Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News

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

Guest Editorial

LIFE UNDER THE PPP During the last fifteen years of PPP rule, the people did not have much say or input in the country’s affairs or its progress. Everything was controlled by the Jagdeo’s regime. Their freedom and rights to protest and speak out against wrongdoings were curtailed and the private media was threatened. Extrajudicial killings took the lives of many, others were brutalized and some were placed before the courts on trump-up charges. The alarming murder rate, the high number of unsolved murders, armed robberies, police brutality and massive corrupt practices were symptoms that Guyana had become an endangered state. The absence of the people’s influence on national policies under the PPP administration produced a pervasive social and cultural decay of national life, political stagnation and levels of lawlessness and violence that had placed the nation in serious danger. Some, including the publisher and editor-in-chief of this publication, received the full force of attacks from the PPP to the extent that their lives were in danger. However, the “Heist of Guyana,”orchestrated by this publication awakened public consciousness and eventually saved the country. It emboldened many to speak out against a diseased PPP tribalism, corruption, theft, and gross incompetence of the PPP regime. The people’s demand of accountability, transparency and an end to corruption made them a force to be reckoned with in the run up to the last election. Most people apparently wanted the best for their children and the country. But they were swamped by immorality, corruption and nepotism. Lawlessness and irresponsibility had engulfed the entire society, thus causing many to conclude that Guyana was a nation in name only. The citizens were saddened and alarmed by what the PPP had done to the country. It was a country with dysfunctional institutions, a retarded constitution, antiquated judiciary, and a partisan and corrupt government. Most of the wealth generated from the economy benefitted those in the PPP. People were robbed, maimed and killed and their interests neglected or ignored. Life under the Jagdeo regime was overbearing. The country’s economic flagships, sugar, rice and timber had showed signs of decay. Education and health care were on the verge of collapsing, the energy sector was a wreck, and unity, the very symbol of the nation, had been cast aside for partisan and race-bait politics. The collapsing infrastructure and the rusting water pipelines beneath the ground were a symbol of a country rotting from beneath the surface, whilst those in authority continued to use state funds to fatten their bank accounts.Many became reputed millionaires by looting the Treasury. There was a clear danger to the people and the country as a whole, but the PPP was mindlessness of the danger and as a result. It was ignored, either willfully or by accident. The country was in a shambolic state with its major institutions in disarray during the last fifteen years of the PPP rule. Parliament which was supposed to represent the people’s interests became a rubber stamp for the PPPites. It was no longer a place for negotiation, collaboration or debate between the government and the opposition. Instead of an instrument of the people’s power, Parliament was a farce in that it presided over rituals and poor representation of the people’s interest. It was powerless and therefore, it could not have represented the people’s patrimony. It became a laughable imitation of what a Parliament should be. It was a worthless period that lacked exuberance and trustworthy leaders to represent the people’s interest. Instead, they were dishonest and did not have the courage or will power to tell the people the truth about the state of the country. Dishonest and deceit had overcome them.It was one of the darkest recorded period in Guyana’s history and that took a high toll on the people.

Sunday November 06, 2016

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

I have an excellent engineering record but was still shafted Dear Editor: Much has been done to fine tune public procurement but alas the same old is very much in evidence. I believe that there are those who don't want the system to work as designed and intended. On paper it is fine but in essence it is worthless. I was not amused by the revelations of Mr. Ceres concerning his recent bid for public work. It shows quite clearly that persons in high places are still up to their shenanigans. Mr. Ceres represents the gold standard in engineering in this part of the globe. We can go against him at our peril. I have recently shared the

same fate as this gentleman. On a project for the provision of electric standby service or the Ministry of Finance I believe we got shafted. We received a letter from the Ministry's Technical Officer that we failed to meet the minimum standard of the Technical Proposals. We fielded a team of 4 engineers including myself, three of whom have sterling overseas performances. I was the first local engineer to have headed the construction of a 69KV power transmission line; built the first local power station at Onverwagt;

prepared the full designs for power stations at Ankerville, Versailles and Anna Regina towards the close of 1966. In recent times I performed the electric design work for the High, Appeal and Family Courts on an IDB contract quite credibly. The worked also catered for the provision of standby facilities. Like Mr. Ceres I have lodged a protest with authorities, but I do not have much faith in this process. What is not amusing is that the Ministry bought a generator plant and associated gear and then requested tenders for the provision of design and

supervision of installation of the equipment. I do not really know who would do such a thing. Normally engineers would be called in to bid on the design of standby systems to cater for the needs of the Ministry. This would entail a load/demand survey which would reveal current and future needs of the Ministry. I do not wish to speculate on what I believe was done and the drivers behind this process. In Guyana nothing is hidden from scrutiny. I trust that the real needs of the Ministry are properly met. Cyril Walker

Sunday November 06, 2016

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Kaieteur News

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Anil Nandlall wants the President to do the decent thing

CONUNDRUM OF AGE, EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATION AND COMPETENCE

DEAR EDITOR; The dismissal of the criminal charges against Mr. Carvil Duncan has several implications. 1) It vindicates Mr. Duncan’s innocence. The prosecution has failed to rebut the constitutionally guaranteed presumption of innocence which Mr. Duncan enjoys. Therefore, in the e y e s o f t h e l a w, M r. Duncan has committed no legal wrong. 2) It vindicates my contention from the inception that the Prime Minister and the President acted prematurely, p r e c i p i t o u s l y, c a p r i c i o u s l y, a r b i t r a r i l y and unconstitutionally when

they activated a process to remove Mr. Duncan from office before the hearing and determination of the criminal charges. As it now turns out, they are attempting to remove from office, a high Constitutional Office holder who enjoys security of tenure of office and who has done no legal wrong that would be considered “misbehavior” to warrant his removal from office. 3) As I predicted and cautioned the Tribunal established by the President has now been proven to have embarked upon an unlawful and unconstitutional course of action. This Tribunal therefore, has no legal jurisdiction

whatsoever to proceed with its work, even if the Court Order prohibiting it from proceeding, is discharged. 4) In conclusion, the Executive has wasted a lot of time, energy and financial resources in its indecent h a s t e t o r e m o v e M r. Duncan from office. In the end, the Rule of Law and an independent Judiciary have prevailed. In the circumstances, the President is now obliged to do the decent thing, which is, to disband the Tribunal forthwith and to rescind his suspension of Mr. Duncan from performing his various constitutional functions. Anil Nandlall

DEAR EDITOR; Recent reports in the media repeated the old conundrum surrounding the retention of older people in employment versus ‘retiring’ them just to provide opportunities for youth employment. Naturally, younger people want to escape the stigma, misfortunes and vicissitudes of the unemployed while their older counterparts struggle to remain relevant, recognized, useful and rewarded. Concurrently, employers

who are increasingly under pressure to get the best returns from their significant outlays on rising employment costs, must weigh the pros and cons of retaining the services of the tried (not necessarily tired) experienced staff who have already proven their worth versus the unknown but ‘suspect’ competencies of the latest ‘graduates’ from schools and institutions of equally ‘questionable’ curricula, credentials and objectives.

Often, the doubts and debates devolve from dubious attitudes and aptitudes of potential recruits. Especially disconcerting to employers are their personal/behavioral ‘characteristics’, their approach to work and relationships with people including manners and courtesy towards seniors and supervisors and sensitivity to organizational norms and contextual imperatives. Areas of practical (Continued on page 6)

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Sunday November 06, 2016

Kaieteur News

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Kaieteur M@ilbox

The poor and powerless have no one to help them in Guyana

The road carnage is a national scandal

DEAR EDITOR, Why is it some that people feel they have a right to do to others as they like with impunity? One keeps reading some sickening and frightening accounts on all sorts of terrible things. The front page of our dailies read like an obituary. We read about barefaced, “wrong and strong” bullism and naked advantage being taken on ordinary everyday people simply because they are poor and not counted, and have no one and nowhere to seek justice – which often times comes at an enormous cost which poor folks’ pockets aren’t deep enough to afford. We read of these things happening in the glaring open, in the eyes of the public including law-enforcers

and nothing is being done, sometimes even when a report is made. Can citizens feel free, comfortable, protected when they witness these things, just why are these things happening with such frequency? One has to wonder where is the evenhandedness in the modus operandi of the law enforcers in apprehending those who allegedly commit such acts. We read in the Kaieteur News of Sept. 15th about 33 years old Julius Taylor, of Zeelugt East Bank Essequibo and a father of two who was attacked and beaten by several GDF Coast Guard ranks on July 27th causing him to lose his left eye, Taylor was making his way home after visiting the Parika Police Station. He is now in danger of

losing his sight completely if corrective surgery is not done in time to his remaining right eye, and which has to be dome overseas at a cost of approximately $1.6 million Guyana dollars. He has already spent two weeks in Trinidad where he underwent surgery for that eye. Julius Taylor a fisherman now has difficulty in maintaining his family; is further upset and pained that although the police know where the soldiers are and members of the community including relatives witnessed the beating and no arrest to date is made. The incident took place in broad daylight, he knows them well; he was transported to the Lenora Cottage Hospital by the police, was (Continued on page 7)

CONUNDRUM OF AGE, EXPERIENCE... From page 5 concerns include their engagement with and commitment to the organization, willingness to learn and ‘go the extra mile’ in the interest of the organization vis-à-vis their expectation from the organization or the so-called “give and take”. This is not to say that all young people are guilty of these ‘shortcomings’ nor is it an excuse for poor orientation by unwary or insensitive employers; they certainly have basic responsibilities in these regards. However, while corporate social responsibility cannot be ignored, the over-riding concern of management in the private sector includes efficiency, productivity and profitability which remain their basic raison d’etre, compared to their counterparts in Government and the Public Sector who are required to think of their over-riding obligation to the State to pursue developmental opportunities for the population at large. Obviously, a viable compromise is the ideal.

My experience as a Human Resource Management practitioner convinces me that while younger people tend to be more academically and technically ‘qualified’ and are more concerned about their ‘professional profile’, the older counterparts tend to be more competent and committed to ‘the organization’. (The days of “the organization man” as for example the “Bookers Man” or the “Bauxite Man” or the “Civil Servant” are a thing of the past, but that tendency or culture still lingers among the elderly as opposed to the newer generation of employees who appear to be more ‘self-centered’ in pursuit of their personal and professional development. Again, it must be emphasized that nothing is intrinsically wrong with self-development but its pursuit must not be exclusive of considerations for the employer who facilitates it. In practical terms, it is obvious that the foregoing tendencies and the reported ’brain drain’ being experi-

enced in Guyana, require a liberal, more pragmatic use of all the available, usable human resources irrespective of any dogmatic or pre-conceived constraints like a fixed age of retirement; many of the more advanced and better endowed societies have already moved in the direction of open-ended or flexible ‘retirement’. Already there has been much media coverage about the questionable practice of retiring members of the noble profession of teaching as early as at 55 years when most of them are at their best; given the numerical shortages and/ or inefficacy of recent ‘youthful’ intake into this critical profession, the need for urgent reversal of current practices seems pellucid. Similarly, I am aware of the dearth and/or deficiencies in the Human Resources Management profession which is also nodal for effective utilization of the employees in important production and services organizations. Nowrang Persaud

DEAR EDITOR’S Editor’s note; this is the final section of Ms. Sam’s opinion carried on our Friday. Investigations have shown that fatalities on rural roadways are attributable to rampant speeding both day and night, drunken driving and too few policemen being deployed. With the recent graduation on July 23, 2016 of 200 police recruits from the Felix Austin Police Academy, the problem of speeding etc. is as good as solved. The Minister of Public Security is hereby called upon to display a greater sense of responsibility with respect to road safety. What stringent measures have been put in place? What if any measures are left to be instituted? Has the time arrived for Guyana to start considering the installation of mandatory reflective and overhead gantry signs such as is being used in developed countries e. g Canada, U. S.A and England? There is a strong need for a major nationwide publicity campaign to inform the public that the actual speed limit on any minor road is the maximum safe speed that a vehicle can travel on that road. There should be lower speed limits set for minor roads, and the government can invest as well as solicit assistance from the U.S.A Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (under their 2009 pledge to work with Caribbean government to strengthen public safety) for the purchase of speed reader boards, driver feedback signs etc. All speed-reader boards alert drivers to their actual

speed as they pass by. Some of these reader boards also flash warnings such as “SLOW DOWN” when speeds reach a pre-set limit. Studies done on driver feedback signs have indicated that they are highly effective in slowing traffic. Drivers who commit road traffic offences should be required to undertake, at their own financial expense, special remedial safe driving awareness lessons. Trucks and other heavy duty equipment should have a visible identifiable reflector sign indicating that they are carrying heavy loads, and should travel with their flashers on especially at night. On the roadway they should only park in areas designated as rest stops and not just on the side of the road, or around a bend with lights off. New vehicles operating in Guyana should have ABS (air bag system) which has been credited with saving many a life. This measure comes hand in hand with mandatory car governors or rev limiters that prevent speedometers from reading above 90 m.p.h. The implementation of clear road markings, centre line, edge line and stop line. Junctions should be identified at night by the use of reflective green delineator posts. School zones should be clearly identified with the appropriate signs, and should have speed humps around its entire perimeter. After all children; are the future and as such must be protected. In 2012 the Guyana National Road Safety Council in an effort to make the roadways safe , pointed out the 5 c’s that were essential if a person wanted to avoid acci-

dents and get from point A-B safely. On an ironical note in 2011 People’s National Congress Reform presidential candidate, Brigadier David Granger, called on the then administration to implement correct policing, rigorous lawenforcement, efficient road engineering and proper licensing of vehicle drivers. He added that the death toll figures were also a warning of the incompetence of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic Administration. The President proposed that the Ministry of Home Affairs could have prevented most road accidents if stringent measures were put in place. . President Granger also referred to a statement by the then Health Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy wherein he stated that road accidents were the seventh leading cause of all deaths. According to the President, Minister Ramsammy pointed out that the real tragedy was that not a single road death should occur since it is something that is preventable. The more things changed the more they remain the same — same car, same road, same passengers, only a different captain at the helm. The rhetoric must cease. Armed with the blatant facts and figures the President is now called upon to act. What’s the catch; you knew how to solve the problem when it was not on your watch. Now you have the ball - go ahead and make the call. Regardless of the cost no more lives should be lost. It is my fervent wish that drivers will do the nation a good deed by always driving at the right speed. Yvonne Sam

I’m glad the Procurement Commission has come to life DEAR EDITOR; The appointment of the Public Procurement Commission by President Granger is a good decision since it has now severed the procurement process away from the politicians into the hands of people who are expected to act professional. Much is expected from Mrs. Carol Corbin and Dr. Nanda Gopaul as the more experienced appointee,

in guiding this team into staying professional at all time. The Guyanese people have lost too many billions because the procurement process was in the hands of politicians. Good luck to them and good luck to an old Bishops girl Ms. Emily Dodson and UG man, Mr. Sukrishnalal Pasha. So thank you President Granger and Minister Joseph Harmon and Minister Khemraj

Ramjattan who I know personally pushed against much resistance within their own government to make this a reality. Guyana has gained from this process. So one of the 100 Day promise has finally been delivered; better late than never. Now let us get these people an office and put them to work. What next? Constitutional Reform? Sase Singh

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Kaieteur News

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Kaieteur M@ilbox

The physical structure of St. George’s Cathedral is falling down DEAR EDITOR, The St. George’s Cathedral in Georgetown is in need of urgent repairs. I passed near that building actually everyday. I was able to walk around that building a number of times. From my observation the walls of this magnificent church/cathedral is falling apart. The gutters are rotten and broken down, the yard is extremely dirty and vagrants and prostitutes sleep in that compound at nights. I passed early one morning and saw lots of vagrants sleeping on the building steps and platform. They eat, sleep and urine there yet the Priest or Bishop of that church puts a blind eye to the deplorable state of the building and the environment. For

a place of worship this cathedral is extremely dirty and it seems as if the church board and our current administration don’t care if this building falls down tomorrow.All the paint on the walls peeling off; it tells me clearly that this Cathedral was not cleaned nor painted in years. I saw a scaffold around it but no painting nor repairs is being done. It can fall to the ground anytime because the yard is like a semi-lake when it rains. The water doesn’t runs off. It lodges in the yard around the building thus it undermines the structure’s foundation. Gradually this building’s foundation is sinking and the Cathedral can fall anytime. I hope it doesn’t fall with the members when a service is going on. I really hope not! The yard of this building needs fill-

ing and an urgent solid casting with steel in it to hold that foundation firmly; also proper drainage and irrigation. A fence needs to be erected around that building; a very high fence so vagrants and prostitutes won’t sleep their and proper security should be installed. This building is a land mark in Guyana and we treat it very badly not the citizens but the Priest or Bishop who is responsible. It doesn’t seem to bother him that this building poses even a threat to the lives of its members and members of the public who drive around it. Should that building collapses many innocent people can die and it will cost billions to rebuild it. One of the problems in this country’s administration is we

Ground provisions need to be properly cleaned before sale DEAR EDITOR Some years ago, I visited the little island of Antigua. What amazed me deeply was the advertisement and presentation of food items on shelves, especially, ground provisions, which were properly cleaned and placed in plastic bags. In the town of Linden, quite recently, I bought three (3) pounds of eddoes and sweet potatoes, only to discover after removing the skin, mud, roots, rotten areas and the protruding leaves from its

head. I had ended up with one (1) pound left because the sweet potato had many worm holes hidden under the quantity of mud. I thought for a moment, I had mistakenly purchased worms instead of sweet potato. I do not blame huskers who purchase bulk provision and cannot check each item but the farmers who are the producers of foods have to be more careful. I’m a Lindener. I took my eddo be-

fore pealing to the Bureau of Standards for its staff to recognize that my complaint was true and correct. I wish the National Bureau of Standards, Linden Chamber of Commerce and Linden’s Mayor and Councillors would be able to bring an end to that situation in order for all of us to enjoy value for our money. If tourism is one of Linden’s focus; let’s start NOW! B. Winslow Parris

wait until something is completely destroyed then we try to rebuild it when it could have cost less if it was properly maintained. I Google the following information about the St.George’s Catherdal from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Here is what is written: ‘’St. George’s Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral in Georgetown, Guyana and is one of the tallest wooden churches in the world, at a height of 43.5 metres (143 ft). It is the seat of the Bishop of Guyana. St. George’s was designed by Sir Arthur Blomfield and opened on 24 August 1892. The building was completed in 1899. It is located on Church Street in

Georgetown, and has been designated a National Monument. The history of the Anglican Church in Guyana can be traced as far back as 1781, when the Reverend William Baggs, Chaplain to Sir George Rodney, came to Guyana.’’ From that information we learn that the Cathedral was completed in 1899 and that informs me that this building will be 117 years old at the end of this year. That is a very long time. This building needs general repairs, repainting in different attractive colours, a gated yard and some nice sweet smelling flowers in the compound because cleanliness is next to Godliness. I guess the admin-

istrators of this building will ask the government to assist financially to repair this church. I wonder what they do with the church offerings and tithes. Even if government gives money, this church needs a competent body to maintain that building. I am calling on the relevant authorities to repair the St. George’s Cathedral urgently. Too many organizations always need government to bail them out financially because of their personal financial incompetence. The Anglican Church is a very huge organization. It’s about time the Cathedral’s hierarchy awake from their slumber and get this Cathedral repaired. Rev.Gideon Cecil

The poor and powerless have no... From page 6 visited by a policeman who took statements from him, still nothing is done. They didn’t even see the need to contact his family informing them about his condition. How on earth can we accept this negligible, sloppy performance as service, care and protection? These things are so wrong. This youngster has a family and is now stressed out and hoping for the best. I suspect this is the fate of the children of Lazarus. As said above what we are witnessing daily is alarming and need for much concern; we see increase in wild gun play rob-

beries, killings and kidnappings in brilliant sunshine, increase in road carnage by reckless drivers, blaring and vulgar music in minibuses more than ever before, increase in suicide, murders, domestic violence, gross intolerance, disrespect and contempt by some Government personnel and other institutions in dealing with the public, not to mention the lawless, vulgar, inane and reprobate behavior of our up and coming generation. All that and more - covert and overt undesirables are leading us slowly but surely towards the gate of perdition,

say what you will we are running on quick sand. Just what on earth could be the reason for this daily avalanche of barbaric, anti-social undesirables? If these things are not checked and worked on this nation will lose its sanity followed by its soul. We can if we wish choose to ignore them all at our own peril; it’s just a matter of time. Albert Einstein was so correct when he said the world is a dangerous place not because of the evil people but because of those who do nothing about it. Frank Fyffe

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Kaieteur News

Guyana gets more overseas support to help fight cancer Guyana has been benefiting over the years from immense overseas support in the fight against cancer. The most recent group to extend support in this regard is the New York Health and Education Organisation for Cancer (HEROC). The group has a membership of 21 people with professional backgrounds, including Ms. Lorna WelshmanNeblett who is its Founder

and President. All of the members are Guyanese living in the United States. According to Welshman-Neblett, during a recent interview with this publication, the mission of HEROC is to be a support group to cancer patients in Guyana. Moreover, it was only recently that moves were made by the group to align itself with the recently founded Giving Hope Foundation which is headed by Dr. Latoya

Gooding. The alignment was officially concretised at a reception held at CSR Computers at Pike Street, Kitty, Georgetown. The collaboration between the two organisations was encouraged by Dr. John Mitchell who formerly worked at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) in the Department of Oncology. Welshman-Neblett noted that Dr. Mitchell was able to observe the work of the

group as he is currently caring for a stage-four breast cancer patient for whom the group is currently providing housing in New York. “He aligned us with Giving Hope because of the type of work we do. We don’t stop our work and we don’t only come alive in October, it is all year round,” assured Welshman-Neblett. She emphasised that it was in order to ensure that the group embraced its mission to be of support to cancer patients that it was established in the first place. According to WelshmanNeblett, the members of the group were previously affiliated with another group but because of concerns with accountability, a decision was made to introduce HEROC. “We wanted to make sure we were doing things right...” said Welshman-Neblett who noted that “for the last three years we spent in planning we got ourselves incorporated by the State of New York and are now a New York city Charity that pays taxes.” Over the course of planning, the group was able to spearhead a number of fundraising events including four major fundraisers that have become annual events in New York. These fundraisers have given the organisation the financial means to put its mission into action. This, according to Welshman-Neblett, has allowed the group to even plug some financial support into the American Cancer Society to contribute to its research on cancer. But according to Welshman-Neblett, the group could have opted to support just about any aspect of health care. It opted to confront cancer since based on research it was found that cancer was the number one

Ms. Lorna WelshmanNeblett

life threatening disease in Guyana. One of the immediate focuses of the group, she noted, was to raise awareness. She noted that while the group is not all medical personnel, there is sufficient medical support which is channelled through its Advisory Board. “Our minds come together and with all of the research we have done over the past three years we have chosen to do all we can for Guyana,” said Welshman-Neblett. And since the group intends to work closely with the Giving Hope Foundation a hefty donation of medical supplies was handed over during the past week. According to Welshman-Neblett while the items donated will go towards the advancement of cancer care, it is expected that the Foundation will also seek to further donate to other facilities involved in health care. As part of its efforts also,

Welshman-Neblett said that the group will work towards sourcing materials that can keep the minds of persons inflicted with cancer occupied with activities. “They can do jig saw puzzles, do colouring activities but we cannot let them sit and talk about their conditions,” said WelshmanNeblett as she emphasised the importance of cancer victims maintaining a positive attitude.Stressing the importance of collaboration in the fight against cancer, Welshman-Neblett said that the fight against cancer requires all involved to embrace a common goal. “It should not be about you or me; it has to be about us working together...One organisation is a band-aid to the solution but if we get other organisations to come on board we will build faster as there will be more support,” Welshman-Neblett asserted.n:

Sunday November 06, 2016

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Kaieteur News

Region Six paddy price falls - Chairman seeking urgent intervention

Rice prices have fallen in Berbice Over the past few months farmers of Region Six have been Many farmers are complaining. Armogan said that the plagued with various issues with the most emphasis being profit is marginal compared to what they were getting with the placed on the price of paddy per bag and irrigation. Venezuelan market. Recently, Kaieteur News sat down with the The Chairman is lobbying for an Regional Chairman, Mr. David Armogan as he intervention. He said that the farmers are shed light on what has been happening with crying out. The Chairman is also urging rice rice and irrigation in the region for the past few farmers to avoid losing again, as the region months. on Monday last, has begun to pump irrigation According to the Regional Chairman, water for the new rice crop. problems have been escalating as it relates to “As I speak irrigation water is being the price per bag of paddy. He noted that pumped into Black Bush Polder and the farmers are working at a loss and have been irrigation water coming out of Black Bush making very little to no profit for the sale of Polder should be able to supply about 35,000 paddy per bag. acres of rice land.” “Nand Persaud has been taking off quite a “So the people in Black Bush Polder have lot of paddy, as well as the other mills and the about 18,000 acres that will have to be problem with farmers still is the price”. satisfied,” he said. He said that the price per bag of paddy is He stated that the irrigation water being still too low, at the same time pointing out that pumped should be satisfactory to the farmers. since the loss of the Venezuelan market the “As the water is being pumped through Black farmers have not been able to recover. Bush Polder the farmers there will pull the Region Six Chairman, It was also highlighted that because they water for themselves and then when they are David Armogan are dealing with the world market, the world finished the roadside farmers who have about market price has not met the standards of the 20,000 acres will also be benefiting from the farmers. “The farmers are currently getting $2500-$3000 a bag irrigation water coming out of Black Bush”. per paddy. They would expect $3500-$4000 per bag. Continued on page 69

Dem boys seh...

