GuyanaTimes

Account Executive gunned down in Meadow Brook robbery

AWOL cop busted in Suriname with drugs

...writes Granger to correct “grave anomaly”

GTUC wants PPP/C excluded from unity Govt Govt yet to submit proposals to tap India’s loans for road bypass, ferry GTUC slams Govt for ditching Labour Ministry

Guyanese

friday, june 19, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, June 19 - 05:00h-06:30h and Friday, June 20 – 05:30h-07:00h

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, June 19 – 05:35h-07:05h and Friday, June 20 – 06:10h-07:40h

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily.

WEATHER TODAY

Govt releases G$800M to pay rice farmers

General Manager of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) Jagnarine Singh has disclosed that it has received G$800 million from the Government which it will be using to start paying off the millers from today.

The Government owes the millers approximately US$15 million (approximately G$3 billion) for the supply of rice, while the millers in turn owe rice farmers across the country some G$6 billion for the supply of paddy. It is unclear where the Government sourced the G$800 million from, and both Singh and Agriculture Minister Noel Holder declined to comment on this.

The millers in Guyana have developed a reputation of failing to pay rice farmers on time. Due to the millers’ constant failure to pay rice farmers over the years, the amount owed to them have now accumulated to some G$6 billion, which they are now unable to settle because of the outstanding amounts owed to them by the Government.

However, Holder believes that the entire situation regarding the rice industry is being blown out of proportion. The Minister explained that the money owed to the millers by the Government is not exactly a “stop and wait” situation as monies are constantly coming in to pay them. Holder explained that the amount owed is constantly fluctuating because, when the Government receives money from the markets and pay off the millers, the outstanding amount decreases. Whereas, when the Government collects rice from the millers on a credit basis to supply to the markets, the outstanding figure increases.

However, the Minister acknowledged that the debt has to be cleared once and for all, indicating that Finance Minister Winston Jordan will soon be tapping into the consolidated fund

to rectify this situation.

GRDB General Manager told this publication that this is the first sum of money given to the Board to pay off the millers and that more will soon be coming, however he is unsure of when the next payment will be made.

For years now, many have been complaining of the exploitation of the rice farmers at the hands of the millers. They argue that the millers continuously ignore the Rice Factory Act, which stipulates that rice farmers should be paid within 42 days of receipt of produce and, if not, then the miller is bound by law to pay farmers an interest rate that is two per cent higher than the going interest rate of the Bank of Guyana.

On the other hand, businessman Beni Sankar pointed out that the millers are not exactly living a laidback life as the rice farmers suffer. He said people only recognise that monies are owed by millers to farmers, by GRDB to millers and also by farmers to input suppliers.

Sankar highlighted that the situation is much more complex because millers owe large sums of money to commercial banks, and are therefore under significant pressure to pay off the Bank, and dispose of the paddy in a timely manner so as to pay off the farmers.

Sankar explained that Guyana only exports roughly 75 per cent of its rice production, while the rest is being locally utilised. Of that 75 per cent exported, only some 40 per cent is going to Venezuela. Sankar pointed out that the problem with some farmers is that they are asking for prices based on Venezuelan price, which is not possible. He explained that Venezuela offers a higher price than Europe and the Caribbean; therefore, all the prices for the rice cannot be fixed since the markets are varying.

Return on investments

In his press release to the media, Sankar explained that it costs a farmer about G$65,000 to produce two tons per acre per crop. Therefore, total cost per acre per year (2 crops)

equals G$130,000.

If the farmer were to make 20 per cent on his investment, he will expect G$130,000 plus an additional G$26,000.

Considering that 32 bags per crop equal 64 bags per year, the price per bag should be equal to $2,437 (G$156,000/64), which can be easily sustained by the Caribbean and European Markets.

An additional G$200 per bag on paddy can be

available to the farmer, if cost savings can be considered in areas of levy to the GRDB, charges at the export ports, etc, he explained.

Sankar believes that the rice industry is not exactly in trouble, but that it is a social issue which is contributing to the existing confusion. “The Rice Industry has gone from strength to strength, in terms of acres under cultivation and yield per acre, now averaging two tons per acre. That is, 32 bags at 140 lbs per bag per crop, due mainly to higher yielding varieties, produced at the Burma Rice Research Station, and improved cultivation and husbandry practices, but slow to respond to acquiring markets for the increase production.”

As a result of new technology, drying and milling systems have improved, resulting in better recoveries from paddy to rice. “The problem of millers owing the farmers could have been non-existent, if the monies that were made available to Guyana (about G$3 billion) by the European Union for the Rice Industry, was put in a Revolving Fund as in Suriname, rather than in the Consolidated Fund after the First Year,” Sankar reasoned.

Businessman Beni Sankar

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder

General Manager of GRDB, Jagnarine Singh

Editor: Nigel Williams

Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

Specialty Hospital

The APNU/AFC government has announced that it is abandoning the plans for “Specialty Hospital” to be built in Guyana.The top of the line 902’x 755’ Speciality Hospital would have attracted up to 500 specialist doctors to perform advanced heart and cosmetic surgery, transplants and other specialised medical interventions.

This hospital was at the centre of the PPPC administration’s plans to upgrade the quality of health care in the country to match that of the developed countries.

As matters presently stand in terms of the health care system, we have followed the British system where medical services for the populace is considered a social good and is provided by the government-run hospitals at no cost to them.

Obviously, this places a cap on the allocative aspect of the budget dedicated for health because of demands from other sectors. Even though massively increased comparatively during the two decades given the still low absolute level of the GDP for our country, its is almost impossible to upgrade the system significantly unless there is some source of external funding.

The plan of the previous administration was to achieve this by utilising the Speciality Hospital services as the centre piece of a strategy for Guyana to enter the emerging growth industry of “medical tourism”.

As medical costs in the developed countries, such as the US continue to spiral out of control, several countries such as India and the Philippines have been able to offer specialised surgical operations and follow up care at a fraction of the costs.

In most cases, individuals accompanying the patients into the country have to also be put up at hotels and guest houses and catered to as with any other “tourist” fishing the country for other available “attractions”.

The influx of patients and their companions have grown from a trickle into a burgeoning stream that has earned the title “medical tourism”. Even some other countries in Caribbean have signalled their intention to capitalise on the opportunity presented due to our proximity to the US, our English speaking population and our recognised “regular” tourism attractions.

But the earning from the medical tourists was only one component of the PPPC government’s plans. The intention was that the charges from the overseas clients would allow the costs to local Guyanese utilising the services to be subsidised.

At present, Guyanese have to travel abroad for these operations at great costs that demand a constant stream of humiliating public “mendicants” in the press.

Another benefit would have been for our growing body of local doctors to be afforded the opportunity to upgrade their skills in the areas that the Speciality Hospital would be offering services.

The government’s programme, negotiated by former President Jagdeo and President Castro to have 500 locals trained in Cuba as physicians to complement the graduates from the Medical Programme at the University of Guyana has been spectacularly successful in supplying doctors to all health facilities in the country.

But their deployment has brought to the fore the need to have those doctors receive specialist training.

The Minister of the Presidency claimed that presently there is a greater need to provide better primary care and that his government will be requesting the Indian Ex-Imp Bank, which furnished the loan, to utilise the funds for that purpose.

We believe that the government’s proposal is shortsighted and they are throwing out the baby with the bathwater. In suggesting they reconsider their decision, we would suggest that they have a discussion with their Minister of National Security.

The latter gentleman, then the leader of the Alliance For Change, but acting in his capacity as an attorney had been vociferous extolling the virtues of the Speciality Hospital.

His only reservation was that the Indian firm that that had retained his services, Fedders-Lloyd, should have been awarded the contract, and not Surendra Engineering. The field is clear now that Surendra has been dismissed.

The PPP/C leadership is solid

Dear Editor,

It appears that suddenly after the elections, there are many experts who have surfaced to pronounce on the future of the PPPC as a party and about the party’s leadership.

Everyone seems to have a suggestion here and there for the party to chart its future course, or about Parliament, or about who should be the Opposition Leader. And everyone thinks they are right and knows what is best for the party.

Most, if not all, of these,

however, are mere speculations about the internal structure of the party.

Most recently, the Stabroek News appeared to believe that it knows best about what would work for the party with an analysis about the leadership.

This is a stark contrast from what views were being expressed before the elections when these same letter writers and so called experts were fearful of another PPPC victory at the elections.

Well, from all appearances, it was a another PPPC

victory, except for the machinations of GECOM, in particular the Chairman, and external forces in operation.

The PPPC is the oldest party in Guyana. Clearly, it is still the strongest. It has never been short of leadership.

Many of those such as Nagamootoo, Ramjattan and Ramkarran who felt that with them leaving, the PPPC would suffer, have learned otherwise, as the party has never lost an elections, including the last one.

For 28 years from 19641992, the PPP was kept out

of power due the fraud and elections rigging. How many other political parties in the world have survived that long in opposition under the single leadership of one man, in this case, Dr Cheddi Jagan?

I would not venture to call names as to who the PPPC would choose and what structure the party would take into the future.

But what I do know is that without calling any names, the PPPC’s leadership and future are rock solid.

Annalisa Ally

Faithful campaigners Ram, Goolsarran rewarded

Dear Editor, I should be grateful if you would kindly publish this letter which is intended to express the concern of many in the national community and to encourage a debate on suitable and appropriate public appointments generally, and more particularly the contracted appointments of Anand Goolsarran and Christopher Ram as auditors for certain state agencies by the just installed Granger-led Government.

By what process were they selected? Was it the selection of friends and campaign critics of the PPP/C administration for expected rewards?

Where is the transparency in this action? What has happened to the tendering and bidding process for state contracts? Let the public know of the cost of this first reward to Anand Goolsarran and Christopher Ram; no doubt more to come their way.

It widely known that Anand Goolsarran and Christopher Ram have been bitter critics of the PPP/C administration for many years, but more particular-

ly since the 2011 national elections in which the opposition held a one seat majority.

Goolsarran who is a former Auditor General under the Desmond Hoyte and Carl Greenidge interregnum, never produced and presented a single Audit Report to the National Assembly as required by law – a serious dereliction of duty and violation of the Constitution.

It is known in PPP/C circles that Anand Goolsarran lobbied at the highest political level in the PPP/C for recognition and sought after the Chairmanship in the Public Procurement Commission or Chairmanship of a large Public Corporation, motivated largely to be in the public media lime light.

The PPP/C politely ignored his vaunting ambition and quest. Goolsarran then turned to his friends in the PNC/AFC to promote his interest and ambition.

Similarly, Ram was rebuffed and not given the sought-after recognition by the PPP/C administration

and found satisfaction in his anti-PPP/C columns. Both Goolsarran and Ram have been publicly nominated by the AFC to be members of the Public Procurement Commission.

They have seen nothing good from the PPP/C administration despite the obvious developments and consistent growth of the national economy and the social welfare of the citizens.

They were and are encouraged and used by opponents of the PPP/C to provide fuel and ammunition for the PNC/AFC, no doubt with the hope of a joyful ride on the PNC gravy train.

Any objective examination of their writings would reveal a consistent bias, selected issues and slanted columns by Ram and Goolsarran in favour of the PNC/AFC combination in the 10th Parliament and now the PNC-led coalition administration.

They wrote and commented on some of the very state agencies they are contracted to audit, and are obviously going with preconceived biases, may be to

justify their own writings to please their political masters and friends.

Is this not a case of preconceived bias, conflict of interest and lack of transparency for a national assignment? Christopher Ram and Anand Goolsarran are known political partisans and cannot be considered as independent and impartial. Are they in violation of the ACCA Code of Ethics and Professionalism?

Let concerned members of the public speak andwrite in the local and social media. Let civil society organizations including the ACCA, Transparency Institute of Guyana and TGI International inform the Guyanese public. Goolsarran and Ram are invited to respond so that the debate can continue. Public officials must practise what they have been preaching on the issues of conflict of interest, accountability, transparency, integrity, inclusiveness, and good governance.

Joshua John Concerned citizen

Children pose for a graduation photo at Beibei District Experimental Kindergarten in Chongqing, southwest China (The Telegraph)

The PPP/C brought respectability to Guyana

Dear Editor,

There is more unity and cohesion in the PPP/C than in the so called united front of APNU/AFC.

I say this on the basis of the party’s rich history. Our party is the only one that bears the battle scarred badge of 28 years of electoral rigging defeats and yet for all of that we’re still here.

In a past racked with turmoil when most of its members were beaten and imprisoned, all because they stood up for the rights of the people, the PPP stood the test. We endured the shame and stood together.

Our party had the ignominy of both its leaders Dr Jagan and Mrs Jagan being thrown into jail as common criminals. When these things took place, it was the theory then, as it is now, that this would bring an end to the PPP, but we survived the onslaught.

We have been in the wilderness through trials and tribulations, high seas and strong winds, and ridiculed and humiliated at every available opportunity, but we survived.

Violent attacks of every kind and description, we’ve endured it, yet we survived. Rigged elections, you name it we suffered. Cheated out of office so many times in the past with a repeat performance in the present, but we

are still here. We have stood the test and came out as refined gold.

It takes people of strength, grit and determination to go through all of that and still remain a force to reckon with.

That is, because we are an indomitable people blessed with an indomitable spirit, and for this cause we will keep up the struggle until the goal of our party, and that of the people, is achieved.

They call us arrogant and haughty. But I would say persistent and proud, that might be a fair statement because our strength lies with the people of this great country.

They are the ones who instill in us that confidence. They are the ones who voted for us that did cause us to win elections and ingrained in us that pride of purpose. We pride ourselves in the people’s will.

No superpower or fraud at any time ever gave us that confidence. We are not a regime propped up by fraud, never has been and never will be. We win elections on the basis of merit, not fraud. And when we had our stint in office our party did us proud. They demonstrated to the nation that they are a party worthy guardians of the people’s wealth. They managed our resources wise-

ly wherein this country has seen growth and prosperity these last 23 years. The PPP/C is proud to announce that we brought respectability to a place call Guyana.

So, rumours of the PPP/C being “defeated” and the existence of the party a thing of the past, is mere idle gossip. We are going nowhere. At the present moment we are on standby willing and ready to rescue this nation once again.

It must be noted that in their haste to set up an illegal regime, they have robbed Guyana of another opportunity along the developmental path. Putting us out of office means that all development ceases for the foreseeable future.

The foundation laid and those goals already established by the PPP/C have finally come to an abrupt end. Cheating us out of office will only achieve one objective, that is, it robs the country of continued peace, progress and prosperity.

Putting an illegal government in office only pushes the country backwards. Sooner than later, we would regain our rightful place, to continue the good work of rebuilding Guyana. We have the right direction for this country – unity of hope, unity of purpose.

Neil Adams

Sole sourcing, no tenders already a hallmark of APNU+AFC Govt

Dear Editor,

APNU+AFC has initiated a number of forensic audits of statutory agencies. There is nothing wrong with a government, particularly a new government, wanting to audit these agencies.

It might seem a waste of resources and time and energy, since many of these agencies have had annual audits done. Many of these agencies had their audits done by independent and chartered auditors. Yet the government wants to audit them again.

I personally have no objection to the audits being done.

But I am concerned. The process should be transparent and should be impartial. There is no such thing as forensic audit if it is done as part of a witch hunt and if it is done by people who have been openly hostile to the PPPC government. Any finding will be viewed as partial and as a vengeful act.

All of the contracted auditors are partial. All have been hostile to the previous government. Each has preconceived notion of what happened. Each is approaching the audits as if they already know the answers.

This is a bad start to a process that has obvious potential benefits. But the way

the audits have been convened demonstrate that APNU+AFC has no interest in the truth, but only to have a process to witch hunt.

This is, therefore, a huge waste of scarce resources and wasting valuable time, time that could be better used to keep Guyana firmly on the development trajectory that has seen 10 years of successive economic growth.

APNU+AFC spent a lot of time condemning the PPPC government for sole sourc-

ing and for not tendering for goods and services. Now it is guilty of sole-sourcing its own people, friends and relations, to convene audits in the most blatantly non-transparent and illegal manner.

In addition, significant contracts have been given to supporters without any open tenders. I have checked to see if there was any tendering. I see no advertisement for any of these audits.

We need a homogenous blend of governance, management

Dear Editor, Governance typically embodies the overarching set of policies, procedures, rules and systems which set the tone and direction governing the modus operandi of organizations.

Management, on the other hand, can be considered a sub-set or extension of governance, so that while they usually mirror and reinforce each other, that is not always the case.

Any dissonance on the part of the management cadre can and often does lead to the demise of the latter simply because of the superior structural power of the former.

Interestingly, this power is relatively ephemeral in that the electorate can periodically dis-empower the politicians in the same way that shareholders in private

sector companies can remove Directors of Boards.

In contrast, the management cadre are typically subject-matter experts/ career professionals enjoying relatively secure, permanent appointments based on what management guru, Tom Paterson, calls “sapiential authority”, which is rooted in their professional expertise.

Problems arise when the ‘politicos’ and the ‘professionals’ disrespect, transgress, usurp or undermine the respective roles of each other; worse still when the professional manager abandons his professionalism and curries the favour of the structural superior in pursuit of promotion, financial reward or in fear of victimization.

These inevitably result in unprofessional conduct

and ineffective management to the detriment of the nation or corporation or service as the case might be.

