it back to us. Please, don’t
Former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Kamla Persad-Bissessar let this happen with your oil and gas.” The former T&T Prime Minister said that much emphasis must be placed on local content in order for Guyana to guard against this, “different kind of slavery” about which she spoke. She said, “Yes, you need the foreign investors but remember your local content needs; that is very important. Don’t let this (different slavery) happen again.” She said that having only foreign players in the industry is never a good play. “When we started the oil
and gas sector, everything was foreign-owned. Now TT is going back to that because that is what the government is saying. We are going to pull the crude out, and then we are going to export it and what are we going to do? “We are now going to buy the things that we were producing, like lubricants and fuels. Please, don’t let that happen to you. Get involved in the downstream activities of oil and gas, set up your own local manufacturing for the oil sector and continue the other aspects of oil and gas.”
Sunday November 11, 2018
PAGE 13
Kaieteur News
Few countries hold major stakeholders accountable for sustainable consumption Governments, businesses and stakeholders have not taken steps at all levels to achieve or implement plans for sustainable production and consumption, and to keep the impacts of use of natural resources within safe, ecological limits. This is according to a report on the State of Biodiversity in the Caribbean Community published by CARICOM. The report states, “Ecosystems providing critical support to the development and wellbeing of the Caribbean Community’s citizens, a very diverse population of 20 Million people living in one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, are seriously threatened by the effects of habitat destruction, pollution, invasive alien species and climate variability.” Guyana, Belize, Jamaica
and Saint Lucia are the only CARICOM nations that have reported notable progress, by means of holding those major figures to heel, in implementing sustainable mechanisms for the management and consumption of natural resources, including the wellbeing of marine and terrestrial life forms. Other countries, it states, did not consider this strategy a priority in their National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. Guyana is among only a few countries that have made significant efforts to keep use of its natural resources within sustainable limits, in-keeping with the Aichi targets (A system of targets set for United Nations member states on biodiversity management). Though Guyana is not one of the countries that has met all of the Aichi targets, its
efforts are of much significance since the country accounts for about half of CARICOM’s landmass. The report states that Guyana has given considerable attention to issues of equitable and participatory management of protected areas. The Government has declared more than 4,045 square kilometers of land as the Konashen-owned community area (COCA), to be managed by the indigenous Wai Wai people, who were given formal title to land. Guyana’s Amerindian Communities have also played a key role in the development and operations of the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development. The report also notes that Guyana participates in the United Nations’ REDD+ programme (Reducing Emis-
Annai Primary School children begin Stem Club Activities The Office of The First Lady of Guyana in collaboration with ExxonMobil, Iwokarama and STEMGuyana, yesterday saw students from Annai Primary school begin their STEM club activities. A STEM club is a gathering of young people that finds an enjoyable way to engage in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, hence the name STEM. Yesterday’s activities included robot building and programming with robot kits donated by ExxonMobil.
STEMGuyana intends to make weekly lesson plans available to Annai students and all STEM clubs in the nationwide programme. Lesson plans will include concepts like Levers, Pulleys, the brain of the robot, how remote control systems work, the history of robots, how robots are powered, IR sensors, the principle of light, the transformation of energy and many other topics. Students will also learn to code using Scratch programming, which will strengthen their Maths fundamental skills.
STEMGuyana cofounder, Karen Abrams, said, “Our goals is to build and strengthen the technical skills of our club members, while also strengthening their soft skills like collaboration, cooperation, communication, problem solving and critical thinking” Annai is a small village in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo Region of Guyana. It is nestled in the foothills of the Pakaraima Mountains and is close to the Rupununi River.
sions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation), which incentivises developing countries to conserve and sustainably manage their forests as a contributor to climate change mitigation. Guyana has undertaken the responsibility to map important ecosystems and biodiversity areas and will incorporate the information produced into national land uses and protected areas planning. Guyana and Suriname, which have significant forestry sectors, both maintain official production statistics pertaining to use of timber. Though Guyana, like Suriname, records consistent increases in timber production, the country, since 1990, has decreased the percentage
of its forests designated for production by 13%. The report maintained that Guyana is unique in its focus on ecosystems that provide fundamental support services, with main priorities for action being the promotion of soil health within the managed ecosystem of cultivated, agricultural lands. Guyana was also lauded for its Low Carbon Development Plan and Mangrove Restoration Project. The Living Planet Index 2018; a report by global advocacy group, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) had warned about the destruction that the earth currently faces as a result of human consumption. The report, which is based on the study of 16,700 popu-
lations of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians, states that there has been an overall decline of 60% in the population sizes of vertebrates between 1970 and 2014. The report pointed out five major indicators of humanity’s footprint on the earth, namely grazing land, forest product, fishing grounds, cropland, built-up land and carbon. The Living Planet Index shows that species population declines are especially pronounced in the tropics, with South and Central America suffering an 89% loss compared to 1970. Additionally, almost 20% of the Amazon, referred to as the lungs of the planet, has disappeared in just 50 years.
PAGE 14
Sunday November 11, 2018
Kaieteur News
Energy Dept. developing Ethics Policy to strike out corrupt behaviour –Dr. Bynoe …Encourages National Assembly to draft same for MPs By Kiana Wilburg In the interest of reducing the potential for corruption or even the mere perception of it in the oil sector, Head of the Energy Department, Dr. Mark Bynoe, revealed that an Ethics Policy is being developed to govern the behaviour of his staff members. Dr. Bynoe was reminded that Guyana is without any piece of legislation that demands beneficial ownership screening. Many international and local experts have said that the absence of this legislation opens the floodgates for public officials to have an indirect investment power in companies involved in the oil sector, thereby leading to issues of corruption and conflict of interest. Asked if his Department would be placing any focus on this, Dr. Bynoe said, “We are interested in anything that
will reduce potential corruption or even the perception of corruption. So yes, that would be an area of interest. Also, we are developing an Ethics Policy going forward to cover the Department of Energy.” The official said he would also encourage the National Assembly to craft something similar to for the nation’s Members of Parliament. SCREENING TO REDUCE CORRUPTION It has been over a year since the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), an independent transparency body, called on Guyana to put several measures in place to safeguard the nation’s wealth. One of these systems it recommended speaks to increasing beneficial ownership screening so as to reduce the sector’s risk to corruption. The Institute noted that in most natural resource-rich
countries, when a company is seeking the right to explore for or produce oil, gas or minerals, sector, rules require that regulators check some basic information before granting the company a licence and accompanying contract. In this regard, NRGI said that the regulator is supposed to judge whether the company is technically competent, financially sound, and is in compliance with environmental and safety rules. It noted, however, that licensing rules generally do not require screening of whether public sector officials have interests in an applicant company, which could create serious conflicts of interest. The Institute said, “We reviewed over 50 mining and oil laws around the world and found that about half contained prohibitions on Gov-
Head of the Energy Dept, Dr. Mark Bynoe ernment officials or their close associates – often called ‘politically exposed persons’ (PEPs) – holding interests in companies applying for extractives licenses, but none
required regulators to actually check whether or not such PEP interests existed as part of screening licence applications.” It added, “This is a potentially critical gap in regulatory oversight, because a large body of real-world cases suggests that the ability to hide a company’s true beneficial owner is a major enabler of corruption in the granting of extractive rights.” In Guyana, there is no legislation or piece of regulation, which requires beneficial ownership screening. NRGI has pointed out that a growing number of Governments are developing legal policies and information systems for collecting and publishing data about the beneficial owners of extractives companies – the real people who own, control, or economically benefit from a company. It stressed that these reforms range from amending company registration laws
and creating national public registers to sector-specific approaches like establishing extractives transparency laws and licensing requirements. But to have an impact, NRGI said that extractive sector reforms may need to go beyond just requiring beneficial ownership disclosure, namely by establishing rules on what types of beneficial ownership linkages will be considered unacceptable self-dealing or corruption, and by determining the consequences that will apply when that line is crossed. NRGI research shows that a number of countries have already established such rules, but monitoring and enforcement is lacking. Given the corruption risks, the Institute said that improving national policies and practices on allocating extractives licences should be at the forefront of these efforts. Going forward, NRGI said that resource-rich countries such as Guyana will need to choose beneficial ownership assessment rules that best address the political, legal and industry realities in which they award licences. Given the relative newness of evaluating corruption risks using beneficial ownership information in licensing decisions, NRGI said that officials may want to put much of the detail into less formal documents such as guidelines, so that the rules will be easier to amend based on lessons learned. Regardless of where rules are stipulated, NRGI commented that they should be subject to public consultation during their development, and publicly disclosed once finalized in order to facilitate monitoring and accountability.
Erdogan: Turkey shared Khashoggi tapes with Saudi, US and others ALJAZEERA: Turkey has shared recordings related to the killing of Jamal Khashoggi with Saudi Arabia, the United States, Germany, France and Britain, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday. Turkish sources have said previously that authorities have an audio recording purportedly documenting the murder of the Saudi journalist. The existence of such a recording has never been officially confirmed. Speaking before his departure for France to attend commemorations to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, Erdogan said
Saudi Arabia knows Khashoggi’s killer is among a group of 15 people who flew into Istanbul hours before the October 2 killing. “We gave the tapes. We gave them to Saudi Arabia, to the United States, Germans, French and British, all of them. They have listened to all the conversations in them,” Erdogan said. “They know.” Sources told Al Jazeera on Saturday that Turkish police ended the search for Khashoggi’s body, but that the criminal investigation into the 59-year-old’s murder would continue. (Continued on page 70)
Sunday November 11, 2018
PAGE 15
Kaieteur News
Kerosene stove destroyed Patterson stalling UN’s assistance La Penitence home to enhance security of GECOM’s Firemen douse the rubble and sift through debris
The aftermath of the deadly blaze
Days after a 48-year-old wheelchair user, Arlene Moses, was burnt alive in her Freeman Street, East La Penitence home, the fire department suspects that the blaze, which saw the one storey wooden house being flattened was accidently ignited while the woman was cooking. Fire Chief, Marlon Gentle, in an interview with this publication said that he believed that the fire started in the now dead woman, Arlene Moses’s kitchen while she was cooking. The Fire Chief believed that the woman was cooking on her two kerosene stoves and due to her limited mobility, she collided with the stoves, knocking them to the floor and setting the house on fire.
According to previous reports, neighbours of the woman’s Freeman Street, East La Penitence, Georgetown, home claim that they saw smoke billowing from the building at around 13:15 hrs. It was initially believed that the woman was in the south eastern section of her house closest to her grocery shop. Persons gathered at the scene were unable to disclose much information about the woman, as she was a woman of few friends. She woman lived with her nephew but was often visited by a male friend and her father, The building smouldered for approximately two hours. When the embers cooled, the firemen located the woman’s corpse.
database – PPP Commissioner Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (ret’d) James Patterson has been accused of delaying an offer from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) of technical assistance for the conduct of elections. People’s Progressive Party (PPP) – nominated C o m m i s s i o n e r, Bibi Shadick, told Kaieteur News that Commissioners on both sides are pushing for a discussion with the U N D P, noting that Patterson had cancelled a previously planned meeting. According to Shadick, the UNDP has offered to provide information technology (IT) experts who will provide supervisory and other support for the security of GECOM’s database, the security of stored information and the secured sharing of information between GECOM and the General Register’s Office (GRO). “The Commission wants the discussion with the UNDP, the Chairman took a unilateral decision without any discussion with the Commission, came in on the day when we were supposed to have the meeting and announced that we were not attending the meeting and he has advised the UNDP that he would not be attending the meeting,” Shadick recalled. She said following prodding from the Commis-
People’s Progressive Party (PPP) – nominated Commissioner, Bibi Shadick sion, Patterson wrote a letter to the UNDP. She said that she can confirm seeing the letter, but could not say for certain that the letter was delivered to the UNDP. “We asked for this. We need to meet. Chairman will you please say to the UNDP that you have issues that we would like to discuss their offer. That is what we had been saying. That process took more than a month for a letter to be written. “After that we have not heard anything. We will keep raising it because we should have that collaboration from the UNDP. We could only benefit from it. It is more important now than ever,” Shadick said. It would appear that the UNDP team should have already started its work
ahead of the Local Government Elections (LGE), which will be held on Monday. In May, the government announced that a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) team met with Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, on the request by GECOM for provision of technical assistance in preparation for LGE and the 2020 General Elections. The UNDP team consisted of Mr. Hassan Sesay, Senior Electoral/Political Affairs Officer; Ms. Fernanda Lopes, Election/Governance Expert; and Mr. Guillermo Kendall, Senior Political Affairs Officer. The aim of the visit was to discuss with Williams the purpose of the Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) whose functions are to evaluate the current and electoral environment in Guyana, and assess the form of future UN electoral assistance. The Government indicated that the discussion covered a spectrum of issues that will be dealt with in preparation for the Local Government and the General elections. Those issues identified were the results tabulation process; developing the necessary software to expedite the process; the biometric instrument used at polling stations; verifications of electoral listings; and to ensure security at the polling stations.
PAGE 16
Sunday November 11, 2018
Kaieteur News
Ministry of Health takes awareness on oral health to schools in E’bo Since the mouth is doorway to our bodies, it is believed that a good oral health often results in good general health. In observing this year’s Oral Health Month, the Ministry of Public Health recently participated in an oral health parade on the Essequibo Coast. The parade attracted five schools from within Anna Regina. The parade, which commenced at the Anna Regina Car Park, concluded at the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School where an informative session on oral health was hosted. Speaking on the programme was the District Education Officer primary for Region Two, Ms. Shondel Hercules; Medical superintendent, Soniya Grey; and Dr. Sabrina Harricharran, who delivered the feature address on oral health. Dr. Harricharran pointed out that unless we take good care of our oral health, we will not be able to achieve a good general health. She added, “A good oral health means a good general health. And the mouth is the doorway to the body. If we don’t take good care of the mouth then we will not be able to have good general health.”
Students undergoing free dental examination, last Wednesday in observance of oral health month.
She noted that oral infection can cause extreme toothaches and significant decay in our mouths. These can likely affect our thinking ability. In highlighting some of the risk factors in oral health, Dr. Harricharran added, “…Some of the risk factors for oral health include unhealthy
diet, tobacco use, unhealthy use of alcohol and bad personal hygiene.” Commenting on this year’s oral health theme, “Improving oral health through prevention and restorative measures,” Dr. Harricharran said the main objective of the dentist will be to restore a decaying tooth.
She explained that instead of conducting an extraction, the dentist will take measures to stop decay, and to restore the normal function of the tooth and gum. Though there are measures to restore a decaying tooth to a state of normalcy, the Ministry’s objective is to
first prevent the decay of tooth and poor oral health. The first step, according to Dr. Harricharran, is to educate and spread awareness on proper oral health, in an effort to help persons win the battle in this area of their health. She pointed out that the
schools were targeted so that children can take care of their teeth at a very early age. The District Education Officer for Primary in Region Two, Ms. Shondel Hercules, said in her address, that the Department of Education appreciates the initiative of the Ministry of Health to host the activity.
Shaheed’s Girls Orphanage was torched
The ruins Shaheed’s Girls Orphanage By- Tracey T. Squires Investigations into the recent fire at the Shaheed’s Girls Orphanage at Oleander Gardens, on the East Coast of Demerara, have determined that the building was deliberately set ablaze. Fire Chief, Marlon Gentle, explained to Kaieteur News that the fire, which was set intentionally, originated on the bottom flat of the eastern side of the building. The report has been handed over to the
police and an investigation is currently ongoing. The orphanage, which was reduced to ashes on October 20, last, once housed 18 persons— 17 girls and 59year old caretaker, Shanti Pooran. It was around six in the morning, when Pooran was alerted by an orphan, that smoke was emanating from the prayer room, which was located on the upper flat of the building. Pooran raised an alarm
then evacuated all the girls safely. Onlookers rendered assistance by contacting the Fire Service and the Police force. Currently, the girls are being housed at the boys’ orphanage on Alexander Street, Kitty, after receiving aid from the Ministry of Social Protection. According to initial reports, the fire was not of electrical origin. The Fire Chief concluded that the blaze was deliberately set.
Sunday November 11, 2018
PAGE 25
Kaieteur News
---Hinds’ Sight by Dr. David Hinds---
Party control of Local Government: A mini-general election tomorrow Tomorrow Guyanese participate in their second local government election in two years—the first time in fifty years that there would be consecutive elections of this type. The PNC government of that time discontinued them in 1970 and the PPP government of recent times discontinued them in 1994. This current coalition government should be commended for keeping its promise not to repeat those transgressions. One sincerely hopes that future governments do not turn back this process—after all, local democracy is as pivotal to democratic advance as other forms of democracy. It is at that basic level that citizens come closest to direct democracy, which, for me, is the most effective form of democracy. Having said the above, I still venture to argue that we should not be too quick to congratulate ourselves. I strongly believe that it is time that we move beyond the formal arrangements to a more substantive local democracy. The basic question is this— how has the holding of local government elections led to improved democratic outcomes?
In other words, have there been any substantive changes in local governance since the return of LGE in 2016? The answer to that question would determine whether the Coalition should view the holding of the elections as a major accomplishment. From all indications, the answer has to be a resounding no. The crisis that has continued to haunt the Georgetown City Council is perhaps the most vivid manifestation that the democratic form (holding elections) has not yielded democratic outcomes. While the Georgetown crisis is well documented, similar problems plague Regional Democratic Councils and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils throughout the country. We face a crisis of democracy, whereby local councils are not accountable to the local communities. This is an inevitable outcome, as the councillors are not chosen by the communities. We have a Local Government system that is local in name only— candidates are chosen and voter preferences are driven by the national political parties. So long as political par-
ties continue to monopolize the process, accountability to the communities and the issues, concerns, preferences and problems of the communities would be undermined or totally ignored. This situation would not cease until the political parties agree to constitutional reform aimed at decreasing the role of parties and increasing the role of local individuals and groups. It would be impossible to remove parties from the process, but something must be done to remove central party direction from local affairs. It is not that party members should not contest LGE, but they should not do so as party representatives chosen by the party. Such a situation merely transfers the national party rivalry to local government, which in turn ensures that community concerns are ignored. So where do the parties stand on this issue? The WPA has long declared that it would prefer political parties to play a minimal role in the process. In the few instances where WPA members held local government seats, they functioned not as WPA representatives but as repre-
The Baccoo Speaks Road fatalities are continuing. A motorist with no care for others will force his way through traffic and cause an accident. He will collide with a large truck. The casualties will rise and the authorities will continue to emphasise the need for proper road use. ** Young criminals are forcing the police to place plainclothes ranks in areas
known to be hotspots for petty criminals who are a nuisance to ordinary road
users. But the police action will spark an outcry from certain sections of the society that benefit from the criminal activity. ** An outing will end in a fatality because some people in a vehicle, all of them inebriated, will crash. The issue of a designated driver is a long way from catching on.
