Kaieteur News

Monday December 03, 2018

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Kaieteur News

‘Hiring of only PNC people’…

AFC Leader Raphael Trotman Statement erodes public defends Volda Lawrence confidence in Min. Lawrence Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Raphael Trotman yesterday stood by Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, who has stated her preference to hire only Peoples National Congress (PNC) members.

In the statement issued by the AFC, Trotman did not name Lawrence, the PNC Chair, or offer an outright rejection of her comments.

“We believe that the PNC Chairs widely reported statements were made in the aftermath of the hotly contested Local Government Elections and have created an unnecessary distraction at this time,” Trotman stated.

Lawrence is facing mounting criticisms for declaring her intention to give work to only party supporters and friends. She made the comments during an address of the partys Region Four District Conference at Congress Place.

“The only friends I got is PNC so the only people, I gon give wuk to is PNC and right now, I looking for a doctor who can talk Spanish or Portuguese and ah want one that is PNC,” Lawrence is quoted.

Lawrence has not denied making the statements publicly and is yet to address the issue frontally.

- Govt. cannot remain silent - TIGI Head

AFC Leader, Raphael Trotman

Ministry of Public Health, Volda Lawrence

“The Chair, I as Leader have known and worked closely with for 25 years and has never shown racial or political partisanship, but in fact, has worked tirelessly, as a politician and as a minister of government for the betterment of people of all walks of life and all backgrounds,” Trotman said.

The AFC pointed out that they are part of the Coalition with A Partnership for National Unity based on the Cummingsburg Accord.

In the Accord, the AFC said it jointly subscribe to pursue a common vision and pathway that put Guyana and all Guyanese first, without a resort to discrimination or

favouritism in any form.

“We look to President David Granger, in particular, to articulate that vision on behalf of government and his party, and most recently, this was done at the Biennial Delegates Congress of the PNC,” Trotman stated.

Trotman stated that the AFCs position on equality is well known and recently restated, whereby the AFC believes in and espouses equal opportunity for all Guyanese, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, political persuasion or sexual orientation. “The AFC believes that all Guyanese are entitled to share equally in the benefits of the state,” Trotman noted.

Following her controversial declaration to hire only People’s National Congress (PNC) members, there are calls for Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence to offer a public apology.

President of Transparency International Guyana Inc (TIGI), Dr. Troy Thomas described Lawrence’s comments as very partisan.

“If I were in that position, I would say she should discontinue, given her portfolio as a Minister. It would be rather difficult to ask people in the Ministry to have confidence in that whatever policy that they are working on would be unbiased,” Dr. Thomas noted.

Lawrence, the Chairperson of the PNC made the controversial comments while addressing the party’s Region Four District Conference at Congress Place.

“The only friends I got is PNC, so the only people I gon give wuk to is PNC and right now, I looking for a doctor who can talk Spanish or Portuguese and ah want one that is PNC,” Lawrence is quoted.

The Minister has not denied making the statements publicly and did not address

Chief Constable lacks credibility, integrity competence, and should be dismissed - CoI report The Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the operations of City Hall has concluded that head of the City Constabulary, Chief Constable Andrew Foo should be dismissed.

Foo was summoned to appear at the CoI led by Justice Cecil Kennard (ret’d), but the final report revealed that during his oral submissions, some conflicting statements were provided. Kennard’s report stated that it appeared from the outset that Foo lacks credibility, integrity and competence to manage the City Constabulary, which is under his control. “This officer is corrupt and incompetent and should be dismissed,” Kennard concluded in his report. It was pointed out that the City Constabulary commenced several internal investigations and even as months, and in some cases years elapsed, these investigations are not finished.

“This to my mind can only indicate that there is in the case of these matters, no interest to conclude the investigation because of the person(s) involved,” Kennard noted.

The CoI received several complaints against Foo in respect of dereliction of duty and the cronyism, which exists within the department.

“One constable Easter Grant appeared at the CoI and accused this officer of improper conduct; when this was put to him, he was unable to deny the accusation,” the report notes. The report noted that checks made by the Secretary of the CoI to the Treasurer’s Department, revealed that there were some ongoing deductions made at the request of Foo from the salary of the junior officer.

The CoI also heard complaints from another junior officer, Quacy Baveghems, in relations to Foo’s conduct.

These officers and others via letters to the CoI accused the Chief Constable of having a relationship with a junior officer who was promoted to Sergeant and performs duties of the Secretary to the Chief Constable. It is alleged that senior officers cannot speak to this junior officer about her conduct and if they do, they feel the wrath of the Chief Constable.

“During his oral evidence

Head of the City Constabulary, Chief Constable Andrew Foo to the CoI, the question of his relationship with the junior officer was put to him, and he responded that he is not in any relationship with her,” the CoI report stated.

But the report noted that the Town Clerk’s bodyguard provided information that there is a relationship between the Chief Constable and the officer and further that she sells food during her active duty hours. The bodyguard claimed that at one time, she would even cook the meals on location. Kennard concluded in the report, “I am

of the opinion that the Chief Constable’s evidence was not totally true.”

The issuance of a firearm to the Town Clerk’s bodyguard also was put to Foo, and the report noted that he failed to provide any logical explanation to the question.

The handling of an investigation into the alleged break and enter of a storage facility and the removal of books also surfaced when Foo appeared before the CoI. The report stated that when Foo was questioned, he gave a story and caused a report to be prepared to corroborate his story. “This is more than improper conduct; it borders on criminality,” the CoI report states. The CoI received an anonymous letter in relation to Foo. The CoI report noted that the letter contained some damming revelations and if these are to be true, then the Constabulary is in tatters.

These complaints were raised with the Chief Constable when he appeared at the COI, and he denied all of it. The CoI report has been handed over to the Local Government Commission for further action.

President of TIGI, Dr. Troy Thomas the criticisms that she received because of the publication of her statements.

Dr. Thomas stated that such comments are not expected to be heard from public officials because when they go into office, they are governing for all Guyanese.

“They are handling resources that belong to the people. You can’t be talking about giving opportunities to people only from your party.

We should have absolutely no tolerance of that and I believe that the party itself should want to discipline any of their Ministers who behave like that. It is a complete betrayal of the trust as citizens,” Dr. Thomas said.

He stated that there is no evidence to suggest that Lawrence’s statement is racial, but at the same time, he is not saying that it isn’t.

“It is definitely not the kind of thing that you want to hear from any public official,” Dr. Thomas noted.

He said that Lawrence’s comments reminds him of a similar one made by Minister of State Joseph Harmon to justify the hiring of advisors shortly after the Coalition Government came to office in 2015.

“This is worse. The Minister is running the Ministry of Public Health and looking for a doctor who is PNC. When you think of what that means, that is completely lacking in the kind of leadership that you expect from someone

in public office. It doesn’t speak to hiring on merit,” Dr. Thomas said.

He noted that the trouble with Lawrence’s situation is that Guyana does not have a history of politicians being sanctioned for various behaviours; hence people are going to compare the comments to what happened in the past.

However, Dr. Thomas believes that the Coalition has to live up to its elections promise.

“You are a government that promised the change and if we are ever to believe in that message, you have got to start living it. I don’t see how we can have confidence in her as a Minister after those comments,” Dr. Thomas noted.

GOVT. SILENCE Harmon on Friday declined to comment on Lawrence’s comments during his post-Cabinet media briefing.

Dr. Thomas indicated that the PNC, which is the largest party in the Coalition, needs to arrest Lawrence’s behaviour by first distancing the party from her comments and taking decisive action.

He said that the Party can’t expect to sweep the issue under the carpet.

According to Dr. Thomas, apologizing would be a good first step, but more is required because Lawrence is heading a Ministry.

Dr. Thomas noted that an apology would signal recognition that something is wrong and then the party has to be clear that the comments are not representative of what they stand for.

He believes that the issue will follow the party right into the 2020 elections.

“There are some things that are very clear and there are some things that don’t need deliberations. How could it be wrong to say to a public officer, no that is not how we will give jobs? Given that they have not done that, they are ruining whatever confidence people have in their party,” Dr. Thomas said.

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Kaieteur News

Monday December 03, 2018

KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

WORLD AIDS DAY On Saturday December 1, a small contingent of Guyanese joined more than 100 countries around the world to celebrate the 30th anniversary of World’s AIDS Day under the theme, “Know Your Status.”

It is meant to urge people worldwide to know their HIV infection status through testing and access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care. World AIDS Day was founded by the United Nations and was first celebrated on December 1, 1988. Countries in which AIDS was considered taboo are now offering testing and treatment for the virus.

World AIDS Day provides an opportunity for people worldwide to draw attention to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. It is important to remind the public and governments that the virus still exists and that it is vital to increase its awareness and educate people against prejudice.

