Thursday November 17, 2017
PAGE 5
Kaieteur News
Coping with a vindictive Region Six official Dear Editor, Please allow me to highlight some double standards and vindictive behaviour practiced by a named regional official, and my predicament as an AFC activist who would make a stand for justice and truth in Region Six. I am contracted to maintain the No. 66 Creek by manual labour— that is cleaning grass and other vegetation in the canal to make the waterways free for the flow of water. I have now become fed up of the pushing around by the Regional official for payment of completed works done in the region. My predicament in all of this is that the official refuses to sign a certificate that allows for my payment and refuses to visit my canal in my presence even though I have
been requesting so for several weeks now. I have since had discussions with the Regional Chairman and the Regional Executive Officer who promised but no resolutions, no visits, no discussions on how or where I failed and no payment to date. I am owed for August, September and October 2017. I mentioned to the regional official over the phone about canals not cleaned and contractors with certain political affiliations getting payments. He urged me to mind my own business. I DO NOT USE CHEMICALS IN MY CANAL. Knowing that spraying of waterways in Guyana is illegal and knowing that the business of maintenance of waterways in Region Six is in excess of $100 million annu-
ally, and also knowing that the official will never be hauled before the courts to answer for any illegality or loss of revenue by the state, why give him the final say as it regards payments? A politician doing the work of a public official is a case of public servants being legally liable and being responsible for their actions and standards. To further frustrate my situation the regional official approved the following canals for full payment even though they were partially cleaned. 1) Maida to Eversham Drainage Canal. 2) Eversham/Kiltern Drainage Canal. 3) # 36 Brighton Drainage canal. 4) Lesbeholden/ Mibicuri
The media and the City Council rape episode DEAR EDITOR, The media plays an important role in how we address sexual abuse, especially abuse against children. The mismanagement at the Georgetown City Council of the sexual assault of a minor should not be a platform for jokes and entertainment. The Guyana Chronicle told the story of the City Council’s mismanagement with a headline ‘Sex and the City’.
Sex and the City was a TV show, lighthearted fun. Kaieteur News had a headline - ‘City cop accused of having sex with minor..”. The word “rape” describes the offence which is being investigated. Children under 16 years of age cannot consent to sex with an adult. Words and language are critical if we want to show zero tolerance for child sexual abuse.
There are media reports that the City Cop has been reinstated at the Georgetown City Hall. The media has a role to play to find out from the Mayor and Town Clerk , after they have recovered from their jet lag, of what measures are in place to ensure that children would be protected from any city officials, including those with pending investigations them. Vidyaratha Kissoon
Guards at the Education Ministry are forced not to take any off wage of $255 per hour while because of the money the Ministry of Education underpaid duty, being taken out of our sala- must pay guards $ 2.02 per DEAR EDITOR, Kindly permit me a space in your newspaper to highlight the plight of the guards working with the private contractors for the Ministry of Education. We the guards, guarding the schools, are being paid $2.02 per hour weekdays. Saturday and Sunday we are being paid $3.03 per hour. We are not getting the minimum wage of $2.55 per hour. Another budget is almost to be presented and up to now we haven’t received the 2017 minimum wage. We are not getting off duty with pay. If we take a day, our employers takes it out of our salary. So most times we are
ries. We would really like the President and the Minister of Labour to look into our matter because we the guards, guarding the schools are being treated like slaves. When we ask our employers they keep saying that the Ministry hasn’t given them any increase to give us. We the guards would like to know if the Government is demanding that other people pay workers the minimum
hour. Mr President and the Minister of Labour, please look into the guard’s plight. We do not even get clothes allowances or bonuses. We have to buy our shirts and they give us a jersey for $1,500 which we have to pay for every three or four years. And we are forced to wear it only at the worksite and not on the road. Concerned guard Cheryl Myles
front lands distributory. 5) Bush Lot/Kildonan drainage canal. 6) Wellington Park Main Drainage Canal. 7) Kilmarnock Drainage Canal. 8) Limlair to Adventure Drainage Canal. All contractors were instructed by the Region Six Vice Chairman and REO not to spray chemicals or weedicides. There was zero tolerance instituted. These instructions were given at a meeting held in the Regional Boardroom for canal maintenance contractors some time in January 2017. At this meeting it was recognized that NON USE OF CHEMICALS TO MANAGE WEEDS IN STATE MANAGED SYSTEMS has been
the rule ever since we as a country started our bid to be environmentally friendly. Then the president became man of the earth. This rule about spraying, however, has been honoured in the breach thanks to the Regional official who has the final say as to who gets paid in the region. Is he also chairman of the works committee? Spraying of waterways in the region has been ongoing for at least 10 years and is seen by everyone who knows the difference between spraying with chemicals (weed killers) and manual cleaning. It needs to be recognized that spraying is by far the cheapest and most efficient way to go; this is because it costs the contractor about 10% of the contract sum thus
realizing for him 90% of profit monthly. On the other hand weeding by use of cutlass is labour intensive and would cost the contractor almost close to 70% of their contract sum. The benefit of manual cleaning, however, is that more employment would be available for the labourers in our region and the states resources (Money) would reach more working class families in the region; this is the current government’s focus. I am livid to realize that whilst our president Mr. David Granger is emphasizing GREEN ECONOMY our Region Six Administration is literally honoring his words and intensions in the breach and making a fool of this nation. Joseph Baichu
A case of misinformation DEAR EDITOR, Let me introduce myself. My name is Nbikki Harding, I am thirteen years old, I am in Form Three at St Mary’s Secondary School. I want to address my fellow African Guyanese because I feel that we have lost our ownership, our identity and even our culture. We are not standing up and speaking out enough. This tells a lot. The sunken slave ship which claimed the lives of 664 Africans, men, women and children was laden with human cargo. A similar situation is ex-
perienced every day. It is now called Human Trafficking. Why do I have to every day look at news or open a newspaper and see young Africans both girls and boys being made slaves, even if mentally. Do the adults of this world or the politicians of this day and age really care? You say you love us, so why do you want to commit us to modern day s l a v e r y, giving us tablets and vaccines that can harm us. Two of my school mates had after effects when they took the filaria tablets and had
to be treated. I want to become a doctor when I finally leave school and have children of my own, but I will not be able to do so if I take the Gardasil vaccine. Nbikki Harding St Mary’s High School Editor’s note: The authorities have long confirmed that the vaccination to guard against cervical cancer –Gardasil—is safe. It has killed no one. The filarial tablets may have side effects but the vast majority who took them, including yours truly, suffered none.
PAGE 6
Kaieteur News
Thursday November 17, 2017
BEHAVIOUR OF POLITICAL LEADERS Where are our “Business Mentors? From page 4 displeased the PPP side of the House. I may add this caveat. During the Commission of Inquiry into the 1962 disturbances and the infamous February Black Friday, Dr. Jagan and PPP member, Mr. Charles Ramkissoon Jacobs, said that they had received letters threatening their lives. Neither Mr. Jacobs nor Dr. Jagan was able to produce any letter in support of their statement before the COI. Back to the House, during the abovementioned 40th sitting of the National Assembly. The PPP members then in Government, showed their displeasure by accosting the Speaker making vulgar gestures, offered an opportunity to apologise for what was described as the ‘disgraceful
and shameless acts, conduct and behaviour’, the PPP members refused to offer an apology. The Speaker then identified the following as being guilty of vulgarity in the house. 1. Dr. Cheddi Jagan, Premier and Minister of Development and Planning, 2. His brother, Derek Jagan, (an Attorney-at-Law) 3. Victor Downer, and 4. Mohamed Saffee. As General Secretary of the PNC Party at that time, I attended certain sessions of the National Assembly. The behaviour of the above named PPP members was unforgiveable and unforgettable. Amidst shouting, reminiscing that which we heard during the address by the Head of State on the 2nd of
November, 2017, Mr. Peter D’Aguiar successfully moved a Motion of ‘No Confidence’ in the Government. It is my hope and prayer that the PPP Leadership would fathom the seriousness of their actions that day. The young PPP ‘missionaries’ must demand some lifting of standards from those who now lead and that the PPP members everywhere should condemn this behaviour since it can achieve nothing, except to bring the Party again into disrepute. President Granger needs to be complimented for not being distracted by the constant banging on desks, shouting and display of placards by the PPP members while in the Chambers. I sat there and marvelled at David Granger’s tenacity, not once varying from his prepared address. It demonstrated the stature of our President who seemed invested with the highest order of a stoic. Let the Nation pray for him so that his work and that of the coalition could be a monument more lasting than bronze and for which our descendants would express their gratitude. Thank God for Granger who will keep Guyana, Good, Green and Glorious. Hamilton Green
DEAR EDITOR, Let me first commend our First Lady Mrs. Sandra Granger for the astute path she has adopted in respect to promoting entrepreneurial training initiatives in Guyana. No doubt this initiative is welcome and it must have been endorsed by His Excellency President David Granger and his cabinet. It is commendable and must be allowed to develop as it brings some degree of support to society’s vulnerable groups, i.e Youth and women. The more our youth and women are given opportunities to become successful business owners in our society, the greater their chances are of becoming citizens who can positively contribute to our country’s socio economic development. Entrepreneurship training programmes do provide that opportunity; more so if the training is community organized-- as I read about in the printed media-- the entire community gains. Goods and services would be provided and ultimately jobs created. So the lead taken by the First Lady, the organizations conducting the training and the Governing administration must be applauded. It is important to note though that just as training is essential for startup entrepreneurs, continuous business mentoring is essential for business survival too. Business survival is crucial; and we must have mechanisms in place to support even bad business decisions made by our above-mentioned vulnerable groups (youth and women). Let us not fool ourselves. Owning and operating any business after start up is not the easiest of tasks, especially for beginners or start
ups. Working along with poor business decisions, especially when your debts are cumulating, does not rest well on one’s mind. It is absolutely necessary to recognize early, signs of a business in difficulty and what it means, so that sound business decision can be taken. Signs such as: 1. Low sales volume; which may be indicating insufficient demand at a selling price needed to return enough profit to support the business operation. 2. Poor choice of location; Poor marketing strategy 3. Excessive operating expenses: bank payments seem to be using up all profits from sale. 4. Inability to foresee shortfall situations: · Inadequate operating records; · Ineffective use of their business plans; · Ineffective use of cash flow projections to monitor operations The business aptitude that is required to handle such a situation may be unknown to newly start up. Having seen the evidence of these, where does help come from? Is there anyone or any institution that is known to these newly startup that they can turn to for sound business mentoring or advice? Who are our business mentors, are they prepared to work for free.
