Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News

PAGE 04

Sunday October 21, 2018

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

EDITORIAL

CANADA EXPECTS $$BILLIONS FROM MARIJUANA

O

n Wednesday October 17, Canada legalized the use of recreational marijuana. It joined Uruguay as the only two countries in the world that make marijuana legal for anyone over eighteen years. Uruguay legalized marijuana in 2013. Although the use of marijuana for medical purposes has been legal in Canada since 2001, the Cannabis Act has made Canada the first G7 nation to implement legislation to permit the use of the substance. Bill C-45 was passed in the House of Commons in November 2017; the Senate passage of the Bill in June 2018 was the final hurdle to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in the country. Despite the obvious excitement of pot users in Canada and the world about the legalization of marijuana, there are certain restrictions that must be observed before its use. Bill C-45 allows Canadians to have up to 30 grams of marijuana in public. It also permits the growing of a certain number of marijuana plants in the home. The law insists that marijuana must be obtained legally and cannot be transported in or out of the country without proper authorization. The law stipulates that anyone found high from the use of marijuana would be charged and fined Can.$1000 and their driver’s license would be suspended for at least one year. Liberal politicians and their supporters have heralded the legalization of marijuana in Canada as transformative and have offered their resounding support to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his government. They believe that the decision could weigh heavily in their favor in the next election scheduled for next year. Many, including investors, believe that the Canadian development would open enormous opportunities for Jamaicans and other marijuana growers to earn revenue from the sales of substance which has been cultivated in Jamaica since the indentured Indians brought the plant with them in 1845. As reported, an initial shipment of marijuana has left Jamaica for Canada but that is only the tip of the iceberg as Canadian authorities expect a huge influx of marijuana users to Canada from the United States, Europe and elsewhere. This could result in huge tax revenue for the country. The financial firm, Deloitte, has projected that in the first year, recreational sales of marijuana could bring in nearly C$4 billion in sales to Canada and the country could expect an increase of roughly two million more tourists. Legal marijuana in the country will have an excise tax of 10 percent on the product price, or $1 per gram, whichever is higher. Each province will also apply its own sales taxes. For years, Americans have been clamoring for the legalization of the use of small amount of marijuana. Some members of Congress, mostly democrats have even floated the idea of federal legalization of the substance but it has not gained traction. In fact, last year, Democratic Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey introduced legislation aimed at ending federal prohibition of marijuana, but it has been stalled in the Republican controlled Senate. However, movement on legalization remains active at the state level. So far, nine states, including Colorado, California and Massachusetts and the District of Columbia have legalized the use of recreational marijuana and 30 states have authorized its lawful use for medical purposes. Despite its growing legal status in several states, marijuana is still banned under U.S federal law. In the United States, marijuana is still listed as a Schedule I drug, which is the same classification as heroin.

Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.

We need to see BBCI’s financial statements to justify toll increases DEAR EDITOR, The Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated (BBCI) on 16 October 2018 had announced across the board increases for both vehicles and boats. The percentage increase for various classes of vehicles, freight and boats was 265. I must emphasise that what is being written is based on information published in the media over the last three days. I have read that the BBCI claims that it has up to $6B in debts including dividends to shareholders, and accumulated losses in excess of $2.8B. Further, that the private sector entities have c o n t r i b u t e d G$5.1B/US$24M and the overall cost which includes the approach roads cost about US$40M. I have seen private sector entities publishing their Audited Financial Statements with Accompanying Notes in the

news media. Presently, there has been no publication of t h e B B C I ’s A u d i t e d Financial Statements to support the “numbers” the Chairman of BBCI has been mentioning. What a disaster! Tolls are to be increased at the most alarming rate of 265 percent, yet no one knows how they were determined. May I state that best practices globally will adopt gradual toll increases, for example, 20 to 30 percent in year one, 15 to 20 percent in year two, etc. The citizens of Guyana need to be updated by the Chair and the Board of BBCI of its financial position, its operations and its cash flows at 30 June 2018. In order to justify the massive increase in tolls, it should disclose its latest audited Financial Statements, and its Interim Financial Statements to 30 June 2018. The Financial Statements I am referring to are the Statement of

Financial Position, the Comprehensive Income Statement, the Statement of Equity, the Statement of Cash Flows, and the Accompanying Notes to support those four Statements. I am not saying that the numbers quoted above are not true, they have to be extracted from the Financial Statements, hence let’s see them. Further, no mention was made of a time period and the audited period for the numbers disclosed. Once this is done, financial analysts will be in a position to determine through key performance indicators BCCI’s true financial position, its operations whether profitable or not, and its cash inflows and outflows for the period under consideration. In justifying a toll increase, one has to determine and evaluate BCCI’s returns on equity and on assets, its net operating margin of income

or loss, its debt to equity relationship, its long-term debt to total capitalization, only to mention a few. Further, on shareholders’ equity, if there are preferred stockholders, were any dividends paid? If so how much to date. The Public Utilities Commission is required to approve the tariffs from G W I , G P L a n d G T T. Consideration should now be given by the relevant authorities to add BBCI, or perhaps to establish a Regulated Transport Authority to determine, among others, toll increases/decreases. In closing, BBCI needs to publish its latest Audited Financial Statements which should contain important financial information required to be used in analysing and justifying toll increases. We need to be transparent. Yours faithfully John Seeram

Sunday October 21, 2018

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Kaieteur News

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JAGDEO’S DECEPTIVE PROMISE OF THE BRIDGE EXPOSED DEAR EDITOR, Bharrat Jagdeo’s continuous deceptive promises of his party caring for the Guyanese people have just been cruelly exposed, with the announcement by the Berbice Bridge Company of newly proposed rates of toll, which can only be described as burdensome, posing a threat to the daily livelihood of Berbicians – his mainstay constituency of political support. We must remember that although the con-

struction of the bridge was of the arrangement of public/private/partnership that among the latter would have been Jagdeo’s best friend. The reality is that this bridge has not been bringing in the expected rate of returns, and this has been due to fewer vehicles making use of the facility. In fact, the largest investor, the National Insurance Scheme has not even begun to receive a penny on its investment. One can now better appreciate the former

Chief Executive Officer, Maurice Arjoon of the New Building Society, refusal to be bullied into participating in such a project, for which he was punished by dismissal on a set of trumped up accusations.It would seem that Dr. Surendra Persaud, who is also chairman of the National Insurance Board, perhaps conceived the idea of killing two birds with one

stone, which would include ensuring that the Board also recoup its investment. This chairman must be informed that the founders of the NIS would never have envisaged such unconscionable burdening of the citizenry, as a means of investment returns. Not those visionaries!I never doubted that (Continued on page 7)

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Sunday October 21, 2018

Kaieteur News

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PPP ENGAGED BBCI IN 2014 AND HAD WIN-WIN SOLUTIONS Berbice Bridge Company Inc. (BBCI) has held both the PPP and APNU responsible for not honouring increases in tolls pursuant to the Berbice Bridge Act and the Concession Agreement. The Berbice Bridge is a PPP project which has been heavily criticized by APNU/ AFC. In fact, in 2013 even before the tolls were scheduled to change, APNU sought to politically sabotage the Berbice Bridge by proposing a motion in Parliament to reduce tolls. This motion was passed in May of 2014 and proposed reducing tolls by over half. APNU actions scared investors in the bridge, who became concerned both about their existing investment and about reinvesting funds back into the bridge. By 2015, when a larger toll increase was needed, elections deferred all decisions. In the resulting change, from the PPP to the APNU-AFC Government, APNU-AFC inherited a problem of their own making. In 2014, when I was President, we met with the Berbice Bridge Board with the objective of finding ways to avoid a toll increase while at the same time ensuring that the Berbice Bridge was able to honour its obligations. We viewed the toll levels like the way GPL handled its tariffs to maintain a constant level of tariffs, despite rising and falling oil prices. Our solution was simple—given that tolls were only going up to secure cash to reduce debt, Government would support investors, reinvesting some

monies at a lower interest rate, and have this repaid in the last few years of the bridge concession. Under this scenario, tolls would not go up, but it would also not go down as quickly as projected. Other

The table below shows the toll index and the % change in tolls from the prior year. The last column shows how much a vehicle would pay based on this toll index and using the tolls in existence

it was in 2008 falling over 40% over 2020. In 2026, the bridge would be handed back to Government at no cost, and fully repaid. By that time, tolls would be almost negligible. Some persons have ar-

solutions included increasing the life of the concession, but this was viewed as less preferable than solutions possible over the remaining life of the concession.In 2006, every investor received a financial model that contained a toll index. I have no doubt that the PPP has no objection to this model being made public. The financial model showed that tolls would remain constant until 2014. In 2014, tolls were scheduled to increase 6.4% and again in 2015 by 17.3%. Thereafter tolls would start dropping.

since the start of the bridge. Despite the modest increase in 2014 and 2015, it fell in the follow years, such that by 2019, tolls were projected to be lower than that in 2008 when the bridge opened. The key reason tolls were scheduled to go up from 2014, was that debt repayment started in 2014. Prior to 2014, only interest was being paid. But as debt was repaid, less money was needed for interest expense. By2019 tolls were lower than 2008, and by 2021, tolls were projected to be substantially below where

gued that the Berbice Bridge financial model was flawed. We in the PPP believe the opposite. The bridge has performed largely as projected. In fact, as the following table (based on audited financial statements of BBCI) shows, in every year, toll revenue was greater than projected. The table shows that as the Berbice Bridge repaid debt, its interest expense started to reduce. In fact, during the 20092017 period, actual revenue was G$2 B more than projected revenue. During the same period, the BBCI repaid

over $2.3 B in debt. Annual interest expense which peaked in 2013at $789 M, was reduced to $636 m in 2017, a reduction of $150 M. This trend would continue as debt is repaid.As debt is reduced,

tion and Parliamentary motion, solutions to resolve the timing of debt repayment would easily have been agreed by the PPP and the BBCI to avoid toll increases.But we all know

interest expense is reduced, allowing more of the bridge revenue to go to debt reduction. Using 2017, as an example, with total revenue of $1.37 B, interest expense was $636 M, leaving $634 M left over for operating expenses and debt repayment. In 2017, G$591 M was used to reduce debt.Had APNU not sought to sabotage the Berbice Bridge project by its opposi-

that the APNU motion sabotaged this and held the BBCI hostage. The bridge financing made sense. It did not have a Government guarantee and truly attracted a broad range of private sector interests. Today the pending default can threaten major financial institutions. Despite the PPP having a record of honouring contracts, such as GTT, Omai, Barama, and Aroaima, APNU seems bent on dis-honouring contracts or failing to negotiate acceptable compromises to both sides. Our entire financial sector is now exposed. And so, the current impasse could have been avoided. Solutions were readily available if APNU/ AFC only showed the will. But political stubbornness and vindictiveness against the PPP, now leaves the BBCI facing debt repayments without the resources to pay these. Is APNU pushing BBCI into bankruptcy? Donald Ramotar, Former President—Republic of Guyana

Sunday October 21, 2018

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Kaieteur News

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How incompetent must Ramjattan be before he is relieved of his security portfolio? DEAR EDITOR, The video of Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan taken at his party’s press conference has gone viral on facebook. Anyway why not? It is rare indeed to hear a minister of government admit to his own incompetence. “In my circumstances, I don’t know what better I can do” a clearly frustrated Khemraj Ramjattan admitted to the press. The security portfolio was given to Ramjattan as part of the AFC Commingsburg Agreement negotiated with the APNU just prior to the 2015 National and Regional Elections. Ramjattan was ably supported for the security portfolio by the self-appointed successor to Dr. Cheddi Jagan, Moses Nagamootoo, another former PPP member with an axe to grind. Nagamootoo had earlier resigned from the PPP because he was not elected presidential candidate of the party to contest the 2011 elections. From the moment the APNU+AFC got into government, jailing Jagdeo and former PPP/C ministers had been the primary focus of the vindictive Minister of Public Security. With the help of British financial advisor, Dr. Sam Sittlington, Ramjattan refocused the objectives of the Special Organized Crimes Unit -SOCU, an institution that was set up by the former PPP/ C government to prosecute those involved in money laundering and terrorist activities, and made it into a political arm of government to exclusively target and witch-hunt former

PPP/C ministers and officials. But it is his obsession with Jagdeo and the PPP that made Khemraj Ramjattan a liability and embarrassment to the men and women in uniform and to the office he holds. The Minister of Public Security has neglected a critical area of his sworn ministerial responsibility - to protect our citizens from the scourge of an escalating crime wave that is taking more lives, causing more serious injuries, raping more vulnerable women, and depriving more Guyanese of their hardearned money and property. The $$$ billions that are being wasted on SOCU by this government: Paying an Attorney General and his special foreign prosecutors who have failed miserably to win a single conviction in court against PPP officials, would have been best utilized by the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Prison Service to improve their capabilities. But SOCU is not the only victim of the incompetent Minister of Public Security, Ramjattan is making the Police and Prison Services look like failures too. On March 3rd 2016, seventeen (17) inmates were burnt to death in the Camp

Street Prison, and eleven (11) others were injured in what was then described as the worst prison riot in memory. Then on Sunday, July 9, 2017, a mere sixteen (16) months later, another disaster struck. This time, the Camp Street Prison was burnt to the ground. And during the mayhem, one prison officer was killed and 20 inmates injured. Eight notorious, hardcore criminals escaped. Two of whom are still on the run. Then, just when it seemed that things could not get any worse, on July 24, 2017, a mere 2 weeks after the inferno that destroyed the Camp Street Jail, 13 more prisoners crawled to freedom through a tunnel they had dug under a fence at the Lusignan Holding Bay. Then last Monday, October 15, the nation was again horrified with the news that 3 prisoners, one a murder accused, scaled the fence at the Lusignan Prison and escaped while the guards slept. Later that day, riot broke out over the “inhumane” conditions the prisoners are forced to endure at that prison. According to a Kaieteur News Editorial (October 17), “What is also appalling is the

Jagdeo’s deceptive ... From page 5 this would have occurred, with regard to the Berbice Bridge, particularly the private investment segment. Editor, it is instructive to note that Jagdeo has condemned the “killer” increases, but that is “with his mouth”, as we Guyanese would say. Let us see if he would bring out his constituents, to picket the offices of BBCI. Regards Dillon Goring

fact that a Commission of Inquiry was established by the executive following the 2017 events, but half of the recommendations contained in the final report remain unimplemented, according to well-placed sources. Also the smuggling of contraband, narcotics and other illegal items into the prisons has not declined, but has taken on a shameful if not shocking story line of its own with prison officers themselves being discovered with the booty or facilitating the trafficking of these items.” I have a lot of respect for Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels whom I believe is doing the best with what he has to work with. Unfortunately, he has to bear some responsibility for the continuous overcrowding of our prisons, and the poor conditions under which prisoners are kept. But the buck stops with the Minister of Public Security. I recalled during an inspection of the newly built holdings cells at the Brickdam Police Station by members of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee for the Security Sector, I pointed out to Minister Ramjattan that the concrete cells were much too hot for prisoners as the ventilation did not allow for breeze to pass through, to which he replied, “Yo tink dis is de

Marriott?” June 14, 2009 the then Chairman of the AFC, the Hon. Khemraj Ramjattan, now Minister of Public Security, wrote in the Kaieteur News, “The convention of individual ministerial responsibility fixes blame on a Minister for all failure of policy and administration whether the Minister himself is at fault or not; and, harsh as it may sound, even if the failure resulted from departmental maladministration. A Minister must take praise for successes of his department, and blame for its failures. Moreover, a Minister is required to provide full and accurate information to Parliament; must behave himself with candor; and, must not mislead Parliament knowingly. This is in addition to not using public resources for his personal purposes. Ministers are expected to be their own conscience… I recollected that a man found himself in the Queen’s bedroom some decades ago. The UK Minister in charge, duly, and with a certain ring of honour and dignity, resigned, because somebody has to be responsible.” I concur with the statement written above. There is no need for Minister Ramjattan to continue losing sleep over security matters he has proven incapable of, he

just needs to take ministerial responsibility for the dangerous escalation in crime; the inhuman conditions that seems to be getting worst in our prisons; the lives of the 17 inmates that were burnt to death in 2016; the prison officer that was killed in 2017; and the more than 20 inmates who suffered injuries during the many riots and prison fires under his watch. Khemraj Ramjattan needs to take his own advice on individual ministerial responsibility and give way to someone else who can do better to run that ministry. How incompetent must Ramjattan be before he is relieved of his security portfolio? HARRY GILL PPP/C Member of Parliament Member of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee of the Security Sector

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Sunday October 21, 2018

Kaieteur News

Guyana’s debt grows by US$82M in 2017

Auditor General, Deodat Sharma, has noted that the coalition administration entered into 12 new loan agreements last year totaling $34.5 billion. In his latest report, Sharma said that amounts totaling $5.6 billion or US$27.311M were disbursed from some of the loans. These included the International Development Association (IDA) loan; InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) loan; Export/Import Bank of China, and Republic Bank, Trinidad and Tobago. Sharma said that in accordance with Article 221 of the Constitution, the Public Debt of Guyana and service of that debt are direct charges on the Consolidated Fund. In addition, Section 3(1) of the External Loans Act, Chapter 74:08 of the Laws of Guyana, authorises the Government to raise loans outside of Guyana not exceeding $400 billion. Section 3(6) of the said Act also requires all agreements relating to such loans to be laid before the National Assembly as soon as practicable after the execu-

Auditor General, Deodat Sharma tion of such agreements. That said, Sharma noted that the related loan agreements taken by the coalition administration were all laid in the National Assembly during 2017.The Auditor General noted, however, that the following agreements related to PetroCaribe which were entered into during 2015, were still not laid in the National Assembly at the time of reporting: a) Compensation agreements between the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the Cooperative

Republic of Guyana; and b) A draft sales agreement for oil shipment to Guyana through the PetroCaribe Agreement for the year 2015 with a total value of $5.293 billion or US$25.632M. Sharma said that the compensation agreements between the Governments of Venezuela and Guyana provided for the cancellation of the oil debt in compensation for white rice and paddy under the Guyana/Venezuela Rice Trade Agreements. According to the agree-

A chart showing the loans raised by the APNU+AFC Govt. for 2017 ment, the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) would supply rice and paddy to the Bolivarian Republic of Ven-

ezuela. During 2015, there was a cancellation of $9.038 billion or US$43.766M of which there was no official agreement signed between the Government of Guyana and Republic of Venezuela for the said cancellation of the debt.

In response to this matter, the Finance Ministry said that in 2015, the seventh Oil Debt Compensation Agreement between Guyana and Venezuela was not concluded. The Ministry said that this Agreement specified that in 2015, the white rice and paddy shipped to Venezuela from Guyana was intended to compensate Guyana’s Oil debt to Venezuela. It noted that oil shipments (Continued on page 71)

Sunday October 21, 2018

$95M budgeted for major Parliamentary security upgrade

T

he Parliament Office has mapped out a major plan to upgrade the security in and around the Public Buildings in Georgetown, almost a year after sittings were disrupted by incidents inside the chamber. Parliament officials are tightlipped about the overall plan because it forms part of their 2019 budget which is still awaiting approval from Members of Parliament (MPs). The full budget being considered is $1.8 billion. Of that amount, $95M is to facilitate the security plans. According to the budget plan, $20M is to facilitate the construction of a fence around the outer perimeter of the public buildings while $12M is for the extension of

…new perimeter fence, CCTV cameras & scanners on the cards the building to house the Parliamentary Police Unit. Another planned upgrade is $6M for the construction of a security reception area and police strong box and another $8M for construction of a monitoring room for security cameras. The Parliament Office has also budgeted $10M to procure four electrical cane gates with walk-through metal detectors. Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) and accessories is pegged at $13M with the erection of poles for the cameras estimated at $5M. There are also plans to install a baggage scanner at

$15M and lockers at $6M. There are other upgrades planned for the Parliament building including the installation of an elevator for $20M and the procurement of seats for the public gallery budgeted at $2.5M. Last December, events at the National Assembly drew criticisms. During the considerations of the 2018 budget estimates, a woman in ‘Santa Claus’ attire entered the Parliament Chamber and attempted to present Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, with an Oxford Dictionary.Indications are that (Continued on page 72)

DEM BOYS SEH

De Chat-3 overstep he bounds This is de same man who use to celebrate whenever he get a judgement in de court. He always boast how he more bright than Basil de Willie. He always suing and he get couple decision in he favour. But de onetime he loss he jump up and holler how de court is a political place. That mek dem boys get vex. When he get de old Chancellor and de old Chief Justice fuh vote how Jagdeo can get a third term that wasn’t a political decision fuh de Chat-3. De Chat-3 was one who did believe that de only way de PPP can get back in power is if Jagdeo lead de party. But

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Kaieteur News

as dem boys know, monkey know which limb to jump on. When de CCJ hand down de decision on de third term, de Chat-3 shut he mouth. Some of he party people did actually claim how de CCJ was political but de Chat-3 know when he can talk stupidness. De same court lenient because dem judges coulda put de Chat-3 in jail. Dem boys remember when Uncle Adam criticize an injunction that Judge B.S. Roy hand down de same judge haul him before de court and nearly jail him because contempt ain’t got appeal. Is de same thing wid de elections result. When de Chat-3 party lose de elections

he and de oddas complain how de elections rig. Now when de Chat-3 cuss de judge dem, he got to wonder who gun tek dem odda case that he trying to bring in de court. He claim how he fighting fuh dem poor people who still got to pay him. When he tek dem poor people case to a judge is problems he gun get because he done seh dem judges does give political ruling.De smallest child know that some jokes people don’t mek; li’l boy don’t cuss police. People don’t talk bad bout judges. Talk half and watch how de Chat-3 gun try to seh he sorry.

AG condemns Nandlall’s attack on Judiciary - Following GECOM chairman ruling Attorney General (AG)and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams SC, is calling out Attorney -at -Law Anil Nandlall over an alleged reckless and churlish attack on the Judiciary following the ruling on the appeal against the appointment of Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission by President David Granger. According to a statement from the Attorney General‘s Office following the dismissal of Nandlall’s challenge in the Appeal Court Nandlall is quoted in the media as saying “First of all let me say that I am not surprised, I am disappointed but not surprised. This is yet another case that shows how far more our judiciary has to mature because it is a part of a trend. “All the cases that are deeply political are decided in a political way and that has to change.” He then followed up with a letter to the press further castigating the judges. “These statements, when taken with his labeling of the learned Chief Justice, Roxane George-Wiltshire’s ruling as being adventurous

Attorney General, Basil Williams SC

Attorney -at- Law, Anil Nandlall

in the Court of Appeal and describing two Barbadian Queen’s Counsel more senior to him as aliens aptly sum up this ex-attorney general’s disrespect. “As Attorney General I fully support objective comments on judgments handed down by the courts, but these must be measured and respectful without seeking to scandalise the court by describing its decision as political and that the judges who made the decision as immature. This amounts to per-

sonal invective and abuse of the judges.”While this latest attack is not surprising given his penchant for making threats against media houses and other indiscretions, his crude assault on members of the judiciary—three of whom are women must be roundly condemned, “ the AG outlined. While as Head of the bar, Williams condemned the behaviour, he called on commentators and the Guyana Bar Association to do the same.