World AIDS Day is also meant to commemorate loved ones who have died from the disease, to show solidarity and celebrate those who survive and those living with the virus, and to raise money to combat it.

The Red Ribbon is recognized as the universal symbol of awareness and the global fight against Aids. The colour red is chosen for its boldness and for its symbolic associations with passion, the heart and love Despite medicine to treat the virus, HIV/AIDS remains a deadly disease. According to UNICEF, in 2016, AIDS was the second leading cause of death globally and AIDS related deaths among adolescents have tripled since the virus was first discovered in the late 1970s.

It is the number one cause of death in Sub-Saharan Africa where young women aged 15 to 44 are disproportionally impacted by the epidemic. In Africa, an average of 1,068 young women were infected with HIV every day last year.

Since the outbreak of the epidemic, more than 75 million people have contracted the illness world-wide, and about 36 million have died from it, leaving roughly 10 million orphan children behind.

It is estimated that nearly 37 million people worldwide are living with the virus today of which 20 million or 60 percent live in Sub-Saharan Africa and 90 percent of children infected with HIV live on the continent. To date, 25 million of AIDS related deaths have occurred in Sub-Saharan Africa.

AIDS affects only human beings, it is like other viruses such as the flu or the common cold, except that the human immune system can get rid of colds and flu, but not the HIV/AIDS virus.

HIV is spread through sex and certain body fluids such as blood, semen, rectal and vaginal fluids and breastmilk from mothers infected with the virus. It is also transmitted by sharing needles and syringes, etc.

Once someone is infected with the virus, it stays with that individual forever, but antiretroviral (ART) medicine helps to control the virus so that people infected with HIV can live a longer, healthier and normal life expectancy. ART also reduces the risk of transmitting HIV to full-blown AIDS, which is the final stage of the virus.

Despite the scientific advances made in treating the disease, it continues to affect the Caribbean, including Guyana.

Based on recent data from the World Health Organization, about two percent of the adult population or 300,000 people in the region are living with HIV, which is higher than any other region except Sub-Saharan Africa.

Several factors account for the epidemic—poverty, gender and tourism, and stigma. Although the exact origin of the disease is unknown, the first reported AIDS case occurred in Jamaica in 1982 among bisexual and gay men and in Trinidad and Tobago.

In Guyana, there is a high HIV incidence, which has spread beyond specific high risk groups into the general population. Based on a population ratio, Guyana is second to Haiti with 7,000 cases of HIV. However, tremendous efforts have been made in reducing the number of AIDS-related deaths from 480 annually a decade ago to about 150 today. The Guyana government is committed to eliminate the epidemic by 2030.

Mr. Hinds did vent his spleen DEAR EDITOR, Reference is made to the letter titled, “Mr. GK Lall s telling us to be happily enslaved by this contract” by one Nigel Hinds (KN Dec 02).

I thought I had responded to the last local, and that I would not ever be drawn again. But when a total stranger starts using words like “traitor” and “quislings” and “selfseeking” and “money”, I confess resolve fades and I am compelled to answer.

Mr. Hinds is acrimonious in venting his spleen; he is entitled. I, too, should be angry at his tone and choice of words, but I will let no man surpass me in courtesy.

None; especially those I consider lesser. But there are some things that I will say for the public record. This traitor and this quisling wonders

where is the Guyana that is left to be betrayed?

Having been mortgaged many times over to drug merchants and money launderers, what is left to undermine? The Guyana that is left no longer belongs to us, but to those cunning folks who are helped by still craftier natives to mark their books and proceeds and nefarious activities.

As before, I challenge anyone to probe. Probe me, and it becomes obvious that I am poorer than before; that I have not benefited in any way from either governmental or professional or personal relationships with any of those mongers who have poisoned this entire country.

Now who is the traitor and who is the quisling? But I would never number Mr.

DEAR EDITOR, Many are skirting the utterances of Volda Lawrence and Joe Harmon. They are putting twists and spins to what was said in plain language: You are not PNC, you are not entitled to Government jobs and Government money!

Question: Are Government jobs Volda Lawrence’s or Government money Harmon’s?

If the pontifications of Lawrence and Harmon are validated, tacitly or otherwise, as they are by Adam Harris and a host of others, then should Jagdeo and Irfaan and others in the PPP be prosecuted when they took what was Government’s and, by extension, what was Guyana’s?

My wife (of Indian descent) has me over the barrel: These people are drawing ethnic lines. Are they mad? My answer to her is YES! Whom the gods wish to destroy, he first makes them mad.

AFC, WPA, etc. have evaporated! Like UF and GUMP, etc. Change of names, but still the old PNC! Only the PNC. Adam, if the PPP had made such a statement, Kaieteur News would have been calling for their heads for the next month. Kudos to KN, they helped to overthrow the PPP regime. What will KN do now?

Be convenient apologists?

Even an economics novice can translate the net contribution to Guyana by ethnic groupings. Shouldn’t there be an open day for discussion on this in light of Lawrence’s and Harmon’s

postures and its implications?

I have called for partitioning by echoing Eusi Kwayana’s call. The man had vision! He saw what will eventually happen in Guyana.

Only partition will solve this country’s ethnic issues. Set up all the Commissions we wish, express all the platitudes we can dream up; we WILL NEVER bring the races together! Our political leadership nurtures that and feeds on it.

That is why I also advocate for us NOT to go to the polls as a means of telling our politicians that we DO NOT need them; they need US. And, so long as we lack the fortitude to be the voice rather than the voiceless, our politicians will use us as their footballs, as if they are the very air we breathe.

Come on Guyanese, THINK! These people used to drive some S—t boxes for vehicles. When they get into power, they each have several PRADOS and outriders and they smirk at us.

When they wanted our votes, they were on their knees.

When they get in power, they s—t on our heads.

What has made us so subservient? Our ethnic mindset. And that has been drilled into us for several decades now, thanks to the British and American powers in the early sixties. Today, the ABC countries are watching on us and laughing heartily.

If we do not remember our past, we are bound to re-live it. We are living it - with what Lawrence and Harmon recently said.

Freddie Kissoon is on the ball: We are a doomed nation.

Charles Selman

We are a doomed nation

Hinds among such for, like Brutus, he is an honourable man. As an aside, I do hope that the honourable Mr. Hinds did not sink to the unthinkable to mean race traitor…But then again, Brutus did strike low, and he too had the Republic foremost.

That was, according to him and him alone.

If this decades-long almost solitary stance miraculously transforms me into “anti-anything PPPC” then so be it. Guilty! If principled objections then (and now undeniable) as to the compromising of the past, present, and future of this country renders me “antieverything PPPC” then caught in flagrante delicto.

For my part, I refuse to find any fault with Mr. Hinds’ identification with the “progress and development” posture of a former leader, the architect of the Guyana sold for a pottage of dollars (dark money, is the chic new term used by Ram & McRae recently).

Again, Mr. Hinds has a sacred right to give obeisance to whomever and wherever he chooses.

On the other hand, Mr. Hinds manifests a visceral joy through his venomous slings and arrows of my “everything pro-PNCR” conversion. For the honourable men in this country, and all new loud patriots of the Republic, like Brutus of yore, and today’s Mr. Hinds, I offer these facts: I voted for the Coalition (knowing that it is for the PNC); stalwarts in the same PNCR are asking who is this usurper, this anti-christ; the PNCR chair herself must find amusement at Mr. Hinds blanket contention; and some ministers (Greenidge and Felix) have had occasion to disagree publicly with this, “everything pro-PNC” pretender.

I am at a loss to understand how my position on oil is seized to deteriorate into this. And particularly when the contract of the PPPC era did not differ materially from the current one. I truly regret that the honourable Mr. Hinds found it necessary to display such an ugly acidulous streak. How did matters get there? Whew!

Perhaps, I should say something about oil. It is tiring. It is enlightening and disgusting and troubling, too.

If this is happening now, then what about when the money gushes out of the ground?

Like a dysfunctional family, we are goring each other about patrimony (and he is not dead yet).

In a nutshell, as from the inception, my position is unchanged: the contract is cheap; better could have been had; Guyana had an 800-lb gorilla in the room and a visible Achilles heel on the table; a price was extracted (and paid) in blood. It is as simple and as complex as that; and pricey, too.

Guyana could not even play the oil companies off against one another (remember CGX and those Dutch gunboats?). Guyana is not any of those other countries that are bandied about in comparison. All of this is known. Why? We don’t even have a million people, and nothing by way of a deterrent.