Not that I am advocating that they should or should not. They may be members of the donor community who may have a mandate from their governments or organizations, to facilitate youth and women entrepreneurial development. The point is, that business mentoring is a needed crutch to support our vulnerable groups. In my humble opinion, we need a number of business mentors, organize mentorship programs and we need them now, more so, a well establish institution like Critchlow Labour College that can act as the hub for entrepreneurial learning and mentoring. A lot of people have gone further than they thought they could because someone else thought they could. Ask any successful businessman and, if he is honest about it, he will almost certainly admit to having benefited from the advice of a mentor at some point along their business. Let’s establish a Guyana Institution for mentoring this vulnerable group as they use their socio economic skills to fight off unemployment as we drive to promote entrepreneurship; creating livelihoods for all. Daren Torrington Founder and Executive Director Guyana Entrepreneurial Youth Movement (GEYM)
City Hall is in a muddle DEAR EDITOR, Over the last few days the plethora of headlines emanating from and dealing with the goings-on at City Hall has made for interesting, if not at times amusing reading. Stories tell of the 360 degree right turn by the Town Clerk to rescind the termination of the two city constables
at the centre of the juvenile abuse case to putting them on administrative leave pending the conclusion of the internal investigation. In this fiasco the Mayor it is reported is laying the blame squarely at the feet of the Town Clerk and Chief Constable. The Mayor should be reminded the buck stops with her. Then of course is the joke of the year where the Mayor it is reported, is prepared to beg, if need be, for the return of the dismissed garbage contractors, since as she claims ‘garbage is killing me’. What a confession!! With that it seems plans are in the making for the likely return of the two main solid waste contractors in time for the Season. Then workers recently staged a protest for their October salaries which saw the Deputy Mayor (acting Mayor at the time) exercising his authority to ease a situation. Now strike action is imminent over still unpaid salaries to some workers. What a muddle City Hall has found itself. At the core of these issues are poor decisions, poor management and of course no money. Where would it end for City Hall? Shamshun Mohamed
Friday November 17, 2017
PAGE 7
Kaieteur News
97 percent overall pass rate at Nurses State Finals - Minister says improvement was due to delayed intervention
Officials at the head table yesterday. Second from left is Senior Minister of Public Health, Ms. Volda Lawrence, [third from right] Chief Nurse, Ms Tarmattie Barker, and Ms. Mandy LaFleur.
A section of the trained nurses before learning of their outstanding performances. The screams that erupted from the East Street Georgetown parking lot at 14:22 hours yesterday were deafening, but they were not without a cause. They followed on the heels of an announcement by Senior Minister of Public Health, Ms Volda Lawrence, that the results of the Nurses State Finals examination had yielded a 97 percent overall pass rate. A total of five nursing schools participated in the examination The Georgetown School of Nursing, New Amsterdam School of Nursing, Charles Roza School of Nursing and two privately operated schools the St. Joseph Mercy School of Nursing and Texila American University. Two of the five schools recorded a 100 percent pass rate - St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, which entered 26 candidates and the New Amsterdam School of Nursing which entered 35 candidates. However the other schools were not slack in their performance. At the Georgetown School of Nursing the results were .7 percent
shy of a perfect score. At total of 100 candidates were entered for the examination and their performance reflected a 99.3 percent pass rate. At the Charles Roza School of Nursing in Linden, the pass rate translated to 98 percent for the 52 students who wrote the State Finals. Texila University, which entered three candidates, realised a 75 percent pass rate. Officials from each of the schools were tasked with detailing the performances of their respective schools. The State Finals entail candidates sitting Functional Nursing Paper One and Two, Clinical Nursing Paper One and Paper Two and Practical Nursing. While there were some candidates who completed all aspects of the examination there were some who only had to complete one or a few aspects. The jubilation that the pass rates attracted was not at all surprising, given the fact that the last sitting of the State Finals last year was fraught with reports of students indulging in dishonest activities. The examination as a result became null and void and
the candidates were forced to repeat. Speaking at the forum to announce that the latest State Final results have improved, an emotional Minister Lawrence shared her conviction that the improved performance was due to a delayed process of intervention. "It could have happened way before if I did not have the battle that I had to fight...."said Minister Lawrence, who pointed that it wasn't her alone fighting with other officials, but she noted that the candidates themselves were faced with a battle of their own. "They had people calling them dunce, failure; making a lot of derogatory remarks about them. I was on Facebook and I said ‘oh my God, how can we be so cruel to each other?’. But today as I stand here I want to give God the praise and the glory... first for the strength and helping me not to lean unto my own understanding...in everything I do I acknowledge him," said Minister Lawrence in a sombre tone. She noted that while the daunting performance of the
previous exam was extensively reported in the media, what many people were not aware of was the fact that there were many gaps and challenges that the various schools were faced with over a number of years. A number of changes, including self introspection, were required, Minister Lawrence noted, in order for the performances across schools to come to fruition. But putting the necessary measures in place was not welcomed with open arms. Minister Lawrence not only hinted to the fact that some nursing trainees had some less than appreciative things to say of her, but that some officials of the nursing schools did not always see eye to eye with her. She moreover made it clear yesterday that "once you are going to do something and, especially when you are in a management position, you don't do it based on feelings." "I felt it for you too," said Minister Lawrence to her audience yesterday of mainly [formerly trainee] nurses. Despite her feelings, the Minister said, "That didn't give me the authority to act on those feelings. What we wanted was to have critical evidence and data that would inform us, because what we
had to correct wasn’t only for you, it is for the future of nursing in Guyana." For this reason, she said that it was required that an outsider analyse what was being done and what wasn't being done. According to her, too, "the onus was however on the nursing fraternity to ensure that they correct this damage, and that there is not a stain on the nursing fraternity of Guyana...that concerned me a lot." But according to the Minister, she is especially grateful to God that she was yesterday in a position to “thank God and all of you for giving to Guyana and to the medical
profession, an overall pass of 97 percent.” Chief Nursing Officer, Ms. Tarmattie Barker, yesterday shared the examination trend over the years, some of which were less than remarkable. In order to address the dilemma in this regard, Ms Mandy LaFleur, shared the strategies that were developed to address the evident gaps in nursing. LaFleur, a consultant who helped to revamp the nursing programme, revealed yesterday that the process was in fact a team effort that saw the needful measures being put in place that resulted in the improved performances.
PAGE 8
Kaieteur News
Friday November 17, 2017
Finance Ministry still lagging behind‌
Parliament yet to receive up-to-date audited accounts of more than 14 entities By law, the National Assembly is supposed to receive the audited accounts of various entities. But for years, many ministries and agencies continue to lag behind. Under a new administration, not much about this situation has improved. This was recently identified by Auditor General, Deodat Sharma in his 2016 report. Sharma noted that there are certain entities which fall under the control of the Ministry of Finance. That Ministry is expected to ensure that the audited accounts for those entities are up to date and are laid in the National Assembly. But the Auditor General was able to point out that this was not the case for more than 14 entities. In this regard, Sharma said that the audit of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL)
operations as a Company has been completed for the years 2002 to 2013, while the audits for 2014, 2015 and 2016 are being finalized. With respect to the audit of NICIL’s Consolidated Financial Statements, Sharma said that these have been completed and reports issued up to the year 2006. Sharma said that Draft Consolidated Financial Statements for the years 2007 to 2011 were submitted and the audits are in progress. He noted however, that their completion and issuance of the audit reports are dependent on the finalization of the audits of the Guyana World Cup Inc. The Head of Budget Agency for the Ministry of Finance has since indicated that this matter is still engaging its attention. Be that as it may, Sharma still insisted that the Ministry ensure that the accounts for
Auditor General, Deodat Sharma these entities are brought up to date and all audited accounts are laid in the National Assembly. Sharma also provided an update on other entities under the control of the Ministry of Finance and the status of their audited statements. See Chart below.
