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KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8491, 225-8458, 225-8465 Fax: 225-8473 or 226-8210

Guest Editorial

MARRIAGE IS DECLINING In Guyana as in many other countries, traditional marriage seems to be declining rapidly of late. As understood by many people, there is the traditional marriage and the non-traditional marriage. Traditional marriage seems to be as old as humanity itself. It dates back to early biblical times when Christians contend that marriage was instituted by God between a man and a woman as partners to one another. The origins of marriage can be traced to the creation of the Book of Genesis in the Bible where God pronounced Adam and Eve to be partners as husband and wife and to be father and mother to any children the union may produce. Non-traditional marriage is considered common law marriage. It is when a couple lives together as husband and wife, and procreates but do not go through a formal marriage ceremony or do not obtain a marriage licence from the state. In the past, marriages were seen in more religious terms because most were performed in a church under religious rites, values and morals. Today, rather than being a religious arrangement, marriage constitutes a binding legal agreement through the issuing of a license by the state between two people. Historically, in most cultures, married women had very few rights of their own. They were considered the property of the husband; as such, they could not own or inherit property or represent themselves legally. The definition of marriage varies according to different cultures and ethnicity, but is principally an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually sexual in nature are acknowledged and recognized. In some cultures, marriage is recommended or considered to be compulsory before any sexual activity is pursued by couples. However, most societies have recognized marriage as a socially or ritual union or legal contract between spouses that establish rights and obligations between them and between them and their children. Marriage predates government. It is the fundamental building block of all human civilization. And even though it has been redefined by some societies, it is still based on the anthropological truth that men and women are different and complementary, the biological fact that reproduction depends on a man and a woman, and the social reality that children need both a mother and a father. Since the late twentieth century, the news about marriage, specifically the traditional form, has not been encouraging. Major social changes in Guyana and other Western countries have led to changes in the demographics of marriage. The age of couples, especially women getting married for the first time has increased considerably. Fewer people are getting married, and more couples are choosing to cohabit rather than marry. Official statistics show that the number of marriages in the country has sharply declined while the number of persons opting out of marriage through divorce is on the rise. Simply put, the breakdown of marriage in Guyana has reached crisis proportions. It is alarming that Guyana’s small population is having more than 55 percent of child births to women under 35 years old outside of marriage. And in most cases, mothers are the breadwinners in the home. This has led to a number of children living in poverty and in fatherless homes. These trends seem to indicate that maybe, marriage has lost its appeal because the nation has made a fundamental shift from being a society defined by the practice of a truly religious faith, predominantly Christianity, Islam and Hinduism, to one characterized by secularization. This generation is not bound by religious vows or rules.

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Leslie Ramsammy accuses Clive Thomas of failing GuySuco Dear Editor; Another day, another assault on the sugar industry. The latest assault comes from the Chairman of GUYSUCO, Dr. Clive Thomas, who claims that Skeldon is falling apart and is a derelict, while at the same time suggesting that Skeldon could be privatized. The same Thomas had effusively praised Skeldon after an outstanding 2015 performance. What did they do to Skeldon for such a rapid deterioration in less than a year? In addition to Thomas, the President himself, his Ministers of Finance and Agriculture and

others have been aggressively pushing a doomsday scenario for sugar. This Thomas salvo against Skeldon is no accident; it is another element in a deliberate strategy to END SUGAR, starting with privatization of some assets. The Skeldon assault by Thomas adds to the stage setting to END SUGAR. Meanwhile Nagamootoo and Ramjattan are silent in their dirty betrayal of the sugar workers. Skeldon had its best year in 2015 since the new factory was commissioned and it had started to deliver on its potential. APNU+AFC

actively took credit for the excellent 2015 SWR production performance. Nagamootoo, Thomas and others euphorically frothed from their mouths in claiming credit for Skeldon last year (2015) when production reached 39,198 tons. But the improved production started in 2013 when production was 25,380 tons and continued in 2014 when production was 35,890 tons. The punt dumper output, projected at 280 tons/hr by design had reached an average of 260 tons and surpassed 280 tons often during 2015. Overall factory efficiency increased

throughout 2014 and 2015 reaching an all-time high of almost 76% in 2015. Cogeneration led to an increased generation of power to the national grid. The improving production at Skeldon resulted from a determined effort by the PPP and GUYSUCO to correct design flaws at Skeldon which Booker Tate was responsible for. For example, in 2012/13, the bagasse carrier at Skeldon was automated to provide a steady and regulated amount of bagasse energy to the boilers, avoiding the use of (Continued on page 6)

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Attorney says Charles Ramson’s letter is a comedy of errors DEAR EDITOR; Editor’s note; this concludes Mr. Edwards’ response to Charles Ramson as carried in our edition yesterday. The Commission of Inquiry Act (COIA) is not applicable, and never applies, to criminal trials. In our jurisprudence PoI argument is utterly incompetent, unmeritorious and immaterial in civil proceedings for tort. Innocent of what? The tort? Our Laws knows no such notion or proposition. Such a notion is not within the contemplation of the supreme law of the constitution and, frankly, is inconsistent with it. If these were the considerations which the President endeavoured to adumbrate or explain in his extempore statement (albeit with perceived ineloquence) then he was/is absolutely right and unimpeachable.

He was not commenting on the other pending trial by magistrate Daly. Apart from the wording, the scheme of the Constitution is important for an understanding as to how it operates, and what is intended. If presumption of innocence right exists, so too would the fundamental right against double jeopardy (article 144(5)) exist at the enquiry. Both Attorneys would know (I presume) that any such point at the enquiry would be outrageous and laughable. And if there is no right against double jeopardy in this matter, by what constitutional logic is there some presumption of innocence right? There is simply – none. (recall that in the Rodney King -police beating, and O.J. Simpson- wife’s murder matters in the U.S.A, subsequently, civil/constitutional actions for damages suc-

ceeded in both, after jury acquittals in criminal trials in both). American PoI and double jeopardy constitutional rights are similar to ours – even more jealously protected by their courts. Locally, this distinction or dichotomy or mutual exclusivity was brought into sharp focus in the case of Braithwaite V Porter (1969) G.L.R. 495. (successful civil action for indecent assault, police not prosecuting for criminal offence of rape) Third, error 3 – his notion that the magisterial dismissal requires discontinuance of the tribunal’s enquiry. What Law or principle requires President Granger in the discharge of his article 225 duties to abide or consider himself bound by the Magistrate’s appealable dismissal judgment? I know of none. Does an interpretation of ar-

Daylight saving time should be a consideration DEAR EDITOR; While I do not remember the time that Guyana turned back the clocks in order to embrace daylight saving time, I do understand that this was done in the past. I recently learnt that a protest on the part of some business oriented individuals resulted in Guyana abandoning this movement. There is hardly any talk about turning back the clocks these days. But when one travels, or at least pay attention to countries such as the

United States, turning back the clocks is a well known annual feature that occurs on the first Sunday of each November. This is usually reversed in March of the following year. Essentially this is done to return an hour to the standard time, and is designed to ensure that much of the daylight is utilised productively. Here in Guyana it may not be a bad idea to rethink embracing turning back the clocks. This is in light of the fact that a peek outside your

window at just about 17:30 hours and you will most definitely find that the atmosphere is pitch black, save our artificial lighting. Maybe, just maybe, our government could consider saving daylight too so that we could take more advantage of the daylight. Concerned Citizen

ticle 225 require us to find that the draftsman has imposed some kind of constitutional gag and frustration (as understood in law) on the President? No. In appealability inheres the right of non-acceptance. Not as Mr. Ramson so flippantly puts it “After the dismissal of the charge against Duncan by a magistrate, Granger’s statement manifests a refusal to accept those findings and presupposes an adjudication of guilt….” Both Attorneys must know that a magistrate’s dismissal judgment carries no imprimatur of nonappealability or finality about it. The Prime Minister having made a recommendation to the President, he was under a constitutional duty to appoint a tribunal – criminal charge or not, dismissal or not. (my interpretation of article 225). All that has happened is that the President has discharged that duty. Is he now to abdicate that duty because of an irrelevant magisterial dismissal? A dismissal which might not even be admissible as evidence of any fact in issue before the tribunal at its enquiry. So, the tribunal when it investigates by hearing and evaluating the evidence and seeing the witnesses for itself and applying the balance of probabilities standard of

proof (as Mitchell, J did in the Braithwaite case) can have a wholly different opinion (from magistrate’s Daly’s) about sufficiency of evidence for the purposes of the constitutional enquiry into misbehavior. The tribunal’s recommendation to the President has to be based on it’s findings. The President is bound by that recommendation. The President might have had these considerations in mind when he made his ex tempore statement. Fourth, error 4 – the sub judice point – the contemporary law is that unless the trial involves a jury of laymen (which is legally and practically not the case with either magistrate Daly, or the tribunal) who, sensibly, the law considers as impressionable, fair comment during a pending trial is not considered a contempt of court. Justice is not a cloistered virtue; it permits re-

spectful, even out – spoken, comments. Finally, (on an unrelated matter) Mr. Ramson is on a very slippery libel slope – when he writes “… ask President Granger about the alleged threat on Duncan’s life with the now infamous ‘blood on carpet’ statement” (emphasis mine). A metaphor it is/was, and was intended to be. You cannot take a metaphor out of its context and impute reprehensible characterization (a fortiori deadly intentions) to the President. (Jagan et al V L.F.S. Burnham (1973) Court of Appeal – Guyana). All that I have articulated above I would put into a nutshell thus: what the Constitution itself has recognized and legitimized, Ramson seeks, piously, to derecognize and delegitimize. Whatever the reply, these are my last words on these matters. Maxwell E. Edwards Attorney – At – Law

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The Speaker and freedom to speak in the House DEAR EDITOR; John.Q.Tilson, a Lecturer in Parliamentary Law at Yale Law School, a former Speaker of Connecticut House of Representatives and a former Majority Leader of the US House of Representatives in his text, A manual of Parliamentary Procedure, (1948), describing the personage of one who presides over a Parliament, wrote thus: “The presiding officer of a parliamentary assembly is an institution growing out of human efforts directed toward self-government and is typical of a democratic republic. The person exercising this function is usually chosen from the ranks of the membership and by the suffrage of the body over which he is to preside. He is clothed with certain important powers of the office, yet he is at all times the ser-

vant of the body and subject to its control.” Across the Atlantic, treating with the British tradition, the authors of, Erskine May Parliamentary Practice (20thEd), expressed similar sentiments about the office of the Speaker of the House of Commons. At page 234 they stated: “The chief characteristic attaching to the office of Speaker in the House of Commons are authority and impartiality …Confidence in the impartiality of the Speaker is an indispensable condition of the successful working of procedure, and many conventions exists which have their object not only to ensure the impartiality of the Speaker but also to ensure that his impartiality is generally recognized.” In recent times, the conduct of the Speaker of the National Assembly has titil-

lated great public interest and excited grave concerns. We, in the Opposition, have been forced to publicly question the Chair’s impartiality on a number of occasions. The November 4th (2016) sitting of the National Assembly is as good as any to examine the Speaker’s conduct and rulings. I will only address what transpired during my presentation. What occurred at that sitting during my presentation is now public knowledge, and thus, there is no need for me to recite all of the facts. Suffice it to say that, I was interrupted no less than four times by the Speaker, who ruled that I cannot mention certain matters because of the existence of legal proceedings; the Speaker then prohibited me from speaking altogether because I could not instantly produce a newspaper to

Leslie Ramsammy accuses Clive... From page 04 expensive Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) and allowing the boilers to function continuously. The cane carrier belt was replaced and equipped with new knives and shredder, leading to reduced losses of cane during transit from the punt dumper to the factory. The boilers were retubed with 1,200 new tubes, all electronic sensors and diffusers were repaired and a high capacity condensate tank was installed. In 2014, an improved punt, tractor and mechanical harvest or capacities and improved allweather roads led to faster flow of cane from the fields to the factory, resulting in improved sugar yield and more efficient factory operation. The PPP Government had endured some tough years with Skeldon. While many (including APNU+AFC) held the Chinese responsible, the Chinese had constructed a fac-

tory to design. The PPP had argued that the design was flawed and, in fact, sued Booker Tate which was responsible for the design of the Skeldon under its management contract. That legal action has not been pursued by APNU+AFC which appointed Errol Hanoman as the CEO of GUYSUCO who previously represented Booker Tate as its representative on the GUYSUCO Board, an obvious conflict of interest. Having taken credit for Skeldon outstanding 2015 performance, disregarding the remedial actions taken by the PPP government through 2014 and the first crop of 2015, Thomas is now trying to find an excuse for the anticipated dismal 2016 performance in the industry as a whole, its worse since 1990. SWR has become the convenient excuse for poor management of the industry and to set the platform for ending sugar in Guyana. There is no uncertainty

APNU+AFC is carrying out its 2014 threat to close sugar. After more than 18 months in government, the promised 20% annual pay increase has morphed into zero pay increase, the earned incentive payments (API) have been disavowed for the first time since 1976. Wales and LBI estates are due to be completely closed by the end of 2016. More closures and even privatization are being promised. A high level cabinet sub-committee has been established to consider proposals to deal with sugar. The President himself and his minister of finance have both stated that the APNU+AFC government is unwilling to continue “subsidies” to sugar. Thomas’s cry that Skeldon is falling apart is merely preparing the ground to end sugar in Guyana or to hand over Skeldon to one of APNU+AFC’s donors in a sweetheart deal, like the public health medical warehouse. The sugar workers have been betrayed. Guyana will suffer. The problem is not Skeldon; it is that APNU+AFC wants to END SUGAR sooner than later. Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

which I made reference during my speech; the Speaker next prohibited me from participating in the remainder of the proceedings of the House and eventually, the Speaker ordered me to leave the House. I will examine two of these rulings. I do so with the singular hope that it will inure to strengthen our fledgling parliamentary democracy, since, I harbor no doubt that the facts which precipitated those rulings are bound to reoccur in the very near future. Before I embark on a discourse upon of these rulings, I feel compelled to offer some brief remarks on the right of a Member to speak in the National Assembly. In a constitutional democracy like ours, there is no other forum that offers a greater guarantee to free speech than in the National Assembly. Unlike the United Kingdom, the right to free speech in our Parliament has but a profound constitutional underpinning, which is inextricably bound to the very quintessence of representative democracy. The principle was elaborately addressed by Chief Justice Chang in a case filed by me, as Attorney- General, on the 27th of November, 2012, when

the Joint-Opposition gagged then Minister of Home Affairs, the Honourable Clement Rohee, from speaking in the National Assembly. In the course of his 34 pages Judgment, Chief Justice Chang at page 27 posited: “… It is the view of this court that Mr. Rohee’s right to speak in the National Assembly derives from his office as member of the National Assembly and not from his office as an Executive Minister. Thus, his right as an elected member of the National Assembly must be concomitant with his constitutional duty to speak for and to represent his electors in the National Assembly who, in turn, have a concomitant right to be so represented. It is here apposite to note that article 9 of the Constitution expressly provides: “sovereignty belongs to the people who exercise it through their elected representatives.” Free speech is regarded as so sacrosanct and integral to the business of Parliament that members enjoy immunity from suit for anything said or done in the House. The rationale is obvious. Members, in canvassing the welfare of those whom they represent

must be able to do so robustly, candidly and free from fear of legal proceedings regarding what they say or do in the House. In Guyana, this immunity is codified by the supreme law of the land. Article 172(2) of the Constitution provides that, no civil or criminal proceedings may be instituted against any member of the Assembly for words spoken before, or written in a report to, the Assembly, or to a committee thereof. In short, the highest law of this land guarantees unqualified free speech in the Assembly. Of course, there are certain restrictions which are imposed by the Standing Orders. However, I must emphasize that these Standing orders are to regulate speeches in the National Assembly; not to curtail them. They must be interpreted liberally and in a manner that will encourage and engender free speech; not restrict or frustrate it. Any restrictive interpretation of these Standing Orders will run afoul of the very nature of Parliament. Mohabir Anil Nandlall Editor’s note; because of its volume, we will have to conclude this letter in our edition tomorrow

Guyanese are tired of bauxite, sugar rights are all slowly coming distrustful of minorities, and and rice back. Now is the wake-up call. Trump took a fantastic gamble DEAR EDITOR, As a graduate student in London, I was introduced to the teachings of managerialism defended by a philosopher who coincidentally bore the surname of Burnham. Burnham had posited that in years to come post the seventies the ordinary man would rise up to get rid of the banana republic despots and their kind who like parasites suck the blood of the host, meaning us, who are not in their unintellectual cabal. Burnham sought to argue that people will see politicians establishing elitism perhaps to continue a mockery of democracy. With a growing global population of hungry souls on earth dependent on remittances from the family, the curtains of neo colonial structures and disdain for human

This is the technological age and requires that people place their futures in the hands of proven businessmen who have done more than run cake shops and have sure ideas of financial management and a clear vision for their country. People want back meritorious pathways to success, not party cards and the constant cry to tighten your belts, while politicians send their children to the best schools and tax their way to eminence. The Republic of China which is not without its problems is mastering the art of the deal by allowing their young people to enjoy luxuries and a pristine infrastructure. After the Arab Spring, the collapse of Greece, the decimation of some Arab nations and of course Brexit, a tide was ushered in where majority populations were

to go back to the cry of the South, taking the more than ironic stance by implication that America is white man’s country primarily. The ensuing math left the Democrats in sad disarray that did not even make sufficient headway with white women voters. We have to immediately promote the Ministries of Business and Foreign Affairs to levels capable of pragmatism. All these old mechanisms of government must be thrown out of the window. We are tired of sugar, bauxite and rice. Think outside the box; invite the Trump organization to invest in a PGA golf course. Bring Formula I to Guyana. Restore our horse race track that was stolen from us. Host a massive jazz festival for tourists once a year, and review Caricom. Take the (Continued on page 7)

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The day that Freddie Kissoon went low

DEAR EDITOR; My father always told me that there are three types of people in the world; those who are great, those who imitate and those who hate. He also believed strongly that the differences that existed among those who form these three groups were easily recognizable: great people rise above effortlessly, and take others on the journey with them, those who imitate struggle and fight and try anything and everything to become great, and the haters, well they have no interest in being great based on merit, their only concern is to demean, defame and discredit those who do have a legitimate claim to greatness. Today, Mr Editor, I will leave it up to you and your readers to categorize the infamous columnist Freddy Kissoon and the many fallacies presented in his outrageously seditious article published in your newspapers on the 18th November 2016 titled; “Guyanese messengers of death from Cuba have returned.” Mr. Editor, I believe in the freedom of speech, I believe that it is a basic and fundamental human right but I also believe that with every right we claim there are responsibilities attached, that are just as fundamental. Journalists in particular have a huge responsibility to the masses that depend on them for timely, honest, factual and evidence-based information that can ultimately guide decisions and influence behavioral patterns. Mr Kissoon failed miserably in this task when he published that article berating both Cuba and Cuban trained doctors, claiming among other vile and repugnant things, that we “have killed many poor people.” I’ve read many of the ramblings of Mr. Kissoon and I dare say there is nothing impressive about his constant criticism of others (hiding behind a pen is an act of cow-

ardice) and his facade of equanimity. That you somehow have leverage to try to discredit the hard work and sacrifice made by us all with your grossly inaccurate mass generalizations. On what grounds? To what end? What have you gained from this vicious attack? How has this improved your already derisory public image? Mr Editor, we have grown accoustomed to the constant attacks; by our government, by our Minister, by random strangers, by patients, and so many others. It can be intimidating and many times we feel helpless and we retreat into a state of apathy because many of the so called inadequacies that so many talk about are not due to lack of knowledge or appropriate skill set, rather these are largely due to lack of resources ....we have the knowledge...but knowledge alone is useless if the tools needed to adequately apply it are missing.....we are willing but willingness alone doesn’t cut it....we have to be able to do... BUT HOW CAN WE when the tools needed are not provided (I cannot in good conscience do a laceration repair if I have no gloves or sutures or iodine no matter how willing I am or knowledgeable I am. As Michelle Obama said, “When they go LOW, we go HIGH.” And going high and rising above by no means signifies that we will be silent in the face of their onslaughts, it by no means signifies that we will ignore how and undervalued they make us feel, instead we will unite and respond with pride, dignity, joy and laughter in the face of their ignorance, we will turn up to work everyday and continue to do what we have always done....work 72 hour shifts, go without meals, climb mountains, walk across rivers is baking sun or heavy rain to deliver care, we will continue

treat patients door to door, continue to deliver twin babies thousands of feet in the air on aircrafts, to diagnose cancer in the deepest darkest jungles of Guyana without any imaging or labs,we will continue to be social workers, and councilors, teachers, good neighbours and friends, we will continue to break barriers and push boundaries...we will continue to go HIGH! And Mr Kissoon will be floating around in his same bubble of mediocrity, writing his same articles desperately trying to inflate an ego that that has obviously been stretched to its limit.

ation where a large amount of returnees from Cuba are not employed as yet. It seems their poor performance may have something to do with it. Mr. Harris has a tape where Dr. Vivian Mitchell, daughter of eminent Guyanese practitioner, Gladstone Mitchell, discussed the pressure she faced from authorities, when as head of the Medical Council, she refused to accredit a number of the returnees because their grades did not qualify them to practice medicine. I sincerely hope Mr. Benjamin is not one of them. Dr. Mitchell is heard on the tape saying

Both PPP and APNU leaders use power to get perks DEAR EDITOR; Like their predecessors, members of the governing Partnership for National Unity (APNU) in the South American Republic of Guyana have sought the reins of power for the perks, according to key observers. Grand campaign promises were made. Not surprisingly, the population was conned as political perks have become symptomatic of the political administration, current and past. A special piece of legislation to give a former Prime Minister Hamilton Green a whooping pension is the latest example of the perks Guyanese politicians seek after. What Hammie Green has done for Guyana is questionable. The impending legislation seeks ”to provide a pension, benefits and other facilities to Hamilton Green, Prime Minister from 1985 to 1992, to enable him to live in keeping with the high office he occupied.” As a result, Green will get about $16 million of Guyanese taxpayers’ dollars as a pension, in addition

Guyanese are tired of bauxite, sugar... From page 6 shame out of our eyes and rush under Brazil’s coattails, for she is the only neighbour able to protect us in real terms. I was a businessman of regional status and I have seen the pragmatism of the art of the deal. With a major swing of US policy oil can leave as precipitously as it came. As the great

Adoniyah Benjamin Cuban trained doctor Editor’s note; we asked Mr. Kissoon to respond to this letter since we are aware that Mr. Kissoon’s column was motivated by information on the subject shared to him by editor-in-chief, Adam Harris. Mr. Kissoon’s comments follow: In discussion with my editor, Mr. Harris, he indicated that he knows of situations where the Guyanese authorities implored on Cuban officials to pass those Guyanese students who failed their programmes. The issue came up as there is a present situ-

she prefer to resign than accept these people. Just four small points. Mr. Benjamin needs to read and comprehend. I did not say all doctors. I referred to “many of them.” This Cuban trained gentleman hardly makes out a case for objectivity because he himself is a product of the Cuban system. Thirdly, I hope Benjamin knows that there is hardly a place in the world for self-praise but he is entitled to his hobby. Finally, I sent many essential items to a family friend studying in Cuba because of the dire lack of such things which the Cuba authorities did not provide. That event has left me wondering what the hell goes in those dormitories.

book says, ye must be born again, so re-engineering the entire cabinet over at least a year will no doubt move us forward to an understanding of the game of thrones, as the world has now shifted. So read artfully Donald’s art of the deal, before you share Hillary’s fate. The worst word in politics now is respectfully. Denis Elton Moore

to what he already receives from Parliament, according to reports. The perk setting formula surfaced under former President Bharat Jagdeo who initially engineered legislation for a huge and allowances and pension after he demitted office. Under Jagdeo’s Presidency, close political and other friends have become millionaires through a number of shady economic deals. The People’s Progressive Party’s (PPP) Administration employed numerous party activists as contract workers who were paid millions in monthly salaries for non-productive work. Ambassadors were allowed in some cases to write their own contract of employment. One ambassador for example, was paid was paid over US$8000 as part of his package in addition to special first class travel allowances for himself and family. The mansions in Pradoville one and Pradoville two as well as the extravagant life style these politicians barefacedly live attest to the squandermania under the PPP administration. Details of white collar criminality, revealed by a number of forensic audits, continue to shock the nation. While in opposition, the PNC and mi-

nority parties constantly harped on Jagdeo’s pension perks and pledged to revisit the legislation. A minor revision was subsequently made by the APNU administration upon assumption to office but Jagdeo continues to enjoy millions of taxpayers’ dollars. The political perks continue to be sought after. Within months the new APNU Government gave themselves more than 50 percent increases in salary and allowances. Today the economy staggers to keep afloat, thanks to low oil prices and increasing gold production. Meanwhile, President David Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and other Ministers travel around the world attending conferences of varying sorts. How tangible, these visits will benefit the nation will never be determined. A number of Guyanese political politicians, according to insiders, accumulate millions in perks while

overseas from potential investors, in addition to the huge allowance they are given from the treasury for each day spent overseas to cover food, hotel, transportation and entertainment. Despite modest economic growth over the years, per capita income remains the lowest in the English-speaking Caribbean. At the same time public servants struggle on meagre wages and salaries, having been granted a minimal increase. ”Faced with a national debt of roughly US$1.65 billion, the equivalent of roughly 60 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) of US$3 billion, huge debt-servicing cost, a bankrupt GuySuCo and a declining growth rate, the government must act swiftly to prevent any further erosion of the economy.” according to a press report. Time for a financial audit of political perks and the cost to taxpayers and the treasury. Raj Deen

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‘Serious breaches’ of Customs regulations for PIDs cost Guyana $$Billions-AG Auditor General Deodat Sharma has found that there have been “serious breaches” of the Customs Act by the Customs and Trade Administration. He warned that this can contribute to severe loss in revenue

as was the case in the past. Regulations under the Customs Act provide for the issuance of a Permit for Immediate Delivery (PID). Immediate delivery refers to the procedure under which an importer can take delivery of

a shipment as soon as it is unloaded and inspected. Under the Customs Regulation 50 (2), a permit for immediate delivery prior to goods being entered (processed fully) may be issued for perishable goods and any

other goods for which delivery can be permitted without any risk to the collection of any duty and other monies payable upon the goods. A permit is supposed to be issued when immediate release of such goods is necessary to avoid unusual loss or inconvenience to the importer. Goods that qualify for processing through the PID facility includes goods perishable in nature e.g. hatching eggs, fruits; medical supplies, goods for use on Government projects/contracts that are subject to duties and taxes, fuel, raw materials for local manufacturers. The authority to approve and issue a PID has been delegated to the Head of Customs and Trade Administration. In his most recent report, Audit General Sharma said that Regulation 50 (9) made under the Customs Act requires that goods for immediate delivery be entered within 10 working days from the date of the permit for the delivery of such goods, excluding

Auditor General, Deodat Sharma Sundays and public holidays. However, he said that at the time of reporting in September 2016, four PIDs for which estimated assessed taxes exceeded $12.8M remained outstanding. In addition, Sharma said that the examination of a sample of 220 entries in the PID Register revealed that 68

entries with a total Cost Insurance and Freight valued of $8.682 billion and assessed taxes of over $3.5B were entered on an average of 16 days over the stipulated time frame. Sharma said that failure to ensure that the PID facility is operated within the stipulated framework constitutes a serious breach of the Customs Regulations and can result in loss of revenues and long delays in completing ship and aircraft files. Customs responded to Sharma’s findings. The Administration said that care is taken to minimize the time PIDs are outstanding. “However, delays may occur on the account of consignees’ inability to secure all the documentation, such as remission letters and certificates of origin, required for processing PIDs.” In the past, the PID procedure was abused. For example, Dr Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop had secured a PID for the uplift of his printing press. That did not fall under the stipulated requirements.