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Sunday October 21, 2018

Berbice private sector, Chairman slam bridge toll increases

President of the Berbice Chambers of Commerce, Ryan Alexander

Mohindra Persaud, President of the Central President of the Upper Corentyne Chamber Corentyne Chamber of of Commerce, Commerce (UCCC) Poonai Bhigroog The three Chambers of Commerce in East “The proposed price increases are over Berbice are leading the private sector call to 300 plus percent and are going to do the unite and oppose the reprehensible Berbice Berbice Economy great harm…That rise in Bridge fare increases as announced by the price will definitely create havoc and if it is Berbice Bridge Company. implemented will create more pressure on the The toll increase is set to take effect from hard press Berbice economy.” November 12, 2018.They, like many citizens, Alexander is calling on all involved to anticipate across the board increases in the have a sit-down and discuss a way forward. price for items as well as a contraction of the The increase, he said, will not only affect economy and increased unemployment due Berbicians but every Guyanese that uses the to many businesses being forced to reduce bridge.President of the Central Corentyne staffing, once this happens. Chambers of Commerce (CCCC) Ponai Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Bhigroog, echoed similar sentiments. He Development Association (BCCDA) believes the proposed increased bridge fares President, Ryan Alexander, said the proposed will see “significant increases across the increases will create chaos and bring untold board” for commodities coming in and out of hardship to Berbicians. (Continued on page 72)

Sunday October 21, 2018

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Kaieteur News

Govt. can take over Berbice Bridge for sake of “national interest”

Concession Agreement says… A June 2006 Concession Agreement between the Government and the Berbice Bridge Company Inc. (BBCI) says that the former has options to take control of the facility for the sake of “national interest”. The issue would be pertinent as the Coalition Government is currently exploring its options after BBCI announced, much to widespread anger, that it will go ahead with a November 12, 2018 introduction of a sharp toll increase of 365 percent for vehicular traffic. November 12, coincidentally, is the same day when Local Government Elections are to be held. Government has made it clear it has no intentions to support the increases which the privately-owned BBCI is insisting that it is entitled to under the agreement. They are also accusing the Opposition of political machinations. Since commissioned in late 2008, the bridge’s 39 pontoons were not serviced in keeping with recommendations of between three to five years. BBCI said that its revenues were not enough and that shareholders are owed almost $3B. The bridge also claimed it has more than $6B in debts. Since the increases were announced last week, Minis-

ter of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, said that Government has handed the matter to the Attorney General Chambers for legal advice. Among other things, Government is looking, as the Grantor to the Concession Agreement, to determine the extent of its powers. Government is also looking at other options, including the possibility of a takeover. According to the agreement, Government reserves the right to terminate the agreement and the concession for national interest, subject to adequate notice being given to BBCI and the payment, by Government, of adequate compensation in a sum to be determined at the time of early termination. The bridge company is not immediately saying whether shareholders want to sell. It is insisting that it consulted with Government and in any case the Concession Agreement allows for the increases. According to the Concession Agreement seen by Kaieteur News, under the section, “Operation and Maintenance”, the Concessionaire (BBCI) shall be obliged at its own expense to operate and maintain the bridge in accordance with the Construction Specification. BBCI agreed that it shall ensure on a continuing basis

-operator likely breached maintenance schedule The Berbice Bridge can be taken over in the public’s interest.

BBCI’s chairman, Dr. Surendra Persaud that, at all times during the concession period, its maintenance and operating procedures are sufficient to ensure that the requirements are continuously met. The agreement said that if Government becomes aware that BBCI has failed to perform any of its obligations, in terms of the operations and maintenance, it can serve a notice. If the situation is not remedied in 30 days, then the Government, as the Grantor,

may terminate according to Section 28 of the agreement. The bridge was the first major “private/public” partnership project using a mixture of funds from local financial institutions, the National

Insurance Scheme, and the New Building Society. The Demerara Distillers Limited, New GPC and Handin-Hand were among the other investors. What had angered Guyana is that despite NIS

placing the majority of the funds, the control of BBCI was left largely in the hands of New GPC and other companies close to former President, Bharrat Jagdeo. The deal has been largely (Continued on page 72)

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Sunday October 21, 2018

Kaieteur News

Purple is the New Blue…

IAST launches new product to improve cardiac health and circulation

IAST’s new product called – SAK

Head of IAST, Dr. Suresh Narine with Finance Minister, Winston Jordan holding the new IAST product The Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) has done it again. Another transformative product which utilizes ancient Indigenous Knowledge has been developed into a tertiary consumer product through the application of Science and Technology. To its growing range of highvalue, well-packaged and nationally transformative products, the Institute has now added SAK – a functional nutraceutical product designed to improve cardiac health, guard against cancer-causing free radicals, improve the body’s ability to combat stress, promote

gut health and boost the immune system, promote the growth of healthy hair, skin and nails and improve circulation. The product, which is based on the use of a purple sweet potato strain found in the high savannahs of the Rupununi and the valleys of the Pakaraima mountains, has a high content of anthocyanins, a polyphenol responsible for free radical scavenging (thereby reducing the risk of cancer), promotion of cardiac health and lowering of blood pressure, boosting of the body’s immune system and increase of circulatory function. With a high percentage of

fibre, the product promotes gut health and absorption of unhealthy ingredients in the gut. With enhanced levels of magnesium, the product also enhances the body’s ability to deal with stress. Vitamins A, C and E promote the growth of healthy skin, nails and hair and are added as part of a ninevitamin cocktail recommended by PAHO for the Caribbean region. One 10 ounce bottle of the product provides a full 25% (or quarter) of the daily recommended intake of vitamins. The carefully formulated non-alcoholic nutraceutical beverage is sold as an original

and low calorie formulation. It was developed with the popular Indigenous Beverage, FLY providing the base motivation. Professor Suresh Narine, Director of IAST, explained that the idea for the beverage came about in a conversation with VP and Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, Sydney Allicock. Allicock explained that FLY is used as more than just an alcoholic beverage – that it provides important health benefits. The IAST then spent several years researching the purple potatoes and in developing the product. Narine was loud in praise for the IAST team, especially Head of the Food and Feed

Department, Mr. Sewpersaud Manohar, for their efforts in developing the product. As with the Institute’s Pakaraima Flavours and Rupununi Essence products, SAK is sold under a brand name that evokes Guyana’s natural environmental patrimony – Kaieteur Nutraceuticals. Also like these other transformative products, the business model for SAK seeks to put all proceeds into the hands of the Indigenous Farmers and to promote Indigenous way of life and cultural mores. In fact, the word SAK is Patamona for Potato. Quietly and without much fanfare, the Institute of Applied Science and Technology has been developing and commercializing a series of transformative products over the past few years – including the very successful rice based cereal, Morning Glory. Narine said “Science and Technology has an incubation period – products are not developed overnight, but must be worked on carefully, especially when the public health is implicated, such as in the design of new food products.” The Institute’s impact in employment and the production of local brands capable of competing with imported brands, however, has been truly transformative. Prof. Narine credits this to the support of successive governments in IAST’s mandate and to a dedicated and engaged staff base. Professor Narine, who is also a senior professor in Physics and Astronomy and Chemistry at Trent University in Canada and also the Executive Chairman of CGX Energy, has long been an advocate for high value processing in Guyana and for the environment. He said of this latest innovation, which has been described as Guyana’s first nutraceutical product, “There is a kind of spontaneous combustion which occurs, a kind of effervescence of the

spirit, when through careful and constant effort, a breakthrough like this occurs. Instinctively, you know when you have a winner and this reinforces the need for careful and constant research…it is all the reward that scientists need, to see their work result in products which will have multiple benefits - in this case, health, financial and cultural.” The IAST is showcasing its products at the Green Expo – attendees have been treated to an eye-opening array of green technologies and products in a uniquely laid out booth space which has garnered high praise. SAK , Dr. Narine explained, will be selectively test marketed until Christmas at which point it is expected that the product will be widely available. Part of the challenges faced by the product is the development of supply chain relationships with the Patamonas and Makushis of Regions Eight and Nine. Narine explained that the next several months will be spent in consultations with the farmers and the organizing of them into cooperatives to grow increased amounts of the allimportant purple sweet potatoes. The intent is to purchase and partially process the potatoes in the regions and then to transport and process the dried potatoes into the nutraceutical drink in a state-ofthe-art facility at the IAST. A series of important improvements to the IAST’s equipment base are planned over the next few years, together with investments in solar dryers and pre-processing equipment in Regions Eight and Nine. However, Kaieteur News have also learned from several people, especially men, who have tested the product that its enhancement of circulatory functions also has an impact on male sexual function – justifying one of the taglines of the product – “Purple is the New Blue!”

Sunday October 21, 2018

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Kaieteur News

Tortured, murdered and dismembered…

Khashoggi’s former boss says Saudis lying to“cover up” journalist’s murder

F

red Ryan, Jamal Khashoggi’s former boss, has called the Saudi Arabian Government’s statement a blatant lie to cover up the murder of Khashoggi. He believes that the murder was orchestrated by the highest levels of the Saudi Government. Ryan, who is the publisher of th e Washington Post, released a statement yesterday condemning the Saudi government for K h a s h o g g i ’s alleged murder. Ryan’s statement reads: “The government of Saudi Arabia has shamefully and repeatedly offered one lie after another in the nearly three weeks since Jamal Khashoggi disappeared in their Istanbul consulate.” He further stated that “Offering no proof, and contrary to all available evidence, they now expect the world to believe that Jamal died in a fight following a discussion. This is not an explanation. It is a coverup.” The events surrounding the journalist’s death had started when he travelled to Turkey with his fiancée to obtain divorce papers from his previous marriage. He had left his wife outside of the Saudi Consulate in Turkey. When he did not emerge after the consulate closed, his fiancée called the police and reported him as missing. Reuters had reported that “The initial assessment of the Turkish police is that Mr. Khashoggi has been killed at the consulate of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul. We believe that the murder was premeditated and the body was subsequently moved out of the consulate.” The Turkish Prime Minister called an immediate investigation into the matter, following this statement. The Saudi government swiftly responded to the allegations made by the Turkish Police, stating that Jamal Khashoggi left the consulate on the day of the incident. To this, Turkey officials claimed that they are in possession of audio evidence of Khashoggi’s murder, recorded on his Apple Smartwatch. The files had been uploaded to Khashoggi’s iCloud and were duplicated on his smartphone. A Turkish security source told Reuters that a team of 15 Saudi nationals, including officials close the Saudi

crown leadership, had arrived in Turkey at 3:28 AM on the day of his disappearance and entered the consulate before he did. Turkish investigators said that men were seen loading boxes from the consulate into a black vehicle. They believed the boxes to contain the chopped up parts of Khashoggi’s body. They further reported that the team of officials went to the Saudi consul’s residence after they left the consulate. Both jets reportedly left Turkey at 21:00 that night. Their claims were later corroborated by a release from Turkish officials, which stated that information from the audio recordings they obtained indicate that Salah Al Tabiqi, a Saudi forensic specialist, told the others in the room to listen to music while he dismembers Khashoggi. A recording leaked by a Turkish newspaper also suggests that Khashoggi was beheaded and that his fingers were cut off. The recording also caught the Saudi Consul General telling the operatives to “do this outside. You will put me in trouble.” Telegraph UK reported that Turkish investigators searching the consulate found fresh coats on its walls. The Turkish police and prosecutors had inspected the consulate for eight hours and widened their search to include the Saudi Consul General’s residence, a short distance away. Prime Minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has so far refused to publicly share their audio evidence. Analysts say t h a t t h e government is withholding certain bases of evidence to maintain leverage over the Saudi government. On October 20, Saudi state TV reports indicated t h a t t h e g o v e r n m e n t ’s initial investigation into the incident revealed that Jamal Khashoggi died in the consulate. The official position of the government was that Jamal Khashoggi died as a result of an argument that culminated in a fatal brawl. They said that he died of strangulation. They also reported that they have formed a ministerial committee to restructure their intelligence services, and that they have commenced a purge of officials, detaining 18 persons so far.

Multiple governments have condemned the Saudi monarchy for what they believe to be a grave atrocity. Consequently, the government of Guyana has come under pressure to release a statement condemning the Saudi government, who leads the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), from which Guyana has been offered a US$900M resource package to finance multiple developmental projects.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

DEAD: Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi

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Kaieteur News

Sunday October 21, 2018

Sunday October 21, 2018

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Kaieteur News

WORKSHOP HOSTED TO IMPROVE REGISTRATION OF BIOLOGICS AND BIOSIMILAR The Government Analyst –Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) commenting on a recent workshop hosted in the Department’s Boardroom with the 120 years old Swiss Pharmaceutical and Diagnostic Giant (ROCHE), said that improvements in the efficiency of the Regulatory Process for the Registration of Biologics and Biosimilars were discussed in detail. Biologics are drugs, mostly proteins, produced from genetically modified living cells with a heterogeneous and highly complex molecular structure. Head of the Government Analyst –Food and Drug Department, Marlan Cole, said that since these products are derived from living cells, no identical copies of a biologic drug can be made. This gives rise to Biosimilars which are very similar to the innovative or reference product but not identical. Non-Comparable Biologics (NCB’s) on the other hand are copies of the innovative biologic drug that do not comply with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines therefore they cannot be called Biosimilars. Facilitating the exercise was ROCHE’s Costa Rican-based expert on Regulatory Affairs, Ms. Maria Jose Meness Jimenez. Representing the Department were the Director, the Deputy Director, Representatives from the Department’s Quality Assurance Unit, the Principal Analytical Scientific Officer, Head of the Drug Testing Laboratory and Drug Inspectors of the Department. Topics covered by Ms. Meness Jimenez were the characteristics of Bio-therapeutic products, the registration process for this category of pharmaceuticals and the importance of Pharmaco vigilance in identifying Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) linked to their post market use.The meeting was informed that only Reference Biotherapeutic Products (RBPs) and their corresponding Biosimilars are evaluated in clinical and non- clinical studies. These Biologics therefore provide stand alone data for safety, efficacy and quality.The use of Non Comparable Biologics (NCB’s) was deprecated due to the absence of quality, safety and efficacy data. In addition to this they do not meet WHO guidelines nor are they authorized by any stringent regulatory agencies.A practical demonstration of a Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product (CPP) issued by the US government for the Authorities in Guyana was done. Cole reiterated the Department’s regulatory requirement found in Regulation 78 of the Food and Drugs Regulations where Biologics and Biosimilars are currently classified as New Drugs. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides guidelines and recommendations about how to evaluate a biotherapeutic medication. The nine Stringent Regulatory Agencies (SRA’s) that meet WHO stipulations for the evaluation of these drugs are: The European Medicines Authority; The United States FDA; The regulatory authority of Japan; The regulatory authority of Switzerland; The regulatory authority of Canada; The regulatory authority Iceland; The regulatory authority of Norway; The regulatory authority of Liechtenstein and The regulatory authority Australia These agencies provide WHO recognized Certificates of Pharmaceutical Product (CPP). However, of the nine abovementioned stringent Regulatory Authorities the Food and Drugs Regulation mandates the recognition of CPP’s issued by the SRA’s of Canada, Australia, the United States of America or the United Kingdom.Ms. Menses Jemenez placed emphasis on the manufacturing of biologic, their biological complexity, the dangers associated with substitution and switching of medication and the need for pharmacists to be aware of changes in prescription. Also highlighted at the meeting between the Department and the ROCHE Rep. was the ease with which verification can be made electronically with official websites such as clinicaltrials.gov and https://www.ema.europa.eu/ aamong others. This was a very interactive meeting with the ROCHE representative as the Department was able to reiterate that we are legally bounded to recognize the certification and/or approval of four reference authorities before registering any Drugs. The Caribbean Public Health Agency’s (CARPHA)- Caribbean Regulatory System (CRS) pathway was also presented to the Company. The Department in the recent past had cause to take legal action against the release of an unregistered biologic in our health care delivery system and has also had cause to recall the registration of one such product that was later found to be non-compliant with our regulation and also checks revealed that clinical trials were not performed on the brand of drugs. ROCHE’s local representative, Ansa McAL, was instrumental in facilitating this interactive meeting/ Workshop. Information received and risk associated with this class of drug will be taken into consideration by the Department as we seek to further strengthen our regulatory oversight on high risk drug release for use both in our national health care delivery system and in those that are private.

ROCHE’s Costa Rican Based Expert on Regulatory Affairs Ms. Maria Jose Meness Jimenez

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Kaieteur News

Sunday October 21, 2018

Indian national hangs Guyanese lover in Antigua, kills self Antigua is rocked by an apparent murder-suicide involving a Guyanese mother. Shocked relatives in Guyana, confirming her death yesterday, said that the businesswoman from Kitty, sells hair products in wholesale quantities in Antigua where she had been living for several years. Several of her relatives also live there. It is expected that she will be laid to rest there. Her son, three-years-old, was fortunately not harmed but found dehydrated in the same building where the murder/suicide took place. According to reports in the Antigua Observer, local police on the island are probing what appears to be a murder-suicide following the discovery of the bodies of two adults who had reportedly not been seen or heard from by relatives since Tuesday. A tearful relative of one of the deceased told the OBSERVER media via phone Friday night that the police confirmed that the female deceased is Latoya Craig of Clare Hall and the male de-

ceased is the man with whom she once shared a relationship. The family identified the man as Bharat Kumar, said to be an Indian national. He was said to be the one who called Craig on Tuesday and later picked her up, along with her three-year-old son Alanzo Jones, and took them out “to English Harbour.” It is alleged that before going with the man, Craig told her current partner where she was going and with whom. It is alleged she said he was taking her “to clean a property in English Harbour” which is used as a place of worship. But, she never returned home and the following dayWednesday- relatives tried desperately to get in touch with her. On Thursday, Craig’s mother reported the matter to police after waiting the “48hour” period required to file a missing person report. But, even up to Friday, Antigua lawmen, according to media reports, had not issued public notices of the missing woman and child. It was a sis-

-woman’s 3 yr-old son found dehydrated nearby

Bharat Kumar and Lotoya Craig were reported missing after the two left the city with Craig’s three-year-old son on Tuesday to go to a property in English Harbour. Craig and her son had been reported missing on Thursday. However, the toddler was found alive yesterday in a house in English Harbour where the two adult corpses were found. (Social media photos). ter who made it public on social media and shared contact numbers for the people to reach the family. Around mid-afternoon Friday, Craig’s three year old son was found, in good health, and taken to the

Mount St. John’s Medical Centre. The bodies of his mother and her former partner were discovered at the property of a businessman who is said to be the adopted father of the male deceased.

Some describe the location as English Habour while others say it is actually in the Liberta area. On Friday night, investigators combed the scene for evidence to determine what exactly happened since both bodies were found hanging – the woman was in the dining area, and the man outside by a tree. The child was also found on the scene and taken to hospital for dehydration. Initial reports suggest that the woman appeared to have been dead longer than the male and both bodies bore signs of violence as if the two adults were involved in an altercation. Undertakers removed the

bodies from the scene late Friday night, several hours after they were first discovered. Up to press time, police had not officially confirmed the identities of the two corpses. The property in which the bodies were found is located on a steep hill, in a secluded area overlooking Falmouth and its open, green landscape. On Friday morning, Craig’s mother, Jocelyn King, said she had been calling her daughter’s phone but had not got an answer. She said the family reached out to Kumar’s father to find out what was going on. “I was told [Thursday] morning from his father that he wasn’t there, he never reached the house so I don’t know where he [went]. No answer, every time I calling, no answer from her phone, so [Thursday] I told [Kumar’s father] him if by the time they don’t see her come I am going to the station to make a report,” King said. The mother said she made the report at the Criminal Investigations Department. After getting confirmation of her daughter’s death, the mother took ill and had to be rushed to hospital. She complained of heart pain and her blood pressure was elevated, one of her daughters said.

Sunday October 21, 2018

Kaieteur News

Mocha man charged for possession of ecstasy Days after ranks from Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) intervened in an ecstasy exchange and arrested a man, he was charged for possession of ecstasy for the purpose of trafficking. Thirty-two-year-old Kenton Haynes of 347 First Street, Mocha, East Bank Demerara, denied the charge which read that on October 17, last, at Charlotte Street and Orange Walk, Georgetown, he had in his possession 559 ecstasy pills for the purpose of trafficking. The charge was read to him by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Facts presented by CANU Prosecutor, Konyo Sandiford, stated that on the day in question, CANU ranks that were located at Charlotte Street and Orange Walk, saw the defendant in the process of handing over a parcel to another individual and he was arrested. A search was then carried out on Haynes and a total of 559 ecstasy pills were found in his possession. He was arrested and taken into custody. While Sandiford had no objection to bail being granted to Haynes, she asked that it be a substantial amount.

Charged Kenton Haynes She further added that if the court is mindful to grant him bail, conditions should be attached. Attorney-at-Law Dexter Todd, who represented the defendant, told the court that his client has no pending matters and has never been convicted before. The Magistrate after lis-

tening to both sides released Haynes on $200,000 bail. Conditions of the bail are that he lodge his passport with the court and report every Monday and Friday at CANU Headquarters until the completion of the trial. Haynes was instructed to make his next court appearance on November 1.

The Baccoo Speaks The situation in the prison system is about to improve with better and more secure accommodation for the prisoners. However, there seems to be a race among errant young men to fill the prisons. One of them is going to challenge authorities with a gun after he was apprehended during a robbery. ** The situation with the public service is going to catch national attention,

with public servants demanding a pay increase after a number of prices would rise, among them the cost of transportation.

Fuel prices and other incidentals are already costing more, largely due to the Guyana Revenue Authority closing tax loopholes. ** Drug busts are common place. However, the frequency with which these drug busts are made overseas would not do Guyana any good. A foreign airport is going to report yet another arrest, this time of a woman who would be using her child as a courier.

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Sunday October 21, 2018

Kaieteur News

GPHC taking no-nonsense stance to deal with patient abandonment By virtue of it being a public free health institution, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation [GPHC] is tasked with catering to the medical needs of droves of individuals from across the country. This is often due to the fact that instead of accessing their respective regional health facilities, many people with various ailments, some even mild, head to the GPHC for medical care. Many patients are also referred by regional health facilities to the GPHC. Since one of its primary goals is to provide medical services to the nation, the hospital cannot turn anyone away, even when its accommodation spaces are limited. For this very reason, the health workers at the institution are tasked with providing efficient care to their patients in hopes of having them discharged as soon as it is medically possible. But despite efforts in this regard, the hospital continues to find itself in a daunting dilemma that has been considerably impacting its ability to cater to some who are in dire

Medical Social Worker, Clayton Newman. need of care. The challenge in question is a protracted one that seems near impossible to address. The abandonment of patients at the hospital, often by their own relatives, has caused the hospital to adopt a tactic that will see relatives guilty of abandoning their own being named and shamed. The hospital has already started to implement this tactic.