The ideal situation is for those with structural authority, like politicians, to respect and be guided by the sapiential authority inherent in the role of the experts and professional managers; the resultant homogeniety can only redound to the good of the relevant corporations and our nation.

Of course, implicit in the foregoing discussion is that the managerial positions are populated with well endowed professional staff, a perception that might not be altogether true; hence the need for a Human Resource Audit, concomitant re-profiling and any related Sstaffing initiatives.

Nowrang Persaud

The Cummingsburg Accord has begun to unravel

Dear Editor, As predicted, the Cummingsburg Accord has begun to unravel. The stout denials and pretences by the AFC executives notwithstanding the serviceability of the half-way house type Accord is now under tremendous stress and strain.

The Accord describes itself thus: “A sunset agreement with a life span of a minimum of 36 months and a maximum of 60 months…. It is accepted that these arrangements will govern the relationship of the participating parties in both the pre and post election periods for the duration of the eleventh Parliament.”

Recently, questions have been coming fast and furious about violations of the Accord more specifically in respect of «shared executive responsibilities». And the dispute has to do with what really are Nagamotoo›s responsibilities? As far as the Accord is concerned, the Prime Minister shall have responsibility for:

1. Domestic affairs and chairing Cabinet.

2. Recommending ministerial appointments and providing the organisational structures of ministries for the approval of the President.

3. Appointing heads of agencies and non- constitutional commissions subject to the general and agreed democratic mechanisms of consultation.

4. Domestic security.

The hush-hush to make it appear as if all is well in the coalition will not stop the internal bleeding. The demise of the deal is well nigh. The signs are all there for those who have eyes to see.

In wake of this situation, two distinct approaches have emerged. On the one hand, the executives of the AFC has adopted a defensive «we love it» posture, while on the other, the «soulja bais» in the APNU have adopted a more aggressive and offensive posture true to military doctrine.

Bending to public pressure to defend their occupancy of the Cummingsburg

half-way house, the AFC suddenly announced that one of their fellow executives has been identified to be the AFC›s watchman over their portion of the Cummingsburg property. But as everybody knows, all watchmen sleep, so while the other AFC executives get «high» and intoxicated with the sweet, ecstatic taste of the May 11 power drink, these ever-alert elite Guyanese graduates of the Washington-based National Defense University, now ensconced at the larger portion the property, and who are usually adept at plotting and planning how to outfox the «other side», who in this case are the AFC part-owners of the Cummingsburg property. And the way was opened up for this to happen when Nagamootoo opened his mouth and claimed that a violation of a major clause in the property agreement «is a minor irritancy that should not be elevated to any importance».

friday, june 19, 2015| guyanatimesgy.com

CIOG wishes Guyanese Ramadan Mubarak

The President of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG), Al-Hajj Fazeel M Ferouz has extended Ramadan greetings to the nation. Below is the full text of his message: Assalamu Alaikum; May the Peace, Mercy and Blessing of Allah be with you all!

On this important and auspicious occasion, the beginning of the Holy Month of Ramadan, I would like to wish all Guyanese and especially our Muslim brothers and sisters, “Ramadan Mubarak!”

Ramadan Mubarak to all our brothers and sisters, the Imams, President and leaders of our country!

Ramadan is the month in which the Holy Quran was revealed to our Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

Almighty Allah (SWT) said in the Holy Quran Chapter 2: Verse: 183: “O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may learn self-restraint (Taqwah).”

Regarding the Holy Month of Ramadan, our Beloved Prophet, Muhammad (SAW) has beautifully and comprehensively described what a blessed month it is by saying “O people! A great month has come over you; a blessed month; a month in which there is a night better than a thousand months. A month in which Allah has made it compulsory upon you to fast by day, and voluntary

to pray by night. Whoever draws nearer to Allah by performing any good deeds in this month shall receive the same reward as performing an obligatory deed at any other time. Whoever discharges an obligatory deed in this month shall receive the reward of performing 70 obligations at any other time. It is the month of patience, and the reward of patience is heaven. It is the month of charity. It is a month in which a believer’s sustenance is increased. Whoever gives food to a fasting person to break his fast shall have his sins forgiven, he will be saved from the fire of Hell, and he shall have the same reward as the fasting person, without his reward being diminished at all”.

In another narration, our Beloved Prophet (SAW) said, in the first part of Ramadan we earn the mercy of Allah, the second part we earn the forgiveness of Allah and during the third part we earn freedom from the Fire of Hell.

Our Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said whoever does not give up false statements and evil actions, Allah will not be in need of him giving up his food and drink.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, we have the most noble visitor, the Holy Month of Ramadan, let make maximum use of the short time that we have to earn the mercy and forgiveness of Allah.

Let us in this Month of Ramadan, the month in which the Quran was re-

vealed, go back to the pages of the Holy Quran and reflect on the message of the Quran because it is the greatest message and the final message sent to mankind by Allah.

Let us use our time in Ramadan, to study the life, the mission and the achievements of the greatest benefactor of humanity, our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW). We should let our lives reflect our love for him and all those ideals that he spoke about and taught us.

There is a cry in the world for this noble way of life; the message of peace, the message of love, the message of unity of all humanity, the message of tolerance, the message which if we follow it sincerely and implement it in our lives, our lives will be changed for the better and the world will be a better place for all.

Islam has the solution for all the problems facing humanity whether these problems are religious, social, economic or otherwise. The Month of Ramadan is a time to reflect on all these challenges that mankind faces today and we seek the solution which can only be found through our dedication, prayer, charity and fast.

Fasting and charity will earn us His grace and His mercy. We need to make maximum use of the Holy Month of Ramadan by praying to Allah, by taking care of the poor and needy in our community, by seeking the forgiveness of Allah for all our sins and turning to Him in repentance.

We should utilise the opportunity to pay our zakaat as our blessings are multiplied tremendously during Ramadan. Muslims make full use during Ramadan to share out their zakaat which is made payable to the destitute especially our near relatives by taking care of their needs. You are, therefore, encouraged to pay your zakaat upon reaching the Nisaab ($95,625GYD), Allah willing.

Let us in the month of Ramadan try our best to make peace with all our family members, neighbours and fellow citizens. Let us visit the sick and pray for them. Let us extend our mercy to the orphans in our community. Let us sympathise and help the widows and elderly people in society. These actions will earn us God’s forgiveness and mercy; this is what Ramadan stands for. Let us rededicate our lives to prayers and righteous deeds to make our homes, our community and country a better place for all Guyanese.

I pray that God Almighty give us the strength and health to fast throughout the month of Ramadan and also to stand in prayer during the nights of the Ramadan. Once again Ramadan Mubarak! Ramadan Mubarak!

Ramadan Mubarak! May Allah bless us all and bless our Country…

WASSALAMU ALALAIKUM WARAHMATULLAHI WABARAKAATUHU!

Official results of 2015 elections now available online

The gazetted official results of the 2015 General and Regional Elections are now available on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) website www.gecom.org.gy.

These official results provide a detailed breakdown of each Registration District by Division and Sub-Division.

According to GECOM, the results have been placed online so that anyone can have access to them for perusal in their own time.

The elections body noted that the official results of the 2015 General and Regional Elections are true, correct and credible and follow elections that were peaceful, free, fair and transparent. “Elections Observer Teams, both inter-

national and domestic, have all reacted extremely positively to the efficient and effective conduct of the 2015 General and Regional Elections by GECOM,” the Commission said.

GECOM further indicated that there have been no credible, provable and evidencebased reports of any fraudulent election activity on the part of GECOM by any political party and reputable local and/or foreign observer groups.

This comes against the backdrop of the results showing that more than 4000 of the ballots cast on May 11 at the General and Regional Elections were spoilt and as such, rejected by the Commission.

8 Caricom countries among world’s worst tax

Eight Caricom along with other Caribbean countries are among the 30 non-cooperative tax jurisdictions most commonly listed by European Uunion (EU) Member States.

The European Commission published these details in a list on Wednesday. It is based on Member States’ lists as they were communicated to the Commission in December 2014. The Commission will amend this list at least once a year to reflect changes to Member States’ national lists.

The eight Caricom countries are Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, as well as St Vincent and the Grenadines.

havens

Head of the European Union Delegation to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Mikael Barfod said: “This list is “nothing new” as it is only a compilation of the lists of our Member States. It is part of the Commission’s attempt to develop a common EU wide approach to corporate taxation to ensure its transparency and fairness, when currently Member States have very different definitions even of what constitutes a tax haven”. All non-cooperative tax jurisdictions identified by Member States are identified on the Commission’s website http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_ customs. The 30 most commonly listed were highlighted in the Action Plan for Fair and Efficient Corporate Taxation in the EU. The consolidated list is not an assessment by the Commission but a compilation of existing lists of EU Member States which looked at how non-EU countries and territories around the world apply standards of good tax governance. These standards vary, but generally include transparency, exchange of information and fair tax competition. The consolidated list will allow EU Member States to compare their national lists in an easy and transparent way and can be used to screen non-cooperative tax jurisdictions and develop a common EU strategy to deal with them. As such, it will reinforce Member States’ collective defence systems against tax havens. This “Top 30? of non-cooperative jurisdictions is made up of countries that featured on at least 10 Member States’ lists.

As a next step, the Commission recommends that Member States (within the Code of Conduct Group) should screen the “top 30? listed countries and territories and determine an appropriate EU response. The Code Group’s work has delivered successful results in relation to non-EU countries in the past. For example, Switzerland agreed to eliminate some of its harmful corporate tax regimes following scrutiny by the Code Group.

GTUC slams Govt for ditching Labour Ministry

...writes Granger to correct “grave anomaly”

By Vahnu Manikchand

The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) has written President David Granger to restore the labour component of his various Ministries, pointing out that it is the first time in Guyana’s history of self-government that “Labour” is not referenced and is apparently relegated.

In announcing Cabinet portfolios and the renaming of Ministries, Granger did not include labour, which in the previous administration fell under the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security. The human services portfolio has now been renamed the Social Protection Ministry, but the word labour has been dropped. Administration officials said that the Social Protection Ministry will carry the labour portfolio. Evidence of this was seen on Tuesday when Volda Lawrence and Simona Broomes played prominent roles at the Enmore Martyrs observances. Broomes, according to administration officials, has been handed the labour portfolio, but as a Junior Minister she has been excluded from Cabinet. Questions have also been raised about her suitability for such a portfolio, given her limited background in labour relations.

Speaking at the Enmore Martyrs Day commemoration service at Enmore, East Coast Demerara on Tuesday, General Secretary of GRTUC Lincoln Lewis said that on the matter of ministerial re-naming, “let me say publicly what was written to President Granger and Prime Minister Nagamootoo: it is of concern to us the absence of the name ‘Labour’ in the renaming of Ministries. This is the first time in Guyana’s history of self-government that Labour is not referenced, is apparently relegated.” Lewis also told the gathering that if Broomes

rected.”

President Granger had earlier come under criticisms for the renaming of several of the Ministries without the necessary consultations. The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is on record saying that the establishment of several new Ministries is illegal. During a press conference held at Freedom House in late May, the Party’s Executive Members had contended that the new Government is creating new Ministries without following the proper legal procedures.

has been given the functions as Labour Minister, then she must be made a Cabinet Minister.

Further, he stated that Guyana is the only country in the Caribbean, and probably in the Western Hemisphere, that does not have a Ministry that carries the designated name “Labour.” “This country has the distinction of establishing the first trade union in the British Commonwealth and is home to the Father of Trade Unionism in Commonwealth, Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow. The important role labour played in nation-building from 1905, including shaping the political landscape in 1926 which included the struggles for self-government, the right of one man to one vote; which opened doors for politicians to emerge from among the rank and file, the masses voting for them and thereby influencing the formation and management of their Government, none which can be denied.” Lewis said, without a doubt, labour has blazed the trail for modern Guyana. It has paved the way for the politicians of today, earning its indelible place in our society. He said, as such, “GTUC wishes to have this grave anomaly cor-

Former President and Executive Member of the PPP/C, Bharrat Jagdeo, explained that the formation of new Ministries is illegal since monies cannot be released to those entities, which are not represented in the Appropriation Act. “You cannot disburse monies to Ministries that don’t exist anywhere except by this new decree. There is no budget now at this point in time… only after the budget or in the budget process, you’ll be able to create a Ministry; have it reflected in the budget and the Appropriation Act; allocate funds to that Ministry and then you can disburse resources to it. You can’t create a Ministry today and take money from another Ministry and send it to this non-existence in law Ministry,” the former President outlined.

Place for labour

Meanwhile, Lewis also mentioned that Articles 149C and 38 in the Guyana Constitution outlined the place for and role of the trade union. “The trade union is accordingly required to be involved in the management and decision-making processes of this nation; partner with Government and other socioeconomic organisations through sustained and disciplined endeavours to achieve the highest possible levels of

AWOL cop busted in Suriname with drugs

Amember of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is among five persons taken into custody earlier in the month after they were arrested with 10.9 kilograms of cocaine and 2.1 kg of cannabis. The only name provided for the rank is “Prince” who is about 19 years old. According to reports received, the men were arrested by Police Officers from the Western Region en route from New Nickerie to Paramaribo. They are suspected of violations of the Drugs Act. The men reportedly used the back-track route into Suriname.

Surinamese Police spokesman, Inspector Humphrey Naarden stat-

ed that they have confirmed that one of the detainees is a serving member of the Guyana Police Force, but authorities here disclosed that the officer was absent without leave (AWOL).

Police from the Western Region had during three separate instances in the first week of June, intercepted large quantities of drugs and made arrests.

The Guyanese officer reportedly had the cocaine and marijuana in his possession. Three of the men are Guyanese while the fourth is a Surinamese naturalised Guyanese. Further investigation into these matters has been transferred to the Narcotics Brigade in Suriname.

Local Police officials confirmed that they are in possession of the report and confirmed that the man was arrested on June 6.

He, along with three other men, was on his way to Paramaribo when he was intercepted. Upon checking immigration, it was revealed that the suspects indeed used the back-track route into Suriname.

A senior local Police Officer stated that once the errant rank was charged and served his time in the neighbouring country, he would be deported to Guyana where he was likely to face additional charges. Both the local and Surinamese Police are continuing their investigations.

Forensic audit of state agencies

...but

objects to Ram, Goolsarran as auditors

The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) is contending that the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government should first conduct a “forensic audit” of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) before it continues with those of the 30-odd state agencies.

production and productivity, and to develop the economy. Obviously, when the framers were drafting these articles they did not lose sight of the historical development of this country and the role of the labour movement in advancing the struggles for equal rights and justice.”

Lewis said the GTUC “shall not abrogate our responsibility. We shall continue to take our place at the nation’s table. As Government and Opposition come and go, rest assured, like a fixed star, we shall be here. We shall continue to work with our members to optimise their performance and ensure they are justly treated; to agitate, advocate, overlook, partner with and hold public officials and employers accountable in our pursuit of a just society.”

The call comes in the wake of GECOM’s failure to until now, heed the Party’s request to provide information that it believes could prove that the governing APNU+AFC coalition had rigged its way into office.

At a press conference at the Party’s headquarters on Thursday, former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall told a group of journalists that Government was focusing on the wrong state agency at this time.

“There is no more mammoth act of corruption and allegation of corruption which has taken place in recent times than the 2015 General and Regional Elections. Over 200,000 persons have said so. One would have expected that that would have been one of the places that would have had a forensic audit first if you are interested in corruption,” Nandlall related.

GECOM, since its declaration last month that the APNU+AFC coalition had won the 2015 General and Regional Elections, has become a target of criticism and the venue for daily protest actions by the PPP/C.

The focus is particularly on the Commission’s Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally, who the Party said needed to immediately demit office.

Dr Surujbally, while maintaining that he was not resigning his post, defended that his job was just to overlook the affairs of the Commission and chair the Board.

“Polluted”

Turning his attention to the audits, Nandlall said his Party remains cognisant of the undermining of the integrity of the forensic investigations with the retention of the two known supporters. Nandlall said the personnel chosen to do the audits are members of the party.

This act, he stressed, will dwindle the objectivity of the audits. “An audit as I understand is an objective forensic analysis of the financial system, and how that system works and how monies are being spent”.

Minister within the Social Protection Ministry, Simona Broomes

General Secretary of GTUC, Lincoln Lewis

Guyana to observe first International Yoga Day

Guyana will be joining some 193 other countries around the world to observe the first-ever International Yoga Day on Sunday, June 21, 2015.

The Indian High Commission in Guyana has organised a grand event on that day in three Caribbean countries – Guyana, Antigua and Barbuda and St Kitts and Nevis. It is teaming up with the Brahma Kumaris Spiritual Organisation and other institutions to host the three events.

In Guyana, the High Commission will be hosting a programme at the Kalyan Shopping Plaza on Lamaha Street, Georgetown.

There will be a packed programme featuring lectures on yoga as well as demonstrations of a few key asanas (yogic postures) and their benefits by persons who have been attending yoga classes at the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC). There will also be several pieces of yogic literature on display.

According to Indian High Commissioner, Ventakachalam Mahalingham, approximately 200 persons are being trained in various types of yoga at the ICC by an Indian yoga specialist. He noted that yoga is an important part of the Indian cul-

ture and so they try to introduce in as much countries as they can.

“The idea is not to just have an event on 21st June, but basically we want to popularise yoga as much as possible, because it is definitely a holistic practice which leads to not only the health of body but also health of mind,” he noted.