sentatives of the communities that elected them. While they kept the party abreast of their work, at no time did the party instruct them on how to do their jobs. The outgoing chairman of the Foulis-Buxton NDC is a well-known WPA member, but he did not face the electorate as WPA, nor did he govern as WPA. That is the model that I think should be adopted by local councillors.The PNC, two decades ago, took a similar position to the one outlined above, and there are still some active PNC leaders who currently hold that view. But the current governmental leadership of the party has moved away from that position—it has situated the PNC in the heart of the process. The PPP, guided by its ideology of ethno-political dominance, has never embraced the WPA-type position—it treats the LGE in the same way it does general elections. The AFC never articulated an approach one way or the other, but during the 2016 LGE, it followed the PNC lead and attacked its own Chairman who favoured a nonparty approach. I strongly believe that as a start we should pursue legislation that limits political parties to the at-large seats on the various councils, which should constitute no more
than 20% of the total seats. This would leave the constituency representation to local individuals and groups. I would also move towards the return of Village Councils. The NDC’s are not local enough. Maybe, there is a case for keeping them, but not as substitutes for Village Councils. However, in the absence of real local governance, not only do we have poor governance, but there is little local interest in the process. And this feeds the unaccountability on the part of councillors. It is well known that corruption is rife—councillors use their elected positions to obtain contracts for local works. Citizens complain, but turn a blind eye out of fear of offending the party or because they benefit in some small way. So, tomorrow Guyanese are really going to vote in a mini-general election. The cadre of independent candidates has shrunk—some of them have joined the parties’ slates this time around. The political parties are bullish about their chances. For the PPP, the election is definitely a dress rehearsal for the 2020 general election. And because it has framed it as such, the PNC and AFC have to follow suit. My sense is that the PNC would rather not follow that
Dr David Hinds script, but it has little choice now—boat done gone a falls. The AFC would have been better off staying out of the election, but the logic of its post-2015 politics has taken them into the fray. My sense is that the PPP would bring out its base to the polls in larger numbers than the PNC and would win the popular vote. The PNC would have a hard time getting its base to the polls. If the turnout by the armed forces is anything to go by, my prediction seems to be on track. If I were the PNC and AFC, I would be concerned about 2020. If they intend to go to the 2020 election as a coalition and this is a dress rehearsal for that election, why on earth are they fighting separately? More of Dr. Hinds ‘writings and commentaries can be found on his YouTube Channel Hinds’ Sight: Dr. David Hinds’ Guyana-Caribbean Politics and on his w e b s i t e www.guyanacaribbeanpolitics.news. Send comments to dhinds6106@aol.com
PAGE 26
Kaieteur News
Sunday November 11, 2018
Murder near a melon farm nine years ago By Michael Jordan There are at least three people who know for sure what happened nine years ago at Number 63 Beach, Corentyne. One of them is a girl named Susan Hernandez. The second is a mysterious killer. The third is a former New Amsterdam Multilateral School student named Vivian Singh Balrup. He’s the victim in this story. His father, Kirpaul Singh Balrup, doesn’t believe he’s being told the entire truth about how Vivian was killed, and last week, as the ninth anniversary of his son’s death passed, he was still trying to find out who murdered his boy, and why.What Mr. Balrup has been told is that on Sunday November 8, 2009, a taxi stopped at the family’s Reliance, East Canje home. Vivian then asked his mother to allow him to accompany his cousin, Mark Persaud, to Number 63 beach. She was reluctant to let him go, but eventually relented.Mark Persaud, the cousin, confirmed that they were joined by two girls. One of them was 15-year-old Susan Hernandez. The taxi driver then took the friends to Number 63 beach. Persaud also confirmed that they then passed near to a fenced watermelon farm, and
that Vivian went into the farm and picked two watermelons. One version of this story is that Vivian was reluctant to enter the property, but the taxi driver persuaded him to, and even lifted the barbed wire to let him slip through. After eating some of the fruit, Persaud said that he and Vivian went to the waterside to wash their hands. According to Persaud, Vivian and Susan Hernandez then walked off together, while he, his girlfriend and the driver remained by the car. Mark said that he then asked the man to borrow his car. The driver consented and Persaud, accompanied by his girlfriend, drove along Number 63 Beach. But the ride ended abruptly when the vehicle got stuck.Some five minutes later, the driver called Persaud on his cell phone to enquire about his whereabouts, and Persaud explained his predicament. The cousin claims that after about 30 minutes, the driver and two men in a gold-coloured Toyota AT 192 drove up. They were accompanied by Susan Hernandez, who was bleeding. There was no sign of Vivian Balrup. According to Persaud, Susan alleged that she and Vivian Balrup were sitting under a coconut tree when
Murdered: Vivian Singh Balrup someone came up and struck him. She reportedly said that the same person then struck her, causing her to fall. Persaud alleged that Susan Hernandez said she managed to get up and run away, while the man continued to strike Vivian Balrup. Police reports on the incident stated that Susan Hernandez said that the attacker struck her and Balrup with a length of bamboo. According to Mark Persaud, he had said they should all go to check on Balrup, but the taxi driver insisted that they would have to wait until his car was unstuck. He said that the driver and his two friends in the gold-coloured car went to a nearby residence and borrowed a tractor, which they
used to pull out the stuck vehicle. They then went to the area where Vivian Balrup and Susan Hernandez had been attacked.Persaud said that Balrup was lying on the ground in a semi-conscious state. Reportedly, on the taxi driver’s suggestion, they took the unconscious youth to the New Amsterdam Hospital.Kirpaul Singh Balrup, the victim’s father, said he first learnt about his son’s injury when Mark Persaud’s sister contacted him by phone to say that Vivian had been struck on the head and was being taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital. When he arrived at the hospital his son was bleeding profusely from injures to the head, but no doctor was present. He said that his son was being transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital when he passed away. Mr. Balrup is puzzled that the driver had taken his son to the New Amsterdam Hospital rather than the Skeldon Hospital, which was much closer. He said that after his son’s demise, the police questioned the two girls and his nephew, Mark Persaud, at the New Amsterdam Police Station. According to him, Susan Hernandez, who had witnessed the attack, telephoned
him and said: ‘Uncle, I will tell you everything.’ But Mr. Balrup said that he was so distraught at the time that he told her to talk to the police instead. It’s a decision he said he will forever regret. The information that investigators had collected led then to believe that Vivian Balrup and Susan Hernandez were attacked by someone on the watermelon farm that Vivian had entered.Four watermelon farmers from the Number 63 beach area were detained, but then released after Hernandez failed to identify any of them as the attacker.Mr. Balrup is convinced that some persons are not telling the entire truth about the circumstances that led to his son’s death. He is puzzled as to how a bamboo stick could have caused the injuries that his son sustained. He also noted that there were no injuries on his son’s arms to indicate that he had tried to ward off the blows.Mr. Balrup is certain that the watermelon farmers did not kill his son. He also doesn’t believe that robbery was a motive, since his son still had his cell phone, gold chain, watch and $8,000 in his
possession when he was found.And the still distraught man has a few theories of his own. One of these is that someone who might have been jealous about his son’s popularity with females inflicted the fatal blows. He believes that there are persons other than the killer and Susan Hernandez who witnessed the attack. “The beach is always packed with people, and from what I understand, on that day in question, a lot of people were on the beach. I think that people see, but they afraid to come forward and talk to the police. I am pleading with anyone who knows what happened to come to me. It would be confidential.” If you have any information about this or any other unusual case, please contact Kaieteur News by letter or telephone at our Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown offices. Our numbers are 225-8465, 225-8473 and 225-8458. You need not disclose your identity. You can also contact Michael Jordan at his email address kamarangnight@gmail.com; or his cell number: 6452447.
Sunday November 11, 2018
PAGE 27
Kaieteur News
==THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN==
Angry, old white American men and their young Guyanese counterparts
E
arlier this week, in my compound, my dog bolted from my grasp and ran straight into an oncoming car. I chased behind her and the vehicle came to a halt. The driver was the youngster likely to replace Patricia Chase-Green as mayor, if the PNC (not APNU - the other constituents in APNU – Guyana A c t i o n P a r t y, N a t i o n a l Democratic Alliance, WPA and Justice for All - did contribute to the official APNU slate) wins the LGE tomorrow. Akeem Peters is the first-past-the-post (constituency) candidate in my area – Turkeyen. He was so in the last LGE when APNU ran with the AFC. I did not vote for the APNU+AFC candidate in the LGE in 2016 and would not vote for him tomorrow. I am voting, as I did in 2016, for a non-party candidate – the independent. I told Peters just that as he stopped his car to save my dog. Maybe I owe him my vote because he saved my dog, but as the saying goes, “a miss is as good as a mile.” I would have caught my dog in time, so I don’t owe Peters anything. Our conversation was interesting. I angrily criticized the present City Council and he asked me if it was as bad as the previous one (that is, when the PPP was in power). The words flew out of my mouth rapidly. I told him yes, and that Carol Sooba was a far bett e r To w n C l e r k t h a n Royston King. I then turned to Peters and asked him why he is in politics with the PNC. I told him at his young age, he has his entire life ahead of him; what is he doing with being part of the PNC. All over Guyana as the LGE campaign started, you saw young, educated Indian boys and girls on the PPP’s
slate and young, educated Africans as PNC candidates. Why are these lovely young people not breaking with the racial configuration that has dominated this country since the split in the fifties between Forbes Burnham and Cheddi Jagan? The American midterm elections are over and the commentators and analysts have explained why the Democrats won the House of Representatives and why the Republicans defeated three Democratic incumbent senators and won close races for the governorship of Georgia and Florida. Looking at the trends of voting in the US, it is the opposite to Guyana, thus exposing the sickening backwardness of the young people in Guyana, e s p e c i a l l y t h e educated ones. From time immemorial it was said that education elevates the mind. In Guyana, education deflates the soul. Here is the Guardian (UK) columnist, Richard Wolff on the midterm results; “His (Trump) own supporters are just not that into him any more. Not all of them have abandoned him, for sure. The angry old men are still there, screaming their insults at immigrants, the media and anyone else who isn’t an angry old man.” (Nov. 7). Here is the online newspaper, “Salon” that is quite popular among Washington politicians; “America is being held hostage by older white people — especially older white men. That, above all other things, is the moral of the 2018 elections. The CNN exit polls are stark in many ways, particularly tracking the growing gender and education gaps among voters, but what is most startling is how white people over 45
are heavily Republican and no one else is” (Nov.7). This is how the New York Times put it; “Democratic gains in the House came in densely populated, educated and diverse enclaves around the country, around major liberal cities… the Republican Party’s traditional base in these districts collapsed, with collegeeducated white voters joining with growing minority communities to repudiate President Trump and his
party. Democrats are winning over voters in growing communities that look more like the country as a w h o l e , while Republicans are increasingly reliant on an aging population of conservative whites to hold up their electoral map. The Democrats’ eclectic coalition of white moderates, young liberals and African-American, Latino and Asian-American voters was more than enough
to seize the House.” (Nov. 7). When you put graphs and statistics to these explanations, a trend emerges – young, educated, white Americans (both male and female) are voting with Blacks and Hispanics for diversity in politics, diversity in governance, and for a multi-racial America. The trend is the opposite in Guyana. UG puts out almost a thousand students each year. Check their political preference – it is for one
Frederick Kissoon of the two ethnic Leviathans - the great or infamous PPP and the great or infamous PNC. There was the multi-racial AFC, but it died a few years ago.
PAGE 28
Kaieteur News
Sunday November 11, 2018
Elect representatives who will solve your community problems In the last few days, a few politicos and social commentators have suggested that the low voter turnout by the disciplined forces last week when they had the chance to cast their votes early, was purely because of disenchantment with the governing Coalition.
Similar opinions were expressed by former ministers of the former PPP government, by veteran trade unionists and newspaper columnists, among others. They seem to have placed the ‘blame’ for the voter apathy by the disciplined forces on what they suggest is unsatisfactory per-
formance and output of the sitting Administration. From our perspective, the history of voter turnout to local government elections in Guyana has many more factors to analyse. Even the LGE’s in 2016 were not different, despite the prevailing atmosphere of euphoria among
much of the population because of the recent change to the smothering status quo brought about by the 2015 national elections. So in 2016, the level of participation by eligible electors was less than 50 percent which was hardly different from what obtained in the past.
This is not a Guyanese phenomenon. Voter apathy has been a recurring theme in local government elections, across the Caribbean at least. This year in the United States, however, their midterm elections for seats in the Senate, House of Representatives and for state Governors, on November 6, created an astonishing precedent that is headed for the history books. Voter turnout was exceptionally high in that starkly, racially divided population. There was a lot at stake. In Guyana, as in the rest of the Caribbean, our citizenry is still not sufficiently responsive to the fact that it is their right and responsibility to elect the right people from their communities to look after their interests, such as ensuring their rice fields get access to water for irrigation at the right time; or keep their environments clean and hazard-free by clearing household garbage; or electing people who would not commandeer the Neighbourhood Council’s tractors and excavators for their own use. In the city, voters must elect Councillors who show determination to demand that the city’s income is spent on preventing it from becoming the Garbage city that it was in the hands of the PPP. It is unfortunate that our political and social cultures suffered so much damage via the former government’s stranglehold on the citizens’ right to think for themselves, choose for themselves, and demand what they want. Since 1992 when the PPP acceded to ‘power’, there was one single LGE, i.e. in 1994. Since then, Zip! The PPP Government made good use of what they took to be their right to give people what they wanted them to have, such as rivers and fish life dying from heavy silt and chemical pollution in the unprotected interior regions; and garbage piled so high in the city that a serious health crisis was just hovering there, waiting to move in on Georgetown’s citizens. We have lived with poor service from city, town and neighbourhood councils for nearly a quarter century, but we do not have to! The ability to make the Change was put into our hands in 2015, so it is the citizen who now drives the vehicle for betterment. Do you realize that our last three generations have grown up knowing precious little about how they can control their lives, livelihoods and their environments? Voter education by GECOM is one way to bring them information. The other most important means is the examples
they are shown by their elders at home and in neighbourhoods. One key block to the information reaching people is the noisy political rhetoric, the distortion of facts and blatant lies from the Opposition that prevent vital information from reaching the people. Many end up not knowing who their community candidates are because of them being bombarded by politics. Political speeches have precious little to do with farmers on the Corentyne whose pigs, cows and chickens die in floods because water could not be pumped from the land, since the responsible Neighbourhood and Regional Councils did not ensure that the pumps were working. Instead, the residents have been taught to wait for the Ministers of Government to visit the disasters in order to voice their complaints, and to get help from Georgetown. Mr. Arjoon would not have lost any chickens from his poultry farm because flood water stayed on the land for so many days, and the hard working cash crop farmer at Mahaicony would not have lost all of her bora and boulanger plants, if their respective local government councils were representing them adequately. This is what local government elections are all about. This is why you select the people who you know will use their voices to ensure that your issues such as the potholed roads in your village receive a hearing at Council meetings. The person who will take your message to the City Council or the Regional Council is your Candidate. If you do not know who he or she is, please find out TODAY, so that tomorrow you are able to put your mark next to the right name. In truth, politics has no place at community level, not if you keep it out. LGE is all about your well being and your children’s health, and the fact that ordinary folks are quite capable of running their own district affairs. And, the members of the Disciplined Services who missed out on the opportunity to vote early will be still able to do so tomorrow in their residential neighourhoods. Salutations are in order for the many candidates who have offered their services to their communities. Many of them are not linked to any political party, and many are young people who are participating in elections for the first time. Like nothing else, this fact legitimizes Guyana’s democracy.
Sunday November 11, 2018
PAGE 29
Kaieteur News
My column
Firemen cause the country tremendous embarrassment
S
ometime back an in dividual sent me one of those jokes that people usually circulate on social media. It was about a bird that collapsed on the ground during extremely cold weather. Up came a cow and dumped on it. The mess kept the bird warm. The joke continued that not everyone who dumps on you is an enemy. The bird felt good, so it began to sing. A cat heard the singing and investigated. It dug the bird out of the mess and ate it. The morale is that not everyone who takes you out of mess is your friend. This joke came readily to my mind when I read that fourteen firefighters raided the crashed Fly Jamaica flight after it landed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport on Friday. The plane had difficulty stopping on the tarmac and ran off the tarmac to crash into a sand trap and a perimeter fence. Ranks of the Timehri Fire Station were already on standby. The pilot had radioed in to inform the control tower that the aircraft had problems with its hydraulics. Nobody died, but the aircraft was damaged. An engine was ripped off. The passengers were evacuated, and police and soldiers moved to secure the aircraft. That was all well and good, but for the firemen who boarded the craft and helped themselves to whatever they could put their hands on. They are all in police custody, but the shame has spread all over the country. Uniformed first responders have emerged as vultures at the scene of an accident. It is not that this is common to Guyana, but our disciplined ranks should not have been common thieves. They should be the people to render assistance in times of crisis. In the wake of the report, I explained to some members of staff that many of the lower ranks in the disciplined services are not among the brightest in the society. Further, many join the forces because they believe that the services are perhaps the easiest places to gain employ-
ment. I have known policemen to behave in the same way those firemen did. Some have gone to road accident scenes and helped themselves to valuables from the victims. It was the same with some hospital porters who transport the dead or the injured. In the case of the plane crash, many of the victims were not native to Guyana, so one can imagine their impression of Guyana. People lost computer devices, phones, colognes and jewellery. Fortunately, some have been recovered. People seek jobs to make their lives better. Somewhere along the way, they become opportunists and suddenly become no better than the common criminal. Policemen have joined the force with all good intention, but they change. There have been reports of recruits lobbying to become traffic ranks because of the opportunity to fleece drivers. The ranks on the roads have been known to report to robbery scenes. Some captured the criminals and recovered stolen articles, but for some reason the money was never really returned. If any was, it was a fraction of what was taken. Still fresh in my mind are those soldiers who kidnapped and killed a young man named Dwieve Kant Ramdass. The man had a quantity of gold and cash. Somehow the soldiers got word and descended on the Parika Ferry Stelling and removed the young man from the crowd. They killed him and took his money. The law has dealt with them. Some policemen who got into the act have also been dealt with. Honesty for many is just a word. Police ranks have reported that recruits have stolen phones belonging to their comrades in the barracks. This has happened even before these recruits have become policemen. It all boils down to parental training and societal orientation. Many parents do not preach social values to their children, with the result that the children grow up seeking shortcuts to prosperity, sometimes with dire consequences.
Two nights ago, some young people on their way home were pounced on by a group of people, a woman was in the midst of the robbers, and robbed. The young victims did not have much, but those who attacked them did not care. It is as if they have a mindset to simply live off the earnings of others. That has long been the case of young people in school developing role models who made money by illegal means. These young, misguided people see the pursuit of fast money as their goal.
Those fourteen firemen would have developed the same mindset. They would have grown up seeing people spending money and knowing that those people did not make their money by legitimate means. However, some of them did not want to take certain chances, so they entered mainstream life. They became uniformed ranks. However, they still kept their eyes on gaining more than they were earning. The crashed airplane offered an opportunity for them to get more than they could earn legitimately.
Some of them are going to court and they will have to depend on their immediate family who have precious little; people who are struggling to make ends meet. Money that could have gone to do other things will now be diverted to pay lawyers. It is a case of diverting scarce resources when there should have been no need to. We all know of prison officers who feed off of prisoners. They smuggle illegal things into the prisons for a fee, placing the lives of their colleagues at risk. But they do
Adam Harris not see the bigger picture. Some say it is a societal problem. I say it is a case of people fashioning their lives to take development one step at a time.
PAGE 30
Kaieteur News
Sunday November 11, 2018
Voting is a powerful way of voicing your opinion
T
he journey towards democratic renewal began in earnest on Tuesday, September 9, 2014, when then Leader of the Opposition Brigadier David Granger, wrote to President Donald Ramotar urging him to hold long overdue local government elections. As we recall, President Ramotar ignored the letter. On Thursday, September 18, 2014, Brigadier Granger announced that A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) would commence weekly picketing exercises outside the Office of the President. Even after the protests commenced, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) regime refused to budge from its authoritarian stance. David Granger and APNU continued to demand the holding of local government elections. The PPP continued to refuse to hold local elections and in May 2015 lost the General and Regional election to a coalition led by David Granger. In March 2016, less than one year after Granger
entered office, local government elections were conducted after an absence of two decades. Today, grassroots democracy is back; tomorrow, Monday, November 12, 2018, Guyanese will have a second opportunity in less than three years to vote at local government elections. Citizens will once again have an opportunity to take what rightfully belongs to them. Citizens will have the chance to choose their community leaders, as is mandated by the Constitution. The newly-elected local democratic organs have changed the method and mode of governance in Guyana. This is part of the Coalition government’s plan to fully implement the strategic vision of community empowerment to which the administration, at the highest level, is steadfastly committed. In his message to the nation on Republic Day 2016, President David Granger said, “Democracy is about placing power in the hands of the people. The changes
brought by becoming a republic were part of a process of democratic renewal. They were intended to place power into the hands of the people by making the small man the real man.” “They enabled the common folk, through their communities, collectives and cooperatives, to promote their economic self-improvement.” “We will fulfill our promise to conduct local government elections in order to empower our citizens in their village communities and municipalities after two nightmarish decades of municipal despotism. Local government elections will empower residents and enrich communities.” “The new councils will be empowered to fulfill their mandate with the independence and autonomy to which they are entitled. They will not be beholden to central government, instead, they will be answerable to the people who elected them. They will be answerable only to the people whose issues will be paramount. Gone are the days of central domi-
nation. Instead, the new dispensation has brought with it a culture of collaboration and co-operation between local, regional and central governments.” The youth vote which was critical in the 2015 general and regional elections will be critical once again. The PPP’s deliberate destruction of our system of local democracy and neglect of our communities during their twenty-three years in office continues to have a severe impact on the quality of life for many Guyanese, especially in the local government areas that are controlled by that political party. We must therefore be persuasive when we explain to the young voter that one vote may seem to be little more than a whisper, but when that vote is combined with the votes of others who share their views, it can become a shout. It is imperative that we explain to them that elections have consequences. If you don’t vote, you lose your right to complain. One thing that is really annoying is to hear eligible voters who chose not to vote, complaining about the poor system of local representation by elected representatives in their municipalities or Neighbourhood Democratic
Councils. If you don’t vote, it is like saying you don’t care how your community is being run; you don’t care what happens to you. When you don’t vote you lose the right to complain. So, if you want the right to complain the next time the garbage in not collected in your village or town or you have poor roads, drainage and no green space for leisure and relaxation, then you must exercise your right to vote. Believe it or not, many of our ancestors fought and died for the right to vote, a right that we should never take for granted. At the end of the day, if you are eligible to vote and you know what you want for yourself and your community, go out and vote. Vote because it is about making a choice, whether it is the right choice or not depends on how much you care. Voting is a powerful way of voicing your opinion. Finally, local democracy brings with it greater involvement of civic society in the processes of local development. APNU believes that meaningful involvement of non-governmental organisations and other groups is essential for community, regional, and national development.