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation Speaking on the related state of affairs recently was Medical Social Worker at the hospital, Mr. Clayton Newman. According to Newman, so difficult it has

been for the hospital to cope with the number of abandoned patients, that in order to find space for new patients, the GPHC has had to rely on the West Demerara Regional Hospital in Region Three to temporarily accommodate some of them [abandoned patients]. What is even more troubling about this situation, Newman noted, is that many of these patients are brought to the hospital under the pretext that they are ‘destitute’. “At one time we had about 15 ‘destitutes’. The Male Medical Ward had approximately eight of them; the Surgical Ward had another seven or more of them...and these people all came to the hospital by June of this year,” said Newman who has responsibility for male patients at the GPHC. Many of these patients, he revealed, are admitted to hospital with generalised weakness and dizziness. Most of their conditions are not life-threatening, but rather, suggest that they were neglected. While some of the patients have been known to come to the hospital on their own, Newman said that over time, the hospital has recognised a trend whereby individuals claiming to be ‘passersby’ would bring these patients purportedly from ‘off the streets’ into the hospital. “A lot of these people, we have found, bring these patients in, claiming they were only helping them out, but what has been happening is that some of these same people who brought these socalled destitutes in, they come looking for their death certificates after their demise,” Newman related. This has led to the deduction that many of the persons bringing in these patients are in fact relatives. It is for this reason, he said, that the hospital’s Medical Social Workers have the

added task of practically ‘hunting down’ some of these relatives just so they can accept patients back home when they are discharged. “We have done the groundwork and we know that many of these people are indeed family...Sometimes when we make contact with them, we have to hear how they just break down their house and don’t have no space, or some of them keep insisting that they only know the patient from some far off location, but we know better,” Newman quipped. According to Newman, patients are usually dropped off at the Emergency Department. The normal protocol, he related, is that persons doing so leave their names, addresses and telephone numbers. This is necessary, Newman explained, so that the hospital can make contact with relatives once there has been a development in the admitted patient’s condition. The Medical Social Workers at the GPHC are tasked with making contact with the relatives. But therein often lies the challenge. “Sometimes we find that these people give us wrong numbers, wrong names...sometimes it is when we apply to the directory to find these names that we find they are nonexistent,” Newman opined. He noted that another everprevailing phenomenon when it comes to some patients is that their relatives, upon bringing them to the hospital for medical care, quickly enquire whether they can be placed in an institution when they are discharged. “As soon as some of them bring in these patients they are asking us if we can put them in the Palms [Geriatric Home], and what is clear is that from the inception many of the relatives do not intend to accept these patients back

home,” Newman shared. He moreover asserted that the work of the Medical Social Workers is not to help relatives find alternative placement for their sick. “We will give assistance like that to persons who are actually destitute; those who cannot help themselves...who have no known family connection. So we are appealing to relatives to accommodate their patients, because it isn’t always easy to get them into a home or to even keep them too long in the hospital, because space is always an issue,” Newman added. Currently, a number of patients who have been abandoned at the hospital are awaiting the availability of space to be placed at institutions like the Palms, because they have been rejected by relatives. “The family values are not there anymore,” the hospital’s Medical Social Workers are convinced. Just recently the hospital had cause to highlight the plight of one of its female patients who was abandoned for more than one year at the hospital. The mentally and physically challenged woman reportedly hails from Berbice and last resided with a sibling who decided to abandon her after taking her to seek medical care. Although the hospital has been able to track down this sibling, as well as two others, all of them have refused to accept the abandoned woman. But it has not only been because of the space constraints that efforts are continually being made to return patients to their family, more importantly, it is to help safeguard patients, as their prolonged stay on hospital wards can leave them exposed to many infections, some of which could result in their demise.

Sunday October 21, 2018

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Kaieteur News

What is it about life that Khemraj Ramjattan doesn’t understand? One of the most prominent and definitely of the most popularly known retired judges in this country said to me as I was standing in a bracing position at the glass counter in the DSL supermarket on Sheriff Street, “You cannot name me, but I definitely disagree with the large bail the magistrates put on people….” I pleaded with this judge to be identified, since the quote could be influential, coming from such a high profile former judge. But I was turned down. What is it about what the former judge

said that Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan doesn’t understand? After another prison break last week, the Minister admitted he has no more ideas about how to stop future occurrences. Obviously the minister has not read the plethora of newspaper letters and the enquiries that followed previous prison mayhems. There is nothing esoteric about life. Life

follows logical pathways, with a few exceptions here and there. If you fill up the jail with young men charged with silly, little crimes, you will have prison riots. What is it about that sociological law that the Minister does not understand? On the day of writing this column, Magistrate Ann McLennan

remanded a man for exposing himself to a woman. Interestingly, the prosecutor did not oppose bail. I suggest Ramjattan read about that court case. The day before this article was composed, a Sophia carpenter was remanded for possession of marijuana. I urged Ramjattan after the torching of the Camp Street prison to speak up against the silly decisions of a majority of magistrates, because their nonsense affects his image. Prominent people called for his resig-

nation. The Commission of Inquiry denounced the frequency of accused being remanded. Magistrates have continued with their insensitive indiscretions. Magistrates continue to ignore the sociological implications of their misdirected edicts. Khemraj Ramjattan has to know that the class of people on remand

for petty crimes consists of poor youths who cannot meet the exorbitant bail impositions. What is it about this country that Ramjattan doesn’t understand? Middle class drug accused, charged with trafficking in hundreds of pounds of cocaine, go to the High Court armed with high-priced lawyers and they get bail. The judicial system in Guyana from top (High Court) to bottom (magistracy) is biased against the poorer classes. What is it about this sociological law that Ramjattan doesn’t understand? When he did the first part of his law degree at UG, he had to read books about class-based justice in the Caribbean. But even the law books on Caribbean jurisprudence would make mention of that. This man has been a practicing attorney for over

two decades, and you mean to tell me he cannot see the infamy of magistrates filling up the prisons with colossal bail assignments and remanding people on very small criminal charges. Here is my theory on the magistracy that I am repeating for the benefit of the Minister of Public Security. There are two kinds of Guyanese magistrates. One type cannot see the connection sociologists make between prison violence and denial of justice to the poorer classes. I deeply and honestly feel that these are mediocre graduates in law that would not have made it big in private practice; their careers were rescued by becoming magistrates. They do not have the intellectual grasp to understand Caribbean sociology. Ramjattan’s personal and AFC parliamentary colleague,

Charandass Persaud, wrote a public missive describing where a mother was in court to hear her son’s case; the son did not turn up and the magistrate ordered the police to detain the mother on the bench. Ramjattan should be careful that doesn’t happen to a relative of his. Only an untrained magistrate would do such a foolish thing. Ramjattan did not comment on that nonsense. He should have done so in his capacity as Minister of Public Security. The other category of magistrates is those that are extensively frustrated at career stagnation and they vent their anger on the poor people that come in front of them. Two magistrates that have been on the bench a long time have been turned down in their application for judgeship. Both applied three and four years ago respectively.

Frederick Kissoon Ramjattan knows who these two magistrates are. These two magistrates are constantly doing nonsense on the bench because they are frustrated individuals. They will never be elevated to the High Court. I get complaints about these two judicial officials that I should take to the Judicial Service Commission, but I have no faith in my country. Do you, Mister Minister?

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Kaieteur News

Sunday October 21, 2018

Berbice Bridge Toll hike proposal is ridiculous Despite what was said last week at the PPP’s press conference, the average Guyanese and foreigner believes that the latest BBCI proposal to hike Berbice River Bridge tolls lives right down there with the ridiculous. These new rates do not meet any standard of reasonableness. Just the nonsensical nature of the highly improbable rates has put our very active conspiracy theorists to work. Some are certain that the BBCI’s proposal to impose the ridiculous rates on November 12, the date of Local Government Elections, is an ill-disguised strategy to prevent some people who have to travel over the Berbice River from casting their votes. The theorists suggest that the Parliamentary Opposition is still smarting from the 2015 whipping, and so would stop at nothing to prevent anyone (except the most determined voters) from turning out. Another conspiracy theorist posits that the bridge company was not losing any money,

even though the Government had negotiated reduced tolls in 2015. Commuters have been paying lower fares since then, but the government was paying back the balance to the company out of the national coffers. But that was not enough for them. The BBCI kept on upping the ante, attempting to impose a further 55% increase in tolls after the 2015 negotiations, but the Government again said, ‘No Dice’. The company is fully aware that this Coalition Government will put a halt to any hike in fares as far as it can, so the only conclusion one can come to is that there are ‘forces’ who want to use the Government as a “compensatory mechanism”, and according to Finance Minister Winston Jordan, to keep a faulty investment model, i.e. the Berbice Bridge, viable. In other words, the former PPP government had made yet another corrupt, ill-conceived deal in their rush to leave some positive legacy after mismanaging the economy for two decades.

Every step they take turns into a misstep, every project they undertook was ill-conceived, badly executed, and became burdensome on the people those projects are supposed to help, like the white elephant Skeldon Sugar Factory and the Enmore processing plant. The thing is, everyone was happy that finally a bridge over the Berbice Bridge was going to become a reality. The government at the time had the support of most of the nation, especially the people living and working on both sides of the river. But as usual, they stomped all over that support, and threw it away by bullying both public sector and private sector companies and agencies (e.g. NIS and NBS) into investing their subscribers and customers’ money in this bridge. Then the PPP Government cooked up a presumptuous arrangement that allowed for two companies with investments amounting to less than $400 million (or less than five per-

cent of the full investment) to exercise controlling interest in BBCI. This is known as “disproportionately small investments”. We met another conspiracy theorist last week who believes that the Berbice Bridge should ideally be owned and controlled by the Government and people of Guyana, and that the BBCI’s recent call on the Government to “buy us out” sounds suspiciously like a taunt. He thinks that the very ridiculousness of the recent fare hike to go into effect on the day of the Local Government Elections is the BBCI’s way of saying to Government, “We want money and if we can’t get it from the commuters, we might as well get it from you when you are most vulnerable”. Never mind that Minister Patterson had sweetened the pot for BBCI by making a commitment to fund all the bridge’s maintenance, in addition to the Government paying a subsidy to BBCI to compensate for ‘lost revenue’ caused by the reduced tolls which were negotiated in 2015.

Sunday October 21, 2018

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Kaieteur News

My column

There are jobs but the takers are few Guyana was once a country of carpenters, masons and other artisans. These people were in such number that the Caribbean countries reached out to them for their skills. Barbados, in particular, attracted numerous skilled Guyanese, to the extent that when the Barbados government clamped down on illegal Guyanese, their construction sector suffered. To a man, Barbados acknowledged that Guyanese were among the most skilled in the region. I suspect that there has been a relaxation of the clampdown, because I am not hearing too many complaints from the Barbados construction sector. However, this past week, there was the announcement that Guyana is desperately short of these very skilled artisans. Imagine, from the days when carpenters were a dime a dozen and masons could be found at every corner, Guyana is now complaining. I knew the situation was bad when a number of houses under construction suddenly collapsed. It was the same with the Indian monument being constructed at Palmyra, East Coast Berbice. Boys learnt the trade at the knees of their fathers. Recently, a Linden cabinet maker found that he could not get apprentices. One young fellow whom he recruited simply said that he could not be interested in such a job. Meanwhile, there are adults who are complaining that their children cannot find jobs. They speak of their children graduating from school with certificates and are forced to languish jobless. Many say that the government should find jobs for their children because they, the parents, campaigned extensively for the government when it was in opposition. That may be true, but the children are simply not pursuing the available jobs. It is turning out to be a case of the young people seeking specific jobs for which some of them are not qualified. Most of the young women want to work in offices and very few want to pursue jobs as teachers or nurses. Young men are reluctant to become policemen without recognizing that the more qualified they are the better would be their chances in the police force. I remember when the Guyana Defence Force was coming into being, there were a number of qualified Queen’s College students who rushed to join. President David Granger was one. These people fashioned the army, making it a most enviable institution. Such is not the case

these days. And in instances where the young people are placed in certain positions, they leave the job complaining about the level of the pay. I can never understand how a person would prefer to stay at home without an earning, than to being gainfully employed. For my part, I started my working life as a teacher, at a level just about that of a pupil teacher. I had left Queen’s College with my Ordinary Levels and the first thing I wanted to do was to get a job. One year later I was in the Government Teachers’ Training College. The rest is now history. I have a sister who served in the diplomatic corps rising to the level of First Secretary in the Guyana High Commission in Canada. Before that she served in the Guyana United Nations mission in New York. She too started life as a teacher. There are trade schools, but our young men who are not academically qualified are refusing to pursue a job in that field. The result is that these days, anyone with some money is a contractor who produces shoddy work but who until now, made money hand over fist. At Kaieteur News I have seen young people being employed only to walk off after two weeks. In one case a young person worked for a mere half day. A month ago, a young man simply disappeared off the job and I have not heard from him since. It must be a case of these people believing that all they have to do is turn up for work. They do not realize that the job entails thinking and communication skill, although to hear some of them talk one would believe that they are God’s gift to the profession. And it is not that the job does not pay. It is not by accident that the various media houses are constantly on the search for reporters. Young people leave school and most of them cannot write or spell. Their knowledge is sadly lacking. Some do not know who is the Commissioner of Police, certain Ministers of Government or even prominent people in the political opposition. One reporter met the Speaker of the National Assembly in the National Park and after interviewing him, asked him his name. Quite rightly, the Speaker referred her to her editor. But these days the world is so different from the one thirty or forty years ago. Technology has grown by leaps and bounds. Research material is at one’s fingertips, to the extent that libraries are

redundant. Yet many of the young people could not be bothered. A week ago, there was the story that in another thirty years half of the jobs that people do would be done by robots. As a very young boy I had heard the same thing. In fact, I believed that I would not have been able to get a job in the robot-controlled world. When I worked with the Guyana National Newspapers Limited, the Production Department employed many people. There were typeset-

ters, cameramen, plate developers and many other levels of skilled people. The reporters typed on their typewriters and the material had to be retyped by the type setters. Today the reporter has replaced the typesetter. He does his own typesetting; the huge cameras that transferred images to plates have disappeared. There is a machine that transfers the images to the plates that go on the press with what is read by the readers. However, it opened doors for the old employees. They

had to be retrained for the new job and they ended up earning more than they did. I am not sure that the young people are gravitating to the computer, because in every job computer knowledge is crucial. Most things are being done electronically, but how many young people are ready for the many jobs that exist in those areas? Life is more than a case of wanting a ‘wuk”; it is a case of being able to do the ‘wuk” when it is secured. And herein lies the problem about young

Adam Harris A. A. people claiming to be unemployed. Many are unemployable.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday October 21, 2018

The PPP must be judged on its record and not its rhetoric Lest we forget, the Peoples Progressive Party – PPP – in its 23 years in office showed scant regard for local democracy. The PPP showed little interest in empowering the people in order for them to exercise greater control of their daily lives. However, to hear the PPP leaders on the local government election campaign trail, one might forget that these are the same

No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38.

Date 2013.07.10 2012.10.24 2012.10.23 2012.10.23 2012.10.23 2012.10.05 2012.10.01 2012.07.13 2012.05.24 2012.05.24 2012.05.16 2012.05.16 2012.05.16 2012.05.16 2012.05.16 2012.05.16 2012.05.15 2012.05.05 2012.03.01 2011.10.01 2011.09.28 2011.06.28 2011.05.12 2009.09.30 2009.07.01 2008.12.18 2008.11.20 2007.08.01 2007.07.01 2007.05.01 2007.03.17 2005.03.21 2006.03.31 2005 2004.06.24 2003.11.29 2003.08.19 2002

The PPP in its 2011 Manifesto promised local government elections, but it never happened. Ramotar made what many thought was a solemn promise in his party’s election Manifesto – Working Together for a Better Tomorrow – He wrote: “In the area of local gove r n m e n t a n d governance, the next PPPC government will ensure, within one year of the 2011 general and regional elections, that local government elections are held, bringing much needed reinvigoration into local government entities.” We all know that Ramotar and the PPP failed to keep that promise and refused to implement an amended bill passed by the National Assembly calling for those elections to be held by 1st August 2014 and stubbornly resisted a sustained campaign by A Partnership for National Unity, civil society and the international community to

rulers that stifled and trampled on local democracy and almost destroyed our system of local government. It was clear that while in government the PPP was more concerned with concentrating power in the hands of its appointed Minister of Local and Regional Government. Over a period of time the PPP systematically undermined democratically-elected local

councils and underdeveloped communities by impeding the provision of public services to residents. Neighbourhood and municipal councils were starved of funding, thus making then ineffectual. PPP ministers of Local and Regional Development deliberately demolished numerous local democratic councils. They removed the

Place Canals Polder Industry/Plaisance Bloomfield/Whim Number 52 Village/Number 74 Village Port Mourant/Johns Anna Regina Little Diamond/Herstelling Kwakwani Ireng/Sawariwau Bartica Maida/Tarlogie Adventure/Bush Lot Black Bush Polder Kilcoy/Hampshire Canefield/Enterprise Ordnance /Fortlands Enfield New Doe Park Corriverton Port Kaituma/Matthew’s Ridge/Arakaka Better Hope / La Bonne Intention Leguan Mon Repos / La Reconnaissance Macedonia / Joppa Enmore / Hope Blairmont / Gelderland Mora / Parika Kintyre/ Borlam Stewartville / Cornelia Ida Rosignol/ Zee Lust Best/ Klien Pouderoyen Crabwood Creek / Moleson Creek Malgre Tout / Meer Zorgen Tuschen / Uitvlugt Rose Hall Cane Grove Linden Bath / Woodley Park Eccles/Ramsburg hold local government elections. The PPP administration procrastinated and ignored the calls and demonstrations by David Granger and APNU for local government elections. The PPP rejected calls from the ambassadors and high commissioners of the USA, UK, Canada and the European Union for the holding of local government elections. The diplomats had stated jointly, in 2013, “Given the importance and pressing need for effective local governance we believe that 2013 should be a watershed moment for the people of Guyana - the year they can once again democratically elect their local government…. the institutions and practice of local governance have withered on the vine.” Some foreign missions, together with local, non-governmental organisations,

again in 2014 issued a joint statement expressing their collective hope that local government elections would be held by 1st August 2014. They declared, among other things, “…the legislative foundation is in place for elections by August 1. The election machinery is ready. The political parties have reaffirmed their desire to hold local elections and are making campaign preparations. It is therefore our hope - as the PPP/ C, APNU, and AFC pledged in their 2011 elections manifestos - that local government elections will be held, “bringing much needed reinvigoration into local government entities. That is something all parties and civic stakeholders should agree on in 2014.” The PPP’s reluctance to hold local government elections was even exposed by the Chairman of the Elections Commis-

elected councillors and replaced them with their ‘hand-picked’ placemen. The independence and integrity of the democraticallyelected local councils were undermined by the PPP in order to maintain complete central control of all of the councils. Interim Management Committees installed by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) administration

Minister responsible Ganga Persaud Norman Whittaker Norman Whittaker Norman Whittaker Norman Whittaker Ganga Persaud Norman Whittaker Ganga Persaud Ganga Persaud Ganga Persaud Ganga Persaud Ganga Persaud Ganga Persaud Ganga Persaud Ganga Persaud Ganga Persaud Ganga Persaud Ganga Persaud Norman Whittaker Norman Whittaker Norman Whittaker Norman Whittaker Norman Whittaker Kellawan Lall Kellawan Lall Kellawan Lall Kellawan Lall Kellawan Lall Kellawan Lall Kellawan Lall Kellawan Lall Clinton Collymore Clinton Collymore Clinton Collymore Clinton Collymore Clinton Collymore Clinton Collymore Clinton Collymore sion. Given the passage in the National Assembly of the Local Authorities (elections)(Amendment) Bill which had provided for local government elections to be held by 1st August 2014, the Chairman announced in March that the Elections Commission was ready to “go into election mode” as soon as the date for local government elections was fixed. None of this moved the PPP, they continued to ignore the will of the people and were thrown out of office in May 2015. Let it be clear, the PPP must be judged on its record and not its present populists’ rhetoric. The PPP while in office destroyed our system of local democracy and created an unbalanced and undemocratic state. Thanks to APNU, Jagdeo et al are campaigning in their second local government elections in three years, a feat the PPP failed to accomplish in over two decades.

Sunday October 21, 2018

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Cancer: Is there a way to know if you have it? By Dr Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine Cancer occurs when a part of the body malfunctions and produces more tissues than can be destroyed. After a while, there is excess tissue that forms a tumor which continues to grow and feed on the body. If left untreated, the cancerous tumor begins to overwhelm our body and spread to other organs. With cancer, early detection is key. Unfortunately, every type of cancer presents differently and can go unnoticed initially. There are some general symptoms and signs that may be evident from cancer. We will expand on them in today’s article. HOW COMMON IS CANCER? Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, and is responsible for an estimated 9.6 million deaths in 2018. Globally, about 1 in 6 deaths is due to cancer. Approximately 70% of deaths from cancer occur in low- and middle-income countries. It is estimated that there will be 18.1 million new cancer cases and 9.6 million cancer deaths in 2018. In both sexes combined, lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death, closely followed by female breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colorectal cancer. In Guyana, cancer is a big burden. It is the third leading cause of death; giving us the highest

rate of cancer-related death in the Caribbean. 21 out of every 100,000 persons die from cancer in Guyana. Cervical, breast and prostate cancer are the more common cancers in Guyana. ARE THERE FACTORS THAT INCREASE MY RISKS FOR CANCER? Yes! Around one third of deaths from cancer are due to the 5 leading behavioral and dietary risks: · high body mass index (obesity) · low fruit and vegetable intake · lack of physical activity · tobacco use · alcohol use Tobacco use is the most important risk factor for cancer and is responsible for approximately 22% of cancer deaths. Additionally, chronic infections such as Hepatitis and Human Papilloma virus (HPV), also contribute as causes of cancer. Having a family history of certain type of cancer e.g. breast cancer, increases your risk of acquiring that cancer. WHATARE SOME SYMPTOMS THAT MAY SUGGEST THAT I HAVE CANCER? Cancer symptoms will vary according to the type of cancer and how far the cancer has grown. There are some symptoms that are common to many cancers and are the result of the increased cell turnover. These include: · Weight loss - in se-

vere cases there can be both loss of fat and muscle, leading to a wasting condition called cachexia. · Loss of appetite. · Pale skin and paleness of the inside of the lower eyelid, a low blood count (anemia). Other symptoms you may be asked about include: · Any visible loss of blood. · Any unexplained lumps or bumps. You may also be asked about more specific features, depending on which underlying cancer is suspected such as: · Breast cancer: breast lump, nipple discharge, change in skin. · Bowel cancer: blood in stools or after passing stool, pain in rectum. · Lung cancer: persistent cough, blood in sputum, chest pain. · Brain cancer: unexplained headaches; headache present on waking, feeling upset, being sick (vomiting), abnormal sensations or weakness in the limbs. CANCER FINDINGS ON EXAMINATION Features on examination may also help determine if cancer is present and if so where it is. This may include the following: · Features of excessive weight loss. · Evidence of anemia - pale skin and pallor inside the lower eyelid. · Any enlarged lymph

nodes such as in the neck or under the armpits. The cancer cells will have a blood supply and toxins will pass into the veins and also the lymph channels. This toxic product can then build up and lead to enlargement of the lymph nodes. · Raised temperature (fever) - some cancers can lead to high fever. · Enlargement of the liver may be the result of cancer spreading to the liver (metastases). · Lump of cancer - for example, in the breast in breast cancer or in the abdomen in bowel cancer.

It is important to note that often there may be nonspecific symptoms or even no symptoms. IS THERE ASPECIFIC CANCER TEST? This is a question that quite a few patients ask. Unfortunately, there is no specific test that can detect cancer. Each cancer has its own testing specific to the area of the body that is affected. There are screening tests that are done for various cancers. You and your doctor can work out if you need testing for any cancer based on your medical history, examination findings and risk factors. Pay

Dr. Zulfikar Bux attention to the general symptoms that cancer may cause. When it comes to cancer, the earlier you detect it, the better your chances of survival.

