Sunday October 09, 2016
PAGE 5
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Kaieteur M@ilbox
I am the Vice Chairman of the Works Committee
Waiting in vain for house lots in Lethem
DEAR EDITOR, The entire RDC Boardroom was in a state of shock and disbelief when the Regional Chairman, of Region 6, Mr. David Armogan announced to the councilors that he has refused to approve the payment to a certain contractor even though the work done was approved by three councilors-two from the PPP/ C and one from APNU/AFC. With the contract in hand, he explained to the RDC councilors the reason why he refused to do so. The work done was approximately half the size of a normal house lot yet it cost the Region $150,000. The weeding was done at the monument site at Rose Hall Town, opposite the Republic Bank by the Rose Hall Town Arch. This was an ‘emergency’ work done for the Town Day celebration. This work could have been done by the Rose Hall Town Council for as much as $5,000 maximum $10,000. When the Chairman questioned the said Councilors if
they inspected the work they replied in the negative. How could these people whom the residents entrusted to get value for their money not inspect a work? How can they determine the standard of work? These are members of the Regional Works Committee and should know the procedures involved before certifying works for payment. These persons have no right to serve us. They must do the honorable thing and resign. Moreover, it was pointed out by another Councilor that if the Regional Vice Chairman was not on leave then the Chairman would have never been able to discover this questionable transaction. It is normal for the Vice Chairman to award ‘emergency’ works and to approve payments. The question is where are the checks and balance? This is type of questionable processes that Dr Ramayya was agitating about. He was a threat to the Regional Vice Chairman since he refused to
approve payments for many such questionable works and so he was to be pressured into resigning. This revelation at the RDC Statutory meeting , I am sure is just the tip of the iceberg and as the Vice Chairman of the Works Committee of the 52-74 NDC, I have had firsthand experience of substandard work being certified by both the Engineer and the Regional Vice Chairman, therefore, I am calling for a forensic audit to be done for all the ‘emergency’ works completed, the tender process and the engineer’s estimates which are highly inflated to benefit the contractors who will be in a better financial position to facilitate certain things. Unless this is done the unacceptable practices will continue and development of Region ^ will remain retarded. Lakram Singh Councilor and Vice Chairman of the Works Committee 52-74 NDC
The disadvantages of condos in Providence DEAR EDITOR, Firstly, thank you for permitting me the space to air my opinions. As a youth of and in Guyana, it is very hard these days for persons my age, to find a forum outside of social media to air our concerns. Allow me to point out, in my opinion, the Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Valerie Patterson seems to be making an effort in alleviating the housing situation on the East Bank of Demerara but there are still is a weakness in her Ministry’s
proposition. The idea of condos presents several problems, the major one being that persons will no longer be land owners. Persons will be made tenants instead of land owners. If someone needs a loan to study or start a business what will they use as collateral? Will they present their agreement of tenancy to the loan officer? Furthermore, what are the designs or proposed monthly rates of these condos? Let’s not even talk about the fact that persons from dif-
ferent back grounds and ways of upbringing will have to share space. Conflicts will definitely arise – forgive me for being negative but it is the reality of life – people have disagreements daily. A house and a place to live should not be so difficult to come by in such a large country. How are the youth of this country to feel secure and cared for when the basic necessity of shelter seems to be such a bleak reality? Concerned Youth
DEAR EDITOR, Please allow me to add to the long list of complaints about the Mayor of Lethem, Mr. Carlton Beckles. Some things have not made it to your columns, but hopefully they will, if the residents of Lethem decide to speak up. I was born and raised in this Region and in 2006 I applied for a plot of land. I was given a royal run around by the officer in charge at the time. However, when the coalition took office, I felt hopeful with the promises of change and decided to see if any progress would be made in that regard. I was informed that the Housing Ministry is out of residential lots, but plans are being made to open a new housing scheme. That is understandable, so I have been waiting patiently since. Now let me explain the reason for my outrage towards the Mayor in a situation that seemingly has nothing to do with him. In order to discuss, plan and make fundamental deliberations concerning the new housing scheme in Culvert City, ALL of the relevant authorities need to be present at that meeting, including the REO, the Mayor, the officer in charge of Housing in Lethem, the officer in charge of Lands and Surveys in Lethem, etc. This meeting was scheduled to take place on Wednesday the 28th of September and I was reliably informed that ALL of the relevant authorities were informed, yet the meeting had to be cancelled because the Mayor left the Region. This shows a total lack of respect and consideration for the hundreds of persons who applied for plots of land and are anxiously awaiting for this issue to be resolved, so that
they can get a plot of land to build a home for their families. It is my opinion that as the Mayor, Mr. Beckles would have the people’s best interest first and foremost on his list of priorities and especially in this case seeing that he faithfully (as chairman of the NDC) promised the residents on the local government campaign trail that if his party wins, he will lobby for an extension of the Culvert City housing scheme among other things. Personally, I am extremely
disappointed and I think he should get his priorities in order. He should spend less time behind the counter in his shop, looking after his personal needs and playing politics and more time at his desk in his office trying to meet the needs of the people of this Town. His actions, or lack thereof in some case reflect badly on the entire party and I can assure you Mr. Editor, that it will COST the APNU/ AFC Coalition a lot of votes in the next elections. Lethem resident
PAGE 6
Sunday October 09, 2016
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur M@ilbox Why attention to breast cancer only during October? DEAR EDITOR, Many issues that harm the Guyanese population are usually “swept under the rug”. One of these issues happens to be breast cancer. According to recent statistics, breast cancer is ranked as the number one cancer related death in this country. During the month of October, many activities are held to bring awareness to this disease. Many persons wear pink, go for the breast cancer walk or share several popular hash tags on social media. Do people actually do all of this to bring awareness or to follow a crowd? Their motives I question since everything is done for popularity. However, there are genuine people that support the cause and are willing to bring awareness to their loved ones. Before I embarked on collecting my research for this article, I was ignorant to this entire topic. I became interested in this area when I read a book my mother gave me titled ‘’A Women’s Encyclopedia of Health and Emotional Healing”. In the book, a woman mentioned that breast selfexaminations aren’t taught very well and that women are afraid they’ll find something. After reading this, I realised
that many people in this country are also uneducated to the importance of breast care. A monthly breast self examination should be carried out and a yearly consultation with a doctor is recommended. Early detection can save lives. The Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) is currently running a promotion where free breast examinations will be carried throughout the month. Also, a 50% discount for cervical, testicular and prostate cancer screening. It is located on 70 Quamina Street (between Quik Serv and Hallmark Store). Their telephone number for the clinic is 225-0739. The Georgetown Public Hospital and the Cancer institute of Guyana provide breast cancer treatment. The Georgetown Public Hospital is located on 258-259 Middle & Thomas Street and their numbers are 226-7210/2267214. The Cancer Institute of Guyana is located in the Georgetown Public Hospital Compound at the Lamaha Street Entrance. Their telephone numbers are 225-5701 and 225-5703. These places you can visit or call to get more health related information. Breast cancer doesn’t only affect women over 40. Everyone should study their family lineage to see if their family has a history of illnesses. Breast cancer will definitely change your life but
you have the ability to make sure that breast cancer doesn’t win. We should all learn that our irrational feelings make us human but they shouldn’t consume us. These feelings should not be the reason we don’t visit the doctor if we suspect something is wrong. This anxiety has to be destroyed if we ever want to get early detection. In this article, I avoided giving medical advice since I hold no medical degrees. However, I am someone’s daughter, a woman, a friend and I am urging you all to take care of yourselves. I have read several articles about the rising cases of breast cancer in this country. Like cancer, we have to be aggressive, we have to take action. We cannot sit back, overthink and pray that this does not happen to us because it can happen even though there is a small chance that it couldn’t. I actually did an interview with a breast cancer survivor and a doctor before writing this article. Both of them taught me that it is so vital to exercise regularly and to maintain a balanced diet to keep your body functioning well. These two interviews made me recognise that turning a blind eye to a problem doesn’t make it go away. To conclude with this article, I hope you consider all these words that I have written and to make your health your first priority. Juliana Lopes
Kaieteur M@ilbox Guyana is so much of a backward place DEAR EDITOR, My name is Neil Alonzo. I reside in the US, but like most Guyanese (well at least some of them) I try as much as possible to keep abreast of what’s going on in the country of my birth. Also, due to the fact that my father still resides there (New Amsterdam, to be exact) I make frequent visitsas long as time permits- to see him, and the one thing that resonates with me, is the backwardness Mr. Freddie Kissoon always talk about. Let me give you an example; in 2014 I went to the GPL office in New Amsterdam to pay a bill. To my surprise, I was asked by the security guard to read the sign outside. When I inquired, she said I couldn’t enter the building in short pants. Even to pay a bill? I told her I wasn’t there for a job interview, but I was still denied entry. When I com-
plained to friends, they say, oh they just go to bill express. Last year I was denied entry at the regional office in NA for the same thing. Even though I only went there to acquire a life certificate for my father. With all that’s going on, those are the frivolous things they pay attention to? Mr. Kissoon all I can say, is if you live to see your eighties and you are still in Guyana, just pray you are in good health. Guyana can be a very cruel place towards the elderly. I wouldn’t elaborate, but the way those socalled health officials in New Amsterdam go about things, it leaves much to be desired. You know, we talk about change, but does that really exist in Guyana? I sometimes compare the culture of governance in Guyana to that of the West Indies Cricket Board. You put
different people in power, but things remain the same, or get worse. We have people like Jagdeo & Nandalall talking nonsense just because they have the audacity to do so. These gentlemen should never be afforded the platform they are currently enjoying. We all know of Jagdeo’s thievery, but a certain PPP big wig should have been asked to resign, not only for that all too familiar conversation, but if you took into consideration what took place at Kaieteur News just over a decade ago (the five people that were murdered) which other AG in which other country could’ve gotten away with that? The sad part is that these very people may return to power again. Elections day is four years away, but already the coalition is looking like a ‘lame duck’ government. Neil Alonzo
Call for the Mayor of Lethem... From page 4 and monetary contributions, the latter were used to assist Mr. Dalip in grading the ground; again this was done independently and with zero assistance from the council as Mr Beckles now claims. We would like to thank the former NDC for allowing us to collect the councils’ “rejects’, namely three dilapidated pieces of play equipment which were to be thrown away if not rescued by Mr. George Henry. The restoration of this old
play equipment was done at cost by a local Lethem tradesman and monies donated by the businesses of Lethem paid for this. Councillor Henry was not involved in these restoration arrangements nor did he pay for them from his own pocket as Mr. Beckles has written. Our playpark came to fruition in a little over 6 weeks in December 2015, thanks to the hard work of our community and support of local businesses. It was not envisioned nor created by the Mayor as he now claims and it is an insult to the residents of Culvert City and the businesses of Lethem that supported this project for the Mayor to make such a statement. The park has since been
enjoyed by many and was widely considered a success, but indeed as the Mayor says; “it’s a work in progress, “and one we hope to build on since the Ministry of Communities’ assistance in August this year. I reach out to the Mayor of Lethem, Mr. Carlton Beckles, and say let us work together to continue the success of the Culvert City playpark and the future development of our community. Most importantly let us start by building on a foundation of truth rather than crushing the spirit of community self-help with these egotistical lies. Ultimately Mr. Carlton Beckles, you should be man enough to give credit where credit is due. Lethem resident
Sunday October 09, 2016
Kaieteur M@ilbox A plea to the Guyana Forestry Commission DEAR EDITOR, I read with disbelieving eyes that Dr. Janet Bulkan said that the ban of greenheart by the UK is entirely correct on the basis of her interpretation. I have a few questions to ask her before I show that her statement is just emotional and very antiGuyanese. First as a forestry sector stakeholder, I felt very happy when Dr. Bulkan was elected to the GFC Board. I felt that she would give very sensible advice and in some way help to ease the mountain of rules that GFC forces me to comply with. I expected that she would bring relief to the general sector. But here, she is instead attacking the forestry sector! Damaging our markets! She is someone who people listen to and when she writes this nonsense, it destroys Guyana as a market place. My first question is, shouldn’t board members discuss valid issues at the board level before going public? Have these issues been discussed and if so, did the board give approval for it to be public. If yes, why did it not come from the Board of Directors and not Dr. Bulkan? The second question is that isn’t board information supposed to be confidential? Are board members sup-
posed to be confidential in how they write? Isn’t there a law that prevents Dr. Bulkan from writing these things and using her position as a board member to get this confidential information and release it with her spin? I beg the Hon. President and Minister Harmon and Minister Trotman to investigate this state of affairs. I attend many GFC meetings and as a forester and logger, I know the reality. I want to cry when I see 2 or 3 lovely big trees close to each other and I can’t cut it because of GFC’s rules. I study sometimes the money I would lose because I am not allowed to cut proximity trees as GFC calls it. But I don’t cut it because I know that the forest officer would catch me when doing stump inspection. And I would lose more. I have to first measure trees, then cut in certain direction and tag everything then write down species, measurement, date, m3, tag number, things which I never did in school, the GFC is forcing me to do and I have to do it otherwise there will be problems. If I cut in a restricted buffer area the GFC seizes my things. Did Dr. Bulkan ever experience these things? How many times did she go into the logging camp and experience the
pests and dangers? What does she benefit from this? Does it increase her salary at the university to criticise her country and Guyanese? I cut on a SFP and that is a set of rules already for SFM but I know that large TSA has a more rigid system to follow. And I read too, but probably not the same book that Dr. Bulkan read because I learnt that Norway and EU sent down experts to audit our forest and practices. I know about EU Flegt. All these people are field and book experts too. They have much higher qualification and experience than Dr. Bulkan. These auditors say in these reports that Guyana practices SFM; that Guyana harvests less than 35 % of allowable harvest; that Guyana has implementation of SFM; that Guyana has low deforestation and sustainability; that we are doing a good job but need more added value and little log exports. That will come later. The auditor experts gave Guyana a star. But the “expert Dr. Bulkan says no. So who do I believe? The other experts have real facts to back up their story, unlike you. As a concerned logger who depends on the forestry for my income, I beg the government and GFC Board to act now. Terence Williams
Mayor’s explanation why her children are employed DEAR EDITOR, Each passing day makes clearer, the intellectual limitations of the Mayor of Georgetown, and the endemic nature of corruption at City Hall. It is unimaginable that on the issue of conflict of interest in terms of contract distribution at the Mayor and City Council, City Mayor, Patricia Chase-Green (who is being accused of granting concessions to her immediate family members in terms of giving some of them cleaning contracts and others employment at City Hall), would respond by questioning whether her children are not allowed to
work in Guyana. She obviously does not get the concept of nepotism which refers to partiality to family and cronyism which refers to partiality to an associate or friend,both of which are unethical and undermine the common good of the Council and the citizenry. What she fails to say is that all tender procedures were breached when the contract was awarded as there was no bidding process. What she fails to say is that her other relatives are not qualified for the jobs or salaries that they are receiving from the City’s coffers. Is there any other city in
PAGE 7
Kaieteur News
the world where there exists a shred of decency, would the Mayor be allowed to hire relatives to high paying jobs at City Hall and award them contracts for the cleaning of the City and say it is no big thing? Her claims that her children were not given jobs under the previous administration are just simply ridiculous? Can she provide proof of this? Are they qualified? What skill and experience do they have? This is why the execution of a thorough forensic audit is being prevented. Too many skeletons are in Chase-Green’s and King’s closets. James Mc Onnell
Kaieteur M@ilbox The Prime Minister’s Region 6 Rep. was not present DEAR EDITOR, I refer to recent articles in all the daily newspapers written by well-known activist of the Alliance for Change in Berbice accusing the Regional Administration of Region 6 of not consulting with key stakeholders in the preparation of the 2017 Budget estimates. This is far from the truth and is reminiscent of their preelection mantra of corruption without one iota of evidence. About two months prior to the Budget preparation, letters were sent to all Neigbourhood Democratic Council (N.D.C.) and all Regional Councillors by the Regional Chairman for them to make submission in order of priority of projects they would like to see done in their respective NDC’s and communities for inclusion in the 2017 Budget Estimates. Most of the N.D.C.’s and Regional Councillors responded and made submissions which were checked by the Works Committee (of which the Vice Chairman is Head) and the Engineering
Department to arrive at quantities for the projects. Mr. Gobin Harbhajan (A.F.C.) Councillor and Prime Minister’s Representative in Region 6 made no submission. It should have been the responsibility of the Regional Executive Officer (R.E.O.) and the Engineering Department to put together the submissions in Budget format. Unfortunately the R.E.O. abdicated his responsibility and the Vice Chairman who acted as Chairman (substantive Chairman was on leave) sat with the Engineering Department to format the Budget submissions. In any Budget Submission it is impossible to include all the projects listed by stakeholders. These had to be prioritised and taken to the Regional Democratic Council for approval before being sent to Budget Office. The Proposed Estimates received the unanimous support of all R.D.C. Councillors. A few projects raised by councillors were included in the final proposal.
It should be noted that the Prime Minister’s Representative Mr. Gobin Harbajan was not present at the R.D.C. Council meeting to approve the budget neither did he make any submission of projects. It is rather unfortunate that he decided to cry foul after squandering all opportunities available to make his input. To now say that the 2017 Budget Estimates was done by two persons is wicked and dishonest. I was at all the meetings and consultations took place at all levels. The A.F.C. activist in Region 6 seems to be still in opposition mode forgetting that they are in the Coalition Government and are “running things.” If they discover corruption they are in power to stop it. Bring the evidence and let the law takes its course. Stop being crybabies and let’s get on with the task of developing Region 6 Sherry Ann Beharry Regional Councillor R.D.C. 6
A death spot that goes unattended on the Linden highway DEAR EDITOR, I say that vision is a virtue, the more the better. When will administrators behave like real leaders? We read in the papers of one Abiola Gomes, 38 a “Crop Extension Officer” who died on Tuesday 27th as a result of an accident on the Linden Soesdyke Highway. We further learnt that the spot where the car she was in toppled was the very same spot where two other fatal accidents occurred earlier in the year that claimed the lives of two persons. According to the article, Senior Superintendent Brutus of Region 10 said that he had spoken to the REO of Region 10 about having repairs done to that dangerous section of the road but was told that the road is under the Ministry of Infrastructure and not the Region. Now there is a critical situation that is life threatening
to all. There is impending danger every single day as traffic flows to and fro. The police commander in the Region took the time to lodge a report as is the proper thing to do; what is so hard in taking up that report with the relevant authority which I am sure the R.E.O is familiar with also. Come on, this situation is a priority, demands urgency, why tarry when death lurks in the waiting? Be proactive; this is what is ex-
pected from exemplary leadership. Understand that there are some things that people in command ought to do by virtue of being placed there as of duty. Get on the floor and have it done instead of some sort of Ivory Tower managing and haggling about range of jurisdiction. That is all mambo jumbo, just not the way in which administrators are expected to serve and lead. Frank Fyffe
Sunday October 09, 2016
PAGE 9
Kaieteur News
FITUG engages Finance Ministry on 2017 National Budget Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Jaipaul Sharma, on Thursday, met with representatives of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) on issues related to the 2017 National Budget. FITUG Treasurer, Seepaul Narine, led the Federation’s delegation and proposed a number of measures for the Minister and Government’s consideration at the meeting. On taxes, FITUG proposed an Income Tax threshold of at least $70,000 monthly which would be up from $50,000 currently, and the personal income tax rate is 25 per cent rather than 30 per cent. FITUG also sought to have the promised reduction in the rate of VAT be reflected in the 2017 Budget. This should be done, the Union said, to bring relief to families, especially those with children. FITUG also advised that
the Minister make provision for tax relief for spouses and children under age 16. According to the Union’s umbrella organisation, Minister Sharma was “reminded” about the importance of the sugar industry as FITUG sought the “continued support” to the industry for it to overcome its setbacks at this time. The Union body also called on the government to adopt the Sugar Commission of Inquiry’s (CoI) recommendation to have the Skeldon Co-Generation Plant returned to GuySuCo and a revised Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to be put in place. Additionally, FITUG proposed that the industry’s diversification be furthered through - other Co-Generation plants, the construction of a refinery to take advantage of the CARICOM market demand and, the establishment of a distillery in Berbice.
- Proposes Income Tax threshold of at least $70,000 monthly - Asks for promised VAT reduction to be reflected in budget
FITUG’s delegation meeting with Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Jaipaul Sharma (Second from left) on Thursday last.
Dem boys seh...
Doktah Moses coming back from India Is a long time dem boys know that it don’t pay to pick story. Dem also know that even if dem right and a man pick story wid dem, dem would either have to wear bullet proof vest or be at a distance when dem can run fast. Everybody got a gun. Just de other day some people shoot and kill a youth at a strip club. De whole of Georgetown know that everybody got a gun. Dem boys seh that everybody who got a problem get a gun and that is how this man shoot he child mother in she mouth. When he hear de news Carvil write a letter to de press and he give de impression that he got a story wid Soulja Bai and de man threaten to shoot him. Soulja Bai is a peaceful man but Carvil seh how de man threaten him—He tell de press how de man hint that he might kill him pun some carpet. Is de same thing mek Maduro in
Venezuela got all he people telling de world how Granger call Maduro a monkey. Soulja Bai did seh that this thing like a monkey pun he back. Now dem got another story. Moses is a doktah. He go to India and de people mek him a doktah. Right away he call home and tell he son fuh put up a shingle outside de house because he coming to treat sick people. That he done wid de wuk as Prime Minister. He got space fuh Rohee, Anil, Jagdeo and de whole PPP. He seh all of dem sick and he bring back medication from India. Is only sick people gun find fault wid de coalition. That is wha Moses seh. Dem boys seh that he better stick wid dem PPP people because he know wha does happen when people get vex wid you. Talk half and keep out Doktah Moses way.
“The diversification initiatives FITUG advised could be pursued following discussions with various stakeholders, including the respective Trade Unions in the industry. FITUG also called on the government to reverse its decision to close Wales Estate in view of the negative impact the closure will have on the economy and on the affected workers and their families, among others.” Regarding Old Age Pensions, FITUG wants the level of Old Age Pensions to begin at 50 per cent of the Public
Sector Minimum Wage. With respect to National Insurance Scheme pensions, FITUG proposed that the increases in pensions be linked to the annual Public Sector wage rise as was the practice in the past. FITUG also suggested that allocations to Trade Unions in the 2017 National
Budget be provided to those Unions which had their financial records audited by the Auditor General’s office as is required by the Trade Union Act. The umbrella organisation also suggested that the allocations be distributed taking into account the Continued on page 64
PAGE 10
Labour Ministry continues probe into worksite death The Ministry of Social Protection (Labour Department) is continuing investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death of Marrion Adams, who was electrocuted before falling from a metal scaffold at his worksite three weeks ago. Adams, 31, of Lot 75 Block E, South Sophia, was reportedly placing a sign a top Fresh Co. Ltd located at Lot 1B Public Road, Great Diamond, East Bank Demerara when his feet came into contact with a high voltage wire. This resulted in him falling onto a concrete sidewalk at the southern side of the building. He was picked up in an unconscious state and taken to the East Bank Demerara Regional Hospital, just next door to the building. Adams succumbed while receiving treatment. A post mortem examination performed on his remains revealed that he sustained a fractured skull. When contacted on Friday, an official from the ministry said that the probe which is still
Sunday October 09, 2016
Kaieteur News
DEAD: Marrion Adams
ongoing will be completed within a few weeks. Mark LaFleur, a brother of the deceased, said that he is grateful for the probe and hopes to get the truth behind his brother’s demise. According to La Fleur, the contractor and several employees told him that his brother came into contact with the electrical wire and fell. However, the brother believes that there is more to the story. From all indication, LaFleur believes that his brother held on to the wire in an effort to prevent himself from falling. He said both palms of Adams’s hands were severely burnt. Relatives of the deceased are questioning why Adams was allowed to do work on the building without power being disconnected from electrical cables. LaFleur stated that his brother was not wearing any
protective gear avoid mishaps. Residents in the area disclosed that several young men who were employed to work on the building have been injured on site. However, this was not confirmed. An eyewitness told Kaieteur News that Adams was seen erecting a sign to the southern side of the building. The eyewitness said that she and several persons were at Kingdom Dominion Ministries, situated just behind the building, when they heard a loud noise. The woman recalled that when they rushed out, Adams was lying motionless in a pool of blood. From all indication, the woman said, it appeared as though the man had been shocked since there were burns about his clothing. She also told this newspaper, that the owner of the building made no efforts to assist in transporting the injured man to the hospital. According to the eyewitness, the man was left lying in a pool of blood for close to 15 minutes. The building is reportedly owned by “Chinese People.” “Them Chinese men just run outside and look at the man and run inside back. Is de pastor and the man coworkers had to carry he to the hospital. Them Chinese people them come back outside with water and wash down the blood,” she recounted.
Mother critical after shot in mouth A mother of two is in a critical state after she was shot in the mouth reportedly by the father of one of her children. According to relatives, the shooting occurred around 16:00hrs yesterday at West Ruimveldt, Georgetown. Reports are that 27-year-
old Shevon Harry was shot in the mouth by the man with whom she shares a relationship. One of Harry’s sisters said that she learnt of the shooting via a phone call from a friend. The woman stated that she was unaware if her
sister and the man were having any problems. She said that a resident from the neighbourhood rushed her sibling to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Investigations are ongoing.
AG asks - What about the PPP scams? It was under the watch of the People’s Progressive Party Civic that the word “scam” came to prominence, said Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams. He was responding to questions about the opposition’s list of scams and scandals allegedly perpetuated by the Coalition Government. Williams added that the PPP knows that a large portion of his party’s effort to remove them (PPP) from power, was based mainly on acts of corruption. The AG added that in 2010 the then government now the main opposition party, had a number of scams and scandals of their own. He proceeded to identify the Stone scam, the Milk scam, the Law books scam, the Re-migrant duty free vehicle scam, Cane Grove conservancy dam scam, the IAST scam, the Polar beer scam and the GUYSUCO scam Williams said that the PPP
may believe Guyanese have a short memory. This, he said, is the only reason he feels the PPP would make such a “wild statement”. “They have their congress coming up, they want to get positions, they are jockeying with each other for positions in their party. So they have come up with a way to show they could deal with the APNU/AFC government, but that’s not the way.” Williams explained. Williams added that in his view the PPP ill-treated the nation for 23 years, by impoverishing the majority of Guyanese. “The people know we are a new government; they know we are having problems, but we don’t have scammers within our Cabinet,” the AG said. Guyana scored 29 points out of 100 on the 2015 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International. The country averaged 26.73 Points from 2005 until 2015, reaching an all-time
Basil Williams, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs
high of 30 Points in 2014 and a record low of 25 Points in 2006. The Corruption Perceptions Index ranks countries and territories based on how corrupt their public sector is perceived to be. A country or territory’s score indicates the perceived level of public sector corruption on a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).