Lawlessness was de order of de day When fowl eye pass corn is a bad thing. Jagdeo now calling Soulja Bai government comatose. He mean that de government in a coma. Dem boys believe that he might be right because de only time Jagdeo people never use to thief was when dem was in a coma. Soulja Bai not thiefing suh Jagdeo seh he government comatose—it in a coma. Soulja Bai go to de Parliament and he nearly cry when he tell de people bout de mess Jagdeo and Donald lef him in. Jagdeo lef such a big hole in GuySuCo that de poor taxpayers can’t get a proper pay increase. De same Jagdeo owe so much people that if Guyana was a private man he woulda dead in jail. Soulja Bai seh that fuh pay de debt was enough to hire 5,000 people full time. That is why nuff people vex when de matter come up in parliament. Anil and de whole heap of dem walkout. Dem boys woulda walkout, too, because nobody like people tell dem bout dem wrongdoing. People kill fuh that. But then again, de opposition had a good case fuh get vex. Dem sit and dem plan wha dem woulda do. Dem did plan to cut out any extra money City Hall woulda get. City Hall set up an arrangement to collect money from de parking meter project. Jagdeo never want to give City Hall money. That is why all of dem in trouble. Dem can’t account fuh de Cricket World Cup money. Dem boys seh that it look like if people thief every opportunity dem get. De excuse dem giving is that one of de people in de World Cup gone away and de other one dead. Then somebody treat de receipts de same way people does treat used toilet paper. No wonder people calling pun Soulja Bai to jail some people. Talk half and wait fuh hear more lawlessness.

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Kaieteur News

Finance Ministry to improve, modernize debt management in Guyana In keeping with the global developments of debt management, a number of key points have been identified in the improvement and modernization of the Debt Management of Guyana. This is according to Finance Minister Winston Jordan. The economist made this and other pertinent statements in his historic Annual Public Debt Report. The document is the first of its kind in Guyana. It presents an overview of debt developments during the last five-year period (2011 to 2015). Jordan said that the compilation of this inaugural Annual Report on the Public Debt for Guyana, clearly demonstrates the deserved and prominent place which debt-related issues have been given in the Government’s strategic agenda for the development of Guyana. The Finance Minister said

that the report also represents an important step to ensuring institutional transparency and accountability. In addition, he said that it demonstrates the administration’s intention to lead through proactive action, so as to improve Guyana’s performance in sovereign debt management and, by extension, the overall quality of governance. According to the report, the next steps for Guyana’s Debt Management include the Improvement to the organizational structure of the Debt Management Division (DMD); upgrading the Legal Framework; establishing a Public Debt Management Committee and devising a Medium-Term Debt Strategy. With regard to the improvement of the organizational structure of the DMD, the report outlines that consideration will be given to reorganizing the DMD to

achieve greater streamlining of functions. It states that this requires a portion of staff to be engaged in the analytical component of debt management, and others, in more operational activities. Additionally, the report says that job descriptions need to be reviewed and updated to reflect this reorganization and, so as to better clarify duties, streamline activities, and increase the accountability of staff. Such a reorganization it says would also help to minimize operational risk and make the current debt operations in the DMD more effective and efficient. With regard to a legal framework, the document states that the authorities have agreed to undertake work to review and revamp current debt legislation. It says that this necessarily involves the replacement of the currently existing, but fragmented, debt

management legislature into a single, comprehensive and coherent Act. Significantly, Guyana will soon see the establishment of a Public Debt Management Committee. According to the report, an oversight committee will be set up to steer debt management policy and provide oversight to debt management operations. The technical work group that was established in 2015 will undertake the analytical work but it was agreed that this working group should be a complement to rather than a substitute for a high-level policy committee. With regard to the Medium-Term Debt Strategy, it was noted that in the future, Guyana will work on the formulation and implementation of such a strategy which needs to be formally integrated into the economic policy framework. (KIANA WILBURG)

Sunday November 06, 2016

Carvil Duncan still has other charges to face - Minister Harmon Government is awaiting a decision from the High Court before moving forward with the Carvil Duncan matter, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon has said. Minister Harmon told media operatives at a postCabinet briefing on Thursday, “Mr. Duncan is charged with several offences; more than one, at least two other offences are to be dealt with. One of those offences, to my understanding, has been dismissed for want of persecution and therefore there are two others to be dealt with.” President David Granger had appointed a tribunal to determine whether Duncan should be removed from his post as head of the Public Service Commission, and as a member of several other constitutional bodies, following fraud charges that

were brought against him. In relation to the tribunal, the Minister stated, “The tribunal has done its work, and I said on the last occasion, there is a matter in the High Court which has to be dealt with, and once that matter in the High Court is dealt with, then the tribunal can complete its work which is presenting its report to the President.” Following the tribunal’s appointment, Duncan had subsequently secured an Order Rule Nisi from the High Court to halt the works of the tribunal while the magistrates’ court determined whether there was enough evidence for the case to go to trial. On Wednesday, the court dismissed a charge against Duncan that he had stolen a large sum of money from the Guyana Power and Light (GPL).

Sunday November 06, 2016

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Kaieteur News

Ogle airport management welcomes long overdue review panel Management of the Ogle Airport Inc. (OAI) has welcomed a decision by Government to establish a review panel. It said that such a panel is a long-overdue move. According to OAI yesterday, the Cabinet has approved the recommendation of Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, to establish an “Airport Review Panel” in accordance with the lease agreement signed with Government. This was reported by Minister Joseph Harmon. “The purpose of the airport review panel is precisely “to review progress on the obligations of both parties”, that is the government and the company, “to identify at an early stage any difficulty perceived by either party in the performance of the obligations of both parties under this agreement and to make recommendations related to the performance of those obligations.” OAI said it has always been its position that many of the alleged and “often selfserving” and frequently

“specious allegations against the performance of the airport would have long ago been settled, had the panel been appointed at an early stage. It was ripe for the panel since November last year when the Minister convened a meeting with OAI to address the opposition to the renaming of the airport to the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, OAI said. At the time, a widespread media campaign was mounted against the management of the airport. The review panel, had it been in place, would have addressed the matter. OAI also noted that complaints of congestion at the airport are far from the truth. “The fact is that all operators requiring access to the main runway file their request with the GCAA operated Control Tower and take their turn according to assignment by the tower…this having nothing to do with taxiway access to the runway.” OAI maintained that the Air Traffic control does a good job of minimizing delays of departures and that the Eugene F. Correia International Airport has a good record in this area,

Management of the Ogle airport says it welcomes the Government’s move to finally establish a review panel given the fact that it is one of the busiest international airports in terms of movements in the region. “OAI therefore looks forward to the appointment of the review panel as specified by our agreement with Government of Guyana, where complaints of this kind could be professionally addressed and settled quickly.” Last week, Harmon announced major plans to modernize the aviation industry. Government has, over the past week, approved a number of key recommendations. Among these are the establishment of an oversight body to supervise commercial and economic operations at airports in the country and an authority to manage and build new airports in the

different regions. The Cabinet has also given its approval for the introduction of an oversight body to supervise the commercial and economic operations of airports in the country, through the current regulations and maybe even new ones. Currently, the regulator of the aviation industry is the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) but the administration has been signaling an expansion and a need for more monitoring, with an emphasis on development of infrastructure especially in the interior. Approval was also granted for the establishment of an airport authority that will be responsible for

creating, upgrading, maintaining and managing airport infrastructure throughout Guyana. Along with this authority, Government will also be pushing for the development of a civil aviation master plan to guide the strategic development of airport infrastructure throughout Guyana, Harmon disclosed. Among other things, the master plan will set out the types of services and facilities that will be required for the improved airports in the future. “(The master plan) will also include plans for the development of air navigational services and safety oversight services of the national aviation system,”

Minister Harmon said. The official stressed that the structures are very important since it is the intention of the administration to ensure municipal-type airports in every region of the country, similar to the one at Ogle. He singled out Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine for attention. “So that with the development of the new towns…we are ensuring systems and regulations are in place to carry the developments.” Guyana is currently involved with a US$150M expansion of its Timehri airport, but it is way behind schedule. That expansion includes a new arrival hall and a longer runway.

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Sunday November 06, 2016

Kaieteur News

President’s visits to Parliament are an imposition – Opposition Leader - Says, “If talk was valued anything and used to change lives, this government would get the prize for it.” Even though Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, is appreciative of President David Granger’s recent address to

the Parliament, he is of the belief that President Granger is an imposition on the National Assembly. The former President made this remark as he contributed to the debate on Granger’s October address to

the Parliament. Jagdeo in his opening remarks on Friday said that “if anything is comatose, it is this government.” He said, too, that a speech by any Head of State must be taken seriously. Jagdeo said

that in most jurisdictions around the world, there is a particular approach to these speeches. The Opposition Leader said that these speeches are given adequate time to be debated and there is a protocol following that debate. “But what we find worrying is the way this speech and the motion to debate it, were brought to the House. It was hurriedly placed on the agenda and breached the procedures for how a normal motion is brought to the House,” expressed the Opposition Leader. Jagdeo said that given what the President said about the nature of the House and how the Parliamentarians ought to conduct themselves, he found the manner in which the motion on the President’s speech was brought to the House to be an insult to what Granger had said. The “Champion of the Earth” said that speakers from his camp came yesterday, prepared to debate its motions

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo on the order paper since they were told that it was Opposition’s Day. In spite of the aforementioned, Jagdeo proceeded to dissect comments by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo as well as the President’s speech, most of which he disagreed with.

Jagdeo said that the Head of State has delivered six speeches to the Parliament. He said, however, that a speech to the House is not a sign of a functioning democracy and it is not a barometer of that. He said, “How many times you address the House does not really matter, the content of what you are saying in the speech matters. In fact, Mr. Speaker, I see it as an imposition on the National Assembly that in such a short period this has become a routine.” The Opposition Leader said that there must be some gravity behind the Head of State’s address to the House. “Not every time there is a policy issue the House must suspend itself to listen,” Jagdeo said to the National Assembly. He added, “What we have seen from this comatose government is no action, just rhetoric. If talk was valued anything and used to change lives, this government would get the prize for it.”

Robbed three times in four months…

La Grange gas station offers reward for information on bandits The D and L Gas Station at La Grange, West Bank Demerara (WBD) Public Road is offering a reward for any information that would lead to

the arrest of two bandits who pounced on two staffers at the company last Thursday. Surveillance footage showed one man, armed with

a firearm entering the Gas Station. He grabbed a bag from a female pump attendant and then started to punch a male employee, who was standing in front of the pump. By this time, another gunman entered and grabbed the female’s chain and took the cap that the male was wearing. Both men then ran out of the gas station. Kaieteur News was told that the gas station opened last June and was robbed twice in that same month. Last Thursday’s attack was the third since the gas station opened.

Sunday November 06, 2016

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Kaieteur News

Agri Ministry ignores court order to halt $200M pontoon project - CONTRACTOR SHOCKED

Businessman, Samuel Barakat

One of GNIC-built pontoon that was delivered this past week to the Ministry of Agriculture. A local contractor has raised red flags over a multi-million-dollar contract for the supply of four pontoons to the Ministry of the Agriculture for use on the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC). According to Friendship, East Bank Demerara-based Engineering & Construction Inc. (ECI), despite the Chief Justice’s order quashing the Ministry’s award of a contract to another company and compelling it to reconsider its decision not to enter into a contract with ECI unless cause can be shown why the order should not be made absolute, the Ministry ignored the Chief Justice’s instructions. ECI has since stated that it has launched a complaint with the World Bank, which is funding the construction of the four pontoons for use by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), an arm of the ministry. The case was filed against the Ministry of Agriculture, the Minister of Agriculture, its Permanent Secretary, Dhaneshwar James, Project Coordinator of the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Attorney General. According to court documents, on August 23, 2016, Chief Justice, Yonette Cummings-Edwards, issued an Order Nisi quashing the Ministry of Agriculture’s decision to disqualify ECI and award a contract for the supply of pontoons with mud bins to Guyana National Industrial Company Inc. (GNIC). The court order in August said that the ministry must within two weeks reconsider its decision to disqualify ECI, unless cause is shown why those orders should not be made

absolute. ECI is represented by attorney-at-law Devindra Kissoon of London House Chambers. However, based on an article contained in a November 4, 2016, local newspaper and a GNIC release, it appears that the ministry went ahead, despite the court order preventing the same, to start the construction of the pontoons. Samuel Barakat, on behalf of ECI, in his affidavit, stated that the Ministry published an invitation for bids inviting tenderers to build new pontoons with mud bins in accordance with certain minimum specifications. He claimed that on April 5, 2016, ECI submitted the lowest tender in the sum of G$211,998,000 with GNIC being the next lowest tender, at G$246,411,398. ECI alleges that it first discovered that it had not been awarded the contract on July 29, 2016, when a representative from GNIC made contact to inquire if ECI would be willing to act as a sub-contractor to build the subject pontoons and bins. ECI stated that prior to this, it had not been notified that it had lost its bid, nor was there any public announcement of the tender award as was required. Barakat said that after inquiries were made at the Ministry on and after August 2, 2016, ECI was informed not only had it been disqualified from the tender because it allegedly failed to supply technical specifications for the mud bins and pontoons, but that GNIC has been awarded the contract. ECI claimed in its documents that it was Continued on page 69

Chief Justice, Yonette Cummings

Attorney-at-law Devindra Kissoon

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Sunday November 06, 2016

Kaieteur News

Privatization, overall closure among options presented to Cabinet for GuySuCo’s future A number of options on the way forward for the sugar industry were presented to members of Cabinet on Tuesday last. Speaking on the discussions that occurred in this regard between Government and the team from the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) was

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon. Harmon said that the officials presented a number of alternatives regarding the way forward with the sector. The Minister of State declined however to reveal what those “options” were. However, Kaieteur News was able to confirm from two

Government Ministers that the options up for consideration include privatization as recommended in the Commission of Inquiry into GuySuCo and the most extreme being the closure of the sector. According to the COI report, it was recommended

that the process of privatization should start as early as practicable with an aim to be completed within a three-year period. As a consequence, the report said that the state should divest itself of all assets, activities and operations currently associated with GuySuCo. The future of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and the need for a turnaround plan were high on Cabinet’s agenda and was a topic of discussion last week. Harmon, during a post cabinet press briefing, told reporters that some decisions regarding the sector will have to be made by year end. He said that this position was taken after “detailed and frank” presentations by GuySuCo officials to members of Cabinet. Harmon said that the GuySuCo team was led by its Chairman, Dr. Clive Thomas. Also on the team were GuySuCo Chief Executive Officer Errol Hanoman, and the Chairman of the task force on diversification possibilities in GuySuCo. Harmon said that the team briefed Cabinet on the state of the sugar industry, the challenges it faces and the options available to address the situation. The politician recalled that after the presentation of the COI report on GuySuCo, Cabinet was briefed by the Commissioners. From that meeting, Harmon said that Cabinet outlined a five-point approach to address the issues raised by the Commission of Inquiry. Harmon said that those points were that GuySuCo must present Cabinet with a plan which addresses the

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon issues raised by the Commission Of Inquiry; Cabinet would give consideration to that plan; and having considered the plan, Cabinet would engage the Opposition and the National Assembly in consultations on the plan. The approach also mandates that Cabinet would hold consultations with other stakeholders including, the workers of the corporation and the related unions. “Therefore the presentation which was held on Tuesday was a part of that process outlined. The presentation to Cabinet gave considerations on the matters which ranged from maintaining the status quo which is just do nothing and just allow it to go as it is, to the point of a limited form of diversification,” said the Minister of State. He added, “So there were several proposals. Of course the position that was taken by GuySuCo itself was that the worst option is to maintain the status quo since in that regard; there were serious implications for the National Treasury.

“And those implications are that it will require $18.6B in 2017 and $21.4B in 2018. That is just to maintain the status quo.” Harmon said that this, of course, is added to GuySuCo’s current debt which is in excess of $80B. In preparation for the next step, Harmon revealed that Cabinet appointed a subcommittee to look at the presentation made by the GuySuCo officers. He said that the team is expected to take into consideration, the points raised by the presenters and craft an approach which will mostly likely be used by the full Cabinet. The subcommittee is expected to complete and present its report to Cabinet within two weeks. The members of the subcommittee include Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder; Finance Minister, Winston Jordan; Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman; and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon. Minister Harmon asked to specify what “options” were presented by the GuySuCo team and if one of those included the closure of more sugar estates, said, “There are options…and we are in the process of deliberations on these options. “It is not always good to go about it and say look these are the options and our deliberations. You would find that at the end of the deliberations, you arrive at a conclusion that is not consistent with your earlier position. “So it is always important that we be very careful with what we announce and put out there. Any wrong step can send the wrong signal and create panic and confusion.”

Sunday November 06, 2016

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Kaieteur News

Domestic violence … GWI’s chief denies ordering revocation of CADVA partners with artist to create a Babita Sarjou doll

As a remembrance of Babita Sarjou, a human rights organisation has partnered with a Canadian artist to launch a doll that is intended to keep the memory of the mother of one alive and to tell the story of domestic violence homicide victims. The piece has travelled from Canada to the United States of America and it will arrive here sometime this month. It will be launched on November 25 at the Pegasus Hotel under the theme “Let the women speak— remember their lives. No more silence.” It will be unveiled on the day when the world will be observing International Day for the Elimination of Violence against women. The doll is a remembrance tribute to Sarjou and other women who were killed. The Babita Sarjou doll was the first to be created in a series to tell the story of domestic violence homicide victims. It is called “Reclaiming the Inner

internal auditor’s appointment

The Babita Sarjou doll

Essence: Unveil the Goddess within”. The doll was created by Juliana Lepine, a Brazilian sculptress who resides in Canada. Kaieteur News was told that the doll along with a planned series with Lepine will travel the globe in 2017 to tell the stories of the struggle of women. Dianne Madray from CADVA found Juliana’s work online and reached out to her to partner in creating a new campaign art series using her dolls. The first art series created under CADVA was a number of paintings by Guyanese artist Carl Anderson under the theme “Reflections: Faces of Domestic Violence”. This series has been traveling across the US and Caribbean as a moving exhibition. From last Friday and for the entire month running through the 16 days of activism which ends December 10, this series will be displayed at the Marquis Gallery in Scranton, Pennsylvania, USA.

The Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) has denied that its Managing Director, Dr. Richard Van West Charles, was investigated by its Board of Directors. According to GWI in a s t a t e m e n t y e s t e r d a y, a recent newspaper report that he was being investigated is “untruthful” and “totally incorrect”- “…and GWI wishes to note that the Managing Director was never under investigation as was stated”. It was reported also that

GWI had revoked the appointment of the Chief Internal Auditor, Anand Bharat, who was said to be behind the investigation of his boss for possible procurement breaches. GWI also insisted that the Managing Director had nothing to do with the revocation of the appointment. “With respect to the position of Chief Internal Auditor, the decision to revoke the appointment was taken by the Human Resources Sub Committee of

the GWI Board and not Vice Chairman of the Board, Mrs. Patricia Chase-Green as was stated. It should also be noted that this appointment was irregular in accordance with the company’s policies and procedures.” The appointment of Bharat was reportedly made by a board member. The post was advertised a few weeks ago and Bharat, who has been working at the state-owned entity for a number of years, was chosen.

GWI’s head, Dr. Richard Van West Charles

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Sunday November 06, 2016

White Collar crime is a major problem …I cannot promise any quick solution - Granger

By Abena RockcliffeCampbell The hegemony of graft in public offices is often the highlight of white collar crime in Guyana. However, even as he admitted that corruption in Government offices remains a problem, President David Granger was keen to point out that it is “not only government

officials who wear white collar.” The national leader said that white collar crime is very much alive in the private sector and needs to be tempered. The President made these comments during the Governme n t - p r o d u c e d television programme—The Public Interest. Granger had sanctioned 50 forensic audits to be carried out

at various state agencies. The findings of these investigations were damning and various levels of malpractice were revealed. Some forensic auditors recommended that the government pursue legal action. However there has been a paucity of prosecutions and many public servants implicated in these audits remain on the job. During the Public Interest, Granger was asked to give a timeline for the nation to see action taken against those tainted officials who remain in the system. Granger responded that his government cannot take condign action. He said, “It is a matter for the court; we can only investigate. Due process must be followed.” The President hinted at the reason for the limited prosecutions when he mentioned newspaper reports of a magistrate who said that “there was insufficient evidence (in a criminal case). Granger said, that insufficient is not the same thing as innocent. The case to which the President referred is one

involving Public Service Commissioner, Carvil Duncan. Duncan was facing charges of fraud following findings that he paid himself approximately $1M and allegedly conspired with Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) of the Guyana Power and Light, Mr. Aeshwar Deonarine, for an unapproved transfer of approximately $27M, both sums from the PetroCaribe Fund, into Deonarine’s personal bank account. But Duncan was freed of the theft charge last week when the magistrate pronounced that there was insufficient evidence. Granger told reporters, “We have to be very careful that we do not end up with egg on our face by bringing cases and for some reason or the other the prosecution is not as robust as we expect.” The President wants to make sure that when the government advances, it is in a strong position equipped with enough evidence to see that justice is served to the people of Guyana. The Head of State boasted about the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission. He said that that the presence of that commission will help in the reduction of corruption. “The government and public servants ought not to become involved

in awarding contracts directly.” Granger resolved that his administration will continue efforts to “ensure that persons who have been accused of corrupt transactions are not kept in those positions. But as far as white collar crime is concerned you must realize that not only government officials wear white collars.” Being a student of history, Granger recalled that Guyana has come out of a “very long period of illegality.” He said that the prevalence of illegalities in Guyana became so intense that some illegalities are now being accepted as the norm. President Granger pointed to backtracking. Granger said that even though backtracking is illegal, he read statements from members of a “certain chamber of commerce” who actually called for the backtrack routes to be kept open. Granger chuckled as he offered the reason given by those

who asked for this illegality to be condoned. “They say it is quicker.” The President also referenced an incident that occurred a few months ago. There was a huge explosion at Port Kaituma “because of the importation of illegal fuel and the conditions under which the fuel was being distributed.” Granger said that the smuggling of gold and diamond out of the country is also an example of white collar crime that is of serious concern to the government. He said that the people perpetuating these crimes are “not small fries; these are not people from broken homes; these are people who are businessmen.” “I agree it is a problem but I cannot promise that the solution will be quick. We are working to ensure that the institutions are in place.”

Sunday November 06, 2016

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Kaieteur News

Is wandering a criminal act or a cry for help? By Sharmain Grainger For years, many juveniles have been charged with wandering and sentenced to a period of purported reform at the New Opportunity Corps (NOC). NOC is essentially a detention centre for juveniles who are too young to be placed in the conventional prison system. However, many officials prefer to call the facility a rehabilitation centre for wayward children (both boys and girls). But during the past week I learnt something interesting about this facility. It was at a press conference conducted by the Women and Gender Equality Commission that media operatives were informed that several of the children, mostly girls, who have been unceremoniously shuttled off to this Onderneeming, Essequibo Coast facility, were simply there because they were wandering. This situation is one that has understandably grabbed the attention of the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF). In fact, former UNICEF Country Representative, Ms. Marianne Flach had taken concerns in this regard to Government during the past year and had even presented proposals to reform the justice system for children in conflict with the law. The UNICEF Country Representative impressed the need for solutions within the administrative regions across Guyana to house youth offenders who commit minor offences. These solutions, she noted, should see juveniles being assigned to facilities closer to their relatives. The outcome she envisioned would be “a much reduced number of children in the NOC, then we can also pay much better attention to their special needs and help them to reintegrate into society”. But from all indications t h i s k e e n a t t e n t i o n has been very lacking. There are reports to suggest that many of these juveniles are not

even granted the privilege of accessing legal assistance when they are charged. What was even more interesting to learn is that while the NOC is intended to rehabilitate those guilty of wandering, many of them are reportedly released back into society with the potential of being criminals in the true sense of the word. This has been attributed to the fact that they are exposed sometimes to some already hardened criminals who share the same facility for the purpose of rehabilitation. Of course this reported state of affairs is viewed as very troubling by members of the Commission. But although it might be late for some of the current or past residents of NOC, the Women and Gender Equality Commission together with the Rights of the Child Commission believe, as do many rightthinking people in society, that moves should be enforced f o r t h with to decriminalise wandering. In so doing it is believed that many juveniles could possibly be spared from even entering a life of crime. Our society can ill-afford to have more criminals recruited to wreak untold havoc. While the possibility ex-

ists that those who enter a life of crime at a young age could be rehabilitated, Commissioner on the two Commissions, Ms. Nicole Cole, is adamant that youths by no means should be thrust into a life of crime if it is at all avoidable. Moreover, Cole is convinced that wandering should be viewed as a cry for help. Cole, a professional Social Worker, has long been promoting the use of psychological help for juveniles found wandering rather than extending the long arm of the law to them. Without reservation, she has shared her belief that something, for some time now, has not been right with the institution tasked with the rehabilitation of our youths. Too many unsavoury reports have over the years emanated from this institution. This is a dire need, Cole intimated, for psychosocial services to be extended to the youths of NOC. Cole believes that more effort should be directed at taking advantage of the Social Workers who graduate every year from the University of Guyana. She is convinced that many of the youths of NOC could benefit considerably from an inhouse Social Worker rather than a visiting one, a situa-

The Baccoo Speaks Up until a bandit was killed recently, criminal activity was a pastime for many. The young gunmen took it for granted that they would escape with whatever they planned. The result is a slight lull in home invasions in the city. But there will be another in the eastern part of the country. The result would be rather interesting. ** A crowded city street is

a damper to serious road accidents, but there will be a serious crash in the dark hours when a group of young men

would defy the rule that states ‘Don’t drink and drive’. The crash was avoidable but as fate would have it, another hospital would be pressed into emergency mode once more. ** Yet another fire would strike a hapless home owner. Carelessness would be the root cause. A lighted stove would be left unattended. Of course, this would be a rented dwelling.

tion that currently obtains. But there is likely to be psychological support for youths found wandering even before this becomes an in-house feature at NOC. In fact there is hope that the wandering charge will become a thing of the past in the near future, with the ad-

vent of the Juvenile Justice Bill. The Bill, which has been in the making for over a decade, makes provision for juveniles found wandering to undergo a psychological evaluation before any action is taken against them. This is something that Cole has been advocating for, for a long time. She recalled visiting Springlands, Berbice, to investigate a case which involved a child who was charged with wandering. According to Cole, she found enough evidence to suggest that the child should not have been charged in the first place and instead should have been attended to by a Child Psychologist. The child’s behaviour, she revealed, was consistent with one with mental health issues and not one with criminal intent. “People with mental health issues don’t need to be punished, they need to be placed in an institution where they receive care and sup-

port,” Cole related. In fact she pointed out that there have been instances that children have been found wandering simply because they wanted food. She remembers travelling to Mocha on the East Bank of Demerara and was able to rescue six boys from certain detention when she was able to ascertain that they were wandering in the quest to find food. “They were going to be sent to NOC because they were hungry...they were found up in a tree trying to get mangoes....If you are hungry what will you do? You go and look for food; it’s just natural.” Cole is opposed to the wandering charge too, since she is convinced that it was used during the time of slavery to control the activities of slaves. “It really was a slavery thing,” she added. For this reason also, the Commissions have been advocating for the wandering charge to be completely removed from the Constitution.

