Kaieteur News
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KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8491, 225-8458, 225-8465 Fax: 225-8473 or 226-8210
Editorial
FUNDING HIGHER EDUCATION In Guyana, a substantial increase in revenue from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and VAT should enable the government to subsidise tuition fees at the University of Guyana (UG) for the less fortunate students. While many persons may agree that the government ought to financially assist some students who are pursuing higher education, others may disagree as to the extent to which tertiary education should be funded. Education, like many other social programmes, confers benefits not only on students, but also the entire society. There could be spillover benefits to the wider community, because better educated persons earn higher salaries than less educated persons and they are more productive and are more informed on current issues. They also tend to be politically active which could further improve governance. These spillover benefits could contribute to an efficient society and foster the goal of equity in education. If students had to pay the full tuition fees for their education, only the wealthiest would be able to afford university or other institutions of higher learning and, as a consequence, would continue to have higher-paying jobs and thus enhance their status in society. The poor would be stuck in lower-paying jobs and some will mAore likely become involved in criminal activities in order to survive. But has society reaped the benefits from the billions of dollars spent on tertiary education over the years? Anecdotal evidence suggests that society has hardly benefited, because as reported in the media, about 82 percent of UG graduates migrate to greener pastures every year. In spite of the billions of dollars pumped into the University of Guyana over the years, the country’s socioeconomic problems have persisted. Crime has escalated, corruption is widespread, unemployment has risen, and there is a lack of critical thinking skills in the country. On the other hand, the arguments against full or partial subsidization of higher education are that it creates inefficiency and lowers the educational standards. It could also create all sorts of useless degrees and subjects. Further, some of the students who earned degrees in those areas eventually end up in the same job they would have had directly after secondary school. It is true that not all students are capable of higher learning. Many would be more productively employed in any number of jobs that do not require a degree or diploma. By subsidizing higher education for everyone, the government could be encouraging such students to waste time. Forcing students to pay some or all of the cost of their university education would encourage them to be responsible. It would allow the resources to be used elsewhere. However, if the government does not subsidize higher education, only students who are able to pay or could obtain students loans would have access to university education. It should be noted that the notion of equity is not inconsistent with the requirement that students pay for higher education. Even the poorest student with the desire and ability to pursue higher education can do so through a properly administered student loan guarantee programme without imposing a burden on the taxpayers. The debate on Government subsidy of higher education is not a simple black and white issue. There is merit on both sides of the argument, some more profound than others. Many believe that support for a partial payment of tuition by students depending on income and a partial subsidy by government could benefit society. However most would agree that subsidy should be targeted towards those areas of higher education that foster national development, innovation, creativity, science and technology and the strengthening of democracy.
Sunday September 25, 2016
Kaieteur M@ilbox Send your letters to Kaieteur News 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown or email us kaieteurnews@yahoo.com
Why these people are not in service to the Government? Dear Editor; I have long thought of returning home to spend out my years in the land of my birth. I confess that I would never have moved back once the PPP was in power. My wife and I left Guyana in the seventies because anyone could have seen that the falling economy was about to bring disaster. I am prepared to come back to Guyana because I personally like our President. But I
don’t like what I see and I want President Granger to be more insightful. My concern with Mr. Granger’s Government is his appointments. I live in California and saw the emergence of Silicone Valley. Make no mistake what people tell you; Silicone Valley was a public/private partnership. If it wasn’t for the US Government there would be no Silicone Valley. I learnt
one thing living in the United States. Its government sees talent as the key to American’s domination. Once you are highly educated, there will be an invitation to work. The US is not afraid of employing brains of other countries even in sensitive security areas because it feels it can protect itself from spying. I go on the internet, read about Guyana and I am disappointed at what I see
happening in an area of concern. I am not moved to denounce corruption because I believe such claims are exaggerated and Mr. Granger will not tolerate corruption in his administration. I am frustrated by the lack of appreciation of talent by the new government. It is worrying me. I don’t understand it. I have to say it has confounded me. Why is (Continued on page 5)
Sunday September 25, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Remigrants face unpleasant attitudes from public servants DEAR EDITOR, In heeding the President’s call to overseas Guyanese to return home to help rebuild the nation, I visited Guyana twice since May 2016. My purpose was/is to identify areas where the application of my expertise would be more effective. I have worked in corporate America moving from the bottom to become Vice President, Operations and Management for one of the largest food manufacturers in the Midwest, USA. Trust me there is a lot that needs fixing and some are easy fixes.
One of most critical areas is within the public service. The private sector also needs to pull up its socks. I had to visit GRA and at the entrance you are required to go through a detector. The guard sitting there shouts “keys, cellphones, bags over heh”. A gentleman in front of me probably didn’t hear the instructions and proceeded to enter. The guard said ‘ is wah wrang wid yuh, yuh def or wah”. The man went and followed the instructions. When it was my turn I had a backpack with my laptop, camera and other papers. The guard said,”tek da bag an leh
da guard check it” So I took my bag to be checked. The guard who was supposed to check was busy in conversation with another person so I stood waiting. After 3 minutes I asked who is going to check my back. The guard then said, “ bai open de bag quick yeah” which I did and in 2 seconds the check was over and she went back to her conversation. Inside GRA I was trying to get a Statement of Liability. After waiting for 14 minutes and having to shout for someone to assist, a guy comes to the counter. I told him what I needed. He gave me a form to fill up and said I
Why these people are not in... From page 4 there no use for Mark Benschop? I thought I would read that Benschop was placed in the Procurement Commission or the Local Government Commission. Politicians may not like his radicalism but there is a new dispensation in Guyana where Benschop’s independent mind will be useful in avoiding the temptation of corruption. In this new dispensation I see there is no place for Mr. Christopher Ram. I am retired so over the years I spent a lot of time reading news. I still do. Each day when the PPP was in power, as I go through the online editions of Kaieteur News, I would read of the courageous acts of Mr. Christopher Ram and the sharp thinking of Mr. Anand Golsarran. I saw the other day, a fellow with the government lambasting Mr. Goolsarran. This is where I am disappointed with my country. Doesn’t the new government need the talent of these two gentlemen and to think that Mr. Ram is a top class lawyer. The disappointment that had made me angry is Freddie KIssoon. If I get a chance to meet with President Granger in Cali-
fornia or on one of my trips to Guyana, I would ask him why Freddie Kissoon is not advising his government or teaching at UG. Ask any Guyanese in the diaspora when they talk about their homeland and politics, Freddie Kissoon’s name comes up. I believe if Kissoon was to come to the US and address Guyanese on politics in Guyana he would get the largest turnout ever seen Mr. Kissoon has a brilliant mind, is well read in one of the finest subjects in knowledge – philosophy - and has a noncorruptible character. I could not have envisaged that he would not have been back at UG. Don’t the young students need to have someone like that lecture to them? The new government has not asked these people to serve. Maybe there is an explanation but how do the Guyanese people see those diplomatic appointments. Most of them are not inspiring. I have nothing personal against Mr. Hamilton Green, I met him once in the seventies and his approach was admirable. But why appoint him as Chairman of the Central Housing and Planning Authority? Aren’t there any
young engineers at UG that could have filled that role? I don’t want to make this letter too long and this is my first venture into letter writing and I suspect it will be my last, though one should never say never. I don’t want to become embroiled in any controversy so I will not use my real name. Guyanese can be nasty when you don’t agree with them. The names I mentioned here I don’t know at all; never met or talked to anyone of them t hough I confess I am a great admirer of Freddie Kissoon. My appeal to Mr. Granger is to use all available talent for the future of Guyana. California-based Guyanese
needed a copy of my ID card. I filled the form, went outside got a photocopy of my driver’s license that I only got the day before from the GRA. I went back, waited 22 minutes and I handed him the form along with the photocopy. He plugged something into the computer then turns to me, asking why I haven’t paid taxes since 2008. I answered that I wasn’t required to because I was living overseas. He then informed me that I had to pay taxes and that I won’t be able to get the document. He further said that I couldn’t use the photo copy of the driver’s license because GRA does not accept that. I was shocked. How could an authority that issues a document not accept the very document? I can only assume that that GRA knows that they cannot trust the people that work there. The banks in Guyana follow some rules that are absolutely not pro business. To open a business account, I went to 3 banks. All 3 gave me a onepage list of things that I must have in order to open the account. My biggest problem was the proof of address. Even though I have an active account at that bank they still asked for proof of address. While I was there, a lady was sitting there complaining that she wanted to open an account and had $2M to deposit, but
the bank won’t allow her because she was using her driver’s license as ID. Nonsense! In this day and age some banks in Guyana do not have online banking. If I need to know my balance on a business transaction, I either have to rely on a statement or join the line. No business debit cards are issued. If I go to a business lunch I cannot simply use a business debit card because the bank issues none Last Thursday I heard some Ministry of Communities’ enforcement officers
laughing and talking about a building inspection they went on. The property owner had already built without prior approval and did not follow the established building codes. When they told the owner, he quickly got his cutlass and ran the inspectors up the road. It should be Ministers of Communities (plural because they are like 3 Ministers in that Ministry; how can this be?) How can errant builders not be heavily (Continued on page 6)
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Sunday September 25, 2016
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Kaieteur M@ilbox
TOPCO Juice company should have been awarded the contract DEAR EDITOR; I hold no brief either for Tropical Orchards Products Limited (TOPCO), a subsidiary of Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), or Caribbean International Distribution Inc (CIDI), a subsidiary of Rudisa Beverages Company of Suriname. However, the decision of the Gov’t to award a con-
tract to CIDI for the supply of boxed juices to the National School Feeding Program must raise eyebrows. TOPCO has been the supplier since 2010. From the press reports, it w a s t h e l o w e s t b i d d e r. CIDI was the third lowest bidder. DDL is a company of international renown. Its products have received awards glob a l l y. M y r e s e a r c h h a s r e v e a l e d t h a t TO P C O ’s
operations and packaging have been certified by international assessors as meeting the required international standards. Indeed, TOPCO is commercially certified to produce certain beverages by PepsiCo International, one of the beverage-producing giants of the world. If a company of the stature, reputation and quality of TOPCO
comes in as the lowest bidder in any open and fair bidding system, it is extraordinarily difficult to conceive of a reason why it ought not to be awarded the contract, taking into consideration the fact, of course, that the assessors are not bound to accept the lowest bid. The reason for excluding such a company like TOPCO must be quite ex-
Bank of Guyana Needs To Be Revitalized To Meet Current Demands DEAR EDITOR; There is tremendous public pressure on the current administration to deliver more jobs, and higher wages in the public sector. The public sector wage issue has its roots buried in the late 1980’s to early 1990’s with the implementation of the Economic Recovery Programme under the aegis of the International Monetary Fund, and subsequent IMF/ World Bank Structural Adjustment Programmes, and it is an absolute certainty that both this and job creation will continue to haunt this and subsequent administrations until properly addressed. Both issues are sore points in the media which need no further address. At issue are appropriate solutions. Both have simple remedies which need to be worked out within a larger policy framework to facilitate dialogue and agreement as a national proposal. I remember His Excellency, the President, Brigadier (Rtd.) David A. Granger, addressing senior ranks across the ministries
on the need to strengthen their technical skills to deliver on the mandate he envisages for his governmenthttp:// www.motp.gov.gy/index.php/ 2015-07-20-18-53-36/1132-president-minister-of-state-engagepermanent-secretaries. He is not off his mark. A hallmark of the former administration was its strategy of underdeveloping the public sector. Another instance of institutional weakness in delivering on solutions for our economic problems falls directly within the portfolio of President Granger himself. The Bank of Guyana is tasked with advising government on economic policy matters, and the problems that have beset the Bank are exactly those which straddle the government ministries, namely a paucity of technical resources and individuals dedicated to policy formulation and development. Again, this was all part of the former administration’s plan, since policy, more particularly decisions on expenditure, was developed directly at, or above
the Office of the President at the time under the “able” eye of Jagdeo. There was no need for professionals to be engaged in policy development in the ministries or the Bank below the most senior level of these institutions, save contracted cronies. I have already summarily addressed some of the more pertinent issues within the Bank of Guyana. (http:// www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2016/01/01/demand-greateraccountability-and-transparency-from-the-bank-ofguyana/). Just two months prior to this article, the Honorable Minister of Finance, who was already familiar with the Bank’s issues, was fortunate to secure the services of Dr. Terrence Smith, who has in excess of twenty years of service at the United States Federal Reserve (http:// guyanachronicle.com/central-bank-gets-new-deputy/). Both his qualifications and experience immediately qualify Dr. Smith for the post of Governor of the Bank of
Remigrants face unpleasant... From page 5 penalized for (1) - threatening the lives of government employees and (2) - showing total disregard for the law? When I was in charge of inspectors, nobody got a second chance to disrespect my inspectors and I was not a minister. To President Granger, I understand that change is not easy but you have to keep your word. You asked us to come back and I
personally know over 20 overseas Guyanese with not only the skill set Guyana needs, but also real money to invest. The question to you Mr. President what are you doing to facilitate our return? Yesterday I met a man at the Land and Surveys office. Since 2008 he is trying to regularize some land that he wants for his business. This man is also trying to remigrate. He
brought in 2 trucks and 4 portable sawmills and tons of equipment, ready to work and offer work but yet he is getting the royal run around. Mr Granger why can’t you authorize the set up of a department (not GOINVEST) that deals only with remigrants - a one stop shop? We are heeding your call, but are you looking out for us? Doc Jay
Guyana, and this is definitely one of the avenues the President should be exploring in strengthening his administration to deliver on the promises made by his government leading up to the elections. One of the important points the President would not miss, and should not be overly concerned about regarding his actions in respect of the current hierarchy at the Bank, is that the current hierachy’s installation and rise through the Bank was purely political. A certain person was appointed by the former administration, served the interests of that administration, and will continue to do so, should that person remain at the Bank of Guyana. Given that the previous administration’s agenda centered on political patronage, retaining this hierarchical figure will leave more than a few questions unanswered http:/ / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2015/04/13/people-must-disregard-ppps-terror-tactics/, h t t p : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2015/03/21/the-economicsof-bharrat-jagdeo-2/. It is standard practice globally that political appointments are squashed with a change in government, and the current appointment of this top man should be treated no differently. While this may appear to infringe on the Bank’s independence, replacing the Bank’s current political appointee in the present circumstances will in fact restore that independence. The Bank has suffered enough with the current authority inherited from the PPP regime. To negotiate the kinds of solutions needed to address our current problems, there needs to be a changing of the guard, and the longer this is drawn out, the more time is lost, something which is evidently becoming a festering issue almost with each passing day. Craig Sylvester
ceptional. In a public statement, the reason offered by the Gov’t for r e j e c t i n g TO P C O ’s b i d was “continued issues with past performance dating back to2012”.If TOPCO is to launch a legal challenge; such a flimsy reason would never be accepted as reasonable, sufficient or credible, in the circumstances, by any competent Court. I recognized that the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas obliges Guyana not to discriminate against Caricom produced goods but to create a level trading playfield. I am not advocating a breach of this T r e a t y. B u t c o u n t r i e s throughout the Region have found ways and means of granting incentives to their local producers while at the same time complying with the letter and spirit of the Treaty. For example, although energy cost is cheaper in Trinidad than anywhere else in the Region, Trinidad subsidizes electricity for its manufacturing sector. No one has challenged Trinidad at the Caribbean Court of Justice for breaching the Treaty. In contradistinction, there seems to be the reverse taking place in Guyana, where the Gov’t seems bent on creating an un-level playing-field for local manufacturers. This posture amounts to a reverse of the discrimination contemplated by the Treaty of Chaguaramas. This is obviously evident in a plethora of anti-business measures and policies promulgated and being implemented by the Govt. Some of these policies include: astronomical increases, in some instances, as high as 1200% in 140 public licenses fees; imposition o f VAT o n h e a v y d u t y equipmen t i n t h e a g r i cultural, mining, forestry and construction industries which were h i t h e r t o VAT- f r e e ; t h e imposition of taxes on imported raw materials for the manufacturing industry; the imposition of higher import duties and taxes on motor vehicles by banning the importation of vehicles that are 8 years and older; the imposition of higher taxes on steel; the imposition of a tax on container; the routine subjecting of almost
every container imported to almost 100% i n s p e c t i o n b y Customs which invariably leads to increase in Customs and Excise Duties; increase parking fees for parking at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport by 400%; the impending implementation of parking meters within the City of Georgetown; the increase in application fees for State lands from $5,000 to $55,000; the proposal to increase rates and taxes on properties throughout the country; the proposal to increase drainage and irrigation charges by MMA/ADA from $2,500 per acre to $6,000 per acre; and the withholding of tax concessions to local investors which were available under the PPP/C Administration. It is against this backdrop that the TOPCO case must be examined before one can get a proper appreciation of its implications as well as to be able to situate the Govt’s approach to the local private sector. Apart from the Govt, the private sector is the largest creator of jobs in the country and the most significant contributor to the economic well-being of this nation. The President has already signaled to the rice industry that “rice is not the Govt’s business”. Similarly, contrary to promises made on the 2015 election campaign trail, the President has indicated that creating jobs is not the business of his Govt and that individuals must strive to create jobs, using their own initiatives. To compound the situation, since it took Office, the Govt has launched an institutional policy of effecting mass dismissals of persons in the public sector and from public corporations on the grounds of ethnicity and politics. It is common knowledge that TOPCO does not own a farm from which it gets raw materials for the production of its juices. Its raw materials are sourced from hundreds of small farmers throughout the length and breadth of this country. The loss of this contract will no doubt have disastrous impact which will trickle down to every corner of the country. The Govt appears numb to these realities. Only two weeks ago, Barama laid-off a hundred and eighty (180) employees. Anil Nandlall Editor’s note; because of length, this letter will conclude tomorrow
Sunday September 25, 2016
Kaieteur News
GNBA Head unwilling to make judgment call …Prime Minister to play a role in way forward The Chairman of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA), Leonard Craig, has taken the position that he does not believe he should be the final arbiter after the investigation into alleged corrupt practices by board members is completed. Craig made his position clear last Friday. According to the Chairman his only responsibility regarding the allegations levelled against members of the board, is to launch an investigation and record the findings. Craig said, “In terms of making a judgement call, I don’t think I should be that person to make that call.” Further, Craig said that he does not believe that the investigation should restrain the work of the GNBA. He said, “We are bound by law to serve the people, so as to not immobilize the members of the board from performing their duties.” Craig said that presently his only concern is to ensure that those who are being accused of wrongdoing are given a chance to respond. He relayed that after he would have finished recording the responses he will compile them and present them to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo to determine the way forward. When asked how soon an official pronouncement will be made, Craig said that it is tentative since Nagamootoo is currently busy and thereby unable to settle down and address the issue. It was alleged earlier in the week that GNBA board members,Anthony Vieira and Vic Insanally were involved in bullying a broadcaster on the Essequibo Coast to sell his operation to a prominent businessman recommended by the said board members. Craig had re-
GNBA Chairman, Leonard Craig ported that one Cable broadcaster, Kenwin Charles of Northwest TV Inc. had met with him to level complaints against the named board members. The Chairman had made it clear that if the allegations can be substantiated then it will serve as a major blow to the integrity of the members under scrutiny. According to the Chairman, Charles accused the two men of trying to force him out of business on the Essequibo Coast where he had already made significant capital investments. This publication was informed that Charles had made a formal complaint to the Prime Minister. In light of the allegations, Anthony Vieira had expressed his dismay with the actions of the Chairman, saying that Craig should not have issued a statement on the issue
GNBA Board Member, Anthony Vieira
before approaching him to hear his side. Responding to the allegations, Vieira defended himself saying that the accusations are total untruths. He said that the broadcaster had confessed to never having a cable licence to transmit cable services to paying subscribers. Vieira said that Charles was informed of several discrepancies which surround his operations, which includes using the wrong frequency and that he could not be allowed to continue. In a recent statement issued by the lawyers for Vieira
and Insanally, C. Satram and Edward Luckhoo, Craig was asked to desist from conducting an investigation into the matter and to provide compensation of an unspecified amount yet to be agreed upon. The statement states that if Craig resists to offer compensation then legal proceedings will follow. The lawyers noted, “You (Craig) are reminded that you have no authority and it is indeed improper for you to investigate and pronounce on the truth and accuracy of the allegations made by Mr. Charles.”
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Guyana Medical Association to be resuscitated Efforts are currently being made to resuscitate the Guyana Medical Association (GMA), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), which was recently issued a Certificate of Registration under the Friendly Society Act, subsequent to its submission of a constitution drafted by the A s s o c i a t i o n ’s St e e r i n g Committee. The Steering Committee comprises Doctors Frank Anthony, Terrance Haynes, Carl Hanoman, Carl Niamatali, Roger Luncheon, Navindranauth Rambaran, Natasha Bovell
and Sri Devi Jagjit. S o f a r, a n u m b e r o f events have been planned in keeping with the general interest of resuscitating the Association. In mid-October an inaugural meeting of the Medical Association will be held where important preliminary steps would be undertaken, including, soliciting Membership, establishing the Re-registered Office and establishing Electronic access including Email and Website. Prior to the inauguration, the Steering Committee will reach out to all interested Medical Practitioners about upcomi n g e v e n t s t h r o u g h the media and other electronic sources. The Steering Committee could be contacted via E m a i l : guyanamedicalassociation @gmail . com
Sunday September 25, 2016
Central Bank Boss says... CLICO fiasco reinforces need for enhanced insurance regulation- Central Bank - Insists that focus must be placed on performance gaps and overall profitability of the sector Based on its analysis, the Central Bank of Guyana is of the view that there is a general confidence within the insurance industry. In fact, it has found that there is continued stability in the sector. This, of course, has been seen as a very positive sign for the sector as it has spurred industry growth with moderate risk exposures that may not have any major destabilizing impact on industry performance. According to Central Bank Governor, Dr. Gobind Ganga, it is important to note that the insurance sector which comprises long-term insurance and general insurance, accounted for approximately 6.4 percent of total financial assets and 26 percent of non-bank assets. He said that the sector was adequately capitalized in keeping with the require-
ments of the Insurance Act 1998 at the end of June last. Dr. Ganga noted that the insurance sector acts as a conduit for households and firms to transfer risks to entities that are better suited to handle them. In this way, he said projects can be undertaken that might not be otherwise possible, and this contributes to the growth and financial stability of the economy. As for the performance of the sector thus far, the Central Bank Governor said that the insurance sector’s assets grew by 5.1 percent and accounted for 8.2 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product. “Its soundness indicators signified a robust sector at the end June 2016. The long-term and general insurance sectors’ assets exceeded liabilities by 25.2 percent and 128.5 percent, respectively. Reinsurance (insurance bought by insurance companies) for the long-term insurance sector decreased marginally to 4.9 percent, indicating that fewer risks were transferred to reinsurers. In contrast, reinsurance for
Central Bank Governor, Dr. Gobind Ganga the general insurance sector increased to 30 percent from 19 percent. Potential risks to which the industry was exposed were prudently managed resulting in no adverse effect despite the volatility of the global financial conditions,” expressed the Central Bank Governor. Dr. Gobind Ganga also stated that the systemic failures by CLICO have reinforced the need for enhanced regulation in the in-
surance sector. In this regard, Dr. Ganga recalled that the Insurance Bill 2016 was passed in Parliament and is now awaiting the President’s assent. He said it is expected that the introduction of a new regulatory regime would lead to improved resilience in the sector to withstand any adverse shocks, which in turn, will serve to strengthen the sector’s financial stability. As for the way forward, the Central Bank Governor said that the Bank will seek technical assistance to provide additional resources to implement regulations and other subsidiary rules when the laws comes into effect, especially the much needed new solvency and capital adequacy requirements. He said that the development of a crisis management resolution plans would also be pursued. The Bank of Governor also highlighted that there is need for continued focus on identified performance gaps while seeking to enhance insurance inclusion, penetration and overall profitability. He believes that the road ahead is full of opportunities that the industry should exploit.
Sunday September 25, 2016
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Raiding, finding mercury alternatives stymieing mining operations -GGDMA At the recently held Ann u a l G e n e r al M e e t i n g (AGM) of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), it was revealed that over the past year, that raiding has become a much bigger issue in the interior than it was in the past. Making this revelation was the Vice-President of the Association, Andron Alphonso, who said that the issue is a sore one. “It causes distress to miners, many of whom would travel great dis-
tances to get to their properties only to find that it has already been worked out. He pointed out also, that there have been instances where raiders were served removal orders, and even physically removed by law enforcement officials only to return within a few days. “This level of lawl e s s n e s s must be addressed, as setting this kind of precedent in the interior of Guyana can only lead to further lawlessness and the breakdown of law and order,” The Vice-Presi-
dent said that in addition to the raiders, many illegal shops have been set up in close proximity to these raiding huts. These shops, he alleged, are engaged in activities, not least among them prostitution, trafficking in persons, and other manner of illicit activities. He added that the presence of these illegal establishments further contributes greatly to the already existing perception that miners are “in favour of this illegal outof-order behaviour.” Alphonso called on miners to not support these establishments. He also called on all of the
Dem boys seh...
