Sunday November 13, 2016
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Kaieteur M@ilbox
An attorney says Anil Nandlall misread the and unconstituConstitution prematurity tionality. DEAR EDITOR; I refer to a letter by Anil Nandlall under the Caption “Anil Nandlall wants the President to do the decent thing” (KN, Sunday, November 6, 2016 at pg. 5). It reminds me of Procrusteas in Greek mythology. But the victims in this matter are not mythical; they are real, the holders of the two highest public offices in this land – the President and Prime Minister; and the supreme law – the Constitution. In Mr. Nandlall’s words “….. the Prime Minister and the President acted prematurely, precipitously, capriciously, arbitrarily, and unconstitutionally when they activated a process to remove Mr. Duncan from office before the hearing and determination of the Criminal changes”. By some procrustean interpretation (remember Procrusteas would stretch his victims to fit the contraption he used for their torture) Mr. Nandlall has stretched the wording of article 225 of the Constitution in his convoluted and convulsive view of
His argument (as I understand it) is that since Mr. Duncan has been found not guilty of the criminal offence, then there is no legal basis for the Prime Minister to recommend to the President, to commission a tribunal to inquiry, investigate Mr. Duncan for misbehaviour, and consequently no legal basis for the President to commission/establish a Tribunal (and suspend Mr. Duncan) to enquire into any such misbehaviour; and accordingly no legal basis for such tribunal to enquire and make consequential recommendations to the President. As I will show, his posit of prematurity and unconstitutionality proceeds on an utter fallacy and has no constitutional legitimacy. The fallacy is this: that what happens in the trial in the Magistrate’s Court is relevant or material as preliminary or prior conditions and considerations to inform or influence the Prime Minister’s decision to make a recommendation to the President, pursuant to article 225. I argue and submit that Ar-
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ticle 225 imposes no such limitations. No such limitation is expressed; there is no warrant for such by implication. Since the power of removal is at once recognized and conditioned by the formulae employed by the draftsman in Article 225 for the purpose of the written Constitution, it is their construction (as to the draftsman’s intention) and nothing else that must determine the issue of the Prime Minister’s and President’s powers. I agree that Mr. Duncan enjoys by constitutional implication a security of tenure. But is his removal conditional upon some prior conviction for a criminal offence, in the event, as has happened in this matter, of a related criminal charge? Absolutely not! There are compelling arguments that militates against that view. Firstly of all, what about considerations of appeals of the Magistrate’s judgment, ex hypothesi to the Court of Appeal and then to the Caribbean Court of Justice; over which the Prime Minister would have absolutely no control as to the length of time
taken to have these appeals completed, they being in all probability still pending even as the office holder’s term of office expires. If Nandlall’s argument about prematurity be right, then the Prime Minister’s power to trigger the removal process in this specific matter is rendered inoperative, sterile and obsolete on that hypothesis. Plainly, such sterility could not have been intended under article 225. Secondly, the presumption of innocence (PoI) which applies in relation to the criminal charges and on which Mr.Nandlall relies heavily for his arguments has absolutely no application to the Tribunal’s enquiry as to “misbehavior”. In its own terms and wording article144(2)(a) provides viz “…. Every person who is charge with a criminal offence – shall be presumed to be innocent ….” In these tribunal proceedings/ enquiry Mr. Duncan could not, is not charged with any criminal offence. The Tribunal has no criminal jurisdiction. Thirdly, the suggestion that the magistrate’s dismissal (Continued on page 6)
Guyana has to be... From page 4 continue to sing it. I hope we do not see the same thing in Guyana. I read the online news in Guyana daily. I don’t like what I read. I don’t like what friends who have visited tell me. If the present Government does not watch out you may have a Brexit and Trump in Guyana. A third party can come up and wash away politicians who have been around too long or who have not delivered. For all you know, plans may be afoot for such a party with names that have no baggage. Freddie Kissoon’s name is often mentioned over here. People feel
he can upset the traditional parties. I read what he writes and things about his life in Guyana and it is the kind of things that caused voters to look for new faces. I would like to see MajorGeneral Joe Singh and retired Justice Claudette La Bennet in politics. These are the kind of people Guyana needs if it is to avoid a Trump and Brexit in Guyana. I think the leadership of Guyana should start looking at why Trump was elected and try as much as possible to give Guyana’s masses a chance to have a sound future A returning expatriate
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Sunday November 13, 2016
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Are there similarities between what is taking place in the US and Guyana?
All I am asking for is an inquiry of IAST; only that
DEAR EDITOR; Editor’s note: This is the concluding section of Mr. Ogunseye’s letter published yesterday By 2016 Obama and the Democratic Party became indistinguishable from the old order (establishment) and became part of the problem rather than the solution. On the economy, he inherited a bankrupt country reeling from the collapse of the banking system. In 8 years he was able to successfully turn around the economy, in the process achieving a 2% growth rate and one of the highest job creation rates in recent times. It is therefore surprising that in the face of these achievements Hilary Clinton and the Democratic Party were unable to pull together the requisite votes for victory. In Guyana the APNU+AFC collation government should take note. We came to power on the banner of change. Our victory cannot be compared with Obama’s victories, since we only have a one seat majority. Have we delivered the change our supporters had
expected? The answer is no. There are good reasons why this was not possible. However, we still have more than three years to correct things. As demonstrated in the US elections and in Europe we see that masses, who suffered from prolonged economic and social crises, are rejecting the notion that they have to wait again for “trickledown economics” to work. They want relief now not later. This is the political challenge facing the ruling coalition in Guyana. President David Granger has to be mindful of the fact that his government might succeed at restoring our damaged economy which he inherited, but this may not be sufficient to get his coalition over the line in 2020 if we fail to give our supporters something tangible to fight for. In the context of Guyana this is not easy for the government but we have to find a way. It is ironic that one of Trump‘s slogans during the US elections was “we have to take back our country”. This was also one of the coalition slogans in the 2015 elections.
But in countries with historical racial problems this appeal is a double edged sword, since it can be construed as being a call made in ethnic terms rather than a legitimate appeal for people’s power. In the US elections only the naive will deny the race factor. It was in part a white-lash. On the other hand, African American alienation led to insufficient support for Clinton. Additionally, Hispanic self- preservation reflexes led to a splitting of their votes. At least 20% of Hispanics voted for Trump in the face of his unprecedented threats to their communities. Trump’s and the Republican Party’s fear tactics succeeded in forcing some Hispanic interest groups to jump ship in an effort to save their skins. This was real politics at work. How does Guyana stand in this regard? Our Indigenous communities have long mastered the art of “playing” the political parties. They are adept at sharing their votes always on the lookout for the highest bidders. This is how they defend/preserve their interest as a minority. In (Continued on page 7)
An attorney says Anil Nandlall... From page 5 of the criminal charge is vindication that Mr. Duncan has done “no legal wrong that would be considered misbehavior” is utter rubbish. That argument misconceives the constitutional “misbehavior” (article 225) with the statutory criminal offence charged. But they are not synonymous creatures or conceptions; their respective ingredients/ elements do not correspond; standard of proof differs – the tribunal applies the lower civil standard, the Magistrate the higher criminal standard. Magistrate Daly has no constitutional jurisdiction; she was not enquiring and investigating some allegation of
constitutional “misbehavior” made by the Prime Minister against Mr. Duncan. On that one, the jury is still out. Fourthly, both the Prime Minister and the President would be abdicating their respective duties under article 225 if they were to treat the magisterial trial as somehow preemptive or anticipatory of the tribunal’s findings/conclusion (as to “misbehavior”) and consequential recommendation; to the President as to whether Mr. Duncan should be removed or not removed from office as member of the three Service Commission. Editor, article 225 (as to removal) must be interpreted according to the limitations of
its own wording; and not to limitations that wording does not import. The celebrated analogous constitutional case about removal (Akintola (1963) Privy Council) offers some useful insights into the extent of the Prime Minister’s and President’s powers; and Tribunal’s enquiring capacities. The views posited by Mr. Nandlall would impose on the Prime Minister, the President and the Tribunal limitations and fetter which the wording of article 225 does not even remotely import, upon any rational’ considered interpretation of it. They are wrong, utterly misconceived and must be condignly rejected. Maxwell E. Edwards
DEAR EDITOR; I was very surprised to read in a recent edition (KN 11th November, 2016) about the serious allegations of mismanagement of projects and misdirection or questionable use of taxpayers’ money at the Institute of Applied Science and Technology, which is currently. I was further surprised not to read of the mistreatment of workers at the IAST by the person the letter referred to as a senior staff. It appears that Mr. David Sookram has either forgotten to mention this or has delib-
erately left it out of his letter to the editor. I am writing this letter to correct this omission from Mr. Sookram’s letter because I feel that the workers are very important to the IAST and that their constant mistreatment by this big wig is responsible for their low morale. This scientist always uses foul language in front of all the workers and makes threats to males and females alike, and such disrespectful behaviour results in tension in the work place. As a blatant example of his boorish and contemptible behaviour, late last year, he
threatened and then physically assaulted an elderly security guard, and then had his own personal bodyguard physically throw the old man out of the IAST compound. The next working day, this senior staff member dismissed the old security guard from the IAST. I wish to add my voice to that of Mr. David Sookram in calling his Excellency President David Granger to immediately establish a Commission of Inquiry into the overall management of the IAST. This is all I am asking. That and only that! Margaret Trim
The police force makes an appeal to the public DEAR EDITOR; Police are making diligent efforts to apprehend a thirty year old tenant who allegedly shot his landlord multiple times to his legs because he was warned to discontinue conducting illegal business on the property. Enquiries disclosed that the victim Basil Murray, 66 years of 89 Melanie Damishana ECD, owns and rents a three story property at Lot 360 Melanie Damishana
ECD, where the suspect is one of his tenants. About 21:15hrs last night, the victim was making a routine visit to his Lot 360 property when he met the suspect in the yard and told him he learnt that he (suspect) was selling narcotics on his premises and asked him to desist from so doing. As a result, a heated argument ensued; during this process, the suspect allegedly whipped out a handgun and discharged sev-
eral rounds at the victim, hitting him twice to both legs after which he fled the scene. The victim was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where he is admitted in a stable condition, awaiting to undergo surgery. Investigators have retrieved seven (7) spent shells of a small calibre weapon, at the scene. Investigation is in progress. Public Relations Office Guyana Police Force
URP calls on Granger to get members of the PPC to declare their assets. DEAR EDITOR; President-elect, Donald Trump talks about draining the swamp. He is suggesting that once he is sworn in, he will implement regulations that he thinks will help clean up the mess in Washington. Here in Guyana and long before the USA elections, systems were put in place to drain the competing swamps of Freedom House and now Congress Place. To help with that, the Granger administration has finally appointed and sworn in the members of the Public Procurement Commis-
sion. However, the United Republican Party (URP) would like the government to go a little further. We are calling on the Government to show its continued commitment to draining the swamp and to full transparency, by mandating the members of the Commission to declare their assets. The URP is of the opinion that there will be lots of temptations for those in the PPC to be corrupted and they might fall prey to those temptations. The PPC will have the sole responsibility of dissemi-
nating decisions that will see literally billions and over time, trillions of dollars in contracts. At some point, folks will want to beat the system as they seek to continue the long cherished skullduggeries. Over the years our local contractors has been able to bribe, buy or otherwise coerce government officials to take millions in kickbacks for underhanded deals and shabby work. Many have enriched themselves, their friends and their families by behaving like the treasury was their piggy bank. They have virtually plundered the tax payers account, for their own personal benefit. Several Ministers now own homes, businesses, (Continued on page 7)
Sunday November 13, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Sunday November 13, 2016
Rohee accused of hampering robbery probe at his home - allegedly demands back DVR before cops can view footage PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee is being accused by some ranks of hampering the investigation into last Wednesday’s robbery at his Eccles, East Bank Demerara home. This is because the former Home Affairs Minister had reportedly demanded that the investigators return a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) which
would have the footage of the entire attack. Kaieteur News understands that police returned the DVR last Thursday without getting the opportunity to view the recording. The first setback that investigators reportedly encountered was when Rohee informed the ranks that he did not have the access code that
would allow them to see the DVR footage. The PPP General Secretary reportedly told the detectives that his technician knew the access code, but the technician also reportedly said that he did not have the code. It is alleged that the ranks then contacted the DVR manufacturers, who indicated
that they would assist. But before this could be done, Rohee reportedly demanded that the investigators return the DVR. The equipment was reportedly returned. It is unclear which police official allegedly ordered the junior ranks to return the DVR before the footage could be checked. Rohee has criticised the Government’s plans to reduce crime. He has gone as far as describing the current Public Security plan as “a total disaster.” Given this criticism, some police ranks said that they are baffled at his apparent unwillingness to cooperate with this matter. Three bandits, who were masked and carrying two
guns and a knife, escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash, jewellery and other valuables, after tying and beating two of Rohee’s maids. The employees were the only persons at home. The bandits reportedly entered through the back door, which was left open. Reports are that the maids were tied and kicked when they told the intruders that they had no idea where the money and jewellery were hidden. Rohee said that he and his wife were at work when a neighbour called and informed him that a jeep loaded with police ranks were in front of his property. According to the former
Home Affairs Minister, when he arrived at his home, he was informed that one of the maids had left the door open while she was inside cleaning. He said that the men used the opportunity to barge into his house and demanded that the women hand over gold, after which they ransacked his home in search of valuables. The PPP General Secretary said that he was informed that the ordeal lasted for about 15 minutes and the men escaped in a car. Police said that a woman had rented the getaway car, and returned it to a Croal Street dealer about an hour later. Investigators are still to locate the woman.
Sunday November 13, 2016
Dem boys seh...
Contracts now get like a sweet woman …if I cant get you nobody gun get you Old people always seh that what is play fuh li’l boy is death fun crappo. Soulja Bai come into power and he promise to correct all dem problems. Dem talk bout de corruption in de tender board and all who give contract or money and don’t care how much wuk dem contractor do. Dem boys never realize that was a case of people giving away money to mek things look good. De more money dem give away de more it look like if de economy booming. Soulja Bai seh that this done. But he didn’t bargain fuh he own people who like money. And these people got friends who like contracts. To avoid de problems dem set up de Public Procurement Commission. That was de agency that gun see that people get dem contract de right way. Now it look like de same thing wha use to happen gun happen again. IDB always giving Guyana money. This time dem give money to construct water treatment plant. Guyana got contractors to build roads and bridge but even that dem don’t do good. But some of these contractors want to mek water treatment plant. In Jagdeo time all who got friend in de government use to get contract. In Soulja Bai time dem boys hear that some people who got friends in de government also think dem can get contract. De IDB hear bout a certain contractor who got friends in de government and who push hard to get de contract. De IDB man see certain moves and right away he order that this contractor can’t get de contract. Dem boys still can’t believe it. De government scrap de whole tender and decide to try it again. Somebody really want to give dem contractor friend the wuk. Was de same thing wid de contract fuh de smart meters. Is four times GPL tender fuh dem meter and in four times de tender scrap. Dem friends ain’t getting it. Is like de man and he sweet woman. If I can’t get you nobody can’t get you. Talk half and wait fuh de next treatment plant tender.
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Govt. condemns Opposition MP Facebook rant
Government has condemned the behaviour of a sitting Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) who went on a rant on his Facebook page yesterday calling for the administration to give orders to police to kill all thieves. According to Government, the behaviour of Nigel Dharamlall has crossed lines and should be sanctioned. According to Dharamlall who sits on the Opposition PPPC benches, his concerns had to do with the current crime situation. In his post to President David Granger, the Parliamentarian said that: “Even though I didn’t support your party you have still been LUCKY to be installed as President of Guyana by GECOM. Since then though, your Brainlessness has been in Overdrive. Everything that comes out of your Mouth makes you sound foolish... I’m worried that people are thinking that you are a Dud... You are our President... get rid of Ramjattan...get rid of the criminals...get rid of the thieves...in and out of Government... Mr. President I edited the original post...because some of my friends advised me to...but I’m pissed off nonetheless...even though I’m in the Opposition I was
hopeful that your platoon of military advisors and yourself would have been able to quell the crime situation...but unfortunately it has gone beyond control...I may not be politically correct sometimes but people are losing their monies, limbs and lives daily...and yet you seem flippant about the demise of our citizens... Give orders to the police to kill these mofos/ thieves...Stop pardoning them...Your oblivion to our suffering is giving strength to the criminals... ONE LOVE!!! However, it appears the post has attracted the attention of several Government officials. According to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, it was brought to his attention that the posts, and a number of others by the MP, have raised significant concerns by persons who saw it. “From what I have seen, he has crossed the line of impropriety. It was only yesterday (Friday) that we completed a programme with the British and it focused also on the need for our MPs to conduct themselves in a respectful manner in and out of Parliament. This is a disgusting and highly unbecoming behavior for a sitting MP.” Hours after the post,
Dharamlall returned to his page apologizing. This is what he had to say: Dear President #Granger I’m sure you are a thickskinned leader...as all politicians ought to be...however, some of your supporters feel that I have been too harsh in my criticisms of you... Let us bury the hatchet...you lead the country without racial and political discrimination; without fear of the criminals; without dubious and partisan policies; without corruption; without disrespect to the Amerindians, vulnerable, elderly, youth and
Opposition MP, Nigel Dharamlall disadvantaged AND I shall steer clear of you... To you and your supporters #MyApology for the unwarranted things I earlier posted that may have caused you harm... ONE LOVE!!!
Irate tenant shoots landlord in legs Police are attempting to locate a 30-year-old man who allegedly shot his landlord multiple times to his legs on Friday night because he was warned to discontinue conducting illegal business on the property. The victim, Basil Murray, 66, of Lot 89 Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara, owns and rents a threestorey property at Lot 360 Melanie Damishana ECD, where the suspect is one of his tenants. About 21.15 hrs on Friday, Murray was making a routine visit to his property when he met the suspect in the yard and told him he learnt that the tenant was selling narcotics on his premises. When Murray demanded that his tenant desist, an argument ensued and the suspect allegedly whipped out a handgun and shot Murray twice to both legs before fleeing. The victim was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where he was admitted in a stable condition. Investigators retrieved seven spent shells of a small calibre weapon at the scene.
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Sunday November 13, 2016
Kaieteur News
IMF: Withdrawal of correspondent banks poses significant risk to Caribbean A significant threat to Caribbean economies has emerged as global banks withdraw their correspondent banking relationships in these countries. Correspondent banking with global banks allows smaller banks access to the international payment system, facilitating money transfers through transactions such as wire transfers, check clearing, and currency exchange. Without these banking relationships, businesses are cut off from international trade and financing, families are unable to collect remittances from relatives working abroad, and foreign investors may be unwilling to invest if there is a risk they will be unable to repatriate their profits. The threat to Caribbean economies from large-scale withdrawal of correspondent banks was high on the agenda of policymakers attending the 2016 High Level Caribbean Forum in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, on November 2, 2016. “The withdrawal of
- open dialogue between countries, regulators, banks part of solution
Participants at the Caribbean Forum listen closely to a panel discussion on the reduction of correspondent banking relationships by global banks (photo: Lloyd Pierre) correspondent banking relationships presents a clear and present danger to the Caribbean,” declared IMF Deputy Managing Director Tao Zhang in opening remarks at the forum, which was co-hosted by the IMF and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. A survey conducted by the Caribbean Association of Banks shows banks in 12 countries in the region have
experienced loss of correspondent banking, among them The Bahamas, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and countries in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union. In Belize, the withdrawal of correspondent banking relationships is systemic, with affected banks’ assets amounting to more than half of the domestic banking
system’s assets. In other countries, the loss of correspondent banking relationships has not reached systemic proportions but still presents an urgent threat. Increased regulation of banking systems globally— to address concerns about tax evasion and combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism—has had the unintended consequence of making correspondent
banking relationships costlier and less attractive to global banks. Increased enforcement and unclear regulatory expectations present correspondent banks with the possibility of large fines for noncompliance, particularly in cases where local privacy laws prohibit the sharing of information about banks’ customers. Thus, the withdrawal of correspondent banking services is seen as “derisking” by global banks. Another concern highlighted during the forum is the risk that increased monitoring would push
transactions to informal channels, making it difficult to monitor illicit transactions and in effect countering antimoney laundering efforts. IMF officials said derisking was an issue that the institution regarded as very important for its member countries and reaffirmed the IMF’s commitment to helping countries find solutions, including through increased policy dialogue and technical assistance. “We believe a solution to this issue requires dialogue between countries, regulators and banks, and increased information exchange. This can help clarify regulatory expectations, build trust, facilitate capacity building, and highlight best practices,” Zhang said in his opening remarks. Panelists expressed a sense of urgency to address the impact of de-risking on the region. They encouraged policymakers to examine the scope for collective solutions to mitigate the costs to individual countries of introducing measures—such (Continued on page 16)
Sunday November 13, 2016
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CARICOM, South Africa solidify diplomatic relations The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and South Africa on Thursday strengthened the longstanding diplomatic relations with the accreditation of a new High Commissioner, Her Excellency Xoliswa Ngwevela. In accepting her letters of credence, Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque said it was a “symbolic reaffirmation of the determination of South Africa and the Member States of CARICOM to augment a long tradition of friendship, solidarity and the promotion of shared values, not just amongst ourselves, but in the global sphere.” He told the new envoy that CARICOM was counting on South Africa to articulate its concerns on the withdrawal of correspondent banking services, a practice that threatens to undermine the region’s robust efforts to ensure economic stability and growth. “The de-risking activities of certain transnational banks that are resulting in their withdrawal of correspondent banking services, have the potential to delink our economies from the international trading system
High Commissioner, Her Excellency Xoliswa Ngwevela (Centre); President of Guyana, David Granger (Right) and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon during the accreditation ceremony, State House Georgetown. and global economy. “Similarly, the practice by certain countries of unjustifiably blacklisting CARICOM Member States as non-cooperative tax jurisdictions makes a mockery of our efforts and documented success in complying with onerous international regulations in this respect,” the Secretary-
General told the new South African envoy. He also noted CARICOM’s concern about “the troubling tendency” by many partners to graduate
countries from access to concessionary financing based on the fundamentally flawed categorisation of some Member States’ economies as middle income.