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Sunday November 06, 2016

THE LOCKED AND EMPTY SHACK We should know soon. Maybe by now, you already know. Maybe, even as this story is being published, they are checking the shack. And, if they are checking the shack today, we will know if it hides a horrible mystery, or if it’s just one more false lead. Shawnette Savory’s relatives have been pleading for someone in authority to break into that empty shack, because they are convinced that they can finally find out what happened to her. When a woman vanishes in Guyana, the way Savory vanished, the way Babita Sarjou and others before her vanished, it usually means one thing. On August, 28, 2016, 37year-old Shawnette Savory left her apartment at Lot 222 Last Street, Prospect, East Bank Demerara, to attend an uncle’s birthday party at Eccles, East Bank Demerara. She reportedly then returned home. On August 30, she left her apartment, where she lived alone, to pay her electricity bill. She returned home, only to go out again. Days later, Shawnette’s landlady contacted the woman’s relatives to say that she had not seen her tenant

for some time. The relatives tried contacting her via her cell phone, but all calls went unanswered. Relatives filed a report at the Providence Police Station and at CID Headquarters, Eve Leary. They were reportedly told that they needed to provide more information for the police to work with. A relative who checked Shawnette’s apartment became even more concerned on realizing that the woman had only taken a small handbag with her. All of her belongings appeared to be intact, and even her phone charger was left behind. And a sister insisted that Shawnette would call whenever she went out, and would never turn off her phone. A boyfriend of the missing woman said that he spoke to her by phone about “three, four weeks” prior to her disappearance, and she had seemed “normal and happy.” Relatives checked at hospitals, and even at mortuaries. At one point, some family members travelled to Wismar after receiving a call from someone who said that they had seen a person fitting Shawnette’s description crossing the Wismar Bridge. However, CCTV footage revealed that the individual

Missing: Shawnette Savory was not Shawnette. Then they began to receive calls from individuals who claimed that they knew of the missing woman’s whereabouts. Some of the callers repeatedly told the relatives that Shawnette was being held against her will in a West Bank Demerara shack. Relatives immediately went to the area to look for a ‘zinc house’ where they were told the woman was being kept. After hours of searching, they spotted a house which fit the description given to them by the anonymous caller.

It was a shack hidden away in an isolated area with a padlock on the door. No one was inside. But the relatives claimed that when they informed the police, the ranks said that they could not enter the house without the proper authorisation. Neighbours in the area were reportedly scared to talk since they claimed that the property is owned by “dangerous persons.” They even identified one of the occupants by an alias. Some neighbours claimed that they had seen a woman, who matched Savory’s description, at the shack, and that she was in the company of a few men. They claimed that she was later moved from the location. The anonymous calls continued again last week, with one individual insisting that Savory was in the padlocked shack. Again, police ranks said that they could not break into the property. However, a senior police official has said that they are likely to check the building this week, or as early as today, once a resident of sound repute is present. A relative of Ms. Savory should also be present to identify any items that may belong to her.

Meanwhile, however, they are upset that some individuals are calling with false information, that is only upsetting them further. “There are people calling and telling us that they see her at this location and then they call back and say no not there, somewhere else. It’s happening very often and they have us going all over to look for her,” the relative said. “What we are going through is not easy. No one can ever dream of going through this, so please think before you pick up that phone to say something negative,” the relative appealed. They are however calling on persons, who have authentic information, to make contact with them or the police. Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Shawnette Savory can contact relatives on telephone numbers 689-0107, 654-1536, 233-3699, 696-1870, or the nearest police station.

If you have any information about this or any other unusual case, please contact Kaieteur News by letter or telephone at our Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown offices. Our numbers are 2258465, 22-58473 and 22-58458. You need not disclose your identity. You can also contact Michael Jordan at his email a d d r e s s mjdragon@hotmail.com. ****** SEARCHING FOR RELATIVES OF SAILESH RATTAN RAMKISSOON Michael Jordan is also seeking information about the whereabouts and possible fate of Sailesh Rattan Ramkisson. He reportedly once resided in Castello Housing Scheme, and grew up in Crabwood Creek. Anyone with information about his fate may contact me at my email address: mjdragon@hotmail.com, or at phone numbers 22-58473 and 645-2447. You need not disclose your identity.

Sunday November 06, 2016

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The irony of all ironies: The lady is Guyanese With my tiny income, I would only contribute financially to very humane causes – saving humans, animals, medical assistance, educational purposes; things in those categories. I doubt very much I would give money to renovate a building, clean the beaches, buy sporting gear and things like that; l just cannot afford such generosity. I will make an exception. And I wouldn’t even think about it. It is central to my study of the ontology of Guyana. I would make a financial contribution to an academic study that will provide a statistical outlay as to how many citizens in this population actually interface with the totality of public service. Let me expand my meaning. I refer to people who have to go to the ministries, the Deeds Registry, High Court Registry, CH&PA, GRA, GPL, GWI, the police, the form teachers and head teachers of the public schools, the municipalities, NDCs, UG, NIS etc. to secure a service, whatever that service may be, for example, a

document etc. It will make for fascinating reading because the population of Guyana stands somewhere around 750,000 give or take a few thousand. Out of that number, about 30 percent are below the age of 17. In that population too, are aging souls that do not leave their homes. How many citizens then does the entire gamut of public service cater for? In a comparative context, Guyana has a small population. Why then for public service, whether to receive a document or any other kind of service, is the waiting interminable? My daughter got the shock of her life last week. Her driver’s licence was up and we went to the GRA head office. In the compound was this huge tent with dozens of persons sitting under it, waiting to submit their application for renewal of their driver’s licence. Please note; not to submit and wait for the licence, but just to hand in the application. What has this long preamble got to do with the caption of this column? Brace yourself for some mind-

boggling information. Last week, a middle-aged British woman, Gina Miller, made the headlines around the world. She was born in Guyana and left when she was a little girl. She filed a writ in the British High Court to ask for a declaration that the UK Government cannot invoke Article 50 of the EU Treaty to pull the UK out of the EU unless Parliament votes on such a decision. The High Court granted her the declaration. But here is the part where a Guyanaborn woman did something that calls into question the existence of this God-forsaken country named Guyana. The British Government appealed the decision. Read this now. The UK Appeals Court or the Supreme Court will hear that appeal beginning December 5, 2016. In a country with 50 million citizens, their Court of Appeal will hear an appeal from the High Court one month, ten days after the ruling by the lower court. The irony of the situation is if that very woman as a Guyanese had asked the Guyana High Court for a dec-

laration and it was given, and it was appealed, she might not have lived to see that appeal heard. Barack Obama is about to demit office. He spent eight years as President. Within those eight years, there have been dozens of litigations against his Affordable Care Act, all of which reached the Supreme Court, all of which have been settled. We are talking about a country with over 300 million citizens. Let’s leave the UK and the US and return to Guyana. Do you know the libel suit the then President, Bharrat Jagdeo, filed against this columnist and this newspaper started in July 2011 and it is nowhere near its conclusion?

The then Chief Justice who fixed trial to begin eleven months after Jagdeo filed his writ, is gone from the High Court. Bharrat Jagdeo is gone from the presidency. Donald Ramotar is gone from the presidency. The PPP is out of power. We are about to enter 2017, and the libel case is still in the High Court. Mr. Jagdeo, knowing him, will appeal if he loses. But he and I may not be alive when the appeal is heard. I know we are in for a humongous surprise. The High Court ruled that Mr. Jagdeo can be president for a third term. The Government has appealed. I doubt (my opinion) that appeal will be

Frederick Kissoon heard before the 2020 general elections. Mr. Jagdeo will be leading the PPP into the 2020 elections as the presidential candidate. The question is of course; will this country still be alive in 2020?

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Kaieteur News

Govt. has never had the option of control over financing for this donated facility It started with one person expressing outrage online and issuing some speculative statements intimating that the Government of Guyana was prepared to utilize public funds for the rehabilitation of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. The online story got some traction and a few newspaper columnists went on to question the Government’s process of prioritization, since other essential services such as law enforcement, electricity generation and distribution, water purification and distribution, education and technological projects for example, do indeed need capital injection. Fortunately one enterprising journalist attached to one of the daily newspapers sought out the subject Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes, for clarification and definitive answers. She took the opportunity to put the matter into proper perspective and debunk the speculations and

The Arthur Chung Conference Centre (KN File photo)

suppositions. The Minister gave the assurance (to the general public through the newspaper report) that just as the Confer-

ence Centre was constructed and funded entirely by the government of the People’s Republic of China through the China Civil Engineering Con-

struction Corporation between 2004 and 2006, this rehabilitation exercise will be funded entirely by the same means – grant aid. The Conference Centre was, in fact, a gift to the people of Guyana. She explained that the Chinese Government through the Embassy in Guyana has since played a key role in the maintenance of the Centre and all the equipment it contains. After some time, it was they (the Chinese engineers) who established that there were structural deficiencies. In keeping with the parameters of the donor arrangement, they set the timetable for rehabilitation of the interior and exterior of the main and adjoining buildings at no cost to the people of Guyana. The price tag is US$7M, but Guyana’s only financial contribution is the provision of security services on site. Minister Hughes was disappointed and saddened that some Guyanese still seem to function with the belief that they would not receive truthful answers from Government, or any answers at all, or fear that they would be abused and banned for asking questions, which is every citizen’s inalienable right. The scars of the past, it ap-

pears, have not yet healed. She was adamant about this: “If this government had the option of choice, we would have preferred to struggle with the structural challenges at the Conference Centre, and would have injected the US$7M grant aid funds into education, or citizens’ security, or social services,” she said. After all, the conference centre is a revenue earner. In 2015 it contributed over G$60 Million to the national coffers. Minister Hughes stressed that the centre and its maintenance has had no relationship with existing donor arrangements that Guyana has with China, or the IDB, the EU, the USA, UNDP or any other country or donor agency, arrangements which are generally handled by the Ministry of Finance. It has no relationship with the airport expansion project or the proposal to build overhead bridges on the East Bank Demerara. Therefore the question of redirecting the donated funds to any other sector does not arise. The Government has never had the option of control over the financing for this donated facility. STRUCTURAL REPAIRS & UPGRADES

The Arthur Chung Conference Centre is arguably the biggest meeting place in Guyana. It has been used continuously for ten (10) years for national and international events. At mid-year this year the government hosted the CARICOM Heads of Government annual summit. We utilized the copious space for the Fashion component of the Guyana Jubilee Festival. The Toshaos from every part of Guyana met in the main auditorium as they do every year for their national convention. The Centre is a favourite venue for private and public secondary schools graduation ceremonies, and many couples were married in those halls. Private sector organisations use the Centre for their Christmas parties and business functions The wear and tear has done a bit of damage, as have the natural elements, especially the saline breezes from the close by Atlantic Ocean. But the most damage was found on and below ground. It appears that the foundation has shifted in places and resulted in cracks on some concrete stairways, upper level floors and ceilings. On the ground floor, the cracks in the walls are lengthening and widening. Many of the threeinch thick ceramic floor tiles have come loose as a result of structural and subterraneous movement. Indications are that the unaccustomed heavy flow of traffic in the Liliendaal area may not have been factored into the design specifications ten years ago. In any case, continued use of the centre is tantamount to courting the high probability of accidents and physical injuries. REGRETS From 1st December, 2016, the Arthur Chung Conference Centre will be closed for approximately eighteen months. This schedule was made by the signatories to the agreements surrounding the donation and maintenance of the Conference Centre. The Ministry of Public Telecommunications last week reiterated its regret for the inconvenience the closure would cause to the many organisations that utilize this facility on a regular basis, including over the Christmas season. In the same vein, the Government of Guyana took the opportunity to express its gratitude, on behalf of the people, to the Government and people of China for their most generous donation.

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Kaieteur News

My column

Elections always bring out the best in Guyanese In the run up to the May 11, 2015 elections in Guyana I saw how active young people were. In just about every part of the country they could be seen going house to house, regardless of whether the persons they were visiting were supporters of their respective party. Indeed, in places where a particular party was strong the various young people would assume that the household was supportive of their political party and would take extra care to get the persons to cast their ballot. Social media played a very prominent role. I got messages from people I didn’t even know, exhorting me to vote. There were messages about my polling place. The more enterprising ones sent messages about the failings about one party and its supporters. Guyana was abuzz. After the euphoria of the victory by the now coalition government, I began to hear the complaints and the disappointments. People expected manna to fall from above and some did in the form of pay increases. But there were the young people who complained about being jobless. This was an issue I raised with President David Granger who said that even if the gov-

ernment was willing, it simply could not employ all the young people. He then spoke of the government-sponsored programmes to have these very young people fashion their own employment. It is working in parts. I have seen the growing number of self-employed youths. There are many young women who have become hairstylists and beauticians. Some have opened kitchens and are providing meals to the extent that some eating houses have been pushed into competition mode. The less enterprising young people have gone on to become policemen and soldiers. There are the nurses and the health care providers. A few have entered the realm of journalism, but many lack the basic rudiments and have failed. The less academically qualified are not doing too badly. These are the people who have transformed the city streets into places that motorists find pleasurable. Others have become ensconced in the continued beautification of the city and they make no bones about dealing with people who are bent on spoiling the environment.

President Granger then reminded me that so much more could have been done had his government not been saddled with some severe financial burdens. He spoke about the huge expenditure on maintaining the sugar sector. I did the mathematics and found that he was indeed right. Next year the government must spend $18 billion on the Guyana Sugar Corporation. That translates into US$90 million. To put that into perspective, that money could build five Specialty Hospitals. If it would take $1 billion to build a primary school then we could build eighteen primary schools—all in one year. That is only the tip of the iceberg. We had spent US$200 million to get this industry going, so perhaps what we did was pour money into a voluminous hole. Then we had to pay a lot of legal debts, not to talk about trying to collect money overpaid to the numerous contractors. It was as if the previous government was spending its own money as it pretty much pleased. It is small wonder that Guyana was considered the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. We

had money that we kept throwing around. We made people behave as though they were kings and queens, all at the taxpayers’ expense. That being said, I must return to the election issue. We live in this country and we have had ours, but we seem to be very interested in the American elections. You would believe that Guyanese resident in Guyana are voting in those polls. I have relatives in the United States and to a man they kept regaling me about Donald Trump’s attitude. My 92 year-old mother, according to my sister, spent her time following the campaign and using every opportunity to cuss out Trump. Back in Guyana, people who probably have no intention of travelling to the United States are expressing worry at Trump becoming the president ahead of Hillary Clinton. I remembered the 2008 elections when Barack Obama acceded to the presidency. Perhaps because he was a black man that Guyanese so badly wanted him to win. To his credit, he did a lot that made them happy. Now there is this worry that there could be a president that would push the world

toward a global conflagration. More than that, many see him as a racist who would sooner see Guyana sink into the Atlantic than prosper as a nation. Remigrants bought their plane tickets to head back to the United States to vote. These are people who showed precious little interest in local elections in the land of their birth. From my vantage point, the campaign was worse than anything we have had here. Had we attempted to raise some of those issues, we in the media would have been pilloried by the rest of the society. We would not have dared write about Granger being a man who sexually harassed women if he had been such a person. Jagdeo mistreated his wife and when we wrote about that there were people who accused us of getting involved in man and woman story. It made me realize that although we are a poor country our people still have moral values, not that it ever stopped them from dipping into the till. Back in 2008 the newspapers kept their pages open until the United States elections were declared. The same is going to happen this year.

Adam Harris Of course, the clock would be turned back, to our disadvantage. People are going to sit in the rum shops glued to television screens. And the next day would see some blearyeyed people at their desks poring over the reports in the newspapers. Not much work would be done. GuySuCo would continue to lose money and there would either be smiles or expressions of concern. I would be preparing my column for the following week and perhaps I would deal with an issue closer to home, like the father who has issued a plea to young men to walk away from a life of crime. His son was shot dead trying to enter another man’s home by force for some ulterior reason.

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Sunday November 06, 2016

Older persons are not an endangered species (An address by His Excellency President David Granger on the occasion of International Day of Older Persons) There are more than 700 million persons in the world who are sixty years of age and older. The population of ‘older persons’ in the world is expected to triple to some two billion persons by the year 2050. International Day of Older Persons was designated to be observed on 1st of October each year by the General Assembly of the United Nations via Resolution 45/106 of December 1990. Guyana is committed to observing International Day of Older Persons, by ensuring that greater attention is paid to the needs and the worth of ‘older persons’ in society. We have created a Ministry of Social Protection which is tasked, amongst other things, with the establishment of an improved architecture of social protection for ‘older persons’. ‘Older persons’ are not an endangered species. We are far from approaching extinction. United Nations statistics

President, David Granger indicate that, on the contrary, the world’s population is aging as result of lower fertility and higher life expectancy rates. The statistics, in other words, are saying that people in the world are making fewer babies and are living longer. International Day of Older Persons calls attention to the need for governments and civil society to take note of the needs of the ‘older persons’ and to develop policies that would allow for them to

contribute to society, including through their vast experience and knowledge. ‘Older persons’ are repositories of a wealth of valuable education, expertise and experience. Every generation can tap into this well-spring of knowledge and insights. The productivity of the elderly should not be dismissed. The wisdom they have acquired through the passage of time should not be ignored. ‘Older persons’ are subject to a range of vulnerabilities. The end of a person’s working years can induce feelings of uncertainty about the future. The loss of a regular source of income may lead to financial insecurity and a loss of independence. The elderly, in other instances, are forced to rely exclusively on family and relatives for their upkeep, engendering feelings of humiliation and a loss of dignity. The ‘silver’ years can mean, for some elderly persons, a period of sustained loneliness which can deteriorate into poor conditions of depression. The agility of mind, unmatched by the dexterity of the body can induce in the elderly a sense

that their best years are over. It can result in a deterioration of their physical health. We are committed to securing the good life for all, including the population considered as elderly – those above the age of 65 years. The good life celebrates their contributions to our society. It does not, however, ignore the fact that the elderly in Guyana is considered a vulnerable group and thereby deserving of special attention from the state. The good life which we profess is about making everyone happy. It is about attenuating the problems of vulnerable groups in our society. We are committed, in the case of the elderly, to working to ensure that their ‘silver’ years are productive, safe, happy, secure and rewarding. We have our challenges and our constraints, in providing such protection. The financial resources at the disposal of the State cannot meet all the demands which we would like, ideally, to satisfy. We pledge, however, to respond to the needs of the elderly by implementing social protections based on:

- Health: We will continue to ensure that access to free medical attention and care is provided to by all public hospitals. The elderly have special medical needs and we will ensure that all public hospitals have medical personnel trained and qualified to attend to the medical needs of the elderly. We will like, in the future, and depending on the availability or resources, to assist the sick and disabled with the provision of some form of nursing care in their homes since we recognize that private home care is extremely costly for the elderly and their relatives. -Housing: The government’s preference is for the elderly to live in a caring and loving environment, preferably with family. We recognize, however, that there are many cases where the elderly have no such option. We accept that many of our elderly are homeless and indigent. We will continue to work to expand the provision of homes and homesteads for the elderly. We will continue to improve the conditions at public homes for the aged so as to ensure greater comfort,

nutrition and privacy for elderly inmates. - Happiness: We are committed to ensuring that aging becomes a source of pride and happiness. Wisdom comes with aging. The pleasures of being grandparent or a mentor to the young can be a source of immense satisfaction for the elderly. We want the elderly to be happy and to enjoy their ‘silver’ years. We want those years to be productive. We will seek out greater opportunities for the elderly. We have increased old age pensions and social assistance. We will continue, within our means, to provide financial and material assistance to the elderly who are in need of such assistance. The Cooperative Republic of Guyana will continue to observe October 1 as International Day of Older Persons. We acknowledge the contributions of Guyana’s elderly to our country’s development. We respect their right to a dignified existence. We commit to working for the respect of the rights of the elderly. We will promote their access to improved and expanded social protections.

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Alcohol withdrawal: The unknown effects that can literally kill By Dr Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine Alcohol misuse is on the increase worldwide. In Guyana it’s no different. It is most commonly abused drug in Guyana. The 2012 World Health Organization report stated that 10.7% of the male population in Guyana was exposed to heavy episodic drinking. The report further showed that alcohol misuse had led to an increase in motor vehicle accidents and injury/death rates, particularly in the male population. Persons who become dependent on alcohol are at risk of having several lifethreatening complications. One such complication is alcohol withdrawal. WHAT IS ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL? Alcohol withdrawal is a condition that happens when a person who often drinks large amounts of alcohol suddenly stops drinking alcohol. People with alcohol withdrawal often have a headache, a stomach ache, and trouble sleeping. But sometimes, the symptoms are

much more serious and even life-threatening. Alcoholics tend to have a difficult time in ceasing their addiction mainly because of this reason. Alcohol is a drug and constant use of it will lead to build-up of its levels in your body. Over time, your body has gained tolerance for it, and abruptly stopping its consumption leads to a drastic drop in its levels in your body. Unfortunately your body cannot tolerate this abrupt drop and it reacts negatively, causing the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. It is for this reason that alcoholics are advised to slowly taper off their drinking over a period than to abruptly stop. Your body will be able to adapt to the slow drop in its alcohol levels when you slowly taper off your drinking. WHATARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL? Mild symptoms include: -Trouble sleeping -Trembling -Feeling anxious -Having an upset stomach and not wanting to eat -Headache

-Sweating -Feeling like your heart is beating fast, beating hard, or seems to skip a beat – These heartbeat changes are called “palpitations.” These symptoms often start within six hours after a person stops drinking. They might go away within one or two days. But some people also get more serious symptoms, including: - Seizures – also known as “fits”, they are waves of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. They can make a person pass out, or move or behave strangely. With alcohol withdrawal, seizures usually happen within 12 to 48 hours after the person stops drinking. - Hallucinations – Hallucinations are when you hear, see, feel, smell, or taste things that aren’t there. With alcohol withdrawal, the most common type is seeing things that aren’t there. This symptom tends to happen within 12 to 24 hours after the person’s last drink and stop within one or two days. - Delirium tremens or DT – This is the most serious form of alcohol withdrawal. Symptoms include: •Hallucinations •Feeling confused about where you are or who you are •Feeling very upset and

anxious •Uncontrolled shaking •A fast heartbeat •High blood pressure •Fever •Sweating The symptoms start two to four days after a person stops drinking and can last up to five days. If they are not treated urgently, they can lead to many serious complications, including death. HOW IS ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL TREATED? The treatment depends on your symptoms. If you have mild symptoms, your doctor might prescribe medicines to take at home. But to do this, you need to meet these conditions: % Have a reliable relative or friend who can stay with you for three to five days to make sure your symptoms are

not getting worse - Be able to go in for a medical visit every day - Not be pregnant or have any physical or mental health problems - Not have other substance abuse problems, such as taking illegal drugs - Have never had serious alcohol withdrawal symptoms in the past If you do not meet these conditions or if you have serious symptoms, you will be treated in the hospital. You might get medicines through a tube in your vein, called an “IV.” All people treated for alcohol withdrawal should also take multivitamins (as pills or through an IV). Ideally, persons with alcohol withdrawal should be followed at rehabilitation centres. Hospitals usually take the responsibility of rehabilitation centres in

Dr. Zulfikar Bux countries where these cannot be afforded. If you (or a relative) are misusing alcohol and want to get away from its effects, do not stop right away. Decrease your consumption amounts over time (a month is a safe duration). This will prevent the risky withdrawal effects and will minimize your addiction cravings.