In the words of the Chairman of APNU and President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, David Granger, “Community and non-governmental and civil society organisations play a critical role in bridging the governance gap. These organisations have a decisive role to play in animating development within communities.” Clearly, since the reimplementation of Constitutionally-due local government elections, it is no longer business as usual. The stagnation at the community level, which was rampant during the PPP’s 23year rule is now a thing of the past. Change has come for all Guyanese; power has been given back to the people. APNU will be contesting these elections as a single entity. We have already begun the job of cleaning up and restoring many communities after years of neglect and decay caused by the PPP; just take a look at what has been achieved in just a few years in Bartica, Lethem, Mabaruma, Mahdia, Linden and Georgetown. You know our symbol - the Palm; vote for local democracy, vote for progress not confusion; vote for the good life. On November 12, Vote APNU!
Sunday November 11, 2018
PAGE 31
Kaieteur News
Understanding the different germs that can infect us By Dr Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine e are all prone to getting infec tions. They are so many different infections that are caused by different germs. Doctors treat infections according to the type of germ that is causing the infection. Some persons think that antibiotics can cure all infections. This is not the case. Today I will expand on the different classes of germs so that you can understand why antibiotics are not always the solution. BACTERIA There are many different types of bacteria. Some are helpful and protective to humans. Some flourish naturally in our bodies - particularly in the bowel and vagina - and help to protect the body from infections. However, infections with certain bacteria can cause serious illnesses such as meningitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, etc. A bacterial infection may be treated with a course of antibiotic medication. VIRUSES These are smaller and different to bacteria. Many different types exist. Most of the common ‘minor’ illnesses are caused by viruses. For example, colds, coughs, sore throats, chickenpox and some other rashes. Viral infections are much more common than bacterial and fungal infections. For many viral infections, there are no effective antiviral medicines (unlike antibiotics for bacteria). Fortunately, the immune system in the body usually fights off most viral infections within a few days. Taking ‘symptomatic’ treatments for a high fever, such as panadol and/or ibuprofen, resting and drinking plenty, is usually all that needs to be done to get better. There are some antiviral medicines that are used for certain infections - such as antiretroviral medicines used to treat HIV. They usually work by stopping the virus
W
from multiplying, and so ‘control’ the virus and the infection that it causes. FUNGI Many types of fungi exist and cause problems in humans, animals and plants. Fungal infections commonly affect the skin and nails in humans. They can cause ringworm, athlete’s foot, other localised skin rashes and infections in and around nails. Modern creams usually work well to clear a local fungal rash quickly. However, nail infections can be rather stubborn and may need long-term treatment of antifungal medicines taken by mouth. Most fungi are free-living in the environment, and few of these are capable of causing infection in an otherwise healthy person. However, they can cause serious infections in patients with weakened immune systems PARASITES A parasite is a type of germ that needs to live on or in another living being (host) to survive. It gets its food from its host. Parasites are usually found in contaminated water or food. They can also get into the body by insect bites or by sexual contact. Parasitic infections are more common in the tropical countries like Guyana. They are more typically seen in people who have weakened immune systems (for example, those with HIV or those people taking chemotherapy for types of cancer). Examples of diseases caused by parasites are malaria, amoebic dysentery and giardia. Threadworms, hookworms and tapeworms are also parasites. HOW CAN ANTIBIOTICS HELP? Antibiotics are not a ‘cure all’ for infections. Antibiotics will only clear infections caused by germs such as bacteria and some parasites. They do not work when an infection is caused by viruses, fungi or yeasts. As mentioned, most common infections are caused by viruses when an antibiotic will not be of use. Even if you have a bacterial infection, the
immune system can clear most bacterial infections. This means that antibiotics are not needed for minor infections. However, you do need antibiotics if you have certain serious infections caused by bacteria, such as meningitis, pneumonia or kidney infections. In these situations, antibiotics are often life-saving. ARE ANTIBIOTICS ALWAYS GOOD? Antibiotics are not without problems. This is why it is not usually good practice to take antibiotics ‘just in case’ an infection is bacterial, but to take them only when they are really needed. For example:
* Antibiotics can cause side-effects such as allergies, diarrhoea, rashes and nausea. Side-effects are quite common. Most side-effects are not serious, but some people have died from a severe allergic reaction to an antibiotic. * Antibiotics can kill off normal ‘defence’ bacteria, which live in the bowel and vagina. This may then allow other infections - for example, thrush - to develop. * Overuse of antibiotics has led to some bacteria mutating and becoming resistant to some antibiotics, which may then not work when really needed. The more antibi-
otics are used, the greater the problem of antibiotic resistance. * When antibiotics are appropriately prescribed, it is important to take them as directed on your prescription and to complete the full course of treatment. That often means continuing to take the antibiotics as directed when you feel better. Failing to finish a course of treatment or failing to take the antibiotics as prescribed, can actually result in the growth of resistant antibiotics. * Some antibiotics may interact with other medicines that you might take. This may
Dr Zulfikar Bux cause reactions, or reduce the effectiveness of one or other of the treatments. Your doctor is best at knowing what infection you have and what to treat it with. Do not use antibiotics by yourself. There are risks and long-term consequences associated with this risky practice.
PAGE 32
Kaieteur News
SUNDAY Contractor gets completion certificate, 90 percent of payment before works begin- AG Report Officials at the Regional Tender Board in Linden found themselves in hot water when Auditor General, Deodat Sharma discovered that a contractor was able to get a Final Inspection Certificate, one month before a contract could even be signed. What is also startling is the fact that Regional Tender Board officials granted permission for the contractor to receive almost full payment for works on the same day the contract document was signed. The certificate is issued as conformation that the project has been completed. The Auditor General noted that this is an utter disregard for the nation’s procurement laws. Detailing the situation in his latest report, Sharma stated that the matter involves a contract for the rehabilitation of Church Road, Block 22 in Linden. It was awarded by the Regional Tender Board in the sum of $5.904M to the lowest of seven responsive bidders. There was an approved variation of $2.538M, revising the total contract sum to $8.442M. But after examining several contract documents, Sharma made some alarming discoveries. For starters, Sharma noted that the agreement for the contract, a request for 90 percent of the contract sum to be paid out and an approval document for payment by the Regional Engineer, were all made on the same date —December 4, 2017. Sharma said that the Regional Executive Officer (ag) then approved the documents for payment the next day, December 5, 2017. By December 31, 2017, Sharma found that the full contract sum was paid to the
Sunday November 11, 2018
contractor with an overpayment of $96,000.
The Berbice Bridge
Bank of Guyana needs help managing Natural Resource Fund – NRGI Experts With Guyana being new to all aspects of the oil and gas industry, it would be wise for the Government to hire a custodian bank to help Bank of Guyana in the day-to-day managerial operations of the Natural Resource Fund (NRF). This was recently noted by oil and gas experts Andrew Bauer, David Mihalyi and Fernando Patzy of the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI). The experts said that Governments can establish NRFs as special accounts within the Central Bank or Treasury or even as separate institutions. They said that custodian banks however are usually employed to help inexperienced Central Banks with accounting, tax issues and reporting on NRFs. ”What matters more than the physical location of the money is the fund’s institutional structure. However, many funds have chosen to use external custodians in countries with stable banking systems in order to safeguard the money and provide administrative support. For example, the Libyan Investment Authority uses the ABC Bank in Bahrain. Chile’s Fund uses JP Morgan Chase Bank in the U.S. Azerbaijan’s Fund uses Bank of New York Mellon as a custodian,” the experts stated. With the aforementioned in mind, the experts said that Guyana’s fund could employ the services of a custodian bank which would support the day-to-day operational management of Bank of Guyana. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has also said that Guyana faces these and other issues as it prepares to establish a NRF. In fact, the IDB said that Guyana faces a triple chal-
lenge in attempting to establish its fund since it has to decipher how to rapidly build stronger institutions; how to save for future generations and smooth consumption; and how to assure that the oil revenue spent in the short term, is planned and spent well to boost productivity and improve living standards. Given the nation’s weak institutions and poor capacity to execute projects well, the IDB said it would be recommended that Guyana saves as much as possible until the quality and capacity of institutions improve. Further to this, the IDB sought to highlight that simply establishing a NRF is not a guarantee for fiscal stability. MONDAY Berbice Bridge Company demands 19-year extension in exchange for withdrawing toll hike Berbice Bridge Company Inc. (BBCI) has officially requested a 19-year concession
Undertakers preparing the body of Peterkin for removal.
extension from Government as a bargaining chip to stop the roll- out of hefty toll increases for vehicular traffic. The company’s demands are contained a letter from Finance Controller and Company Secretary, Stephen Rambajan dated November 2 and addressed to Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson. The letter which was released Sunday by the company called for a meeting between BBCI officials and Government in order to address the matter before November 11 – a day before the company plans to introduce a staggering 365 percent increase in vehicular tolls. According to BBCI, Government’s agreement to the extension would actually give the company a total concession of 40 years. According to the Concession Agreement that was signed by the Bharrat Jagdeo administration with BBCI- the Concessionaire/Operator- the time of the “handback” should be in nine years time. However, the company indicated that the extension of the concession is a means of avoiding the need for implementation of toll increases announced on October 16 and the implementation of toll increases in the immediate future. BBCI stated that if Government agrees to the extension, it will withdraw the implementation of the toll increases, which were announced on October 16. ”We believe that such an extension, with full Government support, will provide BBCI, as the Concessionaire, the opportunity to approach its lenders to re-negotiate terms and conditions of the various debts. If these negotiations with the lenders are
successful, it will provide much needed relief to the cash requirement burden and therefore, the need for toll increases at present and in the future,” BCCI indicated to Government. The company stated that it is convinced that its new proposal will allow the tolls to remain as they are and provide opportunities for toll reduction in the near future, removing the need for Government subsidy to the tolls and maintenance of pontoons. BBCI continues to be seen as a private company that was controlled by close friends of former President Jagdeo. World Bank joins organizations warning Guyana about oil sector corruption As Guyana inches closer towards becoming a mega oil producing state, the World Bank is urging the citizenry and all transparency bodies to be on the lookout for four types of corruption that come with the petroleum sector. In one of its recent reports, the World Bank outlined these forms of corruption to be: policy corruption, administrative corruption, commercial corruption and grand corruption. With regard to Policy Corruption, the World Bank explained that this involves corrupt influence on the design of sector policies, as well as the enactment of sector laws and taxes in a manner intended to provide political or personal gains at the public’s expense. It said that examples of this, take the form of policies or laws being passed with loopholes, tax breaks, price controls, awards of exclusive rights (such as oil blocks to companies and individuals),
and special account procedures. It also called for the citizenry to be mindful of the relationships of legislators and special interest groups aligned to oil and gas companies. Turning its attention to Administrative Corruption, the World Bank said that this refers to the abuse of administrative office to extract illegal benefits in exchange for approval covering a wide range of commercial and operational activities. The Bank said, “In other words, it is looking the other way in the face of corrupt behaviour, or for a favourable interpretation of fiscal regulations in favour of the company.” With respect to Commercial Corruption, the Institution explained that this relates to procurement abuse, including tender rigging, kickbacks, and cost inflation. As for Grand Corruption, it said that this is the most common form of corruption and it speaks to the direct theft of massive amounts of money or diversion of production; products, or revenues made from the sector. TUESDAY Man decapitates brother-in-law in Diamond house A 39-year-old electrician of Paradise Village, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was brutally murdered by his brother-inlaw at his father-in-law’s 1323 Section ‘C’ Block ‘Y’ Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD), home Monday morning around 08:15 hours. When Kaieteur News arrived on the scene of the crime, the body of a man identified as Justin Peterkin was lying at the door of the 1323 (Continued on page 33)
Sunday November 11, 2018
From page 32 Golden Grove, EBD residence, there was a lot of coagulating blood at the doorway and just outside of the door, Peterkin’s neck was partially severed. A neighbour who witnessed the incident said he saw the suspect, Anthony King, in the yard acting in a strange manner, breathing hard and talking up. The young man, who lives next door, said the suspect had a hammer in his hand when he first saw him. Moments later he heard a knocking, and when he looked over he saw “he deh over chopping away pon the man neck. He got the chopper pon the man neck and he lashing it with de hammer.” The young man said he started to shout at the suspect and he then left the victim and walked out the yard. The young man said he then gave chase after the suspect who then threatened to kill him. The eyewitness said that he told the suspect that he would lash him with a piece of wood. The neighbour said he followed the suspect until he saw some people in vehicles and told them that the suspect had just killed a man. Moments later the police arrived and apprehended the suspect. When the owner for the house arrived with his daughter, who was Peterkin’s wife, the woman fainted when she saw the body of her husband lying at the doorway of her home. Guyana got value for money from US$32M China loan for broadband – Jagdeo …admits fibre optic cable project was a failure Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo said that Guyana received value for money from the US$32M loan which his administration accessed in 2012 to pursue Government broadband project. His declaration came days after the current coalition administration inked another loan agreement with China pursue a broadband project. That loan is US$36.5M. ”I don’t know what their end game is. Our end game was total connectivity. Lay fibre across the country so that you can get high speed internet right across Guyana. Bring in more fibre so you can lower the cost of bandwidth to the country then connect all the state institutions and move into a E-Governance mode,” Jagdeo stated. The US$32M taken by the Jagdeo administration is payable over 20 years with a fiveyear grace period and two per cent interest rate. That money was expected to produce a networking sys-
tem that includes 54 towers and a data centre stretching from Moleson Creek, Berbice to Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast. That project was undertaken by the Chinese telecommunications company, Huawei. ”The Huawei programme we took it; it’s not wasted because that rolled out the network,” Jagdeo stated. He added, “I believe we got value from that contract.” He noted that sometimes people confuse the US$32M loan with the project that utilized local funds to lay fibre optic cable connecting Brazil to Georgetown. A Brazil-linked fibre optic cable cost US$4.5M and was executed through a contract signed between Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, on behalf of the then Government and Faisal Mohamed on behalf of Dax Contracting Services. The project was abandoned when the current Government came to office in 2015. Jagdeo agreed that the project was a failure. Govt takes control of Berbice Bridge in light of “threat to public safety” The Government of Guyana decided to take control of the Berbice Bridge from Monday. Thus, the Berbice Bridge Company Inc. (BBCI) will no longer have jurisdiction to try to impose “unconscionable” increases on the people of Guyana. This was made known by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) via a missive it released to the media early Monday. The Ministry noted that the government and the BBCI have been engaged in a public dispute regarding a unilateral announcement on October 16, 2018 by BBCI to impose “draconian” toll increases at the Berbice River Bridge. MPI said that the dispute has been ongoing for a number of years and came to a head recently when BBCI demanded a 365 percent increase on the toll for users of the Bridge, which is slated to take effect on November 12, 2018. The statement continued, “We have stated publicly that the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and the Government of Guyana cannot support the unreasonable demand for an increase in toll on the public which is based on a flawed formula and computation. ”We have stated that these increases by BBCI are unwarranted and will become burdensome to the people of Berbice and the public atlarge. On the basis of correspondence between both sides as recently as over the past few days, we do not envision a swift resolution to
PAGE 33
Kaieteur News
this crisis.” MPI said that therefore, in accordance with the powers conferred upon the Minister by Sections 4 (1) and 11 of the Berbice River Bridge Act, in the interests of public safety. ”The Minister issued (Monday) an Order declaring that the functions of the Concessionaire to maintain and operate the Bridge shall be exercised by the Government of Guyana as of 5 November 2018 until the date the Minister specifies by notice on the cessation of the threat to public safety.” The Ministry pledged that it will do everything in its power to alleviate disruption to the public and ensure that the assumption of these functions is as smooth as possible. WEDNESDAY Berbice Bridge Co. asks Minister to justify public safety concerns – signals intent to take legal action The Berbice Bridge Company Inc. (BBCI) has signaled its intention to not give up control of the Berbice River Bridge without a fight. Tuesday, the company announced that it sees the government’s recent move to take control of the bridge as “unlawful.” This announcement was made via a missive the company sent to the media. The letter read, “The Berbice Bridge Company Inc. (BBCI) has received the Toll Order 2018 (Public Safety) made under the Berbice River Bridge Act by the Minister of Public Infrastructure to maintain and operate the Bridge and to maintain the tolls as the same as those levied before the coming into operation of the Order.” It continued, “The Berbice Bridge Company Inc. considers, based on legal advice, that the Order is unlawful and ultra virus under Section 11 of the Berbice River Bridge Act on which it is based.” It was via this very letter that the BBCI made the media aware that it wrote Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, Tuesday. The letter sent to Patterson was also released to the media. It read, “I write in connection with the above Captioned Order, on behalf of the Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI), the Concessionaire, under the Concession Agreement dated June 12, 2006, between the Ministry of Public Works and Communications, by which your Ministry was previously known, and the BBCI. Pursuant to Section 15 of the Judicial Review Act, I write to request, that as a body affected by the Order,
The house at Diamond where Peterkin was butchered by his brother-in-law. that you supply BBCI with a statement setting out the findings on material questions of fact, referring to the evidence or other material on which those findings were based and giving the reasons for the decision.” BBCI even gave the Minister a time frame during which he should respond. The company said, “I look forward to your response within fourteen (14) days of the date hereof.” BBCI said that subject to the Minister’s response, it will consider its options which “do not exclude a legal challenge to the Order.” Auditor General finds… “Alarming” irregularities in $300M G/T cleanup spending When it comes to the sum of $300M that was allotted in 2015 under the Ministry of Communities for the Georgetown Restoration Programme, Auditor General Deodat Sharma has found over 15 alarming financial anomalies. In his latest report, Sharma pointed out that the Ministry of Communities expended the sum of $6.2M to purchase a Nissan double-cab pick-up. The vehicle was being used by the City Constabulary. Sharma noted, however, it was not accounted for in the permanent stores records of the Ministry and Council. In another instance, the Auditor General pointed out that the correctness, accuracy and validity of the payment of $52.163M made by the Ministry to a contractor for 103.8% variation works on three contracts could not be
verified. Also, amounts totaling $241.637M of the allotted amount ($300M) were paid over to the Council. And that’s not all. Sharma said that Section 43 of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act was breached, whereby the sum of $102.637M was paid over to the Council in 2016 from the 2015 Appropriations. Further to this, the AG said that the Council utilized the amount paid over from the 2015 appropriations for expenses incurred over the period November 2015 to February 2018. Sharma said that this is an indication that the restoration grant to the Council was not utilized as intended. He said too, “261 Payment Vouchers for expenses totaling $247.558M were submitted. This was $5.921M more than the sum ($241.637M) paid over to the Council; expenditure totaling $182.610M were not certified by the relevant officer; the City Treasurer’s approval was not evident on seven Payment Vouchers totaling $8.304M; the Finance Committee’s full approval was not evident on 21 Payment Vouchers totaling $30M; and there was no evidence of acknowledgement from payees for payments totaling $12.816M.” THURSDAY Contractor receives $45M to build doctor’s quarters in Port Kaituma – completes less than quarter of work The Auditor General has recommended that steps be taken to recover sums of money paid to a contractor who started work on a
doctor ’s quarters at Port Kaituma, Region One but failed to complete it. The contractor was hired to construct buildings for the Ministry of Public Health in Region One as far back as 2016. And according to information highlighted in the report, the contractor failed to complete the project despite being advanced more than 50% of the contract sums. The 2017 Auditor General’s report, noted that based on the ministry’s capital expenditure, the Doctors’ Quarters at the Port Kaituma Hospital Complex were not only incomplete but the works done were valued at far less than the money paid over to the contractor. ”The contractor received payments totalling $45M or 72% of the contract sum as at 31 December 2016. Physical verification of the works on 30 August 2017 revealed that actual works measured only $14.768M or 24% of the contract sum,” the report said. According to the report, approval was granted by the National Procurement Tender Administration Board, (NPTAB) for the award of a contract in the sum of $458.341 M for the construction of doctors’ accommodation at the Port Kaituma Hospital Complex. The Engineers Estimate was for $62.291M. The contract was signed on July 19, 2016. The contract stipulated the commencement date of the project as 14 days after the signing, with a duration (Continued on page 34)
PAGE 34
Kaieteur News
Sunday November 11, 2018
From page 33 of 18 weeks and the defects liability period of six months. Jagdeo to go to police on D’Urban Park spending Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo intends to take the findings of the Auditor General on the Government’s spending as it relates to the controversial D’Urban Park Stadium to the police. The former Head of State made this clear at a press conference that was held Wednesday at his Church Street Office. There, Jagdeo reminded that his party had filed private criminal charges against Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, and Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson, on the matter but these were subsequently thrown out by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar Ali-Hack. He recalled, too, that the DPP had bemoaned the fact that the matter was not sent to the police. Now that the Auditor General’s latest report is out, and a number of discrepancies were found with the project, Jagdeo said that the matter will be taken to the police and the DPP will be asked to relook at the case. In his report, Auditor General, Deodat Sharma, noted that as at December 31, 2017, amounts totaling $1.150B were expended on the D’Urban Park project. However, Payment Vouchers to support the expenditure of $107.119M were not produced for audit examination. As such, Sharma said that the
completeness, accuracy, and validity of this amount could not be determined. In addition, the Auditor General pointed out that the amount of $500M was paid to Homestretch Development Inc. (HDI), the private company that was created to implement the D’Urban Park
Project. This was paid over to the company so that it could meet its obligation to its creditors. However, Sharma found that there was no documentation attached to the Payment Vouchers to indicate the works done or that supervi-
sory checks were carried out on the works. He highlighted too that there was no certification to show that the works were satisfactorily completed. Sharma said that the list of HDI creditors and Government’s proposed payment allocation to each creditor was attached to the Payment Vouchers. In the circumstances, the Auditor General said that the correctness, accuracy and validity of the payments made could not be determined. Maryann Daby attempted murder charge… Cop suspended, charged with ‘wilfully’ attempting to pervert the course of justice
Deon Aaron (right) being escorted from the courtroom
Months after a Police Constable told the court that he lied in a statement to support a colleague; he was Wednesday charged and released on $300,000 bail for wilfully attempting to pervert the course of justice. The Police Constable, John Holder, is the key witness in the matter involving businesswoman Maryann Daby, who is accused of attempting to kill a police officer. Holder appeared before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court where the charge was read to him.