Friday November 17, 2017
PAGE 9
Kaieteur News
More questions than answers If the Leader of the Alliance for Change (AFC) says that he was summoned to an urgent meeting on October 19, 2017 and informed of the President’s decision regarding the appointment of Justice James Patterson as Chairman of GECOM, then the Leader must be taken at his word. The question that people are asking is after being told of the intention of the President to appoint Justice James Patterson, what did the Leader of the AFC say? Did he express any reservations or objections to the manner in which the President went about this decision? Did the Leader of the AFC protest the lack of consultation with his party on the appointment of Justice Patterson? Did he say to the President that this was not how the AFC presumed that the decision would have been made? Did he press home a case for the need for consultations with the AFC on this issue seeing that it is a major coalition partner? Did he ask why the matter
was not brought to Cabinet? Did he expect that it would have been raised in Cabinet? Did he express any position on the unilateral appointment? Or was he in agreement that no fit and proper person appeared on the third list of names submitted by the Leader of the Opposition? And did he ask about the mechanism that the parties had agreed to establish should no suitable person be found on the third list? Did he question the breach of this commitment? Just what was the reaction of the Leader of the Opposition when he was told that Justice Patterson was the intended person to be appointed as Chairman of GECOM? Did the Leader of the AFC subsequently sit in at a meeting between the President and the Leader of the Opposition at which the President would have communicated his decision? And what was the signal that the Leader of the AFC believed would have been sent by his presence at that meeting, if indeed he was
at that meeting? Did he feel that it could have been interpreted as the AFC being in support of the President’s decision, even though the AFC is on record as saying that it was not consulted in the decision? Would it not have been better, in the circumstances, for the AFC leader to not have been at any meeting at which the President’s decision was communicated to the Leader of the Opposition, lest it be concluded that his presence there signaled his agreement with the choice being made and the process at arriving at that choice? The issue at stake is therefore not whether the AFC was part of any decision. The AFC has said it was not consulted. APNU has not contradicted this position.
There is no evidence to conclude that the AFC was part of any decision. The issue at stake is if the Leader of the AFC was part of the meeting between the President and the Leader of the Opposition, and if so, what does this presence signify? Does it signify agreement? Or was it a mere courtesy that the Leader of the AFC sat in at the meeting, if indeed he did. The constitutionality of the decision by the President will be decided by the Court. This column will offer no view on this aspect. It will, however, argue that there are political implications involved in terms of the presence or lack thereof, of the Leader of the AFC at any meeting at which the President would have advised the Leader of the Op-
position of his choice. The AFC has some serious questions to answer about where it stands in the coalition. Is it still part of the coalition or is it now part of APNU, as some are suggesting? Is the Cummingsburg Accord still in force and how is it being operationalized? What about the review of that Accord? When will that take
place? What is the AFC’s position now on shared governance? Is this completely off the bargaining table? There are more questions than answers.
Friday November 17, 2017
PAGE 11
Kaieteur News
Environmental lawyer wants ExxonMobil's permit revoked Those who care about the environment and are well aware of what the imminent operations of ExxonMobil can do to the environment, are adamant that the Government of Guyana needs to do much more for the protection of its people. For reasons not stated, some environmentalists are unwilling to go on record criticizing the stance being taken by the Government of Guyana when it comes to the protection of the environment. However, Melinda Janki, an attorney-at-law specializing in international environmental law and indigenous and human rights, has no qualms in stating that the environmental permit handed to ExxonMobil should be revoked. Janki, who has worked for a number of oil companies, said this at a recent presentation she made at Moray House. The lawyer said that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) that ExxonMobil submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was poor and unworthy of being used as merit for the environmental permit. Janki's position was articulated by attorney at law Christopher Ram in his most recent column.
He said that at the forum that also included lectures from environmentalist Annette Arjoon-Martin and former Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran was quite informative. "Not surprisingly, there was much discussion on the environmental permit issued by the Environmental Protection Agency to Esso Exploration & Production Guyana Limited (ExxonMobil) which should see the oil giant and its two joint venture partners begin to pump oil in 2020. Melinda Janki was adamant that given the weaknesses identified in the documents submitted by ExxonMobil for the issue of an Environmental Permit, the permit that has been issued should be revoked," said Ram. He continued, "The documentation comprises an Environmental Impact Assessment, Technical Appendices, Environmental and Socio-Economic Management Plan and Oil Spill Response Plan. Citing statistics and information contained in the documents, Ms. Janki is convinced that a case can be made for the Environmental Permit to be set aside by the Court!" Ram said that the challenge for all Guyanese is that there has not been enough
meaningful consultation with the fault lying with the Government, the oil companies and members of the public, including those who are expected to be better informed. Ever since ExxonMobil announced the first oil find in 2015, it was always a race to 2020, which coincidentally is the year when elections are next due. "The documentation runs to nearly two thousand pages and clearly requires experts to break it down for the lay person. How else can their rights and that of their organisations to participate in the management and decision-making processes of the State that directly affect their well-being have any meaning?" ExxonMobil has been associated with some of the world’s most horrific oil spills. In 1989, the oil tanker Exxon Valdez slammed into a reef and spilled more than 11 million gallons of crude oil into the waters of Alaska. The damage spread more than 1,300 miles of some of the most remote, wild shorelines in America. Although this happened 28 years ago, The Valdez area in Alaska has not recovered to date. With ExxonMobil’s operations heading into full swing, Guyana is now at risk
of having to face the consequences of an oil spill. But ExxonMobil’s EIA leaves much to be desired. According to the source document, ExxonMobil has little or no plans in place to deal with any financial eventuality of an oil spill. Exxon claims that the possibility of an oil spill is not very high. However, it said that there is a 10 percent chance that in the event of a spill, oil will reach the coast of Guyana where 90 percent of its population sits. ExxonMobil inferred that because of the purported ‘slim’ chance of an oil spill, detailed
response measures are not needed. However, with a two percent possibility of occurring, the practice around the world is that oil companies are made to cater in detail for disasters. And indeed, the impact of an oil spill will be major for Guyana and its neighbours. There is also nothing in the EIA that speaks to how Guyana’s neighbours will be compensated. There is a possibility that neighbouring countries, when environmental damage occurs, can move against Guyana. If the burden is left to bear by Guyana, the country may have to pay
damages equivalent to years of oil revenues. ExxonMobil’s EIA also offers no compensation to fishermen and other Guyanese who are most likely to be affected in the case of an oil spill. The EIA has little or no information on the role to be played by relevant stakeholders as it pertains to consultations, training and quick response measures. In short, the oil giant did not commit to anything. In the event of an oil spill, there is no oversight mechanism in place to oversee the remedial action taken by the company.
PAGE 12
Kaieteur News
Civil Aviation’s new website to facilitate consultations on future legislation The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) officially launched its new redesigned website, www.gcaagy.org, at a simple ceremony held in the board room at the Authority’s head office, on Wednesday. Present at the launch was the Minister Annette Ferguson, the Board of Directors of the GCAA, the Director General, other Directors and staff of the authority. Ferguson told those gathered that the new website is an indication that the authority is moving in the right direction, and is subscribing to the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). “The launch of this website, therefore, is a step
in the right direction because it will help us to share with the rest of the world what we have and assist us in our endeavor to join the ranks of the modern aviation world,” the Minister said. The Minister noted that the redesign of the website was faced with many challenges, and congratulated the staff of the Authority for taking time from their busy schedule to provide the required information for the site. Also giving brief remarks was the Director General, Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Egbert Field, who noted that the website will be used as a medium for public consultation, especially with the introduction of new civil aviation regulations. “The regulations will be placed on the site for all to peruse, and provide feedback after sixty days on the website, so this is another way for us to reach out to our stakeholders, and get feedback from them” Col. Field said. Wayne Farley Designs was awarded the contract to develop the GCAA's new website with advanced features such as content management, serving secure pages,
forum, and document repository. Speaking at the launch, Wayne Farley, the website developer and former air traffic controller at the GCAA said: "I congratulate the GCAA for enhancing their web presence, and am honoured that GCAA placed their confidence in me to provide them with their web solutions." Farley elaborated on the importance of controlling their message to aviation stakeholders and managing the organization's online reputation. He added that having full control of the website optimizes its benefits and attract a dedicated core of users. He encouraged the authority to establish a frequency with which to publish new content and stick to the schedule. Wayne Farley Designs is a small boutique web development and graphic design firm registered in Guyana. They have been in business since 2002, developing over 200 websites throughout the years, and are skilled in many areas of design and development, from animations to websites, brochures to logos.