Sunday October 09, 2016
PAGE 11
Kaieteur News
Three weeks after one killed, two injured…
No charges yet for pit bull owner, dogs reportedly still in her care More than two weeks have passed since four pitbulls viciously attacked two men and killed another at Leonora, West Coast Demerara (WCD) and the owner is yet to be charged. In fact, the ‘killer dogs’ are still in her care. The owner, Marceline Small, is the wife of Jarvis Small, who was sentenced to 96 years in prison for the 2010 murder of Neesa Gopaul. When contacted recently, acting Commander of ‘D’ Division, Leslie James confirmed that the woman was placed on $100,000 station bail. He could not say whether the dogs were still in her care. However, this newspaper understands that the dogs were not taken away from her. Reports are that the dogs ran out of the gate which was left open on September 15, last and wreaked havoc in the community. It is believed that they first attacked Wilmark Adams, a GuySuCo worker of Cornelia Ida, and Ramanand Bhikam, a security guard of Stewartville, West Coast Demerara (WCD) before killing a vagrant. The vagrant, who has been identified as “Boxer” was found a few doors away
from Small’s resident with teeth marks about the body. From all indications, the man succumbed to the injury he sustained to his neck. Based on previous cases where persons were attacked by the ferocious dogs, the police would usually contact staff at the Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA), who would then seize the dogs until the case is tried in court. The court would then decide whether the dogs should be returned to the owner or not. However, in this particular case, nothing of that sort has been done to date. In 2010, Quacy Bharrat, the owner of two pit-bulls that attacked a 54-year-old man in East Ruimveldt was placed on $40,000 bail when he appeared before Magistrate Priya Beharry to answer the charge of allowing ferocious dogs to be at large. The allegation was that Patrick Gordon was going home when the dogs attacked him, causing injuries to his face, neck and hands. In 2013, Ryan Bacchus was placed on $10,000 bail when he appeared before Magistrate Sueanna Lovell at the Georgetown Magistrate
Jamaican police seize US$40k from Guyana-bound passenger KINGSTON, Jamaica – Detectives from the Narcotics Division are reporting the seizure of approximately US$40,000 at the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) during an anti-narcotics operation early Friday morning. According to the police, between the hours of 4:30 am and 6:00 am, narcotics operatives stopped a mechanic of
a Lionel Town, Clarendon address, who was destined to board a flight to Guyana. His luggage was searched and the cash was allegedly found. Preliminary investigations suggest that the cash is the proceeds of crime. The police say his name is being withheld pending further investigations under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Court after his two pets caused bodily harm to Venus Cox. In 2014, Marissa Hartman, the owner of a mixed-breed
dog which attacked a South Ruimveldt Park resident while he was cleaning his parapet was released on $75,000 bail when he appeared at the
Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. The animal attacked Weldon Harper while he was cleaning his parapet and drain
at the front of his yard. A point to be noted in these three cases is that no one was killed by the dogs but the owners were charged.
PAGE 12
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 09, 2016
Re-modified ramp and landing to be constructed at Corriverton foreshore The Oranapai Towers, in Wight’s Lane Kingston, Georgetown
- Diamond Diagnostic Centre to get $21.4M upgrade Residents of Orealla and Siparuta Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) have been complaining for years since the launch that transports produce and lumber from these two villages to coastal Corriverton, is forced to moor alongside a plank at Corriverton because of the absence of a jetty or stelling there. These residents will soon breathe a sigh of relief since Cabinet on Tuesday gave its ‘no objection’ for the construction of a ramp and landing for the Orealla and Siparuta residents. The structures will be built at the Corriverton foreshore. Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, who made this disclosure, said that the $16.9M contract was awarded to Memorex Enterprises. However, there were some additions to the size of the ramp and the need for a shed – which was not part of the initial contract. Harmon said that those matters were considered and Cabinet approved an additional $9.1M to install these features “so that residents can be safe and comfortable,” the Minister said. The project is now slated to be completed for $26.1M. Meanwhile, Cabinet also gave its ‘no objection’ to several other contracts including additional provision for the rehabilitation of the Oranapai Towers at the Ministry of
Public Infrastructure, Kingston Georgetown. Minister Harmon stated that this project had already commenced, however when the contractor began carrying out the first set of works, it was discovered that there was a lot of asbestos in the roof and the walls thus, the need for the additional funds. The contract was awarded to Andre Howard Construction Services for the initial price of $9.7M. Cabinet approved an additional $14.2M, taking the total contracting sum to $23.9M. Cabinet also approved a contract to carry out upgrades at the Diamond Hospital, East Bank Demerara for the sum of $21.4M. This contract was awarded to Doodnauth Contracting and Supplies Services. For the rehabilitation of Dennis Street, Sophia, Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica) an increase of $58.3M to the initial sum of $16.9M was approved by Cabinet. The reason for the increase, Harmon said, was due to the discovery of problems with the revetments. Colin Talbot Contracting Services is carrying out the work. Cabinet also gave its ‘no objection’ to the contract in the sum of US$113,959.13 to the Pan American World Health Organisation for the supply of vaccines and syringes for the Maternal Child Health – Ministry of Public Health.
A section of Dennis Street
Sunday October 09, 2016
Monkey Mountain, Annai Airstrips among seven to be rehabilitated Seven airstrips in Administrative Regions Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) and Eight (Potaro/Siparuni), are slated to be rehabilitated now that Cabinet has given the green-light. Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, during the PostCabinet Press briefings held recently, stated that the government had alluded to this initiative earlier this year however; there were some “hiccups” in the tendering system – which have now been sorted out. According to the Minister, Cabinet gave its ‘no objection’ for rehabilitative works to Eteringbang Airstrip in Region Seven (Cuyuni/ Mazaruni). Works to this airstrip are expected to cost $76.6M. The contract was awarded to STP Investments. The Kurupung Airstrip also in Region Seven will be rehabilitated to the tune of $28.9M. Works will be carried out by MMC Incorporated. Meanwhile, in Region Eight, the Paramakatoi Airstrip will be rehabilitated. The cost of the works was announced at $39.9M. The contract was
PAGE 13
Kaieteur News
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon awarded to N&A Construction. The contract to rehabilitate the Kato Airstrip in Region Eight was awarded to Colin Talbot Contracting services in the sum of $68.6M. The Kopinang Airstrip will also be rehabilitated. The $38.7M contract was also awarded to Colin Talbot Contracting Services. The Monkey Mountain Airstrip which has been causing some inconvenience
Passengers at the Paramakatoi Airstrip in Region Eight (file photo).
to the residents will also be rehabilitated. K.P. Thomas and Sons Contracting Incorporated was awarded this $23.8M contract. Finally, works will also be carried out at the Annai Airstrip, Region Eight. This $56.9M contract was awarded to SYMS General Contracting Services Incorporated. With several projects being carried out in the hinterland, the government has been advocating to have contractors utilise as much of the local content as possible in executing these projects. The Minister was asked if this initiative will also be applied with the rehabilitation of these airstrips. Harmon said that the government is dedicated to improving the infrastructure
while at the same time, promoting economic activity. “(We have asked) the contractors that local content benefits from the work that is taking place in these communities. And I can say that based on that level of activism, that in many of the communities where government contracts are being executed, that residents within those communities have benefitted from work and in some cases, sub-contracting of smaller aspects of the contracts.” Meanwhile, as it relates to safety in the Aviation
Fraternity, Harmon said that the Ministry of Public Infrastructure recently acquired the services of Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Egbert Fields, who is an expert in this area and now the Director-General of Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). Also, a team led by the Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, along with several representatives of the GCAA, is in Canada going through several programmes related to safety. “We believe that the
safety of travelling public is important and so there are several issues in that regard and the government is focusing heavily on safety,” Harmon said.
PAGE 14
Sunday October 09, 2016
Kaieteur News
Govt. to remove stumbling Finance Ministry meets blocks in bid process stakeholders on budget wish list As part of preparations for Budget 2017, consultations are being held with various stakeholders, across Guyana. On Thursday, members of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) met with Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Jaipaul Sharma. According to Sharma, preparations for the budget should be a partnership arrangement and it is important to have the views and inputs of others. Sharma noted that Article 13 of the Constitution points to the need for inclusivity. “So we are in the process of compiling the budget, interviewing ministries, regions and agencies, and so it’s a two prong approach where you have the ministries and regions’ positions, you have the interests of the private sector bodies and organisations which are the stakeholders so they have a view too.” It was pointed out that while some stakeholders do not have a direct link to the Budget, the consultations would reveal whether prior meetings were held between the private sector agencies and respective subject Ministries. “(On Wednesday) I did the unions, and the GTUC
- Minister Sharma (Guyana Trade Union Congress), they’re coming to Finance because they were invited by Minister Jordan for consultations prior to the 2017 Budget. After speaking with them, you would have heard that they never spoke with the subject ministry,” the minister said. Sharma said the private sector agencies are approaching the Ministry of Finance when their first stop should have been with respective ministers. “If you are dealing with labour issues, you need to speak with the Ministry of the Presidency, Department of Management. That is what you are not seeing, they are not speaking to Social Protection but they come with a wish list. They are not speaking to the subject Ministry and you’re seeing that deficiency,” the minister pointed out. According to the minister, the consultations would serve to strengthen the budget process and assist the officials of the Ministry of Finance, including Budget Director, Sonia Roopnauth and her team, to determine if a ministry has made a comprehensive review of the systems and what exactly is
Minister within the Ministry of Finance Jaipaul Sharma needed. He said the consultations would highlight “some idea of the weaknesses from the Private Sector.” The consultations are scheduled over a two week period. The minister is urging private and civil society groups to meet first with their respective subject ministers before consulting with the Ministry of Finance. The National Budget for 2017 is expected to be presented on December 5, in the National Assembly
The coalition government plans to create a level playing field for new entrants to the bidding process for government contracts. For more than 20 years, contractors without three years’ experience on Government contracts were at a disadvantage. This was disclosed by Basil Williams, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs at his party’s weekly press conference. Williams added that upon entering government, the coalition inherited rules that would make it difficult for new companies to win bids for government contracts. This, he said, was because of the numerous requirements they would have to meet before companies can even apply to bid. One of these, the AG said, is the requirement that a
company must have at least three years’ experience in the award and execution of contracts. There is also the requirement that companies must have executed a contract in excess of above a certain monetary value. “Guyanese people have been in the wilderness for 23 years, because they were discriminated against and marginalised by the last government. If you were PNC there was no way you could get any contracts. Even if you were not PNC but anti-PPP there was no way you could get a contract,” Williams said. The AG said that these requirements will continue to give PPP-favoured contractors access to government contracts, while shutting out the people who voted for change. He added the government is prepared to remove those stumbling
blocks, creating a level playing field for all. Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, met with members of the General Contractors Association of Guyana (GCAG) earlier in the year, and committed to working closely with the Ministries of Public Infrastructure and Business to ensure that small contractors are awarded 20 per cent of all government contracts as enshrined in the law. The Minister explained that the government will be addressing a number of issues related to the award of public tenders, including the qualifications of contractors to execute government projects. Additionally, the government is working on policy decisions with regard to compliance in National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).
Williams calls out Nandalall on compulsory acquisitions
- says land for Tain Campus acquired in same manner Compulsory acquisition is an act of Parliament which allows and empowers any Government for public purposes to acquire property. This is known to the opposition, said Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney
General (AG) Basil Williams. Williams was responding to statements made by the former Attorney General Anil Nandlall, who claimed that the process of compulsory acquisitions was unknown to the People’s Progressive
Party Civic. The Attorney General said that he viewed the former AG’s comments as erroneous. Compulsory acquisitions are allowed upon the proper award of compensation which must be paid in reasonable time frame. Williams made mention of the fact that the Attorney General’s office is currently engaged in a matter with the Berbice Bharat Sewa Sangha. This organisation, he said, was a charitable one, operating homes for the elderly and was compulsorily acquired by the PPP administration in 2000. The Legal Affairs Minister said the reason given by the then government was the establishment and construction of the University of Guyana’s Tain Campus. “Perhaps Mr Nandlall, having deceived the nation, could explain the difference between this and the acquisition of two small lots that are contiguous to the Ministry of Legal Affairs building.” Williams said. The Attorney General added that when the coalition government ascended to power after winning the 2015 General Election, he inherited the proposal made by the PPP for the acquisition of the two said lots. “The staff that I inherited recommended that, especially when I was looking to establish a permanent law reform commission and a law review unit. They said that the current premises could accommodate such a unit.” The official added that perhaps the former AG is (continued on page 16)
Sunday October 09, 2016
Kaieteur News
PAGE 15
PAGE 16
Sunday October 09, 2016
Kaieteur News
Granger, Harmon offered me money to resign from Commissions - Carvil Duncan
Carvil Duncan has painted a picture to the effect that the APNU+AFC government is out to get rid of him. He claims that President David Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, are out to do so. Duncan released a missive yesterday breaking his silence ever since a Tribunal was set up to decide whether he is fit to remain on three Commissions. Duncan said that in February, he received a telephone invite from Harmon’s secretary for a meeting the following Monday at the Ministry of the Presidency. He said that he accepted the invitation. Duncan said that, at the meeting, Harmon told him that
he was instructed by President David Granger “to have me resign as Chairman of the Public Service Commission which would automatically be followed by my resignation from the other Constitutional Service Commissions, namely, the Judicial Service Commission and the Police Service Commission.” Duncan said that Harmon also requested that he consider a “financial package that would accompany my resignation.” The Commissioner claims that he did not give Harmon a direct response to his proposal but told the Minister, “I had preferred to speak with the President on this matter and I then exited his office.” Duncan said that about 10:30hrs the same day, he
Williams calls out Nandalall... From page page 14 upset that he did not get to broker the deal which he (Nandlall) had pegged at $600 million. Williams however disclosed that the lots after being evaluated are currently valued at $20 million each. Williams added that since their loss of the 2015 General
Elections, the PPP seems to be unhinged. According to Nandlall, several properties along Brickdam, Hadfield Street and other locations around Georgetown were compulsorily acquired by the former late president, Forbes Burnham and were not put to public use.
received another telephone call from Harmon’s Secretary informing him of a request to attend a meeting with the President, a half of an hour later—at 11:00hrs. Duncan said that he was able to attend that meeting even in the short notice. “I turned up for the meeting at which there was the President, Mr. Harmon and an individual unknown to me.” Duncan said that during the course of the meeting, President Granger insisted that he resign as Chairman of the Public Service Commission to be followed by the other Constitutional Service Commissions. Duncan said that the President then said to him as many as three times, that “he does not want any blood on his carpet, forcing me to move in the direction of resigning by the deadline of March 15, 2016.” Duncan is claiming that following those statements, President Granger offered him a financial package “under the same conditions as had been offered by Minister Harmon if I were to resign as he insisted. I left the meeting with an understanding that I would return a call to Minister Harmon confirming my
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon
Commissioner Carvil Duncan
President David Granger
agreement to resign.” The Commissioner said that a few days later he made numerous telephone calls and left several messages with his Secretary but without any response to date. Duncan said that subsequently, he learnt from a newspaper report that he failed to respond to a letter sent to him Prime Minister Nagamootoo. Duncan said, “I had checked with both of my offices which were never in receipt of any letter sent by the Prime Minister. I also checked at the post office in my area which informed me that it had no outstanding mail for me. It may be opportune to note that
I was also never contacted by the Prime Minister or any of his agents.” A Tribunal which has been appointed by President David Granger, to inquire, investigate and recommend whether Duncan, Chairman and appointed member of the Public Service Commission, ought to be removed from office for inability to discharge his duties, yesterday took their oath of office. The Tribunal is led by Justice Roxanne GeorgeWiltshire, while Justice (retd) Winston Patterson, and Attorney-at-Law, Robert
Ramcharran will serve as members. The Tribunal is expected to render its report, findings and recommendations to the President on or before October 31, 2016. Duncan is currently facing charges of fraud following findings that he paid himself approximately $1M and allegedly conspired with Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) of the Guyana Power and Light, Mr. Aeshwar Deonarine, for an unapproved transfer of approximately $27M, both sums from the PetroCaribe Fund, into Deonarine’s personal bank account.
Sunday October 09, 2016
PAGE 25
Kaieteur News
Poor performance in Mathematics...
A national emergency that brings retired educators in focus By Sharmain Grainger A Commission of Inquiry (COI) may very well be on the way to ascertain why Guyana’s performance in Mathematics at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) is wanting. It has been made clear that this situation has been in existence for a number of years. This troubling development has been gaining the highest possible national attention, and with good reason too. You see, ideally, in order for a person to matriculate or be deemed an acceptable candidate for higher education or even the world of work for that matter he or she is expected to have passes in two or three subject areas in addition to English and Mathematics. NGSA is administered at the primary level and requires that pupils complete assessments in the core subject areas of Mathematics, English, Science and Social Studies. It can therefore be deduced that if pupils are not able to grasp concepts at the primary level they certainly are not prepared for what will be taught at the secondary and tertiary levels. While the Ministry of Education has not made public a full comparative analysis of the results of the past few years, the NGSA Mathematics results that have been realised since the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government assumed power have been worrying enough to warrant keen attention. And keen attention is just what was forthcoming when Cabinet met during the past week. At a post Cabinet press briefing on Thursday, Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, said, “Our concern has been the results of NGSA particularly as it relates to Mathematics.” He revealed that poor performance in Mathematics has been viewed as so important
that Cabinet spent almost four hours deliberating on it Tuesday. The spotlight was essentially on Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, and a team of technical officers who accompanied him to brief Cabinet on the Mathematics performance and help plot the way forward. The officials have admitted to Cabinet that it was long recognised that there were some troubles associated with the national assessment. It was for this very reason that the Ministry for the first time this year contracted the services of the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) to help conduct the NGSA assessment which was conducted on April 27 and April 28. A total of 14,386 candidates were assessed. And Harmon divulged Thursday that the support from CXC, in the view of the Education Ministry, saw a radical difference when compared to what was used previously. In Harmon’s words “this exposed, even more, the weaknesses of the Ministry of Education’s approach to this particular subject of Mathematics.” He disclosed that Cabinet was advised that the new CXC-approach required pupils to reason more rather than just “repeating by rote”.
“So that inability to analyse and to reason exposed in an even greater detail the failure which has occurred in our system,” according to the Minister of State. Moreover, Cabinet considered the situation to be one of national importance and has accepted that it requires urgent attention. Of course the need for appropriate solutions was also discussed at Cabinet. Understandably the technical staffers of the Education Ministry have their work cut out for them as they are the ones who are being called upon to institute measures to remedy the daunting Mathematics performance. At the recent sitting of Cabinet a number of actions were suggested including immediate moves by the Education Ministry to assess the school system to identify the cause(s) of the problem. The development of short-term remedial measures was also suggested to help address the problem in the interim. Now one of the most interesting suggestions that Cabinet heard was the possibility of retaining teachers past the prescribed age of retirement. It was recommended that the Ministry develop a method of best practice to
The Baccoo Speaks The madness is continuing and there is not much that anyone can do to stop it. Again the guns will come out as a jilted man does the most ridiculous thing. He is going to confront his former lover and threaten to shoot her. But something almost always goes wrong. The plan would backfire because the woman would survive but the assailant would not. ** The police operation against errant driv-
ers would begin to bear some fruit as the police would nab a young driver who actually stole a car and was heading to the scene of a robbery. This would further expose a plan that has spare parts dealers encouraging young men to steal motor cars for stripping. ** A drowning would occur in the western part of the country. This is not surprising given that the tide is high and boaters relax their attention.
guide the Ministry to identify areas where resources are required and to facilitate the recruitment of retired teachers to provide assistance to the system. According to Harmon, “We had a very long discussion on the retirement age for teachers since it was felt that the age at which teachers are retiring is the age when they are on top of their game.” Cabinet has considered that once teachers retire from the Government system they are quickly “snapped up” by the private school system. “That is something which as a Government we need to pay careful attention to,” said Harmon, as he disclosed that Cabinet has mandated the Minister of Education to “sit with his technical officers and staff of his Ministry to come up with a plan by next week as to how we are going to deal with this particular situation.” Now the fact that Government is looking to retired
teachers to help address the problems seems to suggest that there is not complete faith in the young teachers in the system, those who graduate annually from the country’s teachers’ training college, to fix the existing challenge. Could it be that the teachers in the system are not well trained? Are they not well equipped to deliver numeracy lessons? Or are the majority of our children simply not capable of retaining mathematical con-
cepts as presented by teachers in the system? A COI I’m sure could shed some light. But the Mathematics shortcoming is only one among a gamut of challenges that exist within the public education system. Government has laudably accepted that there are many other situations in the Ministry of Education including the delivery of education which is already the subject of an inquiry that is ongoing across the country.
PAGE 26
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 09, 2016
The Other Crime Wave bodies were dropping almost daily, but the killings had nothing to do with the Mash Day escapees… By Michael Jordan It was nightfall on Sunday March 10, 2002, and popular Albouystown businessman Errol ‘Taps’ Butcher, survivor of many scrapes, was standing outside his America Street business place when a white car drove up to him. Several gunshots rang out, and 55-year-old Butcher collapsed to the ground with four bullet wounds to the stomach. Four other bullets pierced the left side of his car. Butcher was rushed to the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. To prevent other attempts on his life, guards from a private security firm were placed at the hospital’s door. However, despite the best efforts of his doctors, Butcher died three days later without regaining consciousness. Detectives would establish that the murder weapon was a 9mm pistol. They would check Butcher’s cell phone and would question a South Ruimveldt resident with whom ‘Taps’ was embroiled in a property dispute. But Butcher’s death remained unsolved. The execution-style killing of ‘Taps’ Butcher was the first of a string of brutal unsolved killings that had nothing to do with the unprecedented wave of killings that was spawned by the February 23, 2002 escape of prisoners Dale Moore, Shawn Brown, Andrew Douglas, Mark Fraser and Troy Dick. It would soon become evident that some criminal gangs were waging their own vendetta under cover of the carnage started by the escapees, and had started a crime wave of their own. On May 5, 2002, just two months after Butcher’s death, Sean Osbourne, Butcher’s 27-year-old son, was standing on the sidewalk outside his Barr Street, Albouystown residence when the occupants of a car shot at him. Two bullets struck Osbourne in the back. Luckily, he survived the ordeal. But another sibling was not so lucky. On Monday, July 15, 2002, Butcher’s 24-year-old son, Oyama Kyte, was riddled with bullets by a group of men in a white car. Some eyewitnesses indicated that Kyte had spoken
to the occupants of the car before he was shot. On May 7, 2002, 37-year-old Mark Franco, who had recently returned from overseas, was travelling in a car with two other men on Mandela Avenue when the occupants of a white car drove up alongside their vehicle. Several gunshots erupted and Franco was mortally wounded. His companions, Osmond Forrester and Junior Callender, called ‘Baby Junior’, were also injured, but survived. At around 20:45hrs on Friday, August 31, 2002, Michael Allen, 20, of Charlotte Street; Tony Evans, called ‘Buns Eye,’ of South Ruimveldt, and a third man were standing outside a shop at the corner of James and Hunter Streets, Albouystown, when four men, with guns drawn, walked up to them and opened fire at close range. Allen and Evans were shot in the chest and head, and died on the spot. Their companion fled, but another man who was standing nearby was shot in the hip. Six weeks after the double-execution, Joel Evans, a nephew of Tony Evans, was about to purchase bread at a Ketley Street bakery when two men walked up to him. One of the men drew a handgun and shot Evans in the leg. The wounded Evans managed to flee into Howes Street, Charlestown, but the gunmen pursued him and shot him in the head. But the killings were not confined to the city. On Sunday, August 6, 2002, Quincy Mc Donald, called ‘Cayenne’; Gary Major, Marsha Semple and Ina Vermeeren were travelling in a car along the Cummings Lodge Railway Embankment when the occupants of another car drove up to the Toyota Marino the friends were in. As the strange vehicle sped past, the occupants opened fire, riddling the Marino with bullets and killing Ina Vermeeren. Mc Donald, Major and Semple, were also wounded. Mc Donald would later disappear from the High Dependency Unit of the Georgetown Hospital, where he was being treated.
Police would subsequently state that one of the occupants of the car was a friend of Wesley Hendricks, called ‘Little Mate’, who had been slain earlier in the year. And the killings continued into the New Year. On Thursday, July 27, 2003, Wayne Norville, a vendor of Hill Street, Albouystown, sent a nephew to buy cigarettes. The nephew returned with the cigarettes and left Norville standing on his back stairs talking with another man. Seconds later, the nephew heard gunshots and the nephew heard Norville cry out that he had been shot. With gunshots still erupting, the wounded man managed to flee into his home, where he collapsed on his bedroom floor. Residents took Norville to the Georgetown Hospital, where he died shortly after. There was another unusual case in which a Norton Street youth, Roy Chan, narrowly escaped being executed outside his home. He fled to Trinidad, but the killers trailed him there and gunned him down shortly after. Rumours persist to this day that some of the killings were done in retaliation for the theft of the contents of a safe. Some investigators said that the safe contained a huge cache of cocaine, while others said that it contained highquality plates for a counterfeiting ring. It is alleged that the perpetrators refused to hand over the safe’s contents, and paid the ultimate price. But this has never been proven; and, six years later, the mystery killings continue, with no sign of abating. If you have any information on other unsolved cases, please write to us at our Lot 24 Saffon Street address, or contact us on telephone numbers 22-58465, 22-58458, or 22-58491. You can also contact Michael Jordan on email address: mjdragon@hotmail.com.