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SUNDAY SPECIAL CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS INTO 2007 CWC SPENDING…INVESTIGATORS TO ALSO FOCUS ON ACQUISITION, RESALE OF LUXURY BMWS

PRITIPAUL SINGH TAKES PLUNGE WITH GUYANA’S FIRST EVER TUNA PLANT –TO PLUG ANOTHER US$50M OVER NEXT FIVE YEARS

Criminal investigations into hundreds of millions of dollars spent for the 2007 Cricket World Cup (CWC) transactions will also see attention being directed in a particular direction—the acquisition and subsequent sale of several BMWs. The 20 BMWs were imported early 2007 and were a mixture of sedans and SUVs. The vehicles were first used to move heads of state and government who came to Guyana for the Rio Summit in early 2007. They were also used to transport top level CWC officials for the matches at the Providence Stadium shortly after. A number of the vehicles are currently in use by sitting ministers and other Government officials. Months after CWC events in Guyana, the then Government, under Bharrat Jagdeo, announced that it was selling 12 of the new vehicles. The high-end vehicles, with low mileage, were snapped up for reportedly at a little more than cost price, without the duties- around $9M each- a steal for many. The transactions by the then Government for CWC were highly questionable as the spendings were never made public despite numerous calls. Two Fridays ago, Minister of State and Cabinet Secretary, Joseph Harmon, announced that forensic audit reports into the CWC spending for the games in 2007 as well as the Pradoville Two land sales have been completed and were on Tuesday considered by Cabinet. The findings and the recommendations of the audit reports were enough to convince Cabinet to order separate police probes. Harmon said that the government was compelled to take that route because of the evidence that suggested wrongdoings. The files are likely to be handed over to the police this week for the investigations to start. According to Government officials over the weekend, the forensic audit report pointed to the absence of a large portion of documents (vouchers etc) to show how monies were spent for the CWC. Acquisition, Sale Of specific interest, Kaieteur News was told last Saturday, is the acquisition of the BMWs.

Over the last decade and a half, the East Bank Demerara has become home to one company that has aggressively fished its way to the top of the industry. Today with over 1,500 workers and more than US$100M in investments between Providence and McDoom complexes, Pritipaul Singh Investment Inc. (PSI Inc.) has become the biggest regional player in the fishing sector. Two Saturdays ago, the company launched a tuna plant and announced plans to plug another US$50M in investments within the next five years. The plant would be the first of its kind in the region. Tuna is a delicacy in hot demand across the globe. Present at the event were Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, former Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds, several Government officials and US Ambassador Perry Holloway, among others. According to PSI’s Chief Executive Officer, Pritipaul Singh, the commissioning of the tuna plant in October, which has been designated Agriculture Month, would be a high point in his company’s climb, and one that has been filled with challenges. The businessman said that the business world has evolved into a world of “daunting challenges, competitiveness and hostile environment” but the company remains confident of its future. Over the years, the company has been able to receive its international certification of food safety, which has allowed it to access its overseas market with ease. ”Today’s fulfillment has been yet another phase of the continuing journey as a businessman. It has never been an easy journey. I think so, too, with life as a whole, but with courage, imagination, bold initiative and scientific decision making, I do consider this business journey with all its challenges as a rewarding one.” The businessman, a father of four, was not shy in talking about his humble background. Humble Beginnings From a single parent home, Singh recalled spending most of his time with his mother at her Bourda Market greens stand– bathing, sleeping, eating and even dressing for school from the little stall. Upon the completion of high school, at the

Richard Ishmael Secondary School, Singh entered teaching and pursued his studies for Advanced Levels of G.C.E. 2015 MARKED A PERIOD OF ‘RADICAL CHANGE’ FOR THE SUGAR INDUSTRY – GUYSUCO BOARD Last year certainly marked a period of “radical change” for the sugar industry. This is according to the Board members of the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. (GuySuCo). Subsequent to the change in Government, and in recognition of the plight the sugar industry was in, the Board said that shareholders of GuySuCo appointed an Interim Management Committee (IMC) in June 2015 and a new Board of Directors thereafter. The Board and Interim Management were confronted with many challenges, which included a weakened and demoralized management team, a very adversarial Industrial Relations climate, low sugar prices, declining production levels, high operational costs, serious loss making, a huge debt burden and consequently a major liquidity crisis. The Board said, “It was evident that the sugar industry was in need of major reorganization; that it could no longer be business as usual. The Board and management team proceeded to develop urgently, a series of initiatives to arrest the situation while the elements of a longer term strategy were being contemplated.” Given the gravity of the situation, the Board members reminded that the Government, in July 2015, appointed a Commission of Inquiry (COI) to look into the sugar industry, and make recommendations for its return to financial and economic viability. The Commission Report was submitted to the shareholders in October 2015 outlining the Commissioners’ evaluations of the most economical options for the sugar industry to pursue. The Board noted that the Commission’s main recommendation was that there should be no closure of any estate but that the Corporation should be privatized within three years. It recalled that other sections of the report pointed to diversification away from the reliance on sugar as an option. Furthermore, the GuySuCo Board said that there were several initiatives identified in 2015 for implementation this year so as to reduce the operating cost, cash deficit, and/or generate funds for the Corporation. They said that some of these initiatives included the merging of Wales and Uitvlugt Estates, transitioning the Wales cultivation

Sunday November 06, 2016

from sugar cane to other crops and aquaculture, completion of the integration of the La Bonne Intention and Enmore Estates into the East Demerara Estate, relocation of the Information Systems and Head Office Departments from Ogle Estate to the former LBI Estate Compound, the sale of non / under – performing assets in particular lands, and the cost recovery of drainage and irrigation now benefiting external parties. MONDAY EDITION GUYSUCO GAINS ACCESS TO NEW MARKETS IN ITALY, CANADA, USA – BOARD Stakeholders in the sugar sector have their fingers crossed for a boost in the industry’s export earnings, with its breakthrough into new markets. These markets include Italy, Canada and the USA. This is according to the Board Members of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). In 2015, the Corporation said that it continued to trade in the markets that it has been historically supplying with bulk raw brown sugar and direct consumption (value added) sugar. The Board said that these markets remain a strong focus for the entity. Additionally, the Marketing Department of the state owned company said that it continues to work with the Corporation’s marketing agent Czarnikow Group Limited to seek out new opportunities and markets worldwide. This effort has led to the Corporation being able to enter into a new market within Europe, namely Italy, by supplying the customer with Demerara specials, packed in one tonne sacks. This endeavour also enabled the Corporation to penetrate the Canadian marketplace with its direct consumption sugar. Also, the Corporation was able to re-enter the United States of America (USA) market last year with its branded sugar ‘Enmore Crystals’. According to Chairman of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), Dr. Clive Thomas, ‘Enmore Crystals’ is only being done in small quantities for the markets in Canada, USA and Britain. The GuySuCo Chairman said that the Board and Management believe that the packaged sugar will do better than “the ordinary sugar sold in the transparent plastic bag.” He noted that samples are already being taken to the three markets he outlined, among other places where contacts are made. Dr. Thomas said, “We are trying to penetrate (Continued on page 33)

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(From page 32) the market with small quantities and build up as time goes. We are basically doing this to see how we can get a higher price for our sugar. A n d s o f a r, i t h a s b e e n r e c e i v i n g favourable reviews from our international contacts, so we are looking to see how this works out but there are other plans in the pipeline for the diversification of this product and bringing the industry back to good health.” CONTRACTORS OVERPAID MILLIONS FOR ROAD PROJECTS – AG REPORT Michael Caesar Auditor General, Deodat Sharma has uncovered yet again, more disturbing instances where contractors were overpaid millions of dollars for road projects. In this case, Sharma noted that the amount of $1.220 billion was budgeted for in 2015 under the Government of Guyana Highway Improvement, East Coast Demerara Road Project which commenced in 2011. He said that the project entailed the upgrading of the highway from Better Hope to Belfield; along with the necessary supervision. Sharma said that the civil works component of this Project was separated and awarded in seven lots. He said that payments totalling $2.656 billion were made as at December, 31 2014, while payments totalling $95.575M were made during 2015. As at December 31, 2015, the total amount expended on this Project was $2.752 billion. The Auditor General then pointed out in several instances, where overpayments took place, two of which included projects at La Bonne Intention to Beterverwagting and Beterverwagting to Triumph. TUESDAY EDITION SHOCKING TWIST IN BARTICA MASSACRE TRIAL…‘FINE MAN’ GANG MEMBER PLEADS GUILTY TO 12 COUNTS OF MANSLAUGHTER More than eight years after two separate massacres- at Bartica and Lusignan- stunned the nation to the core, it appears that families of the victims will finally receive some justice. This is because a gunman in Rondell ‘Fine Man’ Rawlins gang has thrown in the towel. Pleading guilty to manslaughter on Mon-

day, to the February 17, 2008 murders at Bartica, was Michael Preston Caesar, who also goes by the aliases of “Capone” and “Deon Cort”. He had been committed to High Court for trial before Justice Roxanne George but before the jury could be impaneled Tuesday, Caesar appeared to gamble for leniency and even possibly turning the star witness. He pleaded guilty Monday to 12 counts of manslaughter. SPECIAL TASK FORCE, WITH POWERS TO ARREST, TO CLAMP DOWN ON ILLEGALMININGACTIVITIES The Ministry of Natural Resources will soon establish a task force with policing powers to tackle illegal activities in the extractive sector. The task force will be “a corps of wardens who will come with law enforcement authority and will not tolerate illegal activities within the sector,” Director of Compliance, Derrick Lawrence, said in a statement. Illegal activities in the extractive sector have a negative impact on the economy, Lawrence noted. While the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) is the regulatory body for most of the sector’s activities, it does not have law enforcement capabilities, Lawrence acknowledged. This group of wardens is expected to strengthen the inspectorate arm of the GGMC. Monitoring of Guyana’s six mining districts is a big challenge for the GGMC, Acting Commissioner Newell Dennison said. ”The challenges in monitoring that face us include boots on the ground, literally, having the work force and a suitable work force,

people who are suitably trained and competent,” Dennison explained. The addition of the wardens would be a welcome initiative that will address the monitoring challenge, Dennison stated. Moreover, GGMC’s field officers do not have arresting powers when they come across non-mining-related illegal activities, Dennison pointed out. ACTING TOP COP USES STATS TO SIGNIFY CRIME NOT AT ITS WORST Acting Commissioner of Police, David Ramnarine, on Monday used crime statistics from 2002 to 2007 to lash out at critics who say that crime is currently at its worst throughout the country. In fact, the acting Top Cop claimed that these statements are just efforts made to “fool the good citizens of this country.” Ramnarine, during a press conference held on the 100th day since he has been acting in the capacity of Commissioner of Police, said that the country has experienced a 17 percent decrease in serious crime as compared to the same period last year. There were 2700 cases of serious crime reported as of October 29, last against 3263 cases reported in 2015. As it relates to murder, 119 persons have been killed for the year so far as opposed to 149 people losing their lives last year. For robbery under arms, 638 cases were reported for this year while 670 were made last year. “For robbery with violence, there were 79 cases this year against 115 for the same period last year with a 19 percent clear up,” Ramnarine said. Kaieteur News was told that it would be incorrect to say that crime is at its worst, since comparisons which were done between 2002 and 2008 indicate differently. According to the acting Commissioner, in 2002 there were 142 reports of murder; in 2003, 206 cases were recorded; in 2004, 131 cases of murders were reported; in 2005, there were 142 murder cases; 153 cases were made the following year; 133 persons lost their lives in 2007 and in 2008, 158 murder cases were reported. ”When we weren’t solving crimes, there was a hue and cry. Now that we are solving crimes and preventing crimes, there is still a hue and cry. How do you prevent murder? How do we get into the mind of a potential murderer,” the Commissioner questioned. WEDNESDAY EDITION 5,000 HOUSING UNITS, INCLUDING INFRASTRUCTURAL WORKS, TO COST $50B – CH&PA CHAIRMAN With over a year and half in office, the David Granger-led administration has announced plans to fix the country’s housing drive, which has slowed considerably as new

lands become scarce. But an overhaul of the housing programme will be anything but cheap, with one top official warning that it will cost over US$550M to fix problems in the existing housing schemes. Chairman of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Hamilton Green, in a statement outlining the way forward, insisted that any new programme will have to take into account what transpired between 1995 and 2015 – the 20 years when the previous Government, under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), embarked on an ambitious housing campaign. ”The current administration inherited an overly ambitious programme that sought to provide a serviced house lot to anyone desirous of acquiring one and latterly the provision turnkey units,” he said. During those 20 years, over 66,000 house lots in the various schemes across the country were developed. To date, Green said, some 28,220 or 45 percent of those lots that were divested are still unoccupied. This situation was further exacerbated during the 2011-2015 period. During this period, of the 38 housing areas developed which yielded 20,015 lots – of these 16,273 of these remain unoccupied, representing more than 80%. Green made it clear that the previous programme was unsustainable when it is taken into account that a projected $60B is needed to complete and regularize the 380 housing and squatting areas. With over 25,000 applications for house lots and turn-key homes on CH&PA’s files, the Chairman said that the question that needs to be asked is why the programme was allowed to continue along the same path, despite the massive backlog. According to the CH&PA Chairman, the projected cost of construction of approximately half of the 10,000 proposed housing units-apartments and duplexes – inclusive of infrastructural works – is around $50 billion (US$250M). CHARGES READ TO SHOT ROBBERY SUSPECT IN COURT YARD Eighteen-year-old Mark Anthony on Tuesday appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on a stretcher to answer to several charges instituted against him. Magistrate Delon Bess had to leave his courtroom and go downstairs in the court yard to read the charges to the injured suspect. The first charge stated that on September 26 at Georgetown, Anthony discharged a loaded firearm at Police officer Roger Pilgrim with the intent to maim, disfigure or to cause him grievous bodily harm. He was not required to plead to the indictable charge. The second charge read that on the same day in question, at Laing Avenue, he robbed (Continued on page 34)

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(From page 33) Tevin Williams of one I-phone valued $47,000 and one Blackberry cellular phone valued $20,000 which amounted to $67,000, while being armed with a gun. He was again not required to plead to the indictable charge. Finally, the court heard that on the same day in question, Anthony had in his possession one .38 revolver, three matching rounds and one .38 spent shell, he pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him. Anthony was remanded to prison and will make his next court appearance on November 15.

this morning he was made to travel in a separate vehicle. The word is that Reece proposes to testify against the others. He had attempted to enter this guilty plea two weeks ago, but a constitutional move to the court to have the matter tried outside the Essequibo jurisdiction stalled the start. He said that about 18

UNDER-PRESSURE GPL ANNOUNCES MAJOR PLANS TO EASE OUTAGES – NEW BACKUP TRANSMISSION LINES FOR CITY, EAST COAST, NEW ENGINES FOR BARTICA, E’BO

His lawyer said that while the man’s co-accomplice Caesar is going to get 40 years, Reece would get 30. He had tried to bargain for 20. Mitigating circumstances could lead to the smaller sentence

Two major shutdowns last month that caused outages for hours in Demerara and Berbice will see the Guyana and Power and Light Inc. (GPL) taking action, including comprehensive maintenance and the building of new backup transmission lines. In recent weeks, GPL was under pressure for a number of outages that rocked the coastlands – from Berbice to Essequibo. The entity reportedly had a number of management and board meetings recently to discuss the issues. Government has been briefed, and GPL itself has been grappling to come up with solutions. According to the state-owned power company Tuesday, on October 18 and 19, 2016, the Demerara Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS) experienced shutdowns due to suspected faults on the 69kv transmission line linking the Kingston Power Station to the Sophia

months after he was arrested in 2008, he was prepared to enter a guilty plea. He began cooperating with the law enforcement officers, but it was only now that he could enter the guilty plea.

Substation (Dispatch Centre). GPL said it has since stabilized the system and restored services after making adjustments to its protection system. ”The company intends to conduct a comprehensive maintenance exercise, in keeping with its Annual Maintenance Program, on the medium voltage (11 kv, 50 Hz) and high voltage (69kv) transmission line linking the Kingston Power Stations to the Sophia Substation scheduled for Sunday November 6, 2016.” GPL explained that this planned maintenance exercise, expected to be of 10 hours duration, will affect areas on East Coast Demerara, East Bank Demerara and Georgetown as switching activities to facilitate alternative supply arrangements are carried out, and will result in some areas being without power for the duration of the exercise. GPL announced also that to prevent an re-occurrence of the problems encountered with the Sophia and Kingston lines, starting next year it intends to commence construction of additional ones – a sec-

ond 69kv transmission line linking Kingston substation and Sophia substation and another one linking Sophia, Good Hope and Columbia substations for the same reasons. 2008 BARTICA MASSACRE TRIAL… ANOTHERACCUSED PLEADS GUILTY TO 12 COUNTS OF MANSLAUGHTER The 2008 Bartica Massacre trial continued to spring its surprises. Yet another accused, Clebert Reece, has pleaded guilty to 12 counts of manslaughter before Justice Roxanne George. On Monday, co-accused Michael ‘Capone’ Caesar, pleaded guilty to 12 counts of manslaughter before the same judge. Both men will be sentenced on December 16, next. With their guilty pleas, the state is now left to prosecute Mark Royden Williams called Durant and Smallie; Dennis Williams called Anaconda and Roger Anthony Simon called Goat Man. The guilty pleas by Caesar and Reece resulted from bargains they struck with the state. The authorities must have got wind of a threat to Clebert Reece, as they separated him from the other accused. En route to the prison

THURSDAY EDITION LEAKING OF PROCUREMENT INFORMATION…BOARD STARTS MAJOR PROBE AT THE MINISTRY OF PUBLIC HEALTH Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, Winston Cosbert, was on Wednesday evening given the Terms of Reference (TORs) by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, to probe into the allegations of unauthorised disclosure of information, mismanagement and malpractices in the procurement of pharmaceuticals at the Ministry of Public Health. In handing over the TORs, Minister Harmon said that Government eagerly awaits that report and the findings, so that appropriate action can be taken, a Ministry of the Presidency release said. ”I have the confidence in your ability; I have seen your work before and you have done inquiries before. I look forward to the report. This is an important inquiry … and when you have to go after these things, you have to have evidence and facts [because] Government cannot act on innuendos and hearsay. We have to have an investigation and based on that, the Government acts,” the Minister said. The Board of Inquiry (BoI) commenced last Thursday and is expected to render its written report and findings to the Minister of State on or before November 30, 2016. The inquiry is expected to take place at the Department of Public Service and at any other place, in which the Commissioner deems fit. MINER SHOOTS BANDIT DEAD IN HOME A 38-year-old miner, who is a licenced firearm holder, on Wednesday shot and killed one of two bandits who were attempting to break into his Lot 724 Section A, Block X, Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) home around 02:15 hrs Wednesday. According to information received, the homeowner was awoken by a loud noise in the lower flat of his property. When he went down to investigate, he saw two men, one armed with a handgun, attempting to gain entry into his home via the door. Armed with his pistol, the man reportedly discharged several rounds in the bandits’ direction, hitting one of them. The second (Continued on page 35)

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(From page 34) suspect scaled the fenced yard and escaped. Kaieteur News was told that a report was made to the Diamond Police Station and a patrol responded promptly. On their way, they arrested a 27-year-old male from West Ruimveldt, who was found close to the scene. The police rushed the shot bandit, who was clad in a three-quarter pants and a black vest tied around his neck, to the Diamond Diagnostic Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival with two suspected gunshot wounds to his neck. He was later identified as 20 year-old Middle Road, La Penitence resident, Simon Elijah De Florimonte. FOUR GRA STAFFERS DISMISSED FOR ROLE IN DUTY FREE SCAM Four staffers of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) have been dismissed for their roles in a duty free concessions scam. The decision was reportedly relayed to the staffers Wednesday and would come more than two weeks after news of a major probe into a fraud. And there are likely to be more sackings in the coming weeks, a well-placed source has confirmed. The news of the dismissals would come as no surprise, as it was just recently that Commissioner-General, Godfrey Statia, warned staffers of a tough stance against corruption. Two employees were taken into custody last month after a forgery was detected using the name of Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Hema Khan. The matter had to do with the importation of two All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs). The two employees allegedly forged documents purporting to show that the ATVs were subjected to duty free concessions. The police had also been questioning the persons who brought in the ATVs.

Already, GRA has taken a decision to post notices at its locations warning the public to desist from paying staffers any forms of inducements. GRA, through its Customs and other departments, has been battling corruption in its midst for years now. FRIDAY EDITION SOME DECISIONS ON GUYSUCO BY YEAR END - HARMON The future of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and the need for a turnaround plan was high on Cabinet’s agenda last week.

Revealing the details of Cabinet’s work in this regard was Minister of State, Joseph Harmon. Harmon during a post cabinet press briefing, yesterday, told reporters Thursday that some decisions regarding the sector will have to be made by year end. This position was taken after “detailed and frank” presentations by GuySuCo officials to members of Cabinet on Tuesday. Harmon said that the GuySuCo team was led by its Chairman, Dr. Clive Thomas. Also on the team were GuySuCo Chief Executive Officer Errol Hanoman, and the Chairman of the task force on diversification possibilities in GuySuCo. Harmon said that the team briefed Cabinet on the state of the sugar industry, the challenges it faces and the options available to address the situation. The politician recalled that after the presentation of the COI report on GuySuCo, Cabinet was briefed by the Commissioners. From that meeting, Harmon said that Cabinet outlined a five-point approach to address the issues raised by the Commission of Inquiry. Harmon said that those points were that GuySuCo must present Cabinet with a plan which addresses the issues raised by the Commission Of Inquiry; Cabinet would give consideration to that plan; and having considered the plan, Cabinet would engage the Opposition and the National Assembly in consultations on the plan. The approach also mandates that Cabinet would hold consultations with other stakeholders including, the workers of the corporation and the related unions. “Therefore the presentation which was held on Tuesday was a part of that process which was outlined. The presentation to Cabinet gave considerations on the matters which ranged from maintaining the status quo which is just do nothing and just allow it to go as it is, to the point of a limited form of diversification,” said the Minister of State. He added, “So there were several proposals. Of course the position that was taken by GuySuCo itself was that the worst option is to maintain the status quo since in that regard; there were serious implications for the National Treasury. “And those implications are that it will require $18.6B in 2017 and $21.4B in 2018. That is just to maintain the status quo.” Harmon said that this, of course, is added to GuySuCo’s current debt which is in excess of $80B. MAN CLAIMED “MASTER” SENT HIM TO KILL NEIGHBOUR -PLACED BLOODY WEAPON ON MANDIR’S ALTAR AFTER DEED In what seemed to be a scene out of a horror movie, 53-year-old Bhumatie Deolall lost her life senselessly after she was gruesomely murdered by her neighbour, Jainarine Balgobin, aka (‘Payo’) a Guysuco labourer at the Albion Estate. The killer’s relatives later claimed that he is “mentally unstable”. Sources close to the investigation told this publication that the labourer seems far from a “mentally unstable” man as he was fully aware of the act he committed. According to sources, during the interrogation, Balgobin told investigators that “master send meh fuh kill she”. It was revealed that the man stated that he took the machete from the mandir located in the next lot from his home and went over to the woman’s house on the other side of the

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street. He called her out of her house and fired the chops, instantly killing her and severing her head. It was also disclosed that after he had finished what he was “sent to do” he walked back over to the mandir and placed the machete back where he found it, on the altar, with blood dripping from its blade. He was also seen by a neighbour holding a “murti” at the altar after placing the machete down. From reports gathered after putting the machete back where he found it, he went home still in his “rage” where his brother-in-law held on to him until police had arrived. He was arrested and taken to the Albion Police Station where he remained in custody. He was subsequently taken to the Reliance Police Station. One investigator told this publication that “the man look evil, evil” and didn’t seem remorseful for his actions. MAJOR OVERHAULAT GOLD BOARD… GOV’T ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR INCREASED CHECKS, MORE LICENSING POWERS Cabinet has endorsed plans to overhaul the operations of the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) with tough measures promised to better govern the trade. According to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, during the post-Cabinet press briefings yesterday, the reforms are part of a long term plan to make the board more efficient and reduce deficits that had been plaguing the board. On Tuesday, during the Cabinet meeting of minister and President David Granger, a number of proposals were presented by Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman. Harmon said that the proposals by the ministry were based on the fact that the GGB has over the 35 years of its existence amassed significant deficits. It was in need of a review and overhaul of its structures, Among the proposals were a legislation review and changes to allow the board to further enhance its monitoring and regulatory processes as well as to adjust its application, renewal and processing fees. Consideration will also be given to a (Continued on page 36)

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(From page 35) revision of penalties for offences.

party in the case, she will have to recuse herself, as was done in the 2006 multi-million New Building Society (NBS) fraud investigation. Williams noted that the DPP is not above the law and is required to uphold the rule of law. Last week, Minister of State and Cabinet Secretary Joseph Harmon announced that Government has decided to seek special prosecutors following Cabinet’s examination of the forensic audits and noted indications of criminal culpability. Harmon said the reports are to be handed over to the Guyana Police Force for its initiation of criminal investigations. “The Special Prosecuting team would not be limited to just local personnel, it (would) have a wider sweep; and we are looking to bring persons who are capable of handling these matters.”