Faith Miracle Ministries celebrates 20th anniversary today

Youths of the Church bearing one of the many church banners yesterday In celebration of 20 years of Ministry in Guyana, Faith Miracle Ministries staged a faith parade in the Charlestown community yesterday. The procession featured a live praise and worship band and showcased the various

church departments. According to Pastor Kenrick Corbin, the Church will be commemorating the anniversary at its Sussex and Link Streets location today. The service is slated to begin at 14:00Hrs.

Sunday November 20, 2016

Dem boys seh...

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Outstanding US$5M on GTT shares…

Bribe passing, Nagamootoo to press Harmon for people dying and ‘mystery’ documents from China top cops fighting By Kiana Wilburg

De police under pressure. At least some of dem put demself under pressure. Dem create so much pressure that dem can’t even manage a proper traffic arrangement. That cause a young man to get kill pun de road last Friday. Couple of dem people join de wuk fuh lock up people and de next thing you know is that dem leffing de wuk fuh go and run wid de very people dem got to lock up. Last week, every two person who get lock up, one was a policeman who lef de wuk. Things meet de stage when one get shoot and one get lock up. This is old news according to dem boys. Dem seh people who live in Berbice know bout corruption. Dem boys know bout de man who think he is a woman who come from de States. He buy over de whole police force so till a senior rank go to de airport to pick up de man and carry he back to de airport when he was ready to lef after he arrange wid people to kill a man. De man spend money like water and that is wha ketch de police. He even buy a policeman who was he friend and companion in more ways than one. And while all that confusion and corruption going on, Seeall and Ram deh fighting. Seeall want to revoke licence and revoke promotion. He got he friends. Ram got friends too and de police at de bottom watching and wondering if dem can tek a chance. De two of dem talk mattie name and things falling down. De people who throw mess pun Freddie seh dem got friends too and dem know who can hide evidence. Rum Jattan deh pun de other side and he can’t even hear wha going on. He tell dem boys that he and all got to fight because people want tek de top post in de party just like wha happening in de police force.

The outstanding US$5M to be paid on the sale of Government’s shares in GTT to a Chinese company remains an unsolved mystery. However, the Alliance For Change (AFC), Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, says it will not become another cold case. The First Vice President said on Friday, at a press conference, that he will push for the issue to be resolved. Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, had reportedly received some revealing documents on the outstanding sum from Hong Kong Golden Telecom Company (HKGT), the company that bought Government’s shares in GTT. Nagamootoo was then asked if he has seen those documents at the level of Cabinet. The Prime Minister said, “I cannot say that I have seen the document.” Nagamootoo explained that at the level of Cabinet where he chairs the business section, protocol dictates that when he would receive a memorandum which would have attachments. He said that the issue of the Harmon documents comes up as a report and not

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo

as a memorandum. “I would have to pursue this with Harmon to have a look at the documents and what they reveal. This is a mystery issue and a phantom financial issue that we encountered.” Channeling his inner journalist, the Prime Minister told the media that he did his own inquiries into the matter. He was able to discover that the original procurers of the GTT shares had offered US$30m. He noted that the company subsequently sold its shares to Datang. “Then we heard all the shenanigans about whether they (Datang) should be

given a silver or golden voting rights on the GTT board and if they didn’t then they wouldn’t pay the US$5M,” The Prime Minister said. He added, “If there was a variation to the contract then we should have seen the contract. But we have not seen the contract that says US$5M of the US$30M was contingent to whether or not the Datang group would have majority share or voting

rights…That is where I said there is a mystery surrounding the outstanding sum and it is still a phantom sum.” The controversial State company, National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), tasked with ascertaining the truth of the matter, does not seem to be making any significant headway. Some weeks ago, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, who is also a NICIL board member, was asked whether the media would be able to see those documents he got from his trip to China and whether they would be made available. Harmon, said, “That is a matter for NICIL; that my engagement on that matter was on behalf of NICIL and therefore all the documents, some of which I received in that regard, have been handed to NICIL. It is within the responsibility and jurisdiction of NICIL.” Harmon said that NICIL has a Board, a Chairman and Continued on page 14

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 20, 2016

CARICOM Council for National Security and Law Enforcement to meet tomorrow The Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM’s) Council for National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE) will host its 17th meeting at the CARICOM Secretariat in Turkeyen Greater Georgetown tomorrow. Under the chairmanship of Barbados’Attorney-General and Minister of Home Affairs, Adriel B r a t h w a i t e , CARICOM Ministers with responsibility for National Security are expected to consider for approval, the CARICOM Cyber Security and Cyber Crime Action Plan (CCSCAP). This plan provides a framework through which all initiatives of cyber security and cyber crime in the Region will be developed, implemented and managed to eliminate duplication and to realise optimal benefit of the Region’s response. As advances in technology continue to reshape the way business is being done globally, economic cyber crime continues to rise, and according to an OAS 2014 report, the region of Latin America and the Caribbean has one of the fastest-growing Internet populations in the world, giving rise to a number of significant cyber security challenges. CARICOM’s Strategic Plan

for 2015-2019 identifies cyber crime as an obstacle and threat to social and sustained economic development in the Community. Strengthening Cyber Security is seen as a strategy to achieve both technological and social resilience. Heads of Government at their 24th Intercessional Meeting in Haiti adopted the CARICOM Crime and Security Strategy to guide the Community’s approach to crime and security. Issues related to Member States’ Citizenship by Investment Programmes (CIPS) will also be discussed, as well as measures to ensure that national and regional security is not compromised by such programmes. CARICOM’s relationship with Third States and financing the regional security agenda, among other issues, will also engage the attention of the Region’s Ministers of National Security. The Meeting commences at 09:00 hrs with a brief ceremony chaired by CARICOM Secretariat Assistant SecretaryGeneral for Human and Social Development, Dr. Douglas Slater. There will be addresses by the Hon. Adriel Brathwaite and CARICOM’s Secretary-General,

The Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM’s) Council for National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE) will meet tomorrow at the CARICOM Secretariat in Turkeyen Greater Georgetown for its 17th meeting Ambassador Irwin LaRocque. CONSLE is responsible for the coordination of the Region’s multi-dimensional security agenda, to ensure a safe and stable Community. Meanwhile in Guyana, The Cybercrime Bill of 2016 was presented and read for the first time in the National Assembly in August by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams. The Minister subsequently referred the complex legislation to a Special Select Committee so

that it can be properly perused and amendments made where necessary. The Bill seeks to combat cybercrime by creating offences related to it. It provides for penalties, investigation and prosecution of the offences and related matters. It also sets out that a person commits an offence if he intentionally, without authorization or in excess of authorization, or by infringing any security measure, accesses a computer system or any part of a computer system of

another person. The draft legislation also deals with child pornography and child luring. It says that a person who produces child pornography for the purpose of distribution through a computer system, or offers or makes available, distributes or transmits child pornography through a computer system, commits an offence. It says, too, that a person who uses a computer system to arrange a meeting with a child with the intent of abusing or

engaging in sexual activity with the child or producing child pornography, whether or not he takes any steps to effect such a meeting, commits child luring. Another clause in the Bill addresses the publication or transmission of images of the private area of a person. It states that a person who captures, stores in, publishes or transmits through a computer system, the image of the private area of another person without that other person’s consent commits an offence.

Sunday November 20, 2016

Kaieteur News

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Extension granted for inquiry into Colombian plane discovery The Colombian-registered plane

President David Granger has granted his approval to a request for an extension of time for the submission of the final report of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the discovery of the foreign aircraft at Yupukari, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo, Region Nine. According to the Ministry of the Presidency on Friday, the request was made by Head of the Commission, Brigadier (retd.) Edward Collins. The report, which was due to be handed over to the State on November 16, 2016, will now be handed over on November 25, 2016. Brigadier Collins was commissioned to investigate, examine, advise and report on the circumstances under which the foreign aircraft, which was discovered on September 13, 2016, entered into the country. Concurrent to the CoI, a Joint Services team, headed by Superintendent Hugh Denhart of the Guyana Police Force, is conducting investigations and will pursue and probe the areas beyond the scope of the Terms of Reference of the Commission. Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, who received the preliminary report last month, had noted that the administration is looking forward to the final document and its findings and recommendations. The plane, bearing registration number N767Z, was first brought to the attention of officials on Tuesday, September 13, 2016 by a resident of the area. The following day, Wednesday, September 14, a Joint Army and Police team, inclusive of CANU, was dispatched to the location to conduct investigations.

One week later, the Government announced that a CoI would be set up to probe the discovery of the aircraft in Guyana’s territory. A preliminary report had found that the plane originated from Colombia and may have been here since August. However, while nearby residents may have known about the plane’s presence, they did not immediately share the information with security forces. Colombia is known as a major producer of cocaine, with Guyana being a known transshipment point to the US and Europe. The aircraft was discovered by the Joint Services on September 13 but it was in that location long before that. There is enough evidence to suggest that the aircraft came from Colombia and its

destination was Guyana, but the plane suffered technical difficulties. Brig. Collins himself had expressed worry over the fact that residents were not forthcoming with the provision of information to security forces and that it is likely that recommendations will include the development of better relations and communication between the security sector and members of communities in those areas. “All of the Toshaos were interviewed and I do not know why they were unwilling to

Head of the Commission, Brigadier (retd.) Edward Collins provide the information they had to the security forces. I can only assume that based on the evidence that I have received so far, that the relationship between the villages and the security forces is not as [we would have] expected,” he said. The plane is at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, where it is currently impounded.

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Sunday November 20, 2016

Kaieteur News

Maurice Arjoon’s matter still cries out for justice The matter of Maurice Arjoon, former Chief Executive Officer of the New Building Society, which began nine years ago still warrants that justice is served in favour of Arjoon who along with two other managers of NBS were charged for fraud. This was the view of Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo on Thursday while answering a question posed to him by this newspaper on the future of the issue at the Alliance for

Change’s press conference. Nagamootoo said that a motion had been submitted to parliament by two backbenchers on the government side. He said that on a previous occasion the motion had been submitted months ago but might not have got on the order paper or the notice paper. He said that this was the predicament since there was a pending case in the court and the Speaker of the House

advised that the House should be mindful of the sub judice rule which states that once a matter is engaging the attention of the court it could not be ventilated in the Assembly. He said, “The two members have since come to me and asked what should we do? And I said well, table the motion again and ask for a debate on its admissibility. Let the Speaker rule in the National Assembly that this

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo (right), Janick Arjoon (2nd right) and Maurice Arjoon (3rd right) during the August visit is sub judice, that it cannot be discussed but it would allow the person moving the motion to say a few things that would get into the Hansard.” The Prime Minister and Vice-Chairman of the AFC said that the motion addresses a matter which cries out for justice. When contacted on the issue, Mr. Arjoon said that the Ombudsman’s report which confirmed that he and two managers were wrongfully charged and suffered a grave injustice, was sent to Parliament by the Ombudsman, at the time Retired Justice Winston Moore over two years ago, after then President Donald Ramotar did not act

on the report. He said, “Since then, I have been fighting to have this report addressed in Parliament and the Ombudsman’s recommendations considered. I continue to hope that this government will address the report and act accordingly.” Arjoon and his colleagues, assistant Mortgage Manager Kissoon Baldeo, and Operations Manager Kent Vincent, along with other employees were charged in a $69M fraud case at NBS in 2006. The money reportedly belonged to Bibi Khan. The case was in the court for a number of years before charges were finally discharged. The former CEO then moved to file a $2M

lawsuit against the People’s Progressive Party Civic government for malicious prosecution. The suit was dismissed since the offence could not have been properly established. When the charges were laid against Arjoon he was on the verge of retirement and was dismissed. Arjoon has claimed that he was framed after he refused to illegally endorse the lending of $2B in 2006. The former CEO’s decision to only lend $350M in keeping with Guyana’s financial laws apparently angered former President Bharrat Jagdeo, who allegedly threatened to deal with the CEO. The trio then lodged a complaint at the office of the Ombudsman. In his report on the matter, Moore concluded that the men had suffered a “grave injustice”. Arjoon, on August 18, last, met with the Prime Minister on the matter but no positive action has been taken. However, based on the comments by Nagamootoo on Thursday the government continues to acknowledge the injustice which the matter attracted and will see to it that justice is given a chance.

Sunday November 20, 2016

Kaieteur News

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Doctor clears name after 11-year Atalya Lawrence is recipient battle against Medical Council of 2016 Annie Daniels Award A Guyanese doctor whose name was unceremoniously removed from the list of Registered Medical Practitioners in Guyana by the Medical Council of Guyana has won his case after an 11 ½ years battle. Dr John Austin’s name was removed in April 2005. The matter came to an end recently in the High Court of Guyana when Justice James Bovell- Drakes quashed the decision of the Medical Council to remove Dr. Austin from the list of Medical Practitioners made back in April 2005. The action resulted from the death of a patient who was surgically operated on by Dr. Austin. A surgical procedure was performed on the patient on November 1, 2004, the patient subsequently died on November 4, 2004 at the Georgetown Public Hospital. Dr. Austin in his contention stated that he was not given a fair hearing. Attorney-at-law Benjamin Gibson, who represented Dr. Austin, contended that the decision of the Medical Council to remove Dr. Austin’s name from the list of medical practitioners was illegal. He contended that the Council did not give Dr. Austin a reasonable chance to defend himself against the claims made against him. According to Dr. Austin, a one-time Member of

Dr. John Austin Parliament with The People’s National Congress, he was summoned to defend the charges made against him; however, at the time his attorney Mr. Benjamin Gibson was out of the country for medical reasons. Dr. Austin noted that his attorney was absent and thus he refused to ask or answer any questions. He was then asked to go outside. His name was then removed from the register of Medical Practitioners. Dr. Austin did his MBBS in 1980 in Lagos, Nigeria. He also did his Master of Science with specialty in Anatomy

also in Nigeria in 1984. In 2000 he was made a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (F.R.C.S.I) in Ireland. Dr. Austin lamented the injustice meted out to him by the Medical Council. Back then, he held a number of key positions in the medical sector in Guyana including Government Medical Officer, Surgical Preceptor at the School of Medicine (where he taught doctors), Registrar in Surgical Department at Georgetown Hospital, Registrar in the Surgical Department at the New Amsterdam Hospital, Medical Superintendent New Amsterdam Hospital and Regional Health Officer of Region Six. Austin is now in the process of having his name fully re-entered by the Medical Council of Guyana. He is also weighing his options. The matter of the Medical Council was dealt with by the Attorney General Chambers and among those that appeared were Doodnauth Singh, Anil Nandlall and Priya Manickchand. The decision was entered on October 28, last and Dr. Austin was also awarded cost.

From left: Collis Nicholson, Guyana Teachers Union Regional VP; Mrs. Eartha Lawrence, mother of the awardee; Atalya Lawrence, recipient of the 2016 Annie Daniels’ Memorial Award; Mrs. Paulette Charles; Mr. Vaughn Lawrence, father of the awardee. Sixteen-year-old Atalya Lawrence is now the most recent addition to a decade long list of proud recipients of the celebrated Annie Daniels Memorial Scholarship Award. This Noble Street, Friendship, East Coast Demerara resident is a graduate of President’s College. She attained the illustrious award for her outstanding performance of 11 subjects at the 2016 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC). A cheque for $210,000 was presented to

Lawrence towards her first-year tuition fee at the University of Guyana, where she is majoring in Accountancy. Established in 2007 by Dr. Kerwin Charles, in honour of his late grandmother, the Annie Daniels Memorial Scholarship seeks to reward academic excellence while offering financial assistance to help students from Buxton to pursue their educational goals. Dr. Charles is the son of Mr. Reuben “Clayton” Charles and Mrs. Paulette Charles.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 20, 2016

AFC prepared to make posture on parking meter, City Hall audit known tomorrow Earlier this week, Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, announced that he expects the support of the

Alliance for Change when his party, moves a motion in the National Assembly to have a forensic audit done into the

Georgetown Mayor and City Council including the controversial parking meter contract.

However, Vice-Chairman of the AFC, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, said on Friday that his party will make

its posture on the issue known if the motion is deemed admissible. He said that he does not believe the Speaker of the House, Dr. Barton Scotland, would allow the motion simply on the basis of the sub judice rule. According to Nagamootoo he had received advice that there was a pending court matter questioning the charges outlined in the contract, whether they are excessive or not. He said that provided the matter is deemed admissible then his party will assume a certain posture on the merit of the motion. “If the opposition can argue that there is no pending matter in court, then of course, as I said, the AFC would devise its posture on that issue.” On the matter of an audit into the M&CC, Nagamootoo said that as a former Minister of Local Government, he knows of defined procedures in law for the auditing of the accounts of the City Council. “I am not aware that we could change those auditing procedures unless specific and clear allegations are made in regards to some malfeasance.” On Wednesday, Jagdeo had said that he believes the motion which is to be tabled by his colleague, parliamentarian Irfaan Ali will get the support of the AFC since its member, Deputy Mayor of Georgetown, Sherod Duncan, has

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo condemned the contract on several occasions. At one point in time leader of the AFC Khemraj Ramjattan had said that Duncan speaks on behalf of the party on the controversial contract. Duncan had expressed on numerous occasions his position on the contract saying it should be cancelled since several procedures had been flouted. The Deputy Mayor, in an interview with this publication, said that he could not support the contract citing as his reasons the Attorney-General’s review which described it as onerous. He also noted that the Ministry of Finance’s review concluded that the contract should be withdrawn since it had not been tendered and procurement procedures were not followed. On Wednesday Jagdeo said that he is anticipating the support of AFC parliamentarians, such as Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson, Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan and the Prime Minister.

Nagamootoo to press... From page 9 a Secretary and he is “just” a member. It was in 2012 that NICIL sold the Government’s investment in GTT for US$30M of which the sum of US$25M was received. The balance, US$5M, was to be paid within a period of two years. But there have been conflicting stories since that initial arrangement. At one point, the nation was told that Guyana’s former Ambassador to China, David Dabydeen, facilitated a debt writeoff to HKGT. HKGT is a subsidiary of Datang Telecom International Technology (Hong Kong) Company Limited. Kaieteur News understands that the purchase agreement between the Chinese company and Guyana was framed in such a manner that in the event of any legal issue, Guyana or HKGT would have to petition the United Kingdom courts. NICIL had said that in an attempt to avoid costly and lengthy adjudication of the matter in the English Courts, it called on the government to encourage HKGT through diplomatic channels, to honour its contractual obligations. NICIL said that HKGT alleged that following a series of communications with the former Guyana Ambassador to China, HKGT was assured that it was not required to pay the balance of US$5M. This was because HKGT had not been granted the same minority protection rights enjoyed by NICIL—that is two representatives, instead of one, on the GT&T Board of Directors. HKGT alleged that it was initially promised two seats by the then Government of Guyana. NICIL said that HKGT also alleged that the decision to waive the US$5M was contained in a side agreement. NICIL noted that it has not been able to verify HKGT’s claim of waiver and has requested the assistance of the Government of Guyana to verify the validity of HKGT’s assertion and the documents they produced to support same.

Sunday November 20, 2016

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Kaieteur News

18 months later …

Nagamootoo pussyfooting on holding Commissioner of Information accountable for neglecting duties After 18 months in office, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo is yet to take affirmative action when it comes to the Office of the Commissioner of Information. Since 2013, that post is being held by Charles Ramson Sr. According to the Act governing Ramson’s office, the responsible Minister should “as soon as practicable but not later than nine months, after the end of each year lay a report on the operation of this (Access to Information) Act in the National Assembly.” The Act also states that the said report should include the number of requests made to the Commissioner of Information; the number of applications for judicial review of decisions and the outcome of those applications; the number of complaints made to the Commissioner of Information with respect to the operation of the Act and the nature of those complaints; the number of notices served upon the Commissioner of Information and the number of decisions by the Commissioner which were adverse to the person’s claim. The Commissioner, however, is yet to produce a single report regarding the workings of his office and the application of the Access to Information Act. This fact was recently acknowledged by Nagamootoo. Questioned about the efforts he has made to address

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo this matter, the Prime Minister revealed that he is to send a letter to Ramson. He noted that the letter is yet to reach the Commissioner of Information. The Prime Minister expects that upon receipt of his letter, Ramson would be able to explain himself. He said that Ramson would be given a time frame within which certain information would have to be made available to the relevant minister. Regarding the performance of the Office of the Commissioner of Information, Nagamootoo said, “I am not aware that this office has done anything really, so being pleased is very subjective.” The Prime Minister said the Commissioner of Information is bound by law to carry out certain functions such as receiving complaints

Commissioner of Information, Charles Ramson Snr and facilitating inquiries. Nagamootoo also responded to comments by Ramson in the media that since his office is not being fully utilized then there really isn’t anything to report on. The Prime Minister stressed that there is a statutory requirement for a report to be lodged in the National Assembly. He added, “We would only know the difficulties being confronted by him if he were to submit those in writing to the house and have them subjected to the scrutiny of the House.” While Parliament is left in the dark about the work of the Commissioner of Information, Ramson Sr. continues to draw a salary of approximately $1.2M a month. The former Chief Justice has over the years, been

accused of thwarting the process of access to information. For this reason and others, former Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran, has said that he is convinced that taxpayers are not getting value for money when it comes to the Commissioner of Information. Goolsarran said that every month, citizens are saddled with supporting an approximately $2M salary for Ramson when his efforts deny citizens’ right to access to information. “Mr. Ramson’s basic salary is at least $1.5 million per month. Along with other

benefits and allowances, it would exceed $2 million. Also, one recalls his ‘no money, no love’ reaction to Transparency Institute Guyana Inc. (TIGI) when it requested certain information. In this regard, Ramson cited the then Opposition-controlled National Assembly’s cutting off of funds for the then Office of the President under which he operated. “The Commissioner should have been held accountable for denying TIGI access to the requested information.” Speaking to another worrying observation, Goolsarran said that he

checked the Access to Information Act and found that there is no provision in terms of limit in the tenure of office of the Commissioner. In this regard, the former Auditor General said, “For how much longer will this imposition continue? No one knows. Meanwhile, the taxpaying public continues to be burdened with a monthly $2 million dollar bill for which little or no value for money is being received.” The Chartered Accountant stated that what compounds the issue is the fact that Parliament is yet to receive a report on the (continued on page 16)

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Five years later, $558M access road to CJIA still incomplete A project to construct a three-kilometer access road to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, is still to be completed despite starting almost five years ago. Several sections of the new road, which was contracted out to BK International, remain blocked with barriers and unopened to traffic. The $558M contract was awarded in 2011 and was supposed to be part of a bigger project for a four-lane highway between the airport and the city. It is unclear what the hold-up for the project is, This project was started under the previous administration. The Coalition Government has said very little about what is happening. According to past news reports, BK in 2014 had taken media outlets on a tour of the access road project which is supposed to start at the Timehri junction where the police station is to the airport. BK complained then that the delay was because GTT was still to remove some cables and poles. B.K had lamented that the utilities companies were to be blamed for the slow work.

Sunday November 20, 2016

Kaieteur News

Nine months later, still no word on GPL $3.6 billion tender Four months after a critical power cable that was badly laid across the Demerara River was damaged, work has finally started to repair it and bring it back into operation. The more than $120M in repairs will take about three weeks to complete with the cable expected to be repowered way before Christmas, officials of the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) said yesterday. Contractor, Gaico Construction and General Services Inc., is providing the barge, Gaico Marine1, to help raise the cable and dig the channel to lay it. However, GPL has turned back to CMC, the same Chinese contractor which had badly laid the cable in the first

- embattled Chinese firm starts repair on damaged submarine cable place, to conduct the repairs. Critics and a report by consultant, Caribbean Engineering and Management Consultants (CEMCO), had blamed the poor laying as the major cause for the damage, likely made by a passing vessel. The cable, which is supposed to be an armored one, had been critical to bringing power from the new 26-megawatts power station at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Bank Demerara to the interconnected grid in East Demerara and Berbice. The extra power from West Demerara was needed for a stable supply on the coastlands. GPL was forced to wait for weeks before the cable kit and sections were shipped in. Over the past months, there have been a significant number of outages and total shutdowns in all three counties due to a combination of factors. While GPL has managed to reduce the outages, consumers have remained angered by the incidents with the Cabinet becoming involved. However, the new power plant at Vreed-en-Hoop, run by Finnish-owned Wartsila, had to cut back on its generation as there was no way to send it across the Demerara River. The previous administration has been coming under fire for not

doing enough to supervise CMC. CEMCO, the consultant, had been extremely critical of the Chinese company and especially the laying of that cable. The fibre optic submarine cable had been part of a larger US$40M programme to run new high-power transmission lines along the coastlands stretching from West Bank Demerara to Corentyne, Berbice. The work included the two submarine power cables—one across the Demerara River and the other across the Berbice River. The idea was to create an entire grid along the Berbice and Demerara. CMC was also criticized for another component-- the building of seven substations along the coastlands. The under-fire CMC has also tendered for a major project to run low and medium voltage transmission lines

along the coastlands and install more than 25,000 smart meters across the country, in a pilot phase. The tenders, which included local and international companies, were opened in February but since then, there has not been any award. GPL’s Chairman, Robert Badal, had indicated that evaluation would have been completed by the end of last month. But there has been no word since. There has not been any explanation why the evaluations took that inordinate length of time to evaluate. A number of letter writers have raised concerns over the silence of GPL regarding the delays for that major project. The monies for the project are coming via a loan of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and grant funding of the European Union under a program to upgrade GPL’s capacity.

