Kaieteur News

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

EDITORIAL TRIBUTE TO OUR FALLEN HEROES November 12 is Remembrance Day. It is observed in a number of countries since the end of the First World War to recall the end of hostilities in the War and to remember the members of their armed forces who died in the line of duty during the Wars. Guyana will officially honor this day by paying tribute to its fallen heroes—the men and women who died during the two World Wars. Remembrance Day, also known as Poppy Day, is commemorated on November 11 each year to mark the end of World War I in 1918. According to the Guyana Legion, which comprises ex-military officers and present day military retirees, Remembrance Day is observed in Guyana annually on the Sunday closest to November 11. Prior to the end of World War II, 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 (Anglo-French 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 the following year on June 28, 1919. Remembrance Day is a day when poppies are worn in most countries, including Guyana, as a sign of respect and as an emblem of remembrance of the men and women who served and made the ultimate sacrifice in the two world wars. Poppy is a white flower, but the symbol of red represents the blood that stained the flowers on the battlefield during the First World War. Poppy Day originated from a poem titled “In Flanders Field” 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 on several towns, villages, farms and forests, thousands of poppies sprang up everywhere in the spring. Guyanese should be reminded that our brave soldiers fought in wars in such far-off places as Egypt, France, Belgium and East Africa. In Guyana, the day is marked by parades of the country’s uniformed ranks in Georgetown, New Amsterdam 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 then British Governor Graeme Thompson. The first Armistice Day observance took place at the Monument that same year. The four words: Devotion, Humanity, Fortitude, and Sacrifice are inscribed on the four faces of the Cenotaph. Persons who customarily attend in an official capacity (inclusive of wreath-laying) are the President, the Prime Minister, the Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defense Force, the Commissioner of Police, leader of the Opposition, President of the Guyana Legion, the Mayor of Georgetown, Heads of Missions, and Representatives of the Guyana ExSoldiers’ Benevolent Association and Ex-GDF Association of Guyana. Other Persons/Organisations wishing to lay wreaths on that day; may do so after the end of the Service. Scores of Guyanese would attend the ceremony to pay respect to fallen heroes. The ceremony will begin with a two-minute silence followed by the National Anthem. The Head of State, who is the Commander in Chief of the armed forces, the Prime Minister and other dignitaries will lay their wreaths. The central theme in their minds is always ‘Lest we forget’ a reminder that wars and acts of violence can rent the world asunder.

Kaieteur News

Sunday November 12, 2017

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

A new bridge, oil and the Houston area Dear Editor, It is with great anticipation that Guyana received the news that significant developments have taken place for a new crossing for the Demerara River. The presence of only one bridge between Peter’s Hall, East Bank Demerara, and La Grange, West Bank Bank have been stifling our growth and leading to hundreds of millions of dollars lost annually because of the congestion. And we are not even discussing the inherent dangers of one bridge that links the city to West Demerara and Essequibo. Thousands depend on the bridge to traverse to work, conduct business in the city and move goods and material. We have been fortunate as a country that a structure, that is almost 40 years old, has been standing up despite the immense challenges. We see daily the congestion at peak times with authorities forced to come up with creative ways to ease the situation. These include one-way traffic on the bridge at peak hours, much to the detriment and frustrations of commuters. We saw recently the problems that resulted from the replacement of a pontoon at the retractor span in which a critical hydraulic winch failed, resulting in river traffic on hold for several days. So it was with a good feeling that

Guyana learnt a few weeks ago that a feasibility study for a new bridge have come up with a location…between Houston, on the East Bank of Demerara, and Versailles, East Bank Demerara. The bridge will fall between the Muneshwer’s port facilities at Houston, and Pritipaul Singh fisheries at McDoom. The plan is to build two overhead flyovers to reduce the bottleneck at both sides of the river. The plan, on paper, is commendable. However, there is another side that the administration will have to look at, on the long term. The Muneshwer’s wharf at Houston is a commendable investment by a business family that has been thinking out-of-the-box. It will be located right next the new bridge. There are some challenges that Guyana has to start thinking about. It is not too late. ExxonMobil has announced a 2020 start for oil production in its concession 100 miles from the shores of Guyana. While Muneshwer’s rightfully so has been granted some contracts to provide services for the preparatory work of ExxonMobil, on the long term, we will run into problem. The wells are expected to produce over 100,000 barrels per day. There are significant services that will be

demanded. I believe that Guyana does not, as yet, have a real understanding of the magnitude of what we are talking about when it comes to oil. We have been pushing for local content which translates to jobs for Guyanese and opportunities for businesses. H o w e v e r, t h e s e j o b s a n d opportunities will not happen unless we put into place the necessary facilities. ExxonMobil’s operations will require tonnes of mud from a plant to help with the pumping of oil. It will require significant storage space for pipes and special containers. The operations will require fresh water, food, an area for repairs to vessels. It will require enough space for several vessels to dock. Critical spares, space for Customs, CANU and emergency response equipment and team will all be needed. There will be limitations to the current facilities at Houston…it barely has space for two vessels. Currently, traffic on the East Bank are forced to stop when container trucks enter or leave the Muneshwer and Gafoors’ areas. It will get worse with the envisaged materials that ExxonMobil’s site will require on site once operation gets underway. We have to be careful that in (Continued on page 5)

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Kaieteur M@ilbox

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Our local contractors have to be given a chance on Sheriff Street DEAREDITOR, Despite our challenges, we have been slowly emerging, building our capacity. We are not yet our of the woods. But the clearing is in sight. We read ever so often in the news of the Government’s strides in providing training for our officers. Our police and other law enforcement ranks are streaming overseas, thanks to a number of donors, for training. We have senior ranking officials from the various ministries also benefit-

ting. These can all be described as capacity building. But the idea should not be limited to just training of our people. It has to extend to other areas. Places like Singapore, Malaysia and Dubai are demanding that technology and knowledge transfers for its people play a major part of any business deal. It is the only way to ensure the country benefit. In recent years, Guyana has been pulling against the odds,

with contractors expanding, into road building, construction of bridges and well, and even oil drilling. We are constructing and repairing vessels, and experimenting in new ways to deal with solid waste. We have ventured into the aircraft industry and diversified our holdings from traditional areas. The entry into oil has raised new debates about our benefits. We have to start aggressively pushing and monitoring our contractors, holding them to

A new bridge, oil and the Houston... From page 4 building a new Demerara River bridge, we don’t create more bottlenecks. As of now, trucks coming from the city and wanting to head to the wharf area at Houston have to U-turn at the McDoom gas station area. That means the container trucks have to make a deep turn, halting traffic behind and those oncoming on the western carriageway. The administration has to seriously think of facilitating an onshore facility that they have been talking about

planned for Crab Island, Berbice, or elsewhere that will offer world-class services. We only have to take a walk to nearby Trinidad which has special industrial zones for oil. While one can argue they have had a long head-start, the reality is that we have an opportunity to get it right now instead of waiting for ExxonMobil to tell us that we don’t have the facilities. I am sure that there are companies in Guyana that can complement what Muneshwer’s have to ensure

we all benefit. Again, these decisions or lack of by the Government will have direct impact on congestion and our benefits from oil. I am not sure, with the bridge planned right next door to Muneshwer, what kind of impact the port facilities will have. Is there is buffer zone for the bridge? Zaheer Alli

the highest standards. There are several large-scale projects ongoing…the East Berbice roadway, the East Coast Demerara expansion, the West Coast Demerara public road and a planned link between Ogle and the East Bank of Demerara is suppose to start sometime. We also will likely within the next 12 months, start construction of the new Demerara Harbour Bridge. These were opportunities for us to expand our capacity. We last month saw the opening of tenders for a large project…the expansion of the Sheriff Street/Mandela Avenue area. The Engineer’s Estimate is in excess of US$61M. The foreign funded project is in several lots. It is a golden opportunity for this administration to give our locals an opportunity. The project has to be done keeping in mind that the link is one of the most critical one in the country, connecting East Coast to East Bank Demerara and

is main artery to Central Georgetown. There are several lots involved and there is a chance for everyone to shine.

Our Minister of Public Infrastructure has been doing an excellent job. Here is one more for you. Trevor Peterson

Guyana should prepare for a future of global change DEAREDITOR We live in a multipolar world. The United States (US) is no longer the undisputed leader of the world. China is a direct challenge to US hegemony. Venezuela is also a threat to the old world order because she is influencing Latin America and the Caribbean. North Korea is a military challenge to US dominance. Iran is a threat to US control of the Middle East. Russia is also a threat to the US military dominance. In the Caribbean and Guyana the threat of Climate change and crime are other aspects of the world in flux. The countries that come out on top of this new world order will be resilient and assertive of their interest. The US has pulled out of The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), or the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), is a trade (Continued on page 6)

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Sunday November 12, 2017

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Kaieteur M@ilbox

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Integrity, honesty and impartiality not possible without conscience DEAREDITOR, These three words,” Integrity,Honesty and Impartiality,” appear in all spheres of our daily lives. They are the” code of honor” in the halls of justice (judiciary). They are the “scapegoats” for politicians. They are the coveted “logo” of the business fraternity. They are like the “holy grail” of the religious community. We all want these three words to be associated with us in the eyes and hearts of the people we deal with on a regular basis and we want them to spread that charmed opinion to those who don’t know us too. When does the craving for that charmed existence stop? It never stops for most people! For the politicians it stops when one accedes to the presidency of the Cooperative republic of Guyana. As the president, David Granger considers himself at the pinnacle of his career, nothing else matters. It seems that he is the only one “fit and proper” and only he can decide who can come close to that designation, even if, he has to bend the constitution to get his desired latitude. As the President, Granger seems to be dazzled by the illumination of the mirage of a king’s scepter; bereft of any constitutional responsibility, in his hand. Forgotten are

the days in opposition when Integrity, honesty and impartiality (IHI) coupled with favorable promises were paraded to the public as stepping stones to inspire people to vote him for the presidency. Integrity, honesty and impartiality are intricately linked to, and can never be achieved WITHOUT a clear conscience. Ever so often we are reminded of the golden rule-”Let your conscience be your guide”. This is the equivalent of the biblical version, “love thy neighbour as thy self”. The President’s action, so far, connotes that these teachings are alien concepts to him. Our history has taught us that these concepts are NEVER synonymous with Dictators! Dictators never worry about what people will think of them when they are gone-their obsession with power drives them on a quest, as if it’s the “holy grail,” from which immortality could be achieved. Granger’s slide into degeneracy from since swearing to uphold and protect the constitution has been rapid. After appearing in two press conferences he opted for his own talk show called “the public interest”. As early as May 2015, Granger began to show blatant disregard for that which he had swore to uphold and protect (the constitu-

tion). It would seem that his understanding of “uphold and protect” is limited to the paper on which the constitution is written and not what is written in the constitution. in May 2015 he give notice for “all interviews and meetings of the Public Service Commission to cease”-thereby superimposing himself on what is supposed to be an independent constitutional commission. The president did this again this year when he issued a directive to stop the Police Service Commission from executing its promotion of ranks. Having tested the seismic resistance on the population twice, the President was ready to unleash the “Big One”-the unilateral appointment of Justice Patterson as Gecom chairman on what is perceived

to be the darkest night of the year (deepavali). His action should be considered as a direct assault on Democracy-the sacred system that the people of this country depends on to freely and fairly elect their leaders. Democracy had eluded us for more than half of Guyana’s life as an independent nation. Any historian of Guyanese origin, the likes of David Granger would know that. Where is the President’s conscience? It has gone in search of political expediency and with it goes his Integrity-his honesty. As for impartiality-he lost that permanently when he had ask two judges to retire because they were 80 years then unilaterally appoints one who is 84 years to be Gecom chair. This is hypocrisy in action! Granger would do

well to rescind this appointment in the eyes of the masses and the international community, with vested interest in Guyana, before the CJ gets a chance to adjudicate on it. But that will not happen. Recently, in his Georgian sojourn, Granger acknowledges that he has been,” a member of the PNC for 52 years;”and that he is” no stranger to struggle.”This is shocking news back home for Guyanese who thought that they had voted for someone who did not have distant connections with the PNC. As for him being “no stranger to struggle”-which seems to perplex the historically inclined such as FK and the average Guyanese. Be advised that Psychiatrists are of the opinion that one can struggle with an idea, grievances

or thoughts in their mind; oblivious to the people around them. They (psychiatrists) also believe that people who are not vocal and expressive in their struggles have a lot of anger pent up within them and often lash out vehemently when afforded an opportunity to do so. Another angle for the President’s intrinsic assault on the constitution could be psychosis. The selection of a Gecom chair was settled before 1992 by the Carter/ Price formula. It has seen the appointment of 4 chairmen up to 2016. By now that method should have entered the realm of orthodoxy in the conscience of every Guyanese. Sadly! that seems to have eluded President Granger. Rudolph Singh

Guyana should prepare for a future of global change From page 5 agreement between Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States (until 23 January 2017) ,design to hinder the influence of China. On June 1, 2017, United States President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would cease all participation in the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change mitigation. This accord is design to let vulnerable states to climate change such as small island states of the Caribbean a modicum of hope to mitigate the negative effects of climate change- a global problem. The US will pull out of UNESCO in 2018. UNESCO represent the soft power of the United Nation where a world order is encouraged through culture and education rather than force. People usually choose leaders that they think will be beneficial to them. China recently unveil the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21stcentury Maritime Silk Road to allow countries to benefit from its endeavors and consequently

become allies. For the Caribbean de-risking and other classification of the US have not been helpful. The offshore industry of the Caribbean has been decimated by US lead regulation. Offshore banking is very popular in the Caribbean. It is an attempt for Caribbean countries to generate income as most are not industrialize and manufacturing is challenging given their circumstance. The New York Times, states that the Cayman Islands has US$1.9 trillion on deposit in 281 banks, including 40 of the world’s top 50 banks so offshore banking is an integral part of Caribbean economy. Fourteen nations in the wider Caribbean have been named by the US as “major money laundering” countries in the 2016 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR). This is bad for Caribbean economies. If there is not enough benefits from the US global leadership countries will look elsewhere. China’s President Xi Jinping visited Trinidad and Tobago in 2013 with US $3 billion in loans for Caribbean countries. The search of capital for cheaper source of labor. Human history from roman times (we have data on standard of living) little improvement in standard of living but from 1820 until present due to productivity improvement standard of living improve dras-

tically. The world is moving to a more service driven economy. It predictable that if a country don’t join the productive sector in the next 20 years it will be impractical in the future. Natural resource in modern develop economy has proven inadequate. Natural resources appropriated by a small number of people does not benefit a country on a whole. The recent paradise paper shows the treat of financial exposure to external shock of a develop world controlled system. Bermuda and Cayman has been named as international money laundering countries, 28% of Bermuda GDP is from financial services so they are vulnerable to international financial system which they have no control of. Mr. Trump is visiting Beijing and this demonstrates that US and China are inextricable link similar to how the United kingdom and the Us was in the 1940’s. They have a struggle for dominance like Jamaica and Trinidad do in CARICOM but they have a Symbiotic relationship. The Venezuelan influence in the Americas cannot be underestimated see how the OAS was paralyzed in sanctioning Venezuela all because of the influence of Petrocaribe- many Latin American and Caribbean countries have benefited from conces-

sionary oil loans which has help there cash flow in their domestic economy. No matter what the United States does Venezuela will survive because they are willing to fight to the end. They have a model in Hugo Chavez. The Iran and North Korea factors is helping Venezuela by demonstrating that the US is not omnipotent and dissipating power by spreading it too thin. My view is that it a wave of resetting the international order when the head of the IMF states :Which might very well mean, that if we have this conversation in 10 years’ time we might not be sitting in Washington DC,” .”We will do it in Beijing. “That’s a possibility. And it’s actually called for in the articles of the IMF that the head office has to be in the largest economy in the institution,” Lagarde said. China now has the World largest economy using purchasing parity but the second largest in actual GDP. It is expected that in about 10 years china will have the world largest GDP. What does this mean for the world order? It means China will be the most powerful country in the world!!! Whomever got the gold makes the rule- is this true? The recent hurricanes that decimated several Caribbean Countries means that they will have to rebuild. United States and Europe will not be able to assist them to the extent they desire- guaranteed. CARICOM countries will stand shoulder to shoulder with them because they know that eventually they will experience a similar fate because climate change increases that possibility geometrically. Why am I bringing all these conundrums? Because as Malcom X said the future belongs to who prepare for it today. If Guyana prepares for a future of global change Guyana will come out being a beneficiary of the new world order but if Guyana acts subservient to the old order it will be adversely affected. The choice is clear build or regress. Brian Ellis Plummer

Sunday November 12, 2017

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Kaieteur M@ilbox

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Three Years of Progress

Donald Ramotar was an embarrassment at this funeral

DEAR EDITOR, Please allow me to share my views on the recent happenings at the last sitting of the National Assembly. I must clearly state that what took place was no surprise to me. When I saw the PPP sitting waiting to listen to the President, I knew they had something planned—something awkward and stupid. It amazed me to see that people who do not want to work were a part of the protest. It was very disgusting to see the PPP using mostly elderly people whom I believe are pensioners to be part of the protest. Some from my village were even there. Those are the very people that do nothing to develop their village, but rather want all to be done when they call for it. When I heard the opposition leader and members saying that this government has no respect for the constitution, it shocked me. It was Janet Jagan who disrespected the constitution and court order when she was about to be sworn in as President. In the Parliament when the President was giving his speech, the opposition sat and listened for a while, because they felt that the President won’t highlighted certain things that are happening in Guyana. But low and behold, as soon as the President started to outline the development that took place under this government for the past three years, the PPP went wild. They started to shout as if somebody was beating them. They were divided (Devided according to Dr. Doom’s spelling) as to what to say or should be said, it could have clearly heard. But while some were shouting and disgracing

the National Assembly, some of their very own was sleeping because they are not interested to be caught up in such a manner that brings disgrace to the highest office\place that makes the law of this country. The amount of development taking place across Guyana shows that this government is on the right path. That the people come first and the good life begins to shine. Progress is happening in all sectors and across Guyana in all the regions. The PPP doesn’t want that to happen. They are ashamed when the President was saying of all the works and where it is happening. They had to make noise because for 23 years they could not have done such development across the regions. So, I must say that the PPP was no surprise because that shows what they can do in trying to stop developmental works in Guyana. But the people of this land are not stupid, The Gecom chairman is not the reason\s for them to get on in this manner. It is the power that they want because of the oil that will come in 2020 and they know that it seems very hard for them to get back there in office at the next elections. This is the same PPP that has been cussing out the APNU+AFC Region 5 councillors for standing up for their rights against the chairman at the RDC. The PPP is saying that the government councillors are disgracing the RDC and do not want development to take place because of the noise we are making that disrupts RDC meetings. Today, this very PPP is disrupting and making uncalled for noises in the Na-

tional Assembly. This is the same PPP that does not want to see development happening across Guyana. This is the same PPP that is calling for people to stop cooperate for a better Guyana. And they have the gall to tell us at Region 5 RDC what to do. Well, the PPP must know that the RDC meetings will not go on because we on the government side are still awaiting the findings of misused NDIA excavators in Bath Settlement since April 2017. We are still waiting to have the findings of the Housing Rebate Subsidy in December 2016, where the letter was hidden so that the residents could not have benefited. We are still waiting for the apologies and all other findings from the regional chairman to come to the RDC in writing. If he fails to comply then we on the APNU+AFC side of the RDC will continue to ensure that we stand up for the people. The residents of Region 5 must also be guarded against the PPP that does not want to see development in their villages and communities. I must also let my brothers and sisters in region 5 know, that not because the RDC is not meeting there is no development taking place. They is continuous developmental and D&I works are still happening. The PPP can’t stop this region from moving positively forward. Let us cooperate towards a better region 5 and a better Guyana under this APNU+AFC government. Let’s not discriminate as the PPP is doing in region 5 and Guyana at large. Let us unite for a better Guyana under this APNU+AFC government. Regards. Abel Seetaram

DEAR SIR, I will not be disrespectful to a former President of my Beloved Guyana, but this letter, if he pays attention to it, should help him to present himself to the public in a manner that befits a former President. I was at a funeral on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017 at Canefield Settlement, East Canje Berbice. Donald Ramotar presented himself there, also, because he knew Bill Jagroo, one of the sons of the deceased, a lovely, angel like lady. I lived directly next to Bill Jagroo for many years. He was the deputy Chairman of Region Six, during the b r i e f reign of Donald Ramotar, as President, and he was like a brother to me. I knew and loved his mother, that Angel, as if she were my own mother. Donald Ramotar was asked to ‘make a contribution, by the MC, who is a Brotherin-law of Bill Jagroo. I was sitting about eight feet from him but directly opposite him, playing the ‘dantaal’, with the Kirtan group. He started by saying that he did not know the deceased and offered condolences to Bill and his siblings. Within 60 seconds of his speech he spoke of President Granger and what the President said in Atlanta. He continued to desecrate that sacred occasion by hurling abuses at the Supporters of the AFC/ APNU and accused them of betrayal and making false promises to the sugar workers. It seemed as if this man was on a Political high. He felt he was gaining grounds so he continued with his gutter type politics by referring to us as ‘Harcaatees’ (a word that should be derogatory) and clearly stated that the people should get rid of the ‘Harcaatees’ from society. It was so obvious that

he was inciting the crowd to be violent against AFC/ APNU supporters. Now when the word ‘Harkatee’ is used, people will laugh because it is supposed to be describing someone in a despicable way but the word is not a bad word like some others that are meant to be. Har-katee…simply refers to one who eats a lot more like one who eats too much. Donald does not even know the meaning of the word. Anyway no one laughed. He did not realize that he was speaking at the funeral of a lady loved by thousands for her soft spoken voice and caring attitude, and so he did not realize that he was making a disgusting fool of himself. The MC handed him a note that said ‘time up’ and he later concluded his tirade. I would like Donald Ramotar to pay very careful attention to these following lines and hope that at any other funeral he would present himself in an appropriate manner. He is free to call Bill Jagroo and /or his siblings to verify what I am about to write. He has upset every one of the relatives of the deceased and even several of the PPP supporters, who attended the funeral. He has managed to make me look good because the talk is that “Donald mess up Charran and Charran nah say anything”. The Regional Chairman, David Armogan, was there

and he spoke lovingly of the deceased and even he, David Armogan, was noticeably disturbed by Donald’s campaign speech. Donald’s English was lacking in proper grammar, but that went un-noticed. He should have someone write his speeches for him so that he does not embarrass the Party he thinks he is helping. I have heard him speak at other functions and he always seem to be in Campaign mode. This man should be on a leash at funerals. He failed as President of Guyana, he failed GUYSUCO, as a director, he failed to gain any Political mileage at that funeral but succeeded in losing voters . The man is doomed to fail and yet he went, after he left the funeral and boasted to Anil Nandlall how he F——up Charran at a funeral in Canje. I got that from an amused Anil Nandlall at the High Court, in New Amsterdam, very early the next morning. I think that this man needs to have someone monitor what he says in public because he feels he is doing a fine job. Mr. Editor, the entire Jagroo family is upset with what Donald did at the funeral of their loved one, particularly Bill Jagroo, and I think he should apologise to them. I am not all disturbed by what he did because I now have a few more persons who will support me in almost anything I do. Thanking you, Respectfully Charrandass Persaud (MP)

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Sunday November 12, 2017

Shade houses - a success story for farmers in Guyana Agriculture feeds and clothes the world. Its production is directly dependent on climate change and weather. Possible changes in temperature, precipitation and Carbon Dioxide concentration are expected to significantly impact crop growth. With climate change impacting Guyana, the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NARIE) has arrived with solutions to protect agricultural crops from its harsh impacts. Shade houses have now been introduced in crop production. These are used to protect cultivated plants from excessive heat, light and dryness. NAREI has also implemented a system where the shade houses are used with raised beds—to prevent plants from being flooded. NAREI’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Oudho

Homenauth, recalled Guyana experiencing the impacts of climate changes—with flooding and dried conditions—on food production. In the situation, he said that the agency explored adaptive measure to mitigate some of the effects. Crops grown under shaded conditions are also protected from harsh weather conditions and have minimal exposure to pests and diseases. “One of the things we started on was shaded condition using the shade cloth or mesh. The first one was built in our compound (Mon Repos) in 2009. There was a programme, South-South Cooperation where we were the beneficiaries of some Cuban expertise and it was with the Cuban expertise we set up the shade house,” Dr. Homenauth said.

Kaieteur News was told that the initial response was beyond what was expected— the production was higher than what the open field produces, especially for leafy vegetables like cabbages and pak choi. “Once we started the shade house, we recognised the numerous benefits this shade house was giving in terms of temperature,” Dr. Homenauth said. Over the years, the agency has been encouraging farmers to incorporate new technology in their operations. Once the first shade house was established, NAREI did a demonstration with farmers throughout the country to educate them on the benefits and functions. With this structure, crops can be grown all year-round. “The shade houses are also being used for nursery production. Very few farmers

School children examining crops being grown under shade houses

now produce their own seedlings. Everything is being produced under shaded conditions so you can get year round production with vegetable seedlings as well,” NAREI’s CEO indicated. Constructing a shade house requires mesh, plastic, wood and PVC pipes (for the automated sprinkler system). Generally, the beds are either raised or in the ground. The cost of investment depends on the size of the shade

house. Once the farmers purchased the materials, NAREI provides the technical support for free and with continuous production, the capital cost can be subsumed within a year once the crops are marketable. “This has been a success story for the farmers in Guyana so far. Farmers in the Rupununi have embarked on the shaded condition.” And, like any success story, NAREI has had its fair

share of challenges adapting to the new technology during its initial stage. “The issue we were getting was to transfer this technology. We weren’t getting the materials (shade mesh and shade cloth) in Guyana. Then we recognized that the shade cloth alone will not be adequate because if it rains heavily, there will be some seepage so we started with plastic as well and then a (Continued on page 71)

Sunday November 12, 2017

Dem boys seh...

Jagdeo fall in he own pit People does cut dem nose to spite dem face. When de coalition get into power, Jordan decided that de government gun look at salaries. That is how dem raise de pay fuh everybody including dem parliamentarians. Right away Jagdeo jump up and seh how he MPs wouldn’t tek de pay increase. If anything dem gun give de increase to charity. But nuff a dem MPs seh that dem is charity case. Jagdeo craw full. In fact, nuff a dem did full dem craw when dem was Minister or in some big position. Money to do project use to disappear in dem pocket. Dem pocket full till it can’t hold no more suh dem can give de increase to charity. Fuh months dem boys was asking how much MPs giving de money to charity and nobody could answer. Is de odda day Gail admit that most of dem MPs tekking de increase. Dem boys know almost all of dem who tekking de increase. De truth is that anyone of dem MP who refuse a pay increase is a hypocrite. Dem ain’t wukking nowhere; de party can’t pay dem like how it use to pay dem when it was in government and some of dem live in rent house. That was de set who never get dem hand pun de money in de treasury. A man who know bout hypocrites write a letter in de Waterfalls paper. He study all de talk bout how Soulja Bai step out of line to pick Patto as GECOM Chairman. He find out that Soulja Bai use de same law wha Jagdeo put in place. He put in de wording that if de list ain’t suit you then you can pick yuh own person. Is he put it in. Old people seh when you dig hole fuh you mattie beware you don’t fall in it. Jagdeo fall in he own hole and he now hollering. Talk half and watch how Jagdeo own bug tun bak fuh bite he.