Nuff effing going on in Guyana People does always remember Christopher Columbus. He sail round de world to prove that de earth ain’t flat. He mek history. Papa Cheddi mek history too. He tell de nation that de PNC under Burnham and Hoyte, did not only rig de elections. What dem do, if it wasn’t rigging, was frigging. He end up winning de next elections and was GECOM mek he win. Dem boys want to know if wid all dem things wha going on now wid GECOM, who gun win. Dem boys always remember GECOM been pun Battery Road then move to High Street. Since dem move to High Street people wan know wha dem
drink, wha dem smoke to get so high. When dem been pun Battery Road dem buy battery low. AS SOON as dem move to High Street is everything dem buy high. Dem buy radio sets at a very, very high price; dem buy toner wha does print paper fuh more than wha a complete printer cost; dem buy pliers fuh cut de wire pun all dem ballot box but de money dem pay fuh each pliers could capon all dem man in Guyana, including de boss at GECOM. When dem by Battery dem nevah buy nutten. As soon as dem meet High Street dem buy everything; dem even buy battery fuh fly because when dem boys hear de price dem pay fuh a battery dem
think was an airplane battery to fly de whole Guyana across de world. Dem boys seh if all wha go long at GECOM wasn’t or isn’t runnings, dem would join Papa Cheddi and he was frigging. Wha also going on at GNBA is not runnings, not thiefing but setting de stage fuh a big kickback or kick front. Dem boys hope and pray that when all is said and done it ain’t gun end up as kicking up or kicking down because is big money playing out here. De money much, much bigger than GECOM. Talk half and dem boys gun talk about dem Chinee small stone.
regulatory bodies to step up their monitoring and response time with regards to these activities. He also wants the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and prosecuting bodies to impose more stringent measures against repeat offenders. Alphonso added that in the coming months, the GGDMA will be intensifying its campaign to have raiding addressed. It is spinning out of control and will likely end in bloodshed, he said. Alternatives to mercury use needed urgently A few years ago, Guyana became a signatory to the Minamata Convention on M e r c u r y. This international treaty was designed to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds. This Convention was a result of three years of meeting and nego-
tiating, after which the text of the Convention was signed by delegates from 140 countries on January 19, 2013. The Convention is named after the Japanese city of Minamata. This naming is of symbolic importance as the city went through devastating incident of mercury poisoning. It is expected that over the next few decades, this international agreement will enhance the reduction of mercury pollution from the targeted activities responsible for the major release of mercury to the immediate environment. A recently released study conducted b y t h e Wo r l d Wi l d l i f e Fund (WWF) has shown that Guyana still faces a challenge in reducing the use of mercury in small-scale gold mining related activities and dealing with the effects of the e l e m e n t . The study stated: “It is al-
ready posing a considerable risk to communities (in the Guianas) from direct and indirect exposure, especially through consumption of contaminated fish. Mercury is very persistent in nature and the effects of the current mercury use will continue to be felt into the next century. Since a minimum of 80 tonnes is being used and lost into the environment in the Guianas each year, without swift and decisive actions, this sad legacy will only get worse,” However, with countries like Guyana where it is evident that the mining industry is the strongest pillar supporting the national economy, alternative measures are needed as soon as possible. Vice-President Alphonso said during the AGM that one of the more serious threats that the future of the industry faces is low recovery rates and the authorities are yet to (Continued on page 63)
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Kaieteur News
Killer pit-bulls’ owner on $100,000 station bail More than a week after four pit-bulls mauled a man to death and attacked two other persons at Leonora, West Coast Demerara (WCD), the owner of the dogs, Marceline Small, has not been charged. Instead, the woman was placed on $100,000 station bail and still has the dogs in her care. Small is the wife of Jarvis Barry Small, who was sentenced to 96 years in prison for the 2010 murder of Neesa Gopaul. The dogs attacked the victims some time between 03:00 hrs and 06:00 hrs on September 15, last. The body of the dead man, a vagrant, was discovered shortly after 06:00 hrs
with bite marks about the body. Villagers identified the dead man as “Boxers.” The injured persons have been identified as Wilmark Adams, a GUYSUCO worker of Cornelia Ida; and Ramanand Bhikam, a security guard of Stewartville, West Coast Demerara (WCD). Both men were bitten on the legs. According to Adams, he was riding to work when the four dogs rushed out of the yard and attacked him, forcing him to defend himself for more than an hour, armed with only a piece of wood. Adams said that the wood did not scare the dogs away. He said that he screamed for help but no one came to his rescue. ”I see (the owner) had a
window open and I screaming but no one came. After an hour, a car came and the dogs run back into the yard,” the estate worker said. Adams was taken to the hospital where he then made a report. Meanwhile, Bhikam was returning home from work when three of the four dogs attacked him. ”I see the dogs in the streets but dogs does normally be in that area so I continued and when I reached close, the dogs attacked me. They bite up my food and I pulled a cutlass and chop them,” the guard said. While the dogs were injured, none of them died. According to Bhikam, when the dogs ran back into the yard, he called out for the owner but no one answered. He then made a report to the police at Leonora before heading to the Cottage Hospital there. He subsequently learnt that he was not the only person attacked by the vicious animals. It was while there that both men later learnt that the police picked up a body not far from where they were attacked.
Sunday September 25, 2016
GAWU elects Central Executive Committee The first meeting of the General Council following the 21st Delegates’ Congress of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) was held yesterday at the U n i o n ’s H e a d q u a r t e r s , Kingston, Georgetown. The Congress, it is recalled, confronted the decision of the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) to disapprove the paid release of union delegates to attend the Congress. Transportation was also denied to delegates from t h e s u g a r i n d u s t r y, t h e union said in a release. The meeting elected officials whom, among others, comprise the Central Executive Committee: the President, Komal C h a n d ; Vi c e P r e s i d e n t , Harvey Tambron; General Secretary, Seepaul Narine and Assistant General Secr e t a r y, A s l i m S i n g h . Other members of the Committee are: Mitchell Mc Bean from the Skeldon Estate; Michael Indardat, Albion Estate; Mohamed Ahamad, Rose Hall Estate; Jermaine Adams, BEV Processors Inc.; Bhikram Singh, Blairmont Estate;
President of GAWU, Komal Chand Adrian Singh, Blairmont Estate; Sookram Persaud, Enmore Estate; Gordan T h o m a s , Wa l e s E s t a t e ; Francis Alabi, Rose Hall E s t a t e ; J a n i c e F o w l e r, Uitvlugt Estate; Hernie Parks, Albion Estate; and Narda Mohamed from the GAWU Office. “The General Council also reflected on the 21st Congress. The meeting condemned the GuySuCo’s stance which it felt was aimed, seemingly, to undermine the Congress. The Union, neverthe-
less, was able to get full attendance to the Congress thus defeating GuySuCo’s ploy.” The release stated. The Union also stated that the current state of the sugar industry also attracted the General Council’s attention where members n o t e d t h a t , s o far, GuySuCo is yet to address the Union’s wage/ salary and fringe benefit claims for this year notwithstanding that all Government employees are to receive a pay rise from January 01, 2016. “They affirmed their commitment to defend militantly their rights and benefits. The meeting also extended its full and unstinted solidarity with the workers of Wales Estate. Members expressed the view that the Corporation’s plans for rice are u n s u i t a b l e a n d strongly believed that the Estate could overcome its difficulties and challenges. Members also called on the Government and GuySuCo to rescind their nefarious decision noting the harsh repercussions that will follow should the closure decision be fully pursued.” The Union stated.
Sunday September 25, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Lawyer withdraws representation for Barry Dataram, reputed wife - Arrest warrants still out for their arrest Arrest warrants are still out for Barry Dataram and his reputed wife Anjanie Boodnarine. Dataram, his reputed wife, Anjanie Boodnarine, along with their friends Trevor Gouveia and Komal Charran, are accused of having 129.23kg of cocaine in their possession on April 16, 2015 for the purpose of trafficking. They were arrested at Lot 661 Fourth Avenue, Block X Diamond, East Bank Demerara. They are currently out on High Court bail. The couple failed to attend again Friday’s court hearing before Magistrate Judy Latchman. The magistrate is scheduled to make a ruling on whether a prima facie case has been made out by the prosecution. However, only Gouveia and Chandan showed up. Police constable Anil Saffie provided the court with an update on the efforts made to arrest Dataram and his wife. The officer said that he had visited two addresses in search of the couple but didn’t find them. Meanwhile Attorney for the defendants, Glenn
Hanoman, made an application for leave of the court to withdraw services on the grounds that he was unaware of the whereabouts of Dataram and Boodnarine. The lawyer said that he has not been able to communicate with the couple since their last court appearance. The application was granted by the court. Hanoman, never the less, is still the attorney of the other two persons. Dataram, also known as ‘Mogotani’ or Kevin Dataram, of 13 Vriesland, West Bank Demerara; his reputed wife, Anjanie Boodnarine, 19, of 79 Patentia, Housing Scheme, West Bank Demerara; Komal Charran, 20, of 265 Belle West, West Bank Demerara; and Trevor Gouveia of Best Village, West Coast Demerara, had all pleaded not guilty to a drug trafficking charge. According to the allegation, on April 16, last, at 661 Fourth Avenue, Block X Diamond, East Bank Demerara, they allegedly had 129.23 kg of cocaine in their possession for the purpose of trafficking. On the day in question, ranks from the Customs Anti
Narcotic Unit (CANU) swooped down on the house and conducted a search in the presence of the defendants. During the search they unearthed the illicit drug. It was reported that some of the cocaine was stuffed in frozen seafood, while the remainder was found to be bricks of raw coke. As a result, Barry Dataram who was in the house at the time of the bust with his reputed wife and three other persons were arrested. The defendants were then told of the offence, arrested and charged. Dataram, a Guyana-born American, had successfully fought off efforts to extradite
Wanted: Barry Dataram
Wanted: Anjanie Boodnarine
Attorney Glenn Hanoman
him to the United States of America to face drug smuggling charges.
Several witnesses have since testified in the trial which is ongoing before
Magistrate Judy Latchman. During a previous court (Continued on page 63)
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Kaieteur News
Sunday September 25, 2016
Provision to allow 20% of public procurement to small businesses coming on stream by next year – Business Minister The execution of a provision in the Small Business Act which allows for small businesses to get 20 percent of Government contracts, is a moving a step closer to fruition, now that the Small Business Bureau’s appointed Council is on stream. This was according to the Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, during a recently held Press Conference hosted at the Alliance for Change (AFC)’s Headquarters in Kitty, East Coast Demerara.
The Small Business Council was appointed a month ago. It comprises the Chief Executive Officer of the Small Business Bureau, representatives of the Ministry of Business, Ministry of Finance, Linden Chamber of Commerce, Berbice Chamber of Commerce, Guyana Small Business Association, Guyana Craft Producer Association, Institute of Private Enterprise Development, Guyana Banker’s Association, and two Small Business owners. The council is mandated to
Cop granted bail for allegedly accepting bribe A serving member of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) was brought before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ court to answer two counts of obtaining money corruptly. It is alleged that on June 15, at the Georgetown Seawall, Colin Rodney 33, of Lot 17 Joseph Pollydore Street, Lodge, Georgetown, engaged in a corrupt transaction by accepting money from Hushan Mana and Laeede Gopie. Rodney was represented by Attorney Patrice Henry who requested that his client be released on self bail since he is still on active duty. Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones did not disclose the facts of the matter to the court and did not object to bail. Rodney was ordered to post $15,000 bail on each count. He will make his next court appearance on October 19.
implement the provisions of the Small Business Act of 2004, The Minister said that the Council has already met twice and is enthusiastic and energetic. Gaskin said that he has full confidence in the body carrying out its functions. “One area we see that will benefit small businesses over the next year or two is our realisation of the provision in the Small Business Act that has to do with 20 percent of Public Procurement going to small businesses – that is in the area of goods and services,” the Minister said. He added that the implementation and enforcement of this provision was never “really” effected
by the past Administration – the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). The Minister said that it was, in fact, being ignored. “We have made a commitment to develop a programme – which is also required under the Act. This programme is designed to implement that petition and we have to plan to have that programme in place by the end of the year which can actually be implemented the next year. We believe that will create opportunities for small businesses to access Government spending and we also feel that will be a major impact on small businesses in Guyana,” Gaskin stated.
Meanwhile, for years, small contractors have been complaining about not being incorporated into the Public Procurement Process. Many have also claimed that they have been unfairly treated. It was announced a few weeks ago that Government will be looking to ensure that 20 percent of all Government contracts be awarded to small contractors yearly, as is stated in the Laws of Guyana. Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, has made this revelation at one of the Post Cabinet Press Briefing. He had also stated that the Government will be looking not only to ensure but also, enforce this very
important law. Prior to his announcement, Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, had submitted a report to Cabinet which in turn, mandated a committee which is being spearheaded by the Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo to examine and focus on ways in which small miners can be incorporated into the public procurement process. Other Members on the Committee are Minister Patterson; Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams; Minister Gaskin; Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan; and the Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan.
GPL secretary charged for assaulting boy, 8 Sherry Mingo, a Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) employee was on Friday placed on $20,000 bail, on a charge of assault. She had appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Faith McGusty. According to police report, on September 21, last, at St. Margaret’s Primary School, Georgetown, Mingo,
42 of Lot 90 Sideline Dam, Buxton, East Coast Demerara, unlawfully assaulted Daniel Williams, 8, so as to cause him actually bodily harm. On the day in question, the mother of two went to the St. Margaret’s Primary School and assaulted the schoolboy, after she observed him fighting with her son. She approached the lad
and slapped him with her hand on his left side cheek. As a result, her hand print was left on the child’s face. The police were later summoned to the school and Mingo was arrested. An attorney for the defendant asked for reasonable bail. The lawyer pointed out that her client is a mother of two and confidential
secretary at GPL. She said that Mingo has no prior matter before the court. Police prosecutor Seon Blackman had no objections to bail. Magistrate Faith McGusty placed Mingo on a bond to keep the peace pending the outcome of the matter. The matter has been adjourned to October 14.
Sunday September 25, 2016
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Kaieteur News
GPSU says negotiations with Govt. at “deadlock” The Guyana Public Service Union has reported that negotiations between itself and the Government of Guyana have reached a deadlock as of September 14, 2016. The Union described the situation in this way because it considers the final offer being proposed by the State as unreasonable and unacceptable since there are several outstanding issues to be addressed. According to the Executive Council of the GPSU which met last Friday, these outstanding issues are associated with public servants’ emoluments including de-bunching, increments and allowances. The Union said that there is serious concern over the seeming insensitivity and absence of a sense of urgency on the part of the employer to deal with the matters. On a previous occasion the Union had described the government’s final offer as an absurdity for the same reason that it did not take into consideration de-bunching, increments and allowances. The government’s negotiation team had said that these issues would be dealt with immediately upon
had made it known that its engagement with the government was to focus on the goals of a living wage for public servants. The Union’s position is that these objectives, and no less, wholly inform their negotiating approach in the engagement. According to the Union, the de-bunching exercise should start immediately at the conclusion of the negotiations. The format would be that after the first three years of service, one increment and for every additional two years of service, one increment.
GPSU President, Patrick Yarde the conclusion of the negotiations for wages and salaries utilizing the same process outlined by the union. The Executive Council of the union has now taken the position that the government should be written to regarding these matters with a view to having them dealt with expeditiously. Additionally, the Union believes that the government is defaulting on its
Permanent Secretary, Department of Public Service, Reginald Brotherson
commitment to have separate negotiations for wages, salaries and allowance for semi-autonomous agencies. The Union formed this belief based on information it apparently received that what is being applied in the public service is being replicated in the semi-autonomous entities. At the meeting of the Executive Council, a unanimous decision was taken to engage the Chief
Labour Occupational Safety and Health Officer of the Ministry of Social Protection and Department of Labour. The Union took this position since it wishes to enter into conciliation in the matter of what is now a dispute between the Union and the employer in the matter of wages and salaries for public servants 2016. The three components have always taken priority in the negotiations. The Union
On the issue of allowance, the Union had said that an agreement was reached with the Minister of Finance Winston Jordan since 2015 to commence the review of allowances paid to public servants. To achieve this, it was proposed that a Tripartite Committee would be established comprising representatives from the Finance Ministry, Public Service Management and the GPSU. The Union believes that there is an inordinate delay in addressing these issues.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday September 25, 2016
Police record fewer accidents since Operation Safeway The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has recorded a decrease in all categories of road accidents since the launch of Operation Safeway eight days ago. As of Friday, 1,546 cases
were made against motorists breaching the traffic laws. A total of 567 were for speeding and 96 for driving under the influence of alcohol. The others were arrested for various offences.
One hundred and fifty two persons were given breathalyzer tests of which 28 were found to be above the legal limit—this was on Friday night. Two Wednesdays ago,
the Police Traffic Department embarked on a campaign to reduce the carnage on the country’s roadways. As a result of this undertaking, a number of exercises were put in place to educate citizens about the necessity of heeding road laws. The police continued to drop the heavy hand of the law on traffic offenders resulting in road users being prosecuted for traffic offences. 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 in the use of radar guns. For the year already, 98 persons have lost their lives as a result of road carnage. Traffic Chief, Dion Moore, said that majority of the arrests were made in ‘A’ Division. There has only been one road accident which resulted in two deaths at Unity, Mahaicony. The driver involved in that accident, has been charged. While there is no cut-off date for Operation Safeway, the Traffic Chief indicated that the aim is to have more
road safety consciousness, to promote better driving attitudes and road safety practices. Meanwhile, Acting Commissioner of Police, David Ramnarine recently commented that the rates at which people are killed on the roadways is 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 said.
Sunday September 25, 2016
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Kaieteur News
GECOM spends $23M on Duracell batteries ...
Paid $1,185 apiece for a $300 battery - strange order made after May 11 elections
GECOM’s Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield
GECOM’s Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally
High frequency radios; Toners for printers and photocopiers; Pliers and nippers. They all had one thing in common last year – Hundreds of millions of dollars were paid for them under very questionable circumstances by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). The purchases, for the May 11, 2015, are now the subject of a major investigation by state auditors. There are two other transactions that will also come under investigationsthe purchase of Duracell batteries. The batteries are supposed to be used in lamps
on Elections Days, in the case of power outages or in farflung polling stations that are without electricity. Each lamp reportedly uses four batteries. According GECOM’s polling days staffers, as part of its kit for elections day, each station is given two lamps. According to official figures of contracts awarded last year, there were two payments for Duracell batteries by GECOM. One contract was awarded on April 23, 2015, about three weeks before the elections for $14,529,000. This contract was awarded to Mobile Authority, a business owned by Water Street businessman, Michael
GECOM buys $23.7M in batteries - paid $1,185 for this $300 one
One of these batteries is selling for US$3.99 for two in a New York dollar store Brasse. There was another contract awarded to the same entity for $9,180,518 on May 21, 2015, making it a total of $23,709,518 paid for Duracell batteries last year. The dates and the total number ordered in Duracell batteries would be of huge significance for a number of reasons. Ordered after Elections With regards to the contract date of May 21, the big question according to GECOM officials is why would the entity want to enter into a contract after the
Businessman, Michael Brasse
Businessman, Mahendra Brasse
elections for the batteries. GECOM has been left with several boxes of the Duracell batteries delivered by Brasse, who according to official figures was a favourite business for contracts by the commission. Investigations by Kaieteur News revealed that GECOM and taxpayers paid millions of dollars more for those batteries than what they could have been acquired for. In New York, at the Dollar Dan store on Liberty Avenue, Queens, two of those “D” batteries, Duracell brand, were retailing yesterday for
US$3.99. With tax included, the total price for two of batteries was US$4.34. Local distributors yesterday told Kaieteur News that they could have supplied any amount at US$1 each ($200). Assuming that each of the 2,299 polling stations used eight batteries, it meant GECOM wanted at least 18,392 batteries. Brasse could have acquired 20,000 of those “D” batteries (Duracell brand), using a $300 tag price for $6,000,000. Instead GECOM paid $23,709,518 or about $17.7M more. It is a known business fact that wholesale quantities attract a lower price. This particular transaction is likely to cause anger among some local distributors who only learnt of the GECOM’s purchases after it was announced last year by former Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon. Questioned about it, Luncheon had said, then, that the idea was to protect against any blackouts on
Polling Day. The Duracell batteries contracts would join a number of other questionable multi-million-dollar payments to Brasse and his brother, Mahendra Brasse, owner of Standard Distributors, a King Street, Lacytown business. In late April, three weeks prior to the May 11 General and Regional Elections, the entity doled out $14.8M for the purchase of nippers/pliers from a King Street, Lacytown business called Standard Distributors. It appeared that GECOM paid out an average of $6,000 apiece for those pliers when they could have been acquired on the local market for $600. It was not even a brand name. Michael Brasse’s Mobile Authority, M-Tech Business Solutions and Mibra Trading received up to $290M in contracts last year. His brother received $31M. Both men appeared to be preferred suppliers, receiving the lion’s or the hog’s share. GECOM is under (continued on page 63)
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Kaieteur News
Sunday September 25, 2016
The G20 SUMMIT: An initiative to coordinate economic policy or just a fancy talk-shop for the big boys? By: Kiana Wilburg G20 which stands for “Group of Twenty” represents a partnership of the world’s leading economic giants. So much influence and power in one group easily makes it one of, if not the most important international bilateral relationship. Established in 1999, the G20 was in response to the financial ravages of that time. And even after those wounds on the global economy healed, it remains pregnant with a rich ideal—achieving international coordination of economic policy and financial stability through high-level discussions. But after being around for 17 years, and hosting discussions on various topics, many nations which have been left out of this “big boys” club lambaste it for being another expensive talk shop which has to, sooner rather than later, transform into an “action-oriented” team. Be that as it may, is this a talk-shop that is worth having? These economic leaders of G20 of the most powerful states may be in the same boat but are they all still rowing in the same direction? Here is my layman’s perspective.
TALKSHOP For many reasons, the influential G20 has faced heavy criticism from various sections of the world for being nothing but a talk shop; a forum of drudgery that in the end, gives the impression
that it has lost its zest to find solutions to core issues which can make or break its wishlist of economic policies. There are also questions about the ability of the G20 to implement its plans. In fact, the G20 failure to effectively
address low growth and inequality remains worrying to many globally renowned economists and even those nations which stand on the sidelines of the meetings held by the group. One other weakness of the high level group is the fact that it leaves out more than four-fifths of the world’s countries, causing some to denounce it as not to be trusted. Because of this very fact, excluded nations have cried out that the absence of their voice at this forum undermines the G20 value and the impact it may want to have on issues of global importance. While space does not permit me to discuss at length, the issues the G20 are still failing to address, I will focus on one of the perceived weaknesses of the G20 summit—its inability to truly address corruption. Many international economists have repeatedly stated that a tangible improvement on issues such as corruption which goes hand in hand with poverty is yet to be seen.
Weighing in on this topic recently was the international anti-corruption body, Transparency International. This body firmly believes that it is time for the G20 to take a hands-on approach to actually find ways and means to stop the tide of dirty money. T r a n s p a r e n c y International also believes that corruption is a crossborder problem requiring cross-border collaboration between Governments and law enforcement globally. It however welcomes the fact that anti-corruption remains on the G20 agenda. It insists that The G20 must realize that most of the world’s corrupt money is sitting in member countries. It stressed that the buck stops with the group members to end the system that allows them to benefit from corrupt wealth. It maintained that the new principles may seek to place emphasis on facilitating the return of people accused of corruption, who have fled overseas and thus deny them safe haven. T r a n s p a r e n c y
International is of the view that this approach would be a shift from the current preventative approach the G20 has taken, adopting a Denial of Entry network in 2012 which seeks to ensure that corrupt individuals are denied the right to enter into countries in the first place, should there be conviction or sufficient other information. Another preventative approach, it said, that G20 countries should take is to strictly monitor the ”golden visa” policies offered by certain jurisdictions (including G20 countries Australia, France, the UK and the US) that offer residency and/or citizenship to people who proffer significant investment sums. T r a n s p a r e n c y International further insists that the G20 should focus on stopping the instruments used to hide corrupt money – secret companies – and getting countries to enforce strict policing of the enablers of corruption that use these instruments: bankers, lawyers and real estate companies. It should be noted however that the G20 has pledged to fight corruption in various ways, including denying safe haven to corrupt officials and the proceeds of corruption, and further strengthening efforts to combat money laundering. ACHIEVEMENTS In spite of its challenges, the G20 remains an important forum and there isn’t at the moment, a substitute for it.
Sunday September 25, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Islamic organisation head begins Caribbean tour tomorrow NEW YORK, USA — The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) secretary general, Iyad Madani, will tomorrow begin his first tour of the two OIC member states in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Guyana and Suriname. O n We d n e s d a y, h e will arrive in Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname. Accompanying the OIC chief is Agshin Mehdiyev, an Azerbaijan diplomat who is the OIC ambassador to the United Nations. Madani, in an invited
comment, said that his visit to Guyana and S u r i n a m e i s part of his routine tour of OIC member states. One of the goals of his visit is to assess Guyana and Suriname’s expectations of the OIC. Madani will share with the leaders of these countries some of the products and support that the OIC can offer them. He also wants to “engage Guyana and Suriname” in stronger OIC ties. Madani will hold meetings with presidents Desi Bouterse of Suriname and David Granger of Guyana.
Foreign Minister Niermala Badrising of Suriname will also hold discussions with Madani. The OIC head will also meet with civil society in both countries. Badrising said that Suriname is excited to welcome the OIC head to her country, especially at a time when ties between Suriname and the OIC have significantly expanded. During the visit, various agreements between Suriname and the OIC in the field of education, economics, and trade will be signed. Agreements to
The Baccoo Speaks This fight against violent crime is turning out to be a game of catch me if you can. A group of young men are now daring the police to catch them in the act. That is why they stage bold daylight gunpoint robberies. The police will actually catch on group of young men but would fail to realize that those caught are only a small part of this wider group that is chal-
lenging the police. ** There was the parent who barged into a school and slapped a child. Another such
incident would cause terror in another school because a relative would attempt to use a gun to react to what he would later say was an act of bulling. ** Night spots are supposed to be places of entertainment but the preponderance of guns would make them akin to those bars in the Wild West. A quarrel would erupt and guns would come out but there would be a speedy police intervention.
commence Islamic banking in Suriname will also be finalized. Badrising said that the Islamic Development Bank (ISDB), an organ of the OIC, is supporting the economic stabilization and recovery policies of Suriname with a soft loan of approximately US$1.8 billion. Of this money, her government is planning to invest US$1.278 billion in five sectors – agriculture, healthcare, finance, transportation and infrastructure, and tourism. This week in Paramaribo, Bouterse praised the OIC. He said that “Suriname has a golden opportunity” with the US$1.8 billion in financing that the ISDB has offered his country. While in New York to address the 71st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on behalf of Bouterse, Badrising held bilateral meetings with Bahrain and Saudi Arabia,
two OIC members, in her quest to bring foreign direct investment to Suriname. She also had informal talks with Madani during an OIC reception in New York. No officials from Guyana attended the reception. Guyana, on the other hand, is sending conflicting messages to the OIC. After a pledge by Granger in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he met Madani earlier this year, to improve its ties with the OIC, his government snubbed the OIC by not attending the last heads of government summit, which was held Turkey earlier this year. Guyana also doesn’t attend smaller meetings of the OIC due to the lack of funds budgeted by its foreign ministry, one Guyanese diplomat confirmed. However, two insiders who worked for the government of Guyana for decades, claim that there is a level of Islamophobia that existed in the previous and current government sitting in
Georgetown. There exists also a misconception that the 57-member OIC bloc is a religious organisation. Suriname and Guyana were fortunate to have joined the OIC in the 1990s. The OIC has closed its door to new membership for decades now. Today, many countries are knocking at the door of the OIC with the objective of exploiting the economic benefits the group offers. The following countries are waiting to the join the OIC: Brazil (since 2011), South Africa (since 2002), and Sri Lanka (since 2008), the Philippines (since 2008), Serbia (Since 2008), Nepal (since 2008), Democratic Republic of Congo (since 2008), Republic of Central Africa (since 2002), Mauritius (since 2002) and Kenya (since 2011). Like Guyana and Suriname, Muslim minority states, Benin, Cameroon, Gabon, Togo, Ivory Coast, Mozambique, and Uganda, are members of the OIC. (Caribbean News)
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Kaieteur News
Sunday September 25, 2016
The killer, the taxi driver and the girl By Michael Jordan They say that revenge is a dish best served cold. The gunman that was waiting to kill Balram Jadoonauth might not have known this proverb, but his unhurried manner suggested that he knew that his task required patience, rather than blind rage. Dennis Street, Campbellville, was practically deserted around 2:30am on Sunday, April 15, 2012, when 24-year-old taxi driver Balram Jadoonauth headed to his parents’ home after working through the night at the GR Taxi Service. He had just reached the entrance to the Lot 25 residence when the waiting gunman fired. One bullet struck Jadoonauth in the left shoulder. Another punctured his liver and a third pierced one of his lungs. The wounded man managed to drive a short distance before crashing into a lamp pole. The sound awoke some residents, who ran to the scene. They contacted the police and an ambulance took
Jadoonauth to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where he died shortly after. From their home, Jadoonauth’s parents also heard the gunshots. They assumed that what they had heard was the sound of a vehicle backfiring, and went back to sleep. They did not learn the truth until later that morning when police ranks rapped on their door to inform them that someone had gunned down their son in front of their home. Police were quick to observe that the killer had not made off with the young man’s gold jewellery or his wallet. They didn’t have far to look for a motive. Jadoonauth’s parents were not only certain that they knew who had killed their son, they also believed that they knew why he was slain. At the time, the young taxi driver was having an affair with the wife of another man, who was also a taxi driver. According to relatives, the husband was aware of the relationship and had threatened Jadoonauth.