With due respect, a serious multiple car crash causes severe stress at local institutions. So now, think of this: a single F-16 can traverse at will, Guyana’s uncontested airspace with a single ordnance to deliver it to a single spot on the Georgetown Seawall, with the rest left to the imagination.

No more, no less.

Other oil contracts (richer, no doubt) can be had with Continued on page 5

Poisonous History DEAR EDITOR, Loose lips sink ships as was well said. Victoria Lawrence will go down in history as the most poisonous person in Guyana politics. She expressed not an accidental thought but a deep seated hatred thoroughly ensconced in that political party PNC for anyone who does not look like them.

This is absolutely racism at the highest level coming over in full colour floppy speech, something you will never see in any other country in the world. This is the main cause of the Diaspora from the 1960’s and still continuing to the present.

They thrive on internecine violence.

Foreign investors will most certainly rethink their interest in an environment, which creates tensions in the demographic.

No supper for you bad boys in the AFC, your careers have now ended. I expect instant reaction of the party AFC to walk away from this Coalition and not stain themselves with this reputation. Somebody has to learn a serious lesson here.

No excuses will suffice in this regard. Everyone else has been thrown under the bus.

WE ALL have to stand up for our Rights. Nonsense must be discontinued.

John De Barros

Monday December 03, 2018

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Kaieteur News

The legal system is the bedrock of the nation DEAR EDITOR, The legal system in any society is that institution, which prevents that society from descending into anarchy by ensuring that the rule of law is upheld. The Constitution and the law protect the legal system from political interference so that ultimately, the rule of law will not be destroyed by politics.

Guyana is no different from these societies. However, since this Government has taken Office, in the same way the PNC did when it was in Government before, it is using the legal system as a weapon against its political opponents.

The constitutionally independent DPP Office has been neutralized, as the holder of that Office, herself, has been a victim of political persecution (Pradoville 2). So that important mechanism to

prevent malicious prosecutions of fabricated charges has become nonfunctional.

As a result, criminal charges are simply made up without any evidence to support them and instituted against former Ministers and Officials of the PPP Administration.

Former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, is charged with Larceny by a Bailee, in his capacity as Attorney General, of certain law books. Nandlall says that he was subscribing to these books for 10 years or more before he was appointed. He says that he requested the Government to continue to pay his subscription for these books as a term of contract of service, when he negotiated those terms with President Donald Ramotar. Ramotar has confirmed this in writing.

Attorney General, Basil Williams, first commissioned a special audit by the Auditor General in relation to these books, specifically. In his report, the Auditor General made no finding of any wrongdoing.

When the matter first arose, Nandlall made a public offer to buy these books and hand them over to the AG Office. This was refused and he was charged. There is nowhere else in the world that a person would be charged in these circumstances.

Dr. Ashni Singh and Irfaan Ali, two other Ministers are also charged. The gravamen of the offence for which they are charged is selling State properties without first obtaining a Certificate of Valuation. This is another made up offence.

There is no such offence in the laws of Guyana.

In three years, two local govt. elections and hinterland towns DEAR EDITOR, In March 2016, Guyanese were given an opportunity to vote in the first Local Government Elections (LGE) after a 22-year hiatus. This year, citizens were afforded the opportunity to participate in the elections again, twice in three years, a historic feat.

These elections allowed thousands of young people, like myself, to cast their votes in the local polls. It not only allowed us to vote, but to participate in the process.

Youths became Mayors, Town Clerks and held other key Local Government posts.

It was amazing, to say the least, to see youths going from door-to-door, campaigning, sharing their vision, and more importantly, wanting to be part of the management of their constituencies.

For the first time, in just three years all our hinterland regions now have towns, providing equal opportunities to all to be part of the local government system.

The Local Government System is intended to be a major institution for the transfer of power to the people for the purpose of socialist development.

All local government activities must be aimed at improving people’s living standards as well as their cultural and environmental conditions. During the past three years, we have seen many levels of development by virtue of the local government system. The people have a voice, democracy is alive.

Additionally, the Local Government Commission is up and running and the

Mr. Hinds did vent...

From page 4 other companies. But in any scenario of hostility, it is tools down and gone.

Sure, we can work our way through the UN and other world bodies. But aside from comforting words and warm feelings, we are on our own and the oil stays in the ground.

Forever perhaps, even brother Caricom took a long time deciding where it stood. And still we talk about money and slave contract.

I make no objection to those positions done without malice aforethought. I sharply disagree with all the rest and how it was stated. I regret that the honourable Mr. Hinds felt so at home stooping so low. Best wishes.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

Guyana Association of Municipalities was resuscitated. Becoming the first Mayor of Bartica and having participated in three internal elections in three years, is testimony to the strengthened democracy that we now enjoy in this beautiful country of ours Guyana.

This, however, is no surprise to me since the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), the largest partner in the coalition government, holds constant regional party elections.

These elections allow the party’s members to elect leaders to manage the party’s local groups.

I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate all our new mayors and their deputies and most importantly the hundreds of young people who are now part of the local government system. We are now servants of the people. Let’s celebrate the democracy afforded us with success.

I close with the words of Abraham Lincoln: “As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy.”

Gifford Marshall Mayor Municipality of Bartica

These two former Ministers were executing a decision of the Cabinet. This decision was part of the Executive’s land distribution policy.

Under the Constitution, the President, assisted by his Cabinet, has the freedom to chart executive policy of the Government of the day. If these policies are wrong, they may attract political sanctions from the electorate at the elections.

They cannot amount to violation of the criminal law.

Neither can the criminal law be stretched to unlawful limits in order to create offenses to meet the political agenda of vengeful politicians.

Unless this political vendetta and legal madness is stopped in its tracks by the Judiciary, then when the Government changes, likeminded politicians will demand reciprocity. They will

call for their own pound of flesh.

So every political policy and decision that is perceived to be wrong by the next Government will be converted into a criminal charge. Every personal benefit enjoyed by a Minister, whether as part of his contract of service or not, will become the subject of criminal proceedings.

For example: 1. Ministers who are now Continued on page 6

A most divisive utterance DEAR EDITOR, I felt this pain before. It was about a year or so ago when a Minister of our Government stood at the podium and mangled the distinction between Diwali and Phagwah. I am in pain again today because a few days ago another Minister of our Government suggested that certain jobs will only be given to members of her party.

While it is patently obvious that Guyana is a multi-ethnic/racial paradise, these lapses do not foster the unity that all Guyanese hunger for. The Minister’s statement might be excusable if in some utopian way her party’s membership represented all ethnic groups equally. But sadly, it doesn’t, and that’s why it hurts.

I, like every other sensible Guyanese, long for leadership that understands that we are one people and we need to hang together if we are to move forward, survive and prosper.

We know that politics places some people in situations that cause, force and sometimes, quite frankly, deceive them into making stupid statements.

But in our unique situation in Guyana, people in political leadership positions have a duty and responsibility to be a lot more astute. I say survive because it is a harsh reality that globalization is upon us and the forces that it brings to bear on all countries,

including the power and ruthlessness of multi-nationals, will have a devastating impact on our beautiful Guyana unless we stand as one—the only way to cushion that impact.

Here in Guyana, we have always lived our own unique Guyanese lifestyle where our relatives, our best friends and neighbours, our class and work-mates, everybody we know is different from us in some way, either racially, religiously, ethnically or ideologically. But we have always fallen in love with each other, ate, drank and danced with each other and generally celebrated our rich diversity for as far back as any of us could remember. Why should that wonderful experience become victim to thoughtless racial or other form of divisive intrusion at this crucial point in our history?

This invaluable Guyanese Culture that our fore parents cultivated and that our parents have nurtured and sustained, that we have grown to know, enjoy and celebrate and that the rest of the world is now beginning to taste and embrace, must be encouraged to stay together and not be provoked to be divided by reckless utterances from those who we ask to lead us.

Let’s hope that this carelessness ends now and a more focused type of leadership emerges.

Name Withheld

The PPP need not rush to pick its presidential candidate DEAR EDITOR, The PPP had announced its intention to decide on its presidential candidate for the 2020 election before the end of this year. I wonder though, why the rush?

There has been recent developments which seem to make the decision not a sensible one especially if the Coalition government wins the no confidence vote.

For example, President Granger’s illness makes him an unlikely presidential candidate for the APNU+AFC in 2020. If the Coalition is not rushing to identify its presidential candidate, then why is the PPP? As a proud supporter, I do not think that the party should take bait from outside forces who may just be trying to fully assess what they are up against. The identification of the candidate will make him or her a prime target for the anti-PPP forces.

An example is the recent criminal charges.

What happens if the presidential candidate is convicted which will prevent him or her from contesting? It will leave the PPP scampering to find another candidate. So with the recent developments the question is, ‘What is the rush?’