Sunday October 09, 2016
PAGE 27
Kaieteur News
== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==
The APNU+AFC regime and the king’s new clothes Each of the self-destructive acts of the Coalition listed below can form a separate column. I will attempt to do that as the days unfold. I will leave out past egregiousness that have been analysed in all their dimensions earlier in the Coalition’s life. Examples are the secretive gazetting of the huge salary increase, Joe Harmon’s still unexplained trip to China, the forensic audit circus, the mania of the elected City Council, the foolish refusal to reverse Jagdeo’s morbid, incestuous radio license goodies. We start with the TOPCO JUICE contract. Why Guyana whose land space takes in the entire landscape of the CARICOM integration formation, wants to feed its school children with fruit juices imported from another CARICOM member? Two implications stare you in the face. First, foreign exchange will be spent. Secondly, it curtails employment in Guyana. Next is the massive in-
crease in the cost of getting selected documents from public institutions and the payment for certain public facilities. Many of these services are sought by the working people and the lower middle classes. The PPP with all its bestial neo-liberal economic policies never did that. It is simply an increase in taxes. Next, is the inflexible pursuit by President Granger in by-passing the large quantity of young talent we have. The latest is the appointment of Major-General Joe Singh to conduct an investigation. The issue is not the Major-General himself who is top class material but why not look for a young talent to allow them to gain experience. Mr Singh is in his early seventies. Next we have the Coalition’s newly acquired thirst to buy private lands for the construction of public buildings. This is a fantastic
journey into political blindness. Has the government done an in-depth survey of public lands it has available for such purposes? As I said above, each of the items in this enumeration will form a separate column so I will move on. Next we have the State owning and administering a hotel. The APNU+AFC’s balance sheet on competence is not impressive, much less inspiring and now it wants to get into the hotel business fully. I say fully, because it is the majority share-holder of Marriot. The nation cannot wait for the 2020 elections to see how this self-destructive crash will play out during the campaign. Next, we have Joe Harmon at it again. Why Joe does not consult a good friend outside of politics to advise him is beyond comprehension. Reeling from “licks” he took over his relationship with B. K. Tiwari, the “harmony” man
was photographed turning the sod at the Eugene Correia Airport for a new B. K. plane company. The strategic thing to do was to ask the Tourism or Business or Public Infrastructure Minister to do the duties. Next, we have some mindboggling statements from Ministers that are going to make the PPP jump so high that they may stick when trying to come down. Business Minister, Dominic Gaskin said that the pay of Guyanese public servants is much higher than many developing countries. Again, I emphasize that each of these wild directions will be dealt with in individual columns. The region’s esteemed economist, Clive Thomas, might not be amused. When did Gaskin discover this and why did he not say this during the 2015 election campaign? A nd could the Minister tell us which other developing countries he has put in the
comparison? I heard he has identified Syria, Somalia and South Sudan. If that is so, his brush didn’t go far and wide. Next, there is David Patterson saying that the AFC’s was successful in reducing the power spread of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joe Harmon. When asked to delineate the areas, a very nice and hard-working politician like David Patterson took refuge in the gesticulations and semantics of Clement Rohee. It has to be one of the biggest mistakes of his political career – to adopt a stance like Clement Rohee. So how did David answer? In typical Rohee style, he said; “well it is there to be seen if you look.” There is also the neat, nice compensation to B. K. Tiwari with the expressed statement that the government will continue to make out of court settlements. This makes you wonder what purpose do the courts
Frederick Kissoon serve. While B. K. is paid, poor contractors are still to be reimbursed for the Durban Park project. Amidst this ocean of abominations, the actors that make up the APNU+AFC formation continue to the nation the Coalition is working well, and the government is doing fine. Obviously this is a vivid and graphic case of the King and his new clothes.
PAGE 28
Sunday October 09, 2016
Kaieteur News
Laptop roll-out begins Minister of Public Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes, was on hand last Thursday morning in the auditorium of Queen’s College (QC), to assist in the distribution of ‘Great Wall’ laptop computers to the students who scored in the top one percentile at the National Grade Six Assessment in 2015. After the results had been released and tabulated in August last year, President David Granger had given a commitment to those students to make laptop computers available to them. The group of 148 students who now attend Queen’s College and Bishops High School, were presented with their long awaited computers. QC’s Headmistress in a poignant charge to the recipients quoted the late
Malcolm X who had said: “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today”. She expressed sincere gratitude to President Granger, the People of China, and the eGovernment Agency which operates under the aegis of the Ministry of Public Telecommunications. Minister Hughes when it came her turn at the podium, said to the students, teachers and Education officials, “We have a mandate to develop this country like it’s never been done before. You (students) are the ones who will really deliver on this mandate”. She challenged them to utilize the technologies already available as well as those not yet on the market to keep on increasing their knowledge, learning and
Minister of Public Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes
growing in the Arts, Technology, Sciences, Sports, Geography and History to turn themselves into well rounded students.
“Let’s move ahead and change this world,” she exhorted them. The Computer Laboratories at Queen’s College and Bishops High School were just two of the 100+ secondary schools on Guyana’s coastland from Corentyne to Charity that were recently connected to the LTE and fibre optic eGovernment networks. Over 50 Community centers along the same pathway have also been connected to assist communities - children, young professionals, adult professionals and entrepreneurs with homework, research, and social interaction around the world. This is a giant step forward in the government’s allencompassing programme to raise the national level of digital literacy. The connectivity project is but a fraction of the overall programme being devised and executed by the Ministry of Public Telecommunications and its execution arm, the eGovernment Agency. This Agency began a countrywide programme earlier in 2016 to set up ICT hubs in urban and rural community centers in towns and villages. They started out in Berbice as far away as Liverpool, Corentyne and Baracara up the Canje Creek. They set up community hubs on the East Coast and East Bank of Berbice and Demerara, and in the mining town of Linden. The technicians and engineers are working so fast, moving very quickly to carry out the man-
date that was handed to this Ministry, i.e. to create a knowledge-based, ICT-enabled society in the shortest possible time. That Presidential mandate, issued in January 2016, required that the Ministry enfolds the National Data Management Authority, the eGovernment Unit, the National Frequency Management Unit, the Public Utilities Commission and the Guyana Post Office Corporation into a cohesive whole. The objective has been to create and install appropriate ICT-related infrastructure, devise training programmes for citizens to enable as many Guyanese as possible to function competently in this world of ehealth, e-commerce, e-learning. The Ministry of Education is intent on distributing the laptop computers to its teachers in the shortest possible time. The well crafted Education system is managed through a cluster system, and it is through this system that the computers will be distributed in this first roll out to more than 4,000 teachers in public service who have met the specifications. The previous One Laptop Per Family programme that was devised and used by the previous government was renamed, refocused and refined into the One Laptop Per Teacher distribution programme fashioned by the incumbent administration. The computers have been loaded with data and informa-
tion provided by the Ministry of Education e.g. curriculum guides, instructional resources, text books, and marking schemes. We now stand at a starting point filled with promise. Like everything about Information Communication Technology, every turn along that road to digital competency opens us up to new possibilities, new ways to ensure that every person in Guyana has access to the worldwide web. We’re looking forward to the imminent expansion programme that will extend the fibre optic and LTE networks into inland communities, into new towns like Bartica, Mabaruma and Mahdia, into long existing communities like Kwakwani and Orealla on the Berbice River, and Hogg Island in the Essequibo. It seems as if most countries of the World have been turned on to the absolute value of an educated citizenry. It was Nelson Mandela who said to his South African compatriots, “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world”. For us, education is the gateway to active participation in the development of the world at an equally fast pace. We have got to catch up, then we have to keep up. We could only keep up when we have the same tools, the same platforms, the same opportunities. That is our main objective, and with all things being equal, that is what we will accomplish.
Sunday October 09, 2016
PAGE 29
Kaieteur News
My column
‘Employ the young’ is the perennial cry This past week the government announced that it was going to do something about the poor performance at Mathematics. One of the recipes for improvement is to rehire retired teachers in this field. This announcement took me back. I keep hearing the criticisms of older people being employed ahead of the young people and I wondered at the absence of any criticism here. I for one firmly believe that young people should be allowed to take their rightful place in the society. I am one of those who believe that young people are the future of any country. Of course, there are cases where the performance of the young leaves me terribly disappointed. Some young reporters seem out of sorts. They are not keen to approach prominent people; they are illprepared for press conferences and therefore cannot question the host as adequately as a reporter should. Editors would tell you that the quality of writing leaves a lot to be desired. And this is not only true for Guyana. But in Guyana the local media experience a high turnover of
staff. Many of those who enter the profession are not up to standard and others simply seek the glamour which fades at the first sign of serious work. I can understand the absence of young people to replace the older ones when it comes to teaching mathematics. These young people themselves were not properly prepared so they are at a disadvantage. But they are also similarly disadvantaged when it comes to certain jobs. The education system has failed them. During my interaction with local contractors many bemoan the quality of the recruitment pool. The say that the newly graduated engineers are very wet behind the ears; that they must be properly oriented by learning the job on the job. Some do learn but many find the process too tedious. It is the same in many areas of national life. In medicine there are young doctors just out of medical school. For starters, all those who clamour for young people to be readily employed would balk at the idea of being treated by a very young doc-
tor. I am willing to bet that anyone seeking medical attention would prefer to be treated by the older person. Similarly, parents would feel comfortable knowing that an older person is going to impart knowledge to their children. Yet I keep hearing about young people being kept out of the job market by older people. When I was very much younger I remembered the advertisements in the press. In almost every case the advertiser kept asking for people with experience. I recalled asking myself “if these people did not give me a chance how could I gain experience?” As I became older I recognized that indeed young people needed a break; they needed to enter the world of work but there were some jobs that young people simply could not get because of their lack of experience. In Guyana, though, the fact that many young people appear to be unemployed is because those who are qualified to gain employment reject the pay. I had cause to comment on this situation in the past. I argued that one should take
what one gets before moving to the stage where one can actually dictate what one gets. Those who clamour for youth employment seem to forget that they should also help these young people. Many of them are unemployable because not everyone is academically inclined. For this reason there were the technical institutions and later, institutions like the Guyana National Service. Guyana introduced multilateral education to aid those who were more technically inclined. In the absence of the Guyana National Service and the multilateral institutions we now have a large population of young people who are unemployable unless they enter the system at the basic level. As a young boy illiteracy was for the older person. Today a large batch of young people simply cannot read or write. In the absence of literacy there is the absence of reasoning. There is a diminution of tolerance, an absence of the ability to compromise and a general lack of understanding. A recent publication sug-
gested that youth unemployment stands at 40 per cent. The advocates proclaim, “Employ young people.” It is not that they are saying that one should employ suitably qualified young people. There is this blanket call because it sounds nice. At Kaieteur News there is a policy to employ young people with the hope that they could be trained. I must say that the quality of these people shocked me despite the fact that they all had impressive certificates. The company sent three of the least capable packing within a month. It is also open to recruiting more young people. And the treatment would be the same. There is another thing that the people who want to see youth employment fail to appreciate is the fact that they turn up for an interview as if they are going to a supermarket or for a lime with friends in the afternoon. That is an immediate turnoff. It is a signal that the young person never attempted to come to grips with the reality of the workplace. Then I would always ask them about the last thing that they read.
Adam Harris Many do not even read the daily papers so they are ignorant of what is happening in their own country. For starters, the Education Ministry is seeking the retired mathematics person and I am waiting to hear a protest about shutting out young people. President David Granger has spoken about setting up a Public Service Training Centre to ensure that the public service gets the best quality of young people. I now want to see adults talking about those very young people about doing the things that would make them employable. In life, nothing comes easy and it becomes even more difficult when we don’t have the rudiments to get a start in life.
PAGE 30
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 09, 2016
Lest we forget In an effort to deflect from its own sordid legacy the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) has engaged in an allout disinformation campaign to obfuscate the work of the
Coalition government. Even those of us who have short memories cannot forget the continued failure by the PPP to observe the rule of law, the political interference and ma-
nipulation of the Judiciary, harassment and victimisation of all opponents, including the media, lack of tolerance for differing opinions, arrogance, vindictiveness and high-
handed approach by successive PPP Presidents; the political control of the state media all of which contributed to the now well accepted assertion that the PPP was an “elected dictatorship”. Nothing defines the PPP in government more clearly than the out of control criminal activities, which resulted from its inability to reform the security forces and to ensure that it was properly equipped and led. The cancellation of the one trillion, five hundred and sixty eight million Guyana dollars (G$1,568,000,000) security sector reform project by the British was clearly the result of bad faith on the part of the President Bharrat Jagdeo. The PPP chose to ignore the recommendations of the Simmons Report and that of the Disciplined Forces Commission. Instead of seeking legal means of bringing the crime spree between 2002 and 2005 under control, the PPP decided to hitch its star to a well-known self-confessed drug dealer, Shaheed “Roger” Khan. The facts are well known as emerged from the trial of Khan’s former lawyer, Robert Simels that the Jagdeo Administration authorised the purchase of the “spy computer” which played a significant part in a campaign of terror which resulted in the deaths of more than 200 of our citizens. Who can forget the PPP’s neglect of public security? The fact is that the PPP during its tenure in office failed to preserve law and order. Jagdeo’s failure to quell the 10-year long ‘troubles’ and the rampant narco-trafficking and killings that were a hallmark of his Presidency are unforgivable and unforgettable. The PPP’s failure to investigate the murder of a sitting Minister of the government by itself created an environment where the value of
human life was made cheap. The investigation into the conduct of PPP Minister of Home Affairs Ronald Gajraj and the party’s refusal to launch an inquiry into the deaths of hundreds of Guyanese during the ‘troubles’ are not conjecture but facts. Any democracy worth its salt will seek support from other institutions of the society. The PPP in government rather than seeking such cooperation did its best to miniaturise and destroy many of the important institutions of our nation. The attempt to destroy the trade union movement is a relevant example. The PPP pursued this objective with a vengeance matched only by their misuse of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to go after private sector enterprises that refused to toe the political line. The unilateral cessation of the check off system for union dues from public servants for the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) and the abandonment of collective bargaining in violation of ILO conventions to which Guyana is a signatory are well known. The arbitrary imposition of meagre salary increases for Public Servants. The willful and malicious withholding of subventions approved by the Parliament for the Critchlow Labour College followed by the refusal to make any further allocations were indicative of the frontal attack by the PPP in pursuing its strategic objective of destroying the Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC) and replacing it with the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG). The lack of transparency and accountability was an established feature of the PPP in government. The PPP institutionalised cronyism, which led to well documented
President David Granger
and serious scandals. The scandalous failure to appoint Guyanese of African origin to the Diplomatic Corp cannot be defended. The discrimination in the award of contracts to PPP ‘fat cats’ and the questionable employment practices so evident in the number of persons, including Judges of the High Court, in acting appointments was cause for genuine dissatisfaction and resentment by most Guyanese. Guyanese citizens were unaware of the criteria used for the award of such contracts, much more the names of those to whom the contracts were awarded. This unhealthy situation came about because the PPP refused to finalise the appointment of the Public Procurement Commission to ensure some degree of transparency in the award of contracts, despite a commitment given in the Communiqué of May 6, 2003 to have this constitutional body established within four months of that date. Under the Coalition government this constitutional body has been selected and will soon be sworn-in by His Excellency the President. With all these things considered, the PPP lacks the moral authority to pontificate on issues such as lack of accountability, cronyism, corruption and public safety until genuine reform is seen among their ranks.
Sunday October 09, 2016
PAGE 31
Kaieteur News
MRSA: The life threatening infection that you need to know about By Dr. Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine Antibiotics misuse has led to a worldwide outbreak of MRSA. It is an infection that is resistant to conventional antibiotics treatment and is beginning to creep up in Guyana. Although we do not have accurate stats for Guyana, the CDC estimates that more than 80,000 aggressive MRSA infections and 11,000 related deaths occur each year in the United States. Today we will discuss this disease so that you can help educate others to prevent its spread. What is MRSA? Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is an infection that is hard to cure. Doctors and nurses sometimes call it MRSA or “Mursa” for short. People normally carry all sorts of germs inside their body and on their skin. The body usually controls these germs, so they do no harm. About one in three people have a germ on their skin called “staph.” In these people, staph usually causes no problems. But if they get a cut or a scrape, the germ can
cause an infection. A staph infection can be mild, and affect only the skin. But if the infection goes deeper into the body, it can be very serious. These more serious infections tend to happen in young children, older adults, and people who cannot fight infection well. One especially dangerous form of staph infection is the antibiotic resistant form, MRSA. This form is difficult to treat and get rid of. It involves germs that have learned to outsmart the drugs normally used to kill them. How do you catch MRSA? Many people carry MRSA on their skin without knowing it. You can pick up the germ by: *Touching a person who has MRSA on his or her skin *Being nearby when a person with MRSA breathes, coughs, or sneezes *Touching a table, handle or other surface that has the germ on it If the germ is on your skin and you cut yourself or have another injury, you can get infected. How do I know if I have a MRSA infection? If you get a MRSA infec-
tion, you will probably have some skin problems. You might have a red tender lump, and it might ooze pus. Or you might have a cluster of bumps that look like pimples or insect bites. If the infection gets into the blood, it can give you a fever or make you feel tired. If your doctor thinks you have MRSA, he or she can take a swab from your skin and check it for germs. In some cases, blood tests, Xrays, and other tests might be needed. Can MRSA be treated? — Your doctor can give you advanced antibiotics to treat your infection. If you get treated with medicines to take at home, it is very important that you follow the directions exactly. Take all the pills you are given, even if you feel better before you finish the pills. If you do not take them all, the germ could come back even stronger. If you do not get better with the medicines that come in pill form, or if you are very sick, your doctor might put you in the hospital. There he or she can give you stronger medicines through a tube in one of your veins (IV). What are some complications of MRSA?
The following conditions can occur as a result of MRSAand can all become life threatening: · Brain or spinal cord abscess (nervous system infections) · Cellulitis (connective tissue infection) · Endocarditis (infection of the membrane that lines the heart) · Organ failure (e.g., kidney) · Osteomyelitis (bone marrow infection) · Pharyngitis (throat infection) · Pneumonia (respiratory infection that affects the lungs) · Septic arthritis and septic bursitis (joint infections) · Septicemia (also called blood poisoning) · Sinusitis (sinus infection) · Thrombophlebitis (inflammation of a vein and formation of a blood clot) · Toxic shock syndrome (acute infection that involves multiple organ systems) Is there any way to prevent MRSA? — People everywhere should wash their hands often with soap and
water. But it is especially important for people who are in the hospital or a nursing home. Washing your hands is the best way to prevent most infections. It’s also a good idea not to share personal items such as towels or razors. Use antibiotics only as directed. Do not use antibiotics unnecessarily. Let your doctor decide when it’s best to use antibiotics. I must note that even doctors are overprescribing antibiotics that are leading to more antibiotic resistance. If you are a patient in a hospital, you should also make sure your doctors and nurses wash their hands before they touch you. If there
Dr. Zulfikar Bux is no sink, they can use an alcohol-based hand gel to clean up. We have caused this plague on ourselves and we all need to do our part to minimize it. Educate yourself and more importantly, educate others about MRSA and antibiotic resistant bacteria.
PAGE 32
Top 10 Superfoods to Reduce Belly Fat
B
elly fat, also known as visceral fat that accumulates around the midsection, is a major concern for many. Not only does belly fat make your figure unattractive, it also increases your risk of high blood pressure, diabetes and fatty liver disease. Many people try dieting to lose belly fat, but this is not the optimal solution. The ideal way to get rid of belly fat is to choose your foods wisely and do some physical exercise daily. Knowing what to include in your diet is half the job, the other half is doing exercises daily that suit your body type. Certain foods actually help reduce stubborn belly fat and will get you well on your way to enjoying a slimmer physique.
1. Almonds Almonds contain a good amount of healthy fats — polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. Both fats help prevent you from overeating. A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has proven that eating almonds suppresses hunger. They also help fight against heart disease. 2. Watermelon The American Dietetic Association declares watermelon as a perfect food to reduce belly fat. Watermelon contains 91 percent water and when you eat it at the beginning of a meal, it fills you up without adding a substantial amount of calories to your meal. Plus, it keeps you feeling full longer and also helps combat water retention. This juicy fruit is also rich in vitamins B1, B6 and C, as well as potassium and magnesium. It is a great addition to a low-calorie and low-fat diet. 3. Beans Regular consumption of different types of beans helps reduce body fat, develop muscles and improve the digestion process. Beans also help you feel full for a longer time, thus keeping you from overeating. 4. Celery To get a flat tummy, fill your plate with green leafy vegetables like celery. Celery is extremely low in calories, full of fiber, and contains calcium and vitamin C that aid in weight loss. 5. Cucumbers Cucumbers are an extremely refreshing and low-calorie food. 100 grams of cucumber contains approximately 96 percent water and only about 45 calories. They are packed with minerals, dietary fibers and vitamins. 6. Tomatoes One large tomato has just 33 calories. It contains a compound known as 9-oxo-ODA that helps reduce lipids in
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 09, 2016
Flowers All Around 1. ANEMONE 2. AZALEA 3. BASKET 4.BEGONIA 5.BLOOM 6.BORDER 7.BOUQUET 8.BUDS 9.CALLA 10.CROCUS 11.DAFFODIL 12.DAHLIA 13.DAISY 14.FLAG 15.FLOWER 16.GREENHOUSE 17.IRIS 18.JONQUIL 19.LILAC 20.LILY 21.MARIGOLD 22.NARCISSUS 23.PANSY 24.PEONY 25.PETUNIA 26.PHLOX 27.PICK 28.PLANT 29.POPPY 30.ROSE 31.SEED 32.TULIP the blood, which in turn helps control belly fat. This compound also fights chronic diseases associated with obesity. 7. Avocado An important amino acid known as lecithin in avocado helps in managing body weight. Also a source of good fats—monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, avocado helps burn belly fat easily. 8. Apples Apples are high in dietary fiber, flavonoids, phytosterol and beta-carotene, which make your belly feel full and help you avoid overeating. According to a Brazilian study, women who ate three or more apples a day lost more weight compared with those who did not. 9. Tart Cherries A study conducted at the University of Michigan found that a diet containing tart cherries helps lower symptoms of heart disease and metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome increases the risk of belly fat as well as heart disease and diabetes. These cherries reduce cholesterol levels in the body and can reduce body fat to a great extent. Tart cherries also have antioxidant properties that have anti-aging benefits, making you look younger and feel better. 10. Pineapple This tropical fruit contains the enzyme bromelain, which has anti-inflammatory properties. This enzyme metabolizes protein that contributes to a flatter tummy. With these superfoods, you can fight that belly fat and enjoy a slimmer waistline. However, these foods will only play a major role in attaining a better figure when coupled with regular exercise.
Solution to last week Atoms at Work
Sunday October 09, 2016
SUNDAY SPECIAL UK TIMBER PROCUREMENT RESTRICTIONS THREATEN LOCAL FORESTRY EXPORT -HIGH LEVEL MEETING TOMORROW TO DISCUSS MATTER Local logging companies are deeply worried about a major development that threatens its export market to the United Kingdom (UK). Tomorrow, a high profile team of Government officials is set to meet stakeholders in a move designed to bring pressure on the UK authorities to reverse a decision by the Environment Agency which raises questions of sustainable logging practices in Guyana deriving from an apparent poor review process. In effect, that decision has reduced the exports of Greenheart from Guyana to UK by more than half, local companies confirmed Friday. The Environment Agency is the single biggest end-user of Greenheart from Guyana. In May last year, that UK entity warned its contractors and other stakeholders that it will only purchase tropical hardwoods that have sufficient evidence of legality and sustainability. Environment Agency went further. In its notice last year May, it said that the decision will see the prohibition of the purchases of new shipments of Greenheart hardwood as “currently there is insufficient evidence available to prove that the forests of origin are sustainably managed.” This determination apparently did not involve any in-depth due diligence or consultation with the Guyanese counterparts. Local officials have been scrambling frantically since last year to stave off the possible repercussions. With Greenheart one of the most popular timber used in especially marine applications, because of its suitability to staying for years in the water, local loggers are claiming that exports between 2014 to current have fell more than 50 percent. The bigger implication for Guyana is that the Environment Agency’s decision could affect the entire Guyana timber market to Europe and other places if other buyers begin to take the same stance and question the sustainability of Guyana’s timbers. $$MULTI-BILLION IDB/EU PROJECT…SEVEN MONTHS AFTER TENDERS OPENED, GPL STILL TO ANNOUNCE WINNER A major project to install smart meters and rehabilitate the medium and low voltage distribution for the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) is facing hurdles. Seven months after the tenders were opened, it is still being “evaluated”, with a number of bidders expressing worry over the transparency of the procurement process. The evaluation period would seem like an extraordinary long time for a project with the average being about three months before it is green-lighted. Last week, following a number of scathing letters to the editors in Kaieteur News querying the delay, this newspaper contacted Sophie Makkonen, Country Representative of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for a comment but up to press time, there was no reply. A request for an update was also sent to the Ministry of Finance but a spokesperson on Friday directed this newspaper to the IDB. Chairman of GPL, Robert Badal, did not immediately reply to a message sent to his
Kaieteur News
PAGE 41
mobile. The project is part of a US$65M initiative known as the Power Utility Upgrade Programme (PUUP). The monies are coming from IDB which is contributing over US$37M in loans and financing from the European Union for US$27M – mainly grants. The implementation of all the projects is being overlooked by the IDB. The amounts were reportedly approved since 2014, under the Donald Ramotar administration. PUUP was in the making for a number of years and is designed to reduce GPL’s inefficiency and increase training for staffers. Already, the first phase of the project has been implemented – the building of seven sub-stations and new high voltage lines along the coastlands, from Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, Berbice to West Coast Demerara. MONDAY EDITION GOVT. MOVING FORWARD WITH ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX, CASINO FOR MARRIOTT HOTEL – HAD CONDEMNED FIVE-STAR ENTITY AS MONUMENT OF CORRUPTION DURING ELECTIONS CAMPAIGN Government appears to be moving full steam ahead with a major money-making venture at the controversial Marriott Hotel, an entity it had condemned as a monument of corruption during its election campaign. The project involves installing an Entertainment Complex and Casino at the five-star hotel, located at Kingston. There was no mention of this decision to members of the public via any form or even at Government’s usual post-cabinet meetings with the press. But an advertisement in last Saturday’s edition of the Chronicle stated that the Atlantic Hotel Inc (AHI) is a fully owned government company which owns the Marriott Hotel. The advertisement also stated that AHI is embarking on Phase Two of the Guyana Marriott Project, which consists of the design and outfitting of an Entertainment Complex and Casino. Beverly Harper, Ansa Mcal’s Chief Executive Officer, was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors at Atlantic Hotel Inc. last year. Other AHI board members include Larry London, Derrick Cummings and Patricia Bacchus. AHI was previously headed by Winston Brassington and Marcia Nadir-Sharma. Additionally, AHI said that it was seeking an accountant for this aspect of the project to ensure the smooth, efficient and cost effective execution of phase two of the hotel. Handling the receipt of the applications is Ram and McRae Chartered Accountants. Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram who is part of the company, had been extremely critical of the Marriott venture over the years. He had even referred to it as a death knell for other local hotels in Guyana. It was only last year that Finance Minister Winston Jordan said, that if the price is right, Government would be willing to rid itself of the controversial Marriott Hotel. At the time, Jordan was asked to provide an update on what Government has decided to do with the Hotel it inherited from the previous regime. He recalled that the government has made it clear on several occasions that it has no intention of being competitively involved in the hotel industry.