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Kaieteur News

Importers need permit for Pinewood from January 1 Almost seven months after announcing plans to restrict the apparent dumping of Pinewood into the local market, it has been disclosed that importers will have to seek permission to do so from January 1. Authorities said the decision for Import Permits is necessary to ensure that all lumber are coming from legal sources. Local producers have been complaining that Pine was entering the country and being sold cheaper than the local lumber. According to a notice last Sunday in the Kaieteur News, the Ministry of Natural Resources in collaboration with the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) disclosed that a decision has been taken by the Government to require importers of timber products with a specific focus on pine lumber to be licensed. This is prescribed by the Forests Act of 2009, and by the National

Minister Raphael Trotman Forestry Policy. The new system will take effect from January 1, 2018. “As a consequence of

this decision, potential importers of Pine lumber will, as of January 1, 2018, be mandated to seek and obtain an Import Permit prior to importing Pine lumber and other Pinewood products. All relevant information pertaining to the application process will be published shortly,” the public notice said. It was disclosed that Guyana is in the final stages of a bilateral trade negotiation with the European Union on the establishment of a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) under the EU Forest Law, Enforcement, Governance and Trade Initiative (EU-FLEGT). This process is led by a National Technical Working

Group comprising representatives of civil society and NGOs, the private sector and Government. According to the notice, it was agreed that the decision was necessary for traceability and to ensure that there is a consolidated legality framework for the thorough assessment of all timber products entering and leaving Guyana. Stakeholders with questions regarding this notice and the rules to be applied for the permit may contact the Guyana Forestry Commission or visit, the notice said. In April, amidst complaints of unfair competition from foreign Continued on page 65

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 12, 2017

The extra lesson syndrome By Olato Sam The education system in Guyana must recognise and address the existence of the ‘shadow education system’ that has been allowed to flourish to the point where it now threatens the formal structures. Extra lessons, supplemental tutoring or extra tuition as it is called, has expanded to the point where it openly competes with the formal system on a number of levels. Left ignored and unregulated, it can further undermine its official counterpart, compromising its ability to attain its objectives. From the outset it must be stated that this is not an attempt to argue for abolition of extra lessons in Guyana, rather it seeks to identify and discuss issues that suggest the need for regulation of the industry. Many of us would not be here today had it not been for ‘lessons’ as we called it. What must be recognised, however, is that what we experienced in our formative years some time ago, has now evolved into something much different and highly threatening that needs to be addressed through formal interventions. This leviathan has been

allowed to take shape largely because of its subtlety and ability to mask itself as part of the formal education structures. The extra lessons phenomenon that has mushroomed in Guyana in recent years differs significantly from traditional extra lessons that were viewed as necessary remediation or as welcomed reinforcement for the work being done in schools. Traditionally, students who exhibited weaknesses in particular content areas or those who needed enrichment were sent for extra tuition. This has changed drastically to the point where the prevailing mindset is that extra lessons are a necessity for the success of all students in the system—therein lies the danger. Parents and students are being led to believe that at all levels in the system extra lessons are vital; with the alternative condemning students to certain failure. This raises some critical questions in relation to the value and role of the formal education structures. There have been cases reported to the Ministry of Education of overt manipulation by teachers where students were intentionally failed

Olato Sam early in the academic year as a means of forcing parents to enroll them in the teachers’ lessons. Equally troubling were the cases of teachers omitting key sections of the curriculum during the school day, thereby forcing students to attend their lessons as a means of staying abreast. Initially these fee-paying lessons were being held in the schools in the afternoons, forcing the Ministry of Education to ban fee paying lessons in schools given its clear bias against the students whose parents could not afford it. Interestingly enough, due

to inadequate oversight, lessons have returned to schools in the afternoon, with teachers informing parents of the ‘donation’ that they can make towards the classes instead of overt fees—placing subtle pressure on parents who can ill afford the extra tuition. Parents cave in and subscribe oftentimes for fear of victimisation for nonparticipation. These activities raise key ethical questions: Should teachers be allowed to hold extra-lessons for the students enrolled in their class— whether in school or elsewhere? Where extra lessons are being held in schools, whether for a ‘donation’ or for free, who monitors what is taught, the overall impact on student performance and who is held accountable? If a teacher cannot bring about acceptable performance during the instructional programme in school, should she/he be expected to cause same in less time after school? There are many teachers who are devoted to their students and even provide lessons for free to ensure their students’ success; however, these efforts are oftentimes

overshadowed by the less than admirable practices of their colleagues. The effects of the extralessons syndrome go well beyond some unethical practices in schools; however, and are grounded in longstanding structural elements of the system. Guyana inherited a highly elitist and delimiting education system that we have done little to address over the past fifty-odd years of independence. Most of the interventions made in this regard have been peripheral and the core elements of the pre-existing model remain. The elitism has solidified the concept of good and bad schools, retarding the potential balancing of the system in relation to the quality of offerings throughout the system and has fueled an examination culture. Success at examinations is equated with the quality of life one will enjoy and provides justification for extra lessons as a worthwhile investment in the child’s future. Extra lessons now exist in all quarters and for virtually all levels and subjects within the education system. What has emerged as a result of the pressures to pass the exams is a parallel or shadow education system.

Where the lessons instructor is not the class teacher, the content being taught is more than likely not aligned with that of the school, forcing students to attempt to cope with two different instructional experiences. Oftentimes, as a coping mechanism, students focus on one—the one being paid for usually takes precedence. There have been countless cases in secondary schools where students no longer focus on or attend classes in school because they are attending extra lessons that become a substitute for in-school instruction. As such, extra lessons no longer serve as reinforcement for inschool instruction but become an outright competing substitute. Extra lessons now exist in every corner of the system yet there has not been a commensurate increase in performance at any level. Inadequate or under-qualified teachers in key subject areas such as mathematics, science and English at the secondary level would have forced parents to seek specialist instructors to provide extra tuition. There have been claims that without these specialists Continued on page 70

Sunday November 12, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Justice Patterson’s practice as a jurist, years at the bar qualifies him for GECOM Chairman Solicitor General, Kim Kyte is contending that Justice James Patterson’s experience as a jurist and his over 53 years of experience at the bar, among other things, qualifies him to be appointed Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). Kyte recently filed an affidavit in response to the writ filed by People’s Progressive Party /Civic (PPP/C) Executive Member, Zulfikar Mustapha, seeking to have President David Granger’s appointment of Justice Patterson as GECOM Chairman quashed. Listing several grounds why Mustapha’s application is absurd, misconceived and void, Kyte is arguing for the matter to be dismissed with substantial cost awarded to the Respondent, Attorney General Basil Williams. Mustapha, through law firm, Mohabir A. Nandlall and Associates, moved to the High Court, claiming among other things, that Patterson was a pallbearer at the funeral of former President Desmond Hoyte and is a member of a social group affiliated with the People’s National Congress (PNC). While Mustapha is seek-

-Solicitor General responds to PPP/C move to quash appointment -asks for application to be dismissed and cost awarded to Attorney General ing a declaration that Justice Patterson’s appointment is in violation of and contrary to Article 161 (2) of the Constitution of Guyana and is accordingly unlawful, illegal, unconstitutional, null, void and of no effect; Kyte is contending that the President acted lawfully within the parameters of that Article 161, 92) of the Constitution of Guyana. The Solicitor General further insists that the President is not required under Article 161 (2) of the Constitution of Guyana to consult, consider and account to the Leader of the Opposition in the exercise of his own independent and deliberate judgment. Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo had presented the names of 18 persons for nomination of GECOM Chairman to the President, but none was deemed acceptable by President Granger. The Solicitor General contends that the President having found the lists unacceptable can appoint a judge or a former judge or a person who would qualify for the appoint-

ment as a judge in Guyana or the Commonwealth to the post of GECOM Chairman. In the affidavit, Kyte stated that the submission of a list of names by the Opposition does not mean that President Granger is obliged to accept the list or the persons named in it. “If His Excellency, the President is of the view that the list is deficient either in totality or on the names that have been included, he can exercise his discretion to deem the entire list unacceptable. Mustapha cites that Justice Patterson is a Reverend and a Christian activist, and therefore offends against one of the qualities of the Chairman of GECOM as stipulated by the President.” But Kyte is contending that Justice Patterson’s theological training, learning and/ or pastoring a church are insufficient grounds to deem him or any person a religious activist. According to Kyte, “I am advised further and do verily believe that the Honourable

Justice Patterson is no longer a serving pastor and has not served as a pastor since 2005. I contend further that it is duplicitous for the applicant (Mustapha) to seek to allude to the past pastoral role of Honourable Justice Patterson

when the Leader of the Opposition on his third list nominated Mr Onesi La Fleur, who is currently a serving pastor.” In the court filing, Mustapha is contending that Patterson cannot be or Continued on page 71

GECOM Chairman: Justice (retired) James Patterson

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Sunday November 12, 2017

Kaieteur News

Major Chinese project stalled A consortium of Chinese businessmen is now trying to recoup in order to continue a major project that has been stalled for quite some time now. On Sheriff Street, just next door to the Chinese Embassy, sits a massive steel structure that is far from completion. The structure, when completed, is reportedly supposed to house a three-star hotel and mall—Orchid Garden Hotel and Mall. The US$20M project is

scheduled for completion in 2018. It should have progressed much farther beyond the stage it is at. Frame, roofing and flooring for the complex are in place, walls and interior works are yet to begin. Foundation works for the project began in 2015. The shopping centre has been designed to house approximately 50 stores. The project was supposed to include restaurants, movie theatres, food courts, and conference

rooms, play areas and a park, a gaming centre, a tourism centre, a medical facility, a laundromat, gym and parking area. The company would not be depending on the Guyana Water Incorporated to provide services since it has dug two wells. The mall was to be equipped with three open spaces for natural light and three reservoirs which would each hold more than 80,000 gallons. Kaieteur News under-

stands that the Chinese investors are revising their proposals for the project so as to secure more fiscal concessions from Government. The face of the project may change. Also, this newspaper understands that the project managers have been citing financial constraints and may be trying t o r a i s e m o r e funds while reducing overhead expense by securing the desired concessions. Many business investors, especially those from China have grown accustomed to enjoying concession galore as was facilitated under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic Administration. The PPP/ C said that this was a way of securing investments for Guyana. However, the new government seems to be taking a different method. Kaieteur News understands that the Government of China has a hand in the project. The structure seems to be almost attached to the Chinese Embassy. Earlier this year, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) started a probe into an alleged racket in which the Chinese Embassy was accused of im-

porting containers of goods for its nationals who are operating businesses here. The Chinese Ambassador vehemently denied the allegation. GRA late last year stumbled on what seemed like an abnormally large number of containers brought in by the Chinese E m b a s s y. GRA reported that the Chinese Embassy brought in more containers than all the other embassies combined. Investigators initially believed that maybe there was a mistake with the number of containers. However, further checks confirmed that the embassy allegedly used its diplomatic channels to pass the containers through the wharves. Under the diplomatic arrangements, shipments and packages for embassies are not too closely scrutinised. Local businesses have been complaining of being unable to compete in terms in prices against the Chinese especially, no matter how they tried to bring down costs or purchasing directly from the manufacturers. China, one of the largest

producers of goods, has been aggressively expanding its reach in countries across the globe. Guyana has been one of the countries that it has been seeing an influx of Chinese businesses, workers and projects. It is believed that the stalled venture was a widening of what was already occurring. The perceived goal was for a full takeover for the commercial industry in a way that offered little benefit to Guyana. Sources say that the reduced containers may be a reason for the stall. That scheme is nothing new. It is one that has materialised in many countries. Sri Lanka has suffered a Chinese takeover. Sri Lanka has a Chinese city. It has a Chinese deep water port as well. China built this port at the expanse of Sri Lanka. Now, China is benefitting from the port. It has taken full control of the port and Sri Lanka is left empty handed. Africa is no stranger to the scheme. Africans have been complaining that they are the recipients of cheap goods from China while Chinese who occupy many African countries opt to export its valuable natural resources.

Sunday November 12, 2017

Kaieteur News

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Sunday November 12, 2017

Kaieteur News

FINANCIAL LITERACY:

Entrepreneurs must learn how to manage money Learn how to read, interpret and use financial statements Running a small business requires a wide range of talents and skills, including an understanding of how to read, interpret and use business financial statements. In fact, Intuit Canada, an Ontario-based accounting software firm, performed a survey of small business owners and found that 57 percent were unable to pass a short multiple-choice financial literacy test.

When it came to testing entrepreneurs on their knowledge of specific concepts, the survey found that only 26 percent understood the purpose of a balance sheet. The literature seems to indicate that most entrepreneurs start businesses based on an idea or some level of pre-existing expertise, not financial knowledge. Therefore, entrepreneurs are intimidated by their accounting and must learn how to record and track business income and

expenses appropriately. They must also learn to read, interpret and use business financial statements. The three major financial statements are the income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement that comprises a “financial report card.” Financial components that business owners should understand and monitor Some experts suggest that weak financial literacy may be the single biggest reason why small businesses do not succeed. Therefore,

financial literacy education should start as early as possible to equip entrepreneurs with the ability to make sound financial decisions. Entrepreneurs face many challenges managing their money. In this regard, there are three basic financial components these business owners should understand and monitor: 1. The Balance Sheet: A Statement of Business Health – The balance sheet presents a company’s financial position at the end of a specified date providing a snapshot of the company’s assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity. On the asset side of the balance sheet is an accounting of key metrics such as cash, accounts receivable, inventory, and capital assets such as equipment, furniture and machinery. The opposite side of a balance sheet lists liabilities such as accounts payable, taxes, payroll deductions and loans. The equity is the difference between assets and liabilities. The balance sheet is the financial statement bankers like to focus on because they believe it offers clues about basic business health. Balance sheets matter because they provide insight into the availability of funds to operate the business in the short term while allowing you

to make predictions based on current financial performance. 2. The Income Statement: The Bottom Line – The Income Statement reports the flows of receipts generated by the business and the flows of expenses incurred to produce and finance the company’s operations. It also shows net profit or loss incurred over a specific accounting period. According to Investopedia, financial performance is assessed by giving a summary of how the business incurs its revenues and expenses through both operating and non-operating activities. Unlike the balance sheet, which covers one moment in time, the income statement provides performance information about a time period. 3. The Cash Flow Statement – Cash flow is essential to small business survival and is a measure of a company’s liquidity, consisting of net income plus noncash expenditures (such as depreciation charges). Cash flow is determined by looking at three components by which cash enters and leaves a company operations, investing and financing. For a more in-depth understanding and background reading on the Cash Flow Statement please see Analyse Cash Flow the Easy Way at Investopedia.com

Dr. Terence Smith, Deputy Governor, Bank of Guyana The cash flow statement is distinct from the income statement and balance sheet because it does not include the amount of future incoming and outgoing cash that has been on credit. Therefore, cash is not the same as net income, which on the income statement and balance sheet, includes cash sales and sales made on credit. Concluding remarks A good set of financial projections should include an income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement. According to Barron’s review books on finance, there are several ways to evaluate the performance of a business. One approach is to analyse its financial statements. This can be accomplished by at first studying the contents of the income statement, balance sheet and statement of cash flows. Secondly, an analysis of the statement of cash flows must Continued on page 68

Sunday November 12, 2017

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 12, 2017

$2B in rent from Region 6 rice land slipping out annually - PM representative

Region Six, Gobin Harbhajan

Concerns are being raised by a senior Berbice official over the renting of rice lands by overseas-based lease owners. The situation is currently placing hardships on the lives of farmers who are renting. It was never the intention that the lands should be rented in this manner with

Guyana losing millions of dollars through taxes and foreign currency being purchased. On Friday, Regional Representative of the PM’s Office, Gobin Harbhajan, said that despite the hardships faced by rice farmers, this year has been a good one for prices.

Harbhajan, also a councillor for Region Six, disclosed that prices have improved from around $1,800 per bag for paddy to an average of $3,000. “This has caused a tremendous boost for our rice farmers who are expected to increase their rice cultivation to over 65,000 acres for this crop alone in Region Six.” However, there are problems. A scarcity of lands has seen hundreds of persons who reside overseas now renting their lands. It is big business now. “Most of the ‘landlords’ reside overseas and at a rate of $15,000 to $18,000 per acre this will amount to more than $2 billion per year being remitted abroad.” According to the official, this money is tax-free, since the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has no way of capturing this capital flight. “It is important to note that this rental fee is approximately 15 percent of the cost of production of rice. These monies are normally paid in advance so the rice farmers must fork out these large sums even though they have not harvested as yet. Our Constitution says that land must go to the tillers but the tillers in this country are landless.

“There is a very huge market for Guyana’s rice and this demand can be met if more lands are available,” Harbhajan said. Farmers are also facing other major challengesincluding the damage to paddy by disease and insects. “Damage to paddy results in poor quality, weight loss and lower prices;” this can negatively affect the farmers’ profit margin by as much as 15 percent. A small-scale farmer can experience a loss instead of a profit,” the official said. “So it is the train of thought that if these can be reduced, the rice farmers’ profits can be improved by that much.” The PM Representative also believed that politics has impacted the development of the rice industry. “Politics can take a toll on agriculture as it has always done. Rice should remain as a business and not be a political football as with what has happened to sugar. This scarcity problem can be resolved by opening of new agricultural lands.” One of the ways, this can be done is the construction of an all-weather road at the Number 58/59 area. “This all-weather road, that I had proposed in 2016 can make over 100,000 acres

of arable land immediately available for farmers. This will open a whole new frontier similar to Black Bush Polder. There will be opportunities for rice, cattle, coconut farming and cash crop farming.” Harbhajan said that he invited the Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder, who has been visiting the region regularly. “The Black Bush Polder and other rice cultivation plan throughout Guyana were envisioned and created by the PPP in the 60s under the late Dr.Cheddi Jagan to ensure that land goes to the tiller. It was intended that the land will continue to benefit future generations but what has happened now is that the present generation who have inherited these land have become expatriate ‘landlords’ who sit comfortably in their luxurious homes abroad and collect billions in rental.” On the other hand, he said, the real farmers have to sweat and toil for long hours facing the numerous economic and s o c i a l challenges just to eke out a living from the rented land. “To add insult to injury, these expatriate ‘landlords’ are now holding the rice farmers at ransom d e m a n d i n g a one-third increase in rent.”

Sunday November 12, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Covent Garden Secondary wins JOF Haynes debating competition Covent Garden emerged champion of the 2017 JOF Hayes Inter-Secondary Schools debating competition. In a keenly contested final at the Theatre Guild Playhouse on Thursday, the victorious team comprising Tenisha Evelyn, Aaliah Corlette and Amabel Campbell amassed a score of 282 points, while the runners-up St. Ignatius scored 279.3 points. The Region 9 school was represented by Ave Thorny, Kerion Romascindo, and Amisha Ramdin. The less than three points that separated the two teams is an indication of the competitive nature of the encounter between the two schools. The moot that was debated was a very topical one, “Crude oil is one of the main natural resources that can move Guyana from a developing to a developed country.” Covent Garden opposed the moot while St. Ignatius proposed. Commendations are in order for the Ministry of Education for choosing such a technical subject matter for children of that age. Because it was clear from the arguments proffered, that both sides did research and based their arguments on not only oratory displays, but facts that were gleaned

The two teams pose with ACEO (Nursery) Ms Ingrid Trotman. from reputable sources. Watched by former Guyana Elections Commission Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally, Assistant Chief Education Officer (Nursery) Ms. Ingrid Trotman and other senior MOE officials and students, the debaters gave skillful accounts of themselves. When the battle lines

were drawn the leader of the proposition, Ave Thorny opened proceedings. Although she was a bit rushed at the beginning of her presentation, Thorny was confiden,t and projected her voice across the venue. Coupled with that, the hinterland student clearly did research and did not rely on a script as she

The winning team: From right: Anzale Gonsalves (Standby), Amabel Campbell, Tenisha Evelyn and Aaliah Corlette.

The Baccoo Speaks This is the time when crime spikes. It is the Christmas season and every young fool believes that he will earn money through the gun. In the eastern part of the city there will be no fewer than three reports of young gunmen holding up people and robbing them. A police patrol will intervene in one case and make arrests without the threat of gunfire. ** More drowning will be

reported. Some young men would go swimming at a familiar watering hole when one of them would simply

disappear. A search would later discover the body. People would say that the death would be the result of foul play. ** An astonishing report would come from the police over the death of a young woman. A fit of jealous rage would be the result but more significantly, this killing would open an investigation into an earlier death not far from the city.

delivered ‘off the cuff’. In explaining her position on the moot, the young woman argued that crude oil has proven its worth in countries across the globe and this will be no different when oil begins to flow in Guyana by 2020. She said that the ‘oil money’ will be used to strengthen the ailing industries such as sugar, rice, and cash crop cultivations. The proposition leader noted that oil will not replace the traditional industries but rather, it will complement these same industries that are currently struggling for different reasons. Her two colleagues Kerion Romascindo and Amisha Ramdin underscored much of what their leader pontificated. Romascindo, the lone male in the final and the second speaker was ‘cool, calm and collected’. He took his time and delivered what was a skillful presentation that received quite the ovation from the audience of mostly school children that gathered from across the regions. When Covent Garden

took to the podium it was very evident that the three young ladies were good orators. The leader, Tenisha Evelyn, set the scene for what was to come from her team. She argued that in the many years Guyana has been an independent state, there are many natural resources such as bauxite and sugar that has not lifted it to a developed country. She wondered how sure we can be that oil will aid in this regard. Further, she pointed out that there are many countries that have large oil deposits and are no better off than when there was no oil wealth flowing. Like her colleagues, she labelled this belief of oil being the proverbial saviour of the economy as a ‘figment of people’s imagination’. The second opposition speaker, Aaliah Corlette was impressive from the start, she had flair in the way she delivered her presentation. Corlette gave the impression that she has been a debater for some time. She paid attention to her tones at different points in her presentation and attention was paid to pronunciation as she uti-

lized a range of words. At this juncture of the competition, it would have been easy to conclude that there wasn’t anyone that could upstage Corlette as the best speaker. Those thoughts could not have been more wrong. When Amabel Campbell took the microphone, she had everyone’s attention from the start. With a soothing, good speaking voice; she was clear with every word she uttered and her tone throughout her presentation was refreshing. Campbell was by far the best speaker from among the six participants. And it was no surprise that she was adjudged best speaker at the end of the debate. It was the third year in succession that a Region four school has won the JOF Haynes debating competition. In 2015 President’s College was champion and last year Annandale Secondary School emerged victors. The JOF Haynes debating competition is an annual Ministry of Education event that forms part of the calendar of activities for Education Month.