Yoga is a form of mediation that offers benefits

Grocer placed on bail for

Aman was, on Thursday, placed on $60,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after he appeared before her charged with fraudulent conversion.

Ganesh Jaikaran, a grocer of 4 Cummings Street and North Road, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that, on Wednesday April 15 while being solely

entrusted with five bags of split peas valued at $25,000, five bags of chowmein valued at $27,000 and a quantity of other goods adding to a total value of $435,000 by the Virtual Complainant (VC) Rampertab Etwaroo to resell and return the proceeds to him, he fraudulently converted the money to his own use and benefit.

In addressing the court, the defendant admitted that he did receive a quantity of groceries from the VC for re-

in uniting the body, mind and health. It is fast becoming one of the most popular forms of exercise and relaxation therapy. Millions globally practise some form of yoga in their quest for holistic health.

Overall health

There are four forms of yoga – Karma (yoga of action; Jnana (yoga of knowledge); Raja (yoga of medi-

ation) and Bhakti (yoga of devotion).

The High Commissioner underscored that yoga was not only for a specific group but was for persons of all ages. The yoga classes at the ICC are ongoing with various levels of the art form being taught.

In December last year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed to the 193-member United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), a resolution to establish June 21st as International Yoga Day.

The proposal was approved with a record 177 countries co-sponsoring the event.

Mahalingham explained that this was not because there was no dormant institutional support for yoga even though it has become so popular.

He noted that the art form was a good pastime especially to relieve stress in a world moving at an increasingly fast pace.

Guyana Times has been contributing to efforts to popularise the art form here by publishing almost daily features on yoga for nearly a month now.

International Yoga Day will be observed in some 190 countries that have Indian High Commissions, Embassies or Consulates.

fraudulent conversion

sale; however he stated that it was not to the total value that the complainant is alleging.

The defendant stated that he received into his possession a quantity of goods to the value of $218,000, of which he repaid a sum of $110,000 by way of a bank transfer.

He also made allegations of threatening behaviour against the complainant and his brother, whom he claims forced him into a car at gun-

point and took him to the Brickdam Police Station.

Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru made no objections to bail, which was granted by the Magistrate in the sum of $60,000. Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry then scheduled the matter to appear before Magistrate Annet Singh in Court 11 on July 10.

She also ordered the prosecutor to launch an investigation into the claims made by the defendant.

Eyew tness

You gotta be kidding...

...Trump for President?

One of the more enduring myths in the American narrative is that “anybody can grow up to be President”. And if at one end of the spectrum (after more than 200 years) we had Obama, a Black man elected to live for a while at the White House (symbolic, eh?), and a woman Hillary Clinton running for that privilege - why should a billionaire be disqualified?

Well, evidently he’s not: Donald Trump, boasting that he’s worth some US$9 billion, declared that he’s throwing his hat into the ring. And where else to make his announcement than the Trump Tower - synonymous with glitz, glamour and the rich and famous in New York City? Now while America may have more billionaires than any other country in the world, part of their aforementioned narrative is that you’re not supposed to flaunt your wealth.

So we have Warren Buffet and Bill Gates - worth more than the GDP of the bottom 50 countries in the worldmoseying around at various charities affecting an “aw shucks” attitude.

But not Donald Trump! They don’t make them brasher and brassy-er than this fella who rode on the back of his father’s real estate empire from the boondocks of Queens, to create a bigger empire over the East River in Manhattan.

Like they say in the trade, real estate is all about “location, location, location!” And Trump certainly has location.

So while folks might know him from the TV show, “The Apprentice” where his trademark “You’re fired!!” became a household phrase, he does have something to fall back on, in case the US voters in November echo the line.

But behind all the bluff and bluster, Trump’s candidacy will certainly raise the issue of money and class - attributes that don’t necessarily coincide in America. While Trump is part of the one per cent that owns almost half of the wealth in their country - he’s part of the nouveau riche that’s routinely ridiculed and caricatured for having “no class”.

As far back as the 1920s - which was a dress rehearsal for today’s extreme wealth disparity that launched the “Occupy Movement” - the writer Scott Fitzgerald described the class conflict well in “The Great Gatsby”.

The “old money” prefers to live behind their treefronted, manicured lawns wearing scuffed loafers and faded polo shirts. They consciously imitate the understated British upper class they supposedly threw out back in 1776.

Donald Trump violates all the norms of that crowd, who, after graduating from their Ivy League fraternities and sororities, actually call the shots as to who runs things from the White House.

Isn’t that right Barack??

…the wolf counting the sheep?

OK. We accept that there had to’ve been some shenanigans - financial and otherwise - during the PPPC’s 23 years in office. Forget excuses that the PPPC also developed the country during those same years.

It doesn’t matter how effective the government is, once you have folks responsible for assets that don’t actually belong to them - sticky fingers will inevitably sprout. Happens in every country - you name them and they’re there. England, US, Norway...wherever.

So there should be no protests that the new government’s auditing the accounts of several state agencies. After all the mud they threw over the years, even the departed PPPC wouldn’t expect less.

But the government really isn’t doing itself a service by picking Christopher Ram and Anand Goolsarran to take the lead in the audits.

No matter what these fellas come up with, there will be questions as to whether they played straight. You can’t have the same accountants who led the charge on corruption against the PPPC now auditing the books, can you?

And to say they won’t mess around because of their “Code of Ethics” doesn’t cut any ice.

That same Code forbids them from conducting these audits because of “conflict of interests”.

Didn’t deter them, did it!

Indian High Commissioner Ventakachalam Mahalingham holding some of the yogic literature

Infrastructure Ministry hires Community Coordinator for cleanup campaign

The overwhelming support to the clean-up campaign has prompted Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson to identify a Community Coordinator to liaise with communities to remove debris and garbage in their areas.

Neilson McKenzie, who has been actively involved in education, agriculture and community development for over 35 years, was on Wednesday busy making arrangements to have trucks remove rubbish and debris from B Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, and in the South and East Ruimveldt, Georgetown areas.

“From my interactions with the residents, it appears that this Saturday and Sunday will be hectic. Residents in these areas have indicated that they will continue with their massive clean-up exercises but they need assistance with the re-

moval of dirt and garbage,” McKenzie stated.

Jamal Daley and Colin Corbon, two young residents from B Field, Sophia, are enthusiastic with the initiative and have already arranged a team of young men to come out this weekend to continue the clean-up exercise. Similar arrangements are in place for Ramsingh Street, B Field Sophia.

According to McKenzie, assistance is readily available to communities in disposing their rubbish. Those in need of this assistance can call the Ministry’s hotline number 223-1844.

A face to the exercise

The appointment of the Community Coordinator, Minister Patterson explained, is to “have a face to the initiative.”

“We can’t have a hotline and not have a central person to conduct followups and action work. The Coordinator will now be re-

Bishop Edghill wants clarity on Ally’s role regarding ERC

Former Junior Finance Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill, has objected to any ministerial oversight of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), saying that the June 6 issue of the official gazette has raised suspicion in this regard.

The gazette identifies Social Cohesion Minister Amna Ally as having responsibilities for Ethnic Relations and not the Ethnic Relations Commission.

President David Granger had said, given the strained relations among the two major ethnic groups here following the May 11 elections, Minister Ally’s role would be to devise programmes to help bring the races together. However, Edghill is insisting that the role of Ally needs urgent clarification, since the Ethnic Relations Commission, which is a constitutional body, is responsible for investigating actions taken by the Executive itself.

“The Constitution is clear; the ERC functions

sponsible for that,” he said.

The Ministries of Public Infrastructure and Communities along with the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) are providing the equipment for the project.

Further, Minister Patterson expressed his appreciation and thanks to members of the communities who have participated in clean-up exercises. He is optimistic that that McKenzie, a true consummate professional, will get the job done.

“Mr McKenzie has served in senior capacities in the Private Sector, and as a Project Manager on a European Union (EU) sponsored programme. He is also actively involved in both community and farmers’ development in Regions Four and Five,” Minister Patterson added.

International Committee of Red Cross calls on Education Minister

Adelegation from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) paid a courtesy call on Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine on Wednesday at his office on Brickdam, Georgetown.

The delegation included Yves Giovanni, Head of Regional Delegations to Venezuela and Caricom States; Alexandra Ortiz, Delegate to Caricom States, and Arianne Tombet, Regional Delegate. The ICRC delegation was accompanied by Dorothy Fraser, Secretary General of the Guyan?a? Red Cross Society (GRCS). The brief meeting was a cordial one. The Education Ministry looks forward to strengthening its relationship with institutions like the ICRC and the GRCS towards improving and expanding the delivery of education across Guyana.

and discharges its responsibilities without the interference, input or direction from the Government of the day,” Edghill, a former Chairman of the ERC said. “Its independence is guaranteed by the Constitution, ensuring its funding comes as a direct charge on the consolidated fund. Staffing and remuneration of staff is determined by the Commission and not the Government. To have a Minister placed in charge of the Ethnic Relations Commission is to subject this duly appointed constitutional body to the directions of the Executive. This ought not to happen.”

According to Edghill, the Chief Executive Officer and staff of the ERC should not take directions or instructions from any Government official. The party also urged that the necessary mechanisms for the appointment of Commissioners to the ERC be done, so that this vital Commission can fulfil its constitutional mandate.

From left to right: Delegate to Caricom States Alexandra Ortiz; Head of Regional Delegations to Venezuela and Caricom States, Yves Giovanni; Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine; Guyana Red Cross Society Secretary General Dorothy Fraser, and Regional Delegate Arianne Tombet

Newly appointed Community Coordinator within the Public Infrastructure Ministry Neilson McKenzie (extreme right) interacting with residents of B Field, Sophia

friday, june 19, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt to upgrade Nagamootoo’s official residence East Ruimveldt resident remanded to prison

The Government of Guyana has finally taken up the initiative to embark on a full rehabilitation of the Prime Minister’s official residence on Main Street, Georgetown, which Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo has dismissed as being unfit to live in and a place where he “wouldn’t place his dogs”.

Nagamootoo had publicly ridiculed the sorry state of the building, vowing not to live there until it was significantly upgraded. While from the outside the living conditions appeared glamorous, the problems due to its age were very evident from with-

in. Nagamootoo said he was taken aback with the utterly deplorable state of the house upon his first visit.

He explained that he was firstly confronted with dead rats in the building and then, as he went further, a sequence of problems began to be unveiled. “I went and looked at the residence and the first thing I was confronted with were dead rats in the oven. As we go up, they have plastics on the roof to catch the water and they have wide scotch tapes in the sitting room to prevent the granny sugar from falling on your head. So that is the state of the place… I probably wouldn’t put my dogs there, I think they would die,” he said.

Meanwhile, Former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds had acknowledged that the building needed urgent repairs, but he said while being there he and his family made the best of the abode. On Thursday the Public Infrastructure Ministry advertised invitation for bids for the rehabilitation of the building. The advertisement states that the duration of the works should last five weeks, although some may argue that the project will take much longer before completion.

Nagamootoo had stated that the building needs to be “fixed in its proper way” and that “some slap dash job” is out of the question. Hinds had told this publication that some of the problems of the heritage building were attended to by contractors from time to time, but they were just never fully resolved.

Since the building was gifted to Guyana from the British High Commission in the 1970s, there has been no record of any extensive rehabilitation works. The former Prime Minister has also agreed, that it is time the old heritage building undergo a full rehabilitation.

Govt still to recover $900M from Surendra Engineering

Even as the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government scraps the construction of the Specialty Hospital, Guyana is yet to recover close to $1 billion from Surendra Engineering Corporation Limited, the company that was contracted to built the facility.

The former People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government had taken the India-based company to court after it failed to honour its obligations under the US$18 million plus Specialty Hospital contract. The legal proceedings was filed in October last year, just a month after the contract was yanked from Surendra Engineering Corporation Limited.

The Government had sued the India-based company for an excess of US$100 million for alleged fraud, breach of contract and delays in works done. The legal document detailed that Surendra Engineering was found guilty of fraudulent practices and in breach of the terms, conditions and warranties of the contract it had signed back in September 2012 to design, build, equip, test, deliver, install, complete and commission a Surgical Specialty Hospital at Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown.

After the court action was initiated, the Indian firm failed to attend the court hearings and never responded to a summons and the writs filed by the Government, as such, the judgement was handed down in favour of the Government.

Special damages to the tune of US$4,285,440 and interest thereon, amounting to the costs

of US$10,714.50, were awarded to Government. However none of these monies were ever paid.

Former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, told the Guyana Times on Thursday that they were unable to recover the monies from Surendra Engineering, but noted that prior to him leaving office, he had began initiating procedures to enforce the judgement. “I was in process of enforcing the judgement, but I was unable to complete the process…So now the new administration will have to take the necessary steps to get the money that the Court ordered to be repaid to the Government of Guyana,” he said.

According to Nandlall, to recover the monies, the Government will have to levy on the execution, which is either movable or immovable property. “They (the Government) will have to go after their (Surendra Engineering) assets,” the former Attorney General added. The Government can either cause the company’s assets to be seized or have it bank account freeze.

On September 14, 2012, the Government of Guyana, through the Health Ministry, entered into a contract with Surendra Engineering Corporation Limited, a limited liability company incorporated in India and registered in Guyana. Under the contract, it was agreed that the company would provide services in relation to designing, building, equipping, testing, delivering, installing, completing and commissioning certain facilities for the Surgical Specialty Hospital in Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown.

Aresident of East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was on Thursday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after he appeared before her to answer to several charges, including armed robbery.

Dexter Wallace of 38 Front Road, East Ruimveldt, pleaded not guilty to the charges which read that, on June 17 at the junction of Light and Camp Streets, Georgetown, he was found to be in possession of one 1.38 revolver and 6.38 matching live rounds of ammunition.

The defendant also pleaded not guilty to a charge which read that, on June 15 at the junction of Oronoque and Anira Streets, Georgetown, while being armed with a dangerous weapon, a firearm, he robbed the Virtual Complainant (VC) Petal

DeFreitas of a quantity of valuables and cash to a total value of $151,000.

According to the facts presented by Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru, on June 15 at approximately 06:45h, the VC was walking on Oronoque Street when she was approached by the defendant, who subsequently held her at gunpoint, and relieved her of her belongings. After securing the articles in his possession he made good on his escape and a report was made to the Police.

An investigation was launched and, on June 17, ranks of the Guyana Police Force apprehended Wallace at the function of Light and Camp Streets, where they conducted a search on his person.

During the search the firearm and ammunition was found, and the defendant was arrested and

charged. The prosecutor also revealed that the VC positively identified the defendant while at the Police Station.

Prosecutor Mangru objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness and prevalence of the offences. He also made reference to the fact that a gun was used in the perpetration of one of the offence and the fact that no special reasons for bail exists.

According to Attorney-atlaw Paul Fung-A-Fat, who appeared for the defendant, on the day of the alleged robbery his client was at work and as such he has an alibi. He made an application for bail based on this claim. Bail was refused and the Magistrate remanded the defendant to prison until July 3, when she scheduled the matter to appear before Magistrate Judy Latchman in Court Three.

AH&L Kissoon Ltd on board with Govt’s housing plan

Pursuant to the said contract, on December 27, 2012, Surendra Engineering was given an advance payment of 20 per cent of the contract price, which amounted to US$3,636,000, and on November 18, 2013, an additional payment of US$649,440.

Surendra Engineering Corporation eventually failed to submit payment receipts to account for the advanced payment of US$4,285,440, the Attorney General Chambers had said at the time. The Chambers added that, instead, the company submitted allegedly fabricated, unsigned and inflated invoices with no evidence of actual payments made to support the expenditure claimed.

Only on Wednesday, the APNU/AFC Government announced that it will use the remaining US$14 million given to Guyana from the Indian Exim Bank for the construction of the Specialty Hospital to upgrade primary health care services.

This was disclosed by Minister of State Joseph Harmon on Wednesday. However, he noted that before this is done, there must be a comprehensive report prepared by a consultancy group. Finance Minster Winston Jordan has since been tasked with engaging officials of Exim Bank.

Harmon said Guyana’s primary health care system is in a serious state of degradation, adding that the health of citizens here far outweighs the plan for any health tourism.

Of the US$18 allocated by the India Exim Bank, some four million was already spent on preliminary works for the project.

The Ministry of Communities has announced that AH&L Kissoon Ltd has offered to assist the new Government with its housing plan.

In a release, it was revealed that the company’s Managing Director, Hemraj Kissoon, has volunteered to share his knowledge on constructing houses and developing land with technical staff of the Department for Housing.

The veteran businessman made this commitment during a courtesy call on Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Keith Scott on Monday morning, at his Brickdam, Georgetown office. Known for manufacturing

furniture, the company also has experience in the construction of houses. However, Kissoon has no intention of getting involved in constructing houses in the future.

Minister Scott was particularly enthused about building quality houses in welldeveloped communities at minimal cost to the potential homeowners among the many interesting ideas exchanged. He mentioned that such developments are in keeping with the vision of the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government.

While acknowledging that development of infrastructure comes at a cost, Scott like Kissoon believes that with in-

novative thinking and utilisation of durable low cost materials, building costs could be reduced.

The Ministry of Communities has said it is working to construct approximately 4000 houses over the next five years in cohesive communities, where there will be an emphasis on the provision of social infrastructure and other amenities.

In addition to this drive to house families and other eligible persons, house lot distribution will continue for persons who wish to build their own houses.

Minister Scott thanked the businessman for coming onboard with Government in offering Guyanese a good life.