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SUNDAY HUNDREDS OF CASES UNCUSTOMED LIQUOR SEIZED FROM CITY HOTELS, RESTAURANTS Despite warnings and crackdowns, it appears that the illegal trade in cigarettes and liquor is continuing unabated. In the past week alone, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) seized hundreds of cases of liquor which had none of the special securityfeatured revenue stamps on them. The sudden raids are targeting major hotels and restaurants. In all, more than 750 cases were seized, Kaieteur News was told. According to well-placed sources, surprise visits occurred at the Pegasus Hotel and the Sleepin Int’l locations and reportedly at the Kanuku Suites, Campbellville, among other places. Both of the Sleepin locations- on Church Street and Brickdam- were said to have been visited. Several hundred cases of high-end liquor were seized in total at various facilities, Kaieteur News was told. The establishments were unable to explain why the special excise stamps were not on the bottles. The visits reportedly involved several officials of GRA’s Law Enforcement and Investigation Division (LEID). The clampdowns will be continuing in the coming weeks with GRA indicating that raids will be carried out routinely. The clampdown would come after importers and retailers were given a March cut-off time to get rid of their old stocks. After then, they were supposed to purchase the special stamps which are affixed to the cork area. Smuggling of cigarettes and alcohol is big business in Guyana. It is worth almost $2B annually. GRA wants its taxes. However, smuggling and a ready market have been presenting an uphill battle for GRA. In fact, big names like Absolut, Grey Goose and Ciroc Vodkas, Johnny Walker, Hennessy cognac, Jose Cuervo tequila and the Yellow Tail wines and even beers are being smuggled. TOP COP REVERSES RAMNARINE’S CONTROVERSIAL POLICE TRANSFERS Weeks after a major shakeup in the police’s hierarchy, there is news that a number of well-publicised

Sunday October 21, 2018

Kaieteur News

decisions to controversially transfer a few cops are being reversed. Inspector Godfrey Playter, who refused to take a call from then Commissioner of Police (ag) during a routine traffic control stop of a city minibus, is reportedly back on his duties in Berbice. The inspector received a letter from the Force’s administration informing him that he has been posted to the ‘B’ Division (East Berbice), effective October 1st. Playter would only confirm Saturday that he is back in Berbice on duties. Inspector Playter had claimed that he was suddenly transferred in April after he refused a take a call on a civilian’s phone while he was on duty at the eastern end of the Berbice Bridge. Playter ’s ranks had stopped a minibus, which reportedly had no permission to venture to Berbice from the city. The call on the passenger’s phone apparently came from the Commissioner of Police (ag), David Ramnarine. Playter claimed that he was not told who the person was. In any case, the call on the civilian’s phone by the Top Cop would have been highly irregular, critics say. The police in a statement had said that Playter allegedly made disrespectful remarks to the persons in the minibus, two of whom happened to be police ranks. The minibus, the police said, was sent by the Top Cop to Berbice. It was never disclosed why. Ranks had been warned over time, of allowing interference in their duties. Playter has been a Station Sergeant for a number of years and a Court Prosecutor for almost 16 years. He was posted to the East Coast of Demerara. Playter was forced to travel from the Corentyne, Berbice where he lived, to East Coast Demerara. Playter had reportedly appealed to the new police administration to look into his matter. THERE CAN BE NO GREATER ACT OF PATRIOTISM THAN TO HAVE ACOI INTO OIL AND GAS –CHRIS RAM Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram is of the firm view that a Commission of Inquiry (COI) is urgently needed into the burgeoning oil and gas sector. He said that this is crucial especially when one considers the level of ambiguity that surrounds a number of fundamental oil related matters as well as the “amateurish” ap-

proach of the coalition administration to the sector. In his most recent writings, the Oil and Gas Academic noted that among the witnesses who should be summoned to give evidence and to assist the Commission and therefore the country should be Newel Dennison, Commissioner (ag) of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC); Robert Persaud, Minister of Natural Resources in the last Administration; Donald Ramotar, former President; Raphael Trotman, Minister of Natural Resources; Joseph Harmon, Minister of State in the Ministry of the Presidency; Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge; Dr. Mark Bynoe, newly-appointed Head of the Department of Energy in the Ministry of the Presidency; Dr. Vincent Adams, an expert in the petroleum sector; and Civil Society Activists Mrs. Annette Arjoon-Martins, Mr. Ramon Gaskin, Mr. Nigel Hinds, Ms. Melinda Janki, Mr. G.H.K. Lall and Dr. David Singh. Ram opined, “Also to be called would be representatives of the oil companies, which hold prospecting licences and some of our own other Guyanese who have expertise, which they can share. Ideally, I would like to see a seven-person Commission headed by a Norwegian and comprising experts from Botswana, Chile, Canada and Trinidad and Tobago and two Guyanese.” He said, too, that some of the matters, which the COI should address are the origin and source of the Model Agreement used for the June 1999 Petroleum Agreement signed by President Janet Jagan and Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited; factors influencing the decision to grant to ESSO (now referred to as ExxonMobil) a significantly greater number of blocks than were ordinarily permitted in the petroleum legislation; the circumstances and negotiations leading up to the 2008 Addendum; and the circumstances and the negotiations leading up to the signing of new Petroleum Agreement in 2016. MONDAY C’TYNE HORROR …DEPORTEE STABS LOVER TO DEATH AFTER DUMPING HER IN TRENCH – CHASED VICTIM DOWN STREET WITH KITCHEN KNIFE; NABBED AT SCENE WHILE TRYING TO REMOVE CORPSE Armed with a kitchen knife, a mentally unstable deportee chased his girlfriend

Hundreds of cases of expensive, uncustomed liquor were seized from prominent city hotels and restaurants this past week. down a Corriverton, Corentyne street just after 09.00 hrs Sunday, before dumping her in a trench and stabbing her to death. Itashia Idana Frank, 38, collapsed and died from stab wounds to the neck. Police arrested the alleged killer, Durn Hunt, called ‘Rastaman,’ at the scene as he tried to drag the body out of the trench. They have also retrieved the murder weapon. Relatives and neighbours claimed that Hunte was of unsound mind, while disclosing that his victim had moved from Georgetown to Queenstown, Corriverton about a month ago. The brutal killing occurred shortly after Itashia Frank and her boyfriend, who has been in a relationship for just three weeks, had a heated argument at the suspect’s lot 108 Crane Street, Queenstown residence. It was during a scuffle that Itashia ran out the yard, while Hunt picked up a knife and pursued her. He eventually caught up with Itashia, threw her into a trench and stabbed her three times to the neck. The woman collapsed in the trench, which is located near her boyfriend’s house. Eyewitness said that after killing his lover, ‘Rastaman’ dropped the knife in the ditch and sat on the parapet staring at her body. He then reportedly wiped the mud away from her face and kissed her face. In a video footage seen by

this publication, he was attempting to pull the woman’s body from the drain when the police arrived and swiftly arrested him. The woman’s body was seen partly submerged and covered in mud before she was removed. A neighbour, who declined to be identified, said that Itashia Frank only moved in with the suspect some three weeks ago. While there were no arguments and they lived “like a normal couple, neighbours were concerned because of Hunt’s mental state. The neighbour said she was preparing a meal for her infant when she heard a commotion outside her house. GOVT. ACTS CONTRARY TO ITS OWN DECISION TO MOVE OIL FROM NATURALRESOURCE MINISTRY – RAM The Ministry of Natural Resources was months ago stripped of all its responsibility for the oil and gas sector. However, just a few days ago, the Ministry released an advertisement in its name inviting firms and persons to bid for the work to audit the precontract bill that ExxonMobil handed to Government. This left Chartered Accountant and Attorney at Law, Christopher Ram at a loss. Ram had been keeping a keen eye on Guyana’s nescient oil and gas sector. Recently, the attorney spoke extensively about the weaknesses of the scope of

the work to audit the pre-contract cost as outlined in the ad released by the Ministry of Natural Resources. Ram said that Guyanese should therefore expect deficient work. Ram also questioned, “Oh, and how come the Ministry of Natural Resources is still engaged in petroleum matters? Perhaps that Ministry has not received their copy of the Official Gazette which has removed any responsibility of that Ministry for petroleum operations, transferring them to the Minister of State Mr. Joseph Harmon.” Based on a notice posted in the August 2, 2018 edition of the Official Gazette, the Natural Resource Ministry is no longer responsible for petroleum matters, but still holds responsibility for gold and diamond-mining, logging and forestry sectors. Ministry of the Presidency had said that the establishment of the Department of Energy has resulted in the Petroleum Division being shifted from the Ministry of Natural Resources to the department under the Ministry of the Presidency. The Ministry said, “All responsibilities for the natural resources sector, including the gold and diamond- mining, logging and forestry industries, among others, remain with Minister Trotman.” The ministry even recalled that Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman (Continued on page 33)

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From page 32 publicly stated on February 28, 2018, that it was he who had proposed to Cabinet that a Department of Energy be established and managed under the Ministry of the Presidency. TUESDAY THREE ESCAPE FROM LUSIGNAN JAIL - INMATES STAGE RIOT HOURS LATER The Lusignan jail recorded the escape of three prisoners in the early hours of Monday morning, and subsequent unrest that saw a number of inmates being shot with pellets, as many lit mattresses during the evening. This publication learnt of three prisoners escaping from the Lusignan, East Coast Demerara Prison, Monday morning, from a source, and this was later confirmed in a statement issued by Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, which indicated, “Prison officials have confirmed that at 04:40 hours, three prisoners escaped the facility by scaling the wall. On the run are Sudesh Dyal, a 23-year-old prisoner remanded for Break and Enter and Larceny and Escape from Custody, Dextroy Pollard, a 29-year-old prisoner of Wales Village on remand for Break and Enter and Larceny and Travis Evans, a 23-year-old prisoner of ‘C’ Field Sophia, who was in prison for murder.” The statement also mentioned that the Guyana Police Force was putting all measures in place to locate and apprehend the escaped prisoners.Director Samuels subsequently held a press conference to address all related issues, at his Lot 46 Brickdam, Stabroek, Georgetown office, where he informed media operatives that the aforementioned prisoners had escaped from holding bay #1 at the Lusignan Prisons.Samuels said the facility was secured at the outer perimeters by four watch towers that were manned by police and prison ranks, who have a bird’s eye view of the facility that gave them the advantage of seeing into the prisons, which should have allowed them to witness the escape. The Director of Prisons specified that the escape occurred between towers two and three, which at the time had a number of ranks who inexplicably failed to foil the escape. NO CONFLICT OF INTEREST IN OIL SECTOR INVOLVEMENT – NIGEL & CATHY HUGHES Nigel and Catherine

Hughes have rubbished speculation that there is conflict of interest in relation to Nigel’s involvement in the Oil and Gas industry while his wife sits as a Minister of Government and is a part of Cabinet. Monday, another section of the print media highlighted Transparency Institute of Guyana Incorporated (TIGI)’s concern about a possible conflict of interest with the Hugheses. TIGI called for more than oral assurances from government that it will avert all matters of conflict of interest. The body said too that the Integrity Commission should lead the way in having sound policies to address the issue. TIGI’s call comes against the backdrop of the Hughes, Fields & Stoby law firm establishing an office in Houston, Texas, to attract oil industry clients. Principal of the firm, attorney Nigel Hughes is the husband of Minister of Public Telecommunications Cathy Hughes. Head of TIGI, Dr Troy Thomas was quoted as saying “Just the fact that Nigel Hughes is the husband of Minister Cathy Hughes means that there is a potential conflict of interest. I hasten to reiterate that I am not, neither is TIGI, attempting to

attack or make accusations against anyone.” Dr. Thomas questioned whether any declaration about the new business venture was made to the Integrity Commission, “which, I believe, should handle matters involving ministers of government.” He continued to question, “If such a declaration was made, what steps were prescribed for the minister to take, and perhaps the firms as well, to guarantee that no conflict of interest will be acted upon? What continuing efforts do the minister and the firm have to make to keep conflict of interest at bay in the future.” Catherine Hughes has since issued a statement in response to the article. NO PLAN BY INTEGRITY COMMISSION TO PURSUE RETROACTIVE DECLARATIONS The Integrity Commission does not intend to pursue declaration of assets and liabilities from public officials which should have been made before 2018. Commission Chairman, Kumar Doraisami has said that they hardly received any declarations in the past two years, because the Commis-

sion was deemed to be nonexistent. ”There was a problem before when the Commission was not functioning, because we didn’t have a Chairman and the other Commissioners in place. The question that arose at that time was: if you have to file with the Commission and there is no Commission, then where do you send the declaration form,” Doraisami stated. Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo last week called for the Commission to not only pursue the 2018 declarations, but for the three years during which the Integrity Commission Secretariat was disbanded by the Coalition Government. Doraisami shares the view that the Integrity Commission Act did not say that a declarant could file with the Secretariat. He said some of the MPs did not want to send their declarations, because there was no Commission. Up until this year when new Commissioners were installed, the Commission received voluntary submissions which averaged between five and 20. Last year, the Commission received five submissions. Official information from the Commission is that 1296 letters were sent to public of-

ficers who are mandated to file their declarations with the Commission on or before June 30, each year. The Commission had reported to have received 248 responses and only some MPs had responded. The response rate at the time was 19%. Up to last Thursday, Jagdeo was among the large group of public officers, including Members of Parliament, who had not declared their assets to the Commission for this year. Jagdeo was questioned by Kaieteur News about whether he and other MPs of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) had made their declarations which was past due. Jagdeo admitted that he had not filed with the Commission. WEDNESDAY BERBICE BRIDGE SHAREHOLDERS HIKE TOLL BY 365%, GOVT SAYS DON’T PAY The Berbice Bridge Company Inc. (BBCI) is in a standoff with Government, after it announced sweeping tolls increases from November 12, 2018, the same day Local Government Elections are being held. The announcement by

the Berbice Bridge Company was made Tuesday. Hours after the BBCI’s announcement which includes a 365 percent for vehicular traffic and 745 percent for boats, Government, convinced that there are political machinations at work, said it will not be approving the increases and will be seeking legal advice on the way forward. Once hailed as a blessing for Guyana, the viability of the structure is now testimony to a number of controversial Private/Public Partnerships projects undertaken by the previous government and which have been struggling. The other one that comes to mind is the Marriott Hotel. Government has taken over the bank payments. The bridge is now saying it cannot continue to run on the current rates and in any case its agreements with Government allow for tolls increases. Tuesday morning, during a press conference at the studios of the state-owned National Communication Network (NCN), BBCI Chairman, Dr. Surendra Persaud, insisted that the bridge company has rights under the current agreement with Government and will exercise (Continued on page 34)

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Sunday October 21, 2018

Kaieteur News

From page 33 those rights by increasing the tolls.The company claims that it is up to $6B in debts, including dividends to shareholders. The chairman said that the Board of Directors met with Minister of Public Infrastructure (MPI), David Patterson, on Thursday, October 11, 2018, to follow up on the Berbice River Bridge toll adjustments request, in accordance with the Berbice Bridge Act of 2006. RENTING OF DISPUTED SUSSEX STREET WHARF $625,000 LEASE RECEIPT MISSING FROM M&CC FILES Georgetown Mayor and City Council, (M&CC) Tax Collection Officer, Kim Forbes, has testified that a receipt for Lombard Street Wharf Facility which Town Clerk Royston King, leased to a local shipping company is missing. Forbes’s testimony before the Commission of Inquiry into the affairs of City Hall comes approximately several days after proprietor of Quick Shipping Inc, Paul Sandy, produced receipts showing that he paid the MCC $625,000 per year for 2016, 2017 and 2018, for lease of the Sussex Street wharf. Sandy signed a lease with the MCC for the location at Lot 1 Mudflat, Lombard Street in April of 2016. However, Forbes told the Commission that her records only reflect payments received at the MCC for 2017 and 2018. The officer could not say why the receipt for 2016 is not in her records. Forbes explained that although the Sussex Street wharf lease was signed since 2016, it was only when the news broke in the media over the controversy of the property that she was even made aware of the issue ”Sir, when it appeared in the media, that is the first I gained knowledge of it. I went into my records to see if there was a document pertaining to that and I found the document pertaining to the Sussex Street wharf. ”On checking the records, yes, we had received payments, two, in the year 2017 and the year 2018. No payment was made in 2016 to the best of my knowledge,” she affirmed. Forbes is employed in the Tax Collecting section under the City Treasury Department, which is responsible for the collection of rates and taxes and other revenues, including compliance fees, day care fees, container fees, payments for leases, fees for the

name change on property, vending fee, and car park fee. NANDLALLTHREATENS FINANCE MINISTER WITH CONTEMPT PROCEEDINGS OVER OUTSTANDING COURT JUDGMENTS Attorney-at- law, Anil Nandlall has moved steps to file contempt proceeding against Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan over the non-payment of monies awarded as a result of litigation brought against the State. Nandlall ‘s move to imprison the Minister of Finance for non-payment of the judgments comes hours after the Court awarded former Diplomat Harry Narine Nawbatt , a $25M judgment against the State.Nandlall a former Attorney General, noted that similar cases were filed and after full blown trials, the court awarded judgment in favour of his clients to the tune of millions of dollars but the monies are yet to be paid. The lawyer listed the case of the former Advisor to the Minister of Local Government, Clinton Collymore, Zulfikar Mustapha, former Liaison Officer to the Office of the President for Region Num-

ber Six and Anna Correia, who was employed by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs among the matters in which judgment was awarded against the State. The matters were filed in 2015/2016. Nandlall noted that in all these cases, the plaintiffs sued for damages for wrongful dismissal/unlawful termination of their contracts of employment. ”Again, after a trial of each of these cases, my clients were vindicated that dismissals were unlawful and a violation of the person’s contract. Judgments were awarded to each of them in various sums as compensation along with interest and costs. ”Attorney General (AG) Basil Williams was the Defendant in all of these cases. No appeal was filed against any of these decisions. Yet, the Attorney General has consistently refused to honour these judgments although we have made repeated written requests for him to do so.” Nandlall stressed that litigants invested time, money, emotions and other resources in the matter and they therefore should be paid. In addition the awarded sums, Nandlall claimed that the State owes his Chambers le-

gal cost estimated at $5M alone. THURSDAY MERRILLLYNCH MAKES PLAYAHEAD OF SOVEREIGN WEALTH FUND ESTABLISHMENT United States wealth management entity, Merrill Lynch, has started engaging Guyana ahead of the implementation of the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF). Officials of the company met separately in recent weeks with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge and Central Bank Governor, Dr. Gobind Ganga. Greenidge said that Merrill Lynch requested the meeting, because they may have an interest not only from a wealth management perspective, but as a merchant bank willing to lend money for infrastructure development. ”Our function as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is really to listen to them and channel them to the appropriate agency. We listened to them, explained what we are doing in a variety of areas, and facilitated a meeting between themselves and the Ministry of Finance,” Greenidge stated.

He indicated that the firm has not indicated fully its interest in Guyana. ”I know that they have capacity and experience in the management of the equivalent of Sovereign Wealth Funds, and we did not discuss with them their interest, but we did explain what we have in place, and they did indicate that they would take it up, as recommended, with the Ministry of Finance,” Greenidge stated.The Foreign Affairs Minister indicated that although Merrill Lynch has not done much recently with Guyana, the firm worked previously with Central Bank. Merrill Lynch, the hard charging bull of the global financial services industry, was once considered the world’s largest brokerage. The firm generates wealth for its clients through a variety of investment vehicles, including the stock market. BERBICE BRIDGE COMPANY OFFICIALLY INFORMS GOVT. OF TOLL INCREASE …INSISTS IT HAS POWERS TO DO SO AFTER “CONSULTING” WITH MINISTER One day after dropping a

bombshell and sparking a tsunami of protests across the country over new tolls for vehicular traffic, the Berbice Bridge Company Inc. (BBCI) appears not to be daunted. Wednesday, the company defiantly released a letter addressed to subject Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson. The letter informed the minister of intentions to steam ahead with the tolls increase come November 12, 2018 – the same day that local government elections are to be held. The company, a controversial one from the start because of the way the financing model was configured under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic, insisted that it has the powers and has consulted with the Minister in keeping the Berbice River Bridge Act on the tolls. The issue is threatening to become a talking point as the aforementioned elections loom. The bridge company is proposing a staggering 365 percent increase in vehicular tolls. On Tuesday, Patterson insisted that the tolls increases as announced have elements of political (Continued on page 35)

Sunday October 21, 2018

From page 34 machinations.According to the letter from chairman, Dr. Surendra Persaud, to Minister Patterson, dated Monday, October 15, the Board of the company, in thanking the ministry for a meeting last on the toll increase, expressed its disappointed with the Government, “a party to the Concession Agreement” for “not honoring its obligation to implement the toll adjustment.” The Chairman noted that during the meeting, Minister Patterson “offered to undertake maintenance works on pontoons of the Berbice River Bridge and to absorb this cost to your Ministry from the year 2019”. According to Persaud, the minister also offered to arrange a meeting with the Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, to examine the debt situation of the BBCI. SIX HELD, FIREARMS AND LOOT RECOVERED FROM PARIKA ROBBERY Prompt action by ‘D’ Division police ranks guided by the Divisional Commander, has led to the arrest of six men and the recovery of firearms and articles that were stolen during a robbery at Parika, East Bank Essequibo. A release stated that at around 22:20hrs on Tuesday, three men, who were armed, exited a car and attacked a female bar proprietor and two patrons. They relieved the victims of a laptop, three phones and a sum of cash, discharged a round in the air and escaped in the vehicle. The car was later intercepted at Cornelia Ida on the West Coast of Demerara, with two of the three suspects, and

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based on further information received, a public transportation vehicle was intercepted at the Western end of the Demerara Harbour Bridge where three other individuals were apprehended. The third suspect from the car was arrested with the firearms, ammunition, two toques, and the stolen articles. The suspects are said to hail from Diamond, East Bank Demerara; Kuru Kururu, Albouystown, and Best Village, West Coast Demerara. FRIDAY GOVT. USED SEVEN ROOMS AT HOTEL TO STORE DRUGS, ITEMS DESTROYED BY TERMITES While it was paying $25M per month to use a house in Sussex Street as a drug bond, the APNU+AFC Government still found it necessary to store drugs at Ocean View International Hotel. This was revealed in the Auditor General’s report covering a review of the fiscal year ended 2017. The report was released to the National Assembly Thursday. Within a review of the Ministry of Public Health, the Office of the Auditor General noted, “…the drugs were stored in seven hotel rooms. The manner in which the items were packed made it difficult to conduct a stock count as the items were not arranged in manner that made them easy of access and check. ”In addition, there was evidence of termite infestation in the rooms and damages (sic) to the boxes and items

stored,. The extent of the damage could not be determined at the time of physical count.” The ministry responded that it had taken a decision to utilize the Ocean View Offsite “to store medical supplies rather than pharmaceuticals, which need A/C’s to maintain potency. The proprietors have treated the rooms against termites and rodents

The recovered loot

to avoid damage to the items.” The Audit Office recommended that the Ministry “take immediate steps to ensure that the Stores Regulations is complied with, as it relates to the accounting for stores.” But that was not the only problem highlighted by the Auditor General. As it turns out, the Audit Office has been unable to find formal agreement for rental of the property or the other offsite locations that were being used. The report stated, “There was no evidence that rent was paid to the owners of the facilities and audit checks revealed that the Ministry did not enter into contracts with the owners for the storage of the items”. The Ministry of Public Health responded that the Ministry had sought the assistance of corporate citizens to have the items stored at the offsite locations temporarily since the construction of bonds was ongoing. The Audit Office recommended that the Ministry take action to ensure that contracts are put in place that meet the requirements of the Procurement Act 2013, especially as they relate to the terms and conditions that would indemnify the government from finan-

cial loss. CONTRACTOR COLLECTS $112.1M ON TWO PROJECTS LAST YEAR; FAILS TO START WORK As it relates to advance payments to contractors and the non-commencement of works, the Auditor General’s Office has discovered that one contractor received an advance payment of $39M in 2017 from Region Number 10. In his latest report, Auditor General, Deodat Sharma, said that the contract for the construction of a Regional Administration Building was awarded by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) to the lowest responsive bidder in the sum of $265.6M against an engineer’s estimate of $249.3M. Sharma said that the contract was signed on December 29, 2017 and the works were expected to be completed two years after the commencement date. The AG said that as at December 31, 2017, an advance payment in the sum of $39M was made to the contractor. Sharma said that a site inspection revealed several worrying things. Among these, he said, is the fact that the site was abandoned, that no equipment or personnel

were present; and a quantity of white sand was stockpiled with two material storage sheds. Sharma said that the full advance payment of $39M was prepared and processed in the name of the contractor but at the time of payment, no bond was lodged by the contractor. It was only last February that one was produced. The Auditor General said that this is a breach of procurement laws. At the time of the audit in July 2018, the Auditor General noted, too, that the RDC was now requesting permission to go to tender for supervisory consultancy services for the supervision of the works for the contract which was awarded since December 29, 2017. The AG was alarmed that the contractor was already in possession of the advance money when no supervisor was in place. The Government in response to this finding by the AG said that the matter is currently engaging the attention of the Ministries of Communities and Finance with the view to engaging a Supervising Consultant. Sharma said that the same contractor received $73.1M advance payment from the Ministry of Public Health in 2017 and at the time of reporting, no significant works had (Continued on page 36)