COPS HUNT GUNMAN WHO SHOT TEENS Police were Sunday still trying to locate the gunman who shot a 19-year-old and his 17-year-old girlfriend in Shirley Field Ridley Housing Scheme last Saturday night. Troyan Barton, 17, and Johnnick La Rose, 19, were attacked outside a shop in the Rasville area at around 22.30 hrs. La Rose was reportedly shot in the vicinity of the mouth while Barton was shot in the neck. They are hospitalised and are both stable. Police reportedly have surveillance footage of the attack. Detectives are said to be probing reports that the shooter may have known the male victim, whose motorcycle he reportedly escaped on. Barton told Kaieteur News that she was sitting on her boyfriend’s motorcycle outside a shop while La Rose was inside, when the attack occurred. “We went to the shop to get something to eat. We parked on the road and while he (La Rose) was in there I was on the bike waiting.” She said she observed a ‘rasta man’, who seemed to be smoking walking behind her. She did not pay him any attention until he came up to her with a gun and ordered her to get off the motorcycle. At that point, her boyfriend came out of the shop and struck the man’s firearm, but was shot in the face. After shooting La Rose, the gunman again ordered Barton to dismount from the motorcycle. As soon as she had dismounted, the gunman shot her in the neck. Although he was shot, La Rose said that
he managed to lift his girlfriend and flee, even as the gunman fired another round at them. They were admitted to the GPHC. GRANGER VOWS TO KILL “THE MOTHER OFALL CRIMES” FOR A BETTER GUYANA – ADMITS GOVT STILL ILLEQUIPPED TO FIGHT NARCO-TRADE Describing it as “the mother of all crime,” President David Granger says that his Government is determined to end the scourge of narco-trafficking in Guyana. The President said that his government is looking at the prevalence of the narcotics trade locally with an aim to strategically bring an end to it. Granger aired these views as he appeared on the weekly televised show—The Public Interest. Granger told reporters that many serious crimes have their origin in the “dark oppressive period” when it was clear that drug lords were committing a range of serious offences in Guyana. ”I regard narco-trafficking as the mother of all crimes,” said Granger. The President said that the huge sums of money generated from the narco trade can be used to order executions, to recruit rogues who could carry out other serious crimes, and to recruit “foot soldiers.” “They can also get young people to sell the drugs and they can bribe law enforcement officers.” The President said that it is imperative that Guyanese understand the role that narcotics trafficking has played “particularly between (Continued on page 42)
PAGE 42
(From page 41) 2000 and 2015,” so it has secured a ‘comfortable place’ in society. ”Early in September we discovered an aircraft in the Rupununi. It is clear it entered Guyana illegally and may be carrying contraband commodities; we do not know exactly what, but as long as drugs keep coming into this country it is going to be very difficult to control crime.” Granger has been President just about 16 months now. During this time, not one major drug network has been dismantled neither has any key figure been charged. Granger was asked why this is so, given the fact that he has recognised narco-trafficking as the mother of all crimes. GOVT. YET TO SHOW READINESS TO FIGHT CORRUPTION WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR – GOOLSARRAN Is the APNU+AFC administration making dedicated and meaningful efforts to remedy the problems hindering the restoration of good governance, transparency and accountability? The answer seems to be a resounding ‘no,’ according to some anti-corruption advocates. Specifically, former Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran, expressed that he has “mixed feelings” when it comes to government’s performance in this area. ”I cannot honestly tell myself that this
Kaieteur News
Government is fulfilling its promise when it comes to fighting corruption without fear or favour. I am not happy or comfortable with their efforts thus far. It is not enough. The promise of greater governance and accountability is yet to be realised by them. ”We voted for change and took them at their word. They made a number of promises on the campaign trail about what they would and wouldn’t do in 100 days. It is now 17 months and we are yet to make significant moves in the direction of accountability.” Though he holds these views, the Chartered Accountant said that it is important to bear in mind that he did say that he has “mixed feelings.” That said, he continues to maintain as he has said in previous interviews that there are a few good things which the government has done. In this regard, he cited the establishment of the Bid Protest Committee and the refinement of the nation’s anti-money laundering laws. ”But even in those areas, there are issues which could affect Government’s efforts thus far at accountability. There are members of the Bid Protest Committee who have no background in procurement. This is important because when they make a decision, it cannot be challenged…,” expressed a concerned Goolsarran. Goolsarran said that democracy and accountability are the twin sides of the same
coin. He said that democracy leads to accountability which in turn leads to development. He stressed that the lack of democracy leads to a lack of accountability which in turn leads to a lack of development. TUESDAY EDITION GECOM USED FAKE QUOTATION IN $100M RADIO PURCHASE A multi-million-dollar procurement scandal at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has taken another twist with one prominent company Monday denying it ever submitted any quotes for a $100M radio purchase, for the May 11, 2015 national elections. Monday, responding to queries about discrepancies on a quotation purportedly issued by Massy Technologies Guyana Limited, a senior official said his company never issued the quotation. The quotation was one of three submitted by GECOM just about two weeks before the May 11, 2015 elections. The transaction has sparked a probe by state auditors that has now widened to spending by GECOM. The communication radio sets that were purchased by GECOM, from all indications, were outdated and came too late for them to be deployed in time for the elections. As part of the requirements, staffers would have had to be trained in the usage. Also there would not have been enough time for the equipment, along with accessories such as batteries, antennas and connections, to be installed. According to the GECOM tender documents seen by Kaieteur News, there were three quotations- Mobile Authority, Massy Technologies and Advanced Office Systems Inc. The one from Massy Technologies was a strange one that is bound to be red-flagged by auditors. In the first instance, it is dated April 21, 2014– one year before GECOM went out to buy them. The quotation was valid for one month. There were other glaring question marks. For instance, there was no signature or company stamp on the quotation. GUYANADEFENCE FORCE GETS NINTH CHIEF-OF-STAFF A promotion ceremony for Colonel George Lewis was held in the Executive Room of the Officers Club, Base Camp Ayanganna Monday where he was promoted to the rank of
Sunday October 09, 2016
Brigadier General. He was also sworn in as the ninth Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). The President of Guyana and Commanderin-Chief of the Armed Forces, Brigadier David Granger, after the badging ceremony, said that the Guyana Defence Board (GDB) is confident that Brigadier Lewis is the most senior and best qualified officer to perform the function as Chief-of-Staff. The promotion and swearing in were done in accordance with the succession policy of the GDF. The President stated that the Chief-ofStaff of the GDF has an ambiguous mandate which requires him – within the law – to apply his military education, his military expertise and his military experience to protect the citizens and defend the territorial integrity of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana in accordance with the Defence Act under the authority of the GDB and in accordance with the directive of the Minister. The President congratulated Brigadier Lewis on behalf of the Guyana Defence Board on his promotion and on his appointment to the position of Chief-of-Staff. Brigadier Lewis was enlisted in the force as a cadet on September 01, 1981. The new Chief-of Staff during an interview, said that obtaining the position was one that he was working towards since he enlisted, and now it has been achieved. GOVT. REPOSSESSES 68 ACRES FROM GOLD MINER The government seems to be getting quite serious with state assets. The Lands and Survey Commission has announced a proposed move to repossess some lands. Among those whose lands are to be taken away is popular gold miner, Chunilall Baboolall, also known as “Vulture.” Baboolall is said to be in possession of 68 acres of land on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway. The Official Gazette of October 1, said, “Notice is hereby given by the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys that it is proposed to cancel State Land Lease No. A 12490, issued in respect of 68 acres of State Land. It was noted that the land is situated at “Tract ‘A’ on the Left Bank Yarowkabra Branch Creek, Western Side of the Soesdyke’Linden Highway, held by Chunilall Baboolall.” The Commission said that the cancellation of Baboolall’s vast land would allow for the “repossession of the said land for (Continued on page 43)
Sunday October 09, 2016
(From page 42) reallocation.” Lands and Surveys invited, “All persons having any rights, interest or claim in and to the above mentioned tract of land or who have just grounds to oppose the cancellation are hereby requested to do so at the Office of the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys Commission…within seven days from the date of the third publication setting forth his/her or their reasons for opposition in writing and duly signed.” Baboolall is quite popular. He owns an island in the Essequibo where he erected a hotel and resort. Baboolall also has several other businesses, his main venture being gold mining. He also erected a massive building on Sheriff Street that was left unfinished. Kaieteur News understands that that building was supposed to serve as a mini mall but for over one year now, works has been stalled. WEDNESDAY EDITION GOVT. REPOSSESSES BAISHANLIN LAND AT PROVIDENCE BaiShanLin International Forest Development is losing more of the assets it was able to lay its hands on in Guyana. The Commissioner of Lands and Surveys has gazetted a proposal for the cancellation and repossession of government lands held by BaiShanLin.
Kaieteur News
The Official Gazette of October 1, states, “Notice is hereby given by the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys that it is proposed to cancel Government land lease no. 2650, issued in respect of 5.17 acres of Government land situate at and being tract ‘SA’ of Block 2 (Cricket Stadium) Providence, East Bank Demerara, held by BaiShanLin International Forest Development Inc.” It was stated that the cancellation was due to a breach of condition one of the lease agreement. Lands and Surveys also stated that “such cancellation would allow for the repossession of the said land for reallocation.” The notice said that “all persons having any rights, interest or claim in and to the above mentioned tract of land or who may have just grounds to oppose the cancellation are hereby requested to do so at the office of the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys Commission, Lot 22 Upper Hadfield Street, D’Urban backlands in the city of Georgetown during office hours, within seven days from the date of the third publication setting forth his/her or their reasons for opposition in writing and duly signed.” BaiShanLin’s presence in Guyana is becoming less pronounced. First, the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) refused to renew the company’s expired State Forest Exploratory Permits (SFEPs) that allowed it access to vast lands. The company then got some of its assets seized by the Guyana Revenue Authority be-
cause of taxes owed. Later, the joint ventures that BaiShanLin has with other companies were deemed illegal and canceled. Those ventures were all that the company had to allow it to still engage in logging activities in Guyana. And recently, GRA seized more of BaiShanLin’s assets. VENEZUELA UPS PRESSURE FOR OUT-OF-COURT SETTLEMENT; GUYANA SAYS NO Monday marked the 117th anniversary of the 1899 arbitral award handed down in Paris with neighbouring Venezuela insisting that it prefers going the route of resuming the Good Offices process instead of an international court. The statement of Venezuela has triggered an immediate response from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which said, Tuesday, that it has issued a booklet on the history of the award. According to the ministry, Venezuela on Monday marked the occasion with a “vituperative statement unworthy of a law abiding member of the international community. Its statement is a reaffirmation of Venezuela’s disrespect for the rule of law among nations. It is a frenzied display of ill temper from forces with whom history has caught up revealing the tangled web of falsehoods on which their specious claims to Guyana’s Essequibo were built.” The foreign ministry said that Guyana is marking the occasion with the release of a booklet in English and Spanish — “The New Conquistadors/Los Nuevos Conquistadores” – which gives an account of the Tribunal’s Award and Venezuela’s 60 year recognition and respect for it. “The booklet commemorates the award of one of the most prestigious judicial tribunals ever assembled under its most eminent Russian chairman.” According to the statement by the Venezuela Government Tuesday, it is using the occasion to protest Guyana’s disregard of international commitments. According to the El Universal report, after the 117 years of the cutting-off of almost 160,000 square kilometers from the Essequibo region, the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry voiced rejection over the “absurd and irrational actions undertaken by the Guyanese government in disregarding international commitments.” In a communiqué, Venezuela claimed that Guyana has referred to “false protections
PAGE 43
based on lies and subterfuge” to bring about an aggression situation against the country. Similarly, Venezuela ratified its commitment with peace in order to find a solution to the border dispute over the Essequibo, adding that Venezuela has requested the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, to resume the process of Good Offices in force, in accordance with the 1966 Geneva Agreement. CITY MAYOR DEFENDS HER CHILDREN’S RIGHT TO WORK Issues of conflict of interest in terms of contract distribution at the Mayor and City Council, have taken centre stage once again. This time there are allegations against the City Mayor, Patricia Chase-Green. Chase-Green is being accused of granting concessions to her immediate family members. She questioned whether her children are not allowed to work in Guyana, adding that if one of her children is employed by a company which has a contract with city hall, “Aren’t they allowed to do it?” ”As far as I am aware there is no conflict of interest. My son is not the contractor; he is working with the contractor,” Chase-Green said The Mayor added that she was tired of these allegations. She said that similar claims were made during the construction of the Durban Park facility. She further stated that it seems as if her children who are born Guyanese are not entitled to work in Guyana. Chase-Green added that her children were not given jobs under the previous administration and it seems like they are not allowed to be employed under the new administration. “Everywhere they go to work, there is some allegation of conflict of interest. So I must keep my children home? They must not work? What will they become to the state? Beggars of the state?” the Mayor queried. City Hall has come in for scrutiny in relation to a number of controversial contracts, such as the parking meter contract. Last November, the city signed a contract with Smart City Solutions Inc, a company collaborating National Parking Systems” (NPS) to install solar-powered parking meters in critical areas of Georgetown. The company is said to have invested tens of millions of dollars in preparatory works, including bringing engineers from its headquarters to determine traffic volume and (Continued on page 44)
PAGE 44
(From page 43) occupancy. THURSDAY EDITION CJIA’S US$150 EXTENSION … GOVT SUMMONS CHEC TO MEETINGOVER DELAYS -CONTRACTOR UNDER PRESSURE TO SIMULTANEOUSLY WORK ON RUNWAY, TERMINAL BUILDINGS Amidst delays, Government has announced plans to meet with the Chinese contractor of the US$150M Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) extension project. According to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) Wednesday, it will be pushing for China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) to conduct simultaneous works on the current runway extension, a new arrival building and renovations of the existing terminal building. This is to ensure that the massive project meets a December 1, 2017 deadline. According to the Ministry, Wednesday, the meeting with a CHEC team is set for some time later this month and it is “to discuss areas of concerns” for the project. The meeting would follow a request from Project Manager, Carmichael Thorne. ”Mr. Thorne has already contacted CHEC’s management, with the intent to have unsatisfactory areas rectified,” Among the areas Government wants CHEC to pay attention to is the final submission of the construction drawings of the new arrival terminal building and the timely delivery of concrete onsite. Already, the Ministry has proposed a fast-tracking of the project via simultaneous works to the runway, new arrival terminal building and renovations of the existing terminal building, the statement from Government said Wednesday. CHEC is also being asked to submit details of the procurement schedule for equipment and update the Government on the progress of a generator room and fire pump station. “In regards to the fast-tracking of the project, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure has proposed to CHEC that works on the new terminal be conducted in parallel with works on the existing building and runway,” the Ministry said. This proposal will require additional manpower and equipment to achieve the December 2017 deadline. Government did not immediately disclose Wednesday who will foot the bill for the additional manpower and equipment. A $14.5M INCESTUOUS RELATIONSHIP…GECOMACCEPTED BATTERIES QUOTES FROM THREE BUSINESSES LINKED TO BRASSE BROTHERS -ENTITY DELIBERATELY HID $29M
Kaieteur News
ORDER FROM CABINET BY CONTRACT SPLITTING Two contracts to supply Duracell batteries for the May 11, 2015 national elections reveal more shocking evidence of procurement irregularities by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). According to tender documents seen by Kaieteur News, last year GECOM asked the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) to approve two contracts totalling $29,061,480. From details of the tender documents submitted by GECOM, not only did the entity accept two quotes from Mobile Authority and Standard Distributors, it also received one from a business named A1 Imports, which is listed to a Robb Street address linked to Water Street businessman, Michael Brasse. Brasse is the same person who owns Mobile Authority, the business which received the contracts to supply the $29M in Duracell batteries for the elections. Brasse’s brother, Mahendra, owns Standard Distributors, a King Street business. A 1 Imports, which supplied a quote, has an address listed as 44 Robb Street in its quote which said it would charge $1,116 for an original Duracell Coppertop D Side Alkaline battery to be imported from the US. A1 Imports’ contact person on the quote was listed as one Y.A. Hussain. According to information at the Registry, A1 Imports is registered to an address in Grove, East Bank Demerara. In the GTT telephone directory, that Robb Street address is the same one as Mibra Trading, another business registered to Brasse. Under procurement regulations, some state institutions are allowed to collect three quotes from separate businesses to ensure transparency for contracts. GECOM has authorisation to issue contracts below $250,000. Above that, the contract has to be approved by NPTAB. ALLEGED CORRUPTION…FORMER ARMY CHIEF TO CONDUCT BROADCASTINGAUTHORITY INQUIRY The Terms of Reference (TOR) for the investigations into the allegations of corruption and misconduct levelled by Kenwin Charles against members of the Guyana National Broadcasting Association (GNBA) Board was Wednesday handed over to Major General (Retd), Joe Singh, MMS, by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon. According to the Ministry of the Presidency statement, the event took place at the office of Minister Harmon.
Singh will conduct an inquiry into the allegations and is expected to submit his report to the Prime Minister of Guyana by October 31, 2016. Minister Harmon said that President David Granger had requested that the inquiry be conducted. “(The President) is very confident that you’ll be able to discharge your responsibilities,” Minister Harmon told Major General Singh after having provided him with the instruments of his appointment. Minister Harmon also assured him of his full support throughout the course of the investigations. In an invited comment, Major General Singh said that he will work along closely with the Legal Advisor from the Ministry of the Presidency, Geeta Chandan-Edmond, to ensure emphasis is placed on the gathering of detailed information so that a report can be completed and handed over to President Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo in a timely manner. ”[We are going] to work closely with the Legal Adviser… to map out a time table and a sequence of events, identify those persons, who are pertinent in terms of receiving information from them; whether written or oral… and during that process asking the relevant questions to ensure that we can come up with the determination based on what the report is designed to do,” Major General Singh said. Charles, a broadcaster in Essequibo, is claiming that two members of the GNBA Board tried to force him to sell his operation to a prominent businessman. The broadcaster said that a “deal” that was offered to him, stipulated that he sell his present operation, including equipment, to the prominent businessman and he would be given licence to operate in another region. It was alleged that GNBA members were firm that unless he complied with the “deal” that was offered, he would not be given licence to operate in any part of Guyana. The broadcaster said that the deal was conveyed to him during the course of two meetings, one of which was held at the GNBA, the other at the business office of one of the members who attempted to coerce him into selling. FRIDAY EDITION GUYANA TO TEST FOR ZIKA VIRUS WITHIN THREE WEEKS - HARMON Testing for the Zika Virus will be done at local laboratories within the next three weeks. This disclosure was made by Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, Thursday, during this week’s post Cabinet press briefing at the Min-
Sunday October 09, 2016
istry of the Presidency. According to Harmon, Cabinet is aware that there are a number of reported Zika Virus infections in Guyana and has urged that every effort be made to address this state of affairs via the Ministry of Public Health. The Minister of State disclosed that during Tuesday’s sitting of Cabinet, Minister of Health, Dr. George Norton, disclosed the Ministry’s approach to the general management of the virus. Particular focus, he noted, was given to measures in place to deal with the virus particularly as it relates to pregnancy. “As it relates to reports over the last week or so that there have been two or three cases of the Zika Virus affecting women who would have delivered at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC),” said Harmon. Minister Norton had said that his Ministry has been monitoring two microcephalic births. Microcephaly is a condition that has been linked to recent outbreaks of Zika Virus which is characterised by babies being born with under-developed heads. In August the Public Health Ministry confirmed that four pregnant women were diagnosed with the Zika Virus. The virus is transmitted by Aedes-type mosquitoes which also transmit Chikungunya and dengue. There is no cure for the virus, but treatment is made available for the symptoms manifested. Symptoms can include fever, rash, joint or muscle pain, headache or conjunctivitis (pink eye) with microcephaly and the Guillian-Barre syndrome being among the more worrying resulting conditions linked to the virus. The GuillianBarre syndrome impacts the body’s defence and is known to weaken the nervous system. Guyana has been depending exclusively on the Caribbean Public Health Agency in Trinidad (CARPHA) to confirm suspected cases of the virus. HOUSE SPEAKER DR. BARTON SCOTLAND LEADS LIST OF NATIONAL AWARDEES MORE THAN 80 PEOPLE RECEIVED THEIR NATIONALAWARDS THURSDAY WHEN GUYANAHOSTED ITS INVESTITURE CEREMONY. The evening’s proceedings kicked off with a series of musical renditions by the Guyana Police Force Band that was positioned in the balcony overlooking the large gathering. The multicoloured lighting blended nicely with the decor. They both completed the jovial mood and that was being exhibited by (Continued on page 45)
Sunday October 09, 2016
Kaieteur News
PAGE 45
(From page 44) attendees. At the beginning of each category, the respective insignia of each award was lowered over the stage. This was accompanied by drum rolls that echoed throughout the auditorium. The event was attended by Government Ministers, members of the Diplomatic Corps, members of the Private Sector and several representatives of Non-Governmental Organisations. Heading the list of National Awardees this year, were the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland; and Senior Counsel Rex McKay. An honorary award was given to Barbados Prime Minister Freundel Stuart. They were invested with the Order of Roraima during Thursday’s Investiture Ceremony at the National Culture Centre last evening. They were among the 86 outstanding Guyanese that were honoured. Stuart’s award was for his dedication and commitment to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and his unflinching support for the rights of Small Island Developing States. Rex McKay was awarded for his commitment and service to Guyana in the diplomatic, parliamentary and legal fields and in the public service. PRODUCERS PROTEST TAX-FREE JAMAICAPOULTRY FEED Poultry producers are upping pressure for a meeting with Government on what it says appears to be fraud with the importation of Jamaican feed. The Guyana Poultry Producers Association Thursday said that from all indications Customs fraud seems to be involved in what is clearly a taxable product that does not qualify for CARICOM waivers. The association now wants to meet with the Ministry of Finance and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) on the matter. According Patrick De Groot, President of the association, it also wants a meeting with the Ministry of Business on a separate matter- several licences that were reportedly issued recently for the importation of over 800,000 pounds of chicken. With regards to the feed issue, the association says that after complaints to Governments of Guyana and Jamaica, a local farmer who had been importing feed from the latter country, had stopped doing so pending a probe to determine whether the relevant CARICOM taxes should be applied. De Groot, from Bounty Farms, explained that the issue started last year when the association noticed that feed from Jamaica was being imported with the taxes waived under what is known as the CARICOM Certificate of Origin. This meant that items produced in the Caribbean, using local ingredients or inputs, could be freely traded with no taxes charged. That Jamaican feed, Nutramix, the association contended, does not qualify for the tax waivers as its inputs are not from Jamaica. ”We had meetings with our Minister of Agriculture (Noel Holder) and the Jamaican Minister of Agriculture during a CARICOM business meeting earlier this year.” De Groot disclosed that it was agreed that the farmer would pay the 15 percent tax that is normally charged for products that come from out of the region, pending a probe to determine whether the feed, Nutramix, indeed qualifies for the waiver. SATURDAY EDITION NIGEL HINDS RESIGNS AS GWI CHAIRMAN …SAYS HE IS NO RUBBER STAMP After weeks of controversy between Chair-
man of the Board of Directors of the Guyana Water Incorporated and the Managing Director of GWI, Dr. Richard Van-West Charles, the board’s chairman tendered his resignation Friday to Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan. In the letter addressed to the subject minister, Hinds communicated his deep sense of regret for resigning from his post with effect from October 26, 2016. Despite being pleased with the faith and confidence placed in him to perform his duties as chairman, Hinds said that he is not able to perform his duties to the best of his ability. “I cannot perform in the best interest of GWI staff, GWI Shareholders and other Stakeholders of GWI as a rubber stamp Chairman of GWI, thus, my resignation.” The tension between Hinds and GWI’s Managing Director Dr. Van West Charles took a turn for the worst when technicians of the water authority attempted to check the connection of the water well located at the Queen’s Atlantic Investment Inc. Ruimveldt facility which is under the direction of Dr. Ranjisinghi “Bobby” Ramroop, a close friend of former President Bharrat Jagdeo. When technicians arrived at the facility, an order came from the management of the water company to suspend all investigations until further notice. The complex is home to a newspaper, radio and storage bond as well as administration offices of QAII. The visit by the GWI technicians was described by Dr. Ramroop as an act of retaliation by Dr. Charles for an article which appeared in a newspaper owned by QAII that he benefited from a fuel import and storage licence. Dr. Van West Charles admitted to issuing the order for the technicians to stand down, however, he said that the action was at the behest of Chairman of the GWI Board, Nigel Hinds. EDUCATION MINISTRY TO REVISE RETIREMENT POLICY FOR EDUCATORS -REVIEW TO BE COMPLETED BY NEXT WEEK Government is prepared to revise the retirement policy for public school educators. This was amplified on Thursday by Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, when he hosted
this week’s post Cabinet press briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency. According to Harmon, Cabinet has mandated Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, and his technical staff to derive a plan to incorporate the proposed revision. And according to him, it is expected that this plan will be completed in the new week. This development comes on the heels of Government’s concern with the Mathematics performance at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA). According to Harmon, Government views the prevailing poor performance in Mathematics as a matter of national urgency and is therefore aiming at putting remedial measures in place. At Cabinet, Harmon said, it was recommended that the Ministry develop a method of best practice to guide the Ministry to identify areas where resources are required and to facilitate the recruitment of retired teachers to provide assistance to the system. According to Harmon, “We had a very long discussion on the retirement age for teachers since it was felt that the age at which teachers are retiring is the age when they are on top of their game.” The retirement age for public servants, including teachers, is 55. Harmon said that Cabinet has considered that once teachers retire from the Government system they are quickly “snapped up” by the private school system. “That is something which as a Government we need to pay careful attention to,” Harmon noted on Thursday. But even before the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government assumed power last year, the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) was advocating for a revision of the Ministry’s policy to rehire retired educators. NO IMMEDIATE PLANS TO BUILD REFINERYHERE… US RELEASES $60M FOR GUYANA’S CANDIDACY TO EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES BODY The US Government has warned that there are no immediate plans to build an oil refinery here. Speaking Friday during an announcement of a US$297,000 ($60M) grant to push a major transparency and accountability program for
the extractive industries in Guyana, US Ambassador, Perry Holloway, echoed earlier statements of Exxon-Mobil that it will be largely up to Government here to create jobs. “In terms of job creation, I want to take this opportunity to remind everyone that while this significant oil find will create jobs in Guyana, it is offshore and there are no initial plans for refining the oil in Guyana.” The ambassador made it clear that the real significant job creations will come about from the revenue generated from the oil find. “The government, in consultation with other key stakeholders will be able to decide in what sectors and projects the revenues are to be invested.” According to the US Ambassador, some of the areas that Guyana can spend of those oil revenues will include investing in hydro power and other forms of renewable energy; modernizing of health care facilities to improve health care and keep doctors in the country; better schools and universities and infrastructure projects like a deep water port and the road to Lethem to increase trade to Brazil. The diplomat warned that the best way to avoid the so-called Dutch disease is to invest the oil revenues in a way that creates jobs and diversifies the economy. “My point here is that in many ways, the Government and people of Guyana may have the best of both worlds- oil revenues and no limitations on where to guide job creation and growth.” The ambassador was Friday speaking to a number of Government officials, members of the Diplomatic community, donors and the media, during an early-morning press conference at the Kingston embassy. The US$297,000 grant, Holloway said, is to formally announce the US efforts to support Guyana to prepare for the submission of its candidacy to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). Present were Minister of Foreign Affairs and Acting Prime Minister, Carl Greenidge; Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman and Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson. The grant will be used for a 12-month programme- “Advancing Transparency and Accountability in Guyana’s Extractive”.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 46
I
The second day of the Festival
N the morning a coarse servant brought Rosette bread and milk and offered her services to dress her. Rosette, who did not wish this rude domestic to see the change in her dress, thanked her smilingly and replied that she was in the habit of arranging her hair and dressing herself. Rosette then began her toilette. When she had washed and combed her hair she wished to arrange it with the superb carbuncle she had worn the day before but she saw with surprise that the ebony case had disappeared and in its place was a small wooden trunk, upon which there lay a folded paper. She took it and read the following directions: "Here are your things, Rosette. Dress yourself as you were dressed yesterday, in the clothing you brought from the farm." Rosette did not hesitate an instant, certain that her god mother would come to her help at the proper time. She arranged her
pullet wing in a different manner from that of the day before, put on her dress, her necklace, her shoes, her bracelets and then stood before the glass. When she saw her own reflection in the mirror she was amazed. She was attired in the richest and most splendid riding-suit of sky-blue velvet and pearl buttons as large as walnuts; her stockings were bordered with a wreath of pearls; her head-dress was a cap of sky-blue velvet with a long plume of dazzling whiteness, which floated down to her waist and was attached by a single pearl of unparalleled beauty and splendor. The boots were also of blue velvet embroidered in gold and pearls. Her bracelets and necklace also were of pearls, so large and so pure that a single one would have paid for the king's palace. At the moment when Rosette was about to leave her chamber to follow the page, a sweet voice whispered in her ear, "Rosette, do not mount any other horse than the one the prince Charmant will present you." She turned and saw no one; but she felt convinced that this counsel came from her good godmother. "Thanks, dear godmother," she said, in low tones. She felt a sweet kiss upon her cheek and smiled with happiness and gratitude. The little page conducted her, as the day before, into the royal salon, where her appearance produced a greater effect than before. Her fine, sweet countenance, her splendid figure, her magnificent dress, allured all eyes and captivated all hearts. The prince Charmant, who was evidently expecting her, advanced to meet her, offered
his arm and led her to the king and queen who received her with more coldness than the day before. Orangine and Roussette were bursting with spite at the sight of the splendid appearance of Rosette. They would not even say good-day to their sister. The good, young princess was of course somewhat embarrassed by this reception but the prince Charmant, seeing her distress, approached and asked permission to be her companion during the chase in the forest. "It will be a great pleasure to me," replied Rosette, who did not know how to dissimulate. "It seems to me," said he, "that I am your brother, so great is the affection which I feel for you, charming princess. Permit me to remain by your side and to defend you against all enemies." "It will be an honor and a pleasure for me to be protected by a king so worthy of the name he bears." Prince Charmant was enchanted by this gracious reply and, notwithstanding the malice of Orangine and Roussette, who tried in every possible way to attract him to themselves; he did not leave Rosette's side for a moment. After breakfast they descended to the court for a ride on horseback. A page advanced to Rosette, leading a splendid black horse, which could scarcely be held by the grooms, it was so wild and vicious. "You must not ride this horse, princess," said Prince Charmant, "it will certainly kill you. Bring another horse for the princess," he said, turning to the page. "The king and the queen gave orders that the princess should ride no other horse than this," said the page. At this the prince exclaimed: "Dear princess, wait but for a moment; I myself will bring you a horse worthy of you but I implore you not to mount this dangerous animal." "I will wait your return," said Rosette, with a gracious smile. A few moments afterwards Prince Charmant appeared, leading a magnificent horse, white as snow. The saddle was of blue velvet, embroidered in pearls and the bridle was of gold and pearls. When Rosette wished to mount, the horse knelt down and rose quietly when she had placed herself in the saddle. Prince Charmant sprang lightly upon his beautiful steed Alezan and placed himself by the side of the princess Rosette. The king, the queen and the princesses, who had seen all this, were pale with rage but they dared say nothing for fear of the fairy Puissante. The king gave the signal to depart. Every lady had her attendant gentleman. Orangine and Roussette were obliged to content themselves with two insignificant princes who were neither so young nor so handsome as Prince Charmant. Orangine and Roussette were so sulky that even these princes declared they would never wed princesses so uninteresting. In place of following the chase, Prince (continued on page 47)
Sunday October 09, 2016
To make your own spider web Halloween crafts Supplies: 4.5 inch Wood Craft Sticks · Silver Paint · and Paintbrush . Aleenes Craft Glue · White Yarn· Plastic Spiders I decided to paint my sticks so that they had a little shine to them. You can leave them plain – or try colored crafts sticks and coordinating yarn! Once they dried, I glued three together in the center to make my spider web form. Once that dried, I cut a few 6-8 foot lengths of yarn. I tied one end around the center of the form, and wrapped in each direction so that it looked even. Next, I just wrapped the yarn around each spoke of the web form. You'll get a better effect if you wrap over the top of each stick rather than underneath. Keep working your way around, making sure to space the yarn slightly apart – like a real spider web. When you fill the form out to the ends of your sticks, tie a knot. You can cut off any excess. The number of times you go around the form (and ultimately, the amount of yarn you use) will depend on your spacing. Tie long strings on the ends to hang them, or trim the ends off to tuck them into corners! Each spider web only takes about 5 minutes of active craft time.