Cuba, EU hold fourth round of negotiations

Meetings between negotiating teams representing Cuba and the European Union (EU) took place in a constructive and professional climate on June 15 and 16.

The delegations, led by Christian Leffler, Managing Director for the Americas at the European External Action Service of the EU, and Abelardo Moreno Fernández, Cuban Deputy Minister of Foreign Relations, met in Brussels to participate in the fourth round of negotiations to reach a Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement which both parties have been working towards since April

2014. This round, held shortly after the end of the second CELAC-EU Summit, saw negotiations relating to important trade issues close to being settled, while significant results were achieved in regards to cooperation, currently in the advanced stage of negotiations.

A beneficial exchange took place on the issue of political dialogue, with the delegations expressing their respective positions and aspirations.

The meetings took place in a constructive and professional climate, on the bases to which both parties agreed in 2008, which include: free from conditions, discrimination and of a reciprocal character; full respect for the sovereign equality of states; within a legal framework and respecting the institutional order of both parts; as well as full adherence to the principles of non-interference in a state’s internal affairs. The teams agreed to meet again in September, in Havana, for the fifth round of negotiations.

The representatives from Cuba and the EU confirmed the wiliness of both parties to continue advancing in this process with the aim of concluding negotiations as soon as possible.

Minister within the Ministry of Communities Keith Scott and businessman Hemraj Kissoon during their discussions

Former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

Edghill cautions against sacking of entire Tender Board

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon has said the new Government would be looking to have a complete overhaul of the National Tender Board as part of sweeping changes to procurement systems to bring back confidence and reduce corruption in state contracts.

One of the first moves is the appointment of an entirely new Board of Directors for the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), the body that assesses tenders for state contracts.

Already, the Finance Ministry, under Minister Winston Jordan, has submitted proposals to the Cabinet of Ministers on changes that are expected.

“Definitely that board has to go because that is where the initial awarding of contracts is made … at the National Procurement and Tender Board Administration … we have had proposals for it to be reviewed and changed,” Harmon related.

Harmon disclosed that the idea of the clean-up has been a major source of concern for the Opposition under the last Government. The procurement issue has indeed been a major one in recent years. Contractors have been complaining of being sidelined for others, with questions raised over the seemingly high engineers’ estimates and bills of quantity.

He noted that while no individual or entity will be targeted or attacked, the aim of the review was to ensure that sole sourcing is

eliminated and transparency is a hallmark.

The establishment of the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) that would have overseen the award of state contracts has been dragging on now for a number of years. It was being actively discussed in the last Parliament, but halted after the Parliament was prematurely ended and elections called. The new Administration has promised to make the PPC a priority in the current Parliament which was opened on Wednesday last.

In the meantime, however, former Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Bishop Juan Edghill, has cautioned the new Administration against such a move, noting that the way the current board was set up, competency, professionalism and efficiency were keenly incorporated.

He noted that while he understood that every government might want to create a feeling of newness, caution should be taken in tinkering with the set-up of the

Technical glitches ground US visa systems

The Bureau of Consular Affairs in the United States says it continues to experience technical problems with its visa systems.

“This is a global issue, and we are working around the clock to fix it. More than 100 computer experts from both the Private and Public Sectors across the United States are working on this problem 24/7. That said, we do not expect the system will be online before next week,” a release from the US Embassy here said.

According to the Embassy, the problems stems from a hardware failure in a State Department facility in the United States on June 9. That failure is preventing the Department from processing and transmitting biometric data checks at visa-issuing Embassies and Consulates.

“We cannot bypass the legal requirements to screen visa applicants before we issue visas for travel. Each visa decision is a national secu-

rity decision, and we take our obligation to protect the United States seriously.”

Meanwhile, the Embassy said for all applicants who were asked to pick up their visas on Friday, June 19, or Monday, June 22, please be advised not to come to the Embassy to get your visa.

“We cannot print visas at this time. We will provide additional guidance on pickup times when systems are back online. Applicants are also encouraged to check the Consular Section’s Facebook page for updated information as it becomes available: https://www.facebook.com/pages/ConsularSection-US-EmbassyGeorgetown/140095222235. We regret the inconvenience to travellers and recognise that this is causing hardship to those waiting for visas, and in some cases, their family members or employers in the United States. We will continue to post regular updates on our website, travel.state.gov.”

Board since at no time political appointments should be made so as to compromise these three principles.

“At all times, the Tender Board should comprise of competent, efficient, professionals who can handle the task before them. No Government should put political persons there; you will be setting up yourself for trouble.

The current Board reaches and seeks to achieve those ideals which I mentioned. So caution must be taken because these people are tasked with making recommendations and we depend on them for the development of Guyana,” Edghill expressed.

He said that thus far, Guyana’s mechanism for

public procurement and financial accountability is ranked highly in the Caribbean. The process of public procurement is open to all, he ex-

plained. “Everything that needs to be done where the Government’s money, taxpayers’ money, or investment money needs to be spent is advertised openly … there is no backroom wheeling and dealing like what obtained under the PNC [People’s National Congress] Administration in the past where the Permanent Secretary or the head of an agency could call a friend and say, ‘I have a job to give to you’.”

The fact that all bids are opened in a public manner before the media and other stakeholders was also noted by the former Minister. The intent of Government, Edghill said, is “to give comfort to all Guyanese that when your monies are being

expended, everyone who’s a contractor or supplier, you have a fair chance.

There is openness, there is equal access to all and when the jobs are offered, we are getting value for money.”

These contracts are supervised either by a consultant or company to ensure that the specifications are met, and the contract executed to stated requirements.

All prospective bidders must be compliant with the Guyana Revenue Authority and the National Insurance Scheme, as lapses in these areas would be detrimental to the chances of anyone bidding, Edghill said. He noted that “this has happened over and over again”.

Former Junior Finance Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

PPP/C warns against wanton firing of public officials

The rampant dismissal of public officials by the A Partnership for National Unity /Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Government is against the Constitution, as it severs due process and protocol.

Former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall said the Government will continue to make the massive overhaul of the heads of the state agencies which existed under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration.

He said the capricious dismissal of workers who have families to maintain and mortgages to pay were all done because of their perceived and sometimes real connection with the PPP/C. The truth of the matter, he said, is that the country’s law provides that each citizen should be protected from every form of discrimination, including holding a political view of any political party of their choice.

“We see a flagrant violation of this right because persons are being dismissed simply because of the perception that they were supporters of the People’s Progressive Party.” Additionally, he said the public officers and contract workers are being dismissed without the “due process”.

“All these dismissals are taking place without any observance of due process, of the contractual rights of the workers, and indeed without to the provisions in the law,” Nandlall said.

The former Minister also stated that the administration has taken away the constitutional right of several state agencies, hinting to the recent move by the Junior Social Protection Minister, Simona Broomes, who had written to the Public Service Commission, directing that it to put on hold all interviews and employment until President Granger gives the go ahead.

Making reference to the Constitution, Nandlall said, “In the discharge of its functions, service commissions enjoy functional independence and autonomy and that these commissions are not subject to the direction and dictate of any politicians,” adding that the letter written by Broomes is in clear violation of the Constitution. He also pointed to the move by Vice President and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, who had indicated his intention to write the Police Service Commission recommending that a Police Officer be relieved of his duties. “I hold no briefs for that Police Officer and I do not speak on his behalf. I speak in the sense of the Constitution and due process.”

He stated that Ramjattan, or any other Minister, has the authority to give such direction to any service commission.

Echoing Nandlall’s sentiments was former Junior Finance Minister Juan Edghill, who said he is disappointed that the usual

boisterous nongovernmental organisations and social and political activists remain silent while the discriminatory act continues.

“We haven’t heard from the Justice Institute; we haven’t heard from the Guyana Human Rights Association; we haven’t heard from the Guyana Bar Association; we haven’t heard from the Guyana Women’s Lawyer Association; the Guyana Council of Churches; the inter-religious organisation of Guyana; or none of the watchdogs of justice and human rights in Guyana.”

He made reference to Claire Singh, the former Executive Office of Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) who was removed from office with claims that she was a political appointee. She was replaced by a Regional Councillor, Carl Parker, who served under the People’s National Congress administration.

He spoke too of the former information liaison to the President, Kwame McCoy, who was sacked from his post and replaced by Mark Archer. In explanation, Edghill said McCoy, who was severely injured on Election Day had sent in his sick leave to Office of the President, but was on later informed that his service was terminated because he had failed to report to duty. Adding to that list is Guyana’s representative to the Inter- American Development Bank, who was also removed from his post.

Management of Haags Bosch handed over to local authorities

Aremedial action plan is being developed by the Ministry of Communities to ensure sound environmental management of the Haags Bosch Landfill Site, located at Eccles, East Bank Demerara.

According to a release from the Ministry, the site, which was designed to function as a sanitary landfill, is being operated below its intended purpose. This has resulted in negative impacts to both adjoining communities and the environment.

On June 4, a presentation was made to Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan, detailing the current state of operations at the site and the factors which led to its current state. The presentation was made by Project Director of Georgetown Solid Waste Management Programme, Gordon Gilkes, and it identified several non-compliance aspects relating to operations at the site.

These included the absence of a treatment abatement lagoon, a landfill gas management system and the application of daily cover to the landfill. In addition, soil excavated from several locations onsite, intended for use as daily cover, was diverted, with the

agreement of the executing agency, to another location for use not related to landfill management.

In brief remarks, Minister Bulkan had indicated that the current state of the Haags Bosch Landfill Site is as a result of a propensity to micromanage. On this note, solid waste management has now been placed under the control of the local authorities and not Central Government as was done previously.

Bulkan went on to say that the lessons learnt on remedying the Haags Bosch Landfill Site would inform the Ministry’s efforts in strengthening Local Democratic Organs for the management of landfill sites.

Concept

Also at the presentation were Junior Minister of Communities, Keith Scott; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Emil Mc Garrell; the Ministry’s Engineering Adviser, Charles Ceres, and representatives of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ministry of Public Infrastructure and the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA).

The project, which was initially funded by the InterAmerican Development

PPP/C says

He said he did not think that any reasonable mind could be persuaded that the auditors, Christopher Ram of Ram and McRae and former Auditor General Anand Goolsaran could bring an “objective mind to bear on the process”.

“We were led to believe that there was this mammoth mountain of corruption in the Government. One would have expected that as soon as the joint opposition took Government, they’re would have been “walking” on this corruption in these various ministries. That is the impression they created that this thing is overflowing, overwhelming.”

He said they have to now appoint auditors to carry out these audits to find the massive corruption that they were talking about. He added that they now have to look with a “magnifying glass” to look for this “huge mountain of corruption that they led the Guyanese public to believe had existed”.

Bank (IDB), has seen the threatened withdrawal of the Bank’s involvement over the way it is currently being executed.

Initially conceptualised to be managed by the Georgetown Municipality, the Haags Bosch Landfill Site was managed by Central Government, since it was expanded to include several Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) on the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara as well as three NDCs on the West Demerara.

The contract for the construction and management of the landfill was awarded to BK International and Puran Brothers Disposal Services. Utilisation of the landfill was fast tracked, since the open dump formerly operated in the Le Repentir Cemetery was filled to capacity.

Under a solid waste management strategy, the new Government will ensure that waste produced by households and commercial entities will not become an environmental and health problem. It is envisaged that under such a strategy, existing dumpsites would either be closed or reformulated to achieve higher operational standards.

GECOM...

Nandlall said the PPP/C has taken a position that the forensic audits are processes that are “polluted” with bias. He said the auditors have made their conclusions known “ad nauseam” that there was corruption under the PPP/C Administration. Putting them at the helm of the audits, he said, was like a judge making a pronouncement before the commencement of a trial. “That is the unfortunate thing regarding the forensic audit as well as the posture of GECOM to our request for the information that we consider very important to the credibility to the electoral process.”

Meanwhile, Nandlall told reporters that the elections petition set to be filed by the Party will be filed shortly. According to the Constitution, the Party has until July 3 to file that petition. The former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister assured that it would be filed within the specified timeframe.

from page 7

Nandlall explained that up until now, the Party has not received the things requested from the elections body. The PPP/C has been seeking the box-by-box results of the ballots cast. Nandlall said the information withheld from the Party has always been provided to all political parties by GECOM.

The elections body, he asserted, continues to maintain “resolutely” that the elections process was transparent and the results were computed accurately and lawfully, “yet it absolutely and emphatically refuses to give us the information which essentially, is the basis upon which results were computed”. He said the Party was given a number; however, all that it is asking for is the evidence that led to the figure provided. “One would have expected that to keep its integrity intact, GECOM would have jumped to the opportunity,” Nandlall concluded.

Haags Bosch Landfill Site

Wallabaca Backdam “Butcher” escapes remand

The boss for a Wallabaca Backdam camp was saved from spending his upcoming trial in prison on Thursday after Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry granted him $400,000 bail.

The accused, 25-year-old Godfrey “Butcher” Lambert from Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini) was released on bail on Thursday afternoon by the Magistrate after his attorney, Nigel Hughes, stated that he was not a flight risk as he has a fixed place of abode, has had no prior charges and is an expectant father.

Chief Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry made it known to the court that with intent to commit murder, Lambert is alleged to have unlawfully and maliciously wounded the Virtual Complainant (VC),Quincy Abrams, on June 16 at the Wallabaca Backdam with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He was not required to plead to this charge.

Attorney Hughes made an application for bail which was granted by the Chief Magistrate. However, the Police Prosecutor, Bharat Mangru, called for conditions

to be attached to the bail.

Chief Magistrate SewnarineBeharry ordered the accused to report to the Officer-inCharge of the Port Kaituma Police Station every Friday at 09:00h from June 26. However, he is not required to return to court until June 29, where the matter will then be heard at the Matthew’s Ridge Magistrate’s Court. No facts were given regarding the nature of the incident between Abrams and Lambert. However, Guyana Times understands that Abrams was an employee of Lambert at one time. The VC stated, in Tuesday’s edition of the Guyana Times,

that the incident started on Monday during a discussion with his colleagues on who can spin better (a process used to clean raw gold).

Abrams told this publication that a miner named “Goofy” joined the conversation but got unnecessarily upset and started to aggravate the VC who retaliated by pulling a knife on him. Fortunately, Goofy left shortly after, but soon returned after with their “bossman”, Lambert. The accused threatened Abrams with a firearm, which he claimed is unlicensed but no charge of an unlicensed firearm was lodged against him.

Nevertheless, Abrams said he decided to leave that camp and went to another where he had previously worked. He stated that while he was sleeping on the day following that incident, he woke up and saw his ex-boss over him with a gun and a cutlass. He told the Guyana Times that he ran for his life; however, he got shot in his back.

Lambert, with Goofy, assisted in getting him to a hospital, but not before he made sure he had been hit by at least one of his fired shots.

Norton Street man gets additional 21-day sentence

The self-proclaimed community cleanup activist who was on Tuesday sentenced to 20 days imprisonment by Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts was on Thursday sentenced to an additional 21 days in prison by the Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry on a charge of simple larceny.

Trevor James, a 47-yearold labourer of ‘E’ Norton Street, Georgetown, pleaded guilty to the charge which read that, on May 25 at Bourda, Georgetown, he stole one bag of rice valued at $2500, property of the Virtual Complainant (VC) Chandroutie Baldeo, a charge he previously denied.

The defendant also denied the charge which read that, on June 11 at Bourda, he resisted officer 18405 Henry, City Police Officer acting in his duties.

According to the defendant, he is a voluntary community cleanup activist that asks for small donations from the persons who he gives his services to. He said that the VC owed him for his service and was refusing to pay. He said that, as he was hungry, he took the rice as compensation.

He pleaded with the Chief Magistrate for the matter to be completed on the same day, as his business was suffering as a result of his imprisonment and he wanted the matter to

be completed to avoid wasting time. The Magistrate informed him that he would be fined in relation to the simple larceny charge, however as he pleaded not guilty to the charge of resisting arrest he would have to go to trial. He was fined $25,000 for stealing the rice, with an alternative of 21 days in prison. He opted to serve his sentence which will run concurrently to his previous sentence of 20 day, given to him in Court Five on Tuesday.

He will return to court on July 14 when he will appear before Magistrate Alex Moore in Court 10 to answer to the charge of resisting arrest.

CNS employee to pay $115,000 fine for phone theft

An employee of CNS Channel 6 was today fined $115,000 by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after he appeared before her charged with simple larceny.

Suraj Singh, a 28-yearold handyman employed at CNS Channel 6, pleaded guilty to the charge which read that, on Thursday June 18 at the corner of Robb and Wellington Streets, he stole a Samsung Galaxy S4 cellular phone valued at $105,000 property of the Virtual Complainant (VC), Timola Robinson.

Additionally, the defendant pleaded guilty to a charge which read that, on the said day, he gave the Police false information in writing knowing the same to be false.

According to the facts presented by Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru, the VC and defendant are known to each other as they

are co-workers. It was stated that, on the day in question, the complainant forgot her cellular phone at work. Upon realising this, she contacted a co-worker and a search was conducted. The co-worker then informed her that the phone was missing, and the Police was subsequently summoned to the building.

The staff was then inter-

viewed by the Police in relation to the matter, as well as all other individuals present at the time.

