GNN Online Newspaper Oct 15 2015

Thursday, October 15, 2015

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“NO

CONFLICT OF INTEREST” -PAGE 2

FUEL PRICES TO BE REDUCED AT GUYOIL FROM TOMORROW -PAGE 3

SOVEREIGN WEALTH FUND CLOSER TO REALITY The establishment of the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) which is crucial for sustaining the economic growth and development of Guyana and securing the future of its people is one step closer to becoming a reality Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman gave the assurance that the coalition government remains committed to the establishment of the SWF, with assistance from the Canadian government.

“The Canadian Government in fact has used its good offices to allow us to benefit from the processes and expertise available at the University of Calgary and so later in the month of November; a team is coming from the University of Calgary with

specific responsibility of commencing the whole mechanism for what we refer to as the sovereign wealth fund, Trotman said.”

The Minister explained the intention is to attract a percentage of all the resources of Guyana, not just oil resources, but gold, diamond, sand, stone and some are even saying we have to include agricultural- fish, seafood and water.”

The Sovereign We a l t h F u n d w i l l comprise three components and according to the Minister, each will have a different rate at which it is supplied and different reasons and mechanisms, which accommodate/facilitate withdrawal.

Further, he explained that the fund will be one that secures the wealth of the nation for future generations for hundreds of years.

Following the announcement by exploration company Exxon Mobil that it has discovered oil during its drilling in the Stabroek Offshore Guyana, President David Granger said it was important for his administration to set up a SWF. The fund is defined as pools of money derived from a country's reserves, which are set aside for investment purposes that will benefit the country's economy and citizens.

The funding for a SWF comes from Central Bank reserves that

Minister Raphael Trotman

accumulate as a result of budget and trade surpluses, and even from revenue generated from the exports of natural resources. The types of acceptable investments included in each SWF vary from country to country; countries with liquidity concerns limit investments

to only very liquid public debt instruments.

Some countries have created SWFS in diversifying their revenue streams.

T h e A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) during the campaign

season leading up to the May 11, 2015 General and Regional Elections promised to establish the SWF. It was also a promise laid out in its manifesto.

Once this comes into fruition, it could be seen as another manifesto promise of the coalition fulfilled.

No conflict of interest as CH&PA Chairman – Hammy

Mayor Hamilton Green

City Mayor Hamilton Green has dismissed claims that his appointment as Chairman of the Board of Directors the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) is a conflict of interest.

Following the publishing of Green's appointment in the October 2, 2015 edition of the official gazette, the

question was asked how the Mayor who chairs statutory meetings of the City Council can also be the Chairman of the CH&PA. When one wishes to erect a building he/she has to submit copies of the plans to the Mayor and City Council to begin the application process. After the Mayor and City Council, chaired by Mayor

Minister Keith Scott

Green, approves the plan it is then forwarded to the CH&PA for their approval.

This makes it twice that Green will have to be part of the approval process.

Sources opined that this arrangement could leave room for corruption and irregularities, since there is a possibility of a faulty plan being approved at the council and subsequently

gets final approval. This, according to the sources raises the question of where will the checks and balances be?

GNN sought to clarify whether it is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CH&PA who approves the plan or it is being approved at the level of the Board. To this, the Mayor confirmed that the second approval is being

done by the board on the recommendation of the technical officers.

However, Green in an exclusive interview with this newspaper insisted that “there is no conflict of interest, both entities as in the case of the other municipalities are led by professional people and our main concern is to ensure that the thing

moves expeditiously.”

Calls have been made for the separation of powers with regard to the issue.

Meanwhile, GNN spoke with Minister of Communities, Keith Scott who was reluctant to comment on the matter, but stated that there is no conflict of interest since Green, the country's longest serving Mayor has already indicated that he will not be vying for the position in upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE).

H o w e v e r, t h e Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has indicated that it is not possible for LGE to be held this year. In the meantime, Greene will continue to act in both capacities.

FUEL PRICES TO BE REDUCED AT GUYOIL FROM TOMORROW Fuel prices will be further reduced at all Guyana Oil Company (GUYOIL) service stations from Friday, October 16.

T h e Government has taken a decision to reduce the prices for fuel in light of reduced prices i n t e r n a t i o n a l l y, according to Finance Minister Winston Jordan. He was

addressing media operatives on Wednesday.

Effective Friday, gas prices have been reduced and will be sold retail for $190 per liter while diesel will now be sold for $161 per liter.

Prior to this gas was being sold for $199 per liter while diesel was sold for $168 per liter.

Government going after PPP/C members -Ramotar

Former President Donald Ramotar says the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) government is going after the former government to make them look bad with its recent allegations regarding the “Pradoville 2” issue.

He told the GNN that it is a very dangerous move that the government is making in trying to take

people's personal property.

M r. R a m o t a r said it is a clear violation of people's property. With the government's recent move the former President says it is clear that the coalition government can go to any scheme that the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) developed and they can repossess the lands.

“This is just the beginning, they're going for the political opponents,” Ramotar declared. He believes that It is sending a horrible signal to investors that their property is not secured, therefore you will find people who will not want to invest and take their money elsewhere where the conditions are more secured than what is taking place here”,

Ramotar added.

He said the government is going after political opponents largely because they are embarrassed about the salary increase that they have given themselves.

“They are looking to see how much they can damage the PPP/C with all of the fancy allegations, in the long run they are damaging the country and the economy as a whole, the former President noted.

Former President Donald Ramotar

Pradoville Scandal is “bluff, fluff and Madness” ‐ Irfaan Ali

Former Housing Minister Irfaan Ali

Former Housing Minister Irfaan Ali says the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) had nothing to do with the lands at the Pradoville

Housing Schemes.

D u r i n g a telephone interview with this newscast, he noted that “I was hearing that the CH&PA was not part of

those transactions (Pradoville 1 and 2) and now I am hearing that the C H & PA g u i d e l i n e s stipulate that it does”.