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Sunday November 12, 2017

Kaieteur News

The soul-taker’s return (An excerpt from the supernatural novel, Kamarang) By Michael Jordan Vibert Sealey turned in his hammock as the door opened. Brenda entered with a tray of bread, eggs and a bottle of beer. She glanced at the full ashtray on the crate, but said nothing. She gave him the tray, touched him on the cheek, and left. He glanced gratefully after her. She had waited up until he returned from the Ritz. She sat and listened as he fretted about the foolish boy. Finally, she had coaxed him to lie down, cradling his head on her body. But sleep had not come, and he’d finally given up, and gone to the storeroom to smoke and think. He finished off the beer, then smoked another cigarette. Here he was, ruining his health over this Michael Jones chap, who didn’t seem to care about himself. He’d really thought that the young man had more sense. He’d not really been surprised that the boy had returned to the brothel. It was natural that he would want to confront the girl about the things he had heard about her. But to sleep with her, after hearing that she had killed someone? That, Sealey hadn’t anticipated. And so he had waited by the bar, half-listening to the barman and the stevedore, while keeping an ear tuned to the corridor; half-expecting, at any moment, to hear the prostitute’s voice raised in denial, and to see the boy come storming out of the brothel. But the hours had passed, and Sealey had stood by the bar, imagining that the boy lay sprawled in death in the prostitute’s bed. And just when he was thinking that he must check on the boy, they had stepped out of the corridor; the girl looking somehow younger, the boy rumpled and haggard-looking and reeking of his own sweat and the girl’s smell. They had kissed, then the boy had slouched past Sealey. The girl had looked

directly at Sealey, and her lips had seemed to lift into a selfsatisfied, triumphant, halfsmile before she turned away. Sealey jabbed the cigarette out in the tray. He wondered what sad tale she had concocted about Leon. Whatever it was, this lovesick fool had swallowed it. Maybe he should have gone after the boy, found out exactly what the girl had told him. But what difference would that have made? He sighed. He felt old, tired…confused. Not for the first time, he wondered whether he wasn’t being over-suspicious about the girl. Maybe there was nothing to the relationship, but the meeting of two young, hotblooded people. Maybe there was no mystery to Leon’s death, either. Now it had got to the point where he was even blaming the girl for the strange experience in this room last Sunday. He reached for a slice of bread. Maybe it was time that he dropped this nonsense and went back in the bush. He’d hinted as much to Brenda last night, and though she’d said nothing, he had sensed her relief. Yes, maybe he should get his crew back together, push in a few months’ work before the heavy December rains came—

“Vibert, you buying any papers? The papers boy passing.” Brenda’s voice indicated that she was somewhere in the living room. “Yeah!” he shouted back. “Bring an extra one for Uncle Jocelyn.” He was eating another slice of bread when Brenda entered the room. She stood by the doorway, a copy of the Evening Citizen clutched in one hand. There was a strange hesitancy in her manner; a look of dread in her eyes. Sealey sat up in his hammock, affected by her unease. “Something happen, Brenda?” Her hand tightened on the paper. “Bad news,” she said. “Vibert, I don’t think you should read this.” He stretched a hand towards her. Reluctantly, she came to him and gave him the paper. The headline on the front page was like a blow to his gut. SKELETONS OF MISSING PROSTITUTES FOUND AT KAMARANG By Albert Alstrom The skeletons of two women who disappeared last June have been found in the Kamarang jungle. Police said that the remains were positively identified as those of Patricia De Souza, 22, and Ruth-Ann Gibson, 19. Gibson’s skeleton was identified by an upper gold tooth, while a friend of De Souza’s recognized a pair of platform shoes that were found a few feet away from the remains. A group of hunters made the gruesome find at around noon today. Pathologist Dr. Leslie Mootoo said that a jaguar or other powerful animal may have killed the women. Ribs from both victims appeared to have been chewed off. “Whatever attacked them

apparently ripped their stomachs out,” he told the Citizen. “It caught them by surprise.” But some residents of the mainly Amerindian community suggested that the animal that killed the women is a mysterious beast, which also killed a four-yearold boy last June. The child’s partly eaten body was also found in the jungle. Detectives are baffled as to what the two young women were doing in the jungle, approximately ten miles from Kamarang Village. According to reports, De Souza and Gibson had travelled to the area in early June. They had rented a house on the ‘landing’, but left suddenly. Friends had assumed that they had returned to Georgetown. Two other bizarre events also occurred at Kamarang last June. About three days after the child’s body was found, a woman, Shirleen Ross, ran onto the airstrip and was decapitated by a plane. The next day, Leon Andries, a young porkknocker, was found dead in a house in the village. Residents claimed that it was the same house that the two women had rented. … Sealey lowered the paper and stared at Brenda. He saw the apprehension in her eyes, and he knew, that she knew, that he wasn’t going into the interior after all. He put the towel on the rack, then turned the tap on. He sucked his teeth as a few dribbles of water came from the shower. Sealey turned on the low tap he’d installed in the bathroom for such emergencies. The water was lukewarm. He could do with a mountain-creek bath right

now to wash away this dazed, half-dream feeling that had come over him since learning about the prostitutes. The thought that the girl at the Ritz was at the centre of those events sent a prickly sensation down his spine. He pushed the thought away, and reached for the soap-dish. It fell onto the bathroom floor with a clatter. He bent to pick it up, and was shocked to see that his hands were shaking. He clenched his fists. Get a grip of yourself, Vibert Sealey, he thought. You letting a bush-whore frighten you? But deep in his gut he knew that he was right to be wary of the girl. She was dangerous, in a way he didn’t quite understand…no, the truth was, he thought he understood; but what he suspected was too crazy to contemplate. And the strange thing was, he still felt that maddening thrill whenever he saw her. It had been no different last night. He had wanted to slap that knowing, self-satisfied smile off her face. At the same time, he had felt an almost overpowering urge to tear her clothes off and make rough love to her. Something in her smile made him sense that she knew. Guiltily, he thought of Brenda. He could hear the radio in the living room, and guessed that she and Jocelyn Walker were listening to the local radio serial that came on at around eight. He splashed water on his chest, and his hand brushed the bina that Perez had given him. He wished his old friend was here. Perez, who knew something, but wasn’t saying, would know how to deal with the girl. But he couldn’t wait for Perez. He had messed up before with Leon; gotten blasted drunk and failed to look out for his crewman. He wouldn’t fail

now with this boy— Stay in your home, old man, a menacing voice seemed to whisper in his ear. You pushing your nose into business that doesn’t concern you… He glanced around the bathroom, almost convinced that someone was in there with him. He suddenly felt uneasy, claustrophobic. He began to wash off the remnants of soap that remained on his body. He was bending again to the bucket, when he heard the rustling of small wings, and a familiar, roachy odour filled his nostrils. He knew he was no longer alone. Someone … something stood to his left, just out of his vision. He tried to shout, but only a strangled croak came from somewhere deep in his throat. His mouth felt filled with a stinking mucous that made him want to retch. The bathroom bulb suddenly dimmed to a sickly orangered. Outside, he heard Brenda’s cry of surprise as the radio emitted a long burst of static, then fell silent. It’s happening again! he thought. Something landed on his back. He felt tiny insect-legs digging into his skin; felt the thing’s scaly body rub against him. He felt it move again, scrabbling around to his chest. And now he saw it; the winged, scorpion-like thing that had attacked him in his hammock; that he had once seen on the girl’s thigh. He caught a glimpse of pin-prick eyes, of a tiny mouth rearing back to stab at his throat…. (Limited copies of KAMARANG are on sale at Austin’s Book Services in Church Street. You can also uplift copies from Michael Jordan. Contact him on 645-2447, or on kamarangnight@gmail.com)

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David Granger, the classical Burnhamist I know of only two classical Burnhamists in Guyana – President Granger and Vincent Alexander. I would not put my longstanding family member, friend, Ras Tom Dalgety in that category, although Tom is very much an excessive admirer of Burnham. Tom’s essential approach to Burnham is within the theory of African achievements. Tom’s perspective has large elements of emotionalism, whereas Granger and Alexander use political theory to elevate Burnham as an outstanding leader. Hamilton Green I will not consider, because Green’s attitude is a very simple one Burnham was his cousin, he and Burnham were closely knitted together in building the PNC and the PNC government. Green makes no intellectual pretence in the admiration of Burnham. Burnham was his mentor; end of story. If there are other classical Burnhamites in Guyana, then they have not becomes as visible as Granger and Alexander. Granger has four projects in Burnham’s name that are housed in his private home.

In his address to the North American chapter of the PNC last week in the US, Granger was effusive in his panegyrics of Burnham which will be dealt with below. Alexander is the head of the Burnham Institute. Of the two men, only Alexander had made a public response that I know of when asked to discuss the dark side of Burnham’s use of power. The occasion was a Cuffy 250 television programme on channel 9 where we were the two panelists and the topic was Burnham. When asked about Burnham’s authoritarian dimensions (which Aubrey Norton and Carl Greenidge are not uncomfortable in discussing), Alexander did not concede that Burnham was dictatorial. He polemicized on the difficulty Burnham faced in building a new political economy by having to stave off imperialism, and at home, the relentless PPP, the inexorably energetic WPA (my words) and a middle class that didn’t accept Burnham’s socialist directions. Alexander is not a historian. Granger is. When you are

a historian, there is more pressure on your scholarly credibility to include the totality of facts. A classical Burnhamite cannot have his cake and eat it too. You cannot isolate the vision and transformative brilliance of Burnham and interpret those dimensions as the essential Burnham. If you are a genius surgeon, but you beat your wife, then you are what you are – a medical genius and a wife beater. That is your being. Forbes Burnham was way ahead of all post-colonial leaders and that is a stunning record. Post-colonial rejection of traditional economic development was contemptuously and rightfully discarded by Burnham, and replaced with a blueprint that was exemplary. It is outside of this column to enumerate Burnham’s phenomenal alternatives in economic independence, but they were par excellence. That was one side of him. The other side was his philosophical approach to power. The one collided with the other. Economic brilliance was defeated by power ob-

session. Power obsession led to dark pathways where the light and sun never shone. In his address to his party colleagues in the US last week, Granger came across as a deeply political human. He was boundless in his praise for Burnham, telling his audience that it was from Burnham he takes his ideas and ideals, and asserted that, “I intend to protect and preserve and promote those ideas.” This is where his classical Burnhamism comes in. But this is where his credibility as a historian is open to question. The protégés of Burnham and Jagan no doubt have an undying love for their guiding masters. It is perfectly alright to love your benefactor and pay permanent homage to him/her. The historian does not have the luxury of sentiments when recording

the past. Someone like Clement Rohee in the PPP corresponds to Hamilton Green in the PNC. Rohee is on record as saying that he owes his political career to Mrs. Jagan. You cannot instill scholarly objectivity in the beneficiaries of rulers, because sentiments are a huge barricade preventing the flow of iconoclastic thinking. The historian operates on a totally different level. Classical Burnhamism sees Forbes Burnham as a unique, transformational leader who broke with traditional post-colonial methodologies of nation-building. But that was not all Burnham was. As visionary and radical as he was, he also had a certain ideological approach to state power which I think was informed by certain philosophical schools like Machiavelli, Lenin and oth-

Frederick Kissoon ers. Vincent Alexander in my presence has excused the excesses of Burnham by pointing to the priceless value that occupies centre stage in life context. In the context of building an alternative pathway to an independent economy, Burnham had to do some unpleasant things. To gloss over serious and naked abuse of power is something I deeply resent.

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Sunday November 12, 2017

A fresh message of Hope to drown out the noise By PM Hon. Moses Nagamootoo Almost at the mid-point of our first term in office, the APNU+AFC Coalition Government has managed to pull Guyana back from the abyss of an underground economy, pervasive corruption, political despair and a bad international reputation. The fightback that we began in 2015 has to date created the contours of an orderly, law-governed and stable democracy. Our moving forward with purpose has begun to refresh the image of Guyana amongst the world’s democracies. The recent resumption of the 11th Parliament, 71st Sitting, was the forum for the Coalition to showcase the story of ‘Guyana Coming Back’. It was another opportunity for President Granger to deliver his message of sta-

bility and success, and a bright future for Guyanese to look forward to. But the Opposition wasn’t going to let that happen. Like the hyena with its klepto-parasitic tendencies, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, once a president, was determined to steal His Excellency’s centre-stage. Like the Phantom of the Opera, he came in to haunt the House and steal the attention that normally belongs to the Leader of the nation. What ensued was beyond reasonable expectation, beyond the pale of otherwise acceptable, rational parliamentary conduct. DAY OF SHAME November 2, 2017 will go down as a day of shame in the history of Guyana, in this our first multi-party democracy. The orchestrated ‘disruption by deployment’ came

across as discordant howling, croaking and groaning that was designed to drown out the President’s voice. It was designed to show disrespect for the Executive, to deface and mock the symbols of our democracy. But the Hansard will show that His Excellency, President David Arthur Granger, delivered another one of his customarily powerful addresses. He gave a status report on the progress Guyana has made, and our great prospects from oil and gas in a green economy. He remained composed, stately and as confident as a real leader would be. But the opposition were not getting what they wanted; they couldn’t stop the President from speaking, so they ratcheted up the drone into howling and screaming to drown out his voice. A FRESH MESSAGE OF HOPE Anyone listening to their

President heard a fresh message of hope for a wealthier nation, with brilliant citizens living their best lives. Hope, poet Alexander Pope said long ago, springs eternal in the human breast, and our President is keeping it alive. But unfortunately, for the Phantom and his raucous choir, every Presidential promise was like a poisoned dart in the heart of his dream of returning to power. That dart dug deeper as the President spoke about the Government’s prudent management of the economy which is showing moderate but consistent growth above 3%. He explained how the working people are benefiting from this growth, especially those earning at minimum wage level which has been increased from $39,000 to $60,000 per month to date. At the same time, workers have been paying less income tax, and business owners less taxes on goods and services after we reduced the Jagdeoimposed Value-Added Tax (VAT) from 16% to 14%. President Granger said to sugar workers that even though the Jagdeo regime had bankrupted their industry, the Coalition government was still able to pinch monies from wherever it could over the past months to the tune of $31B, a GuySuco bail out so that sugar workers could continue to receive wages and benefits. HIDDEN FACES At that point, the Jagdeoites began to hide their faces behind the placards with bad spelling that they had smuggled into the Chamber. The TV cameras zoomed in on the placard that Jagdeo himself hoisted that protested the “deviding” of our people. President Granger had a hard time pitching his voice above the raucous babble, but Guyanese have heard him. They heard that the economy is in safe hands; that confidence in it has resulted in some 240 investment projects worth $187B now moving through the pipeline; and they heard that more Guyanese and tourists are coming home to visit, to marry, to bury, and to sight-see. His Excellency touched on most aspects of the economy. He spoke of teach-

ers receiving 9,000 free laptop computers in 2016, and of the more than 130 secondary schools, institutes, the university of Guyana and other institutions of learning being connected to free internet access. Countrywide, we are also seeing the setting up of more solar energy systems mostly in inland areas, including 3 of the newly named towns. On Thursday November 2, my President stoically faced down the paper Goliath and his horde. He ended his address by reminding us that we all share a common home, stating unequivocally: “Guyana is a beautiful, blissful and bountiful country!” That was a class act. DISRUPTIVE POLITICS We can expect that the opposition’s disruptive behaviour will continue throughout the remainder of this first term. Jagdeo will continue to provoke retaliation. He will continue to sow seeds of discord and, like Gogol’s “Dead Souls,” he will harvest victims of imagined repression. Notwithstanding the opposition’s frolicking, the nation’s business will go on. We will continue to believe that our pledge to build a united nation, enshrined in 1966, will not be made meaningless by opportunistic hustlers. PROTESTS HAVE THEIR PRICES In my long association

with the inner workings of Parliament, I witnessed in 1965 opposition MPs walking into the assembly wearing black sashes painted with the words, “Free the Detainees.” That was a protest against the incarceration of PPP activists at the Sibley Hall. Then Speaker Alleyne ordered the protestors to leave the House. In the 1980’s during Sase Narain’s sojourn as House Speaker (for an unbroken 20 years), he banned then Opposition Leader, Cheddi Jagan, from speaking because he had deliberately displaced the mace and knocked over the collection of law books in the House. Opposition MP, Isahak Bashir, was also banned from the house for throwing a glass at the Speaker. There have been other incidents of isolated protests in and around Parliament. Except for one occasion when the APNU+AFC while in opposition drowned out Clement Rohee after a noconfidence motion had been passed against him, protests thereafter were confined to boycotts, walkouts and rigorous heckling. I anticipate that disruption would once again become the calling card of the PPP under their slogan: “All struggle, no unity.” Injecting fear into people of coming electionsrigging has been their political jumbie for a long time. They have never stopped sowing political discord, promoting ethnic insecurity and economic instability, not even when Jagdeo ruled the land. That is his way of “deviding” Guyanese people. He has been waiting for a long time for an excuse to activate a campaign of non-cooperation and civil disobedience. At best, it is a desperate, infantile tactic and we will see what good it will do.

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My column

The worrying sloth in Government spending Earlier this year, the government noted the sloth in the execution of projects although money was allocated. By mid-year in some cases a mere 23 per cent of the projects had been executed. This was worrying because everyone says that Government spending is what jump starts the economy. Government spends money on infrastructure development, which in turn creates employment for a sizeable section of the workforce. This in turn yields taxes and increased business for the private sector, which in turn yields more taxes. Increased business sees increased imports in most cases because we have become increasingly dependent on foreign things which are often cheaper than the things we produce. Of course, technology plays an important part here. And as a digression I could not help but note that the private sector reported that the demand for honey far outstrips production. There was a time when Guyana was a large honey producer. Many communities had hives. The producers bottled their honey without too much frills about presentation. Then there was a decline that coincided with the contamination of the hives with Africanised bees. Of course these bees improved the qual-

ity of local honey, but their deadly attacks caused people to be scared of them and pretty soon the hives were left to collapse. As a schoolboy, my school had a beekeeping society. It produced small quantities of honey, but not enough to sell. Last week, Food for the Poor took honey production to West Coast Berbice for the benefit of thirty families. It transpired that this was the second time, because the first effort failed. However, enterprising Guyanese produced many things. There were the plantain chips, cassava delicacies and something that was once a common delicacy—sugar cakes. These are no longer produced, although I am certain there is an overseas market. But back to the government spending. The sloth in what is known as the Public Sector Improvement Programme caused the government to gather the Permanent Secretaries to devise ways to increase the spending in these programmes. My mind went back to the time when indeed there was better Government spending. There were contractors galore and in equal measure there were the complaints about the quality of the work. That needs some analyzing. If everyone with a truck and a few shovels presented

himself as a contractor, for sure each would win contracts that the established ones would not go after. Sadly, many of the roads collapsed within weeks. I recall koker doors collapsing and causing communities to flood. But for sure there was spending. Perhaps, the new government has led some of the socalled contractors to refrain from presenting themselves. Perhaps the requirements before one could be awarded a contract have stalled those who once presented themselves. I therefore wonder whether the sloth is linked to this situation. The Permanent Secretaries have been meeting every month and there has been an increase in public sector spending. Yet this increase is not to the point where many new projects would be executed in the New Year. Some of these projects would be rolled over. Money that should have been used up is not. This exposes the paucity of skills in this country that is soon to become an oil-producing nation. Technical education has been a failure in schools, largely because there were simply not enough teachers. The result is that young people who are not academically proficient are allowed to slip by the wayside. And when these young people slip by, the result

could be catastrophic. I often hear people reminiscing on the days when they could go out and leave their homes unsecured. That was because the young people were occupied with a trade. They actually became more financially secure than some of the academically qualified. Today’s young people are skilled in other areas and the gun is one such. Reversing this trend is now a difficult affair. For one, the government must find the trainers, who must come from somewhere. The Government Teachers’ Training College at one time had a vibrant technical education programme that worked wonders. Of course, the programme was given a sophisticated name—Industrial Arts. The government then came up with the idea of the multilateral schools, each of which had an industrial arts department. In fact, this was the case in many secondary schools. Three decades have elapsed since this was the case, so these departments collapsed into storerooms. Not so long ago there was a massive housing drive that accounted for many of the

young men. But the fallout was that many of the houses were poorly constructed and needed vast sums for repairs, even before the occupants could move in. The housing drive has slowed. The other day, former Housing Minister Irfaan Ali was boasting about this housing drive that saw the erection of many structures. I remember in one case an entire wall for the home of the self-styled Pope collapsing. It was good that there was a housing drive, but it was also a waste of time, because the structures would come crashing down and everyone would be right back where they started and even poorer. The alternative would be to recruit foreign labour, but this would not go down well with the locals. Perhaps we could do what Singapore did—hire foreign skills and insist on conditions under which they could operate. Singapore insisted that the foreign leadership include two locals for every five foreigners. This would have enabled the locals to learn on the job and be able to impart their skills to other locals, later.

Adam Harris However, when the Marriott was being constructed the Chinese never employed a single Guyanese. The result is that the structure went up quickly using a technology that is outside the grasp of the locals. I can safely assume that if locals were constructing the Marriott, the project would have been nowhere close to completion at this time. There is the airport expansion project which is another kettle of fish. There are Guyanese in the upper echelons of the construction programme. They are going to leave with skills which we hope could be transferred. But will this happen? Only time would tell.

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Sunday November 12, 2017

The Common Good - Working together to achieve the good life for all (Excerpts from an address by HE David Granger, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, to the 71st sitting of the 11th Parliament of Guyana on November 2nd 2017) PATRIMONY Your Government, ever mindful of our duty to secure our territorial integrity and protect national sovereignty, has been engaged in various, vigorous diplomatic initiatives. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the strong support of the Opposition over the past 30 months, has aimed these efforts at reaching a peaceful resolution to the territorial controversy which arose out of the contention by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela that the arbitral award of October 1899 was null. The controversy was placed before the Secretary General of the United Nations, in accordance with the Geneva Agreement of 1966. Mr Ban Ki-moon demitted the UN secretary-generalship since my address to the National Assembly last year. He delegated responsibility for continuing the process to his successor, Mr Antonio Guterres. I met the incumbent UN Secretary General on 25th September in New York and his Personal Representative on 11th April in Georgetown. The Minister of Foreign Affairs has met the UNSG’s Personal Representative on several occasions. We are engaged, at present, in a renewed Good Offices process. We are confident that the common commitment of the

Government and Opposition will eventuate in strong national support for a juridical settlement of this controversy which has impaired the development of our Nation. Guyana’s natural resources are also part of our patrimony. We must protect and sustainably manage these resources. The institutional capacity and the adoption of an appropriate legislative and regulatory framework for the sustainable management of the Nation’s natural resource sector, including the emergent petroleum sector, are being strengthened through the efforts of the Ministry of Natural Resources. The Ministry will deploy a Corps of Wardens to enforce laws, regulations and codes of practice in the mining and forestry sectors. The capacity of the Petroleum Department, which was established this year, is to be strengthened. The Ministry, at the policy level, is aligning the mining sector with our national ‘green’ development agenda. It is promoting biodiversity-friendly practices, low-impact prospecting, the use of efficient technologies, and the phasing-out of mercury use in the gold-mining sector. The Forestry Plan and Policy has been revised in order to place greater empha-

sis on the management of the forests’ multiple, downstream goods and services. The Guyana Forestry Commission, monitors deforestation and forest carbon change. It has been promoting the utilization of less-used local timber, in the construction sector. The petroleum industry will become another pole of economic diversification. The oil and gas sector is going to provide resources to transform the country’s development. We intend to align that transformation with the objectives of Guyana’s ‘green’ development agenda. Your Government is seeking the best advice and laying optional plans for the development of the petroleum industry, including the establishment of a Sovereign Wealth Fund. We have tabled the Petroleum Commission of Guyana Bill. The Ministry of Natural Resources is preparing a suite of other legislation and regulations to support the development of the incipient petroleum industry. Consultations will continue on these draft documents, including the Petroleum Act, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety Regulations and Local Content Policy. THE ECONOMIC SECTOR The Nation’s economy

has been prudently managed over the past 30 months. This has allowed for moderate economic growth of 3.1 per cent in 2015 and 3.3 per cent in 2016, despite the unfavourable external environment. Gold was the main contributor to this growth, with 712,707 ounces being produced last year, the highest in our country’s history. Economic growth would not have been possible without the achievement of macroeconomic stability. The Ministry of Finance has acted to create a favourable environment for business development, to protect investments, to moderate inflation and to maintain a stable exchange rate. Yo u r Government adopted measures to improve the living standards of workers. The minimum wage of public servants increased by over 50 per cent, or from $39,540 to $60,000, within the past 26 months. We reduced the incometax rate and increased the income tax threshold by a minimum of 20 per cent – measures which boosted our working people’s disposable income. National competitiveness has been enhanced by the reduction of the corporation tax rate for manufacturing and non-commercial companies from 30 per cent to 27.5 per cent. The Value-Added Tax (VAT) was reduced to 14 per cent and the VAT threshold increased from $10M to $15M. Intensifying the focus on food security under the theme

“food for all” – the slogan inscribed on the iconic 1970 ‘Cuffy Dollar’ – the Ministry of Agriculture has been building a more resilient agricultural sector. It has supported the production of traditional crops, diversified production and improved agricultural infrastructure. Investment in agricultural infrastructure has been effected through the rehabilitation of major farm-to-market roads in the Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, Demerara-Mahaica and Mahaica-Berbice Regions. These investments have reduced post-harvest losses and led to lower commodity prices. ‘Water harvesting’ is being promoted in the Rupununi Region in order to ensure that adequate amounts of water are available during the long dry season. Farmers are benefiting from improvements in drainage through the installation of pumps in the main agricultural regions – PomeroonSupenaam, DemeraraMahaica, and East BerbiceCorentyne. Hinterland agriculture is being catalysed and diversified throug h i n c r e a s e d adoption of agro-processing. Your Government is promoting the cultivation of spices in the BarimaWaini Region, tomato production in the PotaroSiparuni Region and cashew and peanuts in the Rupununi (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) Region. We are promoting agro-processing as a means of increasing production and farm earnings and of generating employment. Your Government will continue to support the traditional sectors of the economy, particularly the sugar industry. We have provided G$31B in financial support to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) in order to protect the livelihood of workers and to arrest the c o r p o r a t i o n ’s f i n a n c i a l haemorrhaging. The sugar industry is being consolidated; it is not being closed. We will explore all options in the new financial year, 2018, to

ensure a viable industry, mindful of its impact on the Nation’s rural economy and its residents. Measures have been taken to improve the business environment. These include reducing the processing time for investment agreements; implementing a trusted-trader programme, establishing business registration hubs in the Potaro-Siparuni and the Rupununi (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) Regions. The Ministry of Business has been working to improve national economic competitiveness. The national ‘green’ development strategy will promote a range of options aimed at providing reliable and renewable energy – a key measure for improving competitiveness. Your Government has been promoting increased investment, improving the business environment, increasing value-added production and exports and developing the tourism sector. The Guyana Office for Investment has facilitated, since May 2015, 240 investment projects valued at G$187 B. The tourism sector continues to show promise with a 14 per cent increase in tourist arrivals between 2014 and 2016. We also are rebalancing the economy, horizontally, through our support of the micro-, small- and mediums c a l e e n t e r p r i s e sector, mindful of its tremendous potential to generate local employment. Loans and grants have been issued under the Hinterland Employment Youth Scheme (HEYS), the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN), the Micro- and SmallEnterprise Development (MSED), the Sustainable Livelihoods and Entrepreneurial Development (SLED), the Women of Worth (WOW) initiative and the People of Worth Entrepreneurial Resources (POWER) initiative. Two new business incubators are also being developed at Belvedere in the East Berbice-Corentyne Region and Lethem in the Rupununi at a cost of G$263 M to further boost small business development and stimulate job creation. Your Government has issued 2,727 loans and grants valued at more than $825 M for small business development and its concomitant multiplier effect on job creation.