During the interview, the staff, as well as the defendant, denied knowledge of the cellular phone. However after further investigations, the defendant admitted to taking the phone, returned it to the VC, and was arrested and charged. The defendant pleaded for leniency from the Magistrate, while expressing his remorse for committing the act. He stated that he has a six-year-old daughter whom he is the sole breadwinner of.

After reviewing the facts presented and considering the fact that the phone was returned on the defendant’s own accord, the Magistrate fined him $100,000 with an alternative of six months in prison on the charge of simple larceny. Additionally, he was fined $15,000 on the charge of falsifying information to the Police.

First-time offender sentenced to 15 months in prison

Afather of two was sentenced to 15 months in jail after he admitted to two counts of robbery in Court 11 of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday. The accused, Clarence Thomas, cried before Magistrate Annette Singh that he has never come before the court for any offence and he has two children to take care of.

Thomas was charged by the Brickdam Police for robbing Virtual Complainant (VC) Osiana James of her hand bag valued $15,000, her cellular phone valued $35,000, $18,000 cash and US$40 while she was on High and Durban Streets last Tuesday, June 9.

He was also charged for stealing a cellular phone valued $24,000 from her son, Deon Daly, on the same day.

The Police Prosecutor, Corporal Adduni Inniss, told the court that, at 10:00h on the day in question, the two Virtual Complainants were walking along the junction of High and Durban Streets when Thomas walked up to them and took the mentioned items. Once this was done, the accused fled.

Prosecutor Inniss said that James raised an alarm, which brought persons to her assistance. The accused was apprehended and handed over to the Brickdam Police Station where he was charged.

Thomas told the court that he did take the items from the two VCs, stating that he was very sorry for doing so.

Magistrate Singh told him his actions made him liable to five years imprisonment. However, she stat-

ed that since he has thrown himself to the mercy of the court and not insisted on wasting its time, she sentenced him to nine months for the offence against James and six months for the offence against Daly.

Godfrey “Butcher” Lambert allegedly shot at Quincy Abrams

Suraj Singh

Jailed for robbery, Clarence Thomas

Govt yet to submit proposals to tap India’s loans for road bypass, ferry

By Vahnu Manikchand

High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Ventakachalam Mahalingham, has indicated that the Line of Credit (LOC) approved by his Government earlier this year is available, but there are certain procedures to follow before the monies can be released to Guyana.

During a visit to India in January, former President Donald Ramotar secured a Line of Credit to build a bypass road from Ogle to Eccles, linking East Coast Demerara to the East Bank, as well as the purchase of a ferry. The agreement was tied up between Ramotar and India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, during a meeting held on the sidelines of 13th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas at Gandhinagar.

Speaking exclusively with the Guyana Times on Wednesday, High Commissioner Mahalingham explained that he is in the process of working with the Guyana Government to determine the way forward on the bypass road project.

The LOC for this project is to the tune of US$50 million. He noted that an agreement has to be signed between the Government of Guyana and the India Export and Import (Exim) Bank outlining the details of project before the money can be paid.

“The agreement is with the Government of Guyana and they have to make the decision because it’s a new Government, and the project was proposed by the previous Government. So the new Government has to take a view whether they would like to pursue this project and when would they like to purse this project,” he outlined.

On the acquisition of the ocean going vessel to run

the north-west district, the Indian High Commission stated that that this has been mostly approved by the Indian Government. He remarked that if completely approved, there will be a Line of Credit for US$9 million and G$9 million. In addition, Mahalingham disclosed that during a recent visit with Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson, he informed that any other project that his Government wants to take forward and needs assistance with, then they can approach the Indian Government.

“We would like to work with the Government of Guyana on the basis of Guyana’s interest. We are willing to commit ourselves to whatever project the Government of Guyana proposes and take it forward to get the approval of the Government of India,” the High Commissioner declared.

Following the meeting last Friday, Minister Patterson told this newspaper that his Government appreciates this gesture by the Indian Government.

“They are willing to extend the Line of Credit beyond the amount that was already committed…He said the Government of Guyana can modify and change the scope of the project,” he said.

Additionally, the Infrastructure Minister underscored that, while he not familiar with the details of the agreement or the project, he noted that High Commissioner Mahalingham was kind enough to brief him on the agreement, and even left a copy. Patterson explained that his Ministry will have to review the documents and then consult with his Foreign Affairs and Housing colleague Ministers in order to decide on the way forward.

While the monies were approved by the Indian Government, it was reported in an Indian newspaper that the LOC to Guyana was among a list of LOCs to several other countries that are in limbo after India’s External Affairs Ministry’s budget was cut. The Telegraph in Calcutta, India, had reported in May that documents from the Ministry shows several overseas projects as “curtailed” since this year’s total foreign office budget for aid to Latin American countries is only approximately US$5.1 million.

However High Commissioner Mahalingham clarified that LOCs are not from the External Affairs Ministry’s budget, but is actually from the India Exim Bank. He went on to say, “So if by chance the Ministry of External Affairs’ funds are curtailed, it will have no impact on the LOCs because the LOCs are from the Exim Bank, which is an entirely different entity; it’s almost like a commercial bank,” he stated.

GTUC wants PPP/C excluded from unity Govt

The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) General Secretary Lincoln Lewis has urged the new Government to leave the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) out of any shared governance arrangement, arguing that the people voted for that party to be in the Opposition and it must stay there.

Lewis made the comments while addressing attendees at Tuesday’s commemoration service for the Enmore Martyrs. The GTUC and Lewis have traditionally supported the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), the major partner in the six-party coalition Government. His comments can be seen as important as well given the large constituency that the GTUC represents. The PPP/C earlier this week had rebuffed calls by the David Granger-led Administration to join it in unity talks, saying that the “massive witch hunting” and discrimination must cease before any talks.

At his swearing ceremony, Granger had extended an olive branch to the PPP/C and also followed up with a formal letter for the two political entities to hold talks. The President has said repeatedly that with 49 per cent of the votes, the PPP/C was a critical stakeholder in the governance of the country and has urged that party to take up its 32 seats in the National Assembly. However, in addition to the witch hunting claims, the PPP/C has also insisted that the allegations of election rigging and intimidation be addressed first. The Party is expected to file an election petition challenging the results of the May 11 polls.

Meanwhile, Lewis, known for his hardline stance against the PPP/C when it was in government, told the gathering including Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo that the Constitution makes provision for shared governance. He said since the promulgation of the Constitution in

1980, there has been provision for a regional system of Government.

Local Government

“Thirty-five years later regional Government awaits legislations to strengthen its function and empower the people in the respective regions with the needed authority and autonomy to make decisions and implement them on their behalf in building their communities,” Lewis said.

He added that local Government, the third tier of shared governance, gives authority to the people in villages, districts and towns to come together and elect their representatives and develop their communities, but this right has been denied since 1997. The GTUC looks forward to this injustice being corrected at the soonest.

Lewis said consistent with the constitutionally protected right to self-determination, it was time the people at the regional and local Government levels be allowed to identify and elect their leaders, and Central Government partnered with them to ensure that programmes are developed consistent with indigenous needs, inherent resources and the laws of the land.

“No more excuses from central authority to impose its will on the people in their districts. This abuse of power must end. It is time to advance the ball another step closer to the creation of a just society.

“As we voted on 11th May on the promise of realising a Government of national unity and honouring inclusionary democracy, it is time Central Government work with the regions, inclusive of those won by the PPP in ensuring programmes to meet the people’s respective needs and aspirations. The realisation of these must come now, not held hostage to promise of constitutional reform, especially given that Articles 76 and 77 allow for action. Guyana’s only hindrance remains that of political will.”

He said the argument to

have all the political parties in the Executive is yet to be buttressed by assurance of who will stand with the people when their rights are being transgressed by the Government. “The results of the 2015 elections have indicated that the PPP’s place is to take the seats on the Opposition side in the National Assembly. Their present role is to constructively propose, oppose, support and keep the Executive accountable based on the Constitution, laws, international charters and timehonoured principles. The PPP is called on to fulfil its responsibility to its supporters and society. Democracy works better when the system of checks and balance is functioning,” Lewis argued.

“We are today living in an era of representative democracy. As such, the Guyana Trades Union Congress desires national policies be conceptualised, developed and implemented with the input of the people and representation of their interests,” the veteran trade unionist said. He stressed that the country was at a critical juncture where society has found acceptance in embracing concepts such as national unity, shared governance, inclusionary democracy and power sharing; the consequence of the desire to live in peace and harmony. However, many still search for answers and need assurance that these systems are realisable and can work in their lifetime. He said inclusionary democracy is ensconced in the Guyana Constitution at Article 13 which is the result of the post-1997 elections struggles. “Article 13 expressly states: “The principal objective of the system of the state is to establish an inclusionary democracy by providing increasing opportunities for the participation of citizens, and their organisations in the management and decision-making processes of the state, with particular emphasis on those areas of decision-making that directly affect their well-being.”

Miner dies after pit collapses at Jumbie Creek

One miner is now dead while another is nursing injuries to his right foot after the mining pit in which they were working collapsed at Jumbie Creek, Pataro, Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni) on Thursday. The dead man has been identified as Orlando Archer, 25, of South Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, while the injured man is Leonard Persaud, 44, also of Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

According to information received, a group of men were working in the mining pit at Jumbie Creek when the western wall caved in. Archer was reportedly trapped while the other men

escaped. The body of Archer was pulled some minutes after the incident but was pronounced dead on arrival at the Mahdia Hospital. His body is at the Mahdia Hospital Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Persaud, on the other hand, was reportedly treated and sent away. Up to late Thursday evening, several of the dead man’s colleagues were at the Mahdia Police Outpost providing statements to investigators. When contact was made with Mahdia Hospital, Dr Doobay told Guyana Times that he was not at liberty to divulge any information with respect to the condition of the patients unless

he sees who is on the other end of the line. However, the Regional Executive Officer, Raphael Downes told this publication that based on information he received, the incident occurred at about 11:20h and at the time, there was no rain.

He stated that the walls of the pit collapsed but most of the workers managed to escape. Unfortunately, Archer was left behind. He confirmed that the body was brought to the Mahdia Hospital and is awaiting a post mortem examination. The police have launched an investigation into the matter.

Two weeks after a mining pit cave-in claimed the

lives of 10 miners at Mowsie Backdam, Mahdia, another miner lost his life on Friday last while on the job at Quimenang River, Upper Mazaruni.

On May 17 last, 17 men were working in a pit at Mowsie Backdam, Mahdia, when the walls came crashing down. The area had been experiencing extensive rainfall, resulting in the earth becoming moist and loose. Seven of the men survived, while 10 perished.

Following the incident, an intense search was conducted and five bodies were initially retrieved the following Monday and flown to Georgetown on Tuesday morning. Meanwhile, dur-

ing searches conducted over the next three days, the remaining five bodies were pulled from the mud.

Some of the dead men were identified as Bobby Brain Errol Brittlebank of Wisroc Housing Scheme, Linden; 17-yearold Raymond August of Dartmouth, Essequibo; Michael Moore Gardener, 26, of Better Hope, East Coast Demerara; and Esmond Martin of Goed Intent, West Bank Demerara.

The other causalities are Leyland Jones; Jason Trotman of Samatta Point, Grove, East Bank Demerara; Trevon Phillips of Old Road Stewartville, West Coast Demerara; and Nomar Cort,

Dick Frank Bernard and Glenn Bernard, all of Nappi Village, North Rupununi, Lethem. The seven who survived are Sheldon Adams, Andrew Lazarus, Henry Xavier, Regan Greene, Alex Greene, Shawn Xavier, and Collymore Lewis.

Two weeks later, Thomas Anton, 64, a diver from Kamarang, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) drowned while working at Quimenang River, Upper Mazaruni.

Anton was reportedly operating equipment under water, when it is suspected that he drowned after being trapped under a quantity of loose earth.

High Commissioner of India to Guyana Ventakachalam Mahalingham

friday, june 19, 2015|

Account Executive gunned down in Meadowbrook robbery

An Account Executive attached to the Rubis Service Station, Providence, East Bank Demerara was on Wednesday evening gunned down moments after returning to his Meadow Brook Gardens, Greater Georgetown home.

Twenty-seven-yearold Jason Cort of Lot 262 Jamoon Drive, Meadow Brook Gardens, Georgetown, was shot once to his chest by a lone gunman who escaped on foot.

According to information reaching Guyana Times, Cort was in the lower flat of the house while his girlfriend Shanna Garraway was in the upper flat when he was reportedly confronted by a lone gunman who was later seen scaling the fence.

Cort was also robbed of his licenced firearm, a sum of cash and a cellphone.

When Guyana Times visited the home of the dead man on Thursday morning, his best friend was in tears as he tried to come to grips with the reality of his friend’s death.

Soon after, Shanna Garraway, the dead man’s girlfriend and mother of his child told Guyana Times that on the night of the shooting, they were on the road and went back home to check on Cort’s aunt and to drop off some coconut water that they had purchased.

The distraught woman

stated that the intention was to drop off the water and go to Princess Theatre to watch a movie.

As they entered the house, she reported hurried to the upper flat of the house to collect her coat while Cort put the water in the freezer. She recalled as she was about to collect her coat when she heard a gunshot in the lower flat, followed by a male voice asking “where is the money?”

Garraway went back into the room and locked herself in where she dialed 911, her mother, Cort’s aunt and a few friends.

A close friend of the family, she added, arrived at the scene and as he checked around, he informed the young lady that the coast was clear to come out.

As they lifted Cort to take him to the hospital, they realised that he was shot to his chest and from all indi-

cations, the bullet was still lodged in his body.

They picked him up and rushed him to the Dr Balwant Singh Hospital where the doctors attempted to resuscitate him but their efforts proved futile.

Garraway recounted that within a minute the incident occurred which meant that the perpetrator might have been monitoring them. She however did not see anyone leaving the yard from where she was hiding not did she see any car leaving the scene after the shooting. As the Police arrived on the scene, they dusted the area for finger prints and collected the spend 9mm shell that was left behind.

The distraught woman told Guyana Times that the father of her child was an ambitious young man and he knew exactly what he wanted in life.

She could not say if Cort had any enemies, more so if anyone wanted to harm him.

The now dead man had been employed at Rubis Service Station for the past four years after completing his studies at the University of Guyana.

His mother lives overseas and his father died a few years ago, hence the young man chose to live with his aunt in Meadow Brook Gardens. He leaves to mourn his son, girlfriend, mother and five siblings. The Police have since launched an investigation into the murder.

Toshaos’ elections set for July

The Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry has indicated its intention to host the elections for Toshaos in some 187 Amerindian communities across Guyana, but has been mandated to carry out an audit before the elections.

Cabinet on Tuesday told Vice President and Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock that audits should be conducted into the use of funds in the close to 190 communities, before there is any elections for the village heads.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon on Wednesday said these audits will have to be completed before the July 16-22 timeline set for the elections. The elections, he stressed, are part of Government’s push towards the democratic renewal of the communities.

He said the move to have

the audits done was based on the numerous reports received about the manner in which funds were spent. Harmon further stated that the inventory must be done so that residents could be satisfied that the monies were appropriately spent. To be elected as a Toshao, a person must be eligible to stand as a Councillor and should not have held the position for the two terms immediately preceding his or her nomination. During a recent interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA), Minister Allicock explained that the village leaders’ election was delayed to accommodate the General and Regional Elections on May 11.

Minister Allicock said that the Ministry is currently collaborating with the Ministry of Communities to distribute letters to the vari-

Argentina pledges closer ties with Guyana

Efforts are underway to ensure that closer ties are established between Guyana and Argentina with the larger South American country promising deeper cooperation with its continental neighbour.

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder on Wednesday received a courtesy call from Argentine Ambassador to Guyana Luiz Alberto Martino at his Regent and Vlissengen Roads Office.

During the meeting, Ambassador Alberto Martino reaffirmed his country’s support to ensuring continued cooperation with Guyana, since the re-establishment of the foreign mission in 2011. Possible areas for collaboration were also discussed which centred on soil and post-harvest management, animal husbandry, research – agricultural biotechnology, value-added and marketing.

“We (the Argentine Government) look forward to stronger relations especially in agriculture as we move forward in pushing the development of the sector …

agriculture remains an important sector to any economy, and we stand committed to working together to ensure a stronger sector,” Ambassador Alberto Martino said.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is expected to be concluded and signed shortly between the two countries which will reaffirm their common interest to strengthen ties within the

framework of the Argentine South-South Cooperation Programme.

A joint cooperation programme is also expected to be established.

Argentina and Guyana have, over the years, shared fruitful bilateral relations. The two countries have collaborated in several areas since the reestablishment of the Embassy in Guyana in 2011.

US-based Guyanese gunpoint robbery…

Victim obtains new passport, travel documents

– Police to review surveillance tape

The 56-year old USbased Guyanese who was, on Wednesday June 17, robbed at gunpoint of her passport and travelling documents, among other valuables, succeeded in obtaining a new passport and the necessary documents to return to the United States.

Seerajie Shivram of Florida was attacked and robbed by two gunmen as she was making her way into her house at Lot 2 Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara on Wednesday morning around 02:00h.

ous communities advising of the meetings.

Immediately after the holding of the village elections, the next focus will be the National Toshaos’ Council, allowing the Ministry to get on with its work.

He added that the Administration’s intention is to depoliticise the Toshaos’ Council, allowing Amerindian leaders to discuss the way forward without any sort of alliance. “We would like to have Toshaos using their imagination, their own strength, because they are the ones who have to manage their communities, and if they are linked heavily to political parties, then they would be probably intimidated and they wouldn’t be able to do their work as they should be for the communities,” Minister Allicock had explained.