Nagamootoo pussyfooting ... From page 15 application of the Access to Information Act as well as the operations of Ramson’s office. Goolsarran noted, too, that the handing over of annual reports to the National Assembly is a key requirement of the law. He said that the failure of the Commissioner’s office in

this regard stymies any effort to carry out an assessment on the effectiveness of the Access to Information Act. The former Auditor General said this is a significant shortcoming in attempts to provide citizens and organizations with access to information of government programmes and activities.

Sunday November 20, 2016

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Kaieteur News

Time to put an end to the ABANDONMENT of patients By Sharmain Grainger Christmas is described by many as a joyous time of year. In fact it is usually characterised by families being especially loving and caring towards each other. But this may not be true for all families. In fact, it has been proven that when this purportedly joyous time of year nears, an increasing number of elders are unceremoniously removed from their homes and are never accepted back. This, to some people, may seem a development too outrageous to believe, but one visit to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and you are likely to become a believer. These elders are essentially abandoned at the GPHC sometimes for no logical reason. This state of affairs is one that the administrators of the public hospital have been battling with for a number of years. This is in light of the fact that a number of much needed beds are occupied by these elders that could be better used by actual sick people. The abandonment process is a rather simple one and in the initial stage may not even be recognised. It can translate to a relative bringing an elder to the Accident and Emergency Unit for medical attention. The relative in question is not mandated to leave any information about him or herself, and added to this, they do not have to be precise in giving the address or name of next of kin of the elder being admitted. Some elders are admitted with conditions as simple as the common cold. But there are others who, reports suggest, are deliberately left to become dehydrated, so

that medical practitioners can find a reason to admit them. Oftentimes admission is not even warranted, but this is required, since after treatment there is no one around to return the elders some of whom are incapacitated - to their homes. With no address or next of kin to work with, the hospital usually hasn’t a choice but to admit the elder who has to be attended to. Currently, there are just about seven elders who have essentially taken up residence at the GPHC. Some of them have no known family members, others are from families who have out-rightly said they do not wish to have them back, and then there are the others who feel they are much better off at the hospital than with family members anyway. The hospital is therefore tasked with providing medical care, food and sometimes clothing for some of these admitted people. Social Workers at the GPHC are the ones who are usually left to find a solution to this dilemma. It is described as a dilemma because the hospital has to afford space to these persons sometimes at the cost of having to deal with an overcrowding situation. But once discharged, a Social Worker is tasked with finding the next of kin of these abandoned individuals, even if that information was not volunteered. This, however, is a process that sometimes warrants a great deal of investigation. And it has been no easy task to find a next of kin; sometimes the very offspring of the elders simply reject them. Chief Medical Social Worker, Ms. Marcia Fredericks, has seen this one

The Baccoo Speaks It is always worrying that people ignore the warnings to their detriment. Yet another road fatality would occur in the eastern part of the country. A speeding car would collide with a pedestrian, causing grief to many people. Of course, the laws only offer a slap on the wrist. ** The criminals are desperate and they are being helped by certain commercial banks. The authorities would swoop down on two people in a city bank who inform the gunmen about withdrawals. At the same time, the commercial bank would try to improve its security, but to little avail given the system. **

Drugs are always there, so when a dealer attempts to ship out a large quantity the authorities are going to make the discovery in a container destined for North America. It goes without saying that the shipper would be detained, but proving that he knew about the consignment would be difficult.

too many times over the course of her more than twodecade employment - first as a nurse, then a Social Worker, at the GPHC. The emotional impact is harsh on this evidently caring Social Worker who spends many of her days struggling to find a relative who would be willing to help take care of an abandoned elder. Sometimes she literally finds none and has to resort to finding that elder a place at a government-run institution

family unit that seems incapable of taking care of the elder in question. But Fredericks during a recent interview with this publication shared her conviction that the family structure of today is not remotely what it was yesteryear. She is of the opinion that some family members are simply not compassionate to their own when they become a certain age. This has therefore

Chief Medical Social Worker, Marcia Fredericks such as the Palms Geriatric Home. But the Palms, for instance, can only accommodate so many, and there are times when elders may not even qualify to be accepted. According to Fredericks, she would mainly look to the Palms for help if it is found that an elder hasn’t any children or a very small

“We are not getting to do our work – the real counselling and guidance...We are supposed to be loving and compassionate, but instead we have to be aggressive towards people, and this is not fair to us to have to beg people to take back their elderly relatives so that we can free up space for other patients...it is not fair to these elders too.” What Fredericks has found particularly interesting is the fact that while admitted,

Medical Social Worker, Clayton Newman

resulted, Fredericks noted, in Social Workers diverting from their normal practice of social work to instead be advocates for elders, so that they can be accepted back into their families. This, of course, doesn’t always go as expected, as sometimes the voice of reason has to be a stern one. According to Fredericks,

some of these elders, on occasions, are visited by family members who, when they are informed of a discharge date, never return. ”From the time some of them hear that there are plans to discharge they just disappear, and I am not exaggerating,” said Fredericks, who is currently trying to find a home for two elderly women

who have been discharged but have been abandoned at the GPHC. Sixty-six year-old Madhuri John whose address was found to be 17 Industry Front Road, East Coast Demerara was admitted in the month of August with diabetes complications. Although she was up for discharge the very month she is presently a resident of the Female Medical Ward. Her next of kin was found to be her son, Wazir Ali, and a niece by the name of Anita Persaud. Abandoned also is 74year Lynette Stoll whose last known address is I 34-848 Jackson Street, Tucville, Georgetown. She was admitted with a fractured hip on October 4 and was slated to be discharged since October 12. However, she is currently a resident of the Female Surgical Ward. Stoll’s next of kin was found to be her sons Paul Stoll, and Peter Negeer who reportedly reside in the United States. She had also previously lived with a brother by the name of Denzil Stoll. In both cases, family members have stated their unwillingness to accept the seniors into their homes. Based on her investigations, Fredericks said that it is most upsetting to find that in some cases family members who are unwilling to care for these abandoned individuals have been very willing to collect their pensions and other financial benefits. Added to this, they readily present themselves when these individuals die to uplift their death certificates so that they can claim (continued on page 65)

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Sunday November 20, 2016

Kaieteur News

Major parts of Sophia receiving water for first time

Managing Director, Dr. Richard Van West-Charles, and other GWI officials inspecting works done in ‘D’ Field Sophia. Residents of ‘D’ and ‘E’ Fields, Sophia, can now boast of having access to running water in their homes for the first time in many years. According to the stateowned Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), the project entailed the extension of transmission lines from newly rehabilitated wells in North Ruimveldt and Turkeyen to Sophia. Upon completion of the project, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Richard Van West- Charles, visited the areas to inspect the works conducted. Over 20,000 residents are now benefitting. Councillor of Constituency 6, Lyndon Hilliman, in welcoming the new service connections, noted that: “We waited a long time but it was worth the wait. The service is great in terms of the pressure and quality is better than before….it is also less time consuming because now we are getting easy access from our taps.” He also highlighted: “Parents no longer have to worry about the safety of their children who used to go the

blacka…now they can go to the tap and get water right away”. Hilliman added that he has been able to reduce his electricity cost, since the pressure of water flowing doesn’t require a pump to fill his tank. Another Councillor, Andriea Marks said: “I think I am speaking on behalf of all residents when I say I must give praise and thanks to the new government and the CEO at GWI for working so hard at a very ‘molesting cost’ because when I couldn’t get water I pressured him a lot.” Neville Brian Douglas, a resident of ‘E’ Field, Sophia also indicated his gratitude. “We are very thankful to Mr. President, GWI and all the relevant authorities for what they did for us. The water is coming and we having full flow of water…now we getting upstairs, the pressure is just right.” GWI also heard from Ms. Yonette Marks, who lives in ‘D’ Field. “Now I’m getting water in my kitchen, bath and I have no complaints. My neighbours are satisfied too.”

Additionally, GWI will be laying one and a half miles of pipe to improve water supply in ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ Fields and erecting stand pipes in areas of Sophia that have not yet been regularised, so as to avoid breakage of lines. Sophia residents are expected to commence payment for water services from January 2017. Thus far for 2016, GWI has provided water access to a number of communities for the first time. These include Lamaha Park, Georgetown, Little Diamond Squatting Area, East Bank Demerara; Hill Foot and Back Street, Soesdyke/Linden Highway; Liverpool Middle Walk Dam Squatting Area; Number One Road, Fyrish; Auchlyne; Tarlogie; Grant 1780 Crabwood Creek; Glasgow Public Village; Sandvoort Village; Canefield New Area and Number 72 Village, Corentyne, Berbice. GWI is also in the process of installing service connections in communities such as Andy Ville, Linden; Timehri North and Angoy’s Avenue, Berbice.

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Kaieteur News

== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==

We should worry about Guyana not America If there is any human being out there who thinks Donald Trump will subjugate the US, usher in authoritarian government and Americans will cower in silence, then you know absolutely nothing about the real world. It means you do not understand how the real world operates. There are dozens and dozens of millions in the US that will confront Trump on policies that are racist and dictatorial. There cannot be even the slightest of doubt that Americans will just go about their business and let Trump dissolve the traditions of democracy that Americans have accepted as essential to existence. President Trump will no doubt be assertive in the things he wants to implement and will be confrontational, but his opponents are going to meet fire with fire. The first salvo has been fired by democratic forces. New York City mayor Bill de Blasio says his police force will not deport people en masse and his office will not pass on to federal agencies New York’s database on illegal immigrants. That is a serious attitude and it is only

the beginning. Guyanese who are worried that the US will become an intolerant autocracy need not worry. Their perturbations should be about the decline of Guyana, not the US. To compare the spirit of resistance between the American and Guyanese people is like comparing Usain Bolt and an injury victim that lost his legs. Newspapers, magazines, journals, television shows, books are going to flood the world from the US condemning the unpopular policies of Trump. That is predictable as when night follows day. Back here we have an ironic situation that is a frightening indication that Guyana is becoming more and more Orwellian. And while Trump may be an episodic moment in the life of the average American, Guyana seems set in its ways of dark silence journeying towards a dark future. It is this writer’s contestation that despite the election of a hopeful government last May, deep fear still stalks this land and there is absolutely no

indication, however infinitesimal, that people feel that they are more mentally comfortable to speak and write about things they disagree with in relation to the State sector, ruling regime, powerful organizations and people with wealth and status. The newspapers are inundated with letters exposing wrongdoing and there is the inevitable false signature. You pick up any issue of the two independent dailies (KN and SN) after May 2015 and compare the letter sections with the papers before 2015 and you will see an unchanged nation beset with trepidation. My life in this country is about observing unchanging trends. I would go into an office in 1998 or 2006 and would be told; “Please Freddie, I can’t be seen talking to you; I will call you.” This was the voice of people who feared that their employer, whether the boss is a businessman or a Minister or a party big wig, will victimize them for talking to a well known media figure. The exact sentiments are expressed to me in Guyana

since May 2015. If Trump decides to dismiss a federal official or withhold funds from a federal agency that brings service to the poor (like abortion) or victimizes a university that receives federal assistance, then pick up the newspaper or turn on the television and you will see the anti-Trump anger in all colours, shapes and dimensions. Here in Guyana, the people with the mentality and world view of Trump are gone since May 2015, but we are still drowning in the vortex of tempestuous waves of fear and resignation. No one says anything about any violation in this country. I remember a few months back, Carol Ann Munroe, who was charged

for treason by the then PPP Government, described in a letter in this newspaper how the events unfolded and how her rights were denied before she was taken into custody. One particular description would have moved any human. She said as the police escorted her and husband from her home, she asked for time to make arrangements for her two sick children one of whom suffers from severe asthma. The police refused her request. There was never one, just one letter of expression of denunciation or sympathy. No one ever commented on what Ms. Munroe endured. Ms. Munroe may have given only her side, but I say

Frederick Kissoon without even a fraction of hesitation, Ms. Munroe’s ordeal in any other country would have seen responses of sympathy. Not one voice was raised in indignation about the UG graduation fiasco. Mr. Trump may not even rule for a full term. But after his four years, America will survive. I’m not sure Guyana will.

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The Ministry of Natural Resources collaborated with the New Petroleum Producers Group (NPPG) to host a twoday seminar last Thursday and Friday titled: “Governance of the Petroleum Sector: Preparing for First Oil”. The Petroleum Producers Group is an arm of Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, and includes technical advisory groups, emerging producers and the more established producers and associate organizations. They partnered with the

Sunday November 20, 2016

Kaieteur News

Preparing for First Oil Commonwealth Secretariat and the Natural Resources Governance Institute (with offices in the UK, USA, Ghana, Peru and Jakarta). The main aim of the seminar was to assist Guyana with establishing the most appropriate and effective institutions that will ensure good governance of our petroleum sector. The first day was specially tailored for

Government Ministries and Agencies responsible for regulation, development of fiscal systems and oversight mechanisms. On the second day, Certified Accountants and Attorneys-at-Law were invited to participate in the discussions about their roles and capacities with respect to the legal frameworks, contract negotiations,

financial risk management and internal controls. The seminar was officially opened by Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman. Below are excerpts from his opening remarks: In May of 2015, international offshore oil explorer, ExxonMobil, reported its discovery of hydrocarbons in the Liza-1 exploration well. The well was drilled by ExxonMobil affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd. and its joint venture partners Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited. This was just over a year ago and much has transpired. We are in an extraordinary process of transformation for our nation. We now know that the Liza well contains a substantial deposit estimated to contain 800 million to 1.4 billion barrels of high quality crude oil. ExxonMobil and its joint venture partners have been working around the clock gathering data, assessing the reservoir, and performing the numerous investment calculations. On Wednesday 16th November 2016, they made Guyanese history by being the first to formally notify the Government of Guyana, in keeping with the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act Cap 65:01 that the discovery of oil is of commercial interest. This was the trumpet call that heralds the coming of “first oil”. There will now be greater expectations, great excitement and greater responsibilities in the weeks and months ahead. The Government of Guyana received that notification on behalf of all citizens of Guyana. It was a watershed moment in our nation’s history that alters the political, economic and social DNA of our present and future, and we are extremely blessed to have this opportunity to develop with Exxon, Hess and Nexen as our partners. Our new hydrocarbon

industry is beginning to develop in the context of today’s crude oil prices which hover around what generally is a discouraging US$50 pb. But it gives us the leeway to plan and implement our petroleum sector (from the ground up) more wisely and prudently. In essence, we have entered the global petroleum industry at a conservative and watchful time. Our focus is on considerations of the possible returns on this investment and how we can maximize them for the benefit of our nation for generations to come. MITIGATING RISKS AND THREATS Development of an oil and gas sector is notorious for the risks and threats it poses to economic and political stability, and to the environment. Management of the sector is going to be a major challenge for Government and domestic institutions. Government must utilize its institutions and regulatory frameworks to ensure transparency and efficiency in the management of oil revenue. In addition, oil revenue must be directed towards productive investments in physical and human capital for long-term sustainability and equitable growth. Guyana has sought and received support from a number of international experts. Our partners include the UNDP, the Commonwealth Secretariat, the US Government through their Energy Governance Capacity Initiative, the Canadian Government through the University of Calgary, and the Government of Mexico in an initiative to establish our own Petroleum Scientific Institute, and of course, the NPPG. BENEFITS FROM NPPG The New Petroleum Producers Group (NPPG) is designed to provide the platforms for open conversation in new and

emerging states on the global oil and gas industry with the experts in the field. The conversations focus on strategy formulation for good governance, and sustainable business practices with good environmental safeguards. Guyana has been a participant in these discussions for the past few years but our participation in the March 2016 meeting in Kenya, nine months after the first announcement of a viable oil find, took on a different tone. This country shifted from a ‘hopeful’ new petroleum producer to a ‘soon to be’ new petroleum producer. The NPPG is carrying out its mandate by imparting advice and support as requested, and has made Guyana the beneficiary of an open exchange programme with Uganda called a “mentoring exchange”. Uganda was chosen because the country only recently completed preparations for oil production set to begin in 2017. Because Guyana is on a similar path, we stand to benefit from the recent experiences of Uganda which has met international requirements. A delegation from Uganda comprising two senior officials from their Ministry of Energy and the Ugandabased NPPG branch were present at the seminar, visiting Guyana for the first time. The seminar was also facilitated by a team of international experts, new and experienced petroleum producers and advisors from Ghana, Suriname, Trinidad, Liberia, the UK and the USA. PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS A suite of new policies and legislation will soon be presented for public review and consultations. They address the governance, regulation and development of our petroleum sector and the establishment of the institutional framework and agencies. That compendium is scheduled to be completed in draft by December 31st 2016. It includes: i. National Oil and Gas (Upstream) Policy ii. Local Content Policy iii. Petroleum Exploration and Production Legislation and Regulations iv. Petroleum Commission Legislation (regulation and oversight) v. Petroleum Taxation and Fiscal Legislation vi. Sovereign Wealth Fund Legislation, which will include provisions for a Stabilisation Fund, an Infrastructure and Social Development Fund, and a Citizens Participation Fund. (To be continued)

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Kaieteur News

My column

Cytotec use is giving me nightmares Another died during the process of childbirth at the Georgetown Public Hospital and I fear that she would not be the last. Again the cause would be the application of a drug that has been banned by the developed world. This drug is Cytotec. Some years ago during the tenure of Dr Leslie Ramsammy as Minister of Health, I raised this issue with him. When I said that the drug is banned in many countries, he told me that it is not really dangerous and that it is applicable in many cases. His comments came even as there were numerous women suffering from ruptured uteruses after the drug is applied. I searched the internet then and I returned to it yesterday. I found this interesting remark. “ C Y T O T E C (MISOPROSTOL) administration to women who are pregnant can cause birth defects, abortion, or premature birth. Uterine rupture has been reported when Cytotec was administered in pregnant women to induce labor or to induce abortion beyond the eighth week of pregnancy (see also precautions and labor and delivery). Cytotec should not be taken by pregnant women to reduce the risk of ulcers induced by nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).�

The authorities say that there are benefits, but the risks are high. The authorities also say that the use of this drug to induce abortions is rapidly gaining traction in places like Brazil and Texas. Many women use it because it is cheaper than going for clinical abortions. To my mind, there have been too many maternal deaths associated with this drug. To argue that it has been successfully used is to listen to the argument of a smoker who lives to a ripe old age. He would knock the findings that smoking causes lung cancer. I am opposed to this drug because every maternal death hurts me badly. Childbirth is natural. I fathered five children, four of whom were born at home. My own mother who made eight of us never went to a hospital, so natural is this process. Indeed there have been the cases of some deaths, but surely not as many as when Cytotec is applied. I am not a physician by any stretch of imagination and the gynaecologists may come out against me, using all the facts at their disposal, but I hold the view that before Cytotec, women were giving birth with minimum complications. Such has been the impact on me that whenever I see a pregnant woman, I wonder whether she would be

successful. I remember when two of my daughters became pregnant. I was happy. I was not nervous, because I was not aware of this drug to induce labour and my daughters went through their labour like millions of women before them. Today my grandchildren are teenagers. There are three from my sons who are in their twenties. What saddens me is that the local medical practitioners seem incapable of repairing a ruptured uterus, so the women simply bleed to death. That no one is sued is testimony to the fact it is difficult to gain judgement against doctors. Their colleagues simply will not testify. This past week, a columnist, Freddie Kissoon, was harsh on the Cubantrained doctors now employed at the Georgetown Public Hospital. He stopped short of calling them killers. Sadly, he painted with a large brush and smeared every Cuban-trained doctor, except those who graduated during the era when Forbes Burnham was Prime Minister and later President. Indeed, some of those licensed are of questionable ability. I remember on one occasion having to speak with Dr Vivienne Mitchell when she headed the Guyana Medical Council. She had a problem licensing some of these doctors because she could not access their grades. The authorities came

down on her to grant the licences but she stood her ground until the weight became too much for her. The authorities, then, argued that these doctors would undergo training on the job to develop their competence. I now hear that a similar situation has developed. Anil Nandlall, a former Attorney General, is fighting for these unlicensed doctors. I hasten to say that I do not know what qualifications these doctors have or whether the situation is one big administrative glitch. There is a report that on one occasion a senior Minister of Government travelled to Cuba to inveigle the authorities to do something about the pass rate. Guyana did not want to report a large number of failures from Cuba. When we selected people to be trained in medicine there were some cases who qualified for the training because of their political

connection. It stands to reason that if one is poorly qualified at the start, it is unlikely that the individual would perform creditably at the higher level. The product would be substandard, similar to what passes in our education system today. We sent many to write the external examinations and the results are so disheartening that the Education Ministry is now seeking measures to improve the teaching of Mathematics. I would suggest that measures be put in place to improve the general system. Many still cannot come to grips with basic English. But it is the medical field that has me worried. I fear that too many substandard doctors are in the system and our people die sometimes after entering the hospital with minor complications. Nigel McKenzie told me that his father-in-law went to the Georgetown Public Hospital following a vehicular

Adam Harris accident. He sustained a broken arm and died. I know that we need doctors in a bad way, but my simple suggestion is for those who graduated poorly from Cuba to be subjected to an intense period of training under the best practitioners we have, before they are allowed to lay hand on any patient. I would also suggest that we shun any medication that can cause death, regardless of the benefits. After all, the adage that a doctor buries his mistakes still holds true.

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By H.E. David Granger The British Guiana Trade Union Council (BGTUC) could have been 75 years old this year. It was first registered on 8th April 1941 but was dissolved on 18th August 1941. It was reconstituted with a wider membership on 14th June 1943. It reappeared on 29th November 1951 and was dissolved on 30th October 1953. It re-emerged on 11th December 1953 and, more or less, survives unto today as the Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC). The GTUC should be proud of its historical record. It was in the vanguard of the struggle for a good life for workers organised in their unions. Individual unions knew that they could not successfully confront the might of employers, especially if those employers were multinationals allied to the colonial state. The trade union movement became an instrument for mobilizing the working class for social change. It was not surprising, therefore, that the country’s two main anti-colonial political leaders – Forbes Burnham and Cheddi Jagan – had ties to the major trade unions in the country. The ‘old model’ BGTUC became a powerful, popular force during the struggle for Independence. Congress, in its heyday, possessed strong arms – Trade Union Youth Movement (estb. 1966) and a Women’s Advisory Committee (WAC); published newspapers and

Sunday November 20, 2016

Kaieteur News

It is time for new thinking in the trade union movement booklets; held regular radio broadcasts; conducted vibrant education seminars; established a Labour College (estb. 1967) and its representatives sat in prominent positions on state agencies, boards and commissions. The GTUC model now needs to re-examine its role and redefine itself. It needs to take account of changes in workers’ well-being over the past seventy-five years; the implosion of workers’ states around the world and the changing nature of the job market. The struggles of workers in Guyana over the past one hundred years have paid dividends. The working class is still confronted, however, by many challenges. Workers have won, over time, the right to organize themselves into unions. Trade unions have won the right to recognition. Hours of work have been reduced. Unions have fought and succeeded in having higher wages and improved working and living conditions. A raft of laws now guarantees rights and protections to workers. Housing, health, water and electricity have improved the lives of workers in Guyana. The trade union movement must be applauded for its contributions to improving the lot of workers.

A NEW MODEL A ‘new model’ of trade unionism is needed to build on these successes and promote 21st century trade unionism. Technology has rendered certain jobs redundant and led to downsizing in many industries. Outsourcing has added to job losses. Globalization has led to jobless growth in some instances. These developments have weakened the trade union movement. Trade union membership has shrunk. It is estimated in Guyana that less than 20 per cent of the workforce is now unionized. The decline in union membership has affected the capability and credibility of trade unions. A new model aimed at restoring workers’ confidence and enhancing capacity-building of trade unions must be considered. A new model is also needed to take account of changes in the job market. The International Labour Organization in its World Employment Social Outlook 2015 report noted that: - employment growth is weak, partly because of the decline in global demand and falling productivity; globally only 50 per cent of workers are in wage and salary employment; - employment is shifting

towards part-time, single, self-employment and contributing family work which are anticipated to constitute thirty per cent of new jobs between 2015 and 2019. The diversified, fragmented nature of employment markets will present serious challenges for the unionization of workers and the protection of their rights. It will require a reevaluation of the model of trade union organization. The GTUC, as an association of trade unions, has to redefine itself in light of these existential challenges which confront the labour movement. Its attention has to be concentrated on addressing the concerns of the working class, including those who are unemployed. The trade union movement, in adapting to these new circumstances, must embrace a model that promotes: - education: We are living in a globalized era. Knowledge-based industries are the main drivers of economic growth and competitiveness. Workers need to be educated and skilled if they are to function effectively in the workplace. Workers need education to improve their upward mobility. Education will open greater opportunities for the unemployed to secure jobs.

