Fr i day, J ul y29, 201 6
G u y a n a ’ s s l u g g i s h
E c o n o my C o n t i n u e s t os l i p Page2
Casepost poned f orwomanchar ged wi t ht r af f i cki ng P a g e ni ece 6
B e r b i c e ma n f o u n d -Pa8ge h a n g i n g
age Tr i aldel ayedf ormanchar ged-P1 0 wi t h6count sofar medr obber y
LOCAL PAGE 2
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016
Guyana’s sluggish economy continues to slip A large percentage of skilled people is migrating and it does not only speak about Guyana’s future but it means that the country is getting less for its investment in human development; training people can be a very costly exercise. Guyana’s economy has been gradually sliding downhill in recent times and those with business establishments are rapidly leaving the country in search of alternative opportunities. In other words, this combination is definitive receipt for failure. No one can dispute the fact that the economic policy formation and implementation rate has been no more than mediocre. Such an environment of consistent policy paralysis actively contributes to a sluggish economy. The new norm in Georgetown is economic stalemate, with very little or no way forward. In 2015, the economy grew at its slowest pace in seven years. One of Guyana’s biggest imports, oil, saw a persistent decline in its price, however, these lower oil prices are not holding in 2016 as it huddles around US$40 per barrel by mid-year. The direct impact on our foreign reserves will be adverse. There are a lot of promises on the coming of oil, however most of the current policies are implemented on the great successes from oil. A c c o r d i n g t o t h e N e w Yo r k Mercantile Exchange the price for oil is US$40.28 per barrel, meanwhile, the cost of production in today OPEC newsletter is USD$50 per barrel. Based on these calculations, is oil the answer to economic recovery? The Government has chosen to recycle many people from the 1980s with archaic-mindsets and records of executive failure under the past
regime. There are situations in several instances in the Agriculture and Housing portfolios where this is occurring, and the outcome will be extreme economic pain for the nation. These executive failures continue to do everything under the sun but contribute actively towards implementing any creative solutions that will advance the economy. Gold smuggling is higher than the narcotrade. Among some other illegal activities, they collectively are part of the underground economy because they are not reported. Gold smuggling robs the economy because the “drug guys” will bring back money to Guyana, but the gold smugglers are doing so to evade paying taxes; hence, those incomes stay overseas. There is enough evidence to prove that the present government has done little to stem gold smuggling. Policymakers are continually mixing up concepts and terminology as they try to apply political sound bites to serious lifedefining economic and financial issues. This state of executive confusion does contribute directly to the declining levels of private sector confidence. If you studied the 2016 budget carefully, you will find that private consumption dropped from 94.3% of the GDP in 2014 to 78.1% in 2015 and is estimated to further decline to 73.6% in 2016. If one observed private investments between 2015 and 2016, it was rather flat, and estimated to decline in 2016. The actual performances in the main productive sectors to date paints a dismal picture. For example, sugar exports were estimated to increase by 13% in the 2016 budget, but actually declined by 29% in the first crop. The
numbers just do not add up, and this exposes a fundamental weakness in the 2016 Budget. The massive rice industry in Guyana, which provides employment for at least 100,000 persons and represents half a billion dollars in revenue, is in shambles presently. It is struggling for its own survival now that it has been straddled by many dilemmas, including debts owed by farmers and millers to banks over (G$12 billion debt), the closure of the lucrative Overseas Countries and Territories route, a shortage of capital in the rice sector, poor management, inadequate rice yields, loss in traditional markets, and a drop in the external price for rice (from US$400 to US$200 per bag of rice). On the other hand Venezuela has officially ousted Guyana from inking another PetroCaribe deal to see the exchange for fuel and rice at “favourable prices”, as the Spanishspeaking nation has now teamed up with Suriname to pursue such an agreement. According to media reports in Suriname, the Presidents of the two countries reached an agreement for the Spanish-speaking country to provide oil to the Dutchspeaking Caribbean Community (Caricom) country in exchange for rice; this spells disaster for the rice industry in Guyana.
FEATURE PAGE 3
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2016
The Unruly Horse The systema c dismantling of the Cons tu on and the Rule of Law. By: Mohabir Anil Nandlall, MP.Attorney-at-Law
Countries in the English- speaking Caribbean are often described by Constitutional theorists as “constitutional democracies”. This is so for many reasons. Their constitution is their supreme law. It creates their system of Government and invests it with powers to govern the State and limits those powers. It determines who will govern and how they will govern. It creates and regulates the relationship between the State and the citizenry. It confers certain obligations on the State and it imbues the citizenry with certain rights and freedoms. It determines how the State raises, and how it will account for the expenditure of those revenue. It sets out how laws are made and by which institutions they are to be interpreted and enforced. It creates a series of institutions which acts as checks and balances against abuse of power and through which the State is to be held accountable for its actions in order to ensure that there is good and democratic governance in accordance with the Constitution and the rule of law. Guyana is one of these territories. Independent constitutional institutions Interwoven in this constitutional fabric, are several institutions which are structured, designed, financed and constituted in such a manner that they enjoy considerable functional autonomy and independence in the discharge of their individual mandates and, they are strongly insulated from any form of influence, in particular, from the
Executive. These institutions include, but are not limited to, the Judiciary, the Office of the Auditor General, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the Guyana Police Force. It is the Judiciary which the Constitution ascribes the exclusive responsibility to interpret and uphold the Constitution and the laws; to strike down unconstitutional laws and condemn unlawful Executive actions and abuses; to determine disputes between the citizenry and the State and among the citizenry themselves; and to impose sanctions on t h o s e w h o v i o l a t e t h e l a w. T h e independence of the Judiciary is zealously guarded in the Constitution by a series of mechanisms. Its officers are appointed by a special process. They are conferred with strong security of tenure. Their remuneration package cannot be altered to their detriment. They are financed by a direct levy on the Consolidated Fund. The Office of the Auditor General, by virtue of the Constitution and the Audit Act, enjoys a regime of independence similar to that of the Judiciary. Its core functional responsibility is to exclusively audit the State's receipts and expenditure of public funds. It prepares and presents annual audited financial statements, in relation thereto, to the National Assembly for its scrutiny. The Director of Public Prosecutions is another institution which enjoys similar constitutional independence. Its main function is to advise the State on criminal matters and to institute, undertake, take over and continue or discontinue criminal proceedings against any person before any Court in respect of any offence against the laws of Guyana. The functional independence which the DPP enjoys can be gleamed from the language of Article 187 (4): “In the exercise of the powers conferred upon him or her by this article the Director shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other
person or authority.” The Guyana Police Force is the institution vested with the exclusive power to investigate and prevent criminal conduct and, to generally maintain peace and public order. The Force's independence is manifested in the way its officers are appointed, promoted, disciplined and removed from office. More significantly, the Force is superintended by the Commissioner of Police who has exclusive responsibility in respect of management and administration of the Force and over operational matters, to the exclusion of the Executive Government. The Governmental officer who holds ministerial responsibility in respect of the Police Force can give directions in relation to policy matters only. The above exposition is but a fleeting glance at the length to which the framers of the Constitution have traveled, to alienate from Executive Government, certain responsibilities and to reside them in independent and autonomous organizations, then insulating these organizations from Executive influence. These complex and multiple constitutional mechanisms were created for one purpose only: that is, to create a system of checks and balances to avoid the abuse of power by the Executive Government. The undermining of these institutions.
continued on next page...
FEATURE PAGE 4
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2016
The Unruly Horse...con’t... The Coalition Government, over the last year, has embarked upon a deliberate and centrally orchestrated course of action to persecute and which-hunt ministers and officials of the PPPC administration in order to prove that their widespread public allegations of corruption. However, they need the blind loyalty of the aforementioned institutions in order to succeed. Thus far, apparently, they have been unable to penetrate the cloak of independence which the aforesaid institutions enjoy. In consequence, we are witnessing a clear and consistent strategy to avoid the engagement of these institutions as they continue to pursue their vindictive agenda. Not satisfied with the Auditor General's Reports over the last several years, the regime, in violation of the Constitution and the Audit Act, simply shoved aside the Audit Office, handpicked over a dozen auditors, most of them being their allies and cronies and are paying them hundreds of millions of dollars to do “forensic audits”. Still, these audits are unable to unearth the type of evidence which they seek, although, the most unconventional methods are being employed by some of these Auditors. Dozens of files have been sent to the Police Force and to the Director of Public Prosecutions with firm instructions to investigate and charge. Again, the response from the Police and the DPP has
been disappointing to those who have already sharpened their political hatchets. The situation is exacerbated by every passing day because it results in considerable damage to their credibility. After all, they have intoxicated their supporters with the propaganda that the PPP administration is guilty of massive corruption in office but after one year in complete control of the government and State machinery, they are unable to prefer charges. Not being able to exert the type of pressure and influence over the Police Force and the DPP as they would like, because of the constitutional and institutional insulations to which I have referred above, greater reliance is now being placed upon SARU and SOCU, two organizations that are politically staffed and directed to conduct investigations with the hope that they can find or I dare say, manufacture the required evidence. Still yet the desired results are not forthcoming. In the meanwhile, the crescendo of frustration and desperation continues to build. As a result, laws and protocols are being drafted to strengthen and enlarge the powers of SARU and SOCU. Recently, there has been an expressed intention to establish “a Special Prosecutors' Office”. The obvious objective is to circumvent the DPP or at least to emasculate that office of the autonomy and independence guaranteed to it by the Constitution. I
have no doubt that we will soon hear about the establishment of “Special Courts” where these charges will be heard and determined. The grand plan Let me now make the picture clearer: the Government is handpicking its own auditors and directing them who, what, how and where to audit; when these audit reports are completed, they are then sent to two political outfits masquerading as law enforcement agencies, SARU and SOCU, which are being directed who and what to investigate; and when these investigations are concluded, the findings will be sent to a Special Prosecutors Office for legal advice. This will be an office that will be staffed by the Government with its cronies. Charges will be instituted and will be prosecuted by persons from this politically tainted unit. These charges will be heard and determined by the “Special Courts” which I anticipate will be established and which will be presided over by magistrates in whom the Government resides great confidence. That the decisions will be perverse, I am in no doubt. In conclusion, the Constitution and the rule of law are under siege. Authoritarianism is building a formidable foundation. Today, the target is the PPP's leadership and its supporters. Tomorrow's victim will be you. It is the natural evolution of a dictatorship.