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From page 35 commenced on site GRANGER ASSURES GOVT. WILL NOT SQUANDER OIL REVENUE …SAYS NATURAL RESOURCES FUND LEGISLATION TO BE TABLED NEXT MONTH President David Granger has assured that the Coalition Government is committed to transparency in the management of the oil and gas sector, promising to be prudent with revenues which will flow from oil production in 2020. Delivering an address to Members of Parliament (MPs) following the annual Parliamentary recess, President Granger outlined Government’s legislative plan for the upcoming session and provided an update on the state of affairs in the country. According to Granger, Government is taking steps to ensure that the revenues which accrue from the sector will not be squandered but, instead, will be invested strategically in building human and institutional capacity, addressing infrastructural deficit and providing economic security for future generations. Granger told Parliament, which saw attendance from the Diplomatic Corps that this would be done through a Natural Resources Fund (NRF) which will be established before first oil in 2020. ”It is being reviewed by Cabinet and the revised legislation will be laid in the National Assembly next month. This legislation is compre-

Sunday October 21, 2018

Kaieteur News

hensive and will ensure that revenues from petroleum are managed in a transparent and accountable manner,” Granger stated. He indicated that the legislation, as it stands, meets 21 of the 24 Santiago Principles with the other three principles being met once the legislation comes into force. ”Your government will ensure that oil revenues are prudently managed for the present and future generations in accordance with our objective of securing the good life for all,” Granger stated. He assured that Government has already begun to build the capacity of key agencies concerned with management of the NRF and has developed an implementation plan to ensure that the Fund is fully operational in 2019 prior to first oil. He said priority will be given to investments in human capital, particularly our public education system and key catalytic infrastructural projects that improve productivity and bridge the divide between the coastland and hinterland. SATURDAY CONTRACTOR BIDS IDENTICAL TO ENGINEER’S ESTIMATES, GETS EIGHT CONTRACTS – FOUR AWARDED ON SAME DAY The Office of the Auditor General has launched a special investigation into what seems to be a quite beneficial relationship between Region Six Officials and a particular

contractor. While that investigation is ongoing, Auditor General Deodat Sharma made mention of it in his latest report covering an examination of the government’s spending in 2017. Sharma said that an audit revealed eight instances in Region Six where the contract sum was the same as the engineer’s estimate. In addition, each item on the contractor’s bill of quantities was identical to that of the engineer’s bill of quantities. Further, all eight of the contracts were awarded by the Regional Tender Board. Interestingly, four contracts were awarded at one sitting. Also, all eight contracts were awarded to the same contractor. All eight of these contracts were awarded in 2017. The first contract awarded was for the contractor to effect repairs to the Number 61 Beach entrance. He was then awarded another contract to effect repairs to the Number 63 Beach entrance. Then, in one day, the contractor won four bids; these were for the grading and shaping of Manarabisi Pump Station Main Drain; the evacuation of Lesbeholden North Frontlands Distributory Canal; the excavation of Limlair/ Friendship drainage canal and the excavation of Liverpool drainage canal. Soon after those contracts were awarded, the contractor made successful bids for land filling and fencing at 53 Union community ground. The contractor also won a bid to effect repairs to the main entrance inside the compound

at the National Psychiatric Hospital. From these works, the contractor collected over $57.2M This newspaper contacted several officials of the region who claimed ignorance of the matter. However, a special report from the Auditor General is to be issued. ESCAPEE TRAVIS EVANS RECAPTUREDAT SOESDYKE - GOVT. ‘FAST-TRACKING’ MAZARUNI PRISON CONSTRUCTION Luck ran out for fugitive and murder accused Travis Evans yesterday when he was recaptured at Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara. Acting on information from members of the public, ranks from various search teams went to the area. At around 07:45 hrs, ranks from the Joint Services apprehended Evans in the vicinity of the Soesdyke/Linden junction. He was then taken into police custody for processing. Director of Prisons Gladwin Samuels commended the individuals who aided in the escapee’s capture. Kaieteur News understands that police ranks had also received information on Thursday that Evans was in Plum Park, Sophia. When the ranks responded, an individual believed to be Evans fled into the bushes. Still on the run are Sudesh Dyal and Dextroy Pollard, who, with Evans, escaped from the Lusignan facility at around 04:40 hours by scaling the prison wall.

Injured inmate Dyal, 23, is on remand for break and enter and larceny and escape from custody, Pollard, 29, of Wales Village, was charged with break and enter and larceny, while Evans, 23, of ‘C’ Field Sophia, was in prison for murder. Four police ranks and a prison warder are being questioned about the circumstances surrounding the escape.

The ranks were on duty at towers two and three, which is the area where the inmates made their escape. Several hours later, prison officers were forced to open fire to quell unrest by the inmates at the same prison, after they set mattresses alight and attempted to attack some of the ranks. Some of the inmates suffered pellet injuries.

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Reflections on growing up... (From page 38) troubling and racist undertones. But resignedly, we left the matter in God’s hands. Interestingly, a few years ago I read a book written by a colonial magistrate from England in the 19th century. (I can’t recall the name of the book nor the author) But a sizeable part of it dealt with the vicissitudes of life in then British Guiana.The author was particularly keen on recalling incidents in which the

criminal acts carried out by perpetrators seem, in hindsight, to have a distinct correlation to many of the very assumptions and prejudices we express today about our races. Then, like now, it was mostly Blacks and East Indians who were charged with offences ranging from simple larceny to premeditated murder at its most brutal. In this context, most Afro-Guyanese were indeed portrayed as quar-

relsome and aggressive, while many Indo-Guyanese were depicted as scheming and cruel. But behaviour traits tend to overlap, and it would be imprudent to imagine that other ethnicities – Portuguese, Chinese, Amerindian and European, were all model citizens. Lawlessness is part of human nature. Presumptions and prejudices don’t go away easily. These phenomena are ingrained in the minds and hearts of multitudes of individuals worldwide, from Guyana to Guam, to Greenland. But things will change. That’s my opinion and my optimism; looking through slightly rose-tinted glasses, I see my own version of Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World emerging from the ashes of racial intolerance and bigotry. And the champions of this paradigm shift are, CHILDREN!

Sunday October 21, 2018

Guyana leads the charge for Caribbean Land Management Initiative By Kemol King Guyana is hosting and spearheading the Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM), a plan which aims to revolutionise land management in the Caribbean region. Representatives from the various participating member states congregated at the Marriott Hotel on Friday for the facilitation of a press conference. The group is working on formulating a long term strategic plan which will guide the management of lands, through activities concerned with the management of land as a resource, from economic and environmental perspectives. This includes farming, mining, property and estate management, and the physical planning of towns and the

countryside. Community Development Minister of Jamaica, Desmond McKenzie, commended Guyana and the Lands and Surveys Commission for leading the charge for better management of Caribbean lands. He said that the plan will consider how best the CARICOM region can collectively preserve, maintain and improve on the quality of its natural resources. One of the most daunting challenges of such initiatives, the team indicated, is the lack of data on land management issues faced by the member states. Calvin James, executive director of the initiative, said that the compilation of such data and the execution of a comprehensive plan will depend on the complete participation of

all states at a ministerial level. The partnership recently held three sessions of high level meetings of Ministers from Small Islands Developing States (SIDS). These meetings included ministers and other representatives from Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname. Guyana has been represented by Minister Joseph Harmon and Mr. Trevor Benn, who is the current Chairman of the PISLM Task Force, as well as Commissioner and Chief Executive of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission. The initiative is being funded by a mechanism established under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

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Sunday October 21, 2018

Sunday October 21, 2018

Vandals target power cables for streetlights in Demerara The Ministry of Public Infrastructure is complaining that power cables used for streetlights in Demerara are being stolen. According to the ministry, it has noticed the theft of Triplex Distribution Cable s in several communities. “These cables are used to provide electrical power to the highway lights installed along the designated highways with the intent of promoting safe mobility for all categories of road users.” Among the areas affected were: on the West Coast Demerara - Leonora; MetenMeer-Zorg; De Kinderen and Belle Vue at West Bank Demerara. On the East Bank Demerara, the incidents occurred at Coverden and Land of Canaan, as well as areas on the East Coast of Demerara. “The Ministry pleads with the public to contact the nearest police station

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Riplex Distribution Cables are being stolen in several communities or the Public Relations Officer on 592-227-0799/

592-614-3069 to report all suspicious activities.”

Bail for construction worker charged for raping girl, 15 Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Friday released a construction worker on bail in the sum of $250,000 after a charge of rape was read to him. Calvin Mann, 26, of Timehri, East Bank Demerara, is accused of engaging in sexual penetration with a 15year-old girl. He was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that between August 1 and August 31, 2018, at Timehri, East Bank Demerara, he engaged in sexual penetration with a child under the age of 16. Mann was represented by Attorney-at-Law Stanley Moore, who asked the court to grant his client bail in reasonable amount. However, Police Prosecutor Simone Payne was opposed to bail being granted to Mann, citing the serious nature of the offence and the fact that the defendant and the victim are known to each other and live in the same

Calvin Mann area. According to information, the teen and Mann were involved in an intimate relationship and her family found out. The victim’s family then went and reported the matter to the police, hence an inves-

tigation was carried out and Mann was arrested and charged. Mann was instructed to make his next court appearance on October 23 when he will appear before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly.

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Sunday October 21, 2018

How to Get Rid of Belly Fat in a Week

You’re fed up with your belly fat, and you want it gone — now. Your abdomen didn’t expand in one week, so you can’t expect it to slim down in that short time either. Use a week to introduce measures to help you lose belly fat over time and reduce bloating. You might feel a little lighter after seven days, but true loss of fat will take several weeks or months. Belly fat is a metabolically active type of fat that sits deep inside the abdominal cavity. It surrounds internal organs and releases compounds that make you vulnerable to metabolic disturbances, heart disease and inflammation. Belly fat may be dangerous, but it’s also responsive to traditional weight-loss strategies of diet and exercise. One pound of fat equals 3,500 calories; thus, to lose a pound, you must consume 3,500 calories fewer than you burn. In a week, you can’t afford much more than a 3,500or 7,000-calorie deficit without severely depriving yourself of nutrients and solid food. This deficit means you’ll lose 1 or 2 pounds per week. Some people can lose more than two pounds in a week with a dedicated fitness program and serious dietary restrictions. The time and effort required to lose weight that quickly is grueling and usually unsustainable, though. Even if you can lose a notable amount of weight in a week, a lot of it will be water weight — not true belly fat. Weight you lose quickly is likely to be regained quickly too. Belly fat is usually the first weight lost when you start an exercise program, explains Rush University Medical Center. If you are new to exercise or coming back from a long hiatus, you can’t expect to hit the gym for hours at a time to burn off fat that first week. This only increases your risk of injury and burn out. Instead, build up to at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity cardio, such as swimming, jogging or hiking. A duration

of 250 minutes per week will lead to more significant weight loss, explains the American College of Sports Medicine. This means 250 minutes a week for several weeks or months, though; you’re unlikely to see dramatic results after one week. Strength training is another critical component in belly fat loss. You can’t crunch your tummy away, but you can participate in a fullbody strength-training program that addresses all the major muscle groups. Do this at least twice a week to build muscle, which helps boost your metabolism. The results of strength-training are gradual, however. One week of strength training won’t induce the changes in your body necessary to improve your metabolism, but over the long haul you’ll see improvements. Belly fat also responds to a lower-calorie diet that’s full of healthy, unprocessed foods. Go for lean protein, fresh produce and whole grains at meals. When you have just a week to lose as much as possible, ban all sweetened drinks — including soda and juice — bakery treats and ice cream. Also avoid refined grains, such as pizza and white bread, as well as alcohol. Keep your portion sizes to just 2 to 4 ounces for meats and other proteins and about 1/2 cup for grains. Over the long term, these dietary revisions help you drop belly fat. Resist the urge to use a diet that promises quick results. Often they don’t work, or they’re so restrictive you can’t handle them for more than a couple of days — let alone a week. If you do stick to the plan, you may very well see a drop in pounds — but it’s not from a substantial amount of fat; it’s mostly from water. A quick-fix diet teaches you nothing about sensible eating that will help you manage your belly fat and health forever. You’ll likely gain all the weight back as soon as you resume your normal eating habits.

Sunday October 21, 2018

How Ariana Grande Is Coping One Week After Pete Davidson Split

Ariana Grande is leaning on her family just days after splitting from Pete Davidson. Last week, the songstress and the Saturday Night Live star called off their engagement following an emotionally tumultuous month. At the time, a source told E! News, “She will always have a special place in her heart for him, but told him that right now is not the best time.” In the days following their shocking split, an insider says Ariana has kept “in close contact with her family and they are keeping an eye on her and supporting her.” At the moment, the pop star is trying to overcome her personal turmoil by “burying herself in work,” but, accordi n g t o t h e i n s i d e r, h e r friends and family “have urged her to take a break and really relax and take time for herself.” “Ever since Mac [Mac Miller] passed, she has been avoiding the grievance process and has been trying to keep herself insanely busy,” the source shares. According to the source, even her whirlwind relationship with Pete served as a “big distraction” for Grande, but following their split “reality sank in.” “Ariana wants to keep going, keep recording music and move on with her life, but understands that she needs to also deal with her emotions,” the insider explains. L u c k i l y, t h e star has found an “attentive” support system in her friends and family, especially her mother and brother Frankie. The insider says, “They want what’s best

for her and to do what she feels is best for herself.” As for her love life, it appears things have been put on hold. Both Pete and Ariana have been in contact but decided “it’s best to be physically apart,” even though “they still care about each other.” “She’s trying to clear her head and just keep going living each day one at a time,” the insider shares with E!. Just two months ago, the pop star’s ex-boyfriend died of an apparent overdose, which “truly devastated” her. Understandably, the loss left Ariana feeling “like her emotions are out of control,” and prompted her to reevaluate where she stood in her relationship with Davidson, a source previously revealed. The insider added, “She had to take a step back and just breathe for a minute. She’s been completely overwhelmed and wants to slow down.” So while the artist pumps the brakes on her love life, she is shifting her attention to the things that bring her joy, like music. Ari recently performed at the televised special for the play Wicked’s 15 year anniversary on Broadway. Before going on stage, Ari wrote on Instagram: “Can’t believe I almost let my anxiety ruin this for me today!! Not today satan! Not tomorrow or the next day either not no more u can suck my big green d—k. finna sing my heart out and be a big walking vessel of love bye.” (https://www.eonline.com/ news/978900/how-arianagrande-is-coping-one-weekafter-pete-davidson-split)

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1.Q: Where does vampire get all his jokes? A: From a crypt writer! 2.Q: What's a vampire's favorite soup? A: Scream of Tomato! 3.Q: What is a vampires favorite holiday? A: Fangsgiving! 4.Q: What is a vampire's favourite fruit? A: A blood orange!! 5.Q: Why did the vampire drive on the motorway? A: Someone told him it was a main artery! 6.Q: What do you call the referee in a Transylvanian soccer game? A: A Vumpire!! 7.Q: What's a vampire's favourite music band? A: The Vaults! 8.Q: What did the vampire have for dessert last night? A: Whine & Ice scream!! 9.Q: Why does vampire consider himself a good artist? A: Because he likes to draw blood! 10.Q: What sort of club would a vampire join? A: A blood group!!! 11.Q: How did the vampire fall in love with his wife? A: It was love at first bite!! 12.Q: What is a vampire's favorite sport? A: Casketball‌ 13.Q: Where does a vampire usually eat his lunch? A: At the casketeria! 14.Q: Why did the vampire become an actor? A: He wanted a part he could sink his teeth into! 15.Q: What is a vampie's favourite breakfast? A: Ready-Neck!! 16.Q: Who is a vampire's favorite type of person to bite? A: A red neck!! 17.Q: Why doesn't vampire mind the doctor looking at his throat. A: Because of his big coffin. 18.Q: Why do vampires scare people? A: They are bored to death! 19.Q: Why did Dracula go to the dentist? A: Fang Decay!!! 20.Q: Why did the vampire need mouthwash? A: Because he had bat breath! 21.Q: How does a female vampire flirt? A: She bats her eyes! 22.Q: Why is a vampire a good person to take out for meals? A: Because he eats necks to nothing! 23.Q: Where do vampires keep their money? A: The blood bank!!! 24.Q: How can you tell a vampire likes baseball? A: Every night he turns into a bat. 24.Q: What do you call a foolish old vampire? A: Silly old sucker!! 25.Q: What is a vampire's favourite dessert? A: You scream and I scream!!! 26.Q: Why has the most dangerous job in Transylvania? A. Being a vampire's dentist!!! 27.Q: What do you call a short vampire? A: A pain in the knee! 30.Q: Why did the Vampire read the Wall Street Journal? A: He heard it had the best circulation. 31.Q: What's a Vampire's least favorite song? A: Another one bites the dust! 32.Q: What do you call a stupid vampire? A: A silly clot! 33.Q: Why do vampires invest in silver? A: To take it off the market!

Kaieteur News

Sunday October 21, 2018

Sunday October 21, 2018

Basic Makeup Tips For Beauties With Dark Skin 1. Moisturize: Those with dark skin, especially with dryness problems, tend to look ashy if skin is not moisturized properly. After your daily shower, make sure you apply a good moisturizer to keep your face and body well-hydrated. This will give you that clear, glowing dusky look. 2. Sunscreen: Just because you have a darker complexion doesn't mean your skin won't get affected by the harmful UV rays. This is a common mistake that many dark-skinned beauties tend to make. Choose your sunscreen depending on your skin type. 3. The right foundation: Foundation acts as a base for your makeup. Always make sure that the foundation matches your natural skin tone. You can also try using two shades of foundation – a lighter shade on the center of your face, and your natural tone on the rest of the face. This would make your face appear brighter. Look for a shade that is just right for you and evens out the discolorations. Avoid using transparent powder – it can give your skin a grayish tinge. 4. Concealer: To counteract the stubborn blemishes under the eyes, apply a concealer along the tops of your cheekbones towards the tip of your eyebrows. It's more or less like drawing a triangle. This shape not only conceals dark circles, but it also instantly help attract the light by bringing warmth to that area. 5.Highlighter: There's nothing we love more than a creamy highlighter that wears like a face polish. To give the illusion of larger eyes, apply the highlighter under your brow bone, a bit above the crease in your lids. Once done, pat a small dot in the middle of the apple of your cheeks. Then press the highlighter onto your forehead followed by your high plane of the face, chin. 6. Bronzer: Literally a staple diet for all beauty lovers, a bronzer can make your skin look fresh, glowy and sun-kissed even when the temperature is soaring high. For that perfect bronze look, we suggest go about two shades deeper than your tan color, and make sure you don't dust bronzer all over the face. To create a neat look, apply the bronzer with a sculpting brush on in a C formation. That means, start it at the temples and flick lightly along the sides of the face, forehead, nose, and chin for a more refined look. 7. Eye makeup: Eye makeup is something that highlights your eyes and enhances your looks. For a casual daytime event, it's best to avoid vibrant or bright colors and opt for subtle shades like browns, pinks, and gray eyeshadows, complemented with loads of mascara. For an evening event or a formal occasion, try shades like blue, purple, and greens and also shades like burgundy, prunes, copper, and browns. These colors look amazing on dark skin and are sure to make you look like a diva! Be experimental and play with colors.

SOLUTION TO LAST WEEK’S WORD SEARCH

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SAY CHEESE !

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Kaieteur News

PAGE 54

THE COVERED BRIDGE

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here was only one way to get to town. Walking or riding, there was only one road that crossed the river. The river wasn't bad, even though the water got a bit high and rough when the heavy rains came in early spring or late fall. The road wasn't bad, even though it got narrow in parts and twisted back and forth through the hills, sometimes in such a blind turn that Carol was sure her Mom or Dad would smash into something before they got through the turn. But there was rarely anything on the road in the other direction, and they never met another car on the tight curves. No, Carol didn't mind the road that much. But there was something about the bridge, the old wooden covered bridge that swallowed up the car and bathed it with shadows. There was something Carol hated. "That bridge gives me the creeps," she said to her friend Jackie one evening as they sat on Carol's porch. "That's not creepy," Jackie said. "It is to me," Carol said. Jackie shook her head. "I'll tell you what's creepy. Marigots. Those are creepy." She shivered. "What's that?" "My grandma told me about them. She said they come out once every fifty years, if the conditions are right. They only come out for an hour. They're like fat earthworms. But they eat meat. They have teeth. She said they're about due to come back.""That's crazy," Carol said, feeling a slight shiver run down her shoulders and along her arms. She didn't want to hear any more about such nonsense. Even made up stuff could be spooky after the sun went down."It's true." Jackie jumped up and pointed toward the yard. Her eyes opened wide. Her mouth moved for a moment, but no sound came out. Finally, the scream broke free. "THERE'S ONE!" Carol leaped from her seat and pressed her back against the wall next to the front door. "Where?""Got you." Jackie started laughing.

FUN WITH POETRY

"Jackie! That's not nice." Carol tried to relax, but she could feel her heart slamming in her chest. "Sorry," Jackie said. "I couldn't resist. You should have seen your face. Come on. I've got to go. Walk me part way." "Just as far as the bridge," Carol said."Not across?"“Nope.�Jackie shrugged and got up. Carol followed her down the road to the bridge.Twice, Jackie stopped and shouted, "THERE'S ONE!" Both times, Carol jumped. Both times, Jackie giggled. "Well," Jackie asked when they reached the bridge. "You going to walk me any farther?"Carol shook her head. Going across was bad enough. But if she went over the bridge with Jackie, that meant she'd have to go back across on the way home -- by herself. Jackie sprinted ahead to the middle of the bridge. She was nearly lost in the shadows. All Carol could see was a vague form. "Look, nothing scary. Come on. Just walk a few steps with me. You'll be glad you did." Carol took a deep breath. If she walked just a little way with Jackie, she'd be able to keep her in sight when she went back to her own side. "Stay right there," she said, hating how timid she sounded. She stepped onto the bridge. The wood, built to take the weight of cars and trucks, didn't creak in protest over this light load. "Jackie? You there?" The form didn't seem to be getting any closer. Carol walked, bracing herself, expecting Jackie to jump at her and shout Boo! any moment. "Jackie?" she called again. There was no answer. Carol froze, unsure whether to go ahead and search for Jackie or to run back. She took another step, and another. Finally, ahead, she saw dim light. The night, dark but brighter than the inside of the bridge, revealed Jackie standing on the ground ahead. Carol ran forward, pausing at the very edge of the bridge. She was too angry with Carol to join her on the ground. "You didn't wait for me.""Hey. I did you a favor. You made it. Now you know there's nothing to be scared of."Carol started to answer. But something caught her eye. On the ground, all around Jackie, small mounds of dirt were pushing up. At first, Carol thought it was a trick of the shadows. She realized it was no trick when she saw hundreds of slimy, wriggling creatures bursting from the holes. Even in the dark, their teeth gleamed bright. "Jackie! Look out!" Carol screamed, reaching out her hand toward her friend. (Continued on next edition)

Never give up

I used to think some work was too hard, And so did not even try; This is because I had tried before, And gave up when I could not get by. But then I looked around my class, And saw others doing swell, When I thought I was brighter than them,And felt I could do just as well. So I decided to never give up, And to always feel I could do better; I put my whole mind to my work, And soon everything got so much easier.

by Uncle Roy

Sunday October 21, 2018

Junior page Halloween Hanging Ghosts MATERIALS: - CARDSTOCK - SCISSORS - BLACK MARKER INSTRUCTIONS: 1. You can cut the design with scissors. 2. These were created from 12" x 12" white scrapbook paper. 3. Draw the swirl below onto the cardstock and cut it out. 4. Next draw faces onto the broad area. 5. Attach string to the center and hang! 6. Make more. The best part about hanging ghosts is that they catch the wind easily and spin in the air. You can also attach these ghosts to the ceiling lights with invisible beading string for a fun "magic" appearance.