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Important facts about Hypertension (high blood pressure) By Dr Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine Patients are often in denial when they are told that they have hypertension. Some make up convincing excuses on why their pressure is high. The most common excuse is that they are not getting any symptoms. We all should know by now that hypertension is called the “silent killer,” because it may not cause any symptoms. Today we will discuss some important facts about hypertension with the hope that it can be taken more seriously. WHAT IS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE? Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). So blood pressure would be expressed, for example, as 120/80 mmHg. Blood pressure has two components: · Systolic pressure is the top number. It represents the pressure the heart generates when it beats to pump blood to the rest of the body. · Diastolic pressure is the bottom number. It refers to the pressure in the blood vessels between heartbeats. High blood pressure is diagnosed when one or both of these numbers is too high. High blood pressure is also called hypertension. Blood pressure is categorized as follows: Normal: Less than 120/80 mmHg Prehypertension: 120/80 to 139/89 mmHg Stage 1 hypertension: 140/90 to 159/99 mmHg Stage 2 hypertension: 160/100 mmHg and above Usually, systolic pressure increases as we age. However, after age 60, diastolic pressure usually begins to decline. Prehypertension is not a disease. But it does mean you are at increased risk for developing high blood pressure. Although high blood pressure can cause symptoms such as headache and pounding heartbeat, it often causes no symptoms at all. So why worry about high blood pressure? Because even when high blood pressure is not causing any symptoms, it can silently damage many organs, including the: · Brain · Eyes · Heart · Kidneys · Arteries throughout the body You may not recognize the damage that silent hypertension has been doing to your body until you suddenly are stricken with a major disease. For example, hypertension increases your risk of heart attack, stroke, and kid-

ney failure. ARE THERE SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH HYPERTENSION? Usually, hypertension does not directly cause symptoms. When blood pressure is very high, it can cause: · Headaches · Dizziness · Fatigue · Ringing in the ears HOW IS HYPERTENSION DIAGNOSED? The diagnosis of hypertension depends on blood pressure readings. Therefore, it’s essential that blood pressure be measured carefully. To obtain an accurate blood pressure measurement: · Avoid the following for at least one hour before you have your blood pressure taken: o Strenuous exercise o Smoking o Eating o Drinking caffeinated beverages · Be seated for at least five minutes before the reading is taken. · Do not talk while your blood pressure is being measured. · Two readings should be recorded and averaged. If your blood pressure is high, your doctor should examine your eyes, heart and nervous system, to look for evidence of damage from hypertension. If there is no such evidence, you should return for at least two more blood pressure measurements. Only then should the doctor diagnose you with hypertension. That is because a single high reading can happen to anyone. If you are diagnosed with hypertension, other tests will check for organ damage. These tests can include: · Blood tests to check kidney function · An electrocardiogram (EKG) to look for: o Thickening of the heart muscle o Irregular heart rhythms · A chest x-ray to look for: o Enlargement of the heart

Dr. Zulfikar Bux lar appointments with your doctor. Have your blood pressure monitored more regularly. And get advice about modifying your lifestyle to prevent future problems. WHAT IS LIFE LIKE WITH HYPERTENSION?

o Fluid buildup in the lungs due to heart failure HOW CAN I DECREASE MY CHANCES OF GETTING HYPERTENSION? To prevent high blood pressure: · Get regular aerobic exercise · Limit your intake of salt and alcoholic beverages · Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fats · Avoid smoking · Maintain a desirable body weight Hypertension increases your risk of heart attack and stroke. So it is important to modify your risk factors for coronary artery disease. In addition to the above actions, you should: · Quit smoking · Reduce your high LDL (bad) cholesterol You may be able to cure

your hypertension with lifestyle changes alone.Sometimes lifestyle changes cannot adequately control hypertension. If this is the case, medication will be needed. People with diabetes, kidney disease or heart problems are at higher risk of complications from hypertension. As a result, they are usually

treated more aggressively with medications. WHEN TO CALL A PROFESSIONAL? Adults should have their blood pressure measured at least every few years. If your blood pressure is higher than 120/80 mmHg, schedule regu-

The prognosis for hypertension depends on: · How long you’ve had it · How severe it is · If you have other conditions (such as diabetes) that increase the risk of complications Hypertension can lead to a poor prognosis even if you do not have symptoms. When high blood pressure is treated adequately, the prognosis is much better. Both lifestyle changes and medicines can control your blood pressure. The earlier you identify your high blood pressure and treat it, the better your outlook on life.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 12, 2017

SUNDAY

AMONG SENIOR RANKS

AUDITOR GENERAL REPORT CONFIRMS MASSIVE IRREGULARITIESAT GECOM -CONTRACT SPLITTING, AWARDS TO HIGHEST BIDDERS, $$$ WASTED ON ITEMS NOT NEEDED

The ‘hostile’ relationship that existed between Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud, and Acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine led to divisions among the officer corps of the Guyana Police Force. This is the scathing observation that was made by the Commissioners who were appointed to investigate the behavior of ranks who spearheaded the alleged assassination plot against President David Granger. Aside from Persaud and Ramnarine, the report identified Assistant Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken and Senior Superintendent Wendell Blanhum as “the main protagonists,” who “lack the professionalism to lead the Force in this touted period of reform and transition.” ”It is evident that the bitterness that exists between these two officers (Persaud and Ramnarine) led to schism in the officer corps of the GPF, and factions being created,” the 109 page report into the alleged assassination plot against President David Granger stated. ”The report described the rift as a most unwelcome development, while concluding that “everything must be done to stamp it out.” ”Serious consideration must be given to having all the main protagonists reassigned, even if it means placement outside the GPF. ”The Commission is of the view that the process to heal the cancerous schism that has been identified in the senior ranks of the GPF should commence as soon as possible. Any delay will cause the situation to continue of even become worse,” it concluded. The scathing report on the ‘rift’ observed that “the GPF is too important a state agency to allow infantile squabbles, especially among senior members, to interfere with its operation.” ”There is a clear indication that the main protagonists (Commissioner Persaud/Assistant Commissioners Ramnarine and Hicken/Senior Superintendent Blanhum), lack the professionalism to lead the Force in this touted period of reform and transition. ”The Commission is of the firm view that the recommendations contained in this report will go a long way towards repairing the damaged relationship which exists in the officer corps of the GPF, and will also assist in restoring public confidence in the ability of the GPF to deliver its mandate to serve and protect the citizens of Guyana.”

A year of denial of wrongdoing at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is not standing up to the test as state auditors have confirmed serious procurement breaches at the entity. GECOM is the body that oversees general and local elections in Guyana and is supposed to be above board with absolutely no questions about its accountability and transparency. GECOM is considered so critical to the holding of free and fair elections in Guyana that there is an ongoing quarrel, stretching back to February, over the selection of a chairperson. Last year, amid investigations by this newspaper stemming from complaints by whistleblowers, a number of worrying things were found, involving contracts of several hundred of millions of dollars. GECOM’s in the throes of seeing its Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally, retiring, stayed largely silent on the allegations of fraud, only saying that it is awaiting the outcome of investigations by the Audit Office. Auditors descended on GECOM’s facilities shortly after the stories broke. Earlier this year, in clear retaliation of the pieces by Kaieteur News, GECOM pulled its ads from the newspaper. It was only recently that one placement was made after the matter was ventilated. The fact that GECOM depends on taxpayers’ dollars to carry out its work, including the issuance of identification cards, plays a huge role, as the entity has to abide with

national procurement laws. On November 2, the Auditor General’s report for public spending was released. There were three pages of the report dedicated to the probe at GECOM, with disclosures that separate reports would also be coming. The AG report focused on the now infamous $100M purchase of communication radios, as well as millions more paid for toners for printers, and nippers for ballot boxes. The purchases all had to do with 2015 general elections. CV CONTROVERSY …PRESSURE MOUNTS FOR GECOM CHAIR’S RESIGNATION Justice James Patterson is being called upon to do the decent thing and tender his resignation as the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) in the wake of revelations that he was never appointed Chief Justice of Grenada as

indicated in his Curriculum Vitae (CV). The CV was presented and acted upon by President David Granger who appointed Justice Patterson on October 19, last. Justice Patterson admitted in a letter published by Kaieteur News that it was ‘a slip of the pen’ when he excluded that he ‘acted’ as Chief Justice of Grenada on the CV. In his letter, Justice Patterson did not indicate what year he ‘acted’ as Chief Justice although his CV indicated that he served as Chief Justice in 1987. The 84-year-old could not recall what year he served as CJ when he was confronted by reporters following the sitting of the National Assembly last Thursday, nearly two weeks after the controversy first broke. At a press conference last week Saturday afternoon, People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Members of Parliament, Bishop Juan Edghill and Priya Manickchand flatly accused Justice Patterson of lying

about his CV. ”For me it’s not a mistake; it was a lie and it’s amounting to a whole lie,” Manickchand stated. She shared the view that Justice Patterson didn’t have to wait until Thursday (November 2) when asked by members of the press at the closure of Parliament to admit his mistakes. “If it was a human error you have two weeks to correct it and that was one of my concerns I raised about the personality. If you don’t believe you have a duty to be transparent you’re not suited for that job. That job is all about transparency,” Manickchand said. According to the former Minister of Education, Guyana is now a regional joke as a result of the fiasco. ”People are laughing at us. We have just appointed somebody who lied to us that he was Chief Justice of one of the countries and never was,” Manickchand noted. Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, who is also a lawyer, has downplayed Justice Patterson’s CV fiasco, telling reporters it is ‘neither here nor there’. Manickchand, herself a lawyer, said jokes are not to be made about things like whether someone acted or not, especially coming from the judiciary. Manickchand recalled that former Minister, Jennifer Westford, acted as President of Guyana and in her capacity as Minister of Public Service approved the structure for the Child Care Protection Agency. ”If she [Westford] went and put on her CV that she was President of Guyana. Would that make her a fraud or would that be a human mistake? If Moses [Nagamootoo] goes next five years…and says he was President of Guyana…would that make him a fraud? Was he ever the President of Guyana or was he acting President of Guyana?” Manickchand questioned. COI REPORT FINDS…‘HOSTILE’ RELATIONSHIPBETWEEN TOP COP, DEPUTY CAUSED RIFT

MONDAY DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR DURING PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS…I WOULD HAVE ASKED THEM TO LEAVE, OR CALLED THE POLICE TO GET THEM OUT IF THEY RE FUSED- FORMER SPEAKER SASE NARAIN Former Speaker of the National (Continued on page 33)

Sunday November 12, 2017

(From page 32) Assembly, Sase Narain, said he would have sanctioned the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Members of Parliament (MPs) for their behaviour inside the House during the President’s address last Thursday. Narain told Kaieteur News that he would have stopped the sitting and called a meeting with the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, and the Leader of Government, Moses Nagamootoo, to warn them to desist from disrupting the President’s address. ”I would warn them to stop. On Thursday, they should have been given a warning and if they didn’t comply then sanction them. That is what I would have done. They must show respect for the President, whether you like him or not,” Narain stated. Asked about the level of sanction, the former Speaker said that he would have ejected them from the House. If they had refused to leave he would have called the police to evict them. The former Speaker is famously known for his decision to ban the late President and PPP leader, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, from speaking in the National Assembly after he refused to apologize for throwing law books on the floor and for dislodging away the Speaker’s mace. Narain had also expelled PPP MP Isahak Bashir who threw a drinking glass at him. The glass had missed the Speaker. Narain stated that it is not for him to tell the current Speaker, Dr. Barton Scotland, how to manage the proceedings of the National Assembly. ”It is not about the Speaker of the House, it is the dignity of the House that must be protected and maintained. Every Speaker has his own take on things, but Parliamentarians have a responsibility also. You can’t behave like that inside the National Assembly,” Narain maintained. The Government has roundly criticized the opposition members for their disruptive behavior

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which included waving placards and shouting which drowned out parts of the President’s presentation. Many believed that the Speaker should have intervened. Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, said the behaviour of the opposition represented a significant departure from what is known as legitimate protest. ”The occasion itself was not a proper forum to exhibit that kind of behaviour before your President and before all of those persons whom you invited into your house. ”It’s like if you invite somebody into the home you try to show them the best, but when they come there you give them the latrine,” Harmon had stated. Prime Minister and First Vice President, Moses Nagamootoo, said President Granger discharged his responsibility well by delivering his address despite the noise from the opposition. AUDITOR GENERAL FLAGS INACTION BY NEW GOVT. ON CRUCIAL RECOMMENDATIONS Auditor General Deodat Sharma has found just cause to flag the new administration and its respective ministries for inaction on crucial recommendations

he made in 2015 to improve transparency and accountability. Sharma in his 2016 report said that each year, his office issues recommendations to Ministries, Departments and Regions that are designed at improving systems and practices at these entities and improving the G o v e r n m e n t ’s governance mechanisms. He noted that 442 recommendations were made in his 2015 Audit Report. He said that the Audit Office reviewed each recommendation to determine what action, if any, was taken by the respective Accounting Officers. At the time of reporting, Sharma said that 160 or 38% were partially implemented, while 91 or 22% were not implemented. Overall, the Auditor General said that he is concerned with the lack of action towards the implementation of these recommendations; since, sixty percent of the recommendations have not yet been implemented. In addition, the Auditor General said that in many instances, recommendations are repeated each year without appropriate action and as a result, weaknesses and issues that impacted negatively on Government’s governance and accountability mechanisms continue to occur. Be that as it may, Sharma still encouraged the Government, through the Ministry of Finance, the Accountant General’s Department and the respective Head of Budget Agency to take appropriate actions and put measures in place to address the recommendations made in his prior report and this year’s as well. TEACHER FOUND UNCONSCIOUS ON ROADWAY -ON LIFE SUPPORT WITH HEAD INJURIES, BROKEN LIMBS The family of 22-year old Kescia Branche, a teacher at the Richard Ishmael Secondary School, is pleading with the public for any information which could assist them with answer-

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ing how she ended up in an unconscious state in the vicinity of Princes Street and Louisa Row, Georgetown at around 05.00 hrs Sunday morning. Branche, the mother of a threeyear-old boy, was rushed in an ambulance to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she remains a patient in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Kaieteur News understands that her left leg is broken and she sustained multiple injuries to the head. Her father, Alfred said that he spoke with her on Saturday. Kescia resides at First Street, Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown. According to the father, he received a call from his daughter’s twin sister who resides in Barbados, about her sibling’s injuries. He said that when he visited the hospital he was informed by doctors that his daughter is in a critical condition. He added that she was hooked up to a life support machine. Although the father was unaware as to where his daughter went, he said that persons told him she was seen with a group of friends on Saturday. However, the father could not say where exactly she was seen. He is now trying to find out who those friends are. When asked whether her partner might know about what transpired, Mr. Branche related that he does not know if his daughter is seeing anyone since she and the father of her son have separated. He also said that his daughter’s cell phone is missing. Anyone with information that could assist is being asked to contact Mr. Alfred Branche (592) 677-8733 or the nearest police station. TUESDAY UNILATERAL DECISION ON GECOM CHAIR NOT A PROGRESSIVE STEP FOR GUYANA – TIGI Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc. (TIGI) has cautioned that the unilateral decision taken by President David Granger, to appoint retired Justice James Patterson as the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), without justifying the rejection of the eighteen nominees, is not a progressive step for Guyana. The watchdog group stated that the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, has not helped

democracy either, by selecting some persons who would have been clearly unacceptable to the President. ”By so doing, he would also have engendered a substantial amount of distrust about any of the persons he submitted,” TIGI stated. According to the group, the appointment is not a progressive step for Guyana, both with respect to democratic principles and accountability, and it has created a precedent that will be convenient when it is, and inconvenient when it is not. ”The activation of such vagaries in the process of filling the post that might be considered the custodian of our democracy is indeed a grave consequence,” the group noted. Further, TI stated that some areas of the law seem grey and those areas have been bludgeoned into the consciousness of citizens in this recent search for the GECOM Chair. TIGI shared the view that there is still room for the meaning and intent of the law to be fully clarified by the court. ”TIGI calls upon both parties and the rest of civil society to craft a different formula for the selection of the elections commission chairman. We are well aware that there have been calls throughout the years, since it was first applied, to replace it. We wish to remind that the formula was agreed for single use only,” TIGI stated. President Granger appointed Justice Patterson after deeming the third list of nominees submitted by Jagdeo unacceptable. The group noted that the (Continued on page 34)

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(From page 33) Chairman of GECOM can be regarded as the proximate custodian of democracy, of which elections represent one of the most important components. “It is imperative that the appointment of the Chairman who presides over elections and elections processes observe and adhere to the highest standards of transparency and accountability.” TIGI also believes that the selection and appointment of the Chair would be best done within a framework and in a manner that inspires confidence in the office of the Chair, and in the processes and results of elections. The group stated that the missteps in and deliberate distortions of any part of the appointment process, is something that should worry all Guyanese, especially given the problems that Guyana has had with elections; from the widespread charges of “elections rigging” under the old PNC regime to the more recent accusations of list manipulations and incorrect assignment of seats under the PPP/C. As the debate rages on, TIGI holds that the court is the final authority on the interpretation of the law. ”The ruling of the court needs to be successfully challenged if it is perceived to be incorrect in order for it to be disregarded,” TIGI stated. SMUGGLING CLAMPDOWN… GRA SET TO INTRODUCE EXCISE STAMPS ON ALCOHOL, TOBACCO PRODUCTS Tax inspectors are expected to soon visit importers and retailers of alcohol and tobacco products with the aim of affixing excise stamps. The idea is to track smuggled items, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) said Monday. The special stamps, which will include self-adhesive stamps, are reportedly being introduced under an agreement with Canadian Bank Note, the same company that runs the local lotto company in Guyana. While GRA did not delve into details on its announcement posted on its Facebook page, the stamps will have barcode scanning features to reduce fraud. This was an-

Kaieteur News

nounced a few months ago. With indications of a huge smuggling racket over the years involving alcohol and cigarettes, it was being estimated that Guyana loses an estimated $2B annually in taxes, GRA disclosed earlier this year. Under the special stamping system, enforcement officials could make a determination right away whether taxes have been paid. The stamps will be affixed to the products imported into the country at the time of clearance. Excise Tax is an indirect tax levied on alcoholic beverages, motor vehicles, tobacco products and petroleum products produced or sold, domestic and foreign, within Guyana. According to GRA in its notice posted on its Facebook page Monday, GRA’s Customs, Excise and Trade Operations (CE&TO) has launched an application of Excise Stamps on imported alcohol (excluding beer), and tobacco products. ”Importers, businesses and persons selling alcohol and tobacco products are hereby notified that Customs officers will commence visits to premises for existing inventories to initiate the stamping process. The officers will request documents and supporting evidence to verify that the items were legally imported in Guyana.” GRA urged importers, businesses, and persons selling these

products to complete the registration and inventory forms on GRA’s website and submit to the Excise Stamp and Environmental Levy Section, Customs, Excise & Trade Operations, GRA. ”The affixing of Excise Stamps on units of alcohol and of tobacco products is an anti-smuggling measure, and is being carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Customs Act, Chapter 82:01. Once officers are satisfied that the products were legally imported with the payment of the full duties and taxes, they will supervise the affixing of stamps on each unit of such products.” In accordance with Regulation 215 (3) of the Customs Act, Chapter 82:01, the costs per stamp will be as follows to be paid to the GRA’s cashier – self-adhesive ones for tobacco – $8.00 with one stamp for the alcohol selling for $16.00. POLICE FORCE BENEFITS FROM US$2.6M CHINESE DONATION – PICKUPS, ATVS, BUSES, MOTORCYCLESAMONG GIFTS Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, His Excellency Mr. Cui Jianchun on Monday handed over several vehicles and other needed equipment to the Government of Guyana on behalf of the People’s Republic of China, which will be soon commis-

Sunday November 12, 2017

sioned to the Guyana Police Force. The handing over ceremony took place at the Guyana Police Force Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary. Inclusive in the US$2.6 million donation was 56 pickups, 35 All-Terrain-Vehicles (ATVs), three 21-seater buses, 44 motor cycles, 100 bullet proof vests, helmets and riot shields, 10 tactical ladders, 200 police flak jackets, 20 bulletproof shields, 20 anti-riot suits, 30 laptops, 40 desktop computers, 10 copy machines, 30 sound lever meters, 5 diesel generators, several spare parts and battery backups. The vehicles and other equipment are to be used in the transportation, traffic and communication sectors of the force. While addressing the audience, President David Granger said despite the fact that threats to the security sector are increasing, the Government will do all it can and seek support to ensure that Guyana Police Force (GPF) is sufficiently supplied with all it needs to confront and overcome the challenges it faces, both in the communities and nationally. While admitting that the country’s security infrastructure is insufficient to meet the country’s geographical challenges, as well as the several threats it faces, the President promised that the budget as well as international partnerships have prioritized the GPF to make it more equipped and modernized. ”We do not have enough aerodromes. We do not have enough bridges, highways and stellings. Yet, the Police Force must cover this entire country. How will it do so? The vast areas, long distances, and limited communications and transportation assets available to the Police Force, restrict its ability to effectively enforce the law everywhere in Guyana. We cannot have a secure country if our borders and our territory are being violated by criminals…transnational crime. An efficient, well-equipped and well-trained Force is needed to confront these threats to human safety. Our country must be secured against local and transnational crime and interpersonal violence.”

WEDNESDAY JEALOUS POLICEMAN SHOOTS FEMALE COLLEAGUE, KILLS SELF A love-struck policeman shot his female colleague four times before shooting himself in the head at the La Grange Police Station shortly after 20.00 hrs last night. The policeman, identified as Police Constable 22834 Clement Cockfield, shot Police Constable 23464 Shanice Fraser during an argument. She was rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where staff were making every effort to save her life. Kaieteur News understands that Cockfield and Fraser were at the station, when an argument erupted over another man with whom Fraser was allegedly having a relationship. Constable Cockfield, who recently graduated from the Felix Austin Police Training School, then drew his service revolver and shot Fraser several times before turning the weapon on himself. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the West Demerara Regional Hospital, while Fraser was listed as critical. BEATEN TEACHER DIES WITHOUT REGAINING CONSCIOUSNESS – SURVEILLANCE FOOTAGE SHOWS VICTIM LEAVING CLUB WITH TWO PATROL RANKS – MEDICALEXAMINATION REVEALS SHE WAS SEXUALLY ACTIVE WITHIN THE LAST 24 HOURS Kescia Branche, the 22-year-old teacher, who was found battered and abandoned in an unconscious state on the roadway at Princes Street and Louisa Row, Georgetown died shortly after 17:00 hrs Tuesday. Branche, a mother of one was taken off a life support machine at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after it was declared she was brain dead. The teacher’s father, Andre Branche, said that his daughter passed away during visiting hours (Continued on page 35)

Sunday November 12, 2017

(From page 34) with her twin-sister, Cassandra, at her bedside. ”This is not right. Are we to believe that we are living in an animalistic society? I don’t know what transpired, but I can see no justification for this animalistic behaviour,” the father cried. He explained that the investigating ranks in his daughter’s murder have indicated that they are making progress. “She can’t be returned to us, but it will be our reward if the perpetrators can be brought to justice.” Meanwhile, a medical examination done by doctors at the GPHC revealed that the mother of one was sexually active within the last 24 hours of her life. Tuesday, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) said that a constable has been arrested and another rank is being sought in the murder of the Richard Ishmael Secondary School teacher. It was while reviewing the surveillance footage at a Kitty, Georgetown nightspot that investigators saw Branche jumping onto the motorcycle of one of two uniformed ranks. The two constables were doing patrol duties at the time and are both stationed at Brickdam Police Station. One of the ranks has been arrested and is assisting with the investigation but his colleague, who offered the teacher a ride, cannot be found. TROTMAN PREDICTS GUYANA’S RISE FROM POTENTIAL TO PROSPERITY Leading members of the world’s oil industry are in Guyana for a workshop being hosted by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG). The event is the first of its kind to be held in Guyana. The AAPG is recognized as one of the world’s largest professional geological societies. It is considered the pinnacle of professionalism and integrity in the upstream petroleum sector. With 100 years of experience in the sector, the AAPG has led the way in promoting the advancement of geology as well as research and technology. ”This stands as a tangible example to us that a few good people of vision, integrity and perseverance can make a worldwide difference,” said Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, Monday evening as he addressed the workshop’s opening ceremony. Trotman was invited to be the honorary chair of the geosciences technical Workshop. He told participants and sponsors of the workshop that Guyana stands at the cusp of great transformation as it ushers a chapter that has already begun to transform the shape and texture of its society. He admitted that Guyana has a monumental task ahead to prepare institutional and legislative frameworks to efficiently manage the oil sector. ”Indeed, we have a task even in preparing our very minds, for the

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him. Douglas allegedly grabbed the 26-year-old suspect and pushed him away. Reports are that the suspect got angry and turned his rage on Douglas, stabbing him to the chest—causing him to fall into a nearby drain. The suspect then ran to the North Ruimveldt Police Outpost and reported the matter to the police. Abel’s brother and the victim are said to be friends. MURDERED TEACHER…PATROLRANK SAYS HE DROPPED VICTIM OFF IN PRASHAD NAGAR

daily influx of change that petroleum brings to a nation and its people,” said Trotman. Even as he noted the established integrity of the AARG, Trotman zeroed in on the common interests of Guyana and the AARG. He said, “I am also quite pleased to note that the AAPG’s website boasts two areas of focus that are a top priority for Guyana – environment and youth. We are committed to developing and managing our extractive sectors within the ambit of a ‘green economy’ strategy and our youth now, and for generations to come, will play a key role in ensuring that benefits are maximized for all Guyanese.” The Minister continued, “We therefore do not make light of this first ever gathering of AAPG members on Guyanese soil and upon this good and fertile soil I make the first step in declaring that it shall not be the last of its kind. It is a signal honour for Guyana and we are grateful to have been chosen to host this auspicious gathering.” Trotman noted that Guyana began its journey towards an oil-producing nation in 2015. He said that the country has since catapulted – to further assess the geology that brought forth this significant find – and simultaneously moved at warp speed into the future in determining the course forward. THURSDAY PPP/C HAS LOST RESPECT FOR GRANGER – OPPOSITION LEADER – “WE DO RESPECT THE INSTITUTION OF THE PRESIDENCY, BUT NOT THE PERSON THAT HOLDS THAT OFFICE NOW” Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo went on another tirade Wednesday, telling reporters that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has lost respect for President David Granger because he has failed to comply with the Constitution. The Opposition Leader is still

reeling from the President’s unilateral decision to appoint Justice James Patterson as the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). This dissatisfaction led to the PPP/C waving placards and shouting slogans in the Parliament chambers which drowned out the President’s address on November 2. Jagdeo stated that he sees a pattern of unconstitutional rule emerging, where this President is the sole arbiter of every Constitutional provision where he can act ‘unilaterally and selfishly contrary to the laws’. He stated that the PPP/C is being made to feel that they must accept this out of respect for the institution of the presidency. ”We do respect the institution of the presidency, but not the person that holds that office now. We have given him enough opportunities to comply with our Constitution and to uphold the high office,” Jagdeo stated. He maintained that he has great respect for the Office of the President and intends to attend meetings with the President; however, he said that the respect has to be earned. ”It can’t be taken for granted. He cannot think that he will do whatever he wants and we will all kneel and pay homage to him. He seems as if that is what he wants,” Jagdeo said. He stated that the PPP/C will continue to display actions, similar to the Parliament protest, that bring attention to the issues affecting Guyana. President Granger has described the PPP/C MPs as ‘vulgarians’ for their demonstrations in the National Assembly. Jagdeo sought to paint the President’s actions as vulgar for refusing to make the ExxonMobil contract public, increasing taxes and rates on some products and services. The PPP/C has moved to the court to challenge the GECOM chairman’s appointment. The former President also called on President Granger to request Patterson’s resignation for admitting that he omitted the word ‘acting’ from his Curriculum Vitae (CV) when he stated

he served as Chief Justice of Grenada in 1987. PEACEMAKER STABBED TO DEATH DURING SIBLING BRAWL A 27-year-old man was stabbed to death around 15:00 hrs Wednesday when he allegedly tried to prevent one brother from stabbing his younger sibling in front of their North Ruimveldt residence. Dead is Hafeez Douglas, a labourer, also of North Ruimveldt, Georgetown. He was stabbed to the left side of his chest and was pronounced dead at the Georgetown Public Hospital. The suspect, Jermaine Abel, has since confessed to the crime, claiming that it was self-defence. The murder weapon—an improvised knife—has been lodged. According to information received, Abel and his brother were fighting when the deceased separated the duo. The suspect’s brother started walking away when he (suspect) reportedly picked up the knife and rushed behind his sibling to stab

A Constable who allegedly offered 22-year-old Kescia Branche a drop on the motorbike he was conducting patrol duties with, has told his colleagues that he dropped her off at a street in Prashad Nagar, Georgetown. He claimed that he does not know what happened to her after – since he left her there and went on with his business. The patrol rank was taken into custody on Tuesday night when he reported for duty at the Brickdam Police Station as per normal. The mother of one had left the night club with two policemen who were doing patrol duties in the area. Both of them are now under close arrest and detectives are also questioning two other ranks who were on the same shift with the ranks in question. ”He is saying when his colleague left to go home to use the washroom, he left to go drop off the teacher at Prashad Nagar, and that was the last he heard from her. He doesn’t know where she went because she stopped off through a street,” a source indicated. FRIDAY GRA SEIZES BOATS WITH $$$MILLIONS IN CONTRABAND The Law Enforcement and (Continued on page 36)