He was not required to plead to the charge which stated that between August 10 and October 2, last, at Georgetown, he wilfully attempted to pervert the course of justice by deviating from his statement dated May 13, last, in the case involving Police vs Maryann Daby. Attorney-a-Law Steven Roberts in a bail application for his client told the court that his client told the court the truth and did nothing wrong. Facts presented by Police Prosecutor Shellon Daniels stated that Holder who is a serving member of the Guyana Police Force has been suspended and was under close and open arrest for the past two weeks, pending investigation into the matter. The Prosecutor went on to tell the court that during the investigation Holder gave several statements in relation to the matter. The court heard that while Holder was testifying in the attempted murder PI which is being conducted by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly, he deviated from his statement and told the court that a top ranking officer instructed him to change his statement to support his colleague. While Prosecutor Daniels had no objection to bail being granted to Holder she
asked that conditions be attached. Magistrate Latchman after listening to the Prosecutor, instructed Holder to report every Monday to the clerk of court until the completion and determination of the trial. Holder was instructed to make his next court appearance on November 20 for report. Daby, 25, of 127 D’Aguiar Park, Houston, Georgetown, is currently out on $750,000 High Court bail. FRIDAY Tax avoidance schemes by oil companies will be addressed– Newly appointed Advisor Newly appointed Oil and Gas Advisor to the Department of Energy, Australian Matthew Wilks, has assured that special attention would be paid to tax avoidance schemes by oil companies in an effort to ensure Guyana is well protected. The official made this known at a press conference that was held by the Department of Energy at the Ministry of the Presidency Thursday. He was accompanied by his department head, Dr. Mark Bynoe.Kaieteur News raised several issues, chief (Continued on page 35)
Sunday November 11, 2018
From page 34 among them being the mounting concern over Guyana’s exposure to tax avoidance tricks by oil companies and how much the nation stands to lose, especially when one considers that there are no modern laws in place to address such matters. On this basis, Wilks and Bynoe were asked to say if this will be looked at in their quest to prepare Guyana for the oil and gas industry. Very succinctly, Wilks said, “Yes! That will be an area of focus.” The Oil and Gas Advisor acknowledged that if Guyana wants to improve its standing, or rather, position itself to be successful in the management of the industry, then indeed, fiscal legislation would have to be looked at, taking into account such issues. He said that related matters such as cost recovery would be addressed. Given the troubles many countries have faced with collecting taxes from oil operators, the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) is one international body that has urged Guyana and other emerging oil producers, to institute strong safeguards against tax avoidance by oil companies. At the top of the Institute’s list is a robust antiabuse legislation, which would allow revenue-collecting authorities to reallocate items of income and expense. Among other measures, the Institute called for there to be clear definitions and procedures concerning the treatment of transfer pricing and multiple mechanisms for
PAGE 35
Kaieteur News
the government to obtain and exchange taxpayer information from other governments. Life sentence for ex-cop, 53, who raped girl, 3 An expressionless Deon Aaron, a former policeman and firefighter was Thursday sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after 20 years, having been convicted two weeks ago for raping a toddler. The jury, after hours of deliberation found that between March 01, 2016 and October 20, 2016, Aaron, 53, engaged in sexual penetration with a three-year-old girl. The incident occurred on the East Bank of Demerara. According to information, the little girl was left in Aaron’s care when he violated her by inserting his finger into her vagina. Upon returning home, the girl complained to her mother who reported the incident to the police. Investigations were carried out and Aaron was arrested and charged. However, even after the conviction, Aaron professed his innocence. A victim impact statement which was presented by Counsellor Renasha Calendar detailed the victim’s reaction to the crime. The girl, who is now five years of age, told the Counsellor that what Aaron did to her made her feel bad and that he is a bad man. The child further told the Counsellor that Aaron hurt her and made her cry and that God will sin him. Nevertheless, a Probation report revealed that Aaron held no stable employment
and worked in several posts to sustain himself. According to the report, he worked as a pump attendant, bus conductor, labourer, and most recently as a security guard. Furthermore, it was stated in the Probation Report that Aaron’s children and neighbours are shocked at the crime for which he was convicted, since to them, he is an exemplary father, well-respected man and a disciplinarian who would not harm anyone. During a plea in mitigation, Attorney-at-Law Maxwell McKay asked the court to consider the fact that the probation report highlighted that children were left in Aaron’s care, and never had they accused him of being
abusive. Despite the jury’s verdict, Aaron had maintained his innocence. Appointing AG as external auditor for Natural Resource Fund a wrong move - NRGI At present, the Audit Office has been earmarked as the External Auditor for the Natural Resource Fund (NRF). But international agencies such as the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) are of the firm view that this is a wrong move. The Institute made it clear that the Audit Office is subjected to applying for annual funding which is often subjected to cuts, thereby limiting its independence. Considering this and
A section of the damaged aircraft.
other factors, the NRGI called on the coalition administration to hire an internationally recognized and experienced auditing firm to be the external auditor of the Natural Resource Fund. It was stressed that this move would not be an abnormal one, since nations such as Chile, Norway and Timor-Leste, and U.S States such as Texas, Alaska, North Dakota and Wyoming, each require that an independent external auditor that meets international standards audit their funds. It was suggested too that financing for external audits could be part of the Fund’s annual operating budget. The NRGI said that at this point, Guyana cannot afford to make mistakes or leave anything to chance. It said that given the circumstances, Guyana would be placing itself in the best position by appointing an international firm as the external auditor for the fund and not the nation’s Audit Office. SATURDAY Canada-bound Fly Jamaica flight crash lands at CJIA minutes after takeofff – Several sustain minor injuries, hydraulic system failure blamed Local aviation officials with the support of external agencies have launched an investigation into the circumstances that forced a Fly Jamaica flight with 128 persons onboard to make an emergency landing at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Friday, minutes after takeoff. According to officials, Fly Jamaica flight OJ256 departed CJIA at 2:10 a.m. for Toronto, Canada. About 15 minutes into the flight, pas-
sengers say that the pilot reported that the Boeing 757 was experiencing problems with its hydraulic system and needed to return to CJIA. Onboard were 120 passengers, including two infants, and eight crew members, which included six Guyanese cabin members and two Jamaican pilots. In total there were 35 Guyanese, one Trinidadian, 82 Canadians, one Pakistani and 11 American citizens on board. Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, explained that everyone on board has been accounted for. Initially, six passengers were said to have received injuries. They were transported for medical treatment at the Diamond Regional Hospital, before they were transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Kaieteur News understands that several others received medical attention, but they were all treated and sent away. “Some persons were slightly injured when they were deplaning. There were no broken bones or anything like that,” Patterson told reporters. The Minister stated that an investigator has been appointed. Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority, Egbert Field, said that the flight data recorder (black box) and cockpit voice recorder have been retrieved for analysis by the National Transportation Safety Board, the U.S. Government’s agency responsible for civil transportation accident investigation. “This investigation will take some time and I ask that you bear with us as we go through this investigation. (Continued on page 36)
PAGE 36
From page 36 An investigation is mainly to see exactly what caused the accident; it’s not to cast blame on anyone,” Field stated. Passengers told Kaieteur News that upon touchdown, the aircraft sped past the airport’s terminal, past the end of the existing runway and onto the new extended portion of the runway which is not officially open. The aircraft careened into a chain-linked fence before coming to rest in a pile of sand, with the front of the plane perched above a ravine – the same area where a Boeing 737 operated by Caribbean Airlines overran and split in two on July 30, 2011. It is believed that the pilot encountered issues with the brake system upon touchdown. “Fortunately for us, on this occasion the extension was there, so they were able to utilise the extension. Previously, before the runway extension they would have suffered the same consequences as the Caribbean Airlines flight several years ago. At least one bright spot out of a gloomy situation,” Patterson said.
Kaieteur News
Emergency inflatable slides were deployed from the plane to allow passengers and crew to deplane. Passengers reported that before take-off the flight was delayed for about 40 minutes due to mechanical problems with the aircraft door. In the wake of the crash landing the aircraft showed extensive damage to its wings, wheels and other sections. Among those receiving medical treatment was Mowshani Lekhraj, who was visiting Canada to surprise her parents who were celebrating their birthday. She recalled that the pilot informed passengers that the plane had encountered hydraulic issues and had to return to the airport. She recalled hearing two screeches before the plane was turned around. Before the plane touched down, Lekhraj, who occupied a window seat, said the pilot informed the crew to prepare for landing. “I thought it was a normal landing. When I looked outside I could see us flying past the airport building. I never prayed like this before, because I remembered that Car-
Sunday November 11, 2018
Annette Ferguson, Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (centre) meeting with passengers from the Fly Jamaica flight. ibbean Airlines flight. The plane jerked back and forward. It was chaos onboard,” Lekhraj stated.
She credited the pilot for safely bringing the flight to a stop in the sand. Lekhraj stated that Fly Jamaica has made plans for passengers to be transported via Caribbean Airlines. Mukesh Bissoon was travelling to Canada with his wife, Rajwantie, and daughter Cindy. He recalled seeing sparks fly shortly before the plane came to a stop. “There was smoke and some fire. We were rushing to get off the plane because at the time we did not know what could have happened. We’re talking aviation fuel and fire…the pilot did a good job to bring the plane to a stop. It was scary,” Bissoon said. Officials said that soldiers and police had secured the crash site. They vouched that all of the baggage was secured in the aircraft’s hold which had not been breached. Passengers were allowed to access their baggage which was removed from the crashed craft. According to Minister Patterson, the CJIA Tower activated emergency protocols in order to protect the integrity of the active crash site. The runway has been reopened for normal flight operations, but there were delays with some flights.
14 firefighters in custody for stealing items from crashed plane They were supposed to help the crashed passengers. They stole from them instead. Chief Fire Officer Marlon Gentle confirmed that 14 firefighters, including supervisors, have been detained for allegedly making off with valuables from the Fly Jamaica aircraft that crashlanded at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport early Friday morning. Gentle said that the detained ranks consisted of the entire team of firefighters who were stationed at the CJIA. He said that some ranks who rushed to the scene even though they were off-duty, are also in custody. Some of the alleged culprits have over 15 years’ service. There were also junior ranks with three to five years’ service. The stolen items included tablets, cell phones and colognes, which were stolen from the pilot and passengers. Some of the items have been recovered. “Fourteen ranks are currently in police custody and there will be criminal proceedings and also departmental action,” an upset Chef Fire Officer told Kaieteur News.
The theft was reportedly unearthed after the pilot of the crash-landed aircraft reported that some of his personal items were missing from the cockpit. After an investigation was launched, one of the ranks handed over two cell phones that he had already stashed in his vehicle. “That was when we realised that it was more serious,” Gentle said. “They were dishonest; there is no long and short of it. We unreservedly apologise (but) this is not (the behaviour of) the rank and file members of the Guyana Fire Service. This is clearly a fringe element of the Fire Service…persons, including supervisors, who could forget morals and principles.” It is the second time in recent years that the Fire Chief has had to express concern at the behaviour of some dishonest ranks. In May 2016, four firefighters were arrested for making off with cell phones from the home of Traffic Chief Dion Moore, after responding to a fire at Moore’s residence. One of the phones was found under the seat of the fire tender they were in when police stopped the ranks at a roadblock.
Sunday November 11, 2018
PAGE 45
Kaieteur News
Vauxhall resident ‘Uncle John’ joins centenarian fraternity Ground provision just might be the secret to longevity. But since there is no research finding to substantiate this notion, it could be speculated that ground provision meals have been helping to keep John Thomas Cheung strong and healthy over the years. The resident of Vauxhall, Canal Number One, West Bank Demerara turned 100 years old last weekend, and if appearance could give credence to an individual’s health status, he is certainly raring to add many more years to his existence. Uncle John, which he is fondly called, was born on November 3, 1918. Although back in the day he was always on the grind to ensure that he could afford a decent quality of life, these days find him taking just about everything especially slow. He finds contentment in simple activities. Indeed the serenity of rocking in a rocking chair on a breezy porch at his son [Paul Cheung]’s home, one village away at L’Aventure, Canal Number One, West Bank Demerara, has become one of Uncle John’s favourite pastimes. Cooking for his two common breed dogs is something he also looks forward to each day. Despite being slowed by age, Uncle John is certainly not surrendering to associated complications. In fact a case of influenza he developed in recent days did not stop this charming man from engaging a conver-
sation about his past. With the support of Paul, Uncle John was able to recap his life from many years ago. He couldn’t recall exactly how old he was, but even to this day this father of 13 and grandfather and great grandfather to many more, remembers that his parents died while he was still a very young age. He might have been around eight, as suggested by Paul, but Uncle John insisted he wasn’t sure. He was, however, able to recount that he lived with his parents in Berbice up until their demise. After their death he was forced to move to Anna Catherina on the West Coast of Demerara to live with an older sister. Even as a boy, he wasn’t dependent on his sister, since he was always ready and willing to make a living on his own. Over the years, Uncle John was able to make a living doing work ranging from operating a grocery shop to porkknocking in the interior. Although Uncle John confessed to not going to school, he was smart enough to get his business done. In fact his attendance to numerous indentured labourers back in the day saw him even learning enough Hindi to communicate well with them. As he grew older he decided to move away from his sister and ended up at Canal Number One where he was able to make a life for himself. Cattle farming became his new income-earning craze, and he did so to the very best of his ability. Uncle John not
‘Uncle John’ relaxing in a rocking chair.
only became a well known milkman on the West Bank of Demerara, but he also developed skills to repair just about any bicycle wheel. “He use to ride one of this carrier bikes in the villages selling milk and he used to repair people’s bicycle wheels...if they get into an accident or whatever happened to them, he could fix them. But I had to ask him to stop because he would have just keep going,” recalled
Paul. In fact, Paul confided that it was only a few years ago that his father decided to give up his bicycle wheel-repairing ways. Uncle John has already outlived four wives and is currently growing old, though apart, with his fifth wife, Gloria Cheung, who is currently 80. He clearly remembers fathering 13 children, the oldest being about 80 and the youngest being
about 40. According to Paul, although Uncle John has an affinity for living on his own, he would usually spend his nights at his [Paul’s] home. This became necessary, Paul shared, because his father’s home was invaded by guntoting criminals about six months ago. “They placed a gun to his head and ransacked his home and tumble up his
mattress...so I realised that at nights it is really not safe for him to be alone, even though he likes his own space,” said Paul of his father. But he is convinced that his father is a survivor. He recalled how the already aged man not only recovered from the bite of a labaria snake a few years ago but even more recently, at the age of 90, he recovered from a debilitating (Continued on page 47)
PAGE 46
Kaieteur News
Sunday November 11, 2018
Sunday November 11, 2018
PAGE 47
Kaieteur News
Vauxhall resident ‘Uncle John’ joins centenarian fraternity From page 45 s t r o k e . “ I t ’s a m a z i n g that he recovered from all of these things at that age. Right now his pressure is perfect and he does his own little exercise; he literally has no ailments. He just caught a cold the o t h e r d a y, b u t h e i s a s strong and healthy as e v e r, ” s h a r e d a s m i l i n g
Four generations of Cheungs. Standing: Paul Cheung with his grand-daughter Gemma Singh [in his arms], his son Stephan, along with centenarian John Thomas Cheung.
40
Paul. Just last weekend, the extended Cheung family gathered at P a u l ’s h o m e w h e r e t h e y celebrated Uncle J o h n ’s m i l e s t o n e . The weekend was certainly a memorable one for more than that, as Paul recalled that his father was adjudged the champion
and duly presented with a trophy for outdoing his competition – other family members. “He always loved domino and he could love just about anyb o d y, ” s a i d P a u l , w h o recalled that another pastime his father enjoyed back in the day was playing the lottery
and recording the winning numbers. He still celebrates his winnings from a daily million g a m e b a c k i n t h e d a y, Paul recalled. As he continues to take each day in strides, Uncle John assures that living a simple life can turn out to be quite fulfilling, even as a centenarian.
PAGE 48
CARICOM trade and economic affairs ministers to meet in Guyana GEORGETOWN, Guyana - CMC – Caribbean Community (CARICOM) trade and economic affairs ministers will meet later this month to discuss developments regarding the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). The CSME allows for the free movement of goods, skills, labour and services across the 15-member region and a statement from the Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat said the emphasis at the November 15-16 meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), will be on making the CSME more effective and the definition of artisans and household domestics.
Sunday November 11, 2018
Kaieteur News
CARICOM Assistant Secretary-General, Trade and Economic Integration, Joseph Cox, speaking at a two-day preparatory meeting, noted the strides the Community has been making in the CSME, especially in the area of free movement of people. The Secretariat said that the ministerial discussions will precede the Special CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting on the CSME scheduled for Trinidad and Tobago, December 3-4. The preparatory meeting also discussed the direction of CARICOM’s external trade policy as well as its trade relations with the United Kingdom postBREXIT.