Hav eaNewswor t hyst or y? Cont act : GuyanaDai l ynews guyanadai l ynews@gmai l . com ( 592) 2265088 ( 592) 2265096 l ot 1 2&1 3Sher i f f s t . s ubr y anv i l l eGeor get own
LOCAL
GUYANA DAILY NEWS Case postponed for woman charged with trafficking niece PAGE 6
Joyce Lawrence today re-appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for decision in her case after she was charged with trafficking her niece and withholding her National Identification between July 1, 2014 and December 28, 2014 She was released on GY$650,000 bail on her first appearance and was scheduled to hear her fate today; however Attorney Euclin Gomes was unable to be present for the hearing hence an application was made for the decision to be postponed. The prosecution had no objection to the application and the Chief Magistrate granted the request; the woman will return to court on September 8, 2016. It is alleged that Lawrence, 34, a businesswoman from Grove between July 1 and December 12, 2014, transported and trafficked her niece to an interior location. It is also alleged that between December 12 and 14, 2014 at Aishalton, Rupununi, the woman transported and trafficked her niece to a nightclub in the said interior. It is further alleged that between December 1 and 28 she unlawfully withheld her niece’s National Identification Card from her. The woman in her final appearance in court on July 13, 2016 said that she did not force her niece to go
FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016
with her but in fact went on her own free will. The businesswoman also denied that she withheld the ID card but admitted that it was in her possession. The Prosecution told the court that the girl, who is juvenile, was told by Lawrence that she had stolen some money from her and that she would have to work in order to pay her back or else she will go to jail. -By- Jarred Singh, Guyana Daily News.
LOCAL PAGE 8
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016
Berbice man found hanging The body of Mahendra Sewnarine, a taxi driver from Corriverton, Berbice, was found early yesterday morning hanging from the lower beam of his residence at Village No. 79 Corriverton. Information reaching the Guyana Daily News has revealed that Sewnarine left his home in the afternoon of July 27, telling his reputed wife that he was going to wash his car; however he returned home later that night into the next morning intoxicated. According to reports, having returned in the drunken state, the man behaved in an erratic manner and was denied entry to his home. His reputed wife revealed that her husband would often go out and return home drunk and behave unruly to the point where it became something normal that he would sleep outside. She further revealed that he would regularly threaten to kill himself but it was only something he did when he was intoxicated and forget about it when he would have sobered up. Sewnarine’s body was found by a neighbor who visited the house and noticed something to be amiss since the hammock which usually hangs at the bottom of the house was not there. -ByThe deceased man, Jarred Singh, Guyana Daily News. Mahendra Sewnarine. (iNews Photo)
Del i very:2237604 LOT13FI FTH STREETAVENUE SUBRYANVI LLESHERI FFSTREET GEORGETOWN
LOCAL
GUYANA DAILY NEWS Trial delayed for man charged with 6 counts of armed robbery PAGE 10
Adrian Daily re-appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan today for trial into his case after he was charged with six counts of armed robbery which he allegedly committed on June 24, 2016, in the Ruimveldt Area, Georgetown. The trial was further postponed after the prosecution revealed that the file into the matter is yet to be completed hence they made an application for an extension which was granted. The accused will remain on remand and return to court on September 14, 2016 for trial. It is alleged that on June 24, 2016, at Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt, Daily whilst being in the company of others and armed with a gun, robbed four individuals of cash, a quantity of cell phone credit cards, GPL pre-paid
FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016
credit cards, two Samsung cellphones and a gold chain, all totaling to GY$342,000. It is also alleged that in South Ruimveldt, he robbed two other individuals of 1 Samsung and 1 Blu smartphone, of total value of GY$56,000. -BYJarred Singh, Guyana Dialy News.
‘Ice Pick’ robber remanded Nineteen year old Isiah Daniels today appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan charged with robbery while armed with an ‘Ice Pick’. The incident took place on July 24, 2016 at McKenzie, Linden. Daniels who was unrepresented in court today pleaded not guilty to the charge and was remanded until August 16, 2016 when he will appear at the McKenzie Magistrate’s Court for trail. Prosecutor, Corporal Dinero Jones objected to the young man receiving bail based on the gravity of the offense, noting that the accused was positively identified by an eyewitness and the virtual complainant. It is alleged that on the day in question, whilst being armed with an ‘Ice Pick’, Daniels robbed Shemar Stadfree of one electronic device (a Tablet) valued at GY$55,000. -By- Jarred Singh, Guyana Daily News.
REGIONAL PAGE 12
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016
Clico report can’t go public—DPP Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard has advised Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley that the Sir Colman report on the commission of enquiry into Clico and the Hindu Credit Union should not be made public, since the DPP’s department has been doing a probe of the situation. The announcement was made by Minister Stuart Young (Prime Minister’s Office) at yesterday’s post-Cabinet media conference when questions were raised about the report. It was submitted to President Anthony Carmona last month and in turn sent to Rowley, who, following Cabinet deliberations, sent it to the DPP for advice on whether it could be revealed to the public. Yesterday, Young said the DPP responded to the PM this week, noting that a probe was being done on the matter by his office since 2012. As a result of this, the DPP said the report should not be made public, lest it prejudice the probe. Also asked about the recommendations of the Simmons report on the commission of enquiry into the July 1990 failed coup attempt by the Jamaat Al Muslimeen leader Yasin Abu Bakr, Young said the enquiry was done during the People’s Partnership’s tenure and he “assumed” the report and its recommendations would have been sent to the National Security Ministry. On concerns by National Alliance for Reconstruction member, Wendell Eversley, that no major observance of the July 27 1990 anniversary was done, Young said the date was always remembered as a “dark day in T&T history” and law enforcement was aware that July 27 must not be repeated. But he said actual observances of the date were usually done at the Red House—where the Muslimeen took hostages in 1990—and the Red House was under renovation. Young said the prime ministerial team supervising the
renovation met recently and tenders for various aspects of the job would be issued soon, since he said Government had given a tight deadline for completion of the job. He also said the Prime Minister would be undergoing a planned medical check-up while he was overseas for vacation. “At this stage, there’s no cause for concern,” Young assured. Rowley said recently he would be taking a vacation next month, having a medical check-up and “taking a few days off” over two weeks. Young said it was a well deserved vacation since the People’s National Movement had moved straight from campaigning last year into Government and a lot of work was done. Young confirmed the Ministry of the Attorney General and the Ministry of Legal affairs would start moving into the Government Campus’ Tower over coming weeks. (Trinidad Guardian)
Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard
Cane farmers sour over $57m payment Cane farmers are rejecting Government promise to pay $57 million as final payment of the outstanding two tranches of a grant by European Union as compensation following the closure of Caroni (1975) Limited several years ago. So said attorney Gerald Ramdeen, who is representing the former cane farmers in the matter. Announcement of the payment was made yesterday by the Planning and Development Ministry. Cabinet yesterday approved the payment of more than $57 million, which represented the remaining two tranches of the payments. It stems from an agreement between the former PP government and the European Union. Under the first tranche, more than 3,000 farmers were paid in excess of $24 million. The farmers were informed of the latest payment yesterday by permanent secretary in the ministry, Joanne Deoraj. They are expected to be informed officially in writing, the ministry added. However, after speaking with the leadership of the cane farmers union, Ramdeen said the attempt to pay $57 million as final payment was a betrayal as the former cane farmers were being owed more than $100 million. “It is a betrayal of the cane farmers,” he insisted yesterday, adding: “My clients are categorically rejecting the offer of the Government. They are ready to go to court and those proceedings are going to be filed by next week.”