The young taxi driver took the threats seriously enough to make a report at the Kitty Police Station. A few hours after the murder, police visited the suspect’s East Coast Demerara home and inquired about his whereabouts. A female relative told them that he had spent the entire Saturday night at home. She also said that he had left at around 6:30 the following day for the Cheddi Jagan I n ternational Airport to pick up a cousin who was scheduled to arrive on a seven-thirty flight. Police then searched the premises. They found no incriminating evidence but took the man’s wife, who was said to be Jadoonauth’s lover, into custody. A female relative of the suspect later told me that when he eventually returned, she informed him that the police had asked for him. According to her, she advised the man to go to the Kitty Police Station and he complied. He was then taken into custody.
She also admitted that the suspect and his wife had marital problems, but insisted that he had not killed Jadoonauth. Police obtaine d t e l e phone records which showed that the jilted husband had contacted Jadoonauth several times. The last phone calls were reportedly made just a few days before the young driver was slain. The husband also admitted that he had threatened to kill Jadoonauth over the affair between his wife. He reportedly said that he had even complained to Jadoonauth’s parents. But police said that the man denied killing his wife’s lover, and provided an alibi for his movements at the time Jadoonauth was slain. Forensic ranks swabbed the man’s hands for traces of gunpowder and also impounded and searched his car. Again, they found nothing to link him to his rival’s death. They were also unable to shake his alibi. It was then that police received word that a security
guard, who worked at a nearby premises on the fateful day was claiming that he had seen the suspect near Jadoonauth’s home shortly before the victim was gunned down. But when they took the guard in for questioning, the guard denied saying that he had seen the suspect. They were then forced to release the man. Jadoonauth’s relatives are convinced that detective had held the right man. They are also convinced that there are at least a few people who saw what happened. ”People (in the area) saw what happened. We heard rumours. People saw things, but when it comes to coming forward, no one wants to,” relative said this week. Did the suspect kill BalramJadoonauth and fake
his alibi, with the help of close relatives? Could he have committed such a grisly crime and still manage to drive to the airport to pick up a cousin? Or did he hire someone else to do the deed? Did a security guard really see something suspicious that day? Until someone steps forward, the Jadoonauth family may never know. If you have any information about this or any other unusual case, please contact Kaieteur News by letter or telephone at our Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown offices. Our numbers are 2258465, 225-8473 and 225-8458. You need not disclose your identity. You can also contact Michael Jordan at his email address mjdragon@hotmail.com.
Sunday September 25, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Do Guyanese believe the horizon is freer? One of the factors that kept the culture of silence alive during the PPP regime, beginning with President Janet Jagan, was the ubiquity of fear. Most of the violations of the government from the time of Mrs. Jagan’s presidency until the last days of Donald Ramotar, went unprotected. People lost optimism in politics and became more resigned to the country’s faith of an enduring autocracy. ‘It was under President Jagdeo that the culture of fear took over. The Jagdeo regime went into directions that had no parallel in Caribbean history. Infamous drug traffickers were known to be close to the corridors of power. Prominent dissenters were either arrested or victimized. The independent press was targeted. The State became a colossal oligarch. The culture of fear was preserved because citizens saw the State as invincible. People were resigned to the fact that Mr. Jagdeo could do want he wanted. When the PPP lost power in May 2015, there was a huge outpouring of eupho-
ria. No doubt the overwhelming sentiment was that there would have been greater freedoms, fewer violations, less State intolerance and the culture of fear that so took over Guyana will wither away. This has not happened. On the contrary, naked display of power is making people fearful again. It is unimaginable the complaints people have of State autocracy but more incredible is the fact that an increasing number feel that they should still seek the help of the media, well known human rights activists and other avenues, rather than the elected politicians whom they thought would fashion a horizon of greater freedoms. Not one damn thing has changed in my life as a human rights activist since May 2015. The same cries, pleas, implorations and appeals I received during the Jagdedo/ Ramotar period, I get and I am getting. People came to my gate before 2015. They still do. People at the supermarkets complained to me before 2015. They still do. People inter-
rupted the free flow when I was with my family, to ask for help. They still do. People stopped me in the middle of my National Park perambulations to speak about violations. They still do. People came up after the church service or after at the wedding reception to talk about their plights. They still do. Vendors rushed up to me at the market to sing sad songs of harassment. They still do. People called my cell phone nonstop about police mistreatment. They still do. UG students sought me out with sad tales of a dysfunctional school. They still do. People would stop me at the court entrance to describe their sad ordeals with the judicial system. They still do. I endured all these attitudes before 2015. They were
a weight on my life. I fought the battle in May 2015 to change Guyana into a freer land. But where is the freer land? All the encounters that so burdened me before 2015, are still resting on my conscience sixteen months after may 2015. Every word that is written here about my human rights experience before 2015 and the continuation of such experience after 2015 is true. I heard so many dehumanizing tales of wrongs committed against the poor and powerless that on many occasions I went home depressed. I am still going home depressed. I recount some encounters as recent as last week and readers will see how an unchanging country this is. The acting Police Commissioner of Police can tell you; I wrote to him just last week. The injustice and violations are not coming from
State institutions only. They take in the entire gamut of private and public power. How do you explain what is taking place at City Hall, NCN, the saga of libel threats against the Guyana National Broadcasting Agency, exploitation at private security firms, barefaced sentence disparities in the courts among other social morbidities yet we are supposed to be freer country after the PPP lost the 2015 elections. How do you explain this continuation of morass, pessimism and autocracy? A newspaper column will not be sufficient to explain it. A discourse on the subject will involve deep intellectual reflections. But a brief note can start the polemic. Guyana has not experienced a more encouraging, optimistic horizon because it
Frederick Kissoon has not produced post 2015 leadership that has shown any vision of transforming Guyana into a land of liberty and justice. Once such leadership is absent, old ways, old habits, old style, old instincts of enduring authoritarianism will continue. Powerful people with private and public power, moneyed people, people with status and authority will continue to brutalize the poor and powerless.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday September 25, 2016
State of the Industry... Public Infrastructure Ministers spotlight major projects Ministers David Patterson and Annette Ferguson met with the media recently to provide for the general public updates on the progress of major developmental projects nationwide. In two segments, we will encapsulate these progress reports. Human Capacity Building This is one not insignificant retardant to the progress of projects, large and small, especially in the hinterland regions. The Ministry requires many more competent and qualified skills to design and oversee such projects as the Airstrip rehabilitation programme, and construction of bridges and community roads. The reality is that graduates from UG’s Technology Faculty (esp. architects, civil, mechanical and electrical engineers) are not attracted to the public service because of the current remuneration
packages. Earlier this year we lost Walter Willis to the ‘Grim Reaper’. He was one of our most consistent Civil Engineers and project overseers and there remain many more places to fill. By the end of 2016, the Ministry will very likely get approval for its plan to address this issue. Our promise was to create job opportunities and that we will do. Cheddi Jagan Airport Expansion Already all of the 2016 budgetary allocation for this project has been expended but the project has not ground to a halt. At the end of August 2016, $3.88B had already been spent and the completion date, December 2017, remains in place. This project is not just about buildings, fittings and runways. Airport security and a revamp of the entire operations are also on the cards. The Ministerial team has met with representatives from
China Harbour Engineering Corporation (CHEC), the company that was contracted some years ago to execute the expansion and rehabilitation project. It involves a new 10,800 ft. runway and the expansion and renovation of the existing terminal. The PPP plan before the Coalition’s revision included the construction and relocation of a brand new airport building, relocation of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, the Timehri police station and car park. The cost overruns would have been inordinately high. The base contract with CHEC was for US$150 million. The items mentioned above would have over run this cost by more than US$65M, so Minister Patterson had a meeting with CHEC to iron out several thorny issues which
were not disclosed to the Coalition pre-election. Will the Private Sector become part of the solution? The Ministers also met with leaders/members of the business support organizations led by the Private Sector Commission’s Infrastructure sub-committee. The parties discussed several issues including rehabilitation and modernization of the Georgetown Harbour; the progress of plans to build a new corridor between Georgetown and the international airport; rehabilitation of the existing Demerara Harbour Bridge and the construction of a new one; opportunities for rapid development of the business sector on the impending oil and gas (hydrocarbon) industry; and lucrative alternative sources of energy. From the private business end, for many years business has been affected by high capital rents, infrastructural constraints, poor labour quality, high cost of productivity, inefficient transportation and communication facilities, poor domestic demand for their manufactured products and some services, an inability and insufficiency to penetrate foreign markets, non-tariff barriers at foreign ports even in the Caribbean and Latin America, and more. Minister Patterson has given a commitment to the PSC that he would meet with their representatives for discussions and updates at least on a quarterly basis to foster a more productive relationship, and to quicken the pace at which commerce, manufacturing and services industries adapt and grow. Returning Normalcy to power supplied by GPL The Minister has also given the assurance that the
damage to GPL’s submarine cable would be repaired and the cable reconnected to the Demerara/Berbice Interconnected System by mid-November 2016. In addition, everything humanly possible is being done to restore a 24hour power supply to the new town of Bartica. GPL is currently facing a true test of its capabilities to provide uninterrupted electricity to its customers, and its capacity to rebound from unforeseen problems. The US$5M submarine cable was laid by the China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CMC) 3 meters deep in the Demerara riverbed silt in the vicinity of the Navigational Channel. A few weeks ago the cable was dislodged, dragged and damaged, and a it became inoperable. Power supply to sections of Regions 3, 4, and 5 has been affected, severely in some places. In addition, the power supplied to Bartica was also severely diminished after two of the town’s three power generators went down. One engine was/is undergoing a major overhaul and it was expected back in operation last weekend. One interim measure to assuage the Barticians’ discomfort was the early relocation of a generating set from Onverwagt, West Berbice. Minister Patterson assured that he will leave no stone unturned to relieve the residents’ discomfort. In the meantime, GPL is seeking the best resources to repair or replace the damaged sections of the submarine cable and reset it in the river bed. Initially the cable had been buried three meters deep inside hardened silt in the
Demerara River between the Kingston Power Station and the West Bank. However, discussions are underway for the expert (most likely foreign) company that is commissioned to conduct the repairs, to re-bury the cable at least nine meters deep by midNovember. MoPI has also raised with GPL the possibility of acquiring a second cable to link the East and West Demerara grids. Modernizing Port Georgetown This has brought to the fore the previously hotly debated, thorny issue of modernizing Guyana’s main Port, and dredging the Demerara Navigational Channel to literally dig out at least three meters of hardened ‘clayey’ silt from the river bed, then remove the several meters more of sling mud beneath which contributes to the growing height of the riverbed. In short, the higher the silt rises, the more difficult it will become for heavy vessels to enter Port Georgetown. Already the business community is forced to pay higher tariffs and charges for smaller quantities of imports or exports that have to be ferried on small feeder vessels. The large cargo ships get stuck in the navigational channel, even at high tide. The previous PPP government had demanded that the private business owners operating in Port Georgetown find the financing to upgrade security, bouys, emergency and other port facilities, as well as dredge the 20 years worth of silt sitting on the Demerara riverbed. This issue is multi-dimensional and will be examined further in next Sunday’s offering.
Sunday September 25, 2016
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Kaieteur News
My column
When a Chinese contractor in Guyana carried coals to Newcastle It is amazing how much Guyanese imitate the rich ion the developed world and how little they are prepared to work for their own development. It is also remarkable how people take us for granted and attempt to do us everything possible under the sun. I already expressed gross disappointment at the fact that we are importing even drinking water when we have no ends of bottled water companies in Guyana, some of them so large that we cannot use all the water they would produce. Of course, I remember the first time I encountered bottled water. It was in the United States and I actually called it a sin that people would have to buy drinking water. But our screwed up potable water system soon saw us using bottled water, just like people in the developed country. We had become sophisticated because we could not take the time to boil water. Cooking gas was too expensive to waste on a pot of water every day. And the bleach that they recommended provided people with a hearty dose of diarrhea if they were to put too much in the water. So the option is to buy. There are carts and trucks driving around the city and its environs offering bottled water for sale but our enterprising businessmen insist on importing water. When Rabbi Washington had his people produce plantain chips by the roomful there were those of us who did not hesitate to buy. The name Rabbi became synonymous with plantain chips. Today, were are importing plantain chips from Trinidad, thus rob-
bing some Guyanese a chance of making a living. I sat with Finance Minister Winston Jordan and lapsed into Memory Lane when he spoke of women who made sugar cakes—chipped and grated, the people who made those ice blocks, the sno-cone vendor and all those enterprising people. Many fed their families on the proceeds. Some went on to bigger things. Minister Jordan spoke of candied Carambola. I remember the women of Mahaica who met trains to sell fish and bread. The trains are gone but the craving for fish and bread still remains. Such an occurrence goes beyond the culinary delights. This past week my newspaper broke the story that the contractor fashioning the expansion to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport has opted to import stone. This is a travesty. Guyana produces the best quality stone that can be found in the region. The price at which stone is being sold in Guyana is matchless. To make the use of local stone even more profitable is the fact that the transportation cost would be drastically reduced. However, without rhyme or reason the Chinese contractor announced that it was importing stone from Suriname. The first shipments have already arrived. When reporters asked the government about this development, Minister Dominic Gaskin said that there was nothing that precluded the contractor from importing stone. He said that the contract drafted between Winston Brassington and the
Chinese contractor, China Harbour Engineering Company, stipulated that the sand for the project would come from the vicinity of the project. It was silent on the source f the stone. To make matters worse, Guyana cannot restrict the importation from Suriname because of the Treaty of Chaguaramas that makes the Caricom region one huge market. It means that bringing stone from Suriname or from any Caricom country is the same as buying stone in Guyana. This mere fact is taking food from the bread of the Guyanese workers but to the Chinese, this is irrelevant because out importers do the same thing. Somehow, I have a feeling that this decision may have something to do with an attack on the national economy. I can’t see an importer going out of his way to put money into the pocket of a Surinamese producer for no apparent reason. But then again, I am not a contractor. People take my leaders for granted and they are such nice people that they do not want to annoy anyone. But they seem to have annoyed a lot of people in Canada where I spent a part of my vacation, recently. That is another story because I have to talk to these leaders about promises they made to the Canadian Diaspora and what they failed to deliver. I know that some expected jobs but there were those who said that they have business plans but that their proposals are not being attended to. Yet it is this act that involves the importation of
stone that gets me. China was not keen when the United States, as part of the trade agreement, sought to sell cars to China. I don’t think this ever happened Countries do not import what their people can produce in sufficient quantities. Another thing that makes me realize that the national leaders are nice people is the sloth with which the findings of cer-
tain investigations are being addressed. Such is the sloth that former Presidents Donald Ramotar and Bharrat Jagdeo actually said that the audits found nothing but that he government is using them to embarrass people who are supporters of the People’s Progressive Party. Even the prosecution of Carvil Duncan is being seen as an act of embarrassing Duncan and the PPP. The
Adam Harris importation of stone when Guyana has a surfeit could be the last straw.
PAGE 30
A child’s education begins long before birth. It is said: “The proper time to influence the character of a child is about one hundred years before he is born.” Anglican Dean, William Ralph Inge, the author of this aphorism, meant that the quality of a child’s education is not the result of a sudden event, a short experience or a swift encounter. It is rooted in the values inculcated in that child by her or his parents and grandparents and distilled through decades. The school is essential. The teacher is vital. The best education, however, starts in the home. The family is fundamental to life-long learning. It is in the home, under the protective watchfulness of parents – especially of mothers who are the child-bearers, child-rearers and child-carers – that education commences and continues. The Ghanaian educator, James Emmanuel KwegyirAggrey, reminds us of the
Sunday September 25, 2016
Kaieteur News
Every child in school Fanti proverb: “If you educate a man, you educate an individual but, if you educate a woman, you educate a nation.” We respect our mothers who are our first teachers; we respect girls who will also become wives and mothers and who will teach their children as they have been taught. Every Guyanese child has a right to education. Education is an entitlement. The benefits of that entitlement can be obtained only if every child has access to primary and secondary education, only if that child attends school and only if that child attains the ultimate objectives of education by completing his or her schooling. The State has theresponsibility, in accordance with the Constitutionof the Cooperative Republic of
Guyana,which prescribes: “…It is the duty of the State to provide education that would include curricula designed to reflect the cultural diversities of Guyana and disciplines that are necessary to prepare students to deal with social issues and to meet the challenges of the modern technological age.” Education is a public good. Society must participate in the promotion of thatpublic good. Parents, teachers and members of societyought to combine their efforts to ensure that every child attends and remains in school until she or he is ready to graduate. Guyana’s education policy must ensure that every child can and does go to school. The Ministry’s mandate, the Ministry’s mission and the Ministry’s motto, must be: ‘Every-child-in-
school’. Every Guyanese child must become an ‘A’ student. This means that every child must be assured of access to school, must be enabled to attend school and be equipped with the knowledge to attain a satisfactory standard of education. Access to education means that sufficient institutions of learning are available and are equipped to impart quality education to all, including the visually and physically challenged. The State is committed, within its means, to ensuring that there are sufficient schools in the country. The State is committed, also, to ensuring that these schools provide a suitable environment for effective teaching and learning. The State will expedite the repairs, renovation and
rehabilitation of old schools and embark on the construction of new schools. These investments are aimed at ending the practice of parents’ having to protest the overcrowding and physical conditions at some schools. The State should aim at ensuring that every school has sufficient qualified teachers capable of delivering a high standard of education. The objective is to ensure that, as soon as possible, every teacher should be a university graduate. The State should ensure that schools become pleasant places which are conducive to effective learning. Schools must be well ventilated, be endowed with adequate space, comfortable furniture, sanitary facilities and potable water. Every school, eventually, must aim at having an administrative office, assembly room, dining hall, gymnasium, library, recreational ground and fully functional science and computer laboratories. Every school must aim at embracing our national ‘green agenda’ of planting gardens and trees, of generating energy for electricity from solar or wind sources and for the safe disposal of solid waste. Every Guyanese child should aim at attending school regularly. The ‘Everychild-in-school’ policy means that the state and society have a duty to ensure that every child can attend school. Attendance at school is related to higher academic performance and a deeper sense of self-discipline. Children who absent themselves from school often find it difficult to keep abreast with their studies and with their peers. Guyana cannot become an ‘education nation’ when 4,000 students drop-out of our primary and secondary s c h o o l s e a c h y e a r. T h e State will continue to help mothers to acquire uniforms, transportation and mealsto help them to send their children to school. Long distances, espe-
cially in some riverine communities, can be a disincentive. Children who have to paddle for hours or walk several kilometres will be too tired to study when they reach school and will be too tired to do their homework when they reach home. The State – by providing bicycles, boats and buses – aims at making attendance affordable and comfortable. The State, by providing parents with uniforms and footwear will ensure that children are dressed respectably. The State, by providing daily hot meals will ensure that children can concentrate on their studies. Attainment means completing one’s studies and graduating with qualifications and certification which would allow students to enter the world of work as adults. The ‘Everychild-in-school’ policymust result in higher levels of educational attainment. Every Guyanese child should graduate from school with the knowledge, skills and values that would allow her or him to advance to higher education or to secure regular and remunerative employment. Every Guyanese child should aim at completion of her or his studies and atleaving school with the confirmation, verification and qualification which prove that schooldays were not wasted. Students must have the assurance that, when they graduate, they can employ themselves or that they can satisfy the needs of our industries and will be able to contribute to making Guyana a better place in which to live. The foundatio n o n which an education nation will be erected is laid in the home. It is built on satisfying occupation in the office, at the factory or on the farm or other workplace. The school is the pathway between the home and the world of work. The Every-child-inschool’ policy means that we are investing in the future and that we are closer to ensuring ‘a good life for all Guyanese’.
Sunday September 25, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Facts about food poisoning By Dr Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine Food poisoning is a very common occurrence worldwide. Patients that have food poisoning will go through the bout and most often recover. A small few can become significantly dehydrated or develop a systemic infection. Children and the elderly are most often susceptible to this. Today I will highlight some important facts about food poisoning so that we can all be more aware about this common condition. What is food poisoning? Food poisoning is an illness that can cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Food poisoning is caused by eating food that contains germs, such as bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Viruses are the most common causes of food poisoning. The norovirus is the most common viral cause of food poisoning. Two examples of bacteria that are common causes of food poisoning are Salmonella and E. coli. How can germs get in food? Germs can get in food in different ways: %People who are sick can spread their germs to the food they cook if they do not wash their hands before they touch the food. %Germs can live in or on food. If food is not washed or cooked enough, the germs in it or on it can infect people. Foods that are left for long
periods without proper storage will also harbour germs. %Germs from one food can get on another food. This can happen when a person uses the same cutting board or knife to prepare different foods. What are the symptoms of food poisoning? Symptoms can happen right after a person eats the food, or not until days or weeks later. Common symptoms of food poisoning include: %Nausea or vomiting %Belly pain %Diarrhea that can be watery or bloody %Fever Other symptoms can include problems with the nervous system, such as blurry vision or feeling dizzy. But these problems are not as common. Is there anything I can do on my own to feel better? Yes. You can: %Drink enough liquids so that your body does not get “dehydrated.” Dehydration is when the body loses too much water. %Eat small meals that do not have a lot of fat in them %Rest, if you feel tired When Should I see a doctor? See your doctor if you: %Have severe belly pain %Cannot eat or drink %Vomit blood or have blood in your bowel movements %Have a fever higher than 100.4°F (38°C) Young children and older adults with symptoms should make sure to see their doctor or nurse. That’s because these groups can get dehy-
drated more easily. Do I need to have tests? — Many people do not need to have tests. But it’s possible that your doctor will do tests to check if you are dehydrated or to figure out which germ caused your food poisoning. Your doctor might do: %Blood tests %Urine tests %Tests on a sample of your bowel movement How is food poisoning treated? Many people do not need any treatment, because their symptoms will get better on their own. But some people need: %Antibiotics – These medicines treat bacterial infections. %Fluids through an “IV” – An IV is a thin tube that goes into your vein. People with a lot of diarrhea or vomiting might need IV fluids to treat or prevent dehydration. Doctors do not usually recommend that people take anti-diarrhea medicines. That’s because these medicines can make the symptoms last longer. Can food poisoning be prevented? You can reduce your chance of getting food poisoning or spreading germs that can cause food poisoning by: %Washing your hands after changing diapers, going to the bathroom, blowing your nose, touching animals, or taking out the trash %Staying home from work or school until you feel better (if you are sick) %Paying attention to food
safety. Tips include: •Not drinking unpasteurized milk or foods made with it •Washing fruits and vegetables well before eating them •Keeping the refrigerator colder than 40°F (4.4°C) and the freezer below 0°F (-18°C) •Cooking meat and seafood until well done
•Cooking eggs until the yolk is firm •Washing hands, knives, and cutting boards after they touch raw food. Pregnant wome n a n d people whose bodies have trouble fighting off infections can do more things to prevent getting food poisoning. If you are pregnant or have trouble fighting off in-
Dr. Zulfikar Bux fections, talk to your doctor about other ways to prevent getting food poisoning.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday September 25, 2016
Sunday September 25, 2016
SUNDAY HOW BAISHANLIN AND OTHER ASIAN TIMBER LOG TRADERS ROBBED GUYANA BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN TAXES Forest specialists, John Palmer and Janette Bulkan, have found a worrying case where Chinese transnational logging company, BaiShanLin Forest Development Inc. and other Asian traders of timber logs have robbed, and are robbing Guyana of billions of dollars in plain sight. According to Palmer, Customs law in Guyana requires the declaration of who is exporting what, to whom and where. It also requires of exporters to state the quantities and quality of what they are shipping as well as what the fair market price is. The duo said that these are requirements in international Customs laws and in the Customs law of Guyana (cap. 82:01, sections 23 (1) (b), 215 (1) and 231 (1)). They opined that brokers who act for exporters must also follow the rules. Captains of ships carrying the exports are likewise liable if they are found making false declarations under sections 157 and 158 of the nation’s laws. It is important to note that false Customs declarations facilitate transfer pricing in the timber log trade, as has been pointed out by Janette Bulkan in the independent Press, for almost a decade. Based on their investigations, the forest experts found that Bai Shan Lin, using its own name and false names of exporters, had a much larger profit margin in Guyana than they were declaring. They found that the Chinese company was making false declarations in the FOB (Freight On Board) price it declared to the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) and to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs and Trade Administration. He told Kaieteur News that Bai Shan Lin under-declared the FOB value as well as falsified the volume/value ratios for the containerized timber and thus paid less than the correct export commission per cubic metre. He said that this is usually set as a percentage of the Free-On-Board; that 17 percent in the case of wamara. Palmer asserted that the super-profit made by the controversial logging company should also be reflected in the audited accounts submitted for taxation by the GRA. The forest expert said that the undeclared super-profit which has not been included in the declared FOB value is the transfer price, presumably paid into some secret tax haven. He said, “We do not know how much of the super-profit has been paid as bribes in Guyana.” To put real figures to this troubling scenario Palmer said that production and export data recorded by the Guyana Forestry Commission for wamara – a dark-coloured impactresistant timber favoured for luxury flooring in China – were over 100,000 m3 in 2014, with 82,000 m3 exported. He said he was able to confirm that the profit made was US$200 per cubic metre. The forest expert said that the declared FOB value for wamara logs logging companies was and still is in the range US$160 to $220 per m3, according to the Forest Products Development and Marketing Council, a subsidiary of the GFC. Palmer said that the estimated CIF value ( cost, insurance and freight) for delivery to a Chinese port is less than US$250/m3, using
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GMSA figures for containerized freight. However, for China Customs records , Palmer said that the declared FOB CIF value for wamara timber logs from Guyana was in the range US$ 700 to $1000+ per m3 during 2015. ”How do we explain the difference between US$ 250 and US$ 700-US$1000+ as the CIF value of wamara logs delivered to a Chinese port, bearing in mind that China Customs are strict about accurate declarations by importers?” ”Clearly there was no processing of the logs while they were in transit in the shipping containers, so no value was being added in transit.” MORE QUESTIONABLE SPENDINGS… GECOM DOLES OUT $92M TO RADIO SUPPLIER FOR INK TONERS …NOW SADDLED WITH LARGE INVENTORY As state auditors continue their probe of a questionable $100M purchase of high frequency (HF) radios for last year’s General and Regional Elections, there are concerns over another set of questionable transactions. From financial records, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) paid over $92M last year for toners- used for photocopiers and printers. No big deal with that except it seemed that GECOM ordered far more than it needed. It has now been left with a huge stock on hand. As a matter of fact, reportedly there is an entire roomful of it at the Coldingen, East Coast Demerara bond. The contracts for the toners were handed to M-Tech Business Solutions, which is owned by Water Street businessman, Michael Brasse. Brasse’s other business, Mobile Authority, is the same one that that supplied the 50 radios that cost $100M. The purchase last year by GECOM is a major scandal that is now being investigated by the Audit Office of Guyana. The purchase of the toners has several stationery suppliers upset with many of them saying they did not even know GECOM wanted them. What would make matters worse for GECOM is the fact that M-Tech reportedly received orders for toners for different printers and photocopiers. It is normal for most companies to go directly to local suppliers. For example, in Guyana, the local agent for Canon copiers and printers is Laparkan. GECOM has several Canon copiers and printers. It also has equipment from Brother, Xerox and reportedly from Hewlett-Packard (HP). Yet there is little evidence that other local agents
were approached. As a matter of fact, payment records for contracts of toner suppliers indicated that GECOM paid over $92.2M last year to MTech. Laparkan received just $1.35M while another business, Andrews Enterprise, received $4.96M for supplying toners last year. These latest revelations would follow that of the radio deal last year with Brasse. Just over a week before the May 11, 2015 elections, the then administration of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) approved $99.5M for the purchase of 50 high frequency (HF) radios. Those radios were supposed to be used by GECOM for communications in the outlying areas on polling day and after. However, there are indications that the radios were never put into use. From documents seen by Kaieteur News, local suppliers were asked to submit quotes in mid-April 2015. Cabinet granted the no-objection to the award of the contract that same month, April, leaving GECOM just days to have the supplier order and import the radios. GECOM insiders and Government officials insisted that based on past experience and other factors, it would have been nigh impossible for the radios to have been delivered by the supplier; checked to ensure that they are operational and then delivered to the outlying areas in time for use on Elections Day, May 11, 2015. What makes observers and others more convinced that the whole deal was a clear plot to dump old radios, that had been brought years before, was the fact the equipment needed installation in the hinterland areas. IMPORTERS COMPLAIN ABOUT JAPANESE GRANT AID CEMENT SOLD ON LOCAL MARKET A number of importers have written Government complaining about cement which was brought in under special conditions but is being sold on the local market. The cement reportedly came into the country as aid to the Guyanese people from the Japanese government under its ‘Non-Project Grant Aid’ and is unfairly competing. Two companies, TCL Guyana Inc. and KSM Investments Inc., wrote to Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, late last month, seeking clarifications. Officials say that around 8,000 metric tons of the cement have been consigned to National Hardware (Guyana) Limited and are currently being sold by National Hardware and other hardware companies.