I remind my party, the presidential candidate is very important. He or she must be able to appeal to a wide cross section,— Afro-Guyanese, Indo-Guyanese, Amerindians, mixed Guyanese and the biggest voting population, which includes all races, the youth.

Indeed, the APNU+AFC performance and policies are making it seemingly easier for the PPP to get back in, but let us still be careful and select the best possible candidate; the future of Guyana, a soon to be oil producing country, depends on it.

Yours for Progress Paul G. Persaud

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Kaieteur News

Tribute to a fallen Hero DEAR EDITOR, My name is Boaz Wade ak Boards, exConstable number 8102 of the prestigious ancient President’s Guard. The right Reverend Pastor Chase sympathizes, mourners, family and friends.

On behalf of the founding members of the Presidents Guard, permit me to extend heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Greene-Hope and family knowing that they have to weather the storm on the passing of their loved one, Compton Hope; while the recurring sentence that Baksi is dead has now become an overworked cliché that has outlived its usefulness.

The facial expression I see on everyone reminds me of Shakespeare’s Hamlet that “it is not alone this mourning suit but I have that within.”

We are all present here and in the same boat because Mr. Hope’s life has impacted with a great degree of inequality, on each and every one of us in one way or the other.

We can imagine the shock that hit the family at his passing. For some of us, it is merely a feeling of undying love and affection, while to others he has just completed a closure of his atonement.

Karl Marx said, “Men make their own history but not as just as they please but under conditions directly found given and transmitted from the past.” The greater part of Mr. Hope’s calling was focused around two facets (a) militarism and (b) reading.

He centered all his efforts preparing his lesson plan to get over in the simplest manner whatever programmes what must be taught what should be taught and what could be taught. I could remember him teaching the lesson aiming off for wind and sight setting of the SLR. Amongst the five sergeants sent on a cadre in the GDF, he only understood the ramifications of how to aim at the target when one encounters a mild, fresh or strong wind blowing.

He read wisely, widely and wildly; for him anything legible is literature and he loved reading as such; the merger made him very

talented exercising the maxim of Francis Bacon that reading maketh a full man, conference maketh a ready man and writing maketh an exact man.

These allowed him to peruse any topic with confidence, stock knowledge and alacrity.

He was never conniving avaricious, deceitful nor slanderous. I would pause a while to find something to anoint a character assassination, but l apologize I cannot.

On the contrary, Mr. Hope was a man of uprightness, probity, fortitude, decency, reason understanding and rectitude. To his family of orientation and procreation my deepest condolences.

Through introspection, I can understand the plight of Gavin and his sister Allison.

Please let me welcome you to the club of fatherless children — you are not without company. I must reassure but let me urge you not to cower like the Epicureans drowning your sorrows in wine and song but stand aloof like the Stoics and face the music and dance.

As for me, Baksi was my mentor, my educator, my reference category real or imagined; his understanding and breaching of many code of ethics on the Guard was virtually responsible for my tertiary education.

He was like a father applying the rudiments of punishment dissipating with the complaint before it reaches the mother where more severe punishment could be got.

Mister Hope will be remembered as being The Last of the Mohicans. There were but five, Welch, Bentick, Waterton, Hinds and Hope. Now there is none.

Travel well my brother; it was a pleasure to have served under your watch and stewardship as a constable for ten long years and many friends who have served for longer.

I know at some times we did not reach all your requirements but you understood. We salute you and in one unison, we shall raise our voices and shout aloud, ‘indeed this was a man’!

Ex const. 8102 Wade aka (PAPA B) or Boards.

The legal system is the bedrock...

From page 5 living in rental premises, where the Government is paying millions of dollars of rent, annually, will be charged;

2. The Prime Minister will be charged for spending millions of dollars in framing his personal photographs and millions of dollars in other endeavours, when he

has no tangible portfolio of Government; 3. Each Minister will be charged for the monies paid by the Government towards a medical insurance policy; 4. A Minister will be charged for purchasing $1M in mints (sweetie); 5. Dozens of criminal charges will flow against Ministers who violate the Procurement Act; 6. Dozens of criminal charges will flow in relation to D’Urban Park, the “drugs bond” and hundreds of other similar transactions.

Obviously, the above is not exhaustive. It is only to make a point. This will lead to a total destruction of the society. The criminal process will become an instrument for oppression and revenge, not for justice and fairness. Those who like to speak about a failed State will then understand what a failed State is.

It is only the Judiciary, as an institution, can stop this descent. These matters are before the Judiciary. Let us hope that they can save this country.

Jai Seetaram

Monday December 03, 2018

Poverty permeates downward, to the lower classes DEAR EDITOR, I have been reading, writing and analyzing a lot this year. I have also been in and out of Guyana— Nigeria, Namibia, and UK this year. I returned to Guyana on 14th November via British Airways and LIAT. On the 24th November, Ras Leon Saul visited me and asked me in a relaxed way this question, “From outside, what do you think of Guyana?

How does it look to you?

Wah bout the Granger administration? You tink they can win de nex election?”

The question was brutal so I paused for a while. I then said to him, “The people of the Caribbean are going to bed hungry”. I reminded him of a PNC slogan of 1962: “Not a man, woman or child will go to bed hungry”.

I followed up by saying to him that since CARICOM was formed we have had only economists as Secretary Generals of CARICOM (Fred Cozier, William Demas, Allister McIntyre, Joseph Tyndall, Kurleigh King, Roderick Rainford, Edwin Carrington, Lolita Applewaite and Irwin LaRocque) and all are ‘no good’ – none of them understand the keys to wealth.

Ras Saul concurred with every sentence that I uttered.

CARICOM has contributed to hunger and poverty of the Caribbean people today.

At the back of my mind, as Ras Saul and I spoke, were

two recent conversations.

The first was with a lady on the LIAT flight from Barbados to Guyana. The second with a lady scientist who sometimes travel to Trinidad. I spent two hours at Gatwick Airport, London, and eight and a half hours from London to Barbados equal ten and a half hours.

I was well fed on British Airways from London to Barbados: lunch was rice and curry chicken. I spent four hours in Barbados Airport and two hours on the 7:309:30pm flight from Barbados to Guyana equal six hours.

LIAT offered us a 175 ml cup of coffee, tea, Sprite or Coke.

The lady on the LIAT flight initiated our conversation on hunger – ladies are sensitive to feeding and food. Hunger is raging from the middle class people downwards throughout CARICOM because so much food for the Caribbean people is imported and obtained from loans and grants of money from “outside”.

CARICOM Secretary Generals negotiate loans and grants because they have never farmed and used the produce of that farm to feed their families. Also, loans and grants from “outside” are received to balance all CARICOM governments’ budgets.

A few days after my LIAT flight, I ran into the lady scientist. She remarked to me that ‘in the old days’ peanuts

were offered on the flight from Guyana to Trinidad but that has now stopped. Neither LIAT nor CARIOM employ leaders to think of peanut and rice farms to feed travelers.

Thinking of farms to feed Caribbean travelers will arrest hunger in Caricom.

Our leaders need to get back to the farms and encourage LIAT to do farming for prosperity. Loans and grants of money are jumbies that facilitate corruption and traitors.

The key to satiation is science and technology. A Secretary General of CARICOM should be a person understanding science and the applications of science. Guyana doesn’t have Ministers of Technology with the ability to deliver satiation.

When I am inside Guyana, I like the new cleanliness of Georgetown and the sense of being. I don’t like the newspapers and what they put out as ‘news’. The media in Guyana is into ‘put-down’ news. The media in the UK stimulates debate.

I think the APNU+AFC will win the next election because of the loans and grants from USA, Britain and Canada that keep our middle and lower classes hungry and poor, dejected and weak and yearning for democracy.

There is a saying that the art of getting rich is the art of making your neighbour poor.

Ras Dalgettie I

The new Georgetown Mayor is surrounded by tainted persons DEAR EDITOR, I am looking at the new Mayor of Georgetown for the year 2019, Mr. Ubraj Narine, and immediately my reaction to the news was a long deep sigh. The reasons for my lamentation is the fact that the new mayor was flanked by two known characters, these are current Mayor Patricia Chase-Greene and Mr. Oscar Clarke.

The duo in the background are already exofficio members the new finance committee of the council whose stewardship so far have been utterly tainted by corruption.

With such a cabal of corrupt officials on the council, and in particular members of the finance committee, one wonders what the new mayor can do, if anything at all, surrounded by so great a multitude of vile people.

That corruption for certain was engineered and fostered by the very same group who

placed him there? I am speaking of felons, persons found guilty of grand theft and other misconduct in public office by a Commission of Inquiry. The only thing left now is for their indictment in a court of law.