Such categorisation, based solely on GDP per capita, pays no regard to other factors such as our vulnerabilities as small-island and low-lying coastal developing states, SIDS, he said. “Indeed, we ask South Africa to air these concerns and share our proposed solutions in all those fora that claim to have development at heart, including those fora to which South Africa has access, and CARICOM States do not, like the G20 and BRICS. We particularly seek South Africa’s support in calling for the means of measuring development to be revisited,” he stated. In her remarks, Ms Ngwevela noted that South African Development Community and CARICOM were striving for similar goals of harmonising economic development. They both have developed milestone Strategic Plans to guide them and she felt they can work together in this regard. “Under your leadership,
Sir, I have learnt that CARICOM has recalibrated and refocused its modus operandi and has adopted its “first ever” strategic plan that was approved by Heads of States and Governments in 2014. Similarly, in Africa, the Africa Union has adopted its own plan at their Summit in South Africa in January, 2015. This is a first ever strategic plan, called Agenda 2063 - The Africa We Want, whose end goals must be achieved by 2063, when the African Union celebrates its centenary.” Meanwhile, the High Commissioner also submitted her Letters of Credence to the President of Guyana, David Granger, earlier this week. President Granger stated that Guyana looks forward to sharing its experience on the mitigation of the impact of global warming, the demarcation of national parks, the designation of protected areas, the generation of energy from renewable sources and the protection of wildlife with the (Continued on page 15)
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Sunday November 13, 2016
National Geographic team impressed with El Dorado rum, Kaieteur Falls A team from the National Geographic Magazine has described Guyana as one of the nicest, unspoilt countries in the world, and a gem that has to be discovered. Journalist Marco Barneveld, and photographer, Rene Kaster, were in Guyana on a Familiarisation Tour (Fam Tour) hosted by the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) in observance of Tourism Awareness Month. The team departed Guyana yesterday after arriving since Monday. Barneveld said that he has been enjoying Guyana tremendously. “It’s one of the nicest unspoiled countries we have been to. One thing that must be said here is that we were seduced by your rum to come here.” The journalist said that they were in Alaska and, they were having a conversation about rum and were trying to decide which rum is better. He said a Guyanese was present during that conversation and asked “if we have ever tried this rum and we tried it and were left speechless,” he stated. He noted that the rum was not the main reason why they should visit, but “it was definitely the push.” Barneveld explained, in a Government release on Friday that they have seen Georgetown and the interior and they have also been to Costa Rica, which has many American tourists and, “frankly I don’t understand why they are not coming here. It’s a non-spoiled gem that has to be discovered!” Kaster noted that he was surprised by the beauty of this country and pointed out
Marco Barneveld, Journalist from National Geographic
Rene Kaster, Photographer from National Geographic
that he has seen many places but none “so beautiful as Guyana”. Kaster also noted the hospitality of the people and of the communities that they visited. “The people are great as well; how they talk to you, how they behave, how they look at you, the humour they use and they are very friendly.” Tourism Awareness Month is being observed under the theme-”Tourism for All- Building Partnerships for Tourism Development”. GTA’s Logistics Manager, Carla Chandra, expressed joy with the partnership with Wilderness Explorers to host the journalist and photographer from National Geographic. Chandra said that GTA continues to recognise Fam tours as a very cost effective means of marketing the destination (Guyana); many of
which, she noted have delivered results. “Fam tours has gotten us listed in catalogs, expanded our sales distribution, (and) features being done in international publications including the National Geographic Magazine,” Chandra said. Chandra explained that Fam tour participants are offered first hand opportunity to experience Guyana’s products and services. “It’s only when someone is armed with the actual experience that they can positively and actively sell the destination, in this case Guyana, so with this, the GTA will continue to partner with the private sector to host many more Fam trips.” President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association Guyana (THAG), and Product Development Specialist at Wilderness Explorers, Andrea de Caires, said that in September she had the pleasure of attending the Adventure Travel World Summit in Alaska, where she met the journalist and photographer. The THAG President said that they told her that they were going to be in Suriname and she urged them to visit Guyana. “Marco and Rene and I were in conversation; they mentioned that they were going to Suriname and I was like you are right next door, you have to come discover Guyana South America,” De Caires said. De Caires said they took on the challenge and they spoke to their Editor-in-Chief, and through partnership with their tourism partners “they were able to bring and host them and to give them all the magic of Guyana in a short period of time.” “They were able to go to Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) and spend four hours and learn about our rum, went on a 206 (plane) without the doors on to Kaieteur to take great pictures, they also stayed at Surama Eco Lodge and overnighted,” THAG’s President said.
Sunday November 13, 2016
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Sunday November 13, 2016
Boy, 3, survives bite from venomous snake By Feona Morrison
A three-year-old boy has survived a bite from a poisonous snake said to be a labaria, and his family is praising medical officials at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH), for his speedy recovery. Ezra Samuels, of Paramakatoi Village, Region Eight ,was bitten on the heel of his left foot by the venomous snake on October 26, while he was making his way home from the Mountain Foot Primary School. He is currently a patient at the Pediatric Ward. When Kaieteur News visited the lad yesterday, he was surrounded by relatives, including his father Elvis Samuels, who has been sleeping at his bedside ever since he was admitted to the hospital. Ezra Samuels’s school is located about an hour away from his home. And according to his aunt, the only way to get there is by foot, since vehicles do not traverse the area. She said that her nephew was walking home from school in the company of his three older siblings when he stepped on the reptile and was bitten. The woman added that after the siblings heard the little boy screaming, they ran to his aid. One of the siblings lashed the snake continuously with a piece of wood and killed it before rushing the child back to the Nursery School, where they boarded an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) and rushed him to a
Ezra Samuels posing for a photo on his hospital bed.
nearby health centre. However, before doing all this, the aunt related that Ezra’s older brother sucked the venom from out of his foot. The incident occurred around 16:00hrs that day. Ezra never reached the health centre until 19:00hrs because of its distant location. The following day, the child was air dashed to the city with his father and admitted to the GPH. Doctors have seen major improvements in his conditions and family members were informed that Ezra could be discharged this week. However his aunt recalled a story of how she sat and watched her nephew crying out in pain. “When he (Ezra) come here (GPH) the venom had
already travelled to his lungs and he use to get a hard time breathing. His entire body was swollen and he used to be spitting blood. The doctors gave him oxygen and saline. They used to feed him from a tube.” She continued, “Is only last week he start back eating. He does not want his dad to go away. He does cry.” Being the loving man he is, the older Samuels, a father of six, has taken up residence at the hospital; at least until his son is ready to go home. He said, “I does sleep here every night.” The father commended the doctors and nurses for providing exemplary health care to his child. “I can’t complain. The nurses have been very nice to me and my son. I want to thank them. I also want to thank Minister Valerie Garrido-Lowe, she visited him and brought toys and clothing.” Little Ezra was all smiles. It was heartwarming to watch him sit and feed himself and also play with toys, although he is still unable to walk without support. Yesterday, in a FaceBook post Garrido Lowe, the Minister of Indigenous People Affairs highlighted that she visited Ezra and several other children in the Pediatric Ward. In her post the Minister said, “I am so happy he is alright now. He was very excited with his gifts. His father looked after him all the time and I thank the sisters and nice nurses for the wonderful job they are doing.” While Ezra’s aunt admitted that snake bites occur in the village, she said that elders would advise children to be careful. She also disclosed that the boy’s younger sister was bitten by a snake a few years ago and survived.
Sunday November 13, 2016
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Kaieteur News
UN decision on border controversy…
Venezuela makes last minute appeal for diplomatic solution Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez (center), along with Chief of Staff of the Secretariat of the United Nations, Edmond Mulet (left) on Friday.
As the United Nations readies to render a decision on the way forward for the simmering border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela, it appears that the neighbouring country is continuing to push heavily for a diplomatic solution rather than one from an international court. On Friday, Venezuela’s Foreign Minister, Delcy Rodriguez, met with Chief of Staff of the Secretariat of the Organization of Nations United Nations (UN), Edmond Mulet, to discuss her country’s position. According to Venezuela media reports, Rodríguez during Friday’s meeting
“reiterated” the willingness of her Government to resolve the territorial dispute with Guyana over the Essequibo region through diplomacy. In her account on the social network Twitter, the minister said that the meeting transmitted the confidence of President Nicolas Maduro to resolve the controversy according to the provisions of the Geneva Agreement and its non-negotiable position to defend the “rights” of the Bolivarian nation. On July 10, 2015, Venezuela formally asked the UN to appoint a Good Officer to mediate the dispute with Guyana and declare its sovereign and just
rights over the territory of Essequibo. However, the Government of Guyana has insisted that the simmering border controversy, over 100 years old, should be settled once and for all in an international court. Over the last 25 years, the two countries have been using the Good Officer process, which is overlooked by the UN General Secretary. Guyana has been arguing that this process is a waste of time. Last year, Guyana discovered oil in its offshore concessions with Venezuela immediately moving to restate its claim to Essequibo
CARICOM, South Africa solidify... (From page 11) Republic of South Africa. Both countries established diplomatic ties on November 4, 1994 and President Granger highlighted Guyana’s advocacy in support of the dismantling of apartheid in South Africa. “Guyana employed every available international forum, including the Caribbean Community, the Commonwealth, the NonAligned Movement and the United Nations, to agitate for an end to apartheid in South Africa. Guyana sponsored and co-sponsored resolutions, at the United Nations, which condemned this racist system and which called attention to acts of brutality committed against opponents of this system,” the Head of State said. Additionally, the President said that Guyana welcomed anti-apartheid politician Oliver Reginald
Tambo to Georgetown in 1987, celebrated Nelson Mandela’s release from prison in 1990 and celebrated the introduction of majority rule in the Republic of South Africa in 1994. “These events and achievements vindicated the solidarity between our peoples,” President Granger said. The High Commissioner during her remarks stated that it is an honour to be chosen by her country to be the representative to Guyana and this part of the world and hopes to make a difference in the advancement of the bilateral interests of the two countries. “Your Excellency, as we all know, people to people relations are an integral part
of state and government relations. Hence it is imperative that we find ways to boost tourism… Because that is usually a catalyst to create linkages between people, businesses and institutions working together. We hope we can change that so our bilateral contact can improve,” she said. The High Commissioner also noted that though the Republic of South Africa remains non-resident in representation to Guyana, that this would change some time in the future to support the expansion of political and economic diplomacy especially with countries of, and with an African Diaspora.
as well as the waters where the oil was discovered. The claim was done on the same day that Guyana celebrated its independence. The matter ended up last year October before the UN Secretary General Ban Kimoon where both Guyana and Venezuela agreed to have the UN Chief decide the best way forward to decide once and
for all on a solution. Since then, UN officials have visited Guyana and Venezuela to gather information. Guyana has been using a number of international forums to complain about Venezuela’s aggression, including CARICOM. Venezuela’s claim is almost for the entire
Essequibo, the biggest county in Guyana, a mineral rich area known more for its vast areas of untouched forests. It is home to thousands of Guyanese and several Amerindian villages. Ban Ki-Moon is expected to render a decision before year-end on the way forward. He is due to step down then.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday November 13, 2016
Abused woman withdraws charge against army officer Just days after newly appointed Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier George Lewis, warned ranks not to get themselves entangled with the law and not to abuse their
spouses, a senior rank has found himself in hot water. Randy Les Flores, 29, a Lieutenant in the Guyana Defence Force, appeared on Wednesday before Magistrate Alex Moore in the
New Amsterdam Magistrate’s court on two assault charges. In the first charge he is accused of assaulting Rishan Edwards, the mother of his child, of Kent Street, with intent to cause her actual
bodily harm. That incident occurred on Saturday October 5, at the Sher’s Night Club in Pitt Street, New Amsterdam. According to the Prosecution, the man and woman do not live together because of past differences. On the day in question the woman and some friends were at the club when she was approached by Les Flores who held on to her neck and dealt her two cuffs to her face causing her to receive injuries. The matter was reported
to the Central Police Station and the man was arrested and charged. In the second charge the army officer is accused of using threatening language on the woman on November 7, last, at the Central Police Station during the process of a confrontation. He threatened to kill her if she did not ‘done the story.’ He admitted scrambling the woman and choking her, but denied cuffing her. In court he pleaded not guilty to both charges. Edwards then told the
court that she does not wish to offer evidence in the matters. The magistrate dismissed the matter and placed Les Flores on a bond to keep the peace for two years. If he finds himself before the court and is guilty on any charge he will be required to serve two years in jail. The court also heard that the accused was charged with a similar offence during 2015, but the woman had withdrawn the charge and asked the court to warn Les Flores.
Police, Region Ten Road Safety Association celebrate National Road Safety Month Under the theme “Life doesn’t have a reset button Drive Carefully” the Region Ten Road Safety Association in collaboration with Police E Division launched National Road Safety Month with a church service on Sunday. The event will culminate with a school rally. According to E Division Officer in Charge, Traffic Inspector Matthew Craig, there are other events planned during the month to educate the community on proper road use. As the fatal accidents increased in Region Ten for 2016 Inspector Craig is calling on all road users to be responsible when they ply the roads. “We have an increase in road accidents when compared to last year. In 2015 there were two
fatal accidents; for this year we have seven. Serious accidents so far for this year is 13 compared to one last year. Inspector Craig said with respect to the fatal accidents for 2016 the Division has ongoing campaigns. “The Traffic Department is running campaigns on speeding and drunk driving. We also have vehicles travelling at night without tail lights. There are other obstructions and acts of lawlessness. “We are dealing with those situations and we presently have our “Operation Safeway’ which is still in progress and we are curbing those situations with those drivers who are using the road in a dangerous and careless manner.” Craig said that the traffic
department and the Region Ten Road Safety Association would like to see all road users continue to use the road in a proper manner. “Pedestrians, use the sidewalks and pedestrian crossing. Drivers must drive within the speed limit. Always look out for defaulting drivers, pedestrians who perhaps might be defaulting. Give proper signals, give timely signals so that other drivers will be able to know your intention.” Other activities planned are secondary schools debate, a driving seminar and a school rally. The rally will be held on November 24, 2016 and prizes will be awarded for the best banner, best chant, best marching group and the best uniformed school.
IMF: Withdrawal of correspondent... (From page 10) as taking advantage of better technology to facilitate information sharing and reduce the cost of providing correspondent banking services. SHAKE-UP IN CARIBBEAN TOURISM? The Caribbean Forum also featured a lively discussion on the likely impact from the normalization of relations between Cuba and the United States. Panelists agreed the tourism sector was the most likely to be affected.
Challenges would arise if, as seems likely, Cuba opens up to tourists from the United States, potentially diverting tourists away from other Caribbean destinations in the short term. However, the consensus among panelists was that the opening up of Cuba should be viewed not as a threat but as an opportunity to expand tourism in the rest of the Caribbean—an opportunity to become more competitive and to build the Caribbean brand. “The region has shown its resilience on this front before—when the
Dominican Republic emerged as a tourist destination. It can be done again,” said Zhang. Underscoring the need for regional cooperation, keynote speaker Gervase Warner, President and CEO of Trinidad-based Massy Group, called on the region’s leaders to address disadvantages caused by small economies. “There’s no cavalry coming to our rescue,” he said, and challenged them to take a collective approach to solving the region’s problems.
Sunday November 13, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Fostering a child could be a rewarding experience - Foster Care Manager By Sharmain Grainger For every three months a child spends in residential care, they are likely to lose one month of development. This has been particularly true for children who are three years of age and younger. Moreover, Manager of the Foster Care Department of the Childcare and Protection Agency within the Ministry of Social Protection, Ms. Colleen Khan, has asserted that “it is most definitely our policy to not place children in residential care at a young age”. Currently there are over 600 children in residential care. There are currently three Government-run child residential facilities – The Drop-In Centre, the Sophia Care Centre and the Mahaica Children’s Home – in addition to about 20 facilities that are privately operated. Over the years, however, there have been many children who remain in residential care for the greater part of their childhood.
But according to Khan, residential care is only meant to be a temporary resort for a child. It is for this reason, Khan said, that the Foster Care Department has been advocating for children to be placed in foster care rather than remain indefinitely in residential care. “It is just supposed to be a safe haven for a child, during which time we try to move to the next step, and that is to place them in kinship (family member) or foster care,” Khan explained, as she stressed that a prolonged stay in residential care can also considerably affect the overall wellbeing of children. But then residential care may be the ‘lesser of two evils’ if a child is exposed to various forms of abuse such as physical or sexual violence or even neglect in the homes of their biological parents. Once a report of a suspected child abuse case attracts the attention of the Childcare and Protection Agency, an investigation usually ensues. While there are occasions that the child has to be removed from the home to facilitate the investigation, Khan disclosed that some in-
Foster Care Manager, Ms. Colleen Khan vestigations are conducted without taking such action. “Sometimes we don’t need to remove the child; we just need to work with the family. Maybe the family needs some form of support – a mother might be frustrated because she is not working and is not getting support from the father of her child or children and we can help to improve that situation in some way,” said Khan, as she in-
The Baccoo Speaks The crime spree is set to continue with a spate of robberies in the eastern part of the country. Young criminals have decided to follow the lead of some bold ones in other parts of the country. The unfortunate thing is that people are reluctant to confront them. Measures are being put in place to have communities protect themselves, but even before that happens some enterprising criminals would get a rude awakening. **
The roads continue to be a place where inexperienced drivers behave as though they are the only ones on the streets. Refusing to obey a
stop sign, a car would plough into a vehicle crossing the intersection. Innocent people would be injured. ** A dispute between some men who deal in drugs would lead to a shooting in broad daylight. One of the people accused of dishonest practices would gather some friends and attack the accuser. The police would make arrests and the society would continue to talk about the crime wave.
sisted that the removal of the child is the last possible resort. “If there is no family member, godparent or someone who may be close to the child who is unwilling to take the child into their custody, it is only then that we would place a child in residential care,” Khan asserted. She however noted that since keeping a child in residential care is not an ideal situation, moves are continually made to encourage suitably qualified persons to become involved in the foster care programme or even seek to adopt. In both instances persons are thoroughly screened before they become eligible to have a child in their custody. In fact, if a child is of age, he or she has a say in the foster or adoption. While persons who opt to be a part of the foster care programme are usually compensated, though in a small way, Khan noted that many do it out of the goodness of their hearts. There are currently 108 registered foster parents caring for 166 children. This therefore means that some foster parents care for multiple children. And according to Khan, “essentially the foster par-
ents help to fill the gap of the biological family on a temporary basis.” But some people are of the belief that there is a thin line between foster care and adoption. However, Khan has made it clear that the two are completely different, and should not at all be viewed as interchangeable terminologies. Although many attempts have been made to clarify this, the misconception between the two have for years persisted. According to Khan, “people still get a little confused between foster care and adoption.” But she is convinced that with more awareness people will eventually be able to understand the distinction between the two. It is for this reason that this year’s observance of Foster Care Month is fully embracing the notion of awareness. Foster Care Month is annually observed in November and this is the sixth year that the Foster Care Department is recognising it. The observance this year is being held under the theme: “Be part of a rewarding experience; foster a child in need of care today.” As part of her efforts to raise awareness, Khan recently sought to give clarity
to the difference between foster care and adoption. Adoption, she explained, is a legal binding agreement that facilitates permanent placement of a child and allows for the rights of the parents to be practically revoked. In this case the adopted child is furnished with a new birth certificate bearing the name of the adoptive parents. But foster care is intended to be a temporary system of caring for a child. Moreover, in this instance the rights of the parents remain intact. According to Khan, children are placed into foster care to ensure that they are in a safe place while efforts are made to reunite them with their biological parents. There are occasions, though, when a child’s parents are dead and they are placed into foster care pending the possibility of adoption. But ahead of adoption, persons can lend a hand to the Foster Care Department by helping to safeguard a child. The process can start simply by visiting the Foster Care Department at Lot 7 Broad and Charles Streets, Georgetown (opposite the Dolphin Secondary School) or by dialling telephone numbers 227-0138 or 225-1117 to speak with an officer, to be advised on the way forward.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday November 13, 2016
BALLAD OF A SAD-EYED WAITRESS By Michael Jordan There always seemed to be a touch of mystery and sadness in her eyes, and looking at her standing behind the counter of the Chinese Restaurant I sometimes visited, I often wondered what her story was. I never knew that I would write Debra Blackman’s story one day, and that it would be such a tragic one, and that it would be intertwined with the stories of two other waitresses. The first victim was Kulmattie Singh. Friends called her ‘Cathy’, and misfortune seemed to follow her. Her first husband, with whom she had a son, was killed in an electrical accident. She remarried, had three other children, and separated. With four children to take care of, the 36-year-old mother took a job as a waitress at a Kitty nightspot. When Kulmattie’s mother expressed concern for her daughter’s safety, the waitress would reply: “Who would give me the money to take care of my children?” On Friday, January 8, 2010, Kulmattie Singh left her home in North East Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara, to work the night-shift at the Safraz Sports Bar in David Street, Kitty. She arrived at around 15:00 hrs and was scheduled to work until morning. At around ten o’clock, night club patron John Ramdhan was sitting with his wife, Andrea, and about five other friends, including some from England, when he saw a man enter the premises. “Nobody move!” the man shouted. Just someone pulling a prank, Ramdhan thought. But then the visitor pulled out a handgun. Two other men, also brandishing handguns joined him. Shorty after, the gunfire started. Ramdhan saw a Caucasian man, later identified as 36-year-old Australian Jason
Jagwandai Ramnauth
Kulmattie Singh
Debra Blackman
Montgomery, kneeling on the ground and crying out in pain. He had taken a bullet to the chest. The gunmen also shot patron Ronald Dhanraj, called ‘Lar’, under the arm. The first gunman then went over to Ramdhan and relieved him of a gold chain and $60,000. Ramdhan’s wife was also relieved of a diamond ring and cell phone. The terrified couple then fled to a nearby washroom. Others managed to flee to the back of the sports bar. Going further into the nightclub, the bandits also relieved the bartender of the day’s sales. Police would later say that waitress Kulmattie Singh was trying to lead some patrons to a room at the back of the bar when one of the gunmen shot her in the head. The gunmen reportedly fled in a goldcoloured car. Kulmattie was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital. Although a closed circuit monitor at the sports bar recorded the brazen attack, police officials said that the poor quality of the images made it practically impossible for investigators to identify the three gunmen behind the rampage. Later, police would discover that a 9mm bullet cas-
ing retrieved from the scene matched a spent shell that detectives had recovered from an execution-style killing in Alberttown on the night of January 12, 2010. The victim was 29-yearold Nicholas Hoyte called ‘Ziah’. Hoyte, sitting in a car, was riddled with bullets by the occupants of a white Toyota Carina AT 192. His killers were never caught. Kulmattie Singh’s family received $50,000 from the sports bar proprietor. They got nothing more. ASIMPLE HIT; A COMPLEX STORY It was a hit…plain and simple. That’s what the man I met said about waitress Jagwandai Ramnauth. It turned out the story behind her death wasn’t quite that simple. You don’t often hear about a barmaid owning and selling property. But that was the case with this 46-year-old. They called her ‘Selena’ and she worked as a waitress at the Country Club Restaurant and Bar in Chateau Margot, East Coast Demerara. It was said that the Bath Settlement, Berbice resident also served as cook and manned the nightspot whenever her employer was not around. Most of the other staffers of the failing business had reportedly quit due to non-payment of salaries. What happened on the night of Wednesday, April 23, 2014, is still unclear. It is alleged that at around 10.00 p.m., Jagwandai Ramnauth was involved in an argument with some patrons when one of them pulled out a firearm and shot her in the head. He then escaped. According to reports, the owner was not at the bar when his waitress was shot. He reportedly told in-
vestigators that he received a call shortly before 11.00 p.m. from a worker, who said that the barmaid had a “problem” with some people. According to police sources, the owner claimed that he immediately went to the bar and found Ramnauth lying in a pool of blood behind the counter with a bullet wound to her forehead. Police immediately ruled out robbery and it didn’t take them long to come up with possible motives. They learned that sometime in 2005, Ramnauth sold a property for $6M to a Cummings Lodge resident. It is alleged that the man gave Ramnauth $300,000, moved into the property, but then failed to complete the transaction. Ramnauth took the man to court. But according to another report, after collecting the down-payment, Ramnauth sold the property to another man. The new owner allegedly began making attempts to evict the original buyer and his family. Detectives were also told Ramnauth had loaned her employer $500,000, but that the man had not repaid the loan.There are also reports that hours before her death, the barmaid and her boss had quarreled after she threatened to quit her job due to months of unpaid salary. This information led detectives to detain the manager and two of his brothers. They were all subsequently released. “We were working on the theory that she sold a property to a man, and he only paid part of the sum. The theory was that he put a hit on her,” a police official told me. “We were unable to identify the shooter.” THE SAD-EYED WAIT-
Face of a killer: A closed circuit image of the man who shot Debra Blackman RESS I first saw Debra Blackman around 2002, when she was working at a Chinese Restaurant, located a short distance from Kaieteur News. Maybe it was the satin-brown skin, or the hint of sadness and allure in her eyes, that reminded me of the actresses who played those femme fatale roles in old black-and-white movies. In reality, Debra Blackman was just a hard-working, struggling mother. At around 8.00 p.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2014, one of my contacts called to say that a waitress had been shot dead in the Delicious Restaurant, located in D’Urban Street, between Haley and Hardina Streets. The next day, there was my sad-eyed friend staring out at me from under the newspaper headline: ‘WAITRESS SHOT DEAD AT BAR’. They say it was around 7.30 p.m., and 48-year-old Debra Blackman was standing behind the restaurant bar when two men on a motorcycle rode up to the D’Urban Street restaurant. According to police, the pillion rider entered the restaurant paid for a meal, then shot Blackman in the neck before escaping. Footage from a security c amera shows a man of African ancestry in a black cap, with red peak, going up to the counter and apparently making a purchase. Two other men then come to the counter, and one of them gives Blackman a $5,000 note. The footage shows the apparently nervous men constantly glancing around. According to investigators, all clues indicate that the gunman had entered the restaurant with the sole aim of
killing Debra Blackman. Police came up with a number of motives. One was that Mrs. Blackman was slain for something someone else had done. Blackman’s children insist that they know of no reason for anyone wanting to kill their mother. ”My mother doesn’t own her own house, she doesn’t have jewels, she is not a rich woman, she doesn’t have life insurance, she doesn’t have anything for anyone to want to kill her for, just her life and children,” one distraught daughter told me. This daughter says that security footage they saw shows the gunman tossing what appears to be a moneybag at their mother before shooting her. She says this suggests that the gunman had come to rob the restaurant and had ended up killing her mom. Another suggestion made to me was that one of the bandits was connected to a previous robbery at the restaurant. With the investigation stalled, police released a photograph of the shooter, whom they identified as the man in the black and red cap. Kaieteur News has also placed part of the security camera footage on Facebook. Surely, somebody out there knows him, and why he killed Debra Blackman. If you have any information about this or any other unusual case, please contact Kaieteur News by letter or telephone at our Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown offices. Our numbers are 2258465, 22-58473 and 22-58458. You need not disclose your identity. You can also contact Michael Jordan at his email a d d r e s s mjdragon@hotmail.com
Sunday November 13, 2016
Kaieteur News
Pradoville 2: the evil of politics, the politics of evil One does not know how life will unfold. We think we do, but life has too many unforeseen intrusions. As it stands today, Sunday, November 13, 2016, if I have to vote I will cast my ballot for the APNU-AFC Coalition. But 2020 is far away. Situations may intervene to cause me alienation from the current ruling party I voted for. I know for sure in 2019 I will reject APNU-AFC for municipal elections as I did this year. I am still not distant from the Coalition, because I believe it inherited Herculean stables (plural) of rut, corruption, desecrations, destructions, demons and evil from the Jagdeo/Ramotar era that would wear down any group of politicians. It is only 18 months of power for the Coalition and meaningful, substantial changes cannot emerge in such a short space of time. But a caveat is in order; I don’t think from Mr. Granger to Mr. Nagamootoo, right down to the Ministers and the new political appointees in the public sector, there
is the transformational instinct in any of them that Guyana, more than any other country in the world, needs. This country has a sad and troubled history and political culture, with an ongoing impoverished economy. It will not secure a future without thinking, innovative, transformational leadership. Only Forbes Burnham made some attempts at that ontology, and he did not succeed, because he directed his efforts to the economy and not political culture, so in the end he ended up being stuck in Guyana’s traditional authoritarian cauldron. I support the present ruling formation, but I cannot put my hopes in them transforming this nation in the fundamentally deep ways that are urgently required, because in all honesty, I do not see that temperament in any of them. Clive Thomas for me fit the bill. My early political deportment was influenced by Thomas whom I regard as a hero, but maybe because of age or resignation, I haven’t seen the emergence of Thomas as
the type of thinker that I knew four decades ago. As I wrote above, as it stands today, I will vote for the Coalition but I am certain I will not given them my vote in 2020 if by that time there is no prosecution over Pradoville 2. For me, this scandal is one of the worst acts of corruption in contemporary politics anywhere in the world. It needs graphic description which must be kept in the consciousness of the citizens so they could comprehend the madness that went on in the Pradoville 2 sale. As a matter of fundamental policy, governments do not take state resources like lands, buildings, machines, and give to leaders in government. What takes place is corruption and patronage. A regime may buy a plane from a corporation and the leaders get a kickback. A President or Prime Minister may favour a certain friend’s company and it gets the concession to supply goods and services. You could also have sole-sourcing as we saw with Jagdeo and
Ramroop. Surprisingly, government could also sell lands to investors cheaply. This is not what happened in Pradoville 2. It is not only that the sale of the land was many percentage points below market value and hundreds of millions of taxpayers’ money was used to landscape it. Three egregious dimensions of Pradoville are rotten and stink. One is that it was a house lot project, meaning it was not a favoured deal for investors who would set up business there. Yet some of those who took the lots to build homes to live in subsequently sold them. In other words, they bought house lots from the State not to build homes but to make mind-boggling profits. The second nastiness is that these publicly owned lands were allocated to select people belonging to the ruling party who already have purchased house lots. Thirdly, persons who could have afforded to buy properties in Guyana at prevailing
market rates were freely offered plots. The Jagdeo regime called in the President of the Caribbean Development Bank, at the time, Dr Compton Bourne, and offered him a plot. At that time, Bourne had lived out of Guyana the past forty years and held lucrative positions in different Caribbean countries. Surely, with his job, why not select a person in Guyana who needed land to build a home? The Pradoville 2 scandal will remain one of the most nauseating acts of class rapacity ever seen in the English-speaking Caribbean. It showed the extent to which
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Frederick Kissoon the Jagdeo regime was overtaken by the politics of evil and the evil of politics. This scandal cries out for prosecution.