Adding that the

alleged “leaked” document was not leaked to the media but rather deliberately shown to the media to divert attention from the recent Government officials' pay hike, Ali noted that “these things in the report is bluff, fluff and madness seeking to take away from the salary increases”.

A r e p o r t emanating from the State Asset Recovery Unit recommending charges for at least five former Government Ministers over their alleged misconduct in office while in government is quoted in sections of the media as saying that lands from Pradoville 2 were

transferred to the officials with several conditions which stated that failure to comply will result in penalties by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA).

Clause 'C' of the condition stated that, “the transfer shall not be at liberty to sell, lease, transfer or part with possession of the said property within ten years of transfer without the written consent of the Minister responsible for housing” which was at that time Irfaan Ali. The State Assets Recovery Unit was asked to look into the 'Pradoville Two' deal in August last.

The matter is being

examined under forensic audits being carried out at both the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and National Industrial Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL).

According to reports in the media Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Keith Scott stated that the allocation of parcels of land to the several former ministers, senior Government officials and friends close to the PPP administration, along with the method to determine the prices paid, were not assessed by the CH&PA.

“Pradoville 2” Saga…

CHARGES AGAINST JAGDEO IS SUBJECTED TO COURT'S INTERPRETATION - AG

Attorney General Basil Williams

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, during a press conference today, told the media that there are two options of dealing with the recommendations made by the State Asset Recovery Unit in a report submitted to him relating to the misconduct of former government Officials while in office.

“The only action the AG can bring against such persons is a civil action of misfeasance of public office… but also criminal charges could be

brought against them”, he pointed out. He noted that the Criminal aspect is swifter and he will recommend that the report be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions who has the right to institute charges and the Public Security Minister.

However given the immunity allotted to Presidents, Former President; Bharrat Jagdeo could escape criminal charges the AG said. "The Constitution provides that, it's a question of interpretation, already

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo

we've had cases in Guyana which says they could only rely on certain things if they're acting within their powers; if they're acting without their powers, then they don't have that sort of protection… it is now a question of the interpretation of the courts because the laws say though you have a power, you have to exercise the power judiciously and if you act without of the p o w e r, y o u o p e r a t e excessively and you lose that protection” The State Asset

Recovery Unit, which was set up by the APNU+AFC coalition government, recommended charges for at least five former PPP Ministers for abuse of office while in government to acquire prime lands in the Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara area referred to as 'Pradoville 2' and selling those lands without permission.

The document also stated that the lands were grossly undervalued and sold substantially lower than the market value, “thereby depriving

the state of its full benefits.”

The former government officials who were named in a document are former President Bharat Jagdeo, then Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, former Minister of Public Service Dr. Jennifer Westford, former Education Minister Priya Manickchand, former L a b o u r M i n i s t e r D r.

Nanda Gopaul and former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee.

"I can assure that once I find that we have sufficient evidence...and I believe there is because we have former Ministers who knew that they were getting land that is undervalue and State land and actually resold the land, that's exactly on course with the case in Belize" the attorney general said.

The unit cited a recent decision in the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) case of Floerencio Marin Jose Coye Vs the Attorney General of Belize, where the court held “that the former Ministers could be held liable in misfeasance for loss of public property and that the AG, as the guardian of public rights, was the person entitled to institute proceedings.”

The report concluded by stating that, “the former ministers should not benefit from their acts of misconduct while being holders of public office”.

T h e r e i s currently a case in the High Court, by a group headed by former Member of Parliament (MP) Desmond Trotman challenging the sales of plots at Pradoville 1 and 2.

The date for the next hearing was set for October, 22.

ARCHER EXPLAINS REFUSAL TO SERVE ON NCN'S BOARD

Mark Archer

Communications Director at the Office of the President, Mark Archer has offered an explanation as to why he refused to take up an appointment on the Board

of Directors of the N a t i o n a l Communications Network (NCN).

Archer told the media on Wednesday that his reason for not

accepting the position is due to the fact that he has too many other responsibilities which will prevent him from giving his all to NCN's board.

“I wrote to the Prime Minister saying that I was humbled by being selected but based on all of my responsibilities I will not be able to serve, I think when one serves on a board one should be able to commit oneself totally without any reservations to serving on that board, Archer stated.

He clarified that contrary to speculations he did not resign. His decision was lauded by Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman who said it is “highly Commendable and admirable.”

A replacement appointment to serve on the NCN Board will not be selected by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) or the Alliance for Change (AFC)

directly. The matter will be dealt with by a special Cabinet sub-committee.

T r o t m a n explained that Cabinet has a sub-committee that receives submissions from various Ministers and entities with respect boards, that committee vets and refines.

It should be noted that Imran Khan, Director of Public information in the office of the Prime Minister was also appointed to the NCN and the Guyana Chronicle boards.

The NCN Board of Directors was installed on September 15 at the A r t h u r C h u n g International Convention Centre by Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo.

The Board members who were given their

instruments at the time were Bishwa Panday (Chairman), Mark A r c h e r, D r. P a l o m a M o h a m e d , M a rg a r e t Lawrence, Kojo mcpherson, Dhanwanti Sukhdeo, Carolyn Walcott, Imran khan and Colin Thompson.

Following the appointment of the NCN and Chronicle Boards, A P N U + A F C government has since been criticized by some of back peddling on its promise that no political hacks will be appointed to such positions. The coalition government had criticized the former administration for what it deemed “political appointments,” promising to be different.

NORMALISATION OF GUYANA/VENEZUELA DIPLOMATIC TIES - A WORK IN PROGRESS

President David Granger

Guyana and Venezuela are in the process of normalizing its relations following the six-man team from the United Nations that visited Guyana and subsequently Venezuela this week.

The team was led

by Susana Malcorra, Chief of Cabinet to the UN Secretary General Ban-KiMoon. The delegation arrived in Guyana on Monday and held talks w i t h F o r e i g n A ff a i r s Minister Carl Greenidge, Director- General Audrey Wa d d l e a n d o t h e r members of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Members of the opposition

Peoples Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) were also part of the meeting.