Cox said that the region was nearing the conclusion of discussions with London on a new agreement that replicated the provisions of the CARIFORUMEuropean Union Economic Partnership Agreement post-BREXIT. Cox said that discussions on the trade in goods will centre on the expeditious review of the Common External Tariff (CET) and the Rules of Origin (ROO). He said the aim is a more efficient and transparent trading system that would help to unleash the productive energy and innovative potential of the Region that would be more supportive of private sector initiative.
Barbados outlines projects to reduce island’s imports BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - CMC — The Barbados Investment and Development Corporation (BIDC) has announced plans to launch two new initiatives designed to reduce the island’s imports in key areas, increase exports and create high value jobs. The country’s International Business and Industry Minister, Ronald Toppin, said that the first initiative will be a “New Product Development Programme”, which will facilitate the creation of new products or enhance existing products that have the potential to earn or save foreign exchange. “The second of these programmes, titled Accelerate 20/20, is aimed at starting up and expanding 20 high-growth companies over the next year-and-ahalf,” he said, adding that the programme will target companies that can “start up and scale up
quickly” which have the potential to achieve annual export earnings of BDS$100,000 (US$50,000) in the medium to long-term. Toppin, speaking at the third annual Innovate Barbados Conference, said that that several high-potential areas that could ignite the domestic economy and attract venture capital funding were identified. He said these included renewable energy, climate resilient goods and services, health and wellness, Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), cuisine and culture. Toppin said there was an immediate need to build this country’s future today by leveraging its unique characteristics and challenges and called on Barbadians to find ways to transform them into opportunities.
Earthquake rattles several Caribbean islands PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC – An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.9 rattled several islands in the Caribbean yesterday, the Trinidad-based Seismic Research Centre (SRC) of the St. Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI) has said. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. The SRC said that the quake, which occurred at 12.25 pm (local time) was located at Latitude 17.51N, Longitude: 61.31W
and at a depth of 10 kilometers (km). The quake, the latest in a series to hit several Caribbean countries was felt 74 km north east of St. John’s Antigua and Barbuda, 142 km north of the capital of Guadeloupe and 159 km east of Basseterre, the capital of St. KittsNevis. The SRC has been warning Caribbean countries to be vigilant saying that the region is overdue for a major quake.
Sunday November 11, 2018
PAGE 49
Kaieteur News
CDB signs agreement with Green Climate Fund ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada (CMC) – The Barbadosbased Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has signed an agreement with the South Korea–based Green Climate Fund (GCF) intended to support climate related projects in the Caribbean. The CDB said that the signing of the Accreditation Master Agreement (AMA) took place on the margins of the Green Climate Fund’s Caribbean Structured Dialogue meeting that ended here on Friday. The meeting brought together regional and international stakeholders to plan climate action across the Caribbean region. GCF is a financial mechanism under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which seeks to promote a paradigm shift to low-emission and climate-resilient development, taking into account the needs of nations that are particularly vulnerable to climate GCF executive director, Javier Manzanares, said the agreement is important for increasing financial flows to climate projects in the region: “The Caribbean is particularly vulnerable to climate change devastating impacts and significant investments are needed in the region’s infrastructure to strengthen its resilience. “The Caribbean Development Bank has a long
and successful track record and I’m convinced that our partnership is a huge step towards unlocking new climate finance potential in the region. GCF is looking forward to new climate projects by CDB and to working together to accelerate climate action in the Caribbean,” he said. CDB vice-president, Operations, Monica La Bennett said the bank views the signing of the agreement as an important milestone in its relationship with GCF. “This agreement will catalyse our efforts to mobilise much-needed funding to build climate resilience in the Bank’s Borrowing Member Countries. We are looking forward to a productive partnership with GCF, having taken this very important step towards implementing innovative climate solutions in our region,” she added. AMAs are the central instrument in the relationship between GCF and an Accredited Entity. They set out the basic terms and conditions as to how the Accredited Entity and GCF can work together for the use of GCF resources. The agreement is a prerequisite for all GCF Accredited Entities to implement GCF-approved projects. Accredited Entities are key to GCF’s climate finance work as they bring forward funding proposals to the Fund and then oversee,
supervise, manage and monitor these proposals when approved. The Caribbean is one of the key priority regions for GCF due to its exposure to climate impacts and its needs of climate finance. To this date, GCF board has approved a number of climate adaptation projects in Barbados, Grenada, Dominica and other Caribbean countries.
CDB vice president Monica La Bennett (left) and GCF executive director Javier Manzanares, sign the AMA in Grenada (CDB Photo)
PAGE 50
Kaieteur News
Sunday November 11, 2018
Surprising Health Benefits Of Wine http://www.lifehack.org: You pop open the cork after a killer day at the office, and the luscious wine flows in mellow drops into your shiny glass. Then this voice whispers in your ear. “Should I be drinking wine?” You try to make healthy food choices and go to the gym and yoga a few times a week. Are you negating your efforts with a few sips? You know that over-indulging is a health no-no, but what about a glass of wine a few times per week? Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve surely heard of the heart-healthy benefits of red wine. But this is not your big concern; you already exercise and eat pretty well.Prepare to be amazed. More than just being hearthealthy, wine has a slew of surprising health benefits, many of which stem from resveratrol. Some plants make resveratrol to fight off bacteria and fungi, or to withstand a drought or lack of nutrients. Red and purple grapes, blueberries, cranberries, mulberries, peanuts, and pistachios are sources. Resveratrol may be the wonder ingredient responsible for many of wine’s benefits. Isolating the resveratrol does not yield the same powers, indicating that a constellation of forces act together to protect the body. Most studies focus on the benefits of red wine because white grapes do not contain resveratrol. Prepare to be amazed and relieved. You’re about to learhow your wine-drinking ritual can be a powerful health elixir. Check out the following fourteen benefits of wine that go way beyond heart healthiness. 1. Live longer That’s right. On the island of Ikarios, a recently discovered Blue Zone, people live longer than anywhere else in the world. Daily wine consumption is part of a dietary pattern that encourages long life through eating fewer animal-based foods and eating more plant-based foods. You’ll find the long-lived residents of Crete and Sardinia sipping dark red wine, a part of their anti-aging lifestyle. A 2007 study suggests procyanidins, compounds found in red wine tannins, help promote cardiovascular health. Wines produced in areas of southwest France and Sardinia, where people tend to live longer, have particularly high concentrations of thecompound.Researchers at Harvard Medical School uncovered evidence that resveratrol directly activates a protein that promotes health and longevity in animal models. Resveratrol increases the activity of sirtuins
(longevity pathways), a group of genes that protects the body from diseases of aging. 2. Get smarter Resveratrol may help improve short-term memory. After just 30 minutes of testing, researchers found that participants taking resveratrol had a significant increase in retention of words and showed faster performance in the portion of the brain associated with the formation of new memories, learning, and emotions. 3. Banish breakouts with wine Resveratrol is able to inhibit the growth of acne-causing bacteria longer than benzoyl peroxide. And it works even better when combined with benzoyl peroxide. So far, drinking the antioxidant is the best way to benefit from its properties. Topical application in creams has not been proven as effective – so imbibe your antioxidants in wine, fruits, and veggies rather than buying expensive creams. 4. Wine may beat trips to the gym Would you rather drink wine or slave away at the gym? Scientists at the University of Alberta in Canada found that resveratrol improves heart, brain, and bone function; the same way these parts are improved when you go to the gym. Now imagine the benefits of doing both! 5. Say goodbye to the blues You know wine helps you relax…but depression? Researchers in Spainfound that men and women who drank two to seven glasses of wine per week were less likely to be diagnosed with depression. Even when taking into account lifestyle factors which could influence their findings, the reduced risk held strong. 6. Reduce (not increase) your risk of liver disease This study challenged conventional thinking about alcohol and liver disease. Modest wine consumption, defined as one glass a day, may decrease the prevalence of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Modest wine drinkers, as compared to teetotalers, cut their risk of NAFLD in half. And compared with wine drinkers, modest beer or liquor drinkers had four times the odds of having suspected NAFLD. 7. Promote healthy eyes Resveratrol stops out-ofcontrol blood vessel growth in the eyes, according to Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. This may help with treatment of diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. Note that
these studies were done in mice, so the dose for humans is not yet clear. But this is a great start. 8. Protect your pearly whites Did you know that drinking wine is a little-known way to protect your teeth from bacteria? We mentioned wine’s antimicrobial effects on the skin. Well, it also helps reduce bacteria on our teeth.Using five of the common oral plaque-causing bacteria, scientists noted almost complete degradation of the bacteria after applying the biofilms with red wine. 9. Cut multiple cancer risks Breast Cancer Red grapes are the fruit best able to suppress the activity of aromatase, the enzyme used by breast tumors to produce their own estrogen – this is called an aromatase inhibitor. Red wine may serve as a nutritional aromatase inhibitor, which may ameliorate the elevated breast cancer risk associated with alcohol intake. Note that you can also eat red grapes; those with seeds are especially helpful. Resveratrol is also thought to kill cancer cells by cutting off a pathway that feeds cancer cells. Colon cancer Studies show that moderate consumption of red wine can reduce the risk of colon cancer by 50%. Prostate Cancer Harvard Men’s Health Watch reports that men who drink an average of four to seven glasses of red wine per week have a 52% less chance of being diagnosed with prostate cancer compared to those who don’t drink wine. Red wine appears particularly protective against advanced or aggressive cancers. Doctors speculate that flavonoids and resveratrol contain potent antioxidants and may counterbalance androgens, the male hormones that stimulate the prostate. 10. Stave off those pesky sniffles So maybe grandma’s cold remedy isn’t so strange after all. A study looked at 4,000 faculty members at five universities across Spain. Those who drank wine were less likely to come down with a cold compared to those that drank beer or spirits. Researchers think that the antioxidants help lower inflammation and reduce the symptoms of colds. 11. Lower your cholesterol (without changing your diet) Resveratrol is thought to reduce LDL and increase HDL, meaning that our blood vessels are less likely to be coated with plaque.
Sunday November 11, 2018
Alec Baldwin Arrested for Alleged Assault Alec Baldwin was arrested in New York on Friday for alleged assault. The New York Police Department confirmed to E! News the actor was being held in custody for allegedly punching a man over a parking spot. He was held at the 6th precinct until Friday afternoon. According to the authorities, the alleged altercation happened at 1:30 p.m. EST at W 10th Street between University and Broadway. According to WNBC, the victim was taken to Lenox Hill Hospital after complaining of pain. Per the Deputy Commissioner of Public Information, the It’s Complicated star was charged with assault and harassment and was given a desk appearance ticket. His court date is scheduled for later this month. Following the arrest, Baldwin tweeted, “Normally, I would not comment on something as egregiously misstated as today’s story. However, the assertion that I punched anyone over a parking spot is false. I wanted to go on the record stating as much. I realize that it has become a sport to tag people [with] as many negative charges and defaming allegations as possible for the pur-
poses of clickbait entertainment. Fortunately, no matter how reverberating the echoes, it doesn’t make the statements true.” Baldwin’s fame has soared even more over recent years after he started impersonating president Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live. The star even received an Emmy for his performance. According to NBC 4 New York, Trump told a group of White House reporters, “I wish him luck” after news of Baldwin’s arrest broke.E! News has reached out to Baldwin’s rep for comments.This isn’t Baldwin’s first run-in with the law. Per NBC 4 New York, the actor was also arrested in 2014 for disorderly conduct. (ww.eonline.com)
Post Malone’s Crocs Sell Out—and Even Madonna Is Trying to Get a Pair
Oh my God, Post Malone shoes.The rapper collaborated with Crocs on a new design for its classic clog, the Post Malone x Crocs Dimitri Clog, which was released on the brand’s website on Thursday. The shoes, which retail for $59.99 a pair, are white with a yellow baby devil face design and six custom-designed Jibbitz charms, including recreations of his “Stay Away” tattoo and his Posty Co.™ logo.The collection has already sold out. Well, for mortals, that is.“Omg I love those. How can i get some??” Madonna commented on Malone’s post advertising the line.“@madonna QUEEN, hi! DM us!” Crocs replied. But have no fear—you may be able to get your hands on a pair of Post Malone-inspired Crocs in a few weeks, just in time for the holidays. “More Posty Crocs coming in December!” the brand tweeted.“If you like something, go get it,” Post Malone, a
longtime Crocs fan, said in a statement provided by the company earlier this week. “I wear Crocs everywhere from the bar to the stage and I felt it was the perfect collaboration to get together with Crocs and give the fans what they’ve been asking for.” (www.eonline.com)
Kaieteur News
PAGE 51
PAGE 52
Kaieteur News
Sunday November 11, 2018
Sunday November 11, 2018
6 Beauty Tips for Long Eyelashes Not everyone is blessed with long, thick lashes, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t get them; no, we aren’t talking about falsies. From clever mascara hacks and nourishing ingredients to simple makeup tricks, we have rounded 6 foolproof tips for getting perfect, feathery eyelashes that you have dreamt of all your life. Use clear primer To achieve extra-long lashes in a snap, swipe on a primer before you apply mascara. Heat your eyelash curler Before using your eyelash curler, heat it with the blowdryer. Getting it hot will make sure your curl lasts longer when you use your eyelash curler. It's like using a heat styling tool on your lashes. Comb your lashes You should comb out your lashes before and applying mascara to create a cleaner look and prevent clumping. Baby powder trick Dust baby powder over your lashes before applying mascara. This will plump up your lashes. After you apply mascara, they'll appear thicker Condition your lashes with castor oil Castor oil has follicle-stimulating and nourishing properties that can help you enjoy lustrous and voluminous lashes. Use a clean brush or a cotton swab to apply castor oil on your lashes before going to bed. You can also add a few drops of vitamin E oil or aloe vera gel to the castor oil before applying. Leave it on overnight and rinse off with lukewarm water in the morning. Use lemon peels for volume Lemon peels can add volume to your eyelashes. Mix 1 tbsp of dried lemon peels and soak them in castor oil or olive oil for a couple of days. Apply this mixture to your eyelashes and leave it on overnight. Rinse off in the morning.
SOLUTION TO LAST WEEK’S WORD SEARCH
Kaieteur News
ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE
PAGE 53
Kaieteur News
PAGE 54
Envy Defeated
M
ANY years ago, in Denmark, there was a w orkman in the shipbuilding yards belonging to the government. In that country, dishonesty is severely punished. This man was a workman of more than ordinary ability, and after a while his comrades began to envy him, for he was never out of work, and, being temperate and frugal, he was becoming better off than some others who spent their earnings freely. The carpenter had a, wife and one daughter about twenty years of age, and they lived in a humble cottage, very neat and as attractive as their means and labor could make it, from gateway to fireside. After a few weeks of discontent, the workmen concocted a plan for the overthrow of this carpenter. A few large nails were slipped into his jacket pocket after he had laid it aside, and then the charge of theft was preferred against him, to the superintendent. A search was ordered, and the nails were found. It was inferred that this petty thieving might have been going on a long time, and as the testimony of his comrades was all unfavorable to him, he was sentenced to a term of imprisonment. This also meant loss of work in the future, for, his good name being gone, who would employ him?When the news came to the little cottage, the surprise and distress of the mother and daughter were beyond words to describe, but they would not believe the accusation. After some time spent in weeping and wondering, the daughter became calm, and assured her mother that she was going to make an effort to obtain her father's honorable release. She took a small sum of money and
went to a shop. On her return she entreated her mother to retire to bed and be prepared to aid her on the morrow. Fervent prayer was offered up, and the mother went to her own room. All night a light burned, and in the morning the dutiful daughter awakened her parent to rise and partake of coffee and bread. After their frugal meal, the mother went to the door and looked down the long lane where for so many years her husband had come and gone to his work. Sad thoughts and fears were filling her mind, when her daughter stood before her, clad in simple white, her beautiful hair loosened and covering her shoulders like a silken cloak. " The king comes through the forest to-day; I will speak to him." The mother clasped the girl to her heart and with a caress and blessing released her. It was so early that the street was still and the girl hastened on to the forest, no one observing her at that hour. The good king, with his brave attendants, was riding merrily along when, suddenly, from behind a thicket, stepped forward a girl in white, and knelt before them. Some cried "Danger!" and would have hurried her from the presence of the king, but he ordered that the girl be heard before judging so hastily. Accordingly, the story of her father's trouble was related, and the king's face wore an .expression that none could understand. "What is your name?" " Hilma, your Majesty." "Will you conduct me to your home? " the king asked, and Hilma joyfully answered "Yes," and led the way. Then the king alighted, and, throwing his bridle over his arm, walked beside the village girl through the forest to her humble door. His attendants, following the example of their king,
FUN WITH POETRY
followed in quiet procession, a strange and new sight to the villagers. Entering, he greeted the mother with kindness, assuring her that he would personally inquire into the matter, then rode away. Very soon, the officers of the law before whom the case was tried, the witnesses and prisoner were brought before the king. Then the king, in a low voice that none heard, said a few words to the carpenter that shook him with surprise; and while all wondered, the king proclaimed him a free man, and they went out side by side back to the little cottage. Can you imagine the joy of those who watched them approaching ? Once again within the walls of that lowly home, and while his courtiers waited without, the king asked the girl a question which sent the color to her face, then left her pale and trembling. She looked at her father, and met a steadfast, approving look in his face. "Accept it, my daughter, in gratitude and joy, for what has not our king done for his poor servants ! " " Nay, my friend, not as a debt of gratitude, for justice was your right; but if this maiden can give me her heart, I will give her all I can bestow but a place beside me on my throne, and my subjects will understand and honor her in her position, and for her deed as a daughter."Hilma understood the nature of a morganatic marriage. Then, as she looked in the face of the king, she thought how handsome and noble, how gentle and good of heart he was, to listen to her petition who would not love him ?and knew that she could have loved him if he had never been a king, and she ex- tended to him her hand. The king took from his own hand a jeweled ring, and placed it on her finger, then he rode away with all his grand men. (Continued on Next
by Uncle Roy
Celebrate and live together We Guyanese are of different races, And we have as many religions; So we have always celebrated together All our sacred holidays as one. Our Hindus observe Phagwah and Diwali, While our Christians have Christmas and Easter; Muslims worship at Eids Al Fitr and Al Adha, At these we always come happily together. So let us learn to live at these times, Just as how we do when celebrate; Then our people will always prosper, And Guyana will be ever united and great.
Sunday November 11, 2018
Junior page
Tribal elephant cut-outs
This DIY is a fun way to add a bohemian touch to an otherwise boring wall.
What you'll need:
oColored paper oScissors oTwine or yarn oElephant drawing oGlue
How to make it: 1.Outline the elephant template on colored paper of your choice Here's a helpful tip: Trace the elephant on the backside, so no lines show. 2.Carefully cut out the elephant. 3.Repeat the first two steps on different colored papers. 4.Measure out a piece of twine about a meter long, space out the elephants along the twine, and carefully glue the backs of the paper elephants to the twine. 5.Hang the elephant dĂŠcor by a hook to add life to the room!
template
Kaieteur News
Sunday November 11, 2018
Adopt the Principles to keep your Life on the Right Path As we proposed last week, acting positively in line with correct principles w ill impact our pers onal and interpersonal effectiveness far more than any amount of other effort expended in trying to change our negative attitudes and habits. These principles would help you to create a solid foundation for your life with full confidence that you are on the correct path to the fulfilment of your life purpose. You will need to consider each of them, and ensure that your character is aligned to them. We will deal this week with four of these which we consider the most vital. The first of these, and which ranks as one of the most important, is Fairness, the idea of which is universal, and out of which our whole concept of justice and equality is developed. It embodies a sense of justice and a proper balance of conflicting interests achieved by
subordinating one's own feelings, prejudices and desires in the interest of the good of others. One can see evidence of even young children having this sense of fairness, as it comes mainly from our conscience, with which all human beings have been endowed. The next in line is Honesty. This ideal keeps us aligned to truthfulness in every aspect. It entails fairness and straightforwardness of conduct, uprightness of character, and adherence to a standard of what is right and proper. It too is a result of the proper use of our conscience, and is a common attribute of all people. Integrity is another of these fundamental qualities. It is the ability and willingness to live according to the values that one has adopted as his mode of behaviour. It demands firm adherence to a code of moral values, and is basically the quality or state of being completely undivided in his desire to act according to high standards. Human dignity is the quality or state
PAGE 55
Do your best to pass the test Life is a test, it's not easy at all, Sometimes we slip, and sometimes we fall; But it is okay, my friend, to err is naturally human, So look to the future, and do the best you can.
of being worthy, honoured or esteemed. It involves sincerity in manner and appearance, and gives us the selfconfidence to deal with all others on an equal level. Of course, the more we adhere to other lofty principles, the more we will naturally we will experience this in our normal behaviour. Look out next week for clarification of some other important principles which are necessary for your entry into the adult world with a quality of life that will ensure your success and personal goodness.