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(From page 34) Investigation Division (LEID) of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) recently seized millions of dollars worth of smuggled beverages on two trawlers which were making their way from Trinidad and Tobago. The seizure was made in Guyana. Kaieteur News understands that this seizure is part of a vigorous effort on the part of the revenue authority to stamp out smuggling which has led to the loss of millions of dollars in taxes. In fact, the Guyana Revenue Authority is expected to roll out an antismuggling system by the end of the month. This is according to its Commissioner-General, Godfrey Statia. The tax chief said that discussions had re-commenced with Canadian Bank Note, a company that brought the national lottery. He said that those discussions were aimed at introducing the Stamp System. Statia said that this is in an effort to minimize revenue leakages through the smuggling of alcohol and tobacco. The need to address rampant smuggling in Guyana is one that was raised by the Tax Reform Commission which was established by the Granger administration. The Commissioners said that Guyana is subjected to major revenue loss from smuggling, not only because of its porous borders but, also, from its wharf operations and ports of entry. They said that this is especially so for fuel, gold, cigarettes and alcohol, where there are ongoing allegations that collusion and corruption facilitate such tax evasion and revenue leakage. 45TH COTED MEETING IN GUYANA…GUYANAMAKES CASE FOR RUM INDUSTRY Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Trade Ministers started their two-day meeting on Thursday at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown to search for solutions to the challenges preventing the optimization of the free movement of people and goods under the Carib-

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Sunday November 12, 2017

facturers, made it clear that the country’s commercial sectors cannot function in these circumstances and “in this day and age at the exorbitant price that we are expected to pay for electricity, Guyana’s population should not be subjected to this punishment.” The commission said that as the Christmas season approaches, this has now become an even more pressing source of concern for the populace. According to PSC, GPL is owned and operated by the government and enjoys a complete monopoly in providing the country’s power supply. However, within recent months, the company has “subjected” the entire country to a series of unannounced and frequently prolonged power outages. HIGH-POWERED RIFLE LANDS CITY RESIDENT BEHIND BARS bean Single Market and Economy (CSME). Behind the closed-door session of the 45th Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), Guyana made a push for the region’s rum producers who have complained of an uneven playing field due to competition from the U.S Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, who benefit from U.S. subsides. Prior to Guyana’s presentation on the state of the CARIFORUM rum industry – challenges and opportunities, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, said that the rum producers are concerned, not just about the finished product, but also the inputs. ”The rum manufacturers have an interest in the treatment of some of their products and the treatment of the inputs for those products with regards to customs and taxations,” Greenidge stated. As it relates directly to the CSME, the Foreign Minister made it clear that satisfactory is not the word that can be used to describe the implementation of the regime. ”There are clearly challenges posed by the implementation of the idea and we agree that some of those need to be resolved. Some of those need to be sorted out in a way satis-

factory to all sides. We are not yet there,” Greenidge stated. SATURDAY COPS IMPOUND CAR THAT KILLER MAY HAVE USED TO RUN OVER TEACHER In a case in which the identity of the prime suspect appears to be constantly changing, detectives were Friday night still trying to narrow down exactly who killed 22year-old teacher Kescia Branche. At present, they are paying close attention to two men: the father of Branche’s child, and a close male friend of the slain teacher. The male friend was detained after police established that he was in phone contact with Branche on the morning she sustained the brutal attack. “Further investigation has unearthed that the deceased was in contact with a male on several occasions via cell phone in the early hours of that morning, prior to her being discovered,” police stated in a release. “This person has been identified and is in custody assisting investigators.” Kaieteur News understands that it was this individual, and not

the father of Branche’s child, who was in possession of one of her phones. According to sources, some of the recovered messages were sent after Branche was found unconscious. And in another interesting turn, police have also impounded a car that they believed the killer used to transport Branche to the Louisa Row location where she was discovered lying unconscious. And they now believe that the young teacher may have sustained her fatal injuries after being deliberately struck with a vehicle. A post mortem revealed that Branche succumbed to brain hemorrhage, caused by blunt trauma to the head. The injuries are reportedly “consistent with those inflicted by a vehicle.” Investigators are trying to contact the owner of the impounded vehicle. He reportedly recently travelled overseas for vacation. PRIVATE SECTOR BLASTS INEFFICIENT GPL -SAYS POWER COMPANY LACKS CAPACITY TO DELIVER RELIABLE SUPPLY, MANAGE ELECTRICITY SECTOR The Private Sector Commission (PSC) has come out with guns blazing against the state-owned Guyana Power & Light Inc. (GPL) over the erratic supply in recent months. According to PSC, the majority of citizens are not blessed with private generators to provide alternative power to save the food they have stored in freezers and refrigerators. “Judging from this performance or, to be more accurate, absence of performance, GPL simply has neither the management nor the capacity to deliver a reliable power supply to the country and the government has consistently failed to address this reality.” The PSC, which represents a cross-section of powerful businesses including banks, telephone companies and the soft drink manu-

A 52-year-old city resident was on Friday remanded to prison after denying an illegal firearm charge instituted against him. David Nelson, of 190 Church Street, South Cummingsburg, Georgetown, appeared before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and denied the charge which stated that on November 9 at Quamina Street, he had in his possession a .223 AR rifle when he was not a licenced to carry such a weapon. Nelson was represented by Attorney-at-law Adrian Thompson. The lawyer told the court that his client has been a licenced firearm holder since 2008 and is the holder of a Taurus pistol. The lawyer added that the rifle was found in his client’s vehicle and at the time of the search, there were multiple occupants in the said vehicle. Thompson told the court that his client was unaware of the weapon being in his vehicle since it was concealed in layers of plastic and was under one of the car’s seats. However facts presented by Police Prosecutor Sanj Singh differed from those of Nelson’s attorney. The prosecutor told the court that on the day in question police acting on information received proceeded to Quamina Street where they conducted a search on Nelson’s vehicle and under the seat they discovered the unlicensed rifle. Nelson was then arrested and taken to the station where he gave the police a written caution statement accepting ownership of the firearm, saying that he bought it from a Brazilian man, and was in the process of selling it. Prosecutor Singh strongly objected to bail being granted to the defendant citing the serious nature of the offence and the penalty the charge attracts. The prosecutor’s objection was upheld and Nelson was remanded to prison. The father of three was instructed to make his next court appearance on December 1.

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Lethem resident finally gets land lease after two years of runaround

Edward DaSilva receives his letter of approval from GLSC Commissioner Trevor Benn

As part of Government’s drive to ensure that sustainable, family oriented communities are created across Guyana, the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC), on Thursday surprised Edward DaSilva, a resident of Lethem town with the approval letter for his land lease. He had been waiting for over two years. The letter was presented to DaSilva at the first public meeting hosted at the Amerindian Hostel’s Auditorium by the GLSC in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region Nine) to address land and title issues. During the meeting, Commissioner of the GLSC, Trevor Benn, said that since he assumed duties in 2015, his office was inundated with calls and letters from DaSilva, who was trying to secure the approval for a lease. Benn said that as he was preparing to travel to Lethem, the approval was granted and as such, the Commission thought about surprising Mr. DaSilva. “Your wait is finally over. Thank you for your patience and I apologise for the delay,” the Commissioner said as he handed over the letter. DaSilva, in an invited comment, said that he is grateful for the gesture. More importantly though, he said that he is happy that the Commission has taken the step to reach out to residents and listen to their concerns. “I feel very good. I put in the application since 2015 and I am very happy to receive this confirmation. I am very, very happy. This outreach has been well organised and people have left satisfied. I agree that in the past there were many errors made which complicated the issue of lands in this country and there is a lot of work to be done but I am happy to see

this today,” he said. Meanwhile, in addressing the residents who gathered at the public meeting, Commissioner Benn said that the team is in the region to hear first-hand from the residents, what their issues are and how it can be addressed in the fastest possible way. “I am here to listen to your issues, because we know you have issues that we need to resolve. We want to know how they impact you so that we can address them. Land is our national patrimony and it has to be used and given out judiciously. It cannot be a free for all. We want to make sure that you put it to productive use,” he said. With one of the major issues being the period of time it takes to process applications for lands, Benn acknowledged that the GLSC has been lacking in that regard, but he said that this will be addressed in the coming months as he envisages a Commission where applications can be processed within three months. “We acknowledge that the process takes too long and that has to change. My wish is that once you apply it should not take more than three months, but you must appreciate that we have limited financing and we cannot do everything at once. They are many issues we are faced with that prohibit us from operating at maximum, but we are trying to change the way things work. We are putting in systems and changing the way staff work. So we are working to ensure that we can deliver. We are not a perfect organisation. We have problems and we acknowledge those problems. I inherited many of them and some are continuing but as we find them, we are tak-

ing steps to correct them, and we will try our best to ensure that we address your issues,” he said. During the meeting, concerns were raised by some residents that despite having their leases and approvals from the GLSC, the Mayor and Town Council, for whatever reason, has been prohibiting them from utilising their spaces. In many instances, denial of approval by the Mayor and Town Council has prevented them from building. In this regard, Benn urged the Town Council to be servants of the people and not masters as he noted than once their leases are valid and signed off, they have an entitlement to enjoy their lands. “The Constitution must be upheld at every point. We cannot ask people to uphold the law and we don’t do the same thing. Once they have their leases, then there is no reason that they cannot enjoy their land. If you have issues with the area for which the lease was issued then the way to go is dialogue, and once you come to an agreement, then the Commission would be more than happy to facilitate relocation but you have to speak to the people,” he told regional officials. Mary Bernard, who attended the public meeting, in an invited comment, said she has had land issues dating back to 1992. However, she noted that with the visit by the Commissioner and team from the GLSC, she has no doubt that her issues will be addressed. “Well I am very happy to be here today at this meeting and to be able to meet with the Commissioner. From what he has said and the assurance that he has given to us, I feel relieved and I know he will assist and help Continued on page 49

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Sunday November 12, 2017

Regional Chairpersons under fire for boycotting President’s visits

Region One Chairman, Brentnol Ashley

Region 3 Chairman, Julius Faerber

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, has criticised Regional Chairpersons, who continue to boycott meetings, events and even visits by the Head of State to their respective regions. His comment was made on Wednesday at the National Day of Villages held at Den Amstel, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara (Region 3), where he expressed disappointment at the non-attendance of Regional Chairman, Julius Faerber, at the event. The Minister highlighted that just a week prior, during a visit to Mabaruma, BarimaWaini (Region One) by President David Granger, the Regional Chairman, Brentnol Ashley, was absent. “Our Regional Chairpersons are going in the wrong direction, they seem to be developing a pattern of follow-the-leader, but I would like to urge and caution them that their responsibilities are to the residents of their region,” the Minister said. He further noted that if these Chairpersons choose not to engage and participate in official events, they are doing a disservice to the residents of the regions. Despite this, Minister Bulkan has assured residents that Central Government, together with the Regional Administration will ensure that development continues there. The Regional Executive Officer (REO), Denis Jaikaran during his remarks at the cel-

ebration gave his commitment to working fully with Government to address matters of importance to the region. Bulkan is adamant that change is coming, since all nine mayors, including the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Mayors of Corriverton, Rose Hall, and Anna Regina, attended a recent seminar hosted by the ministry. He believes that the local leaders are beginning to recognise that they are accountable to the residents in their towns and not to persons who do not have their best interests at heart. “Change is happening, though I dare say, there’s no one size that fits all. Given all that we are seeing and with regard to noncooperation many may question, why is this Administration so committed to decentralisation, why not keep all the power to itself as many have done, after all, it came with many other advantages,” Minister Bulkan noted. In this regard, the Minister said it is in recognition of the divided nature of the country Government believes that if all the power is concentrated centrally, then the problem would be exacerbated. Respecting the authority of the local organs, he said is rejecting “winner takes all” politics. He said it is a key part of Government’s plan to build a brighter future for all.

Lethem resident finally gets... From page 46 to resolve the issues as best as he could. I am really thankful for this outreach and him coming here to meet us,” she said. Meanwhile, the Commissioner and his team also met with the Town Council and the Regional Chairman, Mr. Brian Allicock, who expressed their appreciation for the team’s presence in the region. Mr. Allicock said that there are many disputes and

unresolved issues in the area since majority of the lands are State lands and residents as well as regional officials welcome the team’s visit. “Land is never ending issue and there are many issues here in this region, so I am happy that you have made it your duty to visit this region. I know that your Commission is trying its best and I also know that it is not a simple task, but we are happy to have you here,” the Regional Chairman said.

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Delivery method, infant diet could impact long-term health The gut microbiome of 6week-old infants appears to be affected by both delivery method at birth and the way they are fed afterward, says research published online in JAMA Pediatrics. “Gut microbiome” refers to the diversity of bacterial life that colonizes the human gastrointestinal tract. It develops after birth and after the start of feeding, and it has been increasingly linked with health outcomes in adults. Meanwhile, cesarean delivery has been linked with obesity,asthma, celiac disease and type 1 diabetes later in life, and breastfeeding has been related to a lower risk of asthma, obesity, infection, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes, compared with formula feeding. It is thought that exposure to microflora present during vaginal delivery could be related to the microbiome patterns in infants, but how this happens is unclear. Previous small studies have indicated a link between the intestinal microbiome of infants, delivery mode and whether or not they were breastfed. Less is known, however, about how early life exposures shape the gut microbiome and its long-term effects on health.

In addition, there is evidence that human milk primes and matures the infant gastrointestinal system, potentially promoting a unique microbial colonization profile that could lead to healthy outcomes. In the current study, researchers hypothesized that exposure to maternal vaginal microflora and/or to breast milk could cause specific microbes to be acquired in a particular order during the establishment of the core microbiome. This could represent a key mechanism underlying differences in immune development that influence lifelong disease risk. Anne G. Hoen, PhD, of the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH,

and coauthors examined associations between delivery mode and feeding method with the composition of the gut microbiomes of 102 infants. The team collected information about the delivery mode from medical records, details on feeding from questionnaires and data about microbiome composition from stool samples. The infants were born at an average gestational age of nearly 40 weeks; 70 were delivered vaginally and 32 by cesarean section(C-section). In the first 6 weeks of life, 70 were breastfed, 26 received a combination of breast milk and formula, and six of them consumed only formula.

Cancer risk falls with higher levels of vitamin D Researchers suggest improving people’s blood level of vitamin D could be an important tool for preventing cancer, after their study found that the risk of developing the disease rises as vitamin D levels fall. In the journal PLOS One, researchers from the University of California-San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine report how they analyzed the link between vitamin D and cancer to determine what blood level of vitamin D was required to effectively reduce cancer risk. The study included all invasive cancers, excluding skin cancer. One of the authors, Cedric Garland, adjunct professor in the UCSD School of Medicine Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, says their study is the first to put numbers on this relationship, as he explains: “We have quantitated the ability of adequate amounts of vitamin D to prevent all types of invasive cancer com-

bined, which had been terra incognita until publication of this paper.” Vitamin D, which is produced by the body through exposure to sunshine, helps the body control calcium and phosphate levels. It was Prof. Garland and his late brother Frank who first linked low vitamin D with cancer in the 1980s. They found people who lived at higher latitudes and thus had less access to sunlight had lower levels of vitamin D and were more likely to

develop bowel cancer. Since then, further studies by the Garland brothers and others have found links between low vitamin D and other cancers, including cancers of the breast, lung and bladder. The only accurate way to measure vitamin D in the body is to measure the level of 25hydroxyvitamin D in the blood. The kidneys convert 25hydroxyvitamin D into the active form that helps control calcium and phosphate levels.

Sunday November 12, 2017

Drinking more water reduces sugar, sodium and saturated fat intake Based on the fact that about two thirds of our bodies are comprised of water, it may seem obvious that consuming water is important for our health. But a new study finds that by increasing plain water consumption, we can control our weight and reduce intakes of sugar, sodium and saturated fat. The study, published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, is led by Prof. Ruopeng An, from the University of Illinois. Though most people meet their body’s fluid requirements by drinking plain water and other beverages, we also get some fluids through certain foods, such as soup broths, celery, tomatoes and melons. To further investigate how increasing water intake can affect parameters of health, the researchers used a nationally representative sample of more than 18,300 adults in the US from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2012. The researchers asked participants to recall all foods and drinks they consumed on 2 days that were between 310 days apart. Prof. An then calculated the amount of plain water that each participant consumed as a percentage of daily dietary water intake from both foods and drinks. Although drinks such as black tea, herbal tea and cof-

fee were not assessed as sources of plain water, Prof. An did include their water content in the calculations of total water consumption. On a daily basis, the participants consumed an average of about 4.2 cups of plain water, which accounts for just over 30% of their total water consumption. The average calorie intake for each participant was 2,157 calories, which included 125 calories from sugar-sweetened beverages and 432 calories from “discretionary foods” - desserts, pastries, snack mixes and other foods that are not essential. The results of the study revealed that people who increased their consumption of plain water by one to three cups daily lowered total en-

ergy intake by 68-205 calories each day and their sodium intake by 78-235 g each day. For purposes of the study, “plain water” was defined as water from a tap, cooler, drinking fountain or bottle. Further results showed that the people who increased their water consumption also consumed 5-18 g less sugar, as well as 7-21 g less cholesterol. “This finding indicates that it might be sufficient to design and deliver universalnutrition interventions and education campaigns that promote plain water consumption in replacement of beverages with calories in diverse population subgroups without profound concerns about message and strategy customization,” says Prof. An.

Coffee may protect against liver cirrhosis Drinking coffee every day is linked to a reduced risk of liver cirrhosis, according to a new review of published evidence that also suggests drinking two extra cups a day may nearly halve the risk of dying from the disease. The systematic review and meta-analysis is published in the journalAlimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. The researchers - from the University of Southampton in the UK - pooled and analyzed data from nine long-term studies covering nearly half a million men and women from six countries. They found that increasing coffee consumption may substantially reduce the risk of liver cirrhosis. The analysis shows a dose-response relationship between coffee consumption and liver cirrhosis - with more cups per day linked to lower risk. Two extra cups of coffee per day were linked to a 44% lower risk of developing liver cirrhosis and a nearly 50%

lower risk of death to the disease. Liver cirrhosis can be fatal because it raises the risk of liver failure and cancer. The condition develops when healthy tissue in the liver is replaced by scarred tissue, often as a result of longterm and persistent injury from viruses like hepatitis C and toxins like alcohol. Liver cirrhosis is an important public health concern and a significant cause of disease and death in the US. The

prevalence is likely to be higher than official figures suggest because many cases are undiagnosed. A recent estimate suggests around 0.27% of Americans - some 633,323 adults have liver cirrhosis, with 69% unaware of the fact they have the disease. In their paper, where they discuss the results, the authors explain that coffee has many biologically active ingredients, in addition to caffeine.

Sunday November 12, 2017

Eminem and Beyoncé Team Up for Legendary Collab

Eminem just dropped a chill-inducing new single—and no, it’s not just because of Beyoncé’s vocals. The duo—who are arguably the best of the best—teamed up for an emotional new ballad titled “Walk on Water.” But despite the title seemingly alluding to their godlike status in the industry, the message takes quite a different turn. The song kicks off with Bey’s angelic vocals in the chorus, noting that she “walks on water” but she “ain’t no Jesus.” After the intro Eminem dissects his life and his career, rapping about the pressure he faces to be perfect and constantly hit a new standard. As the song continues, he questions how anyone can look at him as a god, noting it’s “all a facade and it’s exhausted.”

Queen B ends the ballad with a twist on the chorus, asking the world to remember musicians—even the greatest ones—are humans, too. “I walk on water, but only when it freezes/ because I’m only human, just like you,” she sings. “I’ve been making my mistakes, so if you only knew/ I don’t think you should believe me the way that you do/ because I’m terrified to let you down.” She continues, “If I walked on water, I would drown.” The single is part of Eminem’s rumored new album, Revival. Over the last few weeks, he’s been teasing the project with a fake drug website and medical infomercials, pressing fans to “seize the moment” with a cuttingedge drug called “Revival.” www.eonline.com.

Taylor Swift Curses for the First Time on an Album Apparently the new Taylor Swift curses! Taylor’s highly anticipated album is out today and its like nothing she’s done before. She warned us that Reputation would show a whole new Taylor, and she wasn’t lying. What’s something the old Taylor wouldn’t have done? Use swear words in her music. On her song “I Did Something Bad,” which is allegedly about her ex Calvin Harris, Taylor uses the word s—t. “If a man talks s—t, then I owe him nothing,” Taylor sings in the song. What else did the new Taylor do?

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Sam Smith Surprises Two Brides By Performing at Their Wedding Sam Smith gave two brides a wedding present they’ll never forget. As seen on his recent TV special Sam Smith at the BBC, the “Stay With Me” singer made a surprise appearance at the wedding of same-sex couple Bec Baran and Lisa Best. Well, it was a surprise for almost everybody; Lisa’s niece and best woman, Katie, had secretly arranged for Smith to perform at the reception. “So, Lisa and Bec, it is time for the surprise of your married lives. With a little bit of help from Lisa’s best woman, we have been keeping a big secret from you,” the DJ announced. “Please welcome Sam Smith!” The singer stepped into the ballroom with a great big smile and hugged both brides at once as guests applauded. Smith performed his ballad “Latch.” He then congratulated the brides, saying, “I saw the ceremony in London and it moves my heart so much to see you guys do this today. I truly hope you have a wonderful, wonderful life together. Thank you for having me here.” “When he walked

through the door, I just thought, ‘Wow, that is actually Sam Smith!’ This does not happen to us,” Best said. “All of my friends and Bec’s friends and family were really shocked,” she said. “It was just another level.”

Smith said on the special, “Just being a part of someone’s day like that means the world to me. They’re so in love. It’s just incredible. They’re so in love and it’s so beautiful.”www.eonline.com.

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Have a Little Fun Daily Working people frequently ask retired people, what they do to make their days interesting... Well, for example, the other day my wife and I went into town and visited a shop. When we came out, there was a policeman writing out a parking ticket. We went up to him and said, "Come on man, how about giving a senior citizen a break?" He ignored us and continued writing the ticket. I called him an "A**hole" He glared at me, and started writing another ticket, for having worn out tires. So my wife called him a "D***head". He finished second ticket, and put it on the windshield with the first. Then he started writing more tickets, this went on for about 20mins. The more we abused him, the more he wrote. Just then our bus arrived, and we got on it, and went home. We try to have a little fun each day now that we're retired. It's important at our age! Speaking English Kills You For those of you who watch what you eat. Here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting medical studies. 1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans. 2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans. 3. The Japanese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans. 4. The Italians drink excessive amounts of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans. 5. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans. CONCLUSION: Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you. Cancel Your Credit Card Before You Die A lady died in 2016 January, and HDFC Bank billed her for Feb '16 & Mar '16 for annual service charges on her credit card, and added late fees and interest on the monthly charges!!! The balance had been Rs. 0.00 when she died, but now it was around Rs.6000. A family member placed a call to HDFC Bank. Here is the conversation: Family Member: "I am calling to tell you that she died in Jan '16." HDFC Bank: "The account was never closed. So the late fees & charges still apply." Family Member: "Maybe, you should turn it over to yr collections dept." HDFC Bank: "Since it is two months overdue, it already has been." Family Member: "So, what will they do when they find out she is no more?" HDFC Bank: "Either report her account to frauds division or report her to the credit bureauor maybe both!" Family Member: "Do you think God will be mad at her?" HDFC Bank: "Excuse me?" Family Member: 'Did you just get what I was telling you the part about her being dead?" HDFC Bank: "Sir, you'll have to speak to my supervisor." Supervisor gets on the phone: Family Member: "I'm calling to inform you that she died in Jan '16 with a Rs.0 balance on her credit card." HDFC Bank: "The account was never closed and late fees and charges still apply." Family Member: "You mean you want to collect from her estate?" HDFC Bank: (Stammer) "Are you her lawyer?" Family Member: "No, I'm her grand nephew." HDFC Bank: "Could you fax us a certificate of death?" Family Member: "Sure." (Fax number was given) After they got the fax: HDFC Bank: "Our system isn't setup for death. I don't know what more I can do to help." Family Member: "Well, if you figure it out, great! If not, you could just keep billing her. She won't care." HDFC Bank: "Well, the late fees and charges will still apply." (What is wrong with these people?!?) Family Member: "Would you like her new billing address?" HDFC Bank: "That might help..." Family Member: "Odessa Memorial Cemetery, Grave no 1169, Avinashi, Coimbatore." HDFC Bank: "Sir, that's a cemetery!" Family Member: "And what do you do with dead people on your planet???"

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Sunday November 12, 2017

Different Face Shapes Need Different Kinds Of Makeup Continued from last week In this way, your nose will get the shadow effect on the sides, and the top will remain in foundation looking fairer and heightened. This is a makeup trick which every makeup artist applies for oval shaped faces. Next comes Eyebrows, high arched brows can give a more oval shape. So follow the natural shape of brow bones and tweeze that way. While doing makeup for eyes or lips, concentrate on any one feature, either eyes or lips keeping the other simple. Use blush to make the face look elongated. Suck cheeks in and use blush on to contours, and not onto apples of your cheeks. It's a damn good technique that makes your face look sleek and stylish! I can BANK on this one. And one more thing, you can use a little blush on to the sides on your chin also, not in the absolute front. This enhances this effect! 2. Makeup For Oblong Shaped Faces Who better than Milla Jovovich (the Resident Evil Star) to refer when talking about this face shape? Mainly since the new movie is all set to hit the theaters soon. Well, I don't have this face shape, but my friend does, and I've seen what she does, well she is also a Google person and learns tricks from here and there. Here is a tested version, I am sure you'll love it. If your face is oblong or rectangular, then your first and foremost motive will be to show the face as oval. Make brows a little arched than the normal run of your brow bones. This will make your face look a little more oval and round. Use Pinkish (light) shade on to the sucked cheeks ( this will give a plumped up look) and use a rosy darker shade onto apples. Make your eyelashes look bigger and more dramatic by using double curling (before and after use of mascara) or you may even experiment with darker false lashes. Try to keep lips minimum and rosy pink, they look the best and full, to make your face appear fuller. Minimize sharp edges of the face (like sides of jaws and if your nose is real sharp, follow alternate technique refer to point 6 with a bronzer sweep. Coming to the nose, like for oval face you follow a side shadowing, here you need to follow a top shadowing technique, Do not use shadowing on sides of nose, let it remain covered in foundation. Sweep the top of nose bone with a bronzer. 3. Makeup For Heart Shaped Faces The best face to refer to when talking about heart-shaped faces is Reese Witherspoon's. Here are a few makeup tips for this face shape. If you have a tapered jawline and a wide forehead, like most heart-shaped faces, the first focus is to move away the attention from the wideness of the forehead. You can highlight certain features and turn down others to perfectly balance this face shape. To be continued...