Ramdeen said the Minister of Finance and the Attorney General must explain why they were not honouring an earlier promise to pay the full amount in two tranches. Ramdeen said the $57 million represented only half of the total payments due. He said the legal action would be initiated in a few days. “We are going to make this Government pay through the court because they don’t want to do so voluntarily. “The cane farmers will accept nothing less than the $103 million owed,” Ramdeen added. (Trinidad Guardian)
Caroni (1975) Limited
Del i very:2237604 LOT13FI FTH STREETAVENUE SUBRYANVI LLESHERI FFSTREET GEORGETOWN
REGIONAL PAGE 14
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016
Imbert gets angry letter Finance Minister Colm Imbert, who returns from overseas next week, will have to deal with a “blowout” given to Government four days ago by the United Shareholders Ltd (USL) about suspected Government “betrayal and deception” in the Clico matter. In a blistering letter of concern, the USL, which has represented Clico shareholders on matters since 2012, sought answers on its suspicions that Government had “reneged, not only on your undertaking to provide us with a statement of the debt that is owed (to Government for the Clico bailout, but you’ve also reneged on your undertaking not to dispose of the assets of the Group” pending proposed discussions on it. Making good on its contentions, the USL is now communicating with other Clico entities, headed by CLF Financial majority shareholder Lawrence Duprey, to pursue jointly an injunction to prevent Government action on the matter. Discussions were held with Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, SC, on Monday, followed by letters on this. USL’s letter to Government on Monday is the latest development in the seven-year saga of the failed Clico empire, which collapsed in 2009. The then People’s National Movement government had instituted a bailout plan — the cost of which is now estimated at $22 billion — and Central Bank (CBTT) took control of companies. The T&T Guardian exclusively obtained the letters involved in the latest developments. The USL had signed extension agreements with the former government from 2012 onwards for repayment of the money advanced by the government to CLF and its subsidiaries, and the USL has been representing shareholders’ interests in CLF. In the 2016 Budget, Imbert said he intended to bring the Clico matter to an amicable conclusion in the interest of all concerned and T&T and had outlined certain moves. In the April mid-year review, he gave further details on certain CLF assets and on July 7 further outlined resolution of the Clico issue. However, Clico stakeholders in recent months have lobbied to regain control of the company, saying the circumstances which caused the Central Bank to take control no longer apply as Clico is “solvent.” Imbert, however, says it remains insolvent. In April, CLF’s Lawrence Duprey submitted a plan to Central Bank and Imbert to regain control of the company. Last week Duprey said there had been no response to that proposal. In May, Imbert told the T&T Guardian he had not spoken to Duprey but Government was dealing with the USL group. He said those talks were cordial. But prior to his confirmation of USL talks, on April 25, 2016, the USL had sent Imbert an 11page letter which noted a call by Imbert to USL chairman, Kirk Carpenter, on April 20 and Imbert’s request to “identify what the CLF shareholders want and expect and what has been previously discussed with the Government.” The April letter stated USL agreed Government needed to have a firm plan for “full and final settlement of the long-outstanding matter” and USL had prepared proposals to deal with shareholders’ views and ensure Government was repaid. But USL also said shareholders were “taken aback” at Imbert’s plan for CLF in the recent mid-year budget review, since the plan did not “reflect the substance and tenor of previous discussions between Government and CLF shareholders or the concrete proposals contained in the Heads of Agreement.” Saying the group wished to settle the residual debt soonest, the April letter detailed proposals envisaging CLF would remain with varying percentages but retain control of six companies, including Angostura Holdings Limited, Colfire Ltd and Home Construction Ltd. However, after Imbert’s July 7 statement and a T&T Business Guardian story last week on a leak of Central Bank instructions to Clico to begin making certain policyholder settlements, the USL group sent Imbert a stiff letter on Monday (July 25) regarding Government’s action and the recent proposed transfers of shares of Angostura CL World Brands and the proposed sale of Clico’s traditional book of business. It was signed by USL chairman Carpenter, Roger Duprey (CL Duprey Investment Trust Ltd) and Carlton Reis (Daleo Capitol Management Co. Ltd.) Govt accused of betrayal Noting in part that an impasse had developed over the issue of the Clico assets in relation to its debt, the letter said the USL had asked Government to provide a definitive statement on what the debt was, along
with evidence to support that statement. It noted, however, that it was yet to get any statement on the quantum of the debt but “we have, however, read with great concern, reports in the press that suggest that you have reneged, not only on your undertaking to provide us with a statement of the debt that is owed, the obvious pre-requisite of meaningful discussions on the quantum of the debt, but that you have also reneged on your undertaking not to dispose of the assets of the group during the pendency of our proposed discussions. “... Most disturbing, however, is that it appears that your undertakings were given for the sole purpose of procuring our co-operation while you proceeded on your stated course of disposing of the group's assets behind our backs and without consultation with us. “This would, if true, be an unspeakable act of betrayal and deception. We hope that there is no truth in this and that this is all a huge misunderstanding.” The USL told Imbert that it would take action to protect its position if no assurances were forthcoming. The group asked Imbert for a response by 4 pm on Monday gone. Yesterday, officials said they were awaiting word on this week’s expected meeting. But Government sources said the meeting could not be held as Imbert was overseas. (See Page A19) Imbert is in the US this week pursuing a milliondollar bond but contacted via email on the USL’s July 25 letter, Imbert said: “I’ll deal with this when I return.” Other Government officials assured there was “absolutely no deceit or secret moves” going on. They explained that for any relinquishing control of the companies to be done, the first steps were the ones that had been instructed and the companies had to be transferred to Government. Allegation unfounded “Nobody is selling Clico assets off secretly,” they insisted. They said USL’s suspicions were unfounded and hasty and the tone of the July 25 letter was harsh and did not contribute to resolution, which they stressed would still be done properly with all. In the 2016 Budget, Imbert said 2016 taxation measures would be supplemented by a sale of assets programme and the receipt of extra-ordinary dividends projected to yield a further $13.4 billion. He said those included partial repayment by Clico relating to Government’s financial support and other methods. In the April mid-year review, Imbert had said Government was moving to get back the $20 billion bailout of Clico, He said he had asked Central Bank to dispose, “strictly in accordance with the shareholders’ agreement,” of remaining Methanol International Holdings Limited shares owned by Clico at the valuation price, and Clico’s traditional portfolio of insurance policies and other associated assets, valued at approximately $1 billion. The Central Bank was requested to transfer to Government, Clico’s shares in Angostura, HCL and CL World Brands valued at $3 billion. Imbert said once this transfer occurred, Government would take appropriate decisions “to dispose of these assets in a sensible and productive manner.” He said Government would acquire lands owned by Angostura and HCL for public purposes, such as housing, tourism and infrastructure. Central Bank would also begin disposing of Clico’s shares in Republic Bank by 2017. (Trinidad Guardian)
Finance Minister Colm Imbert
REGIONAL PAGE 16
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016
Increase in contributions but no rise in pensions The Association of National Insurance Contributors, Claimants and Appellants (ANICCA) says that many businesses will be going under come September 5 when there will be an increase in contributions. At a meeting on Wednesday at the Chaguanas Indoor Sporting Complex, Manick Street, Chaguanas, contributors in the audience expressed concerns about the passing of the Finance Bill 2016. The members also highlighted that existing NIS pensioners would not be recipients of an increase in their pension despite an increase in contributions. According to the table, contributors earning between $780 and $1,290 monthly in the first bracket paid $9.69 weekly and employers $19.20. Now employees will contribute $11.90 and employers $23.80. Workers earning over $12,000 in 2014 contribute $110.80 weekly and their employers $221.60. However, this has increased to $138.10 and employers will contribute $276.20. Public relations officer, Arthur Sanderson, said businesses would pass this increase onto their employees and small businesses would close down. “A lot will close down. If they can’t find the funds in this downturn economy they will shut down their businesses. Employers pay two thirds in contributions and no business will operate at a loss,” he said. Ramnath Ramcharitar, a consultant, said though there would be an increase in the contributions there would be no increase in benefits. Another member of the audience, Cecil Butler De Bique, said no matter how many contributions he made over the years and even though he was in a higher wage bracket he wouldnever get over $3000 in benefits monthly. “All that money they collecting, where is it going? If you are investing the workers’ money why can’t we get an increase in monthly pensions?” he asked. Sat Maharaj, one of the consultants, said he had been employed at the National Insurance Board for many years and citizens would never be paid back what they contributed. Maharaj said altogther citizens paid approximately $200,000 during their 30 years of employment, and no matter
what, they would never get that back. He said the NIS board saved $1.2 billion from over 200,000 working citizens across the country and that would be an increase of 25 per cent. “I will still collect $3,000 like anyone else no matter how much I pay. I see a lot of businesses closing down because of this. I worked there for many years and I can just glance at a document and know where things went wrong,” he said. President of ANICCA, Romeo Dassrath said his organisation was at the discussion to represent the citizens of T&T. He said the Government was being unfair to the elderly and disabled. ANICCA, he said, planned to protest in front of the Parliament on August 5. (Trinidad Guardian)