Sometimes we see the need to reach out a helping hand, Sometimes we want to, but we just can't; When “Sorry” isn't quite enough to say, Then it's okay to just get on your knees and pray. He knows us by our number and name, He knows we're imperfect, and that's no shame; He judges the sincerity of our prayers, Grants us our needs, and removes our cares. It matters not what THEY say, May times they just want to ruin your day; Gossip and slander is their only way, But what goes around comes around, what may. So, it's okay, my friend, don't be afraid to try, The goals you seek will be attained by and by; The falls you suffer should be taken with a smile, They only make it sweeter as you run the last mile.
Like a ship on the wide ocean needs a compass, just so our life needs principles to guide us to our goal.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Solutions to last week’s
Shapes sudoku
Quotagrams BAD TASTE IS SIMPLY SAYING THE TRUTH BEFORE IT SHOULD BE SAID. (MEL BROOKS)
PAGE 56
1.As soon as the stewardess serves the coffee, the airplane encounters turbulence. 2. 2.2.It was mealtime on a small airline and the flight attendant asked the passenger if he would like dinner. "What are my choices?" he asked. "Yes or No," she replied. 3.An airplane pilot dies at the controls. He goes to Hell. The devil takes him to the 'newly arrived' area. There are three doors, marked 1, 2, and 3. The devil tells the pilot that he is going to get to choose his own hell, but first, the devil has to take care of something first, and disappears. 4.The curious pilot looks behind door number one. He sees a pilot going through flight checks for all eternity. He looks behind door number two, and he sees a pilot that forever finds himself trying to resolve emergency situations. He looks behind the last door, and sees a Captain being waited on hand and foot by scantily-clad stewardesses. 5.The devil returns just as the pilot gets back to his waiting position. He offers the pilot a choice of door number one or two. The pilot says, "I wanted door number three!" "Sorry," replies the devil, "that's 'flight attendant's hell'." 6.A burly good 'ol boy Texan on a flight flags down a steward and says, "Captain, I want a drink but I don't see the stewardess around". 7.The steward answers, "Actually I'm not the captain. This airline is proud to have integrated many of the traditional male-female roles of the industry. I'd be happy to get you a drink". 8.Passenger: "Wow, what does the captain think of that?" Steward: "She's all for it, in fact, the entire flight crew is female." Passenger: "I don't believe it!! Take me up to the cockpit so I can see for myself!" Steward: "Actually sir, we don't call it that anymore." 9.What is ideal Flight Deck complement for a modern airliner? A Captain, a Co-pilot and a dog. The dog is there to bite the captain if he tries to touch the controls, and the co-pilot is there to feed the dog. How does the captain know the aircraft is safely at the ramp? Both the engines and the co-pilot stop whining. After the first takeoff of the fully automatic airplane, the passengers heard the soothing, reassuring voice of the pilot: "Ladies and gentlemen, this is your automatic pilot. In my modern and carefully tested system an error is absolutely impossible, absolutely impossible, absolutely impossible, ...� 10: What do you call when you're sick of being in the airport? A: Terminal illness 11: What's the difference between a fighter pilot and God? A: God doesn't think He's a fighter pilot. 12: What do you get when you cross an airplane with a magician? A: A flying sorcerer 13: What do you call a plane that's about to crash? A: An "Error Plane" 14: What do you call a pregnant flight attendant? A: Pilot error. 15: What kind of chocolate do they sell at the airport? A: Plane Chocolate 16: Why can't spiders become pilots? A: Because they only know how to tailspin. 17: How do you know you're overweight? A: You have to purchase two airline tickets. 18: What's the difference between a jet engine and a flight attendant? A: At the end of the flight the jet engine stops whining. 19: What do you call a space pilot who lives dangerously? A: Han YOLO 20: What separates three whores form two alcoholics? A: The cockpit door! 21: What do you call a black pilot? A: A pilot, you racist! 22: Wanna know how to make a small fortune running a charter airline? A: Start out with a large one.
Kaieteur News
Sunday November 11, 2018
Sunday November 11, 2018
Kaieteur News
PAGE 65
PAGE 66
Kaieteur News
Sunday November 11, 2018
Guyana’s national policies, global partnerships target phasing out HCFCs by 2030 Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder, is currently participating in the 30th Meeting of the Parties (MOP) to the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer in Quinto, Ecuador. The MOP, which is being hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP) aims to mobilize officials and other key stakeholders to engage in meaningful dialogue and update their counterparts on their country’s progress in meeting the target of phasing out Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) by 2030. While there, Minister
- Guyana in second stage of the HCFC Phase out Management Plan - economic costs, implications, environmental benefits to be discussed at UNEP’s MOP Holder, who is accompanied by Chief Hydromet Officer (ag) Dr. Garvin Cummings, will be participating in a series of meetings and give presentations on Guyana’s progress
thus far in its HCFC Phase out Management Plan (HPMP). During yesterday’s session, Minister Holder presented Guyana’s case. He said the need for sound manage-
ment of the environment is now more urgent than ever before. “Guyana, as a member of the global community, rose to the urgent call for collective action to better manage substances that destroy the ozone layer. More than two decades ago, Guyana embarked on this journey that, though not without challenges, has provided many lessons on good environmental governance to guide the implementation of other national environmental policies and other Multilateral Environmental Agreements,” Minister Holder said. In 2008, two years ahead of schedule, Guyana successfully phased out the use of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), one of the first groups of substances scheduled to be phased out under the Montreal Protocol.
Guyana is currently in the second stage of the HCFC Phase out Management Plan to phase out the consumption of these ozone depleting substances. The call for viable, affordable and commercially available alternatives in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector is even more crucial for Guyana as government has committed to pursuing an accelerated phase-out of HCFCs, that is, to completely phase-out the importation of HCFCs by 2030. Guyana is a party to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. In 1985, the Vienna Convention established mechanisms for international cooperation in research into the (Continued on page 68)
Sunday November 11, 2018
PAGE 67
Kaieteur News
STANDARDS IN FOCUS
Shopping Tips - Consumers be reminded of your Weights and Measures
Usually, at the break of November consumers begin to make their list of goodies that they need to purchase during the upcoming 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 inac-
curate 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. Most 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, 219-0062 or visit the
GNBS www.gnbsgy.org
website:
PAGE 68
Sunday November 11, 2018
Kaieteur News
Guyana’s national... FOR RENT
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisement, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6006887: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Installations, Repairs and parts for AC, Fridge, Washing machine, Stove etc call Nick 627-3206, 630-1600 Eagle’s re-gas AC, Fridge, Washing machine & computer repairs, Gas stove, Plasma flatscreen, Electrical installation & more. Call: 6972969/646-0966
FOR SALE Generac Pressure Wash for sale 3100 PSI. Tel#654-5267/ 652-2244/220-4203 1 Caterpillar DL320 Tel#2654455/667-8852. Contact Lall (1) One Onan Gen set, powered by NT 55 Cummins. Contact #269-0603, 609-8041 Combines 7300 John Deere (2000 hrs) Fiatagri L413 (2500hs), Laverda 132 & Massey 399 & 290, Fiat 110/ 90, Ford 6610. Call: 695-2220/ 338-4354 Short Base supercustom, bus without engine nor gearbox #664-0802 One Caterpillar 312 Excavator in good working condition in the Corentyne, Berbice area. Contact #657-0992 Mixed breed German shepherd pups. 8 weeks. Phone #679-6477
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Mini excavator $8,800 per hour, also Bobcat service available. Tel#623-0290 NEW 4 STOREY BUILDING AT PARIKA (GUYANA’S GATEWAY) NEAR STELLING, WILLING TO DIVIDE. CALL: 699-4513. 2 bedrooms downstairs, Newly renovated 32 First St Prospect, EBD $40,000 per month. Tel# 614-5710 Salon space for Diamond. #602-9373
rent.
3 storey concrete commercial building located in Alexander Street, Lacytown Georgetown. Call: 669-7064 for info. Self contained rooms to rent in Prashad Nagar. Tel#2272993
Hair,nails and make up course. Diamond. #602-9373
Tranpolines- square and round - with safety mesh and without. Call: 676-6312
One furnished apartment, long and short term, in Charlestown. Tel#225-1418/ 601-1585
Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158
Imported furniture. Owner leaving. Sofa sets, side & centre tables, rugs, lamps, TVstands, Ceiling fans. Earl #6553070
2 bedroom aprtment for rent in Albertown. Contact #2239677/698-5800/648-1391
Repairs to refrigerators, gas stoves, A/C units, washing machines. Call Lindon: 6411086/ 694-2202
Nibbi Furniture, Sculptures, Paintings, Baskets, Ceramics & Local Gift items. Creations Crafts 7A Water Street. #2270472
ACCOMODATION
MASSAGE & HEALTH
CAR RENTAL
Unregistered Axio 2010 model, Camera, Fog lamps $2.5 neg. Nissan Tida registered PVV series $2M neg #611-7106 Allion, Primo, Fielder Wagon, Spacio, Bluebird, 212 Carina, RZ,Pit-bull, Allex, 192 & Canter – Call: 650-7501 LEARN TO DRIVE N. Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way. Affordable package. Call: 644-5166/691-2561
1 (3) bedroom top flat located in Kaneville EBD. Preferably small family. #613-1847 2 bedroom downstairs apartment for couples $35,000 per month. #695-9979
ShortTerm: Furnished 2 bedroom in Section K Campbellville AC,TV, Wifi #688-9020
VEHICLE FOR SALE
Business place or bond, app 1500 square feet 14 Lombard Street. #592-665-7705/416663-6018/647-701-5975
PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS FROM $4000 & UP, SUV’S PER DAY- CALL:643-5122/6560087, ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM
Herbal Remedies: Diabetes, Hypertension, Infertility, Menstrual disorders, Enlarged prostate, Kidney,Gall stones & Arthritis etc. Call Sparman #676-5924
(From page 66) ozone layer and the effects of ozone depleting substances. On the basis of the Vienna Convention, the Montreal Protocol on substances that WANTED deplete the ozone layer came 1 Air compressor 5HP 3 Phase into force on January 1, 1989. 230/220 volts. Call: 628-1486/ This Protocol commits all 698-1134 Parties to phase-out the use of ozone depleting subBike Mechanic. #628-9268 stances, which contribute to the thinning of the ozone layer Wanted experienced hire car and consequently, allow taxi drivers at Princess Ramada larger quantities of harmful Hotel. Contact #265-7075/616- ultraviolet rays to reach the 5419 Earth. Minister Holder, while One experienced cook. Mon- congratulating the parties of Sat. Tel#225-6927. Ask for Montreal Protocol on sucTonya, serious enquiries only. cessfully negotiating the Kigali Amendment, explained Manager to work at Charity that as a country that is vulXenon Hotel. Contact #223- nerable to sea level rise and which has witnessed the dev5273/74 astating effects of extreme cliLand to buy anywhere on the matic conditions, Guyana welcomes this amendment to the West Coast. Tel#697-6311 Protocol. “Guyana looks forward to Live-in waitress to work in a meeting this new challenge in bar, must have ID card. Age the coming years with the 18-22 yrs. Contact No#692- same enthusiasm and commit3877 / 221-2785 ment that we have demonstrated in the previous and Labourers for wood current phase-out concession - $5000 per day. programmes. We commit to Call: 618-0487/677-5276 ratifying the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal ProtoSalesgirl, porters and col in the shortest possible housemaid. Apply with time, while ensuring that nawritten application at 1E tional processes are fully satDennis & Middleton Sts, isfied,” Minister Holder said. Campbellville 2 waitresses, 1 part time cook. Call: 650-3680/613-3509 between 9am-1pm We are buying land in Eccles, Providence, Herstelling, Farm, Amelia’s ward, Parfaite Harmonie. Tel# 694-0776 / 6481635 One experienced cook.Call: 231-8737 between 9am to 4pm URGENTLY NEEDED DRY CORILLA BUSH. #609-8281 LAND FOR SALE Transported land 11.6 acres. Lot 15 public road. #2 Village W.C.B. Price $18M. Contact 686-4818, 648-7109 Dairy (100ftx50ft) Semiconcrete fence $2.6M Schnoord (100ftx50ft-20ft reserve) $2.8M Farm $3M. Tel#651-1969/656-0701 Parfaite Harmonie $1.5M. Tel#642-1252
DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL:225-7126/ 2263 6 9 3 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL @YAHOO.COM/ WWW.D OLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM
GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 2257878 (24HRS)
ENTERTAINMENT
TO LET
Big G Sounds is available for small events. (Wedding, Small BBQ, Birthday parties etc) Contact numbers #661-9931/ 622-5713/672-9293
Furnished Air conditioned two bedroom bottom flat, First Phase in South Riumveldt Gardens. Call: 6188436
TAXI SERVICE
Dairy $1.6M Parfaite Harmonie (100ft x 50ft) $2.6M & $1.6M Tel#651-1969/6560701
VACANCY DemBake at Land of Canaan is seeking experienced Drivers and Sales agents. Tel#2665848 Cashiers/Supermarket helpers. Apply in person with application @ Nirva Superstore 49 Sheriff & Craig St #227-5771 Vacancy for domestic maid & part time cook. Call: 231-0734 Pump attendant (Shift 6am3pm & 3pm-11pm) Submit Application: Shell Service Station Providence EBD. E m a i l : Shellramsburg@gmail.com Minibus driver living in G/ town to work with company. #646-8748
Chainsaw operators, Drivers for CAT 740 articulated truck to work in interior, also PROPERTY FOR SALE Crusher men wanted. Call: 2231 House and Land for sale, 7165 Land size 58 ftx850 ft, Land of Canaan. Tel#265-4455/667- Minibus driver for route 42. Call: 664-0802 8852. Contact Lall
''Transported Double Lot in Rose Hall. Opportunity for Duplex Apartments. Call or Whatsapp 346-818-0822.'
Vacancy: Part time Driver, Porter/Janitorial workers to work at Portable toilet company. Call: 690-4722
Since the enforcement of a ban on HCFC-based equipment in 2013, HFC-based air conditioners have been primarily imported into Guyana and remain the only commercially available alternative to HCFCs. Mobile and commercial refrigeration systems are integral to Guyana’s expanding agricultural sector for the supply of fruits and vegetables as well as fisheries and livestock products to the local, regional and international markets. The subject Minister also stated that progress being made with zero ODP, lowGWP (global warming potential) technologies for domestic refrigeration that are also energy efficient is laudable. “This development is welltimed since Guyana, through our national Green State Development Strategy, has been taking steps to reduce our carbon footprint through the transitioning of the national energy sector to renewable energy and energy efficient technologies,” Minister Holder said. The team is expected to participate in a number of key discussions with representatives from the Ozone Secretariat and Multilateral Fund to access information on recent decisions of the Montreal Protocol and Multilateral Fund Executive Committee that will inform implementation in Guyana. Chief Hydromet Officer (ag) Dr. Garvin Cummings said that Guyana remains committed to the preservation of the ozone layer while maintaining compliance under the Montreal Protocol. “The successful phasing out of HCFCs, by 2030, requires that all the necessary information and tools to assist our local industry in transitioning smoothly from ozone depleting technology to newer alternatives that are in keeping with our obligations under the Montreal Protocol and Guyana’s thrust for sustainable development becomes accessible,” Dr. Cummings said. Areas such as alternatives to ozone-depleting substances in various sectors and sub-sectors, the economic costs, implications and environmental benefits of various scenarios of avoiding highglobal-warming-potential alternatives to ozone-depleting substances are also other key areas that will be discussed during the meetings.
Sunday November 11, 2018
PAGE 69
Kaieteur News
CONSUMER CONCERNS
THE STABROEK MARKET COULD BE RESUSCITATED AND RECAPTURE SOME OF ITS OLD GLORY By PAT DIAL The Stabroek Market is one of Georgetown's main landmarks and one of the country's most important heritage buildings. The Market was constructed in the 1870s, that is, half-a-century after the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and the Public Buildings. The Public Buildings was completed in 1837 and the Magistrates Court was built long before that. The Market, almost from the day it was opened, became one of the favourite shopping centres and long remained so. Until the 1960's, it attracted a clientele of all classes and the stallholders themselves were mostly of middle class backgrounds. Indeed, all the main business houses, which were almost all centered in Water Street, had stalls in the Market and these included, for example, Booker’s and Wieting and Richter. The Market was architecturally well constructed. The roofs never leaked and were constructed in such a way as to ensure maximum light and ventilation. When the Demerara Electric Company began serving the town, the Market was one its first customers. Electric lighting was very useful as the Market stalls were all opened until 8.00 pm and on Christmas Eve until 11:00 pm. The Market was swept at least twice per day. On Sundays, the entire Market was hosed down with the help of the Fire Brigade. The Market floor was built with a gradual incline going from east to west so that water would drain off easily towards the wharf and the river. Theft of the stallholders’ goods and other property was unknown and goods were left overnight outside stalls. This was because the City Constabulary, which guarded the Market was efficient and honest. And shopping could be done at leisure without any fear of being robbed by pickpockets or snatchers. Every visitor from the countryside or from abroad would visit the Market, often spending hours there for it had the deserved reputation of selling every possible thing a shopper would have desired. In front of the Market, as part of the Market square, was a small well-kept fenced garden where the marble bust of William Russell, the engineer who was responsible for creating the water supply system of Georgetown presided. The Market was an entirely different place from what it is today. The decline
began with the coming of Independence in the 1960s. Before that time, persons with business backgrounds conducted the administration of the Market and indeed of the town as a whole as could be attested by the fact that the Town Council was able to issue bonds, which were among the most sought after investments in the country. With Independence, there was democratization in all aspects of society and persons of lower social and even educational backgrounds had to assume responsibility of administering both the Town and the Market. The last great Clerk of Markets from colonial times was a Portuguese gentleman who came of a wealthy business family. His name, Jayme Antonio Machado Pacheco, remains in the annals as one of the great Market Administrators. The decline of the Market begun in a slow crescendo, progressively quickening with the passing of each year. The sweeping and cleaning of the Market became less frequent and the floors ceased to be hosed. The reason for this is that the Clerk of Markets began to build stalls on every available space, congesting the Market and shutting out light and air. Stallholders were allowed to heighten parts of the passageways in front of their stalls thus making it more difficult, if not impossible, for water to drain into the river. The Market became darker and less ventilated. The congestion and lack of light provided a haven for petty thieves who stole from stallholders as well as from shoppers and the Constabulary only occasionally managed to effect an arrest. Middle class people now ceased to patronize the Market. The Market Clock was known to carry the most accurate time and the striking of its bell every hour and half hour could be heard as far away as Albouystown and Vlissengen Road. The Lighthouse and the Market Clock Tower were the highest buildings in the Town and to be allowed to visit the Tower and have a panoramic view of the Town was one of the rare treats permitted to schoolchildren from time to time. From the 1960s, the Clock and its tower were neglected.
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
Now the clock has not been working for many years. The Market wharf used to be a place where boats bringing a large variety of fruits and vegetables from West Coast and West Bank Demerara and even from Essequibo used to discharge their cargoes, which
attracted large numbers of both wholesale and retail buyers; the Town and its environs were fed from the market wharf. But the wharf was never maintained; the floors and roof rotted and shoppers ceased to go there. In August last, the City Council itself admitted
that the wharf was "a calamity waiting to happen" and the stallholders had to be evacuated. There are other aspects of the Market, which have declined but despite this, it could still be resuscitated and could recapture some of its past
glory. The first step in this direction would be for the City Council or the Ministry of Communities to engage a Market expert. With the expert, a Committee of Concerned Citizens could work together to produce the resuscitation plan.