Friday November 17, 2017
Chinese investors now made to toe the line By Abena Rockcliffe-Campbell Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge has painted a picture that would be viewed with delight by Guyanese who were worried about the local operations of certain Chinese companies. At a recent press conference, Greenidge said that the reality in Guyana is no longer one where Chinese investors are given the kind of leeway to do whatever they want. Things have changed, he said. That pronouncement came in response to a question posed by Kaieteur News. This newspaper queried whether the government is taking the necessary precautions in its dealings with China based on the experiences of other countries like Sri Lanka. Greenidge stated first that he knows of the attention this newspaper places on the issue, “with the help of some political parties that will remain nameless at this point.” Despite his cynical comment, Greenidge then went on to say that most of the problems that existed in the past have been solved. He said that the evils that existed largely had to do with one Chinese firm. “But, what is important is that as regards the dialogue between the Government of Guyana and Government of China is that Chinese companies as any other, need to live within the law and need to display respect for the law,” the minister asserted. Greenidge said that there are going to be occasions
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge where you get a “falling out or a lack of clear understanding of rights and even breaking of the law. Where that happens we will expect the executing agencies to take the necessary actions. Of course we will alert them that they are breaking the law, but the agencies will take the necessary actions.” Greenidge continued, “But I do not perceive that at this time we have the type of problem that we were encountering in 2013, 2014 and 2015. That is behind us by and large and we will try to ensure that that continues. But obviously there is going to be ongoing work for GRA (Guyana Revenue Authority) and others to carry out…and we will expect them to carry out. I believe I said that in the past. All private companies have to respect the laws in Guyana as we will have to do in other territory.” Chinese companies essentially enjoyed a free-for-all
under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) administration. It was duty free galore. BaiShanLin International Forest Development Inc., alone was given duty free to import two billion pails of paint, one billion tons of cement, and 315 low bed container trucks among other huge concessions. Further, that same company evaded taxes and still owes the GRA over $1B. BaiShanLin also was accused of mistreating workers and paying them below minimum wage. Guyanese worried about the way in which BaiShanLin misused the forest, “cutting down everything in sight and not planting.” Most if not all of BaiShanLin’s trucks were driven by Chinese nationals who had no licences. BaiShanLin also illegally acquired several other logging companies. While BaiShanLin was most brazen, it was not the only Chinese company that operated this way. Vaitarna and Rong-An did also indulge in a fair amount of lawlessness. Further, Chinese nationals in the commercial industry are known for employing every trick in the book. They refuse to write bills for customers in order to avoid paying their fair share of taxes. Also, earlier this year, it was found that the Chinese Embassy was importing more containers than all other embassies in Guyana combined. It is believed that the goods in those containers made its way into the commercial sector.
Friday November 17, 2017
PAGE 13
Kaieteur News
Corentyne siblings lose homes, business, mom, in space of weeks
A family of Number 70 Village has been hit hard after their homes and business went up in flames on Wednesday night. Ramesh Khemraj, 50, owner of one of the two buildings that went up in flames, told reporters that he was in neighbouring Suriname when he received the dreadful news that his home and bond were on fire. “I received a text while I was in Suriname, saying that the house is on fire. I was so shocked, I couldn’t believe,” Khemraj said. According to the businessman - an exporter - he had four containers containing bio-degradable food boxes on the premises, in a bond located at the back of his home. “I had that and we furnished our whole house and we had everything brand new. I had this house for over 15 years, but I had a supermarket that ran for 12 years, and after my family migrated I closed that down and started to do exporting.” “I think this is the end of my journey,” said Khemraj, as he tried to make sense of what took place. He suspects that the fire may have been electrical in origin, but could not confirm this. He lived alone and had only left the country for Suriname on Tuesday morning (the day before the fire). The businessman stated that the building is not insured, and he estimated over $100M in losses which includes $4M in cash and $60M in containers.
The two homes - Ramesh Khemraj’s on the right and sister Savitri’s on the left - that were burnt.
Ramesh Khemraj Khemraj’s 82-year-old father who lives next door in the upper flat of the other building that was burnt, along with his sibling and wife, who operate a liquor store in the bottom flat, are also counting millions of dollars in losses.
Savitri Ramnarine, co-proprietor of the ‘Kingsvally Liquor Shop’, who runs the business with her husband, Ramesh Khemraj’s brother, told reporters that she was in the shop when one of her customers told her that they were smelling smoke. “Yesterday afternoon around six o’clock, me went in the shop and dem bai seh something smelling like it burning, but I didn’t check it out. Is when my cousin who was here go upstairs fuh something then she see the fire and smoke on the next house and she start holla and meh husband run out and dem start bruck open the place, but how the place grill dem couldn’t get in, so dem call the fire service”, Ramnarine recounted. The devastated woman
expressed her disgust at the fire service, after they arrived nearly forty five minutes after the fire began and when they eventually arrived, it was without water. “Lemme tell you, the fire people dem suppose to save this house but that building ah burn, which one yuh go hustle fuh save? That done burn halfway yuh na go hustle fuh save this one? Dem
na even had water, every time people house burn dem nah get water. How yuh gon save a person house and yuh nah get water?” She, Ramnarine and her husband have been operating their business for over 20 years. Kaieteur News also learnt that only three weeks ago the siblings lost their mother and were still grieving.
PAGE 14
Avoid court of public opinion in legal challenge over GECOM Chairmanship - CJ Chief Justice (Ag) Roxane George Wiltshire yesterday cautioned lawyers to avoid the court of public opinion in the matter attracting the legal attention over the appointment of a Chairman for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). Justice George Wiltshire was at the time addressing Attorney General Basil Williams, Attorney- at -law, Anil Nandlall and their respective teams at the first hearing into the matter. Yesterday‘s hearing attracted a public demonstration outside the High Court from what appeared to be a group of pro-government supporters. Given the commotion surrounding the matter, Justice George Wiltshire urged the lawyers to be careful with any comments related to the case. “Persons are free to comment, but they must not be contemptuous,” the judge said, expressing concerns over headlines in recent news reports over the matter. The Chief Justice (CJ) warned that she would not want to issue a gag order in the matter. She then set a timetable for the case to commence, telling attorneys from both sides to be ready with their arguments for January 9,
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
Friday November 17, 2017
Kaieteur News
Attorney General Basil Williams following the hearing yesterday 2018. Justice GeorgeWiltshire also told the lawyers that all their written submissions should be filed before that date. Last month, PPP/C Executive Member and Member of Parliament Zulfikar Mustapha, through attorney Anil Nandlall, mounted a legal challenge over the unilateral appointment of retired Justice James Patterson, as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). The PPP MP is seeking to have the appointment quashed. Mustapha is claiming that among other things, Patterson was a pallbearer at the funeral for former President and PNC leader, Desmond Hoyte, and is a member of a social media group affiliated with the PNC. Mustapha is seeking a declaration that Justice Patterson’s appointment is in violation of and contrary to Article 161(2) of the Consti-
tution and is accordingly unlawful, illegal, unconstitutional, null, void and of no effect. Further, Mustapha is seeking a declaration that Justice Patterson is not qualified to be appointed as the Chairman of GECOM in accordance with and in pursuance to Article 161(2) of the Constitution; and an order directing the President to choose a person from the eighteen names submitted to him by the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo. Jagdeo had presented 18 names in total to President Granger, but none were deemed acceptable by the President, which led to Patterson’s appointment. Mustapha is contending that Patterson cannot be or appear to be politically impartial and independent in the discharge of the functions of his office on several grounds, including that he is a member of the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy appointed by the President; an advisor to the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs appointed by the President, the Attorney General or someone in the President’s Government; was appointed by the President to head a Commission of Inquiry into a prison break at Georgetown, Guyana, during the month of July, 2017; and was appointed by the President to be part of a panel reviewing applications for the positions of Chief Justice and Chancellor of the Judiciary.
Freddie Kissoon assault trial...
Court finds compelling evidence against accused trio Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman yesterday ruled that based upon the evidence lead by the prosecution team against three men accused of throwing fecal matter on newspaper columnist and social activist Frederick Kissoon, she is of the opinion that a prima facie case has been established against them. The defendants will today have the opportunity to lead their defence. Kwame McCoy, Jason Abdulla and Shawn Hinds are accused of assaulting Kissoon on Monday, May 24, 2010, in Georgetown. They are all out on $100,000 bail. The ruling came one day after Police Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves submitted that there was sufficient evidence against the three men charged with common assault. The prosecutor told the court that the prosecution relied on Frederick Kissoon’s evidence, emphasising that he (Kissoon) did not give anyone permission to throw feces on him and assault him on the day in question. Prosecutor Gonsalves added that the prosecution also relied on the caution statement by the number two accused, Jason Abdulla, which was given freely and voluntarily. The prosecutor added that in that statement, Abdulla gave a detailed account of what transpired and his involvement on the day Kissoon was assaulted. The court heard that Abdulla knew of the plot and assault against Kissoon and he did nothing to withdraw himself or to prevent the commission of the offence.