H.E. President David Granger The provision of educational services for workers and the unemployed must become GTUC’s central focus. - employment: The trade union movement must position itself to promote selfemployment amongst workers as a means of reducing unemployment. Mechanisms such as credit unions run by trade unions can help the unemployed with credit to launch their own businesses. The GTUC must examine ways to provide seed capital, skills training and mentoring to encourage job creation through entrepreneurship. GTUC must help to arrest the alienation of workers from their unions if the movement is to survive. Workers need to be engaged. Trade unions need to consider the changes

that are taking place around the world and away from the comfort of the coastland. Guyana is a blessed country – it is the green heart of the world. Guyana is at the very centre of the Guiana Shield – one of the world’s last remaining blocks of virgin tropical rainforests. Guyana is a net carbon sink. Forests envelop more than 85 per cent of its land mass, the second highest percentage forest cover in the world. The forests sequester carbon, purify the air and reduce the greenhouse effect, thereby mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. Guyana is to become a ‘green state’ and can become a workers’ paradise. The ‘Green state’ rests on four pillars: - the provision of educational, environmental services and ecotourism; - the protection of our biodiversity and wildlife and management of our coastal zone, rivers, wetlands and protected areas; - the generation of sustainable energy; and, - the mitigation of the adverse effects of climate change. A new model for trade unionism, appropriate to the ‘Green State’ must emerge. The old model has outlived its usefulness. It is written: Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” It is time for new wine and new thinking in the trade union movement.

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Kaieteur News

Helpful advice for patients living with multiple health problems By Dr. Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine Advances in medicine have led to increased life expectancy and as our population lives longer, there is a higher likelihood of being afflicted with multiple health problems. The increasing prevalence of risk factors such as tobacco use and physical inactivity are also contributing to the burden of having a population with multiple health problems. This in turn puts a strain on the affected person, his/her family and minimizes their contribution towards the development of society. Living with multiple health problems is often challenging. Today I hope to give some advice on how to cope with a life with many health problems. IS IT COMMON TO HAVE MULTIPLE HEALTH PROBLEMS? Yes, it is common to have more than one ongoing health problem. Doctors call this having “multiple comorbidities.” This is especially common in people as they get older. Here are some medical conditions that often occur together: * Heart disease * Diabetes * High blood pressure * Arthritis or chronic pain * Depression or anxiety WHATARE THE CONCERNS ABOUT MULTIPLE HEALTH PROBLEMS? Sometimes, people with multiple health problems see different doctors about each of their problems. These doctors do not always realize how the problem they are working with fits into the “whole” of you. They might focus on your blood sugar level, but your first worry might be to stop the pain you have from arthritis when you walk. Sometimes, treatment (such as exercise) for one problem can make another problem worse. And some medicines can help one problem but make another worse. Your doctors need to know which other doctors you are seeing, so they can work together to form the best

plan of care for you. You can help them do that. Sometimes it’s best to not doctor shop. It may cause more harm than good and may lead to incomplete management of all your conditions. Your best option is to find a reliable doctor who can manage your complaints and can refer you to others if you have a specific condition that requires their intervention. WHAT SHOULD I DO IFI HAVE MULTIPLE HEALTH PROBLEMS? If you have multiple health problems, do the following: * Work with your main doctor to decide what matters most to you when it comes to your care. Always remember that you can choose which treatments you want and don’t want. Think about these questions and talk to your doctor about your answers: •Which of your health problems bothers you most? Which one do you want to focus on first? •What matters most to you: living a long time, staying independent, or having the least amount of pain or other symptoms? •Are any of your treatments causing side effects or problems? * Plan for your doctor visits ahead of time. When you see your doctor, make a plan for what you want to discuss and come prepared with notes or questions. Do not try to do too much at once. If you need to, make more than one appointment. * Make sure that your main doctor, and any other doctor who prescribes medicines for you, knows about all of the medicines you take. This includes any over-the-counter or herbal medicines you use on a regular basis. It is also helpful to bring the actual bottles of pills you take to each visit, so your doctor can review them. Ask your main doctor to go over all your medicines with you at least once a year. * Keep a list of all the medicines you take; that includes the dose you take, your reason for taking it, and the doctor who prescribed it. Carry this list with you and bring it with you to all of your medical appointments. * Ask your doctor if there are things you can do on your

own to deal with any of your health problems. Some medical problems get better with lifestyle or diet changes. If you can improve your condition with lifestyle changes, you might be able to avoid the risks and side effects of some of your medicines or treatments. IS THEREANYTHING I CAN DO ON MY OWN TO FEEL BETTER? Yes. There are things that all people can do to improve

their health. Here are some things you can do: * Choose a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products, and low in sweets and processed flours. For example, choose whole grain breads and whole grain pastas over white bread or regular pasta. * Do some sort of physical activity most days of the week, and build up your activity level slowly. Even small amounts of activity done several times a day can

help you get stronger. * Try to get enough sleep. If you have trouble sleeping, talk to your doctor or nurse about possible solutions. * If you feel depressed or anxious, talk to your doctor. Depression and anxiety can make other health problems hard to manage. * Plan activities with other people, so you aren’t stuck at home alone for days. Having multiple health problems can sometimes be

Dr. Zulfikar Bux overwhelming. Family support and working with your doctor to sort them out over time are your best options to combat your situation.

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Kaieteur News

SUNDAY SPECIAL US$200M SKELDON FACTORY FALLING TO PIECES – GUYSUCO The US$200M Skeldon Sugar Factory is falling to pieces and it isn’t worth the effort to put it back together. This is according to officials at the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). Their conclusion is based on a damning audit conducted on the factory and its operating plants by an international firm. The report on the findings shows how the factory is deteriorating in various areas. The report also provides numerous telling images of the bagasse fired power plant within the factory. This was a main area of concern and focus for the international firm that conducted the technical assessment of the factory. The auditors found that the entire insulation was missing for the plant’s diffuser thus resulting in major heat losses. The auditors were also left with no choice but to flag the plant’s boiler fuel feeders noting that they posed serious safety issues. The auditors said, “Frequency converters for bagasse feeder motors were missing and not working due to lack of spares. Further, the conveyer feeder junction box and connection boxes were in a bad condition.” Discovered as well, was the fact that exhaust gas leakages in the boilers occurred due to wrong furnace pressure. Boiler platforms were also deemed dangerous due to the severe extent of corrosion. The auditors in their investigation of the $200M entity found that oil burners for the boilers were demolished and considered it to be a fire hazard. The auditors are of the firm view that the dreadful condition of the insulators for the boilers was also a health risk for employees there. During their audit, it was found that furnace wall tubes needed replacement and superheat tubes were damaged. The auditors were also alarmed by the fact that the mere lack of spare parts prevented crucial repairs of certain aspects of the factory. 22 CELL PHONES, 21 WEAPONS, TATTOO MACHINE SEIZED FROM CAMP STREET JAIL -AS POLICE AND ARMY LAUNCH MAJOR SEARCHES As part of heightened security activities to ensure domestic security, the Joint Services last week Saturday conducted Operation Safe Guard at the Georgetown and New Amsterdam prisons and seized a large quantity of contraband items. According to a Government statement, confiscated from the Georgetown Prison were 22 cellular phones; 558 grams marijuana; nine packets of cigarettes; eight cellular phone chargers; a quantity of ziploc bags; 45 lighters; a quantity of bamboo wrappers; a quantity of wine; 21 weapons; four cellular phone batteries; one arrow; two pairs of scissors; $300 cash; TT$200; four grabber hooks; five gallons of home-made wine; 20 razor blades; five sim cards and one tattoo machine. According to the Ministry of the Presidency, a lesser number of items were found at the New Amsterdam prison. “Of grave concern to the security forces is that the Georgetown Prison was last searched on September 23, 2016, which means that the contraband item haul accumulated in just under two months. The government will continue to work closely with the Guyana Prison Service and the Joint Services to address ongoing security weaknesses at the

Sunday November 20, 2016

nation’s correctional facilities,” the statement said. The Guyana Police Force, along with the Joint Services where necessary, will continue to scale up security activities in targeted areas to ensure the security of residents and visitors across Guyana as the country enters the holiday season and in light of the uptick in criminal activity. “The Government of Guyana continues to urge citizens to cooperate with the security forces.” On Friday evening, Government announced that it would be placing joint services ranks in areas considered hot spots for criminal activities. This was after weeks of a reported increase in armed robberies. There were robberies at gas stations, supermarkets and an auto importer office as well as a number of home invasions. While statistics are showing a drop in serious crimes compared to last year, the indications are that there has been a spike in armed robberies over the last two months. UN DECISION ON BORDER CONTROVERSY…VENEZUELA MAKES LAST-MINUTEAPPEALFOR DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION 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 November 11, 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 “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 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 Ki-

moon, 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. MONDAYEDITION ILLEGAL GRANTING OF LICENCES….BROADCASTAUTHORITY CHAIRMAN HAMPEREDATTEMPTS TO CORRECT WRONGS – INQUIRY The Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) has failed to deliver key promises made to the Guyanese people. These promises were made by the very government that appointed the Board. Guyanese had expected that, by now, the Board would have at least made moves to dismantle the operations of those who were favoured by the PPP/C administration and were fortunate enough to be granted licences by former President Bharrat Jagdeo days before he demitted office. This reality was highlighted in the recently concluded report on an inquiry conducted into the operations of the Board of GNBA. According to the report, GNBA Board Chairman, Leonard Craig was the stumbling block in the Board’s journey towards making things right in the broadcast industry, particularly with regards to the licences. The Inquiry was conducted by Major General Joe Singh who worked along closely with the Legal Advisor from the Ministry of the Presidency, Geeta Chandan-Edmond. Singh stated that the Board was saddled with “legacy issues” from its inception which influenced its composition. Singh said that the inheritance of the Board included problems with the Broadcasting Act which was “hastily” enacted with perceived arbitrary and inconsistent provisions. He noted that the modus operandi of the previ-

ous administration led to subjective decisions being made, “which included allegations on the award of frequencies and licenses.” Singh recalled that this distribution was frowned upon by the then opposition parties which now form the government. He noted that those parties pledged to correct these inconsistencies. According to Singh’s findings, the matter of the illegal radio licences was discussed at the Board meetings. However, it was suggested that while other members of the Board were in favor of dealing with the matter and correcting the wrongs, Craig was not in favour of such undertakings. Singh said, “The intransigence of the Chairman inhibited the work of the Board…the members worked assiduously to correct the perceived wrongs of the previous administration.” HIGH-TECH SCANNERS FOR GEORGETOWN PRISONS – AS AUTHORITIES SEEK TO STEM SMUGGLING OF PROHIBITED ITEMS A device that can detect items hidden in body crevices, as well as more sophisticated walk-through scanners are equipment that prison authorities hope to acquire next year, to stem the smuggling of weapons and other prohibited items into the country’s penitentiaries. Deputy Director of Prisons Gladwin Samuels told Kaieteur News last Sunday that prison authorities have already budgeted for the items. He disclosed that the walk-through scanners that officials are seeking to acquire would be similar to the ones used at the Cheddi Jagan (Continued on page 32)

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(From page 32) International Airport. The equipment would be able to store data to allow prison officers to review the footage and detect if an individual was allowed to pass with a prohibited item. Samuels said that according to law, everyone entering the prisons, “from the Director right down,” is subjected to searches. In addition to the walk-through scanners and others to detect items hidden in bags, prison officials are also seeking to acquire equipment that can detect items that prisoners conceal on their person. According to the Deputy Director, it has long been suspected that some inmates hide items in their rectums. He said that in the past, prisoners suspected of doing this would be sent to hospital to be examined. With the equipment that the officials hope to acquire, inmates suspected of hiding items in their rectums would be required to sit on the device, which is equipped with X-ray equipment. But Samuels also noted that the cost of some of the equipment is somewhat prohibitive, with the walk-through scanners valued at approximately $12M. Because of this, the equipment would only be installed at the Georgetown Prisons for now. The Deputy Director noted that Barbados already has such equipment at its prison. ”Barbados is way ahead of us. What we found in the Georgetown Prison (on Saturday) is what Barbados finds in a year. In the past some prison warders have been implicated in smuggling items into the prisons, and Samuels conceded that it is likely that this is still occurring. He also alluded to the 2002 jailbreak, in which it was believed that prison ranks assisted in the smuggling of a firearm that was used by the escapees. That jailbreak triggered a spree of brutal killings, robberies and kidnappings. The effects of that ‘crime wave’ are still being felt. GUYSUCO EXPENDS OVER $600M ON DRAINAGEAND IRRIGATION SERVICES FOR COMMUNITIES – PROPOSES TO GOVT. THAT IT BE COMPENSATED BY NDIA The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) expends over $600M a year on drainage and irrigation services provided to various communities. But top officials within the state-owned entity have proposed to Government that it be compensated for these works by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA). According to GuySuCo Board members, the recovery of drainage and irrigation charges from NDIA is just one of the many options currently being looked at so that the loss making company can draw in more funds to service daily expenses. ”From the inception, GuySuCo has assisted with the drainage and irrigation of surrounding communities which accounts for approximately 40 percent of the company’s annual drainage and irrigation costs,” an official said. ”These costs should be recovered from NDIA.” According to Chief Executive Officer Errol Hanoman, the communities provided with the services are within proximity of sugar estates. ”The communities are from Skeldon to Uitvlugt. And from since the time GuySuCo has been doing this, it has never been reimbursed. It is currently counted as part of the entity’s operating costs. We believe that the competent bodies should pay us for these

Kaieteur News

services. ”Based on our calculations, these services cost GuySuCo over $600M annually. So it is one of those options we have on the table at the moment before the Government.” TUESDAYEDITION GECOM IN LIMBO…CHAIRMANABOUT TO RESIGNAFTER LEAVE, VITAL MATTERS STILL UNRESOLVED – PPP/C The Main Parliamentary Opposition – the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) last Monday confirmed that the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Dr. Steve Surujbally, will demit office with effect from November, 30th, 2016. General Secretary of the Party, Clement Rohee, told media operatives at the PPP/C’s Headquarters in Robb Street, Georgetown, that Dr. Surujbally conveyed his intention to the Commission at a recent statutory meeting. Rohee said also that the party understands that the Chairman has informed the Head of State, President David Granger, and the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo about his decision. However, the PPP/C is concerned. According to Rohee, the Party was “reliably”

informed that the Chairman of the Commission has proceeded on ninety days Annual Vacation Leave (AVL) due to him with effect from September 1, 2016, at the end of which he will vacate office. ”The PPP is concerned that since proceeding on leave, meetings of GECOM have not been held to deal with substantive issues save for one meeting to address administrative matters relating to the currently ongoing continuous registration.” Rohee said. The General Secretary continued that letters have been written by Members of GECOM to Dr. Surujbally requesting the convening of GECOM meetings to discuss matters of strategic importance to the work of the Commission. ”Approaches will be made at the appropriate Constitutional level to discuss the terms of engagement which will have to be embarked upon in order to appoint a new Chairman of GECOM in accordance with the letter and spirit of Article 161 of the Constitution of Guyana.” Rohee concluded. MINER, LOVER STAB EACH OTHER TO DEATHATEKEREKU In a bizarre incident at Ekereku Bottom, a miner and his partner are both dead after viciously stabbing each other during a row last Sunday at their business premises. Police identified the victims as Selima Norton, 45, called Shelly’ of New Providence Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, and Kurt Reynolds, 37, of Silverballi Street, Meadow Brook Gardens. Police reportedly found Norton’s mutilated body at the scene, while Reynolds, who was still alive, lay nearby with two stab wounds to his abdomen. The father of four succumbed as ranks were attempting to transport him out of the area for medical treatment. A blood-stained knife was recovered at the scene. A police source said that the dying man claimed that he and Norton had quarreled after they both accused each other of infidelity. He alleged that Norton stabbed him, but he managed to use the same weapon to wound her. But according to a press release, Reynolds and Norton who were operating a business at Ekereku had an argument over Reynolds’ alleged mismanagement of their business. The argument escalated and it is alleged that Norton armed herself with a knife and stabbed Reynolds twice to the abdomen and left foot. Reynolds then allegedly took the weapon and

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stabbed Norton multiple times about her body, after which they both collapsed some distance apart and bled to death. Reynolds was reportedly still alive when ranks from the Ekereku Police Station, who travelled to the area by boat and All Terrain Vehicle, arrived some 30 minutes later. A source close to Reynolds’ family said that the miner had been working in the interior for at least seven years. A source said that he and Norton started a relationship about a year ago. The slain woman is the same Shelly Norton who narrowly escaped death in October, 2015, when her jilted partner shot and killed her oneyear-old granddaughter, Arian Gill, and wounded Norton’s 12-year-old daughter, Ashley Wellington. BUDGET DAY IS NOW NOV. 28 – HOUSE SPEAKER For the first time in decades, Guyana will have its Budget Day way before the new year begins. Originally scheduled for December 5th, that date has been brought forward by a week. According to House Speaker, Dr. Barton Scotland, in a paid advertisement – The Parliament Corner – published in Kaieteur News last Sunday, the new date is now November 28. ”This means the Minister of Finance will lay the Estimates of Revenues and Expenditure for the financial year 2017 before the National Assembly and he will make his Annual Financial Statement or Budget Speech.” According to the Speaker, in a recap of what the House is expected to do, at the conclusion of the budget presentation by the Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, the House will be adjourned. ”Following this, the Standing Orders provide for a maximum of five additional days of debate on the budget motion and any proposed amendments. Debate on the budget motion has precedence over all other Government Orders. No other government business may be considered during a sitting in which the House debates the budget motion, unless the proceedings on it are completed.” The assembly has seven days for consideration of the Estimates of Expenditure in the Committee of Supply, before it comes to the main floor for passage. In the past, budget presentation is not unknown to be presented about two or three months after the new year breaks. The coalition administration had vowed last year to present the budget earlier, as late passage has implications on spending and the award (Continued on page 34)

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(From page 33) of state contracts. The November 28th date would mean that probably for the first time, in decades, two budget speeches would be presented by the Government in one year. WEDNESDAYEDITION SUPPLY OF BMWS FOR 2007 CRICKET WORLD CUP…EX-MINISTER’S SON, PARTNERS REGISTERED COMPANY DAYS BEFORE RECEIVING $169M CONTRACT A forensic audit report into the spending for the 2007 Cricket World Cup (CWC) is continuing to throw up a number of worrying findings. In 2006, the administration under former President Bharrat Jagdeo took a decision to import 20 BMW vehicles for the event and for the Rio Conference that was to be held in Guyana in the same year. After the decision by the Cabinet, a company named Prestige Motors Inc. was “conveniently incorporated” on December 6th, 2006. Later that same month or three weeks later, on December 29th, the company received a staggering $84M, representing half down-payment to bring in the 20 BMWs on behalf of the then Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport. The other half was paid seven months later on July 28th, 2007. The Minister at the time was Dr. Frank Anthony. According to a forensic audit report prepared by accountant John Barnes last December, the participation of Prestige Motors seemed “pre-arranged”, given the timing of the registration of the company. The report is now in the hands of police after the Coalition Government, through its Cabinet, decided that enough indicators existed that warranted a criminal probe into the BMW deal and that of the entire World Cup spending by the Jagdeo-led administration. Jagdeo ended his constitutional two terms in 2009, a period that was punctuated with scandals and a number of questionable state projects in which billions of tax dollars were spent. Last year the coalition government under President David Granger ordered several forensic audits into a number of state agencies and projects which had over time been generating questions and concerns. With regards to the BMW purchases and contract that was awarded, the forensic audit report could find little information. What it did find was that the Secretary of Prestige Motors Inc. was Keith Evelyn of Hand-in-Hand Trust Corporation. The Managing Director was Vishok Persaud, of E-Networks. Persaud is the son of the late Reepu Persaud, who was a former Minister of Agriculture and a senior official of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). The forensic auditor attempted to track down Prestige Motors, but said that despite several requests to the Deeds Registry, he failed to obtain information on who the other directors were. The company has remained active. Of the 20 BMW vehicles imported, 13 were sedans while the rest were sport utility vehicles (SUVs). The auditor was able to acquire documents issued by Prestige Motors Inc. to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, showing that the importation of the vehicles, including dealer, handling and port fees would cost US$817,600 or G$168.8M. DISCORD AT GNBA…GET RID OF CRAIG, SANCTION VIEIRA – INQUIRY

The Board of Inquiry set up to look into the affairs of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) has recommended the removal of Board Chairman, Leonard Craig, and some form of “sanction” for Director Anthony Vieira. These measures were recommended based on the examination of the “acrimonious” relationship that existed between Board members. According to the report of the Inquiry submitted to the Prime Minister by Major General (Ret’d) Joseph Singh, the tension between begun to grow from the inception. There was basically no grace period. Singh reported that before there was any meeting of the Board, Craig took it upon himself and sought to get familiar with Broadcasters. Singh stated, “His (Craig’s) decision to meet, on his own accord, with Broadcasters without the consent and knowledge of the Board generated great discontent and condemnation at the inaugural meeting.” Singh stated that despite the fact that Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo is lawfully empowered to select the Chairman of the GNBA, the Directors were of the view the selection ought to have been made by them. Despite the fact that Singh highlighted the utter disrespect shown to Craig, he still said that the Directors were “professional” ”The Directors are recognized as high performing individuals due to their expertise and “professionalism. However, their competence to a large extent has been overshadowed by the pervasive atmosphere and tension which prevailed at the Board meetings.” At the hearings, staff expressed concerns about the relationship between Craig and Vieira. They were “particularly worried about the detrimental impact this relationship will have on the current and likely future performance of the GNBA.” Singh said that during the course of the inquiry, it became clear, from the evidence provided, that the Craig was not providing transformational leadership, showed little inclination to expedite recommendations brought from the committees to the Board, and influenced the divisive and interpersonal conflicts. Singh added that Craig’s

failure to provide transformational leadership “is largely responsible for the breakdown in working relationships, characterized by an absence of genuine goodwill, respect and trust between chairman and directors”. Major General Singh said that the caustic exchanges during the stages of the decisionmaking often made the process dysfunctional, resulting in meetings being adjourned with unfinished business.

tor of the Division of Health Sciences Education and the Principal Tutor of the Georgetown Nursing School, to deliberate on the matter. But he disclosed Tuesday, “We were unable to get pertinent answers to questions about this breach”. As such, he asserted that “we are of the view that no final decision can be made with respect to the re-writing of the examination until a proper investigation is completed.”