SOLUTION FOR LAST WEEK’S SEARCH & FIND

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The

“THE children stood under an archway. Behind them was the blue sky; in front of them the clear, still lake that wandered and wound about the garden; above their heads the leaves of a tree whispered and told strange stories to the breeze. “Poor tree! It is sighing for the blossoms the wind has carried away," they said to each other, and they looked back at the garden. "And, poor flowers, too," they said, "all your bright colours are gone, and your petals lie scattered on the ground; to-morrow they will be dead." "Ah, no," the flowers sighed, "the rainbow-maker will gather them up, and once more they will see the sun." Before the children could answer, a tall fair maiden came down the pathway. They could see her plainly in the twilight. Her eyes were dim with gathering tears, but on her lips there was a smile that came and went and flickered round her mouth. All down her back hung her pale golden hair; round her neck was a kerchief of many colours; her dress was soft and white, and her snowy apron was gathered up in one hand. She looked neither to the right nor to the

left. She did not utter a single word; and the children could hear no sound of her footstep, no rustling from her dress. She stooped, and picking up the fading petals, looked at them tenderly for a moment, while the tears fell slowly down her cheeks ; but the smile hovered round her mouth; for she knew that they would shine again in the sight of their beloved sun. When her apron was quite full, she turned round and left the garden. Hand-in-hand the children followed. She went slowly on by the side of the lake, far, far away across the meadows and up the farthest hill, until at last she found her home behind a cloud just opposite the sun. There she sat all through the summer days making rainbows. When the children had watched her for a long long time, they went softly back to their own home. The rainbowmaker had not even seen them. "Mother," they said one day, "we know now where the colours go from the flowers. See, they are there," and as they spoke they thought of the maiden sitting silently at work in her cloud-home. They knew that she was weeping at sending forth her most beautiful one, and yet smiling as she watched the soft archway she had made. “See, they are all there, dear mother," the children repeated, looking at the falling rain and the shining sun, and pointing to the rainbow that spanned the river.

Khan submitted by Sarah On a daily basis, we as people leading different lives all deal with different problems. Some of us struggle with physical injuries, financial issues, family issues, school problems, and even maintaining our mental strength in coping with all this. You may never know another person's circumstances. But we cannot let our struggles define us, define our personalities or define the way we treat other people. We have to be stronger than the struggles we face. We might feel that our current situation is everlasting, but as long as the journey might be there is an end. We just need hope. (H.O.P.E – Hold On, Pain Ends)

T

HE pink parasol had tender whalebone ribs and a slender stick of cherry-wood. It lived with the willful child in the white-house, just beyond the third milestone. All about the trees were green, and the flowers grew tall; in the pond behind the willows the ducks swam round and round and dipped their heads beneath the water. Every bird and bee, every leaf and flower, loved the child and the pink parasol as they wandered in t h e g a r d e n t o g e t h e r, listening to the birds and seeking the shady spots to rest in, or walking up and down the long trim pathway in the sunshine. Yet the child tired of it all, and before the summer was over, was always standing by the gate, watching the straight white road that stretched across the plain. “If I might but see the city, with the busy streets, and the eager crowds," he was always saying to himself. Then all that lived in the garden knew that the child would not be with them long. At last the day came when he flung down the pink

parasol, and, without even one last look at the garden, ran out at the gate. The flowers died, and the swallows journeyed south; the trees stretched higher and higher, to see the child come back across the plain, but he never came. “Ah, dear child!" they sighed many a time, "why are you staying? And are your eyes as blue as ever; or have the sad tears dimmed them? And is your hair golden still? And your voice, is it like the singing of the birds? And your heart oh! My dear, my dear, what is in your heart now, that once was so full of summer and the sun?” The pink parasol lay on the pathway, where the child left it, spoilt by the rain, and splashed by the gravel, faded and forgotten. At last, a gipsy lad, with dark eyes, a freckled face, and little gold rings in his ears, came by; he picked up the pink parasol, hid it under his coat, and carried it to the gipsy tent. There it stayed till one day the cherry-wood stick was broken into three pieces, and the pink parasol was put on the fire to make the water boil for the gipsy's tea.

Sunday November 12, 2017

Junior page

How to make

T O M A K E Y O U R T- S H I R T BRACELET: Cut t-shirt into 1 inch strips about 15 inches in length (you will need 3 pieces). Cut the cord into pieces 15 inches long (you will need 3)

You will also need: a hot glue gun, 2 elastics or a 2 pieces of string, magnets Step #1 – attach the pieces of cord and tshirt strips together with an elastic or tie a piece of string. Step #2 – clip end to book, or have a friend hold it. Step #3 – braid, making sure that the cord is on top and not hidden by the material. Step #4 – tie string or elastic around the end and cut excess cord and t-shirt material off. Step #5 – hot glue gun the ends to a magnet – remove elastics or string once cooled. Step #6 – cut a strip of t-shirt material and wrap it around the magnets to form a type of “sleeve” to cover the magnets. Step #7 – marvel at how easy this was!

Think of as many common words as you can (up to 5 letters) that contain the letters IDE consecutively. The letters can be at the beginning, at the end, or in the middle of the word, but they must be in order and have no other letters between them. Plurals ending in S, proper names, abbreviations, contractions, and foreign words are not allowed.

Y FUN WITH POETR All boys and girls need time to play To keep them smart and happy, But we know that we should also find the time For the things that are our duty. So always remember to share the time, You have each and every day, Between the things you love to do, And those that are your duty. The work you do at school and home Will help to make you succeed, And create a brighter future With all that you will need.

by Uncle Roy

Kaieteur News

Sunday November 12, 2017

Developing Healthy Relationships is your first responsibility

A friend is one who reaches for your hand, One who shares his ideas and together you expand, When you are in trouble or pain, One who lends assistance and together you gain.

I

am sure that the enjoyable things that happened to you in the past that you most remember are not the big ones, like the time you went on a trip or the presents that you got at Christmas or your birthday. The things that stick in your memory, and allow you to go over them and enjoy them once again, are the times you connected with the members of your family or some friends. These are the times when you feel at one with them, that you are together whatever happens, when you felt the sense of belonging and being loved. This proves that life is not about acquiring money and other stuff, or being a big shot, or even having a great career. It is all about building healthy relationships with others, especially those closest to you. Here are a few things you can keep doing to develop good and lasting relationships with those who mean so much to you:Treat people the way you want to be

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A friend is not selfish, cruel or heartless, He is not unmindful or helpless; A friend does not watch another in sorrow, But is always there today and tomorrow.

treated; Let people know you appreciate them and admire them for doing something good; Express gratitude to those who share their lives with you; Remember that courtesy can make the difference between a loss and a win; Speak with love and respect; Be kind to yourself and to others; Express yourself to your parents, brothers and sisters, a friend, someone you trust, especially when your emotions seem out of balance; Pay attention to your conscience; Ask for help when you feel

something is above you; Use your time in school beneficially; Tell the truth always, and be honest in all your dealings; Try to give some of your time and energy towards your community; Go for it – nothing ventured, nothing gained. We lose much more from doing nothing than from trying and failing; Live up to your principles irrespective of what others say or do. Follow these rules and your relationships will always be cool, and you will also touch the lives of the people you associate with in a meaningful way.

In each puzzle we have eliminated the spaces between the words in a message and divided all the letters into 3-letter pieces. Rearrange the pieces to reconstruct the message. The dashes indicate the number of letters in each word.

A friend is caring, loving and kind, He is there with a wise and pure mind, He is not vulgar, rude or immature, But is there to solve, assist and cure. A friend is always there to land a hand, He is not vain, proud or playing grand, He is there to ever offer a smile, And keep you happy through all life's trials. So, just as you value a good friend, Be there for others with a helping hand to lend; Always be known for the good you do, And you will benefit from friendship too.

When you stifle your conscience and act against your principles, there always comes a time when you will feel the impact in a negative way.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK DERS, DEAR REA e at my tact m Please con dress: email ad for yahoo.com y @ 2 9 9 1 y ro uncle need, or an y a m u o y lp r any he t to make fo n a w u o y n rs. contributio other reade f o t fi e n e b the

Solutions to last week’s FIGGERITS THE HERO IS READY WHEN GREATNESS CALLS

BOWL AND SCORE STRIKES: 1. Prescribe; 2. Colonnade; 3. Volcanize. SPARE: 1. crisp, beer; 2. dance, loon; 3. vocal, zine.

Kaieteur News

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Fiji

F

iji is one of the most developed economies in the Pacific, relying heavily on its tourism and sugar industries. Since independence from Britain in 1970, rivalry between the indigenous Fijian and the ethnic Indian communities has been at the root of much of the political upheaval in the country. In 2014, Frank Bainimarama was sworn in as prime minister, eight years after seizing power in a military coup.

m i l i t a r y, g o v e r n m e n t a n d diplomatic service.

Prime Minister: Josaia Voreqe "Frank" Bainimarama

KEY FACTS Republic of the Fiji Islands Capital: Suva Population 900,000 Area 18,376 sq km (7,095 sq miles) Major languages English, Fijian, Hindi Major religions Christianity, Hinduism, Islam Life expectancy 67 years (men), 73 years (women) Currency Fijian dollar UN, World Bank LEADERS President: Jioji Konousi Konrote Jioji Konousi Konrote was elected as president in October 2015. He is the first non-indigenous president and the first to be elected by parliament. Previous presidents were selected by the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC). He has had a long career in the

Josaia Voreqe "Frank" Bainimarama

2012, the Fiji Media Industry Development Authority controls what is published by the media industry. Media organizations and journalists face harsh penalties for publishing material not in the public interest. This has led to a degree of self censorship. TIMELINE Some key dates in Fiji's history: 1643 - Dutch explorer Abel Tasman is the first European to visit the islands. 1970 - Independence after a century of British rule. 1987 - The first of two coups overthrows the Indian majority government of Prime Minister Timoci Bavadra. 1999 - Mahendra Chaudhry is elected Fiji's first ethnic Indian prime minister but is overthown a year later. 2014 - Former military leader Frank Bainimarama is elected prime minister, eight years after seizing power in a coup.

Former military leader Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama was sworn in as prime minister in September 2014, eight years after overthrowing the government of Laisenia Qarase in a bloodless coup, accusing it of corruption and a bias towards ethnic Fijians. An indigenous Fijian born in 1954, Mr Bainimarama has long championed equal rights for the country's minority ethnic Indian community. More commonly known as Frank, he is sometimes referred to with the title Ratu to denote his heritage as a chief. MEDIA Since the introduction of the government's Media Decree in

Why Ash is still a Goddess of Venus!

W

e are enamoured by the looks of stars. We tend to forget that they get the looks due to their beauticians, dieticians, stylists and fitness trainers. We worship them like demi-Gods because of these amazing looks. In fact, Sonam Kapoor shared with her followers about how difficult it is for them to keep in shape and remain presentable. Now the above is true for almost 90% of actors where they struggle to be fashion icons. Then there are those who are an exception to the above rule. And there is just one who is queen in the ants. She doesn't age. Her beauty seems eternal. Her conduct and persona aids in enhancing her beauty. Maybe her soul is so beautiful that her aura has a wider radius. She doesn't need any makeup or stylish clothes to be seen, noticed and appreciated. No wonder her followers swear by her. She is a goddess of Venus and we all love her. Her charisma and charm simply make the mortals like us drool. Simply see the images to understand how she looks beautiful even her casuals without much make-up.

Sunday November 12, 2017

Sunday November 12, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Importers need permit for Pinewood from... From page 9 pinewood, Government had announced plans to restrict its importation. The restriction was seen as an incentive to the industry following a decision of the Government to introduce a 14 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) on the local logging industry. Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, in April, said that this move will also seek to reverse what he terms the “dumping” of the foreign lumber in Guyana. “We find that there is some degree of dumping of this foreign lumber coming in. It is crowding out local loggers. We have been receiving complaints from the logging bodies, associations and the producers,” Minister Trotman revealed. The Minister explained that he will be consulting with pinewood importers before the decision is finalised. “We would want to ensure that what we do is in the best interest of Guyana, Guyanese and those who will rely on the forest for a livelihood,” Minister Trotman said. The Natural Resources Minister clarified then that the restriction is not a ban on pinewood.

“We’re going to ensure that pinewood can’t be imported into Guyana, and be sold at a price that is cheaper than locally produced timber,” Trotman explained. Ensuring value is added to the local logging industry has been a major focus of the Ministry of Natural Resources which has oversight responsibility of the forestry sector, the minister said. Loggers and lumber yards have been complaining about especially pine lumber which is being imported and sold especially in hardware stores throughout the country. There were questions about whether pinewood, popular for framing structures, were ideal for the local conditions. It is heavily in use in North America.

In recent years as building materials start climbing, amidst a major housing drive, pinewood started to make its way into the local market. It has been unclear whether any taxes were charged on the wood. According to the ministry, it recognises the need to provide incentives to local loggers, some of whom are complaining about the 14 percent VAT that was introduced to the sector this year. Apart from the restriction of pinewood, the Ministry said it has also guaranteed market for local loggers with the government’s housing drive which seeks to provide affordable condominiums and duplexes to prospective homeowners. The Ministry is also

130 Graduate from Carnegie... (From page 63) the Carnegie Board of Trustees until the Government of Guyana assumed full responsibility for it in 1973. The school also offers certificate and diploma programmes that are accredited by the Ministry of Education, and are open to both male and female students, including early school leavers. Through the several

speakers at the graduation, the now certified students were all encouraged to live their dreams and fulfil their purposes. They were also reminded that they have now become empowered to own their own business. Since Home Economics differs from the Craft Production and Design Division, the institution had two valedictorians.

pushing the use of local loggers and lesser used species of wood in infrastructural works carried out by the government as a means of guaranteeing income for local loggers. “We believe that the incentives that we are offering, and the opportunities that we are offering, will cancel out what is seen as an oppressive 14 percent VAT,” the Minister said.

Pine Wood importers will have to seek a permit from January 1, Government has announced.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 12, 2017

Sunday November 12, 2017

Kaieteur News

STANDARDS IN FOCUS

New international standard can help to reduce mining accidents Over the last few years, there have been numerous reports of mining accidents which have occurred in the interior of Guyana. Indeed mining for gold and other valuable minerals in mining pits and makeshift structures could be considered a very risky and hazardous form of work. The causes can be numerous, from explosive dust and toxic gases to collapse of mine shafts and pit walls, and the consequences severe, with many fatalities. When an incident does occur at a mining location, it can be hard to understand precisely what’s happened. Because many factors are at play, a wide range of accidents can o c c u r. A c c o r d i n g t o Barnaby Lewis of the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), a key step in preventing these accidents is to classify them by type and by cause, and that’s where ISO/ 19434 comes in. Developed by the ISO technical committee on

mining (ISO/TC/ 82), the ISO 19434 – Classification of mine accidents standard represents a new direction for work in the mining sector as previous mining standards developed by ISO mostly looked at safety features for machinery. ISO 19434 looks at the accidents themselves, giving each accident a code that indicates its causes and consequences. With the entire industry worldwide working to further improve the safety of their operations, there are clear advantages of a unified system to understand the main types of accidents. Using the classification given in ISO/ 19434, our local industry here in Guyana can identify whether accidents have occurred due to human error or other causes. This new mining standard gives a shared understanding on key issues, as it defines not only the main types of accidents/ but, importantly, provides information about the nature of any injuries

that have occurred, defining their location and to what degree personnel are affected. With the publication of ISO/ 19434, a long-standing need has been addressed for a comprehensive mine accidents classification system that could present a standard scheme for all factors associated with the accidents. This will enable full analysis based on both software systems and manual assessment. By presenting a common understandable language for communication between all parts involved in safety, health and environment issues in mines, the hope is that working conditions can continue to improve across all operations in the mining sector./ Local miners can take advantage of the benefits this international standard has to offer. For further information on this subject, contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0065 or 219-0064 or visit: iso.org

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Sunday November 12, 2017

Kaieteur News

Entrepreneurs must learn how to manage...

SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK;Guyanapassport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. INNOVATIVE MARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. PASSPORT, PERMANENT & VISITOR VISA APPLICATION, PROFESSIONAL IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT – SABITA IMMIGRATION SERVICES. CALL: 613-3920/625-3767. Weeding, cleaning, trimming, cutting down of trees especially coconut trees. Call: Lewis 697-3852 I N S TA L L AT I O N S , REPAIRS AND PARTS FOR AC, FRIDGE, WASHING MACHINE, STOVE ETC: CALL NICK 627-3206, 6301600

FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY- $19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-2274754. Video games and consoles at affordable price. Repairs to video game system .Call:6722566/265-3231 1. Cat 320 BL Excavator, 1. Cat 215 B Excavator, 1. Cat 428 Back- Hoe, 1. Leyland Daft Truck, 1. 8CU.YD. Mack Cement Mixer Truck. Contact: 275-0367, 275-0538/ 683-7225 1. Double Steel Wheeled Road Roller, 1. 9-Wheeled Pneumatic Roller, 1. 450GLNS. Bitumen Spray Kettle, 1. Honda 450 ATV Bike. Contact: 275-0367, 275-0538/ 6837225 Creole chicks, ducklings, ducks, turkey chicks & one fridge. Contact: 610-0901

1-Twinsteer Double Axle DAF and 4 Flatbed Leyland DAF, 1-620-240 DAF engine. Excellent condition. Owner migrating 649-8449,228-5655

SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. -CosmetologyCourses:$90,000 Technician Course: $35,000. Call: 647-1773/660-5257 TOLET One business space, located at 177 Charlotte & Alexander St- Kindly call: 689-3462 or 644-3555. Serious enquiries only. Commercial: One bottom flat. 23ft x 60ft. Cornelia Ida Public Road. Tel: 693-3340 TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 2257878 (24HRS)

Residential: One bedroom house. Cornelia Ida Public Road $25,000 per month. Tel: 693-3340 Furnished one and two bedroom apartment in Nandy Park.Parking available. Call 619-4824(for further information) Rooms for Tel#680-9605

EDUCATION Day Care and Pre-K classes available in Diamond Call Canadian School 2166921,216-6922

Property for rent - 2 storey house at Republic Park, E.B.D$1200US. Call 647-1773 2 Bedroom apartment to rent. Caneville, Grove E.B.D. $35,000. Tel#653-3328 3 bedroom apartment in Diamond 3rd Avenue. Tel# 666-6503, 684-7599,695-7427 Rooms in Alberttown- Call: 225-9223 2 bedroom apartment in Industry, E.C.D. For more information, Call: 623-7500, 614-3278 Self contained rooms in South Riumveldt Park at $32,000 monthly Contact no: 660-9007 5 bedroom house for rent furnished & unfurnished. Tel: 627-6480 5 bedroom house for rent furnished & unfurnished. Tel: 627-6480

B a c h e l o r.

PEN PAL Overseas male seeks female. Age 29-32. Call or text 6643119

WANTED Loving homes for playful kittens. For enquiries, please call 676-1148 Female general domestic.Must have cooking experience. Age 25-45. Call: 629-9450 Experienced male sales attendant, stocktaking knowledge, computer literate, excellent service attitude. Able-bodied. KeyFood McDoom Village. Land to buy in Parafaite Harmonie or anywhere on the West Coast. Tel: 642-1252 Male operators to work shift and one cleaner to work at Del Ice Co.,Meadow Bank. Call: 231-1408,642-9191 Drivers. Call: 698-7807 Waitress for bar. Tel#612-2522 Experienced Curry cook, Roti/ Puri cook, Cleaners. Apply Hack Halaal. 5 Commerce St. Live in & live out Babysitter. Preferably from EBD. Call: 6471773 Soup Cooks wanted. Mon-Sat 7am-3pm. Relaxed Environment. Call#659-6107

1 Mitsubishi canter, long base good condition. Contact# 698-8820.

1 Leyland Daf Cement mixer, 1 caterpillar skid steer 236B. 7 mining blocks (North West) Contact# 650-0402

Qualified Hairdresser & nail technician. At least 1 year experience must be able to work without supervision. Call: 227-1125, 626-6450

FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620

Female Maid (Domestic) at Vreed-en-hoop $3000 daily. 682-5230, 615-4414 VEHICLE FOR SALE Allion, Primo, Fielder Wagon, Spacio, Bluebird, 212 Carina, NZE, Honda CRV, Toyota IST, RZ & Pit-bull – Call: 650-7501 1-Caterpillar skid steer loader 236B $3.8M. Contact # 6500-402 Mitsubishi Pajero. Best offer accepted- Call: 219-5354 Monday to Friday 8:15am4:15pm, Saturday 8:15am4:15pm 1-AT192 Carina. Excellent condition Call: 662-9378. Fielder wagon and 19 seater pitbull. Never worked passenger. Both excellent condition. Tel: 664-0802 Pickup Truck from Canada2005 Tacoma $2.3M, Ford F150 Sport $1.5M FordRanger Sport $1.4M #682-5230/ 6154414 Tractor (foreign used) Massey Ferguson -165 $1.7M, MF-135 - $1M, MF265 -$1.9M, 165 Loader tractor -$2.2M. Call: 682-5230/ 6154414 Toyota L-Touring Wagon, PKK series. Very good condition. Asking $975,000 neg. Call or whatsapp 6803863 Unregistered Axela 2011 $2.6M, dark interior, fully loaded, Nissan pickup extra cab $2.2M. Call: 617-5536

Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic- Call: 223-7500 Monday to Saturday 8:15am4:15pm

VACANCY General maintenance man. Age 25-50 Tel: 225-0198 or visit 233 South Rd, Lacytown. Chef and assistant chef. Please call 225-7933 or visit 172 Sheriff St. Deskstaff Age 25-40. Tel# 225-0198 or visit South Road, Lacytown. Confidential Cabs. Vacancy exist for one experienced dispatcher. Tel#231-5784 6951961. Cook/ baker and Kitchen Assistant for interior location. Applicants must have experience. Call:618-2020 General handy man to work at hotel. 225-9211 Cashier/ Sales Clerk. Apply in person with written application @ Nirva Supermarket 49 Sheriff& Craig Street, C/ville. 227-5771 Experienced cleaners, Call between 7am and 9am. Tel: 225-8572 One experienced legal computer clerk. Call: 6247087/ 226-4283/258-0213/ e m a i l : husainsaphier@yahoo.com Account support specialist, Customer service representative, Office clerk with driver’s license. Apply to Zip Logistics @ hr@ziplogistics.com Company driver, car and van licence required. Call or whatsapp for details 680-3863

From page 14 be performed. Finally, an examination of the relationship between the income statement and the balance sheet must be performed by engaging in “ratio analysis.” The ultimate purpose of analysing financial statements by these procedures is to help business owners achieve sound planning. By studying income and balance sheet statements, business owners can spot areas of weakness in financial operations and take appropriate remedial action. Through the analysis of these statements business owners can establish a more effective way of allocating funds and resources. Finally, another way to measure the well-being of your business (not discussed above) is to understand what working capital is and why it is an important part of the day-to-day operations of your company. Working capital lets you know if you have enough money to meet the financial obligations of the business over the short term. The way to determine the working capital of your business is to subtract current liabilities from the current assets. Next week we will examine some more aspects of financial education for entrepreneurs.

Wanted- One real estate staff agent. Stipend and commission. Contact: 6187483. PROPERTY FOR SALE LAND FOR SALE BLOCK X SECTIONA DIAMOND HOUSING SCHEME. CONTACT: 611-5273/ 6014217, 233-0159/216-3093 Zeelugt 1 st Street- 2.5M ParafaiteHarmonie- $1.8 Million, 1.5 Million. Tel# 642-1252 Eccles (Corner lot) $5M ParafaiteHarmonie (High income area) 100ft x 50ft $2M Onderneeming with fence $1.6M.Tel#611-7223/667-1960 Herstelling (2nd Bridge) 110ft x 60ft $5M (4th Bridge)$3.5M Farm $3M ParafaiteHarmonie $1.4M Tel#651-1969/656-0701

New Building with two apartment downstairs for sale, 10 mins from Georgetown. Tel: 675-1510 CAR RENTAL DOLLY’SCARRENTAL-CALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE CAR R E N TA L : S U V F O R RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL:6560087,643-5122, EMAIL: P R O _ A U T O R E N TA L @YAHOO.COM

Eccles New Scheme (Corner Lot) with 12 massive column and foundation $7M on a main road. Tel#656-0701/6511969

AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807

28 Acres of land @ Soesdyke Public Road. By owner. Interested persons send information to P.O 101184 Georgetown.

WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIAL OFFERS! CALL: 690-6494

Business Property for Sale. Lot 11 Middleton Street, Campbellville, Georgetown Guyana. Contact Owner at: 240-605-8877 USA. No Agents Property for sale by owner. Lot 46, Long Dam V e r g e n o e g e n E.B.Essequibo $4,000,000 Neg. Tel: 628-9390

Sunday November 12, 2017

Kaieteur News

CONSUMER CONCERNS

Preservation and resurgence of Guyanese holiday traditions By PATDIAL A few days ago, we heard some Christmas music on the radio and were reminded of the imminence of the advent of the holiday season. We were also reminded of the way in which Guyanese people, five or six decades ago, moved into the holiday season from November. An atmosphere of expectancy enveloped the Society in a gradually rising crescendo from mid-November. School children had their endof-term parties and teachers were less exacting and an air of relaxation and bonhomie pervaded the schools which quietly extended to the larger society. In the schools, it was usual to stage parts of the Christmas story, in costume, using the various Christmas carols. For example, the birth of Jesus would have used the carols “Away in the Manger” or “While shepherds watched their flocks by night”. Younger children, with unshakable belief, were all devotees of Father Christmas. Thorough house-cleaning and sprucing up of the surroundings were done. Furniture was renewed and repainting of houses were part of the preparations. These activities provided employment for handymen, joiners and carpenters. The stores, even the smallest ones, were decorated, projecting the colourful fantasy of Christmas. They brought in special stocks for the holidays. These included a variety of gifts for the Season and ingenious toys for children. Windowshopping was part of the joy of the Season. It was unthinkable to serve one’s guests during these holidays with aerated drink or food from restaurants or cakes from bakeries. All families were expected to serve locally made drinks such as ginger beer, sorrel, carambola, jamoon wine or rice wine. Home-baked cakes such as black cake and a variety of fruit cakes were a de rigeur requirement of the Season. One custom which only exists in the memories of older folk was the beautiful and colourful Christmas and New Year cards which were sold everywhere. Many of these cards had touching sentimental verse, and though most could not be considered great poetry, they had a particular holiday charm and flavour. The artwork of many of these cards was memorable. Owing to the sad and disastrous experience which Guyanese Society and Guyanese people had suffered over the last five or six decades, there was massive emigration and the effacing of cultural norms including many of the end-of-year holiday traditions. In any country, despite its deep traditions having been

suppressed in various ways, these continue to exist in the innermost recesses of the national psyche and could again manifest themselves. We therefore believe that many of our valued traditions could be resuscitated and again bring the joy in which past generations participated. However, in the first place, we must realise that the effort to renew our houses and surroundings, preparing special foods and cultivating a spirit of relaxation is something cathartic. It is finalising one era - the old year- and entering a new onethe New Year. And when we enter the New Year, we would have done so freed of the burdens of the past and ready to meet with optimism the challenges of the present. We must realise that all the holiday preparations and the effort to “finalise” the old year are of positive psychological importance. We should therefore try to complete all outstanding matters by the end of the year. Christmas and holiday shopping should be done early, since there is less likelihood of buying things which one does not need or buying over-priced goods because of their presentation and appearance. One would thus overcome “compulsive buying” which often overtakes consumers in the heart of the Christmas Season. In buying gifts for children, giving them books is preferable to the games which many of today’s parents seem to prefer. Today, people seem to prefer to go out to public places of entertainment during the holiday season. Reviving the older tradition of the house party

would again bring back the strengthening friendships and greater pleasure. Many happy marriages used to result from such parties. One of the greatest pleasures which used to be experienced was the change of weather in November in the runup to the holiday season, people in the past used to call it the “Christmas weather”. At this time, the refreshing Trade Winds rise fanning the whole coast. And as Guyana is in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun moves away from the Earth towards the Tropic of Cancer, finally reaching it on 23rd December. During this time, the sun’s light has a lighter gold and the days are cooler. The light during the day seems to have various hues and sunsets are earlier. The sunsets tend to be pastel colours, different from the bright orange, turquoise and other bold colours of July and August and have a beauty of their own. The skies at this time have various shades of blue and not only the bright blue of August and the clouds are very silver. At sundown, the dusk is longer than at other times of the year and for the hour or so it lasts; it suffuses everything in a beautiful blue haze. The trees and vegetation at this time are of a pleasant green between the dark green of August and the spring green one often sees in March and all flowers are in bloom. Such common flowers as hibiscuses, bougainvillas, poinsettias, oleanders and buttercups brighten the environment. The end of year holiday season and their traditions need preservation and resurgence and beginning this year is timely.