She was robbed of over US$3000, her asthmatic medication, her United States (US) passport, and US identification card and driver’s licence, among other important

documents. Shivram’s sister was also robbed of some $25,000.

Shivram, who had intended to stay two weeks in Guyana, thought that she would have to exhaust her time with back and forth trips to the United States Embassy in Georgetown in an effort to obtain a new US passport and other personal documents which were stolen in the robbery. However, on Thursday June 18, the woman succeeded in obtaining a new passport and an airline ticket back to Florida.

“The representatives were very helpful. She got her passport back today (Thursday) and so she went to Caribbean Airline with the Police Report and she get back her tick-

et,” her husband, Naresh Shivram, told the Guyana Times Shivram’s sister and brother-in-law had journeyed to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport in Timehri on Wednesday morning to pick her up. When they had arrived in front of the gates, Shivram’s husband came outside to open the gates. It was then that the two gunmen rushed into the yard, held her husband at gunpoint and robbed the women of their belongings. The men then escaped via a getaway motor vehicle that was waiting nearby.

The family said the Police are now in possession of a surveillance tape which they are reviewing with hopes of identifying the perpetrators.

Suspected arsonist's case transferred to Bartica Magistrate’s Court

A23-year-old female will make her appearance at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court on July 3 to face the charge of arson after Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry transferred her case to that court.

Naomi Goodridge of B Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, made her first court appearance on Thursday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after she was accused of setting fire to her boyfriend’s house.

Suspected arsonist

Naomi Goodridge

It was heard in Court One that she allegedly set fire to the Virtual Complainant (VC) Collis McGregor’s home in Aranka Landing, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) on June 16, with the inten-

tion of maiming and disfiguring him. She pleaded not guilty to the charge. Goodridge was not represented by an Attorney. However, the Chief Magistrate granted the defendant bail after there was no objection from Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru.

The accused is expected to be released after paying bail in the amount of $125,000. Prosecutor Mangru asked the court to release the accused on condition that she reports to the F Division Headquarters every Friday.

The house in which Jason Cort was gunned down

Account Executive Jason Cort

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder and Argentine Ambassador to Guyana, Luis Alberto Marino

Nandlall nudges Govt on AML/CFT Bill

Former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, said he hoped the Government is aggressively pursuing the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Amendment Bill, as things will be become a little more stringent.

The former Minister, who was at the forefront of the squabble between the then Opposition and now Government, the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition, said the apparent lack of information emanating from the Attorney General’s office in relation to Guyana’s position to the AML/CFT Bill is somewhat worrisome.

According to him, he is aware that meetings are currently being held at the level of the Caribbean Financial Actions Task

Force (CFATF) and hoped that his successor, Basil Williams, is attending those meetings. “At those meetings he is supposed to update the regional body of where the country is at the moment in relation to its compliance with the regime of obligations and forces of actions to which the country had committed itself”.

Among those commitments, he outlined, is the enactment of an amended bill, bringing Guyana up to speed with the rest of the world.

The attempt to do so in the last Parliament, he recalled was frustrated by the then Opposition. Nandlall said he hoped the Government now will be able to comply with the obligations which were devolved upon Guyana by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and CFATF.

The former Minister related that the task will become even heavier, since not only the will the AML/ CFT Bill have to be passed, but a whole host of regulations will have to be attached.

According to him, the longer the country takes to pass the bill, more will have to be added since there exists a revolving process. As new recommendations emanate from these international organisations each

Our climate change agreement with Norway

Dear Editor,

President Obama has called climate change “a serious threat to global security” and heavily criticized climate change deniers.

He also said that climate change would “impact every country on the planet”.

President Obama made his climate change observation at the Coast Guard Academy in Connecticut, USA.

But what is happening to our climate change agreement with the Kingdom of Norway? It looks like all climate change activities under Guyana’s new government are all dead.

Can Norway’s international climate and forest initiative officials visit Guyana and let the Guyanese people know what is happening with

Guyana’s climate change actions?

Would the 2015 agreement be extended, and what is the status of the LCDS funds and its project?

It seems obvious that the new Government wants to politically contaminate the climate change agreement between Guyana and Norway.

Felix Austin

National awardees

Dear Editor,

The re-introduction of national awards into the 2015 independence celebrations was good. Some observers wonder what were

the criteria used in the selections.

Presumably, integrity, self sacrifice, voluntary contribution to the nation, and being a role model to young

Guyanese was considered. Congrats to the awardees!

Observer

Name withheld by request

The father is the foundation of the family

Dear Editor,

The most important person in a family is the father. Traditionally, a father fathers his children through dedication, work and sacrifices, providing for the family, so that his wife (mother) could be able to take care of the children and the home.

The father is the one that is responsible for the family’s welfare.

Traditionally, the mother takes care of the family and the household. She moulds the children to be what they should be. She is considered the goddess of the house. The father is the provider of the home and the repre-

sentative of the family. The mother is the foundation of the husband and the family.

A father’s responsibilities include that of taking care of the wife (mother) and being her guardian and representative at all levels. This will allow the wife (mother) to carry out her household duties.

Fathers are real life heroes for most children. Living up to their expectations can be quite a task.

Although many children would want to be what their father was/is, fathers are sometimes disappointed with their children, after providing for them to be

will not jeopardise Guyana’s ability to comply with its obligations.

“The now Government, while they were in opposition, jeopardised the bill because they controlled Parliament.” He said even if the PPP/C voted against the bill, it could not be affected since the Government rules with a majority.

day, the countries are expected to incorporate and implement them within its legal and financial structure. “So the longer we take to do so, the more onerous the responsibility becomes,” he commented.

Meanwhile when asked about his Party’s role in the speedy passage of the AML/CFT Bill in Parliament, Nandlall explained that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s (PPP/C) absence or presence in the Parliament

Minister of State Joseph Harmon recently told media operatives that the bill is set to be given priority at the next sitting of Parliament on June 25. Similar assurance was given by Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams, earlier this month, after he received a courtesy call from a three member team comprising British High Commissioner Greg Quinn; Manager for the Caribbean Criminal Asset Recovery Programme (CCARP) Eamon Kearney; and Alex Ferguson, Legal

Advisor for the CCARP. Williams said the Administration will be moving ahead with the presentation of the bill, in the same form and fashion as it was in the special select committee set up in the 10th Parliament.

The bill, as put forward by the then Government, had harboured little or no support from the then APNU/AFC Opposition, using their one seat majority to block its passage. The political impasse surrounding the passage of the AML/CFT Bill saw Guyana being blacklisted by CFATF, and averting official blacklisting by FATF.

The blockage was based on a number of issues, but particularly the inability of the Government and Opposition to agree on the amendments. The Government’s version of the AML/CFT Bill did not sit right with the Opposition.

GWI should provide information on treatment plants across Guyana

Dear Editor,

The Environmental Community Health Organization (ECHO) is calling on the competent authority to pay serious attention to the way potentially toxic chemicals and gases are stored in local communities these gases pose various risks to public health and the natural environment

Last week a chlorine leak at the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) Water Treatment Facility at Better Hope, East Coast Demerara, affected residents in that area. Many days after, there has been no official report on what caused the leak. No one for sure knows what is the real effect of leak on the health of the residents in areas contiguous to that facility. We believe that GWI has an obligation to say the following:

better than what he was in life.

Now if you have a successful father at home, your job just gets a little more complicated. Successful fathers often leave behind a legacy, which the young ones find really hard to achieve.

Traditionally, a mother and a wife is the one given the responsibility to make the father a success. The father needs to be active in the lives of his children through his wife. The father is the foundation of the family, along with the wife and mother of their children

S N Singh

1. How is the gas used, stored and managed by that agency?

2. What are the current monitoring and maintenance plan for those gases and allied chemicals, in facilities in that and other areas?

3. What residents should do in the event of such a leak?

4. What are the general and specific policies in place to deal with such incidents and accidents?

5. What is the role of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in assisting to prevent such accidents?

In this modern time, Echo is of the view that using, storing, and managing such gases and chemicals should be in strict compliance to a written hazard communication programme. Information should be

provided on the action to be taken in the event of an accidental release of the gas. This should include environmental precaution: keeping away from drain, need to alert the emergency services and possible need to alert the immediate communities in the event of risk. Therefore, we are asking GWI to provide information on what is really happening at these facilities across Guyana. It is not enough for that agency to say that the leak has been contained. More needs to be said about the management of such gases and chemicals, in neighbourhoods that are very vulnerable to the effects of such leaks and spills.

Royston King Executive Director

ECHO

The duties of parents toward children

Dear Editor, Parents must provide for the material and spiritual welfare of their children. They must love their children in a responsible manner and provide for their healthy growth.

They must inspire their children by their own exemplary life and must never neglect to correct their faults. Parents are responsible to provide the necessary food, clothing, shelter and medical care in so far as they are able.

They are equally responsible for providing sound education and a sound knowledge of their religion, as well as moral training of their children. Parents must keep their children in healthy en-

vironments and rear them to be useful, self-supporting, loyal citizens, and informed, practical members of society.

According to the pages of the Ramayan, children must love their parents, and must never do anything that will hurt their feelings.

They must respect them, pay them due reverence and honour, speak and act with proper deference, accept their corrections readily, consult them and seek their advice regarding important decisions.

Children must be grateful to their parents, try to please and help them, and support them in need. They must be kind, obedient and truthful to them, and

must greet them by bowing to them with clasped hands, and by touching their feet with humility saying “Namastay”, “Pranaam” or “Seeta Ram”, according to their preference and inclination.

The writings of Gowswami Tulsidasji say, “Sanu jaanaie soyi sutubaar bhaagee, jo pitu maatu bachan anuraagee.” That child is blessed who is devoted to his parent’s words.

A child who gratifies his parents is rare. Blessed is that birth whose parents rejoice on hearing of his good deeds. Such a child is gem of Dharma - piousness.

Pt Surendranauth Persaud

Former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams

Guyana Chronicle article fuels perception that being gay is a regrettable condition

Dear Editor,

The Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) expresses our deep dismay at what can only be described as scandalous musings published by the Guyana Chronicle on May 22, under the headline, “God can change the most wretched soul”.

The article is not only misleading, but it nefariously fuels the perception that being gay is a regrettable condition which someone can ‘pray away’, as it focuses on the journey of a young man on what is described as his ‘bisexual condition’.

The article refers to very powerful demons that possessed the ‘bisexual bai’ and describes his sexuality as a ‘thing’. Apart from being distasteful, this is the pinnacle of irresponsible media.

On several points of clarity, I wish to address the misleading and unscrupulous content.

Firstly, I would like to state that homosexuality and bisexuality are different orientations on the spectrum of sexual orientation, as is heterosexuality.

Contrary to the claims made by the writer, bisexuality - neither homosexuality - is not a condition, a thing, a psychological disorder, nor is it the result of what is described as demon possession.

It is irresponsible for any media house, much less the state-owned newspaper to publish such illinformed, preposterous ramblings. The author speaks of the use of therapy as a measure to reduce or even reverse same-sex desire.

As a student of psy -

chology, I find the mere suggestion damaging to the appreciation and understanding that persons should have of sexual orientation and sexuality in general.

It is important to note that since 1973 the American Psychiatric Association (APA) officially removed homosexuality from their diagnosis list, allowing those who practice in the field to integrate sexual orientation more in line with explanations of identity and personality formation.

In simpler terms, homosexuality and bisexuality are just who some people are, the alternative being heterosexuality; which are components of self, not a sickness and curse.

I wish to point out also, that the Guyana Chronicle, being state owned media, should not embolden the publishing of anonymous religious articles. There ought to be a distinct, unhampered separation between religion and the state in our secular democracy and pluralistic society.

That said, it is completely unacceptable to publish such bias that can insight antipathy and ill will by an unnamed and unidentified writer, without leaving him/her open to public scrutiny and accountable for his/her irresponsible opinions.

The prejudiced representation of Christian views on the subject also needs to be flagged, as it facilitates monolithic branding of all Christians as homophobic by the media and the general public.

Having grown up in a Pentecostal church, and being an ally of the LGBT people for many years, I

know that this is simply not the case. There are persons of all faiths who accept LGBT people for who they are without any reservations.

Finally, SASOD would like to reinforce that the state has a duty to respect, protect and fulfill the human rights of all its citizens. There should therefore be no prejudice, discrimination – or opprobrium against any person or group by the state media.

The use of the term ‘wretchedness’ to describe a person’s sexual orientation is clearly a violation of the state’s obligation, as it castigates same-sex desires.

In fact, the state should utilize its media resources to educate the citizenry with unbiased, non-discriminatory information; not promote prejudice by giving space to the meandering homophobia of an anonymous contributor, masquerading as a newsworthy human-interest story.

We ought not to be hasty in our generalization of the things that we do not understand, spreading fear and propaganda that fuels disrepute toward LGBT persons.

It is this misunderstanding that fuels discrimination and violence towards the LGBT people and provides a false feeling of justification by those who perpetuate it.

This is particularly applicable to leaders in the religious, political and business sectors where there is a high degree of influence.

Chelauna Providence Social Change Coordinator SASOD

These analysts are silent

Dear Editor,

The silence is deafening. I have not heard or read any analysis of GECOM or releasing each polling station results or about the fake SOPs by the regular analysts like Christopher Ram, or his friend Ramon Gaskin or Freddie Kissoon (he only wrote the fake SOPs were done by the PPPC).

Using this silly form of reasoning, I suspect he will inform us soon that aliens and spaceships were involved in protecting the election process, which resulted in the coalition getting the most votes.

Also missing were analyses by David Hinds, Waldron, Clive Thomas or the host of “Grounding with my brothers” show on television.

These were the analysts who were strident in their analysis of corruption, democracy and transparency, etc, before the elections, but now have become mute concerning democracy, transparency or fairness as it relates to GECOM’s handling of the election process. If the coalition (APNU+AFC) had lost the elections, and GECOM had not released the polling station results, or there were fake SOPs, Georgetown would have been burnt down and our analysts would have explained it away by citing a lack of democracy, transparency or fairness, etc.

Why are they silent?

These analysts spin for the party of their choice using the concepts of democracy, fair play and transparency, etc

India could top BRICS, Guyana will benefit

Dear Editor,

The outgoing CEO, John Chambers, of American tech giant, CISCO, headquartered in California, feels India will become the top emerging country of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) grouping.

China has been the top nation of the grouping since it was initiated almost a decade ago. Already, India’s growth rate has surpassed China for this year and is expected to increase as Indian undergoes development of 100 new mini cities around the country.

India and China have been providing huge amounts of financial assistance to developing countries like Guyana over the last ten years.

India has renewed a commitment, through its High Commissioner in Georgetown, to providing assistance in agriculture, health and technical training in various fields. Guyana is the largest recipient of Indian aid on a per capita basis.

Chambers told a business

gathering that his company has “made a big bet on India, which has the possibilities of being the very top emerging BRICS country”.

The BRICS grouping of the five leading emerging economies accounts for more than a quarter of the world’s land mass, 40 percent of its population and a combined GDP of $24 trillion.

BRICS has established a development bank to rival the World Bank. It is based in Shanghai with an Indian economist as its head.

The bank has started out with a capital of almost US$50 Billion (most of it coming from China and India) that will be offered as loans to finance development in developing countries.

CISCO is among the most profitable American tech companies. It has thousands of employees of Indian origin in the US and in India providing tech expertise to companies around the globe. Chambers will be replaced by Chuck Robbins as head of CISCO.

The two have visited India several times in recent

years and are scheduled to be in India this week. Chambers said he and Robbins “are very bullish” (expect it to grow phenomenally) on India. He credits the positive view on India to the work of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Chambers said: “The Indian prime minister has grasped the importance of digitization, development of smart cities, broadband to every citizen, healthcare, education and job creation to change the lives of the people.”

Making reference to a comment he said a year ago just before Modi became the PM, Chamber said, “If I bet on one emerging market that had to be double down, it is India and we have doubled down.”

Once India makes progress, as it has been doing, developing countries like Guyana would be the beneficiary as India is committed to helping the lesser developed countries. Not surprisingly, India continues to help Guyana with increased financial aid.

Vishnu Bisram

Sole sourcing, no tenders already...

There are many credible audit firms and individuals in Guyana. But only those who were critical of the PPPC and supportive of APNU+AFC have been solesourced.

It is so early and APNU+AFC is already guilty of the same thing they accused the PPPC of. The Stabroek News and Kaieteur News have nothing to say about this, even with a reputation of having been fierce in their adopted role as public watchdogs to ensure that governments do not flout the tender rules. So how come they are so quiet now?

The truth is the PPPC did not sole sourced medicines as alleged by APNU+AFC. The

to get their party into power and write about philosophy to make themselves look good and intelligent; or cite the law about the election process.

In philosophy, they practice “consequentialism” which is an approach to ethics that argues that the morality of an action is contingent on the action’s outcome or ‘consequence’; that outcome for them was the election of the “coalition”.

They have rejected “deontology” which derives the rightness or wrongness of an act from the character of the act itself rather than the outcomes of the action. It was left to the Carter Centre to call for the release of the polling station results immediately.

Ronald Khan

PPPC tendered for eligible suppliers for medicine and then used those eligible suppliers for a given period. In addition, the PPPC always advertised and tendered its major projects.