So, one wonders what this latest election to the grand office of mayor is all about? Is this The APNU’s new charade to show that the much talked about “cohesion” is truly on the move, or must we conclude that the young face to the mayor ’s position is just another window dressing?

The point is when you are surrounded by such dead weight, how much of a takeoff flight can Mr. Narine make? This is the burning question.

Comrade Narine might be well intentioned in his approach to the office and might well want to infuse new ideas, all for the wellbeing of the citizens of Georgetown, but can he, or rightly put, how

effective would those ideas be? These are the burning questions the ordinary citizen is forced to ask. Can he really make a difference!

To make those new and progressive ideas work, Mr. Narine will soon be on a collision course with the old guard in The PNC on that council. It means that the new mayor would be stepping on the toes of his so called PNC friends and we are quite familiar with that real case scenario.

It means that he would soon be faced with a noconfidence vote, which would see an abrupt end to his tenure as mayor.

So, again I pose the question would he be another Uncle Tom like Moses Nagamootoo who now embraces all the filth he once derided when he was with The PPP or would he break free and become a patriot? Only time will tell.

Respectfully submitted Neil Adams

Monday December 03, 2018

PAGE 7

Kaieteur News

Sussex Street wharf fiasco…

CoI report recommends shipping company recovers rent paid to Council The report of the Commission of Inquiry, (COI) into the affairs of City Hall has highlighted apparent shady dealings by Town Clerk Royston King as it related to leasing of Sussex riverfront property to Quick Shipping Incorporated.

The report specifically noted that the disputed wharf is the property of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited, (NICIL).

King had leased the property to shipping company, Quick Shipping Inc, owned by businessman Paul Sandy despite claims of ownership of the land by NICIL. The matter became a source of contention at the recently concluded Commission of Inquiry, (COI) into City Hall. During the hearings, both the Town Clerk of the

Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC), and in house attorney of NICIL, Arianne Mc Lean produced documents claiming ownership of the property. NICIL submitted `Land Transport #525 of 1985’, while the M&CC says their `Transport #2803 of 1966’ shows the ownership of the land located at Lot 1 Mud Lot Lombard Street.

However, a report prepared by retired Justice Cecil Kennard, who also chaired the COI, indicated that given the bankrupt state of the Council, the rental not only seems to be a bad decision but can be viewed in a corrupt light.

The report further outlined that the lease for forty years at $625,000.00 per year appears to be a gift of the

Town Clerk to the tenants.

“The sum of $625,000.00 per year runs at approximately, $52,084.00 per month.

This is prime real estate land, and this price set by the Town Clerk is ridiculous. It seems as if he has given a gift to the tenant,” Kennard said.

Further, Kennard recommended that the Town Clerk should be brought before a disciplinary tribunal of the Local Government Commission.

“It is my view that he acted outside the scope and intent of the law on several occasions,” Kennard said.

According to the report, the COI, along with the Managing Director of the shipping company, and the in-house attorney for NICIL, visited the wharf on November 26, 2018 last. They established that

NICIL owns the land.

This was revealed that the NICIL’s transport, describes the land being occupied by the company.

The COI also observed that the lease document, which is provided by both the Council and the company indicated the description on the NICIL transport.

The transport produced

by Town Clerk Royston King, last month, in relation to the leased Lombard and Sussex Street Wharf facility, does not correspond with the location of the disputed property.

The document supplied

by King shows that the transport #2803/1966 has no connection to the property, which he leased for the shipping company for $625,000 per year.

The document makes no men-

Town Clerk: Royston King tion of Lot 1 Mud Lot Lombard Street, the location of the disputed property.

On the other hand, the description on the NICIL transport published in the

public records of Parliament more closely matches the disputed location.

As a result, recommendations were made that Quick Shipping to re-evaluate its engagement with the Council, as it is the Council does not own the land. What is owned by the Council is a portion of land occupied by the company.

“It would be in the best interest of the company to formally approach NICIL to enter into a contract with that entity. NICIL, in fairness to the company, should pay regards to the fact that it expended a large sum on the development of the land…”

As it relates to the Council, the company should try to recover its rent paid in light of the misrepresentation made to it by the Town Clerk.”

Journalist shoots man in leg during confrontation Twenty-eight-year-old Jimmy Ramgobin is nursing a gunshot wound to his lower leg, which he sustained during a confrontation with popular TV journalist, Travis Chase around 04:00 hrs yesterday.

According to reports, Chase, 30, shot the man who had attacked him. At the time, Ramgobin, who is said to be homeless, had allegedly hurled bottles at Chase, after the journalist found him lying in front of his girlfriend’s gate while dropping the woman off.

Police in a statement said that when Chase and his girlfriend arrived at her De Abreu Street, Newtown, Georgetown home, he observed Ramgobin in front of the yard.

Chase exited his vehicle and approached Ramgobin who allegedly began hurling bottles at him from a haversack that he had in his possession. Chase, who is a licensed firearm holder, fired a warning shot at Ramgobin.

But Ramgobin refused to stop, and Chase retaliated by firing three more shots, one hitting his attacker to his lower leg.

The location where the incident occurred.

Travis Chase Chase in an invited comment, said he was in fear for his safety, since the man seemed to be in a rage, after he woke the man from his sleep.

One of the neighbours recalled hearing crashing sounds around 04:15 hours after which she heard about three explosions.

The resident said she later learnt that Ramgobin, a substance abuser from the

neighbourhood, had thrown bricks and bottles at a man who later shot him.

The injured Ramgobin is currently a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), police said.

Investigators have obtained statements from Chase and his firearm along with four spent shells has been lodged.

PAGE 8

Monday December 03, 2018

Kaieteur News

Jordan promises not to borrow at rates that compromise Guyana’s fiscal stance

By Kiana Wilburg In spite of the expected gains to come from the petroleum sector, the Coalition Government will continue to manage the nations debt in a most prudent manner.

Thats according to Finance Minister, Winston Jordan during his 2019 budget speech, which was presented to the nation on Monday last.

The economist said that the Government will maintain a moderate risk of debt distress and, in this regard, will undertake not to borrow at rates that could compromise the countrys fiscal stance.

Jordan also reminded that the public debt legislation is currently being drafted and is expected to be laid in the House in 2019.

He said, too, that the Government will prioritize the crafting of a national debt strategy and an annual borrowing plan, which together, will define the optimal mix of financing mechanisms in the short-to-medium term, for the funding of development initiatives.

The Finance Minister reminded that the Government also published a Public Private Partnership Policy Framework in 2018. He noted that this presents a structured framework within which the Government can pursue new options of financing that will reduce the need to incur significant debt.

Jordan said that this Framework will guide, in an

open and transparent manner, how government will engage with the private sector in the provision of public goods for mutual benefit.

Further to this, Jordan said that the Government is preparing a roadmap to develop the countrys institutional, technical, financial, environmental and business expertise to engage private sector partners. In Budget 2019, he said that the Government has allocated $100 million to support this initiative.

PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS In an effort to fulfill its development objectives for Guyana, the Government will have to form partnerships with private partners. This collaboration will see private sector members participating more fully in procuring and financing infrastructural projects and services in the public sector.

To guide this Public Private Partnership (PPP), the Government adopted a policy framework that is intended to ensure value for every dollar invested in the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP).

This was expressed by Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, at the 48th annual meeting of the Board of Governors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). The event was held in St. Georges, Grenada.

The Finance Minister said that the document provides a structured platform

for the local and external private sector to meaningfully engage the Government in achieving its national development agenda.

As Guyana rapidly approaches oil producer status, with the attendant massive inflow of new resources, Jordan said that the inclusiveness of all stakeholders in national development becomes a pressing imperative.

As such, Jordan noted that the document is a timely one.

According to the document, it is Governments intention to encourage innovation in as many areas as possible.

The Government noted that traditionally, PPPs have been applied to the infrastructure sector in particular, in infrastructure, electricity, telecommunication, water, transport and solid waste sectors, and increasingly in the social (health and education) and Information sectors.

In the early stages of developing PPPs, Government said it will focus on the following key areas of development: the Demerara Harbour Bridge, the Linden-Lethem road link, the Deep Water Harbour and Container Port, the Mini and Maxi Hydro Plants and Energy Farms, Plantation Agriculture, the Modernization and Dredging of Port Georgetown, the Milk Plant for Guyana, the Information Technology farm; and Agro-industrial and Small Manufacturing arks.

The Government notes

that the benefits and advantages of PPPs can be significant when they are well designed and implemented in a balanced regulatory framework.

It noted; however, that those positive outcomes have to be earned through projects that can catalyze development, are financially viable, will minimize impact on the national debt and can favourably affect Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth.