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‘G’ Divison hosts Spelling Bee Competition The Guyana Police Force ‘G’ Division, has made yet another effort to enhance youth empowerment in Region Two. The force recently hosted a spelling bee competition which facilitated slow learners and seldom school attendees, between the ages of seven and 12. The Charity Police Youth Group competed against the

Sunday November 12, 2017

Kaieteur News

Anna Regina/Henrietta Group at the Anna Regina Police Station last Saturday. Both teams consisted of five members. The Anna Regina Youth Group secured first place with an overall 117 points. Charity on the other hand concluded with 108 points. Officer attached at the Anna Regina Youth Group, Satesh Singh, explained that

the youth club was established to help children in the community, who would seldom attend school. Singh explained, “There are some children that never had the opportunity to go to school, we make an effort to reach out to them. In the group, we teach life skills, health education, physical education and we even offer counselling where needed. We take them out on tours and they enjoy other classes such as the Zara Computer School.” Other policing youth groups on the Essequibo Coast include Charity, Aurora, Dartmouth and Supenaam.

The extra lesson... From page 10 the pass rate at external examinations would be worse. This phenomenon questions the degree of confidence parents have in the formal system and questions whether extra lessons are indeed a necessity. Clearly, there is a demand on the part of parents that teachers are more than willing to meet. As a result, the practice has spiraled to the extent that extra lessons are being offered by anyone who deems themselves competent. There exists no mechanism to monitor and track the quality of instruction being offered at lessons. In some cases, the exam culture has resulted in lessons being opportunities for teaching to the test, coaching students to pass the exam at the expense of true competence. The drilling of students with suitable answers to past exam papers is now the norm. Quality instruction has been forsaken for passes at the examinations. Parents simply invest their earning with the hope of an acceptable outcome, with their child being different despite years of evidence of underachievement in some cases.

The key questions of whether examinations demand extra tuition or can the content be covered and mastered through in-class instruction need to be examined and addressed. The overall impact on the system is far-reaching and not fully understood. Little research has been done on the nature of the shadow system and its impact on performance levels and, more importantly, on the students themselves. Anecdotal evidence suggests that students are suffering a greater degree of burn-out as a result of the long hours of combined instruction. Extra lessons are now starting at the lowest levels in system and at younger ages, depriving children of key time usually spent on their all-round development. The primary diagnostic assessments at grades two and four have unfortunately been used as further justification for lessons, forcing pupils at tender ages to be subjected to the unnecessary pressures of extra-lessons. This has undermined the embedding of the diagnostic concepts of the grades two and four assessments, resulting in teachers and parents

regarding them as examinations onto themselves that need to be ‘passed’. Education has now become synonymous with academics at the expense of all of the other pursuits that add value and meaning to one’s existence. Questions have emerged regarding lessons being “cram camps’, leading to students being further “overschooled but undereducated”. More importantly, if the extra-lessons industry continues apace, there is no inherent incentive for teachers to work harder and produce better in-school results since underperformance is sure justification for more lessons. Addressing this multifaceted issue is by no means an easy task. There has to be widespread engagement of all stakeholders on the matter. Teacher salaries are oftentimes used as primary justification for the extra lessons being offered and must be a key part of the discussion. If the education system is to forge forward however, all of these dimensions must be addressed and aligned with a strategic plan for producing positive outcomes.

Sunday November 12, 2017

Kaieteur News

Trump says he trusts Putin’s denials of election meddling DANANG, Vietnam (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said he believed President Vladimir Putin when he denied accusations that Russia meddled in last year’s U.S. election after the two met briefly at a summit in Vietnam yesterday and agreed a statement on Syria. It was their first encounter since July and came during a low in U.S.-Russia relations and at a time Trump is haunted by an investigation into accusations that Putin influenced the election that brought him to the White House. Putin reiterated the denials of interference, Trump said. “Every time he sees me he says I didn’t do that, and I really believe that when he tells me that, he means it,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One after leaving the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the resort of Danang. “I think he is very insulted by it, which is not a good thing for our country,” Trump said. Trump, who has called allegations of campaign collusion with Moscow a hoax, has faced questions from Democrats about the matter since he took office. A special counsel, Robert Mueller, is conducting a probe that has led to charges against Trump’s former campaign manager Paul Manafort and his associate Rick Gates.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands at the APEC summit in Danang, Vietnam Friday. Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Kremlin via REUTERS U.S. intelligence agencies have also concluded Russians interfered in the election to tip the election in Trump’s favour through hacking and releasing emails to embarrass Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and spreading social media propaganda. Russia has repeatedly denied meddling in the election. In Danang, Putin told reporters an alleged link between Manafort and Russia was being fabricated by Trump’s opponents. Putin dismissed suggestions Russia influenced the elections through political advertising. Tech companies, including Facebook, have said some Russian-bought political content spread on

their platforms around the time of the election. “There is no confirmation of our mass media meddling in election campaigns – and there can’t be any,” Putin said. After emphasizing last year on the campaign trail that it would be nice if the United States and Russia could work together, Trump has had limited contact with Putin since taking office. In Vietnam, Trump and Putin agreed a joint statement supporting a political solution to the war in Syria. “We did it very quickly,” Trump told reporters “We seem to have a very good feeling for each other, a good relationship considering we don’t know each other well.”

Justice Patterson’s practice as a... From page 11 appear to be politically partial in the discharge of the functions of his office on several grounds, including that he is a member of the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy appointed by the President. However, Kyte further contends that Patterson, being a member of the advisory committee of the Prerogative of Mercy, can in no way hinder his ability to be impartial, objective and independent. Mustapha’s writ lists that Patterson is an advisor to the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs appointed by the President. Kyte states, “Such an appointment demonstrates and enhances his ability to be impartial, objective and independent. It is therefore deceitful for the Applicant (Mustapha) to aver to the advisory capacity of Justice Patterson, even as the Leader of the Opposition in his first list nominated Mr Christopher Ram, who also served as advisor to the Honourable Attorney General on the establishment of the Joseph Haynes Law School.” Kyte added, “I am further advised as aforesaid and verily believe that the services of the Honourable Justice, James Patterson were available to all Government Ministers and not the Attorney General and Minister of Legal

Affairs alone, whereas the services of Mr Christopher Ram as an advisor to the Attorney General and Minster of Legal Affairs were voluntary and specific to him.” Further the Solicitor General said the fact that the word “acting” did not appear after the words “Chief Justice” was not an intention to deceive and further, does not negative the facts that Justice Patterson held and executed the functions of the office. In explaining why the word “acting” did not appear after the word Chief Justice on his curriculum vitae (CV) to the president, Justice Patterson said that his CV was written hastily for the first time in three decades and that the omission was a lapsus calami, a trifling slip of the pen, and unworthy of further discourse. According to Kyte, “I am informed by the Honourable Justice Patterson and do verily believe that during his tenure of Chief Justice acting and even after that tenure expired persons who knew him then even to this day call him “Chief” or “Chief Justice” or “My Lord” as the case may be and that is a common practice in such officers.” In her affidavit, the Solicitor General attached clippings from the Grenada Newsletter and Barbados Advocate respectively in which Justice Patterson is referred to as Acting Chief Justice and Chief Justice.

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Sunday November 12, 2017

Kaieteur News

Ministry gives $30,000 grants to Corentyne Students Nine CSEC students from the Port Mourant Secondary School, Corentyne, Berbice received grants from the Small Business Bureau of the Ministry of Business in an Inaugural Grant Disbursal Ceremony Friday. The students who were awarded the grants are Davashnie Sugrim, Michelle Adrian, Rakjumarie Rampersaud, Yoshoda Mahabir, Mohesha Narine, Shabina Narine, Kevin Henry, Delicia Sarmentoo, and Alicia Ramoo. All grants are ex-

pected to be disbursed by the end of November. The school is among 15 schools across Guyana that participated in the Ministry’s ‘In-School Entrepreneurship Programme’. The In-School Entrepreneurship Programme is a collaboration of the Ministry of Business Small Business Bureau with the Ministry of Education. The Programme strives to promote economic empowerment among Guyanese youths while providing economic support for less fortunate students. The

programme also seeks to recognise feasible business plans created and submitted by students in their School Based Assessments (SBAs), which is a compulsory component of CSEC for some subject areas. At the ceremony, Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, addressed the students on entrepreneurship skills that the students should develop. These skills include creativity, innovativeness and willingness to take risks in order to be successful.

Making something from anything (From page 19) you can boil it, but I don’t believe in cooking the soap…I believe in the six-week form. You make your soap today and leave it in the mould, then take it out and leave it for six weeks to cure. I believe that when you cook the soap you are cooking the vegetables too much.” When making soap like the pumpkin one, May-June uses everything, even the skin and seeds. “At the moment, I have over 30 different makes of soap. I also do cinnamon, clove, oatmeal and lots more, but my favourite one is the Botanical Beauty.” She also uses things like kale, lemon, ginger, green apples, celery and cucumber. But May-June is smart. Her soaps have some secret ingredients…and they will remain just that…a secret. “And I am trying to get my sons involved. Because of this, my grandson wants to become a chemist. So my grandson loves to help out.” May-June has been abandoning her beautiful home in Mississauga, Canada. “I have shows in Canada going on right now, so I have to oversee that too. I don’t always stay in Guyana. I do shows all over and the reception is amazing. When I have my line-up, people think that I am

some sort of out-of-theordinary specialist, but in truth I just want to help people.” The soap lady has been busy promoting the soaps in Canadian events after being involved in clothing in three different malls in that North American country. Her husband, a Canadian, died three years ago, leaving her to think about how to spend her days. “I am a pensioner. I don’t want to just throw back and do nothing. I have not gone to a doctor in over 42 years… since I was last pregnant.” Admitting her sales at the recent expo was “okay”, May-June was able to make a lot of connections with persons who are interested in her soaps. “Earlier this year I was on Main Street and I had a lot of customers who were happy with my products.” And her products are aptly named… “My White Rose”. DANDRUFF She is making soaps for any complaints...including rash and dandruff. H o w e v e r, t h e s o a p lady does not believe in selling products that lighten skin. “Because in the short run you get lots of skin problems. Even the movie stars have serious issues with skin lightening. Chemical lightening of skin will only lead to a long term health issue,

so I don’t advise it.” She has the right thing for it. A lemon soap. The hobby and now business is by no means cheap. “It is quite expensive to make soaps, because the proper and healthy ingredients that I am using are very expensive, especially the virgin coconut oil. And then the difficulty in getting shea butter. It is more of a love than a profit-making scheme.” She buys some of her products in Guyana, but has problems sourcing coconut oil, while it is so much more accessible in Canada. The great-grandmother has a plan. She has been bullying and enticing her friends and family to help out. In another year, it is the plan to hire 15 staffers, as part of the expansion, and teach them to make soaps. “I have an issue with packaging, and I understand that when you do something you should package it properly to sell, but with my soap I just want to sell as it is. The weather does not affect the soap. When I am outdoors, I just put a little plastic over it to keep away dust and so on. I got a soap that I can put in the sun for eight hours and it won’t melt. Besides, the chemical that brings it together, there is only vegetables in it.”

Shade houses - a success story... From page 8 combination of plastic and the shade mesh,” Dr. Homenauth disclosed. He added that with the experience the institute would have garnered from the Cuban expertise, it was able to make adjustments in terms of the height and types of shade

houses. The various types of shade houses include the low tunnel structure, two-roof, single-ridge (police cap) structure, high tunnel structure, double-ridge structure and green house structure. Now, these structures are available throughout the

country. Presently, most farmers who are cultivating bell pepper, which was introduced by NAREI, are doing so in shaded condition to get better yields. In 2016 alone, local farmers produced $20M worth of this commodity and no importation permits were issued.

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Ministry gives $30,000 grants to Corentyne Students Nine CSEC students from the Port Mourant Secondary School, Corentyne, Berbice received grants from the Small Business Bureau of the Ministry of Business in an Inaugural Grant Disbursal Ceremony Friday. The students who were awarded the grants are Davashnie Sugrim, Michelle Adrian, Rakjumarie Rampersaud, Yoshoda Mahabir, Mohesha Narine, Shabina Narine, Kevin Henry, Delicia Sarmentoo, and Alicia Ramoo. All grants are ex-

pected to be disbursed by the end of November. The school is among 15 schools across Guyana that participated in the Ministry’s ‘In-School Entrepreneurship Programme’. The In-School Entrepreneurship Programme is a collaboration of the Ministry of Business Small Business Bureau with the Ministry of Education. The Programme strives to promote economic empowerment among Guyanese youths while providing economic support for less fortunate students. The

programme also seeks to recognise feasible business plans created and submitted by students in their School Based Assessments (SBAs), which is a compulsory component of CSEC for some subject areas. At the ceremony, Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, addressed the students on entrepreneurship skills that the students should develop. These skills include creativity, innovativeness and willingness to take risks in order to be successful.

Xi tells Duterte China will work to safeguard South China Sea peace DANANG, Vietnam (Reuters) - China will work with Southeast Asian countries to safeguard peace in the South China Sea, President Xi Jinping said yesterday in a meeting with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who pledged to handle issues with Beijing in those waters bilaterally. China claims almost the entire strategic waterway through which about $3 trillion worth of goods pass every year, building and militariszing artificial islands. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have conflicting claims there. “China will continue to work with ASEAN countries to safeguard peace, stability and prosperity of the South China Sea region,” China’s official Xinhua news agency cited Xi

as saying to Duterte. The two met on the sidelines of the AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the Vietnamese resort city of Danang. The Philippines will, according to a consensus reached by both sides, work through bilateral channels to appropriately handle maritime issues, Xinhua cited Duterte as saying. It did not elaborate. Duterte said earlier in the week that he planned to ask China to make clear its intentions in the South China Sea. Since coming to office 16 months ago, the firebrand leader has been conciliatory to Beijing, despite a ruling by an international arbitration court favoring the Philippines in its territorial dispute with China.

Shade houses - a success story... From page 8 combination of plastic and the shade mesh,” Dr. Homenauth disclosed. He added that with the experience the institute would have garnered from the Cuban expertise, it was able to make adjustments in terms of the height and types of shade

houses. The various types of shade houses include the low tunnel structure, two-roof, single-ridge (police cap) structure, high tunnel structure, double-ridge structure and green house structure. Now, these structures are available throughout the

country. Presently, most farmers who are cultivating bell pepper, which was introduced by NAREI, are doing so in shaded condition to get better yields. In 2016 alone, local farmers produced $20M worth of this commodity and no importation permits were issued.

Merkel tries to bridge climate gap as coalition talks get serious BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel said yesterday industrialised countries must increase their efforts to fight climate change and Germany should lead by example by showing that ambitious emission targets could be achieved without destroying jobs. Merkel’s comments, made in her weekly podcast in the midst of 200-nation talks on limiting global warming in Bonn, mirror the fine line the centre-right leader has to tread in tricky coalition negotiations to form the next government. Merkel’s conservatives, which bled support to the farright Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the Sept. 24 election, are trying to forge a coalition government with the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) and the environmentalist Greens. The unlikely partners cited progress on Friday after three weeks of exploratory talks about a three-way coalition and party leaders are due to thrash out remaining differences over climate protection and euro zone finances on Sunday. In her podcast, Merkel said industrialised countries had a special responsibility to reduce their emission of climate-damaging greenhouse gases, warning that time was running out. “The urgency, I think we all see this in light of the natu-

Angela Merkel ral disasters, is great,” Merkel said. Climate change is leading to droughts and famine and this is causing mass migration from poorer to richer countries, she added. Referring to the Paris climate agreement, Merkel said: “As things stand right now, the target to keep the rise in temperature below two degrees Celsius - ideally at around 1.5 degrees - will be missed.” Due to strong economic growth and higher-than-expected immigration, Germany is at risk of missing its own goal to lower emissions by 40 percent by 2020 from 1990 levels if the next government does not implement further measures. Both the solid output figures as well as the increased number of people coming to Germany have pushed up emissions. “That’s why we are also wrestling in exploratory talks for a possible new coalition about this: How can we adopt

even more measures in order to try and reach this 2020 goal,” Merkel said. But the chancellor insisted that Germany’s “industrial core” should not be put at risk and any further climate measures should not force companies to relocate. “If steel mills, aluminium factories, copper smelters, if they all leave our country and go somewhere where environmental regulations are not as strict, then we have won nothing for global climate,” Merkel said. The government should therefore adopt a sound mix of regulatory policy, financial incentives and voluntary measures in order to avoid major disruptions and job losses, she said. “We have to push ahead forcefully with electromobility and alternative drive systems,” Merkel said. She also suggested that the next government should give tax incentives for home owners to improve building insulation.

Syria peace talks not yet scheduled - Russian foreign minister DANANG, Vietnam (Reuters) - A Russian-sponsored Syrian peace initiative has not been scheduled yet, Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov told Reuters yesterday on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Vietnam. The Syrian Congress on National Dialogue had been expected to be held in southern Russia on Nov. 18 but was postponed.

Sunday November 12, 2017

Kaieteur News

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Bottas grabs pole while Hamilton crashes... (From page 78) he said. “But our long run looked good compared to Valtteri so I am feeling good for tomorrow.” Hamilton’s was a rare mistake by Britain’s most successful racing driver, and last year’s winner from pole at Interlagos, and he will now ha v e t o f i g h t through from the back for the second race in a row. The Mercedes driver won the title by finishing ninth in Mexico after a first lap collision with Vettel sent both to the back of the field. His mechanics will have work to do, with the impact causing damage to the left side of the

Mercedes and ripping off the front wheel and suspension. Hamilton, unhurt and smiling somewhat unconvincingly as he spoke to reporters later, said it had all happened really quickly. “It is what it is. Of course it’s unfortunate. Challenges are what makes life interesting and overcoming them makes life meaningful, I guess,” said the 32-year-old. “I‘m j u s t g o i n g t o t r y to take whatever bubble of negativity comes from that experience and move forwards and try to grow f r o m i t . I t ’s v e r y u n usual of me but just s h o w s t h a t w e ’ re all hu-

man and things happen. “I will try to have as much fun as possible tomorrow,” added Hamilton. “Years ago I came from quite far behind and had a great race.” Australian Daniel Ricciardo qualified fifth fastest for Red Bull but has a 10 place grid penalty as a result of power unit changes. That will lift Mexican Sergio Perez, for Force India, to fifth with McLaren’s double world champion Fernando Alonso set to start sixth. Bra z i l i a n Felipe Massa, preparing for a home farewell in the penultimate race of his last season in Formula One, will start ninth.

Sunday November 12, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Be cautious who you deal with financially. You have a lot to offer. You need to get out and have some fun to reduce tension.

volvement in sports or entertainment will lead to new romances. You may have been trying to do too much, leaving yourself exhausted and open to colds and infections.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) The distance may make you both appreciate each other more. Try to avoid being extravagant today. Erratic behavior at home may be hard to handle.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You will have opportunities to advance, but you may have to be willing to make some changes and possibly a residential move. You may find that you're being used. Try to enlist the help of those you trust in order to fulfill the demands being made of you.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Travel should be on your mind. Don't let your emotions interfere with moneymaking deals. A passionate party for two might be just the remedy. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Hidden assets can be doubled if you play your cards correctly. Read between the lines when signing contracts. Check into art objects or precious stones. You can do well in group endeavors. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Think twice before eating spicy foods; you may have problems with your stomach. Take a second look; another person's philosophy may be extremely different from yours. Keep tabs on your spending. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Find a way to consolidate. Travel and educational pursuits may help alleviate the stress you have been feeling. You can make life easier for an older member of your family. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Concentrate on work. Your in-

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Investments are best left alone today. Leave things as they are for the moment and focus on reaching your highest potential at work. Use your obvious talent to work with detail and you can come up with something great. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Don't let the moods of those you live with get you down. Try to channel your energy into physical work. Avoid any intimate involvement's with coworkers or employers. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) You can make positive changes in your home. Try not to allow superiors or those in a higher position to take advantage of you. Acceptance is the key. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Large organizations may try to talk you out of your hardearned cash. Good day for romance. You'll find it easy to upgrade your environment by redecorating or changing your residence.

Lewis Hamilton watches as his car is taken away after the crash. (Getty Images)

Allen Hat-trick, Abrams double book Fruta... (From page 79) dictated much of the proceedings and took advantage of their opponents tiring legs as Abrams extended the lead in the 72nd minute when he netted his first from inside the area. Six minutes later Alleyne escaped his marker and netted his second from inside the box before Abrams made it 4-0 in the 82nd after receiving a pass from Jermaine

Garrett. Alleyne complete his hat-trick when he won the ball just on the edge of the area and beat Hamilton from inside the box. Oparaemetuche pulled one back for Victoria Kings’ in the second minute of added time with a free kick from outside the area. The second semi final looked to be a more balanced contest with both teams creating some early chances, but it was GDF who took the lead

in the 11th minute; Delwin Fraser was pulled down inside the area and Delroy Fraser made no mistake from the penalty spot. A defensive error, which resulted in an own goal, handed GDF a 2-0 advantage in the 19th minute. Buxton showed more purpose in the second half and had a few chances went a begging, but GDF’s defence stood firm in the remainder of the contest to ensure their place in the final.

Reigning Group four champion... (From page 76) seconds. Meanwhile, Team Mohamed’s, that are well on their way to another CMRC title, occupy the top three poles after dominating the superbike qualifiers in their Yamaha R6 motorcycles. The pole positions and times are as follows, 1stJason Aguilar 33.419 seconds, 2nd Matt Truelove 33.53 seconds, 3rd

Singh’s defiant... (From page 75) Joseph played with excellent technique before falling five short of highest score of 20 as the record of the highest last wicket stand by Guyana by Shiv Chanderpaul and Brandon Bess against Barbados in 2012 was broken yesterday. Scores: HURRICANES 412 for nine declared (Montcin Hodge 91, Keacy Carty 82, Jahmar Hamilton 56, Terrance Ward 52, Chesney Hughes 32; Sherfane Rutherford 3-92, Romario Shepherd 2-64, Veerasammy Permaul 2104). JAGUARS 206 (Vishaul Singh 97 not out, Sherfane Rutherford 32, Chanderpaul Hemraj 23; Terrance Ward 448, Jeremiah Louis 2-52, Rahkeem Cornwall 2-62) and 53 for two (Leon Johnson 27 not out).

Bryce Prince 33.8 seconds, 4th Matthew Vieira 35.017 seconds, 5th Kevin Persaud

35.971 seconds and 6th Reveiro Tucker 37.160 seconds.