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Sunday November 13, 2016
Govt.-citizen partnerships will help minimize crime The Citizen Security Strengthening Project (CSSP) funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to the tune of approximately GY$3 Billion, in a few weeks will close out the first year of implementation. Teething pains over with, the Project is set to really address the three (3) main societal problems in Guyana - the high volume of violent behaviours in communities; police effectiveness at preventing and investigating crime at the national level; and the high number of repeat offenders. The CSSP was originally developed as the Citizens Security Programme, funding for which (US$15M) had been approved by the IDB in 2006, but it was not until 2014 that it was ready to be launched under the theme “Building Capacities, Strengthening Security”. Of course, this project also has rigid safeguards against corruption at any level, to ensure prudent spending while guarding against nefarious activities. Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan said at the launch in the first quarter of 2016 that the CSSP has come at an “opportune mo-
ment”. The crime rate has been climbing too fast over the last decade. While government is obligated to address problems related to public security, the emerging (global) trends for successful crime prevention show clearly that crime fighting is most effective in government-citizen partnerships. Minister Ramjattan had also posited that the rapid increase in crime statistics in Guyana is linked to a perceptive low level of trust in law enforcement. Indications from measurements taken throughout 2016 indicate, however, that this is changing. Minister Ramjattan also said that government would continue to work with NGOs, community groups and international organizations to supplement the work of this IDB-funded programme. MAJOR OBJECTIVES The CSSP was created with specific objectives to be achieved by year 2020. These are:1.To establish an Integrated Crime Information System that provides the Ministry of Public Security and the
Guyana Police Force with access to other existing Governmental databases for supporting data. The key agencies are the Department of Public Prosecutions, the Magistracy and Supreme Courts, the Guyana Prison Service, the Guyana Revenue Authority, the Deeds Registry, and the Agencies of the Ministry of Citizenry. 2.To enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the Justice system in Guyana by giving it access to accurate, comprehensive, digital crime information. Enhanced training will improve the analytical capabilities of policy analysts and law enforcement personnel. 3.To develop a functional crime ‘observatory’ with capacity for spatial statistical analysis and geo-referenced mapping of crime and violence-related injuries and deaths. 4.To build capacity at the Data Management Centre to enable these institutions to become technology driven – highly computerized. This US$15 Million project was signed into being in February 2016 and is expected to expire in 2020. The project is being implemented by the
Project Implementation Unit (PIU) of the Ministry of Public Security, and is being directly supervised by the IDB. The CSSP targets young people in 20 communities … its specific objective to lead them away from a life of crime. These communities have the highest rates of homicides, robberies, burglaries and domestic violence. They are Stabroek, Lacytown, South Ruimveldt, East La Penitence, Charlestown, Sophia, and Bel Air in the city; Bush Lot Village, Albion, Port Mourant and Adelphi Village in Berbice; Annandale, Enmore, Lusignan and Mon Repos on the ECD; Tuschen and De Vrierden; Agricola, McDoom and Kuru Kururu on the EBD/LSH, and Wismar in Region 10. The project teams have done analyses of the needs of each community and have begun to direct resources there. In all the areas, community involvement is as vital to the success of the project as the remedial programmes. Nongovernmental, governmental and private sector organizations are being contracted to address the reasons for inter-
personal violence, and the bases that promote acceptance of violence. Those identified so far include parenting, gender biases and the paucity of social ‘tools’ to resolve conflicts. Unemployment and underemployment are generally associated with low educational attainment. These societal ills are prevalent in the target communities. Therefore, the young people will be trained in various vocational skills, and efforts will be made to help them find jobs, or to start up their own businesses. In addition, other members of these communities will be mentored, counseled, and provided with basic remedial education. CRIME PREVENTION AND INVESTIGATION The second most vital aspect of the project seeks to boost the Police Force’s ability to investigate crimes - homicides, burglaries, home invasions, personal crimes, and robberies. The project is financing an evidence-based Crime Prevention policing model which includes computer literacy in police training, and specialization in evi-
dence-based policing. REHABILITATIONAND SOCIAL RE-INTEGRATION SERVICES Another element of the project focuses on the effectiveness of the Guyana Prison Service. The objective in these early stages is to reduce the number of repeat offenders via several streams of activities: 1) A prison census in the five penal institutions, including a needs assessment; 2) Implementation of a rehabilitation model aligned with international best practices; 3) Implementation of a case management programme; and 4) Development and implementation of a rehabilitation and reintegration training plan. To address prison overcrowding, the project is financing a study of incarceration alternatives for pre-trial detainees. The Government with support from the IDB has truly undertaken the reform and transformation of the Guyana Police Force from an incident-driven, reactive institution to one that relies on analysis and communities with the use of Information Communication Technology.
Sunday November 13, 2016
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Kaieteur News
My column
The disappointments were many last week The past week was full of talking points, none more than the shocking results of the elections in the United States. The campaign was hectic; the polls favoured the Democrats, largely because people believed that the utterances of the leading Republican candidate would be enough to ground him. Right up to the poll count even the pollsters were certain that the Democrat candidate, Hillary Clinton, would win. None bargained for the entrenched racism in the society. Also, none heeded the racist comments that formed the basis for the consolidated white vote that pushed the Republicans over the top. I was shocked by the results. I believed that Hillary Clinton would win. Also shocked were the many who live in the Democrat states of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. I spoke to my daughter who lives in New Jersey after the results were declared and she told me about travelling with a stunned crowd. I know the subways and the public transport system. Except for the buses that run between New Jersey and New York, everywhere there is chatter on these forms of public transport. My daughter told me about the stunned silence of the passengers. Then she reminded me of something that she had experi-
enced in Guyana. She said to me that she felt the same way she did in 1992 when the People’s Progressive Party came to office. I could relate to that feeling. As I followed the developments, I saw the protests in a country in which people once criticized Guyanese for protesting the election results. In Guyana, we were accused of refusing to accept democracy; we were called all manner of names. The observer missions were not kind. Then I remembered former President Bharrat Jagdeo saying that his party accepted the results of the 2015 elections too easily. The analysis of the American elections tells me that racism is entrenched. The racist attacks are increasing. People are actually talking their mind about how they feel about Black and Hispanic immigrants. They refuse to accept that these people help build their country, many taking jobs that the White Americans refuse. They also work for less. Guyanese, for the greater part, expressed some worry at the results. Those who plan to visit the country now feel that they would be denied entry. They fear the racial profiling. I have not heard from the many who have gone to work and must face their white peers who now look at them with open dislike.
But that is America and as an adopted home for many, they must realize that they have to work to put food on the table. There will be some intolerance, but nothing like what happens in Guyana. The new government in 1992 came in with a vengeance and swept the public service. They reached out to victimize all those whom they thought were against them. I was one and I survived. I remember Dr Roger Luncheon saying to me that I was lucky, that there were many who were left to beg their bread. I know some of these. In America, the arms of the politicians are not so long, because most of the employers are private people who look for profits; who couldn’t care that much about the ethnic make-up of the employee. The other talking point is disgusting. It involves a young man who I knew as a little boy in Beterverwagting, the village of my birth. I could not believe that a man who professes to be a man of the cloth would stoop to such a despicable level. Sex was never a spectator sport and for a man to record himself having sex with his church members is something that defies logic. Some of these women had husbands. The recordings somehow reached the eyes of the public, and I can imagine the em-
barrassment of those women. Many of them now have broken lives, fashioned by the man who is supposed to offer them religious salvation. His other followers have come to his defence in ways that I can understand. One person contended that he is a man, so he will do manly things. Having sex with multiple women and recording it is not manly in my opinion. If it were manly, then he would have faced the people; he would not have stayed away from his church and the flock. He would not have got a lawyer to talk for him. And to think that the lawyer would say that the sex was consensual so there was nothing wrong. But what about the Scriptures that talks about fornication and adultery?
What are the lessons for the young church members? Surely they would not be expected to engage every woman in the church. They will grow up without morals and all because of the leader of the church. He, on the other hand, must now worry about returning to the United States. The Americans do not take kindly to people who commit acts of moral turpitude. I now await his attempt to visit America. I can imagine this man lying in his bed and reviewing the tapes, even sharing them with whoever found it necessary to crawl into his bed. I could imagine these women looking at each other in the church. I predict that the church will survive, simply because habits die hard; be-
Adam Harris cause people will always seek excitement. There will always be women who need easy money and if the church leader is going to be a source then so be it. But I pity those members who actually fund this man’s escapades. What’s in it for them?
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(Address by HE President David Granger on the occasion of National Day of Villages) We, Guyanese, for the most part, are children of villages. Two out of every three Guyanese still live in villages. Persons living on the coastland, by and large, owe their places of residence to that movement which began one hundred and seventy seven years ago with the purchase of a single plantation. That event laid the foundation for the incubation of a nation. Victoria is the mother of all villages. Victoria, the first village on the coastland, is a landmark – a monument to the ideal of human freedom. It is a shrine to human endeavour. Victoria spawned the great village movement that transformed a cheerless archipelago of plantations on British Guiana’s coastland into a chain of human settlements stretching from the Corentyne to the Pomeroon Rivers. The purchase of a plantation ignited the greatest movement of freed peoples in the Anglophone Caribbean. The village movement was not the creation of scholars or governors. It was the work of poor folk, mainly illiterate men and women. The movement started on 7th November 1839. Eighty-
Sunday November 13, 2016
Kaieteur News
“The village movement was the cradle, the crib, the crucible of our nation” three free men and women from five plantations – Ann’s Grove, Dochfour, Enmore, Hope and Paradise – agreed to pay 30,000 guilders for Plantation Northbrook. They collected their savings and paid two-thirds of the money right away in coins, delivered in a wheelbarrow, “some of them still black with the mud in which they had been buried.” The remainder was covered by a promissory note which was redeemed three weeks later. Victoria, located about 30 km from Georgetown on the East Coast Demerara, originally comprised about 202 hectares (about 500 acres) and had a depth of 11 km and width of 483 m. The transport, passed on 4th January 1841, was signed on behalf of the new proprietors by Samuel Burke. He was deputed to go to town to receive the transport, because he alone among the purchasers could sign his name, which he did before Judge Thomas Norton. It was my honour, as Leader of the Opposition in the 10th Parliament, to table a motion calling for 7th November to be designated National Day of Villages. The National Assembly
of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, on 7th November 2013, debated and approved that motion, but it was not assented to or implemented at that time. The Motion had to await my assent two years later in 2015 hence the designation, celebration and consummation of a National Day of Villages, today. THE VILLAGE MOVEMENT This day has now become an irrevocable, annual commemoration of our national village movement which scholars describe as: “The most spectacular and aggressive land settlement movement in the history of the people of the British Caribbean and a movement which seemed to one planter in British Guiana to be certainly without parallel in the history of the world!” National Day of Villages” is a not meant to be a ceremonial event to embroider our calendar. It is not about Africans or Amerindians or Indians. It is about all Guyanese. It is all about the future. It is a reaffirmation of our confidence in the centrality of villages to the future of our na-
tion. It enjoins us with the responsibility to revitalize our villages for posterity. The village movement was the cradle, the crib, the crucible of our nation. The village movement represented: -a manifestation of true emancipation which was impossible on the plantation, itself the scene of economic exploitation and social degradation; -a transformation of the landscape from a string of plantations into a series of human habitations allowing the establishment of other villages by other immigrants. The village was the whole world for our early peasantry. Village life rested securely on the four pillars of the Church, the family home, the farm (or workshop or workplace) and the primary school. Village administration became the public school-house where many local and, later, national politicians had their apprenticeship. Village endeavour initiated the infrastructural development of rural areas by the construction of homes, churches, cemeteries, schools, bridges and roads. Victoria’s proprietors, seven years after emerging from enslavement “ the worst form of domination and degradation in human history “ had the wisdom to promulgate a remarkable prototype for local government on 2nd May 1845. Their covenant was entitled: “Agreement Entered into by the Following Persons in the Name and on Behalf of Themselves and the Other Proprietors of Victoria Village for the Good Regulation and General Benefit of Said Estate.” Article 20 read, in part: “…calling to mind our happy condition and comparing it with our past state of degradation, we have determined in gratitude to our Almighty Father to erect two buildings which shall be used and devoted to the purposes of Religion as a School House and a Church where our children may be taught to read their Bibles and learn their several duties, and where we may from time to time assemble and meet together and there offer up to Almighty God our humble prayers and thanks for the mercies we have received…” The Agreement prescribed twenty detailed ‘regulations’ for the management of the village by its proprietors. These included the elec-
tion of office-bearers, taxes, the prohibition of drunkenness, cursing, swearing, gambling, etc, trespassing, observing the Sabbath, sale of properties and the use of firearms, among others. Victoria’s founders, as a result of this advanced thinking, had a head start on other villages. The village, gradually, by the late 19th century, came to enjoy a relatively high cultural standard – influenced by the large number of churches and schools and inspired by a growing group of educated people among whom were parsons and school teachers. The expected depopulation of plantations triggered a confrontation between the emergent peasantry and the planter class. The most memorable example of the clash of the classes was the ‘Great Rates War’ of 1865 when East Coast villagers, mainly from BuxtonFriendship, stopped the train carrying the Governor. High taxation and the deliberate destruction of produce, combined with poor drainage, flooding were used to undermine the economies of the villages. The villagers themselves, despite their travails, endured and bequeathed a priceless legacy to future generations. Victoria, together with nearby communities, particularly Belfield to the East, pioneered agricultural shows with the formation of an Agricultural Society, an idea that was copied in other villages. ‘Greater Victoria’ developed a thriving agro-processing economy. This was based on the production of coconuts – used in the manufacture of oi,l but which also generated pig and poultry feed from its byproducts and coir for making mattresses; cassava “ which was processed into cassavabread and cassareep; and fruit for beverages, table consumption and preserves. Households maintained kitchen gardens for green vegetables. Farms in the back-dam produced fruit, ground provisions and plantains and farmers sold their produce at a vibrant village market. Micro-businesses such as bakeries, clothing stores, retail shops a n d parlours proliferated. Cottage industries produced drinking chocolate and households made sugar-cake, black-pudding, souse, mabi (mauby) and other beverages for sale.
Artisans, blacksmiths, tinsmiths, contractors and carpenters built and maintained bridges, houses, kokers and other minor public works. The model of the village economy served society well in the 19th and 20th centuries. The country now has to move on. The model has to be revisited and made relevant to the reality of the 21st century. Vibrant village economies are essential to the survival of the country as a whole and have to be resuscitated. VILLAGE VITALITY National Day of Villages is about the future. It is not about fond memories and ‘lang-time story.’ Your government is prepared to support and sustain micro-enterprise development as much as it must maintain macro-economic stability. Development cannot take place in the absence of both growth and macroeconomic stability. Human development must be promoted particularly for the poor and other vulnerable segments of society. The process of revitalizing our villages has restarted. The conduct of local government elections was the essential first step to empower neighbourhoods to take control of their own affairs. The Ministry of Communities will work with the elected local authorities and other stakeholders to revitalise village economies: -Village economies must flourish by the establishment of micro- and medium-scale enterprises to generate industries and businesses which will provide employment; by growing food again; producing goods again; providing services again; Village lands must bloom again by being placed under cultivation. -Village democracy must flourish through regular local government elections and the selection of local leaders who care for their communities and who represent their constituencies; -Villages’ cultural life must be revived. Villages must have happy homes, happy families and happy neighbours. Villages must become socially cohesive units promoting inter-ethnic harmony. Community centres must come alive with athletic, cultural activities and trade fairs. Guyana’s National Day of Villages is about the future, even as we pay homage to our ancestors – the founders. It recognises our common heritage. It acknowledges the value of the precious gift which has been passed on from generation to generation for 177 years. It admits that we are merely trustees of this rich legacy which we must bequeath to the next generation.