Kwame McCoy
Frederick Kissoon
Jason Abdulla
Shawn Hinds
The Prosecutor added that based on the confession of Abdulla, he implicated both McCoy and Hinds in his caution statement. Prosecutor Gonsalves submitted that all three defendants acted together to carry out the offence and all the witnesses called by the prosecution were deemed as credible, and for that reason, the court should call the defendants to lead their defence in
the matter. According to the prosecution, fecal matter was thrown in Kissoon’s face when he emerged from Nigel’s Supermarket, at Robb Street, Georgetown. It was reported that an individual walked up to the columnist’s vehicle and threw the substance on him. After the attack, Kissoon reportedly drove behind the (Continued on page 27)
Friday November 17, 2017
Kaieteur News
PAGE 15
PAGE 16
Kaieteur News
Friday November 17, 2017
Jagdeo peddling cheap political mischief - AFC The Alliance For Change (AFC) maintains that the party had no role in the selection of the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), retired Justice James Patterson, and sought to explain the presence of its Leader, Raphael Trotman at State House, prior to the swearing in ceremony. In recent days, Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo has doubled down on assertions that Trotman’s presence at State House conflicts with the AFC’s position of playing no role in the selection of Patterson. The AFC forms part of the current coalition Government and Trotman serves as the Minister of Natural Resources. According to the AFC, Trotman wrote to the party to explain that he was invited to an urgent meeting at State House by President David Granger on the evening of October 19th. At the meeting, the AFC noted that President Granger informed Mr. Trotman of his decision with regard to the appointment of Justice James Patterson as GECOM Chairman. According to the party, the meeting concluded and Mr. Trotman departed. “I arrived at State House this evening and was shown a letter by the President, which was addressed to Mr. Jagdeo,” Trotman wrote. It was pointed out that the President's letter stated that he has rejected the third list and has considered the ruling of the Chief Justice, and it is the President’s opinion, that he is constitutionally empowered to name a person to the Chairmanship. Trotman recalled in his letter that Jagdeo arrived at State House at 6 p.m. accompanied by Anil Nandlall and Irfaan Ally to meet President Granger. They were subsequently informed of the President’s position and then handed letters to this effect. According to Trotman, Jagdeo challenged the President's rejection of the list and his right to unilaterally name a person. He noted that Jagdeo’s basis was that it is
Minister of Natural Resources and AFC Leader, Raphael Trotman unconstitutional in addition to being an act of bad faith. “He (Jagdeo) also stated that he will not recognise Justice Patterson as being impartial and will challenge the appointment,” Trotman wrote to the party. According to the AFC, the information made available by Trotman ‘clearly settles’ the matter of the AFC’s involvement in the selection process. “Jagdeo appears to be deeply disturbed by the party’s condemnation of his reckless and unpatriotic threats of non-cooperation and civil disobedience and that the party’s publicly stated position is that it would have held him accountable for the consequences of any civil unrest which might have ensued from such a reckless stance,” the AFC noted. Further, the party stated that Jagdeo’s threats turned out to be nothing, but empty bluster having been rejected by the people of Guyana, including his own supporters. “The AFC is certain that its strong public condemnation of Jagdeo alerted the nation to his sinister motives and played a significant role in derailing his reckless plans. Jagdeo appears to now be on an intensified campaign of vendetta and revenge against the AFC as a result of the party’s thwarting of his plans for civil disobedience and unrest,” the AFC stated.
PAGE 26
Kaieteur News
Friday November 17, 2017
Friday November 17, 2017
PAGE 27
Kaieteur News
Linden twinned with Xuzhou city The Linden municipality, Region 10, says it is making good on its promise to advance the development of the town by all means, including friendly relations with international cities that are more developed. Last Friday, Mayor of Linden, Carwyn Holland, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City of Xuzhou which was represented by its Vice Mayor Xu Donghai at a ceremony held at Xuzhou’s City Exotic Conference Hall. The symbolic signing which immediately puts into effect municipal cooperation between the two municipalities has already yielded great benefits for Linden in the areas of education, youth, agriculture and infrastructure, the municipality said in a release. The Linden team which comprised the Mayor and his wife, Nikosa Holland, Councillor Lennox Gasper and First Secretary of the Guyana Embassy in China, Dennelle Marshall, had bilateral discussions with Xuzhou Officials led by the Vice Mayor Xu Donghi, Deputy SecretaryGeneral of Xuzhou Municipal Government Jiang Ming, Di-
Xuzhou Mayor Zhou Tiegen receives a gift from the Mayor of Linden Carwyn Holland rector of Xuzhou Foreign Affairs Office Wang Lianyun and the Deputy Director of Xuzhou Foreign Affairs Office, Sun Weimin. “Discussions were centered on means of advancing co-operation between the two municipalities where there was great consensus given the mining background of Linden and Xuzhou.”
In his brief remarks, Vice Mayor Donghai highlighted his similarities to Mayor Holland as they both came from a media background and share the same drive to see development of their municipality. However, he noted the disparity in size, budget and development while pledging Xuzhou’s full support to see Linden develop compara-
Court finds compelling... (From page 14) perpetrator who ran north along Light Street then onto North Road, before jumping into a waiting car. Attorney Latchmie Rahamat is representing McCoy; Attorneys Euclin Gomes and Glenn Hanoman are representing Abdulla; Hinds is being represented
by Attorney George Thomas. Last year, when Kissoon was called to give his testimony to the court, he recalled that on the day in question, he had left Nigel’s Supermarket on Robb Street, Georgetown and entered his vehicle which was parked nearby. He said that he had wound
down his vehicle’s window when a man walked up and threw a substance on him. The witness recounted that after the substance was thrown on him; a man of African descent walked away, jogged across North Road, proceeded down Merriman Mall and entered a motorcar.
tively. The Vice Mayor also said that his city will be looking out for Linden’s interest as a big brother and will waste no time in fortifying the relationship. The Linden Mayor said the town of Linden which was birthed in 1970, is known for its friendly and industrious people. He invited other Chinese investors to join BOSAI Minerals by establishing manufacturing and agro processing plants in Linden. Mayor Holland said this was his third visit to China, but this time it was extra special as both municipalities seek to advance friendly cooperation on the principle of equality and mutual benefit and to facilitate the achievement of fruitful results in a wide area of cooperation. Linden Councillor, Lennox Gasper, who led the gift exchange after the signing ceremony expressed his appreciation for the outcome of the visit and said the people of Linden are very grateful for the cooperation. Together with the Mayor he championed the call for tangible results through the establishment of twin-city relations. The Linden delegation
also toured the Xuzhou Institute of Agricultural Sciences where they negotiated for the training of Lindeners in AgriScientifiic Research with the Director Mr. Qinghe Cao. They later visited China University of Mining and Technology CUMT and met with Director of International Office Mr. Zhang Zhenkang to discuss the possibility of student exchanges, scholarships and research collaboration. Mayor Holland, also a University of Guyana Education Resource Ambassador also lobbied for academic staff exchanges and fostering ties with Guyana’s leading tertiary institution and CUMT. In the immediate future, the two municipalities will host art exhibitions showcasing the art of the children of the sister territory which will be opened for public viewing.
Linden will host the first exhibition of art pieces by children of Xuzhou in December 2017 while Xuzhou will host the exhibition of Linden’s children’s art in early 2018 in Xuzhou. A pen pal initiative by all participating students will also be kick-started. The Linden delegation were also featured at the Xuzhou Investment Conference which gave them the opportunity to participate in the forum showcasing Xuzhou’s business sector and investment opportunities, providing insight into a viable model of investment promotion that the Linden team could draw lessons from. The twinning, according to Mayor Holland, will target development in the areas of agriculture, education, sports, youth, culture, tourism and infrastructure development.
PAGE 28
Withdrawal on China invitation a snub - Dumas Trinidad Guardian Former diplomat Reginald Dumas says “it is highly unusual” for China to withdraw an invitation to a foreign leader, and it does “represent on the face of it a snub.” He was commenting on China’s decision to withdraw an invitation to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley to attend talks in Beijing later this month. Dumas described the Chinese and Japanese as “sticklers for protocol... I have never heard of this, that you issue an invitation and then withdraw it. The Chinese don’t do that kind of thing without a background, whatever that background might me.” The announcement that Rowley had been invited to China as part of a meeting with nine other world leaders was made last week Thursday by Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young. On Tuesday, however, another announcement came via a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister indicating that “on November 14, 2017 Ambassador Song Yumin paid a visit to Minister
Thursday November 17, 2017
Kaieteur News
Stuart Young at the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs and officially discussed with Minister Young that the Chinese, attaching great importance to the development of the relations between China and Trinidad and Tobago, would like to invite the Honourable Prime Minister to pay an Official Visit to China next year, replacing the invitation of the High-Level meetings.” Details of that visit are still to be worked out. Speaking on the CNC3 Morning Brew Wednesday, Dumas wondered, “Is it that there was no invitation? Is it that something was being considered? I don’t know, we will probably never get to the truth of the matter because the Chinese aren’t going to say anything, of course. But it is highly unusual and it does represent on the face of it a snub.” He said normally in matters like these “there is a simultaneous announcement in both capitals” and there is also agreement on the text of what would be said. “Was that done? I suspect we will not get to the bottom of this in a hurry.”
Naparima MP Rodney Charles also described the pulling back of the invitation as a “diplomatic snub.” Charles said under the former government, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited this country in June 2013 mere weeks after his appointment. “Such was the high esteem in which T & T w a s held. Today we are witness to essentially a major diplomatic snub where our PM’s visit to China was postponed to ‘a date to be announced.’” He said the “diplomatic rebuff” comes in the wake of our country’s inexplicable absence from the 23rd Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change which opened on Monday in Bonn. The meeting focuses on climate impacts on Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Charles said this country’s attendance was important if only because of recent countrywide floods, erosion of our seashores in places like Manzanilla and Icacos, and our second highest per capita carbon footprint in the world.