POLICE PROBE LEAK OF NURSES’ STATE FINAL EXAM PAPERS -MINISTER HINTS AT POSSIBLE INVOLVEMENT OF NURSING COUNCIL PERSONNEL

THURSDAY EDITION APPALLING STATE OF SKELDON FACTORY, FAILING INDUSTRY…JAGDEO, RAMOTAR TRYING TO CONFUSE THE NATION WITH TRICKERY …SHOULD BE ASHAMED TO BLAME OTHERS – GUYSUCO CHAIRMAN

A number of individuals could be placed before the courts if an ongoing police investigation finds them guilty of breaching the 2016 State Final Examination for Professional Nurses. But an internal preliminary investigation has already caused some officials to render the examination null and void, thus all candidates could see themselves having to re-sit a new examination. The examination, which is set by the General Nursing Council of Guyana, was conducted on October 19 and 20, 2016. A total of 250 Professional Nurses participated in the examination which usually caters to nursing students from the Georgetown School of Nursing, the Charles Roza School of Nursing, the New Amsterdam School of Nursing and the privately-operated St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. However, the marking of the examination was stalled when it was discovered that there was a breach in the Clinical and Functional examination papers. It is not clear how the breach was uncovered, but Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton, at a press conference Tuesday hinted at the fact that students are more than likely not the only ones who will be found culpable. ”While it is the student nurses who are involved, yet there are other personnel involved, and we should also direct our investigation in that direction. You can only buy if you are being sold, and this is something that is handled by the General Nursing Council. We were informed that the papers were sold, and if that is the case, then an offence has been committed that warranted an investigation by the police,” Minister Norton shared. According to the Minister too, the National Health Policy Committee of the Ministry of Public Health met with the Chairman of the Nursing Council, the Direc-

Top officials within the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) are maintaining that the appalling state of the multibillion-dollar Skeldon Sugar Factory and the overall poor performance of the sugar industry, are just two of the highlights of PPP’s disgraceful track record in governing and managing key sectors. Specifically, GuySuCo Chairman Dr. Clive Thomas made this assertion during an interview with this newspaper. Dr. Thomas said that the US$200 million Skeldon Sugar Factory which was promised by the PPP to produce some 100,000 tonnes of cane is yet to do so. He noted, too, that the factory, based on an audit done by Wartsila Company, has been found to be in such a shocking state that the auditors said it would simply be pointless repairing it. Dr. Thomas stressed that factory in the first place, was poorly constructed. The economist said that this is what the current administrationinheritedfromtheformerregime.Heemphasized, “We are trying to salvage what is left. I have said it before and I will say it again, the PPP unquestionably ran this sector into the ground. They had 23 years and given what we inherited, the PPP should be ashamed to face the nation; they should be ashamed to say the words: sugar industry” However, in light of recent reports and images exposing the state of the US$200M factory which was commissioned in 2009, former President Donald Ramotar has come out strongly denying that his regime should be held responsible. In fact, Ramotar did not hesitate to throw the blame at the feet of the current administration. The former President has a theory that the Government is out to sabotage the factory. Also speaking recently on the matter was former President, Bharrat Jagdeo. The Opposition Leader at a press conference (Continued on page 35)

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Kaieteur News

(From page 34) Wednesday did not blame the coalition administration for the prevailing conditions at Skeldon. Instead, he said that it was the fault of UK-based company, Booker Tate Limited and that of the “incompetent” officials at GuySuCo. Noting the comments made by the two former Presidents, Dr. Thomas said that he is taken aback, to say the least, that the duo would even have the audacity to try to “confuse the nation with such trickery.” The GuySuCo Chairman said, “I have every confidence that the nation would see through the downright nasty and wicked tales being told by these two individuals. They really ought to be ashamed of themselves to be passing the blame to anyone else, when they sat at the helm of the sugar industry and watched it decline to such an appalling extent.” JAGDEO NOW BLAMES CONSULTANTS, GOVT. FOR AILING SKELDON FACTORY Former President Bharrat Jagdeo, now Leader of the Opposition, is not accepting blame for the state of the ailing US$200M Skeldon Sugar Factory saying that it was the Agribusiness Consultancy Team, Booker Tate, that was hired to oversee the construction of the factory to ensure that the quality was done to a certain level. The United Kingdom (UK)-based entity had managed the sugar industry for around 20 years from 1990 but relations between it and the then People’s Progressive Party/Civic Administration soured around 2009 amid the construction woes surrounding the troubled Skeldon sugar factory and the contract was terminated. This would lead to Booker Tate and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) locking horns in a five-year court battle which saw the Corporation losing both of the cases that were presented in the High Court. GuySuCo was ordered to pay £664,750.91 ($204 million) for fees owed to the company during the period it managed the industry. The other case, which was a counterclaim by the Corporation for damages, was dismissed by the court due to insufficient evidence. Jagdeo on Wednesday leveled blame against the company and the current administration for the state of the Factory. He said that Booker Tate was hired as Project Managers and was “supposed” to do some of the designs as well as to oversee the Chinese Contractors designs. He added that the company was entrusted with this critical aspect of the project because they were the ‘best’ at that time. “Now, we’re told about all these mistakes that were made, but it was not done by politicians. We hired the best technical people and Booker Tate was considered the best people to oversee the factory…” The politician’s statements would come days after a Technical Assessment revealed that the facility is falling apart. This has paved the way for much scrutiny where observers have expressed their concerns via several fora. $9M FROM BARRY DATARAM TO BE FORFEITED - MONIES SUSPECTED TO BE EARNINGS FROM DRUG TRAFFICKING The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is seeking permission to dispose of $9M, suspected to be proceeds from a criminal enterprise, belonging to Barry Dataram, a convicted drug trafficker. It was reported that the Special Organized

Crime Unit (SOCU) was in possession of the monies after it was found by Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) ranks during the raid of a house occupied by Dataram at 661 Fourth Avenue, Block ‘X’ Diamond, East Bank Demerara, on April 16. These monies were being investigated by SOCU. An attorney from the chambers of the DPP made an application to have the assets forfeited before Magistrate Judy Latchman on Wednesday, in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Kaieteur News understands that the court will effect service on November 25, when Dataram returns to court with his reputed wife Anjanie Boodnarine to face trial for illegal ammunition possession. James Singh, Head of CANU had confirmed that over 100 pounds of cocaine along with cash and ammunition were found at the address, which led to the arrest of Dataram, Boodnarine, and two of their friends Anthony Gouveia and Komal Charran. A joint charge for possession of narcotics for trafficking was instituted against them. However, Dataram was found guilty of the offence and sentenced to 60 months imprisonment and fined $164M in absentia by Magistrate Latchman. The others were freed. The DPP has since appeal the not guilty verdicts. BMWS FOR 2007 WORLD CUP… JAGDEO UNSURE HOW NEWLYREGISTERED COMPANY RECEIVED CONTRACT Former President Bharrat Jagdeo has distanced himself from a major contract for new BMW vehicles that was awarded to a newly-registered company in late 2006. The contract for the supply of those high-end vehicles – 13 sedans and seven Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) – was handed to a company registered on December 6th, 2006 as Prestige Motors Inc. According to a forensic audit report ordered on the 2007 Cricket World Cup (CWC), a mere three weeks after the company was registered, it was paid $84M, representing half of the money for the supply of the 20 vehicles. The registration of that company and the timing of the payments were deemed suspicious, and were among several reasons why the current Cabinet ordered the audit report to be handed

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over to the police for a criminal investigation. Jagdeo, who was in power during the 2007 Cricket World Cup which was being hosted by the region, oversaw the purchase of the vehicles via his Cabinet. On Wednesday, questioned on how come a company was allowed to register days before being awarded the aforementioned contract, Jagdeo during a press conference at his party’s headquarters, on Robb Street, said he is unaware that the company was registered days before an advance to the tune of millions of dollars was made. Making a case that it could not have been that Prestige Motors was favoured and working on insider knowledge, the former President insisted that leading up to the contract, his administration had been looking at a number of different proposals in ways the BMWs could have been brought into Guyana. BMW was a major sponsor for the World Cup and host countries were mandated to purchase a few of the vehicles to move officials around. He said that BMW had wanted Guyana to buy 78 of the vehicles, but his Government managed to bring this down to 20. The vehicles that Guyana ended up with were the basic models with none of the fancy bells and whistles. Other host countries went for the higher end vehicles, he said. FRIDAYEDITION $1B KATO SCHOOL… CONTRACTOR FACES GOVT. WRATH OVER SHODDY WORK It appears that the patience of the Coalition Government has run thin with a contractor that has fouled up big time with a Secondary school at Kato, Region Eight. The Kato Secondary School, a major project that was handled by the previous Government - the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) - is falling apart without one class being held. Government will have to spend more than $150M to repair that construction which has cost a staggering $1B and counting. On Thursday, Government warned the contractor, Kares Engineering Inc., to do the “honourable thing” and not bid for another state contract until it can get itself in order. Responding to questions over the state of the Region Eight school, Vice President and Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, disclosed that while Kares is not barred from tendering for government work, it is unlikely given the current circumstances that the com-

pany will be granted any. Kares, a company whose director is listed as Radesh Rameshwar, has first to bring itself into compliance with the law and convince Government that it is practicing proper construction techniques before receiving state contracts, the official disclosed. However, the government official made it clear that in a democracy, anyone has a right to tender; but whether they win the contract is another matter. Trotman noted that reporters had travelled to the school and had seen the defects for themselves. The matter takes more significance as the issue of children’s safety has come to the fore. Describing the Kato school construction as beyond shoddy, the minister believed that Kares should do the honourable thing and withdraw from bidding for state contracts. Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, is in the process of determining who will stand the cost of the remedial work to the Kato Secondary School building. More than 400 students and teachers are expected to occupy it. It includes dorms and other facilities and would have catered for students from the outlying areas in Region Eight. ”Ultimately the wellbeing and welfare of children, and their right to an education must be paramount, so I believe that the Minister of Public Infrastructure is going to be finding ways to do some repairs to the building so that it can be safely, efficiently occupied by the students,” the Minister said. DON’T BLAME BOOKER TATE FOR YOUR LAWLESSNESS –TROTMAN TELLS JAGDEO SAYS- “THE NATION KNOWS EXACTLY WHO BRUCK UP GUYSUCO AND IT WAS NOT BOOKER TATE OR THIS GOVERNMENT.” The blame game has been in effect this week regarding the deteriorating state of the Skeldon factory and the sugar industry by extension. Specifically, Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo told the media that the only two culprits to be held responsible for the current state of Skeldon and the industry would be Booker Tate and the current management of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). Joining him in casting the blame on anything but the PPP was former President Donald Ramotar. The PPP Executive member believes that the current government is out to sabotage the US$200M factory. He said, too, (Continued on page 36)

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 20, 2016

(From page 35) that the factory was never handed over to the Government in that state. After noting the comments made by the two politicians, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, made it clear Thursday that it is the PPP administration that is responsible for the prevailing conditions within the sugar industry as well as the appalling state of the Skeldon Estate. The Natural Resources Minister stated, “Like some bad workers, you blame your tools when you don’t get your way. But it is your methodology, your penchant for entering into the affairs of the company, for putting persons who have no business being around there that has led to the destruction.” Trotman continued, “The decision to have a US$200M factory that never generated one kilowatt of energy as promised and has bad machinery… I mean you just can’t blame Booker Tate for that lawlessness.” The politician said that he also agrees with recent sentiments expressed by GuySuCo’s Chairman, Dr. Clive Thomas, that Jagdeo and Ramotar are trying to “kerfuffle the nation.” He said, “The nation knows exactly who bruck up GuySuCo and it was not Booker Tate or this Government.” Asked to say whether Government is engaging Booker Tate in discussions regarding the sugar sector, Trotman answered in the negative. He said, “No decision has been taken to engage Booker Tate. It is a world renowned administrator in the industry. I am sure they had successes and setbacks but I am sure more of the former than the latter.” He concluded however that the state of affairs within the sector is the direct result of bad decisions by the former administration. NORWAY COMMITS TO HELP GUYANA’S CLEAN ENERGY TRANSITION President David Granger and Norway’s Minister of Climate and Environment, Vidar Helgesen, on Thursday met on the sidelines of the UN Climate Change Convention in Marrakesh, Morocco, on the way forward for their forest and climate partnership. ”The cornerstones of the Guyana-Norway partnership are to safeguard Guyana’s rainforest, improve forest governance and support Guyana’s holistic green development, including the transition to green and renewable energy,” a joint statement of the two countries said. Norway had entered a groundbreaking deal with Guyana a few years ago for US$250M that would have seen this country receiving cash to ensure that forest remains standing. The deal expired last year with the new Gov-

Nagamootoo explained that at the level of Cabinet where he chairs the business section, protocol dictates that when he would receive a memorandum which would have attachments. He said that the issue of the Harmon documents came up as a report and not a memorandum. Asked if he will push to see the documents Harmon spoke of, Nagamootoo said, “Now that you have posed it I would have to pursue this with Harmon to have a look at the documents and what they reveal. This is a mystery issue and a phantom financial issue that we encountered.” Channeling his inner journalist, the Prime Minister told the media that he did his own inquiries into the matter. He was able to discover that the original procurers of the GTT shares had offered US$30m. He noted that the company subsequently sold its shares to Datang. “Then we heard all the shenanigans about whether they (Datang) should be given a silver or golden voting rights on the GTT board and if they didn’t then they wouldn’t pay the US$5M,” The Prime Minister said. He added, “If there was a variation to the contract then we should have seen the contract. But we have not seen the contract that says US$5M of the US$30m was contingent to whether or not the Datang group would have majority share or voting rights…and that is where I said there is a mystery surrounding the outstanding sum and it is still a phantom sum.” POOR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT LEADS TO KN STAFFER’S DEATH

ernment announcing intentions to seek a renewal. However, the previous arrangement is not over yet with monies stilled owed by Norway. Guyana is still to complete a number of requirements before a new deal is signed. Norway has granted Guyana an extension to complete its side of the arrangements. According to the statement, Granger used the opportunity to outline a holistic vision for Guyana’s green development. He detailed, as part of this vision, Guyana’s ambitions in the areas of climate mitigation, coastal zone management, conservation, renewable energy, biodiversity management and eco-systems management. ”My administration is committed to the establishment of the ‘green’ state and creating the institutions and the governance structures to ensure that we achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the shortest possible time. I am pleased that the dialogue with

Norway is advancing,” he said. The meeting confirmed that Guyana has kept its deforestation rate low since the start of the partnership, and is making good progress on agreed forest governance reforms and is pursuing a mix of clean energy solutions. Helgesen said: “I am very impressed that President Granger’s government has decided to embark on a green economy pathway, including its commitment under the UN Climate Change Convention to eliminate its dependency on fossil fuels and move close to 100 percent renewable energy supply by 2025. SATURDAY EDITION OUTSTANDING US$5M ON GTT SHARES… NAGAMOOTOO TO PRESS HARMON TO SEE HIS “MYSTERY” DOCUMENTS FROM CHINA The outstanding US$5M to be paid on the sale of Government’s shares in GTT to a Chinese company remains an unsolved mystery. However, the Alliance For Change (AFC) maintains that this is a matter that will not become another cold case. This is according to Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo. The First Vice President said Friday at a press conference that he will push for the issue to be resolved. He was reminded by Kaieteur News that Minister of State, Joseph Harmon received some revealing documents on the outstanding sum from Hong Kong Golden Telecom Company (HKGT), the company that bought Government’s shares in GTT. Nagamootoo was then asked if he has seen those documents at the level of Cabinet. The Prime Minister said, “I cannot say that I have seen the document.”

Just five months after Kaieteur News lost one of its most valued staff members, Dale Andrews, it is now forced to suffer the loss of another beloved colleague, 27-year-old Harry Brijmohan. Brijmohan met with a tragic accident around 06:40 hrs on Friday at Houston, East Bank Demerara (EBD). Brijmohan, of New Providence Housing Scheme, EBD, was heading south on the East Bank Public Road on his motorcycle, when he collided head-on with a car that was heading in the opposite direction on the eastern carriageway, which during the morning rush hour is converted from a two-way thoroughfare into a single lane. Persons familiar with this arrangement have lamented about the haphazard traffic management that exists during rush hour would eventually lead to something disastrous. The Kaieteur News staffer’s death is unfortunately the result of the madness that unfolds during the 90-minute period when the third lane is made available to city-bound traffic. The Guyana Police Force (GPF) in a press release said that due to the heavy congestion in the morning, vehicles are allowed to proceed north on the western side of the east-

ern carriageway of the EBD Public Road. Brijmohan was allegedly heading south on his motor cycle, bearing registration number CG 5075 between the two lan es of vehicles that were proceeding north and south respectively, when he swerved into the oncoming traffic and collided with the right front of a motorcar, PPP 7887. As a result of the impact, the cyclist fell on the roadway. He was picked up in an unconscious condition and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he later succumbed after sustaining severe head injuries and broken bones.

Sunday November 20, 2016

Eminent Muslim Scholar visits Guyana

His Eminence Shaykh Faisal Hamid Abdur Razak. Once again, the Muslim community in Guyana is hosting prominent Sunni-Muslim Scholar, His Eminence Shaykh Faisal Hamid Abdur Razak. The well-respected Scholar, who hails from Brampton, Canada, arrived in Guyana on Friday evening for a short visit made possible by the Al-Faisaliyyah Foundation in Guyana under the theme “Sacred Knowledge Retreat”. The Islamic Scholar studied from 1977 to 1986 in Saudi Arabia, first at Umm al-Qurra University in Makkah, then at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah. He also studied at York University, Toronto, Canada. While in Saudi Arabia, in addition to University studies, he studied under many Scholars and Shaykhs, including Shaykh Hasan Ayub, Shaykh Muhammad alGhazali, Shaykh Muhammad Qutb, Shaykh Abdur-Rahman Barood, Shaykh Muhammad al-Wasfi, Shaykh Farooq alBatal, Shaykh Muhammad Ali al-Sabuni, Shaykh Abdullah Nasih ‘Alwan, Shaykh Maw’il Ezziddin al-Samura’ee. After completing his studies in Saudi Arabia in 1986, he returned to Canada where he became actively involved in Islamic Da‘wah and education. He served as Imam/Khatib of several Masjids and Islamic Centres, including the Islamic Society of Peel, the Islamic

Centre of Brampton, and the Toronto and Region Islamic Centre (TARIC). Shaykh Faisal served on the Government of Canada Interfaith Committee, the Province of Ontario Multifaith Council, and the City of Brampton Multifaith Committee. He is also the President of the Islamic Forum of Canada, Vice-President of the Islamic Council of Imams of Canada, and a member of the al-Shura Muslim Consultative Council. Apart from lecturing on a wide range of topics to gatherings in Guyana he has lectured in many other countries including Canada, U.S.A., England, Germany, Norway, Pakistan, India, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Palestine, Turkey, Syria, Barbados, and Trinidad. He is also the Founder of the Al-Faisaliyyah Foundation in many countries of the world. Shaykh Faisal received ijazas in many of the sacred Islamic sciences from several Scholars and Shaykhs. His most prominent ijazas come from the noble and remarkable scholar, his eminence al‘Allamah Shaykh Muhammad Abul Huda ibn Ibrahim alYaqoubi al-Hasani, and his eminence Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Alawi al-Maliki al-Hasani. The Eminent Scholar is expected to host two “Sacred Knowledge Retreat” training programmes in Guyana. He is expected to leave tomorrow.

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Municipalities, NDCs challenged to urgently review property valuation laws Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, has urged for talking to be over, and that direct action taken for the review of property valuation laws. Municipalities and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) have been battling over the years for rates and taxes increases but this has been resisted. This resulted in many NDCs and municipalities in a cash-strapped situation and unable to take care of their jurisdictions. Addressing issues pertaining to the revenue base of the three municipalities New Amsterdam, Rose Hall

and Corriverton - in Berbice on Friday, Minister Bulkan said that “the question of property valuations and revaluations is an issue that probably we have been talking about for too long and too much.” The revaluation is needed to bring valuation of properties and businesses in line with the 21st century. “We have to stop the talking and get together a dedicated taskforce, now, and start to fast track this question of reform, and instituting modern property assessment scheme, where the tax burden can be more equitably distributed, and where the revenue

base of our (town) councils can be addressed in a meaningful manner,” Minister Bulkan stated. This is to ensure that there are sufficient financial resources that would allow the Councils to attend to their activities and responsibilities, he said in a government release. Bulkan said that this taskforce would involve the Ministries of Communities and, Finance, and the Local Government Organs. Minister Bulkan and a team from the Ministry of Communities including Permanent Secretary (PS) Emile McGarrel met with the May-

- will allow for tax burden to be more equitable ors, Deputy Mayors and councillors of Rose Hall, Corriverton and New Amsterdam at the Central Corentyne Chambers of Commerce building in Rose Hall, Corentyne. The interactive session saw the Minister addressing the local councillors’ concerns pertaining to their councils’ lack of funds to execute meaningful projects, the sore issue of valuation of properties and businesses in the municipalities, and stipend for the councillors and tensions within one of the councils. On the issue of the prop-

erty valuation/revaluation, Minister Bulkan also told the councillors that the council has the authority to determine the value of property taxes, and to bring these and its other revenue bases in line, with what it needs to meet the expenditure that it requires to carry its annual work programme. Minister Bulkan assured that the government will continue to support the councils with subventions, to help in the carrying out of some of their duties. The Minister of Communities said, however, that the

government expects that the councillors will in time begin to “take ownership” of their councils. Bulkan pointed out that if the councils work to find their own source of funding, then they would not have to deal with the strings that are attached to the financial support they get from outside sources. On the issue of the stipend to the councillors, he noted that “there is nothing in the local government legislation that prevents the municipal councils from paying stipends or salaries to their Continued on page 71

Sunday November 20, 2016

Marc Anthony Splits with wife Shannon De Lima

Women’s Health Tips for Heart, Mind, and Body

Looking for the path toward a healthier you? It’s not hard to find. The journey begins with some simple tweaks to your lifestyle. The right diet, exercise, and stressrelief plan all play a big role. Follow a Heart-Healthy DietThere’s an easy recipe if your goal is to keep away problems like heart disease and strokes. Eat more fruits and veggies Choose whole grains. Try brown rice instead of white. Switch to whole wheat pasta. Choose lean proteins like poultry, fish, beans, and legumes. Cut down on processed foods, sugar, salt, and saturated fat. When eating healthy, flexibility often works best, says Joyce Meng, MD, assistant professor at the Pat and Jim Calhoun Cardiology Center at UConn Health. If you like to follow a strict diet plan, go for it. If not, it’s OK. “Find what works for you.” Tricia Montgomery, 52, the founder of K9 Fit Club, knows first-hand how the right diet and lifestyle can help. For her, choosing healthy foods and planning small, frequent meals works well. “I don’t deny myself anything,” she says. “I still have dessert — key lime pie, yum! — and I love frozen gummy bears, but moderation

is key.” Exercise Every Day The more active you are, the better, Meng says. Exercise boosts your heart health, builds muscle and bone strength, and wards off health problems. Aim for 2 and a half hours of moderate activity, like brisk walking or dancing, every week. If you’re OK with vigorous exercise, stick to 1 hour and 15 minutes a week of things like running or playing tennis. Add a couple of days of strength training, too. If you’re busy, try short bursts of activity throughout the day. Walk often. A good target is 10,000 steps a day. Take the stairs. Park your car far away from your destination. Montgomery exercises every day, often with her dog. By adding lunges, squats, and stairs to a walk, she turns it into a power workout. “I also am a huge Pilates fan,” she says. Lose Weight When you shed pounds you’ll lower your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. Lose Weight continued... Aim for a slow, steady drop. Try to lose 1-2 pounds a week by being active and eating better. “It doesn’t have to be an

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hour of intense exercise every day,” Meng says. “Any little bit helps.” As you improve, dial up the time and how hard you work out. If you want to lose a lot of weight, try for 300 minutes of exercise a week. “Eating a healthy diet will go a long way,” Meng says. Start by cutting sugar, which she says is often hiding in plain sight — in store-bought items like salad dressing, packaged bread, and nuts. Try to avoid soda and sugarlaced coffee drinks, too. Cut Down Your stress It can take a toll on your health. You probably can’t avoid it altogether, but you can find ways to ease the impact. Don’t take on too much. Try to set limits with yourself and others. It’s OK to say no. To relieve stress, try: Deep breathing Meditation Yoga Massage Exercise Healthy eating Talking to a friend, family member, or professional counselor Create Healthy Habits If you make the right choices today, you can ward off problems tomorrow. Brush your teeth twice a day and floss every day. Don’t smoke. Limit your alcohol. Keep it to one drink a day. If you have medication, take it exactly how your doctor prescribed it. Improve your sleep. Aim for 8 hours. If you have trouble getting shut-eye, talk to your doctor. Use sunscreen and stay out of the sun from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wear your seatbelt. Take time every day to invest in your health, Meng says. It paid off for Montgomery. She says she overcame health problems, feels good, and has a positive outlook. “My life,” she says, “is forever changed.”

How’s that for timing? One day after Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony’s friendly kiss, reports have surfaced that Anthony has separated from wife Shannon De Lima. E! News alleges Anthony, 48, and the Venezuelan model, 28, “recently split” after two years of marriage. De Lima was absent from last night’s Latin Grammy Awards where Lopez, 47, locked lips with her ex-husband after presenting him with the Person of the Year Award. Anthony attempted to downplay the moment on his Instagram page, posting photos showing him kissing a bunch of friends — guys and girls — aboard a private plane. So what does this mean for Marc and J.Lo? Lopez split with beau Casper Smart back in August and has admitted in the past she’s not a huge fan of being single. “I’m one of those people who does not like to be alone,” she said in 2014. “I have no shame saying that at this point in my life. I think we have to own who we are.” However, Lopez’s longtime manager Benny Medina tells TMZ that Jennifer and Marc are “absolutely, categorically, 100% not back together.” But it should be noted the friendly exes have been spending a lot of time together. They teamed up to perform a free joint concert in Miami in support of Hillary Clinton, and recently announced they are working together on a new Spanish-language album. Doesn’t sound like he had a whole lot of time to spend with his wife!

Marc Anthony and Shannon De Lima are dunzo. (Photo: John Parra/Getty Images For Univision Communications)

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony smooched onstage at the 17th Annual Latin Grammy Awards. (Photo: Kevin Winter/WireImage) Anthony wed Shannon De Lima in November 2014. The couple dated on and off for two years. Their last public appearance together was in August at Marc’s Madison Square Garden concert where Lopez also performed. Their last cozy Instagram post was about two months ago. This was Marc’s third mar-

riage. Anthony was married to former Miss Universe Dayanara Torres for four years before they called it quits in 2004. They share two sons. That same year, he went on to marry Lopez. Jennifer and Marc announced their divorce in 2011 after seven years of marriage. They have two children, 8-yearold twins Max and Emma.

Nick Cannon reveals he's expecting a baby with Brittany Bell Congratulations are in order for Nick Cannon. The "Chi-Raq" actor is expecting a baby with former Miss Arizona U.S.A. Brittany Bell. Cannon confirmed rumors that he was expecting another bundle of joy Thursday on Power 105.1's Breakfast Club, saying: "I got a baby on the way...absolutely. God said be fruitful and multiply. I'm doing the Lord's work out there." Nick Cannon Says He's Not Ready to Date After Split With Mariah Carey Nick Cannon Talks Dating, Fatherhood and Losing His Grandfather. Although the two are no longer in a relationship, Cannon referred to Bell, 29, as a "special young lady." "I don't have any exes," Cannon said. "Mariah [Carey] is my last ex. Everybody else is just people that I know, love and care for." Cannon, 36, has two children -- 5-year-old twins Monroe and Moroccan -- with his exwife, Carey. The two split in August 2014 after being married for six years. The "Wild N Out" creator told ABC News in June that he wanted to have more children,

calling fatherhood "what I was put on this earth to do." "We're here to be fruitful and multiply," Cannon continued. "That's what our beings are made for, so we can raise our offspring up so they can have offspring, and [have] generations after generations."

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Gun found in dead bandit’s possession belonged to senior police rank - bandit was sentenced to two years in jail in absence Romel Hoppie

The gun found in the possession of the dead bandit, Romel Hoppie, has been confirmed to belong to a senior police officer

(Assistant Superintendent Trotz) whose firearm was stolen during a robbery at his Tuschen home. According to a source the

bandit was shot dead during an altercation with the police at Locaber, West Canje, Berbice. He was an expoliceman who had a long list of criminal activities. The convict went by the name Romel Hoppie called Blackie, and not Rondell Marks as was stated by his mother, Monica Marks. It was also found that the man hailed from Dartmouth, Essequibo, and not Suddie Housing Scheme, Essequibo. According to information, the man after leaving the police force turned to a life of crime. He moved to the interior where he committed a number of misdemeanors. He is also accused of stealing a shotgun in the Pomeroon, Essequibo area during 2010. He returned to the coast and committed a number of crimes in and around Georgetown. He was charged with robbery while being a Bus conductor. Hoppie a father of four, who police say has been avoiding serving a jail sentence, was charged with the offence of robbery with violence.