Sunday November 13, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Side effects from Medication: What you need to know By Dr. Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine Side effects from medication are often one of the most misunderstood areas of medicine. There are patients who use their medication and do not even realize that their new symptoms are as a result of their medication. Then there are others who realize that they are having side effects from their medication and discontinue treatment, sometimes causing more harm than good. Today we will shed some light on medicinal side effects so that we can all use our medicines better. WHATARE SIDE EFFECTS? Side effects are unintended or unwanted effects that medicines can cause. Most people take medicines without having side effects, but some people do have them. Some of the more common side effects of medicines can include: -Nausea or vomiting -Dizziness -Headache -Upset stomach, diarrhea, or constipation -Feeling more or less hungry than usual -Trouble sleeping -Dry mouth -Dry cough that doesn’t go
away -Skin rashes -Feeling tired or sleepy, or getting tired easily -Feeling sad, depressed, anxious, or jittery -Sex problems ARETHEREANY DANGEROUS SIDE EFFECTS? In rare cases, side effects can be dangerous or even life threatening. People can have severe allergic reactions to medicines. These include: -Wheezing or trouble breathing -Chest pain or tightness -Passing out or feeling like you might pass out -Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat -Seizures WHEN CAN SIDE EFFECTS START? If side effects are going to happen, they will usually start soon after you begin a new medicine or when your dose is increased. Some side effects can happen in the first hours after taking a medicine, such as an allergic reaction or upset stomach. Others might not start for a week or even months, such as rashes or a dry cough. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY MEDICINE CAUSES SIDE EFFECTS? You should call your doctor any time you have a side
effect that bothers you. But it’s especially important to call right away if you start a new medicine and get any of the symptoms listed below: -Hives or rash (raised red bumps on the skin that can be itchy) -Feeling confused, or feeling like you want to hurt or kill yourself -Severe stomach ache, vomiting, or diarrhea -Not wanting to eat -Aches, pain, fever, weakness or no energy -Dark color urine, black stools (bowel movements), or yellow skin or eyes -Other symptoms that worry you If you have other side effects that bother you, talk to your doctor. Do not simply stop taking the medicine that you think is causing the problem. The medicine might be very important for your health, and stopping the medicine might cause other problems. Plus, it’s possible that what you think is a side effect is not actually a side effect at all. Your doctor can help you figure out if the symptoms you are having are really side effects of your medicines or are caused by something else. If your symptoms are actually side effects, your doctor might be able to adjust your dose or switch you
to a different medicine. There are often ways to help you feel better. Even if the side effects you have can’t be avoided, it’s still important to talk to your doctor. He or she might be able to help you understand why the medicine you are taking is worth it even if it causes side effects. Here are some things you should know or do to prevent or cope with side effects: -Take medicine correctly to prevent side effects – Take the dose that is written on the prescription label. This dose takes into account your age, weight, specific health problems, and the other medicines you take. Follow the instructions your doctor gives you. He or she might tell you to start at a low dose and increase the dose slowly, so you don’t have side effects. -Have your medicines checked to be sure you are taking them correctly – Bring a bag with all your medicines to your doctor’s office. Have your doctor go over them with you. -Be careful about mixing medicines – Some medicines do not mix well with other medicines or herbal products. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the medicines you take, including nonprescription (“over-thecounter”) medicines, herbs,
and any other drugs. -Keep in mind that some side effects go away over time – As your body gets used to the medicine, the side effect might go away. For example, medicines to treat depression can sometimes bother your stomach for a while. But that side effect goes away after one or two weeks. -Work with your doctor find ways to manage your side effects – There are usually simple things you can do to make side effects less bothersome. For example, some medicines can make you feel sleepy, but if you take them just before bed, this is not a problem. Other medicines can make you constipated, but you can reduce constipation if you can eat more fruits and vegetables, drink more water, and use a stool softener. If a blood pressure medicine or antidepressant causes sexual
Dr. Zulfikar Bux problems, you might be able to take another medicine to improve sex. The important thing is to talk to your doctor about any side effects that bother you. That way he or she can offer solutions. Not everyone has the same side effects, so your doctor won’t know what’s happening with you unless you tell him or her.
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SUNDAY SPECIAL 2007 Cricket World Cup forensic audit…Guyana may never get financial closure … existing records, accounts pose health risks …PPP/C administration had no interest to make public the spending. More than nine years after hundreds of millions of dollars were spent to host the 2007 Cricket World Cup (CWC), it seems unlikely the people of Guyana will ever know how the hundreds of millions of dollars were spent. A forensic audit report into the spending has disclosed indications of poor record keeping making it impossible to check financial statements. The forensic audit report, prepared by accountant John Barnes, was one of two handed over by Government to police the past week for criminal investigations. The other report has to do with the sale of prime lands (Pradoville Two) at Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara to former President Bharrat Jagdeo prior to the ending of his constitutional two-term in late 2011. Jagdeo and several of his ministers and Cabinet members were among those sold prime seaside lands below market prices. State resources were used to develop the upscale neighbourhood. A number of the former Government officials have already sold their developed properties for whopping sums. Both sets of transactions were major talking points and sources of deep embarrassment for the last two administrations of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). They were voted out last year. The reports were both considered recently by the Cabinet of Ministers and it was concluded that enough evidence existed for criminal probes. Government has announced special prosecution teams to handle the cases and does not rule out international help in the investigations. With regards to the CWC spending, Kaieteur News has managed to acquire a copy of the forensic audit report. According to the auditor, World Cup Cricket was held in Guyana in the year 2007 and at the time of the commencement of the audit, the records had already been eight years old which is one year beyond the statutory retention period for vouchers as prescribed by Schedule 2 of the regulations made under the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act 2003. ROBBED THREE TIMES IN FOUR MONTHS…LA GRANGE GAS STATION OFFERS REWARD FOR INFORMATION ON BANDITS The D and L Gas Station at La Grange, West Bank Demerara Public Road is offering a reward for any information that would lead to the arrest of two bandits who pounced on two staffers at the company on November 3. Surveillance footage showed one man, armed with a firearm entering the Gas Station. He grabbed a bag from a female pump attendant and then started to punch a male employee, who was standing in front of the pump. By this time, another gunman entered and grabbed the female’s chain and took the cap that the male was wearing. Both men then ran out of the gas station. Kaieteur News was told that the gas station opened last June and was robbed twice in that same month. The attack was the third since the gas station opened. WHITE COLLAR CRIME IS A MAJOR PROBLEM…I CANNOT PROMISE ANY QUICK SOLUTION- GRANGER
Kaieteur News
The hegemony of graft in public offices is often the highlight of white collar crime in Guyana. However, even as he admitted that corruption in Government offices remains a problem, President David Granger was keen to point out that it is “not only government officials who wear white collar.” The national leader said that white collar crime is very much
Granger responded that his government cannot take condign action. He said, “It is a matter for the court; we can only investigate. Due process must be followed.” The President hinted at the reason for the limited prosecutions when he mentioned newspaper reports of a magistrate who said that “there was insufficient evidence (in a
Sunday November 13, 2016
face by bringing cases and for some reason or the other the prosecution is not as robust as we expect.” The President wants to make sure that when the government advances, it is in a strong position equipped with enough evidence to see that justice is served to the people of Guyana. MONDAY EDITION GUNMAN SHOOTS MONEY CHANGER IN FAST FOOD OUTLET – BIKE BANDITS ROB GAS STATION
Robbery in progress in the La Grange gas station. alive in the private sector and needs to be tempered. The President made these comments during the Government-produced television programme—The Public Interest. Granger had sanctioned 50 forensic audits to be carried out at various state agencies. The findings of these investigations were damning and various levels of malpractice were revealed. Some forensic auditors recommended that the government pursue legal action. However there has been a paucity of prosecutions and many public servants implicated in these audits remain on the job. During the Public Interest, Granger was asked to give a timeline for the nation to see action taken against those tainted officials who remain in the system.
criminal case). Granger said, that insufficient is not the same thing as innocent. The case to which the President referred is one involving Public Service Commissioner, Carvil Duncan. Duncan was facing charges of fraud following findings that he paid himself approximately $1M and allegedly conspired with Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) of the Guyana Power and Light, Mr. Aeshwar Deonarine, for an unapproved transfer of approximately $27M, both sums from the PetroCaribe Fund, into Deonarine’s personal bank account. But Duncan was freed of the theft charge last week when the magistrate pronounced that there was insufficient evidence. Granger told reporters, “We have to be very careful that we do not end up with egg on our
In the latest brazen acts by criminals, an unmasked gunman walked into a Popeye’s outlet in Water Street at around 16.00 hrs Sunday and pumped a bullet into a money changer who was dining with his girlfriend. Hours later, bandits on a motorcycle robbed the Atlantic Petroleum filling station at Eccles, East Bank Demerara. Shot and in a critical condition is moneychanger Vishwahnauth Nouwbat, also known as ‘Vishal’, 36, of ‘C’ Field Sophia. He underwent emergency surgery at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. Reports are that the father of one and his girlfriend were having a meal when the gunman, who reportedly had an accomplice waiting outside, approached Nouwbat and ordered him to hand over money. The man’s girlfriend said that he refused to comply, and the gunman shot her partner to the left side abdomen. The woman, who was not injured, said that bandit fled without taking anything. Eyewitnesses alleged that the bandits had to have been watching Nouwbat, who has been plying his trade outside the restaurant for a number of years. Police investigators were on the scene trying to review CCTV footage. However, staffers were reportedly unable to locate sections of the footage linked to the botched robbery. Family members of Nouwbat told this publication that this is the second time he had been shot during a robbery. It was just two months ago that another money-changer, Mahendra Deonarine, was shot in the abdomen just as he had disembarked from a boat at the Georgetown Ferry Stelling. Continued on page 33
Sunday November 13, 2016
FROM PAGE 33 DECISIONS ON GUYSUCO TO TAKE CRUCIAL IMF COMMITMENTS INTO CONSIDERATION – HARMON Discussions on the future of the sugar industry will take into account, commitments made to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) earlier this year.
Kaieteur News
by the Commission of Inquiry into GuySuCo. It said, too, that the scope and pace of reform should take into account social implications. With the aforementioned in mind, Kaieteur News asked Harmon at his most recent press conference to state whether Government’s plans for GuySuCo will take into consideration, the commitment made to the IMF to reduce the bailouts to this sector. He was also asked to say whether the entity has indicated how it intends to address its huge debts. The Minister of State said, “As I explained, there are a continuum of options and that included how the debt will be addressed, how it will be worked down to zero and what is necessary to allow that to happen…None of the options we have at this time are ruled out because they came out of the process into GuySuCo, they came out of the COI.” GRANGER PLEADS FOR PATIENCE FROM CRIME-WEARY PUBLIC – SAYS STRATEGIES ARE WORKING
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon This is according to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon. He was at the time being reminded by this newspaper of Government’s promise to the IMF to reduce bailouts to the sugar sector. The IMF documented this in its Article IV Consultation report in March, last. The report said that, according to the authorities in Guyana, planned budget transfers for the sugar industry have been substantially reduced for 2016 and are expected to steadily decline and eventually cease over the medium term. The IMF also noted that transfers to the loss-making state-owned sugar company (GuySuCo) remain a drag on fiscal performance. In its report, it noted that transfers to GuySuCo were equivalent to 1.8 percent of
President David Granger GDP in 2015 and is budgeted at about 1.3 percent of GDP for 2016. IMF staff urged the local authorities to adopt a restructuring plan for the sector that will improve cost efficiency, productivity, and alternative revenues streams, drawing upon the reforms proposed
Have a little patience. That’s the message President Granger is sending to the crime-weary citizens of Guyana. While there is a semblance that crime is on the increase, President David Granger is convinced that the strategies employed by his administration are working and crime is actually under control. ”We are working and I ask the public to be patient because initiatives that were put in place by the Ministry of Public Security are starting to have an effect.” The President said that there are several types of crime and while interpersonal crime remains hard to control, piracy is “almost at zero percent.” Granger said that the form of crime that “has come to greatest prominence is interpersonal crime.” The President made reference to a 53-yearold mother of two, Bhumattie Deolall, who was brutally murdered in her home in Belvedere, Corentyne, Berbice. Her body, with the head severed, was discovered by neighbours. The suspect has been identified as Balgobin, (aka ‘Payo’) a 39-yearold man who lives opposite the woman’s house. Granger said that “it is very difficult to stop that sort of crime.” While the President mentioned other crimes, he stayed clear of addressing the prevalence of robberies. As he listed some of the steps being taken to address crime, Granger mentioned the fact that the Mounted Branch of the Guyana Police Force has been deployed away from the ceremonial role and has been given an operational role in places like the Rupununi. He said that the government has also ensured the strengthening of the maritime units. Granger also noted that his administration is still looking to procure more equipment for border control which will include more boats and even an aircraft. Granger said that policing has been strengthened in Bartica, which is now the home of the commander of F Division “for the first time.” TUESDAY EDITION FORENSIC AUDITS FINDINGS…GRDB HEAD, ENGINEER’S WIFE CHARGED WITH PROCURING MONEY BY FALSE PRETENCE Former General Manager (GM) of the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) , Nizam Hassan, and Felecia De SouzaMadramootoo, the wife of Hanniel Madramootoo, an engineer at the Ministry of Agriculture; appeared before a City Court on Monday, charged in relation to approving pay-
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They were each released on $250,000 bail and instructed to report to the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) Headquarters, Camp Street, Georgetown. BANDITS ATTACK CAR IMPORTER’S OFFICE, ESCAPE WITH $15M CASH
Former GRDB Nizam Hassan ments for low-graded rehabilitation works done on the GMC building at Robb and Alexander Streets, Bourda, Georgetown. They are jointly charged with Madramootoo; his brother Phillip Madramootoo and his friend Nizam Ramkissoon both Directors of Constantine Engineering and Construction Services Limited, Trinidad and Tobago, with conspiracy to commit a misdemeanour of procuring money to be paid by false pretence with intent to defraud. The Special Organised Crime Unit had approached Trinidad and Tobago for help with prosecuting the Trinidadians. This help has not been forthcoming.
Bandits, in an early morning raid, Monday, attacked the head office of a car importer in Kingston, escaping with millions of dollars in local and foreign currency. Staffers of the Yokohama Trading were left traumatized during the 10-minute ordeal in which the security guard was gun-butted. Yokohama, a prominent Suriname-based car importer that set up operations here several months ago, had only recently opened a stockyard on the Rupert Craig Highway, East Coast Demerara, signalling intentions to expand operations here. According to police sources as well as staffers, the Barrack Street headquarters had only opened for business for a few minutes when the bandits struck Monday. It was around 08:15hrs. A security guard had left his post to get a cup of coffee in the outside office located in the lobby area when he felt a sharp pain at the back of his head. He had been using the water cooler. As he slipped to the floor, he saw a gunman hovering over him threateningly. Another staffer, who acts as a cashier, was reportedly attending to her duties when she heard the commotion. Suspecting something was amiss, she ran into the inner office to inform other staffers. They came back hurriedly and saw a man with a gun pointed at the head of her colleague, a Customer Service representative. He demanded she open the door leading to the cashier area. The two bandits, who were not masked, appeared to know what they were doing. They locked the entire office and it appeared as if a third person was outside on the lookout. They demanded cash and led one of the staff members to a safe. The cash, said to be almost $15M in local and foreign currencies, was dumped in a bag and the staffers were ordered to lie on the ground. The bandits, said to be in their 20s, quickly exited the Barrack Street building into a waiting car, said to be a Toyota NZE sedan. MAINTAININGGUYSUCO IS DEPRIVING MANY OTHER SECTORS – GRANGER
Felecia De Souza-Madramootoo The charges were instituted on the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions. It is alleged that between October 28, 2010 and April 25, 2012 they conspired with each other to commit the offence by continuously approving payments which were made to the contractor of the engineering firm for works that were incompetently and incorrectly done with inferior materials to rehabilitate the GMC building at Robb and Alexander Streets, Bourda, Georgetown; knowing that such works should not have been approved. However, Hassan, 50, of Good Hope, East Coast Demerara and De Souza-Madramootoo, 34, of Lusignan, East Coast Demerara were the only ones present for the court hearing. They were not required to plead to the indictable charge read to them by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
President David Granger is saying that the money his government has been pumping into the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is enough to have effected significant changes in other sectors. ”One of the biggest problems we have is GuySuCo, the sugar corporation is costing us billions; if I can put that money into the school system, the public health system, the University of Guyana you would have seen a transformation.” The President told reporters who appeared on The Public Interest that the government simply cannot afford to keep pumping billions of dollars into GuySuCo knowing that the nation’s development is at risk. He added that the “present model of GuySuco has failed.” Because of this, Granger said that Cabinet had an engagement with the management of GuySuCo “and there has to be change.” The Head of State said that he has committed to discussions with the opposition, unions, stakeholders and the public at large. ”This is an industry established over 350 years. This is why our foreparents came to a place called British Guiana—to work on the Continued on page 34
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From page 33 sugar plantation,” said Granger. The President told reporters that the sugar industry is the single oldest continuous industry in Guyana but, “it is haemorrhaging. The government cannot afford to keep on bailing it out. There has to be change, the very nature of the change is something difficult to be decided.” Repeating that the present model used for centuries has failed, Granger said that his government is at a modern model. “We want to protect the livelihood of the working people and we feel that there are some parts of the industry that can be made profitable.” Granger said that the needed changes must be realized in 2016.
hurdles race. One man said that he was watching the ordeal in his home via his security cameras and noticed one man skilfully jumping his back fence which is fortified with barbed wire. After capturing the two men, ranks were still searching the environs for a gun which the men reportedly had in their possession but disposed of during the chase.
WEDNESDAY EDITION U.S. ELECTION 2016: TRUMP’S SURPRISE WINS IN KEY STATES RATTLE WORLD MARKETS Republican Donald Trump scored a series of shocking wins in battleground U.S. states including Florida and Ohio Tuesday night, opening a path to the White House for the political outsider and rattling world markets that had counted on a win by Democrat Hillary Clinton. With investors worried a Trump victory could cause economic and global uncertainty, the U.S. dollar sank and stock markets plummeted in wild Asian trading. Opinion polls before Election Day had given Clinton a slim lead. Mexico’s peso plunged to its lowest-ever levels as Trump’s chances of winning the presidency increased. Concerns of a Trump victory have weighed heavily on the peso for months because of his threats to rip up a free trade agreement with Mexico and tax money sent home by migrants to pay to build a wall on the southern U.S. border. Trump surged to wins in Florida, Ohio, Iowa and North Carolina, and Fox News projected a win for him in Wisconsin. With voting completed in 49 of the 50 U.S. states, he also narrowly led in Michigan and New Hampshire, edging him closer to 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the state-by-state fight for the White House. WANTED MAN,ACCOMPLICE CAPTURED IN ECCLES AFTER POLICE CHASE Acting on information around 15:00hrs Tuesday, ranks of the Guyana Police Force apprehended two men in Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD) who were reportedly acting suspicious in the neighbouring community of Republic Park. According to police reports, one of the men has been identified as Godfrey Lynch, 19, of Agricola EBD. The young man had been sentenced recently to 56 months imprisonment in absentia for an armed robbery in Republic Park. The other man is said to be a 22-year-old resident of Costello Housing Scheme, Georgetown. He is a prime suspect in two recent Gas Station robberies in the capital city and Eccles. When Deputy Commander of ‘A’ Division, Calvin Brutus, was contacted by this publication, he said that a report was made to the force that two questionable men were occupying an abandoned house in Republic Park. He said that ranks immediately responded to the report and descended on the house. Brutus said that when the suspects noticed police they quickly sprinted from the lawmen towards the Eccles community where they were apprehended in Heliconia Avenue. Residents in the area said that they noticed the men scaling their fences like it were a
Sunday November 13, 2016
Kaieteur News
Republican Donald Trump
THURSDAY EDITION ELECTRICITY THEFT COSTS GPL US$370M IN LAST DECADE The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has dealt with 366 complaints for the first nine months of 2016. These statistics were revealed by the Chairman of the commission, Justice Prem Persaud. The Chairman said that 300 were from the Guyana Telephone & Telegraph (GTT) customers; 63 from Guyana Power & Light (GPL) customers; three from the Guyana Water Authority (GWI) customers and none from Digicel’s customers. Justice Persaud said that the month of July recorded the highest number of complaints 47; with 40 coming from GTT customers, six from GPL, one from GWI, and none from Digicel’s customers. The most recent recorded data revealed that for the month of September, 42 complaints were received; 38 were from GTT customers, four from GPL customers and none from GWI and Digicel, according to Justice Persaud. The Chairman explained that from the 42 complaints for the month of September, four were resolved and 38 are actively being pursued by the commission.
Additionally, the Chairman pointed out that the PUC receives numerous complaints from GPL customers. However, he explained that often times when meter readers visit homes, these are not accessible due to the family being at work and the gate is locked or the dogs are loose, thus estimation occurs. The estimation is often times in excess of the actual consumers’ consumption, the Chairman said, thus resulting in complaints from customers. Justice Persaud said that GPL is incurring losses due to stealing averaging about 15 percent yearly. ”GPL also suffers from what you call technical losses in the system. If something happens over the weekend, something trips off, you have to replace the wire, replace the generator, which adds up to losses, hence the Government has to supplement the cost,” the Chairman said. He pointed out that in 2006, non-technical losses stood at 26.1 percent. Converted to monetary value this was equivalent to $7.7 billion. Over the years, the company has been reducing these losses in small increments and by 2015, non-technical losses has been reduced to 15.9 percent. Justice Persaud stated that non-technical losses cost the company $73.961 Billion (US$369.8M) in the last 10 years, and this has taken into consideration the opportunity loss from electricity theft that should have been translated to sales. DONALD TRUMP ELECTED 45TH US PRESIDENT (Republished from The New York Times) Donald John Trump was elected the 45th president of the United States on Tuesday in a stunning culmination of an explosive, populist and polarizing campaign that took relentless aim at the institutions and long-held ideals of American democracy. The surprise outcome, defying late polls that showed Hillary Clinton with a modest but persistent edge, threatened convulsions throughout the country and the world, where skeptics had watched with alarm as Mr. Trump’s unvarnished overtures to disillusioned voters took hold. The triumph for Mr. Trump, 70, a real estate developer-turned-reality television star with no government experience, was a powerful rejection of the establishment forces that had assembled against him, from the world of business to government, and the consensus they had forged on everything from trade to immigration.
Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence
The results amounted to a repudiation, not only of Mrs. Clinton, but of President Obama, whose legacy is suddenly imperiled. And it was a decisive demonstration of power by a largely overlooked coalition of mostly bluecollar white and working-class voters who felt that the promise of the United States had slipped their grasp amid decades of globalization and multiculturalism. In Mr. Trump, a thrice-married Manhattanite who lives in a marble-wrapped three-story penthouse apartment on Fifth Avenue, they found an improbable champion. “The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer,” Mr. Trump told supporters around 3 a.m. on Wednesday at a rally in New York City, just after Mrs. Clinton called to concede. TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS CASES SKYROCKET … NUMBER ALMOST DOUBLES WHAT OBTAINED IN 2012 – MINISTER LAWRENCE The number of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) cases is on the increase. This state of affairs was Wednesday amplified by Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence. Ms Lawrence, who was at the time speaking at the launch of the State of the World Population Report 2016 at the Kingston, Georgetown, Umana Yana, spoke of an alarming increase in alleged cases seen by her Ministry’s Counter TIP Unit. Based on the cases seen by the Unit, TIP Continued on page 35
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From page 34 cases skyrocketed this year when compared to four years ago. Between the months of January and October 2016, there were 103 alleged victims of TIP. Since females usually account for the majority of cases reported it was not unexpected that the number of TIP cases this year noticeably increased. This translated to 97 females and six males TIP victims. According to Lawrence, while the data currently in the possession of the Counter TIP Unit suggests that the number of alleged victims between the years 2012 and 2015 was fairly constant, for this year the number of cases is already unprecedented. While in 2012 the alleged cases of TIP amounted to 54, in 2013 there were 56 and 59 in 2014. The cases continued to mount and reached 65 by 2015. But the Minister observed Wednesday, “Something is happening because for the period January to October 2016 there has been a significant increase almost doubling what obtained in 2012.” However, even amid her vocalised concern, Minister Lawrence cautioned, “This data refers to the number of suspected cases referred to the Ministry of Social Protection’s Counter TIP Unit and not actual confirmed cases within Guyana.” But though only suspected, the Minister asserted that the data suggest that over the five-year period (2012-2016) the female victims of TIP far outstripped the male victims. She noted that the majority of alleged victims were under the age of 18 except in the years 2014 and 2015. The work of the Counter TIP Unit is guided by statistical data and Minister Lawrence disclosed Wednesday that once reported, child victims of TIP are referred to the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA). GMC COURT CASE…EMBATTLED RICE BOARD CHIEF PROCEEDS ON ONE WEEK LEAVE Embattled General Manager of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Nizam Hassan, has applied for and was granted one week vacation leave. Hassan, who was slapped with fraud charges on Monday and had appeared in court, would have been facing a possible decision by his board which met Wednesday.