Girlfriend plotted with cops to execute 'Sagga' From page 3 custody were in this car that happened to be owned by a member of the Guyana Police Force. Police have since charged Aubrey Bobb, 26, of Kitty, Georgetown, with Scipio's murder. DIRTY COPS? A source said that they received information that the four detained policemen may have colluded with criminal elements in previous robberies, including those where victims were trailed from banks. The very night Scipio was slain, detectives got a tip-off that a rank was involved in the murder. But it was only last Tuesday, that they were given the name of an Intelligence rank who was allegedly involved. At the time, that rank was under close arrest for allegedly attempting to poison his girlfriend who is a police constable. The file into the alleged poisoning has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice. In that case, the intelligence rank and a now-detained police corporal, conducted a raid at an entertainment spot. They reportedly collected $1M from the nightspot's competitor, who organised the raid. Kaieteur News was informed that the intelligence rank confided in his girlfriend after she saw the cash in his house. He allegedly slipped a poison pill into her beverage when she threatened to report him.
That matter is being dealt with the Police's Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR). PROCLAIMED INNOCENCE Meanwhile, in an interview with Kaieteur News shortly before turning himself in yesterday, Corporal Derwin Eastman said that he only learned about the allegations against him on Wednesday. He said the senior police ranks relieved him of his telephone and his licenced 9mm pistol when they took him in for questioning with his colleague. He said that they also took his cell phone and a bullet proof vest. He said they returned the phone and the gun last Tuesday. Insisting that he was not involved in Scipio's murder, Eastman said: “I have no reason to kill 'Sagga'. I have no ties with the suspect (in his murder),other than arresting him and putting in prison for a robbery; other than arresting him for a shooting incident on the seawall, and I played a part in arresting him for the murder of 'Sagga.' “I am being framed, for reasons I don't know as yet. I am turning myself in to see what they have against me. I deny all the allegations against me and I am prepared for the confrontation with the suspect... “I will be cleared…I am fearful for my life. I am fearful for my family's safety, and that's why I am turning myself in. I am innocent, that's why I am turning myself in.”
IMF pledges support for Caribbean
Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness in discussions with IMF managing director, Christine Lagarde KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) yesterday pledged its support for the Caribbean as the region moves to build resilience against the effects of natural disasters. IMF managing director, Christine Lagarde, addressing the sixth IMF High level Caribbean forum, said the Washington-based financial institution is prepared to support the Caribbean with recovery funding and is cognisant of the impact of natural disasters on economic development and stability in the Caribbean. She told the forum, which is being held under the theme ‘Unleashing Growth and Strengthening Resilience in the Caribbean’, that the IMF is ready to provide leadership with sourcing special funding and expertise to assist the region in developing mitigation and resilience strategies over the short and long term. She said Hurricanes Irma and Maria that passed through the Lesser Antilles in September causing widespread destruction and killing
several people “have again highlighted the special vulnerabilities of the Caribbean, and the need to strengthen its resilience. “Climate change is expected to intensify the impact of natural disasters, and worsen the vulnerabilities of small states in the Caribbean. Rising sea levels increase risks of erosion and flooding, and warmer water temperatures heighten the potential for more intense hurricanes,” she told the forum that is being attended by several regional prime ministers, central bank governors and other stakeholders. “We must come together to address the challenge posed by climate change, and help those most affected by it. Emergency relief following events like Hurricanes Irma and Maria is a key responsibility of the global community.” Lagarde said that the IMF stands ready to do whatever it can to help in these situations, in assessing macroeconomic implications, determining financing needs, and providing financial support that would also help catalyze
broader financing from the rest of the international community. “Beyond these efforts, I propose convening an event with all the major public and private stakeholders to explore options for building resilience in the region, including risk mitigation, debt management strategies, and use of catastrophe bonds. This effort is not about a shortterm response, but about building defenses to events that will reoccur again. “In this effort, we will work in close collaboration with our Caribbean partners and the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Caribbean Development Bank, and other development partners.” She said that the forum, which focuses on issues impacting the region and the potential opportunities within the context of an everchanging global landscape, is an important platform for brainstorming and collaborating with key stakeholders on the challenges facing the region and the possible solutions to address them.
Venezuela’s ex-prosecutor wants Maduro tried at the Hague CARACAS (Reuters) Venezuela’s sacked former chief prosecutor yesterday asked the International Criminal Court to capture and try President Nicolas Maduro and other top officials for crimes against humanity over murders by police and military officers. Luisa Ortega, who broke with Maduro this year after working closely with the ruling Socialist Party for a decade, was fired in August after she opposed Maduro’s plan to create an all-powerful legislature called the Constituent Assembly. She fled
the country and has traveled the world denouncing alleged acts of corruption and violations of human rights. Ortega said her complaint, filed on Wednesday with the Hague-based tribunal, was prompted by some 8,290 deaths between 2015 and 2017 at the hands of officials who received instructions the government. “(They happened) under the orders of the executive branch, as part of a social cleansing plan carried out by the government,” she told reporters in The Hague. The government did not
immediately respond to a request for a comment. The accusation refers to incidents of torture, extrajudicial killings and arbitrary arrest. Some of them took place during a crackdown on antigovernment protests that rocked the country between April and July and left at least 125 people dead, some of them at the hands of military and police officers. The Maduro government accused Ortega of turning a blind eye to violence by opposition supporters, and has also leveled a raft of corruption charges at her.
Thursday November 17, 2017
PAGE 29
Kaieteur News
GRA begins stamping imported liquor in smuggling clampdown In one of its most telling strikes to reduce smuggling and collect its taxes, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) yesterday launched a major project to stamp imported alcohol. The high-security barcoded stamps are designed to reduce the leakage of an estimated $2B in taxes that Guyana loses annually from smuggled hard liquor and cigarettes. Using a mobile scanner, enforcement officers could determine right away whether the taxes have been paid or attempts were made to forge the stamps. At King’s retail liquor outlet, Broad Street, yesterday afternoon, a team from GRA headed by Deputy Commissioner, Rohan Beekhoo, was present at the first exercise to affix the stamps on a few cases of Smirnoff vodka which landed this week. Other importers and suppliers will be visited in the coming days. Several members of a special team that will oversee the project’s implementation were given a hands-on training on how to affix the seal to bottles of vodka. Beekhoo disclosed that GRA has internal controls that can tell which batch of stamps has been affixed to which imported liquor. “Today starts a process with a view of trying to address the issue of smuggling of alcohol and tobacco products,” the official explained. With alcohol products attracting high duties, smugglers have been capitalizing on corrupt law
GRA’s Deputy Commissioner, Rohan Beekhoo, demonstrating how the stamp is to be affixed.
A stamp (along the cork and bottleneck) that has been affixed. officials and some Customs Officers, along with unmanned open borders. Popular liquor like Absolut, Ciroc, Johnny Walker, wines, Hennessy and Malibu and even beers are being smuggled. According to Beekhoo, it is not a secret that GRA’s capacity is severely tested to reduce smuggling, with the reality that there will never be enough staffers to monitor the expansive 83,000 square miles. After careful assessment, it was decided that GRA will engage Canadian Bank Note (CBN), the company which has been working on the security on Guyana’s bank
notes, to come up with a programme to ensure that import liquor can be tracked. The project was announced since last year and mentioned again in the National Budget last November by the Ministry of Finance. “These stamps are highly secured…they have security features comparable to our bank notes which is also made by the same CBN.” GRA’s Customs, Excise and Trade operations will be handling the implementation. “We are advising importers to register with GRA and indicate to us the amount of stamps they would require,” the Deputy Commissioner urged.
Cobbler who killed stepsister gets 21 years A 38-year-old cobbler who set his stepsister alight over a pair of missing slippers was yesterday sentenced to serve 21 years in prison for her death. Brian Heywood was found guilty of killing his stepsister, Samantha Schwartz. The heinous act was committed on November 21, 2013 at Section ‘D,’ South Sophia. Schwartz sustained burns to the upper body and right arm after the suspect doused her with a flammable substance and set her alight as she stood on her front steps. The woman was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she spent three weeks and later succumbed to her injuries. Heywood was subsequently
charged with her murder. At the opening of the Demerara Criminal Assizes last month, Heywood pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter before Justice James Bovell-Drakes. His sentence had however been deferred pending the outcome of a psychological evaluation and probation report; both of which were presented to the court yesterday. The evaluation conducted by Dr. Bhiro Harry found the accused to be of a sound mind and capable of entering the guilty plea and understanding the consequence, thereafter. Prior to sentencing, attorney Mark Conway made a plea of mitigation on behalf of Heywood. Conway asked
the Court to consider his client‘s good conduct as a prisoner and the fact that he has shown signs that he can be rehabilitated and reintegrated into society. Conway said that in prison, Heywood regularly attends anger management courses and church services. On the other hand, State Prosecutors Orinthia Schmidt and Mandel Moore asked that the accused be given a sentence commensurate with his actions. Considering all factors involved, Justice Drakes sentenced Heywood to 21 years in prison— his sentence would have amounted to more jail time, but the Judge deducted years for the time he spent on remand prior to the hearing. (Rehanna Ramsay)
He explained that once the liquor lands in Guyana and the taxes are paid, it is released and the importers will have the job to affix the stamps on the sealed covers. “When (alcohol) products enter Guyana legally, our officers verify and once verified and authorized, then we would come and supervise the placement of the stamps on the products. The bottom line is that our officers will be going around equipped with hand-held scanners. They will know right away if stamp is authentic or fake; if it is applied on the right product and if taxes are paid.” The cost for stamps on imported alcohol is $16, with the one for tobacco being $8. This is on top of the taxes and duties, and will have a
recovery cost, the Deputy Commissioner revealed. GRA is estimating that smuggled alcohol is about 6070 percent of what is imported annually. “We are trying via this project to trap as much revenues as possible.” As of now, GRA’s focus is on large importers and suppliers. “We are starting with large suppliers and importers. We are looking to stamp what we have, as these end up on the retail and commercial side.” According to Beekhoo, GRA’s enforcement officials will be in a position right off to determine whether taxes have been paid. However, while a few businesses may think of hiding the illicit liquor in a backroom, the GRA official warned that officials
monitoring will be armed with what is known as a Writ of Assistance to make checks. “So we are looking forward for our retailers and others to grant access to our officers to do the verification.” GRA said that with Christmas just six weeks away, the importations will rise. The project will come with news that the tax entity has made a number of busts involving soft drinks and alcohol products that were being smuggled. The stamps are but one of several weapons in GRA’s arsenal to reduce leakages of tax, Beekhoo noted. The implementation of the tobacco side of the project will come shortly, the official said.