Cecil De Bique, right, voices his grievance to members of the panel during the Association of National Insurance Contributors and Appellants’ (ANICCA) meeting to discuss the increase in NIS contributions at the Central Regional Sporting Complex in Chaguanas on Wednesday. Also in photo, from left, is Sat Maharaj, Arthur Sanderson and NIS consultant Ramnath Ramcharitar. PHOTO: SHASTRI BOODAN
Mi ami Pi z z e r i a Chi ckenSupremeDel i ght
Tendenpi ecesofGrl l edchi cken, FrechVegetabl es,GreenPeppers Oni ons,Mushrooms,Tomatoes& Ol i ves
LOT12& 13FI FTH STREETAVENUE SUBRYANVI LLESHERI FFSTREET GEORGETOWN DELI VERY:231-0745
REGIONAL PAGE 18
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016
Industry on brink of crisis President of the Petroleum Dealers’ Association of T&T, Robindranath Naraynsingh, yesterday said the country’s 170 gas stations were on the verge of collapse due to poor profitability margins from the sale of fuel. Saying the gas stations service more than half the population on a daily basis, Naraynsingh admitted their industry had been plunged into a crisis. He could not say what percentage of the gas stations were likely to close their doors but said a dark cloud was hanging over their heads and “an impending doom was surely coming if this situation persists.” Delivering the feature address to a small group of dealers at a special general meeting at Kam-po Restaurant, Chaguanas, Naraynsingh pleaded with Energy Minister Nicole Olivierre to meet with them before the situation worsened and jobs were lost. The association also threatened to seek judicial review against Government’s proposal to award retail marketing licences in the landowner’s name rather than the operator. “Our Government came in and promised a rising tide of prosperity. We have instead been plunged into a crisis that is now beginning to affect all present here today. Our industry is on the brink of destruction. We are not the only ones who are feeling the pinch of a reduced profit margin, many of us are near insolvency,” Naraynsingh said. He said businesses were being lost while gas station dealers were being shattered which showed that their future and livelihoods were in deep trouble. “Today, I say to you the challenges we face are real. They are serious and there are many. We deal with a lot of money but our margins are very small,” he added. The meeting was called at a time when countries across the globe are experiencing dynamic changes in the petroleum industry which were now also affecting the retail sector in T&T. The retail sector comprises retailers, distributors, dealers, franchisees and operators. Of the 170 dealers, Naraynsingh said 40 stations operate convenient stores which help supplement their incomes and help absorb the losses incurred at the pumps. There are five
stations in Tobago and collectively they employ approximately 2,000 workers nationwide. The dealers buy fuel daily from National Petroleum and Unipet who are wholesalers. In the last two years, Naraynsingh said over 20 gas stations dealers had surrendered their keys to NP because they were operating at a loss. Since November 2005, Naraynsingh said the price of liquid petroleum (fuel) had not increased for dealers while the cost of living soared across the board. “We are experiencing a profitability decline with two recent increases in the price of super gasoline and diesel, totallying 30 per cent. Our gross profit on super has gone from 6.7 per cent to 5.6 per cent, while diesel from 8.7 per cent to 7.3 per cent.” For every litre of fuel sold, Naraynsingh said dealers make 17 cents on super, 17 cents on premium and 12 cents on diesel. “Every time the price of fuel goes up that margin remains the same. What happens is that our gross profit keeps going down. We need to have that margin increased from 17 cents to 25 cents for us to make a profit. “For every $1 that is spent at the pump, two cents go to the dealer. The rest goes to the Government and NP. We are in a fixed price business. If we don’t get an increase we are looking at a collapse of this industry,” Naraynsingh warned. With little profit margins, Naraynsingh said dealers have to pay staff, taxes, electricity and water rates, telephone, security and maintain their businesses. He said what was crippling many businesses was the 2016 imposition of a 200 per cent Green Levy and Business Levy Tax. “Many of us now have our backs against a wall,” he said Naraynsingh said dealers should have been considered by the Finance Minister for a reduction in both taxes. Blanked by minister Another issue Naraynsingh raised was the 2010 suspended issuance of retail marketing licences by the Ministry of Energy, as it reviews the terms and conditions of these licences. He said: “At present, the ministry has proposed to put the licence on the landowner’s name instead of the operator whom they are bound to by law. Our many efforts to engage the ministry on this matter
has not been fruitful in the past six months. “Operators must appreciate that the retail licence being held in a name other than the operator removes their security of tenure and entitlement to the retail margin. This is completely against the Petroleum Act.” He said letters sent to Olivierre about that issue were not acknowledged. Secretary and treasurer of the association, Fabia Saleema Sattar, said Olivierre was invited to deliver the feature address at yesterday’s meeting but failed to show. That was not the first time, Sattar said, the association had invited Olivierre, hoping to address their concerns and come to an amicable solution. “When one considers where this industry was one year ago, I don’t think we would have envisioned this position today,” she added. She explained that what they were facing was not the business of NP or Unipet. “It is the business of the ministry and the Government. It is very clear that the ministry is not concerned with what our concerns are and maybe we would have to take it a little bit further. In the bigger scheme of things we are not consulted in changes that directly impact our industry,” she said. Olivierre did not respond to a text message sent to cellphone while a call went unanswered. (Trinidad Guardian)
Robindranath Naraynsingh… Petroleum Dealers Association president.
REGIONAL PAGE 20
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016
Vendors and activist clash over fish kill As more dead fish washed ashore yesterday along Mosquito Creek, a dispute brewed between an environmental activist and fish vendors as to the source of the fish kill. Fish vendor Fyzul Ramroop is claiming the carcasses were dumped by trawlers in the Gulf of Paria, while environmentalist Edward Moodie believe it is as a result of chemicals in the water. Ramroop and Moodie had a face-to-face debate in view of the media who were covering the new fish kill at Mosquito Creek. Over the past two weeks fish, particularly herring, has been washing up along the Mosquito Creek and recently dead and dying fish of varying sizes and types also washed ashore in La Brea. A fish vendor for over 27 years, Ramroop said he and hundreds of other fish vendors have been out of work since hundreds of dead fish began washing ashore. He said people are afraid to eat the fish. However, Ramroop who has been forced to dip into his savings to support his family, said he knew for a fact the dead fish were dumped by trawlers. He explained: “This fish was dumped and we know that it was dumped because we know the fishermen and them who did it. I not going to call any names or point fingers but we know the people who did it. “It have a time like right now, the Gulf of Paria have a lot of herring and when the herring come in the mullet come in to feed on the herring when the trawler put down their net in the water. “Remember the boat pulling that net, within ten minutes the whole net does full up of herring and what they feeding on.” He added one trawler usually catches hundreds of herring, sometimes they bring the catch to shore to sell it and other times if they cannot get a sale for it they would dump the fish out at sea. He said the birds would usually feed on the carcasses but the wind was blowing in a westernly direction, pushing the fish closer to the shore. Asked why the fishermen don’t come forward and clear the air, Ramroop said: “The fisherman and them don’t want to go on record. These herring and mullet what they seeing here is nothing like poison, so far as we know from here it is safe to eat. “ Ramroop said he could not speak about the dead fish in La Brea but was sure the dead fish at Mosquito Creek were not as a result of an oil leak or any poisoning. “The publicity that we getting, it not doing we justice because nobody wants to buy the fish because they are afraid," he added. However, Moodie insisted something was polluting the water and causing the fish to die. His estimation was that the fish died on Wednesday but Ramroop claimed they were dead for at least three days. Moodie said: “This is a new wash-in we are experiencing here, mostly herring, a few cat fish that is what we are seeing right now... fresh fish. “One must remember yesterday (Wednesday) we discovered an oil well about a mile-and-half out at sea off the Vessigny and Brighton field.” He claimed the well was bubbling up and there appeared to be
a slick of what appeared to be kerosene. “I have been teaching environmental studies for many years. This what we are experiencing here for the last almost 14 days on a daily basis this is not normal,” he added. He questioned if a trawler was responsible for the fish kill why were they continuing to dump fish and why have they not come forward, knowing the negative impact it was having on the fishing industry. He also found it strange that fishermen would throw back salmon and black fish which were among hundreds of dead fish which washed ashore in La Brea. “Something in this ocean is wrong. No trawler come forward and tell me they have dumped fish for 14 days now and the quantity of fish we are seeing it is not adding up,” he added. Moodie said he was told the leaking oil well had been spilling gas into the sea for a long time and the situation was getting worse. He added: “Right now they are out there in the area trying to see what they could do but that well could only be capped if they bring in a rig to do that. “Gas is ten times as deadly as the crude that we are seeing floating. Whenever we have oil spills the gas dissolves in the water instantly. It causes the nervous system damage. It causes skin cancer, skin damage and fish to die. “We are asking the authorities to stop passing blame and stop talking about trawlers and find the problem and deal with it. We want our waters in the Gulf of Paria to become safe again and it is not going to happen with lies and deceit.” In a release EMA did not link the oil leak discovery to the dead fish. However, it stated a joint aerial helicopter survey with several responder agencies was expected to be done yesterday to make an initial assessment of the reported sheen. (Trinidad Guardian)