Kaieteur News
However, from indications, Hassan went on one week leave, starting Wednesday. Chairman of GRDB, Claude Housty, said that the General Manager has applied for and has been granted vacation leave. The official would not be drawn into whether the board has taken any decision. ”It is up to the powers that be to do what they wish based of whatever advice they get from whatever source after that leave is finished.” Hassan is expected back at work next week. Hassan, a former General Manager of the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), appeared in court on Monday slapped with fraud charges relating to transactions that happened while he was in charge of that entity. Hassan is also facing investigations into a multimillion-dollar fertilizer programme, launched by the last two administrations of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic and handled by GMC. There were a number of questionable payments and transfers that the forensic audit of GMC unearthed. That probe is still ongoing. His appearance in court raised questions as to what would happen now as he is currently in charge of GRDB, the body that oversees rice production and trade in the country. MAIDS TIED, BEATENAS GUNMEN STORM CLEMENT ROHEE’S HOME -GETAWAY CAR ALLEGEDLY RENTED FROM CROAL STREET AUTO DEALER Three armed bandits on Wednesday stormed the Eccles, East Bank Demerara home of PPP General Secretary and former Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee. They escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash and valuables after tying and beating the two helpers. The three suspects, two armed with guns and another with a knife, entered through the back door which was left opened by a maid, who were the only persons at the house. Reports are that the maids were tied and kicked about their bodies when they told the bandits that they had no idea where the money and jewellery were hidden. The men then escaped with valuables after ransacking the house. A police source said that ranks managed to trace the getaway car to a Croal Street, Georgetown auto dealer.
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FRIDAY EDITION $48 MILLION TO BE EXPENDED BY YEAR-END TO IMPROVE MATHS PERFORMANCE
United States Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway
According to information, the owner claimed that he had rented the car to a woman, who returned the vehicle an hour later and alleged that it developed mechanical problem. However, when ranks checked the vehicle, it was in perfect condition. In an interview Wednesday, Rohee said that he and his wife were at work when a neighbour called and informed him that a jeep loaded with police ranks were in front of his property. According to the former Home Affairs Minister, when he arrived at his home, he was informed that one of the maids had left the door open while she was inside cleaning. He explained that the men used the opportunity to barge into his house and demanded that the women hand over gold after which the men ransacked his home in search of valuables. The PPP General Secretary said that he was informed that the ordeal lasted for about 15 minutes and the men hurried out the yard and escaped in a waiting car. They escaped with money and jewellery but Rohee could not say how much. Rohee moved to the Eccles property after leaving office last year.
In what is expected to be an earnest quest to improve the results of Mathematics in the public education system, Government has allocated the sum of $48 million to the Ministry of Education. The fund, according to Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, is expected to be expended by the end of December. But according to Harmon, Government is prepared to make provision for a further sum to be spent on the venture in 2017 and going forward. Harmon, who doubles as Cabinet Secretary, made the forgoing disclosure at Thursday’s post Cabinet press briefing held at the Ministry of the Presidency. According to Harmon, funding for the Mathematics improvement venture gained approval when Cabinet met earlier this week. He divulged that “there is an immediate emergency arrangement which requires this sum of 48 million and there is a strategy that’s outlined for that which we have already started and we (Cabinet) agreed to that.” The move to put deliberate measures in place to realise improve mathematics results was one that was prompted when Government observed daunting results in the subject area of Mathematics at the 2016 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA). The NGSA is the final assessment undertaken by primary school pupils in order for them to be placed at secondary level institutions. The Education Ministry has in recent days published multiple advertisements seeking applications from persons to help with the development of specific standards for secondary school mathematics instruction under a project being dubbed the Guyana Secondary Education Improvement Project. The improvement strategy will be one that will be guided by a report that was presented to Cabinet earlier this month. According to Harmon, Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, on November 8, last, presented a report to Cabinet dubbed ‘Emergency Education Intervention for improved performance in Mathematics by pupils of Grade Six’. ELECTION OUTCOME WILL NOT AFFECT GUYANA-US RELATIONS – AMBASSADOR HOLLOWAY United States Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway, does not advise that Guyana brace itself for any major change with regard to its relationship with the world power. Holloway said that he does not foresee anything that Guyana should be worried about on the heels of Donald Trump’s recent election as United States President. Kaieteur News interviewed Holloway on Thursday, and the envoy was pointed to the fact that President-elect Trump had made a number of ‘worrying’ statements during the recently concluded campaign trail regarding immigration and his intention to redefine America’s foreign policy. Holloway was asked, based on those statements, if he foresees any changes in the good relations currently existing between Guyana and the United States. While the ambassador obviously could not have addressed the query with a 100 percent guarantee, he expressed great confidence that Guyana has nothing to worry about. Holloway said that in his 27 years of working for Republicans and Democrats alike, he learnt that Presidential elections “rarely cause any significant changes to foreign policy.” He said that “no one can predict the future”, but historically America’s foreign policy Continued on page 36
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From page 35 does not dramatically change after an election. The Ambassador continued, “Our domestic politics stop at the borders. And therefore I am not anticipating any dramatic changes.” He was careful to say, “Of course, I cannot speak for President-elect Trump; and I am a good government employee and I will do whatever or leaders decide that we do. But in the end the election is over, we are all Americans; we are not Democrats or Republicans, we are Americans, and I think Mrs. Clinton, President Obama and President-elect Trump have all said positive things.” In response to a similar question to that posed to Ambassador Holloway, Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge said that “each leader has his or her own idiosyncrasies and I am sure Mr. Trump will be no exception.” He said however that there is no reason to expect any change in the relationship between Guyana and the USA. Greenidge is assured of this because “there is no undercurrent that has to be reconciled or resolved.” Nevertheless, the Foreign Affairs Minister admitted, “Of course change will come regarding intending policies. But we foresee a relationship that will continue to be tranquil and promising with the USA and its new President-elect, (Donald Trump)”.
Sunday November 13, 2016
Kaieteur News
that the Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, was tasked with addressing the issue. SATURDAY EDITION EMERGENCY MEASURE...JOINT SERVICES DEPLOYED TO PATROL ‘HOT SPOTS’ ...GIVEN POTENTIALTHREAT TO DOMESTIC SECURITY, EXISTING CRIMINALACTIVITY Amidst a worrying spate of armed robberies and credible information that suggests there is a potential threat to domestic security, Government announced that starting yesterday, November 12, there would be joint
A 27-year-old father of one was gunned down around 06:30 hrs Friday at La Penitence Street, Albouystown, when he went to collect a bicycle from a man who he was involved in an argument with the night before at Ketley Street, Charlestown. The dead man has been identified as Michael Junior Payne of Tuckeit Street, South Ruimveldt Gardens. Payne, who operated a small shop at Ketley Street, was shot to the head, chest and upper left hand. He was pronounced dead at the Georgetown Hospital. According to information received, Payne and the suspect were involved in a bitter argument, around 22:00 hrs on Thursday, during which Payne left and went into his shop. The other individual allegedly picked up Payne’s bicycle and rode away.
“In order to illustrate the trends of our business, GTT commissioned two studies, and it showed that the cost module that we provided, shows that GTT’s domestic services are below cost...The model clearly shows that current tariffs do not allow for GTT to earn any returns – let alone an adequate return to maintain the landline services,” Nedd said. He cautioned that the situation will only worsen, with other revenue sources being substantially diminished by competition; legal or otherwise.
Around 06:00 hrs yesterday, Payne, along with a cousin, went to the suspect’s home at La Penitence Street, Albouystown, to collect the bicycle. Acting Commander of ‘A’ Division, Calvin Brutus said that based on information received, Payne and his cousin called out for the suspect, but after receiving no response, they decided to bang on the door a couple of times. Kaieteur News was told that it was while banging on the door that neighbours heard several gunshots coming from the suspect’s home. Payne sustained three gunshot wounds, while his cousin managed to escape without injuries and is assisting the police with information.
EXXONMOBIL MOBILISES SHIP TO DRILL THIRD WELL
The drillship Stena Carron
TOP COP-RAMNARINE CONFLICT…CABINET BELIEVES MATTER SHOULD HAVE BEEN DEALT WITH INTERNALLY – HARMON The growing conflict between the Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud and the man who held the reins while he was on leave – Assistant Commissioner of Police, David Ramnarine – was discussed at the level of Cabinet last Tuesday. During the Post-Cabinet Press Briefing Thursday in Georgetown, Minister of State Joseph Harmon, told media operatives that Cabinet believes the matter should have been dealt with internally, as opposed to it getting out into the public domain. Previous reports indicated that Persaud was on 100 days leave, which enabled Ramnarine to assume the role of Top Cop. As Ramnarine deputised, decisions were made, including the promotion of several ranks. Things went south when Persaud returned and made attempts to repeal these promotions. Kaieteur News was reliably informed that Persaud had sent memos to Ramnarine, the Force’s Finance Officer and to Divisional and Branch Commanders, indicating that these decisions should be overturned. It is reportedly being argued that Ramnarine was not invested with the authority to make these decisions, because there was no consultation between the President of Guyana and the Opposition leader on Ramnarine’s appointment as Acting Top Cop. Persaud, according to media reports, even reportedly quoted sections of the Constitution of Guyana, regarding appointments within the Force, to support his argument. Minister Harmon, when quizzed on what some of Cabinet’s recommendations were, said that in large organisations like the Guyana Police Force, there will always be issues which affect persons; people are going to lock horns sometime or the other. ”So you always have these things; but the important thing is that because of the importance of the Guyana Police Force to the National Security structure, it is important that these matters not occur in the public space…that they be dealt with in another way,” the Minister emphasised. Harmon further informed media operatives
patrols by the army and police. The Joint Services operations will target areas that are considered hot spots for criminal activities, the Ministry of the Presidency said on Friday. The statement from the ministry disclosed that the decision to bring out the Joint Services was necessitated after the Government of Guyana received “credible information related to a potential domestic security threat”. “That coupled with increased criminal activity has resulted in the decision by the administration to institute security measures in targeted areas. These operations will be conducted by the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).” While the statement did not disclose what the domestic security threat was, top security and Government officials disclosed that intelligence reports are suggesting some of the recent crimes being committed are politically motivated. The crime issue was reportedly raised with President David Granger this week during the taping of his weekly televised programme, ‘Public Interest’. He said that it is Government’s belief that the pattern of crime suggests a campaign. He reportedly referred to the recent Eccles home invasion of former Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee, in which two employees were tied up and the place robbed, as well as another incident, in which the city home of son of accountant, Christopher Ram, was burglarised. According to the President, he has the impression that the acts are deliberate ones to embarrass the police and Government, and would make good headlines. MAN GUNNED DOWN IN ALBOUYSTOWN FOLLOWING DISPUTE
GTT MAKES CASE FOR LANDLINE RATE HIKE After appealing a recent rejection of its application for a rate hike for certain services, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) is pleading with the regulatory body, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), to expedite the process, since the situation is only getting worse. This was the assertion of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Justin Nedd, at a hearing that was held at PUC Headquarters in Queenstown, Georgetown. The CEO, who was accompanied by other company representatives, related that GTT’s rates for local landline services have not changed in over 15 years. He added that even 15 years ago, the rates were below cost. Nedd stated that the Commission is ‘well aware’, that since 1991, local landline services have been subsidised by high margin long distance revenue.
AG REPORT REVEALS…CUSTOMS LOST OVER $170M IN 2015 …AFTER REVOCATION OF ENVIRONMENTALTAX, DECLINE IN FUELPRICE The Customs and Trade Administration, which falls under the Guyana Revenue Authority, recorded a shortfall of over $170M during 2015. This was highlighted in the latest Auditor General Report. Auditor General Deodat Sharma reported that according to the Statement of Receipts and Disbursements, amounts totaling $13.326B were estimated to be collected from customs and trade taxes, fees, fines and licences for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2015. However, Sharma said that there was a shortfall of $170.025M in collection, since only $13.156B was collected and paid into the Consolidated Fund. Sharma said that the shortfall was due mainly to an over-estimation of import duties based on expected performance, a decrease in the values of some categories of beverages imported in non-returnable containers and an amendment to Section 7A of the Customs Act, Chapter 82:01, which prohibited the collection of a $10 Environmental Tax on every unit of non-returnable containers of imported beverage.
ExxonMobil has mobilised drillship Stena Carron to the Payara wildcat, offshore Guyana where the US supermajor will test the third prospect on the same block as its massive Liza oil discovery. According to a report in the Upstream online news site, the drillship left the Liza-3 location early Thursday for a 10-mile move north-east to the Payara location, where ExxonMobil and its partners will drill the latest wildcat on the sprawling Stabroek block. US independent Hess and Nexen, a CNOOC subsidiary, are partners. Hess chief executive, John Hess, said on a third-quarter conference call, that Payara was a “very similar stratigraphic trap and same kind of reservoir sequence as the other Liza wells”. Results from Payara are expected in January. The Stena Carron drilled Liza-3 to a total depth of 18,100 feet in 6000 feet of water on a location about 2.7 miles (4.3 kilometres) from the Liza 1 discovery. The Liza-3 well hit around 200 feet (61 metres) of net pay “in the same high-quality reservoirs” as the first two Liza wells, according to block partner Hess. “Based on the Liza-3 results, we now expect the estimated recoverable resources to be at the upper end of the previously announced range of 800 million to 1.4 billion barrels of oil equivalent,” Hess said when announcing its third quarter results. All the wells are located on the giant 6.6 million-acre Stabroek block, which runs almost the entire length of Guyana’s offshore zone. According to a Government statement, Hess Corp and ExxonMobil are looking to the end of 2017 to develop the Liza field.
Sunday November 13, 2016
Kaieteur News
GRPA celebrates 43 years The Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) on Friday, last, celebrated its 43rd year of existence, making it one of the oldest Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Guyana. The Association was established in 1973 as an educational, training and family planning institution. However in 1995, it expanded its scope and developed a more holistic approach. Today it would be safe to assert that it is one of the leading NGOs in the area of sexual and reproductive health and chronic diseases, providing optimum services in a safe and comfortable environment. GRPA is an associate member of an umbrella organization known as the Caribbean Family Planning Affiliation Ltd (CFPA). The CFPA serves 13 island-Member Associations and 6 Associate Member Associations in the Caribbean, Central and South America. It supports these Associations with technical assistance and materials, and represents their collective interests at International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) meetings and in the Caribbean region among governments and NGOs. CFPA Island Member Associations are located in Anguilla, Antigua, Aruba, Bahamas, Bermuda, Curacao, Dominica, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent. CFPA Associate Member Associations are located in Belize, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. During the GRPA Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Friday, Executive Director Ms. Patricia SheerattanBisnauth, presented a few highlights of key achievements along with some of the challenges being faced by the association. Those present at the meeting included GRPA President (Acting), Ms. Giselle Carino; the International Planned P a r e n t h o o d Federation (IPPF) Regional Director, Ms. Vanda Radzik; Commissioner on the Women and Gender Equality Commission (WGEC), members of the Diplomatic Corps, United Nations Population Fund representatives, Government officials; representatives of partner agencies and representatives of other NGOs. Sheerattan-Bisnauth reported that during the period October 2015 to October 2016, the association provided over 140,000
GRPA’s Executive Director, Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth services to the people of Guyana, mainly through the Medical Services Division and the Programmes Department which includes the Youth Advocacy Movement. “GRPA has embarked on the path towards a rightsbased approach to SRH (Sexual Reproductive Health), expanding its services as well as improving quality of care and strengthening advocacy for sexual and reproductive rights. We have indeed come a long way and have advanced in significant ways, seeking to be relevant to the society in these times,” she said. As it relates to medical services, the Clinic has been rebranded with a new name: “Family Wellness Centre” and includes a laboratory where over twenty-five services are provided including Sexual Reproduction Health (SRH); Family Planning Services; Sexual Transmitted Infection (STI) testing; cervical and prostate Cancer; Gynecology Services; Ultrasonography; Antenatal Care; Fertility Services etc. The Executive Director also touched on some of the activities that were conducted during this period which includes several outreaches in nine of the 10 Administrative Regions. These activities included screening for cervical cancer and breast examinations; family planning; and general services. These exercises were conducted in conjunction with three campaigns on cervical and breast cancer. The Youth Advocacy Movement (YAM) is the youth arm of the GRPA and comprises of youngsters who advocate for the values and rights of the parent organisation through education, recreation and volunteerism. According to SheerattanBisnauth, the YAM has grown significantly with a membership of about thirtyfive persons within the ages of 14 to 25 and some of its key developments and
achievements during the reporting period include: peer education, in-school sessions; establishing community and sports groups; getting faith-based organizations on board; Street Theatre; and the advancement of the Antibullying campaign. During her presentation also, Sheerattan-Bisnauth boasted about the GRPA’s Programmes Department which she stated, is a “quite dynamic, enriching and active area.” Counselling services, education and information on critical issues come under this department. She also related that the GRPA is currently advocating for the government to implement the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) framework to reduce teenage pregnancy which was signed in 2014. Also, the policy to reintegrate the pregnant or parenting girl child into school; and the review of the discriminatory laws which target Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) persons. The association is currently collaborating with the various Government Ministries including Public Health; Education, Youth Sports & Culture; Social Protection. The Executive Director also stated that the GRPA is working with various international organisations as well as local NGOs including Red Thread, SASOD, Child Link and Help & Shelter. She added that because of the collaboration with the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, the association was able to carry out outreach services in hinterland areas on comprehensive sexuality education and teenage pregnancy in hinterland communities. “We are very grateful for this collaboration. We have (also) increased our volunteer corps and carried out periodic training with them. We are very grateful for their contribution. As we move ahead, we look forward to building on our achievements as we advance Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, which is elemental to a healthy society and a good life for all.”
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Sunday November 13, 2016
Kaieteur News
Support Group launched to empower, educate teen moms By Enid Joaquin A Teen Pregnancy Support Group was on Friday launched at the Vivienne Parris Health Centre in Linden, to empower and educate teen mothers. Eight such young women received support packages from the group. It was one of several other similar groups being launched countrywide, to support, educate and empower pregnant teens. Cilandell Glen, the Sexual Reproductive Health Coordinator, within the adolescent Health Unit of the Ministry of Public Health, said that the initiative was introduced to Region 10 stakeholders two weeks ago. It is an initiative of the Ministry of Public Health adolescent unit, Glen said. She noted that the main aim of the programme is to help reduce teenage pregnancy, which is a ‘big issue’ in Guyana. Glen added that the initiative was a spin-off of the youth friendly services, which included the antenatal teen clinics for the adolescent population, which commenced in 2014. The support group, she said, is to offer psychosocial
A section of the audience at the launch of the Teen support Group in Linden and social support to teenage pregnant mothers. The young, expectant mothers learn the importance of nutrition, exercising and the labour process, among other things, Glen said Noting that teen pregnancy is as a result of risky sexual behaviour, which is due to a lack of knowledge, Glen said that part of the Department’s objective is to educate adolescent mothers to help prevent them from becoming pregnant for a second time. “Out of the support Group, the adolescent mothers could actually do talks in our Secondary
Schools to share their experiences with other young girls about teenage pregnancy, including the risk of getting pregnant at such a y o u n g a g e. So we’re hoping that the clinics, and especially the support groups, would help in the fight to reduce teenage pregnancy in Guyana.” Glen said that the initiative is a countrywide one, and other groups were recently established at Mocha/Herstelling, Grove, Sophia and other health centres in Georgetown. She said that the initiative will also be extended to regions one, five and six.
Glen emphasized that the aim of the support groups is not to support teenage pregnancy, but assist the mothers who might not be in a financial position to take care of their needs. “We would tell people that, because oftentimes the teen mothers are no longer in a relationship with the father of their child, we offer the support so that they would not be forced into further risky behaviour to provide for the unborn child. So it’s not teenage pregnancy that we are supporting but rather the young mothers who quite often cannot provide for themselves or the child.
Jenelle Sweatnam, of the Ministry of Education, said that it was a care initiative that saw that Ministry collaborating with the Ministry of Public Health. According to Sweatnam, the teen mothers care packages was started in 2014, but in 2016 they collaborated with the Ministry o f P u b l i c Health, to reach a wider community as the teen mothers have to visit the health clinics. “So we’re targeting the teen moms to let them know about the reintegration programme that the Ministry has, so that after they would have given
birth, they can continue their education.” Sweatnam stressed that the reintegration programme is one that has always been embraced by the Ministry of Education. Because, she pointed out, teen moms are very vulnerable due to financial constraints, and very often engage in risky behaviour. Thus the aim of the reintegration programme, she stressed, is to empower the teen moms by equipping them with the necessary skills, so that they could be independent and support their newborn. Dr Salome Henry, who is attached to the One Mile Health Centre, called the initiative a good one. Henry said that adolescent mothers need all the support that could be given. The mother of a daughter who got pregnant at sixteen, Henry said that though she was annoyed with her for getting pregnant while still at school, she offered her the needed support. She proudly noted that today her daughter is back in school. “I would definitely support a teenage mother, but I don’t support teenage pregnancy,” Dr Henry stressed.
Sunday November 13, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Sunday November 13, 2016
Kaieteur News
Health Tips for Healthy Living This article is designed to give tips to readers about how they can improve or augment actions in their life to have a healthy lifestyle; it is not meant to be all inclusive but will include major components that are considered to be parts of a lifestyle that lead to good health. In addition to the tips about what people should do for healthy living, the article will mention some of the tips about avoiding actions (the don'ts) that lead to unhealthy living. "Healthy living" to most people means both physical and mental health are in balance or functioning well together in a person. In many instances, physical and mental health are closely linked, so that a change (good or bad) in one directly affects the other. Consequently, some of the tips will include suggestions for emotional and mental "healthy living."
fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk products. Choose lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts (with emphasis on beans and nuts). Choose foods that are low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars; look at the labels because the first listed items on the labels comprise the highest concentrations of
make the underlying problems worse. Avoid rewarding children with sugary snacks; such a pattern may become a lifelong habit for people. Avoid heavy meals in the summer months, especially during hot days. A vegetarian lifestyle has been promoted for a healthy lifestyle and weight loss; vegetarians should check with their physicians to be sure
ingredients. Control portion sizes; eat the smallest portion that can satisfy hunger and then stop eating. Snacks are OK in moderation and should consist of items like fruit, whole grains, or nuts to satisfy hunger and not cause excessive weight gain. Avoid sodas and sugarenhanced drinks because of the excessive calories in the sodas and sugar drinks; diet drinks may not be a good choice as they make some people hungrier and increase food consumption. Avoid eating a large meal before sleeping to decrease gastroesophageal reflux and weight gain. If a person is angry or depressed, eating will not solve these situations and may
they are getting enough vitamins, minerals, and iron in their food. Cooking foods (above 165 F) destroys most harmful bacteria and other pathogens; if you choose to eat uncooked foods like fruits or vegetables, they should be thoroughly washed with running treated (safe to drink) tap water right before eating. Avoid eating raw or undercooked meats of any type.