“NO PAY, NO WORK; TOWN CLERK MUST GO!” - Protesting city workers say tired of broken promises Scores of City Hall employees yesterday took to the streets in protest against the town clerk Royston King who they say has been breaking promises made to them. The employees gathered with their placards in front of City Hall demanding that something be done about their constantly delayed salaries. The workers stated that their monthly pay is never on time and that they are yet to be paid for the month of October. They also spoke of their back-pay which is also owed to them by their “employers”. The staffers mentioned they had enough and it was time to let the public know what is going on behind the curtains They were asked what their employers had to say about the issues and they mentioned that they had received several promises from
the town clerk, but these all were broken. “Every time we approach them about out salaries they would provide us with dates, those dates have come and gone and nothing has been done” was the remarks of one of the protesters Several employees also mentioned that in some instances their National Insurance Scheme (NIS) payments are being deducted from their accounts, but not being paid over to the NIS. The employees called for immediate action to be taken, since they have their personal responsibilities such as mortgages, electricity bills and other responsibilities to fulfil. One staff member was also seen with her young child complaining that she could no longer take her child to school because she couldn’t afford the school fee, so she was forced to take him to work.
The employees also highlighted the fact that their Union dues were also outstanding, and questioned where their money was going. Among those protesting were the current staffers and former Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan, who displayed his displeasure by lying flat on the roadway outside City Hall, as a means of getting over his message that he is willing to “lay down his life for the workers.” There were also several retirees who were yet to receive their benefits since the month of April. According to Duncan “they (employees) have no confidence in the town clerk, because he has failed them so many times.” “It seems like it would be a monthly thing” stated one protestor referring to their protest. The employees had held a protest in the month of October relating to the same issues.
PAGE 30
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY,ETC.Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana passport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535. Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. PASSPORT, PERMANENT & VISITOR VISA APPLICATION, PROFESSIONAL IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT – SABITA IMMIGRATION SERVICES. CALL: 613-3920/625-3767. I N S TA L L AT I O N S , REPAIRS AND PARTS FOR AC, FRIDGE, WASHING MACHINE, STOVE ETC: CALL NICK 627-3206, 630-1600 Eagle’s: Re-gas –low prices, washing machine repairs, gas stove, plasma flat Screen, computer repairs & more. Call: 697-2969/646-0966 Cheapest airfares. Contact V or Amenia at Somwaru Travels. 35 North Road. 2277841/227-7845/616-2727
EDUCATION Day Care and Pre-K classes available in Diamond Call Canadian School 2166921,216-6922 First Aid/CPR courses on Saturdays St John’s. Call 225-9082 or visit 110 Cowan street, Kingston.
TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
Friday November 17, 2017
Kaieteur News
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY- $19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-2274754. Video games and consoles at affordable price. Repairs to video game system .Call:6722566/265-3231 1. Cat 320 BL Excavator, 1. Cat 215 B Excavator, 1. Cat 428 Back- Hoe, 1. Leyland Daft Truck, 1. 8CU.YD. Mack Cement Mixer Truck. Contact: 275-0367, 275-0538/ 683-7225 1. Double Steel Wheeled Road Roller, 1. 9-Wheeled Pneumatic Roller, 1. 450GLNS. Bitumen Spray Kettle, 1. Honda 450 ATV Bike. Contact: 275-0367, 275-0538/ 6837225 Spare for washing machine, microwaves,fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, motors, etc. Call:225-9032;647-2943;6045198 1 Leyland Daf Cement mixer, 1 caterpillar skid steer 236B. 7 mining blocks (North West) Contact# 650-0402 Family migrating, household items for sale TV, Chair set, Fridge etc. 681-0138 Household furniture, appliances, wares, great deals on beds, chairs, cabinets, iron bunk-beds. 218-1376. Parika Backdam. 9 acres of land with concrete building. Call Vish Realty: 612-7377
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR R E N TA L : S U V F O R RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL:6560 0 8 7 , 6 4 3 - 5 1 2 2 ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM DOLLY’SCARRENTAL-CALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807 WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIAL OFFERS! . CALL: 690-6494
FOR RENT
WANTED
VACANCY
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620
Experienced male sales attendant, stocktaking knowledge, computer literate, excellent service attitude, Able-bodied. KeyFood McDoom Village. Land to buy in Parafaite Harmonie or anywhere on the West Coast. Tel: 642-1252
Confidential Cabs. Vacancy exist for one experienced dispatcher. Tel#231-5784 6951961. We need you, males 18-30 years to work in Garden Maintenance, Georgetown. Tel:648-1821.
Property for rent - 2 storey house at Republic Park, E.B.D$1200US. Call 647-1773
Waitress for bar. Tel#612-2522 Rooms in Alberttown- Call: 225-9223 Self contained rooms in South Riumveldt Park at $32,000 monthly Contact no: 660-9007 One bedroom apartment for working couple $30,000 monthly. Light and water included. Call:638-8858 Two bedroom bottom flat, fully grilled. $50,000 per month. Call :687-3017
One experienced cook, ages 20-45 to work in snackette & bar. Call:663-7741/ 223-5798 Live-in Waitress $20,000 weekly. #610-5043 One live-in General Domestic. Must know to cook Indian dishes. Call: 223-1332
Cook/ baker and Kitchen Assistant for interior location. Applicants must have experience. Call:618-2020 Account support specialist, Customer service representative, Office clerk with driver’s license. Apply to Zip Logistics @ hr@ziplogistics.com
Carpenters to work in Linden. 602-9469
Chef and assistant cookpreferably Carnegie trained. Call 225-7933, or visit 173 Sheriff Street.
6x6 logging trucks for hire. Logging truck drivers with experience. Contact #656-8754
Salesgirls, D.Singh and Sons, 95 King Street Tel : 226-0881
Truck Drivers. Applicants must work in Georgetown, experience in high & low range is an asset. Tel#227-1717. Accounts Clerk- Knowledge of Payroll and QuickBooks. 614-4358 VEHICLE FOR SALE Allion, Primo, Fielder Wagon, Spacio, Bluebird, 212 Carina, NZE, Honda CRV, Toyota IST, RZ & Pit-bull – Call: 650-7501 1-Twinsteer Double Axle DAF and 4 Flatbed Leyland DAF, 1-620-240 DAF engine. Excellent condition. Owner migrating 6498449,228-5655 Fielder wagon and 19 seater pitbull. Never worked passenger. Both excellent condition. Tel: 664-0802
Salesgirls, maintenance workers, security guard. Tel# 265-3586 1 domestic maid to cook and clean. Please call Tel: 644-4940 Live in waitress to work in bar. Call: 604-6606/ 692-4649 Chefs, Bar attendant, waitresses. Trinidad & Tobago. Tel#868-372-9787/ 868-744-5766
Pickup Truck from Canada2005 Tacoma $2.3M, Ford F150 Sport $1.5M FordRanger Sport $1.4M #682-5230/ 6154414 Tractor (foreign used) Massey Ferguson -165 -$1.7M, MF-135 $1M,MF-265-$1.9M,165Loader tractor -$2.2M. Call: 682-5230/ 615-4414 PROPERTY FOR SALE Concrete house situated in 3rd Avenue, Diamond. House 47x34, Land 110x64. $38Million negotiable. Contact Mr Kitt 626-9797
SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. -CosmetologyCourses:$90,000 Technician Course: $35,000. Call: 647-1773/660-5257 TOLET 3 bedroom apartment, Free wifi, Fully tiled, Bathtub, Spacious kitchen and living area. #641-3318
Patentia, 2 storey building, quiet neighborhood. $8.5 Neg. Owner leaving country. 661-8700, 671-2689.