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 09, 2016
TEEN TIME
W
Make conscious and positive efforts to Improve Yourself
e continue with the topic “Be the Best you can be” which we had started a few weeks ago. When you think about self-improvement, you will need to consider all four aspects of your being: your body, mind, heart or emotions, and spirit. In the next four weeks we will deal with each of these in turn. Your body is an intricate system that needs to be cared for especially in the following areas: Diet and Nutrition – Your body needs to have enough quantities on a daily basis and in a balanced manner of Proteins, Carbohydrates, Fibre, Vitamins and Minerals to enable it to cater for everyday demands as well as growth, which is especially important to teenagers. Muscular Fitness – This can only be achieved by regular exercise, both in aerobic exercises as well as some amount of
Improving yourself will work to improving the world as a whole.
PAGE 47
weight-lifting, even if the lattera is just moderate. The other benefits of exercise are incre se of energy levels, improvement of brain function, heart health, enhancement of the immune system to ward off disease, better sleep, improvement of general temperament, and reduction of the effects of aging. Personal Hygiene – It cannot be too emphasised that all parts of our bodies need to be cleansed at least on a daily basis, including the teeth and hair. This not only helps to prevent disease, but keeps us refreshed and pleasant to be around. Rest and Relaxation – We are all aware of the value of rest as we know of the serious consequences, in all areas of our lives, of lack of or too little sleep in every 24-hour period. Factors that can prevent you from sleeping soundly are: avoidance of a big meal as well as alcohol and caffeine, watching TV and using the computer or other device just before bedtime. The things that can help are: taking a warm bath, emptying the mind of the day's worries, and developing a peaceful mind, which can be achieved most effectively by prayer and meditation. Temperance in habits – In all the activities that we pursue during the day, we should always try to be temperate, e.g. in eating and drinking. We should also try to avoid ever taking illegal drugs, and alcohol only when we reach the age when this is safe for our health, i.e. as an adult. (continued next week)
Poets’ Corner We Make Our own World (by Carmen Mashier) We make our own world, whoever we are, Our success is of our own making; We make our own world, wherever we are, Our happiness is there for the taking. We make our own world, whatever we are, Our world goes with us as we walk and talk each day, Let's make our own world, however we are. Our world can be a heaven or hell, our attitude will say. Keep thinking happy, and we'll make a new world, When we stay positive in all we say and do; Others will follow us as night follows day, And little by little our world will be created anew
The second day of the Festival From page 46 Charmant and Rosette wandered in the beautiful shady walks of the forest, talking merrily and giving accounts of their past lives. "But," said Charmant, "if the king your father has not allowed you to reside in his palace, how is it that he has given you such beautiful jewels, worthy of a fairy?" "It is to my good godmother that I owe them," replied Rosette. And then she told Prince Charmant how she had been educated on a farm and that she was indebted to the fairy Puissante for everything that she knew and everything she valued. The fairy had watched over her education and granted her every wish of her heart. Charmant listened with a lively interest and a tender compassion. And now, in his turn, he told Rosette that he had been left an orphan at the age of seven years; that the fairy Puissante had presided over his education; that she had also sent him to the festivals given by the king, telling him he would find there the perfect woman he was seeking. "In short, I believe, dear Rosette that I have found in you the charming and perfect creature of whom the fairy spoke. Deign, princess, to connect your life with mine and authorize me to demand your hand of your parents." "Before answering, dear prince, I must obtain permission of my godmother but you may be sure that I shall be very happy to pass my life with you." The morning thus passed away most agreeably for Rosette and Charmant and they returned to the palace to dress for dinner. Rosette entered her ugly garret and saw before her a magnificent box of rosewood, wide open. She
undressed and as she removed her articles of clothing they arranged themselves in the box, which then closed firmly. She arranged her hair and dressed herself with her usual neatness and then ran to the glass. She could not suppress a cry of admiration. Her robe was of gauze and was so fine and light, and brilliant it looked as if woven of the wings of butterflies. It was studded with diamonds as brilliant as stars. The hem of this robe, the corsage and the waist were trimmed with diamond fringe which sparkled like suns. Her hair was partly covered with a net of diamonds from which a tassel of immense diamonds fell to her shoulders. Every diamond was as large as a pear and was worth a kingdom. Her necklace and bracelets were so immense and so brilliant that you could not look at them fixedly without being blinded. The young princess thanked her godmother most tenderly and felt again upon her fair cheek the sweet kiss of the morning. She followed the page and entered the royal salon. Prince Charmant was awaiting her at the door, offered her his arm and conducted her to the apartment of the king and queen. Rosette advanced to salute them. Charmant saw with indignation the glances of rage and revenge which the king, queen and princesses cast upon poor Rosette. He remained by her side as he had done in the morning and was witness to the admiration which she inspired and the malice and envy of her sisters. Rosette was indeed sad to find herself the object of hatred to her father, mother and sisters. Charmant perceived her
melancholy and asked the cause. She explained it to him frankly. "When, oh ! when, my dear Rosette, will you permit me to ask your hand of your father? In my kingdom everyone will love you and I more than all the rest." "To-morrow, dear prince, I will send you the reply of my godmother whom I shall question on the subject this evening." They were now summoned to dinner. Charmant placed himself at Rosette's side and they conversed in a most agreeable manner. After dinner the king gave orders for the ball to commence. Orangine and Roussette, who had taken lessons for ten years, danced well but without any peculiar grace. They believed that Rosette had never had any opportunity to dance and with a mocking, malicious air, they now announced to her that it was her turn. The modest Rosette hesitated and drew back because it was repugnant to her to show herself in public and attract the general regard. But the more she declined, the more her envious sisters insisted, hoping that she would at last suffer a real humiliation. The queen now interfered and sternly commanded Rosette to dance. Rosette rose at once to obey the queen. Charmant, seeing her embarrassment, said to her in low tones: "I will be your partner, dear Rosette. If you do not know a single step, let me execute it for you alone." "Thanks, dear prince. I recognize and am grateful for your courtesy. I accept you for my partner and hope that you will not have occasion to blush for your generosity." And now Rosette and
Charmant commenced. A more animated, graceful and light dance was never seen. All present gazed at them with ever increasing admiration. Rosette was so superior in dancing to Orangine and Roussette, that they could scarcely suppress their rage. They wished to throw themselves upon the young princess, choke her and tear her diamonds from her. The king and queen, who had been watching them and divined their intention, stopped them, and whispered in their ears: "Remember the threats and power of the fairy Puissante! Tomorrow shall be the last day." When the dance was concluded, the most rapturous applause resounded throughout the hall and every one entreated Charmant and Rosette to repeat the dance. As they felt no fatigue they did not wish to seem disobliging and executed a new dance, more graceful and attractive than the first. Orangine and Roussette could no longer control themselves. They were suffocating with rage, fainted and were carried from the room. They had become so marked by the passions of envy and rage that they had lost every vestige of beauty and no one had any sympathy for them, as all had seen their jealousy and wickedness. The applause and enthusiasm for Rosette and Charmant were so overpowering that they sought refuge in the garden. They walked
side by side during the rest of the evening, and talked merrily and happily over their plans for the future, if the fairy Puissante would permit them to unite the smooth current of their lives. The diamonds of Rosette sparkled with such brilliancy that the alleys where they walked and the little groves where they seated themselves, seemed illuminated by a thousand stars. At last it was necessary to separate. "To-morrow!" said Rosette, "to-morrow I hope to say, yours eternally." Rosette entered her little room. As she undressed, her clothing arranged itself as the day before in the case. This new case was of carved ivory and studded with turquoise nails. When Rosette had lain down peacefully upon her bed she put out the light, and said, in a low voice: "My dear, good godmother, tomorrow I must give a definite answer to Prince Charmant. Dictate my response, dear godmother. I will obey your command, no matter how painful it may be." "Say yes, my dear Rosette, to Prince Charmant," replied the soft voice of the fairy. "I myself arranged this marriage. It was to make you acquainted with Prince Charmant that I forced your father to invite you to this festival." Rosette thanked the kind fairy and slept the sleep of innocence, after having felt the maternal lips of her good protector upon her cheeks.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 48
Sunday October 09, 2016
COUNTRY PROFILE
Who is Ranbir's choice? Sweden Deepika, Kat or someone else S weden's position as one of the world's most highly developed postindustrial societies looks fundamentally secure. Unemployment is low and the economy strong. Public-private partnership is at the core of "the Swedish model", which was developed by the Social Democrats, who governed for most of the last 70 years until 2006. This mixed economy traditionally featured centralised wage negotiations and a heavily tax-subsidised social security network. The Swedes still enjoy an advanced welfare system, and their standard of living
R
anbir on his recent podcast show with Neha Dhupia spoke about how influential and motivational Katrina had been for him. Ranbir Kapoor recently revealed that if he were to choose between two of his former girlfriends, Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif, he would choose the latter. According to reports, a source revealed to a leading
daily that the 34-year-old actor's choice for the 33year-old star came after his recent podcast show with Neha Dhupia where he spoke about how influential and motivational Katrina had been for him. Ranbir's personal life has always made headlinesbe it his relationship with actress Deepika Padukone or his affair with Katrina Kaif and the big break up after six
decommission reactors in 1999. However, fears over climate change and energy security persuaded the government to reverse the decision in 2009, and plans are on the table to replace the country's 10 remaining reactors. Sweden is known throughout the world for its neutrality. This policy has led to a number of Swedish politicians taking on
single European currency. In the first referendum on membership after the euro's introduction in 12 of 15 EU countries, Swedish voters rejected it by a clear majority in September 2003. Politics: Social Democrat/Green minority coalition formed after inconclusive September 2014 elections Economy: Engineering is a key
long years. The young Kapoor had not spoken much about his break-up which happened in January. On the work front, the 'Rockstar' star will be seen next in 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' starring alongside Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Anushka Sharma, Shah Rukh Khan and Fawad Khan. The Karan Johar directed flick will release on October 28.
Young Dhoni meets Captain Cool M.S. Dhoni : The Untold Story has been receiving an overwhelming response and has clicked and l a r g e l y resonated with the audiences. The child actor who plays Dhoni has been garnering rave reviews for his character of young Dhoni. R e c e n t l y, while in the capital M.S Dhoni met Zeeshan, the small boy who played Dhoni on screen. The young boy Zeeshan, was glad and flooded with joy the moment he met Captain Cool. Dhoni loved his performance and praised Zeeshan for the work he has
Most Stockholm metro stations are boldly decorated with modern art and life expectancy are almost second to none. The country is also a common destination for refugees and asylum seekers immigrants make up more than 10% of its population. Swedes voted in a referendum in 1980 to phase out nuclear power, and the country began to
done on screen. The film is enthralling not only Dhoni fans but cinegoers all over. Helmed by Neeraj P a n d e y, p r o d u c e d b y
Foxstar studios and Arun Pandey (Inspired Entertainment). The film is enjoying a successful run at the box office.
international roles, often mediating between conflicting groups or ideologies. With the ending of the Cold War, Sweden felt able to join the European Union in 1995 although it still declines to become a Nato member. Sweden was one of three EU countries not to join the
sector in the export-based e c o n o m y. Vo t e r s h a v e rejected eurozone membership International: Sweden joined the EU in 1995. Though a famously neutral country, a security doctrine has allowed for the deployment of Swedish forces overseas
Sunday October 09, 2016
PAGE 57
Kaieteur News
The Sanata well belongs to us…
GWI moves to recover over $200M owed by Ramroop Weeks after several back and forth, the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) is moving to recoup an estimated $200M that it says is owed by Queens Atlantic Investments Inc. (QAII), a group of companies under the direction of Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop. According to GWI officials, the state-owned entity is convinced, based on several documents, that the well, located at QAII compound, Ruimveldt, was never transferred to QAII. The well serves over 9,000 customers in the Ruimveldt, Meadow Bank and Alexander Village area. Recently, the nation heard that the well was transferred to QAII when the Bharrat Jagdeo administration leased and then sold the Sanata complex in a privatization deal that was described as a sweetheart one. According to documents seen by Kaieteur News, in 2002, former Minister of Housing and Water, Shaik Baksh, signed an order under the Water and Sewerage Act vesting several properties into GWI. GWI’s Schedule of Fixed Assets lists the Sanata well as belonging to the state entity. There is other evidence too that suggests that the well is GWI’s. For example, in the records of the Privatisation Unit/National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), the state entity that handled the deal, there are several references to the well. In one case, it speaks of a Memorandum of Understanding between G&C Sanata, the Georgetown Sewerage and Water Commissioners (GS&WC) and NICIL. GS&WC is the predecessor of GWI. According to the NICIL documents, GS&WC took possession of the well in 1996, starting to manage its operations from then. The water from the well was for public consumption. There is no evidence of the well being privatized to Sanata. GWI recently said that it has been spending $3M monthly on electricity bills for the well. GWI technicians had to access the well through QAII’s compound. While GWI’s Managing Director, Dr. Richard Van West Charles had initially signaled intentions to go after QAII for outstanding monies, his board had issued a statement stating the well belongs to QAII and that GWI will continue to pay the electricity bill with the complex to continue receiving
free water. Ramroop is a close friend of former President Bharrat Jagdeo under whose rule the 18-plus acres property was privatized. He was also associated with now resigned Chairman of the GWI Board, Nigel Hinds. The issue came to the fore several weeks ago when GWI technicians, reportedly as part of its drive to collect over $5B owed by consumersdomestic and commercialacross the country, started to conduct checks at QAII. However, the GWI
technicians were reportedly stopped by their management when they started investigations..” GWI officials had insisted that while the well is in the compound of QAII, GWI has always maintained control of the well, ever since the 1970s when it was built. It was emphasised that GWI technicians visit the well every day. Asked why he ordered the GWI to leave the Ruimveldt compound, the Managing Director said he was asked by (continued on page 64)
Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop
GWI’s former chairman, Nigel Hinds
GWI’s boss, Dr. Richard Van West Charles
PAGE 58
CONSUMER CONCERNS Within every year, the United Nations commemorates a number of anniversaries which are of relevance to the Human Condition in general and to the social conditions in individual countries. On 1st October every year “the International Day of Older Persons” is commemorated when the condition of older persons and the problems facing them are considered worldwide. The theme of this year’s commemoration is “Take a stand against Ageism”. The term “Ageism” is defined as harbouring and encouraging negative stereotypes of older persons and discriminating against them. Ageism is widespread in Western, and indeed, all urbanised societies. Older people are marginalised and often cannot access medical services or other social services. The underlying and unconscious assumption is that such exclusion is a norm. They are very often discriminated against in employment or in the workplace. Most employers do not employ older persons, age being the criterion of not employing such persons despite their superior aptitude and ability. In Guyana, this Ageism attitude is particularly harmful to the economic and social
Sunday October 09, 2016
Kaieteur News
AGEISM - an insidious danger to social betterment
life of the country because of its Demography and the heavy emigration of persons with ability, skills, and experience. Employers have slowly began to discover that if they confine themselves to employing from the pool of youth, this very often results in the rapid turnover of staff and the workforce being less skilled and experienced with an indifferent work ethic. The totality of this results in less than maximum production and productivity in contrast to employing some older people in the workforce where there would be greater stability and experience and at the same time a better work ethic. Though many offices, supermarkets, banks and other places where older persons may have to do business have special lanes or areas to accommodate such folk, such provisions are generally ignored by both the staff and younger people and so become ineffectual. For example, at the General Post Office in Georgetown, there are notices that older persons, the disabled and pregnant women would be given priority but this is generally ignored except one arrives in a wheelchair. And the same holds for almost everywhere else. Some reputable psychological researches have shown that persons who
have been constantly exposed to the prejudices of Ageism die earlier than those who are not. Recently, National Awards were conferred on persons who had served the country in many fields beyond the call of duty and the majority of awardees were older persons, most of whom are still working and contributing to society. This ceremony together with the media coverage of it was a timely reminder of the value of older persons. The State, the Educational institutions and NGO’s could help to exorcise Ageism from Guyanese society. The State must make positive and regular statements against Ageism and employ older people if they are better able to do their jobs than younger people. This does not mean that only older people should be employed; it simply means that if older people could not be easily replaced by younger folk, only then they should be employed. In the schools and other educational institutions as well as in the family, the value of the role of older folk should be inculcated as well as pointing out that the welfare of younger people is linked with that of older people. Also, NGO’s whose remit may include action against the prejudices of Ageism should
be more proactive on the issue. So far we have been looking at Ageism through the lens of Western Culture where it is perceived as a societal problem. In many non-Western cultures, the aged are regarded as an asset to society: They are the preservers and custodians of the Culture and Wisdom of the society. They are also recognised as the cementing force of the family and are necessary for stable and strong families. From this perception, the aged are an asset and not a problem. In Western Culture, we
tend to regard life as a continuous process moving from birth to death without any pauses. Ageing is therefore not fully prepared for when it occurs. In the Hindu tradition, a person’s life-span is divided into four quarters. The first quarter (Brahmchari) is devoted to learning and the acquisition of skills. The second quarter (Gharhastya) is the householder’s existence where one is devoted to raising a family and creating material wealth for the family and ultimately for society. The third quarter (Vanaprastha) is when the householder begins to do
public service and at the same time strengthens his belief in God. The final quarter of life (Sanyasa) is when one devotes one’s self fully to public service and belief in God and prepares for death. Age and ageing and death are therefore occurrences which are consciously accommodated and as such are less traumatic when they occur. If we could synthesise our Western attitudes and solutions to the problems of Ageism with the more ancient non-Western traditions, we may be able to achieve a more permanent and successful answer to Ageism.
Since its implementation on September 15, last, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Traffic Department has noticed significant reductions in all categories of road accidents, according to the force’s Public Relations Unit. In a release, the force said that fatal accidents have reduced by 44.4 percent while serious accidents were decreased by 47 percent compared to the same period last year. Minor accidents reduced by 21.4 percent and damage accidents were slashed by 40 percent. These figures are from September 15 to October 06, last. As it relates to speeding, 4,250 cases were made for the same period. A total of 1,371 persons were charged. A whopping 1863 persons were tested for alcohol. There were 274 charged, having found to be above the prescribed limit.
Of the persons charged for driving under the influence of alcohol, 254 were tested by night while 20 were tested by day. The remaining 2605 cases were for various traffic offences. Operation Safeway was launched in an attempt to clamp down on drunk, speeding and reckless drivers as the police force intends to counter the mounting road accidents that have resulted in fatalities. As part of the operation, traffic ranks can be seen on the road conducting rigid exercises throughout the country with the main areas of focus being in Georgetown, East Bank Demerara (EBD) and East Coast Demerara (ECD). There has been an increase in patrols during the day and night, random breathalyzer testing and the of radar guns. Traffic Chief, Dion Moore, had said that majority of the
arrests were made in A Division. While there is no cut-off date for Operation Safeway, the Traffic Chief indicated that the aim is to ensure more road safety consciousness, to promote better driving attitudes and road safety practices. Meanwhile, Acting Commissioner of Police, David Ramnarine, said that the rates at which people are killed on the roadways are unacceptable, disturbing and of grave concern especially since Guyana is a small developing country. “It is clear to us that while we in the force are continuing to do so much, there is a need for the driving population to have their own concerns awakened in this respect. As we see it, there is a very high degree of callousness regarding the attitude towards other road users, pedestrians in particular,” Ramnarine had noted.