I would think that a forensic audit for more than 30 state agencies seem like a big undertaking that should have been advertised.

Where is the transparency? What kinds of contracts have been awarded? What is the cost for contracting the three audits that have been reported? What is the secret in using state funds to enrich friends of APNU+AFC? What are the conditions?

I want to know. But maybe I am not important

from page 5

enough for APNU+AFC to worry over. But according to GECOM 49.2 per cent of the people of Guyana, more than 202,000 of just over 400,000 voters supported the PPP/C. These people and their families want to know. APNU+AFC, Stabroek News, kaieteur News, the ABC countries claim that we are living in a free, democratic society. Not so long ago they lectured us on transparency and on the virtues of open tenders. What happened today? Cat cut their tongues? Or is this another example of the collusion that cheated the PPPC in the 2015 elections?

Dr Leslie Ramsammy from page 5

The Cummingsburg Accord...

He went on to blurt out: «I am not a negotiator. I didn›t negotiate the Cummingsburg Accord!”

A typical Nagamootoo somersault, which in effect reduced the AFC from partowners of the Cummingsburg property to mere tenants in a room of the property.

Enter the aspiring landlord. He frowns as he surveys the property he longs to possess as his own without let or hindrance.

He reminisces on the days of yore when his predecessor the «Kabaka» was faced with a similar challenge and how he went about taking possession of what he believed was his God-given right.

After consulting his own «future notes», the first thing he figured was to serve notice on the AFC tenants. Thus, he boldly announces; Hear

ye! Hear ye! “The coalition is presently working on a review document.”

But he didn›t stop there, He went on to add: “Some things in the Accord are in collision with the Constitution.... And that I cannot be expected to do unconstitutional things.” The door was effectively slammed tight on that matter by serving notice to the effect that chairing Cabinet meetings was solely the President›s responsibility and not Nagamootoo›s.

But matters had degenerated long before. Following his swearing in, Nagamootoo answering journalists about his priorities, in a totally presumptuous manner, stated, “I want to start on humbling the powers of the President and the excessive powers of the Executive....»

Little did Nagamootoo re-

alize that with his swearingin as PM he was now a mere tenant and no longer a partowner of the Cummingsburg property, and that his priorities were misplaced. It is interesting to note that in his speech inaugurating the 11th Parliament, Granger listed his priorities for Constitutional reform but he never mentioned anything about «humbling the powers of the President nor the excessive powers of the Executive.»

That must have been a slap on Nagamootoo›s face. Instead of «humbling» Granger›s powers, Granger has in effect humbled Nagamootoo›s and by extension the AFC›s.

Clement J Rohee General Secretary PPP/C

MPs to debate Granger’s speech at next sitting

The new Members of Parliament (MP’s) are expected to debate President David Granger’s special address when they meet at the first sitting of the National Assembly of the 11th Parliament on Thursday, June 25.

This is according to Minister of State Joseph Harmon, who told reporters at a post-Cabinet brief on Wednesday that the Government Ministers and other parliamentarians will have an opportunity to discuss pressing matters and make their own presentations based upon what was presented by the President at the opening of Parliament on June 10.

Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs told this publication that this convention was practiced by the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) while they were in power; that following the opening remarks by the President at the convening of a new Parliament, the MPs will then debate the speech.

During his address, Granger spoke extensively about a range of issues, outlining his vision for the fiveyear period in which he will rule.

During the upcoming session, the MPs can discuss issues crime, disease, and poverty, among others topics.

Granger said the Government’s Poverty Reduction Plan will adopt a ‘One Nation’ approach, reducing inequalities, removing obstacles to education, opening opportunities to the disadvantaged, and the uniting coastland and hinterland.

“Poverty can be reduced and, perhaps, eventually eradicated with good governance and the sensible public policies that we shall introduce,” Granger had stated, noting that the fight against poverty cannot be won through charitable handouts.

He also made it clear that it is not the Government’s intention to deprive the rich in order to help the poor.

At the meet on Thursday, the MPs will therefore, engage in constructive discussions geared at arriving at a mutual standpoint in governing the country.

Granger had also said it is the Government’s intention to craft a long-term, national economic strategy that will

ensure economic stability and social security, raise the productive potential of the economy and improve the quality of life for all.

“We shall introduce amendments to appropriate laws to reform taxation, including the value-added tax, to give income tax concessions to wage earners and to offer fiscal incentives on an equitable basis to all investors,” he had stated.

Granger also vowed to ensure that people who are paid the national minimum wage will not be required to pay income tax.

Moreover, Harmon noted that, during the entire first sitting of the National Assembly – which is not confined to one day – the new Administration will attempt to pass several bills which are deemed critical by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration.

One of those bills is the Anti Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill. This is even as in the 10th Parliament, the APNU and AFC, which collectively had the majority of the seats, refused to pass the Bill.

The Telecommunications Bill, the Local Government Elections Bill and the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill are listed as top priorities for the new Government, Harmon said.

Granger, during his address, had mentioned the legislations he wants to introduce and amend. These include the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, to amend the Constitution of Guyana to add certain entities, such as the Service Commissions and the Guyana Elections Commission, that ought to enjoy financial autonomy as Constitutional Agencies; the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly Bill, to establish an independent office of the Clerk of the National Assembly that would allow greater independence in the appointment of all staff of the Parliament Office; the Fiscal Management and Accountability (Amendment) Bill, to ensure that certain entities enjoy financial independence, to free them from executive interference with their budgetary allocations; the former President’s (Benefits and Other Facilities) Bill to cap benefits, including taxfree concessions and to specify some conditions under which the benefits are to be enjoyed; the Constitutional Offices Commission Bill to periodically review salaries, pensions and other conditions for persons appointed to constitutional offices, including Members of the National Assembly; and the Public Utilities Commission (Amendment) Bill, to allow equal treatment to all investors in this sector and to ensure better service quality to consumers.

18 group cash in on Canadian-Guyanese donations

Canadian-based

Guyanese Dean Hassan, of Tesouro Resources, on Thursday afternoon donated a sum of $10 million to 18 charitable organisations around Guyana, at a ceremony held at Cara Lodge in Quamina Street, Georgetown.

Hassan stated that he has been blessed and is always ready and willing to give as much as was given to him.

He noted that the selection process was difficult because there are many organisations that deserve a helping hand, but his team had finally settled on a few that they thought would make a difference with his donations.

The Canadian-based

Guyanese believes that anyone who is in a position to give back, should, especially the things that you are passionate about. That is the rule he lives by.

A few of the organisations to benefit from Hassan’s generosity are, Dharm Shala, St Ann’s Orphanage, David Rose School for Handicapped Children, the Guyana Society for the Blind, Deaf Association of Guyana, Help and Shelter, Youth Basketball Guyana, Queen’s College Parent Teacher Association (QC PTA), and others.

Hassan stated that he has much more planned for institutions around Guyana, as this is now his home and he can never forget where he came from. By that stan-

dard, he will never stop giving back to his home.

Speaking to the Guyana Times, the recipients of the donation graciously expressed their gratitude to Hassan. Hamley Case, representative of the Association of Uncle Eddie’s Home, which was given $500,000, expressed that he could not be happier about the donation to his charity, and mentioned that it could not have come at a better time.

They are currently in the process of refurbishing some rooms to be able to accept more residents and were having difficulties raising the necessary funds. He admitted that there were times he thought that the refurbishing would have to be

paused or be stopped altogether, but Hassan came at the right time, and his generosity was very much appreciated.

President of the QC PTA, Neil Persram, whose charity received $1 million, stated that the association is constantly looking for ways to improve the welfare of the students and their school facilities.

He noted that the association had recently built an all-purpose sport playing surface and a covered concrete eating area that amounted to $11.5 million in cost. He stated that the donation will go towards paying off that project and that the association will forever be grateful for the generosity of Dean Hassan.

Prefeasibility study for DHB under review

The construction of the new Demerara Harbour Bridge is estimated to cost approximately US$264.5 million. The Public Infrastructure Minister said a study done on the project is now being reviewed and the nation should know by September where the chips will fall.

The final report of the prefeasibility study which was done for the construction of a new Demerara Harbour Bridge was released in October 2013, by then Public Works and Hydraulics Minister Robeson Benn.

It had showed that a new high level, four lane fixed bridge structure at Houston, Greater Georgetown, to Versailles on the West Bank of Demerara, is the only economically feasible alternative. The document, which is available on the Public Infrastructure Ministry’s website, estimates that the cost would be in the vicinity of some US$264 million.

As in the case of most of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic projects, the newly installed Government and more so, new Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, has planned a full review of the study which was done under the former administration.

Patterson, who spoke to Guyana Times on Thursday, related that the review will be done to ensure that transparency and accountability is a hallmark not only at his Ministry but for all of the Government’s projects.

“NICIL had taken it over and it went to tender. The tenders were returned, of course, you know the usual public/private partnership such as the Berbice River Bridge and other arrangements, which are all clouded in mystery. All of them. No one other than NICIL and the other investors that understand and know of the workings of the deals that actually go on,” Patterson said.

Patterson explained to this publication that he does not wish to become tied up or involved with the National Industrial and Commerical Investments Limited (NICIL) headed by Winston Brassington, Chairman of the Atlantic Hotels Inc (AHI) and the leading figure in the controversial Marriott Hotel Guyana.

He noted that while some of the former administration’s ideas were excellent, there was a lot left to be de-

sired in the transparency of the projects and the manner in which they were carried out.

“The previous administration, while they had some good ideas, and they did have some good ideas, they ultimately became clouded in corruption and secrecy and any idea which never really originated from either their Cabinet or their Executive, was thrown out purely because they could not control it,” he explained.

According to Patterson, the review is expected to be completed before September of this year.

In the meantime, the number of vehicles traversing the Demerara Harbour Bridge continues to break records. Rawlston Adams, General Manager of the Demerara Harbour Bridge, however, has previously noted that the number of vehicles traversing the bridge

does not pose an immediate problem since the structure does not have an expiry date. He noted that any damaged part can be easily replaced. The bridge however, has in the past caused severe discomfort to persons residing on the West Bank and West Coast of the Demerara River due to the number of times repairs have had to be done. Over the past year, the DHB administration has had to spend in excess of $337 million replacing major components on the structure. According to Adams, three pontoons were fabricated at a cost of $134 million, while another 18 were serviced utilising some $96.7 million.

In one instance, the bridge had collapsed, leaving persons stranded in Georgetown while others were forced to travel in speedboats at night in an effort to reach their destinations.

Former Works Minister Robeson Benn had said that a prefeasibility study for a new Demerara Harbour Bridge was a step closer to seeing the discomfort to those persons eased.

Talks about the possibility of a new bridge have been ongoing for more than a decade, after it was acknowledged that the lifespan of the existing floating bridge is coming to an end.

This is the first tangible step that has been made towards the establishment of a new bridge across the Demerara River. The bridge has been in operation since 1978.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

Dean Hassan (second right seated) surrounded by representatives of the various organisations

The Demerara Harbour Bridge

Sunburst in Ramdhani’s corner again

Continental Group of Companies, through the popular local orange juice Sunburst, has maintained its support for national junior and senior badminton champion Narayan Ramdhani.

The renewal of the sponsorship comes at a critical time, as the young sportsman is slated to compete in several prestigious events later this year.

Ramdhani will be representing Guyana at the Pan American Junior Championships to be held in Tijunana, Mexico, from August 1-10. The sponsorship of Ramdhani by Sunburst for the second successive year will no doubt help the young man to continue his climb up the badminton ladder.

Ramdhani is also slated to attend the Pan American

Junior Academy highpowered training camp in Tijuana, Mexico, from August 10-15. The country’s top male player will also make an appearance at the Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada, from July 11 to16 this year, as well as the Caribbean Championships in the Dominican Republic August 20-25.

Ramdhani must attend these international tournaments to gain world ranking points in order to make his journey to the 2020 Olympics a reality.

At a simple ceremony to renew the sponsorship, Continental Group of Companies Office Manager Ravi Brijnandan, handed over the cheque to Ramdhani in the presence of Company Secretary Percival Boyce.

Ramdhani will wear the Sunburst emblem and promote the product during the Pan American Junior Championships. Boyce, in brief remarks at the presentation, said that his company was delighted to be supporting local talent yet again.

“The management of Continental Group of Companies with its Sunburst brand of orange juice and fruit-flavoured drinks is pleased to be associated with Guyana’s young champions in sports on their way to international fame,” Boyce commented.

The Guyana Badminton Association expressed its delight at being able to realise the partnership between the athlete and Sunburst and the encouraging interest the company has shown in the sport.

Bravo in mood for CPL...

Q How much are you looking forward to playing with Jacques Kallis this year and what is he going to bring to the Red Steel?

A I’m definitely looking forward to playing with him because firstly we all know how good a player he is and for me it’s a dream come true to play with a role mod-

el of mine growing up. I’ve always wanted to emulate him and to have him in the same team as me and to represent the same franchise, it’s going to be a boost for us. We definitely wanted him in the draft, so when Simon and myself planned out the players that we wanted for this season we were happy to put him down.

Q Jacques is only one of the 15 players in the team, who else should we look out for to make an impact?

A I think Kevon Cooper. In the CPL he’s been very good, especially with the ball. Johan Botha, I look forward to playing with him as well, as he’s an experienced player and he’s

played a lot of international cricket. Kamran Akmal also, Pakistan wicketkeeper and batsman, but also Darren Bravo my younger brother, and Samuel Badree as well. The squad is good - we have youth, we have experience, and class as well, so it’s going to be a very exciting tournament once again. But it’s not going to be easy because all the other teams have got good players as well, so let’s see how it goes.

“To see my brother Darren hit the ball for six to win the game... It was as if we’d won the tournament”Dwayne Bravo

Q. Finally on the player front, you mentioned your brother who hit that amazing six last year to win that game against Guyana - can you remember the emotions you went through at the end?

A That game was a must win game for us. Denesh Ramdin had batted very well in his innings and Guyana had made 180. When I went in to bat the score was 15 for 3 and the first thing I said to my brother as soon as I walked in was ‘We are going to win this game’. We went on to have a partnership of over 100 and then I got out and then it comes on to the last over, to the last ball, and that in itself was nerveracking that we might have come this close to not even win the game. Then to see Darren hit the ball for six it was as if we had won the entire tournament.

Q You got to the playoffs in both tournaments, so what do you need to do to make the final and go on and win it? And with the finals being in Trinidad, is that an extra motivation for you to go on and do well?

A In the first season we started off very slowly but were still able to make it to the semi-finals. But in the second we started off very

well and lost our way at the end. So I think this year we need to peak at the right time, try not to peak too early, try not to peak too late, take it one game at a time and when it comes to the crunch time, the team that handles the pressure better can go on to win the game. So for us that is going to be our biggest challenge, to make sure that we peak at the right time.

Q Red Steel open up the tournament against the Zouks, so have you got a message for Darren Sammy?

A I’m not planning to do anything to any team. I don’t really want to talk about anything, I just want to wish him and the St Lucia Zouks the best of luck for the tournament. I want my team to win, and may the better team win on the day. We are very good friends, we regularly speak to each other and his team have a couple of new players as well. So I wish good luck to Darren Sammy in the tournament and all the best to all the teams, and hopefully the best team will go on to win the tournament.

“I love my fans very much. I’ll try and give them something to be proud of”Dwayne Bravo

Q You obviously play against a lot of the guys you play with in the West Indies squad. Is there one of your international team-mates that you always like to get out at all?

A There is a special bond between Kieron Pollard and myself so the two of us always have our own competition apart from the team, we have our own individual competition against each other. Pollard and I is the only one that you will actually see get in the banter on the cricket field, but we are best friends so nothing will change that.

Q You are an all-

rounder, so can I ask you what feels better - is it knocking a batsman’s middle stump over, or hitting a six?

A I enjoy both of them, that is the glory of being an all-rounder.

Q A lot has been made about your fans in Trinidad, the trini-posse. Do you have a message for them ahead of the tournament?

A I just want to say I look forward to seeing them coming out, and I would like them to support the tournament and not only the team, so they are going to be very important for the tournament. We have some big name players that are going to be part of it this season again. Obviously I love my fans very much, so I’ll try and give them something to be proud of.

Q We hear that you like to sing and rap - there’s a video of you from last year. If you were to win the CPL, would you perform your own song on the pitch at the Queen’s Park Oval?

A Yes I will, as long as I’m allowed to, I will. 100%.

Q If you could, who would you most like to duet with?

A The owner of my team Shah Rukh Khan.

Q And what about Andre Russell, we’ve heard quite a lot about him recording his own track?

A Yeah, Andre and I are going to be doing something very soon. During the CPL, when I go to Jamaica we have something planned.

Q. You spoke to Chris Gayle last week and he said his ideal dinner guests were Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, and Beyoncé, and we were wondering who yours would be, and why?

A J.Lo. Jennifer Lopez, she is my all-time favourite. (CPL.com)

Continental Group of Companies Office Manager Ravi Brijnandan (right), and Company Secretary Percival Boyce, finalise the deal with the young badminton player

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TCL, RHTY&SC strengthen partnership for cricket academy

For the fourth year in succession, the Trinidad Cement Limited (TCL) has joined hands with the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) to stage the annual cricket academy in the Ancient County next month

At a simple ceremony on Thursday morning, the company’s Accounts Clerk Nirmala Ganga presented a cheque valued $220,000 to Secretary/ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the RHTY&SC, Hilbert Foster, in the presence of TCL Plant Manager Mark Bender and Marketing Representative Eric Whaul.