Business space for grocery or snackette. 619-5357/6671896SS
PEN PAL Overseas male seeks female. Age 29-32. Call or text 6643119
One two bedroom apartment located in Herstelling New scheme. $50,000 Call: 6412311
LAND FOR SALE Eccles (Corner lot) $7M & 5M Parafaite Harmonie (High and low income) $2M & $1.4M Farm $3M Herstelling $3.5M Tel#611-7223/667-1960 Parafaite Harmonie $1.4m $3.5m $2.5m $1.6m Tuschen $2.7m Herstelling $3m V/Hoop $45m Eccles $6m corner lot. Call: 604-6724/ 686-9608a Parfaite Harmonie business spot $3.5M, $1.3M, $2.5M, Parfaite Harmonie ten year up $3.5M, Tuschen $2.5M, Tuschen $1.5M Call : 6662326
City Mayor to attend C/wealth Local Govt. confab in Malta The Guyana Association of Municipalities (GAM) has for the first time received an invitation to participate in the Commonwealth Local Government Conference. The conference will be hosted by the Commonwealth Local Government Federation (CLGF) from November 21-24, 2017 in Valletta, Malta. Mayor of Georgetown, Her Worship Patricia ChaseGreen was selected to represent Guyana at the conference. This decision was made on October 12, last, at a GAM Executive Meeting. Also, Carwyn Holland (Mayor of Linden) was invited to represent the Caribbean by the Caribbean Association of Local Government Authorities (CALGA). Ms Sherry Jerrick, Assistant Town Clerk of Georgetown and Technical Officer of GAM, will be accompanying the Mayors to the conference. The Commonwealth Local Government Conference 2017 will be held under the theme “Fit for the Future: Resources and capacity for effective Local Government”. The aim of the conference is to improve the performance of local government in the Commonwealth through various strategies, and also to improve governance, service delivery and ensuring that local government resources meet future demands. The speakers for the anticipated event include the Hon Prime Minister of Malta, Dr. Joseph Muscat and Commonwealth Secretary General Rt. Honorable Baroness Patricia Scotland Q.C, while G.A.M. President Mayor Holland will be a feature presenter.
Friday November 17, 2017
Kaieteur News
PAGE 31
PAGE 32
Kaieteur News
Thursday November 17, 2017
Citizenship bids to be expedited by Governor GEORGETOWN, Cayman Islands - CMC – Deputy Governor Franz Manderson says persons who waited for more than 15 months for their permanent residence status, can now apply immediately for naturalization as a citizen of the British Overseas Territory. Earlier this week, Manderson said under that under normal circumstances, those seeking naturalization would have to wait for a year and a day after their permanent residence application was granted before applying. However, he said the wait time can be waived at the discretion of Governor Helen Kilpatrick. “Some of those people have been waiting for three years,” Manderson said. “The governor feels very strongly that those people, who legitimately come to us and say ‘I don’t think it’s reasonable for us to be waiting
another year,’ should be considered.” The Immigration Law gives the Governor the discretion to waive the “year and a day” required delay for naturalization in such cases where there have been unreasonable delays. According to Manderson, advice obtained from the U.K. Home Office indicates that a wait time of more than 15 months for a residency application would likely fall into the “unreasonable” category. He said that to date only a handful of permanent residents have sought expedited applications for naturalization. But the Cayman Compass reports that the number could skyrocket. “Approximately 100 such applications are in various stages of preparation,” Nick Joseph of the local law firm HSM Chambers in a letter to firm clients earlier this month.
Thursday November 17, 2017
Kaieteur News
PAGE 33
PAGE 34
Kaieteur News
No let-up from Federer as he stays perfect in London London (Reuters) - Roger Federer went through roundrobin play at the ATP Finals undefeated for the 10th time as he returned to haunt Marin Cilic with a 6-7(5) 6-4 6-1 win at the O2 Arena yesterday. Six-times champion Federer had booked his place in the semi-finals with victory over German trailblazer Alexander Zverev but any notion that he would coast through his final group match proved wide of the mark. Cilic, eliminated after two three-set losses, was hoping to end his year on a high in the city where his Wimbledon dream was ended in this year’s final by Federer - the Croatian sobbing on court after suffering blisters. The world number five survived four break points in the opening set and played an impressive tiebreak. A stunning angled backhand volley at 5-5 gave him a set
Roger Federer point and he crunched away a forehand winner, his 20th of a first set in which Federer’s frustration was clear. Federer could have been excused for stepping off the gas but the 19-times grand slam champion went up a gear. The second set was on serve until, at 4-5, Cilic netted a forehand to give Federer a set point which the Swiss converted. A 100mph forehand service return gave Federer an early break in the decider and
Cilic’s resistance crumbled quickly as Federer turned on the style to race to victory. Federer has reached the last four in 14 out of 15 appearances in the year-end tournament and will face David Goffin or Dominic Thiem for a place in the final. Cilic’s career record is now 1-8 at the ATP Finals. “I was a set and a break points down so happy I found a way out of it,” the 36-year-old world number two said. “I thought try to relax a little bit. This was nice because I could play a bit more freely midway through the second set because I was through regardless. ”But I wanted to keep the momentum going. One last weekend now, one last push, then vacation.” American Jack Sock plays Zverev later on the Thursday and the winner will join Federer in the semis.
Friday November 17, 2017 Aries: Mar 21 - Apr 19 Work and career matters could finally bring you the success and good fortune you've been hoping for. This may be acknowledgement for effort and dedication as well as hard work. Taurus: Apr 20 - May 20 Love of someone from far away could be very much on your mind today, and perhaps love for the place where the person lives. Gemini: May 21 - Jun 20 Words may hold charged energy, so be careful what you say and how you say it. The mood today requires that people have space to express themselves. Cancer: Jun 21 - Jul 22 Publications could bring some fascinating new knowledge your way. Conversations about any subject should be informative and beneficial since your mind is so perceptive and retentive. Leo: Jul 23 - Aug 22 Valuable tips to increase your income could come your way today, possibly from a close friend or colleague. You should feel well and look particularly attractive. Virgo: Aug 23 - Sep 22 Romance and art are the keys today. You could feel spiritually inspired by great music, paintings, poetry, or drama.
Libra: Sep 23 - Oct 22 Today you won't be indifferent to anything. Good news could elevate you to near ecstasy. Bad news could send you to the depths of despair. Scorpio: Oct 23 - Nov 21 A desire to learn through a group activity - a lecture or workshop, perhaps - might put you in the middle of a crowd. You'll find it exhilarating. Sagit: Nov 22 - Dec 21 You've had recent success in your profession. You've worked hard and learned things, and this hasn't been lost on those above you in the hierarchy. Capri: Dec 22 - Jan 19 Today should be very fortunate, particularly where love is concerned. You might even feel warm and loving toward everyone, even strangers. Aquar.: Jan 20 - Feb 18 It may seem like everything is moving counter to your trajectory. While you want to move south, the wind blows west. This doesn't mean you should give up on your goal. Pisces: Feb 19 - Mar 20 Social events could take up a lot of your time tonight, and you may enjoy being in contact with friends you haven't seen for a while.
Thursday November 17, 2017
2018 FIFA World Cup ticket sales resume: Buy yours now With the thrilling race to secure the last berths at the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ having concluded over recent days, ticket sales for the world’s biggest single-sport event resumed on 16 November 2017, 12:00 Moscow time (10:00 Central European Time), on FIFA.com/tickets on a first-come, first-served basis. A total of 622,117 tickets were successfully allocated (subject to payment) upon conclusion of the first window of sales phase 1 on 12 October 2017. Some 3,496,204 tickets had initially been requested with many ticket products and matches being heavily oversubscribed, requiring the allocation of tickets through a random selection draw process carried out in the presence of a public notary. During this process FIFA also identified a number of ticket applications that were not eligible to enter into the random selection draw, for example ticket applications for team-specific ticket series for teams that are no longer able to qualify, as well as ticket applications that violated the household restrictions (of a max. of 4 tickets for up to 7 matches). From the total number of applications, the majority have come from Russia, and based on the results of the Random Selection Draw process 57 per cent of tickets were allocated to Russian fans. Tickets allocated to international fans account for 43 per cent of the total number of allocated tickets and the US, Chinese, German, Brazilian, Israeli, English, Finnish, Mexican and French fans all rank in the top ten. During the current sales period, which started on 16 November at 12:00 am MSK and will conclude on 28 November, fans will be able to purchase tickets in real time on FIFA.com/tickets with immediate confirmation of successful applications, subject to availability. Football fans are advised to place their order as soon as the sales period opens, as high demand is expected and the remaining inventory following the random selection draw sales period is likely to sell out very quickly. Tickets purchased during sales phases 1 and 2 will be delivered free of charge to fans in the weeks leading up to the tournament, with deliveries planned to start in April/ May 2018 (subject to change). Tickets may be purchased using payment cards of Visa, the Official Payment Services
Partner of FIFA, or by other accepted payment methods. ”We have been overwhelmed by the positive response from both Russian and international fans so far. With only a few teams still to qualify, we are again expecting high demand once sales resume on Thursday (yesterday). Considering such remarkable interest in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia from fans all over the world, we would like to once again stress that the only official, legitimate and at the same time user-friendly source to pur-
chase tickets is the FIFA.com/ tickets website. Fans who purchase tickets from other sources put themselves at significant risk of missing out on the World Cup, and of course we would not want that to happen,” says FIFA Head of Ticketing Falk Eller. Category 4 tickets, which are exclusively reserved for Russian residents, will not be available for purchase during the first-come, first-served sales period due to the full allocation of the currently available category 4 tickets during the previous sales period.