The Minister later Monday evening met with President David Granger where he was briefed on the talks that were held.

The meeting was described as a “useful and fruitful exchange.”

Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman told the media that “we were able to put out a very just case as to why the 1899 arbitral award is final and why our position is a just one.”

The engagement is as a result of trilateral meetings among the

Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman

Presidents of Guyana and Venezuela and the UN Secretariat held at the recently concluded 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Mr. Ban had committed to having an investigative team visit both Guyana a n d Ve n e z u e l a i n a n attempt to resolve the border controversy.

T h e U N Secretary General arrived in Guyana on Sunday following Climate Change talks in Bolivia. A brief meeting was held with Minister Greendige which is believed to have been on the ongoing border

controversy.

Tr o t m a n , a t a p r e s s conference on Wednesday stated that the restoration of diplomatic ties as was agreed to by the two Heads in New York is a work in progress. He said the process would take time.

“We expect that when the team returns things will move faster,” said Trotman.

With regard to the posting of Guyana's Ambassador to Venezuela Cheryl Miles, Trotman noted that preparations are being made. “We're still in the process as I said of engaging the UN and briefing our Ambassador

President Maduro

so it's a matter not of if but of when as preparations are being made for her to move her belongings and property to Venezuela.

The UN team departed Guyana on Tuesday and landed at the Maiquetia Simon Bolivar Airport in Vargas state to continue mediating the border dispute. The delegation was welcomed

by Venezuelan Foreign Minister for Latin America and the Caribbean Alexander Yanez and Roy Chaderton, a representative of the Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Talks in the Spanish speaking

country concluded yesterday.

Ve n e z u e l a , which has the world's largest oil reserves, has long claimed a significant portion of Guyana, including a large marine area where Exxon Mobil Corp. recently announced it made a significant oil discovery.

Venezuela issued a decree soon after that announcement extending its territorial claims farther out into the Atlantic to encompass the area where the discovery was made.

Guyana has maintained that the border issue was settled in 1899 by way of an Arbitral Award.

GOV'T CREATING LEVEL PLAYING FIELD IN AWARDING OF CONTRACTS Government says it is looking to create a level playing field whereby not only the large companies can benefit from the awarding of contracts, but small companies as well.

Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman told the media on Wednesday that contract in the sum of $40,132,130 was approved for GUYNAZ Enterprise to supply and deliver dietary supplements for Dora and Kuru Kuru schools.

Other companies were cleared for the

procurement of medical consumables for standard and technical services.

These are Global Health Services Limited - a contract for $8,072,547; Caribbean Medical supplies – two contracts for $70,483,202 and $20,258,074; New GPC Inc. Received two contracts in the sum of $11,122,105 and $34,028,622, and I n t e r n a t i o n a l Pharmaceutical A s s o c i a t i o n ( I PA ) received a contract to the value of $33,892,095.

Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman

Provision of operational service at the Lusignan landfill facility on the East Coast Demerara was awarded to Puran Brothers Disposal Services for the sum of $18,739,000.

F e d e r a l Management System was awarded a contract valued $55,319,750 for the provision of security services at the Ministry of Communities.

All of the contracts awarded are expected to be fulfilled by the end of December 2015, Trotman said.

Women's Rights group protest govt. salary increases

Against the backdrop of increased salaries for the Prime Minister, Vice President, Minsters and other Members of Parliament (MP), Red Thread Women earlier today held the first of two rounds of protest actions against the increases which have faced heavy criticisms since its implementation.

Earlier in October, the 4-month old APNU+AFC awarded itself a 14%-50% increase in salary which was first discovered after it was gazetted. This move was greeted with much dissatisfaction from some sections of society which

described their actions as being contrary to what they campaigned on, during the lead-up to the M a y 11 G e n e r a l a n d Regional elections.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon at a post Cabinet press conference last week, told reporters that the Government has “no apologies” for the increases. Succeeding this, yesterday (Wednesday), Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman, at a post Cabinet press briefing, again requested to Guyanese to “trust them [Government]” as they move the country forward.

Despite this, Red Thread

Women went ahead with its protest which was planned about two weeks ago and intended to coincide with the convening of the National Assembly of the Eleventh Parliament which was shifted to next week.

The advocacy group, armed with their placards executed their protest actions in front of Ministry of the Presidency, where, they s u g g e s t e d t h e “intellectual authorship” of the salary hikes originated.

The group, during their actions today, maintained that they will not accept any

reasoning from the administration as to why their salaries should be pegged as such a handsome figure, when a large portion of the population is living in poverty.

Women's Rights activist and head of Red Thread Guyana, Karen De Souza, was keen to note that, “I am not even contemplating that argument [made by Trotman]. I am beginning from the position that you cannot come to me and say no no no we not raising pay then you turn around and raise the pay. Then say you're not apologizing and try to justify it in all kinds

of ways…I am not even taking any of the a r g u m e n t s o f justifications on board.

They are treating us as contemptuously as previous governments have treated us.”

She continued that, "If they can't live on a million dollars how on earth are public servants [supposed] to live on $50,000? So no, they need to wheel and come again, they need to retreat, they need to regroup,” she added. Another rights activist, Nicole Cole, e x p r e s s e d h e r dissatisfaction with the reward which the coalition offered

themselves after having been in office for just four months.

Further, the group is maintaining that, “We voted them into power and it's our tax dollars going into their pockets. Tell them we the Guyanese people need more investment and better quality public s e r v i c e s , n o t politrickiaans getting richer which the poor people continue to punish” The second round of protest action is slated for October 22, in front of Public Building where Parliament is expected to reconvene.

New Chief Magistrate appointed GNN was this afternoon made to understand that Court 2 Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan has today been confirmed and sworn in as the Chief Magistrate of Guyana by the Judicial Service Commission. The information revealed that her dedication to the job coupled with her work ethics as reasons, among others, for her promotion.

Ann Mc Lennan

It is believed that the confirmation of Mc Lennan will now pave the way for additional promotions among Magistrates across Guyana.

Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan prior to being called to the bench served the Guyana Defence Force with distinction where she also headed the

legal department she completed her legal studies in Barbados and Trinidad before returning to Guyana in 1996.

Her ascension to the office of Chief Magistrate comes months after former Chief Magistrate Priya Beharry was elevated to the position of a judge.

TWO DEEPAWALI CELEBRATIONS LIKELY THIS YEAR -November 10 gazetted as official holiday

Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan

While there seems to be some resolution as to which day Deepawali 2015 would be officially observed in Guyana, the possibility of two separate celebrations grows.

Minister of Public S e c u r i t y, K h e m r a j Ramjattan, told GNN this afternoon that Tuesday, November 10 has been gazetted as the official holiday. He said this decision was based on

information submitted by a number of Pandits.

However, this date differs from what the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha (GHDS) has on its calendar, which is Wednesday, November 11 . P r e s i d e n t o f t h e G H D S , D r. Vi n d h y a Persaud recently told GNN it has been forty-one years that the organization has been deriving the dates and the same calculations

were used for 2015, which for them, makes November 11 the holiday.

The Viraat Sabhaa, a newly formed Hindu representative body, disputed that date.

President of the Viraat Sabhaa, Pandit Rabindranauth Persaud, told GNN that their calculations are based on the wisdom of renowned Astrologists thereby making November 10 the day to celebrate the festival of lights. He said that a petition was sent to the government for consideration for a possible intervention to have the festival being observed on one day. He noted that the petition was signed by approximately seventy Hindu leaders and Pandits which he claims is the vast majority of Hindu representatives in Guyana Information suggest that this is the first time in Guyana that there has been a public disagreement on the date for Deepawali by Hindu

organisations resulting in an intervention being sought from the government. Pandit Persaud reiterated today that “our organization stands by its petition and will defend it”. He noted that a media campaign will soon follow to this effect.

In a brief comment to GNN today, Dr. Vindhya Persaud said that her organization is sticking to its date of November 11. If realized, then as indicated, Guyana w o u l d s e e t w o celebrations of Deepawali.

She added that a petition was also submitted by the Dharmic Sabha for the date to be recognized as November, 11, however no response was given on the matter. Dr. Peraud said a detailed statement from the GHDS would be forthcoming, but up to the time of posting this story, GNN did not receive same.

Meanwhile, the Indian Action Committee (IAC) in a statement today, has called for unity among

the groups. The IAC, noted its concern that “if both were to hold their current position, it would result in the festival being celebrated on two separate days thereby creating a division within.

In the interest of unity, the IAC urge both sides to engage each other with the intention of finding a common ground for one celebration”.

The statement added that the “reality of two celebrations would be counter to the messages of harmony and unity which are usually articulated by both sides and it believes that if a consensus is not reached, it can precipitate a situation whereby Guyanese Hindus would be divided on a festival that is so sacred to their religion” The IAC also alluded that Deepawali has transcended religious boundaries to become a truly national festival.

“The magnetic ability of these motorcades along

with the excitement of viewing the lighting of the Diyas and the related entertainment through many concerts to attract

Dr. Vindhya Persaud

tens of thousands, continue to provide opportunities for Guyanese to interact and to build on social cohesion. In this regard, the IAC is concern that any fracture in the togetherness that derives a common date, would be unhelpful to the Hindu community and, by extension, Guyana”.

Seventeen year old sentenced for series of armed robberies Seventeen year old Anferny Archer will spend the next two years of his life behind bars after receiving two two-year sentences for five counts of robbery under arms that he committed the same day. The charges will run concurrently.

The Punt Trench Dam / Independence Boulevard, Georgetown resident was released on $100,000 bail when he appeared before Magistrate Ann Mclennan on August 26. However, he changed his plea to guilty when he appeared before Magistrate Alex Moore.

The charges stated that On August 25, 2015 at West Ruimveldt,

Georgetown, being armed with a gun, he robbed Dimitrios Howard of documents and $2,000.

On August 25, 2015 at We s t R u i m v e l d t , Georgetow being armed with the said weapon, he robbed Jemella Josiah of one cellular phone and a handbag, together valued $22,500.

On August 25, 2015 at West Ruimveldt, Georgetown in the company of another person, he robbed Kimberly Moore of one purse, one Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) bank card, one Scotia Bank card, one Identification Card, one wedding ring and a driver license at gun point. On

August 25, 2015 at West Ruimvedlt, Georgetown he robbed Kimberly Melville of three BLU cellular phones belonging to Terwayne Kerr. And finally, On August 25, 2015 at West Ruimveldt, Georgetown he also robbed Melville of cash $6,000 at gun point.

SPAIN'S AMBASSADOR PAYS COURTESY CALL TO MINISTER HARMON

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon and Spain’s Ambassador to Guyana, His Excellency Jose Maria Fernandez Lopez, during their meeting at the Ministry of the Presidency earlier today

Spain's Ambassador to Guyana, His Excellency Jose Maria Fernandez Lopez, yesterday, paid a courtesy call, to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon.

According to GINA, the Ambassador said that his discussions with the Minister were focused on promoting

closer bilateral relations between the Guyana and Spain. Some of these areas of cooperation, the A m b a s s a d o r mentioned, were trade and investment, security, culture and political cooperation.

EL NINO TASKFORCE SET UP The Ministry of Agriculture has indicated its preparedness to deal with the current El Nino weather conditions which are expected to be intensified soon, as the various stakeholders and respective agencies in the sector continue to monitor the situation. According to GINA, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder says currently, there is no need for interventions as the situation remains normal; however, this is expected to change by December 2015.

“I think it is fair for us to say that although Guyana normally experiences two wet and two dry seasons per year, the short wet season which normally starts in the

middle of November and goes to the end of January is probably threatened, so while things are okay at this point in time, the system might come under stress by the end of December if the short rains do not come, so we really have to start practising serious conservation,” GINA quoted Holder as saying.