SATURDAY EDITION AG WRONG, STATE PROSECUTORS PRESIDE OVER ‘HIGHLY POLITICAL’ CASES —DPP Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, is claiming that Attorney General (AG), Basil Williams’s reasons for the government being “forced” to hire special prosecutors are completely false. She said that her office is professional and that no prosecutor has indicated any discomfort in doing their jobs as it relates to these “highly political” cases to which the AG referred. On Friday Williams was quoted in sections of the state media as saying that the unwillingness of state prosecutors to appear in “highly political,” cases had left the government with no other choice but to seek out special attorneys to fight their cause in the ‘Pradoville 2 and the Guyana Cricket World Cup Inc. scams. Williams reportedly told a journalist attached to the state media that the DPP had indicated that the members of her department had some discomfort in having to prosecute the case of a former minister (Jennifer Westford). “If the state’s prosecution department is saying that they don’t wish to prosecute these types of matters that are political, what was the state supposed to do? Fiddle with its hands?” asked Williams. Ali-Hack subsequently set out a statement saying that prosecutions will continue to be done fairly and impartially based solely on consideration of the evidence contained in the police file and the prevailing law. Specifically, as it relates to the court matter involving former Minister Jennifer Westford, the DPP said that two lawyers from her Office,

Sunday November 06, 2016

FILES FOR PRADOVILLE TWO, CRICKET WORLD CUP HANDED OVER… Senior State Counsel Teshana Lake and State Counsel Natasha Backer are prosecuting this matter. Ali-Hack said that neither of those two state lawyers expressed any discomfort in the execution of their duties in the said matter. The DPP stressed that not one lawyer attached to her Chambers has ever indicated that they are uncomfortable in prosecuting any criminal matters, “whether political or otherwise.” She said, “The staff at the DPP Chambers examine the evidence in police files in relation to the prevailing law and advise charges accordingly; prosecutions are based on the evidence in the file and the law. This is so regardless of whom the accused persons are and the positions they hold.” Ali-Hack explained that the

present system is that lawyers attached to her office appear in the High Court and all the Appellate Courts. She said that there are not sufficient lawyers to appear in the Magistrates’ Courts; hence, four police prosecutors are assigned to these Chambers and appear in the more serious cases in the Magistrates’ Courts. “To say that State Prosecutors shun highly political cases is defamatory.” In the article that Ali-Hack refuted, Williams was quoted saying that Guyana is a signatory to several international conventions against corruption and so it had no choice but to obtain special prosecutors. He said that Ali-Hack is also a recipient of a house lot at Pradoville 2 and given that she is an interested

WAY PAVED FOR POLICE TO COMMENCE CRIMINAL PROBE The way has been cleared for police to start investigating two major cases that involved transactions that took place under the Bharrat Jagdeo administration. Two forensic audit reports- the Sparendaam Housing Project-(Special Investigation of the Central Housing and Planning Authority) and the Guyana World Cup/Guyana World Cup Inc.-were handed over by Government to the police, on Friday morning. The reports were delivered by Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Jaipaul Sharma, to Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud, at the latter’s Eve Leary office. The decision to have these documents handed over to the Police Commissioner for investigation

was made last week during a Cabinet meeting. In addition to the Minister and the top cop, also present were Assistant Commissioner of Police, Sydney James – who is the head of the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU); and Forensic Auditors, Christopher Ram, and John Barnes. Last week, acting on the findings of two forensic audits, Government ordered that the matters be handed over to the police for further investigations. With regards to the Sparendaam lands, which have been dubbed ‘Pradoville Two’, it was reportedly sold below market price to former president Jagdeo and a number of former Government Ministers. The spending for the 2007 Cricket World Cup was never made public by Jagdeo’s or Donald Ramotar’s administration. This sparked allegations over time of widespread impropriety. Hundreds of millions of dollars were said to be involved for payments for services and other things. The two cases have been a thorn in the side of both Jagdeo and Ramotar and a major embarrassment for the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C). The Coalition Government on entering office last year immediately ordered several forensic audits, including for the two transactions. Last week, it appeared that the Cabinet, after examining the reports, concluded that enough evidence existed of criminal culpabilities, and that it would require further investigations. Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, has been given one week to submit names for special prosecution teams. With regards to the special prosecution teams, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, during a recent post-Cabinet briefing, disclosed that it is likely international help may be sought in preparing the cases. Questions about what spurred Cabinet’s decision to proceed further, Harmon said that it appears that the plots of land were transferred at prices that were not of market prices. According to Harmon, “The valuation that was given was unusual for that time and for that location.” He said that comparisons were made to similar plots of land on the East Coast of Demerara “for the price at which it was transferred, and then compared that to the price at which the members of the previous administration also gifted themselves those portions of lands.” With regards to the Pradoville Two lands, tens of millions of dollars were abused during the last term of Jagdeo, which ended in 2011, to build the special seaside community. The transactions implicated a number of Government entities, including the Central Housing and Planning Authority, the National Communications Network (NCN) and the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL).

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Debt management and Guyana’s relationship with CEMLA The CEMLA is the regional association of Latin American and Caribbean central banks

By Kiana Wilburg Guyana’s debt portfolio and the risks associated with it are becoming more complex. There are many reasons for this. The first is the fact that the Caricom nation is currently faced with the challenge of maintaining debt sustainability in an environment that is volatile; an uncertain global economy. In fact, several Debt Sustainability Analyses indicate that Guyana remains vulnerable to external shocks. Just recently, this issue was raised by Finance Minister Winston Jordan during an international meeting. There, he noted a number of realities facing Guyana, one of which includes the fact that commodity price fluctuations have added to the volatility of our export earnings and tax revenues as well as the financial performance of state-owned agricultural enterprises. Compounding the issue is the fact that borrowing has also become more uncertain

for Guyana. In this regard, it is important to remember that Guyana recently graduated to Lower Middle Income status, and as a consequence, concessional lending has become scarcer. To access affordable financing, Guyana has sought out alternative funding sources, especially from South-South partners such as EXIM Bank of China, EXIM Bank of India, the Mexican Agency for International Cooperation and Development, and the Islamic Development Bank. At the same time, the Government sought to maintain close ties with the multilateral agencies (World Bank, IDB and CDB) and more traditional western bilateral donors. Because of these developments, it becomes increasingly important for the Government to ensure that the nation possesses sufficient capacity to develop and implement a s o p h i s t i c a t e d , comprehensive debt strategy. Indeed, the robust and judicious management of the

country’s Debt, Public Expenditure, Financial Resources and Fiscal Framework have been given a deserved and prominent place in the APNU+AFC Government’s strategic agenda for the development of Guyana, which aims to improve the lives of the people. As those areas continue to be closely monitored, one must not overlook the fact that Guyana has had strong partnerships and assistance in the management and improvement of its debt portfolio. This is testimony to the country’s relationship with the Centre for Latin American Monetary Studies (CEMLA) in the areas of Debt Management, New Financing and Public Finance. The relationship is one which dates back to 1999. Since that time, CEMLA has played a pivotal role in helping Guyana to achieve a sustainable public debt, improve institutional arrangements and enhance the technical skills and (continued on page 49)

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Stemming the tide of social discord (From page 42) implications. Rather, they accept a market place of ideas that promote the common good while ensuring the protection of individual choices and rights. Under the rubric of bioethical controversy, Engelhardt cites some examples related to health care. “Bioethics,” he says, “has failed to produce a generally accepted account of appropriate deportment…On the one hand abortionists and physicians assisting suicide are characterized as murderers or assistors in self-murder. On the other hand, such physicians are characterized as liberators from unjust, enforced pregnancy and terminal suffering.” He continues, “Those who impose all-encompassing, single payment, egalitarian health care systems such as exists in Canada are characterized as violators of basic human freedoms and market rights. On the other hand, those who support access to different levels of basic health care are characterized as violating basic rights to equality.” According to Engelhardt, “as important as the disagreements, if not more important, is an understanding of the possible conditions for peaceable collaboration in the face of substantive moral disagreement.” He concludes, “Political space must be made not just for a diversity of communities within particular states, but for the emergence of worldwide networks of non-geographically based communities with their own particular understanding of moral probity, including bioethics, health care policy, and law”. Given the pluralism of morals we begin to under-

stand the enigmatic nature of bioethics and biolaw. Does God exist? Is homosexuality a sin? Is cloning a challenge to God’s sovereignty? Should states approve euthanasia? And what about abortion, is it murder? And on what grounds do you base your answer? The problem is, there is no single universally uniformed response. And reason, long used to justify decisions and beliefs is not a universal constant. In fact, Stephen A. Erickson’s foreword well sums up the thematic thrust of this work. He writes: “Part of the problem we face going forward is surely bound up with the unraveling of the self sustaining integrity of reason itself.” He goes further: “We might say that reason has undergone its own selfdeconstruction, thereby losing purchase on any claim it had to universality in any more than the most abstract and content –bereft sense.” He goes on to say that reason “draws from human desires and purposes in order to achieve operational content.” Global Bioethics struggles with the competing interests of traditions and modernity; and between institutions and the rights of individuals. Is there really a path to consensus? Engelhardt and company think not. F e e d b a c k : glenvilleashby@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter@glenvilleashby Global Bioethics: The Collapse of Consensus, edited by H. Tristram Engelhardt, Jr. Publisher: M&M Scrivener Press ISBN- 13: 978-0-97640413-2 Available at Amazon Rating: Recommended

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Debt management and Guyana’s ... From page 47 capacities of local officials in effectively managing public debt operations, performing Debt Sustainability Analyses and developing public debt strategies, among other areas of assistance. The agency was also instrumental in recently hosting a valuable workshop that spoke to debt management, assessment and improvement. The workshop brought together key stakeholders in the areas of debt management, budget, economic policy, treasury operations, audit, the Bank of Guyana and the Ministry of Legal Affairs. Minister Jordan said that it was a representation of the Government’s commitment to maintaining a sustainable debt position, as it seeks to fund a national programme for investment and social expenditures, so as to improve the economic and social welfare of all Guyanese. The Workshop sought to build on the previous Sustainable Funding Strategy Workshop, which was conducted in December 2015 and two missions in April and June 2016, to prepare and update procedure manuals for debt management operations within CEMLA’s Capacity Building Programme (PDP). Jordan said that these debt-related workshops and other interventions, such as the proposed introduction of a consolidated public debt law, reflect the seriousness with which the government pursues the issue of public debt, and its continuous efforts to improve the country’s debt management. Jordan explained that this training was a part of the larger goal to have a cadre of officers that are familiar with the assessment and scoring

methodology, as well as understanding the linkages between the debt performance indicators and the use of evidence-based data for assessing debt management in Guyana. According to the Finance Minister, the current partnership with Mr. Jaime Coronado Quintanilla, Coordinator of CEMLA’S Public Debt Management Capacity Building Programme, under the Government of GuyanaCEMLA Country Strategic Plan, will enable the nation to reach even greater heights. Jordan said that the Government, in its efforts to monitor debt sustainability and maximize its external assistance, looks forward to the continued cooperation and support from CEMLA, through the Public Debt Management Capacity Building Programme and its donors, in particular Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, Economic Cooperation and Development (SECO). Back in 2007, at the start of the World Bank Debt Management Performance Assessment (DeMPA) pilot phase, Guyana was among the first countries to be assessed, using the methodology developed at that time. Guyana scored mostly C’s and D’s on the various dimensions, which left much room for improvement. However, it was not until six years later, in 2013, that a second assessment was done with the assistance of CEMLA, which showed a worsening of the performance under most of the indicators of the DeMPA. In this regard, the Finance Minister said, “I do not intend

to have a similar situation under my watch.” He stated that the DeMPA tool provides a set of indicators for comprehensively assessing debt management performance in developing countries. He added that it is firmly grounded in Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) methodology and it offers a “drill down” on debt management. “I firmly believe that a modern debt management office should not have to rely solely on external reviews to guide its improvement. We need to master the use of selfassessment tools, such as the DeMPA, so that our debt management team can be more proactive in identifying and remedying weak areas in debt management operations and in the institutional framework for public debt management.” Additionally, Jordan said that Guyana’s collaboration with CEMLA, through its PDP, is geared at responding to the risks and vulnerabilities associated w i t h p u blic debt in the globalised financial system, as was clearly demonstrated by the international financial crisis of recent vintage. Jordan pointed out that these associated vulnerabilities demonstrate the need for ongoing improvements in the analyses and management of financial liability. He said that the primary aim of the PDP is to assist governments in maintaining public debt sustainability and improving macroeconomic management by helping them design and implement sound public debt and financing strategies.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 06, 2016

S U G A R: Should we eliminate it from our diet?

Sugar seems to have developed a reputation as the big bad wolf in relation to health. Medical News Today have reported on numerous studies associating sugar intake with increased aging, cardiovascular disease, obesity and even cancer. Such research has led to many health experts around the globe calling for reductions in recommended sugar intake, with some saying we should cut out sugar completely. But is it really that bad for our health? We investigate. Put simply, sugar is a crystalline carbohydrate that makes foods taste sweet. There are many different types of sugar, including glucose, fructose, lactose, maltose and sucrose - also known as table sugar. Some of these sugars, such as glucose, fructose and lactose, occur naturally in fruits, vegetables and other foods. But many of the foods we consume contain “added” sugars - sugar that we add to a product ourselves to enhance the flavor or sugar that has been added to a product by a manufacturer. The most common sources of added sugars include soft drinks, cakes, pies, chocolate, fruit drinks and desserts. Just a single can of cola can contain up to 7 tsps of added sugar, while an average-sized chocolate bar can contain up to 6 tsps. It is added sugars that have been cited as a contributor to many health problems. In December 2014, MNT reported on a study in the journal Open Heart claiming added sugars may increase the risk of high blood pressure, even more so than sodium. And in February 2014, a study led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) associated high added sugar intake with increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease (CVD). Perhaps most strongly, added sugars have been associated with the significant increase in obesity. In the US, more than a third of adults are obese, while the rate of

childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents over the past 30 years. A 2013 study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggested that consumption of sugarsweetened beverages increases weight gain in both children and adults, while a review paper from the World Health Organization (WHO) notes an increase in the consumption of such beverages correlates with the increase in obesity. In support of these associations is Dr. Robert Lustig, a pediatric endocrinologist at the University of California-San Francisco and author of the book Fat Chance: The Hidden Truth About Sugar, who claims sugar is a “toxic” substance that we are becoming addicted to. A 2008 study by researchers from Princeton University, NJ, found rats used to consuming a high-sugar diet displayed signs of binging, craving and withdrawal when their sugar intake was reduced. “We need to wean ourselves off. We need to de-sweeten our lives. We need to make sugar a treat, not a diet staple,” Dr. Lustig told The Guardian in 2013. “The food industry has made it into a diet staple because they know when they do you buy more,” he added. “This is their hook. If some unscrupulous cereal manufacturer went out and laced your breakfast cereal with morphine to get you to buy more, what would you think of that? They do it with sugar instead.” In her popular blog, Goop, Gwyneth Paltrow cites sugar addiction as one of the reasons she decided to quit sugar completely. “The bottom line is that sugar works the addiction and reward pathways in the brain in much the same way as many illegal drugs,” she writes. “Sugar is basically a socially acceptable, legal, recreational drug with deadly

consequences.” Statistics show that we are certainly a nation of addedsugar lovers. According to a report from the CDC, adults in the US consumed around 13% of their total daily calorie intake from added sugars between 20052010, while 16% of children’s and adolescents’ total calorie intake came from added sugars between 2005-2008. These levels are well above those currently recommended by WHO, which state we should consume no more than 10% of total daily calories from “free” sugars - both naturally occurring sugars and those that are added to products by the manufacturer. In 2013, however, MNT reported on a study by Prof. Wayne Potts and colleagues from the University of Utah, claiming that even consuming added sugars at recommended levels may be harmful to health, after finding that such levels reduced lifespan in mice. Is eliminating sugar from our diet healthy? The array of studies reporting the negative implications of added sugar led to WHO making a proposal to revise their added sugar recommendations in 2014. The organization issued a draft guideline stating they would like to halve their recommended daily free sugar intake from 10% to 5%. “The objective of this guideline is to provide recommendations on the consumption of free sugars to reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases in adults and children,” WHO explained, “with a particular focus on the prevention and control of weight gain and dental caries.” In addition, it seems many health experts, nutritionists and even celebrities like Gwyneth have jumped on a “no sugar” bandwagon. But is it even possible to completely eliminate sugar from a diet? And is it s a f e ? h t t p : / / www.medicalnewstoday.com.

Sunday November 06, 2016

Kaieteur News

Surprise! Beyoncé Joins Jay Z at Cleveland Get-Out-the-Vote Campaign Concert All eyes were on the one and only Beyoncé as she surprised the crowd during tonight’s Cleveland Get-Outthe-Vote campaign concert in support of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. The Grammy-winner took to the stage shortly after her husband Jay Z performed a medley of his own hits over the years for the jam-packed crowd. Bey opened her miniconcert with “Formation” and shook what her mama gave her next to a team of backup dancers dressed in blue pantsuits (a nod to Mrs. Clinton, much?) wearing I’m With Her Shirts. “There was a time when a woman’s opinion did not matter... less than 100 years ago women did not have the right to vote, look how far we’ve come to having no voice to being on the brink of history by electing the first woman president. But we have to vote. The world looks to us as a progressive country that needs change,” the singer told the cheering crowd. “I want my daughter to grow up seeing a woman lead our country and know that her possibilities are limitless.” The presidential hopeful has definitely brought some serious star power to her campaign thus far. Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony held a concert in her honor (with Clinton in attendance) just last week in Florida. Miley Cyrus attended a rally in late October for Clinton in Virginia and even went door-to-door at the George Mason University dorms to encourage the college students to cast their votes.

And then, of course, there’s Katy Perry, who’s made it her mission to spread the word about Clinton and this year’s election in general. The “Rise” singer has performed at numerous concerts and rallies, most recently at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. It was there that Perry sang “Teenage Dream” and, appropriately, “Waking Up in Vegas” while wearing a shirt with the words “Nasty Woman” printed on it. “We’re out here campaigning for Hillary Clinton,” Orlando Bloom’s lady love told the crowd. “Because there’s no other alternative. We need our issues heard, we need our bodies taken care of, we need all that choice.” Just days later, Perry and Bloom dressed up for Halloween in matching political outfits that made heads turn at Kate Hudson’s famous annual bash. http://www.eonline.com.

Leaked Mariah Carey prenuptial agreement reveals $50 million pay off Details of Mariah Carey’s prenuptial agreement have been revealed - and you won’t believe them. The document reveals that the singer’s ex James Packer was planning on paying out $6 million for every full year the couple were married should they have split after tying the knot. According to TMZ, it read: “James will pay Mariah, and Mariah shall accept, $6 million dollars per year for each full year of marriage, up to a maximum of $30 million ... adjusted pro-rata on a weekly basis [$151,385 per week].” It’s believed that Mariah was hoping to receive a $50 million dollar sum if the pair separated. There were numerous stipulations present in the contract, which included James having final say on when Mariah would be allowed to use the private jet. “James shall provide the use of one private aircraft, of his selection, for Mariah’s personal use, or that of her children and nannies only when James, in his sole discretion, determines it is appropriate to do so,” read the document. Furthermore, any gifts that James gave her during their marriage would have been subject to being returned if they cost more than a quarter of a million dollars - unless specifically stated at the time. “...no item of jewelry and/or personal adornment costing over $250,000 will be deemed a gift unless accompanied by, or promptly followed by, a writing specifically stating ‘This is my gift to you.’” http://www.mirror.co.uk.

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Kaieteur News

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Sunday November 06, 2016

Junior Page

The Sky Warrior "Hun, hun, hay!" exclaimed the other, good-humoredly, as he pushed aside the tri- angular door-flap and appeared wrapped in his blanket. ' It is always thus. When the hunting is poor, you will not be disturbed, but when you are in a region of much game, all other hunters are there as well! It is true that they are usually agreeable except two only Mato, the grizzly, and man himself. These two are always looking for trouble!" Opagela was likewise noted for his skill in hunting, and especially for the number of eagles that he had caught. This good-fortune had gained him many ponies, for eagles' feathers are always in demand. Few men so well understand the secrets of this bird. His friend was doubtless expert in woodcraft, but in this particular he could not claim to be the equal of Opagela. "Come, let us hasten! We must be off before any other wild hunter can gain the advantage. We shall appear foolish to them if we are seen running about in full view," Matoska continued, as he adjusted the thongs of his moccasins. Both men soon disappeared in the gray mists of the morning. They ran noiselessly side by side, scarcely uttering a word, up and along the bluffs of the Smoking Earth River. They could see the white vapor or breath of the bison hanging in the air at a distance, and black masses of the animals were visible here and there upon the plains. But they did not turn aside, for they were in search of other game. The Eagle's Nest butte loomed up to their right, its bare walls towering grandly above the surrounding country, and the big timber lay hidden below in the fog that still clung about the river. 'Ho!" Opagela exclaimed, presently, to his companion, in an undertone. "There is a hunter from above descending."

Both stood still in their tracks like petrified men. 'Whir-r-r!" came like the sound of a coming shower. 'Ugh, it is he!" Opagela said again, in a whisper, and made a motion with his lips. As the great bird, the giant hunter of the air, swooped down into the gulch, a doe fled forth from it and ran swiftly over the little divide. There was bawling and the sound of struggle just over the banks of the creek, where the eagle had disappeared. "Run, friend, run! Let us see him use his knife upon the fawn," urged Matoska, and he started over the knoll at a good gait. The other followed as if reluctantly. The little gulch was a natural enclosure formed by a sudden turn of the creek, and fenced with a thorny thicket of wild plum and buffalo-berry bushes. Here they saw Wambelee in the open, firmly fastened upon the back of a struggling fawn. Hooyah had missed her quarry, which took refuge in the plum grove. "Shoot! shoot!" whispered Matoska, at the same time drawing forth an arrow. "No, no; I recognize friends. This is the old pair who have dwelt for many years upon the Eagle's Nest butte." There was a serious expression upon the hunter's face as he spoke. At this moment the eagle turned toward them. From his neck hung a single bear's claw, fastened by a leather thong. "Yes, it is he. Long ago he saved my life, and we are friends. I shall tell you about it," Opagela said at last, and the two friends sat down side by side at the edge of the plum-bushes. "Many winters ago," began Opagela, 'I was shot through the knee in a battle with the Utes, a little west of the Black Hills. My friends carried me with them as far as the creek which is now called the Wounded Knee, and

(Con't)

there we were overtaken by a Crow war-party. Our party had a running fight with them and was compelled to re- treat in haste. I begged my friends to leave me on the trail, for I preferred to die fighting rather than from the effects of my wound. They did so, but before they reached me the Crow warriors withdrew. "There I lay without food or water for four days. I was all skin and bones. My thoughts were already in the spirit land, and I seemed to see about me my relatives who had died. "One morning my mind was clear, and once more I realized my surroundings. I had crawled into the shade of a little grove of plum-bushes. I gazed out upon the lofty buttes and the plains between where we had so often camped in happiness and plenty. It seemed hard to starve in the midst of such abundance. "A few paces away I saw a doe with two fawns. They were fat and tempting, but I had no strength to shoot. Then I felt that I was doomed to die, and, indeed, believed that I was already half spirit and could talk with spirits. I held out my hand to the Great Mystery and said: "Is this the end? Then, Great Father, I am resigned. Let none disturb me, for I would die in peace. "At this moment the doe snorted and sprang directly over me. Alas! one of her little ones was caught before it could plunge into the thicket. It was seized by an immense eagle. "The pretty little creature screamed and bawled like a baby, and my heart was with her in her death-pangs, although I was perishing for meat. I lay quite still and breathed softly. I slyly closed my eyes when the eagle seemed about to look in my direction. He appeared to be a very warlike, fullgrown bird, with splendid plumage. "He dressed his meat a few paces (continued on page 55)

Making Turkeyusing autumn leaves

Supplies: - Cardboard (green, brown) - Leaves - eyes Step one: Gather leaves Step 2: Draw the outline of your turkey Step 3: Place the lighter and larger leaves first, then glue the small darker ones over it to create the feathers. the Step 4: Cut out the body of your turkey from brown cardboard and add eyes and mouth to create face. There you have it! Make as much as you can!

Speak RIGHT (by Uncle Roy) We learn to speak well in school, To use words in the right way, But then outside I use wrong language, Just as my friends and others say. I know that I should speak right, As in school I have learnt to do; This will help me now and later, When I have studies and work to get through. So I will try harder to speak right, And help my friends to do like me; This will make it easier to live and learn To make myself the best I can be.

Kaieteur News

Sunday November 06, 2016

TEEN TIME

Be the Best you can Be –

Develop a true Sense of Belonging

T

o help teenagers to feel this sense of belonging within an environment which is safe and leading them in the right direction, they will need to involve themselves in three areas:1. The creation of an accepting environment in which they are supported by their peers. This can be achieved by getting involved in organisations which are geared towards providing some service to themselves and to others. As members of an organisation, all have the obligation to contribute towards achieving mutual understanding, acceptance and inclusion of all others. It must be remembered always that other persons have the same feelings and emotional needs as we have, and we must help them to satisfy

these, which at the same time will work for us in the same way. Everyone must be treated as equals, even though some would be in positions of authority. Membership of a worthwhile organisation gives a sense of group pride and increases this feeling of belonging. Any time one feels a part of something larger than oneself, especially if one is doing his bit to keep it running, it enhances this sense as well as our personal worth. Social and emotional support is essential to the development of selfconfidence in every human being. For those teens in whose homes this support is lacking, because parents/relatives are emotionally distant, harshly critical, abusive or

neglectful, then it is important that they get this support from their peers in a healthy way. It may be necessary, if you have feelings of loneliness or sadness, to look for pleasant and respectable friends, especially those who have similar experiences and whom you can trust, and discuss your mutual problems. 2. Make use of opportunities for social interaction. This may already be taken care of in carrying out your obligations towards an organisation, but you need to purposely make the time for strengthening the social relationships among your peers, making sure that all conduct themselves properly, and in an atmosphere of appreciation for each individual.

3. Strive for supportive behaviour in all you do. While competition is useful in getting the best out of us, if we are not in the top third of our group, we can be easily discouraged. What caters for everyone is cooperative behaviour, which makes us willingly contribute to the common goals of our group and make ourselves available to be of service to others. This helps to develop our character by instilling a sense of social responsibility in contrast to only looking out for oneself. By taking the steps to help others to belong, we get the satisfaction which comes from being unselfish, and this serves to maintain this sense of belonging which is necessary for our personal development into a mature adult.

him who had preserved my life. I lassoed him with my lariat and fastened him to a plum-tree while I ate of the meat. It was tender and luscious, and my strength returned to me even as I ate. “I could not walk, so Wambelee and I camped

together, for I did not care to be alone. Little by little we became friends. On the second day his wife came in search of him. When she found him a captive she scolded violently, perhaps him alone, perhaps me, or both of us.