Operation Safeway yields positive results
Sunday October 09, 2016
PAGE 59
Kaieteur News
THE TONGUE By Dr. Neromini Fagu Our tongue is a remarkable organ. It is very mobile and flexible to take on various positions and perform different movements. It is made up of several muscles and is covered by a thin mucous membrane. The muscle fibers have a lot of nerves which help the tongue to move food in our mouth so the food can be placed for chewing between the teeth without the tongue being bitten in the process. Surfaces of the Tongue The top of the tongue is called the dorsal surface and has a V-shaped line called the terminal sulcus which separates the tongue into the front and back surfaces. The front part of the tongue contains the structures called papillae which house the taste buds. A groove along the middle divides the front part of the tongue into the left and right parts. The back surface of the tongue has no papillae and is rough because it has lymphoid nodules. The under-part of the tongue is the ventral surface
Dr. Neromini Fagu and is attached to the floor of the mouth by a structure called the frenulum. On either side of the base of the frenulum is the opening for saliva ducts. The bottom of the tongue is smooth and is purple in appearance due to the many blood vessels that run along it. Functions of the Tongue The main function of the tongue is often thought to be taste but it plays other roles as well. The movement of the tongue is critical for speaking. The tongue helps the teeth and other parts of the mouth
with chewing food and passing the food down the throat for swallowing. The movements of the tongue help to keep our mouths clean by dislodging food particles stuck between the teeth, gum and cheek so that food can be expelled or swallowed. Taste Receptors Each adult has an average of about 10,000 taste buds on the surface of the tongue and these are replaced every two weeks, but as we get older they are not replaced. There are five common tastes that humans can distinguish: sweet, sour, salty, bitter and savoury. Savoury, also called umami, is the most recently recognised taste. It has been found that receptors for each of these tastes are located all over the tongue, and this has debunked the long held myth that different parts of the tongue are responsible for different tastes. The five tastes can actually be sensed by all parts of the tongue but overall the sides of the tongue are more sensitive than the middle. There is, however, one exception and that is the back of the tongue which is very sensitive to bitter tastes. Researchers think that this is to safeguard us from
STANDARDS IN FOCUS
GNBS plans major activities for National Quality Week, 2016 The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has plans to conduct a number of noteworthy activities as it celebrates National Quality Week 2016 under the theme “Standards Build Trust”. The standard was chosen by key international standards bodies such as the ISO, IEC and ITU for Wo r l d St a n d a r d s D a y (October 14). National Quality Week which will be celebrated in Guyana from tomorrow, October 10. Activities planned include an essay competition (on the World Standards Day theme) for Technical Institutes across Guyana— including the Georgetown, Linden, Leonora, Mahaicony New Amsterdam and Upper Corentyne Technical Institutes. Trophies and prizes will be presented to the first second and third prize winners of the competition at a simple ceremony at the GNBS tomorrow, to kick start the week of activities. On Wednesday October 12, the GNBS will launch the National Quality Awards,
which will be used to recognise local businesses that are implementing standards to produce quality products and services. The presentation of these awards is planned for October 2017. Also on Wednesday October 12, the GNBS in collaboration with the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) will be hosting a sensitisation session on the Regional Quality Policy for key representatives from the public and private sector. A symposium is slated for Thursday October 13, 2016 at the Herdmanston Lodge to introduce standardisation and the services of the GNBS to businesses. Through the implementation of standards and the utilisation of the services of the GNBS, businesses can improve their efficiency, quality of products and services and the accuracy of measurements. O n Wo r l d St a n d a r d s Day, October 14, the GNBS will publish messages by the Minister of Business,
Domin i c G a s k i n , t h e Chairman of the National Standards Council and President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, Vi s h n u D o e rg a , a n d i t ’s n e w l y appointed Executive D i r e c t o r, M s . C a n d e l l e Walcott-Bostwick. Also on Wo r l d Standards Day, the Bureau will host its annual Long Service Awards Ceremony and Staff Appreciation Day. Five staff will be awarded this year for their long service at the Organisation— one for 20 years, two for 15 years and two for five years. The GNBS, as the National Standards Body, will continue to b u i l d t r u s t across the various sectors through the development and implementation of Standards, and ultimately, the products and services offered for sale to consumers will improve. For further information, please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0065, 219-0066 or visit the GNBS website: www.gnbsgy.org or facebook.com/gnbsgy
swallowing poisonous or spoiled foods or substances. Conditions Affecting the Tongue The tongue may be affected by a number of issues. The most common condition seen by dentists is called geographic tongue which gives the appearance of continents on a map. It usually appears as red patches on the tongue with a yellow or white border that disappears and reappears on different parts of the tongue. The cause is unknown and there is usually no pain or symptoms associated with it. Caring for your Tongue The tongue is exposed to a lot of different substances and all its crevices as well as the tiny taste buds make great places for acid and bacteria to hide. Good oral hygiene is
Geographic tongue important and each time you brush your teeth you should incorporate brushing your tongue as well. Some people who may have a sensitive gag reflex when brushing the tongue could try using a tongue
scraper instead. For more information contact OMNI DENTAL at 295 Quamina Street, Georgetown Tel: 227-0025, Parika Tel: 260-3133 or send emails to nerominifagu@hotmail.com.
PAGE 60
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 09, 2016
Trump vows to stay in race after calls Hurricane Matthew slams for him to quit over lewd remarks into South Carolina
Donald Trump Reuters - U.S. Presidential nominee Donald Trump vowed yesterday to remain in the race even as his campaign was thrown into crisis as his own running mate criticized him and some prominent Republicans withdrew support and urged him to drop out following news of a recording of him making lewd comments in 2005. Trump told the Wall Street Journal yesterday morning “zero chance I’ll quit.” He also told The Washington Post he may deliver a speech Saturday afternoon to address concern among supporters and reiterate his determina-
tion to stay in the race. In an unusual move, vice presidential running mate Mike Pence issued a critical statement, posting on the social media website Twitter that he cannot defend the nominee. “As a husband and father, I was offended by the words and actions described by Donald Trump in the elevenyear-old video released yesterday,” Pence, who is governor of Indiana, said in a statement. “I do not condone his remarks and cannot defend them.” A hastily recorded apology by Trump early yester-
day morning did not stymie an avalanche of calls from members of his party to quit. At least three Republican members of the Senate announced they will not vote for him and former rival Carly Fiorina called on him to withdraw. The 2005 video of Trump talking on an open microphone showed the then-reality TV star speaking openly about groping women and trying to seduce a married woman. The video was taped only months after Trump married his third wife, Melania. Trump quickly moved to conduct damage control in yesterday’s video in which he declared himself a changed man and attempted to shift the focus to his opponent, Democrat Hillary Clinton. He threatened, again, to focus his attacks on the infidelities of her husband, former President Bill Clinton, saying he would talk more about the pasts of both Clintons with only a month until the Nov. 8 election. Trump has dismissed questions about his own marital infidelities as irrelevant. Trump took to Twitter yesterday morning, seeming to make light of the controversy by posting: “Certainly has been an interesting 24 hours!”
Syrian government, allies advance before U.N. council votes Reuters - Syrian government forces recaptured territory from insurgents in several western areas yesterday as the U.N. Security Council prepares to vote on rival French and Russian draft resolutions urging an immediate ceasefire. President Bashar alAssad’s forces, backed by Russian air power and Iranian, Lebanese and Iraqi fighters on the ground, hold the upper hand around the key battleground of Aleppo, whose opposition-held eastern sector has been encircled for all but a short period since July. The government side’s bombardment of Aleppo since a ceasefire brokered by Washington and Moscow in September collapsed after a week has drawn condemnation from the United Nations and countries supporting the Syrian opposition. France, which opposes Assad, demands in its draft resolution an end to air strikes and military flights over
…diminished but still dangerous
Rain batters homes as the eye of Hurricane Matthew passes Daytona Beach. REUTERS/Phelan Ebenhack Reuters - Hurricane Matthew killed almost 900 people and left tens of thousands homeless in Haiti last week before it skirted Florida’s Atlantic coast on Friday and plowed northward over waters just off Georgia. Matthew triggered mass evacuations along the U.S. coast from Florida through Georgia and into South Carolina and North Carolina. U.S. President Barack Obama urged people not to be complacent and to heed safety instructions. Matthew sideswiped Florida’s coast with winds of up to 120 mph (195 kph) but did not make landfall in the state. The U.S. National Hur-
ricane Centre (NHC) downgraded the storm to a Category 2 on the five-step SaffirSimpson scale of hurricane intensity as its sustained winds dropped to 110 mph. Category 5 is the strongest. There were at least four storm-related deaths in Florida but no immediate reports of significant damage in cities and towns where the storm swamped streets, toppled trees and knocked out power to more than 1 million people. Two people were killed by falling trees, according to Florida officials, and an elderly couple died of carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator while shel-
tering from the storm inside a garage. Hurricane warnings late on Friday extended up the Atlantic coast from northeast Florida through Georgia and South Carolina and into North Carolina. At 11 p.m. EDT (0300 GMT yesterday), Matthew’s eye was about 115 miles (185 km) southsoutheast of Charleston, South Carolina, and moving northward at 12 mph (19 kph), the NHC said. Though gradually weakening, it was forecast to remain a hurricane until it begins moving away from the U.S. Southeast today, the NHC said.
Nigeria’s security agency says $800,000 seized in raids on judges Bashar al-Assad Aleppo city. It appears certain to be vetoed by Russia, which has backed Assad with a year-long air campaign against the rebels. Russia’s draft, which does not include that demand, urges Moscow and Washington to revive the ceasefire deal. Rebels also suffered setbacks further northeast near the Turkish border yesterday, in fighting against Islamic State militants, British-based
monitoring group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported. Syrian government forces and their allies, backed by air raids, took over an area on Aleppo’s northern outskirts yesterday, state media and the Observatory said. The advance in the Awaija area strengthened their hold on areas surrounding rebelheld east Aleppo, the Observatory said.
Reuters - Nigeria’s security agency seized cash in various currencies totalling $800,000 (643,216 pounds) during raids targeting some of the c o u n t r y ’s m o s t s e n i o r judges in corruption investigations, the Department of State Services (DSS) said yesterday. It carried out the sting operations on the judges’ premises in the last few days, it said in a statement, without specifying the premises or how many judges had been targeted. It said the judges were from the supreme, appeal
and high courts. President Muhammadu Buhari, a former military ruler, won an election last year largely fought on his vow to crack down on corruption. Since taking office he has said he will recover “mind-boggling” sums of money stolen from public coffers. But the president’s critics have accused him of mounting a witch-hunt against his political opponents. The DSS said its raids were carried out to investigate allegations of corruption against the judges. “We have been monitor-
ing the expensive and luxurious lifestyle of some of the judges as well as complaints from the concerned public over judgment obtained fraudulently and on the basis amounts of money paid,” it said in statement. The security agency said it had discovered “cash of various denominations, local and foreign currencies, with real estate worth several millions of naira and documents affirming unholy acts by these judges”. The DSS said preparations were being made to bring criminal charges.
Sunday October 09, 2016
Kaieteur News
Judge rules Bail Bill unconstitutional...
Prisoners’ may get pay days Trinidad Guardian - Government may have to pay millions of dollars in compensation to scores of people who were denied bail under the controversial Bail (Amendment) Bill after the now defunct legislation was deemed to be unconstitutional Friday. High Court Judge Carol Gobin, in a judgment delivered in the Port-of-Spain High Court, ruled in favour of two police officers accused of accepting a bribe and a 21-yearold student who was denied bail for 120 days after being jointly charged for illegal possession of a gun found at her boyfriend’s home. Anyone who was subject of the legislation prior to its expiration in August can now use the cases filed by PCs Justin Charles and Ryan Mahabir and Roytec student Danielle St Omer to launch their own claims for false imprisonment. In her 44-page judgment, Gobin said the legislation was not reasonably justifiable in a democratic society. “There is no evidence that the measures which denied bail in the circumstances covered by the amendment achieved the objectives of the legislation,” she said. While she admitted the fact the legislation was passed unanimously by Parliament was grounds to not interfere with it, Gobin said the court had a duty to protect the fundamental constitutional rights of citizens. She said the T&T Police Service failed to provide the court with evidence the legislation had addressed its concerns about repeat of-
Judge Carol Gobin fenders and its ability to monitor the activities of people charged with gun-related crimes. “This provision, in my view, was wholly unnecessary,” Gobin said, adding existing bail conditions would have sufficiently addressed the police’s concerns. Referring to St Omer, who fell under the legislation after being arrested at her boyfriend’s home, Gobin described the law as capricious. “The automatic denial of bail disallowed consideration of the personal circumstances, the level of involvement alleged or treatment of the accused as an individual,” she said. She also suggested that the legislation removed the presumption of innocence as accused people were punished by being kept in inhumane remand conditions for three months after being charged. Gobin also criticised the current bail regime, which she said mostly affected “poor
people” who were the main users of the court system. She referred to the case of Jerome Henry, a father charged with neglecting his son who drowned in a drain at their home last month, who spent more than a month in jail before he accessed bail last week. “For every Henry there are dozens of others who have desperate relatives, no deeds and no cash. For those who are forced to remain inside, the system inflicts punishment, misery and oppression,” she said. Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar Friday described the judgment as vindication for her and her party. “The decision today vindicates the position that I took and that of the Members of Parliament on the Opposition bench not to support this legislation. “Had we done otherwise we would have contributed to the breach of the rights of our citizens who have been denied bail under the provisions of this legislation,” she said in a release. Although the legislation was passed during her tenure, Persad-Bissessar said she was opposed to it when the current Government attempted to renew it after its sunset clause. “I was at pains to ask the Government to ‘pause for a cause’ in light of the concerns that the Opposition had raised. These concerns were based on developments in the law which had occurred subsequent to the initial passage of the legislation,” PersadBissessar said.
Cuffie hits former administration…
$331m Microsoft deal left idle Trinidad Guardian - Minister of Public Administration and Communications Maxie Cuffie said the former People’s Partnership government spent $331 million on a Microsoft software agreement that could not be used and for which they were being charged. He said this was a waste of money and mismanagement on the part of the public service. Cuffie made the disclosure while delivering his budget debate contribution on Thursday night in Parliament. Under the last administration, Cuffie said, a three-year software agreement costing taxpayers US$52.4 million (TT$331,564, 596.56 million) was signed by the Ministry of Public Administration and
Maxie Cuffie Microsoft Corporation, which governed the use of the software in T&T. “That $331.6 million represented much software we could not use and were being charged for...and some we
were using although we had not paid for it and were therefore penalised,” Cuffie said. Cuffie said much of the “$331.6 million represented waste and mismanagement” on the “part of our local public service officials.” Over the last four weeks, Cuffie said, a team from his ministry had been in negotiations with Microsoft. “I am pleased to announce that we have reached consensus on a new agreement, subject to Cabinet approval, that will cost US$4.24 million a year amounting to just over US$12 million in three years.” Cuffie said this new agreement will save T&T$272 million in payments to Microsoft in the next 36 months.
PAGE 61
Haiti in pain as hurricane toll soars, aid sought
A scene of desolation greeted visitors to Jeremie in south-western Haiti, a town of 30,000 people left inaccessible until Friday. (AFP Photo/Nicolas Garcia) Jérémie (Haiti) (AFP) The full scale of the devastation in hurricane-hit rural Haiti became clear yesterday as the death toll surged, three days after Hurricane Matthew leveled huge swaths of the country’s south. As Matthew threatened the US coast, President Barack Obama urged Americans to mobilize in support of Haiti, where a million people were in need of assistance after the latest disaster to strike the western hemisphere’s poorest nation. While the capital and biggest city, Port-au-Prince, was largely spared, the south suffered devastation. Aerial footage from the hardest-hit towns showed a ruined landscape of metal shanties with roofs blown away and downed trees everywhere. Brown mud from overflowing rivers covered the ground. Herve Fourcand, a senator for the Sud department, which felt the full force of
Matthew, said several localities were still cut off by flooding and mudslides. A scene of desolation greeted visitors to Jeremie, a town of 30,000 people left inaccessible until Friday. With power lines down, people have been cut off from communications since the storm struck Tuesday — and had yet to hear that a presidential election due to take place this weekend has been postponed. Virtually all the town’s corrugated-iron homes have been destroyed, with only a few concrete buildings left standing. A ship carrying nine containers of food and medical supplies was headed for Dame Marie, further west in Grand’Anse department. “It’s probably the hardest hit department and the conditions don’t allow for a helicopter to land there,” Interior Minister Francois Anick Joseph told AFP. “So we’re doing our best
to help those affected.” Convoys were headed to other affected areas by land, sea and air, he said, including two helicopters provided by the US military to transport 50 tonnes of water, food and medicine elsewhere in Grand’Anse. Further south, Haiti’s third-largest town of Les Cayes was battered, its SousRoches district turned from a quiet beachfront neighbourhood to a chaos of mud and shattered trees. France announced it was sending 60 troops, with 32 tonnes of humanitarian supplies and water purification equipment. Obama also urged Americans to donate for Haiti via the Red Cross or other charities. “Even the smallest contribution can really make a big difference,” he said. Venezuela, in an economic crisis itself, swiftly sent three loads of relief supplies and food.
Jamaica Closer To Banning Plastic Bag, Styrofoam The Gleaner - Jamaica is a step closer to banning plastic bags and styrofoam following the Senate’s approval of a private member’s motion that has raised some concerns from the Opposition, which said it supported the “spirit” of the proposal. Government Senator Matthew Samuda found a receptive Senate Friday when he opened the debate on his motion, which called for State action to protect the environment from non-biodegradable
solid waste. “It is not beyond Jamaicans to use reusable bags when we go to the supermarket or wholesale. It is not beyond us to ensure that when we use styrofoam, it is biodegradable, or to consider other options by way of cardboard material. I am not proposing an instant ban,” he said, pointing to alternatives such as paper bags from recycled cardboard multi-use sturdy bags. “The argument against most of the alternatives is
usually based in cost, but I posit today that the long-term cost of not removing these items from our waste stream is far greater. It impacts generations today and generations to come.” Their contribution to blocked drains provoking flood across the country and, most recently, along the Marcus Garvey Drive did not escape the Senate.motion demonstrated the urgency needed to address Jamaica’s waste-management issues.
PAGE 62
VEHICLE FOR SALE RZ, Pit Bull, 212 Carina, IST, Verossa, Suzuki Vitaera, Premio, Allion, Fielder Wagon, Spacio- Call: 6507501/ 616-2577 SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, C a n a da & UK; Guyana p assport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535. INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigrant Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496; 662-6045
Unregistered Bluebird 2011 Model, Tiida Latio 2010 model, Rush 2006 model( TV, Reverse Camera). Call: 6553400
Vehicle lights, parts, mud flap and bumper on sale: Premio, Allion, Bus, Spacio, Raum, 212 Rav 4. Call:628-5000
Benz, Honda Accord Escalade 2012, Jet ski, truck, canter, bus, ATV- 700cc. Call: 628-5000
3 Perkins Generator 60KW or 75KVA, 17 Hatz, 2 Cylinder engines, almost new, excellent for mining. Call: 681-3418
1 Experienced general domestic, must know to prepare all Indian Dishes, must be trustworthy & have pleasant personality – Call: 615-3379
Not working Vehicles: 1 Surf, 2 Pathfinders, 1 Bobcat, 3 Toyota Cars, 1 Canter, 1 Fiber glass boat. Call: 227-4377/ 624-6013
Great Deals on video games & all gaming consoles. PC, phone games, applications & repairs – Call: 672-2566; 2653231
1 Male or female to look after layer birds in the Interior. Call:678-0565
1 Toyota AT192, Carina and 1 Mitsubishi Dingo for sale, excellent condition. Call: 6950704
Display shoe stand, plus size mannequin, male mannequin, baby mannequin, kids’ mannequin. Call Simone: 6265317
TO LET 2 Bedrooms apartment for working professionals, recently renovated, free WiFi -$70,000. Call: 227-5194 One two bedrooms house with parking & overhead tank. Call Joy: 649-9059
2002 Allion 63,000 miles, ready to go! Owner migrating, asking $1.9M negotiable. Call: 621-0712 Rico
1- Two bedrooms house located in Triumph E.C.D, preferably working couple $50,000 negotiable. Call: 6154178/220-4194
2 Model M trucks in excellent condition, price $3M/$4M each – Call: 6216056/622-2620/226-0022
2 Bedrooms apartment at Industry – Call: 679-0749 for details.
Toyota Vigo Jeep, Nissan Pathfinder, Carina, 212 and Toyota Ipsum- Immaculate Condition. Call: 609-7766
KITTY APARTMENTS: FURNISHED, GRILLED, 2 BEDROOMS, NEW, GRANITE, SECURE. $120,000 MONTHLY (NO AGENTS). CALL: 672-4532
One pit-bull BTT series, in good condition, alarm, etc, price $2.8M negotiable. Call: 685-9787/ 612-3456
Eagle’s: Re-gas -$8,000, Washing machine repairs, Gas Stove, Plasma flat Screen & more. Call: 697-2969/6460966 Hello the doctor is back! Have your gas stove service and repairs. Call: 601-0595; 220-4073; 220-5785
Unregistered Corolla Fielder 2009, Axela 2011, Fielder 2002 ($1.950M) all dark interior rims. Call: 617-5536
EDUCATIONAL Classes for slow learners in Reading, Spelling, Mathematics, and much more for children all ages. Call: 6754379 LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj Building- Call: 644-5166; 6222872; 615-0964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).
IAE – CXC Jan/June 2017 – full time school; lessons/ classes for students, adults, repeaters & beginners. Call Mr. Roberts: 683-5742
Cargo Trawler. Call: 682-8724; 616-5954
Muscovy Ducks- $360 per lb. Call: 671-2474 Taxi service for sale, prime location, serious inquiries only. Call: 695-0704 75 Yamaha Outboard Engine, good condition. Call: 2590302/656-2720 Pools table cloth, balls, cue stick, coins, coinshute, pocket, rubber, chalk, springs, tips, spots. Call:6699927
Carnegie trained cook, male & female workers, bond clerk, accountants & maid. Contact RA Soda Factory: 330-2399/ 623-5920/330-2772 Female worker wanted sound secondary education, computer literate-Tel: 6225518 One maid to work Monday – Saturday or live in @ Oleander Gardens. Call: 6774636/ 601-0429 Live in domestic must to cook Indian Dishes, & live in experienced waitress, salary- $70,0000-$80,000 monthly. Call: 610-5043 Skill carpenters & slick men. Call: 687-4212 Land to buy @ Tuschen, Zeelugt, Uitvlugt, La Parfaite Harmonie, best price offered. Call: 642-1252
1 Nissan X-trail, PMM series, “as is, where is” -$1.2M. Call: 677-4628/ 653-8754
1 Housekeeper for general housework must know to cook. Call: 644-3600
Perkins 4236 Diesel Engine with Berkeley pressure pump, 6X4, very good condition-$750,000 firm. Call: 689-0019
One live- in or live out maid. Call: 603-5416/ 644-9802
Sale on foxtail palms, silver palms, red palms, Christmas trees, hibiscus, etc. Call:6875631/216-2199 Evergreen Plantshop.
Experienced taxi drivers (hire car) and dispatcher at Princess Ramada Hotel. Call: 265-7076/ 616-5419
CAR RENTAL
PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM
DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL. COM
Santa Mission, 30th October. Call Joy: 649-9059 FOR SALE/RENT House for rent/ sale @ Lot 107 Durbana Square Lamaha Gardens with 5 bedrooms large parking. Call: 661-8908
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Bottom flat supermarket located @ First Bridge Diamond E.B.D- Call: 6017749; 216-3069; 626-7064; 691-4808 Upper flat for rent 3 bedrooms in Atlantic Gardens- Call: 227-4377/2270613/624-6013 1- 3 Storey building, 1 bedroom self- contained, 4 ordinary bedrooms large kitchen & dining, office & bar @ Akawini & Sheriff St. Call: 270-6453/ 652-1504 Two bedrooms bottom flat, security, grill, overhead tank at public road Grove, E.B.DCall: 657-0880 Two bedrooms bottom flat in Sophia -$40,000, no children. Call: 613-1847 Business bottom flat for rent in New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop. Call: 227-4377/227-0613/624-6013 Fully furnished apartment to rent: two bedrooms & three bedrooms (self-contained). Call: 672-1906 / 216- 2299 Rental of three bedrooms property at 2344 North Ruimveldt, adequate parking for vehicles. Contact Mark: 650-8101/ 695-4270 3 Bedrooms upper flat @ Belfield Housing Scheme, E.C.D for rent. Call:698-9625 Self-contained rooms in Prashad Nagar. Tel: 227-2993 1-3 Bedrooms house in Grove Housing Scheme, modern convenience, semifurnished. Call: 266-2911/6722121 Office space to rent in Queenstown. Call: 615-2615
One Arc/Acetylene welder with fabrication skills and driving. Call:227-1813/2271830 LAND FOR SALE
HEALTH CAR RENTAL
FOR RENT
Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665
Drivers for canter lorry to work on WCD -$25,000 weekly. Call: 684-8231 TOURS
GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 2257878 (24HRS)
1 Male cook in the Interior. Call: 678-0565
GE Gas Range/Stove, stand up freezer, supermarket mirror, hot dog machine, 2 Stihl Brush Cutters. Call: 680-3863
Clean Garden Earth, Deliver to spot, also excavating / grading & leveling done. Call: 616-0617/ 663-3285
Brian Moe @ 642-3543: Computer Technician: FB/ Brian.Moe.165: Home and Office visits at your comfort!!
TAXI SERVICE
Experienced Diesel Mechanic to work in Interior with Perkins, Deutz engine & Doosan excavator knowledge. Call: 625-1413/ 226-9768/698-7083
- Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 647-1773/660-5257
Repairs at low cost: Fridges, air- conditioners, washing machines, TVs, microwaves, freezers- Call:629-4946 or 225-4822
RAMDASS VISA APPLICATION & immigration services, room A4, Maraj Building, Georgetown. Call Samantha: 227-0295; 6159295
LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
WANTED Security to work in the Interior & G/Town, ex-military an asset, age 35-50. Call: 6251413/226-9768/698-7083
SALON
Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158
Need a building contractor? House plan to be drawn or just an Estimate? Then call: 216-0671/ 692-8464/622-0267
FOR SALE
Nissan Murano (silver) 2005. Call: 667-3763/ 641-0911
Stylish comfortable 2 bedrooms apartment for vocation rental. Web: Airbnb Georgetown, FB: Prestige Property Vocational Rental. Call: 592-678-6690
We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer-Call: 231-0655; 683-8734. Omar
Sunday October 09, 2016
Kaieteur News
Stop suffering from Diabetes, Hypertension and other sickness, follow me sexual enhancers for men. Call: 6459528 Your health can improve. Contact Hazel’s Herbal Store. Call: 226-9136
La Parfaite Harmonie $800,000, $3.2M, Diamond $3.2M, Loo Creek (front) $7M, Saxacalli, F a r m , Kuribrong, La Grange 37X600. Call: 231-7805/ 6187483 House and land for sale. Contact Pacific Development Inc. Call: 2236035/ 227-8274 Continued on page 63
Sunday October 09, 2016
PAGE 63
Kaieteur News
What to scan for beyond the application By: Suraj Narine You may have this impressive application in front of you but do not be fooled. There are several key components that an employer must look for beyond the application. And perhaps, it is for this very reason the whole idea of an interview arose. Anyone can agree that what is written and what is heard, are two completely different scenarios. Everyone can write, but not everyone can speak. And in today’s competitive business realm in which we operate, communication, presentation and timing are key. A sore point of contention in the Caribbean society is a serious respect for time. It is almost de rigueur to be half hour to an hour late for most occasions (as most of us operate on ‘Caribbean time”). However, in the business environment, this is a strict no-no. An employer when scheduling an interview should pay attention to the prospective employee’s reverence for time. It means that if an interview is scheduled for 9 am, the employee must and should be there before the appointed time, at least 5-10 minutes before. Bear in mind that time is money, and as clichéd as it may seem, it is the truth. It
signals to the employer that this prospect is serious about the opportunity. After noticing the punctuality of the prospect, the employer should then pay attention to the person’s attitude; they should ask to be seated, greet the employer with a salutary greeting of the day- good morning etc. and if a prospect knocks at your door, and waits for you to tell him or her to enter, it is a positive indication of a polite and respectful person. Furthermore, an employer when coming face to face with that prospective employee should pay attention to two vital aspects, one being body language and the other comportment, as it is also said that one should dress to suit the job one is applying for. As any employer in an artistic based field can state, their clothing should reveal hints of their personality and flair. On the other hand, in a corporate environment, a suit and tie is the order of the day. Maintaining eye contact can be an indicator of a prospective employee’s level of confidence and a point for the employer to determine whether the prospect is telling the truth, as a lie is often accompanied by a telling avoidance of the eyes. Employers should also deviate from normal procedures, for example, instead of asking a prospect about his current life status, an employer should ask about
a prospect’s past or background and also focus on their future plans and career goals. This will enable the employer to determine whether the prospect has intentions to grow within the organization and make a meaningful long-term contribution. An employer should ask a prospect about the other jobs he or she might be hoping to land. A prospect that scatters applications here, there and everywhere is just interested in any job, whereas a prospect that had conducted research on potential fields of employment and organizations suited to their qualifications, experience and future plans already has a vested interest in your organization and wants to be a part of it. This is why that key interview question: “What do you know about this company and this job” is critical. Any prospect should have done their research prior to attending the interview. Most employers do not hire employees on the spot, most are told to wait for confirmation or for that all important call back to be informed of whether they were hired or not. An employer can learn a lot about a prospect during this period. If the prospect is proactive, their persistence
on checking up on the status of employment indicates their high interest in the job. For today’s employers, social media can be quite a revelatory tool with respect gathering information on a prospect, and indeed most employers have started utilizing this tool to great success. A simple Google search on a person’s name will link an employer to all the sites the prospect has registered on and shows their public interest profiles. This can then be used to determine whether the prospect is a good fit for your organization. This is why most employers utilize Facebook, Instagram and twitter to conduct background checks on prospects. There are many tools that an employer can use in today’s business environment to ascertain the overall good prospects from the ones that are just “good on paper”. Whilst a stellar application can get a prospect’s foot in the door, there are many ‘tells’ and information to utilize from the interview, conducting background research and from the prospect’s follow-up. All these pointers can enable an employer to make the right decision when hiring for their organization resulting in candidates that will enable your organization to be a cut above the rest.