The Minister expressed concerns that famers will be mostly affected and noted that the Ministry is taking a collaborative approach to deal with the issues and offer interventions. The Ministries of Public Infrastructure, Indigenous P e o p l e s ' A ff a i r s a n d Communities will be actively engaged in

dealing with the issue.

Holder advised that Cabinet will be establishing a Taskforce to spearhead the G o v e r n m e n t ' s interventions. “That taskforce will brief the press and the Nation on the issue and how to conserve so that we can see this potential crisis through without too much ill effects and interventions are made to ensure that the El Nino situation remain under control.”

Speaking to the issue of the level of the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC), acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA)

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder and Heads of Agencies within the Ministry at the press conference

Fredrick Flatts stated that the water level is enough to sustain the different sectors until mid-

December. He further explained that if conditions persist, steps will have to be taken to

pump w ater into the conservancies through other sources. (Adapted from GINA)

US TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH JUDICIAL SECTOR The United States has r e a ffi r m e d i t s commitment to assisting the local judicial sector during a meeting with the US Ambassador to Guyana, H.E. Perry Holloway and Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams at the AG's office today.

Ambassador Holloway stated that the US is open to helping Guyana to improve its Justice system.

Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General Basil Williams meeting with “We will play a large role the new United States of America Ambassador to Guyana H.E. Perry Holloway, at the Minister’s Carmichael Street office

in providing technical assistance…our doors are open for anything the Attorney General needs,” Halloway said.

M i n i s t e r Wi l l i a m s thanked the ambassador for the contributions to the government and his commitment to continue cooperating with the administration.

“We've had long years of cooperation, and I've had the support of his predecessor in dealing with the Local Government Reform

Legislation… and support also in other areas…,” Minister Williams said.

The United States of America (USA) and Guyana have shared fruitful bilateral relations in a number of areas over the years.

With relation to the Judicial sector, the US h a s o ff e r e d h e l p i n strengthening the judicial sector's ability to address various issues.

"EVAPORATED FILLED MILK" HARMFUL TO CHILDREN UNDER TWO - Food and Drug Dep't The Government AnalystFood and Drug Department is warning Guyanese against purchasing "evaporated filled milk" because it is not good for children and more so if the label does not state that it is "not suitable for children under two years."

The Food and Drug Department in a statement said "such a disclaimer is necessary because the digestive system of children is not sufficiently developed to process its content and this amount to a very serious public health issue."

“Evaporated Milk is a milk, or milk product which is constituted from animal source from which 60% of water has been evaporated, and contains not less than 25 % of milk solids and 7.5 % milk fat , and may carry a pictorial

representation of a cow, while Evaporated Filled Milk is a prepared blend of skim milk, vegetable oil, stabilizers and vitamins. The label on the Evaporated Filled Milk cannot depict a pictorial representation of a Cow and must carry a disclaimer “Not suitable for Children under 2 years”, the statement noted.

The Department has recently seized and removed from premises nine hundred and nine (909) cans of evaporated filled milk with deceptive labels, while sixteen thousand three hundred and twenty six (16,326) cans were seized and left on premises. In some cases, the content of milk

fat declared on the label was only three 3 %, with no disclaimer and a pictorial representation of a cow. In addition, a (1x20) foot container of global brand Evaporated Filled Milk was recently Refused Entry at the John Fernandes Limited Terminal Wharf because the labels were deceptive.

Some of the brands seized are as f o l l o w : -Promex Milko Evaporated Filled Milk -Tinny Evaporated Filled Milk -Rosa Evaporated Filled Milk -G.I.V Evaporated Filled Milk -Grace Filled Evaporated

Milk -Big J Evaporated Filled Milk -Red and White Evaporated Milk The members of the Nationals Food Safety and Control Committee from the all regions in

Guyana were briefed on this issue and were advised to take the necessary action against the deceptive products.

The department is hereby informing all Importers and Distributors to recall deceptively

labelled milk and to surrender same to the Department for d e s t r u c t i o n .

For additional information kindly contact the GA-FDD on 222-8859, 222-8857 or 222-8856.

SIX CHARGED FOR DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL The Police have charged six persons for driving under the influence of alcohol. A Police statement noted that Hansfield Alphanso, of Hampton Court,

Essequibo, was stopped and tested with a breathalyzer on 201508-14 while driving motor vehicle GKK 4007 on the Lima P u b l ic R o ad ,

Essequibo. He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol and was charged.

Samuel Singh

of Charity Housing Scheme and Gewan Persaud of Columbia, Essequibo, were also charged for a similar offence. Keith Milne of Lot 16 De Edward

Village, WCB; Willard Nelson of Lot 35 North Road, Georgetown, and Deonarine Somai of Lot 7 Section 'B' Fyrish, Corentyne, Berbice were also charged for

driving under the influence of alcohol. All pleaded guilty and were fined $7500.00 each

Deonarine Somai

Gewan Persaud

Hansfield Alphanso

Keith Milne

Samuel Singh

Willard Nelson

AMAZING WORLD

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DRINK WINE EVERY DAY Despite health experts of the past repeatedly stressing how bad alcohol is for us, it seems like red wine is actually beneficial for our health. But the amount has to be just right.

Too much can increase the risk of cancer and too little may mean you don't cash in on the benefits that some moderate drinkers enjoy.

The amount that's just right is one glass of wine each night with dinner – but it has to be red.

According to a new Annals of Internal Medicine study, a nightly glass of red to accompany your food could very well keep the doctor away by boosting levels of beneficial cholesterol and helping you sleep better – in case you hadn't already figured out that was the case.

Researchers from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel analysed how safe and effective a glass of red vino is for people with type-2 diabetes to drink temperately. Those with this particular condition are more likely than the rest of u s t o d e v e l o p cardiovascular disease and have lower levels of heartprotective HDL cholesterol, the study's authors note.

The researchers analysed 224 fitting the profile, who didn't already drink wine, then tasked them with drinking one of three things – either five ounces of mineral water, dry white wine or dry red wine – for two years.