The Sky Warrior From page 54 from me. I could smell the rich odor of the savory venison, and it made me desperate. I wanted to live now. But it was his game. I was a wounded, helpless, dying man he a strong, warlike hunter. I could only beg a piece of his meat, but it was not the time for me to do so until he had eaten his fill. 'The zest with which he partook of his meal made me chew while he tore off pieces of the meat, and swallow whenever he swallowed a savory morsel. At last I could not endure it any longer. 'Ho, kola!' I said, feebly. 'The sky warrior lifted his noble head with the mien of a great chief. At first he did not discover where the voice came from, but, nevertheless, he made a show of indignation and surprise.

"Again I said, almost in a whisper, 'Ho, kola, it is time you should cheer a dying warrior's heart.' 'He saw me. 'Hush-h-h !' he sighed, and released his great talons from the body of the fawn. 'My mind was clear now, and the sight of meat seemed to give me strength. I took my long knife in one hand and my war-club in the other, and I rose and hopped towards him. He tried to fly, but could not. This is his greatest weakness that when he kills big game he surfeits himself and is sometimes unable to fly for half a day or longer. As the eagle is not a good walker, he could not get away from me. All his dignity disappeared. Helpless as a woman, he lay before me with outstretched wings. “I had no wish to harm

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Poets’ Corner Life is great Our life we may shape and mould, It's more precious than all the gold; When we awake there's a shine From our sun, making the day so fine. With our family life we share, They love us back, they truly care; We are never ever alone, We are people who live as one. I love life for the little things, When a little child laughs or sings. Abundant joy we may create, When I share life it becomes truly great!

When you do your part to make others feel comfortable, you will make yourself feel the same way

Sunday November 06, 2016

Kaieteur News

2007 Cricket World Cup forensic audit …

Guyana may never get financial closure … existing records, accounts pose health risks …PPP/C administration had no interest to make public the spending More than nine years after hundreds of millions of dollars were spent to host the 2007 Cricket World Cup (CWC), it seems unlikely the people of Guyana will ever know how the hundreds of millions of dollars were spent. A forensic audit report into the spending has disclosed indications of poor record keeping making it impossible to check financial statements. The forensic audit report, prepared by accountant John Barnes, was one of two handed over by Government to police the past week for criminal investigations. The other report has to do with the sale of prime lands (Pradoville Two) at Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara to former President Bharrat Jagdeo prior to the ending of his constitutional two-term in late 2011. Jagdeo and several of his ministers and Cabinet members were among those sold prime seaside lands below market prices. State resources were used to develop the upscale neighbourhood. A number of the former Government officials have already sold their developed properties for whopping sums. Both sets of transactions were major talking points and sources of deep embarrassment for the last two administrations of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C). They were voted out last year. The reports were both considered recently by the Cabinet of Ministers and it was concluded that enough evidence existed for criminal probes. Government has

announced special prosecution teams to handle the cases and does not rule out international help in the investigations. With regards to the CWC spending, Kaieteur News has managed to acquire a copy of the forensic audit report. According to the auditor, World Cup Cricket was held in Guyana in the year 2007 and at the time of the commencement of the audit, the records had already been eight years old which is one year beyond the statutory retention period for vouchers as prescribed by Schedule 2 of the regulations made under the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act 2003. The regulations prescribe that records such as cash books and principal journals be kept for 20 years. The report said that most of the source documents were held by the CWC’s Local Organizing Committee (LOC) at an office in Middle Street, Georgetown where “they seemed to have been haphazardly dumped rather than systematically archived”. The auditor, in the report, complained that the first request for a cash book (s) and vouchers was answered by the transportation of vast amounts of records (cashed cheques, vouchers etc.) from the Middle Street office to the Department of Culture Youth and Sport (DCYS). “These records were wet, terribly soiled and stacked in bags in no particular order. The condition was so bad that handling these records would easily pose a health risk. Attempts by staff at DCYS to make the records presentable did not produce much

positive results. Even if the records could be brought to a sanitary state, finding specific records seemed wellnigh impossible,” the forensic audit report said. The Chief Finance Officer of World Cup/Guyana World Cup Inc., Chateram Ramdial, was interviewed but the auditor was unable to speak to Karan Singh, the former Chief Executive Officer who had migrated. According to Ramdial, he had handed over final accounting records to the then Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport. He did not identify the officer to whom such records were given. “He also produced no written evidence of this act. The present officers of the Department of Culture Youth and Sport on the other hand, have no recollection of this handing over, and therefore had no records to produce to the auditor.” The state of affairs would support accusations that the previous PPP/C administration had no interest to make public the spending. Billions of dollars were spent to build a stadium at Providence, buy BMWs luxury cars and pay for services. With the absence of the records, it would be almost impossible, according to the auditor, to know who received some of the lucrative contracts that were doled out. Several other forensic audits were conducted since last year, when the Coalition Government, entered office, to determine what really transpired at a number of state agencies and with a number of special projects and events.

Landfills typically become the final resting place for waste, but some landfills are quickly turning that stereotype on its head. In addition to receiving waste materials, composting is allowing landfills to innovate and to give back to the community, economically and environmentally. Currently all organic matter arriving at the Haags Bosch Landfill located at Eccles, East Bank Demerara, is being piled in the active cell. However, one of Guyana’s composting experts has said that the organic matter arriving at the facility could be put to better use. The expert explained that with a shredder, plastic wood, grass and leaves can be shredded to produce organic fertilizer. The expert added

that this would see farmers moving away from chemical fertilizers which can damage the environment. It was added that one of the benefits of keeping compostable waste out of landfills, is that it reduces landfill methane – a greenhouse gas that is highly flammable. The solid waste that is

buried in a landfill does not receive oxygen and produces methane. The expert said with the reduction of methane the risk of fires at Haags Bosch will be significantly reduced. Composting at Haags Bosch will also provide a cheap and reliable source of fertilizer for Guyana’s agriculture sector.

Composting should be implemented at Haags Bosch

$5.7M already spent on feasibility study for UG Business school (From page 62) Technology, Health Sciences, Natural Sciences and Law. Hotel costs were subsidized since five members of the team were hosted by families of UG Ambassadors. In addition, Dr. Paloma Mohamed covered all her ex-

penses. Complementing the networking activities, funds were raised through a Vice Chancellor’s New York Area Support Group Fund Raising Reception and the Guyana Cultural Association Folk Festival Family Fun Day.

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Kaieteur News

Alleged car thief granted bail A weeping Michael Baptiste was on Friday granted bail when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan to answer to the charge of simple larceny. The charge against him and Alvin Narine read that on August 5, at Sheriff Street, they stole a Toyota Primo motorcar vehicle valued at $2.4 million and a quantity of transmission parts worth $2.5 million, property of Mahendra Ramchand. They both pleaded not guilty. Baptiste asked the Chief Magistrate to grant him bail citing that he fears for his life in prison since he was attacked by a few prisoners and sustained a stab wound to his abdomen and a cut

across his left cheek. He displayed these in the court. According to the Prosecutor, the stolen car was recovered by police at Plaisance, East Coast Demerara, while the missing parts were recovered at New Hope, East Bank Demerara. The 33-year-old told the court that he is the father of five and the sole bread winner for his family; he stated that he would like to go home and provide for his children. He was then placed on $200,000 bail by the Chief Magistrate and will make his next court appearance on November 8.

Dominican remanded Taxpayers’ data still being entered into old on fraud charge A Dominican national who told the court she came to Guyana on vacation and over stayed her time w a s o n Friday remanded to prison after she appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman to answer to the charge of forgery. It is alleged that between April 14 and October 26, at Georgetown she conspired with others to commit forgery. She arrived in the country on April 14 and was granted a one-month stay and instead remained for three months. She forged an

immigration stamp on page s e ven of her passport SE3374751. Police Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves objected to bail citing to the gravity of the charge and the penalty attached. He told the court that it’s likely that the defendant would not return to court for her trial because she is a Dominican national. The 26-year-old who resides at Lot 620 East Ruimveldt pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to her by the magistrate. She will make her next court appearance on November 11.

Driver remanded for attempted murder A minibus driver was on Thursday remanded to prison after he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, to answer to the charge of attempted murder. The allegation against Clayson Clementson, 47, read that on October 31, at Lodge,

Sunday November 06, 2016

Georgetown, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Andrea Phillips with the intent to murder her. Police Prosecutor, Neville Jeffers, told the court that Phillips was not present in court because she is still in hospital in a critical condition.

The unrepresented man was not required to plea to the indictable charge when it was read to him by the Chief Magistrate. Clementson was remanded to prison and will make his next court appearance on November 22.

system - City Hall PRO Last March, the Mayor and City Council announced that the Council will be introducing a new online Revenue Collection and Financial Management System (RCFMS) shortly. This was according to the Council’s Network Administrator, Adunni Christian, and Chief Executive Officer of Innosys, Richard Langford. Innosys is the company developing the RCFMS software. This software is expected to significantly improve the Council’s Information Technology capabilities and financial accountability. M&CC Public Relations Officer (PRO), Debra Lewis, told Kaieteur News that the RCFMS is not yet operational. The PRO added that currently taxpayers’ data are still being entered into the system. Lewis noted once it is complete, RCFMS will

officially go online, revolutionizing the tax collection system in Guyana. The PRO explained that the RCFMS is a type of “responsive web-based application”, which would allow users to access it on smart-phones, tablets and computers. Currently, City Hall customers cannot conduct business transactions or make simple enquires unless they visit the municipality offices. However, when the service is launched, they will be able to access their entire history online from the comfort of their homes. Mayor, Patricia Chase Green had said that the M&CC would require approximately $3 billion annually to run the city efficiently. Chase Green noted that since many persons do not pay their taxes on time and the M&CC does not collect enough funds, deficits are encountered annually.

Sunday November 06, 2016

By Dr. Neromini Fagu Cheek biting is something we all probably do and usually is not a cause for concern. A lot of us may have experienced it when eating at one time or another. For some people it is not a problem but for others it is a habit that is sometimes hard to kick. If it has never been an issue for you then you might not think that it is harmful. However, cheek biting can leave a nasty sore and if you continuously bite, the sore can get infected. There are a number of reasons why people bite their cheek and they include the following: CARELESS CHEWING It is something we all probably do occasionally and is one of the major causes of cheek biting. When you are chewing and you try to do something else or get distracted you may invariably bite down on your cheek. Talking is usually the biggest reason for careless chewing. But it may also be due to reaching for something or reading while chewing food. STRESS AND ANXIETY

Kaieteur News

CHEEK BITING

If you are under a lot of stress you may start biting the inside of your cheek. Many times it is a subconscious action done while you are awake. It may also happen during sleeping as a result of the stress from the previous day. TEETH MISALIGNMENT Misaligned teeth may contribute to chronic cheek biting. If your teeth don’t fit properly together when you close your mouth your brain tries to compensate for this by putting something in between to fill the gap. Sometimes it may be the cheek, lips or tongue that are used and end up getting bitten. Problems with your temporomandibular joint may also cause your bite to be “off”. If you have missing teeth that were not replaced then your existing teeth might shift causing improper alignment. Also, poor fitting dentures may also contribute to a bad bite. NERVOUS HABITS Similar to nail biting or hair pulling, some people may bite their cheeks when they are nervous. It may become a type of obsessivecompulsive behavior that is

worsened with anxiety and stressful situations. Constant biting of the inside of the cheek will eventually cause sores and swellings making it more difficult to avoid biting your cheek. A bitten cheek can be very painful so here are a few methods to try to help stop cheek biting. AVOID DISTRACTION WHEN EATING Pay attention when you are eating. Chew slowly and carefully to avoid accidental cheek biting. RELAXATION TECHNIQUES Try to relax through deep breathing techniques, yoga, or meditation. This will help to relieve anxiety and stress and prevent the biting. If you find you chew your cheeks or lips when nervous, then try chewing sugarless gum instead. BITE CORRECTION If your problem is due to misaligned teeth, you may need to get your bite corrected to eliminate the behaviour. Orthodontic and maxillofacial procedures may be needed to correct misaligned teeth and jaws. MOUTH GUARD Your dentist may suggest you be fitted with a mouth guard to help control the

STANDARDS IN FOCUS IMPROVING TOURISM READINESS WITH STANDARDS In Guyana, November is usually earmarked as Tourism Awareness Month. As we participate in the various activities planned for this year under the theme “Tourism for All – Building Partnerships for Tourism Development” let us bear in mind the importance of meeting the requirement of standards in this crucial sector – the Tourism Sector. We, as a nation, can improve our tourism readiness through the use of available standards and guidelines developed for the sector. There are a number of standards available which were developed to enhance the experience of visitors to our shores and these standards include the Code of Practice for Tour operators and tour guides, Bed and breakfasts facilities and Code of Practice for quality management in the Restaurant service. Some of these standards were featured in this column previously. Today, focus will be placed on another tourism standard, the Code of Practice for Assessment, licensing, registration, classification and grading of the accommodation sector. This national standard, which was published in the year 2003, specifies the requirements for the monitoring and management of hotels, apartments and guesthouses. It sets out procedures for the grading of these facilities by the Authority – the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA). The standard addresses rates for various types of accommodations including sleeping accommodation only and sleeping accommodation with breakfasts and all inclusive. How rates and other information are presented to visitors upon arrival at accommodation facilities are also outlined in

the standard. Requirements for electrical installation and supply in accommodation facilities are clearly outlined in the document which include electricity supply intake, condition of installation, lighting levels and emergency lighting. In addition, the standard highlights fire safety requirements which include means of escape in the event of a fire, directional signs, fire extinguishers and alarm systems. The storage, preparation and service of food and beverages at accommodation facilities are also important aspects covered by the standard and these will ensure that guests are provided with meals that are safe and wholesome. Storage and cleanliness of utensils, temperature considerations for cooked and precooked foods, self-service food facilities and the manner of garbage disposal are the main aspects addressed in relation to storage, preparation and service of food and beverages. Other key areas addressed by the standard include the general hygiene of establishments, the hygiene of employees and the requirements for public areas such as washrooms, dining area, swimming pool and beaches. Hoteliers and owners of other properties designed for accommodating local and overseas guests should see this standard as crucial for the enhancement of their facilities and ultimately the local tourism sector. Hence, the acquisition and use of this Code of Practice is necessary. Copies are available at the Guyana National Bureau of Standards. For further information on this subject, please contact the GNBS on Telephone Numbers: 219-0065, 219-0066 or website: www.gnbsgy.org

cheek biting. QUIT UNHEALTHY HABITS Don’t suck or rub your cheeks against your teeth. If you suffer from cheek biting make sure you keep the wound clean. You can use a hydrogen peroxide or warm salt water rinse. You can apply a cold compress to the wound site for relief and try to avoid hot and spicy

foods and beverages. If the pain persists for more than 24 hours or you develop a fever and notice a strange odour coming from the wound you should consult your dentist. For more information contact OMNI DENTAL at 295 Quamina Street, Georgetown Tel: 227-0025, Parika Tel: 260-3133 or send emails to nerominifagu@hotmail.com.

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Dr. Neromini Fagu

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VACANCY Receptionist Male 25-40yrs, room attendant. Call: 225-0198 or visit 233 South Rd, Lacytown

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

SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 6471773/660-5257

Visa Application: U.S.A, C a n a da & UK; Guyana passport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535.

EARN A CERTIFICATE IN 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. Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigrant Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496; 662-6045 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158

Cashier (shift work 6am3pm & 3pm-12pm). Submit application to Shell Station Providence EBD, shellramsburg@gmail.com

One Truck, excellent working condition, worked for one year, Model M. Call Lawerence: 615-7506

Male workers between 2035yrs to work at Ice factory on Meadowbank Wharf. Call: 231-1408/ 6429191 8am-2pm

Property with extra large land well built with 2 storey house @ Back Street BetterHope, E.C.D Won’t last. Call: 2201583/667-6066

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

One live in domestic or couple to work in Mahaicony River. Call: 6446905

Customer/sales assistant. Call: 624-0033 1-Cook. Call: 624-0033 Cook/baker for the Interior location, applicants must be experienced. Call: 618-2020

One salesman to work in parts store contact 2235273/4 Once cashier contact 2235273/4

Specialised in A/C installation, service, repair fridges, freezer & re-gas systems. Call: 656-6708, 666-3978

Apartments for rent @ Nandy Park, Free Wi-Fi, recently renovated. Call: 227-5194

Eagle’s: Re-gas -$8,000, Washing machine repairs, Gas Stove, Plasma flat Screen & more. Call: 697-2969/646-0966

3 Bedrooms bottom house @ Sophia - $85,000 neg. On/off road parking, CCTV, fully grilled & tiled. Call Mr. Gomes: 693-2237/ 219-0211

2 Bedroom furnished Apartment in exclusive residential area, close to Ogle Airport , with modern amenities. Call for appointment 622-5725.

Need a building contractor, house plan to be drawn or just an estimate. Call: 2160671/ 692-8464/ 622-0267 Mason Available for casting, block work and plastering, reliable and offering quality work. Call: 619-3296

PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP REATES, SPECIALOFFER. CALL: 690-6494

One flat 3 bedrooms house in highly residential area, land size 150’X50’, price negotiable. Call Kim: 6963624 (no agent) 2 Storey house for sale 25X48, new kitchen, bath, wiring, 2 apartments downstairs -$60,000 income$27M negotiable. Call: 6786811/917-929-2528 Property @ School St. Zeelugt, brand new, fenced, land: 60’X120’ -$8.5M, owner migrating, must sell! No reasonable refused! Call: 6844759

TO LET

One two bedrooms apartment @ Lot 1031 ‘B’ Field Sophia. Call Maureen: 650-8827 or Colin: 621-5781

One flat three bedrooms house lot 529 East Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, price negotiable. Call Marvin: 6425652/ 231-1253 2 Storey house, 4 bedrooms, all amenities, 2 lots near GuyAmerica ,Zeeburg W.C.D, price negotiable. Call: 277-0024/659-1206 2 storey house, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths. 87 Daisy Street, South Ruimveldt Park, $18 million. Tel: 232-3244, 6975018.

2 Bedrooms bottom flat apartment, East Bank Demerara. Call: 611-2751 1-2 Bedrooms apartment fully furnished; 1-2 Bedrooms apartment unfurnished at Eccles. Call: 667-2536

CAR RENTAL

Straight Stitch & over edge machine operators, porters. Call: 222-2541 8:00am-4:00pm Mon-Fri

Property @ Lot 172 Zohora Street, Market Street Better Hope, East Coast Demerara. Call: 220-1583/667-6066

Three bedrooms bottom flat at 116 Cane View Avenue, South Ruimveldt Gardens. Call: 218-1688/ 625-0392/ 6097826

One apartment for rent, lot 8 MonRepos, E.C.D. Call: 6024105/ 614-0005

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

2009 Raum- $2.4M, 2009 Sienta -$2.4M, 2009 Axio $2.8M, 2009 Fielder -$2.6M. Call: 617-2891

Pump attendant – Call: 6803863/ 624-0033

Business place suitable for barber shop/salon located on Public Road. Call: 613-0448/ 672-8625

Guytec Repairs Services & Spares to washing machines, pressure washer, dryer, stoves, refrigerator, treadmill, vacuum, etc –Call: 680-2377

Special Sale: 2009 Belta $2.1M, 2009 Airwave -$2.4M. Call: 617-2891

One experienced Driver apply @ Hack’s Halaal with Handwritten application, 5 Commerce Street.

Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves – Contact Nick: 6831312, 627-3206

Self-contained rooms in Prashad Nagar. Tel: 227-2993

1 Church building in front and 2 story building at the back (W30XL120) @ 180 Charolotte Street Bourda. Call:624-7341/ 227-6817/2265183

WANTED Salesgirls & porters, apply with written application @ 1E Dennis & Middleton Street, Campbellvile (Best Buy Food Supplies)

Yamaha R1 CG609, Toyota AT212, AT192, L-Touring Wagon, Tundra, Tacoma, Nissan Pickup. Call: 6445096; 697-1453

Have to get that house clean… but don’t have the time!! Then let us help you… Call: 6886056/603-1206

Suitable space for taxi based in central Georgetown. Please call: 624-6783

VEHICLE FOR SALE

1244 Block ‘Y’ Grove, EBD, house 45X26, $15M negotiable, owner migrating. Call: 660-1353

Driver/Salesman to sell bakery products preferably from West Coast/West Bank area. Call: 254-1399/627-2515 FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Exist for one male office assistant, having a motorcycle is an asset $20,000 weekly. Call: 220-2878

One 2 bedrooms and 3 bedrooms apartment at ‘C’ Field Turkeyen, students and working couple preferably. Call Lisa: 6978867/ 219-0695

Repairs at low cost: Fridges, air- conditioners, washing machines, TVs, microwaves, freezers- Call:629-4946 or 225-4822

Sunday November 06, 2016

Kaieteur News

Newly built one bedroom apartment fully furnished. US $400 or GYD $80,000 @ Better Hope- Tel: 688-6010 LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj BuildingCall: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).

1 Landcruiser Prado, excellent condition. Call: 625-4196 or 656-0565 1 New & unregistered Toyota Allion $2.4M, 1 Allion PVV series $2.150M & 1 Premio PNN series $1.7M negotiable. Call: 649-0956 Oswin J’s Auto Imports: New Arrivals: Premio, Allion, Fielder, Axio, Rush, X-Trail. Free full coverage insurance. Call: 609-2815 PRR Series Toyota IST, PMM series Toyota Carina, TL Bedford 330. Call: 256-3405/ 663-2450 One black pit-bull BTT 9621, in good condition, 1TR engine. Call: 277-3657 Unregistered Axela 2011, fully loaded $2.750M negotiable, Corolla Fielder 2002, dark interior, rims -$1.950M. Call: 617-5536 1RZ Hiace minibus, BNN series. Call: 677-9112/ 6395200

AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL: 4WD PICKUP,. CHEAPEST RATE & SPECIAL RATE FOR LONG TERM. CALL: 698-7807 Aidan’s Car Rental: 9 and 11 seater bus in private, Ideal for airport runs and family outings. Call: 698-7807

Live in waitresses to work in bar– Call: 692-4649/6046606 (1) Live in caretaker. Call: 233-2427/233-2923 no private or unknown caller. Cashier sales boys/girls to work at a new hardware store, Innovations America. Call: 226-9768 1 Experienced cook must to bake also, salary negotiable. Call: 222-4890 One male to work on chicken farm in the interior, must have knowledge about rearing chicken. Call: 680-2702 Female worker wanted sound secondary education, computer literateTel: 622-5518 Dishwashers, apply at Shanta’s, 225 Camp Street.

Toyota 110 Sprinter for sale $650,000 negotiable, PKK series. Call: 684-5402

Bodywork men. Call: 660-3004

One To y o t a AE100 Sprinter, Stick shift. Price negotiable. Call:613-6666/ 222-4579

One general domestic, Must know to cook & 1 babysitter. Apply @ R Sookraj & Sons 108 Regent Street (opposite GBTI)

Domestic Help. Call: 673-3768

Canter Drivers & Porters $30,000 weekly to work water truck on the W.C.D. Call: 684-8231

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

Experienced attractive waitress 18-25yrs preferably from E.C.D (shift), one supervisor. Call: 610-3974

DRESSMAKING Dressmaking Course: learn to master your skills in dressmaking. Contact us on: 601-5077 Classes in designing & sewing also curtains & drapes, Canadian Trained tutor. Call: 676-6312-6262629

Cleaner to work in Tuschen Scheme-$14,000 weekly. Call: 629-4236 Qualified person to teach floral arrangements, pastries, cake decorations, cookery, fabric painting, etc. Call: 676-6312/ 626-2629 Driver for taxi. Call:664-0802 Continued on page 69

Sunday November 06, 2016

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Kaieteur News

CONSUMER CONCERNS

Scrap metal trade has destroyed much of our cultural heritage

From page 68

…has stolen materials and machinery from industry By Pat Dial The Guyana Consumers Association (GCA) is supportive of the ban on the trade, or at most, its severe restriction. Our reasons for taking this position is that the scrap metal trade has stolen or destroyed a great part of the country’s historical heritage in metal, secondly, the scrap metal trade has stolen machines and equipment from Industry, especially the Sugar and Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s industries and thirdly, it is only a few scores of persons who are fully engaged in it. The Le Repentir Cemetery and other older Church cemeteries had many graves with works of art, and unique grilles with metal plaques with the names of those buried there. They also had crosses of the various kinds such as the Latin, Celtic, St Andrews, Maltese, Lorraine etc.

All these priceless things were stolen and sold as scrap metal. Their depredations extended to whatever busts and statues they could lay their hands on. One of the greatest historical losses in this regard, which has occurred, is the bust of the Rev John Smith which was stolen from the Congregational Church in Brickdam. Rev John Smith, Martyr Smith, was an important figure in Guyanese history. The ornate fences of the 19th century houses were almost all stolen. These scrap metal dealers stole and destroyed most of the ornate metal rails on Georgetown’s bridges such as those of the Avenue of the Republic. One of the most brazen thefts was when, recently, a great part of the 19th century fence surrounding the Victoria Law Courts was cut away and stolen. It is quite clear that the scrap metal trade was

responsible for the irreparable loss of much of Guyana’s cultural heritage in metal. The scrap metal trade has also attacked Industry, especially the Sugar and Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s Industries. In the Sugar Industry, much of the older pieces of machinery and equipment which could have shown the development of the Industry were stolen. Worse, machinery in use was not spared. In the Telecoms Industry, the favourite item of theft is the wires which are cut from the poles or stolen by the rolls. Other industries have also suffered. The losses suffered by industry far outweigh what the scrap metal dealers are paid. Many of the scrap metal collectors drive around in dray carts in the residential districts when people are at work and steal not only parts of fences but the foundations of bridges, especially railway lines.