Environmental activist Edward Moodie, right, faces off yesterday with fish vendor Fyzul Ramroop during a heated exchange at Mosquito Creek, La Romaine. PHOTO: RISHI RAGOONATH
Di scountonal lcreams. Payf or2sessi on andgetOneFREE on:
Li po
TEL:2315900 ski ncaregy@gmai l . com LOT13FI FTH STREETAVENUE SUBRYANVI LLESHERI FFSTREET GEORGETOWN
INTERNATIONAL PAGE 22
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016
San Diego policeman shot dead A police officer has died and another remains in hospital after both were shot in the US city of San Diego. The officers were members of a gang suppression unit and were shot by unknown gunmen at a traffic stop on Thursday evening. The pair's names have not been released. The second officer is expected to survive. The shooting follows earlier attacks on police this month in the US cities of Dallas and Baton Rouge. (BBC)
Pope Francis prays in silence at former Auschwitz-Birkenau camp The Pope has offered a private prayer at the former Auschwitz death camp. He walked alone and in silence around the concentration and extermination camp in what was Nazioccupied Poland where 1.1 million people, mostly Jews, were killed. Pope Francis also met elderly survivors of the camp, kissing them on the cheeks and speaking to them softly. He is on his third day of a visit marking 1,050 years since Poland's adoption of Christianity. Francis has become the third Pope to walk through the main gate of Auschwitz, under its infamous inscription "Arbeit Macht Frei" - work sets you free. But unlike his German and Polish predecessors, he is not speaking about the horrors that occurred there, says the BBC's Adam Easton in Warsaw. Francis passed under the gates alone, wearing white robes and skullcap. After meeting the survivors, he placed a candle at the Death Wall, where prisoners were executed by the Nazis, before continuing on his own. The Pope stopped to pray at the prison cell of Maximilian Kolbe, a Polish Catholic friar who sacrificed his life to save that of another man. The Church made him a saint in 1982. Pope Francis knelt for many minutes in the underground cell, illuminated only by the light from a tiny window, the Associated Press news agency reports. The
Argentine Pope is on a five-day trip to Poland. During a World Youth Day rally in the southern city of Krakow on Thursday, he urged compassion for migrants. He told hundreds of thousands of people that "a merciful heart opens up to welcome refugees and migrants" - a statement that puts him at odds with Poland's anti-immigrant right-wing government. (BBC)
The Pope greeted survivors of the camp and blessed them(EPA)
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
INTERNATIONAL
GUYANA DAILY NEWS Syria conflict: Save the Children says maternity hospital bombed PAGE 24
A maternity hospital in north-western Syria has been bombed, causing casualties among patients and staff, a UK charity says. Save the Children said the bomb, from an air strike, hit the entrance to the hospital in rural Idlib province. Images show part of the building destroyed. The number of casualties is not yet clear. The charity says the hospital is the biggest in the area, carrying out more than 300 deliveries a month. It is not clear who carried out the air strike. A Save the Children spokeswoman said the hospital treats about 1,340 women and children every month with an average number of 322 births in the same period. The charity supports the hospital through its partner, Syria Relief. In other developments: Activists say US-led coalition air strikes have killed 28 civilians in a northern Syrian village. The US says it is investigating The UN's envoy to Syria has appealed to Russia to let the UN manage safe corridors from besieged areas of the city of Aleppo Russia, a key ally of the Syrian government, said on Thursday that three humanitarian corridors from Aleppo were being opened for civilians and unarmed rebels and a fourth for armed rebels. About 300,000 people are trapped in rebelheld eastern Aleppo, under intense bombardment. Russia's announcement was welcomed cautiously by the UN, the US and some aid agencies. UN envoy Staffan de Mistura said the UN supported such corridors in principle and was asking Russia for more details on how they would work. "Our suggestion to Russia is to actually leave the corridors being established at their initiative to us," Mr de Mistura told reporters in Geneva. "The UN and humanitarian partners know what to do." He echoed calls from the UN's Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, Stephen O'Brien, for a 48-hour truce to allow aid into the east of the city. "How can you expect people to want to walk through a corridor, thousands of them, while there is shelling, bombing fighting," Mr de Mistura asked. He said the UN was "in principle and in practice in favour of humanitarian corridors under the right circumstances" but said Russia needed to provide more information on how the system would work. He reiterated that civilians who left should do so only through their own choice. "The clock is ticking for the Aleppo
FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016
population," he warned. The UN said on Monday that food supplies in Aleppo were expected to run out in mid-August and many medical facilities continued to be attacked. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has said the three corridors for civilians and unarmed fighters would have medical posts and food handouts. The fourth corridor, in the direction of Castello Road, would be for armed militants, he said. The Red Cross said on Thursday it welcomed any respite for civilians in Aleppo but that departures must be voluntary and the safety of those who decided to stay must be guaranteed. The US state department also expressed caution, saying that the exercise appeared to be an attempt to force the evacuation of civilians and the surrender of militant groups in the city. UK-based monitoring group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Friday that seven children were among the 28 killed in the coalition air strike on al-Ghandour village near Manbij. The US confirmed air strikes took place near Manbij on Thursday and said it was investigating claims of civilian casualties. Manbij is controlled by the so-called Islamic State group but encircled by Kurdishled forces who are advancing with the support of coalition air strikes. (BBC)
Part of the building was destroyed by the air strike(SAVE THE CHILDREN)
France church attack: Manuel Valls highlights 'justice failure’ Prime Minister Manuel Valls says the French justice system has failed in connection with the killing of a priest in a church in Normandy on Tuesday. In a newspaper interview, he criticised the fact that one of the two attackers had been released with an electronic tag pending trial on terror charges. He said the release had been decided by independent judges, not his government. Mr Valls has faced criticism over the attack near Rouen, and the killing of 84 people by another jihadist in Nice. Adel Kermiche, one of the two teenagers who attacked the church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray on Tuesday, had been arrested after being caught trying to go to Syria last year. However he was released with a monitoring tag earlier this year, despite prosecutors' call for his continued detention. In an interview with Le Monde newspaper published on Friday, Mr Valls called the release a "failure" that must be acknowledged. He added: "This does not mean that my government is to blame, because that decision was taken by independent judges." Kermiche and the other attacker, Abdel Malik Petitjean, were shot dead by police outside the church, where they had slit the throat of Fr Jacques Hamel, 86, and taken hostages during Mass. Petitjean had been on a watch list as a potential security threat since June after trying to enter Syria from Turkey. After the attack, so-called Islamic State released a video showing the two men pledging allegiance to the group. In another video that emerged on Thursday, Petitjean called for more attacks against states involved in the anti-IS coalition. Three people have been questioned
by police in connection with the church attack. Two have been released and the third, said to be a Syrian man living in a refugee centre, remains in custody. The French government has faced strong criticism from political opponents over perceived security failings since the attack in Nice. It was carried out by a Tunisian man, Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel, who drove a lorry into a crowd at the end of the Bastille Day celebrations. In his interview, Mr Valls called for a "revolution in our security culture" in view of the jihadist threat. "Each French person must contribute to collective security," he said. "An era of innocence has come to an end." (BBC)
Thousands of extra troops were mobilise to patrol France after the Nice attacks(AP)
INTERNATIONAL
GUYANA DAILY NEWS US election: US faces 'moment of reckoning' says Hillary Clinton PAGE 26
Hillary Clinton has told voters the presidential election is a "moment of reckoning", as she made history by accepting the Democratic nomination. Speaking on the final night of the party's convention in Philadelphia, the first US woman nominated by a major party said there were huge challenges. "Powerful forces are threatening to pull us apart," she said. Mrs Clinton accused her Republican opponent in November's election, Donald Trump, of sowing discord. "He wants to divide us - from the rest of the world, and from each other." But Mr Trump tweeted that the speech had failed to address the threat posed by radical Islam, making the former secretary of state unfit to lead the country. Before taking the stage, Mrs Clinton's daughter Chelsea shared personal memories of her mother. "My wonderful, thoughtful, hilarious mother," the 36-year-old said, adding: "She was always there for me." Mrs Clinton had to present herself to the nation as the newly crowned Democratic Party nominee. She had to address doubts some Americans have expressed about her character. And she had to follow up on a Wednesday night that was full of rhetorical all-stars - including Vice-President Joe Biden and, most notably, President Barack Obama. Sometimes making the case for oneself is significantly harder than singing the praises of another. In an acceptance speech that occasionally soared and sometimes trudged along, she did her best to frame the upcoming general election race in her favour. She harkened to the days of the nation's founding - a proven rhetorical tactic that Mr Trump neglected in his acceptance speech last week. The US, she asserted, was founded on compromise and embraced "the enduring truth that we are stronger together" - wrapping her campaign slogan in revolutionary-era regalia. After embracing her daughter, the former secretary of state delivered a speech which featured a stark admission about the threats to national unity. "Bonds of trust and respect are fraying. And just as with our founders there are no guarantees. It truly is up to us. We have to decide whether we're going to work together so we can all rise together." She added: "We are not afraid. We will rise to the challenge, just as we always have." The risk to American prosperity included inequality, limited social mobility, political gridlock, "threats at home and abroad" and frustration over wage stagnation, she said. Campaign pledges she mentioned: Creating more jobs with rising wages and pay equality Campaign finance reform and protecting voting rights Addressing climate change through clean energy policy "Building a path to citizenship" for undocumented immigrants in the US
FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016
Raising the national minimum wage "Common-sense" gun control Rejecting "unfair trade deals" and supporting "homegrown manufacturers" However, she was confident these challenges could be overcome with the American values of "freedom and equality, justice and opportunity". She acknowledged that too many Americans had been "left behind" by economic forces and addressed them directly: "Some of you are frustrated - even furious. And you know what? You're right." Clinton's attacks on Trump "We will not build a wall. Instead, we will build an economy where everyone who wants a good paying job can get one. " "Don't believe anyone who says: 'I alone can fix it.'" "He spoke for 70-odd minutes - and I do mean odd. And he offered zero solutions." "It's just not right that Donald Trump can ignore his debts, but students and families can't refinance theirs." "Explain to me what part of America First leads him to make Trump ties in China, not Colorado." Another highlight at the convention on Thursday was when the father of a fallen Muslim soldier challenged Donald Trump over his Muslim ban, prompting an ovation. And General John Allen, former commander of US forces in Afghanistan, appeared on stage with other military veterans and gave Mrs Clinton a ringing endorsement as commander-in-chief. Mrs Clinton's high-stakes remarks on the closing night of the four-day convention followed a rousing speech by US President Barack Obama. He said on Wednesday there had never been a man or woman more qualified than Mrs Clinton to serve as president. Mrs Clinton and Mr Trump are set for an election battle widely considered to be a tight race when voters head to the polls in November. (BBC)
Powerful forces threaten US - Hillary Clinton
INTERNATIONAL PAGE 28
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016
Zika virus: Florida cases 'highly likely' to be first US-based infections Four people suffering from the Zika virus in Florida are probably the first cases contracted within the US, state health officials say. So far, cases outside of Latin America and the Caribbean, where the virus is prevalent, have been spread by travel to that region or sexual transmission. The four Florida cases raise the chance US mosquitoes can now carry the virus. Zika causes only a mild illness in most people but the virus has been linked to severe brain defects in newborns. The Florida department of health said "a high likelihood exists that four cases are the result of local transmission", centred on one small area just north of downtown Miami. Three of those suffering the virus were in Miami-Dade county, and another in neighbouring Broward county. Gov Rick Scott said the cases involved three men and a woman, and that neither had been hospitalised. The US Food and Drug Administration has asked for blood donation in both counties to be suspended, and Gov Scott said all donations already made would now be tested for Zika. More than 1,650 cases of Zika virus have so far been detected in the United States, but the Florida cases would be the first in the US not involving sexual contact or foreign travel. To confirm whether Zika is being carried by mosquitoes locally, scientists are surveying houses and people within a 150-yard (metre) radius of the cases, the flying distance of the insect. In February, the World Health Organization declared the Zika virus a global public health emergency because of the
risk to newborn children. In severe cases, children can die and babies who survive can face intellectual disability and developmental delays. Gov Scott asked all residents of affected areas to get rid of standing water, where mosquitoes thrives, and for residents to wear insect repellent. How Zika can spread Bites from the aedes aegypti mosquitoes that carry the virus Maternal transmission from mother to baby in the womb Unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sexual intercourse - although rare, the virus can persist in semen Zika virus has been found in other bodily fluids, including saliva and urine, but it is unknown whether it can spread through these routes Blood transfusion - very likely but not confirmed (BBC)
The Zika virus is spread by the aedes aegypti mosquito(REUTERS)
India Dalit couple hacked to death over 22 cents debt A man from India's Dalit community has been beheaded and his wife hacked to death after a row over a 15 rupees (22 cents; 16 pence) debt in Uttar Pradesh state. Police said the couple were murdered by an upper caste grocer on Thursday when they told him they needed time to pay for biscuits they had bought from him. The grocer has been arrested. Dalits, formerly known as untouchables, form the lowest rung of India's caste hierarchy. Police told the Press Trust of India news agency the incident took place in Mainpuri district early on Thursday as the couple were on their way to work. They were stopped by Ashok Mishra, the owner of a village grocery, who demanded that the couple pay the money for three packets of biscuits that they had bought for their three children a few days ago, reports say. Protests The couple reportedly told him they would pay after they received their daily wages later in the evening. "While Mishra kept shouting for the money, the couple started walking towards the fields. Mishra then ran to his house nearby and returned with an axe. He hacked Bharat repeatedly and then attacked Mamta who was trying to rescue her husband. The couple died on the spot," Nadeem, a local villager, told The Indian Express newspaper. The Dalit community in the village have blocked roads and protested over the incident. Earlier this month four low-caste Dalit men were assaulted by cow protection vigilantes while trying to skin a dead cow in western Gujarat state. Many Hindus consider cows sacred and the
slaughter of the animal is banned in many Indian states. In March, a Dalit man was murdered for marrying a woman from a higher caste in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. The woman's father handed himself in and admitted to carrying out the attack on a busy road in daylight, police said. (BBC)
The Dalit community in the village have blocked roads and protested over the murders
S e r v i c e s O f f e r e d
GeneralPract i t i oner & Dermat ol ogySpeci al i st
-Faci alCl eani ng -Ul t r asound LaserServices: -ECG/ EKG -Di agnosi s& t reat ment A c n e T r e a t me n t -J oi nti nf i l t r at i on cali l l nesses -Pi gment at i onTherapy ofmedi -Acupunct ur e nRej uvenat i on Mi norSurgeri es: -Ski -Pysi calExami nat i on -Dr ai nageofabscess -Tat t ooRemoval -Repai rofsuper f i ci al & deepcut s -Removalofwar t s &l umps, bumbs -I ngr ownt oenai l s
-Bl oodPressuret est i ng
Lipo Laser HairRemoval -BloodSugartesting PhysiotherapyPregnancytesting
Open:MonFri :8am10pm Sat:8am8pm
F r e e c o ns ul t a t i o n o na l l s e r vi c e s
RECIPE PAGE 30
Ingredients
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016
RECIPE OF THE DAY: CHINESE BLACK BEAN CAKE
½ pt FARMFRESH* black-eye peas 4 tbsp COCAMAR* cooking oil ¼ lb sugar First Dough: ½ lb flour 4 tbsp COCAMAR* cooking oil 4 tbsp sugar Second Dough: ½ lb flour 2 oz lard *Imported and distributed by SUPERFOODS
Preparation Boil black-eye peas until soft and sift through and fine sieve. Strain through a muslin to get all the black-eye flour. Fry the black-eye flour in four tablespoons oil adding four tablespoons sugar. Cook for about 20 minutes on slow heat until dry. Remove from heat and put to cool. First Dough: Mix flour, oil, and sugar together with a little bit of water to make a bread dough. Second Dough: Mix flour and lard together (do not add any water to this mixture). Make 15 pieces out of each dough (30 pieces in all). Fill second dough into first dough. Roll and fold into a square.Roll again and fill with black-eye. Baste with egg or milk and bake 10 to 15 minutes in a moderate oven.
HOROSCOPE PAGE 32
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
Daily Horoscope You won't impress anyone by being overly generous. Invest wisely. Your personal life could have you tied up in knots. Try to visit a country that excites you.
Keep an eye on your weight. You may have a hidden adversary who would love to prove you wrong. Your family may be feeling neglected and unloved.
You could pick up valuable knowledge through conversations with experienced individuals. Try to visit friends or relatives you don't get to see often. Someone is trying to pull the wool over your eyes, and if you're gullible, it may cost you.
You may think gifts will win their heart, but it could add stress from lack of funds. You may be more emotional than usual. Try not to skirt issues if you think you'll hurt someone's feelings.
Your mate could get on your nerves if he or she backs you into an emotional comer or puts restrictions on your time. Someone you work with could have a personal interest in you. Avoid disputes with family; their complaints can't change anything anyway.
If they don't like the plan, suggest that they contribute a little. Financial difďŹ culties may be worrying you. Avoid letting children and friends borrow.
You may want to make changes that will not be to their liking. Delays are evident. Someone you live with will be quite unreasonable today.
New projects may lead you into a dead end. Talk to superiors about problems that you feel are getting out of hand. Your changing attitudes may be causing concern for your partner.
Travel and creative hobbies will be your best outlet. Your diplomatic approach and rather outgoing nature will enhance your reputation and bring you the support you need. Broaden your horizons and look into programs that will teach you awareness and relaxation.
You will have a productive day if you organize yourself well at work. Watch for empty promises that may give you false hope. Be honest if you wish to solve the problem.
This may not be the time to lend or borrow. Children or friends may try to talk you into lending them money. Enjoy the company of relatives today.
Be innovative. You'll ďŹ nd it easy to deal with government agencies or large institutions. Look closely at motives and honesty in your personal encounters.
FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016
Sub s & Sal ads
LOT13FI FTH STREETAVENUE SUBRYANVI LLESHERI FFSTREET GEORGETOWN
FUN CORNER PAGE 34
GUYANA DAILY NEWS
FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016
PAGE 36
Guyanese art show ongoing in New Jersey Un|Fixed Homeland, is a visually themed exhibition and a Guyanese art show that explores images of migration and the creation of new roots in new lands. The event is taking place at ‘Aljira’ Center for Contemporary Art, in Newwark, New Jersey for the rest of July to September 17.The exhibition’s title reflects the emergence of the Caribbean diaspora in metropolitan cities around the world, speaking about the influence of this migrations in the 21st century in correspondence to their destinations. Thirteen emerging and established Guyanese artists star the display, projecting an inter-generational agenda in their captivating work via photography and photography-based art. Mirroring this way, their present and the complex relationship to ‘motherland’.The large Guyanese migration to diverse destinations for the last five decades, is the ‘driving motor’ of the project, representing more than a million living in the diaspora, number that surpass the 750,000 living within its borders. Grace Aneiza Ali, Guyanese-born currently living in New York City and Curator of the event said that the “project is deeply personal.” “In Un|Fixed Homeland we’ve brought together artists who share a collective agenda to counter this historic malpractice by challenging, disrupting, manipulating, and, at times intentionally exploiting, the ‘picturing paradise’ motif often associated with the region,” Ali tells the Voice.Ali is an independent curator, faculty member in the Department of Art & Public Policy, Tisch School of the Arts. Her essays on
Keisha Scarville. "Untitled" From the "Passport" series 2012-2016
contemporary art and photography have been published in Nueva Luz Journal, Small Axe Journal, among others. She is also the the founder and editorial director of OF NOTE Magazine. In 2014, Ali Received an Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts Curatorial Fellowship. Ali is a World Economic Forum ‘Global Shaper’ and Fulbright Scholar. She holds an M.A. in Africana Studies from New York University and a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Maryland, College Park. The Artists working on the exhibit are: • Canada: Erika DeFreitas, Sandra Brewster • Guyana: Khadija Benn, Michael Lam, Karran Sahadeo • United Kingdom: Frank Bowling, Roshini Kempadoo, Hew Locke • United States: Kwesi Abbensetts, Marlon Forrester, Donald Locke (1930 – 2010), Maya Mackrandilal, Keisha Scarville. The show mostly reflects the interests of younger diasporic artists, as well as the rise of a photography scene in Guyana. A particular strength of the event, is how it manages this deep dive into Guyanese lives while also offering points of entry for visitors of any origin. S o u r c e : w w w. g r a c e a l i . c o m http://www.villagevoice.com/arts/a-guyanese-art-showe x p l o r e s - i m a g e s - o f - . . . http://warholfoundation.org/grant/overview.html -By- Rocio Perez, Guyana Daily News.
Kwesi Abbensetts. "My Dreams talk about a place"(left) & "You Booked your Passage" 2016
Del i very:2237604 LOT13FI FTH STREETAVENUE SUBRYANVI LLESHERI FFSTREET GEORGETOWN
PAGE 38
Un|Fixed Homeland, organized by Guest Curator Grace Aneiza Ali Grace Aneiza Ali. OF-NOTE Magazine
Frank Bowling. "Mother's house with Beware of the Dog". 1966
PEANUT BUTTER
L OT8RUI MVE L DT , I NDUST RI A LE ST A T EGE ORGE T OWN| T E L #: 2 2 31 034 / 2 2 31 035E MA I L : SUP E RF OODSGY . COM
PAGE 40
Gravity Lounge
Join us this Saturday! Summer is here and we are ready to take the temperature UP! Join us this Saturday for Summer Fever! All the best DJs in town! EVERYONE FREE BEFORE 11PM! EVERYONE FREE BEFORE 11PM! EVERYONE FREE BEFORE 11PM! Drink specials throughout the night! Let's make it a PARTY!
Exclusive Hookah party at our Sky-Lounge! Free Hookah pens to first 20 persons! Music by DJ 50& DJ Tallest!
The most anticipated event for the year is back again and it's bigger, much better, Guyana day 2016 at York Collage, Guy R Brewer Blvd, Jamaica Queens New York. The celebration will begin on Saturday 27th August, with some of the biggest, hottest artist outta of Guyana, party time 5pm, bring out your Guyana flags, rags and your crew, brought to you by H.U.G.E. Ent. It's a family fun event. THE AFTER PARTY WILL BE INSIDE ROSE GARDEN 4224 CHURCH AVE BROOKYN NY KEEP IT LOCK TO Caribbean Power Jam Radio for more info www.caribbeanpowerjamradio.com BREAKING ALL BARRIERS TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE NOW (CLICK LINK) www.eventbrite.com/guyanaday2016 Thank you Early Bird Tickets Cost Aduits $20 Kids $10, Contact (347)425-8227
W e s t e r nf r i e d C h i c k e n
BEEFSANDWI CHCOMBO
CHI CKENSTRI PS
TUNASANDWI CHCOMBO CHI CKENSANDWI CHCOMBO
LOT13FI FTH STREETAVENUE SUBRYANVI LLESHERI FFSTREET GEORGETOWN
PAGE
PAGE 42
Amazon Warriors clinch playoff berth with win over Tridents A modest but boisterous crowd with a heavy contingent of Guyanese supporters cheered Guyana Amazon Warriors to a six-wicket victory over Barbados Tridents in the first CPL match in America on Thursday night at the Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill. With 5,000 chairback seats available at the CBRP, less than half were filled by the time the first ball was bowled by Dwayne Smith just after 7 pm, and an estimated 4,000 had made it through the gates by the time the match was ended, more than three hours later, by a single off the bat of Sohail Tanvir. In between, the crowd was thrilled by some big hitting from Smith, who made a mockery of Tridents' total of 142 for 7 by bashing his way to a fifty off 30 balls. Whereas the Tridents struggled to clear the deceptively large square boundaries, Smith succeeded in going big straight down the ground for three massive sixes over long on, including one over the perimeter fence and out of the ground. Smith teamed up with Nic Maddinson for a 92-run opening stand in just 10.2 overs, with the Australian also notching 50 in just his second game of the season for Amazon Warriors after replacing Martin Guptill. With the bulk of the chase taken care of by the two openers, Amazon Warriors cantered towards the target after both men departed. The required run rate briefly threatened to go above a run a ball before Christopher Barnwell clattered a four and six off legspinner Imran Khan in the 16th to erase any prospect of a Tridents fightback. Tridents had got off to a fairly rapid start, reaching 30 for 1 in three overs after being sent in, to dispel any fears about a poor pitch. Good bounce and carry was on offer for the pacers with a bit of turn for the spinners. Tridents also had reasonable success sending in David Wiese as a pinch-hitter at No. 3, with the
South African making 40 off 31 balls before he drove a low full toss from Barnwell to Chris Lynn at long-off, making it 97 for 3 after 13. But Tridents failed to capitalize on that platform with Nicholas Pooran and captain Kieron Pollard falling cheaply, for 3 and a second-ball duck respectively, both caught on the midwicket boundary in the space of six balls. From there, Shoaib Malik struggled to provide the late acceleration required, managing to reach his half-century off 44 balls by hitting the final ball of the innings for six to end on 55 not out. It wound up not being nearly enough for Tridents, who now must win their re-match against Amazon Warriors on Saturday to have any hope of reaching the playoffs. In the end, the partisan crowd in Florida had little to complain about. A much larger crowd than Thursday's estimated 4,000 is expected on Friday, and a sell-out of 10,000 is expected for both Saturday and Sunday. (ESPNcricinfo)
Dwayne Smith and Nic Maddinson shared a 92-run opening stand © Sportsfile/Getty Images
PAGE
PAGE 44
Fresh Sabina track to refresh West Indies? Shortly before joining his team-mates for his first day of training as a member of West Indies' Test squad, Alzarri Joseph was made to climb a staircase at Sabina Park's North Stand. From somewhere near the middle of the ground, the WICB's media manager trained a 300mm lens on him. He took a few backward steps, eye glued to viewfinder, and stopped moving only when the framing was just right: Joseph on top of the staircase, hands on balustrade, and below him a sign saying "Courtney Walsh End". No pressure, young man. Walsh bowled 30,019 balls in Test cricket, the most by any fast bowler, ever. Joseph is yet to play Test cricket, of course, and has only bowled 949 balls in first-class cricket. He is only 19. The cricketing world has seen what Joseph can do in short bursts. At the Under-19 World Cup, he sent the leg stump of Zimbabwe's Brendan Sly flying with the fastest ball of the tournament, measured at 143kph, and, in the semi-final, showed he could be just as nasty at the other end of the length spectrum, roughing up the Bangladesh opener Pinak Ghosh with a series of bouncers, one of which clattered into the side of his helmet. Can Joseph sustain that pace, and that intensity, into his third spell of a sweltering day, the way Walsh did time after time in a 16-year Test career? Will West Indies pick Joseph for the second Test against India, and give the cricketing world the opportunity of finding out? Marlon Samuels will not make that decision, but he made his thoughts as clear as possible when he spoke to the media on Thursday. "Me? I would definitely play him," he said. "Fit, fast and fearless. When are you going to play him? At 25? He's 19 now, it's the best time to just let him go and enjoy himself and express himself." Conditions at Sabina Park might just allow Joseph - or any combination of fast bowlers West Indies pick - to do that. Two days before the Test match, the pitch wore a thick coat of grass. At 10.45am, when the white sheet covering it first came off to allow the umpires to look at it, it was a bright, almost neon green. In the afternoon, when the West Indian players arrived at the ground, and sang "Happy Birthday" to Sir Garfield Sobers on his 80th, it was still green, but not alarmingly so. Nothing had happened to the pitch in the interim. Perhaps it looked less green because the shock of first seeing it had worn off; perhaps it was just the sun sucking away the morning's moisture. It was just a different shade of green. By the time the Test match commences, the grass might lose a few millimeters, and some of it might get rolled into the surface, but much of it will probably remain in place. Behind the western square boundary is the Kingston Cricket Club's pavilion, and mounted on the roof beams of the members' bar are plaques commemorating every batsman to have scored centuries in both innings of Test matches. If the pitch for this Test match plays true to its appearance, it will take some effort for anyone to join Clyde Walcott and Lawrence Rowe in achieving that feat at Sabina Park. But batsmen, according to the groundsman Charlie Joseph, will enjoy true bounce, at least on the first two days. "Mikey [Michael