B LOCKBU I LDERS Fit the letter blocks into the diagram to spell out the name of a famous person.

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A E E W

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Sunday October 21, 2018

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Be an example to others by being the best you can be

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t is sometimes frustrating to us when we see people who are close to us doing wrong things, and we feel that any words we say to them will be just ignored, or even obtain a hostile response. If we are really serious about getting our relatives and close friends to do what is right without our speaking to them, then we will take pains to behave always in such as manner as to provide a good example for them to follow. When you act continuously in such a way that you know is right, you set yourself up as an example to those who may be looking up to you. In fact, if you think about it, we each have an obligation to those near to us to provide this example of doing good so that, if they have no other way of knowing what is right, they can just follow you and eventually

appreciate and adopt this do-good habit. I am sure you can identify younger persons in your family and neighbourhood, as well as some related to you or your friends, who are looking to you for some guidance. If in no other way, you can just be an example in proper behaviour to them, and this can go a long way in helping them, as well as get to add more value to your own life. Try to do the right thing always, even though it may mean some cost to you. Knowing you take pains to follow your conscience will make you feel worthy, and inspire you to do the same always. Although it sometimes takes a lot of effort to do what is right, you will find that is will always reap a reward that far

The Choice Is Yours At every time and in every place, of whatever people you belong, If you observe life with a clear honest eye, you cannot help but see – Life is cast in two clear moulds, and yours is the freedom to choose; Your choice will determine your fate for now and all eternity.

outweighs the time and trouble taken in the first place. Always try to put forward your best every time. The people who have succeeded in the greatest manner are those who pushed themselves to not accept anything less than the best they could give to any situation. Let excellence become a habit, and you will be surprised at how much you can do, not only to your own progress, but to the advancement of those who will eventually see the benefit of striving to do what is right always..

Mixed sixes FELLOW HORNET JUMPED ___ 24

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THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

Solutions to last week’s Rhyme Time 1. Blue shoe 2. Sweet treat 3. Weak leak

4. Spare chair 5. Better sweater 6. Fake snake

Letters Amok 1ST: Lines 2,3, and 4 are in alphabetical order from left to right. Line 1 is the only on that is in alphabetical order from right to left.

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KNOTTY VENEER

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So he who is preparing to carve his destiny must be sure to pass the test, With care and forethought to choose the path that would lead to his best.

Challenges are placed in our path to make us stronger when we face them boldly and overcome.

Place each of the 6-letter words onto one of the sets of six dashes so that, when you transfer the letters into the correspondingly numbered squares in the diagram, a quotation is revealed. ASHORE ESTEEM EYEING

On one hand there is the idle side, with many pleasures that call to you, It is easy as sliding down a hill, but filled later with destruction and sorrow, The other side has its hardships, with discipline and sacrifices to endure, But always resulting in a bright future, full of promise and hope for tomorrow.

24

2ND: Lines 1, 2, and 4 spell out words reading right to left (1. prudent; 2. wealthy; 3. stardom). Line 3 does not spell out a word in either direction.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday October 21, 2018

Sunday October 21, 2018

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Kaieteur News

Magistrate’s Court for Golden Grove among projects for 2019 – courts also slated for construction in Bartica, Port Kaituma, Mahdia and Kwakwani tion of several Magistrates’ Courts across the country.At Bartica, Region Seven, a $148.181M Magistrate’s Court and Living Quarters will provide access to justice to approximately 15,000 residents in Region Seven, especially those in the remote villages and importantly, release them from having to travel to Essequibo to file and hear their matters. The building will also provide a more conducive working environment for the Supreme Courts staff, lawyers and litigants using the service of the courts. 140.385M has been allo-

cated for a court at Mahdia, Region Eight. This court will benefit 4,000 persons. This figure includes residents of the nearby Indigenous village of Campbelltown. According to the information tabled by Minister Jordan, the court is currently held in a section of the Mahdia Police Station. This is inadequate since prisoners are no further than five feet from the Magistrate and Clerk. The area also requires proper lighting, cooling, washrooms and seating accommodation.The tabled (Continued on page 71)

Cancer Advocate Bibi Hassan... Yonette Cummings-Edwards, and Chief Justice (ag), Roxane George, planting the tree on the construction site of new Diamond/Grove Magistrates’ Court, back in March 2018. The construction of a Magistrate’s Court at Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara is among undertakings budgeted under a sum of $13.27B fiscal spending, laid out for 2019 for the 16 Constitutional Agencies as contained in the Constitution of Guyana. The construction of the court, which is valued at $93.664M, comes under provisions being made available to the Supreme Court to fund its 2019 work programmes. The sod was turned to begin construction on March 12, last.The new court will reduce the workload which is “continuously increasing and volu-

minous” at the Providence Magistrate’s Court, Finance Minister, Winston Jordan explained. The current jurisdiction of the Providence Magistrate Court spans from Soesdyke and Timehri, West by the village of KleinPoudreyen on the left Bank of the Demerara River, North by McDoom Village and South by the Hauraruni River. The new Golden Grove Magistrate’s Court also takes into consideration the expanding population in the new housing areas on the lower East Bank Demerara. Also, budgeted for 2019 is the construc-

(From page 22) dinner/gala. However, the Guyana Cancer Foundation does not wait until October to raise awareness, to breast, and the other types of cancer.In fact, in June, the NGO hosted a brunch in celebration of cancer survivors. On Friday, the NGO joined with the rest of the world to celebrate National Mammography Day which is observed annually on the third Friday in October as part of Breast Cancer Awareness month. “Early detection helps save lives. My mother’s situation inspired me to help women. She is a cancer survivor,” Hassan said.

LIGHTER SIDE When she is not advocating, Hassan enjoys travelling and meeting new people. She confessed, “I like learning about new cultures. I am always inquisitive about life. I also like reading and listening to music.” On this note her favourite song is “Imagine’’ by John Lennon."This song tells you a lot about life and uniting with people. Just imagine what the world would have been like without any religion or unity. When I want to relax I would go on YouTube and listen to this song.’’This cancer advocate is also a pet lover and once had a dog named Jason. But Jason died, and

she now owns six pet cats. “Whenever I am feeling down I would go to him (the dog). He understood me. I never got back a dog because I do not have the time to care for them like before.’’Hassan has reached retirement age, and when asked whether she will be hanging up her work tools anytime soon, this is what she had to say, ‘’I do not plan to retire. I like to work and make a difference in peoples’ lives. I would say I would work until I take my last breath.’’ Her favourite quote is, ‘’It’s not what we give, but how much love we put into giving it.’’ These are the words of Mother Theresa.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday October 21, 2018

Sunday October 21, 2018

STANDARDS IN FOCUS

Standards are useful for shaping local Agriculture As we continue to look closely at Agriculture during October and celebrate the successes of the sector, standards must be at the back of our mind as the guiding tools and principles that will help to shape our approaches towards further improvements and sustainability of Agriculture in Guyana. The use of standards will also help all players including policymakers, experts and scientists, agro-processors and farmers to shape the activities of the agro-sector in consideration of the need to maintain a green economy. The Guyana National Bureau of Standards in keeping with its mandate to develop national standards has formulated a number of agriculture related standards in order to improve the quality of products available for local consumption as well as exportation. Some of these standards are: Specification for grades of banana, pineapple, watermelons, cassava, eddoes, plantains and hot peppers. These standards have been harmonized with international standards, mainly Codex Standards and CARICOM Regional Standards, to improve production and quality and also to facilitate acceptance regionally and internationally. In addition, the GNBS has worked with the experts to formulate some critical standards for the sector. Among these standards are the Code of Practice for packaging of fresh fruits and vegetables which specifies hygienic practices for the production and packaging of fresh fruits and vegetables. It addresses microbial, physical and chemical hazards, as these relate to good agricultural and manufacturing practices. There is also the Guidelines for the production, processing, labelling and marketing of organically produced foods which sets out the principles of organic production at farm, preparation, storage, transport, labelling and marketing stages; and provide an indication of accepted, permissible inputs

for soil fertilizing and conditioning; plant pest and disease control; food additives and processing aids. Additionally, useful to agro-processors is the Guidelines for Good management practices for micro and small enterprises which sets out the principles for implementing a Quality Management System, Environmental Management System and an Occupational health and safety Management System in all small enterprises including, those that cultivate and process fresh fruits and vegetables. The GNBS also has a number of other standards that can be of great benefit to farmers and agro-processors. These include Specification for Rice, Poultry and Poultry Products, Food Hygiene, Packaged Coconut Water, Salted Fish, Labelling of Prepackaged Goods, Jams and Jellies, and the Transport and Handling of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables. As we continue to observe Agriculture month under the theme: ‘Shaping Agriculture for a Green economy’ we have to take the standards approach to prevent the ‘reinvention of the wheel’ and to ensure consistency in production. Many stakeholders in the agro-sector are already adopting more and more efficient ways to rear, cultivate and manufacture. This changed approach to agriculture can similarly be realized through the acquisition and use of standards. The GNBS invites all contributors to the Agro sector including farmers to visit its Technical Standards Information Unit and peruse the range of standards which is available. This is the first steps towards using standards to guide what you do to reshape Agriculture in Guyana. For further information, visit the Guyana National Bureau of Standards at the Exhibition Site, Sophia or its website: www.gnbsgy.org or call: 219-0062, 219-0065, 2190066.

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SERVICES

FOR SALE

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620

Generac Pressure Wash for sale 3100 PSI. Tel#654-5267/ 652-2244/220-4203

Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisement, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6006887: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included.

9-Wheel pneumatic roller. Mack concrete mixer truck - 8 cu. yds. 450 - Honda ATV Bike. 650 - Gals. Spray Kettle. 275-0367, 683-7225 Cat 215 Excavator. Cat 215Excavator spares. Cat 428 Back-Hoe. Double steel wheeled 8-tons roller. Tel# 275-0367, 683-7225 1 Mitsubishi canter old model GGG series, hydraulic backdoor, working condition $1.2M Negotiable. Contact #661-3525 /610-6886 1-250 KVA Onan Gen set powered by Cummins Engine. Contact numbers 662-2508, 677-9625

SALON September Cosmetology Courses $40,000 Nail Technology $25,000 Advance Make-up $15,000, All products provided. Abby #614-6749

1 flat house located @ Tuschen main road ( 7 houses away from police outpost) $10.9M Tel#650-0402/6031402

TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS) VEHICLE FOR SALE LEARN TO DRIVE N. Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way. Affordable package. Call: 644-5166/691-2561 TOLET Rooms in Gordon Street, Kitty, Georgetown. Preference to teachers or university students. Contact #226-0066 2 bedroom furnished apartment in Eccles New Scheme. Tel#225-3234/2259223 Modern Air conditioned two bedroom bottom flat, First Phase in South Riumveldt Gardens. Call: 618-8436 FOR SALE/RENT table.

FOR RENT

WANTED

VACANCY

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620

1 Air compressor 5HP 3 Phase 230/220 volts. Call: 628-1486/ 698-1134

Antonio’s Grille night supervisor with chef experience. Tel#225-7933 or visit 172 Sheriff Street

Ransom cement mixer. Tel/ Whatsapp #676-6667 1 Three (3) Bedroom upstairs flat in Atlantic Gardens E.C.D Tel# 227-4377, 227-0613, 6246013,645-7248 1 Downstairs for business at Vreed-en-Hoop W.C.D Tel# 227-4377, 227-0613, 6246013,645-7248 Salon for rental & Hair/ Stations makeup for rental, New Market Street Tel#6381106/699-6505 Store to rent. 1st Street Bartica. 4000 sq ft. Tel # 6644663 / 650-0402 Spacious 2 bedroom house for rent, asking $75,000 per month. Call: 619-2141

Short base RZ super custom without engine and gearbox, No reasonable offer refused. #664-0802

Pure Honey on sale. #647-0116

American Pool Tel#277-0578

Sunday October 21, 2018

Kaieteur News

Allion, Primo, Fielder Wagon, Spacio, Bluebird, 212 Carina, RZ,Pit-bull, Allex, 192 & Canter – Call: 650-7501 1 BMW 320I car for sale. PTT series. Owner leaving country. Price Neg. Contact 697-4726, 259-0288, 259-0227 TM 4x4 Beford with boom trailer, case 680H backhoe scrap. Nissan 720 Pick-up. Call Richard #609-7675/674-1705/ 233-2614 Nighthawk Black Pearl Honda Accord 2400cc American Automatic For Sale at $4.5M. Contact 346-818-0822. ACCOMODATION ShortTerm: Furnished 2 bedroom in Section K Campbellville AC,TV, Wifi #688-9020

Wanted Toyota Allion or Premio to buy. Low mileage, good condition. Whatsapp 689-8896. NO CALLS. Welder/Fabricator for interior location. Applicants must be experienced with verifiable references. Call: 618-2020 One Driver needed urgently! Must be willing to work out of town. Contact 684-4936/ 685-1735 Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665/6493750 Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic- Call: 223-7500 Monday to Saturday 8:15am4:15pm

DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL:225-7126/ 2263 6 9 3 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL @YAHOO.COM/ WWW.D OLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS FROM $4000 & UP, SUV’S PER DAY- CALL:643-5122/ 6 5 6 - 0 0 8 7 , ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807 WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIALOFFERS! . CALL: 690-6494 HEALTH HERBAL REMEDIES: Diabetes, Hypertension, Infertility, Menstrual disorders, Enlarged prostate, Kidney,Gall stones & Arthritis etc. Call Sparman #676-5924 PEN PAL Male seek female penpal. Whatsapp only: 695-8569

Vacancy for Domestic maid. Call: 231-0734 One General Domestic, Apply at Alabama Trading 65 Robb St Bourda Logging truck driver at least 5 yrs experience, Timber grant manager. Call Richard # 6097675/674-1705/233-2614 One female accounts clerk, Apply at Alabama Trading 65 Robb St Bourda. One Tutor/Nanny to work from 12:30- 5:30 Apply Alabama Trading 65 Robb St Bourda.

Wanted experienced hire car taxi driver at Ramada Princess Hotel. Tel# 616-5419/265-7075

Driver with car & van license for office in Eccles. Call: 2332745

Cooks, Kitchen assistants, apply @ Shantas 225 Camp & New Market.

Part time Nanny, Evening hours, must live between Georgetown to Ogle, US Visa applicants preferred. Call #223-6006

Skidder operator and porter for logging truck. Contact #218-3399

CAR RENTAL

Receptionist age 25-45, visit 233 South road Lacytown. Tel#225-0198

1 Driver to work interior location. Must have Motorbus licence. #225-1429/ 641-5075 One domestic from Diamond/ Grove area, must be able to cook. Call: 227-1846 Sales clerk- submit application along with CV to Kards Plus, City Mall, Camp St. Tel#2271846 One sales personnel, must be able to speak Spanish & English. Call: 223-0091 Steel erectors to work in the Mazaruni area. Please make contact with Paul Tel# 2278682/227-3681/225-3682 Hire & Private car drivers. Tel#225-3234/225-9223 VACANCY One experienced legal computer clerk. Call: 624-7087/ 226-4283/258-0213/ email: husainsaphier@yahoo.com Casheir-CXC required, Porters. Survival supermarket, 16 Vlissengen Rd, Newtown. DemBake at Land of Canaan is seeking experienced Drivers and Sales agents. Tel#2665848 Male Factory workers needed. Must have police clearance. For more info: 223-0090

LAND FOR SALE Prime land to build that dream home. Not far from Princess, New Thriving, Massy, HJ water world $13M neg- Call: 669-8397 Sarah Johanna Road to road $8M Farm Land, Wharf Land 21/2 acres East Coast $200M Tel#231-2199, 618-7483 House and land for sale Mon Repos ECD 2 in 1 land transported. Tel#658-1874 Parfaite Harmonie $1.4M Ten year up $2.5M Farm $2.6M $4.5M Tuschen $1.2M Uivlugt $2.7M. Call: 666-2326 Herstelling $2M & $5.5M Farm $1.8M & $2.8M Eccles $6M Schnoord $2.8M Dairy $2.5M (100ftx50ft) Parfaite $1M. Tel#656-0701 Dairy-White Shop corner, Best Village WCD 45x110 $1.3M #672-0416 Transported land 11.6 acres. Lot 15 public road. #2 Village W.C.B. Price $18M. Contact 686-4818, 648-7109 Land at Tuschen Housing Scheme, near school, 3 minutes away from main road. Call: 261-2988/695-8215

Experienced cook required at Hermanston Lodge, Peter Rose & Anira Streets, 5 acre to lease, Coconout & Queenstown. Apply to the other fruit trees on Demerara river. Call: 261-2988/695-8215 Manager One experienced male sale attendant with stocktaking knowledge. One porter. Apply with hand written application Keyfood McDoom Village

9 acres located at Land of Canaan EBD on river side. Ideal for building a wharf. Call: 660-2461 PROPERTY FOR SALE

Looking for a job & educational services? Contact The Job Centre 43 Croal & Alexander Street or call 6008457 Berbicians 23-70 years. CXC English & Mathematics a must. Work own time, unlimited earnings. Attractive benefits. Call: 679-2497 1 Gardener/Handyman to work @ 3 houses. Apply at R.Sookraj & Sons 108 Regent St (Opp GBTI)

Commercial Property 40w X 230L East Bank Public RoadNext to Harbour Bridge Transported 233-6997/6221957 600K USD Negotiable House Lots for Sale Private Scheme 3 Million GYD Down Payment 500K 20K Monthly 10 years no interest Transported.233-6997/ 6221957

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Norton Street $15M Diamond $13M, $12M & 3.5M Aubre Barker $40M DaSilva Street, Agricola $7.5M #231-2199, 618-7483

House lot @ 2637 Paraite Harmony located on the main road. Nice spot for business. Contact 611-8993/614-8026

Property for sale located Canal #2, 6 large pens, fruit trees and farm house. #6887291/650-2172

2 story property, Barr St Kitty, perfect for business. Contact Ray’s Realty #627-9685

2 storey dwelling house, Pere St Kitty, Second lot Georgetown. Contact Ray’s Realty #627-9685

Spacious 2 storey property, well kept, Melanie ECD, 3 bedroom. Contact Ray’s Realty. #627-9685

2 storey residential property, David St Kitty, Second house with driveway. Contact Ray’s Realty #627-9685

Sunday October 21, 2018

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Kaieteur News

CONSUMER CONCERNS

CARIBBEAN BEEKEEPERS CONGRESS AND ITS NOVEMBER CONFERENCE BY PAT DIAL Honey has always held the attention of consumers from time immemorial. In Stone Age times, honey was gathered from the hives of wild bees and in all ancient Civilizations honey was much valued. It has been mentioned in the Vedas and examples of honey have been found in ancient Egyptian tombs. The greatest Roman poet who was poet laureate and lived at the Imperial Court decided to retire into the countryside. There he wrote the “Gorgics” celebrating country life, paying special attention to bees and beekeeping since he himself had become an enthusiastic beekeeper. Despite the fact that the Caribbean was a sugarproducing region, honey was always valued and produced as a home and family product. In Guyana, during the last quarter of the 19th century when primary education was widely spread over the country and there were more schools and teachers, many teachers kept hives and gave to beekeeping something of the status of a cultured activity. In the early years of the 20th century, the Department of Agriculture established a Beekeeping section in the Botanical Gardens where honey was produced, queens became available and teachers from the Teachers Training College were taught beekeeping. Accordingly, the art of beekeeping and honey production became more widespread and there was some commercial production of honey and wax. Soon the better groceries and drugstores stocked local honey. Today, honey is in great demand since more people have been learning of its value and its many health uses resulting in local production not being able to meet the demand. This trend is worldwide and opens an insatiable market for the product. Guyanese and Caribbean honey producers therefore have limitless opportunities. Thus, when at the beginning of the month, the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the Caribbean Beekeepers Organization launched the ninth Caribbean Beekeeping Congress, it engendered much interest among the Beekeeping and agricultural community as well as among the consumers. The theme of the Congress is “Natural Beekeeping for a Green Caribbean” which allows for

a wide exploration of the industry and a gamut of creative suggestions for its development. The Conference will be held between 19th and 23rd November and is expected to attract more than 200 participants. The Ministry of Agriculture and the InterAmerican Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA) will lend their full support. It is expected that the Conference will review the honey industry in the Caribbean, discuss its growth and expansion and exploration of local and export markets. It is hoped the opportunities which are open to the beekeeping community would be publicized, and plans would be devised for the expansion of the industry and stimulating the interest of youth in being involved in the industry. Plans for the training of young people, including school children, should be worked out and approaches should be made to the Ministries of Agriculture and Education for their collaboration in such efforts. The Ministry of Agriculture should be able to supply queens. Training should be in the most modern techniques and in the use of the most modern equipment and in addressing bee diseases. Since most Caribbean producers are amateurs and hobbyists, efforts should be made to stimulate a commercial and entrepreneurial ethic among them. They should be taught, for example, how to register a company, to find out about international markets and to raise finance from the banking system. Traditional beekeepers kept Capilanos but with the ubiquitous invasion of Africanized bees, a policy should be addressed as to how to deal with them. This should be an important topic on the agenda of the Conference since opinion is sharply divided on how to deal with them. The Conference should consider the Trinidad ban on trans-shipment of other Caribbean territories’ honey through Trinidad and also honey exports to Trinidad under CSME rules. This

Trinidad ban is not friendly to Caribbean economic integration and could lead to principled banning of Trinidad exports to other

Caribbean territories. Honey is not only valued as a food but is used medically and to generate better health. It could help

with diseases of the heart, lung, kidneys and other organs of the body. It would be a great educational service if both the print and electronic

media could carry information on the food use and health and medical values of honey for the next month until after the November Conference.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday October 21, 2018

President David Granger is guest at Linden prayer Breakfast ...presents 48 bicycles to students. President David Granger was the guest of honour at a Prayer Breakfast held at the Watooka Complex on Wednesday. He was accompanied by Minister within the Ministry of Communities Valerie Adams- Yearwood and Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally. Among those in attendance were Regional Leaders and other important stakeholders. Pastors and other Religious Leaders across Linden and Region Ten took the opportunity to pray for the nation, the peaceful conducting of the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE) and the general socio/economic climate of the country, among other things. Minister AdamsYearwood called the event a “signal event” as it was the first of its kind to be held in Linden. She called the President a man “after God’s own heart!” President Granger and Team later Wednesday afternoon, met residents at the Egbert Benjamin Hall, where the eight candidates to contest the upcoming LGE were also present. The highlight of the event, which was dubbed the first “open house meeting”, was the upcoming local Government Elections and how important it is, for residents to go out and vote on November 12.Residents were reminded of the significance of LGE and were introduced to those persons chosen by the APNU to represent the various constituencies. APNU Party Chairman, Derron Adams, in his brief address said that the APNU was the only party to hold Primaries in Linden and Region Ten and exhorted Lindeners to vote wisely. President David Granger delivered the feature address. Alluding to the former administration the President declared, “We cannot support a party that runs a country for twenty three years and refuse to call Local government Elections. This is the party that has created four towns in the last three years. The PPP was keeping Guyana undeveloped.”