The bushy area

Time to put an end to the ABANDONMENT ... From page 25 property and other valuables. Moreover, the social work practiced at the GPHC sometimes extends to helping to put measures in place to help safeguard the assets of these abandoned elders. Clayton Newman, another Medical Social Worker, has also been tirelessly trying to find placement for a number of patients who have long been discharged, but have remained residents at the GPHC. He has been busy in recent months trying to find placement for four patients who have also taken up residence on the Male Surgical Block. They are: 65-year-old Gewand Mangal, who was admitted on July 4 with a limb fracture and lower respiratory tract infection, and was to be discharged on July 7; 53yearold Mark Nurse who was admitted on July 16 with

generalised weakness and was to be discharged on July 25; 63-year-old Glaston Barnwell who was admitted on July 18 with a fractured hand and was to be discharged on July 25, and 60year-old George Holder who was admitted on July 26 with an open fracture to his head and was to be discharged on August 18. On the Male Medical Block there is yet another patient, 44-year-old Ronald Devonish, who has taken up residence. He was admitted at the GPHC since May 27 and was scheduled for discharge on June 20. While no family members have been located for some of these ‘residents’, some of them have opted to remain in the care of the hospital despite being discharged, simply because they like it there. At least three of them have been recorded as residents of the Night Shelter

in the past, but are unwilling to return there. “I always say that these patients see the GPHC as a four-star hotel that offers three squares (meals) and plenty of attention,” said Newman, as he stressed the need for better systems to be put in place for such patients to either be accepted by family members or for them to be appropriately institutionalised. But as the year comes to an end, the Social Workers are already preparing to see the process of abandonment of elderly persons continue at the GPHC since this has, over the years, become a regular feature. But Fredericks is adamant that this should not be the case if persons would seek to use the love associated with the Christmas season to embrace and accommodate their elderly family members rather than abandon them.

On May 28, at Plum Park, Sophia, Hoppie of 215 Guyhoc Park, Georgetown, robbed Mario Eversley of a Samsung Galaxy S5 phone valued $110,000 while making use of personal violence on

the victim. Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Gillian Simons opposed bail on the ground that the accused was currently wanted by police to serve a jail sentence. She

explained that Hoppie was sentenced in absentia to two years’ imprisonment at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court.However, Magistrate Moore stated that a warrant (continued on page 70)

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Edinburgh man robbed, shot at during home invasion A 23-year-old truck driver of Lot 1126 Edinburgh Village, East Bank Berbice, is counting his blessings after being shot at during an armed robbery at his home. According to a police source, Jason Hussain, who lives with his wife, threemonth-old baby, brother-inlaw and mother-in-law, was

alone at home when he heard a noise in one of the rooms in the house. Hussain told investigators that he was having dinner at the time and got up to check when he saw a man armed with a cutlass and masked, already halfway through the window entering the house. He stated that he

Sunday November 20, 2016 Home of Edinburgh truck driver, Jason Hussain

threw his plate with food in the perpetrators face to distract him and ran towards the front door. It was while opening the door that he was confronted by two other masked men, dressed in black clothes and gloves, armed with a cutlass and gun. The bandit holding the gun allegedly fired a shot in Hussain’s direction but he dodged, the bullet hit a refrigerator that was located behind him and passed through. Hussain told investigators that he fell to ground while both men entered the house and

eventually tied him up before he could raise an alarm to alert his neighbours. He added that while he was tied up the men ransacked the home in search of cash and jewellery. The (continued on page 70)

CH&PA warns ‘zero tolerance’ campaign against squatting The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) has repeated warnings to squatters on Government lands and reserves to remove. Minister within the Ministry of Communities with responsibility for housing, Valerie Adams-Patterson, in a statement Friday, made it clear that CH&PA’s enforcement officers recently carried out an exercise in Sophia, Georgetown. “As recent as two weeks ago, my team went in there, because after I visited and I did a television programme asking persons not to continue squatting and told them that we are looking at ways and means to address the issue, we noted that many persons went in after that, and put up new structures. So the Enforcement Department went in,” the Minister disclosed. During the earlier visit to the community, the enforcement officers who had accompanied Minister Adams-Patterson met with squatters living in existing buildings in the community. The officers had marked those buildings and identified the persons living within for the Ministry’s rent-to-own homes that will soon come on stream. Hence, Minister Adams-Patterson explained that in the new exercise none of the old structures were touched. “We are not in the business of putting people on the roads, but they were new structures. Some you could just see the frames, and so the officers went in,” the Minister said. Minister AdamsPatterson explained that the enforcement officers were accompanied by two police

Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Valerie Adams-Patterson officers, but that “was not enough, because the report I got is that people swarmed them, and wanted to beat the staff and beat the police, so they had to retreat.” The CH&PA will not be deterred and will continue to enforce its strict zero tolerance policy on squatting, the Minister pointed out. “We cannot continue to operate the way we have been operating, order has to come, and if we are trying to do it in a decent manner, and people don’t want to cooperate with us then we have to bring the hammer down. That is not what we want to do, we want to work with people and bring order. So I am appealing to all Guyanese because it is not only happening in Sophia, stop the squatting. We know we have issues with land allocation, we are working on it. Stop the squatting,” the Minister urged.

Sunday November 20, 2016

By Dr. NerominiFagu Recently I came across an article about healthy teeth and occupations in which your smile is an important factor. Most people generally take care of their smile but for some it is part of the uniform or dress for their work, and an asset that requires constant maintenance as well. One of the first things you usually notice about someone is their smile. An attractive smile is important to people for a number of reasons. It is a reflection of their selfconfidence and personality. It is also an indication of their overall health status. Certain jobs and professions, however, require people to have good oral health. Below are a few examples where a good grin is important. ACTOR OR ACTRESS For most people this one is a no brainer, as we tend to

equate Hollywood and Bollywood with gorgeous people having very attractive smiles. Yes, there are roles where in fact an attractive smile is not needed, say you are playing a destitute or washed up hockey player. But have you ever noticed that in period pieces, where the movie is set in bygone times, the actors and actresses all have nice teeth? Many times I have remarked that even though the costumes and set décor represent the time period, the presence of nice straight teeth is a sure giveaway that the portrayal is not entirely believable. After all, can you imagine a pirate practising good hygiene on the high seas? MODEL Similar to actors, it is important for models to have attractive smiles. Their job is to sell the product whether it

Kaieteur News

THE SMILE

be a piece of jewellery, an article of clothing, a fragrance, or even a car. A person with a smile may seem more trusting, and lends to the overall appeal of a product. Yes, it is true that a tooattractive model may distract from the product being marketed, but you will probably pay attention to the product more because of your initial attraction to the model. DENTIST AND DENTAL STAFF I suppose it is not unreasonable to expect your dentist to have healthy teeth and gums. After all, if their job is to encourage people to take care of their oral health then as a dentist they should probably lead by example. Also, having an attractive smile is in itself a marketing tool for their practice. A dentist with overly crooked or missing teeth may not inspire much confidence in his or her patients, and since some people may be

nervous about going to a dentist to begin with then a dentist and dental staff with a good smile may help put patients at ease. PUBLIC OFFICIAL According to studies, people who smile genuinely and show their teeth are seen to be more trustworthy. Having an attractive smile helps to increase the personal appeal to the public of a candidate who is running for public office. A smiling candidate is a trustworthy candidate and sends a subtle message that they can be counted upon as a leader. SALES EXECUTIVE An attractive smile is a powerful tool. In addition to making a person more likeable, a smile may even have some advantage in persuasion. Negotiating executives and sales professionals rely on their personalities to give them an edge when making deals or selling products. Companies that hire executives to make

STANDARDS IN FOCUS

Smart shopping this Christmas Season At this time of the year more than any other time, consumers are bombarded with advertisements paid for by Manufacturers and Distributors who are engaged in sales promotions and discounts. They use all forms of media including Television, Radio, Billboards, Newspapers and the Internet to promote their products. Consumers, this is the time for you to shop smartly, spending your money on products that are of quality at the best price. Spending your money in a very smart manner this Christmas season is definitely possible! Shopping for products that are of quality and making comparisons to find the most reasonable prices in different business establishments are the ways to go because you benefit in the long run. Products that are produced according to or are conforming to the requirements of National or International Standards are usually of good quality. Most of these products are tested and carry one or many Standards marks, such as: UL, CE, CSA, NOM, CCC. On our locally manufactured PVC Pipes and some gold jewellery, you can find Guyana’s National Standards Mark – GNBS in a double wall circle. In the busy mode of the season, as consumers, you

should not become confused during your shopping moments but take time to carefully understand what are your expectations of the products you intend to buy. Aspects to be considered should include quality, durability, performance, usefulness, alternatives and prices. It is important to note that oftentimes items on sale may have close expiry dates or have some sort of defect. Some businesses have “sales” because they are expecting new stock or products with improved designs and you have to decide if you are going to hold until those new designs are made available. However, it is a fact that sales and sales promotions are generally enticing and consumers tend to buy products for which they have no need. Shopping smart takes time, skill and practice. Each of us needs to practise smart shopping to get “A Fair Share in the Market Place”. To get your fair share in the market place try these shopping reminders: · Think before you buy! Ask yourself . . . do I need this item? Will it fit into my budget? Spending only $3000 a week on things you don’t need will cost you $156,000.00 in a year. And . . . coupons don’t always save you money. Buying something you don’t need or won’t use because you have

a coupon isn’t smart shopping. You may also find that an item on sale or a store brand item is cheaper than the product you have a coupon for. · Check it out! Find out all you can about a product before you buy it. Read about the product. Talk to people who own or know about the product. Ask the salesperson to show you how the product works. See if the product really does what the commercials say it does. Learn the usual price of an item. Check the usual price of an item with the sale prices that a store is offering. Is the sale price cheaper than the usual price of the item? If the answer is yes, then this may be a good buy. · Consider the facts! Think about the product facts that you read or are told. Which facts are the most important to you and your family? Remember that because a company made a product of high quality one year does not mean that the company makes high quality products every year. Smart shoppers consider the facts before they buy.

· Compare! Smart shoppers shop around. Visit or call three stores to compare the prices of the item, the different models of the item and the return rules of each store. Buy from the store that gives you the most for your money. You must also compare quantity with quality. · Choose! Be picky! It’s your money. Think about what you are getting for your money. Remember if a product or a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is! · Check expiry dates and bar codes! By doing this, you will avoid throwing away products later and wasting your money. Supermarkets and others put items on sale often as these items are about to expire. The Guyana National Bureau of Standards encourages all consumers to always plan your purchases and buy quality products to get the best value for your money. For further information please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 2190069, 219-0065, 2190062.

big sales or secure important accounts and partnerships are more likely to hire candidates with nice smiles. NEWS REPORTER Having a good smile can make a television news reporter more likeable and better for the station’s news ratings. While in Guyana channel ratings are not currently being done, stations still need viewership to benefit their sponsors. A likeable news anchor will cultivate their own viewing audience which will provide a wider market for the products and services that are being advertised during the show. Regardless of your job or profession, an attractive smile and good oral health can be

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Dr. Neromini Fagu of benefit to anyone. Also, smiles can help people immensely in job interviews, on the job, in relatinships, and in their personal lives. For more information contact OMNI DENTAL at 295 Quamina Street, Georgetown Tel: 227-0025, Parika Tel: 260-3133 or send emails to n e r o m i n i f a g u @ hotmail.com.

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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 passport 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 Hello the doctor is back! Have your gas stove service and repairs. Call: 601-0595; 220-4073; 220-5785 Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigrant Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496; 662-6045 Eagle’s: Re-gas -$8,000, Washing machine repairs, Gas Stove, Plasma flat Screen & more. Call: 697-2969/6460966 Mason Available for casting, block work and plastering, reliable and offering quality work. Call: 619-3296 Brian Moe @ 642-3543: Computer Technician, FB: Brian.Moe.165; Home and office visits at your comfort!! Repairs at low cost: Fridges, air- conditioners, washing machines, TVs, microwaves, freezersCall:629-4946 or 225-4822

VACANCY For male factory workers between the ages 18 and over. Must have police clearanceCall:223-0090 Porter, rip saw, re-saw and moulder operator @ Eccles Industrial Site, EBDCall:609-7675, 674-1705,2332614 Fast Growing food distribution company seeking a bookkeeper/inventory clerk. Experience & police clearance needed. Call:231- 8344/2231027/ 223-1034 Work in Trinidad, 5yrs experienced welder/mason. E m a i l : clinttrintent@gmail.com (great salary)

Herbal Nectar Treatment for diabetics, hypertension and most internal sickness, sexual enhancers for men. Call: 651-8351 FOR SALE/RENT American Pool Table. Call: 277-0578

PROPERTY FOR SALE

FOR RENT

Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461

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

1 RD5 Honda CRV, immaculate condition, TV, reverse camera, CD, mags, alarm, etc, price -$2.850M. Call: 626-2884

1-Two bedrooms apartment at Diamond E.B.D –Call: 6683620/ 693-8913

1 New & unregistered Toyota Allion $2.4M, 1 Allion PVV series $2.150M negotiable, low mileage, TV, camera, etc. Call: 649-0956

Transported property, flat concrete building, land size 80x50, house size 20x38, full facilities Tel: 683-7507/6770321 South, George Street, Herstelling, Adelet Street Tel: 649-8159

Upper flat for rent 3 bedrooms in Atlantic Gardens- Call: 227-4377/2270613/624-6013 Business bottom flat for rent in New Road, Vreed-enHoop. Call: 227-4377/ 2270613/ 624-6013

LAND FOR SALE Land @ La Parfaite Harmonie: $1.4M, $1M, $1.6M, Uitvlugt $2, Tuschen School Street -$2M (terms available). Call: 604-6724

Two bedroom apartment with toilet & bath @ Lot 19 Pigeon Island Chateau Margot, E.C.D. Call Nasmoon: 220- 6799/ 6039547

Diamond 21st Street, can transfer $3.5M. Schoonard, WBD $2.5M, Land Of Canaan $5M per acreContact Shawn 231-2199, 618-7483

2 Salon Stations to rent & 1 nail tech ($5,000 per week each), persons to do massage & facials. Call: 2234238/602-7960

Land 50ftX198ft located in Friendship, E.B.D-Price$5M negotiable. Call: 645-6498 Land for sale at Herstelling Contact 677-8311 PEN PAL Overseas based male seeks working female 30-33 years. Must be intelligent- call:6643119 (No Texts) Mixed male, age 55 with own business is seeking female companion, ages 50 & older. Call: 684-6035 or 622-1201

One apartment for rent, lot 8 MonRepos, E.C.D. Call: 6024105/ 614-0005 KITTY APARTMENTS: FURNISHED, GRILLED, 2BR, NEW, GRANITE, SECURE $120,000 MONTH, NO AGENTS CALL: 672-4532 KITTY APARTMENTS: UNFURNISHED, GRILLED, 2-BR, NEW, GRANITE, SECURE $70,00 MONTH, NO AGENTS CALL: 9724532

Camp assistant for interior location. Job involves dishwashing, cleaning etc.Call: 618-2020 One Field supervisor to work in Georgetown. Must have a motorcycle license- Call:2271717 LORRY DRIVER, MINIMUM 3 YEARS EXPERIENCE, FACTORY ASSISTANT 266 5569 ACCOUNTS CLERK, MINIMUM qualification CXC Accounts Grades I/ II, familiar with QuickBooks POS & Accounts. Email: info@guygas.com

HEALTH Learn how you can benefit from iridology Mon, Dec 5th - Contact Hazel’s Herbal Store: 226-9136

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Kaieteur News

Hairdressers and nail technicians @ the 2nd Floor City Mall. Call: 697-4328

LEARN TO DRIVE TOURS Suriname Tours Return: Shopping, sightseeing, dolphins, casino, clubbing, Nov 24-27. Call: 665-5171/ 639-2663/658-3758/ 223-7589

Receptionist male, room attendant, desk staff. Call: 2250198 or visit 233 South Road, Lacytown.

CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM

Administrative Assistant/ Internet service operative, computer literate, 2 references needed. Call: 644-2234/ 649-4183, email: demcar.info@sky.com

WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP REATES,SPECIAL OFFER FOR THE SUMMER. CALL: 690-6494

C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj BuildingCall: 644-5166; 622-2872; 615-0964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).

CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MIN BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPOTR & FAMILY OUTING, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807

VEHICLE FOR SALE

FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. One 45feet complete, cabin cruiser, trout seines, excellent condition. Call: 657-0044/ 648-6815

Not working Vehicles: 1 Surf, 2 Pathfinders, 1 Bobcat, 3 Toyota Cars, 1 Canter, 1 Fiber glass boat. Call: 227-4377/ 6246013

Trinidad: Columbia 16 Block plant, fully automated, production 12,000 blocks per day-$600,000USD. Email: clinttrintent@gmail.com

White RAV4 PRR 2523 with music set, red Rav4 PMM 1631. Call: 613-2150/ 673-7522

One Nissan Tiida 2006 Hatch Back, in good condition. Call: 618-0292 Cargo trawler- call:682-8724, 616-5954

1-DAF 75 Hauler GNN Series -$2.5M negotiable. Call: 6555117 One black pit-bull BTT 9621, in good condition, 1TR engine. Call: 277-3657 1 –CF DAF twin steer in excellent working condition. Call: 649-8449/ 615-6683/ 2285655 SALE! SALE!- 2010 NOAH & VOXY $2.6M, 2009 TOYOTA ARIUS $2.6M, 2 TON CANTER $2.4MCALL:642-7295 Timber Jack 450B skidder each excellent condition & never used in Guyana- Call Richard:609-7675, 6741705,233-2614 Honda Civic (04) stick shift from Singapore. Rims, deck. In immaculate condition $1.150M negotiable- call: 618-4257 Bluebird for sale 2011 model, dark interior, reverse camera $2.7M negotiable, preorder any vehicle Call: 655-3400 1 Toyota RZ Minibus carburetor engine, good working condition $550,000 neg. & 1 Toyota Marino $375,000 neg. Contact 6130611 or 654-4445 1 Silver Nissan Dualis (PTT 3081) – PS, PW, AC, CD/DVD player, reverse camera, AW, ABS $3.2M Call: 695-9548 2009 NOAH & VOXY $2.6M IN ‘G’ SERIES, 3 TON OPEN BACK CANTER -$3.6M. CALL: 617-2891 Almera Nissan Car- 1295 CC Engine - $775,000 negotiable, very good working condition. 116,000km Call: 616-1598 CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: SIENTA -$2.3M, RAUM $2.3M, RACTIS -$2.3M, FIELDER -$2.6M, NEVER R E G I S T E R VEHICLE.CALL: 617-2891 EDUCATIONAL CXC Classes: day & evening classes, personal tutor, Grade 4 to 6, Form 1-5 Maths. Call Sir Jarvis: 690-5008/ 6934588/ 638-2359

Sale on leotards, tights, dance shoes & costumes @ Roxie’s Fashion 301 Church St. Call: 622-4386/ 227-8538 DAF Truck with 2x Dump tray, Massey Ferguson, bobcat loader. Call:689-1250/6788698/516-312-9525 1 Big music set, owner leaving country. Call: 690-5225 Music set, 6 bass 4 tops, RCF & PV Speakers, QSC amp’s, fully loaded rack Call: 6837507 Salon equipment, under good conditions. Call: 6974328 Furniture suitable for beauty salon- trollies, hair sink, chairs & much more. Call: 231-6972/ 227-3626 MX QSC 2000, 1500, 1000 watts, 4 Bass 4MID, 4 horn, 4 tweeter mixer, juggler, EQ, Speaker, Cable. Call: 6542732/ 253-3070 1-30 feet aluminum jet boat with spares. Call: 642-7898 Sale on foxtail palms, silver palms, red palms, Christmas trees, hibiscus, etc. Call:6875631/216-2199 Evergreen Plantshop. HP Desktop computer $40,000, cooler -$80,000, cordless phone- $5,000, glass case -$12,000. Call: 6689021 (all items used for 3 months only) Clean garden earth and builders waste, delivery to spots also excavating, grading and leveling done. Call: 616-0617/663-3285 Mixed Pitbull with German Shepherd puppies, 5 weeks old $30,000 each Call: 2690711/666-7895 14ft Aluminum boat, price $150,000. Call: 685-1233 1 Suzuki Vitara four wheel drive PGG 1598, price negotiable $750,000 Contact: 692-8814 Continue on page 69

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CONSUMER CONCERNS

Supporting Prof. Griffith’s UG renaissance will create a unified and modern nation By PAT DIAL The University of Guyana has always been a major concern of consumers and the public in general. Most parents would wish their children to attend the University and most children try for as good grades as they could at the CXC Examinations so as to satisfy the University entrance requirements. But despite this desire to attend the University, the institution has been negatively criticized from every angle over the last several years and many felt its decline could never be reversed and that it would never reach world standards. At this point, like a sudden flash of lightening i n a v e r y d a r k s k y, Professor Ivelaw Griffith w a s a p p o i n t e d Vi c e Chancellor. Prof Griffith is a Guyanese who was among the earlier graduates of the University of Guyana and from UG he went on the United States where he entered American Academia. In American Academia, he won its highest awards and served in very important academic positions both as an administrator and teacher. Professor Griffith was what is usually termed “a very successful American” and could have spent the rest of his life in that great country like so many other successful Guyanese. But Prof Griffith never forgot his homeland and at much personal sacrifice

returned to Guyana to give back something to his Alma Mater and to the land of his birth. For this, Guyanese people are grateful. From the very first month of his service as Vice Chancellor, he injected a spirit of enthusiasm and hope into the University community which many had thought to be inert. The university began to “buzz”, something it had not done for a long time. Prof Griffith was full of ideas and plans all aimed to make the University a world-class institution; to raise the academic standards of both students and staff; to develop closer relations with the best academic institutions abroad; to have the University positively contributing to the economic and social life of Guyana and to encourage individual students to engage themselves in programmes for the betterment of community life. In an article of limited size, it would be impossible to deal with the many plans and ideas which he has adumbrated since he became Chief Executive Officer of the University. The launching of the public lecture series after being VC for just a few months, characterizes the imagination and drive of the man. The first lecture in the series was on Brexit in which members of the Diplomatic Corps participated and brought back to Georgetown

an enjoyable and creative intellectual life which had completely disappeared for many decades. The most recent lecture in the series took place on 15th November last and was on the implications of the American elections on Guyana and the rest of the Western Hemisphere. The panel of lecturers included Mr Dormeous of the OAS and Mr Pierre Giroux, High Commissioner of Canada, two accomplished diplomats, the Vice Chancellor himself and the Deputy Vice Chancellor. The discussions were of the highest levels. In addressing the many problems of the University, one of Prof Griffith’s earliest statements was to reject any political interference in the University. This position was very popular among the University community and in the country as a whole. Another innovation is his re-affiliation of the alumni of the University. Such a programme would benefit not only the University but the country as a whole and many UG graduates in various foreign countries have again begun to think of their Alma Mater and their homeland in positive terms. He has also began working to raise the quality of the teaching staff by a variety of methods which include further exposure and training of the present staff and trying to get distinguished academics

from various foreign universities to teach at the University. He has been stressing Research since so little research has been done and so very few papers published at the University. This deficiency has no reflection on the quality of our graduates since many UG graduates at foreign universities have produced notable and important work in various disciplines. He has aspirations and realistic plans of making a richer student life as well as improving the University’s infrastructure. All of these aspirations and plans have been encapsulated in the term “UG Renaissance” which will unfold themselves in due course. Prof Griffith is working for the uplifting of the social, economic and political life of the nation and making Guyana a more unified country subsuming all its various brands of divisiveness and allowing optimism be again restored to the Guyanese psyche. In our own individual and collective interests, we need to give Prof Griffith our fullest support, understanding and cooperation.

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TO LET 3 Bedrooms bottom flat @ Lamaha Gardens. Call: 2258084/ 689-6001 Fully furnished vacation home with all amenities Call during working hours 2271218 2 Bedroom furnished Apartment in exclusive residential area, close to Ogle Airport , with modern amenities. Call for appointment 622-5725. Stylish comfortable 2 bedrooms apartment for vocation rental. Web: Airbnb Georgetown, FB: Prestige Property Vocational Rental. Call: 592-678-6690 Austin Street Campbellville Upper Flat unfurnished, three bedrooms, monthly rent $75,000 Call: 222-5087 between 4:00pm & 6:00pm

Say no to corruption, it hurts us all.

WANTED Arc/Acetylene welder – Car/ Van licence required Call: 227-1813 1 Refrigerated truck box, approximately 14’ long, preferable Mitsubishi Canter, contact Wieting & Richter Ltd 226-6150, 6152-3, 6155-7 Driver with minibus license living in G/Town. Call: 664-0802 One Data Processing Clerk. Must possess five Subjects at CSEC with Grade 1 -2 passes. Thse must include Accounts, Maths & English. Interested Candidates must text to SMS or WHATSAPP 592-696-9386 Live in/ out maid. One trainee person to work in Fiber glass workshop- Call:6035416, 644-9802 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 Female worker wanted sound secondary education, computer literate-Tel: 622-5518a Live in/Live out domestic/ babysitter. Call: 223-7500 Mon-Fri 8:15-4:15pm 1 Female shop assistant to work in the interior, salary depends on experienced. Call: 678-0565 Straight stitch, over edge machine operators, portersCall 222-2541 8:00am-4:00pm Mon-Fri One salon assistant must know to do hair & nails- Contact: 625-3899/ 264-0034 Raymond building Vreed-EnHoop Junction Person to work bar at nightsCall: 223-4778, 626-0189 Handy boy, age 17- @ Lombard street, Werk-EnRust- call: 227-8529, 233-7356 Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665 Job opportunity in Jamaica: Auto Technician with at least 5yrs experience & computer Literate. Whatsapp 1876-819-7371 Live in domestic must know to cook & bake, salary $80,000-$90,000 monthly 3050yrs, boarding & lodging free. Call: 222-4890 Experienced & Mature cashier & salesgirls. Apply with written application @ American Variety Store, 140 Regent & Light Street.