Agri Ministry ignores court order to... From page 13 also informed that GNIC’s tender price of $246,411,398 had been lowered post tender. ECI claimed that only after it made its grievance known to the Ministry on August 2, 2016, that it received a backdated letter dated July 27, 2016 from the Ministry notifying it that its tender had been rejected. ECI’s lawyer argued that lowering of the GNIC’s contract price was illegal since section 39(4) of the Procurement Act states “No change in a matter of substance in the tender, including changes in price … shall be sought, offered or permitted.” ECI also argued that Section 14.7 of the Instructions to Bidders mandated that “prices quoted by the Bidder shall be fixed…and not subject to variation on any account.” ECI also argued that its tender was compliant since the pontoons and mud bins were made to order according to Ministry specifications. ECI

alleged that despite writing the Attorney General’s office protesting the contract award, that hard copy letter was returned unanswered. ECI also alleged that the Ministry has unlawfully attempted to hide from the public the value of the contract award to GNIC. The company had argued that the Ministry’s decision to reject ECI’s tender and award the contract to GNIC was unlawful, unreasonable, unfair and in breach of terms of the ITB and the Procurement Act since did ECI submit the lowest confirming tender, but in any event the respondents unlawfully altered the contract sum post tender, allowing GNIC to reduce the amount of its tender. The court matter is continuing, but already GNIC has this past week delivered one pontoon and is promising to complete and hand over the remaining three by the end of the month despite the existence of the Order Nisi preventing the same.

Region Six paddy price falls From page 9 Meanwhile, according to Armogan the region was asked by the Ministry of Agriculture to advise farmers in the region that if they cannot be ready to plant the new crop before December 31, they should hold off until the next crop. He underscored that the region will stop pumping irrigation water in midFebruary next year. “It means that if you plant from now to the end of the year you will have irrigation water to grow your crops.” “If you planting later than December 31, it means we will have to run irrigation water till sometime in April.” However, Armogan said that the region is not prepared to pump irrigation water past

February 2017 since “It will have implications for fuel and additional wear and tear on the pumps”. He is pleading with farmers who intend to plant rice for this new crop to complete their sowing by December 31. According to the Chairman, if farmers choose

not to follow the advice they will be planting rice at their own risk. Armogan also divulged that the two pumps in the Number 52/74 Villages will start working from next week. Farmers in the area can look forward to irrigation water during that period.

Almost all scrap metal has already been removed and the only way dealers could make up their shipments is by illegal means. Motor car bodies are not required by scrap metal dealers and most of the engines are otherwise utilised. Just before the ban was imposed, some of the collectors had become so impudent that they tried to remove the Berbice Bridge pontoons and even tried their hands on the Demerara Life and Hand-in-Hand fences! The only way the scrap metal trade could be permitted, even in a restricted form, is for the Scrap Metal Dealers to take out insurances to cover thefts in which they or their workers may be involved. In working out the modalities of these insurances, representatives from the Business Organizations should be involved. Within the last few months, scrap metal associations carried out demonstrations in front of the Presidential Secretariat and the Ministry of Business. They could muster only six demonstrators for one, and 20 for the other evidencing that it is a small number who are involved in the trade. On some of the demonstrators’ placards and from statements made by spokesmen, they claimed that billions of dollars are being lost by the ban. The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) should ascertain the truth and if it is found that the income is small, then it is of no value to keep the trade as compared with the damage which would have been done.

LAND FOR SALE Uitvlugt-$2.5M, Zeelugt $1.6M, La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.4M, $1.2M, all prices negotiable. Call: 642-1252 Large houselot (fenced) bearing fruit trees, near GuyAmerica ,Zeeburg W.C.D, price negotiable. Call: 277-0024/659-1206 Land @ La Parfaite Harmonie: $1.4M, $1M, $1.6M, Zeelugt $1.5M, Tuschen School Street $2M (terms available). Call: 6046724

FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Organic Potting Soil -$900, Lawn Grass -$1,400, Ficus 4 @$1,000, Exora 4 @ $1,000, also Palms & Flowers. Call: 626-1044 Spare for washing machine, microwaves,fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, motors, etc. Call:225-9032;647-2943;6045198 Dredge mining operation: excavator, dredge, camp, truck, ATV bike, welding set with gas bottle. Call: 676-7943

EDUCATIONAL CXC Classes: day & evening classes, personal tutor, Grade 4 to 6, Form 1-5 Maths. Call Sir Jarvis: 690-5008/ 693-4588/ 638-2359

One (1) RZ bus, WTI engine. Call Lawrence : 615-7506 2 Storey house, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths @ 87 Daisy Street, South Ruimveldt Park -$18M. Call: 232-3244/ 697-5018 1-5HP Yamaha Engine, like new. Call: 670-3912 17 Inch Acer computer monitors -$12,000 (used, like new). Call: 624-7155

HEALTH Avoid Side Effects, use herbal supplements. Call Hazel’s Herbal Store: 2269136 Herbal Nectar Treatment for diabetics, hypertension and most internal sickness, sexual enhancers for men. Call: 651-8351

Mitsubishi Galant 1996 Model. Body in good condition. Sold as parts. Price negotiable. Tel: 216 1079 /616 8027 Sale on foxtail palms, silver palms, red palms, Christmas trees, hibiscus, etc. Call:6875631/216-2199 Evergreen Plantshop. 1-Steel Hull Boat 50’X13’X6’, 1-6 Cylinder GM Engine, price negotiable. Call: 6915104/ 609-3447 Hitachi Hammer Drill, Lincoln mig welder 120v-140amps. Call: 627-9825 or 686-4218 One generic 17,500 watts generator. Call: 623-9679 or 681-6570 DAF Truck with 2x Dump tray, Massey Ferguson, bobcat loader. Call:689-1250/ 678-8698/516-312-9525 Property for sale: 2 Storey (wooden & concrete). Call: 592-611-2751 Clean garden earth delivery to spot, also excavating grading and leveling doneCall:616-0617/ 663-3285 WANTED One mature kitchen assistant to work from 7am-3pm. Contact 193 Charlotte St, G/ Town or call 226-2320 MonFri

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 06, 2016

Sunday November 06, 2016

Kaieteur News

Failure in Venezuela talks could lead to ‘bloodshed’: Vatican envoy Buenos Aires (AFP) - If upcoming Vatican-backed talks between Venezuela’s bitterly antagonistic government and opposition fail, the result could well be “bloodshed,” a papal envoy warned yesterday. “If one delegation or the other ends the dialogue, it’s not the pope but the Venezuelan people who will lose, because the path then could truly be one of blood,” Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli told the Argentine daily La Nacion in Rome, after visiting Caracas. Both sides are due to start talks next Friday aimed at finding some way to resolve Venezuela’s deepening political and economic crisis. The stakes are high for their oil-dependent nation, which is suffering a scarcity of food and basic goods, and which its unpopular President Nicolas Maduro has increasingly put under the control of his loyal military. The agreement to hold talks, jointly brokered by the Vatican and the Union of South American Nations, and backed by the United States, ushered in a shortlived truce between the government and the opposition. The government released a few opposition members from prison. And the opposition called off a symbolic “trial” in congress against Maduro and a street protest.

Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli (L) said he is worried about “bloodshed” if talks facilitated by the Vatican between Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (R). (AFP Photo/) But the prospects look less than promising, with the opposition demanding the release of more “political prisoners” that the talks will lead to early elections, and Maduro shooting back: “There can be no ultimatums.” There are fears a breakdown in the talks could see a return of street confrontations between anti-Maduro protesters and security forces, and possibly an escalation into outright violence. “There are people who aren’t afraid to see bloodshed. This is what worries me,” Celli told the newspaper. He said Pope Francis was playing a “strong role” in the talks. “We are running a risk,” he admitted. “We will see.

May God help us.” Celli, who represented the Vatican in bringing about the talks, said he told the opposition he was afraid “there might be deaths” in a Caracas demonstration they had planned for last Thursday. “And if there are deaths, what sort of dialogue could there be?” he asked them. Celli said that when he met Maduro, the leader said he would make good on a promise made to the pope to hold talks. The envoy urged Maduro to give “signals that dialogue is the only path.” Celli said the situation in Venezuela was “very ugly.... There is no food, no medicine. It’s irrefutable that the country is facing a very difficult situation.” Celli said the Vatican should not be seen as a mediator in the talks, but as a facilitator. “Both sides understand that it is either a path of violence or a path of dialogue.”

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Sunday November 06, 2016

Kaieteur News

Moonilal: It’s a witch hunt ...knocks Govt.’s HDC anti-corruption case Trinidad Express - Former housing minister Dr Roodal Moonilal says the Government is on a witch hunt in its first anticorruption case in court. He also expressed confidence that if it involved the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) it will redound to nothing because everything was carried out “above board” under former HDC managing director Jearlean John. Last week, the Government filed its first anti-corruption case in the courts which Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi said in-

volves nine former government officials and public officers from the last administration. The matter was filed through the Office of the Attorney Gene-ral. Al-Rawi said it had to do with “corruption, mismanagement” and the attempt to ask people to account for what they have done. He also disclosed that the matter involved ten months of continuous work in keeping with the commitment which the People’s National Movement gave in opposition that

those in need of investigation, in respect of allegations of waste, mismanagement and corruption, would be investiga-ted. The Express understands that the case includes former HDC officials and the alleged misappropriation involves hundreds of millions of dollars. Speaking to the Express Friday by phone, Moonilal said the lawsuit was merely an act to distract. “They have filed secret proceedings against citizens of this country who are unnamed and the matter is unknown..this is the same as what’s happened with the Gestapo and Benito Mussolini, where they are trying to prosecute citizens in secret because no one is aware of who those persons are or what is the nature of the issue,” he said. “We don’t know if they sue a former official of the HDC because the person wear the wrong colour jacket or the wrong suit. We don’t know what is the matter or who they are and that by itself is a remarkable development, it’s the first time in the Commonwealth that we have had secret proceedings, it is truly reminiscent of G e stapo,” he added. Moonilal, an attorney, said there is a process to follow in civil proceedings, such as a pre-action protocol letter but there was no such thing as far as he is aware. “I don’t believe it’s the HDC, I believe it’s the NGC (National Gas Company) or the RDC (Rural Development Company) or the EMBDC (Estate Management and Business Development Co Ltd),” he said. Questioned on whether it is nine former HDC officials if he would have any concerns or fears, Moonilal responded, “I have absolutely no concerns with anything conducted at the HDC, everything was above board and Ms Jearlean John is one of the most dynamic and proper public sector corporate leaders in the Caribbean and she would have done absolutely everything according to rule and by the book.” John was sent on leave along with other HDC officials by the new HDC board led by Newman George in December 2015 pending an audit. She was officially terminated from the position in March 2016. One month later she commenced legal action against the HDC seeking damages to the tune of $17 million for wrongful dismissal and/or breach of contract of employment at the HDC. Election ploy

Sunday November 06, 2016

Kaieteur News

PM May confident of Brexit plans, reassures EU leaders Reuters - Prime Minister Theresa May told European Union leaders weekend she was confident a court ruling that could delay Britain’s departure from the bloc would be overturned and said she would stick to her Brexit timetable. May told German Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker she believed her case that the government - not parliament should be responsible for triggering Article 50 of the EU’s Lisbon Treaty to begin the divorce would win in

Britain’s highest court, a spokesman said. She also told French President Francois Hollande and European Council President Donald Tusk that the British government was sticking to its plan to invoke Article 50 by the end of March. M ay is determined to carry out what she calls “the will of the people”, but a High Court ruling on Thursday that parliament must approve the process raised doubts over whether she can meet her deadline and even prompted sug-

gestions of an early election. Her focus on ensuring the government has the lead on breaking with the EU has incensed some lawmakers. On Friday, a member of her ruling Conservative Party said he had resigned over “irreconcilable policy differences” with May. “The focus of the government is on the Supreme Court case, winning that case and proceeding with Article 50,” May’s spokesman told reporters, referring to an appeal against the ruling that is expected to be heard early next month.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 06, 2016

US denies visa waiver for Two days before election, Trump Trinidad and Tobago nationals and Clinton fight to win Florida PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC – The United States Friday denied reports that Trinidad and Tobago nationals no longer required visas to enter the North American

country. The US embassy here said that the reports that the visa had been abolished for Trinidad and Tobago were circulating on social media. “The U.S. Embassy

would like to remind travellers using Trinidad and Tobago passports, wishing to visit the United States, of the continued requirement of a valid visa.

Reuters - Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton entered the last two days of campaigning in the U.S. presidential election with competing events yesterday in Florida, a swing state that could prove decisive in Tuesday’s vote. Clinton and Trump are making their closing arguments to American voters, crisscrossing the United States in hopes of convincing last-minute undecided voters and rallying their bases to turn out enthusiastically on Election Day. Opinion polls show Clinton still holds advantages in states that could be critical in deciding the election, but her lead has narrowed after a revelation a week ago that the Federal Bureau of Investiga-

tion was looking into a new trove of emails as part of its probe into her handling of classified information while she was secretary of state. The state opinion polls have found Florida as one of the most competitive among the swing states - those that are hotly contested because their voters can swing either to Republicans or Democrats. The 2000 presidential election was decided in Florida after a dispute over votes and recounting of ballots went to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled in favour of Republican George W. Bush over Democrat Al Gore. The Real Clear Politics average of Florida opinion polls found Clinton with a lead of about 1 percentage point indicating the race there is a

virtual tie. Trump held a morning rally in Tampa, Florida, where he continued to criticise Clinton for supporting the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, in the wake of announcement that premiums are going to rise next year. “It’s not going to matter because if we win I’m throwing it out anyway,” Trump said. Trump will also campaign yesterday in North Carolina, Nevada and Colorado. Trump told the crowd he will also hold a campaign event in Minnesota this weekend, although one had not previously been scheduled. His campaign confirmed a rally scheduled for Wisconsin today has been cancelled. Minnesota has not voted for a Republican since 1984.

Sunday November 06, 2016

Kaieteur News

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Sunday November 06, 2016

Kaieteur News

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Speed Boat, Regal, Floodlight, Fishermen XI through to finals (From page 78) final encounter. Batting first, Ariel managed 113-8 off their allotted 20 overs. Devendra Narine made 14, while extras contributed 45; Travis Drakes claimed 3-27 and Shameer Hussain 2-8. Speed Boat responded with 114-1 in 9.2 overs. Lennox Marks struck 57 while Safraz Karim made 33. At DCC, Regal trounced New York Enforcers by eight wickets. NY Enforcers took first knock and were bowled out for 104 in 16 overs. Andrew Gonsalves and Azaad Azeez made 14 each as Martin Dutchin claimed 4-29, Delroy Pereira 2-17, Tyrone Sanasie 2-21 and Sewchand Budhu 2-23. Regal replied with 106-2 in 15.4 overs. Navin Singh stroked 55 not out and Budhu 27.

In the Masters segment at Eve Leary, Fishermen XI upset defending champions Regal by four wickets. Regal batted first and were sent packing for 84 with Rudolph Baker and Eon Abel scoring 15 and 11 respectively. Jagdesh Persaud had 3-10 and Stanley Mohabir 2-4. Fishermen XI replied with 86-6 in 12 overs. Baldeo Persaud made 47; Laurie Singh snared 3-15. At DCC, Floodlight beat New York President’s XI by nine wickets. NY President’s XI took first strike and managed 136-6 with Danny Persaud getting 32 and D. Mohabir 31. Floodlight replied with 137-1 in 14 overs. Ramesh Narine got 59 and Ricky Deonarain 46. In the final preliminary

round games, Corriverton beat Mike’s Wellman by five wickets at GDF. Batting first Wellman mustered 180-9. Ovil Seymour struck 46, while Lionel Alphonso made 45; Abdool Subhan had three wickets. Corriverton scored 181-5 in 19 overs in reply. Clinton Pestano stroked 80 and David Loknauth 24; Seymour had two wickets. Speed Boat overcame NY Enforcers by 16 runs. Speed Boat took first strike and posted 195-7. Amrit Rai hammered 115 and Greg Singh 20; Balliram Beharry had two wickets. NY Enforcers responded with 179-8. Andrew Gonsalves scored 38, Eon Hills 22 and Damodar Daserath 20; Travis Drakes snared three wickets while Shameer Hossain and Greg

Sunday November 06. 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Vague physical discomfort could have you feeling out of sorts. Most likely you aren't really ill. You're tired and stressed, but you can make it through the day. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) A long-awaited romantic encounter may be canceled or prove less rewarding than you'd hoped. Doubts about the future of this relationship could come up. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) A visitor to your home might bring unreliable information. Don't take at face value whatever this person says. As far as romance is concerned, your passions are high and your need for intimacy about the same. CANCER (June 21–July 22) A passionate letter or phone call could come from a close friend or romantic partner. The person may be confused and rather emotionally tormented. Be kind! LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You could have an artistic talent that you haven't yet tapped. Today events might occur that cause you to want to try. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Family members may want to make changes in your home, such as remodeling, redecorating, or refurnishing, but there could be disagreements about the changes needed. Everyone will have a different idea.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Miscommunication with a romantic partner could have you either writing or reading love poetry or a story of some kind. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) A close friend or group with which you're associated could have money troubles. You might be asked to help, but be careful. It's doubtful that the person or organization will be able to pay you back. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You like people but sometimes you can be very critical. Today you may have a hard time integrating yourself into a group. The group dynamic may not appeal to you. All you want to do is break away. it. CAPRI (Dec.22–Jan.19) Confusion about metaphysical or spiritual matters could have you seeking clarity through research. Talking with friends could prove beneficial, but it's important to remember that they could be as perplexed as you. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) A new sort of bond may form with someone you consider a friend. Perhaps you discover a mutual interest or suddenly see your friend in a new light. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Something important to you is changing. You're beginning to doubt whether there's a future in it or not. It may be a career or a romantic relationship. Confusion may dominate your thoughts today.

Singh had two each. Herstelling Rangers beat Success. Ariel beat Parika Warriors by six wickets. Warriors were skittled for 46 in 9.4 overs, batting first. C. Ramdhanie took 3-12, Yudhanlall Suklall 2-3 and R. Ali 2-21. Ariel replied with 494 in7.4 overs. Wayne Osbounre made 13. U. Dindyal claimed two wickets. Regal thumped Albion by six wickets. Albion were bowled out for 99 in 17.5 overs. Sewchand Budhu, Rohit Dutchin and Delory Pereira picked up three wickets each. Regal made 102-4 in 15.5 overs in reply. Budhu hit 39 and Patrick Rooplall 21. Regal Masters beat Savage by 19 runs. Regal Masters made 159-8, batting first. Eon Abel struck 41, Mahendra Hardyal 27 and Troy Kippins 21. Randolph Pereira, Rudy Rodrigues and Raymond Bisraj captured two wickets apiece. Savage were restricted for 140-9 in response. Rodrigues made 47 and Semangal Yadram 27. David Harper and Laurie Singh took four and three wickers respectively. The competition climaxes today with Speed Boat facing Regal in the Open final while Floodlight playing Fishermen in the Masters finale. There will also be three female exhibition games.

AMY GRANT... (From page 77) Friday with the hopes that she could return to the pool but her bad times was still with her as she learned she would have to take antibiotics for the next three weeks and has to remain out of the pool. Grant’s next visit to the doctor is on the 11th and she hopes that she gets the clearance to swim. Despite all the difficulties and limitations Grant has faced this year she says she will make the most of her abilities and represent her zone to the fullest since she wants to see her zone as champion this year. “It’s the mental game that matters most at these times,” Grant said.

Navin Singh

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 06, 2016

Guyanese Max Massiah honored at Martial Arts Hall-of-Fame Awards ceremony in USA By Sean Devers Guyanese Max Massiah was among those honored at the International Martial Arts games & Legends of Martial Arts Hall-of-Fame Awards Ceremony at the Hilton Hotel & Convention Centre, Scranton in Pennsylvania USA from October 21-23. The 55-year-old Massiah launched the TV show Maximum Sports Combat & Strength on May 30, 2014 on the NCN after observing a steep decline in Boxing on TV and the lack of Martial Arts, Bodybuilding, or Powerlifting sports being featured. “I decided to make it possible for fans of these Sports to see them on TV and Maximum Sports Combat & Strength became a reality. The vision of the programme is distinctively different to all others, not being a “talkshow”, but informative,

inspiring, & entertaining” the TV Presenter explained. The Legends of Martial Arts Hall-of-Fame Awards Ceremony, & International Martial Arts Games, attracted competitors & Awardees from Nepal, Switzerland, Germany, Britain, Russia, Canada, Philippines, Argentina, and many other countries and Massiah disclosed that the event was attended by those from seven to 70 years. “I was the only Guyanese at the event, which consisted of a Halloween costume night, Full-contact fights, Katas, Weapons forms, demonstrations, Training Seminars, and the Award Ceremony. According to Massiah, Grandmasters Eric Kovalevsky, Dr. Kevin H u ff o r d , & P r o f e s s o r Christopher Francis visited Guyana in 2014 and were impressed when they saw what he was doing on his

programme, encouraging all to get involved in selfdefence. This led to his nomination for his first Hallof-Fame Award which was for ‘Extraordinary contributions to Martial Arts - Legends of Martial Arts Hall-of-Fame’ in October 2015 at the Kalahari Resort in Pennsylvania. Notable Legends this year were Hwang Jang Lee (Silver Fox), Cynthia Rothrock, Don “Dragon” Wilson, Art Camacho, Basil “White Dragon” Masters & others. “I am truly honored, appreciative and grateful to the President and Vicepresident of the Legends of Martial Arts Hall-of-Fame Committee, Grandmasters Eric Kowalski and Cynthia Rothrock, who, in October of 2015, found me deserving of being the recipient of a prestigious award. I am doubly grateful, and weak with emotions, for the second successive year, that

Max Massiah along with legends Cynthia Rothrock and Hwang Jang Lee ‘Silver Fox’. these Legends have once again presented me with another award,” Massiah disclosed. Massiah said without the support of his sponsors such an achievement would not have been possible. He thanked Fly Jamaica Airlines, A. Ally & Sons, Jermin’s Enterprise, Space Gym, Aleem Hussein, Demerara Bank and Deo Singh for their sponsorship. He added that the ‘Oxygen’ of Maximum Sports Combat & Strength programme is the Guyana Karate College, Fitness Express, Jermin’s Enterprise, Nexgen Global Marketing, Hand-in-Hand Insurance, Rosignol B u t c h e r y & B a k e r y, Computer Hi-Tech, Giftland Mall, NSC, Space Gym, & A. Ally & Sons. Massiah informed that Shim Shin Do of the USA also came on board as the latest sponsor of the locally produced 1-hour “live” TV programme, aired Fridays from 9.05pm, on NCN 11, 15, & 8. Agata Dowding said she was honored & happy to be interviewed by Massiah because she knew how important it is for women in Guyana to break the stereotype of training with weights and doing Martial Arts. “I love lifting weights in my training. I wish to encourage the women in Guyana to get involved in weight training & Martial Arts it’s not only for men. It gives you a nice, strong body. It’s a great character builder, so support Maximum Sports Combat & Strength,” Dowding encouraged.

“Maximum Sports in Guyana is an example of the Educational process of the Teaching & Mentoring. I am also the Founder of the International Sports Hallof- Fame, which I co-host with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger every year. I also donated the 800-pound bronze statue of Arnold to the City of Columbus. What makes Martial Arts unique is that self-defence is so important, to instill confidence, health, and sharing mindset with people throughout their entire life,” Grandmaster Robert Goldman had said. “It was a feeling of unmatched pleasure to be accepted, embraced, & respected by some of the World’s most accomplished Martial Arts Legends, Grandmasters, and Movie Stars. As a youngster going to the Cinemas to see the masterful Hwang Jang Lee (aka Silver Fox), Cynthia Rothrock, who invented the Scorpion Kick (a kick delivered over her head, while bending forward to the opponent’s face). She was the only white woman in Karate movies such as China O’Brien and Lady Dragon and Don “Dragon” Wilson, who starred in the Movie Blood Fist,” Massiah revealed. Massiah’s love affair with Martial Arts began when he was 11 and living in Agricola after a boy who was two years older and about 25 pounds heavier than him, attempted to bully him, since according to him, he was envied by his play mates for his elusive ability and agility when playing fight games. “After he hit me twice, I

took it without saying a word, hoping he would leave me alone. After he was encouraged by his elder brother, I became scared of the thought of my teeth being knocked out so I unleashed a tornado of kicks & punches on the boy who ran away with me hot on his heels, screaming. The comments from everyone about that episode, led me to become interested in Martial Arts. That was the beginning,” Massiah recounted. Massiah was skinny growing in school and in 1984 took up Bodybuilding and developed to 160 lbs of muscle. “Being a lover of Combat Sports, after undergoing the necessary courses and training I became a Certified GBA boxing Coach, Referee, & Judge. In 2014 I was elevated to the rank of second degree black belt by Master Frank Woon-A-Tai. I have never been a competitor even though I kept the techniques taught to me. I have done lots of innovations creating my own techniques of the arts, and I enjoy being unconventional,” said Massiah, whose favorite weapon is the Nunchuka sticks, which he has trained with from 15. Massiah never imagined that he would share the company of any one of the three; eating, training, laughing and entertaining them. “The Glory of these situations and occurrences belong solely to my Lord God & Creator. What the mind of man can conceive and believe, he can achieve,” concluded Massiah.