The President, in extolling the benefits of LGE, alluded to Bartica and the development taking place there over the past three years.”Bartica has a beautiful waterfront. If you go to Bartica, you will see how it has been transformed.” President Granger said that the APNU did in one year what the former Administration could not do in 22 years. He pointed out that training for Leadership starts at the Local Government Level.. The beauty of Local Government Elections, the Head of State said, “is that you know these people!” Following the President’s address, residents were afforded the opportunity to highlight issues affecting them. Some of the issues highlighted included the Christianburg Primary School which was closed since 2015. Subsequently students from the school were housed at the St Aidan’s Primary School. One very vocal parent declared, “We really need to have the Christianburg School rebuilt. Is not everyday parents does have that $100 to pay transportation or the $3,500 and even $8,000 to pay taxi when the month come.”The parent claimed that the Regional Administration is very much aware of the difficulties parents face in sending their children to school.A teacher who is currently occupying a house in the teachers’ quarters on Blue Berry Hill, spoke of the atrocious state of the facilities and the fact that exorbitant sums are being deducted from Teachers Salaries each month, despite the fact that Regional Chairman Rennis Morian had mandated that no more monies should be deducted from the teachers’ salaries. Several other issues were highlighted and the President, as well as Minister Valerie Adams-Yearwood and Regional Chairman Rennis Morian sought to address most of those. The evening ended on a high note with 48 students, from the eight constituencies in Linden, being presented with Bicycles under the President’s five B’s initiative.

Sunday October 21, 2018

Trinidad in flood crisis By Sean Devers in Trinidad The adverse weather conditions were expected to continue up to Tuesday as heavy rains and thunderstorms which worsened on Friday caused wide spread flooding in several areas. Prime Minister Keith Rowley has now described thesituation as a National disaster.Yesterday the Uriah Butler Highway South Bound Lane was submerged in the corridor between Grand Bazaar and Munroe Road flyover resulting in the build-up of traffic. The road leading to the Piarco International Airport was under water as were the back roads. Although there was no infrastructural damage to the Piarco International Airport or the runway several Caribbean Airlines flights were cancelledyesterday since St Helena, an area behind airport was under water. The Caroni police station was affected by floods while the road was impassable but there was no infrastructural damageRiverine flooding occurs when water levels in a river overtops its banks and spills onto surrounding areas. This type of flooding is more widespread and usually lasts for several days. Currently river levels have exceeded threshold levels and some have already

overspilled their banks. Additional rainfall is expected hence river levels will remain at an elevated level over the next several days. Preparations were underway to protect life, livelihood and property especially those along the Caroni River and along Trinidad’s main river courses and associated tributaries. “Do not take unnecessary risks. There is a very high potential for major damage to property and infrastructure and for multiple lives to be lost. The public is being advised to stay indoors until the all clear is given by Government officials,” said PM Rowley. Minister of National Security, Mr. Stuart Richard Young, yesterday updated the nation on the weather conditions that affected several areas here. The Minister said that the services of the Police, Coast Guard and Fire Service are being utilized while the Army was deployed in rescue missions and to maintain law and order.In Greenville, one of the hardest hit areas, two boats had to used. Young said that a helicopter was also utilised for surveillance of what is being described as the worst flood in Trinidad in years with hundreds of citizens being displaced. As of yesterday evening no fatalities were recorded. The public is asked to do-

Guyana’s debt grows... From page 8 under the PetroCaribe Agreement from Shipment ¹. 33 of 2013 to Shipment ¹. 27 of 2015 are included in the Seventh Oil Debt Compensation Agreement. The Ministry said that there has been no contract concluded between the Government of Guyana and Venezuela for the 2015 Sales of Oil Shipment ¹. 1 of 2015 to Shipment ¹. 27 under the PetroCaribe agreement.The Ministry said that promissory Notes were prepared reflecting shipments made in 2013 to 2015 through the sales contract. It said that the terms and conditions outlined in the promissory notes are still valid and enforceable. The Ministry further noted that money representing repayments to Venezuela for oil shipments are currently being placed in an account held at the Bank for International Settlements (BIS). It said that all such funds will be placed on fixed deposits with BIS until sanctions against the Government of Venezuela are lifted. Auditor General, Deodat Sharma noted that the total

Public Debt stood at $381.7billion or the equivalent of US$1.848 billion at the end of 2017, as compared with the sum of $364.6 billion or US$1.766 billion at the end of 2016, representing an increase of $17.1 billion or US$82M at the end of 2017.

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PM calls situation National disaster Uriah Butler Highway

nate foodstuff and clothes. Shelters were set up Friday night even as 300 persons were rescued in the Greenville area where the water level rose to as high as ten feet. “Those who don’t need to be on the roads stay in your homes. No curfew has been issued as yet but we are

monitoring the situation. We plead with you not make pranks since it makes the work of the first responders much harder,” Young said Police said that there were reports of trees falling in the vicinity of the Lady Young Road and some police stations thee were affected

by flood waters “There were reports of looting in Sandi Grande but we have not seen any evidence of that,” added the Police The Regional Super50 cricket tournament played here has also been badly affected with the two rounds being washed out.

Prime Minister Rowley was scheduled to address the Nation at a press conference last night. The T&T Met office informed that last October (the rainy season) saw 10 inches of rainfall while during the last four days there were eight inches of rain.

Magistrate’s Court for Golden Grove among ... From page 65 document also states that there is presently no courthouse at Port Kaituma, Region One. Court is normally kept at a building identified by the region. Some $268.149M has been allocated for the building of a Court will see justice handed down for approximately 800 residents living in the community and 18,000 more persons living in the region mainly Indigenous villages.

The document also outlined the decision to retrofit an old building to a Magistrate’s Court and Living Quarters in Kwakwani, Region Ten. At a cost of $32.909M, the court will see justice dispensed to the furthest reaches in Guyana. Kwakwani is a mining and logging community on the Berbice River in the Upper Demerara-Berbice Region. Kwakwani is approximately 100km South of Linden with a population of approximately 7,000 persons.

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Sunday October 21, 2018

Berbice private sector... from page 10 Berbice. That will definitely affect everyone. He too is calling on the relevant stakeholders to revisit the proposed increases.“Good sense has to prevail because it’s unrealistic. The bridge company, Government and all other stakeholders have to come together, sit down and come up with an amicable solution because at this stage the proposed price is ridiculous.”Mohindra Persaud, President of the Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce (UCCC), told the media that the Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated (BBCI) needs to look at other business models from which it can try to recoup its investment. He too is optimistic that the government will intervene since he does not believe the current administration will allow this to occur.Regional Chairman David Armogan labelled the proposed

increase as “extremely ridiculous” and anticipates the closure of many small businesses especially in the agricultural sector. He opined that due to the increase in the price for crossing and freight they will be forced out of business. Many residents especially those travelling frequently are already questioning how they will cope with the proposed increases. Residents opined, “If the price increases, fewer people will travel and the bridge company will lose more because it will only be a few people travelling. But if they reduce the price I believe more people will travel and they can make back the money because there will be more traffic.”Following the announcement by BBCI the Coalition Government has remained resolute that it will not allow undue hardships to be wrought on Guyanese with the “unconscionable” increases.

$95M budgeted for major... From page 9 the woman came in properly dressed and changed her clothes in the MPs bathroom.Police investigators determined the Santa visit was a prank.Then an incident a few days later raised further questions. Police officers poured into the Parliament Chamber to assist with the removal of People’s Progressive Party (PPP) MP Juan Edghill who refused to leave the sitting although ordered to do so by the Speaker. Several PPP MPs who had surrounded Edghill physically clashed with the police during the ordeal. Edghill was suspended and security tightened in the ensuing days.

Govt. can take over Berbice... From page 11 a secretive one, with a tight lid kept on the Concession Agreement because of strict confidentiality clauses, until now. The Coalition Government had, in taking office back in 2015, vowed to revisit the agreement and the makeup of the board of directors. It had placed Dr. Surendra Persaud, the current chairman of the NIS, as the new chair. However, it is Dr. Persaud who has made the announcements for the increase. Over the weekend, Berbice businesses joined the list of voices in denouncing the intentions to raise the tolls. Under the announced increases, the tolls for car moved from$2,200 to $8,040, the same for minibuses.

Sunday October 21, 2018

Kaieteur News

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Sunday October 21, 2018

Sunday October 21, 2018

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NBA roundup: Butler jeered, cheered in Wolves win Jimmy Butler scored 33 points on 10-of-12 shooting during his first home contest of the season to help the Minnesota Timberwolves post a 131-123 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night in Minneapolis. Butler was heartily booed in pregame introductions, stemming from his trade request and vow not to re-sign with the Timberwolves. He hit all 12 of his free throws — later receiving “M-V’-P” chants while he was at the line — and also contributed seven rebounds and four steals in 36 minutes. Andrew Wiggins added 22 points and Taj Gibson had 13 points for Minnesota, which shot 50.6 percent from the field and made 33 of 35 free throws. Four other players scored in double digits: Karl-Anthony Towns and Derrick Rose each scored 12 points, and Gorgui Dieng and Anthony Tolliver had 11. Kevin Love had 25 points,

19 rebounds and seven assists for the Cavaliers. Cedi Osman recorded 22 points and eight assists, Jordan Clarkson scored 19 points while Collin Sexton and Tristan Thompson (10 rebounds) had 14 points apiece. Raptors 113, Celtics 101 Kawhi Leonard scored 31 points — 22 in the second half — and added 10 rebounds to help Toronto defeat visiting Boston. Serge Ibaka added 21 points for the Raptors while Kyle Lowry had 15 points, Danny Green 14 and Fred VanVleet 11.Kyrie Irving led the Celtics with 21 points, and Jayson Tatum added 16 points with nine rebounds. Al Horford had 14 points and 10 rebounds for Boston while Gordon Hayward also scored 14 points and Jaylen Brown had 13. Warriors 124, Jazz 123 Jonas Jerebko tipped in a missed basket by Kevin Durant with 0.3 seconds left

to help visiting Golden State escape with a win over Utah. Jerebko’s basket capped a rally from a 16-point thirdquarter deficit for the Warriors. Durant scored 38 points, collected nine rebounds and dished out seven assists to lead the way. Stephen Curry added 31 points and eight assists. Joe Ingles scored 27 points, Donovan Mitchell added 19 and Jae Crowder chipped in 17 off the bench for the Jazz. Utah made a franchise record 10 3-pointers in the second quarter. Pelicans 149, Kings 129 Nikola Mirotic scored a career-high 36 points as New Orleans set a franchise record for scoring in winning its home opener against Sacramento. Mirotic led eight doublefigure scorers for the Pelicans, who opened the season with a 131-112 win against Houston on Wednesday. They have started 2-0 for the

Sunday October 21, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Remember that you can only remain in charge as long as the others around you support your personality and leadership abilities, Aries. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) There should be no doubt in your mind about which way to proceed. Don't let self-doubt sneak into the picture. Your mind is sensitive and alert, so trust it. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Your rock-star attitude may be getting a bit old now, Gemini. People aren't going to continue to listen to your demands for attention. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Your ship is finally coming into port after being out in rough seas for so long, Cancer. It's time to dock the boat for a while. Relax and explore the area. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You may still be on something of a high from the last couple weeks. You will definitely be tempted to let the good times continue to roll. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Communicate from a centered space today. Fortunately, the nature of the day caters to your needs and desires. You shouldn't have to work too hard to get what you want. Things should come to you naturally.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Work toward achieving a better unity between you and the people around you, Libra. It could be that certain people in your circle of friends somehow feel alienated in one way or another. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You will feel much better about yourself if you get things done today. Like a meal that tastes good but isn't necessarily good for you SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You might consider taking a rest today. Like a sailboat on the ocean, you've been taxed lately by all the turbulence. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Your thinking is apt to be quite clear and rational today, Capricorn. This is especially important, since others will be looking for your thoughts and opinions on a certain matter. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) y being around negative and flip people, you might inadvertently pick up these habits. Be careful about your associates, Aquarius PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You may feel like the world is caving in on you in many ways today, Pisces. It could be that you've recently dug your own little cave to crawl into and be safe from the outside world.

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jimmy Butler (23) shoots the ball against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kyle Korver (26). (Harrison Barden-USA TODAY Sports) first time since 2011-12. Anthony Davis had 25 points, 10 rebounds and six assists; Jrue Holiday had 15 points, 10 assists and three steals; Elfrid Payton scored 11; and E’Twaun Moore 10 as all five New Orleans starters had at least 10 points. Willie Cauley-Stein led the Kings in scoring for the second consecutive game, totaling 20

KMTC Pre Diwali... From page 79 and Star being in contention. Horses classified J 3 and K will be running over five furlongs in which the winner will receive $160,000 and trophy and among those in the lineup are Plane Land, Prince D, Touch Down, Uprising and Royal Eyes. The L class open five furlongs race will be going for a top purse of $140,000 and trophy with Prince D, Touch Down, Wise Thom, Replace the Heat, Uprising, Red Weasel and Massapequa Dr among others racing for the top spot. L-non winning maidens will run for five furlongs with the winner pocketing $120,000. This race has over 10 starters. There is a race for L-non earners which covers a distance of five furlongs and fetches a top prize of $100,000 and trophy and has some 13 starters. The day’s event will be staged under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority. Race time is 13:00 hrs.

points. In other action: Bucks 118, Pacers 101 Nets 107, Knicks 105

Clippers 108, Thunder 92 Hornets 120, Magic 88 Grizzlies 131, Hawks 117 (Field Level Media)

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Sunday October 21, 2018

Kaieteur News

BV/Triumph 8th of May Movement Extends Condolences on passing of Osafo Odinga The members of the BV/Triumph 8th of May Movement join with family and friends in reflecting on the life of the late Mr. Osafo Odinga, who died during the early morning hours of yesterday, Saturday 20, October 2018. At the time of his passing, he was the incumbent Project Coordinator/Public Relation Officer of the organization. Mr. Osafo Odinga was a founder member of the Movement, and brought not just his wealth of experience and expertise to the entity, but a passion for individual empowerment, community development and for embracing one’s cultural heritage and identity through the recognition of the need to uphold social cohesion. Odinga, was very instrumental in the formation of the BV/Triumph Youth Choir, the initiation of the Senior Citizen Appreciation activities and the implementation of the Movement’s coin concept “Our community’s future is as bright as our youths of today,” through which he encouraged youths from the community to become a part of the Movement, which staged a recent football tournament. The members of BV/Triumph 8th of May Movement pay tribute to this great son of the BV/Triumph community and hereby extend

Osafo Odinga their condolences to the family and friends of the late Mr. Osafo Odinga, as our Movement join in the acknowledgement of his invaluable contribution to the community and in the celebration of his life. May his soul rest in peace and his indomitable spirit live on through the lives of those he inspire.

Music’s big names headline Women’s World T20 concerts - Patrice Roberts and Shenseea to perform at final in Antigua Some of the biggest names and best voices on the music scene will be on stage for mega-concerts, which form part of fan engagement at the ICC Women’s World T20 Cricket Tournament. Patrice Roberts – the soca super star from Trinidad; and Shenseea – the popular dancehall performer from Jamaica; will headline the shows on match days in Guyana and St Lucia. The duo will also perform at the final in Antigua on 24 November. They are the voices behind the tournament song “Watch This” – which has been the rallying call for fans to support the tournament. Kes The Band will be the headliners for the showpiece concert after the final at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground. The much-loved band from Trinidad famous for the hit song “Hello”, will bring a rousing end the tournament. Patrice Roberts said:

“Everybody knows I love my cricket and I’m a true West Indies supporter. I’m ready and I want all the fans out there to fill the grounds and be part of this a m a z i n g I C C Wo m e n ’s World T20. Come out and Watch This as we show the world what the West Indies h a s t o o ff e r. We w a n t people to enjoy the cricket and feel the vibes of the music. This is the game we love and the music we love.” The musical segment will start at 2:30pm daily with disc jockeys and the “live” performances. Tanya Stephens from Jamaica will perform on semi-finals on 22 November in Antigua, while other favourites including: Teddyson John and the Dennery Segment in St Lucia; Timeka Marshall and Big Red in Guyana; Claudette Peters and Tian Winter in Antigua, will hit the stage. There will be no additional cost for the entertainment

packages, and fans in some venues will have free transportation to and from the venues. Tickets are available at https:// tickets.worldtwenty20.com ; while box offices open in all three host countries on Monday, 29 October. Tickets are priced from just US$3 with the focus on ensuring more people across the Caribbean can enjoy the event. The group stage matches at the Guyana National Stadium and the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in St Lucia start at just US$3 (or GY $500) and US$4 (or EC$10) respectively. The semi-finals and finals will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua with tickets for the semi-finals starting at just US$7 (or EC$20) and the final at US$11 (or EC$30). A combination ticket package for the semis and final is priced at only US$15 (EC$40).

Sunday October 21, 2018

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2018 IBF U-18 Antilles 3x3 tournament

Guyana male and female teams reach quarterfinals

Guyana’s Roshchelle Campbelle lays up a point during the women’s win 14-0 win over Aruba yesterday. Guyana’s male and female Under-18 3x3 basketball teams won both of their two opening group games of the International Basketball Foundation (IBF) Antilles championship which is being hosted by the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH). After the tournament was

declared officially opened by the GABF executives yesterday, the ladies team comprising Annalisa Barclay, Saffiya Greene, Lydia Roberts and Roschelle Campbelle defeated St. Lucia 4-2 in their first clash before completely dominating Aruba 14-0 in their second match. During the crushing 10minute running time triumph

against Aruba, Greene and Roberts netted four points each, while Barclay and Campbelle scored three points each. In the 3x3 format, a basket from with the three-point arc counts as one while beyond the arc tallies as two. In 2017, Guyana’s male team lost in the final by one point after playing the game

Guyana’s Shamar France tries to get into the paint while his teammate Akeem Crandon tries to screen an opposing player during their 11-7 group stage win over French Guiana yesterday. with an injured player and with the senior men’s recent triumph in the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) championship at the back of their minds as well, the young men took to the court with a point to prove. In their opening group match, they made light work of 11-5 against Martinique; the team that had defeated the

‘land of many waters’ in the 2017 final in St. Lucia. And in their second group game, the local team consisting of Andrew Johnson, Shamar France, Nigel Bowen and Akeem Crandon won the battle of the Guianas after proving more superior in the sport with an 11-7 brushing of their French counterparts. After winning both their

opening games, the teams have reached the quarterfinal stage of the competition which bounces off today from 14:00hrs with the finals set to tip off from 18:30hrs. Guyana will play St. Lucia in their male quarterfinal at 14:15hrs, while the women will clash with Guadeloupe at 14:30hrs in their last-eight matchup.

EBFA/Ralph Green U-11 tourney Kicks Off

A culmination of commitment, initiative and partnership – GFF’s Wayne Forde Informing the young lads from 10 of the 12 clubs that are participating in the Third edition of the East Bank Football Association/ Ralph Green Under-11 League, that the next few weeks would bring new challenges in further developing their skills, Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde yesterday kicked off proceedings at the Diamond Grove Primary School ground. Sharing the moment along with Forde were President and executive members of the host association, Grove /Diamond NDC Councilor Ms Nafeeza Rodrigues, Headmistress of New Diamond Grove Primary School, Ms. Wendy Norville, Coaches and parents. Franklin Wilson, EBFA President, in welcoming all to the event told the players that they are all winners and the tournament is geared towards developing sound players. Gratitude was extended to the Diamond Grove Primary School, Regional Democratic Council of Region 4 and REO Ms. Pauline Lucas, the Grove/Diamond NDC coaches and players for their combined efforts to make the

Officials and players during the opening. league a reality. Sponsor, Ralph Green, who resides in the USA, was also praised for his continued commitment towards the development of youths. In his feature remarks, Forde noted that what was being witnessed on the opening day of the league was a culmination of commitment, initiative and partnership. ”If we take the initiative as members of the Guyana football fraternity to just get the job done, we’ll produce

tournaments similar to this. If we are committed, fully committed to the obligation of organising football, we’ll give opportunities to these young people. And if we seek out new partnerships we gain access to a facility like this here.”The federation head also told the players that they will experience many situations during the tournament that will mould their character. ”You will learn to win, you will learn to lose, you will learn to support your friend, you

will learn to be a member of a team, you will learn to laugh, you will learn to cry and life is nothing without these things. Every disappointment must be converted to a positive life changing experience.” Forde also noted that he was happy to see a number of female players involved in the league and challenged the EBFA to work with the host school to see how many more females can be injected into the teams. ”The GFF technical staff

would be scouting players during this tournament and many of you, based on your performances would be invited to join the academy training centre programme. Work hard, do well but remember most importantly to enjoy the game and have fun.” Headmistress of New Diamond Grove Primary School, Ms. Wendy Norville, said that she was excited to be supporting the youths for this league, stating that it is very good for boys and girls to be involved in sports. ”I am very much elated to see the girls especially, involved in football, it shows that we care about both boys and girls. I hope that you have a good healthy tournament, remember everyone is a winner and I want to see good sportsmanship and I wish every team the best of luck.” Grove Diamond NDC Councilor, Ms Nafeeza Rodrigues, representing the NDC encouraged the players to always, “Be unique in society and you will always be respected”. ”So I want to leave you with a message, together we stand united and if you play as footballers the united forum

would be won as players representing Guyana. You are all winners, but you will have challenges along the way during this competition, play to enjoy your games and be respectful.” Ms. Rodrigues also told the young players that while sport is an extracurricular activity, they must all strive to keep an academic focus.”Because if we ensure one compliments the other it makes us rounded human beings. I want to wish you well in this league and I want to see you building your careers grounded persons in society always.” The clubs attending yesterday’s opening were Swan, Herstelling Raiders, Hauraruni Eagles, Grove Hi Tech, Timehri Panthers, Samatta Point/Kaneville, Friendship All Stars, Diamond United, Diamond Upsetters and defending champions, Agricola Red Triangle. Absent were Mocha Champs and Kuru Kururu Warriors. Four matches were contested and recording wins were Diamond United, Timehri Panthers, Grove Hi Tech, Swan, Agricola and Diamond Upsetters, the latter two, via the walk over route; details in tomorrow’s edition.

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Sunday October 21, 2018

Calypso support and history add to flavour of ICC Women’s World T20 2018

The Windies have grown as a team and it seems only apt that the Caribbean is hosting the first stand-alone ICC Women’s World T20 from 924 November. After a golden 2016, when Caribbean cricket teams won three ICC world titles, the West Indies will host their

second ICC Women’s World T20 this November. And unlike the first time, when the event featured both men’s and women’s teams, this time the ICC Women’s World T20 will make history as a standalone women’s event. When the baton passed to the region two years ago, they

could not have asked for a better start. The Windies women had created history when they won the 2016 event in India, becoming only the fourth team since 1973 to win a global title. They returned home to a rousing welcome, including a motorcade in Barbados, alongside members of

the victorious men’s side. But in 2016, the Windies were the underdogs. Now they must deal with the pressure that comes with being defending champions playing at home. While they had a difficult campaign in the 2017 Women’s World Cup, their side remains formidable in the

T20 format. Captain Stafanie Taylor has established her credentials, and has consistently been in the top layer of the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s T20I Player Rankings among batters and all-rounders. Hayley Matthews, who won Player of the Match in the 2016 final aged only 18, is also among the leading all-rounders. And with Deandra Dottin, Merissa Aguilleira and Anisa Mohammed (the only bowler with more than 100 T20I wickets), there is plenty of experience in the ranks to complement upcoming talents like Natasha McLean. The West Indies will also draw from history; the last time they played the ICC Women’s World T20 at home, they enjoyed both individual and team success. Dottin lit the tournament up with a century off 38 balls against South Africa, still the fastest T20I century in women’s cricket. The Windies also qualified for their maiden semifinals, knocking out the defending champions England on the way. The 2010 edition saw plenty of drama from other teams as well, with a group match between England and Australia ending in a tied Super Over, and decided by a countback of sixes. The tournament culminated in a thrilling final between transTasman rivals, favourites New Zealand and Australia. Australia prevailed on the last ball in a low-scoring thriller. It triggered an ascent for the Southern Stars; they would go on to take two more consecutive WT20 titles. Even for the Windies, the 2010 WT20 marked an upswing. It was the beginning of a period where the team played high quality cricket consistently, redefining the

world’s top four. They made at least the semis of the next four ICC events, reaching the final of the 2013 Women’s World Cup, where they lost to Australia. Their peak came in 2016 with the WT20 win in India, this time getting the better of the Australians. With the home team being defending champions, healthy crowds are expected for the tournament. The Windies will play at both group stage venues, starting their campaign against Bangladesh at Georgetown, Guyana. They will then shift to St Lucia for the remainder of their games. Cricket holds a special place in the hearts of the people of the Caribbean, and expect a carnival atmosphere at the venues. Keep an eye out especially for the steel bands that often add to the atmosphere at the grounds. The Windies are of course the only international team to comprise multiple countries, each adding their own particular flavour and culture to the squad. It is a matter of great pride for the people there to don the maroon cap and be a part of a rich cricketing legacy, which includes a period where the men’s team dominated the world in the 1970s. The Windies women are one of the fastest improving sides in recent years, and have already embellished that legacy. Their win in 2016 showcased the global expansion of women’s cricket beyond the usual bastions of England, Australia and New Zealand. World cricket is richer when teams from the West Indies do well, and the Caribbean people will have high hopes from Taylor’s squad to put in an impressive show.