From page 62
VACANCY Ramnarine Mining Enterprise: welders, operators & labourers –Call: 679-0550/ 624-0501 Site, safety & electrical engineer- experienced need, age 25-45, very good salary & conditions. Call: 261-2280; 261-2280; 697-4344 One experienced dispatcher – Call: 231-5784/ 231-4000 Male counter clerks, send hand written applications to Royal Jewel House, 137 Regent St. (next to GBTI Bank) Night security must be physically fit, Carnegie trained cook, secretary age 18-25, must have experience. Call: 638-5303 Popular East Coast Gas Station (Non-Pareil) Day/ Night: pump attendants, sales clerk & office assistant. Contact: 695-9880/670-8893 Like plants and selling? Eager to learn? (Under 30, in Georgetown). Call: 643-7193 Experienced IT trained: Microsoft word & Power point to conduct 1 hour evening classes 3 time per week. Call: 233-0295 6:307:30am/4:30-5:30pm 1 Office administrator must be over 25yrs, email CV to georgetownvacancy@out look.com Experienced cook to work in Restaurant at Annabel Bistro, La Grange, W.B.D. Call: 592678-3400 Driver for water truck $5,000 per day plus commission. Call: 680-3863
LAND FOR SALE Gold & Diamond mining blocks in Ekereku, Puruni & Siparuni Area. Call: 615-8810/ 668-3100 Zeeburg 50X100, Zeelugt $2.5M, La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.3M, Tuschen (house & land) -$3.3M. Call: 642-1252 Land for sale at Eccles and Diamond reasonably price. Call:609-7766
PROPERTY FOR SALE Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461 Transported 3 storied concrete building @ 97 James Street, Land at 96 James Street (negotiable). Call: 225-1650 Residential property to buy 3 or 4 bedrooms in Georgetown or East Bank Demerara. Call: 6550370 or 684-4579 1 House and land for sale in Tuschen, 4 Bedrooms, 2 Storey at Railway View Meten- MeerZorg. Call: 688-0149 One Roadside, 2 storey building @ V/Hoop (ideally business/residence). Call: 614-0107 Property @ Lot 32 Princes Street, Werk-en-Rust, G/ Town. Call: 621-8767
Store sales/customer assistant. Call: 624-0033/6803863
Business/Residential: house & land @ LBI Road Side, prime location, price $60,000,000 negotiable. Contact 669-5820/647-8786 3 7 0 / e m a i l : loveshanaz82@gmail.com
Maid to work from 8:30-1:30, Monday – Saturday @ Kitty. Call: 614-3764/651-1960/6143764
Seven bedrooms property for sale with huge land space at Ruimveldt Public Road. Call: 609-7766
Secretary/Sales Clerk & Security. Interested person can email us: chungsoffice@gmail.com
New Executive European style four bedrooms house at Eccles, all modern conveniences. Call: 609-7766 ACCOMMODATION
RESTURANT WORK: 9AM-3PM, NO EXPERIENCEDNEEDED,G/ TOWN AREA, GOOD SALARY. CALL: 672-4532 SECRETARIAL/OFFICE WORK: 9AM-5PM, G/ TOWN AREA, GOOD SALARY, NO EXPERIENCED NEEDED. CALL: 672-4532
Harmony Inn: furnished air conditioned apartments & rooms, from $30USD. Call: 218-1400/668-0306/ 694-7817 VACANCY LORRY DRIVER, MINIMUM 3 YEARS EXPERIENCE, FACTORY ASSISTANT 266 5569
PAGE 64
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 09, 2016
GWI moves to recover over $200M owed... GECOM doled out $14M for photo... From page 57 the Chairman of the Board, Nigel Hinds, to stay his hand. When contacted, Hinds disclosed that indeed he asked Van-West Charles to
cease the inspections at the complex as there were questions over the ownership of the well. Also there was the very real scenario of the visit being seen as retaliation. The order to stand down came one day after the technicians had visited the site and not immediately, Hinds stressed. The Chairman of the Board was also questioned about the possibility that his
order for technicians to cease investigations would raise eyebrows over the fact that the sports organization over which he presides, the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF), was recently sponsored by New GPC, a subsidiary of QAII. Hinds is the President of GABF and a well-known auditor. He reportedly was investigating the GWI’s boss on a number of contracts.
From page 8 transparency for contracts. GECOM has authorisation to issue contracts below $250,000. Above that, the contract has to be approved by NPTAB. Above $15M has to be approved by both NPTAB and the Cabinet. In all the scenarios, GECOM is the one that recommends which business gets the contracts. GECOM, currently under a major probe by state auditors, would be hard pressed to explain how it allowed two brothers, and a third business that is closely linked to one of them, to submit quotes. SIDELINED There is growing anger over what appeared to be major procurement contract
breaches by GECOM for last year’s elections. A number of businesses have been complaining of being used to supply quotes but sidelined. The Brasses received over 40 percent of $700M-plus contracts that were awarded through GECOM last year. With regards to the Duracell batteries orders, in the first application to the NPTAB on April 17, 2015, GECOM recommended in a covering letter that Mobile Authority be granted a contract for $14,532,480. The NPTAB approval was for $14,529,000. GECOM argued that the 14,500 batteries were critical to providing alternative “energy supply” to ensure a smooth polling day process. Mobile Authority quoted $999 for one of the batteries;
Standard Distributors $1,155 while A1 Imports said that it will sell one for $1,116. The NPTAB approval was granted on April 23. GECOM waited two more weeks, on May 6, 2015 (or five days before elections) to apply for another order of 14,500 batteries of similar specifications. From indications GECOM did not need all those 29,000 batteries, assuming that all were delivered. There were other contracts too like the supply of toners, stationery, office furniture and equipment in which evidence were seen that the Brasse brothers were highly favored. From indications, state auditors have expanded its probe from the radio purchases to now other areas.
FITUG engages Finance Ministry on 2017... From page 9 aggregate number of members in the bargaining unit (s) of each Union. FITUG recommended, also, that the government consider significant salary increases for all Government employees including those hired by semiautonomous agencies, stateowned companies and public corporations. Also, suggestions were made to have the National Minimum Wage set to 85 per cent of the prevailing Public Sector Minimum Wage. FITUG’s suggestion takes account that when the National Minimum Wage was
introduced in 2013 it was about 85 per cent of the public sector minimum wage. The Federation also proposed that that the sectorial minimum wages, last adjusted in 2012, be adjusted once again. Finally, the FITUG suggested that the Government consider c o m p i l i n g a n d publishing reports on the impact and performance of various foreign investment projects in an effort to determine whether the Guyanese people are receiving the best possible returns. The Federation said that the Minister thanked FITUG
for its suggestions/proposals and noted that they were all understood and are practical. He assured FITUG that the proposals would be taken into consideration by the budgetary team in the process of the Budget formulation. ”FITUG hopes that unlike the previous consultations the Minister had with FITUG on his Budgets that we will see some of our proposals reflected in this Budget in the making.” Guyana’s 2017 National Budget will be presented on December 5, 2016.
Sunday October 09, 2016
Kaieteur News
German police find explosives in hunt for bomb plot suspect Berlin (AFP) - Police found yesterday several hundred grams of “explosive materials” in the east German apartment of a Syrian man suspected of planning a bomb attack, and arrested three people connected to him. The suspect who remains at large, 22-year-old Syrian Jaber Albakr, could have had “an Islamist motive” sources close to the police told AFP. “Highly explosive materials were found in the apartment concerned in Chemnitz, new evacuation measures are necessary,” tweeted police in Germany’s east. Officers found “several hundred grams (of a) very dangerous substance which
cannot be moved without protective measures”, said police spokesman Tom Bernhardt. Two of those arrested were seized close to the city’s railway station while the other was taken into custody in the city centre. A package belonging to one of those arrested was undergoing analysis, police added. “They were known to the suspect we are looking for and were arrested and detained,” said Bernhardt who added that the trio were being questioned. Germany has been on edge after suffering two attacks claimed by the Islamic State group (IS) in July — an axe rampage on a train in Wuerzburg that injured five
and a suicide bombing in Ansbach that left 15 wounded. The attacks in July rattled Germans’ sense of security and fuelled concerns over the country’s record influx of migrants and refugees last year. Police in th e s t a t e o f Saxony, where Chemnitz is located, issued a search warrant for Albakr after officers received information from domestic intelligence services, a police spokesman said, saying he was born in Syria in January 1994. They added that Albakr was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and was “suspected of preparing a bomb attack” and issued an image of the man.
‘Huge disaster’ averted in Turkey as suspects blow themselves up Ankara (AFP) - Two people suspected of planning a car bomb attack on the Turkish capital Ankara yesterday blew themselves up after being confronted by police, averting what the justice minister called a “huge disaster”. The suspects, who both died in the explosion, were believed to be preparing an attack when they set off the explosives, the official Anadolu news agency said. “A huge disaster has been prevented. It is probable they would have attacked Ankara.... All signs are pointing to the PKK terrorist
organisation,” Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag told the CNN-Turk broadcaster. The bombing comes two days before the first anniversary of Turkey’s deadliest terror attack in its modern history in Ankara which left 103 dead. Ankara governor Ercan Topaca told reporters at the scene it was “highly likely” that the suspects had connections to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). “The materials used, the construction and the way it was planned point to the PKK....” he said, quoted by Anadolu.
The PKK — proscribed as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the EU and US — has been waging a 32year insurgency against the state in the country’s southeast. Bozdag added that Turkey was in a “critical position” in the region and referred to “sources of terror” in Syria and Iraq where conflict is raging. Vi d e o p u b l i s h e d b y Dogan news agency showed the moment officers urged the suspects to surrender before a large and loud explosion sends clouds of smoke and rubble thrown into the air.
PAGE 65
PAGE 66
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 09, 2016
World finance officials pledge more resources to aid growth
Christine Lagarde WASHINGTON (AP) — World finance leaders pledged yesterday to use more resources to try to bolster economic gains as they confront stubbornly slow growth and a rising backlash against globalization. The policy committee for the 189-nation International Monetary Fund said the world has “benefited tremendously from globalization” but that protectionism is a threat. Increasing anger over globalization dominated the annual meetings of the IMF and its sister lending agency, the World Bank. The unhappiness is evident in Britain’s vote in June to leave the European Union and in the U.S. presidential campaign of Republican Donald Trump. Trump has said millions of Americans have lost jobs or seen wages stagnate because of unfair trade practices of countries such as China and Mexico. He is vowing to impose penalty tariffs if those practices are not halted. The British vote sent shockwaves through financial markets this summer, and there were further troubles Friday when the British pound plunged by 6 percent against the dollar before recovering. Investors worry whether there will be more turbulence if the British exit proves to be messy and prolonged.
IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde said “growth has been too low for too long, benefiting too few,” and that’s what officials need to address. In their statement, IMF officials committed to designing and putting in place policies “to address the concerns of those who have been left behind and to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to benefit from globalization and technological change.” The IMF, however, did not spell out what actions countries would be willing to take. In an era of budgetary constraints, it is unclear how governments will find the resources to expand education and job training programmes and strengthen social safety nets.Mario Draghi, the head of the European Central Bank, told reporters that even with the turbulence linked to Britain’s exit vote, he felt the short-term consequences “have not been as dramatic as some were predicting, both in financial markets and also the real economy.” But Draghi said a lot will depend on how prolonged the post-Brexit uncertainty lasts as Britain and the EU negotiate next year over the terms of separation. “It’s a matter of this political uncertainty that clouds the outlook for growth,” Draghi said. U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew urged the IMF to
“more boldly and forcefully” push member countries to pursue all economic policy options to spur growth. The Obama administration has appealed to countries such as Germany, which are running budget or trade surpluses, to increase spending and stimulate global demand. “We must not close ourselves off to the world, but rather redouble our commitment to ensuring shared growth,” Lew said. Various finance officials said the decades-long effort to tear down trade barriers had lifted millions of people in poor nations out of poverty. But they said not enough has been done to protect workers who have lost jobs due to increased global competition. Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso told reporters that free trade is crucial to driving global growth. “If we really want jobs and higher income, if we care about poverty reduction and economic fairness ... if we care about growth, then we need to be serious about fostering global trade and about making sure that global trade works for all,” Lagarde said. World Bank President Jim Yong Kim noted the “tremendous anger against trade.” But, he said, “We are here because we believe in our mission of ending extreme poverty,” Kim said. “We are not going to do it without more robust trade.” Kim said support also needs to be increased for countries that are welcoming refugees fleeing conflict zones. He cited Lebanon and Jordan, which are taking in refugees from Syria.
Sunday October 09, 2016
Kaieteur News
PAGE 67
PAGE 68
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 09, 2016
Sunday October 09, 2016
Kaieteur News
YOUNG WARRIORS CRICKET CLUB TO HOST EAST CANJE DAY OF SPORTS The Young Warriors Cricket Club of Cumberland, East Canje, Berbice will be hosting the East Canje Day of Sports on November 6 at the Cumberland Ground. The day’s events will be cricket and football and will see villages competing against each other. Over the years the East Canje area produced many talented cricketers with the latest being young West Indies winning captain Shimron Hetmyer who is on the road to become only the second senior West Indies player after Leonard Baichan. His brother Seon Hetymer, Gajanand Singh, Damodar Daesarat, Richard and Kevin Ramdeen, Balram Samaroo, Kwesi Maltay, Linden Austin, Boodnarine Sumair and Kassim Khan among many
others represented Guyana at the youth levels. Even though most of the players came through The Young Warriors Cricket Club programme, they live in different villages in the Canje district. This leads to regular fierce competition among the village teams. Some of the teams expected to take part are Canefield, Gangaram, Canje
Pathfinders, Betsy Ground, Goed Bananen Land and Rose Hall Estate. The cricket competition will be of five overs a-side and will involve second division players. However, the teams are allowed to buy the first division players in the area with the starting bid being two thousand dollars with the exception of Shimron Hetymer whose starting bid will be ten
thousand. In addition, there will be a football game involving players from #2, Palmyra, Sheet Anchor and Cumberland versus the other villages in East Canje. Attractive prizes are up for grabs. Proceeds from this event will go towards the host to help continue promoting cricket in the area. The first cricket match bowls off at 9:30hrs.
Shepherd (8-49) blow away Essequibians... (From page 69) with two tons in the League when play is scheduled to commence at 09:30hrs today. Meanwhile, at Enterprise, East Coast resumed on 34-0 were dismissed for 217 with captain Kamesh Yadram mak-
ing an unbeaten 104. He struck 10 fours and 3 sixes, while his younger brother Bhaskar Yadram supported with 33. Paul Wintz (23), Keon Roberts (22) and Ameer Khan (20) were the other major scores. Sherfane Rutherford (4-39), Stephen Harris (2-58)
Sunday October 09, 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You should not be concerned with coworkers who insist on spreading rumors. The key to feeling good about yourself will be to do something about it. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Don't expect anything for nothing and you won't be disappointed. You can discuss your findings behind closed doors with your boss. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) A new you could help your attitude. You may find yourself in an uncomfortable situation if you have overloaded your plate unintentionally. Empty promises will cause upset. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Your home environment may be hectic, which could result in emotional upset if you aren't well organized. Don't be too quick to let friends and relatives know what you're up to. You are likely to be left alone if you aren't willing to bend just a little. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You must avoid gossip and focus on what you have to do. You can enhance your reputation by making contributions to worthwhile causes. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Romance is likely if you participate in unusual forms of entertainment. Learn some new skills that will increase your income. You'll look
guilty if you don't lay your cards on the table. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) If you can't get away, make plans to do something special with friends or relatives. Don't take your frustrations out on the ones you love. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You may find that someone you really cared for in the past has come back into your life. You'll find it easy to upgrade your environment by redecorating or changing your residence. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Avoid arguments with relatives who might be conservative and outdated. You should sign up for creative courses. Concentrate on your work. CAPRI (Dec.22–Jan.19) You will need to take a look at the renovations that are necessary and try to find the cheapest way to get things done. Problems with your boss could lead to unemployment. If you can, try to work out of your home today. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You can come up with solutions to the problems responsible for inefficiencies at work. You need to lie back and enjoy a little rest. You are best to avoid confrontations. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Get involved in sports groups or hobbies that attract you. You can't do everything on your own. Make arrangements to spend quality time together.
and Totaram Bishun 2-62 were the main wicket takers for East Bank who were 1135, chasing 178 for an outright victory. Tevin Imlach is on 52 not out.
Fudadin century... (From page 71) driving Mohamed though covers as he and Fudadin frustrated their opponents with a sixth-wicket stand of 52. Pestano who looked uncomfortable against Bacchus’ short-pitched bowling was stumped off Sukanan for 35. Fudadin then drove Suknanan for four and smashed him for six before he was dropped at slip off the said bowler prior to play being halted due to bad light. Fudadin has so far struck 13 fours and fives sixes; Lord has so far taken 2-46 and Barnwell 2-60.
Republican Gym gunning... (From page 67) performances but the Republicans won the heart of the crowd for their drum beating and demonstrations,” the president said. The Republican Gym has shown much improvement since Carl Graham took over as Director of Prison. Graham is a staunch supporter of his team and has not missed a night at either the Andrew Lewis National Novice or the National Intermediate. The three-day National Open is scheduled for October 28-30 at the National Gymnasium. It is the last statutory competition on the GBA calendar of events for the year and participation in the event is a prerequisite for selection for the Caribbean Championship in Barbados. Meanwhile, Ninvalle announced that the GBA has organised a Take Away lunch with a punch for October 30. The lunch is to assist in raising funds to send a team of at least 13 boxers to the Caribbean Championship in December.
PAGE 69
PAGE 70
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 09, 2016
All set for Nand Persaud Sprint Mega Classic Horserace meet All systems are in place and over 60 horses have been entered for the inaugural
Nand Persaud Karibee Rice Mega Sprint Classic Horserace meet.
The event is set for today at the Company’s newly constructed track at No.36
Over 60 horses entered for inaugural event Vi l l a g e , M a c e d o n i a , Corentyne, Berbice, Workmen were busy putting in the finishing touches on the venue. To make sure things are well coordinated the organisers had created a special company – Sky Plus Incorporated - to oversee the successful coordination of t h e e v e n t . Eight Races are listed for the day with over $3M in cash trophies and other incentives up for grabs. The feature, which is open to all horses, has an interesting line up assembled which is headline by the speedy Plum Plum of the Shariff Stable and Golden Blue Echo of the Karibee Rice stable. Also included is the speedy Strom Bird of the Inshan Bacchus Stable which will be making a return to the tracks. This kind of event will definitely suit Strom Bird and it will be left to see how the horse handles the bigger animals. Other racehorses lined up to race in that event includes the ever improving Wichie
Poo and the newly imported Honey Flow also of The Karibee Rice stable. They will be racing over 4 furlongs for the top prize of $350,000 and trophy and an exciting event is in the making. Among some of the other animals lined up to race are American King, Blacka, Lone Warrior, Midnight Blues, Bird man, Appealing harvest, Red Rocket, Puppy tail Seven Dust Flash Again, Public Enemy, Part Time, Mystery man, Iron man, Blondie, Unruly and Ebola among others. The other events listed for the day includes -The event for G class horses over 660 yards for a winning take of $250,000 and trophy. There is an event for horses classified H and lower also
over 660 yards with the winners set to receive $200,000 and trophy. The two-year-old animals will be racing over 440 yards for a $ 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 a n d t r o p h y. Animals classified J and lower will also be catered for as they will be running over 660 yards for a winner’s take of $120,000 and trophy. There are two L class events over 440 yards with similar winnings of $100,000 and trophies up for the taking. The top jockeys will be presented with trophies compliments of Trophy Stall, Bourda Market. A number of vets are also expected to be on hand to assist in case of emergency. The event will be run under the rules of the Sky Plus Incorporated.
Blenhim overcome West End Blenhim overcame West End by 17 runs in a 20-over fixture played recently at Endeavour, Leguan. Batting first, Blenhim managed 107-7 with Raul Simbu scoring 33 with three sixes. West End were bowled out for 90 in reply; Paul Simbu claimed 2-6.
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 09, 2016
BCB/NY Business Group U19 tourney
Albion Cricket Club advance to the semi final A fine unbeaten half c e n t u r y b y Ty r o n e Pooranauth led Albion Cricket Club to first innings points over Crabwood Creek Bomb Squad in their quarterfinal clash last weekend. He got support from Matthew Hardyal, 46 not out and Adrian Sukwah 36. The match played at Crabwood Creek ground saw Albion CC winning the toss and inserted the home
team who made 129 all out with Devanand Chatterpaul 62 and Z Shaw 37, the only two batsmen offering any resistance. Bowling for Albion CC, off spinner Karan Rajpaul took 3 for 21, pacer Josiah Dhani 3 for 29 and Kelvin Umrao 3 for 30. In reply, Albion CC raced to 164 for the loss of 1 wicket after which the home team conceded the game. Matches will continue this weekend.
Steve Ninvalle president of the Guyana Boxing Association Steve Ninvalle said that he too heard of the intensity of the Republicans’ training. “At this moment Mr. Barker is preparing to represent Guyana at an international competition in Barbados. I expect that he would use the fight in Barbados as a warm
MCYS/NSC Coach Richmond holds successful Cricket Workshop in Region 2
The quarter finals, semi finals and final will be played over two days. The final is slated for October 28 and 29 at the historic Albion Sports Complex and all the members of the New York based group that sponsored the competition are expected to be present. The Berbice Cricket Board would like to thank Albion Cricket Club for their input in the tournament.
Republican Gym gunning for accolades at Terrence Alli Open Boxing C/ships National heavyweight champion Jason ‘AK47’ Barker will lead the Guyana Prison Service team to the Terrence Alli National Open boxing competition scheduled for later this month. Reports out of the prison state that the towering heavyweight has been doubling up on training with the aim of not only retaining his title, but also to see the Prison Service (Republican Gym) dethrone the Guyana Defence Force as the top gym. A source revealed that Barker, welterweight Joshua ‘JJ’ Joseph and the entire Republican Gym are hard at work as many are bent on being selected to represent Guyana at the Caribbean Championships to be held in Barbados in December. Contacted yesterday,
PAGE 71
Carl Graham up for the National Open,” Ninvalle said. “If I were to judge from what occurred during the Lennox Blackmoore National Intermediate then I can safely say that the GDF and Prison Service would be back at it once more. Both Gyms turned in sublime (Continued on page 65)
Participants involved in the Workshop along with Coach Daniel Richmond (2nd right front row) during the programme. Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and National Sports Commission Cricket Coach, Daniel Richmond, who is also attached to the Guyana Cricket Board as an Umpire and Scorer, last week conducted a cricket coaching Workshop for teachers in Region 2, Anna Regina area. The programme was aimed at teaching the participants the basics of cricket with the intention that the teachers who took part go back to their respective schools and teach
interested youngsters the correct techniques of the game. This is in keeping with the Ministry’s thrust to reintroduce sports to the school’s curriculum. A total 25 teachers from both Primary and Secondary schools across Region 2 took part in the programme which saw them learning elementary batting, bowling, fielding, and other related aspects of cricket. Regional Education Officer Baramdai Seepersaud Opened the Workshop charging all to make full use of the
knowledge gained and impart in their respective schools, while thanking the MCYS and NSC for reaching out to the Region to aid the development of the sport at the grassroots level. Shondelle Hercules, District Education Officer, Nursery, did the honours during the closing programme, thanking Richmond for his work with the teachers, while lauding the efforts of the participants. Region 2 Sports Officer Herald Alves also played an integral part during the programme.
Enterprise BSC congratulates Yadram Enterprise Busta Sports Club has extended congratulation s o p e n e r Bhaskar Yadram on his back –to- back centuries made against Essequibo in the previous round of the Guyana Cricket
Board Jaguars three-day league. Yadram achieved the feat at the Imam Bacchus ground on the Essequibo Coast as the game ended in a draw. A releas e from the
club stated that Ya d r a m h a s s h o w n immens e promis e and his feat shows that success comes after hard w ork. The club wishes him all the best in his career.