To achieve this, the Government said that creative, competitive and transparent procurement processes as well as clearly articulated policies and procedures followed by thorough due diligence, must be applied.

It said that there are, therefore, certain key pre-conditions that need to be present in the policy framework for PPPs, as they are critical to delivering successful outcomes.

It said that these preconditions have been identified as affordability, the legislative environment, institutional arrangements and capacity building.

On the issue of affordability, the Government pointed out that this is a key requirement of all PPP projects. It said that the options must be affordable both to Government, and the public, given competing priorities and commitments.

The Government said that the rationale for PPPs is improved management of scarce resources, better risk alloca-

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan tion and more efficient and cost-effective delivery of services.

The Government said however, it should be noted that while the private sector may be willing to finance and deliver infrastructure and services through PPPs, only users or taxpayers can pay for these goods and services. It stressed that affordability, therefore, acts as a real constraint, and public bodies will need to give considerable thought to the selection of potential PPP projects, ensuring always that their choices are in line with Governments policy priorities and objectives.

With respect to the legislative environment, the Government said that Guyana already has many of the ingredients required for a successful PPP programme: a stable administration; an independent judiciary; a robust Pro-

curement Act and mechanism; and reasonably wellperforming public institutions.

“However, political and regulatory risks can be potential barriers to effective PPP implementation. A new PPP regulatory framework will be approved to provide further and concrete evidence of Governments commitment to a PPP policy and to establish the principles and rules with which all public bodies will be required to comply.”

As for institutional arrangements, the Government contended in its policy that international experience suggests that identifying and establishing clear and unambiguous institutional functions at the onset of a countys PPP programme, greatly assists in successful PPP implementation.

It said that while institutional roles and responsibilities may change over time, as Governments experience with PPPs grow, the following public institutions will have integral roles in the programme: the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Public Infrastructure, and the Ministry of Business.

The Government said that strategic direction of the Governments PPP programme will be the responsibility of a Steering Committee. A PPP Core Team, within the Ministry of Finance will act as the Secretariat to the Steering Committee and as a focal point for the day-to-day management of the programme.

Forestry, mining sectors development will not be forgotten with coming of oil While the Coalition administration is thrilled about the coming of oil, it has assured that the forestry and mining sectors development would not be placed on the backburner.

Specifically giving this assurance recently was Finance Minister, Winston Jordan. The economist said it is only through a diversified economic base that the Coalition government can anchor the sustainable prosperity of the nation.

As such, he said that a clear legislative and policy framework that enables improved governance and the development of a sustainable extractive sector is necessary.

In 2019, the Finance Minister said that work on this aspect of extractive sector management will advance for

- Finance Minister

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan the forestry and mining sectors. He said that the recently updated and approved National Forest Plan and Policy Statement will see a shift in emphasis from primary timber products to value-added

downstream goods, as well as ecosystem services.

Further to this, Jordan said that the citizenry will also see a clearer vision articulated for the mining sector, in 2019, with stakeholder input factored into a 10-year Mineral Policy Framework and Plan.

The economist said, “Our mining and forestry sectors do not exist in isolation.

Therefore, a coordinated approach is needed to ensure that both foresters and miners are able to benefit from our natural resources in a responsible manner that minimizes negative impacts on the environment.”

Jordan added, “As such, by the end of 2019, trained regional coordinators will be

placed in all 10 administrative regions to facilitate the resolution of conflicts that may arise between and among the mining, forestry and environmental sectors.”

Additionally, the Finance Minister said that the Government has budgeted $279 million to finance the next phase of the forest inventory exercise. He said that the Government will continue mineral mapping to facilitate a more coordinated and sustainable management and utilization of the nations forest and mineral resources.

“Our pristine forests hold immense wealth flora and fauna too numerous to mention, timber, precious and rare earth metals, and diamonds,

just to name a few. However, in the pursuit of economic development and in the face of an evolving extractive sector, we cannot ignore the environmental costs of these activities.”

In this regard, the Finance Minister said that over the years, the scale of mining has evolved from simple pioneering pork-knockers to industrial complexes. He said that this has come at a cost to our environment.

While there is no denying that gold mining has, and will continue to support Guyanas development, Jordan said that the government must ensure that it works with all stakeholders towards the sustainable management of these resources.

He said that important steps have been taken already, including low-impact

prospecting; integrated natural resource management; and, phasing out the use of mercury.

In this respect, the economist said that the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) will aim to modernize and refocus its core functions such as geological mapping, in an attempt to reduce the collateral damage that results from prospecting, and create opportunities for exploration activities in non-traditional minerals such as rare-earth metals.

He said that the Government will also enhance its monitoring and enforcement of environmental regulations and codes of practices through increased inter-institutional collaboration, and greater satellite tracking of mining activities.

Monday December 03, 2018

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Kaieteur News

LATE-COMING On any school day, you can find literally scores of school children ambling leisurely to school after 9 am, the time at which school commences.

These children are late and they could care less, judging from their lack of haste to get to school.

These children seem unperturbed by the fact that they are late. Some of them are eating as they are making their way to school, indicating that they did not have breakfast at home or are supplementing what they had with a few purchases.

Even though, it is past the time when school

commences, the children could not be bothered.

Getting to school on time is clearly not one of their priorities.

This is happening all across the country. And it is happening every day.

The government has a plan to ensure that every child is in school. But it seems to have missed the importance of ensuring that every child attends school in time.

It is truly amazing that the educational authorities have not realized how serious a problem latecoming has become. And it is obvious that in many

school, monitoring latecoming is extremely lax.

Back in the old days, the school day commenced at 8am.

But as public transportation became a problem, the time for schools to commence changed to 9 am. In this way, it was felt, that the limited number of vehicles on the roadways could deal with the demand of workers to get to work and then still have time to transport children to school.

T h i s p l a n , h o w e v e r, backfired because parents usually would proceed to reach their workplaces at

DEM BOYS SEH

VOLDA CHOKING PON SHE OWN WORDS Volda mek a statement dat got people looking at she in a different light. She tell she PNC supporters and followers how all she friends is PNC and how she would only give jobs to PNC people.

Some seh she should resign and some seh Soulja Bai should move she.

De KFC leader put out a statement on de matter last night, which some people seh was dancing in de wind. He didn’t repeat wha Volda seh, he didn’t name she and he didn’t condemn she.

Dem boys don’t believe dat statement speaks for all de KFC members and supporters because dem boys know some people fuh sure who will not tow dat line.

Dat statement was very vague and dem boys believe dat de KFC leader want pull wool over people eyes.

Dem boys know a lot of people feel uncomfortable to talk on de subject of discrimination in any form, be it race, political, and gender. But people should not feel uncomfortable discussing things like dis.

Dat type of statement wha Volda mek about wuk should only be fuh party people should and must be brought in de open for debate.

Dem boys believe dat if dis thing ain’t discussed publicly, it could become a

cancer and Guyana would not be able to deal wid it.

Soulja Bai should come out and seh something. He party people should come out unless all of dem tinking alike.

Dem boys want Volda to know dem got people who don’t belong to de PNC or to any party. Wha Volda saying is dat dem can’t get wuk wid she.

She got a big budget fuh she Ministry.

Wha she saying to Guyana is nobody from de KFC, de PPP or any party odda than de PNC can get contract.

All de people who gon get wuk in de Ministry of Health gon be PNC, down to cleaners, de weeders and de janitors.

Dem boys now know how HDM Lab in America get dat big drug contract. People believe is a PNC deal; is a payback fuh de money de owner give de party.

Leaders must be held accountable fuh dem words and dem actions. If people don’t deal wid statements like dis then discrimination will be de order of de day.

Never mix your words with your mood because you’ll have many options to change your mood but you will never get any option to replace your spoken words.

Talk half and hope all de leaders pay attention to dat.

Sugar workers among persons trained for oil and gas sector More than 20 persons on Thursday graduated from the International Petroleum and Maritime Academy (IPMA) from its oilfield safety and operators training programme. The graduates include four women and a former sugar worker.

Imran Khan had worked in the sugar industry for twenty-two years. He said that he applied for the programme after being retrenched last year. Khan believes there are opportunities for retrenched workers in the oil and gas industry. “The readjustment is kind of tough but it is manageable. Coming from GuySuCo, anything is

manageable”, he said.

Like Khan, Rubena Adiana, who received her training from the GuySuCo training centre, is confident that retrenched workers can see a future in the oil and gas sector. She stated that, “They should have patience. There is and will be bases, oil bases that will open.”

Attorney-at-law and a director in the Guyana Oil and Gas Association (GOGA), Nigel Hughes, in his charge to the graduates reminded them that the decision rests with them to maximise on opportunities available.