Regal Masters, Mike’s Wellman, Regal... From page 81 response. Jai Ram made 63 as Arjune 3-24 and Laurie Singh 2-3.At MYO, Ontario Masters scored 235-7, batting first while Tropical Spring responded with 241 without loss. Mohamed Rafeek and Anand Persaud stuck 111

each. The Masters’ final starts at 09:30 hrs followed by the Open final. Admission to the venue is free and there will be lots of giveaways for the fans while additional entertainment will be provided by cheerleaders Cross Over band.

Kaieteur News

Sunday October 21, 2018

PAGE 79

Ninvalle challenges AIBA action as BM Soat Annual Costume turmoil in the organisation brews Match on stream with GSSF

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n yesterday’s edition of the Kaieteur News, our sports pages (pg 28) carried an article written by Liam M o r g a n o f t h e Insidethegames website – stating that the Kazakhstan Boxing Federation has launched an attempt to postpone the upcoming International Boxing Association (AIBA) Presidential election, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has announced. In a statement, the CAS revealed the KBF had filed an “urgent application for provisional measures seeking a stay of the AIBA elections”. Now Kaieteur Sport has learnt that our own Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) President, Steve Ninvalle, has written to AIBA through his Lawyer K.A. Juman Yassin questioning his controversial exclusion from the list of candidates campaigning for the post of Vice President of the sporting body. Kaieteur Sport was able to see copies of two correspondences between Ninvalle and AIBA and the subsequent challenge by Senior Counsel Juman Yassin which indicated that they will approach the Court of Arbitration for Sport if a timely and favourable response was not forthcoming. In a letter dated October 12, AIBA had written to Ninvalle acknowledging receipt of emails sent by him on October 8 and 9. They informed that during the nomination process Ninvalle was provisionally suspended for certain breaches. Those breaches stemmed from the Guyanese questioning certain decisions made by AIBA in relation to governing of the Caribbean Region without any consultation with the appointed Caribbean Representative. His queries did not go well with some

Steve Ninvalle quarters and he was handed a suspension which he challenged. That challenge resulted in the suspension being rescinded and charges being dismissed. However, they (AIBA) are contending that due to the ‘unwarranted’ suspension he was not eligible to be nominated despite gaining more than the necessary support to run for the post. This situation mirrors the situation by Kazakhstan’s Serik Konakbayev over his exclusion from the list of candidates for President. Mr. Konakbayev through his Federation is now seeking a stay of the November elections. Ninvalle has moved through his Counsel to get the matter amicably settled or have the CAS intervene. Juman Yassin has since dispatched correspondence to Jost Schmid, AIBA Elections Committee Chairman, citing their administrative blunders for the late response by them to Ninvalle and based on the dismissing of the charges against him, he should not be held liable and his nomination not accepted. The learned attorney, who happens to be the President of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) and our Rep to the IOC, challenged the decision

against his client in relation to Article 17.5 on the issue of election to the executive committee. Based on the a r t i c l e , J u m a n Ya s s i n contended that it does not preclude Ninvalle from being part of the nomination and election process, but rather relates to an official being barred from i n v o l v e m e n t i n competitions. He further noted that the then suspension, based on the article in question, only h a l t e d h i s c l i e n t ’s involvement in AIBA affairs and not his duties as head of the GBA or from communicating with the governing or other related bodies. Juman Yassin stated in his missive that the AIBA decision to disqualify Ninvalle’s nomination on the current grounds was unjust, unfair and not in conformity with the Statutes of Regulations of AIBA. He requested the Committee revisit their decision and respond within a few days or they will take up their grievance with the CAS. AIBA is currently being threatened with exclusion from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic programme. Mr. Konakbayev plans to stand against interim President Gafur Rakhimov for the top job at AIBA. Once cleared by CAS when they announce their decision on his matter on October 30, the Kazakhstan boss is likely to be welcomed and supported by AIBA’s members after increasing concerned of the sport being dropped from Tokyo 2020 by the IOC. A c c o rd i n g t o L i a m M o r g a n o f t h e Insidethegames website, the potential election of Rakhimov, who is on a United States Treasury Department sanctions list as “one of Uzbekistan’s leading criminals”, is among several concerns the IOC has with AIBA’s governance.

KMTC Pre Diwali Horserace meet set for today All is set for the annual Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) one day PreDiwali horse race meet on today at the club’s facility Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice. Six races are carded for the day with the feature attraction being the H1 and lower match up which goes for six furlongs and carries a top prize of $250,000 and trophy. Among some of the horses entered are- Not

this time, Party Time, Kentucky Woman and Silver and Thing. The race for Two years Guyana bred horses that covers a distance of five furlongs and carries a top prize of $200,000 and trophy has the likes of Humming Bird, Awesome Burner, Handsome Drift, Princess Tasha, Sunset, Set the Flame, Princess Olivia (Continued on page 75)

Mr. Permal Vijay Desanmangrazon (centre) hands over the sponsorship to GSSF Secretary, Mrs. Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, in the presence of GSSF Asst. Secretary/Treasurer and Director, Mr. Andrew Phang.

For the third year, BM Soat Auto Sales backed the Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation in their Annual Costume Shooting Match. This themed competition has once again been exclusively sponsored by BM Soat Auto Sales and is expected to be a keenly contested one. In the past, members turned out in their costumes, with appearances from Pocahontas, The Joker, Superman, Cowboys, Hondo, Magic Mike, Contractors, Arrow, Super Girl, a Farmer, Racer and even a Cricketer. This year the match is bound to be even more exciting with invited participants expected to once again take part donning costumes of their liking, hats, wigs, paint,

garb are welcome but will have to be within the safety confines of the sport. Four exciting stages are expected to be set up under stringent security at the GDF Timehri Range and participants will fall under two divisions, Limited and Production as stipulated by the USPSA Rulebook. Prizes will be awarded to the top three shooters in each division. GSSF directors met at the showroom of BM Soat Auto Sales, located at Lot 9 Croal Street, Georgetown. Mr. Permal Vijay Desanmangrazon (Supervisor) presented the sponsorship funds to GSSF Secretary, Mrs. Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, in the presence of GSSF Asst. Secretary/Treasurer and Director, Mr. Andrew Phang.

Berbice Masters tackle Rastas today …..minus Charles ‘Puggy’ Joseph A key member of the Berbice Masters football team will be absent this afternoon when the Ancient County’s side line-up for a feature Over-50 contest against the Rastafari Patriarchs at the Scotts school ground, beginning at 4:00pm. Former outstanding Pele F C a n d G F C midfield/forward, Charles ‘Puggy’ Joseph passed away in Berbice last Thursday at the age of 59. The former multitalented ‘Puggy’ Joseph who also represented GFC and Guyana in field hockey was domiciled in East Berbice for over a decade since leaving the City.Organisers of today’s match, which will showcase former outstanding Berbice youth and senior national footballer Roger Alphonso, will now dedicate the clash in honor of ‘Puggy’ who would have been suited up to play. He leaves to mourn six offsprings: Randy, Kevin, Kayamanda, Andre, Alvin and Anaiya. Among other past stalwarts of the game who will ‘tag-up’ for the home team in today’s encounter are Phillip Carrington, Seon

Charles ‘Puggy’ Joseph Bristol, Brian Simpson, Monty Fordyce, Kurt Alphonso and the Forde brothers, Adrian and Sherwin. The Patriarchs will include in their side: Vibert ‘ D o r d e e ’ B u t t s , Te r r y Plummer, Derek Gritten, Herbert McPherson, Lloyd Smith, Rodwell Jemmot, Floyd Campbell, Dexter McCaulay, Allan La Rose, ‘Natty’ Wiltshire and Roger Alphonso. The Patriarchs, who are enjoying the company of honorary member, California-based Roger Alphonso, for a week, will next oppose a Georgetown Over-50 side this coming Tuesday in the City to celebrate the 78th Birth

anniversary of, arguably, the greatest player to have played the ‘Beautiful Game’ - Edson Arantes do Nsacimento, more Globally known as ‘King Pele’. The celebration of the King’s birthdate will begin at 4:00pm with an all-girls affair showcasing the Conquerors aggregation, followed by an Under-15 Boys match-up between Santos FC and Fruta Conquerors FC. The Masters football fraternity will also stage an O v e r- 4 0 q u a d r a n g u l a r competition next Sunday in Wisroc. The round robin tournament will open at 9:30 am with Rastas versus Linden, followed at 10:30 by Berbice against Georgetown. The 40-minute matches also mandate teams to have a minimum of five players Over-50 years old, with at least 3 on the pitch at all times during a game. Alphonso will also coordinate a mini street football festival for four different age groups of youths in Linden on Saturday 27th. A similar competition was held yesterday in New Amsterdam and catered for eighty youths, including girls.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 80

Sunday October 21, 2018

Guyana face Windies ‘B’ today but Rain could have the final say By Sean Devers in Trinidad In association with Regal, Vnet, Noble House Seafoods & Cascadia Hotel Today from 14:00hrs leaders Jaguars (27 points) face-off with the Windies ‘B’ team in their return match at the Brian Lara Academy after the Jaguars ripped them to shreds when they first met at the same venue in Jaguars’ second game. Chasing 193 to win, Guyana’s latest ODI selectee Chanderpaul Hemraj and Chris Barnwell added an authoritative 153 runs for the second wicket. Hemraj scored his maiden ton a day before leaving the team, while Griffith batted brilliantly in his unbeaten 61 as they reached the target in 28.2 overs to earn a bonus point. In the Windies ‘B’ innings Marlon Samuels, one of six batsmen with centuries in the tournament, was bowled for six by Sherfane Rutherford, while teenagers Keagan Simmons, the son of Lendl Simmons’ sister, Kirsten Kallicharran and Kimani Melius looked promising and all got starts without going on. While the Jaguars have a six-match unbeaten streak after losing to the Red Force

in their first game at the Oval, the Windies ‘B’ have only won two of their seven matches with two being rained out and with 14 points, this final game is of only academic purposes for West Indies ‘B’. Young Simmons has scored 229 runs with two fifties but apart from Samuels, Guyanese Tevin Imlach (153), Melius (108) are the only other batsmen with 100 runs, while Yannic Cariah (81) and Alzarri Joseph (80) have gotten a half-century. Without Samuels, who has left from ODI camp which started yesterday, Windies ‘B’ will depend on Simmons, Cariah, Melius, Leonardo Julian and Guyanese Tevin Imlach to offer resistance to Jaguars’ bowlers today on a track which should be on the slow side and offer some turn for the spinners. Chemar Holder (7) is the leading wicket-taker for Windies ‘B’, while Jeavor Royal, Cariah, Brian Charles and the genuinely quick Odean Smith should do the bulk of the bowling, while fast bowler Ronsford Beaton has only batted in the two matches he has played so far. Chris Barnwell is in the best form of his life and has 255 runs with two half-

centuries (61 not out & 99 not out) and is only behind Red Forces’ Nicholas Pooran (283) and Canada’s Naveet Dhaliwal (271) on runs aggregate in both the Trinidad and Barbados zones. Barnwell can expect support from the inform Trevon Griffith (207 runs) with half-centuries in his two games, Raymond Reifer (217 runs: 3 fifties) and Sherfane Rutherford (121 runs with 1 fifty) who along with Hemraj are the Jaguars batsmen with fifties. With Hemraj unavailable today due to the ODI camp, Skipper Leon Johnson, who has gotten three good starts in his in 107 runs from five innings will need to start converting 30s into 70s or more while the strong lower order on paper will need to refrain from throwing their wickets away with poor shot selection in the event that Barnwell, Griffith, Johnson and Reifer fall cheaply. The Jaguars’ bowling have been the strength of the team with Rose Hall Town’s Clinton Pestano being the stand out pacer with pace, movement and control and his 11 wickets is only bettered by Canadian quickie Romesh Don’s 17 and Jaguars Jamaican-born off-spinner Ramaal Lewis,

Skipper Johnson has led the Jaguars wonderfully.

Chris Barnwell is the Jaguars’ leading run-scorer.

the most successful Guyanese bowler in the tournament with 12 wickets. Pestano made history last Saturday against the Red Force when he became the first Guyanese to take a hattrick in Regional 50-over cricket since the tournament began in 1976. Left-arm seamer Reifer, Rutherford, Barnwell,

Romario Shepherd will provide pace support while, Lewis, Ricardo Adams and Veerasammy Permaul will provide left-arm spin. Today is an important game for the Jaguars who want to end the zone as the number one team and there are only three scenarios that could prevent it from

happening. If the Jaguars lose and the Red Force (25 points) beat Canada at the Queen’s Park Oval or if Red Force win and the Jaguars lose or if the Red Force win and the Jaguars’ game is washed out. The sun was out yesterday and the Jaguars had a light session in the Hotel Gym with their trainer.

IPA on board Hamilton Green 9-a-side Inter-Ward/ Village KO Cup - tournament kicks off today at Den Amstel

IPA Sales & Marketing Manager Ravel Seer (centre) hands over the balls to Tournament Co-ordinator Lennox Arthur (right) and Bertland Sobers on Friday.

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nternational Pharmaceutical A g e n c y ( I PA ) offered its support to the Hamilton Green 9-a-side Inter-Ward/ Village KO Cup which is being held to commemorate the 84th Birth Anniversary of the former Mayor of Georgetown. On Friday, the pharmaceutical giants presented Co-ordinator Lennox Arthur with a quantity of footballs that will be used during the tournament which kicks off today, at the Den Amstel Community Centre. Sales & Marketing Manager Ravel Seer handed over a quantity of footballs to Arthur in the presence of Mahaicony representative Bertland Sobers at the Company’s Head Office on Camp Street. Speaking at the occasion, Seer spoke of the entity’s support for sports which dates back many years and urged Arthur to co-ordinate the tournament in accordance with what any sponsor would wish to see. Arthur in response

thanked the Company for once again demonstrating its commitment to the development of sport and promised to ensure that discipline and accountability highlight the event. Hosts Den Amstel goes up against West Side Masters in the final of six games carded for the day with play set to commence at 14:30hrs. Thirty-two teams will have the opportunity to battle for prize monies in excess of $700,000 and lots of prizes, including the coveted first prize of $400,000 and the championship trophy compliments of the Ministry of Citizenship will be up for grabs. The runner-up will be awarded $200,000 and trophy through the goodwill of John Fernandes Ltd, while third and fourth place finishers will receive $60,000 and $40,000 respectively along with the Techno Mills and C o u r t n e y B e n n Construction Services trophies in that order. All four top finishers will

receive hampers compliments of Ricks & Sari Industries, while the Highest Goalscorer will walk away with a Lazy Boy Chair courtesy of A.H&L Kissoon and a Dinette Set compliments of China Trading. The Most Valuable Player will be awarded a special prize from Techno Mills. Among the other sponsors on board are: IPA, Alfro Alphonso, Sattaur Gafoor, Ansa McAl, Top Brandz Distributors, M A C O R P, C u m m i n g s Electrical, Ready Mix, BK International and New Thriving Restaurant. Meanwhile, today’s fixtures are seen below: Timehri vs. Stewartville @15:00hrs Mahaica versus Herstelling @15:30hrs Central Mackenzie vs. Mahaicony @16:00hrs Pouderoyen vs. Lima Dam @16:30hrs Uitvlugt vs. Liliendaal @17:00hrs Den Amstel vs. West Side Masters @17:30hrs

Kaieteur News

Sunday October 21, 2018

PAGE 79

2018 COURTS Peewee round-of-16

Defending champions West Ruimveldt through to quarterfinals Skillful play on the ball by defending champions’ West Ruimveldt against Plaisance during their 2-1 come-from-behind victory.

Golden Grove’s Bryan Wharton scored both goals in his team’s 2-0 win over 2017 finalists Marian Academy.

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onathan Andries bagged a brace for reigning COURTS under-11 boys’ peewee t i t l e h o l d e r s We s t Ruimveldt in their 2-1 come from behind win over Plaisance Boscoe during round-of-16 action yesterday at the Ministry of Education (MOE) ground to book his team’s spot in the quarterfinal of this year’s competition. Andries’ goals came in the 20th and 30th minutes after Jude Daniels had given

West Ruimveldt’s Jonathan Andries who scored a brace yesterday against Plaisance. Plaisance the early lead in the 10th minute. Losing 2017 finalists and inaugural winners, Marian Academy, did not have a good day on the pitch after Golden Grove’s Bryan Wharton netted two goals to put his team into the ascension with a 2-0 win. St. Agnes Primary were always in the winners’ row yesterday under the overcast conditions with a thumping 9-0 victory over Colaaco Primary.

Justin Alcindor fired home an unbelievable tally of seven goals during the rout to take his tally to nine in the tournament, while his teammate Shamar Murray beat the opposing keeper twice to

take his tally to nine goals as well. St. Pius Primary are another team that have been playing like potential champions and they continued their top form with a 6-0 thumping of

Soesdyke, spearheaded by a helmet-trick from Kaden Wellington to go along with a brace from Keron Garraway. In other results, Tucville finessed Mae’s 3-0, Mocha eased past Timehri 4-1,

while St. Ambrose edged South Ruimveldt 2-1 and North Georgetown earned a hard fought 3-1 Triumph over the perennially competitive Enterprise Primary. (Calvin Chapman)

GSCL Inc Prime Minister’s T20

Speedboat, Mike’s Wellman, Regal All Stars, Boots All stars storm into finals By Zaheer Mohamed An exciting climax is anticipated in the second edition of the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL) Inc Prime Minister’s T20 Cup which will culminate today at the Everest Cricket Club. Defending Masters Champions Regal will look to retain their title when they take on Mike’s Wellman in the Master’s category, while the fast-improving Boots All stars will battle defending champs Speedboat in the Open final. Regal Masters earned their berth in the final with a 10-wicket victory over Parika Defenders at the Everest Cricket Club. Steady bowling by David Harper and Laurie Singh limited Parika Defenders to 86-8 off their allotted 20 overs, batting first. Harper finished with 3-1 and Singh 2-8. Eon Abel struck five fours and three sixes in a top score of 45, while Eric Thomas made 31 as Regal Masters responded with 88 without loss in eight overs. Mike’s Wellman earned their right to face Regal Masters in the final

following a 28-run win over Fisherman Masters at Eve Leary. Batting first, Mike’s Wellman managed 133-4 of their reduced quota of 16 overs. Jagdesh Persaud led with 34, Mahase Lutchman got 33, Wayne Jones 26 and Ramesh Narine 24. Shazim Mohabir claimed 2-21. Fisherman Masters were restricted to 105-7 in reply. Hamraj Pillay made 37, while Baldeo Persaud and Dennis Mangru assisted with 17 each. Narine took 222. In the Open segment, defending champs Regal All stars defeated Speedboat by 6 wicket at DCC. Regal All stars batted first and posted 161 all out in 20 overs. Sachin Singh struck 39 while Sewchand Budhu and Marvin Bobb made 29 each and Rickey Sargeant 26. Greg Singh snared 3-31, Shazim Hussain 2-27 and Vishnu Tammechandra 243. Ariel Speedboat eased to 162-4 in reply. Anand Bharat stroked 57, Wazeer Hussain got 47 and Vikash Dhaniram 18 not out. Kelvin Orford, Quintin Sampson and Ron Ramnauth had one wicket each.

At Eve Leary, Boots All stars beat DS18 All stars by five wickets. Batting first, DS18 All stars scored 109 all out in 13.1 overs. E. Joseph made 22 and Z. Haniff 15; Akeel Wallace grabbed 3-14, Vishaul Phillips 2-13, Jonathan Hernandes 2-19 and Roy Jafferally 2-21. Boots All stars responded with 111-5 in 12.2 overs. Balram Samaroo led with 33, while Fernandes made 21 and Phillips 20. R. Pulraj claimed 3-18 and R. Mc Alistair 2-22. Earlier, Boots All stars beat Corriverton by one run. Boots All stars scored 165 all out in 18.3 overs, while Corriverton replied with 164-8. Regal All stars thumped Success All stars by 205 runs. Regal All stars took first strike and posted 280-4. Marvin Bobb slammed 112 while Fazal Rafiek made 85 and Delroy Perreira 50. Success All stars were bowled out for 115 in reply. Perreira claimed 3-16, Rafiek 2-21 and Quintin Sampson 2-27. Regal Masters beat Royal Canadian Masters by 145 runs at GNIC SC. Regal

Fazal Rafiek

Masters took first strike and made 280-4. Eric Thomas slammed 115 not out, while Mohendra Arjune made 55 and Rudolph Baker 50. Royal Canadian Masters were limited to 135-9 in (Continued on page 76)

GMR&SC launches Ignite race meet November 10 and 11 has been promised as a racing extravaganza as the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club launched its Ignite race meet. Launched at the GT motorsport hall on Thomaslands on Friday, the event promises to be one of biggest to date for the sport, according to GMR&SC President Rameez Mohamed. “The programme that we have set out is one where we feel confident will ensure that fans get their money worth and racers have an enjoyable weekend.” Mohamed added that the club has already begun preparatory work to ensure that those touring drivers a n d r i d e r s a r e a c c o m m o d a t e d properly.GMRSC Vice President Hansraj Singh

Rameez Mohamed GMRSC President e c h o e d M o h a m e d ’s comments, adding that they are looking forward to a large turnout of local drivers. Meanwhile, Ansa McAl through representative Linden Henry and GBTI Through Pamela Binda expressed their company’s pleasure at being on board. GMR&SC’s Ignite will form the basis for the final leg of the Seaboard Marine Caribbean Motor Racing Championships (CMRC) 2018.Apart from the groups

1-5 and superstock classes of events, the Radicals are expected to make their competitive debut in the SR3 cup which culminates here as well. Among the sponsors for that event are ExxonMobil, GBTI, B.M. Soat, Noble House Seafoods, STAG Beer, Air Services Limited, GUYOIL, Palm Court, Hand-in-Hand, Ramada Hotel, Survival Supermarket, Club 704, S h e r i f f S e c u r i t y, E C I n v e s t m e n t s , P r e m ’s Electrical, Nexus Machinery, Mohamed’s Enterprise, Choke Gas Station, Japarts, R. Kissoon Contracting, E Networks, Miracle Opticle, Bikers’ Bar, Samaroo Investments, Innovations America and SuperBet, Agriparts, Mobil1 and KGM Security Service.

t r o Sp 2018 IBF U-18 Antilles 3x3 tournament

Guyana male and female teams reach quarterfinals

Guyana’s Andrew Johnson drives into the paint during his team’s 11-7 win over French Guiana yesterday in the group stage.

EBFA U-11 players were joined by President’s of the GFF and EBFA, Wayne Forde and Franklin Wilson were joined by Headmistress of New Diamond Grove Primary School Ms. Wendy Norville and Grove Diamond NDC Councilor Ms Nafeeza Rodrigues among others for a photo after yesterday’s kick off.

EBFA/Ralph Green U-11 tourney Kicks Off - A culmination of commitment, initiative and partnership – GFF’s Wayne Forde

Ninvalle challenges AIBA action as turmoil in the organisation brews Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.