EATING(DIET) All humans have to eat food for growth and maintenance of a healthy body, but we humans have different requirements as infants, children (kids), teenagers, young adults, adults, and seniors. For example, infants may require feeding every four hours until they gradually age and begin to take in more solid foods. Eventually they develop into the more normal pattern of eating three times per day as young kids. However, as most parents know, kids, teenagers, and young adults often snack between meals. Snacking is often not limited to these age groups because adults and seniors often do the same. TIPS: Eat three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner); it is important to remember that dinner does not have to be the largest meal. The bulk of food consumption should consist of
TIPS FOR SPECIAL SITUATIONS: People with diabetes should use the above tips and monitor their glucose levels as directed; try to keep the daily blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible. People with unusual work schedules (night shifts, college students, military) should try to adhere to a breakfast, lunch, and dinner routine with minimal snacking. People who prepare food should avoid using grease or frying foods in grease. People trying to lose weight (body fat) should avoid all fatty and sugary foods and eat mainly vegetables, fruits, and nuts and markedly reduce his/her intake of meat and dairy products. Seek medical advice early if you cannot control your weight, food intake, or if you have diabetes and cannot control your blood glucose levels.
Sunday November 13, 2016
Kaieteur News
Following her rumored breakup with The Weeknd, Bella Hadid wears a necklace that speaks volumes Rumors have been circulating the internet that Bella Hadid and boyfriend The Weeknd, AKA Abel Tesfaye, have broken up. And based on Hadid’s necklace, it appears the breakup is real. Hadid and Tesfaye were together for almost two years, so of course they’re going to need time and space to heal. Dealing with a breakup is never an easy thing to do, especially when your life is incredibly publicized. But Hadid seems to be doing just fine on her own, which she made apparent with her jewelry choice. Her new Bella necklace isn’t just stylish and gorgeous, it speaks volumes. She’s making a statement that she’s totally fine on her own, and perhaps focusing on loving herself right now. According to PopSugar, the couple split up because of scheduling conflicts. So it’s very possible they’ll get back together eventually, but until that happens (and if that happens), we’re going to keep loving Hadid’s self-love.
Hadid was recently spotted at a Paris airport rocking a gold “Abel” necklace.
Angelina Jolie Breaks Her Silence For The First Time After Brad Pitt Divorce state of her family. According to Cosmopolitan, a spokesman for Jolie said of the end of the investigation, “As we said earlier this week, childcare professionals encouraged a legal agreement accepted and signed by both sides that was in the best interest of the children. Angelina said from the beginning that she felt she had to take action for the health of the family and is relieved that after their 8week involvement, the DCFS is now satisfied the safeguards are put in place that will allow the children to heal.” While promoting his upcoming movie Allied earlier this week, Brad Pitt commented on the kindness he’s received after his split from Jolie. “It’s really sweet, everyone has been really kind out here,” he told a reporter with E!. “It’s really nice to have all the support.” While the investigation is behind them, it looks like the couple’s custody situation has yet to be resolved. Though a representative for Jolie told Angelina Jolie People the couple has agreed on an arrangement that has the kids living with Jolie and In the wake of the news that Brad Pitt is no having visits with Pitt. That too has been contested by multiple longer being investigated for child abuse, Angelina Jolie has released a statement on the sources.
AliciA Keys ReveAls HeR secRet FoR GoinG MAKeup FRee Alicia Keys made headlines after announcing her decision to go makeup-free. She also made a point to clarify that she wasn’t against makeup, she just really doesn’t feel like wearing it thanks to societal pressures placed on a woman’s appearance. As the cover star of ELLE UK’s December issue, Alicia reveals that she hasn’t always had such a flawless complexion. “It took me forever to get this skin. I mean, I know how it feels to have a face full of bumps and pimples,” she said. “I lived through that in the public eye. But when I first got pregnant [six years ago with her son, Egypt] I started to eliminate dairy from my diet and drank a lot more water, which made a huge difference to my skin,” she explained.
Alicia Keys
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Sunday November 13, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Death in hinterland leaves woman seeking answers Denelli Whyte-Walker of Tuschen, East Bank, Essequibo wants the relevant authorities to find out what exactly occurred, following the death of her 21-year-old son, Denio “Redman” Walker. Walker who died on October 11, last, at Blackwater Creek in the Cuyuni, was said to be sick with the flu that day. He left his camp area after telling a friend, Trenton “Pickey” Yearwood, with whom he would have travelled to the interior on September 15, 2016, that he was going down to the creek to cool down his body from the fever. About five minutes later, Yearwood learnt that something happened to Redman and that he should come and check right away. When he got there he saw that Redman was seriously injured. He found out that his friend fell from a tree vine, unto the boat in the water below. Yearwood and two others assisted in taking Walker back to the camp. The man was not responding for a while. When Walker regained consciousness, he reportedly said, “Pray for me, I gon’ dead”. Yearwood said that he held onto his friend’s hands, comforting him. He told him that they came together and that they were going to leave together. Yearwood, having observed the serious nature of his friend’s injuries ran to call a Spanish Medic in the area, since the location is on the border with Venezuela. The Medic came and checked for a pulse but reportedly didn’t find any. A post mortem done at the Georgetown Pubic Hospital Incorporated (GPHC), on October 14, 2016 would show that Walker died on October 11, 2016, with a ruptured spleen and liver and blunt trauma to the abdomen as the cause of death. Mrs Whyte-Walker said that she received news from her other two children about her son’s sudden death. This of course was a shock for the widowed mother; she said that her children informed her that Yearwood contacted his relatives who reside next door to inform them about Walker’s death. On the night of October 12, 2016, Yearwood contacted her and informed her that he was at Iteringbang Police Station, with her son’s body. At this point she began making arrangements for the body to be transported to Georgetown for burial. It had already been a day since he would have died. Walker ’s body was transported from Blackwater Creek to Iteringbang, using the employer’s excavator the following day after he
...after police rank allegedly fleeces her
Dead: Denio Walker reportedly died. One Inspector Benn at Iteringbang Police Station, confirmed that her son’s body was there and that they would be forced to proceed with burying him right there as body was already starting to decay. The Inspector told her that it was Wednesday night and that flights in and out of the area only operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays. She said that she pleaded with the Inspector who recommended that she contact one Steve (only name given), who “deals with these kinds of things.” On October 14, WhyteWalker contacted the said Steve, who told her that the price for transporting a body to the city is GY$450,000. She said that she negotiated and explained that she doesn’t work for that amount of money; she stated that she contacted Inspector Benn again who would then tell her to contact a Corporal Jobe, who also said that was the price for bringing the body out. However, after Steve and Corporal Jobe lowered the price to $300,000, she agreed to pay. Whyte-Walker said that she requested to go on the flight so as to ensure that it was indeed her son’s body. Both the Corporal and Steve agreed that she should go. While on her way to the Eugene Correia International Airport, she said that Steve called her and told her not to bother go to the airport since the flight had already left. She said that she had already picked up a body bag at GDF and a bottle of formalin and as she was already on her way she decided to go and make sure that the flight had indeed left to go pick up the body. She stated that it was at this stage she began feeling suspicious, when at the
airport she found out that the flight was from Air Services Limited and that it had indeed left for the interior to pick up a body. She said that the police had ordered it. She said that she contacted Yearwood about travelling with the flight and the body. At this point Yearwood explained that the said flight came in with goods, when it was supposed to have been empty. Back in the city the body was picked up by Sandy’s Funeral Home and escorted by the police to the funeral parlour. She stated that she didn’t recognise her son, as his eyes were bulged and his tongue was out of his mouth. She said that she recognised him from his tattooed arm with his name. She stated that on October 20, she went to the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) at Eve Leary, where she spoke to a Mr. Mackhanlall, who contacted the acting Crime Chief, Hugh Jessemy. She noted that they appeared to be surprised after she told them her story. She said that they informed her that it was the responsibility of the police to pay to have deaths transported from the interior. She was then put on to another Officer at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), who told her that he would have to talk to the Officer in Charge at the Fraud Unit about the matter. Divisional Detective Inspector (DDI), Inspector Elexey of ‘F’ Division wasn’t even aware of any such incident. He then contacted Inspector Blair at Iteringbang Police Station, who said that he would have sent statements to Corporal Jobe, who allegedly never uplifted them from the airport. Corporal Jobe was sent to uplift the file. The files were indeed at the airport. Jobe promised to contact her but to date has not done so. On the 28th October, 2016 she contacted Corporal Jobe, who informed that he couldn’t disclose what the statements were. He then said that a file was being prepared and sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for further advice. Whyte-Walker said that
she still has not received an official statement about what happened to her son. She
stated that the police informed her that her son was not working with anyone at
the time of his death, yet his employer’s wife sent her money following Denio Walker’s death. She is seeking closure to find out what really happened to her son.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday November 13, 2016
New aviation technology to better monitor aircraft positions - GCCA meets with operators, pilots The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) on Friday hosted a consultation on Performance Based Navigation (PBN) and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Implementation with operators and pilots to bolster safety in the aviation sector. The consultation which was held at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, Ogle saw GCAA’s Director-
General, Col. (Rtd) Egbert Field, and Director of Air Navigation Services and operator from Air Navigation Services, Rickford Samaroo, making presentations. Fields said that safety is paramount in the aviation industry, explaining that the GCCA will be cooperating with the operators. “I expect their cooperation in return because that is the only way to enhance safety. It is the
Aviation sector operators and pilots at the consultation on Performance Based Navigation (PBN) and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Implementation, at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport. only path that you and I can take to ensure that the
business of aviation continues with Guyana in a safe light,” Fields explained. The Director General said that in order to enhance safety in the aviation industry it is necessary for the GCCA to not only listen to the operators, but also seek advice from them. He noted that the GCCA will use the feedback to provide a safe zone in the aviation industry. “We’re looking for your ideas to blend with ours, and that blend can only lead to one item, safety. We are moving onwards, we are moving technology to make this industry safe. The ADS-B system will be helpful in knowing where you are, to space you properly, and also in the event of emergencies we will be able to find you quickly,” Field explained. Field noted that this
system being implemented is costly. He urged the operators to learn as much as they can about it so that it can be utilised efficiently and effectively. Meanwhile, Samaroo presenting on the ADS-B and PBN, told the operators that the PBN system will help with better spacing (of aircraft) in the air. He said air traffic is growing rapidly and there is need to increase capacity of air space because the air space does not grow. “While we can grow the airport on the ground we can’t grow the airspace so ADS-B or surveillance is technology that is used to separate and reduce the spacing of aircraft, and we hope to implement this in its full dimension so we can utilise all its potential and all its benefit that it offers.” Samaroo also noted that the system allows air
navigation to have the traffic management system, (an alerting system) be used at a minimum safe altitude for short-term conflict resolution. Following the presentations, several of the operators shared their thoughts on the system. The country is now expanding its international airport at Timehri, East Bank of Demerara and in recent years has upgraded the Ogle airport to accommodate regional flights. The hinterland areas have also been experiencing significant growth when it comes to flights to the outlying areas. However, until about five years ago, the aviation industry was still behind in terms of capacity to monitor flights. With vast forest areas to cover, GCAA’s job has been one filled with challenges.
Sunday November 13, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Baking soda and your pearly whites By Dr. Neromini Fagu I was recently asked if baking soda is bad for teeth. The answer is not quite that straightforward. So let us examine both sides to give you a better understanding. Many persons have grown up using baking soda as a regimen for tooth care and we have even seen toothpaste manufacturers marketing it in their products. Sodium bicarbonate is the scientific name for baking soda and some us might even remember its uses in the various science experiments we did in school. Baking soda has been around since the 1840s and while it has a myriad of uses from baking to cleaning, and it is also known in dentistry for whitening teeth. But there are a number of benefits when using baking soda to brush your teeth: Fight Bad Breath Bad breath can be very embarrassing and sometimes most people don’t even know they have it. Bad breath may be caused by a number of factors, one of which is the food particles that remain in your mouth after eating. These foods produce acids and when you use baking soda it helps to neutralize the acids. To combat bad breath, dissolve a half of a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water and use this solution as a mouth rinse. Whiten Teeth We have all heard the virtues of baking soda in
Dr. Neromini Fagu whitening teeth. Manufacturers use it in toothpastes and other whitening agents. However, you should be careful as you may not get the results you were hoping for. Over time, teeth get stained from the foods that we eat and drink. Alcohol use and smoking also stain our teeth. Baking soda may be able to remove some of these stains but if you want the whitest of teeth you may have to look at a more professional alternative. Prevent Gum Disease Gum disease affects a majority of people and is caused by the accumulation of plaque. Gum disease may cause bleeding and swelling of the gums and may lead to bad breath. Using baking soda when brushing your teeth will help to remove plaque. Soothe Mouth Ulcers Ulcers are never fun as they can be painful and
always seems to take long to heal. Eating and drinking sometimes seems to lengthen the healing time. Using baking soda mixed with water as a rinse may help to soothe the ulcer and increase the healing process. Some of the potential risks of using baking soda include: Abrasive to Teeth One of the major downsides of using baking soda regularly is that its abrasive properties may weaken the enamel of teeth. Constant use of baking soda especially when combined with forceful brushing techniques is a sure fire recipe for enamel erosion. Once enamel is lost, it will not be replaced by the body and the sensitive dentine layer of the teeth will be exposed. This may result in increased teeth sensitivity and make you more prone to cavities. Does not contain Fluoride According to the American Dental Association, using baking soda alone to brush your teeth may not help you to prevent cavities. Fluoride is a key ingredient in toothpaste to help strengthen enamel and protect against tooth decay. Baking soda does not contain fluoride and so it should not replace toothpaste. If you want to use baking soda, use it first and then toothpaste after. Soften Dental Adhesives Baking soda should not be used if you have braces or a permanent retainer. It may
STANDARDS IN FOCUS
Using standard compliant soap powder is safer Laundry Detergent Powder (Soap powder) is one of the commodities the GNBS monitors to ensure compliance with the labelling requirements as outlined in the Guyana Standards Specification for Synthetic laundry detergent powder (GYS 266:2005). Laundry detergent powders conforming to the requirements of this standard, which is also a CARICOM standard, can be considered safe for use by consumers. In the last few years, the GNBS has observed that there has been a significant increase in the quantity and brands of laundry detergent powder manufactured and imported for sale on the local market. There are now more than a dozen brands of the commodity available for sale. Because of the chemical nature of laundry detergent powder and the possible effects on users and wash items (clothing etc.) consumers, manufacturers and importers need to be aware of the requirements governing the sale and use the commodity in Guyana. The standard requires that all laundry detergent powder be homogeneous in appearance, be free flowing, readily dispersible in water, have cleaning and lathering properties, is not injurious to health of users or adversely affect the environment. It is vital that importers and manufacturers of laundry detergent powder ensure that all brands of the commodity comply with the labelling requirements, which include the
name of the product in the words “laundry detergent powder”, the brand name of the product and/or recognised trade mark where applicable, the name and address of the manufacturer and/or distributor including the country of origin, and the net weight of the contents of the packaged product. In addition, the package must have the instructions for applicable usage, precautions for use or potential hazards presented by product use, the month and year of manufacture, the batch number or lot number stated in code or otherwise. A caution statement as to the irritant capability of the detergent for example: Detergent solution can be a skin irritant, Avoid prolonged contact, Rinse garment and hands thoroughly, must also be stated. As households begin to undertake the massive washing and cleaning in preparation for the Christmas season, it is important that the right bands of laundry detergent powder, which comply with the above requirements, are used to avoid compromising safety and ensuring cleanliness. From next week, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards will begin to provide Christmas shopping tips for consumers relating to commodities it monitors. For further information please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0069, 219-0066, 219-0065.
cause damage to the orthodontic glue used to keep the braces and retainer in place. If you would like to use baking soda as part of your oral hygiene routine here are some safety tips:
· Wet your toothbrush before you brush your teeth with the baking soda.
· Baking soda will become creamy if mixed with saliva so Continued on page 69
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PROPERTY FOR SALE Campbellville- $45M, $32M. Festival City (2 Families) $19M, $9M. Aubrey Barker $30M. Diamond $12M- GME Realty- 231-2199, 618-7483
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, C a n a da & UK; Guyana p assport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535.
SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 6471773/660-5257 EARN A CERTIFICATE IN COSMETOLOGY AT ARTEE’S BEAUTY SALON (W.C.D) - $75,000 & WATCH REPAIRING SERVICES .CALL: 2750267/ 680-0156
INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves – Contact Nick: 6831312, 627-3206 Eagle’s: Re-gas -$8,000, Washing machine repairs, Gas Stove, Plasma flat Screen & more. Call: 697-2969/6460966 Hello the doctor is back! Have your gas stove service and repairs. Call: 601-0595; 220-4073; 220-5785 Couple looking for house to care take or rent in locations of: Tain, Bloomfield, #48 Village, Berbice. Call: 3371225/ 660-0561 Mason Available for casting, block work and plastering, reliable and offering quality work. Call: 619-3296 HEALTH Herbal Nectar Treatment for diabetics, hypertension and most internal sickness, sexual enhancers for men. Call: 651-8351
VACANCY Cashier (shift work 6am3pm & 3pm-12pm). Submit application to Shell Station Providence EBD, shellramsburg@gmail.com Cook/baker for the Interior location, applicants must be experienced. Call: 618-2020 One salesman to work in parts store contact 2235273/4 One cashier contact 2235273/4 Male local labourer, ages 1845 @ Timerhi, must be honest and in good health, good salary. Call: 261-2280 Work in Trinidad, 5yrs experienced welder/mason. E m a i l : clinttrintent@gmail.com (great salary) Experience shop workers, domestic and handyman for the interior tel 231-0363 Experience domestic worker must know to cook and handyman for G/Town Tel 231-0363
House for sale: storey concrete building, block 8 Mon-Repos, E.C.D- Call: 592611-3548 2 Storey house, 4 bedrooms, all amenities, 2 lots near GuyAmerica, Zeeburg W.C.D, price negotiable. Call: 277-0024/659-1206 Two flat, three bedroom wood and concrete building Nurseville(Tucber ) New Amsterdam, Berbice -$15M. Call 333-2915 or 687-1837 Two bedroom two flat wooden building on large plot at Adelphi, East Canje, Berbice $6M. Call 3332915 or 687-1837 2 Storey house, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths @ 87 Daisy Street, South Ruimveldt Park -$18M. Call: 232-3244/ 697-5018 Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461 One flat 3 bedrooms house in highly residential area, land size 150’X50’, price negotiable. Call Kim: 6963624 (no agent) Property @ East Bank Public Road: Triple lot/storage/ warehouse space, owners migrating. Call: 638-0595 (great deal)
TO LET 1-2 Bedrooms apartment fully furnished Eccles. Call: 667-2536 2 Bedrooms apartment unfurnished @ Werk-enRust, Georgetown. Call:2315750/ 609-6392 Stylish comfortable 2 bedrooms apartment for vocation rental. Web: Airbnb Georgetown, FB: Prestige Property Vocational Rental. Call: 592-678-6690
Learn how you can benefit from iridology Mon, Dec 5th - Contact Hazel’s Herbal Store: 226-9136 CAR RENTAL EDUCATIONAL CXC Classes: day & evening classes, personal tutor, Grade 4 to 6, Form 15 Maths. Call Sir Jarvis: 690-5008/ 693-4588/ 6382359 FOR SALE/RENT American Pool Table. Call: 277-0578
Sunday November 13, 2016
Kaieteur News
DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL: PICKUP, 9-11 SEAT MIN BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPOTR & FAMILY OUTING, CHEAPESTRATE . Call: 698-7807
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT,CHEAPREATES, SPECIALOFFER.CALL:690-6494
WANTED Salesgirls & porters, apply with written application @ 1E Dennis & Middleton Street, Campbellvile (Best Buy Food Supplies)
1 RD5 Honda CRV, immaculate condition, TV, reverse camera, CD, mags, alarm, etc, price -$2.850M. Call: 626-2884
(1) Live in caretaker. Call: 233-2427/233-2923 no private or unknown caller.
1 Landcruiser Prado, excellent condition. Call: 625-4196 or 656-0565
Cashier sales boys/girls to work at a new hardware store, Innovations America. Call: 226-9768
1 New & unregistered Toyota Allion $2.4M, 1 Allion PVV series $2.150M negotiable, low mileage, TV, camera, etc. Call: 649-0956
Dishwashers, apply at Shanta’s, 225 Camp Street. Bodywork men. Call: 660-3004 Live in waitress with secondary education, boarding & lodging free $70,000-$80,000 monthly. Call: 610-3974 Cashier & salesgirls to work on East Coast. Call: 220-2128/ 601-4888 Looking for an investor for a mining block in the Mazaruni area. Call: 672-8844 Live in waitress. Call: 6439007 One experienced general domestic to work in G/Town, must know to cook all Indian dishes. Pleasant & trustworthy. Call: 656-6388 Experienced cashier, curry cooks, cleaners. Apply at Hack’s Halaal, 5 Commerce Street. One waitress to work at bar on the E.C.D – Call: 613-2650 or 627-5607 Female bartender, live in/out, attractive waitresses, cooks needed at Eden’s Bar (East Bank). Call: 678-3616 Receptionist, apply with application at Millenium Manor Hotel, 43 Hadfield Street, W/Rust. Experienced dispatcher to do shift work @ Gem’s Taxi. Call: 225-5075/ 622-6413/667-9013 One domestic, age 45 & older, preferably from West Bank/ Coast. Call: 691-1161 Live in maid wanted between ages 45 and older @ Robb Street home. Call: 226-0450/ 627-3205 Interior workers needed, salary $80,000. Call: 674-1767/ 659-2708 Female worker wanted sound secondary education, computer literate-Tel: 6225518 One domestic -$25,000 weekly. Call: 220-2878 One female sales representative -$25,000 weekly. Call: 220-2878
VEHICLE FOR SALE
Oswin J’s Auto Imports: New Arrivals: Premio, Allion, Fielder, Axio, Rush, X-Trail. Free full coverage insurance. Call: 609-2815 Bus BKK series, working condition -$600,000 negotiable. Call: 668-1004/ 682-9127 Not working Vehicles: 1 Surf, 2 Pathfinders, 1 Bobcat, 3 Toyota Cars, 1 Canter, 1 Fiber glass boat. Call: 227-4377/ 6246013 White RAV4 PRR 2523 with music set, red Rav4 PMM 1631. Call: 613-2150/ 673-7522 1 –CF DAF twin steer in excellent working condition. Call: 649-8449/ 615-6683/ 2285655 Toyota Vigo pick-up, Nissan Pathfinder, Jeep, excellent condition. Call: 609-7766 Unregistered Axela 2011, fully loaded $2.750M negotiable, Corolla Fielder 2002, dark interior, rims $1.950M. Call: 617-5536
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 2 Bedrooms apartment for rent @ Nandy Park -$70,000. Call: 227-5194 Upper flat for rent 3 bedrooms in Atlantic Gardens- Call: 2274377/227-0613/624-6013 Business bottom flat for rent in New Road, Vreed-enHoop. Call: 227-4377/ 2270613/ 624-6013 Apartment self contained in Tuschen. Call: 669-1448 Two bedrooms house, parking, overhead tank. Call Joy: 649-9059/ 621-1088 Suitable space for Storage Bonds or Office Space in Charlotte Street, Georgetown. Please Call: 638 – 5303 One bedroom self contained in Grove, E.B.D, preferably working couple. Call: 6933738 One bedroom self contained apartment @ 122 Section D Turkeyen Sophia -$32,000. Call: 641-3598 One apartment for rent, lot 8 MonRepos, E.C.D. Call: 6024105/ 614-0005 1-2 Bedrooms apartment @ Mahaica- Call: 229-2352
WANTED Live in/Live out domestic/ LAND FOR SALE babysitter. Call: 223-7500 Mon-Fri 8:15-4:15pm Uitvlugt-$2.5M, Zeelugt $1.6M, La Parfaite Harmonie One cleaner must know to -$1.4M, $1.2M, all prices cook, ages 20-40 to work in negotiable. Call: 642-1252 snackette & bar. Call: 647Diamond 21st Street, can 7432/ 223-5798 transfer $3.5M. Schoonard, Live in domestic must know WBD $25M, Land Of Canaan to cook & bake, salary $5M per acre- Contact $80,000-$90,000 monthly 30- Shawn 231-2199, 618-7483 50yrs, boarding & lodging Large houselot (fenced) free. Call: 222-4890 bearing fruit trees, near GuyAmerica , Zeeburg 3 Experienced saw men to W.C.D, price negotiable. Call: work in interior pay $50-$60 277-0024/659-1206 per BM. Call: 220-2878 Gold & Diamond mining Auto Technician with at least blocks in Puruni, Providence 5yrs experience & computer prime house lots. Call: 615Literate. Whatsapp 1876-819- 8810 or 668-3100 7371 1 Female shop assistant to House lot in Uitvlugt -$3M. work in the interior, salary Call: 676-4051 depends on experienced. Call: Land for sale in Dairy, $5M. 678-0565 Call: 600-8558 One experienced cosmetologist/hairdresser to Land at Herstelling. Call: 677work in eccles. Call: 645-3010/ 8311 604-2238 Continue on page 69
Sunday November 13, 2016
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CONSUMER CONCERNS
The police have been working hard to secure a safe holiday season By PAT DIAL A few days ago, a journalist from one of the respected daily newspapers wrote with a touch of glee::”Guyana is in the throes of another crime wave and like most waves, it’s building up slowly as it moves towards the Christmas Season...to crush with fury on a hapless population.” The scenario imagined by that journalist did not factor in the realities of the Police Force and the population quietly taking their own protective measures. The Police Force has quietly been doing the necessary training and business people who may have to handle large sums of cash have tightened their security and surveillance. The bandits and robbers are beginning to feel and to realize that the downtown business areas are becoming off-limits. Most of the crime now occurs in fairly isolated residences or smaller
business places. On Monday 14th November, the police called a meeting at the Officers Mess. This meeting would involve various organizations and a wide spread of individuals to allow a much wider crosssection of citizens to participate in the Christmas protection of life and property. Citizens are cooperating and there is more commitment than before. Indeed, there seems to be a growing enthusiasm in people feeling they are helping to protect society. What are some of the ways in which the Police are preparing themselves for the coming holiday season and beyond? In the first place, keener study is being made of the techniques of the bandits. Such may allow the Police to forestall the bandits and may lead to the bandits being ‘out-bandited’. Some such training should be able to seep down to the Community Policing groups countrywide.