More shipments may be on the way. Recent advertisements in the media have been promoting the sale of the cement which has its origin in Turkey. The CIMCO brand cement being sold has labels on the front which clearly says “From the People of Japan”. According to Government officials, the importers are complaining that such labelling is applicable only when a commodity is provided as aid to a country. And such aid should be distributed freely and not sold. Among the information contained in the labelling at the back of the bag is the following: “FUNDED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN UNDER NON-PROJECT GRANT AID FY 2013.” TCL Guyana Ltd imports from Trinidad while KSM Investments Inc is the exclusive importer of Domicem brand cements from the Dominican Republic. The importers are reportedly contending that the Japanese government is likely to have paid all the shipping costs for the cement while the Government of Guyana would have waived all duties and taxes payable on the shipments since these shipments would have arrived as aid. However, to be “selling a commodity received free under an aid arrangement is scandalous”, according to KSM Investments Inc Chairman/Chief Executive, Mahadeo Panchu. Contacted, Panchu admitted that indeed his company has launched a complaint. He said that his company and another importer of cement have sent a joint letter to the Minister of Business, highlighting their concerns and seeking “certain clarifications”. Panchu said that he is of the understanding that the letter is receiving the attention of the Government. However, the businessman refused to delve into details. However, he did say that there has been an abundant supply of cement and it makes no sense bringing cement as part of an aid package. ”Something is not right here. This arrangement stinks to the high heavens,” he concluded. Both cement importers told Minister Gaskin in their letter that their companies have invested significantly in Guyana and that all they are asking is for a level playing field. The complaint letter was copied to Finance Minister, Winston Jordan; Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge; CARICOM Secretary General, Irwin LaRocque; Rajdai Jaggernauth, Permanent Secretary of the (Continued on page 42)
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(From page 41) Ministry of Business and the Japan Internaional Cooperation Agency. INVESTIGATORS SEIZE COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT FROM YUPUKARI PLANE – RESIDENTS RECALL SUSPICIOUS OVERHEAD FLIGHTS, MOTORCYCLES Members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), the Guyana Police Force’s Criminal Investigations Department (CID), the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and other related agencies, over the past two days conducted an assessment of the twin-engine Cessna Aircraft, which was discovered at Yupukari, Upper Takutu- Upper Essequibo (Region Nine). The team is busy gathering evidence that will assist investigators in uncovering the circumstances under which the aircraft came to be abandoned at the location. Last Saturday morning, a team including Head of CANU, James Singh, and GCAA officials, ventured into the area to further assess the aircraft for damage and capabilities in order to make recommendations on what should be done with it. Additionally, the CANU team is seeking to determine whether the aircraft may have any links to the narcotics trade, the Ministry of the Presidency said yesterday. During a search of the aircraft, several pieces of communication equipment were discovered. These have been secured to be further examined for any potential leads. The ministry said that the police and army are speaking with nearby residents in the hope of turning up leads in the case and this has resulted in a number of them sharing information they deemed as ‘suspicious activity’, such as the presence of motorcycles frequently at midnight in the area. They also reported that the abandoned aircraft has previously been sighted circling the area on numerous occasions in the past. The plane, bearing registration number N767Z, was first brought to the attention of officials on Tuesday by a resident of the area. The following day, Wednesday, a joint army and police patrol, that included CANU, was dispatched to the location to conduct a full investigation. Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, in an invited comment, said that while the Government is yet to receive a full report on what would have transpired over the last few days, President David Granger and the entire Government are committed to ensuring that a full investigation into the matter is completed. The Minister noted that reports received from residents near the area where the aircraft was discovered have raised serious concerns for those involved in the investigation. GWI’S BOSS, BOARD CLASH OVER QUESTIONABLE PROCUREMENT, MANAGEMENT STYLE Managing Director of the Guyana Water Inc., Dr. Richard Van West Charles, is facing pressure at the entity over a number of issues, including accusations of sole sourcing and a poor management style. Over a week ago, the board met on a motion by Chairman Nigel Hinds, to send him on leave pending a full investigation into alleged abuse of authority and possible practice of favoritism at the water company. However, the Board decided not to accept the motion. Instead, the board approved an amended motion that will see a number of meetings set for tomorrow with senior staffers and the board.
The Managing Director was recently under fire for hiring a two-time US convicted person, Lear Goring, to manage its Debt Recovery Unit. The board later ended the services of Lear Goring, saying he was unqualified for the job. A number of senior staffers have given statements to the board raising questions about decisions by the Managing Director. For example, he allegedly approved an $11M contract for the supply of jerry cans in August to his neighbour in Meadowbrook Gardens. A full investigation was carried out with a number of procurement breaches cited. He was also accused of bypassing established procedures, by going out and hiring a number of officials to key positions. There were also a number of procurement breaches cited. Van West Charles reportedly took a questionable decision to shift GWI”s Internal Audit Department to another location away from the Vlissengen Road headquarters. On one occasion, he reportedly demanded the keys to boxes that had tender documents secured inside. However, he was refused and later allegedly abused the staffers. There were also several instances of consultants being hired to do work on GWI’s ICT network but proper procurement procedures were not followed. The tension between the Managing Director and the Board has attracted the attention of the Ministry of the Presidency with Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, who has responsibilities for the water sector. Recently GWI retracted a claim by Van West Charles that the entity collected $1.8B in arrears over the past year. The Managing Director was out of the country. The official came under public scrutiny recently when it became known he was a director of Atlantic Fuels Inc., a company that was granted a fuel import licence late last year. Van West Charles, the son-in-law of former President Forbes Burnham and a onetime Minister of Health, denied that he ever used his office to get the licence. The company is linked to prominent businessman, Alfro Alphonso. Contacted over last weekend, Board Chairman, Nigel Hinds, admitted that a motion to send the Managing Director on leave was tabled last week but it was amended to now see a number of meetings with staffers to gauge the morale of GWI, among other things. He said that matter is engaging Minister Bulkan. MONDAY GECOM HAD SUFFICIENT RADIOS IN STOCK FOR 2015 ELECTIONS – STILL SPENT $100M TO BUY MORE As top officials continue to remain silent in the face of accusations of corruption, insiders want state auditors to start looking for
evidence that the Guyana Elections Commissions (GECOM) had enough radios on hand for the May 11th, 2015 polls. Yet the entity, which is tasked with managing elections in the country, still went ahead and decided to order 50 more. Those “new” radios, from all indications, were never used. They only came a few days before elections and it would have been logistically impossible to deploy and install them in the outlying regions for use on May 11 and the days immediately after elections. It is the belief that those radios, bought since 2006, were dumped on GECOM in a deal involving officials there. GECOM has remained silent on several published stories, only saying that it cannot comment as there is an active investigation by the Audit Office of Guyana. According to top GECOM officials over the last weekend, the allegations have rocked the entity. Already, several staffers suspected of leaking information were reportedly sent on leave while others have been shifted around. GECOM’s records indicate that it had in its possession 20-plus High Frequency (HF) radios similar to what were delivered last year. These have the capabilities of sending signals over long distances and are ideal for use in the remote areas in the hinterlands. It requires a base station, antennas, power supply and other attachments. These were not used. Shockingly, as part of the $100M order, GECOM collected 20 more of those Barrettmade base radios. The model was discontinued since 2009, leaving GECOM facing questions over warranties and spare parts. GECOM also collected a number of smaller ICOM 718 – 30 of them to round off the 50 pieces it wanted for the 2015 elections. Again these were not used. From information provided by top GECOM officials who are upset at the revelations, it can be concluded that GECOM had enough radios to deploy across the country before it entered into that $100M deal. On top of that, GECOM also had in stock over 50 radios which could be carried in special backpacks over long distance and mobilized without the need for antennas. The radio purchases scandal has been rocking GECOM which over the years has had a whistle-clean reputation. Following the breaking of the story of the radio purchases, the Australian manufacturer, Barrett Communications, through its European office, distanced itself from last year $100M transaction by GECOM. Barrett said it did tender but from its information, the order was cancelled by GECOM. From all indication the radio in GECOM’s possession was from a 2006 purchase. Barrett complained that it is convinced that handing the contract to Mobile Authority breached procurement procedures.
Just over a week before the May 11, 2015 elections, the then administration of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) approved $99.5M for the purchase of 50 high frequency (HF) radios. GOVT. SHUTS DOOR ON NEW BAISHANLIN INVESTORS –TROTMAN The Government of Guyana is no longer looking out for those investors who had acquired 55 percent of the controversial logging company—BaiShanLin International Forest Development Inc—and were to sign new investment agreements here. Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman said that the Government has been more than lenient. He said that the administration gave the investors enough time to come to Guyana and take the necessary actions. Despite being “given a long rope”, Trotman said that the investors’ interest did not materialize. ”No reason has been given why they did not come and the government and the GFC (Guyana Forestry Commission) felt that it was important to proceed with the necessary actions,” said Trotman. The Minister made reference to a letter which he received in July indicating that the investors in China were having difficulties obtaining visas to travel to Guyana. He said that he intervened and spoke to Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge as well as the Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix asking the both of them to clear any problems that might have existed. Trotman said that he was given all assurances that should persons present themselves as investors in the forest sector, they would be facilitated as a matter of national interest. ”I knew of no other impediments to the investors coming.” Trotman said that there was correspondence from the investors indicating that they would have been in Guyana by August the latest. “So we put August 31 as the deadline and having not received any word I believe the GFC was in its right to proceed.” The fact that BaiShanLin investors pulled a no show is what caused the GFC to move to repossess concessions held by BaiShanLin. The Chinese company was in control of a major portion of Guyana’s forest which has been acquired through what has been described as the illegal acquisition of concessions held by other local companies. The GFC said that its decision came after the company failed to deliver on agreed steps to introduce investors to the Commission and having been given time to prove that it had an acceptable plan to clear an approximately $80M debt to the GFC. The commission said that representatives of the BaiShanLin were (Continued on page 43)
Sunday September 25, 2016
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(From page 42) invited to a meeting in April to provide an update on its plans to clear the debts. During the meeting, representatives cited financial constraints which affected the establishing of the wood processing facility and said that the company was engaging a new partner that would contribute significantly to their investment in Guyana. TUESDAY GOLDMINER FINED FOR BITING SPOUSE ON LIP Almost everyone is aware that laughing is not allowed in a courtroom. It is considered inappropriate behaviour. But on Monday last, persons seated in the courtroom of Magistrate Judy Latchman laughed heartily after a gold miner was fined for biting his girlfriend on the lip. What was even more interesting is the reason 24-year-old Mark Gonsalves opted to bite the young woman. “I got a feeling she was cheating on me; that she had another man with me,” an unrepresented Gonsalves told the Magistrate. Gonsalves was charged for unlawfully and maliciously wounding Lorrian Hope, so as to cause her actual bodily harm on April 1, at Block E South Sophia. He pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay a fine of $40,000 or in default 14 days’ imprisonment. Hope told the court that on the day in question; she was walking to work when Gonsalves attacked her. In the process, she said Gonsalves snatched her handbag and threw it into a nearby trench. According to Hope, a scuffle ensued and Gonsalves bit her on the lip. $100M PAID FOR GECOM RADIOS… OPPOSITION DEMANDS AUDIT FINDINGS BE MADE PUBLIC A number of questionable multi-milliondollar transactions by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) last year have drawn in the Opposition. Over the last weekend, the Office of the Leader of the Opposition called for the findings of an investigation currently being conducted by the Audit Office of Guyana to be made public. ”The Office of the Leader of the Opposition notes with deep concern the allegations of irregularity and the implications of corruption in the procurement by GECOM of a number of radio communication sets which were intended to be used in the 2011 and 2015 General and Regional Elections and the corresponding silence of the Chairman of the Elections Commission, Dr. Steve Surujbally, and the Chief Elections Officer, Mr. Keith Lowenfield, in respect of these allegations,” a statement said. It was pointed out that as an independent constitutional body, GECOM enjoys financial, functional and operational autonomy and like every agency which is financed with public funds, must account in a transparent manner for the expenditure of these funds. The Office of the Leader of the Opposition said the revelations would come at a time when there is an elections petition filed by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic, that is before the courts. ”We are aware that GECOM has seen it fit to expend herculean efforts and a tremendous amount of time in attempting to dismiss and/ or delay the hearing and determination of the Elections Petition filed on behalf of the PPP/C because it will expose the electoral machinery and system administered and managed by
GECOM to public scrutiny – an exercise which they fervently wish to avoid,” the office charged. ”In the circumstances, we welcome the decision to conduct an audit of these transactions by the Office of The Auditor General and we demand that the findings of this audit be made public.” MMC SHOOTING…‘NO ONE EXPECTED HIM TO SHOOT’- EYEWITNESS Security guards, who witnessed the shooting of their colleague, Herbert Verwayne, on Saturday, by another, are shocked by the ordeal which they say could have been avoided had they known the suspect was going to pull the trigger. Verwayne’s colleagues said that he was someone who made “rough” jokes with other workers. According to reports, the 36-year-old man was once threatened by another worker for his insulting remarks. On the morning he was killed, the father of four was supposed to meet with management and a female guard. Reports are that Verwayne insulted the female guard, forcing her to seek management’s intervention. At the time of the shooting, the driver, who was attached to the MMC Security Service and the female were waiting in the compound to meet with senior staffers. A staffer who asked not to be named said that on the morning of the shooting, the victim was talking with co-workers when he was confronted by the suspect, who was armed with a gun. ”They had this heated argument and Verwayne told him (suspect) to shoot. I think it was a matter of pride that caused him to shoot because a lot of men were there and (the victim) told him to shoot but no one expected (the suspect) to shoot,” the employee said. This newspaper was told that from the time Verwayne started working at the security company, he started picking on the suspect and repeatedly made “very insulting” remarks at him. It is suspected that the victim and suspect were known to each other prior to working at MMC. The police said that Verwayne was shot to the neck—at close range during a confrontation with the suspect, in the presence of his colleagues. The dead man’s mother, Eslyn Verwayne, said that she was at home when she received a call that her son had been shot. ”When I come to the hospital, the doctor said that they tried to save him but because he was shot at close range, it was difficult,” the woman said. She was informed that her son and a coworker had some problem at the workplace during which he was shot dead. ”Two nights ago, he wanted to leave the job because of some problem. He was going to give them the uniform back but he eventu-
ally went to work,” the woman said, adding that her son had only been working at the security firm for a little over a month. According to the older Verwayne, she was informed by one of her son’s colleagues that he was gaffing with other workers when the suspect walked up to him and accused him of saying something to one of his relatives before shooting him. WEDNESDAY AFAMILY RACKET?… GECOM BUYS $14M IN PLIERS/NIPPERS FROM BROTHER OF RADIO SUPPLIER How many pliers would it take to run an election? That is the multi-million-dollar question now being asked. More than two weeks before the May 11, 2015, General and Regional Elections, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) spent almost $15M on nippers and pliers. The purchase is not only raising eyebrows for that extraordinary amount but also for the revelations of who was handed the contract for the supply. It was awarded to a business called Standard Distributors, which has operations on King Street, Lacytown. Standard Distributors is owned by Mahendra Brasse, the brother of Michael Brasse, a Water Street businessman, who benefitted from almost $290M in contracts from GECOM last year. An audit is currently underway to probe a major contract to Michael Brasse for a $100M purchase of high frequency communications radio sets for the May 11 elections. The sets, from all indications, were never used and there are questions about the urgent reasons advanced by GECOM for those radios in the first place. The radio probe by the Audit Office of Guyana has brought intense focus on GECOM’s spending. A number of alarming things have been unearthed. The fact that Standard Distributors also benefitted from millions of dollars in contracts from GECOM will continue to raise alarm bells and queries about the oversight mechanisms in place to ensure the entity’s spending is above question. Once a budget agency that depended on Government for monies, GECOM has been granted some degree of autonomy, thanks to recent legislations being passed to ensure its independence. However, its books are subjected to scrutiny of state auditors. According to official figures seen by Kaieteur News, Standard Distributors received over $31M in contracts last year. In the first instance, as early as February, it received a contract to supply GECOM with office equipment. This was for $13.3M. On April 24, another contract was entered into for nippers/pliers for the grand sum of
$14.8M. Standard Distributors appeared to also be the general supplier. About five days before elections, it was contracted to rent “cushion chairs”. For this Standard Distributors was paid $3.19M. It is unclear what procurement systems GECOM used. The entity, tasked with running elections in Guyana, has refused to respond to the charges of irregularities, saying that there is an active investigation by state auditors. With regards to the nippers/pliers contract, observers are in disbelief that GECOM would use that many. The tools were reportedly needed to cut locks on ballot boxes. Insiders cannot recall $14M in nippers/pliers ever entering GECOM last year. TWO GNBA BOARD MEMBERS ACCUSED OF CORRUPT PRACTICES It seems like the reputation of the Board of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) is getting from bad to worse. Over the past few months, the Board has been deemed to be among the most unproductive appointed by the APNU+AFC administration. To ‘add insult to injury,’ allegations have now surfaced that some members of the Board are acting in their own interest for the benefit of their close friends. This is said to be a situation similar to what prevailed under the rule of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic administration when former President Bharrat Jagdeo handed radio licences to his friends, family and political party. 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. He told Kaieteur News that the 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. Kaieteur News understands that there is an audio recording of the conversation between the broadcaster and one of the board members. The man said that he felt as if he was (Continued on page 44)
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(From page 43) being taken advantage of. He then wrote several letters to the Prime Minister’s Office. Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo has responsibility for the Board The broadcaster was afforded a meeting with Nagamootoo. However, there have been no moves to his knowledge about the actions taken by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that an allegation has been made. ARREST WARRANTS OUT FOR BARRY DATARAM, REPUTED WIFE IN COCAINE TRIAL Arrest warrants were last Tuesday issued for Barry Dataram and his reputed wife after they failed to attend a court hearing yesterday before Magistrate Judy Latchman. The magistrate was scheduled to make a ruling on whether a prima facie case was made out by the prosecution. Dataram, his reputed wife, Anjanie Boodnarine, along with their friends Trevor Gouveia and Komal Charran are accused of having 129.23kg of cocaine in their possession on April 16, 2015 for the purpose of trafficking. They were arrested at Lot 661 Fourth Avenue, Block X Diamond, East Bank Demerara. They are currently out on High Court bail. When the trial continued in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, Attorney for the defendants, Glenn Hanoman said that he was unaware of the whereabouts of Dataram and Boodnarine. Hanoman also said that the defendants were both told that they were required to attend court. The attorney stated that he contacted Dataram earlier on in the day, and he told him that he was on his way to court. Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU) Prosecutor Konyo Sandiford-Thompson asked the Magistrate to continue with her ruling. However, Magistrate Latchman stood down the matter for 10 minutes. When the matter resumed, Hanoman told the court that he was unable to make direct contact with Dataram. The lawyer said he made contact with a female relative of Dataram via phone, who inquired from him the outcome of the matter. According to Hanoman, he was unable to ask the woman about Dataram’s whereabouts since she disconnected the call hastily. Magistrate Latchman adjourned the matter to Friday, for continuation. Gouveia and Charran were warned by the Magistrate to be present in court on that occasion to avoid warrants being issued for their arrest. According to reports, Dataram and Boodnarine share a common law relationship at the Diamond address. While Charran and Gouveia claimed to be friends of the couple. On the day in question, ranks from CANU swooped down on the house and conducted a search in the presence of the defendants. During the search CANU ranks unearthed the illicit drug. It was reported that some of the cocaine was stuffed in frozen seafood, while the remainder was found to be bricks of raw coke. As a result, Barry Dataram who was in the house at the time of the bust, his reputed wife and the other defendants were arrested. Dataram, a Guyana-born American, had successfully fought off efforts to extradite him to the United States of America to face drug smuggling charges. THURSDAY GNBA HEAD LAUNCHES INVESTIGATION INTO REPORTED CORRUPT PRACTICES BY MEMBERS Head of the Guyana National Broadcasting Association (GNBA), Leonard Craig, will be launching an investigation into allegations that two of his board members may have been involved in corrupt practices. The statement from Craig comes on the heels of a report by this newspaper on Wednesday. The said publication made ref-
Kaieteur News
erence to a broadcaster in Essequibo who alleged that two GNBA Board members tried to bully him into selling his operation to a prominent businessman recommended by the two GNBA members. Craig recalled that at a statutory meeting on June 30, last, the GNBA Board discussed the issue of regularizing all cable Broadcasters. He said that it was agreed to have all broadcasters take the necessary steps to become fully compliant with the existing legal framework. Craig said it was agreed that one necessary step for full compliance is for all Cable Broadcasters to enter into a settlement agreement with GNBA to pay all required fees with respect to the period during which they were un-regularized. The GNBA Head said it was agreed that the Chairman of the Legal, Fees and Other Matters Committee would lead a meeting with un-regularized Cable Broadcasters on the Essequibo Coast, to arrive at a negotiated settlement only with respect to payment of fees up to the end of 2016. He said that these operators are expected to (re)apply for licences to operate in 2017 and beyond. Craig stressed in this regard that these Cable Operators have repeatedly requested regularized status for a number of years. Following the rounds of meetings, Craig said that one Cable Broadcaster, Mr. Kenwin Charles, of Northwest TV Inc. asked to meet with him to highlight several concerns. At that meeting, Craig said that Charles made a complaint essentially accusing Anthony Vieira and Victor Insanally of trying to force him out of doing business on the Essequibo Coast where he had made significant capital investments. Kaieteur News understands that Charles also lodged a complaint with Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo. GOVT MOVES TO SELL 5,000 TONNES OF USED TYRES DUMPED AT HAAGS BOSCH Government is moving to sell thousands of used tyres that have been left at the Haags Bosh dumpsite, East Bank Demerara. The “endof-life” tyres have been posing a major environmental and fire hazard at the governmentowned facility. According to a notice from the Ministry
of Communities that was published in Kaieteur News, yesterday, there is approximately 5,000 tonnes of “end-of-life” tyres which is currently stockpiled at the dumpsite. ”The total amount of end-of-life tyres would be sold as one lot. Bids must be placed in sealed envelopes bearing no identity of the bidder on the outside and must be clearly marked on the top right hand corner “Bid for the purchase of End-of-Life Tyres” and addressed and delivered to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communities, Fort Street, Kingston, no later than Thursday 20th, October 2016 at 16:00hrs,” the notice said. The Ministry said bidders can make inspections on weekdays between 09:00hrs-13:00hrs at the site, located behind Eccles. The dumpsite is a new one and came into operation a few years ago. But management, legal and operational issues have been proving a problem. Government sacked the previous manager, BK International and hired a new one, Puran Brothers, on a one-year contract. A few weeks ago, Kaieteur News reported that the dumpsite, which was financed by the Inter-American Development Bank, had stopped accepting metals and tyres at the facility. This was based on instructions received from the Solid Waste Management Department, headed by Gordon Gilkes. MINING BODY RESCUES GIRL, 9, FROM SEXUAL PACT IN PORT KAITUMA Representative of the Guyana Women Miners Association in Region One, Stephanie Miguel, reported last week that she has in her care a nine-year-old girl who has been a victim of human trafficking for over a year. Kaieteur News was informed of the matter by President of the GWMO Urica Primus and immediately made contact with Miguel for further details. According to Miguel, the young girl resided in the Port Kaituma backdam with her parents and two brothers. She said that the girl’s father does not speak English, only his native tongue Carib. Miguel reported that the young girl was handed over to a miner and forced to live with him. The GWMO representative said that it is appalling that a girl at such a young age would be subjected to such inhumane treatment. ”People know what happened in the backdam, and the thing is, people can get charged for not making a report.” She relayed that the man was allowed to have his way with the girl since he would sponsor the family with food supplies regularly. Miguel said that after the issue was finally exposed the girl and her brothers, aged 11 and eight, were taken to the Port Kaituma Police Station. However, she said that the officers could not keep the children at the station; hence a home had to be found for them. According to Miguel the children were to be resettled with a woman but were later seen going home with their mother. Miguel said she then intercepted them and the girl and her brothers have been staying with her for over a week. Miguel said that the man with whom the
Sunday September 25, 2016
girl was forced to live died last Sunday. She added that the girl’s older brother aged 15, has been held in connection with the man’s death. According to her, the welfare officer in the area, Ms. Bibi and the Probation Officer, Collis Jacobs are aware of the situation. She said that the question as to what is the next step with the children is being considered. The children after being away from school for some time were given uniforms and are now attending classes. In a recent article published by this newspaper, the story of sexual harassment plaguing mining communities was shown to be growing in regularity. In the community of Baramita, it was reported by the Guyana Human Rights Association that there were high numbers of unreported cases of young women being lured by wealthy miners in the community. Larry Carryl, Coordinator for Rights of Children, an arm of the GHRA had revealed in an interview there were reports of police ranks taking bribes from miners who are exploiting women sexually. The failure to intervene is widespread. Carryl said that the lure of gold and pervasive drug and alcohol use are being blamed for the high levels of suicide, sexual harassment and physical violence. FRIDAY $14.8M DEAL… GECOM PAID $6,000 FOR A $600 PAIR OF PLIERS As state auditors continue their probe into a number of highly questionable spendings last year by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), one particular transaction is continuing to raise significant concerns. In late April, three weeks prior to the May 11th General and Regional Elections, the entity doled out $14.8M for the purchase of nippers/pliers from a King Street, Lacytown business called Standard Distributors. Those pliers were supposed to be used on ballot boxes at the 2,299 polling stations scattered around the country. Assuming that GECOM bought extra – making the total 2,500- it meant that the entity spent around $6,000 apiece for those pliers. That cost would be a shocking 10 times more than what a similar nipper (not a brand name) would be retailed for on the local market. It meant that for that $14.8M, GECOM could have acquired over 24,000 pieces of pliers at retail prices had it done its homework. Each polling station would have got 10 pliers each. Kaieteur News managed to acquire one of the pliers from a polling station official. The instrument appeared to be of poor quality with a section of the tip already broken off. It does not carry a known brand name, instead the name –TUV Product Service- is stamped on the handle. There is very little information on the internet about TUV. A similar pair of pliers but which appeared sturdier was retailing around city hardware stores for around $600. The pliers’ order by GECOM to Standard Distributors would be among several shocking contracts by GECOM last year to the tune of tens of millions. At the centre of the contract awards are two businesses- owned by two brothers. Between the two brothers, GECOM paid over $320M in contracts last year under questionable procurement processes. GECOM is under investigation by state auditors in a scandal that has dragged in the Opposition- the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic which was in power prior to the May 11 elections. The Opposition has distanced itself from (Continued on page 45)