“The advent of oil in Guyana will require a change

in our traditional culture. Your challenge is really to be able to put yourself in a position where you’re so qualified, your qualifications do not limit you to working only in Guyana but you are globally competitive”, Hughes said.

Most of the graduates will be employed by the Guyana Shorebase Inc. (GYSBI).

IPMA is operated by TOTALTEC Oilfield Services, which is located in Houston, East Bank Demerara.

The academy will start its fourth oilfield safety and operators training next year.

TOTALTEC aims to train one hundred persons in this programme in 2019.

8am, leaving the children to get to school for 9 am.

Without the watchful eye of their parents to ensure that they were ready in time for school, many children simply took their own sweet time to prepare for and get to school.

The Ministry of Education may seriously wish to consider, now that we have excess public transportation on our roadways, a system of reverting to an 8am commencement of the school day.

This will allow parents to accompany their children to school and still get to work at 8am, the normal starting time for most offices.

Having to leave children at home, while the parents hurries to get to work on time, is a factor, which is contributing to late coming.

Some children genuinely have transportation problems.

But others are simply lax and do not care one way or the other.

Many of them are not interested in school. Some of them feel that they are adult men and women and that school is for children

and that they do not fall into this category.

Another contributory factor is late-sleeping.

Some children are getting out of their beds at 8 am for the 9 am start of school.

They are bound to be late.

Television is a prime culprit that contributes to children waking later than usual. Parents have to control the time that their kids get into bed because this helps determine how good a night’s sleep, they receive and how energetic they will be to face the new day. Some children also have to do chores in the mornings and this can force them to be late.

Some parents have a rule that there should be no television during weekdays.

But most often, it is the parents who breach their own rules and have the television on when their children should be studying.

Other factors which have been known to contribute to late coming have to do with children’s relations with teachers. Children who do not like a particular teacher or has not done his or her homework for that teacher and is fearful of the consequences may deliberately be late so as to

miss that teacher’s class.

When you see the number of children strolling to school late each day, you have to question just what action the schools are taking to reduce late coming and to what extent do they appreciate how this can contribute to underperformance.

Back in the day, if you were late, your name was recorded at the school gate.

Some schools still have this system. If you were late for more than two occasions in a week, you automatically were placed in detention.

Interventions are needed to help address the chronic problem of late coming to school. It is not just sufficient to simply punish those who are late. It is necessary to investigate all the causes of late coming to determine to what extent late coming can be avoided.

The Ministry of Education is taking action on truancy. But a bigger problem, late coming, is staring them in the face and they are staring it back.

Monday December 03, 2018

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

Monday December 03, 2018

Kaieteur News

Association of Women Police turns six The Guyana Association of Women Police celebrated its sixth anniversary last week Friday with a grand parade, which saw the attendance of junior and senior ranks as well as a delegation from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS).

Turning out in their numbers were female ranks from Guyana Association of Women Police, the Special Constabulary, Felix Austin Police College, Police Divisions (A-G) and members of the TTPS who travelled to celebrate this milestone with their Guyanese counterparts.

The parade commenced at the National Park and moved into Carifesta Avenue and then into Young Street, where Commissioner of Police Leslie James, DSS, DSM and his deputies took the “EyesRight.” Attendees that proceeded to the Officers’ Mess where the annual church service began under the theme, “Women Embracing Positive Change in Law Enforcement”.

An opening prayer was done by Woman Inspector

Female members of the Guyana Police Force marching along Carifesta Avenue Marcia Sealey. Superintendent Charmine Stuart paid homage to the women who laid the foundation for the association to be formulated and to those exceptional women who broke through the glass ceiling with their outstanding

achievements.

Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources Simona Broomes, Deputy Commissioner Maxine Graham DSM, President of the Association, and other ranks of the Guyana Police Force and the

foreign delegates and their leader Assistant Commissioner Patsy Joseph, were all among who graced the ceremony.

Scriptures taken from Luke 1:35-38 and 1:39-45 were read

by Woman Inspector Shevon Jupiter and Woman Constable

25056 Mars respectively followed by hymns and instrumentals by the women of the police band.

Woman Sergeant Mitchell Calder delivered a very powerful and inspirational message, which captivated the minds of many. The motiva-

tional preacher urged the women police to stand up and be counted and also to stay strong and be a guiding light for not only policewomen but for all women. The day’s event concluded with a closing prayer, followed by the National Anthem.

After theft of funds…

Diamond Secondary School students left in the dark about graduation Graduation from Secondary School is an event that almost every teenager anticipates; walking to the stage, being the centre of attention; reciting their school’s song for the last time and, even more, receiving their hard earned certificates, trophies and awards.

But at the Diamond Secondary School, there is an atmosphere of uncertainty as to whether there will be a graduation ceremony.

Just over two weeks ago, someone, with access to a money safe at the school, made off with $107,000 that students had handed over for the purchase of “gowns and certificates.”

Since this unfortunate incident, students who are set to graduate within a few days are alleging that the planning of the big event has been progressing very slowly and in a confusing manner.

“Graduation is just so confusing, it actually seems like something uncertain.”

Another student vented that she is no longer looking forward to the event while others expressed similar views in that the feeling of enthusiasm has faded.

Others explained that

school officials have repeatedly cancelled meetings at which the planning of graduation was to be discussed.

“We had two meeting planned, one on the November 22 and another on November 29, and up to now, we didn’t have any,” one student said.

“The first time they cancelled, saying the school had PTA (Parent Teacher Association) meeting and the next time, we hear that they waiting on some additional information and they can’t keep the meeting yet, so they’ll inform us,” the frustrated student explained.

More students said that they are likely to perform

‘graduation songs’ but to date, they have only had one meeting with the school and no time to practice.

“Usually, the students would meet for rehearsals when there is graduation meeting but graduation is Thursday already and we haven’t once practised because of the postponement of the meetings.”

Some parents whose children are set to graduate have expressed similar concerns.

“It is really unfair and inconsiderate for these children to have had five years of inputting hard work and determination to finish school and when they have finally done, they can’t have a decent graduation, they have to be stressing and worrying” the parent stated.

This sentiment was shared by other parents as they expressed discontent in the school’s system.

Monday December 03, 2018

PAGE 13

Kaieteur News

Four new divisional headquarters for police force Major improvements are on the table for the Guyana Police Force, according to Minister of Finance Winston Jordan, who delivered a marathon budget speech last week.

Of the plans outlined to vastly reform the force, Minister Jordan disclosed that nearly $700,000,000 has been allocated to improve buildings, including the construction of four new divisional headquarters in Regions One, Four, Five and Eight.

According to the Finance Minister, the focus of the Guyana Police Force in the coming year will be on the consolidation of existing facilities and expansion of services to cover larger areas.

“To better plan and execute its mandate, the GPF has undertaken to harmonize its divisional boundaries with those of the administrative regions in a phased manner, with a view to ensuring that each region has at least one divisional headquarters.”

It was further revealed that about $500,000 has been

Leslie James being sworn in as Top Cop allocated for the expansion of the police vehicular and marine fleets, canine and mounted branches, as well as for the procurement of ballistic, crime scene and other equipment.

Jordan said that the force is in a better position to deliver on its mandate of serv-

ing and protecting the citizens with the substantial increase in its budgetary allocation, acquisition of equipment, refurbishment of police stations, increased training opportunities for all ranks, and the recruitment of 1,500 more since 2015.

Currently, there are seven

divisional headquarters, which are headed by commanders.

The composition of the divisional headquarters also includes a second in command, divisional detective officer and an officer in charge of traffic.

These are ‘A’ Division headed by Assistant Superin-

tendent Marlon Chapman, ‘B’ Division headed by Senior Superintendent P. Langevine, ‘C’ Division headed by Senior Superintendent Calvin Brutus, ‘D’ headed by Senior Superintendent E. Cooper, ‘E’ Division headed by Superintendent L. Lord, ‘F’ Division headed by Senior Superintendent K. Adonis and ‘G’ Division headed by Superintendent K. Pareshram.

Two months ago, Commissioner of Police Leslie James promised that the police force will see major improvement, which included an aviation unit, enhanced maritime department, training and the rehabilitation of several police stations countrywide.

According to the Top Cop, “The Guyana Police Force is at a very important juncture, where we are in a deliberate way forging out a plan…from recommendations, and by March 2019, you will see a much reformed police force.”

“You are likely to see a number of police stations remodeled and re-commis-

sioned. For example, the one at Mackenzie, Linden, was commissioned two weeks ago, and a second one at Region Two, Aurora.