Throughout the time, they were monitored so the

NEW YORK TEEN DIES AFTER HOURS-LONG BEATING AT CHURCH 3

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A N e w Yo r k c o u p l e w a s charged with manslaughter in the death of their 19-year-old son after allegedly beating him for hours during a family counseling session inside the "sanctuary room" of an upstate Christian church, police said on Wednesday.

The victim's parents, Bruce Leonard, 65, and Deborah Leonard, 59, were arraigned on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty. They were being held in lieu of $100,000 bail each. In addition, four of the couple's fellow parishioners were charged with assaulting the teenager's younger brother on Sunday at the Word of Life Church in Chadwicks, New York, about 50 miles (80 km) east of Syracuse.

"Both brothers were continually subjected to physical punishment over the course of several hours in the hopes that each would

confess to prior sins and ask for forgiveness," Michael Inserra, chief of the New Hartford Police, said at a news conference. Reuters was unable to reach representatives for the accused or the church.

The older brother, Lucas Leonard, died on Monday afternoon after being driven to a hospital by family members, who falsely told doctors the teenager had suffered a gunshot wound, police said. Leonard's injuries were consistent with blunt force trauma to his torso and extremities, police said.

New Hartford police and the New York State Police said they launched a joint investigation after being notified about the suspicious death.

T h r o u g h interviews with church members, police said they learned that Leonard's 17year-old brother,

Christopher, had also been severely beaten during the counseling session. The sessions are held after church services and are typically led by a pastor or other church member, Inserra said.

Police sent tactical teams some time between Monday afternoon and Tuesday to the three-story, red brick church, where they eventually located Christopher on the second floor. Christopher was being treated in an area hospital for blunt force trauma to his body and extremities and was in serious condition.

Sarah Ferguson, 33, the victims' sister, and fellow church members Linda Morey, 54, David Morey, 26, and Joseph Irwin, 26, were arrested on charges of assault in the second degree. They were being held in lieu of $50,000 each.

Several children were removed from the church and turned over to Oneida County Child Protective Services.Oneida County District Attorney Scott McNamara said there was not enough evidence to charge the couple with murder. Additional charges and arrests were pending, police said. (Yahoo News)

scientists could look at the biomarkers of glycemic control, lipids and liver function.

The results were pretty astounding. The red wine drinkers were found to have increased their levels of good HDL cholesterol and had a better beneficial cholesterol ratio compared to those that drank water. Plus, they slept better than the other groups.

Although the group studied all had type2 diabetes, it's likely that the positive effects of red wine would be beneficial to us all. It's known to burn fat and reduce blood pressure and some experts say it has anti-ageing effects, too.

Clearly the reason why drinking a glass of the stuff a day is such a hit in the Mediterranean. (Yahoo News)

TEENS DIED AFTER PRINCIPAL HYPNOTIZED THEM

On Tuesday, a Florida school board approved a $600,000 payout to the families of three students who died after being hypnotized by their high school principal, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports.

The bizarre case has its roots in 2011, when 16-year-old North Port High School quarterback Marcus Freeman died in a March car crash on his way home from a painful dental visit; principal George Kenney had taught him to hypnotize himself to deal with pain during games.

According to the Herald-Tribune: “After a painful dentist visit on March 15, 2011, Freeman drove home with his girlfriend. His girlfriend said that during the ride Freeman got a strange look on his face and veered off of Interstate 75 near Toledo Blade Boulevard.

Freeman later died from his injuries; his girlfriend survived.”

A month later, 1 6 - y e a r - o l d We s l e y McKinley hanged himself after being hypnotized by Kenney three times, including on the day before his death. Friends

s a y We s l e y c o u l d n ' t remember his own name after hypnosis sessions to improve his guitar playing, in order to get into the Julliard School of the Arts.

“I would say that he was in a distant phase.

He wasn't all there mentally, it seemed like, after the sessions,” his friend Thomas Lyle said in a deposition.

NBC News reports 17-year-old Brittany Palumbo hanged herself in her closet 5 months later, after Kenney hypnotized her to improve her SAT scores. (Yahoo)

Regional

Regional

Man brutally Low rainfall chopped to death

A 14 year-old girl remains incarcerated at the Women's Prison hours after the hacking to death of her boyfriend Jahsent 'CJ' Clement, 22, on a beach in Granville on Tuesday.

Clement, a watchman of South Beach R o a d , I r o i s Vi l l a g e i n Chatham, had gone to the beach to meet her shortly after 5 pm on Tuesday, having earlier received a telephone call from her. While both of them were speaking at the beach, a man sneaked up from behind and chopped Clement to death, police said.

Plans were afoot for Clement's marriage to the minor and the bride-to-be had already acquired a wedding dress which she left for safe keeping at his home several

weeks ago. Yesterday, hours after he was killed, the teenager reappeared in the Point Fortin Magistrate's Court on a charge of uncontrollable behaviour. A female relative brought up the action against the teenaged girl who is a school drop out.

Speaking to Newsday yesterday Clement's sister Marlene Singh said had he not been chopped to death his intention was to have married the teenager although she and other relatives warned him numerous times to end the relationship upon learning t h a t s h e i s a m i n o r.

“She wanted to get married so she purchased a

wedding dress for him to keep at his house. She kept saying that her father, would come down here and give his consent to the marriage.

Jahsent was in love with this girl. We do know what she used to tell him. She spent a month living with him and the stories about her family kept changing ever so often,” S i n g h s a i d .

She explained that her family allowed the teenager to stay until they made enquiries and contacted her (the teen) mother. On learning that the teen was a minor and not aged 18 as she had claimed, Clement's relatives told her she had to leave their home.

They also tried to convince Clement to end the relationship saying he could have gotten on the wrong side of the law as the teen is a m i n o r .

R e l a t i v e s immediately visited the beach and after a brief search of the area, found Clement's body lying face down on the sand. He had been chopped several times across the head.