Baking soda and your... From page 67 brush the biting surface of your teeth first for 15 seconds. This will also help to prevent gums from becoming irritated. · Don’t brush your teeth for more than 2 minutes. · If you don’t like the taste of baking soda use a mouth rinse to help mask it. · Keep small quantities of baking soda in a separate container to prevent clumping. · If you develop bleeding gums or any other side effects from using baking soda you should stop using it and consult your dentist. For more information contact OMNI DENTAL at 295 Quamina Street, Georgetown Tel: 227-0025, Parika Tel: 260-3133 or send emails to nerominifagu@hotmail.com.
Then there is the more ubiquitous presence of the Police. When the Police are seen visibly patrolling the streets or in the villages, this acts as a deterrent to crime. As we approach the Christmas season, there is already build up a greater Police presence in the business areas. The Police are also beginning to use modern technology with satisfactory results such as taped photographs. Some of these, we understand, have helped in the apprehension of criminals. And lastly, there is the issue of intelligence gathering. This area of activity is absolutely vital and needs continuous development. If there is vibrant and reliable intelligence, the Police Force would be much more impacting. At the moment, the Police Force has had a bad press. There has been some quite high-profile crimes, mostly break-and-enter and invasion of homes by gunmen, to the extent where President Granger himself had to make a statement on Thursday 10th November. In his statement,
President Granger was wideranging. He mentioned that there were some very unsuitable elements in the Force who needed to be purged. Such elements, at some time or other, may have had some involvement in criminality. He also touched on tiffs and quarrels in the Force which were projected into the public domain. Some of these did not help the image of the Force and in some ways weakened it. In reality, such tiffs were not of much importance and many of them were storms in a teapot and certainly not insoluble. It was of course much more constructive if such were settled within the portals of the Force. The President has also been thinking much more in the long term and he feels that the Force has to be reformed. We hope that those persons who are concerned with such matters take their cue from the path President Granger has pointed to and begin to act. We are quite confident, however, that the Police Force with the help and cooperation of the citizens who have been mobilized, will make the Christmas season a happy and safer one.
From page 68
FOR SALE Dobeman/Rotweiler puppies. 8 weeks old, fully vaccinated. Call: 678-2495
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FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Dredge mining operation: excavator, dredge, camp, truck, ATV bike, welding set with gas bottle. Call: 676-7943 One (1) RZ bus, WTI engine. Call Lawrence : 615-7506 Mitsubishi Galant 1996 Model. Body in good condition. Sold as parts. Price negotiable. Tel: 216 1079 /616 8027
LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj Building- Call: 644-5166; 6222872; 615-0964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).
One 45feet complete, cabin cruiser, trout seines, excellent condition. Call: 657-0044/ 648-6815 Cargo Trawler. Call: 682-8724; 616-5954 1- 225 Yamaha Outboard Engine; Salt Walter series 6,000 running hour, price negotiable. Call: 662-6151; 669-5400
TOURS
Trinidad: Columbia 16 Block plant, fully automated, production 12,000 blocks per day-$600,000USD. Email: clinttrintent@gmail.com
Suriname Tours Return: Shopping, sightseeing, dolphins, casino, clubbing, Nov 24-27. Call: 665-5171/ 639-2663/658-3758/ 223-7589
DAF Truck with 2x Dump tray, Massey Ferguson, bobcat loader. Call:689-1250/ 678-8698/516-312-9525 75 Yamaha outboard engine, in good condition. Call: 2590302 1 Big music set, owner leaving country. Call: 690-5225 1-30 feet aluminum jet boat with spares. Call: 642-7898 Clean garden earth and builders waste, delivery to spots also excavating, grading and leveling done. Call: 616-0617/663-3285 Sale on foxtail palms, silver palms, red palms, Christmas trees, hibiscus, etc. Call:6875631/216-2199 Evergreen Plantshop. 1-Steel Hull Boat 50’X13’X6’, 1-6 Cylinder GM Engine, price negotiable. Call: 6915104/ 609-3447 HP Desktop computer $40,000, cooler -$80,000, cordless phone- $5,000, glass case -$12,000. Call: 668-9021 (all items used for 3 months only) One 17,500 Generic generator. Call: 623-9679/ 681-6570
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Sunday November 13, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Royal Disruption: Strike Possible As Prince Visits Barbados
Representatives of this island’s trade unions attended a meeting called by the top brass of the NUPW in support of embattled President Akanni McDowall (Centre). (Photo Credit: Barbados Today) BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Prince Harry may be landing straight into a controversy – not of his making – when he arrives in Barbados later this month. The National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) is reportedly threatening to lead a national strike to coincide with the November 29 to December 1 visit if their president is not reinstated to a senior public sector position. The action would also come as the country celebrates its 50th Anniversary
of Independence on November 30. With the support of its sister unions – the Barbados Workers’ Union, the Barbados Union of Teachers, the Barbados Secondary Teachers Union and the Unity Workers Union – who it met with late last week, the NUPW is planning the action to force the reversal of a decision to move NUPW boss Akanni McDowall from his acting post of Health Planner 1 in the Ministry of Health to his substantive position of health assistant last month.
Reports indicate that if McDowall is not reinstated before Prince Harry arrives in the next 18 days, the unions will take industrial action. The NUPW called out immigration and customs officers to a meeting. That is expected to seriously disrupt the operations at the Bridgetown Port – the island’s main seaport – as well as the Grantley Adams International Airport. Customs and immigration officers are expected to operate a work-to-rule this weekend. (Caribbean360)
Opposition queries benefits of travel by PM BASSETERRE – CMC – The main opposition St KittsNevis Labour Party (SKNLP) has called on Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris to say how much money has been spent on overseas travel since he came to office nearly two years ago. “With all the spending of the taxpayers’ money we are still not seeing any new development on the ground. The country has not benefitted,” said SKNLP legislator and former government minister Marcella Liburd. Liburd, who is also chairperson of the party that lost the last general election, said when the Denzil Douglas administration was voted out in February 2015, it left an estimated EC$700 million (One Ec dollar =US$0.37 cents) in the Treasury. “Where has all this money gone in 21 months? How is this money being spent? Ministers are still spending hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars to outfit their offices including
Dr Timothy Harris the offices for the Premier and Deputy Premier of Nevis in the new Social Security Complex built under the Labour Party administration with the largest flat screen TV sets in the entire federation,” said Liburd. She said also that many projects started by the former administration were
still not completed. Meanwhile, another opposition legislato,r Konris Maynard is calling on Prime Minister Harris to give up the National Security portfolio following an increase in murders here. Maynard said that so far this year there have been 30 murders as compared with 28 for 2015. “If the government seems clueless and the ministry that is responsible for addressing these issues, seems clueless and unwilling to engage stakeholders around this country, then whoever is the leader at the time of that failure, as they called for the resignations of then Ministers of National Security Dwyer Astaphan and Sam Condor, it is now time to call again for this government to replace the minister responsible for national security,” said Maynard. He said that in the past two years, Prime Minister Harris “has shown no ability to navigate with any sense of purpose and vision, the issue of crime in our country.
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Sunday November 13, 2016
Clinton blames FBI’s Comey for her defeat in call with donors Reuters - Hillary Clinton blamed FBI director James Comey for her stunning defeat in Tuesday’s presidential election in a conference call with her top campaign funders yesterday, according to two participants who were on the call. Clinton was projected by nearly every national public opinion poll as the heavy favourite going into Tuesday’s race. Instead, Republican Donald Trump won the election, shocking many throughout the nation and prompting widespread protests. Clinton has kept a low profile since her defeat after delivering her concession speech on Wednesday morning. Clinton told her supporters yesterday that her team had drafted a memo that looked at the changing opinion polls leading up to the election and that the letter
from Comey proved to be a turning point. She said Comey’s decision to go public with the renewed examination of her email server had caused an erosion of support in the upper Midwest, according to three people familiar with the call. Clinton lost in Wisconsin, the first time since 1984 that the state favoured the Republican candidate in a presidential election. Although the final result in Michigan has still not been tallied, it is leaning Republican, in a state that last favoured the Republican nominee in 1988. Comey sent a letter to Congress only days before the election announcing that he was reinstating an investigation into whether Clinton mishandled classified information when she used a private email server while secretary of state from 2009 to 2012. Comey announced a week later that he had reviewed
emails and continued to believe she should not be prosecuted, but the political damage was already done. Clinton told donors that Trump was able to seize on both of Comey’s announcements and use them to attack her, according to two participants on the call. While the second letter cleared her of wrongdoing, Clinton said that reinforced to Trump’s supporters that the system was rigged in her favour and motivated them to mobilise on Election Day. A spokesperson for the FBI could not immediately be reached for comment. On the phone call, Dennis Chang, who served as Clinton’s finance chair, said her campaign and the national party had raised more than $900 million from more than 3 million individual donors, according to the two participants who spoke to Reuters.
Thousands march in U.S. cities against Trump presidency
People gather outside a federal building during a march and rally against the election of Republican Donald Trump as President of the United States in Los Angeles, California, U.S. yesterday. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson Reuters - Demonstrators gathered again yesterday in cities across the United States to protest against Presidentelect Donald Trump, who they say will threaten their civil and human rights, a day after a protester was shot in Portland, Oregon. Rallies were scheduled throughout the day in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, where organisers said they hoped to continue the momentum after several nights of demonstrations triggered by the real-estate mogul’s surprise win in
Tuesday’s presidential election. Chanting slogans including “Not my president!” several thousand protesters marched up New York City’s Fifth Avenue to Trump Tower, the president-elect’s skyscraper home. “We’re horrified the country has elected an incredibly unqualified, misogynist, racist on a platform that was just totally hateful,” said Mary Florin-McBride, 62, a retired banker from New York who held a sign reading, “No Fascism in America.”
There were also demonstrations in Chicago and Los Angeles, where several thousand protesters gathered beneath MacArthur Park’s palm trees holding placards including “Dump Trump” and “Minorities Matter,” before marching towards downtown. About 100,000 people had indicated on Facebook that they were planning to attend or were interested in the events in the three cities. Organisers stressed that violence and vandalism would not be tolerated.
Sunday November 13, 2016
Kaieteur News
Peru prosecutors say can convict ex-president of money laundering LIMA (Reuters) - Peruvian prosecutors said they have evidence to convict ex-president Ollanta Humala of money laundering, accusing him of taking illicit funds from Venezuela and Brazilian construction companies, the attorney general’s office said weekend. A judge granted prosecutors’ request to order Humala to deposit a 50,000 ($14,671) soles bail bond to ensure he appears in court and cooperates with the money laundering probe that started shortly after his five-year term ended in July. Humala has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and has said he will cooperate fully with prosecutors. Prosecutor German Juarez said he has “serious and founded elements for conviction” that includes documents and
statements from witnesses and informants, the attorney general’s office said in a statement. However, prosecutors have not yet pressed charges against Humala, a former military officer who was once an ally of late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez before he campaigned as a more moderate leftist in his successful 2011 bid for the presidency. Juarez said Humala took illicit funds from Venezuela and from the Brazilian construction companies Odebrecht and OAS to finance his 2006 and 2011 presidential bids, Juarez said. Humala’s attorney Cesar Espinoza said prosecutors failed to corroborate the testimony of informants and appealed the judge’s order, which requires Humala to ap-
Ollanta Humala pear in court every 30 days and to request permission if he wants to change his residence.
Former Haitian president accused of inciting election violence PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti — Following statements regarded as incitement to violence issued by former Haitian president Jean Bertrand Aristide, as part of the election campaign of Maryse Narcisse, presidential candidate under the banner of Aristide’s Parti Famni Lavalas, in Cité Soleil last week, the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) has summoned the Lavalas candidate to appear and explain the statements. Aristide had called on his supporters to resort to dechoucage (violent protests) if the elections did not take place on November 20, calling such violence a means of self-defence against those who oppose the victory of Famni Lavalas, HaitiLibre reported. “In accordance with the provisions of Chapter VIII of the Electoral Decree, which deals with the electoral campaign, the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) invites you to come … in order to shed light on certain state-
Jean Bertrand Aristide ments made during your electoral campaign in recent days,” stated a letter addressed to the candidate, dated Wednesday and bearing the signature of Léopold Berlanger, the president of the CEP. Haitian law stipulates that “Throughout the electoral process, candidates and their supporters must observe a correct attitude. They must refrain from any incitement to violence and any act jeopardizing the life and property of
the population subject to penalties under the Penal Code.” The CEP may remove anyone convicted of a breach of the law from the list of approved candidates and suspend political parties or political groups for up to five years. Several members of Fanmi Lavalas believe that this decision of the CEP to summon Narcisse proves that some members of the CEP are always hostile to the party.
Teen mom sleeps with dead baby for eight months Trinidad Express - Traumatised by the death of her baby girl, a La Brea teen dressed the child’s decaying body in matching outfit, hat and shoes, wrapped it in a blanket and kept it on a bed at the family’s home. The 18-year-old went about her daily chores, living with her siblings, aged 13 and 14, and their 40-year-old mother. And at night she would sleep in the same bedroom as the dead infant. That was eight months ago.
On Thursday, La Brea police received a call that a dead baby was at a house in Sobo Village. Around 1 p.m., officers went to the house and were led into a bedroom where they found the skeletal remains of the baby girl on a bed. The child was identified as Mercy (surname withheld), born on February 8. Her mother said baby Mercy was last alive on March 12. She told officers she could not come to terms with the child’s sudden death.
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Kaieteur M@ilbox
Kaieteur M@ilbox
President Granger accused of violation of sub judice principle DEAR EDITOR, Every statement made by a head of Government is analysed very carefully not only for what it means but what it could be taken to mean. It is why, from across the sea, I respectfully seek space to share some thoughts on a statement made by President Granger vis a vis the Carvil Duncan saga – one of the ongoing serial episodes I had more than a mere tangential rolein its performance. As reported by GINA - an agency which the very same Granger while as Leader of Opposition with a one seat majority disapproved allocation of any public funding President Granger said, “there is a slight difference between insufficient evidence and innocence therefore, insufficient evidence not equal to innocence, but I will await the findings of the Commission of the Tribunal that I had set up, and be guided by that tribunal.” One does not have to be a lawyer to comprehend the fundamental rights enshrined in our Constitution - one of which is the presumption of innocence. In fact, the objective in formulation was in-
tended to be un-esoteric so that the layman can and will understand its meaning. It, therefore, goes without the requirement of further explanation that this fundamental right means and is understood to mean that all persons charged with an offence in Guyana are innocent until it is determined by a court that they are guilty. Granger’s statement raises deeply disturbing questions which no head of government in a democracy ought to ever call into question. First, Granger’s statement immediately questions the legitimacy of the constitutional protections which are deemed both in law and by public comprehension as fundamental rights intended to act as a check on abuse by a powerful state in the reality of an inequality of arms. This, along with other actions like the hosting of cabinet meetings at the army base, the preferential employment of military officers and retired military personnel in key civilian positions without opening opportunities to the public sends worrying signals down the spines of many Guyanese. Second, questions are im-
mediately raised whether Granger as executive president and head of government subscribes to and is unwavering in his defence of those fundamental rights which form foundational pillars upon which the laws of Guyana are built and our society is governed or whether he merely severs particular articles of the constitution he finds useful to him and disregards others, for instance, disregarding one of the clauses in the agreement with the AFC for the prime minister to chair the cabinet meetings on the ground that it violates the constitution. Third, questions are also raised about Granger’s adherence and acceptance to the rule of law and principles of separation of powers both of which are critical elements to good governance and a democratic state. After the dismissal of the charges against Duncan by a magistrate, Granger’s statement manifests a refusal to accept those findings and presupposes an adjudication of guilt - essentially playing the role of prosecutor, judge and jury contemporaneously. Forth, Granger’s state-
The passing of a great singer; Leonard Cohen DEAR EDITOR; I first listened to a Leonard Cohen’s album back in the 1980. His lyrics truly were almost mystical. His music spoke to the heart, mind, and soul. The beauty, wisdom, humor, and humanity in his songs reflected a deep understanding of the human condition and I will be forever grateful for his art-
istry. It was already an upsetting week for many of in the United States and hearing of his death really is devastating. Here is my little poem in dedication “And I’m neither left or right I’m just staying home tonight Getting lost in that hopeless little screen But I’m stubborn as those
garbage bags As time cannot decay I’m junk but I’m still holding up this little wild bouquet Democracy is coming to the USA You got me singing. You got me thinking. What more can I say.” Thank you, Mr. Cohen, you will be truly missed Rooplall Dudhnath
Are there similarities between what... From page 6 Guyana like the US we are yet to come to grips with the challenges that are poised by the race/class contradictions in our society. Given the length of this letter I will not attempt to address here at in depth the second question about the possible negative effects of Trump/Republican victory on Guyana’s national interest. Suffice to say it lies in the area of our border, and the potential threat posed to Guyana’s sovereignty by Venezuela’s aggression. And our drive to be oil producing state? It is no secret that in Venezuela many in the political opposition historically have had close political and business relations with interest groups and leaders in the Republican Party. How this will play out in terms
of Guyanese national interest is difficult to predict at the moment. In closing, I wish to say that President David Granger’s speedy congratula-
tions to President elect Donald Trump is an indication that his mind is engaging these new realities. Tacuma Ogunseye
ment of insufficient evidence not meaning innocencecoupled with the deferment to a finding of a commission which he reminds us was set up by none other than himself questions not only the impartiality of that commission but its ability to come to an impartial outcome and the perception thereof. Fifth, there is still one charge pending and his comments fall flagrantly foul of the subjudice rule and law and would ordinarily be punishable by contempt of court proceedings had it not been the case that he was the president so questions are raised of a insouciant abuse of
power. These questions require responses from President Granger not only in words but by deeds. While the fact is not lost on anyone that journalists are denied access to openly question Granger on any matters of national importance, the ones who participate in this charade of a media engagement have a professional responsibility to seek clear answers. Those journalists have so far neglected and/or refused to askPresident Granger about the alleged threat on Duncan’s life with the now infamous “blood on the carpet” statement
quietlycompromisingtheir professional responsibility to the fourth estate and the people of Guyana for the sake of privileged access. “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power” is a phrase attributed to Abraham Lincoln. This Duncan saga has displayed on public parade the character of Granger, a man whose character had been either previously unknown to the public or had been forgotten but has regrettably revealed a director of tragedy. Charles S. Ramson Attorney at Law
URP calls on Granger to get members... From page 6 vehicles and other personal items that they could never have afforded by honest means. The laxness in our investigative framework and the lack of political will have caused these folks to walk away with tens of billions of the Guyanese people money. Multiple millions were allowed to be siphoned from the coffers of the state and into the pockets of crooks who presented themselves as reputable servants of the nation. Now we are being told that for the lack of wiling witnesses, these tricksters will be allowed to keep what they
stole. Now, therefore, Mr. Granger must show that he is serious about transparency and anti-corruption. No longer can folks be trusted to do right by the Guyanese people just because they have been elected to public office. Frankly, as was seen by the US elections, public officials cannot be blindly trusted. People need change! We need systems in place to rein in and keep our politicians and public officials in check. Therefore, the URP would like to go on record, calling for the full and complete declaration of the assets of all the
Commissioners of the Public Procurement Commission. Additionally, we would like to suggest that their assets be periodically and independently audited to lend to the cementing of the public trust that is now being placed in the auspicious Commission. The United Republican Party thinks that these are reasonable suggestions which will help the Granger administration to build on it publicly stated position of transparency and good governance. The people of Guyana will be the ultimate beneficiaries. Dr. Vishnu Bandhu Leader, URP
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Sunday November 13, 2016
Thousands march in U.S. Clinton blames FBI’s Comey for her defeat in call with donors cities against Trump presidency Reuters - Hillary Clinton blamed FBI director James Comey for her stunning defeat in Tuesday’s presidential election in a conference call with her top campaign funders yesterday, according to two participants who were on the call. Clinton was projected by nearly every national public opinion poll as the heavy favourite going into Tuesday’s race. Instead, Republican Donald Trump won the election, shocking many throughout the nation and prompting widespread protests. Clinton has kept a low profile since her defeat after delivering her concession speech on Wednesday morning. Clinton told her supporters yesterday that her team had drafted a memo that
looked at the changing opinion polls leading up to the election and that the letter from Comey proved to be a turning point. She said Comey’s decision to go public with the renewed examination of her email server had caused an erosion of support in the upper Midwest, according to three people familiar with the call. Clinton lost in Wisconsin, the first time since 1984 that the state favoured the Republican candidate in a presidential election. Although the final result in Michigan has still not been tallied, it is leaning Republican, in a state that last favoured the Republican nominee in 1988. Comey sent a letter to Congress only days before the election announcing that he was reinstating an investi-
gation into whether Clinton mishandled classified information when she used a private email server while secretary of state from 2009 to 2012. Comey announced a week later that he had reviewed emails and continued to believe she should not be prosecuted, but the political damage was already done. Clinton told donors that Trump was able to seize on both of Comey’s announcements and use them to attack her, according to two participants on the call. While the second letter cleared her of wrongdoing, Clinton said that reinforced to Trump’s supporters that the system was rigged in her favour and motivated them to mobilise on Election Day. A spokesperson for the FBI could not immediately be reached for comment.