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Edinburgh man robbed, shot at during ... From page 66 perpetrators searched two of the three bedrooms since only two were occupied. Hussain disclosed that the men escaped with an undisclosed a m o u n t o f cash, two gold wedding rings belonging to himself and wife, a Plum cellular phone and some other gold jewellery belonging to his

Gun found in dead bandit’s ... From page 65 should have been issued for the defendant. Prosecutor Simons also said that the defendant was c u r r e n tly under investigations at several police stations, including the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Eve Leary, Georgetown, in relation to similar offences. Hoppie who defended himself, told the court that he did not rob the complainant. The route 41 bus conductor argued that the complainant had “jammed” one of his lights and gave him the cell phone. But he did not specify whether the complainant gave him the item as compensation or for any other purpose. Hoppie claimed that the only reason why he was locked up was because Eversley has “police family”. Initially, bail was set at $75,000 for the defendant. After telling the Magistrate that his bus was impounded by police and that he had owed one month installment, Hoppie pleaded with the court for bail reduction which was granted. He remained on the run ever since until his demise.

mother-in-law. He stated that his mother-in-law and wife were not at home when the robbery occurred. The man also stated that after the bandits escaped he managed to untie himself and alerted the neighbours and the authorities who responded swiftly. Hussain told police that the perpetrators would not have escaped with much

money since they do not keep large sums of cash in their home due to religious beliefs. The police source stated that the police response time has reduced tremendously as a result of the upcoming Christmas season with more patrols active on the roadways. When Kaieteur News showed up at the house, the mother-in-law, Angelina Sattaur, stated that she was

too traumatized to speak to the media. The robbery took place at approximately 20:00 hrs Friday night. No one has since been arrested and investigations continue.

Sunday November 20, 2016

Kaieteur News

Root out rogue cops – says acting Police Commissioner PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC – Acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams says the reputation of the police force has been tarnished by recent incidents in which cops have been accused of committing crimes. At the weekly police press briefing last week, Williams promised to root out the rouge officers and called on the public to keep the faith in the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS). “Today I want to give the public the assurance that the TTPS is staffed with a majority of officers who are honest, law abiding and committed to fulfilling their obligations and oath in the noble profession of policing. Williams also sought to assure the public that all allegations made against police officers are treated seriously and those accused are not give favourable treatment. “The TTPS will take a tough approach to any criminal conduct which is alleged against any police officer. The

Stephen Williams public is vesting trust in the TTPS and we must do nothing to undermine this. Clear decisive and timely action will be taken in every case to remove what we can describe as the rogue element from the Police Service,” Williams said. In a press release issued following the briefing, the acting Police chief said that since 2012, 150 officers, varying in rank from constable to Assistant Commissioner of

Police (ACP), had been suspended by the TTPS after being charged with criminal offences, including murder, misbehaviour in public office, perverting the course of public justice, sedition, assault and driving under the influence. Meanwhile, with the murder toll now over 400 for the year, leader of the main opposition United National Congress (UNC), Kamla PersadBissessar had criticized the governing People’s National Movement (PNM) for not clamping down on crime. Addressing a local government election campaign last week, Persad Bissessar said that while in opposition, the PNM had solutions to tackle crime. “They would hold press conferences saying they could solve all the problems

in the country including crime. Now they are in power they cannot solve crime,” Persad-Bissessar said, adding that murders have left ordinary citizens in fear for their lives.

Govt. Plans Multibillion-Dollar Upgrade For Airport Communication, Navigation Systems The Gleaner - The Government is taking steps to upgrade and enhance the country’s communications, navigation and surveillance systems, which are responsible for the delivery of safe and efficient air traffic management in and around the island. Transport Minister, Mike Henry, says the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority is undertaking the $4.92 billion upgrading project. Henry says the project is expected to be completed by October next year. The work will include the manufacturing and installation of a new state-of-the-art air traffic management system, new L-Band primary and Mode-S radar technology as well as the installation of a voice communication and control system. Henry’s remarks were delivered by Chairman of the

Mike Henry JCAA, Phillip Henriques, at the opening of a new Air Traffic Tower at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston last week. He informed that the JCAA has already undertaken several measures to improve air-navigation services, citing

the installation of a new instrument landing system at Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay. He noted that the system will be commissioned sometime next month, following the successful pre-commissioning quality assurance inspection.

Municipalities, NDCs challenged to... From page 52 councillors, once they have the means.” The Minister urged the councillors to examine the means of financial resources within their municipalities and determine how they can leverage these to address this issue. Addressing the concern

of disunity within one of the councils, he noted that “there is a time for politics,” but that this is “not when we find ourselves in our councils; when we have to deliver to our people. When we keep those political blinders on, we are shortchanging ourselves, so once in the council, put that

political consideration on the backburner, where it belongs.” Bulkan urged the “shedding of the baggage” and embracing of those principles that would help the council to bring development and betterment, for the residents of the three councils of Berbice.

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GTUC incumbent President on mission to improve CLC’s accountability Although she only recently assumed the mantle of President of the Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC), Coretta McDonald, already has her eyes trained on ensuring that transparency and accountability prevail. And she anticipates that these qualities will encompass the operation of both the GTUC and the Critchlow Labour College (CLC) which fall under its purview. The CLC was established in 1967 as the educational arm of the Trade Union movement. It was designed to provide pre-university courses in Industrial Relations, business, sociology and a CXC programme for early schoolleavers who have a desire to obtain those qualifications. The college has also been able to offer a law programme. Ms. McDonald is already caressing ambitious ideas that could help to further improve the college under her tenure. CLC has long been plagued with financial issues which were slated to be corrected with an announcement by President David Granger last year, during the 11th Parliament, to restore a government subvention. The college was in financial turmoil after its subvention was stopped by the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration in 2004. But McDonald, at a recent press conference, considered that government has for a number of years been asking for audited statements for the operation of CLC. She, however, is prepared to do whatever is possible to ensure that the financial records are put in place as far as possible. McDonald, moreover, emphasised that the GTUC under her leadership will be endeavouring to ensure that

GTUC incumbent President, Coretta McDonald. all finances it receives from government is well accounted for. “We will put in place all of the procedures so that at the end of the year there will be no difficulty, coming from the GTUC, in terms of presenting to Government audited statements,” the President asserted. “We are going to sit as an executive body to look at that issue and then we will decide from there how much of our audited statements will be given to the government,” said McDonald as she reminisced on a period outlined that there was a period when the college was not eligible for subvention. At that time McDonald asserted she was not an executive of the GTUC. But she is, however, aware that there was a proposal that was given to the Ministry of Education to, rather than just hand over finances to the GTUC, have it instead be used to do some

rehabilitation work at the college. That process, according to the incumbent President, has been moving afoot. She pointed out that the building that houses the GTUC and CLC situated at Woolford Avenue, Georgetown, is currently in dire need of rehabilitation. And this, she explained, is understandably linked to a protracted lack of finances. “Our building would have been deteriorating at a fast rate and so in order to have our students be comfortable and able to perform we have to ensure that the atmosphere is conducive to learning and those monies are going to be used to create that kind of atmosphere,” said McDonald as she spoke of plans to incorporate a computer laboratory for students to utilise. As such, she speculated that the expected intent for the subvention in the near future will be to do much more than just paying lecturers as there are plans for it to be used to help brighten the college as well. Currently there are still a number of classes being conducted at the college. In addition, a section of the building is utilised by the Texila American University. But according to McDonald, it is important to have the CLC operating in an efficient manner since “we recognise that the college offers a second chance to poor people’s children; it can help to give them a second chance in life.” McDonald is essentially working towards ensuring that she not only goes down in history as the second woman to be elected President of the GTUC but that she ensures that CLC is improved under an untainted tenure.

Senior U.S. officials recommend removal of NSA director – sources Reuters - The heads of the Pentagon and the U.S. intelligence community have recommende d t o P r e s i d e n t Barack Obama that the director of the National Security Agency, Admiral Michael Rogers, be removed from his position, sources familiar with the matter said yesterday. The recommendation by Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, first reported by The Washington Post, was delivered to the White House last month. Obama chose Rogers to take over at the NSA in 2014 and tasked him with repairing the damage after the huge leaks about its electronic spying programme by contractor Edward Snowden. But there have been other security lapses, the

Michael Rogers sources said, including the one that led to the arrest of NSA contractor Harold Martin earlier this year. Rogers is being considered as a potential new director of national intelligence by President-elect Donald

Trump, a post that oversees all 17 U.S. intelligence agencies. The Washington Post reported that a decision by Rogers to travel to New York to meet with Trump on Thursday without notifying superiors caused consternation at senior levels of the administration, but the recommendation to remove him predated his visit. The White House, Pentagon, NSA and office of the Director of National Intelligence declined to comment on the matter. A Trump campaign spokesman had no immediate comment. The Obama administration wants to split leadership at the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command, arguing that the job of leading two agencies with differing missions is too much for one person.

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Sunday November 20, 2016

Kaieteur News

Suriname’s economy in deep recession - MF PA R A M A R I B O , Suriname - CMC — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says the economic outlook for Suriname remains challenging. At the conclusion of its regular 2016 Article IV consultation, the international lending agency said that for 2016, a GDP contraction of 9 per cent is projected, following a 2.7 per cent contraction in 2015. The IMF has attributed the deep recession to several factors, including spillovers from the closure of the Suralco alumina plant and the contractionary impact of the fiscal adjustment. At a press conference weekend, IMF’s mission chief for Suriname, Daniel Leigh, noted that the government brought the fiscal deficit below six per cent of GDP and implemented a number of planned reforms, including preparations for the introduction of Value Added Tax (VAT). But the IMF says the decisions to freeze fuel pump prices in nominal terms and partially reverse the increase in electricity prices, is reducing available public sector re-

Daniel Leigh sources by an estimated 0.8 percent of annual GDP per month. According to Leigh, without a significant policy adjustment, Suriname risks deepening instability, with sharp exchange rate depreciation and accelerating inflation. He added that there is limited financing to cover essential government spending — including public wages, pensions, and social support to the most disadvantaged — and the risk of resorting to central bank financing of the budget exists. The IMF representative also argued that

there are few policies in place to address rising inflation, international reserves are critically low and, owing to the recession and currency depreciation, banks face risks of a further deterioration in credit quality. While president Desi Bouterse recently said that the government is holding off phasing out of electricity subsidies due to raising concerns within the populace, the IMF said such was not a good move. The institution warned that due to the dire economic situation restructuring measures such as raising fuel taxes, containing the wage bill for public servants and raising electricity tariffs should be implemented as soon as possible. “Our assessment is that it’s urgent to take action because people’s purchasing power is going down”, Leigh said regarding the current economic situation in Suriname. But on a positive note, Leigh said that income from the Merian gold mine, which officially opened Thursday, will support economic activity, and it is expected that the recession will ease in 2017.

After repeated delays, hurricanehit Haiti to hold presidential vote P O RT- A U - P R I N C E (Reuters) - Haitians vote in a long-delayed presidential election today that islanders hope will stabilize the impoverished nation and help it get back on its feet after a devastating hurricane last month.

The struggling islanders, despite skepticism, look for the election to bring an end to a year of political uncertainty and deliver a president who can unite a nation already battered by a 2010 earthquake, lift the economy and

create jobs. Up to 1,000 people died in Hurricane Matthew, which also wiped out crops and revived cholera outbreaks in the hard-hit southwestern region. It left up to 1.4 million people in need of humanitarian relief.

Cuba Answers Pope’s Call And Releases Almost 800 Prisoners HAVANA, Cuba – Almost 800 prisoners have been pardoned in Cuba in response to a call from Pope Francis for world leaders to consider granting inmates amnesty. In a front-page statement in the state-run newspaper, Granma, officials announced that 787 inmates, including women, young people and the sick, would get their freedom. The statement indicated that the crimes for which the inmates were serving time, their conduct while fulfilling their sentences, and the time already served were taken into consideration in deciding who would go free. Prisoners convicted of murder, homicide, corrupting minors, rape, drug trafficking and other “extremely dangerous” crimes were excluded. Cuba’s Council of State,

Raul Castro and Pope Francis which is led by President Raul Castro, issued the pardons “in response to the call by Pope Francis to heads of state in the Holy Year of Mercy”. Last December, in declaring the year of the Jubilee, Pope Francis called on world

leaders to improve prison conditions for inmates and consider granting them amnesty. Cuba released 3,522 prisoners in September last year, ahead of a visit by the Pope, as “a goodwill gesture”.

Sunday November 20, 2016

Kaieteur News

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Sunday November 20, 2016

Kaieteur News

Civilian casualties from Mosul are overwhelming capacity, U.N. warns

People run in panic after a coalition airstrike hit Islamic State fighters positions in Tahrir neighbourhood of Mosul, Iraq. REUTERS/Goran Tomasevic Reuters – Mounting civilian casualties from fighting in eastern Mosul between Iraqi forces and Islamic State are overwhelming the capacity of the government and international aid groups, the United Nations said yesterday. Nearly 200 wounded civilians and military personnel were transferred to hospital last week, the highest level since the campaign to push the jihadists out of their last major stronghold in Iraq began on Oct. 17, said Lise

Grande, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Iraq. The proportion of civilians among the wounded also appears to be on the rise, reaching 20 percent in the first month of the offensive, according to a Department of Health official, though part of the increase is likely due to improved access to areas newly retaken from Islamic State. “Authorities are doing everything they can to help but there isn’t sufficient trauma capacity at the field

level to deal with the numbers of people being wounded by sharp-shooters and snipers and in crossfire. Civilians are being targeted by ISIL,” she told Reuters, using an acronym for Islamic State. A 100,000-strong alliance of Iraqi forces, with air and ground support from a U.S.led coalition, have nearly surrounded Mosul but so far only breached the jihadists’ defences from the eastern side, establishing a small foothold inside the city.

Mastermind’s mom, suspect’s sister...

(From page 3) officials putting the MCU team on the case. “These are some of the allegations that relatives (of the victim) have made, and these are being investigated,” a senior official said. Faiyaz Narinedatt’s battered body was found on the Number 70 Village, Corentyne on November1. The autopsy was conducted by Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Dingh. Initial police reports had suggested that he was the victim of a hit-and-run accident. But an uncle of the 26-year-old carpenter said that from the inception, family members had received reports that Narinedatt was murdered. He said that relatives were told of the circumstances that led to the killing and of the identity of the perpetrators. This information was passed on to some detectives at Berbice, who failed to act on the leads. “”From the first day I tell (detective’s name given) we have five suspects and (overseas based Guyanese) make six,” the uncle said. “I even ask (detective’s name given) to check the car (in which the body was allegedly transported). He ask me what proof I got?” The relative alleged that the overseas-based alleged mastermind regularly feted some of the ranks, and allegedly entertained many of them at Number 63 Beach a few days after Narinedatt’s body was found. The suspect subsequently left for the United States. It was only when the MCU team joined the investigation that the truth of Narinedatt’s death was exposed.

Last week, ranks from the Force’s Major Crimes Unit (MCU) obtained a statement from an individual who claims that Narinedatt was beaten to death after rejecting the sexual advances of an overseasbased Guyanese. They also have statements from two men who admitted to killing the carpenter and driving a vehicle over his body to stage a hit-and-run. The suspects include two youths aged 17 and 18, and known as ‘Bruck Hand’ and ‘Cheese Mouth.’ The ages of the others range from 20 to 49. Some of the aliases were given as “Patchie’, ‘Lloydie’’Rado’ and ‘Zubir.’ The businessman who allegedly ordered the killing has reportedly returned overseas. The case broke this week after ranks from the Force’s Major Crimes Unit (MCU) took over the investigation. The witness has reportedly told police that on the day of the murder, the overseas-based Guyanese had a party at his home and the victim, the eyewitness and a few other persons were present. While the party was going on, the father of two went to the back of the yard to urinate, and the overseas-based Guyanese allegedly went behind him and allegedly started “feeling him up”. Narinedatt allegedly responded by slapping and “chucking” the overseasbased Guyanese, who reportedly then ordered his friends to kill Narinedatt. According to reports, the businessman told the men that he would ensure that they weren’t caught. Several men reportedly

then beat Narinedatt at the businessman’s premises. The victim was then taken to a roadway and beaten until he fell into a drain. The men then took the seemingly unconscious carpenter by vehicle to Number 70 Village, Corentyne. After dumping Narinedatt on the roadway, one of the men drove a vehicle over the carpenter. Investigators have implicated 27-year-old US-based Guyanese, Marcus Bisram, in Narinedatt’s murder. Bisram is said to have been a born in Berbice, but migrated to the US as a boy. He is the founder of the Marcus Brian Bisram Foundation. Last April, Bisram visited Number 70 Village, Corentyne, and pledged $200M annually to the needy at Berbice. Bisram stated that he has been making donations to Guyana for the past seven years, through various nonprofit organizations. His foundation has also pledged to build a home in Berbice for battered women and homeless children. During a ceremony at the Marriott Hotel last April, Bisram donated $672,000 to five Guyanese students from Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo. According to a posting on Bisram’s website, the USbased Guyanese received a Citation of Honour from the Borough of Queens, New York. He was described in the citation as “an exceptional human being and community leader.” Bisram’s website also has him posing with at least one high-ranking local politician.

China pledges further opening as leaders scramble for free trade Reuters - Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged yesterday to further open the world’s second-largest economy as leaders of AsiaPacific countries gathered in Peru to find new free-trade options after Donald Trump was elected U.S. president on a protectionist platform. The annual APEC summit got under way in Lima just over a week after Trump’s surprise victory dashed hopes of the largest-ever U.S.-proposed trade deal, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), coming to fruition. U.S. President Barack Obama has championed the TPP as a way to counter China’s rise, but his administration has now stopped trying to win congressional approval for the deal, which was signed by 12 economies in the Americas and Asia-Pacific, excluding China. Without U.S. approval the agreement as currently negotiated cannot be implemented. Throughout his cam-

Xi Jinping paign, Trump strongly criticized U.S. free-trade deals, vowing to pull the world’s biggest economy out of the TPP and promising to impose tariffs on imports from trade partners China and Mexico. China’s Xi is selling an alternate vision for regional trade by promoting the Beijing-backed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which as it stands excludes the Americas. “China will not shut its door to the outside world but

open more,” Xi said in a keynote address. Chinese attendance at the APEC meeting was its largest ever and delegates from around the region pointed to the possibility of China taking the lead on free trade if the U.S. were to turn towards protectionism. But the Obama administration has warned that the RCEP would not include strong protections for workers, the environment or intellectual property. In Lima on his last scheduled trip abroad as president, Obama told students he hoped there would not be major changes in policy towards Latin America in the Trump administration. The U.S. had worked hard to include labor provisions in a U.S.-Peru free trade agreement in order to lift wages and standards for Peruvian workers, he said. “That’s the kind of attitude that we want to promote in the years going forward and my hope is that policy will continue,” he said.

Sunday November 20, 2016

Kaieteur News

Hope hundred in vain as... (From page 75) (2-52) in the 12th over at 58 for two. Hope then pioneered the enterprising stand, counted four fours and four sixes while Brathwaite was more sedate, hitting only two fours in his knock. The right-handed Hope, who made his debut against Sri Lanka last Wednesday, played confidently throughout. He brought up his halfcentury off 69 balls in the 30th over and then celebrated with a pair of sixes off off-spinner Sikandar Raza – the last of which was a catch in the deep which was spoiled when Tiripano stepped on the ropes. Ho p e w a s d r o p p e d again in the 34th over on 69 when Raza at cover spilled a regulation chance

off leg-spinner Graeme C r e m e r, a n d w a s a l s o missed on 84 in the deep by Raza off the same bowler. The 23-year-old reached triple figures in the 45th over with a couple through midwicket off seamer Chris Mpofu but perished the very next ball, charging the bowler and edging a catch behind. Brathwaite, whose fifty had earlier come from 89 balls, departed at the start of the 48th when he holed out to long-off off Williams, and the Windies lost their second wicket of the over when Rovman Powell was yorked for 17, three balls later at 242 for five. Carlos Brathwaite kept the Windies hopes of victory alive with a six over midwicket off the final ball of the

penultimate over from Mpofu, before the panic set in. Earlier, Craig Ervine hammered 92 from 100 balls while Sikandar Raza struck 77 from 81 deliveries, to rescue Zimbabwe after they had slumped to 46 for two in the 14th over, on choosing to bat first. The innings was built on the pair’s third wicket partnership of 144 and once the stand was broken, the last eight wickets tumbled for just 67 runs. Carlos Brathwaite finished with career-best figures four for 48 while fellow seamers Shannon Gabriel (2-45) and Holder (2-47) claimed two wickets apiece. West Indies take on Sri Lanka in their game next Wednesday at the same venue.

Sunday November 20. 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You need to spend time with friends and family. You must not allow them to force you to rush. You have a tendency to think that no one else will do things properly. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Broaden your horizons and look into programs that will teach you awareness and relaxation. Unstable relationships are likely. Don't vacillate about asking for assistance if you need it. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Don't spend too much in order to impress others. Don't be too quick to judge your loved ones. You might have some problems balancing your books. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Self improvement projects should be your key concern. Try to communicate if you wish to help. It is time to clear your decks.

issue.. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Your self confidence will attract members of the opposite sex Raise your self esteem and your confidence if you want to get back into the mainstream again. You may be tired of working for someone else. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Be careful not to get roped into uncertain joint financial deals. Unexpected events may upset your routine. You will have a tendency to put on pounds. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Discord could be unnerving. Your ability to help others will win you points. Pleasure trips will promote new romantic encounters. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Female members of your family may be difficult to deal with. Financial difficulties may be worrying you. Do not get involved in joint financial ventures.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Don't count on your friends to be loyal when it comes to doing things. Hard work will payoff if you refrain from expressing your opinion to superiors. Evasion is likely if you aren't direct about your feelings.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You may have major blowups with someone you love if you don't back down. Sudden trips may take you by surprise; try to include your mate, mixing business with pleasure. Don't be shy; show your abilities!

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) This will be a very hectic day if you've made promises to too many people. Avoid any intimate involvement's with coworkers or employers. Electrical problems may be an

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You must use discretion when talking to others. Gambling should not be an option. Romance appears. You can make wonderful contributions to any organization that you join.

PAGE 77

Amin, Chaves, Black & Kissoon.. (From page 76) underway, the competitiveness was clear throughout the divisions, as noticeably, all the competitors were eager to ink their names in the top place to be secure their spot on next years’ US team. From the 5 to 6 year old Kata & Kumite division to the teenagers division to the adults division, the competitiveness was consistent. There were several highlights of this tournament. Among those were the adult black belt Kata and Kumite contest. In the 1st round of the Kata contest, back to back champion Shaqueel Amin performed advance kata –Kanku-Shoearning 19.1 points. His keen contestant Prince Roberts performed Sochin and eased passed him with his performance, earning 19.5 points. However, in the 2nd round, Amin came back to win when he performed Unsu (kata) earning 19.4 points over Prince Roberts who performed Kata Gojushiho earning 18.9 points. Prince also sustained a 0.1 point deduction for a technical flaw, and this denied him 1st place. Abdul Kellman placed 3rd with 36. 6 points. For the same division, the Kumite contest was also closely contested. Amin and Roberts held a draw after the first 3 minutes of free sparring. Subsequent to their draw, a 1 minute extension was allowed, and Amin was able to score first with a reverse punch to move to the next round. In that bout, he competed against challenger Abdur Kellman and was able to dispense of him to claim Kumite top spot as well. Another major highlight of this tournament was the featured demonstrations done by the reigning Guyana Kata & Kumite Champion team: Randolph Singh, Shaqueel Amin, and Prince Roberts. Combined the performed a picturesque display of the Kata Tekki Shodan followed by a related Bunkai (the application for this Kata) which the spectators got to witness first hand. Amin, then got to demonstrate the

power of basic karate techniques by breaking solid 1X12 boards using his bare hands and feet. In solicited feedback, many of the parents and spectators present expressed satisfaction with the organization of the tournament and how the students conducted themselves. Sensei Chaves in his closing remarks recognized all who participated and made clear that they all were winners despite placements. He stated, that win or lose, they all can take away something from each other’s performance. He then commended his officials/judges Sensei Neville Holder -4th

Dan, Sensei Marvin Singh-3rd Dan, Sensei Marlon George2nd Dan, Sempai Randolph Singh-1st Dan and Sempai Samuel Arjoon-1st Dan for officiating at the level they did. Sensei Chaves held the position as the chief judge for the tournament. He also expressed thanks to their corporate sponsors, the organizing committee of the National Sport Commission for use of the Gymnasium, parents and supporters. He highlighted that the organization’s focus now is on preparing students for their upcoming grading exercise on Saturday December 10th.

Wave of international talent... (From page 78) Angela Lancaster who has represented Canada since 2010. Canadian-based Guyanese international Leigh Sandison adds to the powerful lineup which will prove quite a challenge for defending champions Pizza Hut GCC. Top local sides Hikers,

GCC and Old Fort are each represented in all three divisions with the Pepsi Hikers men and Pizza Hut GCC ladies, being the defending champions. Matches begin on Wednesday evening, November 23rd from 5:30PM with all games being played at the national gymnasium.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 20, 2016

Unique opportunity opens up for Georgetown at ‘Nationals’

Teams line up at the National Stadium last year after the March Past for the Opening Ceremony of the National Schools’ Championships. For the first time in the history of the National Schools’ Cycling, Swimming and Track and Field Championships, Georgetown will have a unique opportunity to sweep the three top spots at the event since its inception in 1959. Once upon a time, Georgetown competed as a single unit and during that period won 12 titles. Since then, Georgetown was divided into three Districts in 1980: North (District 11), South (District 13) and East (District 12) Georgetown with North going onto win 14 Championships while South and East have yet to win any.

In addition, both South and East Georgetown have struggled tremendously, only finishing inside the top five on a few occasions. However, last year was the first year in the history of the Championships that the three Georgetown teams finished inside the top four teams at the conclusion of the National Schools’ Championships - a feat that flew under the radar. North finished second while East and South finished third and fourth respectively while Upper Demerara/Kwakwani (District 10) won the overall title. South and East Georgetown have now

positioned themselves for a possible Georgetown top three sweep along with North but District 10 will have plenty to say about that once the competition gets underway on Monday with Cycling at the National Park and Swimming at the National Aquatics Centre. Both South and East have done tremendous work to catch up with North Georgetown and now have the chance to the improbable, projecting Georgetown dominance at the National Schools’ Championships in a way never seen before. However, with District 10 at the top of the mountain, all three Georgetown teams will have to pull off a major upset to slide Linden all the way to fourth or at least a joint third with one of the City teams. The three Georgetown teams combined have a lot of fire power with North expected to take the swimming title, while South might grab the teacher’s championship but East Georgetown is the underdog of the three. East Georgetown have good athletes in every department but not enough to win an outright title in a n y o n e o f t h e competitions. But such is the dilemma of the task ahead if the Georgetown teams actually hope to achieve a top three sweep.