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Kaieteur Sports Week in Review Sports Week in Review As is customary we take a look back at the events that topped the headlines in the local world of sport. GFSCA GUYANA CUP 7 HAROLD’S LAST OVER HEROICS ENSURES ARIEL SPEEDBOAT RETAIN OPEN TITLE FLOODLIGHTS SUCCESSFULLY DEFEND MASTERS CROWN History was created when the seventh edition of the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) Guyana Cup concluded at the Demerara Cricket Club - no team has ever successfully defended their title in an international tournament - Ariel Speedboat and Floodlights achieved the feat in the Open and Masters categories respectively last weekend. Mark Harold, with over a decade of experience in the sport, used it to good effect to hand Ariel Speedboat an exciting four-run win over Boots All stars. Chasing 128, Boots All stars needed 13 from the last over; despite being aided by three wides they only managed eight as Harold picked up four wickets to finish with 4-20. Speedboat decided to bat and lost a few early wickets. Vikash Dhaniram struck two fours and two sixes in a top score of 27. Ariel Speedboat were bowled out in 17.1 overs for 127. Avinash Sookdeo claimed 3-31, Yoodhanlall Sooklall 2-7 and Roy Persaud 2-34. Boots All stars reply got off to a bad start, losing Brian Mangar without scoring in the first over. Two partnerships of 34 and 40 runs respectively helped their cause. However, key wickets including excellent run outs saw Ariel Speedboat fought back. The game continued to swing in the balance; Boots All stars needed 23 from three and it wired down to the last over - with five wickets in hand many had written off Ariel Speedboat, however Harold who bowled Mohamed off the first ball in the over for 37 (1x4) and went on to pick up Sooklall (04), Avinash Sookdeo (00) and Andy Rooplall (00), turned out to be the hero as Boots All stars lost nine wickets in the chase. Singh had 2-13. Floodlight defeated archrivals Regal Masters by nine wickets in the Masters final played earlier. Batting first, Regal Masters managed 101-9. In reply, Floodlights finished on 102-1 in 11.3 overs. Karibee Girls of Berbice defeated Trophy Stall Angels by 12 runs in the female final. Karibee Girls batted first and scored 82-7 in 10 overs. Shemaine Campbell made 23, Shakiba Gajnabi 20 and Sherika Campbell 16; Alicia Allen took 2-11. Trophy Stall Angels responded with 70-7. Ruth George

Mahendra Persaud (6th) and Lennox Braithwaite (8th) ended in the top 10. made 34; Nagma Boodhoo, Shemaine Campbell and Gajnabi claimed two wickets each. Blairmont beat GCC by 88 runs in the Well Teen, Tropical Spring, Nauth Motor Spares and Trophy Stall U13 final. Blairmont took first strike and posted 150-5 in 25 overs. GCC were bowled out for 62 in 14.2 overs in reply. AVINASH PERSAUD AND CHRISTINE SUKHRAM ARE GUYANA OPEN GOLF CLASSIC CHAMPS Christine Sukhram reinstated her place as the best in her class after dominating 36 holes of golf in the Guyana Open golf classic twoday tournament at the Lusignan Golf Course. Sukhram had a score of 82 strokes during the first day’s play and on day two, she played slightly less impressive with a score of 89 strokes but nevertheless, it was good enough to come out on top of her competitors. The 2016 female champion, two-time winner Joann Deo, rallied to overtake Shanella Webster for second place. Deo outplayed Webster 91 to 99 strokes on the final day. Avinash Persaud maintained his dominance and doubled up on his victory in 2016 and won his eighth Guyana Cup title with a gross score of 149 strokes, while 2013 champion Avinda Kishore finished second with his gross score being 151 and Mikey Mangal was third with 157 strokes. GUYANA OUTSTANDINGLY AT INTER-GUIANA U20 VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT MALES CROWNED CHAMPIONS, FEMALES

ARE RUNNERS-UP The Guyana males and females U20 Volleyball teams, under the skillful guidance of Manager/Coach Levi Nedd, who was ably assisted by female coach Errol Chase, did their country proud at the recently held InterGuiana tournament. The tournament, which was played in French Guiana (Cayenne), saw both Guyana teams performing exceptionally well. The males defied the odds to take top honours in the tournament while the females ended in the runner up spot. Guyana males faced French Guiana whom they defeated 16-25, 25–19, 15–10. Guyana’s Ronaldo Bobb was the best blocker on show; Andy Rohoman received the prize for being the best attacker. Diamyon Al-Ahmad got his award as the best defender, Renaldo Griffith the best setter. The versatile Samuel Fraser walked away with the MVP award he was also the best receiver on show. The females were unfortunate not to win in their category. The Guyanese girls lost in the finals to the French Guiana National team 25–16, 25-21. Among the Guyanese girls Cherry- Anne Fraser received the best blocker award, while Kelshine Griffith was adjudged the best defender on show. 12TH ANNUAL NORTH AMERICAN REGIONAL BENCH PRESS CHAMPIONSHIPS NAIRIANJAN ‘THE GOLDEN ONE’ SINGH POWERS TO SILVER AND BRONZE MEDALS The 74 year-old Guyanese

Powerlifter, Nairianjan ‘The Golden One’ Singh has been demonstrating consistently his ability to compete and win at his age. Following up from his new Bench Press and Deadlift South American records when he claimed one gold, two silver and a bronze medal at the 16th NAPF and 32nd South American Powerlifting Federation (FESUPO) Championships in Orlando in July this year, Singh, Guyana’s oldest competitor continued his medal hauling ways in Canada, last month. Competing at the 12th Annual IPF/NAPF North American Regional Bench Press Championships from October 26 – 28 in Hamilton, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the Golden One of the sport, competing in the Masters 4 category, raked in another silver and bronze medal. Competing in the 83kg class, Singh’s silver was achieved in the Masters 4, while the bronze medal came in the Masters Open category his overall total being 254lbs. His first attempt was 100kg while the second and third was 115kg. CLEVELAND “THE LITTLE KENYAN” FORDE WINS GUYANA LEG OF SOUTH AMERICA 10K Guyana ruled the roost in the men’s Open Division of the second leg of the three-stage South America 10k after finishing with all the podium finishes. The race started at the GTT earth Station on CARIFESTA Avenue, preceded to the University of Guyana road and returned for the finish inside the National Park. Cleveland Forde finished in pole position with an impressive time of 33 minutes 42seconds followed by long time rival Cleveland Thomas in a time of 33 minutes 51 seconds for second place. The ever improving Winston Missigher finished 3rd in a time of 34 minutes 05 seconds to complete Guyana’s full podium finish. Champion of the Guyana leg in 2016, 49-year-old Curtis Cox, had to scamper for fourth position in 34 minutes 18 seconds, while Junior Ashton of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) was fifth with 35 minutes 53 seconds. S V G ’s L i n d a M c d o w a l l showed up her countryman fifth place finish in the men’s Open after capturing the Women’s Open. The 23-year-old lass ran a time of 39 minutes 50 seconds and related to Kaieteur Sport following her victory that she didn’t expect Guyana to be so hot and the heat played a major role in her time which was slow to her standards. Grenada’s Kenisha Pascal finished second in the female Open in a time of 40 minutes 44 seconds, while Guyana’s Maria Urquhart was third in 44 minutes 20 seconds. Guyana achieved more success in the Junior Male division of the 10k race after South America

Junior bronze medalist; 19-yearold Anfernee Headecker, who finished sixth overall, was first among his peers. Suriname’s Ronaldinho Pinas was second among the Junior Male, while Rickie Williams of Guyana was third followed by his compatriot Delroy Leitch fourth. The Junior women saw a similar first to third finish for Guyana with third place overall Maria Urquhart being the first female junior to cross the line, followed Sheama Tyrell second and Leyanna Charles third. Meanwhile, Sefanja Wielzen of Suriname was fourth in the junior women class of the 10k race. FOUNDING MEMBER AND DECORATED RACER PAT HOLDER HONOURED BY GMRSC Patrick Holder, one of the founding members of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMRSC), has expressed delight in the gesture of the current administration of the club to fulfill the wishes of former President John Carpenter to have the club house at the South Dakota Circuit at Timehri named in his honour. After the decree three years ago, the GMRSC had painted over the facility which is done yearly and renamed it boldly after one of their living founding members, Holder, who has contributed immensely to not only motor racing, but sports in general in Guyana. The current President of the GMRSC confirmed the gesture. The 83-year-old Holder was the first Guyanese to compete in Suriname when he rode in an 85 mile race there in 1949 at the young age of 15 years. By then, he was the under-16 cycling champion of British Guiana, the former British Cycling Club athlete stated. In motorbike racing, he competed in the 250cc and 350cc classes and although he was never an overall champion, he had his fair share of victories. Other contributions by Pat Holder, the owner of Auto Electric (automobile company) to the motor racing, besides competitively and administratively, is the fact that his company was the first to introduce the Ducati and Yamaha brands of motorcycles. After successes in motorbike racing, he tried boat racing in 1960 on a whim after acquiring a 40HP engine at a good price. Holder said his initial success at boat racing was very lucky. Pat Holder informed that the formative years of the GMRSC witnessed in the 1950’s drag races at the 63 beach every Easter, while club meetings were usually held at rum shops and at houses of members. BRAITHWAITE AND PERSAUD END 6TH AND 8TH OF 27 SHOOTERS AT THE CSF CHAMPIONSHIPS The dress rehearsal to next (Continued on page 75)

Sunday November 12, 2017

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur Sports Week in Review (From page 74) year’s Commonwealth Games Shooting championships concluded at the Belmont Shooting Centre in Brisbane, Australia with the Guyanese pair of Lennox Braithwaite and Fullbore Captain Mahendra Persaud ending in 6th and 8th place respectively of 27 of the best shooters in the world. Competing at the same venue where next year’s Commonwealth Games (CG) will be held, Braithwaite and Persaud have once again proven and displayed the class and talent of Guyana at the highest level in the world, Guyana being the reigning Caribbean Short and Long Range Champions with Persaud the Top Individual shot in the Caribbean. Braithwaite ended with a Grand Aggregate of 394 Points and 40 V bulls, while Persaud tallied a similar amount of points with 24 V Bulls. The winner of the event was David Luckman of England with a score of 399.39 followed by Petrus Haasbroek of South Africa with the same points and 32 Vs. Third was Australian Jim Bailey (398.42), fourth, Parag Patel of England (396.38) and fifth, Jim Paton of Canada with a score of 394.41. Ben Emms of Australia also ended with a score of 394 but with 38 Vs just under Braithwaite and above Persaud. CARIBBEAN JUNIOR ROAD CYCLING CHAMPIONSHIPS – ROAD RACE DEY SUFFERS DOUBLE PUNCTURE ON LAST LAP, ENDS 9TH AS DID

RAMSACHCHIT IN JUVENILE CLASS An ultra-challenging Stewart Hill in the Parish of St. Phillips presented a steep and challenging climb and rapid descent which had to be negotiated a total of seven (7) times adding up to 1300m of climbing over 88.9 kilometers. This was the terrain that 25 of the best Junior cyclists in the Caribbean had to negotiate when the Junior Caribbean Cycling Championships Road Race was contested in Barbados. Guyana had three starters but only Curtis Dey completed the very challenging course for the Juniors ending in 9th place of the 13 finishers. A total of 25 riders faced starters orders but 12 of them were unable to complete the distance including the Guyanese pair of Briton John who cramped up on lap 5 after falling on lap one and was brought to the finish line by the ambulance. Nigel Duguid Jnr., exited the race o n l a p 2 . Winning the Gold medal in this category was Bermudian Matthew Oliveira who completed the seven laps in 2:32:18.67, exactly 9:56.04 ahead the second placed Emmanuel Gayral (2:42:14.71) who is Guyanese born but now resides in Antigua and Barbuda. The bronze medal went to Adrian Urcel of Guadeloupe in 2:44:02.44. The Juvenile Race was won by T&T’s Enriaue De Comparino time of 1:46:06.17. The silver medal went to De Comparino’s countryman Joshua Rawlins in 1:47:17.53 with the bronze taken by Barbados’ Luke Staffner in

1:50:11.00, more than four minutes behind the winner. The Female Race saw home girl Amber Joseph turning the tables on Bermuda’s Alyssa Rowse who had beaten her in the Time Trials one day earlier. Joseph sprinted away from the Bermudian to win the contest in 1:35:09.79 with Rowse being timed at 1:35:12.65. Surinamese Tachana Dalger took the bronze medal in 1:37:07.14, some 1:57.35 behind the winner with the other female competitor at this 12th edition of the championships, Belizian Taralee Ordonez completing the distance in 1:38:55.79; 3:46.00 behind. VERA’S FINALLY VS STORM BIRD TO HEADLINE RACE OF CHAMPIONS HORSERACE MEET The place to be is Rising Sun Turf Club on Sunday December 3 from 1:00pm when top class horseracing action will be staged by the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee in their Race of Champions horserace Meet. The Feature Event of the Day is a 1200m (6Furlong) contest which promises to be the fastest 1200M race ever run at Rising Sun Turf Club. The newly imported, The Guyana Cup and President Cup Champion, Vera’s Finally From the Jumbo Jet Racing Stable, trained by Fazal Habbibulla and ridden by Jockey Colin Ross and owned by Nasrudeen Mohamed is set to pull out all the stops. Mohamed noted that his filly is all set to go at a distance of 1200m for the first time in her racing

VETERAN CYCLIST JAMES JOSEPH PUTS GUYANA ON THE MAP WITH WORLD RECORD RECOGNISED BY GCF

James Joseph career. Storm Bird is from the I. Bacchus Racing Stable, trained by the same trainer as Vera’s Finally F. Habbibulla and also ridden by Jockey C. Ross. Storm Bird’s Owner I. Bacchus said he hopes that Vera’s engine is well serviced because he’s expecting his bird’s wing to extend even bigger at the Race of Champions. Trainer F. Habbiublla said he has no comments as yet, both great horses with big hearts. Two horses, two owners, one trainer, one jockey, with one big question; who will Colin Ross Ride, who will be the trainer’s favorite? Those answers will be provided on December 3 at the Rising Sun Turf Club. A purse of $1,000,000 is at stake for the winner of that event.

All eyes are on Guyana in the cycling world after Lindener James Joseph, also known as Joelyn, broke the 200m Flying Start world record at the International Cycling Union (UCI) World Masters Championship in California, exactly one month ago. On October 11th, competing in the 60-64 age group, Joseph recorded the top time of 11.42 seconds in the Flying Start of the Match-Sprint race which bettered the previous record of 11.73 set by Victor Copeland of USA. The previous record of 11.73 was set in the high altitude conditions of the state of Colorado which is much easier compared to the sea level conditions of California. After qualifying in world leading time for the match sprint, Joseph went on to win Guyana’s first medal at a UCI event when he finished second for silver behind Kirk Sato of the USA; the first of a total of three medals. He competed in the 20 lap Scratch race and ended with the silver medal as well. He then sprinted to bronze in the 500m Individual Time Trial. Joseph, an overseas based athlete began his career as a Junior at the Bauxhall Cycling Club in Linden. This is the first time that a Guyanese or Caribbean cyclist has set a world record at a UCI championship.

CWI Digicel Regional 4-day C/Ships

Singh’s defiant unbeaten 97 keep Jaguars alive, but Hurricanes enforce follow-on By Sean Devers in St Kitts In association with Vnet Communications & Connections Travel A defiant unbeaten 97 by Guyana Jaguars’ 28-year-old Vishaul Singh kept the Jaguars alive although it was not enough to prevent the Leewards Hurricanes from enforcing the follow-on as their third day of the third round CWI Digicel Regional four-day game ended yesterday at Warner Park. Singh, who was not out on 91 from 140 balls with 12 fours, shared in half-century partnerships with Sherfane Rutherford and last man Keon Joseph as the Jaguars recovered from the loss of Kemo Paul (4) off the second ball of the day at 67-7 and recovered to reach 206 all out. Off-spinner Terrence Warde (448), Jeremiah Louis (2-50) and Skipper Rakeem Cornwall (2-62) did the damage with the ball for Hurricanes who had made 412-9 declared in the first innings. Joseph, who fell five short of

Vishaul Singh's (Sean Devers photo) highest score of 20, faced 45 balls and reached the boundary twice shared in a record last wicket stand with Singh of 75, while Rutherford, one of six left-handers in the Jaguars side, made 32 with four fours and a six from 60 balls.

The Jaguars following-on were 53-2 at the end of the day, still 151 runs away from avoiding an innings defeat. The Jaguars again failed to get a start as Chanderpaul Hemraj was taken at slip off Mervin Matthew for a duck at 1-2 before Tagenarine Chanderpaul was joined by Skipper Leon Johnson and together they carried the score to 35 before Tagenarine Chanderpaul (16) was trapped LBW by Nkrumah Bonner. Johnson (27) and Permaul (6) saw Jaguars to the close with gritty and responsible batting to set what could be an intriguing final day, especially if Guyana scores anything over 350. Earlier, the badly wounded Jaguars resumed on 53-6, still 359 away from their target and it is said that a Jaguar is at its most dangerous when wounded. When Singh, on 17 and Paul yet to face a ball, walked out to bat before empty stands on a Saturday morning blessed with brilliant sunshine, the Guyana camp would have been hoping that this was true. It is also said that if you feed

your faith your doubt will starve to death and as Paul got going by hitting Warde for four off the first ball of the day, the Jaguars camp wanted to believe. But their hopes were soon dashed when Paul (4) was trapped LBW off the next ball as the Jaguars slumped to 67-7. Rutherford played a commanding square drive off Louis as a partnership was badly needed. Rutherford seemed determined to bat ‘long’ but played some delightful off-side drives from backward point to mid-off as he hit four boundaries off Louis and then swatted Cornwall for six over midwicket, while he played some sweetly timed cover drives and neat flick off his pads. A glorious cover driven boundary off Cornwall by Rutherford was possibly the shot of the day as the eight wicket partnership began to flourish on a good pitch and small and lush green outfield. Rutherford restrained his natural aggression but was quick to

pounce on the bad balls, while Singh, with three Tests under his belt, demonstrated his usual good temperament and together brought up the 50 stand from 62 minutes and 97 balls. But Warde, bowling a lot slower and with more flight than Cornwall, beat Rutherford in the air and Jamal Hamilton pulled off a stupendous catch to send the lefthanded teenager on his way to leave the score 117-8. Romario Shepherd (13) threw his wicket away when he lofted Warde to long-off at 131-9. Singh pulled Cornwall for his sixth four to bring up his 11th FirstClass fifty from 118 balls and 190 minutes and along with last man Keon Joseph took the Jaguars to Lunch, which was extended by 30 minutes due to the last pair being at the crease, on 169-9. Singh was on 69 and Joseph, offering excellent support on seven. After the break Singh danced into Warde and hit him over mid-on for four and pulled him for another four when he bowled short, while (Continued on page 73)

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CMRC Final Leg

Kaieteur News

Sunday November 12, 2017

Reigning Group four champion Kristian Jeffrey in Pole Position

Racing fans were thrilled on the first day, yesterday, of the anticipated final leg of the Caribbean Motor Racing Championships (CMRC) being hosted by the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) at the South Dakota Circuit with qualifications in 1500cc, 1600cc, groups three and f o u r, a l o n g w i t h t h e superbike class.

While races were completed in 1500 class(street tuner), 1600 class (sports tuner) and the Starlet cup, the highlight of the day was Guyana’s Kristian Jeffrey, the reigning CMRC champion qualifying in Pole position for today’s group four races with a scorching time trial of 33.205 seconds. Meanwhile, Danny

Persaud finished in pole after recording an impressive time of 35.742 seconds in the group three class, and Team Mohammed’s new Biker, Jason Aguilar revved away with a top time of 33.419 seconds in the superbike class to continue his team’s long standing dominance. In the completed races of the day, Narine Dasarat won

the Street Tuner, Daniel Dookie blew the competition away in the Sports Tuner and Anand Ramchand finished ahead of the pack in the Starlet cup. Sharima Khan, the only female entrant in the twoday championships that will feature a total of 27 races, suffered mechanical issues and was unable to compete in her respective sports and

street tuner races which will put a huge dent on her hopes of clinching an initial championship berth in those classes. Today’s race day has a packed itinerary with a whopping 24 races that will have fans entertained all day with races in the sports and street tuner, group three and four, SR-3 radicals and professional drift cars

exhibition races. The pole positions in the biggest race of the day, the Group four class is as follows, 1st Kristian Jeffery 33.205seconds, 2nd Roger Mayers 33.273 seconds, 3rd Mark Vieira 34.585 seconds, 4th Mark Maloney 34.673 seconds, 5th Kevin Jeffery 35.110 seconds and 6th Andrew King 35.209 (Continued on page 73)

Sunday November 12, 2017

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Balram Narine wins FACC, Pre National Cycle Road Race in Berbice Promising cyclist, Balram Narine of Upper Corentyne emerged winner of the Flying Ace Cycle Club ( FA C C ) 3 0 - m i l e P r e National School Boys Cycle Road Race. A member of the organizing club, Narine dominated proceedings as he defeated the 18-man field in One Hour 5 Minutes. The event got under at 10:00hrs from the Vishal and Sons Sawmill at Crabwood Creek, proceeded to No. 52 Bridge before turning back to finish at the place of origin. Taking the 2nd place was Odrel Ross followed by Graham Ross, Ralph

Seenarine and Delwin Bowman to close out the top five. Steve Bhowandin continues to impress as he took first in the Under-14 category ahead of Ganesh Joseph, Mario Washington and Marlon Budram. Shaneika Teixeira was outstanding among the females; the Under-14 and female cyclists rode from No. 66 Bridge to the finish line. There were two races for BMX riders. The 9-12 event was won by Sachin Karan from Jerrol Daniels who was followed to the line by Daniel Blair and Hassan Hussein. The top BMX 6-9 rider was Lumesh Singh

followed by Godfrey Daniels and Afaan Blair. The BMX races were held from D e a n B u s i n e s s Establishment to the finish line. The event was used as preparation for cyclists of District 6 - Corentyne and District 15 - New Amsterdam/Canje who are preparing for the Annual National School Track and Field, Athletics, Cycling and Swimming Championships scheduled for the Leonard Track and Field Facility, West Demerara. Both Districts, in particular Corentyne which are the defending champions, have

Daniels helmet-trick hands West Ruimveldt Courts/Banks DIH Pee Wee Football title Ian Daniels completed a helmet-trick to lead West Ruimveldt Primary to a 4-0 victory over Marian Academy when the final of the Courts/Banks DIH Pee Wee U11 primary schools football tournament was contested yesterday at Thirst Park. Watched by a large crowd, West Ruimveldt and Marian Academy provided some early entertainment, but it was West Ruimveldt who went ahead when

Daniels netted his first in the 10th minute. Daniels who scored 10 goals prior to the final, added to his tally six minutes later to give his team a 2-0 advantage at the break. We s t R u i m v e l d t continued to dominate the proceedings in the second stanza and Daniels completed his hat-trick in the 28th minute, beating goalkeeper William Eacarrage from inside the box.

Two minutes later Daniels netted his fourth from the left side of the area to hand his team a comfortable win. Sophia Primary beat Enterprise Primary 5-3 on penalties after both teams failed to find the back of the net in the 40 minutes regulation time. West Ruimveldt Captain Jonathan Andries was named the tournament’s MVP. (Zaheer Mohamed)

been doing exceptionally well over the years at the National Schools event. Trophies and prizes were presented to the top performers after the race by School Teacher Ms. Dollis Johnson and Deputy Superintendent of Police, Guy

Nurse. Coordinator Randolph Roberts expressed gratitude to Banks DIH Limited, Payless Variety Store Roger Grennidge of Grennidge Refrigeration Services, Attorneys-at-Law Gossai

and Gossai, Ming’s Optical, Hand in Hand, Fix it, Art Sawmill, Vishal Singh and Son’s Sawmill and Prem Karran Chicken Enterprise among others for their assistance. (Samuel Whyte)

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Kaieteur News

United We Stand CC Dash for Cash 30-lap Race Jamal John, Briton John and Junior Niles win categories Jamal John emerged winner of the United We Stand Cycle Club (UWSCC) organised Dash for Cash 30lap race yesterday in the National Park. John, who also won three sprint prizes, topped a strong field which included second placed Geron Williams and Walter Grant-Stuart who

finished in that order behind the winner who clocked One Hour 06 Minutes 25.65 Seconds. Winning the Junior category was Briton John, while Junior Niles was the top Veteran. Niles also pedaled away with four sprint prizes. Curtis Dey won three, Briton

John two while there was one each for Grant-Stuart, Alanzo Ambrose, Paul De Nobrega, Andrew Hicks and Williams. A total twenty-three (23) riders participated in the event which saw the top three Seniors as well as the top Junior and Veteran being rewarded with cash.

Sunday November 12, 2017

Bottas grabs pole while Hamilton crashes out SAO PAULO (Reuters) Valtteri Bottas took pole position for Mercedes at the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix yesterday while team mate and newlycrowned four-times world champion Lewis Hamilton will start at the back after crashing out. Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel will join the Finn, who is 15 points behind him in the championship, on the front row with his Finnish team mate Kimi Raikkonen third a n d R e d B u l l ’s M a x

Verstappen fourth. The pole was the third of Bottas’s career and he did it with a track record time of one minute 08.322 seconds at a damp Interlagos. “It feels good. It was so close with Seb all through qualifying,” said the Finn, who was 0.038 quicker than Vettel. “It’s a shame Lewis went out but I‘m happy I could do a good job for the team.” Hamilton, who clinched his fourth world championship in Mexico

two weeks ago, had been hoping for a 12th pole of the season but spun into the barrier at turn seven in the opening session before he could set a lap time. Vettel had been on provisional pole until Bottas produced his late burst of speed and the German looked forward to a good scrap on Sunday. “For tomorrow I think it’s fine. I think I chickened out a bit on the brakes into Turn One on the final run,” (Continued on page 73)

Sunday November 12, 2017

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PAGE 81

Magnum ‘Tek Charge and Win’ Futsal

Teams, fans will be offered Christmas cheer With the holiday season fast approaching, thirty-two teams will have the opportunity to contest for over $900,000 in prize monies and trophies in the inaugural Magnum ‘Tek Charge and Win’ Futsal Christmas Classic slated to start on December 1, at the National Gymnasium. According to the Organiser, the teams invited are amongst the best exponents in the fusal format and fans could expect eight action packed nights of exciting football that will culminate with the final set

for December 23. The 32 teams down to compete are: 1.Sparta Boss, 2.Gold is Money, 3.Back Circle, 4.Future Stars, 5.Leopold Street, 6.Sophia, 7.Tucville, 8.North Ruimveldt, 9.Queen Street Tiger Bay, 10.AlbouystownB, 11.Albouystown-A, 12.Ol Skool Ballers, 13.North East La Penitence, 1 4 . A l e x a n d e r Vi l l a g e , 15.Channel Nine Warriors, 16.Broad Street, 17. Kitty Hustlers, 18. New Market Street, 19.West Back Road, 20. Mike Stars, 21.Campbellville,

-giveaways on every night of action 22.Festival City, 23. African Team, 24.Buxton Diamond, 25.Pike Street Sophia, 26. Champion Boys, 27. Brazilian Team, 28. Mocha, 29.Swag Entertainment, 30.Silver Bullets, 31.Showstoppers and 32.MBK All Stars. Meanwhile, the full schedule of playing days are as follows: Friday December 1, Sunday December 3, Tu e s d a y D e c e m b e r 5 , Sunday December 10, Tuesday December 12, Thursday December 14,

Allen Hat-trick, Abrams double book Fruta Conquerors final date with GDF

Eon Alleyne (left) and Anthony Abrams By Zaheer Mohamed Eon Alleyne scored a hat-trick and Anthony Abrams netted a double to give Fruta Conquerors a 5-1 victory over Victoria Kings and a place in the final of the GFF Stag Big Four football tournament which commenced on Friday night at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora. Fruta Conquerors will

meet Guyana Defence Force in the final which will be played tonight at the said venue. Played in front almost empty stands, Allen put Fruta Conquerors ahead in the 6th minute and despite valiant efforts by their opponents to equalize, Fruta Conquerors managed to maintain the lead at half time.

Delroy Fraser Following the interval, Victoria Kings Kenneth Oparaemetuche sent his shot over the bar before Jermine Junior of Fruta Conquerors was denied by goalkeeper Rawn Hamilton. Alden Lawrence had a wonderful opportunity to draw Victoria Kings’ level, but headed over the bar from a corner kick. Fruta Conquerors (Continued on page 73)

Tuesday December 19 and Saturday December 23, 2017. The winning team will receive $500,000 + Trophy, runner-up $200,000 + Trophy, third place $100,000 + Trophy and fourth place $50,000. The Most Valuable Player will walk away with US$100, while every night fans will enjoy giveaways such as head phones, pop sockets, tee shirts, and speakers.

The Magnum banner heralds the upcoming event which will add more excitement for futsal football fans.

t r o Sp CMRC Final Leg

Reigning Group four champion Kristian Jeffrey in Pole Position Team Mohamed’s Jason Aguilar during his 33.419 seconds top qualification time in the superbike class yesterday. Reigning CMRC Champion Kristian Jeffrey on his way to Pole 1 qualification yesterday in the group 4 class.

Daniels helmet-trick hands West Ruimveldt Courts/Banks DIH Pee Wee Football title

The victorious West Ruimveldt Primary School team following their win with representatives of the sponsors.

CWI Digicel Regional 4-day C/Ships

Singh’s defiant unbeaten 97 keep Jaguars alive, but Hurricanes enforce follow-on Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210