Kaieteur News

Sunday November 06, 2016

Dhanpaul guides Zeeburg to victory A fine all-round performance by Yetesh Dhanpaul handed Zeeburg an 11-run victory over Meten-Meer-Zorg in a T20 fixture played recently at Zeeburg ground, West Coast Demerara. Watched by a colourful crowd including former Guyana first class players Andrew Gonsalves and Damodar Daserath Z e e b u rg m a d e 1 2 6 - 9 , b a t t i n g f i r s t . Ye t e s h Dhanpaul scored 31 while Mahendra Dhanpaul got 27. Looknauth Chinkoo snared 3-13. Dhanpaul then returned

Man-of-the-match Yetesh Dhanpaul accepts his prize from Damodar Daserath. to grab 5-15 as MetenM e e r- Z o rg r e s p o n d e d with 115-9. J. Maxwell

scored 47. Dhanpaul was named man-of-thematch.

Geron Williams wins stage one; Shaquille Agard takes Time Trials; final stage today Reigning National Road Race champion Geron Williams who just recently signed a one year extension with Professional Cycling Club, Team Foundation of the USA, celebrated in fine style when he pedaled to victory in stage one of the National Sports Commission (NSC) sponsored Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) 3-stage road race which commenced yesterday. A member of local club side Continental Cycle Club, Williams outsprinted Alanzo Greaves who has returned from a 12-month drugs ban (Adverse Analytical Finding of Testosterone in his urine sample) to yesterday’s opening stage which commenced at Carifesta Av e n u e p r o c e e d e d t o Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara and returned to the starting line for the finish. Shaquelle Agard, Hamza Eastman, Michael Anthony and Christopher Cornelius (junior winner – Team Evolution) rounded out the top six places with the riders receiving bonus points of 10, 7, 5, 3, 2, and 1 second, respectively. They all received the bunch time as Williams. Andrew Hicks (2:38.46) and Raphael Leung (2:38.51) came in 2nd and 3rd among the junior riders

Volleyball, Dominoes and children activities added to WBCIC extravaganza today Ansa Mcal joins as Major sponsor

GCF/NSC Three Stage Race

By Franklin Wilson

PAGE 79

while the top three veterans were Raymond Newton (2:39.51), Paul Choo-WeeNam (2:39.51) and Junior Niles (2:45.62). Williams and Newton won two of the 10 primes each, while there was one apiece for Orville Hinds, Jaikarran Sukhai, Greaves, Anthony, Cornelius and Stephano Husbands. A total of 29 riders completed the distance including over 60 cyclist Monty ‘Truck Tracker’ Parris (3:19.25) while a total of 16 did not finish the race. Yesterday afternoon’s Time Trials which saw riders covering a distance of 3.75 miles from Carifesta Avenue to Plaisance, East Coast Demerara was won by Linden Bauxite Flyers Cycle Club’s Shaquelle Agard in a time of 10 Minutes 42 Seconds. Agard won from fellow Lindener Michael Anthony (Team Evolution) who completed the course in 8 Minutes 54 Seconds with the other top eight places going to Geron Williams (8:57), Christopher Cornelius (9:03), Akeem Wilkinson

(9:07), Raymond Newton (9:13), Raphael Leung and Andrew Hicks who were both timed at 9:33. Twentyseven riders contested this event. Today’s final stage will see the cream of the nations riders returning to familiar grounds when they match pedals around the outer circuit of the National Park where history was created last week in the Digicel Breast Cancer Awareness race which saw riders being lapped on this circuit for the first time. No doubt, Williams, Greaves, Agard and company would be aiming to haul in early any riders showing early ambitions of an early breakaway. With both Jamal John and Raul Leal, the duo etching their names in history as the men to lap riders around this circuit for the first time not finishing yesterday’s first stage, it’s anybody’s guess as who would be today’s third and final stage winner. Up for grabs is $400,000 in prizes, compliments of the NSC. Race time today is 11:00hrs.

In order to have more teams and persons involved in what was originally planned as a one day 10/10 cricket extravaganza, the West Berbice Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WBCIC) has decided to expand the activity. The day’s event will now be a cavalcade of sports which i n c l u d e s Vo l l e y b a l l , Dominoes and a number of other indoor games children and novelty activities. The action is set for today at the Blairmont Community Centre Ground We s t B a n k B e r b i c e beginning at 09:00 hrs. The cricket action will see some of the top teams in both Regions Five and six taking to the field in the 10/10 competition in what is anticipated to be an action packed and fun filled one day cricket tournament. The six teams slated to take part are Cotton Tree Die Hard, Blairmont Blazers, West Berbice / Achievers, Universal DVD Port

Mourant, Albion Community Center and D’Edward Cricket Clubs. According to the organisers big names are expected to feature at the event. The Berbice Volleyball Association will be sending a number of teams from both East and West Berbice to compete for lucrative prizes. There will be full house dominoes players vying for various honours including individual prizes. A number of children activities will be available including Bouncy Castle, Trampoline, rides and a number of cartoon characters, while free ice cream will be distributed. There will also be live band and other musical entertainment with popular entertainer Bounty Singh and others. Cheer leaders will be in attendance to add spice to the atmosphere which includes an after party. Sponsors on board so far

includes Ansa Mc al Trading, Universal DVD Club, Big B’s Restaurant, Leah’s Online Shopping, Eworth Auto Sales, Feroze Auto Sales and High Power Sounds, Republic Bank Guyana Limited, Zaman Ali B a k e r y, Ti g e r Sports, Shano and Sons Rice Farming, Niron Singh Distributors, Tage Singh (Rex), Silverlining Auto Rental and Tyres Depot, Rick Moore and Son, Alvin Chowramootoo Con Services and Hardatt Singh Distributors. A small Admission fee will be chgarged to the event will be easy and the funds raised will go towards the less fortunate children and sports development. Interest partners and sponsors are asked to come on board and support this initiative. Last minutes queries can be directed to 592-3287977, 687-9009 or email wbcic2015@gmail.com. Samuel Whyte

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Kaieteur News

Letter to the Sports Editor

Devers may have taken my comment out of context Dear Mr. Editor, I refer to an article headlined “Media Centre could be named after ‘Reds’ next month” written by Mr. Sean Devers which appeared on page 67 of the Sunday October 30, 2016 edition of the Kaieteur News and now desire to make a few comments on the said piece. In paragraph 11, Devers states: “One of Seeraj’s arguments about the naming of the stands (at Providence) is that most of the names suggested never played at Providence”, and I gather that this is no doubt in reference to a column I did t i t l e d “ L e a v e Providence…………Rehabi litate Bourda” which was carried on page 28 of the Sunday Chronicle edition of June 12, 2016. However, it is clear that Devers may not have read the entire column or may have read the entire column but did not comprehend what he read, or may have read it in its entirety, understood what was therein but just chose to quote me out of context. A careful look at my article would make it clear that I am not against the

naming of the stadium, the stands, ends of the wickets or whatever to honour our cricketers-past or present but the names should reflect those that would have honed their skills there. The cricketing stalwarts Marius Fernandes, Robert Christiani, John Trim, Rohan Kanhai, Basil Butcher, Joe Solomon, Clive Lloyd, Roy Fredericks, Alvin Kallicharran, Lance Gibbs, Colin Croft and several others should be given the accolades that are due but this should be done at Bourda where they played with distinction and helped to create our rich cricketing history. This is not to say that Devers or anyone else should agree with my line of thinking but at least I expect that any quote or reference should be taken in its context. Even so, it seems that Devers cannot make up his mind as to whose names should adorn the stands at Providence. In a January 01, 2016 Kaieteur News article on the subject he suggests that the RED STAND be named the Rohan Kanhai and Alvin Kallicharran stand but in less

than one year (on October 30, 2016) he changes that to the Clive Lloyd and Rohan Kanhai stand. Formerly, the GREEN STAND would have been christened the Roy Fredericks stand but ten months later it’s the Roy Fredericks and Basil Butcher stand. On New Year’s Day 2016, the ORANGE STAND was the Clive Lloyd stand but suddenly that honour has gone to Alvin Kallicharran and Joe Solomon. And if that was not enough to cause confusion, Shiv Chanderpaul’s name has been removed from the GRASS MOUND and would now be placed on the Players’ Pavilion. Carl Hooper and Ramnaresh Sarwan will now party in the GRASS MOUND. If Devers is making so many changes in a 10-month period, then the Honourable Minister with responsibility for Sport, Ms Nicolette Henry, is absolutely correct in stating that she does not want to spend the next five years defending the choice of players that may be honoured in the naming of the stands. EDWIN SEERAJ

Sunday November 06, 2016

South Turkeyen SC/Bannas Foundation stage 5-a-side small goal football competition Football fans longing for excitement will troop to the Jubilee Park, Homestretch Avenue, this morning to witness the action when the South Turkeyen Sports Committee and Bannas Foundation stages a 5-a-side small goal football competition between several teams from around Georgetown. The teams had faced off for the preliminary round on Sunday October 30 and had provided the kind of excitement that has laid the foundation for today’s encounter. The contesting teams are Sophia All Stars, Better Hope, Meadow Brook, Lodge, A, B & D Fields Sophia, North Sophia and Tiger Bay among others. The winners and runners-up will compete for trophies, medals and cash

Johnny Barnwell with some of the trophies on offer. incentives and the entrance fee is $6000 per team. Snacks and drinks will be on

sale. Activities are organized by Johnny Barnwell and Kevin Walcott.

Sunday November 06, 2016

Kaieteur News

PAGE 81

AMY GRANT from the Pool to the Track Amy Grant will attempt to win gold at the 2016 National Schools Swimming Championship in two weeks then move on to the Athletics Championship. Grant is well known for her swimming but this year she has made it to the National Schools Athletic Championships in the 800m. G r a n t h a s s u ff e r e d serious setbacks this year with her asthmatic conditions and bacterial infections. This year is the worst since she has been swimming. She was unable to participate in the first swim meet of the year which was the Mashramani Meet in March. She missed out due to a bacterial infection and her doctor’s instruction was to stay out of the pool and stop all physical activities. Grant was back in the pool two weeks before participating in the 2016 Olympic Day Sprint Triathlon hosted by the GOA in April where she won the female category. After the triathlon she suffered a relapse which kept her out of the pool for another two weeks but was back to the pool in mid May hoping that she would be fit e n o u g h f o r t h e Independence meet which was at the end of May. The talent athlete and musician swam the 1500m, 800m and 400m freestyle, 200m and 50m butterfly and 400m IM in the 13 - 14 Girls category in the Independence Meet but was unable to swim her favourite event, the 50m freestyle on Saturday because it was postponed to the next Thursday. She had to cancel the 100m freestyle on day three, which was supposed to be the final day of competition as she was having difficulties breathing. The 200m freestyle which was supposed to be swam on day three was postponed to the same day of the 50m freestyle. Grant had to cancel both events which were postponed because a visit to the doctor on the Monday showed that the infection had not left her lungs and getting back into the water would have worsened her condition. Once again, she was instructed to stop all physical activities. Grant went back to the pool in July. Amy learnt in September that the IGG games were to be held in Guyana via curious swimmers from

other clubs who wanted to know whether she would be participating. Having had no knowledge of the IGG swimming taking place, Grant asked her mother, who is also her coach. However, her mother had no knowledge too since her club has a way of not passing on vital information to her. The mother subsequently asked around and found out that the games were slated for October. Grant’s mother heard that Amy was not on the initial long list and another member had to raise the question as to why her name was not on the list. Her name was then put on the long list. A few days later her mother once again learned that the deadline for submission of bio data was the same day but still Grant was not contacted by her club representative nor anyone connected with the IGG games. After contacting someone about whether or not Grant had made the long list, Grant was advised to send in her particulars because her name was on the list. A few weeks later Grant learnt that her name was on the shortlist but she would be a standby. The coach for the team had recommended Grant to be on the list but not as reserve as Grant had faster times than some swimmers on the list. It was very apparent at that point that a deliberate effort was being made to keep young Amy out of the team. At first it was a no name submission for the long list. When that failed it was followed by no contact with Grant to have her particulars presented before the due date thus if her particulars were not presented it would have appeared as if the parents did not submit. When Grant’s parents were told by some persons about her being on the team as a standby her parent’s response was that Grant was not going to be on the team as s t a n d b y. O n e c o a c h requested not to pull Amy since the coach had to “beg so hard for her to be on the team because she is one of the most versatile female swimmers”. Grant’s mother was contacted by the IGG swimming Team Manager on Tuesday 27th September, informing that Grant was on the team. Training had started the day before and for

the first time Grant’s mother received an official communication that Amy is on the team. There again another unprofessional way of GASA’s member and IGG Team Manager. It seemed like another deliberate effort was being made for Amy to be off the team. Grant’s parents informed the team manager that Grant would not be swimming due to the unprofessional manner in which she was treated for selection for the IGG Games. Grant’s parents said, “Athletes must not be treated as if they are given a favour by organisations but instead they should be given every opportunity to represent their abilities and defend them in a fair manner. Defending their abilities must be their right and it must never be taken away from them. No athlete, parent or coach should be put in the situation of having to beg committee members or representatives of committees for an athlete to be on a team.

It is the athlete’s right to be there on their own merit.” Thus Grant was not a part of the IGG swimming leg. Amy Grant, who attends the Bishops’ High School, turned her attention to athletics for the Inter House School’s Sport where she won the 200m, 400m and 800m. A week later she represented her school at the I n t e r S c h o o l s Championships where she ran 3rd in both 200m and 400m and won the 800m. A few days later, Grant who is not a club runner but has been doing some work from September with Mr. Gaskin, ran the 800m at the Champion of Champions which she won for her zone thus cementing a spot at the National Stadium for the 2016 National Schools Athletic Championships. Grant who has won her way to represent her zone on track has also qualified to represent the zone in the pool. Grant says she will be running more for the experience rather than Gold but does not rule out a possible victory.

Amy Grant

However, it will be a difficult task as Grant has been out of the pool since she qualified for the Swimming Nationals due to Asthmatic conditions. Grant was told

that she can run but not to stress herself and she must not swim until given the o k a y b y h e r d o c t o r. Grant visited the doctor last (Continued on page 73)

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Kaieteur News

Sunday November 06, 2016

GTT National Indoor Hockey Championships

Battle for top honours on today

Pizza Hut GCC’s Gabriella Xavier attempts to weave past a host of Woodpecker Hikers players during their clash on Friday at the National Gymnasium. Table toppers Pizza Hut GCC ladies coasted to another easy win after beating Woodpecker Hikers 4-2 in the lone ladies fixture as play in the GTT National I n d o o r H o c k e y Championships continued on Friday night, at the national Gymnasium. Also producing dominant performances were Pepsi Hikers and Bounty GCC. Pre-tournament favourites Pizza Hut GCC endured their toughest game in the competition thus far, but still managed to ease to

victory through a brace from Kerensa Fernandes and one goal apiece from Marzana F i e d t k o u a n d Tr i s h a Woodroffe, while Nicole Eastman fired in a pair for Woodpecker Hikers in the loss. With a solid passing game in the opening minutes, Pizza Hut GCC seemed dominant from the outset of the match and placed themselves ahead in the 6th minute through a Marzana Fiedtkou penalty corner flick high into the Hikers net. The Hikers seemed to

gather their composure however and though conceding the greater possession to their opponents, put on a solid defensive display highlighted with streaking counterattacks to keep the match competitive. With the first half failing to produce more goals, the second half would prove more entertaining to the supportive crowd as striker Kerensa Fernandes pushed the score to 2-0 five minutes after resumption. Eastman managed to capitalize on several quick

Digicel Guyana Open Golf Classic

Persaud, Webster on pole heading into today’s final stanza Reigning champions of the Digicel Guyana Open G o l f C l a s s i c Av i n a s h Persaud and Shaunella Webster occupied pole positions in their respective categories at the end of opening day, yesterday, at the Lusignan Course, East Coast, Demerera. Appearing in the 0-9 Flight, Persaud playing off a 2 handicap finished the day with a Gross 74 and a Net 72 to lead Suriname’s Kris Jadeonath, who started with a 5 handicap and ended with a total gross of 76 and a Net of 71, while three players Imran Khan, Ravi Ramjit and Munaf Arjune each closed with a Gross of 79 and a Net of 70, 74 and 71 respectively. In the Ladies category,

Webster with a handicap of 18 closed with a Gross 83 ad a Net of 65 to lead Joaan Deo playing off a 21 handicap and a Gross of 92 and a Net 71, while Suriname’s Kim Myong, also finished with a Net 71 playing off a 23 handicap and a Gross of 94. In the 0-18 category, Mo Shaffie playing off an 18 handicap led with a Gross of 82 and a Net of 64, while Roy Cummings stalked him in second place with a handicap of 13 and Gross and Net scores of 80 and 67 respectively. Richard Haniff playing off a 14 handicap and John Somwar with an 18 handicap finished the day with a Net 69 each and an 83 and 87 Gross respectively. In the 19-28 Flight,

Haresh Tiwari led with a Gross 87 and Net 68 off a 19 handicap, while Mahesh Shivray with a Gross 94 and a Net 68 playing off a 24 handicap and L. Ramroop with a Gross 96 and net 73 off a 23 handicap occupied second and third places respectively. In the Seniors Flight, Brij Bissessar led with a Gross 93 and a Net 69 from Deonand Bissessar, who closed with a Gross 102 and a Net 74 and Jerome Khan with a Gross 93 and a Net 75. The championship concludes today with final round action. Meanwhile, Marketing Executive Jacqueline James made the ceremonial tee off before the start of competition yesterday.

Woodpecker Hikers striker Rochelle Matheus tries to dribble past Pizza Hut GCC Aliyah Gordon during their encounter on Friday. outlet passes, outduelling GCC goalkeeper Natalie Hing on two occasions to draw the score even by the 31st minute. The Pizza Hut ladies seemed to have another gear however and finished the match with two more goals off penalty corners from Woodroffe and Fernandes for her second. The victory placed Pizza Hut GCC at the top of the pool and they were expected to go up against Old Fort ladybugs in the first semifinal, while the Woodpecker Hikers took on Spartans in the other last evening. In a remarkable coincidence, Bounty GCC and the Pepsi Hikers both outclassed their opponents on the evening by the identical scores of 8-1 in their men’s first division

clashes. GCC was led by a hattrick from midfielder Peter DeGroot against Team 2020, while junior national captain Mark Sargeant chipped in with a double and Stephen Xavier, Eric Hing and Kevin Spencer added singles. Yo u n g M e s h a c h Sargeant scored a penalty stroke for Team 2020 as their lone goal of the match. Tournament leading scorer, Aroydy Branford of the Pepsi Hikers hit in four goals on the night against Saints, while teammates Robert France and Randy Hope added a pair each. Yonnick Peters managed the lone response for Saints in their 8-1 defeat. T h e m e n ’s s e c o n d division competition saw GCC with yet another 8-1 victory, this time over

Hikers, while Old Fort defeated Saints by 3-0 and Phoenix edged past Saint Stanislaus College by 2-1. The Hickers thumped Old Old Fort 4-2 in the lone vets’ fixture of the evening. Going into the final day of pool matches, the Pepsi Hikers and Old Fort Ravers each have secured 9 points and were to feature in a highly anticipated clash yesterday. The Pizza Hut GCC ladies enjoyed the spotlight, having played unbeaten in their pool round while Bounty GCC led the men’s second division pool on 12 points followed by Old Fort Supersonics. GCC led the men’s vets division having not lost as yet for the competition. The finals are scheduled 17:00 hrs today.

Guyana Softball Cup 6

Speed Boat, Regal, Floodlight, Fishermen XI through to finals By Zaheer Mohamed Speed Boat, Regal, Floodlight and Fishermen have booked their places in the finals of the Guyana Softball Cup six after recording convincing victories in their respective semi final matches yesterday. Playing at the Police Sports Club ground Eve Leary in the Open category, Speed Boat defeated Ariel by nine wickets in their semi (Continued on page 73)

Lennox Marks hits out during his knock.

Kaieteur News

Sunday November 06, 2016

PAGE 83

Minister Henry puts Olympic medals into prospective By Edison Jefford The Ministry of Education’s Department of Culture, Youth and Sport is committed to taking the necessary steps that will foster greater development of sport in a way that will eventually lead to Guyana’s attainment of more Olympic medals. Minister of Education with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Nicolette Henry was pellucid with the Department’s commitment on Thursday when she delivered the feature remarks at the launch of the 56th National Schools’ Championships. “I wish to assure you that the Ministry of Education’s, Department of Culture, Youth and Sports will continue to work diligently to provide as many opportunities as possible, through sports, to enable our athletes to realise their true potentials,” Henry said. “We stand committed to ensuring that our athletes get

the types of training that will bring us the Olympic gold medals,” the Minister added in her remarks at the National Centre for Education Research and Development (NCERD) Headquarters in Kingston. She said that Government recognises that a lot more needs to be done to ensure that the abilities of promising athletes are developed and sustained. Henry believes that they have to take a further step in the direction of the development of talent. “We’ve seen a lot of talents in our young people, be it cricket, football or athletics; but we must go a step further in terms of providing whatever it takes to harness and work towards the development of those talents,” she said. The Minister indicated that a few months ago she challenged sports associations to come up with solutions to the problems that face sports in general

Dr. Nicolette Henry speaks at the launch of the National Schools’ Championships and its development in Guyana. She said that everyone is aware of the problems, and therefore all stakeholders “must make concerted efforts to address these problems”. “No one here will disagree with me that we have young people here with the talents to win the Olympic medals if they are

properly and adequately trained. It is high time that we give athletes the attention and support they need in order for them to develop their fullest potentials,” Henry suggested. She said that the Department has been doing its part for athletes. From allocating tax waivers to sponsoring athletes’ airfares

for international competition, and other financial contributions, the Department has been at the forefront of helping athletes. However, the Minister said that a more systematic approach will be taken with the advent of the National Sports Policy by mid next year and the inclusion of sports on the schools’ curriculum. It is those steps, she believes, that will create greater development in sports. According to Henry, the spinoffs from a move in that direction will be immense. They include an increase in self-esteem, healthy lives, building a sense of cooperation and team spirit and setting a base for talent spotting, training and coaching to become world class. In addition, the Minister indicated that there are economic benefits attached to the development of sports. She said that sports entrepreneurship and management and the advent

of sport leagues have considerably increased the money-earning capacity in sports. “It (sports) has also opened newer avenues for the livelihood for people across the globe. Further, sports does not only bring economic gain, but it is a tool to forge national unity or social cohesion,” Henry added. Aware of those facts, she said that Government will be doing its part to develop sports, but those efforts will require wider stakeholder support. Apart from sport associations, she also pleaded for the Private Sector to consider doing more for sports. “Some entities within the Private Sector chimed in with their lot but a lot more needs to be done generally if we are going to produce world class athletes,” she said. Guyana is currently a holder of one Olympic medal, a bronze in 1980, from the gloves of boxer, Michael Parris.

Courts Pee Wee Schools Football Competition

St. Angela’s safely through to semis Title holders St. Angela’s moved one step closer to defending their crown after securing a slim 1-0 triumph over North Georgetown in quarter-final action of this year’s Courts Pee Wee Schools Football Competition which continued yesterday, at the Banks DIH ground, Thirst Park. They have now earned the right to challenge 2013 winner St. Pius in next week’s semi-final after the latter registered a 2-1 win over St. Stephen’s in o v e r t i m e , w h i l e We s t Ruimveldt and St. Agnes are the other teams making it to the semi-finals. The holders had to overcome a steely North Georgetown unit with Antwoine Vincent making the difference after he netted a spectacular goal that many feel is a strong candidate for Goal of the Tournament. Sprinting down the right side during a counterattack, the lanky centre-half unfurled a stinging right foot strike from just over the halfway line which

slammed onto the left upright and into the back of the net. Meanwhile, St. Agnes stunned 2012 titlist Marian Academy 2 - 0 . J u s t i n Alexander opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a penalty kick into the right hand corner, following a handball infringement. The final nail in the coffin was applied two minutes later through David X a v i e r, w h o s c o r e d , stabbing past the advancing goalkeeper into the lower right hand corner. West Ruimveldt eased past F.E. Pollard 2-0 with Kevin Mentis and Kenneth Gordon scoring in the 35th and 38th minute respectively. Also, St. Pius squeaked past St. Stephen’s 2-1 with Dwayne Baptiste and Keron Adams netting in the seventh and 40th minutes, while Jequan Cole responded for the losers in the 10th minute. The battle for the 9-16 positions saw Tucville Primary beat Redeemer 40. John Harry scored twice

-joined by W/ Ruimveldt, St. Pius and St. Agnes

Action in the clash between defending champions St. Angela’s and North Georgetown yesterday. in the second and 11th minutes, while Jamal Embrack and Ronaldo Gomes in the 19th and 2 8 t h m i n u t e s respectively. Also, St. Margaret’s

t h u m p e d M a e ’s 4 - 0 compliments of a Mickelle Andrews helmet-trick in the 17th, 24th, 26th and 28th minute. On the other hand, Winfer Gardens edged South

Ruimveldt 1-0. Orlando Dickie scored in the 39th minute, while Stella Maris edged St. Agnes 5-4 on penalty kicks. John Hynes bagged a brace in the 16th and 25th

minutes for Stella Maris, while Tyrese Hart netted in the eighth and 24th minutes in a 2-2 stalemate. The event will resume next Saturday, at the same venue.

t r o Sp Digicel Guyana Open Golf Classic

Marketing Executive Jacqueline James executes the ceremonial tee off before the start of competition.

Persaud, Webster on pole heading into today’s final stanza

Avinash Persaud and Shaunella Webster.

GCF/NSC Three Stage Race

Geron Williams wins stage one; Shaquille Agard takes Time Trials; final stage today

Aiming for overall success is first stage winner, Geron Williams.

Shaquelle Agard - NSC, GCF Time Trial winner. Franklin Wilson photo.

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