Nevertheless with time approaching to the start of the event and the official opening ceremony set for Tuesday at the National Stadium, Providence, Georgetown will have to topple the Upper Demerara/Kwakwani squad that is as strong as they come. The thrill of the chase to achieve the improbable will be a good show to watch.

With that in mind, the National Schools’ Championships just received another sub plot to its already ongoing major questions. Can any other District win the title besides Georgetown and Linden, who have shared that Championship since 1991? Can either North Georgetown or Upper Demerara/Kwakwani claim

their 15th title to break the deadlock between the two districts? These questions will be answered this week. North Georgetown and Upper/Demerara Kwakwani are locked on14 titles apiece and will be in a ding-dong b a t t l e f o r t h e most Championships in ‘Nationals’ history.

‘Reds’ part of NCN broadcast team for historic Day/Night match next month By Sean Devers Joseph ‘Reds’ Perriera is to cricket commentary what Shiv Chanderpaul is to the game itself and both veterans have some important things in common. They both commenced their Test Careers at Bourda, retired at the International level, both worked very hard at what they do for a very long time, both come from humble background, have both survived adversities such as being removed from the team or from the microphone, both are in twilight of their careers but have been outstanding servants of West Indies cricket and still have great passion for the game they love. Chanderpaul, at 42, still has the fire to outshine those much younger than him and has the most First-Class matches, runs, centuries and not outs than any other Guyanese. Reds, at 76, has broadcast the most Test matches, has done it the longest at first Class level and like Shiv, has helped to

Joseph Reds Perriera (St lucia Star) put Guyana on the map through cricket. While Chanderpaul is not quite ready to retire from First-Class cricket just yet, Reds will retire from the ‘air’ at First-Class level next month where it all began, in his homeland. This will fulfill one of his wishes. Reds, a former advisor to ex-sports Minister Shirley Fields-Riddley, who did his first Test in 1971 when West Indies opposed India, will be afforded the opportunity be one of the commentators,

when he teams up with Bajan Andrew Mason and G u y a n a ’s l a s t ‘ Te s t ’ commentator Inderjeet Permaul to describe the action in the historic first ever Day/Night First-Class match in Guyana from December 9 at Providence. G u y a n a , w h o participated in the inaugural ‘Pink ball’ Day/Night FirstClass game against Trinidad and Tobago at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in 2010, take on Barbados, the team to beat Guyana in PCL cricket back in 2014. Both icons are expected to play their part on the field and from the Media Stand. Won’t it be fitting to name the Reds Perriera Media Centre while he is still alive to know that he was honored by his own people? And while the powers that be are at it they could honour Guyana’s outstanding cricketers, including Shiv, by putting their names on the various compartments inside the Guyana National Stadium which was built for the 2007 ICC Word Cup Cricket Event.

Sunday November 20, 2016

Kaieteur News

Hope hundred in vain as Windies share points B U L A WAY O , Zimbabwe, CMC – Shai Hope’s maiden one-day hundred proved in vain as West Indies amazingly squandered an ideal opportunity for a second straight win in the TriNations Series, by playing to a nerve-jangling tie with Zimbabwe here yesterday. Requiring a mere four runs from the last over in pursuit of 258 for victory at Queens Sports Club, the Caribbean side dramatically lost three wickets while scoring just three runs, as they reluctantly secured their share of history in the 34th tie in One-Day Internationals. The task appeared a simple one when captain Jason Holder (4 not out) took a single to cover off the first ball of the over from seamer Donald Tiripano (226) but Carlos Brathwaite then lost the plot off the second delivery, holing out to long on for nine. O ff t h e v e r y n e x t delivery, Ashley Nurse was run out at the non-striker’s end without facing a ball, after Holder struck a first drive back to Tiripano who unintentionally parried the ball onto the stumps with Nurse short of his ground. Wi t h v i c t o r y n o w becoming increasingly complicated, Holder scrambled a leg bye off the fourth delivery and lefthander Jonathan Carter (1) swung the penultimate delivery of the game to square leg for a single to bring the scores level. Off the last ball of the contest, Holder missed a waft at a widish full-length delivery and scampered off for a bye but wicketkeeper Peter Moor threw down the stumps to foil Carter’s dash to safety at the striker’s end, leaving Zimbabwe to celebrate a share of the points. All told, the Windies lost their last six wickets for 37 runs in the space of 32 balls, in a stunning collapse. They continued at the top of the standings on seven points, two clear of Sri Lanka, while Zimbabwe picked up their first points of the campaign to remain bottom on two points. No such finish was envisioned when Hope was cruising to a superb top score of 101 off 120 balls in only his second One-Day

PAGE 79

Malone guides Floodlight to victory over 4R

Man-of-the-match Ramo Malone (left) accepts his prize from Eric Plumer in the presence of his team mates Opener Ramo Malone struck a fine century to guide Floodlight to a seven-wicket victory over 4R when the teams collided in a 20-over softball fixture on Friday night at Demerara Cricket Club. Malone struck 105 and shared in a 120-run opening stand with Patrick Khan as Floodlight successfully chased 268, ending on 269-3 in 19.3 overs. Malone who was named

man-of-the-match hammered four fours and 10 sixes while Khan who made 72 hit five fours and seven sixes. Imtiaz Baksh supported with 22 not out while Richard Persaud got 13. Earlier, 4R skipper Ricky Deonarain hammered an even century to give his team a decent total after they were reduced to 25-3. Deonarain shared in crucial sixth-wicket partnership of 110 with Yunnis Yusuf to

steady the innings. Deonarain clobbered seven fours and nine maximums before he retired. Yusuf struck three fours and fours sixes in scoring 57 while other useful contributions came from Richie Deonarain 21, William Plumer 17 and Khalid Baksh 16. Petamber Persaud had 329 and Jailall Deodass 2-26. The game was sponsored by Trophy Stall. (Zaheer Mohamed)

Novel Beginner’s Golf Tournament on today at Lusignan Golf Club Brainchild of golfer Parmanand Max Persaud, and accelerated by golfer Patanjalee Per Persaud, today, there will be a first ever of its kind Beginner’s Golf tournament at the Lusignan Golf Club. Seven business agencies will send four employees each to compete for 1st – 3rdplace Best Net, a Best Gross, a Longest Drive, and a Nearest to The Pin prize. Most of the competitors would never have played golf before, so learning and

competing at the same time is bound to be a great deal of fun and excitement. Tee-off time is 10:00 a.m. and the competitors will play 6 or 9 holes, rather than the 18 normally played in tournaments. Nonetheless, competition is anticipated to be keen between the representatives of the different agencies. It is the Golf Club’s expectation and desire that the experience will prompt many of the competitors and

even their administrators to become involved in the game of golf by becoming members subsequently. Companies competing are Auto Fashion, Choke Service Station, CIDI Inc., Courts, Nauth’s Motor Spares, Prem’s Electrical, Regal Stationery. The event, which will also be a sort of interCompany family fun day, will have beverages, snacks, cutters and possibly even bar-be-cue chicken on sale.

Guyana Draughts Association Annual Hamper tourney set for next Sunday International. He put on 162 for the third wicket with opener Kraigg Brathwaite who stroked 78 off 117 deliveries, in a partnership that appeared to have put West Indies in the driver’s seat at 220 for two in the 45th over.

The pair came together after opener Johnson Charles was lbw to Tiripano for 19 in the eighth over at 33 for one and when Evin Lewis (18) picked out Chamu Chibhabha on the square leg boundary off leftarm spinner Sean Williams (Continued on page 73)

The Guyana Draughts Association Annual Hamper tournament is set for next Sunday 27th November. The games would be played inside the compound of the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue G/town. This Annual competition is an initiative of the President of the Association Mr. Jiaram. Jiaram said that once sponsorship is available this annual event

will continue. He further said that this game is a treat for draught players at this festive time since draughts do not attract valuable prizes during the year. The game would be played on the 100 square boards. Starting time is 10:00am and draught players are reminded to be on time for the draw. Entrance fee is $500 per player. The top five players would receive hampers

Brans Security Service, Sol Guyana Inc, Noble House Seafoods, Farfan & Mendez and A. Ahmad Hydraulics Mc Doom have so far contributed to the event. A few others are to come on board shortly. All draught players countrywide are invited to participate in the tournament. Contact can be made with Mr. Jiaram on tel. 614-6671 or 216-0100.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 20, 2016

Regional Four-Day C/ship Powell leads Hurricanes fight – 2nd day, round-up but Jaguars take control KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Windward Islands Volcanoes, replying to Jamaica Scorpions first innings of 151 all out, were one without loss at the close on the second day of their second round match in the Regional Four-Day Championship at Sabina Park here yesterday. Scores: J A M A I C A

SCORPIONS 151 (Devon Thomas 51; Shane Shillingford 5-32, Delorn Johnson 2-53) W I N D W A R D ISLANDS VOLCANOES one without loss. Over at Queen’s Park Oval: Pride lead Red Force by 94 runs overall. Scores:

BARBADOS PRIDE 242 (Anthony Alleyne 88, K e n r o y Wi l l i a m s 4 6 ; Sheldon Cottrell 3-27, Imran Khan 3-61) and 20 without loss. TRINIDAD & TOBAGO RED FORCE 168 (Roshon Primus 65, Imran Khan 35; Kenroy Williams 3-21).

Captain Kieran Powell … top-scored with 79.

Courts Pee Wee Schools Football Final

St. Angela’s versus St. Agnes ‘Big Show’ on today -W/ Ruimveldt tackle St. Pius for third place By Rawle Welch The word on the street is that today’s Courts Pee Wee Schools Football final is the ‘Big Show’ of this age group and a large turnout is anticipated, at the Banks DIH ground, Thirst Park. The final pits defending champion St. Angela’s versus neighbours St. Agnes in what has bragging rights as the centerpiece of the showdown. Before that however, is the clash between 2013 champion St. Pius and West Ruimveldt for third place and this too promises to provide fans with a taster to the main course which starts at 15:00hrs. In the final, St. Angela’s will most likely start as favourites judging from their earlier performances which was categorised as the most impressive of all the teams by most pundits. Their attacking prowess has been the highlight of the tournament so far save and except for their semi-final clash against St. Pius which saw them scrape a narrow 10 win. On the other hand, they are also very good defensively as seen in the same encounter, having defended that slim lead for the duration of the encounter. Once again, leading

marksman Seon Cato is expected to take charge of their offensive exploits and his supporting cast of Antwoine Vincent, Antonio McArthur and Omarie Nelson are poised to add further potency to their attack. B y n o w, e v e r y o n e knows that St. Agnes strength is in their backline, having conceded just one goal in the campaign so far which resulted in their only loss to Redeemer and this forceful characteristic is expected to be on full display in the final. They withstood a barrage of attacking forays in their semi-final clash against West Ruimveldt, before a late goal secured their ambition to vie for the title. Another strong feature of their game is the fact that they are not intimidated by ‘big’ names and have already been labeled giant killers, knocking off all the favoured teams en route to the final. Nikhail Carter and David Xavier have been the lynchpins of nearly all of their victories and are predicted to lead their charge for the title. The forecast points to a riveting finale to bring the curtains down on a tournament that has been embraced by football

stakeholders and this is also seen as a crucial module for the sport’s development in the country. The encounter between South Georgetown giants West Ruimveldt and St. Pius is another battle for bragging rights with the latter holding that swagger due to them being 2013 champions. H o w e v e r, We s t Ruimveldt have had a very good tournament; they’ve played with consistency throughout and will no doubt be aiming to quash that recognition. The players in whose hands it will be to change the outlook are Kevin Mentis, Tyrese Jeffrey, Kenneth G o r d o n a n d Ta f f r e l McAllister. To ensure that the status quo remains, St. Pius will be hoping that Dwayne Baptiste and Kaden Wellington continue their form. Before these two encounters, the fight for final positioning of teams will take place from 11:00 hrs. Apart from platinum sponsor Courts Guyana Inc., beverage giants Banks DIH has been a very supportive ally in helping to make the event a success. Parents and fans are being urged to come out and see the future stars of the sport for free.

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – Out-of-favour West Indies opener Kieran Powell hit a solid halfcentury but his Leeward Islands Hurricanes struggled against two-time reigning champions Guyana Jaguars on the rain-hit second day of their second round Regional Four-Day clash here yesterday. Replying to Jaguars’ first innings of 293, the hosts closed on 157 for nine – still 136 runs adrift heading into the penultimate day at Warner Park. The left-handed Powell played a captain’s hand, carving out a well-compiled top score of 79, his 23rd first class half-century. He faced 191 deliveries in nearly 4-1/2 hours at the crease and struck five fours and a six before he was seventh out, caught and bowled by left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie after being deceived in flight. Jeremiah Louis, batting at number eight, was unbeaten on 23 but was just one of three batsmen to reach double figures. Motie did the damage, claiming three for 43 while left-arm seamer Raymon Reifer picked up two for 22. Resuming the day on four without loss, Hurricanes made slow progress as they battled rain interruptions which accounted for the loss of 90 minutes all told. Montcin Hodge fell in the day’s third over for eight

with the score on 15 and Akeem Saunders followed with the score on 37, lbw offering no shot to seamer Chris Barnwell for seven. Powell was then forced

to carry the burden of the innings with no support and h e d i d s o a d m i r a b l y, reaching his half-century in style by clearing the ropes at long-off with Motie.

Kaieteur News

Sunday November 20, 2016

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GuyanaNRA marksmen battle again today at Timehri Ranges Persaud and Goodluck win Record Shoots The Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) is set to continue competitive shooting at the Timehri Rifle Ranges after resuming target hitting over the past two weekends. The reigning Caribbean Long Range champions have been busy over the past two weekends and as rivalry heats up, today’s action is expected to be keen with the likes of Ransford Goodluck, Fullbore Captain Mahendra Persaud, Lennox Braithwaite and Dylan

Fields (Vice Captain) all coming into their own. Winners of the past two weeks of Recorded Shoots were Persaud and Goodluck, respectively. Persaud, who missed the first Record Shoot won on Sunday last by dropping just one point for the three ranges as he totaled 104 points and 6 V-bulls as a result of shooting a possible each at the 300 and 500 yards ranges. Ransford Goodluck, who won the first Record Shoot

Diamond Mineral Water Hockey Festival

GCC teams hungry for more success

Marzana Fiedtkou Defending women’s champions of the Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Hockey festival, Pizza Hut GCC, has more than just a title to defend. As the team that boasts the best record in the festival among women’s contenders, winning the festival a record 7 times, and representing Guyana’s best chance to hold off the powerful Canadians, much rides on the shoulders of the national champions. The team this year is strengthened by the return of top midfielder Marzana Fiedtkou who has just completed her university education at the University of Massachusetts in Lowell. Fiedtkou attended the university under a hockey scholarship that would have exposed her to four years of the game at the competitive USA varsity level. National defender and top talent Trisha Woodroffe returned to the game recently to strengthen the side which also features the exciting trio of strikers Kerensa Fernandes, Gabriella Zavier and Sonia Jardine. The team enters its final stage of preparation and face archrival the Woodpecker Hikers in their opening fixture on Wednesday evening. Meanwhile 2015 finalists, the Bounty GCC men, who lost last year to the 6ix of Canada after defeating them in the pool round, have a lot of ground to cover before the beginning of this year’s festival. The Bounty boys fell heavily on both occasions to the Pepsi Hikers and once to Old Fort in the recent GT&T National championships, a tournament where they usually produce their best form of the year. The GCC side now have to go back to the drawing board and redefine their game plan for the Festival if they are to return as finalists this year. The team is going to expect much from junior nationals Kareem McKenzie and Daniel Hooper who were both notably absent from their recent line-up, but it is likely to take more than this to overcome the opposition. The GCC vets, known more popularly as ‘Vintage’ have been enjoying their usual run of success, but have failed to produce top results in the Festival in recent years. National vets MVP Dwayne Scott will be their key player to watch in this division along with midfielders Devin Hooper and Alan Fernandes and they form a formidable attacking trio of former nationals.

one week earlier, fell behind his Captain by just a single point, totaling 103 points and 10 V-bulls with Lennox Braithwaite one point back in third with 102 points and 8 V-bulls. Goodluck, in winning the first competition did so by a single point ahead of Braithwaite, 101.9 to 100.5. Vice -Captain Fields placed

third. With the recent cutting of trees in the vicinity of the ranges, the wind conditions have changed somewhat. The experienced marksmen had to adjust quickly to the changing winds at the 900 yards ranges as it was not what they were accustomed to underlining the high caliber of competitive shooters in Guyana.

Mahendra Persaud

Ransford Goodluck

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 20, 2016

Wave of international talent coming for DMW Festival

Damian ‘Junior Gong’ Gordon breaks through the Hikers defence in last year’s festival.

This year’s Diamond Mineral Water (DMW) Indoor Hockey Festival will see a wave of top international talent gracing the shores of Guyana as teams from the USA, Canada and Trinidad all have teams entered in more than one division. While men’s defending

champs, The 6ix, from Canada are not returning this year, several of their key players will be present as members of this year’ Toronto Lions team. Among those will be last year’s Most Valuable Player in the men’s division, Jeewan Bath, who has been a main contributor on the Canadian men’s national indoor team for the past ten years. Bath also holds the record of being the most capped indoor player for Canada. The Toronto Lions boast a formidable line-up which includes four Canadian nationals including goalkeeper Premakanthan Shankar who will also be conducting a goalkeeping clinic here in Guyana leading up to the tournament. Festival runners-up in 2013 Queens Park of Trinidad returns this year in an effort to exceed that showing and cart off the trophy. The club is represented in both the men’s and Carib over-35 divisions and will be led by former Guyanese international Jerazeno ‘Skillaxe’ Bell. National and under-21 captains, Daren Cowie and Jordan Reynos, both add quality to a skilful side that is a strong contender for gold. Perennial attendees, Carib hockey club visits for the 5th straight year and have reached as close as second place in the Carib over-35 division. Last year ’s over-35 MVP, Kern Ramsammy, one of several Ramsammy relatives on the team, will

lead their charge for gold this year. Malvern Hockey Club, who has been the overseas club with the highest attendance record, appearing in all but one year, round out the Trinidad contingent with their over35 side led by former Trinidad internationals, Damian ‘Junior Gong’ Gordon. The Bal Wash Ers make their first appearance this year and compete in both the m e n ’s a n d o v e r- 3 5 divisions. As their name suggests, these players originate from the Baltimore and Washington areas of the USA and many will be firsttime visitors to Guyana. Returning with this team however is former Guyanese national, Jeremy Roberts, who makes his third appearance in the festival this year. This side is not short on experience and features several players from the USA master’s national team including former player/coach Peter Jones. The Toronto Academy visits this year for the second time and this time around boast a stronger lineup after being the losing finalists in 2013. Captain of the Canadian Indoor Team that went to the World Cup in Germany in 2015, Kaelan Watson, will lead the Academy. Watson has played for the Canadian National outdoor team from 2011 to 2015. She is known as a strong defender with quick stick skills and powerful shot on net. Supporting her will be international teammate (Continued on page 73)

Canadian international Jeewan Bath on the attack in last year’s festival.

Sunday November 20, 2016

Kaieteur News

PAGE 83

FARFAN & MENDES JUNIOR TOURNAMENT 2016

Shomari Wiltshire halts Alex Cheeks’ good run The Guyana Squash Association in collaboration with its number one corporate sponsor Digicel annual Farfan & Mendes Junior Squash Tournament at the Georgetown Club Inc. squash courts continued on Friday with several keenly contested encounters. Play on day 3 with matches in all nine categories which are being contested, saw in category A Alex Cheeks impressive run came to an end when he lost in four games to Shomari Wiltshire. Shomari won the first game 11 – 6, but Alex won the second game in identical fashion 11 – 6. Shomari then won a close third game 11 – 9 and closed out the match with an 11 – 7 win in the fourth game. In category B Rebecca Low and Samuel InceCarvalhal had a ding dong tussle with Rebecca eventually winning the match by three games to one. Samuel won the first game 11 – 6 and at 10 – 8 game ball in the second it seemed as if a major upset was in the making. However, Rebecca won the next four points to take the second game 12 – 10 and then closed out the match with wins in both the third and fourth games 11 – 6. Makeda Harding outplayed Maya Collins winning in straight games 11 – 3, 11 – 6, 11 – 7. In category C Demetrius De Abreu had a comfortable win over Lucas Jonas 11 – 6, 11 – 5, 11 – 3, while Michael Alphonso had to work a little harder against Ethan Jonas but also won in three games, 11 – 9, 11 – 6, 11 – 7. In category D Madison Fernandes and Abosaide Cadogan went the full five games with Madison eventually prevailing in the fifth. Madison won the first

game 11 – 9 and then won the second game 11 – 7. Abosaide then bounced back to win the third game 11 – 8 and then took the fourth 11 – 5. The fifth game went back and forth and at nine all it was anybody’s game to win but Madison won the next two points and the match by three games to two. In the other match in this category Kirsten Gomes easily outplayed her cousin Jason Gomes winning 11 – 5, 11 – 5, 11 – 5. Results in each of the categories were as follows: Category I Noah Rahaman beat Jared Saul 11-6, 11-5 Dhiren Persaud defeated Malia Maikoo 11-7, 11- 7 Aishani Persaud beat Joshua Verwey Saul 11-7, 17 – 15 Category H Elan Rahaman beat Lucas Persaud 11- 7, 11 – 8 Rayad Boyce beat Rayden Persaud 6 – 11, 11 – 8, 12 - 10 Category G Beau Fernandes beat Osmond Mack 11 – 8, 8 – 11, 11 – 7 Teija Edwards beat Isabella Ramjohn 11 – 8, 3 – 11, 11 – 8 Category F Mikhail Persaud beat Liam Carpenter 4 – 11, 11 – 6, 11 – 7 Nicholas Verwey beat Chad De Abreu 12 – 10, 9 – 11, 11 – 5 Louis da Silva defeated Shiloh Asregado 11 – 3, 11 – 3 Category E Zachary Persaud beat Nathan Rahaman 11 – 7, 11 – 8 Zachary Persaud beat Haley Carpenter 11 – 4, 11 – 5 Category D Madison Fernandes beat Abosaide Cadogan 11 – 9, 11

– 7, 8 – 11, 5 – 11, 11 – 9 Kirsten Gomes beat Jason Gomes 11 – 5, 11 – 5, 11 – 5 Category C Demetrius De Abreu beat Lucas Jonas 11 – 6, 11 – 5, 11 – 3 Michael Alphonso beat Ethan Jonas 11 – 9, 11 – 6, 11 -7 Category B Makeda Harding beat Maya Collins 11 – 3, 11 – 6, 11 – 7 Rebecca Low defeated Samuel Ince- Carvalhal 6 – 11, 12 - 10, 11 – 6, 11 – 6 Category A S h o m a r i Wi l t s h i r e defeated Alex Cheeks 11 – 6, 6 – 11, 11 – 9, 11 – 7 Matches then continued on the morning of day 4 and the results are as follows: Category I Aishani Persaud beat Jared Saul 11- 8, 4 – 11, 11 – 6 Jared Saul beat Joshua Verwey 11 – 8, 12 – 10 Aishani Persaud beat Malia Maikoo 11 – 5, 12 – 10 Joshua Verwey beat Grant Fernandes 14 – 12, 11 –5 Dhiren Persaud beat Grant Fernandes 11 – 6, 13 – 11 Dhiren Persaud defeated Jared Saul 11 – 7, 12 – 10 Noah Rahaman beat Malia Maikoo 8 – 11, 13 – 11, 12 – 10 Category H Rayden Persaud beat Lucas Persaud 15 – 13, 11 – 8 Elan Rahaman defeated Rayad Boyce 11 – 4, 15 – 17, 11 – 3 Category G Jahcinta Adams beat Beau Fernandes 11 – 6, 12 – 14, 11 – 7 Category F Mikhail Persaud beat Shiloh Asregado 11 – 4, 11 – 3

Louis Da Silva beat Chad De Abreu 9 – 11, 11 – 5, 11 – 4 N i c h o l a s Ve r w e y defeated Liam Carpenter 11 – 8, 11 – 6 Category E James Mekdeci defeated Mohyryan Baksh 7 – 11, 11 – 8, 12 – 10 Haley Carpenter

defeated Nathan Rahaman 12 – 10, 11 – 6 Paige Fernandes beat Nathan Rahaman 11 – 6, 11 – 2 Mohyryan Baksh beat Haley Carpenter 11 – 4, 11 – 3 Category C Michael Alphonso defeated Lucas Jonas 13 –

11, 11 – 8, 11 – 7 Ethan Jonas beat Demetrius De Abreu 11 – 4, 11 – 5, 3 – 11, 11 – 8 Category B Makeda Harding beat Gianni Carpenter 11 – 7, 11 – 8, 7 – 11, 10 – 12, 11 - 5 Today is the final day and the various finals are set to commence from 11:00am.

Alex Cheeks fought tooth & nail against Shomari Wiltshire. (Photos by Sean Devers)

Madison Fernandes at full stretch against Abaside Cadogan on Friday night.

t r o Sp

Hope hundred in vain as Windies share points Batsman Shai Hope push drives during his maiden ODI hundred against Zimbabwe on Saturday. (Photo courtesy WICB Media)

Craig Ervine’s 92 off 100 balls formed the spine of Zimbabwe’s innings © AFP Kraigg Brathwaite executes a cut during his 78, Zimbabwe v West Indies, trination series, Bulawayo, ©AFP

Courts Pee Wee Schools Football Final

St. Angela’s versus St. Agnes ‘Big Show’ on today -W/ Ruimveldt tackle St. Pius for third place

Part of the action in this year’s edition of the Courts Pee Wee Schools Football Competition. Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210