PAGE 72
Sunday October 09, 2016
Kaieteur News
Scotiabank CFU Men’s Caribbean Cup 2016
Dutch rally from behind to beat Guyana 3-2 in extra time By Franklin Wilson in Suriname compliments of: NAMILCO, Industrial Safety Supplies Inc., Fitness Express and Fazias Collection After dominating the first 45 minutes most of which was played in drenching rain, which included lightening and thunder, Guyana’s Golden Jaguars found it challenging to duplicate their first half performance and fell to host Suriname 3-2 at the Andre Kamperveen Stadium last night when Round 3 action of the Scotiabank CFU Men’s Caribbean Cup 2016 continued. The lack of fitness was the deciding factor for the wounded Jaguars who gave their utmost but the Dutch side showed a higher level of suitability in the wet conditions along with a vociferous crowd to take full points and go top of the group which also include Jamaica. The Golden Jaguars, with only four sessions together as a unit heading into the match, drew first blood when UK based forward Marcel Barrington sent them ahead with only four minutes on the clock firing the shot past Suriname’s goalie Cladel Kohnor to the delight of his teammates and the few Guyanese supporters on hand which included GFF
VP Rawleston Adams and Executive Member, Dion Inniss. Captain Samuel Cox marshalled his troops very well despite a number of promising attacks from the home team which went a begging in the very slippery conditions that suited the visitors. The home team missed a sitter on the half hour mark when Roxer Fer failed to tap in as he slid to the far post in pursuit of a well-directed cross. The Guyanese were able to hold on to the early lead for the remainder of the first half and were surely in the driver’s seat coming into the second half as the rain abated towards the final five minutes of the opening half. Both sides seemed very reserved as the second half commenced, but the rain finally coming to a halt and lightening flashing on a few occasions, the home team relished these conditions as they gradually started to dominate proceedings as the Golden Jaguars fitness came into focus. Suriname were gifted the equalizing goal on 58th minutes owing to poor work from custodian Kai McKenzie-Lyle and his defenders. McKenzie-Lyle raised his hands to signal that he had the ball covered and whilst stepping back for the ball to bounce to him, quick thinking from Mitchell Kisdor saw him
intercepting before the ball could have reached the goalie and placing it into an open goal. His strike made the crowd erupt in joy as they were totally shut out in the first half. It was no turning back from that point for the home team. Many were the chances created by the home team but they were not able to make them count. Guyana lacked the potency that was shown in the first half and the Technical staff sought to inject new life into the side by making back to back subs in the 65thand 66th minutes. Making his debut for G u y a n a w a s Wa r r e n Crevalle who was introduced for Trayon Bobb in midfield, while Cashion London, another debutant replaced Vurlon Mills. Some life did come into Guyana’s attach with Crevalle showing signs of brilliance and on one play he dribbled three Surinamese. Suriname also made a change in the 75th minute when goal scorer Kisdor made way for scorer of the insurance goal, Ivanildo Rozenblad. No more goals were scored and full-time came with the score locked at 1-1; Guyana made their third change in the 89th minute with Daniel Wilson coming for Dwight Peters. Given the stage of the competition, a winner had to be decided so the sides were
left to play at least 30 more minutes to arrive at a winner. With every passing minute it was going to be a challenge for the Guyanese with fitness not being 100%. Suriname took the lead for the first time in the match when Galgyto Talea sunk a well-placed effort in the 103rd minute of the match with the winner and insurance goal, a powerful left foot missile off the boot of Rozenblad rocking the nets in the 110thminute. Guyana were able to reduce the deficit when the 6ft 5in McKenzie-Lyle headed home from a corner in the 120th minute but it was not going to change the final score-line as referee Dwight Royal blew the game off shortly after. The lighting at the
ground was not of the best quality but the players had to battle on nonetheless. Whilst noting is disappointment as the final result, Guyana’s Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz was quick to point out that the fitness levels of the home team was superior and made the difference in the end. ”The goal that brought them back in the game was an easy goal, a soft goal, but all in all the effort was good but at times I though the lack of fitness affected the quality of our play.” Shabbzz noted that his players give of their utmost and whatever they had in the tank but were always coming up a bit short as the match wore on. ”When it went into extra
time I got a bit worried because I know we just didn’t have that extra in us but all in all, I thought the guys fought very well but we were always catching up.” Commenting on McKenzie-Lyle scoring his first goal for Guyana on debut, Shabazz stated that it was a tactic that they discussed before and believed that he redeemed himself somewhat with that effort in the dying moments of the match. Guyana will now focus their attention and energy on Tu e s d a y ’s c l a s h w i t h Caribbean powerhouse Jamaica at the Leonora Track and Field Facility Football Field on Tuesday night. The team arrives home today.
Bel Air Lions host Domino Competition Lions Club of Bel Air will be staging a ‘Clash of the Champions’ Domino Tournament on Sunday, October 30, at the Lions Den in Bel Air. According to a release from the Club, a number of teams affiliated to the Georgetown Dominoes Association, corporate community and the Lions have been invited to participate in the competition which commences at 12:00 hrs. The release added that the tournament is being held in collaboration with the GDA and has the blessings of President of the entity Faye Joseph. Registration forms could be picked up at the following locations, Ray’s One Stop Auto Spares, Ramchand’s Spare Parts and Faye Joseph’s residence at 1223 Gaulding Place, South Ruimveldt. The winning team is set to receive $100,000 and a trophy, while second and third placed finishers take home $60,000 and $40,000 respectively. The Most Valuable Player of the Tournament will receive a trophy. Entrance fee is $9,000 per team.
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 09, 2016
GCB’s Jaguars three-day League By Sean Devers On a truncated second day which was stopped due to rain at 13:41hrs at Tuschen yesterday, West D e m e r a r a ’s R o m a r i o Shepherd staked a strong claim for a First-Class callup by ripping apart the Essequibo batting with an incisive spell of quality fast bowling for a career best 849 in the final round of the GCB Jaguars three-day Franchise League game. Shepherd has 34 scalps and is only behind Eon Hooper (38) and Gajanand Suknanan (36). Essequibo began the day replying to West Demerara’s 346 and despite from Kemo Paul (51) and home boy Ricardo Adams (45) were bowled out for 134 after losing their last six wickets for just 34 runs on a track with good ‘carry’ and one of the best outfields in the League. Left-arm swing bowler
Shepherd (8-49) blows away Essequibians on truncated day
Bajan Raymond Reifer (268) supported the 21-yearold Shepherd for West Demerara, who opted not to enforce the follow-on and extended their overall lead to 332 by reaching 120-2 when the rains came. Tagenarine Chanderpaul, the first batsman to reach 600 runs, was unbeaten on 60 to follow-up his first innings 52. At the end of day one, Paul was leading an Essequibo fight back with a pugnacious undefeated 47 with his team on 83-3 from 15.1 overs but he did not last long. Paul, one of two Essequibians with a century in the League, posted his fifty from 39 balls before edging Shepherd to the Keeper in the day’s fourth over, while Royan Fredericks was taken at slip for a first ball duck to leave Shepherd on a hat-trick and the score on 100-5 to trigger the collapse.
While Shepherd, who ran in and bowled with pace, and the experienced Reifer operated in tandem with lively pace and good control, it was a combination of quality bowling and senseless batting that orchestrated Essequibo’s demise. Ricardo Adams drove Reifer deliberately over mid-off for four before edging a mighty drive which flew to the third man boundary. Shepherd peppered Looknauth Chinkoo (2) with a barge of short balls which had him bobbing and weaving before Adams latched on to Reifer and stroked him majestically through cover for four. In a slight drizzle, Chinkoo tried an irresponsible hook at Shepherd, who had 3-37 in his lone 50-over game for Guyana and lobbed a catch to square-leg when Chinkoo would have been better
Historic boxing chapter closed as boxing technician, Maurice ‘Busy’ Boyce, passes on
Maurice ‘Bizzy’ Boyce was in Michael Benjamin’s corner when he fought Steve Larrimore in the Bahamas. The local boxing community has been sent reeling in shock following the devastating news that local boxing technician, Maurice ‘Bizzy’ Boyce, has passed away early yesterday morning. He had celebrated his 73rd birth anniversary just 4 days ago. Desiree has been Maurice’s companion for most of his life and she explained that he was ailing for a little while. The grieving woman said that her husband complained of feeling unwell on Monday and the family decided to take him to the hospital. She said that the doctor examined him and determined that he needn’t to be admitted. Apparently, the symptoms persisted and Boyce’s family was forced to return to the hospital Friday morning and this time he was admitted. The family received the dreaded phone call early yesterday morning informing them of his death. Boyce has been a driving force around
PAGE 73
the boxing arena for more than four decades and has had an input in the careers of most of the boxers that represented Guyana. He has trained such stalwarts as Michael Reid, Kenny Bristol, Brian Muller, the late Compton Canzius and Albert Browne. Boyce had also contributed in large part to the development of such pugilists as Anthony ‘The Pearl’ Andrews, who he trained for his world title fight against Jorge Castro in the USA, Mike ‘Tyson’ Benjamin, for his first defence of the Continental of Americas title in Nassau Bahamas against Steve Larrimore, Joseph Murray, for the Fecarbox title and played a pivotal role in Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis’ rise to world champion status in his title fight against Greg Page. Boyce operated out of most of the local boxing gyms but would best be remembered for his work in the now defunct YMCA Gym, Sussex Street, Albouystown and the West End Gym in Tiger Bay; he loved working among the proletariat. Boyce also practiced his trade at the World renowned Gleason’s Gym, Front Street, Brooklyn alongside other legendary fighters the likes of the late Patrick Forde and Reginald Forde among other local trainers. Of recent, Boyce has not been very active in the gyms but has always made himself available to dole out advice to local boxers. He has left a legacy that will be very difficult to emulate. Along with his wife Boyce leaves in mourning his two sons, Jason and Rondell along with many grand children and dear friends. Kaieteur Sport wishes to extend profound sympathy to those affected by his death.
Despite fifties from Paul & Ricardo Adams served ducking out of the way and supporting Adams. A nasty bouncer crashed into Adams’ helmet when Shepherd beat him for pace and miscued pull landed over the Keeper head for six. But Shepherd won the war when Adams pulled a bouncer to deep square-leg to finish off the innings at 10:48hrs after Reifer had removed Kevin Gordon (1) and Neiland Cadogan (0) in quick succession. West Dem took three bowling points for bowling out Essequibo while they took another point by being the first team to take all 10 wickets with pace to claim a lead of 212.
West Demerara lost Chabiraj Ramcharran for a duck when he steered Paul to point with six runs on the board. With some uplifting ‘Bob Marley’ music emanating from a house just beyond the Northern boundary, Chanderpaul who got going with a robust straight drive off Cadogan which reached the boundary like a scud missile, pulled Paul for dismissive back-toback fours as conditions became overcast. Chanderpaul hooked Cadogan for four and Esau leaned into Paul and caressed him to the cover boundary to bring up the 50
from 6.4 overs. Chanderpaul pounced on Cadogan like a cat upon a mouse and deposited him for six to reach 600 runs. Chanderpaul and Sarfraz Esau, who played some lovely shots, took the score to 71-1 by Lunch but just after the interval, Esau, after evading a perfectly lined bouncer from Paul, was trapped LBW by Anthony Adams for 25 at 81-2. Kemol Savory was with Chanderpaul, who would be looking to join Jonathon Foo (580 runs), Bhaskar Yadram and Assad Fudadin (only batsman to two hundreds in same match) as the batsmen (Continued on page 65)
Classy Hetmyer and Surujnarine doubles slaughter West Berbice It was a run riot at the Port Mourant Cricket ground as the Seon Hetmyer and Khandasammy Surujnarine show continued in their Jaguars Franchise cricket match between Lower Corentyne and West Berbice. The two batsmen, who are more in the classical mood, picked up from where they left off, slaughtering the hapless West Berbice bowling to all parts of the ground as they both registered magnificent double centuries. The established pair of Hetmyer with a magnificent 215 and Surujnarine 212, blasted the West Berbice attack all over the ground in their immense 296 partnership for the fourth wicket as Lower Corentyne declared on a record 648-9. Resuming on 285-3 both men upped their game with a number of spectacular shots as the visitors had no answer to the onslaught. The batting was gorgeous with a number of exquisite drives which left the fielders in admiration. At times it was a contest of elegance as the two batsmen tried to outdo each other on their merry way to their record score. They came together with the score on 177-3. Both batsmen who are arguable among the more classical in the country have been in good form throughout the tournament as they drove, cut, pulled and hooked around the large ground in a masterful
Khandasammy Surujnarine
Seon Hetmyer
display of batsmanship. Surujnarine, whose 212 was made up of 18x4, was the first to go caught in the slips with the score on 473. If the West Berbice lads were feeling relived, that was soon short lived at Royston Crandon 51(4x4) joined Hetmyer in a merciless 101 onslaught for the fifth wicket which ended at 574 with the demise of Crandon. Hetmyer a former national U19 batsman who along with his younger brother, West Indies U19 captain Shimron are among the few brothers who have scored centuries for Guyana at the U19 level. Hetmyer who has regained the kind of form and promise he showed at the U19 level then put together 54 for the 6th wicket with all-rounder Devon Clements 18. Hetmyer 215 contained 22x4 and one effort less six
as he went caught at point looking to force the pace. Suraj Ramsarran clubbed 19(2x4, 1x6) towards the end. One day one Jonathan Foo had scored 42 with Gajnanad Singh 26. Bowling for West Berbice Aviskar Sewkarran picked up 4-118, Sherwin Fraser 2-45, while there was one wicket each for Brandon Bess, Andrew Dutchin and Collis Butts. In reply West Berbice ended on 122 -2. They had an opening stand of 115 between Leon Andrews 77 not out (7x4, 2x6) and Brenthnol Woolford 32(4x4). Clements returned to take both wickets to fall for 19 runs. The game is continuing, however, Lower Corentyne which is made up New Amsterdam, Canje, and East Bank Berbice has already won the tournament to add to their one day title. (Samuel Whyte)
PAGE 74
Sunday October 09, 2016
Kaieteur News
‘Big Bird’ caught in a tangled web By Sean Devers West Indies Manager 63year-old Joel ‘Big Bird’ Garner refuted West Indies player Dwayne Bravo’s account of what transpired during the two-match t20 series in which Pakistan made a clean sweep against the defending t20 Champions. Garner described the Trinidadian’s comment as ‘misleading information’. The 6 feet 8 inch former West Indies pacer said the management is disappointed but not surprised at what Bravo said. Bravo pointed out that the players were lost and the management team was lost. “We were looking like school kids again,” Bravo said. According to the dynamic all-rounder, “The team meetings had no positive input or anything like that. It was just there.” Garner, the President of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) informed that the team was ‘well prepared’ by the ‘experienced’ Coaching staff with input from the t20 and ODI Captains. What does Garner, who ran against WICB President Dave Cameron during 2015 WICB elections in Jamaica, mean by experienced Coaches? The present Coaches have little or no experience with International teams,
Joel Garner (WICB) while the same can be said of the Bajan pair of Captains Jason Holder (ODI) and Carlos Braithwaite (t20). Many who watched the CPL felt that Trinidadian Kieron Pollard, who led the Barbados Tridents, was the best T20 Captain and once he was in the team should have been the Skipper. Former England International and ECB level 3 Coach Monty Lynch feels that it was unfair to Braithwaite to appoint him Captain because he hit four consecutive sixes in the t20 final and thinks Darren Sammy, who took the West Indies to two t20 Titles, is a good Leader and excellent motivator. It is felt that Sammy who had a good CPL for the St Lucia Zouks, was not sacked as West Indies Captain because of performance on the field but because he dared the speak the truth and
Dwayne Bravo further expose the indiscretions of WICB. Once the Courtney Browne led Selection panel felt that Denesh Ramdin was good enough to keep his place in the team he should have been the Captain instead of Holder, who if he was not Skipper, would struggle to make every West Indies team for every match in every condition. Garner claims that the team was well prepared in all aspects to face Pakistan, a team ranked below the struggling West Indies. This information cast a serious indictment on the standard and competence of the Coaches, judging from the appalling results. Or was it a lack of commitment by the players who, maybe played to lose as a protest against the dictatorial attitude of the WICB? The team suffered a clean sweep in both the t20
Darren Sammy (cricket.com.au)
Jason Holder (ptvsports.net)
and ODI Series and now has to qualify for the next World Cup with the associate teams. This is a ‘negative’ for Garner’s inability to inspire his team to ‘gel’ as a unit after they lost respected and experience Head Coach Phil Simmons after he was sacked the day the team left for the UEA due to his ‘cultural difference’ with the WICB. Barbadian Garner who represented West Indies from 1977-1987 during the glory days has now agreed to support the policy of a Board which is hurting West Indies Cricket. Garner who has 259 wickets at an average of 20.97 from 58 Tests and 146 ODI wickets from 98 matches, was West Indies Interim Manager in 20092010 and one wonders what will transpire when the Test series starts on October 13. Where will Leon
Clive Lloyd (guardian.co.tt)
Johnson be asked to bat by this ‘experienced’ Coaching staff after scoring the most runs (807) in this season’s WICB’s First-Class season for Guyana; batting in the middle-order. Garner, a part of the much feared pace-quartet of the 1980s, alongside Andy Roberts, Michael Holding and Colin Croft, has changed his position regarding Cameron. But then again politics makes strange bed fellows and Garner, not surprisingly, avoids addressing the real issues affecting the Bajan dominated ‘disorganized’ West Indies team in the UAE, but is mounting a weak defence for the lack of motivational prowess of his management team. Although Bravo said it and Holder allured to it, Garner who played 214 First-Class matches for Barbados, Somerset, South
Australia, did not comment on claims that the WICB’s decision to sack Simmons on the day of the team’s departure, demoralized the players. When Clive Lloyd was appointed head of the Guyana Government’s IMC and advisor to Guyana’s then President Donald Ramotar to take control of the GCB, he was offered the post of Chairman of the WICB selectors. Lloyd had announced that he was running against Cameron but no one can hold the position of WICB President and that of Head of Selectors or Team Manager. Sounds familiar? The ‘Big Bird’ who still holds the record for the best figures (5-38 vs England in 1979) in a World Cup Final has been caught in a tangled web in much the same way that Lloyd was outfoxed by the board.
GTTA Umpires officiate in Dutch Colony tournament in Suriname Te n r e c e n t l y International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) accredited Guyanese umpires departed Guyana on Thursday overland to Suriname to officiate in the first Dutch Colony Table Tennis Championships this weekend in Paramaribo. The Guyanese umpires include: Ryan Narine; Shavin Greene; Debra Bacchus; Xenophiah; Maurice Cummings; Candacy McKenzie; Raynor Hilary Anderson; Waren Hackshaw; Leona Kyte. The tournament is being played among Suriname, Curacao, Aruba, and Bonaire in team singles doubles and mixed doubles events to determine who would be the best in among the former Dutch colonies. According to President
of the Suriname Table Tennis Association, Desire Hooghart, the tournament will become an annual feature aimed at further developing the sport in those countries and with a view of making the m competitive internationally. In an unprecedented first for Guyana, the recently certified umpires under the ITTF Basic Umpire and Referee training programme conducted by Silvia Garro, will form the nucleus of officials who will officiate in the competition. This provides an opportunity for the umpires to further harness their skills moving along a path of becoming International Umpires, which will make them more eligible to officiate in international competitions around the
Guyanese Table Tennis Umpires in Suriname world. The engagement will truly serve to enhance and improve the tournament coordination capacity in Guyana a release from the G u y a n a Ta b l e Te n n i s Association (GTTA) said yesterday. Further, the presence
of these umpires is key to Guyana presenting a good representation at this forum. The GTTA identifies tournament coordination and umpiring as key pillars upon which the sport must be built and made representation to the ITTF to
host an Umpires and Referees Workshop earlier this year with a central view of increasing the amount of persons with tournament coordination and umpiring skills and to raise the standard and profile of the sport.
Later this year, the GTTA will be sending a few representatives to a Competition Manager programme organised by the ITTF. The programme will be conducted in Barbados and is scheduled for December.
Sunday October 09, 2016
Kaieteur News
PAGE 75
The buck stops at G.O.A’s ballot By Edison Jefford One of the most important elements in the continued investigation into the failed 20 odd years of the Guyana Olympic Association (G.O.A) is the voting process, eligible affiliate associations and the necessary enlightenment of those member associations. I could argue that the various sport associations that comprise the membership of the G.O.A have already failed their respective athletes and this country for allowing the long, unproductive tenure of the G.O.A President, K. A. Juman Yassin to go on uninterrupted. It is the member associations with two votes each that are responsible for electing the President of the Olympic association, which means that the buck stops at the ballot and the old adage that suggests ‘you get the Government you elect’ may very well be true. The failure of the Olympic body over the last two decades is synonymous with the failure of the associations that constitute its membership to elect new leadership. This could be another reason for Guyana being unable to match its potential in sport with appropriate results. But this could change with a positive move to push the country’s sports culture forward, if those associations see it as a
national priority to dismantle what Frederick Kissoon called the ‘old boys’ network’ at the upcoming G.O.A Elections in December. From the feedback I have received from some associations, they are very interested in moving on from the Yassin era. One prominent association head, who requested anonymity, informed me that a current split exists among associations to support Yassin. “ We h a v e t o p u t pressure on the voting processes, because he, Yassin is comfortable with votes”. (Meaning, the votes he has wrapped up over the years). He went on to state: “The media should put these, the small associations, on the spot because traditionally they have gone and will go blindly and vote for the same old crap; it is time the media focus on them,” he lamented in a message to me. His lamentation went on with the following observation: “If we vote the same way, then they are responsible for the decline in sport. The ballot is where the buck is... and we have to ensure that some associations don’t stymie the progress of those of us who are serious about sports.” According to this association head: “in light of G u y a n a ’s O l y m p i c performance (over the years), and no seemingly strategic vision articulated
K. A. Juman Yassin by G.O.A, we have to target those associations on what they would like to see happen and if they are aware of any plan that’s in place to move their athletes along”. So the enlightenment of affiliate associations has begun with some of them coming forward with their disgruntlement of the existing status quo. This brings into question other key elements of the election process such as those associations eligible to vote. In the past, G.O.A Elections were conducted in a low-keyed manner, with no stakeholder paying any real attention to the Olympic organisation. I know that Gokarn Ramdhani ran against Yassin for the Presidency at the last elections and merely chalked up two votes. Maybe, the Badminton association was the only one that voted for Ramdhani, who enjoys a close
Hector Edwards relationship with Yassin. He is part of the ‘old boys’ network’ along with former Guyana Cycling Federation President, Hector Edwards and the man responsible for getting Canoeing on to the list of Olympic sports here, Charles Corbin. Ramdhani’s challenge may have been a strategic m o v e a i m e d a t democratising the voting process, but it was certain that the Badminton association President lacked support from all the major disciplines under the Olympic umbrella. Those same disciplines return to the ballot in December with much more dissatisfaction and now that the time has come for change, having not benefitted in any substantial way so as to ensure the development of their respective sport and their athletes. The evidence is there to
Fudadin century hands Upper Corentyne sizeable lead An unbeaten century by opener Assad Fudadin put Upper Corentyne in the d r i v e r ’s s e a t a g a i n s t Georgetown at the end of the second day of the seventh and final round Guyana Cricket Board Jaguars threeday league yesterday at Bourda. Fudadin batted with composure to remain unbeaten on 133 while Shawn Pereira is on eight as Upper Corentyne closed the day on 248-6 to lead by 256 after restricting Georgetown for 216 in their first innings. Scores: (Upper Corentyne 224 and 248-6, Georgetown 216). Georgetown resumed the day on 116-2 with Robin Bacchus on 55 and skipper Christopher Barnwell on 10 and quickly lost Barnwell caught at the wicket of pacer
Keon Sinclair before offspinner Eon Hooper trapped Raymond Perez (01) to reduce Georgetown to 1424. Bacchus mixed aggression with solid defence, pulling Hooper for boundaries before driving Sinclair through covers; however, Upper Corentyne picked up a few quick wickets- Sinclair removed Shaun De Souza (01) and Dexter Solomon (03), while Bacchus was caught at midoff off Hooper for 87, leaving the score at 163-7. Bacchus batted for 200 minutes and faced 112 balls and hit 12 fours and one six. Kellon Carmichael and Ronaldo Alimohamed added 34 for the eight-wicket before Mohamed was removed by Sinclair for nine, Carmichael, who struck seven fours, was then
removed by Sinclair for 36, while Hooper accounted for Gajanand Suknanan (06) to give his team a four-run lead. Sinclair grabbed 5-64 off 12 overs and Hooper captured 4-61 off 25 overs. Fudadin and Jason Sinclair added 99 for the opening stand to give their team second innings a solid start. The duo batted aggressively with Fudadin driving Barnwell for four before hitting Carmichael down the ground for boundaries while Sinclair flicked Barnwell to the square leg fence. They continued to frustrate their opponents with Sinclair smashing Suknanan for six before he was caught off Devon Lord for 40. Barnwell then bowled Joshua Ramsammy (00) before trapping Kevlon
Anderson (00) to leave the score at 104-3. But Fudadin continued to bat aggressively as he drove Barnwell through the covers and hit Suknanan four consecutive boundaries before reaching his fifty with a single. Fudadin who was put down by De Souza off Lord when in his fifties picked up boundaries off Barnwell and Lord as he and Rajiv Ivan added 38 for the fourth-wicket. Ivan, who was dropped off Lord before he had scored, hit Barnwell for fours before taken off Lord for 12, while Bramble was neatly stumped by Solomon off Mohamed for seven. Georgetown fielding was below par and despite being put down in the 80’s off Lord; Fudadin continued to bat aggressively and
Charles Corbin show that Olympic sport under the leadership of Yassin has not produced the results commensurate with Guyanese talent, which is explicit as was discussed last Sunday in an account of Yassin’s failure at the Olympic organisation. I showed last week how Kadecia Baird beat Bahamian Shaunae Miller in 2012, but yet, four years later, Miller is a World Championship silver and Olympic gold medallist, contrary to Baird. Baird could have gone on to similar success if G.O.A was a functional and visionary organisation. Some associations are contending that if their counterparts are inclined to continue with Yassin, who has not produced any significant domestic or international results in his 20 odd years at the helm of G.O.A, they are just as responsible for the persistent poor performance and lack
Gokarn Ramdhani of global recognition. “Has Mr. Yassin or his Executive looked at ways we can start becoming competitive at these Games, which would measure our trajectory to the senior level and other junior Olympic cycle Games like Pan Am, Commonwealth, CAC, South American etc?” the association head added in obvious chagrin with the continuous and sustained failure of the tenure of Yassin. The associations can begin to answer those and other pertinent questions relative to the direction of Olympic sports in Guyana at the upcoming election. Each eligible association has two votes, which must be used to usher in a new era of sport administration or these ballots can be used so irresponsibly to allow a continuation with the same old failed management that prevailed for two decades.
Bacchus hits 87, Sinclair grabs 5
Assad Fudadin plays through the on-side.
clobbered Lord down the ground before hitting him through long-on for fours. He then smashed Lord back over his head for six and deposited him over the midwicket boundary to bring up his century off 82 balls in
136 minutes. Following a rain interruption which caused seepage on the pitch 48 minutes of play was lost, however, upon resumption Clinton Pestano struck Bacchus for six before (Continued on page 65)
t r o Sp Scotiabank CFU Men’s Caribbean Cup 2016
Dutch rally from behind to beat Guyana 3-2 in extra time Marcel Barrington scored in the 4th minute for Guyana.
Kai McKenzie-Lyle scored on debut with a header for Guyana.
Marcel Barrington scores the first goal against Suriname in drenching rain.
GCB’s Jaguars three-day League
Shepherd (8-49) blows away Essequibians on truncated day Despite fifties from Paul & Ricardo Adams
Romario Shepherd was devastating on a good track at Tuschen yesterday to grab 8-49 as only Ricardo Adams offered fight before he last out for 45. (Sean Devers photo)
All set for Nand Persaud Sprint Mega Classic Horserace meet Over 60 horses entered for inaugural event
Horses taking a final workout at the venue.
Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210