PAGE 70
Kaieteur News
Sunday November 11, 2018
I am optimistic of a higher voter turnout than 2016…says Valerie Adams Yearwood APNU Campaign Manager Valerie AdamsYearwood, at a press briefing on Friday, said that all systems are in place for the upcoming Local Government Elections tomorrow, and expressed optimism of greater
voter turnout than in 2016. Detailing some of what her party has been doing in preparation for the auspicious day, Adams-Yearwood expressed satisfaction with the inroads made, and optimism of favourable results on E-
Day. Her chief concern however, was with the youths, whom she feels, are still not as knowledgeable of Local Government Elections, as they ought to be. This, she blamed on the absence of
LGEs over the years. “The 20-year hiatus in Local Government Elections has created an uphill challenge to get through to youths, who often confess that they know nothing of LGEs.
Young people have been saying that they don’t know anything about Local Government Elections; they know about National and Regional Elections. “So in 2018, from day one, we set up a youth strategy team of sixty to seventy percent of young people, and they were allowed to strategize, because they understand young people like themselves. They are willingly volunteering to engage youths out there.” Adams-Yearwood added that the APNU thought it fit and appropriate to have the involvement of all the residents in the eight constituencies to select who they want to be their APNU representative at the LGE. She said that the party believed that the most transparent process was to go into each constituency, and have primaries run. This was done, she posited. The Campaign Manager commended constituency seven for the most outstanding turnout during the primaries. She said that prior to this; the APNU had done their signature campaign and identified locations where candidates had to bring their 30 supporters.
Strategy “Our strategy wasn’t only public meetings. Our main focus was going into the streets and talking with the people. We have presently intensified this activity from Wednesday and continue into (today).” Efforts to secure a comment from AFC Campaign Manager, Audwin Rutherford proved futile. However, in an earlier comment Rutherford had expressed confidence with his team and pointed out that victory is not just winning the majority, but being there to represent the people and be the voice of the people. “Our team - we have a mixture of youth and experience and we have maybe one of the better administrators of all the other teams put together,” Rutherford had boasted. United Republican Party (URP) Representative Ian Halls had promised that his party will bring a lot of change to the Council and run it like a business to benefit the workers in terms of better salaries and improved services for residents. “Trust the URP, give them a chance and we will ensure that the taxes that people paythey will get value for their money,” Halls stated.
Erdogan: Turkey shared Khashoggi tapes with... From page 14 Al Jazeera learned on Friday that traces of acid were found at the Saudi consul-general’s residence in Istanbul, where the body was believed to be disposed of with the use of chemicals. The residence is at walking distance from the Saudi consulate, where Khashoggi a Washington Post columnist critical of the Saudi government and the all-powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was killed by a team of Saudi officers and officials. Saudi Arabia has changed its narrative about the murder several times amid international outcry and intensifying scepticism over its account. After insisting for more than two weeks that Khashoggi had left the consulate, it then admitted the journalist had died in a fistfight inside the building. Later, Riyadh conceded Khashoggi was killed in a premeditated murder, but that the murder was an unplanned “rogue operation”. However, Erdogan has accused the “highest levels” of the Saudi government of ordering the hit, while some officials have pointed the finger at the crown prince - a charge Riyadh denies. Meeting with Trump Speaking before his departure, Erdogan also said he might meet with US President
Donald Trump in Paris during the commemorations. “When we go to Paris, we will try to secure an opportunity and we will realise a bilateral meeting,” Erdogan said. Al Jazeera’s, Jamal Elshayyal, reporting from Istanbul, said the timing of Erdogan’s comments was “very significant”. “It happened as he was getting on the plane to go to Paris to meet with Trump. Erdogan is making it very clear that everyone knows what has happened, everyone who is a significant player in the region has the evidence.” Osman Sert, research director at Ankara Institute, said that Ankara will now attempt to “put pressure” on Washington, a major Saudi ally, but added that, “there is a good atmosphere for the Turkish-American relations to go forward during this case”. “The public’s priority should be to find out who committed this crime and who ordered this crime,” he said. “What should be done right now is Turkey shouldn’t be left alone against the Saudis. The Europeans and Americans should stand with Turkey.” Source: https:// www.aljazeera.com/news/ 2018/11/erdogan-turkeyshared-khashoggi-tapessaudi-181110114847251.html
Sunday November 11, 2018
Kaieteur News
Theft from crash-landed aircraft…
Disgraced firefighters likely for court Monday-two released Twelve of the 14 firefighters who were detained for stealing items from the crash-landed Fly Jamaica aircraft were still in custody yesterday. They are likely to appear in court by Monday. Chief Fire Officer Marlon Gentle said that two of the firefighters who went to the scene while they were offduty have been released. Six of the ranks, including a supervisor, remain in the Kitty Police Station lockups. They were reportedly placed in the lockups while still wearing their uniforms. The detained ranks consist of the entire firefighting crew that was stationed at the CJIA. The stolen items included tablets, cell phones and colognes, which belonged to the pilot and passengers. Police recovered some of the items, including a bottle of perfume that belonged to an air hostess. These were stashed in a fire truck. The homes and barracks of some of the ranks were also searched. Some of the alleged culprits have over 15 years’ service. There were also junior
ranks with three to five years’ service. The theft was uncovered after the pilot of the crash-landed aircraft reported that some of his personal items were missing from the cockpit. One of the detained senior ranks, who lives near to the CJIA, told investigators that he was off duty but went to the scene. A junior rank also arrived at the airport in his car, but then left. After the pilot, an air hostess and others complained about missing items, the rank who had arrived in the car was summoned back to the CJIA. He then handed over two phones that he had taken from the cockpit. Police ranks then searched the fire tender and recovered other items, including a laptop, the air hostess’s perfume and two other phones. While police found nothing else after searching the ranks’ homes and living quarters, a firefighter described as the ‘mastermind’ reportedly told investigators that the entire crew was involved. Gentle, who has apologized for the unprofessional behaviour of the ranks, said that the Guyana Fire Service
is awaiting the outcome of the police investigation before it deals condignly with the culprits. “Everything is going to be swift,” he said. Kaieteur News understands that one of the ranks contacted the Chief Fire Officer to apologise, while proclaiming his innocence. In the wake of the embarrassing incident, Gentle indicated that more stringent screening of recruits will be put in place. “Our recruitment standards will definitely be lifted further. Our Recruitment Board is already in place, but more stringent recruitment and training is needed.” It is the second time in recent years that the Fire Chief has had to express concern at the behaviour of some dishonest ranks. In May 2016, four firefighters were arrested for making off with cell phones from the home of Traffic Chief Dion Moore, after responding to a fire at Moore’s residence. One of the phones was found under the seat of the fire tender that they were in when police stopped the ranks at a roadblock.
52ND University of Guyana... From page 8 encouraged the graduates to find their passion and pursue their goals in their respective fields. “It is very important that you are passionate about what you do and that you become a mentor for someone else.”Having been conferred with an honorary doctorate, New York-based Entrepreneur and Philanthropist, Jairaj Sobraj, urged the graduates to remain determined in their academic and professional pursuit.“Determination is what Guyanese are made of. Guyanese are tough cookies and you should seek to be determined in what you do.” Of the students to graduate from 116 academic programmes, yesterday, were those from UG’s eight academic units—the Faculties of Agriculture and Forestry,
Pilot credited for...
From page 9 National Transportation Safety Board, the U.S. Government’s agency responsible for civil transportation accident investigation.According to Field, investigators from the Authority are providing support to the Government-appointed crash investigator, Paula McAdam.It is believed that the pilot encountered issues with the brake system upon touchdown.
Earth and Environmental Sciences, Education and Humanities, Engineering and Technology, Health Sciences, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences and the School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation,(SEBI) . The convocation was conducted in three separate ceremonies – the first at 9:00 hours for graduates from the Faculties of Agriculture and Forestry, Earth and Environmental Sciences and Education and Humanities. The convocation address was delivered by Professor David Phoenix, Vice-Chancellor of London South Bank University—one of the leading British universities with which UG is developing relations.The second convocation ceremony was for the Faculties of Engineering and Technology, Health Sciences
and Natural Sciences, featured Professor Norman Munroe, Director, Office of Student Access and Success and of the Centre for Diversity in Engineering and Computing at Florida International University. And the final ceremony was for graduates of the Faculty of Social Sciences and the SEBI – the two largest units of the university. The keynote speaker of the session was Attorney-atlaw Mr. Kamal Ramkarran, a University of Guyana alumnus of the Class of 1997, who is a Partner at Cameron and Shepherd, one of the nation’s leading law firms. Additionally, as part of continuing efforts to embrace the alumni, the University spotlighted representatives of the alumni at the various convocations.
PAGE 71
PAGE 72
Kaieteur News
Sunday November 11, 2018
Sunday November 11, 2018
PAGE 73
Kaieteur News
Hamilton on pole in Brazil, Vettel summoned Radicals put South... to stewards SAO PAULO (Reuters) Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton gave Mercedes their 100th pole position at the Brazilian Grand Prix yesterday while Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel qualified second but faced a stewards’ investigation for a weighbridge incident. The pole, in a rain-affected session at Interlagos, was a record-extending 82nd of Hamilton’s career and his 10th of a season that has already seen the Briton clinch his fifth world championship. Mercedes will seal the constructors’ title today unless Ferrari outscore them by 13 points. Hamilton’s team mate Valtteri Bottas, who was on pole in Brazil last year, quali-
fied third with Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen fourth on an allFinnish second row. “That was a tough qualifying session,” gasped a delighted Hamilton, who had never previously managed to take a pole in a season after winning the title with races to spare. “The weather was going up and down and we didn’t really know what to expect. Obviously Ferrari are incredibly quick this weekend. “I didn’t know whether or not I had the pole. The last lap wasn’t that great, if I’m honest. I had a bit of understeer in a few places,” added the Briton, who has five stars and the late Brazilian Ayrton Senna’s design on his helmet. Hamilton and Vettel provided the main talking points
of the session, with the former fortunate to escape the immediate attention of the stewards after nearly colliding with the Williams of Russian Sergey Sirotkin. Raikkonen also had to swerve to avoid him in another incident. Vettel’s summons by the stewards was inevitable after he was called in for weighing at a critical point in the second phase just as the rain began to fall, making it crucial to get in an early timed lap. With a cone barring access to the weighbridge, he drove into it and then gesticulated angrily for officials to hurry up, before driving off again in a breach of the regulations. The governing FIA said that by keeping the engine running he had made it hard
Sunday November 11, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) This will be a great day for you. Everything you touch will seem to turn to gold. The day's events will fall right into place. You will take pleasure in being calm and efficient. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Today you may be feeling a little surer of yourself than usual. You can be fairly shy and reserved. Today you should try and make people a little more aware of you, to take you seriously. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) This would be an ideal day to think about your personal interests in all areas of your life, Gemini. You've surely noticed that in various relationships you tend not to consider yourself CANCER (June 21–July 22) Don't be surprised if you meet people who are quite self-centered today. In general, it could be that you have a hard time understanding people who are egotistical LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Today could be rather constraining. Despite your great aspirations, today will be marked by the need to take care of the small problems VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Even if it's true in general that leo have strong bodies like you, there are times when it's important that they take care of themselves. This would be an ideal day to be more aware of that fact.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Today might be a little rough for you, Libra. It's as if reality were waiting to trip you up. Nothing about you is realistic. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Here's a day that will be rather calm for you. Peace has replaced all your soul searching. You feel in contact with life's daily routine, including aspects that you don't always consider SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) It's time to get yourself together. You have a tendency to be all over the place. You need to channel your energies into something you really care about. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Today you should think that your overdependence on money and material possessions, Capricorn. Don't you think you spend too much of your precious time thinking about money AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) The last few weeks have been a little too serious for your tastes, but this is good for you every once in a while, Aquarius. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Pisces, you're someone who needs to have a lot of time to yourself. You often dream of curling up in bed with a good book or going for a bike ride. This is just your natural rhythm. Don't try and ignore it.
to get a stable result and by driving off rather than being pushed he had also ‘destroyed’ their equipment. “They shouldn’t call us when the conditions are changing like that, I think it’s unfair if somebody gets pulled in. I wanted them to hurry up,” said Vettel.
Wellington’s brace... From page 77 rapid succession before Phillips scored the lone goal for the former Champions. The third place encounter ended in a 3-nil win by penalty kicks for Tucville Primary after their keenly contest battle with Mocha Primary was goalless after full and extra time. The Hero for Tucville was their Goalie John Harry who saved the first three shots from the penalty spot. Technical Director of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Ian Greenwood stated that the sponsors (Banks DIH Ltd, Courts and Petra Organisation) had done a fantastic job. “There was a good level of football shown by these young children on the pitch which is good for Guyana’s football’s future,” Greenwood added. For their efforts St Pius collected one Acer Lap Top Computer, the winner’s Trophy and Medals along with full Kit and Uniforms, while the Runners-up received a 40-inch Flat screen TV, Trophy and Medals The competition started with 32 teams with St Pius (winner), West Ruimveldt (2nd), Tucville, Mocha, St Agnes, North Georgetown, Golden Grove, St Ambrose, South Ruimveldt, Mae’s, Enterprise, Maurius, Plaisance Colaaco, Soesdyke and Timheri finishing in that order in super-16 play-offs.
Windies chase... From page 76 Rishabh Pant, Krunal Pandya, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Shahbaz Nadeem, Siddarth Kaul. WEST INDIES – Carlos Brathwaite (captain), Denesh Ramdin, Darren Bravo, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran, Fabien Allen, Keemo Paul, Khary Pierre, Oshane Thomas, Sherfane Rutherford, Obed McCoy, Rovman Powell.
From page 77 Enterprise (bikes) holds the track record which they set in 2016 and their three riders will occupy the top pole positions with Richard Cooper of England first in the Supersport after clocking an impressive 33.5 seconds in his first outing at the Timehri circuit. Brothers, Harry and Matthew Truelove will be placed first and second respectively in the Superstock after clocking 33.9 and 34 seconds respectively. When the action revs off this morning from 08:00hrs sharp, 2014 and 15' champion, Kristian Jeffrey will start in Pole position for the group four class followed by Mark Maloney, Rupie Sewjattan, Mark Vieira and Quinlan Lall in second to fifth respectively. In group three, Trinidad and Tobago’s (T&T) Kristian Boodoosingh will be on pole followed by his countryman Ronald Wortman, Rameez Mohamed and Nazim Gafoor, while Marc Gill (T&T) will be fifth. Gill, the current leader in
the CMRC group two, had a better qualifying round in his favoured class and will start in pole position ahead of Shan Seejattan (GUY), Chet Singh (GUY) and Bajan brothers Kurt and Mark Thompson (fourth and fifth respectively). In the local Choke Starlet Cup, Anand Ramchand who is well on his way to winning the championship got an added boost after qualifying with the best time yesterday, ahead of today’s triple treat Starlet showdown. Motilall Deodass and Vishal Sawh are second and third respectively. Three races were completed yesterday instead of the scheduled five which leaves a packed 24-race programme for today which the droves of fans that are expected to be at South Dakota will relish. Yesterday’s winners include Zalim Mohamed in the street cross (bikes) class, while Mohamed Admed and Raymond Seebaran won the sports and Street Tuner respectively. Today’s action gets underway at 08:00hrs sharp.
PAGE 74
Sunday November 11, 2018
Kaieteur News
From page 75 jubilantly celebrated a double victory in the men’s and women’s First Division competitions when the curtain came down on the GTT National Indoor Hockey Championships at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH). GCC managed to secure the three other divisions being the male and female Second Division competitions and the Over-35 Division. The final event of the evening was a fitting highlight of an exciting tournament when Old Fort Lamborghini squared off against the PEPSI Hikers in a final which would see a new winner crowned as both teams had dispatched defending champs Bounty GCC in the pool round. The Hikers, littered with Guyanese national players, started the match in their usual dominant fashion but it was Old Fort who was first to break the deadlock in the sixth minute through an Aderemi Simon penalty corner high in the right corner of the Hikers net. As the high-paced game whizzed back and forth, Hikers managed to draw even when top midfielder Jamarj Assanah made a brilliant individual run up the right to finish with the equalizer and taking the game into halftime at 1-1. Skilful striker Aroydy Branford put the Hikers up four minutes into the second segment before Old Fort went on a goal-scoring run with three unanswered goals by Warren Williams, Askofu Simon and Aderemi Simon’s second of the match. With five minutes left in the final, Old Fort struggled to hang on to their lead as the Hikers scrambled desperately to
Men’s and Women’s champions – Hikers. make up the deficit. Hikers and national Captain Robert France would lead from the front by pulling his team within one through a 35th minute field goal and the very next minute Hikers won a penalty stroke through a desperation tackle by Old Fort’s Jason Clarke. With nerves of steel, Aroydy Branford scored the penalty to draw the scores even at 4-4 to send the match to penalties which Hikers won after sudden death. The women’s final saw much fewer opportunities as the underdog Woodpecker Hikers clogged the middle of the floor with a rock-solid de-
fence and held the game even for the entire first half despite GBTI GCC Tigers enjoying the majority of possession. Marzana Fiedtkou broke the tie and fired the GBTI ladies up by one with a nifty reverse stick shot in the 37th minute. With the clock winding down and the game entering its final two minutes, the Hikers earned a penalty corner that was converted by a high flick from MVP Nicole Eastman. With the scores tied at 1-1, Eastman found herself free in the scoring circle after receiving a pinpoint accurate pass from right back Marisha Fernandes. Goalkeeper of the
tournament for GCC, Briawna Gordon advanced to cover the angles but Eastman let loose a cracker of a shot into the roof of the GCC net that sent the crowd into frenzy. The come-from-behind victory ended a ten-year dominance of the trophy by the GCC ladies and crowned the new champions, the Woodpecker Hikers.GCC Pitbulls and Old Fort Top Form drew their men’s Second Division match, 2-2 but GCC dominated the shootout to win it 2-0. The Bingo GCC Spartans duplicated the effort in the women’s Second Division when they defeated Saints by
3-2 after the regulation ended with the scores tied on 1-1. The GCC Vintage completed the club’s hat-trick by crushing the Old Fort Mustangs by 6-3 in the Over-35 division. D’AGUIAR SPEARHEADS E’BO TO TITLE GCB U-17 FEMALE CRICKET FRANCHISE Watched by a raucous crowd in sultry conditions at Wales, Essequibo added the inaugural GCB female U-17 T20 Franchise title to their Men’s Three-Day and 50overs Franchise title with a 19run win against West Berbice
Champions E’bo with the winning Trophy at Wales. ECB President Faizul Bacchus (right), GCB’s Kavita Yadram (2nd right) and Coach Ryan Hercules (3rd right) share the moment.
in their final round match. Essequibo lost their second game against West Demerara in the super over after the thrilling contest ended in the first ever Tie. They had received a walk over in the opening round when East Bank was a no show. With six victories, the same as Lower Corentyne, Essequibo took the title because they beat the Berbicians in their Head-toHead match-up. The final round commenced with Lower Corentyne hoping that West Berbice could pull off an upset win against the lasses from Guyana’s largest County. But that was not to be as Essequibo reached 106-4 off 15 overs in a game reduced by five overs due to a late start. Annalisa D’Aguiar top scored with an unbeaten 19 with a single boundary on a slow track and sluggish outfield. Navica Narine (10) and Lisa Charles (11) were the only other batters to reach double figures on the large ground in West Bank Demerara. But D’Aguiar and Lalitha Patterson (8) rallied their team with what proved to be a winning total with an unfinished 50-run fifth wicket stand. Mariam Telford (3-19) was the best bowler for West Berbice who, despite being helped by 53 wides, were restricted to 87-7 when their overs expired. Tiea Issacs (21) and Tiemacia Soloman (11) were the only Region 5 batters to get to double figures. Divine Ross (3-19) and D’Aguiar (214) bowled their team to another title.