The ceremony took place at the TCL office in the GNIC compound on Lombard Street, where Foster highlighted the impact of the academy on Berbice, Guyana and West Indies cricket over the years.

Over the last 20 years, a total of 1674 youths between ages eight and 18 have passed through the academy.

“The academy, over the years, has provided one West Indies Test player, one ODI player, two West Indies female cricketers, three Guyana senior players, 37 Guyana junior cricketers and a total of 93 for Berbice at all levels,” Foster high-

lighted.

The academy will be held from July 6-18 at the Area H Ground and will cater for 100 young boys and girls.

Winston Smith and Delbert Hicks will perform coaching duties, while Foster will preside over the academic sessions.

Foster continued, “The young cricketers would be involved in sessions on batting, bowling, fielding, wicket-keeping and physical fitness. They would also have numerous practice cricket matches and be involved in eight lecture sessions on topics such as importance of education, drug abuse, peer pressure, history of cricket among others. At the end of the academy, outstanding members would be reward-

ed with educational packages and trophies.”

Foster said he was confident the academy will fulfil its objectives and the RHTY&SC will zntinue to produce players to join the current band of Assad Fudadin, Royston Crandon, Delbert Hicks and Shawn Perriera.

Plant Manager Bender commended Foster and his team on a wonderful job in hosting the academy, and noted that his company was quick to jump on the idea when the Club made an approach for sponsorship.

During the two-week academy, participants will be exposed to a packed programme, comprising cricket and sessions on topical issues. (Avenash Ramzan)

Sentinel Security backs BCB’s Caricom Championship

Sentinel Security Inc has become the latest corporate entity to throw its support behind the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Caricom Championship, set for July 5 at the Albion Ground.

Priyta Rampersaud, Manager of the Berbice branch and sister of Executive Director Noreen Gaskin, said that the company was always willing to help the BCB in its effort to promote the noble game of cricket.

A release from the BCB stated that Sentinel Security Inc was impressed with the work of the Board, hence its willingness to assist whenever the opportunity presented itself. “They are also committed to the task of moulding young cricketers in our country and making them better and rounded individuals,” the release added.

Speaking on behalf of the BCB was Trevor Ramdeholl, who thanked the security firm for its generous donation and promised that the company will enjoy good mileage for its money. He added that the tournament will be well run with transparency and accountability.

Funds from the sponsorship will cover the cost of

advertisement, music and a stipend for the gate attendants. The Board is calling on companies and private individuals to support the security firm so that it can continue to make tangible contributions to the communities in which it operates.

The Board also called on other sponsors to come on board. Proceeds from the event will be used mainly to organise three-day cricket competitions in Berbice.

The Caricom Championship will see the top eight T20 First-Division teams in Berbice competing in a 10-over knockout

competition with the final of 20 overs to be played under lights for a top prize of $80,000 and a trophy. The runner-up will receive $40,000 and a trophy with the losing semi-finalists getting $15,000 each. The participating teams are: Upper Corentyne/ Skeldon, Port Mourant, Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, Albion, Young Warriors/Edinburgh/Rose Hall Centre, Police/Bermine, Blairmont/West Berbice and Bush Lot/D’Edward. Admission is $300 per person and action will bowl off at 10:00h.

TCL Accounts Clerk Nirmala Ganga presents her company’s sponsorship cheque to Secretary/CEO of the RHTY&SC, Hilbert Foster (Avenash Ramzan photo)

Priyta Rampersaud, Manager of Sentinel Security’s Berbice branch, presents the company’s contribution to BCB representative Trevor Ramdeholl

Deonarine, Edwards, Hinds expected to strengthen franchises

International players

Narsingh Deonarine,

Kirk Edwards and Ryan Hinds headed the list of imported draft choices, when the Player Draft of the WICB Professional Cricket League took place today here.

Deonarine, Edwards and Hinds were the three eyecatching picks, as selectors from each of the six franchises were stipulated for the second edition of the Draft to pick a minimum of two players from outside of their home territory, unlike the inaugural edition last year.

Deonarine, the Guyanese left-handed batsman, who also bowls off-spin, is expected to be a big boost for the Leeward Islands Hurricanes which finished last in the six-team Regional 4-Day Tournament and failed to

reach the knockout stages of the NAGICO Super50 Tournament.

“The Draft went extremely well for us. There is always going to be a few surprises at a player draft and we were fortunate to have been able to secure Narsingh Deonarine,” said new Hurricanes head coach Reginald Benjamin.

“He was the best available batsman in the Draft and his off-spin bowling will be a plus, so we are now looking forward to him helping us to become a successful franchise in the coming season.”

Edwards, the Barbadian batsman who distinguished himself with a Test hundred on debut, has been given a chance to revive his stalled international career with the Jamaica Franchise.

“Kirk has been an outstanding batsman on the regional circuit in previous seasons,” said Jamaica Franchise chairman of selectors Wavell Hinds. “He has also had some success at the international level and still has the desire to play international cricket again.

“We believe we can offer him the environment and the opportunity to propel himself and put his hand up so that the West Indies selectors get to have a good look at him once again, so we think it turned out well for us to have secure a player like him.”

Ryan Hinds, a longstanding left-handed allrounder from Barbados, will add greater depth to the batting of the Guyana Jaguars and his left-arm spin bowling will make this part of their attack even more potent along with the West Indies duo of leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo and

another left-arm spinner, Veerasammy Permaul.

Hinds will be one of three Barbadians that will be lining up for the defending Regional 4-Day champions next season. Left-handed all-rounder Raymon Reifer was selected in the Draft last year and was placed on the Jaguars’ protected list for the coming season, and fast-medium bowler Javon Searles will join him and Hinds in Georgetown.

“Raymon was very effective for us last year and we are hoping that Ryan and Javon will continue this trend,” said Jaguars chairman of selectors Rayon Griffith.

“I think Ryan will bring real value to our side. It is a huge loss for us not having Narsingh in our line-up and to play the role that he has for a long time as batting all-rounder, so we were fortunate to grab Ryan, a season campaigner in domestic cricket, and we hope he will help to cushion the blow from the loss of Narsingh.”

The other eight players selected from outside of their home territory were: Darren Cruickshank (Hurricanes), Nkrumah Bonner and Kyle Hope (Trinidad & Tobago Red Force); Trevon Griffith (Jamaica Franchise); Kyle Mayers and Kevin McClean (Windward Islands Volcanoes); and Preston McSween and Hayden Walsh Jr (Barbados Pride).

Final franchise squad lists

BARBADOS PRIDE: Carlos Brathwaite, Shamarh Brooks, Jonathan Carter, Roston Chase, Kyle Corbin, Miguel

Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Ashley Nurse, Shai Hope, Jomel Warrican; Justin Greaves, Preston McSween (Windward Islands), Omar Phillips, Kevin Stoute, Hayden Walsh Jr (Leeward Islands)

GUYANA FRANCHISE: Christopher Barnwell, Ronsford Beaton, Devendra Bishoo, Anthony Bramble,

Boatswain, Kacey Carty, Rahkeem Cornwall, Alzarri Joseph, Steve Liburd, Orlando Peters, Sherwin Peters, Jacques Taylor, Devon Thomas, Gavin Tonge; Nelson Bolan, Darren Cruickshank (Trinidad & Tobago), Narsingh Deonarine (Guyana), Colin Hamer, Shane Jeffers

TRINIDAD &

Rajendra Chandrika, Assad Fudadin, Shimron Hetmyer, Veerasammy Permaul, Raymon Reifer, Vishaul Singh; Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Ryan Hinds (Barbados), Keon Joseph, Javon Searles (Barbados), Paul Wintz

JAMAICA FRANCHISE: Dave Bernard Jr, John Campbell, Sheldon Cottrell, Jason Dawes, Nicholson Gordon, Damion Jacobs, Brandon King, Tamar Lambert, Nikita Miller, Marquino Mindley; Carlton Baugh Jr, Kirk Edwards (Barbados), Trevon Griffith (Guyana), Paul Palmer, Shacaya Thomas

LEEWARD ISLANDS FRANCHISE: Quinton

TOBAGO RED FORCE: Yannick Cariah, Kevon Cooper, Rayad Emrit, Steven Katwaroo, Imran Khan, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Kjorn Ottley, Ravi Rampaul, Marlon Richards; Nkrumah Bonner (Jamaica), Kyle Hope, Akeal Hosein, Yannick Ottley, Jeremy Solozano WINDWARD ISLANDS FRANCHISE: Sunil Ambris, Alston Bobb, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Mervin Matthew, Kenroy Peters, Liam Sebastien, Shane Shillingford, Devon Smith, Tyrone Theophile; Delorn Johnson, Keddy Lesporis, Kyle Mayers (Barbados), Kevin McClean (Barbados), Dalton Polius.

Veerasammy Permaul

Devendra Bishoo

Narsignh Deonarine

yWcc congratulates Hetmyer on selection

CBC Men’s Championship Guyana winless in 3 games

– to play final group match today

The men’s national basketball squad remained winless after their third game on Wednesday when the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championship continued in the British Virgin Islands (BVI).

Guyana to date in the tournament have lost all of their group matches, thus far with one remaining which is scheduled for today against Suriname.

The executives and players of the Cumberland, East Canje-based Young Warriors Cricket Club (YWCC) have offered congratulations to club member 18-year-old Shimron Hetmyer, on his selection to the Guyana Amazon Warriors playing squad for the upcoming Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

The Club said that this recent selection was another step for Hetmyer on his march to soon wear West Indies colours. The Club, which was resuscitated just over 12 years ago, has produced many junior and senior national players and even West Indies junior cricketers, but is yet to produce a West Indies senior player.

The release stated that executives and members are confident that Hetmyer will be the first one to make the West Indies senior team.

“Shimron’s talent was spotted by Coach Hubern Evans, himself a former national cricketer, since he was just seven years old and from then he was invited to join the Club. Since then, he never looked back and made significant and rapid progress despite his age. He has always performed above his age group and impressed all that see him play cricket,” the Club said in a release.

The release continued, “The Club wishes him well in his future and pray that God will guide him. The Club also hopes that Shimron’s achievement will inspire others in the Canje area where there are many young boys and girls involved in drugs and crime. The Club invites cricketers of all ages to join free of cost. Contact can be made with Coach Evans on 624-3275, Coach Kwesi Maltay on 6952007 or Manager Sahadeo Singh on 617-1103.”

RHty&sc mourns loss of assistant organising secretary

The management and members of Guyana’s leading youth and sport organisation, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC), was on Monday thrown into a state of mourning following the sudden death of its Assistant Organising Secretary and senior cricket official, Simon Budhoo.

The 41-year-old Budhoo died at the New Amsterdam Hospital after a brief period of illness.

Secretary/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Club, Hilbert Foster, stated that the death of the hardworking executive was a huge blow, as he was one of the RHTY&SC’s most energetic executives. Budhoo, who joined the Club in 2002, was also an executive of its Over-35 section and was appointed a cricket manager in 2013. Foster hailed Budhoo as one of the main reasons why the RHTY&SC has been so successful over the last de-

cade and noted that the late Assistant Organising Secretary was playing a major role in the ongoing Silver Jubilee Anniversary Celebrations.

Budhoo had responsibilities for the Club’s junior cricket teams and fundraising activities, and played a major role in the development of numerous cricketers, who went on to play for Berbice, Guyana and the West Indies.

Foster also disclosed that the late Executive played a major role in the recently held cricket development raffle and assisted him to organise events like the Annual Award Ceremony, Annual Cricket Academy, ANSA McAL Award of Excellence, Tribute to Heroes, Monthly Charity Programme and the Republic Bank Summer Camp.

The Club would like to extend its profound sympathy to the family of Simon Budhoo, especially his two young sons.

In their opening match against Antigua, the Guyanese men went down 80-60 with Gordon James putting on a double-double effort of 19 points and 15 rebounds in the losing effort.

Travis Burnett and Dave Causeway chipped in with 13 and 11 points respectively.

In their second game, Guyana came up against The Bahamas and went down by

a big margin, losing the game 89-69. James once again scored a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Causeway dropped a team-high 19 points in the loss.

With a chance to bounce back against familiar opponents from earlier in

the year, Bermuda, who Guyanese defeated 3-0 in a three-game series, the locals were unable to pull out the win, losing 75-65.

Again James led the way with 22 points and seven rebounds, while Burnett and Causeway each scored nine points.

Akeem “The Dream” Kanhai, the team captain, is having a nightmare of a championship so far, scoring only 14 points combined in the three games thus far. Guyana will play Suriname in their final group game today when the championship continues.

Gordon James

Travis Burnett

Dave Causeway

Opener Shimron Hetmyer was selected for the Guyana Amazon Warriors squad, as part of the arrangement with Under-19 players this year

Digicel School Football

Tucville rout David Rose 7-1

By TreisTon Joseph

Tucville Secondary School demolished David Rose School to move on in the Digicel National School Football Tournament on Thursday when the competition continued at the Tucville Ground in Greater Georgetown.

Controlling possession for most of the game, Tucville seemed to be the clear winners with their style of football from the first three minutes of the game which was validated with a goal from Jermaine Garnette in the sixth minute.

Adrian Wong equalised in the 20th minute for David Rose only to see Tucville take the lead again with a goal from Calvin Peters in the 34th minute to end the half.

The second half proved to be a mismatch as Tucville drilled five goals in the net.

Marcus Wilson notched his first goal in the period with a right-foot strike in the 39th minute to give Tucville a bigger advantage.

However, Orwyn

Garraway would show the difference between the two sides as his goal in the 43rd minute all but sealed the deal.

Nevertheless, Sherwin Reid continued the onslaught in the 61st minute, while Peters and Garraway registered their doubles with goals in the 66th and 68th minute respectively to end the one-sided show.

minutes) and Jumal Khalid (65th and 70th) scoring doubles to lead the side to victory.

Meanwhile, Friendship Secondary dismantled Xenon Secondary by an 8-1 score line, with Lawrence McPherson (12th and 38th

At the Wisburg Secondary School Ground in Linden, Mackenzie High defeated Linden Foundation Secondary by a 3-1 score line.

Jesse Marshall led the winners with a double in the 32nd and 35th minutes, while Shaquille Campbell recorded a solo effort in the third minute. Netting for the losers in the 79th minute was Gregory Vaughn.

Khan backs Narine to deliver

Guyana Amazon Warriors manager, Omar Khan, believes off-spinner Sunil Narine remains a massive threat despite his recent troubles.

Trinidadian Narine has been dogged by criticisms of his action over the last year, and was called for having a suspected illegal bowling action during last year’s Champions League Twenty20 in India and more recently in the Indian Premier League.

Despite this, Khan is backing the 29-year-old to delivery for the Amazon Warriors in the upcoming Caribbean Premier League which bowls off in Bridgetown on Saturday.

“Sunil is still a very valu-

able member of the team. He has been our icon player since the start of the CPL and he remains an integral part of the set up,” the Trinidad Express newspaper quoted Khan as saying.

“He is mentally strong and he adds a lot of value to the team. He motivates the younger players and he has a lot of experience in T20 cricket. In the training camp so far he has brought a lot of intensity to everything he does. He is focused and committed.”

After being called during the CLT20 last September, Narine was forced to remodel his action and subsequently opted out of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand to continue his rehabilitation.

He was then forced to undergo Tests on his action before being allowed to turn out for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL.

Narine then struggled during the campaign but Khan said that for all Narine’s trials, the player remained a potent force.

“He is an internationally acclaimed player and all eyes will be on him but he is mentally tough and he can handle the scrutiny and come back stronger and better and come out on top,” said Khan.

“Sunil is still a dan-

gerous bowler and he is a match-winner and has proven that in previous seasons.”

Amazon Warriors clash with defending champions Barbados Tridents in

the opening game of the Caribbean Premier League at 6 pm on Saturday at Kensington Oval, in a replay of last year’s final in St Kitts. (CMC)

Bravo in mood for CPL glory

After another fine IPL campaign, captain fantastic Dwayne Bravo has now set his sights firmly on glory with the Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel in the 2015 Hero Caribbean Premier League.

The Red Steel have lost twice in the eliminators in the CPL and are desperate to go one better this time around. They have an experienced squad to call on, with Sout Africa legend Jacques Kallis, Pakistan star Kamral Akmal and West Indies spinner Samuel Badree in their ranks.

“It’s a dream come true to play with a role model of mine like Jacques Kallis” - Dwayne Bravo

We caught up with Bravo to talk all things Trinidad and Tobago, as well as his plans to release a track with Andre Russell...

Q We spoke to your coach Simon Helmot last week and he described you as the spiritual leader of the franchise. Can you put into context how it feels to be the captain of the Red Steel again this year?

A It’s a joy for me. It’s not quite being the captain for the country but at the same time it’s the team based in my native island and I look forward to leading a bunch of talented young guys, with some experience as well. I love Trinidad and Tobago. For me to be captain in a tournament which is so big - the CPL is the biggest party in sport - to host some of the biggest players in the world under my guidance, my leadership, with the help and assistance of all the other players in the team, it’s a great experience for me and it’s also for me to try and make sure the environment is as comfortable as possible so players can perform to the best of their abilities.

Dwayne Bravo

Omar Khan

Sunil Narine

Orwyn Garraway blasts a goal past the outstretched arms of David Rose’s custodian (Treiston Joseph photo)