Sunday September 25, 2016
(From page 44) the transactions of GECOM, saying that the entity asked for the money and it provided. Standard Distributors is owned by Mahendra Brasse, the brother of Michael Brasse, a Water Street businessman, who benefitted from almost $290M in contracts from GECOM last year. PI INTO KNEWS GRENADE ATTACK… GETAWAY CAR PHOTOS TENDERED IN COURT Photographs of the motorcar from which a grenade was allegedly thrown at a Lexus SUV belonging to Glenn Lall, owner of Kaieteur News, was on Thursday tendered and marked. This was done when the preliminary inquiry (PI) into the offence-causing explosion by way of grenade– for which three men are charged— continued before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Janeil Howard, 20, of 322 Section ‘C’ Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara; Alfie Garraway, 36, of Norton Street, Lodge, Georgetown; and Leroy Williams, 25, of 11 Durban Backlands, are accused of conspiring together with other persons to cause an explosion by way of grenade, likely to endanger lives and cause damage to property. The offence occurred on June 4, at Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Garraway is currently out on $300,000 High Court bail. The other accused remain on remand. Police Constable Leslie Williams, who is stationed at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown, gave testimony in relation to the photographic exposures of the vehicle that were taken by him. Constable Williams is also a fingerprint technician and crime scene examiner. Also testifying Thursday was Sergeant Jomo Williams, who is stationed at the East La Penitence Police Station. He gave evidence pertaining to a statement he witnessed Detective Sergeant Rodwell Sarrabo, taking from Garraway at the Ruimveldt Police Station. Sergeant Sarrabo, the Subordinate Officer in charge of the CID Brickdam Police Station and Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Kevin Das were cross-examined by Stanley Moore, attorney for Garraway. Under cross examination Sergeant Sarrabo identified the statement he obtained from Garraway. William is being represented by Attorney Neil Bollers. Attorney Bollers along with Howard, who is unrepresented, declined to cross-examine Sergeant Sarrabo. At a September 15, court hearing Sergeant Sarrabo was called as a witness in the Voir Dire (trial within a trial) which is being conducted to inquire into the circumstances under which a statement was given to Detective Sergeant Hubert Henry by Howard at the Ruimveldt Police Station. The Voir Dire was ordered by the Chief Magistrate after Howard denied giving Sergeant Henry what was written on the third page of the statement. However, despite the accused’s denial the statement was tendered for identification purposes by the Magistrate. Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers has since indicated that he has 10 more witnesses to call. This PI has been adjourned until next Wednesday, September 28. According to reports, on the day in question, a security staffer heard an unusual sound coming from near Lall’s vehicle PRR 8398, which was parked on the western side of Saffon Street. On checking the front of the vehicle, the staffer spotted a grenade lying near one of the front tyres. Video footage from the company’s CCTV
Kaieteur News
cameras showed a grey-coloured vehicle, slowing as it approached Lall’s vehicle. The driver accelerated after the explosive device was thrown. Shemar Wilson also known as ‘Abdue’ is still wanted by the police for questioning in relation to the grenade attack. He is 20 years of age and his last known addresses have been given as 43 North Sophia and 51 West La Penitence, Georgetown. GFC FAILED THE FOREST SECTOR –BULKAN – COMMISSION’S FAILURE TO APPLY DUE DILIGENCE AUDITS ON THE ELIGIBILITY OF APPLICANTS FOR LARGE-SCALE CONCESSIONS IS “REGRETTABLE” The Central Bank of Guyana, which monitors the performance of the nation’s major productive sectors shows that the output from the forestry sector was slower than expected for the first half of the year. Disappointment in this performance was also noted by the Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan. The ‘slower-than-expected’ output of the sector has awakened a conversation among many local analysts about the value added performance of the forest sector and its overall contributions to the economy. In this regard, numerous questions arise, one of which includes, whether the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) has failed to ensure the effective management of the sector in this regard. Forest expert, Janette Bulkan, has written numerous columns on Guyana’s forests and the action that needs to be taken to protect it. She made it clear to Kaieteur News that GFC has a legal mandate when it comes to the management of the State Forests of Guyana, under Section 5 of the GFC Act 2007. She said that it also has a responsibility ‘to provide an inspection, certification and accreditation service for quality control of forest produce’ (section 5 (g)) which is inherited from the earlier Guyana Timber Export Board. Bulkan said that this grading service gives it some status in recording and approving exports, although the legal authority is not clear because of the usual confused drafting of law. She said, too, that the de facto authority of the GFC to sign off export documents
makes it collusive in the Customs fraud practised on a large scale by some Asian log trade r s . Additionally, Bulkan noted that the GFC does not have formal legal authority for the processing of forest products, other than licensing of mills under the Forests Act and Forest Regulations. She asserted that the GFC has produced a technically good code of conduct for lumber yards, a code that it could enforce under its licensing authority. But as with the codes of practice for forest harvesting and management, Bulkan noted that the GFC has failed to implement the section of the Forests Act 2009 to consult and gazette and hence make obligatory, the application of these codes of practice. The forest expert said, “Considering the international selling price (Cost, Insurance and Freight-CIF) for forest produce from Guyana, the small contribution to the national economy of forest management and forest product processing is disappointing. This was one major reason for creating the Forest Department in 1925. One major, perhaps the major, problem is that the processing companies (mostly lumber yards) are small family-owned businesses whose objectives are a comfortable life for the family.” She continued, “These companies are not conventional businesses like DDL. They do not aspire for market dominance. They are absolutely resistant to dilution of ownership through public shareholdings. Consequently, they have little or no saved capital for investment in modern processing or modern marketing or continuous staff training.” Bulkan said that indeed, most of them do no conventional marketing at all, and it is not in the GFC’s legal mandate to intervene directly. She said that is more of a role for the Ministry of Business or the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest). ”What the GFC should do, and what the GFC concession policy of 1993 requires (but it is not applied), is to link forest concession area and forest quality to product processing capacity and quality. This has never been done so far. There are several good-quality and relevant consultancy reports since 1995, waiting to be updated and implemented,” expressed Bulkan.
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SATURDAY CJIA EXPANSION… CHINESE CONTRACTOR BLINDSIDES LOCAL STONE PRODUCERS …AND GOVT. CAN’T DO ANYTHING ABOUT SURINAMESE STONE IMPORTATION – SAYS MINISTER GASKIN Due to the contractual terms of the agreement signed between the Government of Guyana and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), the state cannot prevent the contracting company from importing 300,000 tonnes of crushed stone from Suriname for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport expansion. This was relayed to the press by Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin yesterday during his party’s media conference. Gaskin also said that his government played no role in the procurement of the stones. He said that the previous government had inked the contract with CHEC to do the expansion work. Gaskin believes that it is possible that the People’s Progressive Party Civic government did not foresee that CHEC would source the stone from a foreign entity. According to the politician the contract does not contain any condition that specifies the source from which the stone should be procured. However, he said that the sourcing of sand had a limitation whereby it had to be procured within a certain radius of the airport. ”Under the terms of the contract I don’t think the government of Guyana can tell them (CHEC) that they can’t procure stones from outside of Guyana.” Gaskin was reminded that it was the APNUAFC government which had made some amendments to the contract. He was then asked why is it that greater consideration was not placed on ensuring that local businesses could have supplied all the stone. Gaskin responded that he is unsure of what aspects of the contract were amended. However, he maintained that the essential conditions of the contract were signed before his party came into power and therefore should not be made to answer for what is currently happening. He believes that this particular issue would not warrant the termination of the contract. Despite this, the Minister said that he strongly believes that local businesses should be engaged to benefit from public projects.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 46
The best feeling I get (by Uncle Roy) I feel so nice when I eat Ice cream, cookies and fruit cake, Chocolate, candy and other sweets, As well as burgers, pizza and milk-shake. I also get very happy When I celebrate my birthday Go to the park, seawall and creek, And enjoy Christmas and other holidays.
But the thing that makes me feel the best, And makes me proud indeed, Is when I try to help someone, Or give them something they need. I start by doing more work at home, Then try to make my family feel good; Next I am kinder to all my friends, And help my neighbours in any way I could.
THE THIRD AND LAST DAY OF THE FESTIVAL Family Council
WHILE Rosette was thus sleeping peacefully, the king, the queen, and Orangine and Roussette, purple with rage, were quarrelling and disputing amongst themselves. Each was accusing the other of having brought about the triumph of Rosette and their own humiliating defeat. One last hope remained for them. In the morning there was to be a chariot race. Each chariot was to be drawn by two horses and driven by a lady. It was resolved to give Rosette a very high chariot, drawn by two wild, untrained and prancing horses. "Prince Charmant will have no chariot and horses to exchange," said the queen, "as he had this morning in the case of the ridinghorse. It is easy to find a horse for the saddle but it will be impossible for him to find a chariot ready for the course." The consoling thought that Rosette might be killed or grievously wounded and disfigured on the morrow brought peace to these four wicked beings. They retired and dreamed of the next best means of ridding themselves of Rosette if the chariot race failed. Orangine and Roussette slept but little so that in the morning they were still uglier and more unprepossessing than they had appeared the day before. Rosette, who had a tranquil conscience and contented heart, slept all night calmly. She had been much fatigued and did not wake till a late hour. Indeed, on rising she found she had scarcely time to dress. The coarse kitchen girl brought her a cup of milk and a piece of bread. This was by order of the queen who directed that she should be treated like a servant. Rosette was not difficult to please. She ate the coarse bread and milk with appetite and began to dress. The case of carved ivory had disappeared. She put on as usual her robe of coarse cloth, her pullet's wing, and all the rude ornaments she had brought from the farm and then looked at her self in the glass. She was attired in a riding habit of strawcolored satin, embroidered in front and at the hem with sapphires and emeralds. Her
hat was of white velvet, ornamented with plumes of a thousand colors, taken from the plumage of the rarest birds and attached by a sapphire larger than an egg. On her neck was a chain of sapphires, at the end of which was a watch, the face of which was opal, the back a carved sapphire and the glass diamond. This watch was always going, was never out of order and never required to be wound up. Rosette heard her page at the door and followed him. On entering the salon she perceived Prince Charmant, who was awaiting her with the most lively impatience. He sprang forward to receive her, offered his arm and said with eagerness : "Well, dear princess, what did the fairy say to you? What answer do you give me?" "That which my heart dictated, sweet prince. I consecrate my life to you as you have dedicated yours to me." "Thanks ! a thousand times thanks, dear and bewitching Rosette. When may I demand your hand of the king your father?" "At the close of the chariot race, dear prince." "Permit me to add to my first petition that of being married to you this very day. I cannot bear to see you subjected to the tyranny of your family and I wish to conduct you at once to my kingdom." Rosette hesitated. The soft voice of the fairy whispered in her ear, "Accept." The same voice whispered to Charmant, "Press the marriage, prince and speak to the king without delay. Rosette's life is in danger and during eight days from the setting of the sun this evening I cannot watch over her." Charmant trembled and repeated the fairy's words to Rosette, who replied that it was a warning they must not neglect as it undoubtedly came from the fairy Puissante. The princess now advanced to salute the king, the queen and her sisters but they neither looked at her nor spoke to her. (continued next week)
Sunday September 25, 2016
Phone charger
holder Materials: · Fabric Main Front and Back – 2 pieces 10 1/2″ x 6″ Pocket Front and Back – 2 pieces 7″ wide at top and 6″ wide at the bottom, and 5″ tall · Fusible Fleece – one piece 10 1/2″ x 6 and one piece 7″ x 5″ ·
Ribbon – 10″
·
Pom Pom Trim – 30″
·
1 Plastic Curtain Grommet
To start, cut out all your fabric and fleece pieces. Iron the fleece to the back side of one of the pocket pieces and one of the main pieces. I like to fuse it to the pieces that will be the front, it keeps everything looking nice. Sew the two pocket pieces together just along the top edge, with right sides together and a 1/4″ seam allowances. Fold the pieces so the right sides are out and press. Sew the ribbon 3/8″ down from the top edge, along both sides of the ribbon. Form a little bow with the extra ribbon and hand sew the bow in place. Place the front pocket on the front main piece (the one with the fusible fleece on the back side) and line up the bottom edge and the sides. Sew the sides and bottom down with a 1/4″ seam allowance. Because the top of the pocket is wider, the pocket will stick out from the main piece just a bit. Use a spool of thread as a guide and trim all four corners so they are rounded. Sew your pom pom trim around the edge of the holder, 3/8″ in from the edge. Make sure the pom poms are pointing towards the center. Overlap the trim at the bottom and point it towards the edge, you'll sew over this but it makes a nice tidy look once you turn everything right side out. Put the plastic curtain grommet in place, following the instructions on the package. These just snap into place, super easy. There are lots of grommets in the package so it works out great to make up a bunch of these for friends!
Poets’
Corner
The best feeling I get (by Uncle Roy) I feel so nice when I eat Ice cream, cookies and fruit cake, Chocolate, candy and other sweets, As well as burgers, pizza and milk-shake. I also get very happy When I celebrate my birthday Go to the park, seawall and creek, And enjoy Christmas and other holidays. But the thing that makes me feel the best, And makes me proud indeed, Is when I try to help someone, Or give them something they need. I start by doing more work at home, Then try to make my family feel good; Next I am kinder to all my friends, And help my neighbours in any way I could.
Sunday September 25, 2016
Kaieteur News
TEEN TIME (continued from last week) Last week we put forward the system by which you can develop yourself to your maximum potential by taking the time and trouble to inform your Intuition, or inner wisdom, of the goals and qualities which would guide you into making the best of yourself even when not consciously thinking about it. In your effort at self-improvement, you will need to consider the principles by which you want your life to be guided, and so ensure that your character is aligned to them. You would thus be creating a solid foundation for you to live your life with full confidence that you are on the correct path to the fulfilment of your purpose. From the outset, you should appreciate that you should be both positive and unselfish in these, as any negative and selfish actions can only lead to your demise when it is too late to correct yourself. Those that will prove to best guide your life are:Fairness – a sense of justice; a proper balance of in your judgement which is achieved by the elimination of one's own prejudices and selfish desires. Honesty – dealing according to your conscience all situations, which entails uprightness of character and the adherence to a standard of what is right and proper. Integrity – the ability and willingness to live according to the values that you have adopted as your mode of behaviour, and firm adherence to a code of moral values. Human dignity – the quality of treating everyone in a respectful and sincere manner, and maintaining this attitude for yourself in action and appearance.. Tolerance – sympathy and acceptance for beliefs and
PAGE 47
Poets’ Corner A Principled Life By Uncle Roy As sure as night follows day, and gravity holds us down, So the laws of nature control our motions; If we must live in harmony with all on earth, We have to abide with the natural regulations. And just as our material world is ruled, So too our behaviour needs control; We must adopt the principles that make us human, Or we will never achieve worthy goals.
practices of others which differ from or conflict with one's own. Peacefulness – development of an attitude devoid of violence or force, with calmness or state of being too reactive when confronted by conflict, agitation or commotion. Respect for nature – high regard for natural things, inculcating a desire to live a life which is attuned to nature's cycles; conservation in dealing with or using the creatures and things that nature provides. Loyalty – quality of being unswerving in allegiance; faithfulness to a person, cause, custom or institution to which this is due.
Man was given a free will to choose The manner he would steer his life; You have the option - whichever you take Will determine whether you end in peace or strife. We oftimes allow others our actions to dictate, As we tend to react to what they do; Nay, we should ever strive to be proactive, And behave as we know is true. So take the time to decide for all time The principles to say how you will act, Then stick to these come what may, And you will surely keep always on track.
Use your conscience as your guide, and you will be on the right side
Sudoku
The objective is to fill a 9x9 grid so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 3x3 boxes (also called blocks or regions) contains the digits from 1 to 9. A cell is the smallest block in the game. A row, column and region consists of 9 cells and the whole game consists of 81 cells.
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Kaieteur News
Kajol
officially joins
Facebook! Kajol's fans who have been waiting for her to join the social media, here's some good news for you. The actress will finally be joining Facebook today. Kajol will be visiting the San Francisco Facebook office today along with husband Ajay Devgn. The couple who is currently in the US to promote Devgn's next directorial venture Shivaay, have visited New York, Chicago, Dallas and San Francisco will be their last destination where they will be visiting the Facebook office. Kajol is extremely excited to join Facebook and connect with her fans all over the world. All this while, the actresses' fan
clubs were actively participating and posting news and pictures on behalf of the actress but now, her fans will be able to get first hand information, directly through the actress.
Dhoni's special gesture for John
J
ohn Abraham and Mahendra Singh Dhoni are friends. And obviously when John requested the cricketer to attach the trailer of his next film, Force 2 to the Dhoni biopic, the cricketer, who is involved in the marketing of the film made sure it happened. Says a source, "John and Dhoni go way back. In fact, the actor was one of the few privileged enough to know several real life stories of our Captain Cool. John was the only Bollywood star to attend Dhoni's marriage to Sakshi in Dehradun six years ago." The source points out an interesting observation. "John and Dhoni were known for their long hair. Both of them opted for a
shorter hairdo almost at the same time. While the duo don't talk about their friendship, John has maintained Dhoni is one of his closest friends ".
Sunday September 25, 2016
Sunday September 25, 2016
PAGE 57
Kaieteur News
Date set for Carvil Duncan’s Better Hope murder… Suspects defence lawyer’s submission Magistrate Leron Daly is yet to make a ruling on application by Attorney Glen Hanoman in the Carvil Duncan trial. During the brief hearing in the case yesterday, the Magistrate said that a date will be set for the report on submissions made by the attorney. Carvil Duncan is charged with the theft of over $29M from the Guyana Power and Light (GPL). A ruling in the matter was deferred, after a request was made by Attorney (Hanoman) to have previous submissions by another attorney be regarded as no-case submission instead of closing submissions. Magistrate Leron Daly has since indicated that the court has been considering the written submissions laid over by attorney Charles Ramson Jr., at an August 17, court hearing, as submissions made at the close of the prosecution’s case and not as no-case submission. Hanoman stated that should the court overrule his request, he would like to lead a defence on behalf of Duncan – an opportunity which was previously forfeited by Ramson. Hanoman is appearing as a substitute attorney in the matter. Carvil Duncan, 73, of 1977 Williamstaad Road, Festival City, Georgetown, is accused of stealing $984, 900 belonging to GPL on Mach 31, 2015. It is also alleged that between May 7 and May 8, 2015 at Georgetown, Duncan conspired with a former senior official at GPL to steal the sum of $27,757,500, property of GPL. Duncan has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is currently on $1M bail. At a previous court hearing, Ramson had submitted that the prosecution had failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty of the offences and asked for the charges to be dismissed, deeming them misconceived. He had argued that the monies allegedly stolen from the GPL by Duncan, is not the property of the power company, but of Republic Bank. In relation to the first allegation, the lawyer had said that his client is charged with Simple
point cops to third killer
Carvil Duncan Larceny, Contrary to Section 164 of the Criminal Law Offences Act Chapter 8:01. Under this Section of the Constitution, Ramson asserted that his client cannot be charged with stealing monies by way of cheque, when it has been established by precedent under the law. To support this contention, the lawyer said, “As soon as money is deposited in a customer’s account, the money becomes the property of the bank and not the customer. If money is loaned to a person and delivered to a person, the money belongs to the borrower as a debtor and not the lender as a creditor.” He continued, “What transpired in this case is that the bank paid money on a cheque on GPL’s account held at Republic Bank on the basis of the authorized signatories of GPL. The prosecution has not seen it fit to charge the defendant (Carvil Duncan) with an offence of stealing the bank’s property (money) since the defendant was a duly authorized signatory to the GPL’s account held at the bank.”
Two suspects who confessed to detectives in ‘C’ Division of being at the home of 76-year-old David Ramkissoon when he was killed on August 21, last, have pointed cops to a third individual, who they say slit the pensioner’s throat. Those in custody are Godfrey Gill, 24, and Kevin Clark, 27, of Bethesda Lust, East Coast Demerara (ECD). Police are now looking for the third suspect whose only name has been given as “Shawn” of Better Hope, ECD. According to information received, the three suspects went to the pensioner’s home to carry out the robbery when he was killed. The two persons who were arrested on Friday have told the police that while they were ransacking the man’s home, “Shawn” slit his throat. Ramkissoon had just got home after purchasing alcohol from a nearby shop when the men stormed the place. He was lying on his bed. The self-confessed thieves said they entered through the back door which Ramkissoon had left opened and immediately started ransacking the house while “Shawn”
David Ramkissoon went into the pensioner’s bedroom and held him down. It was while Gill and Clark were searching for valuables that the third accomplice allegedly murdered the 76-yearold man. “Shawn” reportedly told them that the pensioner was “fighting up” too much when he slit his throat. They then escaped with whatever jewellery and money they had found. The body of David Ramkissoon, aka “Shortman”, a father of five, was discovered in a pool of blood in the living room by his son, around 19:30 hrs on August 21, last. His son had just returned home after spending the day at a creek on the Soesdyke/ Linden Highway with his family when he made the shocking discovery. Investigations are ongoing.
PAGE 58
Kaieteur News
Sunday September 25, 2016
Our tax structure yields uneven revenue Guyana’s tax system is far from efficient, equitable and fair. This is evident, for example, in the prevalence of high tax rates that encourage smuggling, evasion, underreporting, under-invoicing and corruption, as well as frequent requests for waivers and remissions. Thus, in August last year, Government established a four-person Tax Review
Committee charged with coming up with a range of recommendations to improve the system. It was anticipated that the Committee would have presented its report by endDecember 2015, to enable some amount of implementation in the 2016 Budget. Unfortunately, the report was submitted on January 18,
- Finance Minister 2016, too late for Cabinet to consider and pronounce on all of the recommendations. Nevertheless, several of the fiscal measures that were announced in the 2016 budget were found to be consistent with the C o m m i t t e e ’ s recommendations.
Finance Minister, Winston Jordan said that the Government is aware that to achieve its goals, it must have the revenues to spend. As an independent nation, he said that Guyana must first look to ourselves to find the money to develop our country. Admittedly, Jordan said that Guyana was able to achieve the revenue targets that were set over the years. He said, “We know from this experience that we have the ability to achieve realistic revenue targets using the tax structure and tax rates that we have currently. What we have noticed though is that our tax structure yields uneven amounts of revenue.” Jordan continued, “The numbers suggest that there is a large population of delinquent taxpayers out there, prominent among whom are the self-employed and persons paying Tributors’ tax. We are concerned about the failure of both categories to pay their fair share of taxes.” The Finance Minister said that a simple analysis of tax collections has shown that only three parts of the tax structure are contributing meaningfully to government revenues: income tax, production and consumption taxes, and import duties. He said that it is with the need to remedy this situation of revenue leakage that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is being asked to undertake a sensitization and awareness exercise in order to help taxpayers to fulfill their obligations.
He said, “We will encourage GRA to intensify its efforts at undertaking evaluations of tax revenues by impact of exemptions, economic centres and economic sectors. “The reason is to enable better targeting of those taxpayers who are not in compliance with the tax laws and to understand the reasons for non-compliance, so that we could help them to do better.” The Finance Minister said that once the evaluations are completed, Government would be able to determine the economic value of concessions to the country, align economic centres with geographic regions and gain a better understanding of which industries are not paying their fair share of taxes and why. Jordan said that tax transactions are about relationships. He said that most tend to focus on the relationship with foreign investors or large investors to support their shift of resources from their home country to ours. He said that it is important that the Government adds capacity to its production structure. The Finance Minister said that this can be done by offering tax exemptions and tax holidays with the hope of achieving a net gain in tax revenues. But in a study done in the mid-2000s, the Finance Minister said that it was observed that small businesses make up approximately half of the Guyana economy. He said that these investors, small as they might be, can transfer resources
from consumption to investment. In this way, the Finance Minister said that they too can help add capacity to our production structure and expand economic opportunity. “Yet, our attitude towards small businesses with tax consequences and real potential to contribute to the growth and development of Guyana is rather flippant. Too many of these businesses plan their expenditure without taking the tax impact into account. “We must enable small businesses to build tax impact models into their business plans so that they have a true sense of the cash flows needed to successfully operate the business,” the Finance Minister expressed. On the vexed question of refunds, the Finance Minister said that the government is aware of the view of the taxpaying public that once their money gets into the hands of the GRA, it is not coming back out. The Finance Minister said that this is the frustration that many taxpayers experience even after they might have been advised that they were entitled to a refund. He said that this goes for those taxpayers who expect VAT and income tax refunds. Jordan asserted that Government believes that where refunds are to be granted the taxpayers must get them on time, unless there is good reason to delay the refund. As an organization that is seeking to build taxpayers’ compliance and confidence, the Finance Minister made it clear that GRA must change the way taxpayers feel about it.