Sunday November 11, 2018
PAGE 75
Kaieteur News
We take a look back at the key events that took place and made the news in the local sporting arena over the past week SURINAME’S SETROPAWIRO TAKE OVERALLSTAGE OF CHAMPIONS 3 TITLE - GUYANA’S SAMMY, CAMPBELL, BENNETT EXCEL Bodybuilding fans were given much to cheer about as Bodybuilders from several countries displayed the fruits of their labour when the Stage of Champions three was held at Theatre Guild in Kingston. After the athletes displayed their chiseled and well toned muscles in the various categories, it was Suriname’s Wendell Setropawiro who took the overall title. It was the final event of the night which pits the winners from the various bodybuilding categories and after thrilling the fans, Setropawiro of Suriname who had definition and mass deservedly took the coveted title, while Guyanese Marlon Bennett, one of the crowd favourites, finished second. Third place went to Shawn Roberts of Suriname, Caipous Cipriani of Guyana was fourth and Jejpaul Sammy of Guyana fifth. Jejpaul Sammy won the Bantamweight category, while fellow Guyanese Faraad Mohamed took second place followed by another Guyanese Jhan Sham Goberdan and Vrjas Mc Hutciverson of Trinidad and Tobago. The top three spots in the Lightweight category were taken by Marlon Bennett, Donald Lindie and Darius Ramsammy in that order; all of Guyana. Carjous Cipriani of Guyana won the Welterweight segment, while his team mate Ravindra Persaud took the runner up spot. The Men’s Physique was
a close call, but it handed Guyana another gold as Emmerson Campbell took the top podium spot, while Rudolph Gerowcosta of Suriname placed second followed by Randal Haakmat of Suriname, Riandeno Josafaith of Suriname and Brendon Francis of Trinidad and Tobago in that order. The Miss Bikini segment got the crowd on their feet and after going through their paces on stage, Stefini TjonA-San of Suriname took top honours, while Jawelle Singoojojo and Priscilla Calor both of Suriname placed second and third respectively; Melissa Seaforth of Antigua was fourth and Jennifer Gordon of Guyana was fifth. Shawn Roberts of Suriname won the Light Middleweight segment, while Shimroon Sookermanny of Trindad and Tobago took the runner up spot. Wendell Setropawiro of Suriname won the Heavyweight category, while Jermin Jones of Guyana placed second followed by Guyanese Carlos Petterson in third place and Desmond Patterson of St. Maarten in fourth. FORDE EDGES OUT MISSIGHER FOR SOUTH AMERICA 10K ROAD RACE 2ND LEG Cleveland Forde continued his stellar form in the three-leg, South American 10K road race when he finished ahead of his rival Winston Missigher by two seconds to cross the finish line first at the National Park during a one to five finish for the Guyanese. Forde ran a time of 34 minutes 07 seconds for the top prize of US$1000, while Missigher finished in 34 min-
Grenada’s Kenisha Pascal who won the open female category. utes 09 seconds, and Cleveland Thomas was third in 34 minutes 18 seconds, in the very closely competed race. Jonathan Fagundes was fourth, while Rickie Williams was fifth. Devaughn ‘Scooby’ Barrington who was leading the race at the 5k mark couldn’t keep up with the pace and fell off completely from the podium. In the first leg which was ran in Suriname the previous weekend, it was a similar onetwo-three finish for the Guyanese men with Forde edging Missigher by one second for the win with Cleveland Thomas coming in third as was the case in the first race.On the distaff end dur-
ing the second leg which was competed under overcast conditions along the route which began at the GTT Earth’s Station on Carifesta Avenue and proceed towards the University of Guyana (UG) road on the Rupert Craig Highway and returning for the finish in the National Park, Kenisha Pascal of Grenada took the top spot. The Islander was followed by Guyana’s Shema Tyrell in second, Kezra Murray in third and Alliyah Moore in fourth. Daniel Harvey of Running Braves athletics club won the junior males category, while Leyanna Charles of GDF won the Junior female category. In addition to the top prize, the second place finish-
Guyana’s Cleveland Forde who has now won the first and second leg of the South American 10k.
ers in both the male and female Open categories pocketed US$600, third US$400, fourth US$300, while the top juniors pocketed grants/ vouchers valued at US$100, US$75, US$50, US$25 from first to fourth respectively. AVINASH PERSAUD, SUKHRAM, MAX PERSAUD, HANIF EXCEL AT GUYANA OPEN GOLF TOURNEY Despite having to overcome the challenge of an injured ankle, Avinash Persaud showed his prowess on the golf course once again as he won the male overall category at the Guyana Open tournament at the Lusignan Golf Course, East Coast Demerara. In what was deemed as the biggest tournament ever on local shores, Persaud withstood keen competition from rivals Richard Haniff and Kevin Dinanauth, and in addition to winning the Best Gross he created history by returning a gross of 1 under par for the 1st day of the championship. After trailing behind two other former Guyana Open champions, Dr. Joaan Deo who recently won the Suriname Open and Shanella Webster with whom she was tied for the best gross, Sukhram got the edge for the female title on day two. Of note among the four local females (out of 9 females who participated) was rookie Eureka Giddings, who played commendably to finish with a
Net total of 176, having begun golfing only a few months ago. Other remarkable performances came from Richard Haniff, Troy Cadogan and Esau Shamshudin. Richard Haniff turned a history making Guyana Open total Net score of 129, and was only three strokes behind winner Avinash for the Gross total. Troy Cadogan produced a exceptional 20 stroke improvement on the second day’s play, to not only tie with John Somwar, but also to edge him out at first place because of his better score on day two. Esau Shamshudin’s second day Net score of 138 was exceptional for the senior’s group, in fact placing him on a tie with Christine Sukhram and Mohanlall Dinanauth at 6th Best Net score out of the field of 89 golfers. Max Persaud won the best gross for the 10-18 flight with 168, while Patanjalee Persaud won the net with 136. Prizes were also awarded for Nearest to the Pin (NTP) and Longest Drive (LD) for each day. These were won by: Richard Haniff – NTP Day 1; Vick Ramnarine – LD Day 1; Avinda Kishore – NTP Day 2; and Jalen Raman – LD Day 2. HIKERS SWEEP FIRST DIVISION TITLES AT GTT NATIONAL INDOOR HOCKEY C/SHIPS The PEPSI Hikers (Continued on page 74)
PAGE 76
Kaieteur News
WDFA Qualifiers
Eagles are champs following 2-1 win over Crane Rovers; both qualify for GFF Super 16 Eagles Football Club of Stewartville and Crane Rovers will be the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) representatives for the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) year-end Super 16 competition playoffs. The teams earned the right after contesting the final of the WDFA Qualifiers on Friday night last, Eagles defeating Crane Rovers 2-1 after being gifted a second chance following their semifinal loss to Uitvlugt Warriors (1-3) who were subsequently disqualified for playing an unregistered player. The Eagles lads grabbed the second chance with hands and feet and went on to beat Crane Rovers in the final on account of goals from Seon Miller in the 15th minute and Stephen Griffith in the 66th minute. Crane Rovers had equalized in the 33rd minute thanks to Quacy
Eagles FC goal scorers, Seon Miller and Stephen Griffith. Graham’s goal but Eagles wrested back the advantage in the second half which they defended until full time. Meanwhile, in a friendly clash between Pouderoyen and Golden Warriors, the
former made light work of their opponents to win 4-0. Darrell Abrams (20), Esan Nelson (60), Dwayne St. Kitts (75) and Emmanuel Thomas in the 80th minute were the players on target for Pouderoyen.
Windies chase pride in series finale CHENNAI, India, CMC – West Indies have only pride to play for when they take on India in the final Twenty20 International of the threematch series here today, hoping to end an otherwise wretched tour on a high note. The Carlos Brathwaite-led side has been little match for the powerful Indian juggernaut, losing the first match in Kolkata by five wickets before going under in the second in Lucknow by 71 runs. Today’s match presents perhaps their best chance especially with India deciding to rest seamers Jasprit Bumrah and Umesh Yadav, along with excellent left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav who has terrorised the tourists in all formats during the series. Ramdin, one of the few senior players in a squad otherwise short on experience said it was important the Windies pulled out all the stops for the contest at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. “On this wicket, the side boundaries are a bit bigger and the Indians play spin quite well so it’s very important we bowl the right lengths on this wicket,” the former Test captain said. “They have home advantage but we need to take some pride in ourselves to try and win one game.” He added: “We’re disappointed. [We’re the] T20 champs and then we played our first game at Eden Gar-
dens – we were expecting to do well but I don’t think we adapt to the wicket as well as we should and we didn’t string any partnerships [together]. “T20, as I said before, is momentum and partnerships and we couldn’t do that. Kuldeep Yadav he played a major part in the Tests, oneday, and T20 series [but] the guys haven’t been able to pick him. I think he was basically one of the threats in the middle overs where we couldn’t really push on.” None of the West Indies big guns have fired in the series, with Kieron Pollard perhaps being the most glaring failure. The Trinidadian has scores of 14 and six in his two innings, and averages a meagre 12 in his last 11 innings over the past two years. Ramdin, who has 12 runs from two innings, said the Windies players needed to back their ability more if they wanted to find results. “It’s a very challenging and tough sport, especially when you play here in India,” he explained. “Some of the guys had some success – young (Shai) Hope and (Shimron) Hetmyer – to transfer that from the 50 overs into the T20, they tried their best. It’s all about batting some more balls [and] I don’t think they gave themselves enough of a chance. “T20 is a lot of balls – 120 balls – you take 10 or 12 balls
to get set and I don’t think they’ve done that in this series. It’s all about keep backing yourself and having the self confidence – that’s how T20 goes. “You lose some, you win some but when you have momentum [it helps] and we didn’t have that momentum from the first game.” West Indies did not travel with a number of their stars as superstar Chris Gayle made himself unavailable and Evin Lewis pulled out days before the series, while all-rounder Andre Russell and Sunil Narine were both injured. Selectors opted for five debutants and several other players with few T20s inside the last two years, leaving the squad considerably weakened. Ramdin said the absence of the experienced players had been a factor in the Windies sub-par performance in the series. “It’s difficult at this point in time to try and build a team. When you look at our T20 players, they’re in demand around the world and we’re suffering in that aspect. Some of our senior players didn’t turn up for this tour and that’s why we’re two-nil down in the T20 [series].” SQUADS: INDIA – Rohit Sharma (captain), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Dinesh Karthik, Manish Pandey, Shreyas Iyer, (Continued on page 73)
Sunday November 11, 2018
Record-breaker Dottin hands Windies winning start GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – Veteran allrounder Deandra Dottin single-handedly destroyed Bangladesh with the thirdbest figures in women’s Twenty20 Internationals as West Indies opened their defence of the T20 World Cup with a rousing 60-run victory here Friday night. Defending a paltry 107, West Indies routed the Asian side for 46 – a record low in the tournament’s history – with Dottin producing a magical career-best figures of five for five from 22 deliveries to claim the Player-of-theMatch honour. The performance – the best by a West Indies bowler in T20 Internationals – rocked the Bangladeshis and ruined an ideal opportunity to upset the reigning World champions. Playing before a large crowd at the Guyana National Stadium, Bangladesh had earlier landed the first major punches when they scythed through the hosts’ innings to reduce them to 106 for eight off their 20 overs. In fact, the Windies were tottering on 30 for five in the 13th over and it required lefthander Kycia Knight’s cameo 32 off 24 deliveries and captain Stafanie Taylor’s patient 29 off 44 deliveries, to see the total past triple figures. On a slow, turning strip, vice-captain Hayley Matthews mis-timed a lofted shot and holed out to mid-off for six in the third over from seamer Jahanara Alam (3-23) and fellow opener Dottin followed without a run added off the next ball, picking out Fahima Khatun at point with a misplaced cut, to depart for eight. Shemaine Campbelle missed a sweep at captain and off-spinner Salma Khatun and was adjudged lbw for one and Natasha McLean (11) threatened briefly with a six over mid-wicket off off-spinner Khadija Tul Kubra before yorking herself in the ninth over, after playing over a fulllength delivery from leg-spinner Rumana Ahmed (2-16).
Veteran all-rounder Deandra Dottin sends down a delivery during her career-best five-wicket haul on Friday night at the Guyana National Stadium. When Britney Cooper holed out to long on in the 13th over, West Indies were against the ropes but Taylor and Knight combined in a 37run sixth wicket stand to add respectability to the innings. Knight was the catalyst, hammering two fours and a six in a breezy knock while Taylor counted two fours in the anchor role. West Indies wasted little time in making inroads into the Bangladesh innings when seamer Shakera Selman (2-12) claimed Shamima Sultana, pulling to Matthews at midwicket for five, off the last ball of the first over. Jahanara followed in the fifth over when she holed out to Taylor at mid-off off Selman for three and opener Ayasha Rahman perished in the sixth over for six, bowled playing across a full length one from off-spinner Taylor at 19 for three. The introduction of Dottin saw the Windies ram home their advantage. Bowling wicket to wicket, the 27year-old seamer ripped out
the middle order in a destructive spell, to put the result beyond doubt. She struck with the second ball of her spell, hurrying Fargana Hoque (8) with a short ball and taking the return catch off the resulting top-edged pull in the ninth over, and two balls later, brought one back to bowl Nigar Sultana for two. In her next over – the 11th of the innings – she bowled Rumana for two and Lata Mondal without scoring, and secured her five-wicket haul in the 15th over when Salma Khatun (5) played around a straight one and was also bowled. West Indies play their second match next Wednesday against South Africa at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground in St Lucia. Scores: WEST INDIES 106 for eight off 20 overs (Kycia Knight 32, Stafanie Taylor 29; Jahanara Alam 323, Rumana Ahmed 2-16). BANGLADESH 46 off 14.4 overs (Deandra Dottin 5-5, Shakera Selman 2-12).
Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Foundation donates to the sport fraternity... From page 79 Donor team comprises of four overseas based Guyanese; Founders, Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj, Inform a t i o n Te c h n o l o g i s t , Nardeo Singh and businessman, Sarvan Budhu. Known for their work within the Information Communications And
Te c h n o l o g y s e c t o r, t h e foundation has established three state of the art computer centres, in partnership with the Guyana Police Force to offer free computer classes to the Guyanese public and one State of the art Cyber Security Centre. Also, earlier this year in
April, the foundation signed a Memorandum of Understan d i n g w i t h t h e University of Guyana valued at $80 Million Guyana dollars to establish the Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Centre for Behavioral Studies and Research at the University of Guyana.
Sunday November 11, 2018
Kaieteur News
PAGE 77
GMRSC Ignite Zalim Mohamed leading the pack during his Super cross bikes win.
Guyana’s Kristian Jeffrey.
Radicals put South Dakota record under pressure By Calvin Chapman Yesterday’s opening day of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s (GMRSC) Ignite race meet, which also serves as the final leg of the Seaboard Marine Caribbean M o t o r R a c i n g
Championships (CMRC), has indicated ominous signs of the South Dakota’s record being under threat. The opening day featured qualifiers in groups 1-4 and the inaugural SR3 radical championship along
with the first of three races in groups one and two. This year will be a historic occasion since it’s the first time Guyanese racing fans will be able to witness competitive radical races with a full field (nine)
of cars expected to go all out for top honours today. Starting the radicals’ race in pole position will be Barbados’ Mark Maloney who clocked a best time of 32.978 seconds during qualifying. Guyana’s Calvin
Ming was second fastest with 32.986 seconds, current championship leader Stuart Maloney of Barbados third with 33.157 seconds, while Kristian Jeffrey (GUY) was fourth with 33.200 seconds. Ti m e t r i a l s a r e n ’t
counted when setting records but if any of the top four radical drivers emulate their performances today, the circuit’s 33.3 seconds record will be shattered. Team Mohamed’s (Continued on page 73)
Seventh annual Courts ‘Pee Wee’ Football final
Wellington’s brace helps St Pius dethrone West Ruimveldt Primary 4-1 By Sean Devers The skilful Kaden Wellington was again the star of the show as he scored a brace and got support from Jeremiah Griffith and Jamal Fraser with a goal each as St P i u s d e t h r o n e d We s t Ruimveldt Primary in an entertaining final of the seventh annual COURTS U11 P e e We e f o o t b a l l tournament last evening at the Ministry of Education (MOE) ground on Carifesta Avenue. Wellington’s goals ,
scored in each 20-minute half, took his tally to 15 from eight matches and led St Pius, who dominated the contest from start to finish, to a 4-1 win against the defending champions under floodlights. Wellington was assisted by Jeremiah Griffith and Jamal Fraser who netted second half goals before West Ruimveldt Primary’s Emanuel Phillips scored the consolation in the second minute of injury time by then the game, watched by a large
Kaden Wellington scored the most goals (15) in the Courts Pee Wee football tournament.
and noisy crowd, was all but over. The pint size 10-year Wellington displayed a level of skill that belied his age and in the eight minute dribbled his way past the defenders and found the back of the net from inside the box to give his team the lead. St Pius enjoyed the bulk of the possession to the extent that their custodian was not tested once and at the end of the opening stanza the score read St Pius 1, West
Ruimveldt 0. After a 10-minute period West Ruimveldt tried to increase the tempo but their shots on goal were saved before Wellington fired a shot from the left flank the beat the diving keeper and go past St Agnes’s Justin Alcindor’s 14 goals with a record six of them coming in Alcindor’s game against Colaaco Primary. St Pius were not done yet and it was soon 4-nil when Frazer and Griffith scored in (Continued on page 73)
MVP Kaden Wellington (2) is flanked by Jamal Fraser (right) and Emanuel Griffith who scored a goal each as St Pius won 4-1.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 78
Sunday November 11, 2018
Hamilton Green 9-a-side Inter-Ward/ Village KO Cup football
Who will make it to the business end will be known today?
Sheldon Toney The venue is the Den Amstel Community Centre ground and the event is the Hamilton Green 9-aside Inter-Ward/ Village KO Cup which is set to resume today with twelve anticipated riveting matches, commencing from 15:00hrs. According to Co-ordinator Lennox Arthur, who is a former national player/Head Coach because it is the penultimate round, he expects the battle for prize monies in excess of $700,000 will definitely provide fans with some exciting encounters as teams try to position themselves for final day action scheduled for November 24, at the same venue. In the opening game at
Ruel Charter 15:00hrs, Sophia ‘A’ led by Joshua Kamal and Shemroy Arthur take on Stewartville, who will have in their line-up the likes of Gary Mingo, Stephon Gibson and Leon Whyte. This encounter will be followed by the clash between Charlestown and Vergenoegen with the skilful Jamal Cozier and Keiron Solomon expected to lead their attack along with support from William Europe, while Vergenoegen’s quest for victory will depend on the services of Horace and Kerron Caines. The Mahaica versus Agricola matchup should be another enthralling encounter with Kurt Roberts, Dellon Charles and Eion Abel expected to lead the charge for the former, while Gordon Grant,
Leroy Halley Leon Moore and Collis Samuels look to secure Agricola’s chances of advancing. Lucian Hercules, Seon Barron and Kevin Crawford will then look to lock up Central McKenzie’s berth in the final round, while Quacy Blue, Curwin Williams and Traif Moses will aim to do the same for Liliendaal. The next game will pit Sophia ‘B’ versus Plaisance and this encounter has all the hallmarks of producing fireworks with Ernie and Peter Smith and Jermaine Nedd expected to lead the former pursuit of victory, while Kevin Liverpool, Keon Kyte and Travis Simon are the key to the latter’s search for a win.
In the feature game, hosts Den Amstel will rely heavily on the display of Keswin Fraser, Malcolm Miggins and Anthony Benn to engineer a win, while the opposition De Kindren’s hunt for an upset will depend on how well Colin Henry, Jalleel Samuels and Darrel Alexis plays. The first prize of $400,000 and the championship trophy comes with the compliments of the Ministry of Citizenship, while the runner-up will be awarded $200,000 and trophy thanks to John Fernandes Ltd. The third and fourth place finishers will receive $60,000 and $40,000 respectively along with the Techno Mills and Courtney Benn
-hosts Den Amstel to appear in feature
Kenroy D’Aguiar Construction Services trophies in that order. Top finishers will receive hampers compliments of Ricks & Sari Industries, while the Highest Goalscorer walks away with a Lazy Boy Chair courtesy of A.H&L Kissoon and a Dinette Set compliment of China Trading. The Most Valuable Player will be awarded a special prize from Techno Mills. Among the other sponsors on board are: IPA, Alfro Alphonso, Sattaur Gafoor, Ansa McAl, Top Brandz Distributors, MACORP, Starr Computers, Cummings Electrical, Ready Mix, BK International and New Thriving Restaurant.