Holding] always used to tell me, you need bounce on the first two days," Charlie Joseph said. "What happens on the third and fourth day, that's not up to you. That's nature. But you want true bounce on the first two days. You want to put your foot here," he says, planting left foot firmly forward, "and do that" - a shadow cover drive, on the up. "That's good cricket." We will only know for certain on Saturday, but conditions could cause both teams to alter the strategies they employed in Antigua. West Indies are chasing the series, and a green pitch gives them as good a chance as they'll probably get to bowl India out twice. A green pitch could also narrow the gap between the bowling attacks, but West Indies will need to do some of that narrowing themselves. That will mean picking Joseph, or Miguel Cummins, or both, to partner Shannon Gabriel and give the pace attack more bite. India played five bowlers in Antigua, on a slow pitch that offered bounce but little sideways movement. Here, four bowlers could do the job, with the legspin of Amit Mishra potentially surplus to requirements. This could allow them the security of an extra batsman. With only four players - Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, KL Rahul and Bhuvneshwar Kumar - turning up for an optional session on Thursday, India did not reveal any of their cards. By Friday, a clearer picture should emerge. Whichever way the teams go, they will probably need to contend with a green track. Kent Crafton, the WICB's regional curator, who is overseeing the preparation of all the pitches for this series, said the board has made a concerted push to prepare quicker, bouncier pitches. "We want to get it back up here," he said, bringing his hands up to chest level. Going by the bounce seen in Antigua, and the look of the pitch in Kingston, the efforts seem to be paying off. It's a positive sign, a rare one in West Indies Test cricket. (ESPNcricinfo)
PAGE
PAGE 46
I rejected Besiktas to fight for Barcelona spot, reveals Mathieu Jeremy Mathieu had the chance to follow team-mate Adriano to Besiktas, but the defender is keen to fight for his place at Barcelona. Barcelona defender Jeremy Mathieu has revealed that he turned down an offer from Besiktas in order to fight for his place at Camp Nou. The Turkish champions announced the signing of full-back Adriano on Friday for a fee that could reach €1.7million. Competition for places in Barca's defence has intensified with the signings of Samuel Umtiti and Lucas Digne, prompting speculation that Mathieu could also opt to move elsewhere. But the France international, 32, says he rejected an offer to follow his former team-mate out of Camp Nou, even though he is aware of the difficulty of finding a place in Luis Enrique's first team. "It's true that I've had contact, but I told the president that I was very happy here and my intention is to continue," he said after Friday's training session at St George's Park, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo. "Umtiti and Digne are friends of mine,
and my team-mates. It's true that they are players who play in my position, but I won't have any problem. "Luis Enrique already knows that I prefer to play as a centreback, but in football you can never say what will happen." Mathieu made just 12 starts in LaLiga last season as Barca successfully defended their title. (SportsMax)
Andre Russell ties the knot amid strife, hunt for CPL title Jamaica Tallawahs star player Andre Russell, temporarily put his injury and doping-hearing issues behind him on Wednesday, to tie the knot with his longtime girlfriend, model Jassym Lora. The two had got engaged in November of 2014 and finally got married during the player’s two days’ off from practice before the Tallawahs back-to-back matches against the St Lucia Zouks this coming weekend. The private ceremony, attended by a few of his teammates, took place at a location near the team hotel in Florida where the league leaders are preparing for their matches on the USA leg of the 2016 HERO CPL. The wedding provided a welcome respite for Russell, who has had a lot to deal with in recent weeks. In addition to an injury that saw him miss matches for the Jamaica Tallawahs, early in the campaign, Russell faces the possibility of a two-year ban after he is alleged to have missed three doping tests within the last calendar year. The missed tests amounts to a doping violation under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code. At a hearing before a disciplinary panel of the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission recently Russell said he was unaware he had missed a third test. “It’s not easy to be honest, it’s tough. When I cross the rope I definitely block it out of my head but when you go back to your room, you face reality and
knowing that something is coming on like that, it is really stressing and depressing,” he said. He said his teammates have helped him deal with the stress. “I have an amazing bunch of guys around me. They keep me occupied and laughing. I think that is a very good thing to do while going through something like that,” he said. (SportsMax)
PAGE
PAGE 48
Jason Holder wasn’t ready for captaincy - Ambrose Jason Holder was handed the West Indies captaincy when he was just getting his feet wet, says former West Indies fast bowler Sir Curtly Ambrose. The 24-year-old Barbadian was appointed West Indies' ODI captain in 2014 when he was only 23. He was appointed Test captain less than a year later. He has been described as a reliable batsman and a steady medium-pacer but still developing as a player. On his Test debut in June 2014 on his home ground against New Zealand, Holder took two wickets and made a fighting 52. Since then, notwithstanding a maiden Test century against England in April 2015, Holder has struggled as he tries to balance his development with the responsibility of leading the losing West Indies. Ambrose believes his appointment may have come a bit too soon. “When we were in South Africa prior to the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, the chairman of selectors, Clive Lloyd, said they would recommend Jason Holder to be the captain,” he said. “I remember Stuart Williams and myself because Stuart was head coach then, kept saying to Clive Lloyd every single day that it’s too much of a burden
for the young man. He’s just getting his feet wet in international cricket and to burden him with the captaincy in a big tournament like the World Cup would be too much.” Ambrose said they suggested letting Darren Sammy lead the team to the World Cup and they could to make changes after they made an assessment of the situation then. (SportsMax)
Wade's move from Heat to Bulls shocked Anthony After 13 years in Miami, Dwyane Wade decided to return home and join the Chicago Bulls, surprising Carmelo Anthony. New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony never thought he would see Dwyane Wade in an NBA uniform other than the Miami Heat's. Wade surprisingly ended his 13-year association with the Heat earlier in July, opting to join the Bulls as a free agent. The 34-year-old did have an offer on the table to remain in Miami but the 12-time All-Star decided to return home to Chicago, much to Anthony's surprise. "I was shocked," Anthony said on Thursday as he prepares for the Olympic Games with the United States. "I was shocked more from a standpoint it was just hard to see. "It's hard to see some players in different uniforms and he's one of those guys who I never thought I would see in a different uniform other than Miami. "But it happened, and I got a chance to talk to him and sit down with him and really dig deep about his feelings and what happened. He's at peace now. And when he's at peace, I'm at peace with it." Anthony added: "I don't think the masses really
understand how difficult those decisions are. And what goes into those decisions. And as athletes what's going through our mind during those decisions. "A lot of people think we can just wake up and we can just make those decisions - it's not that easy." (SportsMax)
PAGE
PAGE 50
Thema Williams sues T&T federation for $11m CCN TV6 in Trinidad and Tobago is reporting that gymnast Thelma Williams has filed a TT$11-million lawsuit against that country’s gymnastics federation following the federation’s decision to overlook her for a place to compete at the Olympic Games in Rio. The suit stemmed from a decision by the T&T Gymnastics Federation (TTGF) to withdraw Williams from a Rio Olympics Test that would have given her the opportunity to cement her qualification for the Games which begin on August 5. Williams had qualified for the Olympic Test event by placing 55th overall in the artistic women’s individual qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, in October 2015. Marisa Dick also competed at the World Championships and placed 77th overall and did not qualify. Williams, 20, who had been a forerunner to qualify for the Olympics, had been training with Coach John Geddert, who had been sending daily reports to the TTGF about her progress. However, in one report, Geddert stated that Williams was not able to perform at a high level on a particular day because of an
ankle injury. The TTGF then opted to replace Williams with Marisa Dick, who was sent to the Olympic qualifier and subsequently qualified. However, based on the TTGF’s own rules, Williams should have been automatically selected for the Olympic test event. (SportsMax)
F1 Raceweek: Rosberg dominates Hamilton as Alonso celebrates birthday cNew F1 championship leader Lewis Hamilton had to answer to Nico Rosberg at the start of race weekend at the German Grand Prix in Hockenheim. Nico Rosberg began his response to losing first place in the Formula One drivers' standings by dominating Friday's two practice sessions for the German Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton's victory in Hungary last time out moved him into top spot for the first time in 2016, but the Briton struggled to tame his Mercedes around the Hockenheimring and was routinely slower than his title rival. Rosberg's quickest times in each session were over three tenths quicker than Hamilton's and the German also had the advantage in FP2's long-run simulations compared to his team-mate, turning in quicker laps on both soft and super soft tyres. The German won from pole last time Hockenheim hosted F1 and certainly looks on course to repeat the trick. Red Bull and Ferrari were well-matched, with Sebastian Vettel setting the third-quickest time of the day and coming six tenths closer to the Mercedes in the second session than he had been earlier. The four-time world champion also got 22 laps out of a pair of softs before suffering a wobble on track and swapping them. On his 35th birthday,
Fernando Alonso was presented with a cake and balloons ahead of FP1 and the two-time champion was perhaps afforded a more comfortable day, with only team-mate Jenson Button and Haas' Romain Grosjean completing fewer laps. McLaren revealed afterwards that Button had left the circuit to have an "eye irritation" examined at hospital, with a water leak limiting Grosjean. (SportsMax)