Sunday September 25, 2016
Kaieteur News
CROSSBITE
PAGE 59
By Dr. Neromini Fagu Last week I spoke about malocclusions. I would like to elaborate some more and discuss a condition call Crossbite. A crossbite is also sometimes referred to as a reverse bite. It is a form of malocclusion where any or all of the upper teeth bite on the inside of the lower teeth. It can occur in the front (anterior) or the sides (posterior) of the mouth. A crossbite may be caused by a number of factors. If either of your parents has a crossbite, you may inherit it. This is the genetic or hereditary factor. If your jaws are mismatched in size or your lower jaw is larger than your upper jaw you may develop a crossbite. Children who have retained baby teeth may have their adult teeth erupt behind these teeth leading to a crossbite. Also, the development of large tonsils and adenoids may force a child to mouth breathe. Breathing through the mouth instead of the nose affects
Dr. Neromini Fagu proper jaw growth. When we breathe through our nose, our tongue is normally placed at the roof of our mouth and this helps our jaws to grow properly. Anterior Crossbite An anterior crossbite is similar to an under bite. It occurs when your upper front teeth fall inside of your lower front teeth when you bite down. It is mainly due to a lack of space for the adult incisors or if the lower jaw is in a more forward position as compared to the upper jaw. Your orthodontist will
conduct a thorough exam to determine the proper course of treatment. For simple cases, springs may be used to realign the upper teeth. In more complicated cases the patient may have to wear a reverse pull headgear or a face mask. Posterior Crossbite A posterior crossbite occurs when we bite down and the upper teeth at the side of our mouth fall inside the lower teeth instead of over them. This can occur on one side (unilateral) or both sides (bilateral) of the jaw. It may involve both the molars and premolars. It may be caused by a combination of dental, skeletal and neuromuscular factors. Pressure due to
STANDARDS IN FOCUS
A LOOK AT STANDARDS BODIES Standards bodies, standards organisations, standards developing organizations (SDO), or standards setting organizations (SSO) are organizations whose primary activities are developing, coordinating, promulgating, revising, amending, reissuing, interpreting, or otherwise producing technical standards that are intended to address the needs of some relatively wide base of affected adopters. In other words, these organisations are responsible for developing standards to ensure that consumers are protected, industry is manufacturing products and providing services that are of acceptable quality, and regulators have the necessary requirements to conduct monitoring in the various sectors. Standards Organisations or Bodies can be private or public, national or international and are set up within a country to develop, promote or where necessary, implement standards. Such organisations are established in almost every country in the world and they usually collaborate and support each other to achieve broad based objectives. Some of the international standards bodies are the
International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the CODEX Alimentarius Commission and the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ). Meanwhile, like the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), at the national level there are the Bureau of Standards (BSJ), Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS), the St. Lucia Bureau of Standards, etc. The priority areas of interest for standards bodies depend entirely upon conditions and stakeholder requirements, especially the private sector, resource base and capacity of the organisations and public policies. Most Standards Bodies are geared to develop technical standards to improve production and trade, ensure safety and protect consumers against health hazards and fraud in all aspects of life. The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), (not to be confused with the Bureau of Statistics) is the
National Standards Body of Guyana. It was established under the Standards Act No. 11 of 1984 and its vision is to improve the quality of goods and services in Guyana by partnering with Government, Consumers and Industry, through the process of standardisation. In an effort to fulfil its mandate, the GNBS executes the following work programmes: Standards Development, Technical Assistance, Training Services, Auditing Services, Product Certification, Laboratory Certification, Industrial Metrology and Testing, Legal Metrology, Standards Compliance, Metrication, Codex, NAFP (Accreditation), Standards Information, and Communications. The GNBS has always engaged in the process of continual improvement to meet the needs of stakeholders and as the national standards body, it will continue to collaborate with other national and international standards institutions worldwide to build capacity to meet those needs. For further information, contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0062 -66 or visit www.gnbsgy.ory or facebook/gnbgy
habits such as finger sucking or pacifier use causes the upper jaw to narrow making it mismatch with the lower jaw. If the condition is caught at an early age, certain palatal devices could be employed to expand the jaw. If a crossbite is not corrected, it may lead to other dental problems including: · Early wear of the enamel of teeth which may lead to sensitivity · Mobility of the lower front teeth · Gum disease · Bone loss · Improper chewing patterns · Asymmetrical development of the jaws · Temporomandibular joint issues · Less esthetically
pleasing or unattractive smile A crossbite will not selfcorrect or resolve on its own. Early correction of the condition is crucial to avoiding problems later. Once skeletal and muscular development has reached adulthood, treatment may
require both an orthodontic and surgical approach. For more information contact OMNI DENTAL at 295 Quamina Street, Georgetown Tel: 227-0025, Parika Tel: 260-3133 or send emails to nerominifagu@hotmail.com.
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Kaieteur News
Battle rages near Aleppo, air onslaught continues
People inspect a damaged site after airstrikes on the rebel held Tariq alBab neighbourhood of Aleppo, Syria REUTERS/Abdalrhman Ismail Reuters - Syrian government and rebel forces battled for control of high ground on the Aleppo outskirts yesterday as warplanes bombed the city’s opposition-held east relentlessly in a Russian-backed offensive that has left Washington’s Syria policy in tatters. In their first major ground advance of the offensive, the army and its militia allies seized control of the Handarat Palestinian refugee camp, a few kilometres north of Aleppo, only for rebels to counter attack as night fell. “The fighters are waging ferocious battles because it is a battle of existence,” a senior rebel official told Reuters. Rebels said they had recovered some or all of Handarat, a claim denied by a pro-Damascus militia commander. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the battle was ongoing. It marks the most significant battle in Aleppo since the army announced a major new offensive to win full control of the city on Thursday, unleashing fierce air strikes that
have killed scores of people in the rebel-held east. The assault on Aleppo, where more than 250,000 civilians are trapped in a besieged opposition sector, could be the biggest battle yet in a civil war that has killed hundreds of thousands of people and driven 11 million from their homes. Two weeks after Moscow and Washington announced a ceasefire, President Bashar al-Assad and his Russian and Iranian allies appear to have launched a campaign for a decisive battlefield victory that has buried any hope for diplomacy. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who hammered out the truce over the course of months of intensive diplomacy, was left last week pleading in vain last week with Russia to halt air strikes. Residents say air strikes on eastern Aleppo have been more intense than ever, using more powerful bombs. Rebel officials said heavy air strikes yesterday hit at least
four areas of the oppositionheld east, and they believe the strikes are mostly being carried out by Russian warplanes. Video of the blast sites shows huge craters several metres wide and deep. “There are planes in the sky now,” Ammar al Selmo, the head of the Civil Defence rescue service in the opposition-held east, told Reuters from Aleppo on Saturday morning. The group draws on ambulance workers and volunteers who dig survivors and the dead out of the rubble, often with their bare hands. It says several of its own headquarters have been destroyed in the latest bombing. “Our teams are responding but are not enough to cover this amount of catastrophe,” Selmo said. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 45 people, among them 10 children, were killed in eastern Aleppo on Saturday. Selmo put the two-day death toll at more than 200. The army says it is only targeting militants.
Netanyahu to meet Clinton and Trump during U.S. visit – sources Reuters - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently visiting the United States, will separately meet U.S. presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and D o n a l d T r u m p t o d a y, campaign sources and Israeli officials said. The meetings will
take place a day before Clinton and Trump face off in a first presidential debate but no details of where or when the meetings will take place were immediately available. Netanyahu travelled to the United States last week to address the U.N. General Assembly and met U.S. President
Barack Obama and a number of other world leaders. Last week, Clinton met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Ukrainia n President Petro Poroshenko and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who also addressed the U.N. General Assembly. Trump also met Sisi.
Sunday September 25, 2016
India’s Modi hits out at Pakistan after attack in Kashmir Reuters - India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised Pakistan yesterday, accusing it of being an exporter of terrorism, and vowing to mount a global campaign to isolate it. The comments follow the Sept. 18 attack on an Indian army camp in Kashm i r, w h i c h N e w D e l h i blamed on Pakistan. The attack claimed the lives of 18 Indian soldiers, in the biggest blow to security forces in the disputed Himalayan region for 14 years. “People of Pakistan should question their leadership on why, when both countries gained freedom together, while India exports software, Pakistan exports terrorists,” Modi said. India has long accused Pakistan of backing militant groups operating in disputed Kashmir as well as of sending fighters to other parts of the country to carry out acts of violence.
Narendra Modi Pakistan denies the allegations and says India has not provided adequate proof to support its claims. Modi was giving a speech at a meeting of his Bharatiya Janata Party, whose leaders have said there should be a strong response to the attack, which took place in Uri. “India has and never will bow down in the face of
terrorism,” Modi said. Some military experts have called for cross border strikes against militant camps in Pakistan-administered Kashmir in the wake of the latest attack. But Pakistan has warned it will hit back against any Indian attack and the latest tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours are drawing concern.
Gabon opposition leader rejects ruling upholding Bongo poll win Reuters - Gabon opposition leader Jean Ping yesterday rejected what he said was an “unjust” ruling by the Constitutional Court which upheld the victory of President Ali Bongo in the Aug. 27 poll that he says was tarnished by fraud. The refusal by Ping, who says he won the presidential poll, to accept the court ruling raises the prospect of a potentially violent political crisis in the central African oil producer. The court had agreed to Ping’s petition to re-examine results in Haut-
Ogooue province, where Bongo was declared to have won 95 percent on a turnout of 99.9 percent. However, in a ruling late on Friday, it refused to accept copies of vote tally sheets provided as evidence by Ping, stating he had failed to prove their authenticity. Speaking to supporters and reporters at his residence in the capital Libreville, Ping called for people to “remain vigilant and mobilised”. “We will ensure the choice of the Gabonese
people is respected. 2016 will not be 2009,” Ping said. Ali Bongo came to power in a contentious 2009 election following the death of his father Omar Bongo, who was president of Gabon for 42 years. President Ali Bongo sought to ease tensions yesterday, calling for dialogue and promising a new inclusive government. “I look forward to inviting members of all political parties to join our efforts and come with us to the Cabinet,” he told Reuters in an interview.
Corbyn calls for unity after winning Labour leadership vote Reuters - Jeremy Corbyn was re-elected leader of Britain’s opposition Labour Party yesterday and called for unity after ending a “coup” by more centrist members of parliament who say his leftwing agenda can never deliver victory at the polls. The veteran campaigner’s triumph, by 313,209 to 193,229 votes, over challenger Owen Smith cements his authority over the divided party and will fuel a drive further left - a move many members of parliament say will see
them out of power and allow the ruling Conservatives free rein over Britain’s divorce from the EU. Welcoming the result which handed him a larger share of the vote than his first leadership victory last y e a r, C o r b y n c a l l e d o n members of parliament and members at the party’s annual conference in the northwestern city of Liverpool to come together to fight the Conservative Party and bring “real change” to Britain. “Elections are passionate and often partisan af-
fairs, things are sometimes said in the heat of the debate ... which we sometimes later come to regret. “Let’s wipe that slate clean and get on with the work we have got to do as a party together,” he said, moving to ease fears that his re-election will widen the divide between the Labour Party’s left and centre-left wings and that he may trigger moves to force centrist members of parliament from the party. His victory marks the next phase in a battle for control of the Labour Party.
Sunday September 25, 2016
Kaieteur News
Govt. awaiting response on extension from US…
PNM expected FATCA walkout
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, centre, speaks with Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi and Minister of Planning and Development Camille Robinson-Regis following a walkout by Opposition members during the FATCA debate in Parliament. PHOTO: ABRAHAM DIAZ Trinidad Guardian - Fi- sury and American authori- ernment did everything it could do to secure approval nance Minister Colm Imbert ties.” He reiterated that was the of the measure and it would says the Government is still awaiting a response from the Government’s major concern, have been very easy for the US Treasury Department on adding that “under no circum- Opposition to draft and its request for an extension stances are we going to do present its amendments to the to have the FATCA legisla- anything that will allow this legislation two weeks ago. Bill to fail.” He also dismissed an Option approved. Imbert said he also wrote position claim that GovernThe extension may turn out to be Government’s only to the US ambassador in Port- ment brought the legislation hope of saving some sectors of of-Spain, John Estrada, who to distract attention from the the economy from collapsing “has gone off to Washington national budget to be preafter the Opposition’s walkout and he told me he was also sented next Friday. Rather, he said he, his on the debate Friday, leaving the going to speak to people in Bill’s passage before the Septem- the (US) Treasury and we will staff and the Government were being inconvenienced see what happens.” ber 30 deadline in jeopardy. He said: “It was not a time “by accommodating the anSpeaking to reporters about the Bill’s future some for nervousness but a time for tics of the Opposition.” Imbert said instead of time after the Opposition walk- being purposeful and doing it out, Imbert said he expected the right way and making sure Friday’s fiasco he should the response from the US au- we don’t give the US the have instead been “going thorities next week, adding wrong message as a country, through the 10,000 line items what the Government was not that we are prepared to be flip- in the budget” and looking at prepared to do Friday “was pant abut this whole thing.” specific documents. He said Imbert said since Septem- the estimates were to be to allow this Bill to go to a ber 12, following a private printed Friday. vote and fail.” Minister in the Office of He said if that were to meeting between the Governhappen the matter could not ment and Opposition, he had the Prime Minister, Stuart return before a six-month pe- realised the Opposition had Young, said the inability to riod and if it had failed “it no intention of supporting the have the legislation approved would have sent an entirely Bill. He said the People’s Na- “lies at the footstep of the wrong signal to the US Trea- tional Movement (PNM) Gov- Opposition.”
Barbados hosts regional intellectual property workshop BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - CMC – Senior officials from the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) and the European Union (EU) will meet tomorrow to discuss potential cooperation opportunities in the Caribbean region in the area of intellectual property (IP). The one-day forum, entitled “CARIFORUM-EU Workshop on Intellectual Property (IP) Tools, Networks and Cooperation Opportunities,” is jointly organised by the CARIFORUM Directorate of the Caribbean Commu-
nity (CARICOM) Secretariat and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), in partnership with the Delegation of the European Union to Barbados, the Organisation Eastern Caribbean States, OECS and CARICOM/CARIFORUM. Director-General of the CARIFORUM Directorate, Percival Marie, said “the expectation is that the workshop will foster exchange of knowledge and experience”. The workshop is being funded by EUIPO and the 10th European Development
Fund (EDF) Caribbean Regional Indicative Programme (CRIP). Marie said the forum is designed to bring together a cross-section of stakeholders and will ultimately contribute to enhanced cooperation. “This cooperation is especially pertinent in the context of the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which was signed in 2008. The Agreement includes a chapter on Innovation and Intellectual Property,” according to a CARIFORUM statement.
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Brazil Supreme Court okays President Temer probe SAO PAULO (Reuters) Brazil’s Supreme Court on Friday approved a preliminary investigation into plea bargain deal allegations from former T r a n s p e t r o h e a d Sergio Machado that President Michel Temer had solicited campaign donations in 2012 that had illicit origin. Brazil Supreme Court Judge Teori Zavascki approved the probe that also cites Senate President Renan Calheiros, among others, the court said. Transpetro is a wholly owned subsidiary of Petróleo Brasileiro SA , also known as Petrobras, the state-controlled oil company ensnared in Brazil’s largest ever corruption scandal. Brazil’s Supreme Court revealed in June that parts of Machado’s plea bargain testimony alleges that the campaign contribution requested by Temer was made legally by
Michel Temer engineering group Queiroz Galvao but resulted from a kickback on contracts with Petrobras.Temer has denied ever having requested any donations to Sao Paulo’s 2012 mayoral campaign run by Gabriel Chalita, then a member of Temer’s Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB). His press office said would not comment on Friday.
Prosecutors in charge of the preliminary investigation will decide, based on what they find, if they will press charges against Temer and the other politicians cited in the probe. Temer was formally sworn in as Brazil’s President three weeks ago after months of political turmoil that led to the impeachment of his leftist predecessor Dilma Rousseff.
CARICOM Not A Failure – Golding
Participants in the youth forum hosted by the CARICOM Review Commission: Franz George (second left) in conversation with chairman of the commission and former prime minister, Bruce Golding (right), at a forum held at the University of the West Indies Regional Headquarters. Other participants listening in are (from left) are Shantae Shand and Kiddist McCoy. The Gleaner - Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Review Commission and former prime minister Bruce Golding says CARICOM is not a failure, having achieved successes in several areas. “I think we have done very well in terms of functional cooperation. If every country in CARICOM had to set up their own examination system, instead of having the Caribbean Examinations Council, it would be difficult for many of the smaller islands, which have fewer resources than we do,” Golding said. He was speaking at a youth forum hosted by the CARICOM Review Commission at the University of the West Indies Regional Headquarters on Thursday.
The CARICOM Review Commission is the brainchild of Prime Minister Andrew Holness. It has been tasked with examining Jamaica’s role in the regional bloc and how it has affected the country’s development. Golding also cited institutions such as the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency as successful areas of cooperation. “We are all subject to natural disasters, and the response to natural disasters, when they occur, requires institutional-building capabilities, and it requires management. If every country had to set up [one] for itself, then you see the difficulties that
many countries would have,” Golding argued. The former prime minister also argued that CARICOM was important for foreign policy coordination. “There is strength in numbers. We have, in fact, been able to exert a significant amount of influence on some of the major councils of the world simply because when we go there, we have 14 votes,” the chairman said. “I know of some occasions where there are some contentious issues in the Organisation of American States and the United Nations, where balance is so close that 14 votes can make a difference, and that’s when the biggest of the big come knocking on our doors,” Golding added.
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CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM WINGS CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP REATES,SPECIAL OFFER FOR THE SUMMER. CALL: 690-6494
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Sunday September 25, 2016
Kaieteur News
One Driver expediter wanted urgently contact 223-5273/4 Ramnarine Mining Enterprise: welders, operators & labourers –Call: 679-0550/ 624-0501 Truck driver to travel in and out of the interior, applicants must be experienced. Call: 618-2020 One female office/sale clerk to work in Vreed-en-Hoop (W.B.D), email application to roytechgt@gmail.com Captains: Valid Certificate of competence as Master of a Power Driven Vessel – Call: 226-1100/ 226-5380 Female sales clerk, hand written application: Perfumes Dazzle 137 Regent Street. One experienced Accounts clerk, apply in person to Alabama Trading Georgetown, Ferry Stelling, Stabroek. Receptionist, desk staff, security guards (males). Call: 225-0198 or visit 233 South Road, Lacytown. 1 Admin Clerk; must have driver’s license- Call: 218-1459 One Trainee A.C, Refrigerator, Technician – Call: 231-0655 One computer legal clerk. Call:624-7087/226-4283/ email:husainsaphier@yahoo. com FOR SALE/RENT American Pool Table. Call: 277-0578 House for rent/ sale @ Lot 107 Durbana Square Lamaha Gardens with 5 bedrooms large parking. Call: 661-8908
HEALTH Stop suffering from Diabetes, Hypertension and other sickness, follow me sexual enhancers for men. Call: 645-9528 Improved your health through iridology- Contact Hazel’s Herbal Store- Call: 226-9136
DRESSMAKING Jean offers courses in dre s s m a k i n g , c u r t a i n s , floral, cake decoration @ 153 Barr Street Kitty- Call: 6702653/ 638-8449
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Cargo Trawler. Call: 682-8724; 616-5954 Gas/stove range GEAmerican made, stand up freezer, hot dog machine, supermarket mirror. Call: 680-3863 One “45” feet comp l e t e cabin cruiser, trout seines, excellent condition. Call: 654-2817/648-6815 1 55ft Fishing boat, 2 Engines, GPS, Compass & 2000 lb seine, price -$4.5M. Call: 676-1363/ 652-5184 Items for sale: water tanks, used clothing, living room suites, wares & doors. Please call for any inquiry on: 2311284 1 Perkins V8 Turbo Charge 170KVa Generator in working condition, Call 223-7380 20 Acres sandpit with creek at Loo Creek -$15M negotiable. Call: 600-1509 Dairy cowand goats, etc- Call Ramsadeen: 226-1322/6799770 Terrazzo Machine and discCall: 616-3094 Ashley 3X2X1 suite, microwave, gas stove, bed, AC unit, kitchen cupboard, washer, dryer, wardrobe etc. Call:658-5897/673-2692 3 Dish Plough –Call: 661-6343 One flat tray Nissan pickup, very good condition. Call: 662-3997/610-4879 175 Yahama Outboard Engine, very good condition. Call: 259-0302 Great Deals on video games & all gaming consoles. PC, phone games, applications & repairs – Call: 672-2566; 265-3231 ROAD TO BELWASA & A DIP AT THE SANGAM. AVAILABLE @ AUSTIN’S BOOK STORE- TEL: 2267350/7 & AT LATCHMANSINGH DRUG STORE. TEL: 226-5053 Genuine Yamaha parts for sale from 2HP to 250HP. Call: 670-4056/629-8522 1000 Acres of land situated on the Corentyne. Call- 6570992 PEN PAL Business man seeking female for serious relationship, preferably, single mother, no texting & no restricted number. Call: 670-0711 Continue page 63
Sunday September 25, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Raiding, finding... From page 9 identify an economically viable alternative method to replace mercury in recovering gold. While the GGDMA recognises the steps being taken by the GGMC to come up with alternatives, the options that have been presented have thus far, will not be easily applicable to small miners to medium scale miners. Additionally, these alternatives identified are too expensive to implement as well as to be maintained, Alphonso posited.
He added that with the impending proposal to ban the use of mercury in the recovery of gold in the next few years in Guyana, this need must be fulfilled. “We wish to continue to call on the Ministry of Natural Resources and GGMC to continue to explore options that are applicable to miners so that the industry does not grind to a halt. The GGDMA stands ready and able to work with all stakeholders to find a much need resolution for this serious issue.” Alphonso said.
From page 28 WANTED Driver with minibus license for job with company. Call: 664-0802 Taxi driver; possession of a minibus license will be an asset. Call: 646-8748 We buy land in La Parfaite Harmonie, Eccles, Providence, Herstelling & Farm. (title only). Call: 6585897/673-2692
Paid $1,185 apiece for a... From page 15 investigation by state auditors in a scandal that has dragged in the Oppositionthe People’s Progressive Party/Civic which was in power prior to the May 11 elections. The Opposition and its members on the Commission have distanced itself from the transactions of GECOM, saying that the entity asked for the money and it provided. No Approval Initially, state auditors moved in on GECOM to probe a major contract to Michael Brasse for a $100M purchase of high frequency communications radio sets for the May 11 elections. The sets, from all indications, were never used and there are questions about the urgent reasons advanced by GECOM for those radios in the first place. The radio probe by the Audit Office of Guyana has brought intense focus on GECOM’s spending. A number of alarming things have been unearthed with the audit now expanded to other things. GECOM, tasked with running elections in Guyana, has refused to respond to the charges of irregularities, saying that there is an active investigation by state auditors. The revelations would
GECOM’s Chief Accountant, Joseph Eastman continue to rock GECOM which until now has been doing well to keep a tight rein on its inner workings. Already, the Opposition has called for the findings of the current probe by state auditors to be made public. The PPP commissioners on GECOM have made it clear that many of the larger transactions did not even appear before them for approval. With regards to the radios ordered last year, it appeared that the urgent reasons advanced by GECOM to buy 50 HF radios may not have been so urgent after all.
Despite the $100M expended, the radios were never put into use, according to officials. The radios were delivered just a few days before elections making it impossible for it to be deployed to outlying areas in time for the elections. State auditors are also looking to verify reports that GECOM had enough of those HF radios on hand, but yet went ahead and ordered more…those “more” were never used. It is the belief that those radios, bought since 2006, were dumped on GECOM in a deal involving officials there. The model was discontinued since 2009, leaving GECOM facing questions over warranties and spare parts. Brasse also supplied toners for printers and photocopiers to the tune of $92M. It appeared from complaints by local suppliers that even the authorized distributors were bypassed for Brasse. GECOM’s Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, and its Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujjbally, are currently on leave. Dr. Surujbally has signaled his intentions to retire this year after being there for more than a decade and half.
Lawyer withdraws representation... From page 11 hearing, Dataram had angrily called Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU) officer, Andrew Yarde, a liar. The alleged drug trafficker was at the time responding to a testimony given by Yarde. The CANU officer testified that 428 parcels of plastic wraps with suspected cocaine were seized from Dataram’s home at Diamond, East Bank Demerara. He added that the suspected drug was in a white fridge. The fridge, he said, was driven to CANU Head-
quarters, Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown by him in a CANU vehicle. The witness recalled that the fridge was parked in the CANU compound which is secured by concrete fence with razor wires and CCTV cameras. In response to questions from CANU Prosecutor Konyo Sandiford-Thompson, the witness said he had never conducted any raid pertaining to Dataram prior to the charge he is now facing. But Dataram claimed that the detective is a liar. He
stated that Yarde had conducted a raid on him before and accused the detective of stealing his money. Further questioned by Prosecutor Sandiford-Thompson, Yarde recounted that he was watching a television newscast in the latter part of February when he saw Travis Chase doing an interview with Dataram. He said that during the interview, Dataram confessed to being a drug dealer and said that half of the drugs CANU seized from him are back on the streets.