People gather outside a federal building during a march and rally against the election of Republican Donald Trump as President of the United States in Los Angeles, California, U.S. yesterday. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson Reuters - Demonstrators gathered again yesterday in cities across the United States to protest against Presidentelect Donald Trump, who they say will threaten their civil and human rights, a day after a protester was shot in Portland, Oregon. Rallies were scheduled throughout the day in New York, Los Angeles and Chi-
cago, where organisers said they hoped to continue the momentum after several nights of demonstrations triggered by the real-estate mogul’s surprise win in Tuesday’s presidential election. Chanting slogans including “Not my president!” several thousand protesters marched up New York City’s
Fifth Avenue to Trump Tower, the president-elect’s skyscraper home. “We’re horrified the country has elected an incredibly unqualified, misogynist, racist on a platform that was just totally hateful,” said Mary Florin-McBride, 62, a retired banker from New York who held a sign reading, “No Fascism in America.”
Sunday November 13, 2016
Jaguars in control despite Campbell... From page 80 wicket failed to hold a difficult offering. Hooper, the cousin of former West Indies Captain Carl Hooper and the fifth player from Rose Hall Town Club to play First-Class cricket, began with two maidens before Griffith slapped him for four and dumped him back over his head for six as he bowled too fast and flat. Reifer was stroked for a boundary by Campbell who reversed swept Permaul’s first ball of the match and straight drove him next ball for fours. Campbell oozed confidence and struck Hooper down the ground before pulling him brutally for boundaries. After testing Griffith with a quick bouncer, Joseph produced a beauty to bowl the DCC lefthander just when he was beginning to flow but Thomas joined Campbell and stroked Joseph for consecutive fours before Campbell spanked Permaul for four to post the 100 in the 32nd over. Campbell (66) caught Singh at cover napping when he blasted Motie ‘uppishly’ for four as Singh took evasive action but was soon bowled by Permaul at 113-2.
Blackwood played some audacious shots but just when was beginning to look threatening he inexplicably charged Motie and was stumped by a ‘mile’ before Thomas was also stumped off Motie as two wickets tumbled in the space of five runs to take the sting out of the Scorpions and leave them on 139-4. McCarty deposited Motie for a couple of sixes in the same over and along with Chadwick Walton, who has a Masters in Sports Science, took the score to 164-4 by Tea. However, Walton (14) was LBW to Motie off the second ball after the break and Green (5) was bowled by Permaul at 178-6. McCarty played an imperious ‘inside out’ shot over the extra cover boundary to move into the 30s but once he was spectacularly taken off Permaul at short cover by an airborne Chanderpaul, in what must be one of the most stupendous catches at Regional level, at 1917, Permaul and Motie polished off the tail in quick time. Hetymer tucked Marquino Mindley for four in the first over before Chandrika who made 86 in the first innings, cut him to the point boundary as the Jaguars
roared to a solid start. They will hope to build on that today when play resumes at 09:30 hrs and with a larger crowd anticipated the task of the security guards at the gate of the Stadium who were told that everyone who enters the venue must put their names and address in a book, could be a very difficult one. Scores: GUYANA JAGUARS 298 (Shiv Chanderpaul 91, Rajendra Chandrika 86, Raymon Reifer 40; Nikita Miller 4-71, Derval Green 3-72) and 26 without loss. JAMAICA SCORPIONS 208 (John Campbell 71, Andre McCarthy 36; Veerasammy Permaul 5-60, Gudakesh Motie 4-61. At Warner Park: Pride trail by 275 runs with seven wickets intact. LEEWARD ISLANDS HURRICANES 377 (Nkrumah Bonner 94, Rahkeem Cornwall 84, Jahmar Hamilton 65, Chesney Hughes 31, Kieran Powell 26; Kenroy Williams 426, Kevin Stoute 3-35) BARBADOS PRIDE 102 for three (Roston Chase 29, Omar Phillips 24; Rahkeem Cornwall 2-42).
Sunday November 13, 2016 ARIES: Mar. 21- April 20) Someone you least expect may not have your best interests at heart. Try not to hurt your partner's feelings. TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) You are best to keep your cash in a safe place. Advancement can be yours if you are assertive in your approach. Romantic encounters will be full of excitement. GEMINI (May 22-June 21) You will have excellent ideas for changing or renovating your home. You need to keep everyone on your domestic scene too busy to complain. CANCER (June 22-July 22)
You need to spend some time reflecting on past experiences and involvements. You will have to do a lot of running around, so be prepared to fall short of your expectations. LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Your ability to work with detail could help you achieve your goals. Don't be too confident that coworkers are on your side. VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Heart to heart talks will clear up vague issues. Pleasure trips will bring you into contact with new and interesting people.
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LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Confusion regarding other people's money and joint ventures will come to a head. Make money using your ingenuity and creative talent. SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22)
Question your mate if you must. You need to take a break with the ones you love. You will not be able to trust someone you work with. SAGIT. (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) You will have to make some changes regarding your direction if you wish to keep on top of your career expectations. CAPRI. (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Look into projects that you feel would contribute something to your appearance. Most partner problems are a result of both people not living up to their promises. AQUAR. (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) Stand up and propose your ideas, and you'll be surprised how many people will follow you. Take time to find out all you can. PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Rely on yourself and you will look good to superiors. Investments may not be as lucrative as you thought. Ignore colleagues who appear to be going in circles.
Bravo axed over tweet... From page 80 include, without limitation, print media, television, radio, internet or any social networking media), or any other public statement, which would bring yourself, WICB or any official or authorised representative of WICB or the game of cricket into disrepute and your agreement to use all such media in a responsible manner. “In addition, clause 9.3.1 of your match tour contract provides that in default by you in respect of your obligations under the contract, WICB may in its absolute discretion cancel this contract by
Circuit Ville Jaguars and Soesdyke... From page 82 thanks to Isaiah Dodson’s effort. The first half ended with the Jaguars well poised with a 2-0 advantage. Circuit Ville further tightened their hold on the match when they increased the lead two minutes into the second half, this time through a Desmond Chester goal. Despite Herstelling pulling one back in the 74th minute when Donnet Mc Lennon converted, the Jaguars were well on their way to wrapping up a well-deserved win. Contesting the opening match of the double header and cognizant of the fact that they had to give up their last win to Circuit Ville Jaguars, Soesdyke were placed under immense pressure by the ever improving Kuru Kururu Warriors. The Warriors took the lead in the 25th minute when Ricardo Grant rocked the nets as the Soesdyke side looked a far cry from their usual dominant self. The Warriors were doing a fine job of defending their slim advantage but as the match matured, it was always going to be a tough ask to keep the Soesdyke boys at bay. Captain Tyrone Khan it was who once again led from the front as he buried a penalty in the 73rd minute to help the Falcons draw level with the Warriors. Thereafter, it was all the Falcons who ran riot. Three minutes after neutralizing the Warriors’ lead, Falcons took the lead for the first time thanks to a Junior Williams goal. They had the opportunity of further increasing that lead but Tyrel Khan’s penalty was saved by the Warriors goalkeeper. The first round of this two round league is expected to conclude on Saturday at the same venue with a double header.
written notice to the cricketer. “In light therefore of your breach of your obligations to WICB in clause 4.7.2.2 of your match/tour contract, this letter serves as written notice that your match/tour contract is hereby cancelled.” In addition to ending the player’s involvement in the tour, the WICB also ordered Bravo to “immediately remove” the offending tweet from his Twitter account and to issue an apology via the same medium. “We also request that you immediately remove the highlighted tweet from your account and desist from tweeting about WICB officials in the future,” the letter said. “We further request that you acknowledge, via your Twitter account, the impropriety of your actions and your recognition that your decision to publicly express your views on social media was not conduct befitting of a West Indies cricketer. “I strongly discourage you from continuing to use Twitter or other social networking sites in a manner which might cause embarrassment to the West Indies cricket team, the West Indies
Cricket Board or any officials of the West Indies Cricket Board which can potentially bring the game into disrepute. “I ask that you also note that any further such action on your part, including failure to comply with our request above by 4 pm, Eastern Caribbean time on November 12, 2016, may result in further disciplinary action, including referral to the WICB disciplinary committee.” Bravo has been replaced in the squad by fellow Trinidadian Jason Mohammed while leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo has been called up to replace off-spinner Sunil Narine, who has withdrawn from the party for “personal reasons.” West Indies face hosts Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka in the tournament which runs from November 14-27. Updated West Indies squad: Jason Holder (capt), Sulieman Benn, Devendra Bishoo, Carlos Brathwaite, Kraigg Brathwaite, Jonathan Carter, Johnson Charles, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Shai Hope, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Ashley Nurse and Rovman Powell.
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Sunday November 13, 2016
GBC Inc. renews partnership with Fruta Conquerors The Guyana Beverage Company (GBC) Incorporated (Inc.) under its Fruta brand maintained its long standing
affiliation with Fruta Conquerors after presenting the club with a cheque for an undisclosed sum, during a
simple ceremony that was conducted recently, at its Diamond Headquarters. The association between
the two entities started way back in 1997 and has remained strong ever since and the beverage company confirmed the renewal of the relationship for another year in the presence of club officials, players and coaches. General Manager of Company Mark Telting, in delivering the feature address said, “It’s a great moment to renew the contract which was done after intense negotiation. Next year will be the anniversary and it could not be more beautiful so I am really glad to continue the relationship”. According to Telting, “We are very happy to promote and strengthen our brand alongside developing the club. Our brand will benefit from the experience of the club it’s a real grassroot club that has real supporters and develop their own players”. Also, recently appointed club President Alex Bunbury, who interacted via an internet call said the club’s development would not be possible without the investment from the beverage giant, adding that it is his wish that the partnership continues to prosper for many years to the benefit of both parties. Bunbury in stating his vision for the club said he hopes to create a world class organization that is the best not only in the country, but in the region, adding, “I am 100 percent behind everything we are trying to
accomplish in youth development which is the future and is very important and that it acts as the feeder system to our senior team”. He disclosed that Jeremy Garrett, whose is slated to attend a nine-day training stint with Sporting Lisbon of Portugal, is a testament of the club’s tradition, revealing that the famed Portuguese giant wants to be affiliated to the organization and this according to him is tremendous news for the team and the country. Club Secretary Daniel Thomas stressed the importance of the Fruta brand, noting that the company has never faltered in its contribution towards the club, informing that it has moved from sporting equipment and “into the realm of sound financial support”. Head-coach Sampson Gilbert acknowledged the important contribution made by the company over the years, declaring, “The club can be touted as a pioneer of youth development in the country and my role is to ensure that with all the contributions our sponsor is making, we use that to capture the minds and impart holistic development to all at the club and in the country”. He said that despite the departure of many senior players, the team still has high expectations for the
Sophia, Muslim Youth Organisation and Guyana Defence Force recorded victories when the latest round of matches in the Georgetown Cricket Association New Building Society second division 40-over tournament concluded yesterday. At Malteenoes, Sophia trounced Third Class by 269 runs. Batting first, Sophia rattled up a mammoth 344-6. Vackecy Barrow struck 13
fours and two sixes in scoring 121, while Treathon Liverpool made 49, Mario Parsram 48 and Glenford Stephen 40. Adrian Persaud had two wickets. Third Class were routed for 75 in 12 overs in reply. Persaud got 26 and Ryan Ragunandan 16; medium pacer Dwayne Peters grabbed 7-11. At Muslim Youth Organisation, the home team defeated Malteenoes SC by
-Club launches U-19 Tournament impending Elite League season and that is to finish in the top tier. Meanwhile, the club in collaboration with the Beverage giant officially launched the inaugural Under-19 Tournament which will be branded by Turbo Energy Drink and dubbed Fruta Conquerors Academy League. Guyana Football Federation (GFF) executive Dion Inniss said the federation is pleased with the work being done by Fruta Conquerors, who according to him, has stepped forward to fill the void in youth development football that currently exist, informing that the Federation is elated to partner with the club to guarantee the tournament’s success. The event which is anticipated to start on November 16, at the Tucville ground will see 12 teams divided into two groups of six, with nine coming from Georgetown, while the remaining teams are Linden’s Botofago, West Demerara’s Uitvlugt and East Coast of Demerara’s Buxton United. Following the conclusion of the group stage, the top two finishers in each zone will progress to the semi-final round. Other sponsors on board include the Prudential Tech and Oasis Water.
Sophia, MYO, GDF record victories
Zulfikar Ali
one wicket. MSC took first strike and posted 240 all out in 33. 5 overs. Kareem Naughton cracked 63, while Ahmad Dudson made 39 and Shaquille Moseley 28; Anthony King grabbed 3-16, Timur Mohamed 3-48 and Richard Latif 2-44. MYO responded with 241-9 in 36 overs. Zulfikar Ali stroked 96 not out while Chien Gittens got 25. Moseley claimed 3-36 and Mark Cumberbatch 3-62. At GDF, the host overcame Diplomats by nine wickets. Diplomats made 83 all out, batting first while GDF replied with 84-1. (Zaheer Mohamed)
Sunday November 13, 2016
Rent-a-Tent hosted Meet and Greet session for racing fans Fans interested in knowing more about the sport of motor racing and those just fascinated about meeting competitors seized the opportunity presented by one of Guyana’s premier Events Company Rent-a-Tent to meet and greet participants in today’s final leg of the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship. The occasion was held at the Giftland Mall where members of the public met, chat-
ted and took pictures with drivers such as Shairaz Roshandin, Paul Jewanram and female driver Sharima Khan among others on Saturday night, at the busy shopping mall. Organisers Rent-a-Tent will be hosting a VIP Pavilion, a special facility setup top provide top class hospitality for fans that prefer to watch the exciting day’s racing in comfort and pamper. Fans got the chance to
inspect the highly modified machines built specifically for speed and also took advantage of the opportunity to enquire from the racers about the intricacies of the sport. Rent-a-Tent will be providing fans who request a higher level of comfort for a special price a full day’s entertainment, drinks and food. Also to be part of the day’s activities will be the Rent-a-Tent models.
Jeffrey edges Gore, takes pole for today’s CMRC showdown
Reigning champion Guyana’s Kristian Jeffrey gave Group 4 contenders another timely reminder of his undisputed class with a blistering 34:139 seconds lap to take pole position for today’s final leg of the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship, at the South Dakota Circuit. Jeffrey beat points leader Doug ‘Hollywood’ Gore into second place after the Jamaican clocked 34:479 seconds, while another Guyanese Vishok Persaud will start third on the grid after registering a fast 34:740 seconds, while Barbados’ Mark Maloney will line up beside him after clocking 34:871 seconds. Meanwhile, the Superbikes are set to create quite a stir today and the overseas pair representing Team Mohamed’s are expected to offer stern opposition to the local establishment. American Bryce Prince and British rider Matt Truelove have taken Pole position in their events and the local brigade will have to play catch-up. Fans are in for an immense treat.
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- Team Mohamed’s riders on pole
Kristian Jeffrey
KMTC Xmas meet set for December 26 The annual Kennard Memorial Turf Club XMAS race meet has been set for December 26 at their racetrack Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne. Eight races are carded for the day with the main race being the B and Lower W/A which goes for nine furlongs and carries a top prize of $1,200,000. Many of the country’s leading racehorses are expected to be on show during this event.
Other events are the L class non winners for a top prize of $130,000, E and Lower for a winning p u r s e o f $500,000, WI Bred and Guyana Bred for a winning prize of $250,000, Two years Guyana Bred with $220,000 for the winner, L Open W/A with a $130,000 purse, G 1 and Lower has a $280,000 prize and the J1 and Lower for a $180,000 winners money.
From page 81 the competition. The motto of the Maintenance Service is “We work hard so you don’t have to,” and Cambridge indicated that the group has been putting in a lot of hard work to make the event a success. The winning team will go home with one ounce of raw gold and championship trophy, while the runner-up team will get half of an ounce of gold and trophy. The Most Valuable Player gets five pennyweight of gold along with a trophy. Additionally, five patrons will have the opportunity to win five pennyweight of gold
through the novelty events such as penalty kicks and freestyle skills challenges. Cambridge stated that teams will be required to pay $7,000 each to enter the competition. According to him, each of the crucial aspects of the event such as officiating and security will be properly administered through the appropriate human resource. The tournament will be managed in accordance with the GFA rules and regulations. “Mr. Hicken is giving us a lot of support and we really appreciate that. We believe that this will be a very good competition for the commu-
The races will be run under the rules of the Kennard Memorial Turf Club and owners of horses must pay at least $5,000 for each horse at the time of entry. Entries will be closed on December 18 and no late entries will be accepted. Entries can be done through Roopnarine Matadial on 325 3192, Ivan Dipnarine on 3310361, Mr. Kennard on 6237609 or 226-1399.
Gold Rush Seven-A-Side Futsal... nity and we encourage everyone to support a positive venture for our youths,” Cambridge told Kaieteur Sport. He said that the aim is to close out the year with a mega tournament. Fusion Audio, Thunderbolt featuring Gucci Boss from New York City are among the early systems to provide entertainment throughout the weekend competition. Some of the confirmed sponsors include Trophy Stall, Fasgrafix and Jefford’s Distribution and Sales. The organisers are indicating that they intend to make this event an annual one around the same time.
GPF beat NYPD in T20 fixture Guyana Police Force defeated the New York Police Department by eight wickets in a T20 fixture played yesterday at the Police Sports Club ground Eve Leary. Batting first, NYPD were bowled out for 29 in 12.5
overs. Dyal Jazz made 13 as Steven Harris claimed four wickets off four overs without conceding a run, while Randolph Knights and Trevor Benn had two each. GPF responded with 30-2 in five overs. P. Tyndell made
14 and Daniel Barker 10. The teams will meet in another fixture today at the said venue. The game was played in memory of the late Randolph Holder a former member of the NYPD who died in October 2015.
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Digicel PCL Four-Day cricket
Jaguars in control despite Campbell 71 Permaul grabs 19th 5-Wkt haul, Motie takes 4-66 By Sean Devers On another steaming hot day, Guyana Jaguars ended day two of their opening game in the Digicel PCL Regional four-day cricket contest in control despite an entertaining 71 from 23-year-old John Campbell. By end of the day the Jaguars had reached 26 without loss in their second innings with Shemron Hetymer (18) and Rajendra Chandrika (8) and an overall lead of 116 runs. The Jaguars began the day on 279-7 and lost their remaining wickets for 19 runs in 35 minutes as Skipper Nikita Miller finished with 4-71 and debutant Derval Green, the most impressive pacer in the match, 3-72. The Scorpions lost their sting and slumped from 134-2 to 208 all out in the final session on a pitch which, although still slow and twopaced, played much better than it did on the first day.
Campbell’s attacking innings lasted 101 balls and was decorated with 10 boundaries and he shared in a 73-run opening stand with Guyanese Trevon Griffith, who reached the ropes twice in a 63-ball 20. Campbell then added 40 with Devon Thomas, who hit three fours and his 54-ball 20 on his 27th birthday. West Indies ‘A’ team batsman Andrew McCarty (36) and Test batsman Jermaine Blackwood (18) were the only others to reach 15 as left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul (5-60) captured his 19th fivewicket haul and ninth at Providence. The 27-year-old Permaul, who has taken 108 of his 358 First-Class wickets at Providence, got support from fellow Albion, Guyana and West Indies ‘A’ team left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie who took 4-66. West Indies ‘A’ team pacer Keon Joseph who bowled with lively pace, took the other wicket to fall.
Permaul is the fifth bowler to claim 300 Regional First-Class wickets. A handful of spectators watched as Green induced Permaul (10) to edge a catch to the Keeper at 287-8 before Hooper (12) was brilliantly run out by Griffith after hitting two fours in his 31-minute innings, while Joseph (0) was removed next ball by Miller. Scorpions began in positive fashion with Campbell racing to his sixth half-century at this level with a flurry of shots while Griffith curbed his natural aggression to play the supporting role. The pugnacious Campbell got going by stroking Joseph for four before a sweetly timed cover drive off left-arm pacer Raymon Reifer reached the ropes like a scud missile. The Bajan pacer was unlucky not to see the back of Campbell when on 14 when Vishaul Singh at short mid Continued on page 71
Sunday November 13, 2016
Bravo axed over tweet, given deadline to apologise BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – West Indies cricket was once again rocked by controversy on Saturday when batting star Darren Bravo was controversially sent home ahead of the TriNations Series in Zimbabwe, after the West Indies Cricket Board sensationally cancelled his match/tour contract over a contentious tweet deemed “disparaging” to president Dave Cameron. And in a letter to the player dated November 11, the board also gave Bravo until 4 pm (Eastern Caribbean time) on Saturday to apologise for his actions and to remove the offending tweet from his Twitter account. Failure to do so, the WICB said, could result “in further disciplinary action, including referral to the WICB disciplinary committee.” Bravo, who was part of the camp in Potchefstroom, did not travel to Harare with the remainder of the squad on Saturday and instead headed for his native Trinidad and Tobago. A subsequent WICB release on Saturday said Bravo
had been dropped “due to inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour, which is contrary to his contractual obligations to the WICB.” This was in reference to Bravo’s outburst via online social networking service, Twitter, when he slammed Cameron for comments critical of his recent batting performances. Speaking on regional sports channel, SportsMax, earlier in the week, Cameron said Bravo had been offered only a Grade C retainer contract because of his “poor performance” and declining averages. “His averages in the last two years have been declining, so what do you do? Reward poor performance or do you encourage him to get better?” Cameron said. He continued: “If you continue to keep giving him an A contract then what is the motivation to get better? He has been on an A contract and he hasn’t done well.” In response, Bravo tagged Cameron via his Twitter handle, @davec51, as he tweeted: “You hav been failing 4 d last 4yrs. Y don’t u
resign and FYI I’ve neva been given an A contract. Big idiot.” Bravo’s caustic response prompted a formal letter from the WICB, informing the player that his comments constituted a breach of the terms of his match/tour contract and that the contract would also be cancelled. The letter, a copy of which was obtained by CMC Sports, told Bravo his tweet had “disparaged” the WICB president and was “contrary to your contractual obligations to the WICB.” “We would expect as a senior West Indian cricketer that you would recognize that your decision to vent your frustrations online, as well as to denigrate the president of the WICB, was inappropriate and unacceptable, as well as contrary to your contractual obligations to the WICB,” said the letter, which was signed by Director of Cricket, Richard Pybus. “In particular, we draw your attention to your agreement (in clause 4.7.2.2 of your match/tour contract) not to make any statement in or to any form of media (which shall Continued on page 77