(Trinidad Newsday)

has farmers uneasy The lack of rainfall in recent times could set the farming community back considerably, according to Paul Davis, owner of Walkers Dairy Farms in St George.

should be of some help both for foot-crop and sugar cane farmers.

Davis, who spoke to the DAILY NATION earlier this week at his farm, said that given the low rainfall But James Paul, next year's sugar crop was chief executive officer of in dire trouble. the Barbados Agricultural “The 2015 crop Society, says the rains was terrible, the 2016 crop recorded in recent weeks is going to be worse and

the 2017 crop, well God help us. It's going to be challenging but the effect won't be immediate; it would be felt a couple months down the road.”

Speaking of the low rainfall recorded in recent months Davis warned that it was going to have a long-term effect on all of us. (Nation News)

Marijuana use:

Just a little!

Murder toll close to 1000 Criminals who continue to wreak havoc across the island have now snuffed out the lives of close to 1,000 people since the start of the year. Statistics gathered by the Jamaica Observer showed that, up to the 14th of October, 981 people have been killed, which is a 25.4 per cent increase in killings when c o m p a r e d t o corresponding period last year when 781 murders were recorded.

Statistics show

that the parish of St James continues to record the highest number of murders, recording 171 so far, compared to 111 up to October 14 last year.Clarendon follows closely behind with 107 murders, compared to 71 last year this time.

Hanover also has recorded a big jump, with 54 murders up to October 14, compared to 30 over the same period in 2014.

Police say this is the highest ever for the tiny

parish.

Police have blamed criminals involved in the lotto scam for the bulk of murders committed in the western parishes.

If the killings continue at this rate, the country could end the year with more than 1,200 murders. The country ended 2014 with 1,005 murders — the lowest in 11 y e a r s . ( J a m a i c a n Observer)

GOVERNMENT is facing heat from members of the Rastafari community over its decision not to follow Jamaica and decriminalise the use of small amounts of marijuana.

On Tuesday, three members of the Nyabinghi tribe took their case directly to Attorney

General and Minister of Home Affairs Adriel Brathwaite.

At a public forum on crime at the Princess Margaret Secondary School, Ras Martin said it was time that Government paid serious attention to what was happening in the region.

He cited the

decision by the Jamaica government to amend the Dangerous Drugs Act earlier this year, making possession of two ounces or less of marijuana a nonarrestable, ticketable offence that attracts no criminal record. (Nation News)

INTERNATIONAL

U.S. deploys Taliban forces Obama troops to Africa to extend US military

role in Afghanistan

The United States deployed approximately 90 troops to Cameroon Monday as part of an effort to assist that country and other regional governments in their efforts to battle extremist groups in the region.

President Barack Obama sent a letter to Congress Wednesday informing lawmakers of the move.

In the letter, sent under the War Powers Resolution, Obama said the total number of U.S. military personnel would eventually rise to approximately 300, and would provide airborne intelligence, surveillance and other reconnaissance operations at the request and invitation of the C a m e r o o n i a n government.

"These forces are

equipped with weapons for the purpose of providing their own force protection and security, and they will remain in Cameroon until their support is no longer needed," he wrote.

Cameroon, along with other countries in West Africa have been locked in battle with Boko Haram, a terror group based in northern Nigeria that has been waging a years-long campaign of terror aimed at instituting its extreme version of Sharia law.

Militants from the group killed about 30 people and wounded 145 others in a acks on a market and infirmary in northern Cameroon last month, just the latest of many attacks Boko Haram has launched over the

years in Cameroon, Chad and other countries that border Nigeria.

Thousands of people have been kidnapped or killed by Boko Haram inside Nigeria, and the United States has deployed military resources there as well in the last year to assist the Nigerian government in their efforts against the extremist group.

In a briefing with reporters on Wednesday, White House press secretary Josh Earnest said the deployment announcement was not made due to a change in any threat assessment, but rather to assist in the regional struggle against terror groups operating there.(Adapted from CNN)

East Jerusalem suffocates under harsh Israeli siege Issawiya, occupied East Jerusalem - As Israel imposed a siege on East Jerusalem, sealing off entire neighbourhoods, Issawiya emerged on Wednesday morning from another violent night of clashes and arrests - broken and battered, but unbowed, according to residents.

During the night, Israeli security forces violently clamped down on

Palestinians protesting after at least seven demonstrators were arrested, assaulted, and taken away for interrogation.

Residents told Al Jazeera that the East Jerusalem neighbourhood has paid a heavy price for "repeatedly defying Israel's occupation". "Hundreds of youths [from Issawiya] have been arrested, 21 people have been shot,

including the extrajudicial killing of Fadi Alloun," said store owner Tarek Saad, 45, who was too afraid to give his real name or have his picture taken for security concerns.

"Homes have been trashed, windows broken, tear gas fired i n d i s c r i m i n a t e l y, a n d residents assaulted on a daily basis. Children are afraid to go to school. They hang around in the streets,

President Barack Obama plans to extend the US military's role in Afghanistan and keep the current force of 9,800 troops through most of 2016, amid a surge in Taliban attacks. Obama had aimed to withdraw all but a small US embassybased force in the capital Kabul before leaving office in January 2017.

Under the new plan, troop numbers will fall to 5,500 starting some time in 2017, and be based in Kabul, Bagram, Jalalabad and Kandahar.

The decision comes after months of deliberations between Obama, Afghan leaders, Pentagon officials, commanders in the field and White House advisers about how best to continue to support Afghan forces, senior US administration officials said.

Late last month, Taliban fighters briefly took over Kunduz before it was driven out from the strategic northern city by Afghan forces, backed by US air strikes. The brief fall of Kunduz dealt a

major blow to the country's NATO-trained security forces and highlighted the Taliban's potential to expand beyond its rural strongholds. (Adapted from Al Jazeera)

and their grades have dropped," Saad told Al Jazeera.

On Wednesday, Israel set up checkpoints at exits of Palestinian neighbourhoods in occupied East Jerusalem after the government approved tough "security" measures to enforce an iron-fist policy, incorporating collective punishment against Palestinians in a bid to stop their resistance. Residents of Jerusalem's old town told Al Jazeera the area has

turned into "a war zone".