WANTED Female worker wanted sound secondary education, computer literate-Tel: 622-5518 1 Entertainment manager to work at Hotel in Charity, experience will be asset- Call: 226-9768/ 698-7083 1 Bartender, 1 waitress, 1 maid, 1 snackette attendant to work at Hotel in Charity, preferably from Essequibo – Call: 226-9768/ 698-7083 Driver/ expeditor to work with mining firm in Georgetown, must have car/van and lorry license- Call: 226-9768/6987083 Land to buy in Uitvlugt, Zeelugt, Tuschen and La Parfaite Harmonie. Best price offered! Call: 642-1252
FOR RENT Property 1st & 2nd floor 102X36 ideal for office or school, lot 41 Seaforth Street Campbellville, Georgetown. Call: 614-2206/ 610-7902 Spacious two bedrooms upper flat at Herstelling E.B.D. Call: 265-0204/ 6010223/645-9921 Office space for rent @ 35 Robb & King Streets, Lacytown, Georgetown. Call: 644-6969/ 602-3684 Recently renovated two bedrooms bottom flat security grill @ Howes St. Charlestown-Call: 231-0051/ 57
1 Male janitor, apply in person at Alabama Trading, Georgetown, Ferry Stelling Stabroek.
One live in babysitter between ages 35-55, preferably out of town persons. Call: 664-3918/6707881 Waitress to work in bar, ages 18-25, walk with ID cardCall: 256-4096 Live in waitress with sound secondary education$70,000 monthly, boarding & lodging free. Call: 610-3974
Experienced salesgirl & 1 experienced porter@ Christine’s Fashion, 23 Lambard Street. Call:2278529/233-7356 Handyman for G/T & Interior location- Call 2310363 between Mon- Fri 8:30-11:30 & 1:30-4:30 Mature experienced couple to live in and work at a Resort at Parika. Call 2310363 between Mon- Fri 8:30-11:30 & 1:30-4:30 Couple to live in: husband – driving duties. Cal: 2271830
Hair station for rental, convenient location, discounted price for new customers. Call: 638-1106 Upper flat for rent: furnished or unfurnished located in Eccles- Call: 602-8703 House for rent in Golden Grove, EBD - $65,000. Call:692-8513/ 617-0465 Bottom flat supermarket located @ First Bridge Diamond E.B.D- Call: 6017749; 216-3069; 626-7064; 691-4808
EDUCATIONAL IAE – CXC Jan/June 2017 – full time school; lessons/ classes for students, adults, repeaters & beginners. Call Mr. Roberts: 683-5742 American Standard Diploma Course: HRM; Customer Service Relations. Call DTI on 616-5204 & save big in September!! Looking for a Job? Improve your resume & skills for interviews, coach of 9+ years experience available. Call: 658-9886
One AB Dick Machine Operator, one printer helper. Call: 233-2439/233-2725 Female shop worker for Interior. Call 231-0363 between Mon- Fri 8:30-11:30 & 1:30-4:30
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
Vacant lot @ Duke Street, Kingston- Call: 663-4304/ 616-3094
Ladies to work in Suriname. Call: +597-875-4660 Experienced male salesperson must be able to multitask, communicate well & have computer skills @ KeyFood Trading McDoom.
FOR RENT
Fully furnished apartment in South & 2 bedrooms unfurnished apartment in Ben Street. Call: 689-5877 Business bottom flat for rent in New Road, Vreed-enHoop. Call: 227-4377/ 2270613/ 624-6013 2 Bedroom Apartment in exclusive residential Airport, close to Ogle Airport , with all modern amenities. Call for appointment 622-5725. Rooms to rent @ South Ruimveldt Gardens, working couples or single- Call: 623-0076 1-3 Bedrooms house in Grove Housing Scheme, modern convenience, semifurnished. Call: 266-2911/ 672-2121
LAND FOR SALE La Parfaite Harmonie - $1.2M & $1.6M, size 80ftX45ft (title available). Call: 658-5897/6732692 Land @ Tuschen School Street -$3M, La Parfaite Harmonie: $3M, $1.6M, $1.4M, $1.2M, Diamond $2.5M & V/Hoop- Call: 6046724 1 Empty land at Zeeburg (transported) -$4M, 1 empty land in La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.3M- Call: 642-1252 Land at Friendship, E.B.D $2.5M per lot. Call: 692-8513/ 617-0465 House lot for sale in Uitvlugt W.C.D -$3M. Call: 676-4057
Spacious bottom flat in Prime Business area- Call: 226-1647 4 Bedrooms bottom flat in Meadow Brook, air conditioned parking, and overhead tank. Call: 6013933/645-5757/218-0011 Apartments for rent @ Nandy Park 2 bedrooms, recently renovated, free WiFi. Call: 227-5194 One bedroom apartment to rent at Fourth Field Cummings Lodge for only UG Student- Contact: 2220401/222-3435 Apartment for rent @ Mon Repos, ECD. Call: 658-3542/ 672-7431/615-0725
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Kaieteur News
‘Backtrack’ Haitians arrested on way to Brazil Five Haitian men are currently in police custody after they were nabbed at Wisroc Junction, Wismar, Linden, Friday night en route to Brazil.
They reportedly entered Guyana via the Suriname ‘Back Track’ in Springlands, Corentyne, Berbice. On August 30, four Haitian men were fined
$30,000 after they pleaded guilty to entering Guyana by sea and disembarking without the consent of an immigration officer. The offence was
committed on August 26, last, at Springlands, Corentyne, Berbice. The quartet was arraigned before Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Sunday September 25, 2016
Compacting, security... (From page 53) temporary agreement ink in February. Adding that the disposal company was sole sourced for this. When questioned on the size of the contract in February, Gilkes said that he did not know. However he did state Puran Bros. would have documentation allowing the company to continue managing the operations at Haags Bosch until the bid protest is resolved Lakenauth Puran, at the signing in July, main-
tained that his company remains committed to ensuring that the Haags Bosch Landfill Site is transformed into a site that complies with local and international environmental standards. He vowed that his company will work closely with the Ministry of Communities towards improving the aesthetics of the site and move towards implementing regulations that are in accordance with the relevant health standards.
Sunday September 25, 2016
Kaieteur News
Venezuela electoral council obstructionist and biased - OAS secretary general WASHINGTON, USA — The secretary general of the Organisation of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, said on Friday that Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE, for its initials in Spanish) is “obstructing a constitutional right and acting with a clear political bias” in announcing the rules and the timetable that will govern the process for the recall referendum sought by the opposition, and demanded that the referendum be held in 2016. “The recall referendum belongs to the people, and it is up to the CNE to ensure the guarantees for the free expression of the people, instead of curtailing and trying to annul their rights,” the secretary general stressed. Almagro said the dates announced by the CNE are “one more maneuver to delay the process and to impede the holding of the recall referendum this year. Constitutional deadlines cannot continue to be violated, the will of the voters cannot continue to be manipulated, it is completely unacceptable that
there are attempts to cut civil and political rights through biased interpretations by the CNE.” For the OAS leader, moreover, the CNE “arbitrarily and with demonstrated intention changed the rules of the game” by determining that the collection of 20 percent of the signatures needed to convene the referendum must be done at the state level, rather than at the national level. “Electoral bodies do not exist to undermine democracy and act in the interests of the current government; their nature and obligation is to serve as vehicles for the strengthening of the will of the people,” he said. In effect, during the recall referendum against the former President Hugo Chávez in 2004, under the same law, the collection of 20 percent of the signatures was carried out at the national level, which makes complete sense, given that the office in question is the president of the republic, a national office. The General Secretariat of the OAS reiterated the urgent
Luis Almagro call for respect for democratic institutions and rights, while recalling once more what is established in Article 1 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter. “The peoples of the Americas have a right to democracy and their governments have an obligation to promote and defend it. The right is that of the peoples and the obligation to ensure that right is that of the government,” Almagro said. (Caribbean News)
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Kaieteur News
Sunday September 25, 2016
Barbados to press EU Daily Nation – Minister of International Business, Donville Inniss, will not be “pulling any punches” at next week’s Peer Review Group of the Global Forum of the Organisation for Economic Cooperat i o n a n d D e velopment in Paris. At that meeting, Inniss
and his team are expected to defend Barbados’ position since being blacklisted by the European Union (EU), along with several other Caribbean countries, for being an uncooperative tax jurisdiction. Inniss revealed that he would head a delegation comprising officials from his ministry’s International Busi-
ness Division and the Barbados Revenue Authority, along with key European advisors. While in Paris, the team will also attend the Steering Group meeting of which Barbados is vice chair, and, according to him, represent the “voice of small states engaged in the international financial services.
The New Director Of Communications For US Virgin Islands Department Of Tourism CHARLOTTE AMALIE, US Virgin Islands – Alani Henneman-Todman has been appointed the new Director of Communications for the United States Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty announced that HennemanTodman, formerly Manager for Media and Travel Industry Relations for St. Thomas and St. John, assumes the role immediately. Her first order of business is to design a Tourism Awareness Campaign to ensure that the linkage between tourism and the economy of the U.S. Virgin Islands is clearly defined. H e n n e m a n - To d m a n , whose responsibilities also include maintaining clear and regular communications between the Department of Tourism, the local community and its external agencies, is a graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School and the University of the Virgin Islands where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Psychology. She has worked through-
Alani Henneman-Todman out the Territory in both the private and public sectors. Prior to joining the Department of Tourism as Public Relations Manager in 2004, she was employed at Cloth Horse, the Family Resource Center and the Department of Education. As a member of the tourism team, she received the Employee of the Year distinction on two occasions and is the 2015 Tommy Star Recipient for Public Service.
Henneman-Todman’s dedication to the U.S. Virgin Islands has led to a number of promotions within the Department’s Communications division. “Alani’s greatest gift is service and we consider ourselves extremely blessed that she continues to share her talents and abilities with the Department of Tourism on behalf of the people of the U.S. Virgin islands,” said Commissioner NicholsonDoty. (Caribbean360)
Sunday September 25, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Sunday September 25, 2016
China's Dalian Wanda opens $5.1 billion tourism park By Alexandra Harney | SHANGHAI Dalian Wanda Group, the Chinese entertainment giant owned by the country's richest man, opened the first phase of a sprawling 34 billion yuan ($5.1 billion) tourism park in the eastern city of Hefei on Saturday. Wanda is building similar projects around the c o u n t r y, b e t t i n g t h a t China's rising incomes will drive more domestic tourism. In an interview with Reuters last month, chairman Wang Jianlin said that Wanda would look to build at least 20 such complexes in China. The 160 hectare (1.6 square km) first phase of Hefei Wanda City includes a theme park, hotels and a shopping mall. The second phase will be an "indoor recreation project," according to a statement from the company. Wanda intends to extend the park into a third phase, which is still in the planning stages, it said.
Wang has been open about his rivalry with Walt Disney Co, which opened a $5.5 billion resort in Shanghai in June. "At Wanda, I always say we want to ensure Disney is not profitable for 10-20 years in this business segment in China," he told state-run China Central Television (CCTV) in a May interview. China's slowing economy has taken a toll on some areas of consumer spending. Outbound tourism numbers which rose 16 percent in 2015 - are set to flatline t h i s y e a r, a c c o r d i n g t o China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) data. At Wanda Cinema Line Corp, Wanda's theater arm, box office sales rose 12.8 percent in the second quarter of this year, compared to a 61.4 percent jump in the first quarter. Wa n d a h a s b e e n i n vesting heavily as it seeks to triple revenues from its cultural division - which
includes entertainment, sports and tourism - to 150 billion yuan ($22.5 billion) by 2020. On Friday, Wanda announced a partnership with Sony Pictures under which Wanda will market Sony Pictures' films and cofinance some upcoming movie releases of Sony Corp's film unit in China. I n J a n u a r y, Wa n d a paid $3.5 billion for a controlling stake in U.S. film studio Legendary Entertainment. It has also acquired Swiss sports marketing firm Infront Sports & Media AG and World Triathlon Corp, owner of the " I r o n m a n " f r a n c h i s e . H e f e i Wa n d a City will host China's first Ironman triathlon, according to the statement. The race is scheduled for October 16, according to Ironman's website. (Reporting By Alexandra Harney; Editing by Sam Holmes)
Sunday September 25, 2016
Kaieteur News
NFL holds no appeal for Man United super-fan Bolt LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The bruising NFL isn’t on Usain Bolt’s post-athletics agenda, but Jamaica’s sprint superstar says he’d answer a call from his beloved Manchester United in a heartbeat. Bolt, who capped his glittering Olympic career with a third-straight sprint treble in Rio last month, is on a media blitz in the United States, and spoke Friday to Outside the Lines. Bolt said he’s seen enough of the NFL to know he isn’t interested in pursuing the gridiron game when he hangs up his sprint spikes after next year’s World Cham-
pionships. “I’m not really a contact sports kind of guy,” Bolt said. While Bolt’s speed and height have prompted speculation as to what kind of wide receiver he might make, he said his preference would be to run the long passing route “and just keep going” rather than be a target of the punishing hits of the NFL. “Too much pain, I’ve seen it,” he said. Bolt does harbour one non-athletics sporting dream, however, and if Premier League powerhouse Manchester United called, he would be on his way. “If they called me right
Olympic athlete Usain Bolt (Photo: AFP) now to say ‘we need you right now’ I’m on the next plane to England,” he said.
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The 1976 Tri-Nations B/ball... From page 66 pts, Roy Eudoxie 27 pts. For Barbados Malcolm Stanton top scored with 23 pts, Jeffrey Stonte 18 pts. Republic Trophy Guyana beat Barbados 77 to 63. Venue: National Sports Hall. Orin Cumberbatch top scored with a game high 24 pts, Winston ‘Boy Blue’ Joseph 14 pts, Merton Fitzalbert 14 pts. For Barbados: Malcolm Stanton top scored with 16 pts, Jeffrey Stoute 11 pts. Suriname beat Barbados. Venue: National Sports Hall. Wip top scored for the victors with a game high 30 pts. Feverus scored 24 pts. For Barbados: Harry Games top scored with 19 pts, Malcolm Stanton 17 pts. Finals for the Republic Trophy Venue: National Sports Hall.
Results: Suriname beat Guyana 91 to 72. For the winners star player Feverus was unstoppable with 38 pts of which 24 came in the first half. Victor Sibilo 26 pts. For Guyana skipper Mike Brusche top scored with 16 pts, Orin Cumberbatch 14 pts. At the end of the tournament Suriname’s captain Harold Tonch was presented with the Neil Chan and Republic Trophies. Victor Sibilo of Suriname was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, Guyana’s Mike Brusche was named the tournament’s Best Offensive Player. Barbados Harry Games was named the tournament’s Best Defensive Player. Puerto Rico’s Eduardo Martin and Venezuelan Hector Ruiz carried the whistle in the finals. The 1976 Guyana Team Mike Brusche- Captain Clifton Brushe
Merton Fitzalbert Melroy Fitzalbert Aubrey Chalmers Phillip Daniels Orin Cumberbatch Hewley Harry Keith Alexander Gavin Kendall Winston Joseph James Devonish Hewley Henry- Coach The Barbados Team 1976 Richard Clarke- Captain Harry Games Ian Trotman Cameron Vickery Malcolm Stanton Jeffrey Stoute R. Fitzjohn A. Blanchette E. Rudder I. Morris R. Grant I. Small –Coach A. Games-Manager C. Walton – Head of Delegation
RHTY&SC, MS Cricket teams host... Sunday September 25, 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You will have to make changes in order to eliminate the tension. Keep busy and let them fume while you're not around. Try not to be too aggressive or judgmental when talking to your mate.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) One of your female friends may try to disrupt your day. Stand up for your rights. Coworkers may not be on your side. Use your high energy and dynamic approach to win favors from superiors.
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You will be a real chatterbox today. Don't let anyone take credit for a job you did. Either way, you're up for a passionate encounter with someone special.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You should regain some of your self esteem if you get involved in organizational functions. Some time spent with that special someone should be your intent. You can make major gains professionally by completing projects on time.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You may exaggerate your emotional situation. Try to have patience and refrain from being judgmental. You should be able to make major career gains if you plan your intentions carefully. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Opportunities may come up at prestigious affairs. Take time to visit someone who has been confined due to illness. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Losses are likely if you have left your financial affairs in other people's hands. Try a barbecue or a day at the beach. Look into projects that you feel would contribute something to your appearance. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Sudden trips may take you by surprise; try to include your mate, mixing business with pleasure. Problems with financial investments could make you nervous. Don't believe everything you hear.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) If you are not already, think about going into business for yourself. You may find yourself in the limelight for the wrong reasons. Family responsibilities are escalating. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Don't allow colleagues to put unreasonable pressure on you. Don't hesitate to sign up for lectures or seminars that will enlighten you. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) You'll find it easy to deal with government agencies or large institutions. This is a great day to start that new health regimen you've been talking about. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Today will be rather hectic on the domestic scene. Sooner or later your partner will have had enough. Don't back down but don't ignite the situation.
(From page 68) opportunity to distribute copies of its Rose Hall Town History and Youth Information Booklets along with thousands of posters and leaflets to promote the Club’s Say Yes to Education/ Sports Message. The RHTY&SC, MS and the Cricket teams – Farfan and Mendes Under 15, Bakewell Under 17 and Second Division, Pepsi Under 19 and Intermiade, Metro Female and Gizmos & Gadgets Under 21 and First Division would like to express gratitude to the Mayor and Town Council of Rose Hall Town especially Mayor Vijai Ramoo, Dave Budhu and
East Coast and... (From page 71) each. The not out batsmen are Chandrpaul Hemraj 13 and Vivian Albert 0. Bowling for Lower Corentyne, left arm spinner Kasim Khan has done the damage with 3 wickets whilst Royston Crandon has so far taken two with Foo snaring one. An interesting day is expected today with Easy Coast leading by 173 runs with three wickets intact. Lower Corentyne will be looking to bounce back for another come from behind win. (Samuel Whyte)
Tricia Hammer, the Guyana Police Force ‘B’ Division, the Ministry of Business, Ansa Mcal, Guyan a B e v e r a g e Company, Digicel, Poonai Drugs Store, LRTVS CH10, DTV-8, GPL, Republic Bank, F o o d f o r t h e P o o r, Mohammed Raffik, Balram Shane General Store, Guyana Tourism Authority and the
Police Traffic Department especially Berbice Traffic Chief Boodnarine Persaud and Inspector Ross for their cooperation. Foster disclosed that with the Business and Career Fair being such a big success, the Management of the RHTY&SC would most likely to make it an annual event.
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Sunday September 25, 2016
Kaieteur News
12th Laparkan Holdings Ltd. National Park 11-Race Cycle Meet
Junior Niles pedals to victory in feature race as top-three lap entire field
By Franklin Wilson Team Coco’s Junior Niles was in pristine form yesterday in capturing the feature school boys and invitation 35-lap race when the 12th Laparkan Holdings Limited 11-Race National Park Cycle Meet was held. Displaying a high level of fitness which has been as a result of consistent competitive riding in the National Park and the many road races so far this season, Niles, Mark Harris and Paul
Choo Wee Nam along with Briton John who was dropped after 17 laps, lapped the entire field to underscore their dominance of the race. Niles, in stopping the clock at One Hour 18 Minutes 53.81 Seconds captured three of the sprint prizes on offer with Harris a n d C h o o We e N a m claiming two each, while the other went to John. From the start of the race the quartet set the pace which turned out to be too
hot for their rivals to handle, even John who couldn’t keep up after 17 laps. Hamza Eatsman, Shaquel Agard and Kemeul Moses finished off the top six positions in that order. Niles also rode earlier in the day and placed second in the Veterans Under-50 5-lap contest which was won by Lennox Jackman in 12 Minutes 13.80 Seconds. Laparkan officials at the presentation thanked the riders for their participation
Junior Niles eases to a comfortable victory in the feature 35-lap race yesterday at the National Park. (Franklin Wilson photo) noting that they are always pleased to see so many youths and older riders showcasing their talent, pointing out that sport is vital
for the overall development of young people. Race organizer Hassan Mohamed also expressed gratitude to the sponsor as
well as the competitors for making the event realty for the 12th successive year. Following are the full results from yesterday.
The 1976 Tri-Nations B/ball Tourney was the pacesetter for Caricom Championships The year was 1975, the occasion was the prestigious Central American Championship in the Dominican Republic. Head of the Guyana delegation, Mr. John ‘Fishy’ Yates was approached by members of FIBA about the possibility of hosting a Caribbean Championship with an aim towards bringing about more international competition between Caribbean countries with similar level of play. Originally it was planned to have Jamaica, Haiti and Curacao take part but time was against the organizers. Trinidad gave a verbal agreement but withdrew a day before the tournament commenced in Georgetown. As Statistician Charwayne Walker reflects the Tri-Nations tournament involving Suriname, Barbados and Guyana was a precursor to the Caricom Championship and the Dutch speaking team were the dominant ones. Suriname led by Harold Tonch played unbeaten winning both the Neil Chan and the Republic Trophies. Their star players were Feverus Wip, Roy Eudoxide,
Action in the Tri Nations tournament featuring Barbados in 1976. John Celius and Victor Sibilo. Feverus’ 38 pts against Guyana in the Republic Trophy Finals was the highest score of the tournament. Teammate Wip also scored 30pts against Barbados. The outstanding Guyanese players were skipper Mike Brusche, Orin Cumberbatch, Merton Fitzalbert, Phillip Daniels and Aubrey Chalmers. Barbados depended on
star player Malcolm Stanton, Jeffrey Stoute, Ian Trotman, Cameron Vickery and skipper Richard Clarke. Let’s statute the players that set the stage for the forming of the Caribbean Basketball Federation. Game one: Guyana vs Barbados Venue: National Sports Hall Results: Guyana won 76 to 66. Mike Brusche had a game high 21 pts, Aubrey
Chalmers 16 pts, Philip Daniels 13 pts. For Barbados: star player Malcolm Stanton top scored with 16 pts, Harry Games 12 pts. Game Two: Suriname blew out Barbados 107 to 70. Venue: National Sports Hall. Game Three: Suriname edged Guyana 59 to 57. Venue: National Sports Hall. Game Four: Barbados beat Guyana 77 to 70. Venue: national Sports Hall.
Guyana’s Merton Fitzalbert in action during the 1976 tournament. Finals for the Neil Chan Trophy Venue: National Sports Hall
Results: Suriname beat Barbados 99 to 84. For the champs Feverus scored 27 (Continued on page 65)
Kaieteur News
Sunday September 25, 2016
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Cuba down Jamaica 1-0 in CFU semi-finals COUVA, Trinidad & Tobago — Jamaica’s Under17 seemed out of character when they limped to a 0-1 defeat to Cuba in their Caribbean Football Union (CFU) semi-final game at the Ato Boldon Stadium Friday. Brian Savigne scored the all-important goal in the 59th minute. Cuba were to meet defending champions Haiti, who defeated Curocao 3-1 in the curtain-raiser, at the Ato Boldon Stadium last evening. The Young Boyz and Curacao were also to meet yesterday in the thirdplace play-off. In the last CFU tourney
Coby Atkinson (centre) of Jamaica being challenged by the Cuban pair of Carlos Alberto Molina (left) and Ronaldo Rosette during their Caribbean Football Union Championship semi-final inside the Ato Boldon Stadium last night. (Photo: Dexter Philip/Trinidad Express)
Top horses line up as changes made to “Best of the Best” President Cup meet Following the overwhelming response and support by horse owners to the staging of the Inaugural ‘Best of the Best President Cup horserace meet, which is organised by the Port Mourant Turf Club in collaboration with the Jumbo Jet Auto Sales and the KP Jagdeo Construction Company, the organisers have been forced to make a couple of adjustments to the day’s programme. Slated for Sunday 2nd of October at the Port Mourant Turf Club, Corentyne, Berbice, the event has been whipping up much support in the horseracing circles in Guyana and is expected to be grand. The G1 and lower event has now been upgraded to an F3 and lower race, while the I3 and lower race will now be a race for I2 and lower and J class horses. Among the major sponsors on board so far are Banks DIH Limited, Jumbo Jet Auto Sales, Kris Jagdeo Construction Company and Delmur Shipping Company among others. Meanwhile, preparations have almost been completed and with the PMTC known as the “Big Yard Turf Club” and both the Jumbo Jet and Jagdeo racing entities being major players in the horse
Over 75 entered racing fraternity, turfites are expected to have their money’s worth. Eight races are listed for the day with over $8M at stake including cash, trophies and other incentives. The feature A and lower 1550M event will once again see the cream of the crop in the horseracing circle down to participate as they take to the track. Horses such as Princess She Not, Lady Budapest, Just Call Me Bass, C P Got Even, , Plum Plum, Jack in My Style, Golden Blue Ecko and Keep On Swinging have already been entered for the showdown which has a hefty $1.5M along with the Best of the Best President Cup from a total package of $3M. The other events are the – for D3 maiden and E and lower horses over 1200M for a first prize of $800,000 and trophy. The 3 year old event is for Guyana Bred horses over 1200M for a winning take of $400,000 and trophy. The reconstructed F and Lower 1700M event will see the winner carting off $ 4 0 0 , 0 0 0 a n d t r o p h y. Horses classified H3 maiden and I and lower which will be going for 1300M for a $260,000 first prize and
trophy. The two years old Guyana and West Indies Bred horses will have an opportunity to clash for the $260,000 first prize and trophy over 1100M. Horses classified I2 and lower and J class will be running instead of those classified I3 and J and lower over 1500M for a winning pocket of $200,000. The final event will be for animals classified L and lower over 1100M for a pole position takings of $140,000 and trophy. Other top animals entered to participate in the day’s action so far are Right to Rule, Awesome Cash, Red Rocket, Isnt She Charming, Bigman Bass and Cat Messiah among the lot. Outstanding jockeys, trainers and stable will be presented with incentives compliments of Trophy Stall and The organisers. Interested persons can have information from Kris Jagdeo on telephone numbers 624-6123 or 3220369, Rajendra (Jim-Jo) Jagdeo on 618-7278 or Chandu Ramkissoon on 232-0633 or 624-9063. Race time is 12:30hrs. (Samuel Whyte)
in 2014, Jamaica advanced to the final by defeating Cuba 2-1 and lost to eventual champions, Haiti 2-1. Jamaica, missing key players due to injury last night, looked out of character and were severely bankrupt of creative play, never posing an attacking threat, but opted for a strategy of brawn which did not prove fruitful in the end. In a largely dull display by both teams, Cuba took the lead in the 59th minute when captain Brian Savigne found himself with space to beat goalkeeper Tajay Griffiths with ease. In perhaps Jamaica’s most unenterprising 45
minutes in the tournament, the Young Reggae Boyz displayed a lack of imagination, clearly missing the creative genius of the injured Kaheem Parris. Cuba’s first threatening moment came in the 54th minute when Carlos Ibarra created room for himself down the right-side, but his firm shot brought out the best of goalkeeper Griffiths. Five teams — Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, Curacao, and Suriname — will advance to the CONCACAF stage. Seven nations — three from North America and four from Central America — will also contest the tournament.
Georgetown trail by 113 with seven wickets intact against West Demerara Chanderpaul slams 187, Persaud hits 72 When stumps were drawn on the second and penultimate day of the fifthround Guyana Cricket Board Jaguars three-day league at Lusignan, Georgetown were trailing by 113 runs with seven wickets intact against West D e m e r a r a y e s t e r d a y. Batting a second time the city side closed on 74-3 with Jahron Byron on seven and skipper Christopher Barnwell on three. In reply to Georgetown first innings score of 170, West Demerara resumed on 1 6 5 w i t h Ta g e n a r i n e Chanderpaul on 94 and Akshaya Persaud on 49, and scored 357 before they were bowled out just before tea. Persaud reached his fifty with a single in the first over and added a further 38 with Chanderpaul before he was lbw for 72 after hitting six fours and one six off 139 balls in 178 minutes. Chanderpaul continued to bat sensibly and soon brought up his well deserved century off 150 balls after batting for 219 minutes. He then pulled Kellon Carmichael to the mid-wicket fence before driving Ronaldo Alimohamed for b o u n d a r i e s . H o w e v e r, Alimohamed uprooted the stumps of Yetesh Dhanpaul (05), off-spinner Gajanand Suknanan bowled Kemol Savory (07), while left arm seamer Andre Stoll bowled Travis Persaud (00) as West Demerara went to lunch at 244-6 with Chanderpaul on 134.
Tagenarine Chanderpaul anchored West Demerara innings
After the break, Romario Shepherd dumped Devon Lord for a six before he was bowled the very next ball for seven, while Barnwell had Richie Looknauth caught for five. Chanderpaul and Mahindra Dhanpaul added 69 for the ninth-wicket to frustrate their opponents somewhat. Chanderpaul continued to carefully gather his runs on both sides of the pitch and soon brought up his 150 after batting for 354 minutes. Dhanpaul took boundaries off Suknanan before the left-handed Chanderpaul deposited Devon Lord over the ropes. Kellon Carmichael then had Dhanpaul caught for 39 with four fours and two sixes. The level-headed Chanderpaul showed immense concentration and hardly put a foot wrong until he was caught by wicketkeeper Dexter Solomon off
Carmichael flashing at a wide ball outside off-stump for 187. His innings included eleven fours and seven sixes and came off 347 balls in 414 minutes; Seyhodan was unbeaten on one; Suknanan claimed 389 off 37 overs, Carmichael 2-35 off 17 and Stoll 2-50 from 14 overs. Facing a deficit of 187, Georgetown lost Robin Bacchus lbw to Shepherd for four in the first over before Andrew Lyght and Sunil Singh took the score to 62. Singh who pulled Yetesh Dhanpaul over midwicket and smashed him over long-on for sixes, was stumped off Richie Looknauth for 32, while Lyght was bowled by Seyhodan for 23, leaving their team at 62-3 before Byron and Barnwell saw them to the close. Play continues at 09:30 hrs today.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday September 25, 2016
Second batting meltdown leaves Windies with series loss DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, CMC – West Indies suffered their second batting meltdown in the space of 48 hours as they slumped to a 16-run defeat to Pakistan in the second Twenty20 International here y e s t e r d a y, t o m e e k l y surrender the three-match series. Asked to chase 161 for victory at the Dubai International Stadium, the Caribbean side looked anything but reigning World champions as they inexplicably collapsed to 144 for nine off their 20 overs, to suffer their second straight loss of the series following a similar disappointing outing on Friday. Sunil Narine saved some face for the Windies with a cameo top score of 30 off 17 deliveries batting at number nine while Andre Fletcher chipped in with 29 but his was a pedestrian knock that required 37 balls, and fell far short of what was required. West Indies were ripped apart by left-arm seamer Sohail Tanvir who snapped up three for 13 in a brilliant four-over spell and was supported by rookie speedster Hasan Ali who
Sohail Tanvir celebrates after dismissing Evin Lewis, Pakistan v West Indies, 2nd T20I, Dubai, yesterday ©Getty Images finished with three for 49. Captain Sarfraz Ahmed had earlier guided Pakistan up to a challenging 160 for four off their 20 overs when he top-scored with a Man-ofthe-Match, unbeaten 46 off 32 deliveries. Sent in, Pakistan also benefited from opener Khalid Latif’s knock of 40
o ff 3 6 b a l l s a n d t h e experienced right-hander Shoaib Malik’s invaluable 37 off 28 balls. Sharjeel Khan fell cheaply for two at four for one in the third over when he dragged on to leg-spinner Samuel Badree, but two halfcentury stands then repaired the innings and propelled the
hosts to the highest-ever total at the ground. Latif struck three fours and a six as he added 54 for the second wicket with Babar Azam who scored 19, while Sarfraz and Shoaib combined in a 69-run, fourth wicket partnership which took the game away from West Indies.
RHT 46th Anniversary 1970-2016
RHTY&SC, MS Cricket teams host successful Career and Business Fair Over 8000 students drawn from across the ancient county of Berbice at the Primary and Secondary levels are now better equipped to make decisions on a future career. The students on Thursday last visited the well organised and highly successful Career and Business Fair organised by the Cricket teams of Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, MS in observance of the 46th anniversary celebration of Rose Hall Town. Event Coordinator and Secretary/CEO of the RHTY&SC, Hilbert foster hailed the Career and Business Fair as one of the largest organised in Guyana with a total of 67 NGO’s, Government Agencies, International Agencies,
Companies and schools in attendance. The main objectives of the event were to assist youths to make career choices, to educate youths on qualifications needed for the different careers, to expose youths to mentors, to promote businesses in Guyana, to attract investments to the township and to promote the Club’s Say Yes to Education and Sports Message. Minister Dominic Gaskin and a team from the Ministry of Business spent over two hours visiting the different booths and later in an invited comment to the media, stated that he was highly impressed by the organisation of the Career and Business Fair and the wide range of exhibits. Minster with responsibilities f o r H o u s i n g , Va l e r i e Patterson and a team from
the Ministry also used the opportunity of the Career Fair to launch a countrywide consultation with youths on a housing policy for youths. The Government of Guyana is seeking to reduce the age limit from 21 years to 18 years for owning a house and youths present agreed with the proposal. Among the exhibitors present at the event were GBTI, Republic Bank, Scotia Bank, Ministry of Housing, Nand Persaud Co. Ltd, Metro Office Supplies, UNDP, FAO, PAHO/WHO, Guyana Tourism Authority, Food for the Poor, Guyana Aviation Authority, Guyana Prison Service, Guyana Police Force, Guyana Fire Service, New Amsterdam Technical Institute, Upper C o r e n t y n e Te c h n i c a l Institute, National Library, R H T Y & S C , G R PA ,
Comforting Hearts, NAREI, University of Guyana, Small Business Bureau, Ministry of Health, Ansa Mcal, Busta, Bank of Guyana, National Trust, GPOC, GWI, Guyana School of Agriculture, NDIA, Child Care Protection Agency, Guyana Revenue Authority, Go Invest, Environmental Protection Agency, RHT Council, New Amsterdam Secondary Schools, Lower Corentyne Secondary Schools among others. Students and other members of the general public while visiting the booths were able to interact with staff of the different agencies and collect educational materials. Visitors were also able to receive a wide array of souvenirs while the RHTY&SC used the (Continued on page 65)
Sarfraz produced a controlled innings, striking five fours and running sensibly between the wickets with Shoaib who counted three boundaries and a six before holing out in the deep in the final over. Any hopes West Indies had of re-discovering their World Cup-winning form were quickly dashed as they slumped to 19 for three in the sixth over, with Sohail picking up two of the wickets to fall. Johnson Charles (10) picked out Umar Akmal at long on off left-arm spinner Imad Wasim with the score on 12 in the third over and Evin Lewis was taken at slip by Sharjeel for three, edging a booming back foot drive at Sohail in the following over with just three runs added. When Marlon Samuels nicked Sohail behind to depart for one in the sixth over, West Indies were floundering. Fletcher then anchored two stands, adding 26 for the fourth wicket with Dwayne Bravo (18) and a further 37 for the fifth wicket with Kieron Pollard (18). Neither stand proved threatening, however, as none of the three players were afforded the freedom to score quickly. Bravo was eventually befuddled and bowled by one from Nawaz which came on with the arm in the 10th over and Fletcher could only
gather a single four and a six before his hard grind ended when he missed a heave and bowled by Hasan Ali at 82 for five in the 15th over. By then, the required run rate had climbed to nearly 15 runs an over and the pressure told as Fletcher’s dismissal saw three wickets tumble for seven runs in the space of 10 deliveries. Pollard edged a slowerball bouncer behind off Hasan Ali and in the next over, left-hander Nicholas Pooran holed out to long off with Sohail for four. Collapsing at 89 for seven in the 16th, Narine energised the innings by belting four fours and a six, posting 30 for the eighth wicket with captain Carlos Brathwaite (8) and 25 for the ninth wicket with Jerome Taylor (10 not out). Brathwaite and Narine combined to take 15 runs from the 17th over sent down by Hasan Ali and another 14 runs from the 18th bowled by seamer Wahab Riaz, handing the visitors the smallest of lifelines. But once Brathwaite deposited Hasan Ali into Umar Akmal’s lap at long on at the start of the 19th over with 42 runs still required, any remaining hope disappeared. The third and final game is set for Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
Kaieteur News
Sunday September 25, 2016
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Minister of State makes special donation to owner of Red Jet at President Cup At the recently held ‘Real President’s Cup’ Horserace Meet organised by Fazal Habibulla, at the Rising Sun Turf Club, Arima Park, West Coast, Berbice, the event for animals classified J and Lower over 1100M attracted the attention of Minister of State Joe Harmon. The race was sponsored by the Nand Persaud Group of Companies with a first prize of $260,000 and the Gansham Singh Lumber Yard Trophy. One of the animals in the race was Red Jet a crowd puller among the lower class horses and one of the favourites. The race turned out to be a classic. Red Jet of the Shamsundar stable with leading Jockey Colin Ross in the stirrups did not disappoint. The animal which hails from the Sophia
area in Georgetown is almost always in the money whenever it runs. Ironically the horse is a cart horse which would be seen pulling its cart around town on its regular routine It made sure that its travel to the Ancient Country was another worthwhile venture. Known for its sprinting ability and also stamina, the animal is an allrounder. With Ross in full control it was out of the starting gates in a flash, burning up the track early to keep it kept its competitors at bay. Down the homestretch it was being challenged by a strong and competitive field, but the horse had enough fire left in its legs to eke out a close win with Ross using all his experience and gile to guide it home by a nose over arch
rival and the fast finishing Liquid Lion with Golden Kiss and Party Time rounding out the money. It was dubbed by turfites as one of the better races of the day. The event was so competitive and Red Jet performance was so outstanding that it attracted the attention of no other than Minister of State Joseph Harmon. Minister Harmon, who deputized for His Excellency President David Granger at the event, made it his duty to go across to the main commentary area to congratulate the owner of Red Jet personally. The minister did not only congratulate the owners, but used the microphone to make a public announcement of a donation of a significant sum of cash to the owners. (Samuel Whyte)
Ms Singh of the Ghansham Singh Lumber yard and stable collects the trophy after Red Jet’s win.
Barcelona close gap as Real draw at Las Palmas
Barcelona’s Luis Suarez (R) scores past Sporting Gijon’s goalkeeper Ivan Cuellar. (REUTERS/Eloy Alonso) (Reuters) Substitute Sergio Araujo struck a late equaliser as Las Palmas held Real Madrid to a 2-2 draw and left them with a onepoint lead over Barcelona at the top of La Liga yesterday. Karim Benzema had given Real a 2-1 lead in the 67th, three minutes after coming on, but the hosts spoiled the visitors’ night
with Araujo’s 85th minute goal. Barca, playing without the injured Lionel Messi for the first time this season, won 5-0 at 10-man Sporting Gijon earlier in the day. Neymar scored twice while Luis Suarez, Arda Turan and Rafinha also hit the back of the net. “I’m disappointed with
the two goals we gave away,” Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said. “We had the game under control but we had a lack of concentration at the end. We deserved to win this game.” Real, who saw their record-equalling 16-game winning run in La Liga halted in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Villarreal, took a
deserved 33rd-minute lead. Marco Asensio headed in the rebound after goalkeeper Javi Varas was unable to hold onto Nacho’s powerful strike. The hosts equalised five minutes later when Raphael Varane’s poor clearance from Momo’s cross fell to Tana and the Spanish forward slotted the ball in from 10 metres. Benzema replaced Asensio in the 64th minute and the Frenchman scored after Cristiano Ronaldo’s powerful shot was kept out by Varas. Zidane took Ronaldo off after 71 minutes with the Portugal captain, who had failed to score on Wednesday, having endured another disappointing performance. “He always wants to be on the pitch but we have a game on Tuesday and I felt he needed to rest,” Zidane said referring to their Champions league match at Borussia Dortmund. Marko Livaja nodded the ball into the path of Araujo, whose first shot was saved by Kiko Casilla but he reacted quickly and scored on the rebound.
Real are top with 14 points while Barcelona climbed into second place after Sevilla lost for the first time this season, 3-1 at Athletic Bilbao, and fell to fourth. Barca made a slow start at El Molinon before Suarez broke the deadlock in the 29th minute, rounding Sporting goalkeeper Ivan Cuellar to tap in the opener. Rafinha then headed in Sergi Roberto’s cross at the near post for the second three minutes later. Sporting lost captain Alberto Lora to a second yellow card for a late challenge on Sergi Roberto in the 74th. In the final nine minutes, substitute Paco Alcacer hit the crossbar but Neymar pounced on the rebound to tap in, Turan headed Barca’s
fourth then Neymar got his second. “The right-back position was new to me but I’m growing to like it more and more,” Sergi Roberto, who has switched from a midfield position, told reporters after laying on two of Barca’s goals. Athletic Bilbao recorded their fourth successive league win at San Mames to climb to third. Sevilla’s Samir Nasri cancelled out Mikel San Jose’s opener before Mikel Balenziaga scored his first goal in his 270th career game to put Athletic ahead. Aritz Aduriz earned a late penalty after being elbowed by Sevilla goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu, who was sent off, and converted for his team’s third.
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Kaieteur News
GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power Nat. U-17 League
Gordon and Glasgow blast hat-tricks in leading BAPSC and BVTU to wins
Sunday September 25, 2016
Courts 10k race on this morning
Courts Guyana Inc. in collaboration with the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) will be hosting its much-anticipated Sixth Annual Courts 10km Road Race, scheduled for this morning from 6am outside the Main Street Store. According to a press release from Courts, the event comes “on the heels of the record breaking event held last year”. The event which is now a fixture on the AAG Calendar sees some clubs, athletes and gyms Bachelor’s Adventure Paradise SC’s Teshawn Gordon participating every year. (2nd left) nets his sides opening goal against Buxton Courts boasted in its Stars yesterday at the Melanie ground, ECD. press release that last year had “the largest registration Bachelor’s Adventure The second half was no One such play brought in the history of any 10km Paradise S p o r t s C l u b different for the lads from them the equalizer when event in Guyana”. The race is (BAPSC) and BV Triumph Bachelor’s Adventure as one of their {BV}players opened to athletes in the United (BVTU) recorded they replicated their first half was brought down in the junior, senior and master c o n t r a s t i n g w i n s performance. box. Stepping up to take categories for both males yesterday on account of a Gordon was again on the the penalty was none and females. h a t - t r i c k e a c h f r o m score sheets in the 70th o t h e r t h a n O m a r i “Courts will be handing T e s h a w n G o r d o n minute to increase the Glasgow and he made no over $1,500,000 in cash, ( B A P S C ) a n d O m a r i advantage to 3-0 and eight mistake in banging the prizes and trophies. The Glasgow (BVTU) as play in minutes later to 4-0 thanks to ball past the outstretched race will commence at t h e i n a u g u r a l a Colin Hendricks strike. hands of Golden Stars’ Courts Main Street Store at G F F / N A M I L C O In the opening match, it goalie, Shawn Adonis in the 6 am and a 3km event will Thunderbolt Flour Power was all the Omari Glasgow 43rd minute. be held simultaneously for National Intra Association show as he singlehandedly It was exactly what the s t a ff m e m b e r s o f t h e U n d e r - 1 7 L e a g u e took the fight to Golden Stars doctor had ordered the BV company as the brand continued at the Melanie FC and came out victor in a lads and it certainly pumped continues to promote g r o u n d , E a s t C o a s t David vs Goliath like match up their adrenaline for the healthy lifestyles even Demerara. up. remaining two minutes and Playing in the feature The BV side is made up this rolled over to the second m a t c h , B A P S C m a d e of lots of players small in half which saw BVTU very light work of Buxton stature but they have big dominant in the opening Stars whom they eased hearts and that is what took moments which certainly set past 4-0 after leading 2-0 them to a memorable win the mood and mode for the at the end of the first 45 against a Golden Stars line remainder of the match. minutes. up that featured many Five minutes into the Buxton were up to the goliaths like players. half, Glasgow caught the task of matching their Glasgow undoubtedly Golden Stars defenders c o u n t e r p a r t s f r o m one of the more skillful flatfooted as they afforded Bachelor ’s Adventure, players on show in the him the luxury of space and t h e r e i g n i n g E a s t tournament, once again he obliged by shooting a D e m e r a r a F o o t b a l l displayed why he is a vital powerfully taken shot to the A s s o c i a t i o n U n d e r- 1 7 player in the BV line-up. far corner to beat a surprised champions play for play Golden Stars enjoyed the Adonis in the 50th minute in the opening exchanges early momentum which which handed BVTU the but as the match matured, included many physical lead for the first time in the B a c h e l o r ’s A d v e n t u r e plays as they asserted match. gradually took control of themselves against the BV BV to their credit made proceedings. boys. the ball do the work as a The winners played a The Stars were golden 20 collective unit which was more robust game as they minutes on when Shamar quite the opposite for the outhustled the Buxton side. Kingston hammered in their Golden Stars players. Gordon hammered in both first goal past Shawn Cudjoe Glasgow was again on first half goals, hitting the between the uprights for the score sheets in the 70th target in the 24th and 40th BVTU. But even though minute to double BVTU’s Venton Mars in T&T. m i n u t e , B u x t o n ’ s they found themselves advantage as they cantered goalkeeper Kareem Wills trailing, the BV lads showed t o a 3 - 1 a d v a n t a g e ; G u y a n e s e F I FA being unable to keep good control and skills and effectively knocking the Assistant Referee (AR) Gordon’s shots outside of were very patient whenever wind out of the sails of Venton Mars has been the nets. they got the ball. Golden Stars. appointed to officiate in the Golden Stars somehow Despite pulling one Caribbean Football Union took the BV lads for granted back in the 80th minute to Men’s U-17 Final between and gradually lost the early reduce the lead by one on Haiti and Cuba to be punch they displayed as BV account of Kingston’s contested tonight at the Ato b e g a n t o s h o w m o r e second of the match (3-2), Boldon Stadium in the Twin confidence as they made BV held strong in the Island Republic of Trinidad more frequent plays in the remaining 10 minutes to a n d T o b a g o . Golden Stars defensive c e l e b r a t e v i c t o r y a n d The experienced Mars will third. deservedly so. be joined by Barbados
Cleveland Forde among its staff,” Courts continued in the circular. The first to third place finishers for male and female staff members will be awarded cash prizes and trophies. “Courts is proud to be able to continue to host this event, making good on its commitment to sports in
Guyana”. Cleveland Forde has been the most dominant athlete in the race, missing out on just one title in 2014 when he did not compete owed to an injury. Forde will be back to defend his title from last year with the female category open to challenge.
Mars to officiate in CFU Men’s U-17 Final today in T&T
Referee Trevor Taylor, AR Kenroy Willis of Cayman Islands and Ricangel De Leca from Aruba. The tournament started on September 16 with two groups of 4 teams each. Group A consisted of Haiti, Jamaica, host Trinidad and Tobago and Bermuda, while Group B comprised of Cuba, Curacao, Suriname and Guadalupe. Mars who
officiated in Group B did the Guadeloupe vs Suriname, Guadeloupe vs Cuba, Guadeloupe vs Curacao and Haiti vs Curacao semi final matches. It is as a result of his performances in those matches that he was selected to do the final. Kaieteur Sport takes this opportunity to congratulate Mars on this accomplishment.
Kaieteur News
Sunday September 25, 2016
PAGE 75
‘Red Man’ follows up ton with 3-wicket burst to keep W/B’ce on top of East Bank GCB Jaguars 3-day League
By Sean Devers Pacer Keyron ‘Red Man’ Fraser followed up his century with three quick wickets to leave East Bank on 275-8 in reply to West Berbice’s 407-9 declared at Enterprise despite a 146-run fifth wicket between Danny Narayan (72) and Tevin Imlach (70) on the second day of the fifth round GCB Jaguars three-day Franchise League yesterday. Fraser was unbeaten on 1 2 0 a s We s t B e r b i c e declared on their overnight 407-9 to claim five batting points and register the highest total in the tournament so far before the wiry pacer removed Ershad Ali (12) and Stephon Harris (0) in the first over with the second new ball just before the close. Fraser charged in and bowled a lively late afternoon spell to finish the day with 3-41 after legspinner Kevin Jawahir (364) had removed three of the first four East Bank batsmen to leave them on 83-4 at Lunch. Stephon Browne (27) and Deonarine Seegobin (37) added 72 for the first wicket in sultry conditions. However, Jawahir got rid of both openers before
producing a perfect quicker ball which bowled National U-19 left-hander Sherfane Rutherford for a duck after he had blasted 106 from 89 balls in the last round against Georgetown at Albion. After Lunch the Berbicians were in a strong position to force East Bank, who have struggled with the bat this season, to a score which was less than the follow-on target of 257. But 29-year-old Narayan and Imlach who turns 20 in November, joined forces in ‘operation rebuild’ and by Tea were still together with their team on 174-4 and the pair growing in confidence with every ball they faced on a good track for cricket. Narayan, struggling with fitness issues, has been consistent if not outstanding in the League. He got a fifty against GT and 48 & 33 at Lusignan against Upper Corentyne but he has not managed to get a really big score. Imlach has had a tidy League with the gloves but has not managed to produce in front of the stumps with his previous highest score being 16. To make matters worse Skipper and First-Class player Steven Jacobs, who started his career as a
batsman who could bowl, has struggled with the bat for the East Bank Franchise. But yesterday that slowly started to change as Narayan, who ran out of gas and used salted water to counter craps and the out of form Imlach, batted wonderfully on a sandy outfield in one area which robbed the batsmen value for their shots. Narayan tried to hit the ball too hard while Imlach encountered problems with his placement in the early stages of their batting union but once they survived to Tea and conditions became cooler the pair began to flourish. Narayan got to his second fifty from 126 balls with four boundaries while Imlach swiveled and pulled Sherwin McPherson disdainfully for four to reach his first half-century from 128 balls decorated with four fours and a six. Imlach swept Jawahir for four to bring up the 200 and East Bank had achieved a batting point. Narayan was now in full flow and leaned back and waited on the ball before cutting it magnificently in the gap between point and cover off Leon Andrews for what was arguably the shot of the day.
When Narayan dragged a ball from pacer Barrington Mitchell onto his stumps, he had batted for 211 minutes, faced 160 balls, reached the boundary five times and cleared it once. The righthander had not managed a three-figure score but the stand with Imlach could be a match saving one. Jacobs joined Imlach, who pounced on McPherson, trying to buy a wicket with some innocuous spin and brutally smashed him for four. But with the score on 244, Imlach inexplicably played no shot to one that cut back slightly from Fraser and lost his offstump. It was a crucial error of judgement which brought to an end a superbly crafted innings. Imlach’s 70 lasted 214 minutes, 172 balls. It included six fours and two sixes. Ershad Ali (12) stayed for 59 minutes with Jacobs, who was batting himself back into form with several confident drives forcing the second new ball to be taken as the batsmen dominated proceedings. Fraser stuck two telling blows with the score on 264 but Jacobs, strangely batting at number seven, was unbeaten on a solid unbeaten
Century partnership for Imlach & Narayan
Keyron Fraser fends at a bouncer from Sherfane Rutherford before counter attacking in his unbeaten 120 batting and followed it up with three late afternoon wickets yesterday. (Sean Devers photo) 21, while Sagar Hathiramani who is developing into a genuine all-rounder, was with him on two with East Bank still 132 runs behind going into the final day today. Meanwhile, at Port Mourant, Essequibo resuming on their overnight score of 99/4 in reply to Upper Corentyne’s 206/9 declared, were eventually dismissed for 165. Former Test batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul top scored with 55. Bowling for Upper Corentyne, Eon Hooper (5-
30) bagged his second fivewicket haul. Upper Corentyne in their second turn at the crease were then dismissed for 201. Clinton Pestano scored 47, Kevlon Anderson and Eon Hooper both made 40, while Jason Sinclair chipped in with 20. Kemo Paul (4), Anthony Adams (3) and Ricardo Adams (2) were the main wicket takers. Essequibo requiring 243 for victory are one for one wicket with Rayon Fredericks the batsman dismissed.
Fitness Express sponsors airfare East Coast and Lower Corentyne locked for Mr Guyana CAC participation in interesting battle Sponsorship has always been a major challenge for many Guyanese athletes in their quest to represent the Golden Arrowhead. In the case of reigning Mr. Guyana Kerwyn Clarke, Fitness Express has ensured that he would be in the right frame of mind at the upcoming 44th annual CACBBFF sanctioned by IFBB and is set to be held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic from September 30 to October 1st, 2016. Living true to its commitment of supporting athletes’ development locally and overseas, Manager/Owner of Fitness E x p r e s s M r. J a m i e McDonald this week presented Clarke with is air ticket to the Dominican Republic. In handing over the ticket at Fitness Express’ Sheriff and John Street, Campbellville
Fitness Express Manager Jamie Mc Donald (left) hands over the air ticket to Mr. Guyana Kerwyn Clarke. location, McDonald wished Clarke every success as he embarks on bringing back the gold medal for Guyana at the Central American and Caribbean
Body Building and Fitness Championships. Clarke in response showered praise on McDonald and Fitness Express for their continued
investment in his development whilst stating that the entity has been diligently supporting his training which include leading up to CAC 2016. ”Fitness Express’ continued support has been one of the enabling factors in me being where I am today in the sport and it further propels and give me the confidence of winning my category at CAC this year.” ”I have put in the necessary work and my main objective now is to display my hard work by taking care of the competing bodybuilders at CAC by capturing the eyes of the judge’s panel.” Clarke, a two-time CAC bronze medalist and fourtime Mr Guyana is expected to leave these shores on September 28 for the Dominican Republic.
Following another ordinary day of cricket East Coast Demerara had taken the initiative, but Lower Corentyne were fighting back at the end of the second day of the Fifth round Jaguar Franchise match which is being played at the Albion Community Centre ground. Lower Corentyne began the day on 70-1with their inform batsmen Jonathan Foo and Khandasammy Surujnarine at the crease in pursuit of East Coast 277. However, Lower Corentyne flattered to deceive on a good batting pitch, through careless batting to be dismissed for 193. Seon Hetmyer batting at No7 top scored of the host with a well-played 54(2x4), Surujnarine added 19 to his overnight score to be dismissed for 46((5x4). Foo, who a lot was depending on,
fell for 37 in the second over of the day. Kassim Khan made 17. Most of the batsmen fell to big shots and though East Coast like their Lower Corentyne counterparts floored a number of chances. The batsmen did not capitalize. Bowling for East Coast, leg spinner Amir Khan bagged 5-69, he received good support from Paul Wintz with 3-44, while there were one each for Sankar and Tameshwar Yadram. East Coast in their second turn at the crease with a lead of 84 were struggling at 97-7 for a lead of 171. None of the batsmen showed any permanence and looked very timid at the crease. Ramnarine Chaturia scored 23, while Bashkar Yardram and Khan with have so far scored 21 (Continued on page 65)
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Second batting meltdown leaves Windies with series loss
Andre Fletcher scored a quiet 29, Pakistan v West Indies, 2nd T20I, Dubai, yesterday ©Getty Images
Sunil Narine … top-scored for West Indies with 30.
12th Laparkan Holdings Ltd. National Park 11-Race Cycle Meet
Junior Niles pedals to victory in feature race as top-three lap entire field
Laparkan Holdings Ltd. staff members and the race organiser take time for a group photo with yesterday’s winners and others following the presentation of prizes.
Courts 10k race on this morning 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