Hundreds of extra Israeli soldiers and police have flooded East and West Jerusalem, to supplement the thousands already there, sealing off Palestinian neighbourhoods from Jewish neighbourhoods in We s t J e r u s a l e m w i t h ubiquitous checkpoints and roadblocks.

According to an Israeli police spokesman, 300 soldiers are involved in security measures under police command in Jerusalem. This is the first

time that Israeli soldiers are being employed in Jerusalem to carry out security operations alongside Israeli police.

West Jerusalem is mostly devoid of Palestinians, even of those who were employed in Israeli businesses. The few that venture into the Jewish side are stopped, searched, and questioned by Israeli security forces at gunpoint.

(Adapted from Al Jazeera)

President Barack Obama

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SL v WI, 1st Test, Galle

SRI LANKA IN COMMAND Rangana Herath bowled Sri Lanka back into the dominant position achieved by Dimuth Karunaratne and Dinesh Chandimal's double-century stand and squandered somewhat by a collapse that cost them their last seven wickets for 59 runs. At the end of an action-packed second day, West Indies were 66 for 2, trailing Sri Lanka by 418 runs.

T h e q u i c k demolition of Sri Lanka's lower order raised West Indies' spirits when they came out to bat, and the openers got off to a solid start against the quicks, but Herath, introduced as early as the sixth over, pulled West Indies back down to earth with his ability to beat both edges.

In his very first over, he had Kraigg Brathwaite adjudged lbw with one that turned sharply from leg to off, only for Hawkeye to rule the ball h a d p i t c h e d m a rg i n a l l y outside leg stump. In his next

over he sent down the arm ball, which snaked past the inside edge of Brathwaite's defensive bat and rapped into his front pad. This time the batsman didn't even review.

Shai Hope was next to go, bowled by a beauty. The opener came half-forward in defence, inward drift causing him to open up, and the ball turned past his outside edge to clip off stump.

The day began with Chandimal and Karunaratne extending their overnight stand to 238 - the highest by any third-wicket pair in Galle - after which Chandimal added a further 86 with Angelo Mathews. Sri Lanka were 425 for 3, and a 500-plus total looked like a formality. Their sights, perhaps, were set on 600, but they only managed 484.

Guyanese Davendra Bishoo took 4 for 143. (Adapted from Espncricinfo)

COOK'S 168 N.O. LEADS STRONG ENGLAND England Captain, Alastair of his greatest feats in an Cook, responded to the England shirt, Cook built challenge laid down by Pakistan's run-hungry batsmen with a totemic unbeaten 168 to show his team the way to survive, and then thrive, in the harsh desert conditions at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

On Cook's watch, England ground along to 290 for 3 by the close, a position of relative serenity given their travails in the field on the first two days. It was split between two century partnerships, first with Moeen Ali, who was a qualified success in his first outing as a Test opening batsman, and then with Ian Bell, .

Cook's innings so far span 329 balls and more than eight hours to date, is a direct descendant of his trio of centuries on the tour of India in 2012-13. Batting with the bloodless resolve that has been the hallmark

serenely on his overnight score of 39, as Pakistan's bowlers took their turn to toil in the heat.

It was a lively finish to a tough day's work from Wahab Riaz, whose ability to start a spell at full tilt made him Pakistan's go-to man, albeit he served up nine no-balls and three wides in an occasionally erratic display. But his fellow seamers, Imran Khan and Rahat Ali, were a disappointment.

E i t h e r w a y, Cook's equilibrium could not be disturbed. The England captain notched up the 28th hundred of his Test career, and the third of a renaissance 2015 in which he has now gone past 1000 runs for the calendar year. At the age of 30, he is closing in inexorably on 10,000 career runs - he is currently

502 runs adrift - while his first century in the UAE completed a full set in all nine of the regions in which he has played Test cricket. (Adapted from Espncricinfo)

Alastair Cook

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DIGICEL PUMPS 1.3 MILLION FOR 4 CANCER AWARENESS ROAD RACE Mobile service providers Digicel Guyana have signed onto the 4th year of the Cancer Awareness Cycle road race billed for October 25, pumping over 1.3 million dollars into the event.

During the launch this morning at their Fort and Barrack streets Kingston office, Louanna Abrams Senior Sponsorship and Events Executive of Digicel

indicated her company's pleasure at being a part of the event, adding, “Digicel has always been pleased to assist in sport development.”

T e a m Evolution/ Gillette is the organising body responsible for the meet, and President Keith Fernandes, noted that this year, the event will feature two legs.

He stated that

first leg will commence from Schoonard on the West Coast of Demerara, proceed to Bushy Park on the East Bank of Essequibo and return to the place of origin, for the finish according to organizers.

The ladies and veterans will turn at Uitvlugt.

Leg two, which commences at 12:30 will see the seniors and

juniors departing from Abary and the ladies and Veterans starting at Perseverance's half way tree and they will pedal to the National park where they will make two laps around the outer confides before they see the chequered flag.

Fernandes continued, “with the two laps you can have a chance to “sorta mark your Guy” who you want

to see win and if they are in the front group and they go around twice, it's going to be an exciting finish.”

The first 6 top spots will be awarded with the winner of the seniors carting off $150,000, top junior $80,000 and the top female and veteran $50,000 each. Guyana Cycling Federation President Horrace

Burrowes thanked Digicel for their support of Cycling and the obvious development of athletes.

Cancer institute r e p r e s e n t a t i v e D r.

Ravindranauth Ichlanggod noted that “Cycling is a good form of exercise and exercise keeps cancer away. So it carries the message that at least do some physical activity, keep yourself fit; eat healthy food.”

Thursday, October 15, 2015

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: gnn@gnngy.com | Website: www.gnngy.com

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DIGICEL SUPPORTS 4 CANCER AWARENESS ROAD RACE -see page 14