“Sixteen others will be commissioned shortly, and will be outfitted with moderntype units, such as one-way mirrors (for) forensic-type interviews, that will enable a better interaction with the citizens of the communities and will bolster our efforts to give better service.”

James had said that two “immediate constraints” that he encountered on being appointed to the helm of the Force were the inability of ranks to patrol the various divisions and the response time to reports.

He said that part of the reform will see better mobile and foot patrols and improved response time.

The Force’s training institutions are also targeted for much needed reform, the Public Relations arm will be upgraded, and the traffic advisory and other boards are being re-established, said James.

Man prepares to bury wife two days after baby daughter’s birth

By Michael Jordan Just two days ago, Dennis Stoll and his reputed wife Kendeka were at the Suddie Hospital, happily preparing to welcome a baby daughter into their small family.

Yesterday, Stoll was in the Bethany village burial ground preparing a tomb for his wife.

Kendeka Abrams, 24, of Bethany Mission, Essequibo Coast, died in the Suddie Hospital’s operating theatre last Friday, after suffering severe haemorrhaging while delivering a full-term baby girl.

Health officials are reportedly to investigate allegations that nursing staff at the Bethany Missionary, who referred Abrams to the Suddie Hospital, failed to indicate on the woman’s chart that she was a high-risk patient.

Abrams, a mother of two, had bled heavily during her previous deliveries.

Other complaints are that Abrams had told the lone nursing staff who was present during her delivery, of her history of postpartum haemorrhage; that the hospital had inadequate supplies of blood, and that the allegedly

DEAD: Kendeka Abrams ill-prepared Suddie staff should referred Abrams to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Kaieteur News understands that Abrams was taken to the Suddie Hospital at around 09:00 hrs on Thursday, November 29. That was some nine miles by boat and taxi from her home.

According to reports, only a midwife attended to her.

She allegedly informed the midwife of her history of heavy bleeding.

Dennis Stoll recalled later

waiting outside the delivery room at around 17:50 hrs and hearing his wife’s screams, and shortly after, the cries of her newborn.

“I ask (the nurse) if anything wrong and she said ‘no, just a little bleeding,’” Stoll said.

On being reassured that his spouse was in no danger, Stoll, who was at the hospital with his mother, suggested that they go home and return the next day.

“I said ‘let us go home, nurse say she alright.’”

This they did, but he said that at around 20:00 hrs, he received a call from someone who said that his wife was now in the operating theatre.

What had reportedly occurred was that, as with the previous pregnancies, Abrams was again experiencing postpartum haemorrhaging. She was reportedly given three units of blood, but the hospital allegedly lacked an adequate supply of blood.

After her condition worsened, she was rushed to the operating theatre, where she reportedly underwent a postpartum hysterectomy (sur-

gery to remove the uterus following heavy bleeding).

Stoll returned to the hospital, but did not get to see his wife. He said that at around midnight on Friday, a senior medical official, whom he identified, “told me my wife gone from bad to worse and I should pray.”

“At around five o’clock, I was going to the ward where they had her first, and before I could reach, a doctor looked at me and said that my wife passed away at around ten past four.”

A senior hospital official indicated that an investigation is likely to commence today, but declined further comment.

Meanwhile, the baby girl is healthy and has been released from hospital. The couple has a six-year-old daughter and a son, who is almost three.

Yesterday, Stoll and other relatives were engaged in the grim task of building his reputed wife’s tomb.

“I am frustrated, knowing I lost my spouse. I am thinking of how my children have they lost their mother. I don’t know what my next move will be.”

The family’s newborn

Dennis Stoll and Kendeka Abrams

PAGE 14

Kaieteur News

Monday December 03, 2018

Jamal Khashoggi's private Can Guyana’s youth bridge the racial divide? messages describe growing fear Part One: Race Relations from of 'beast Pac-Man' Saudi Prince an Afro-Guyanese Perspective

ABC NEWS - Murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi described Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman as a "beast Pac-Man" in one of hundreds of private WhatsApp messages sent before his death.

In more than 400 messages sent to an exiled Saudi activist in Canada, revealed

by CNN, Khashoggi paints the Prince as someone who relentlessly preys on his critics, saying, "The more victims he eats, the more he wants".

The messages were shared with the American network by recipient Omar Abdulaziz, and were sent in the year before Khashoggi was killed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October.

They showed Khashoggi becoming progressively more fearful of the de facto leader of Saudi Arabia, known as MbS, even suspecting the conversations with Mr Abdulaziz had been hacked.

"He loves force, oppression and needs to show them off, but tyranny has no logic."

Khashoggi, an opinion writer for the Washington Post who was at one time a Saudi royal insider before be-

Slain Journalist, Jamal Khashoggi coming a critic of the leadership, was killed by lethal injection and dismembered by a group of Saudi men sent from the kingdom.

Saudi Arabia's public prosecutor has said the Crown Prince knew nothing of the operation to kill Khashoggi.

Mr Abdulaziz revealed his correspondence with Khashoggi in November when researchers at the University of Toronto reported his phone had been hacked by military-grade spyware, invented by an Israeli company called NSO Group.

CNN reported a research fellow at the university's Citizen Lab, Bill Marczak said the software was deployed by the Saudi Government and had been used to target at least two dissidents.

The presence of the targeted spyware on Mr Abdulaziz's phone means Saudi officials may have been able to read Khashoggi's messages.

"The hacking of my phone played a major role in what happened to Jamal, I am really sorry to say," Abdelaziz said in an interview with CNN. "The guilt is killing me."

The pair had begun to plan a digital offensive against the Saudi Government, which they called "cyber bees", with the aim to create a portal to document human rights abuses and distribute short films. "Do not discuss the subject of bees even in Instagram," Khashoggi wrote when he suspected that they had been hacked.

The "beast Pac-Man" message was sent in May after Saudi Arabia arrested a group of female activists weeks before it lifted a ban on women drivers.

Saddam’ retrial for murder...

Judge denies prosecution’s request to tender court statement The retrial of murder accused Naresh Ramjohn called ‘Naresh Mahase’ and ‘Saddam’ is continuing in the Berbice High Court before Justice Priya Sewnarine Beharry and a mixed jury.

Ramjohn, 39 of Stanleytown and Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice is on trial for the murder of 28-year-old Anthony Samaroo, called ‘Scare Dem’ of Levi Dam, Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice, on 2nd July 2008, at Levi Dam. When the matter continued on Wednesday, Prosecutor Mandel Moore recalled state witnesses Tajepaul Samaroo, who is presently in prison, to the witness stand. Samaroo had testified in the Magistrate’s court.

He had earlier told the court that he doesn’t know who killed his brother, but he thinks his brother was “bored up” by somebody. He denied helping to take his brother to the hospital, but saw him at the hospital subsequently. He knows the accused by pointing him out in court.

He recalled giving evidence in the magistrate’s

court, but cannot remember what that evidence was or if he signed the evidence.

When he was recalled on Wednesday, he was asked if he could read and write. He was shown the previous statement and a signature.

The prosecutor subsequently made an application to have the statement admitted into evidence.

Strong objections were made by Defence attorney Arudranauth Gossai. This was upheld by Justice Beharry and the statement was not allowed.

Ramjohn is also being represented by attorneys Mursaline Bacchus and Surihya Sabsook.

Other witnesses called by the prosecution, included Detective Corporal Denesh Baichu and Sergeant Dexter Brandt and Government Pathologist Vivikananda Brijmohan and the deceased man’s mother Meena Persaud.Samaroo death was given as hock and haemorrhage due to multiple stab wounds.

The state’s case was that on the day in question, Ryan Samaroo was walking on Levi Dam, when he was confronted

by Ramjohn. Samaroo did not

respond but continued walking and noticed his brother Tajepaul. After speaking for a few minutes, they looked up the street and saw Ramjohn and his two brothers had implements in their hands.

The Samaroo brothers went home and told Anthony Samaroo what had transpired.

The brothers left and went back to Levi Dam, where they were attacked. Ryan and Tajepaul Samaroo were able to escape.

Ryan was standing some distance away and saw when Ramjohn stabbed his brother and instructed his brothers ‘to ‘done he.’

The other two Samaroo siblings then ran home and told their mother what had happened.

They returned to the scene where they saw Anthony Samaroo lying on the ground in a pool of blood.

He was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Ramjohn was previously found guilty in 2014 and was sentenced to 55 years in jail.

He appealed his conviction and sentenced, and the Guyana Court of Appeal ordered a retrial.

According to the Bureau of Statistics, Afro-Guyanese people make up about 30 percent of the Guyanese population. They have a unique experience, by virtue of their ethnicity, in Guyana’s racial climate.

Race Relations in Guyana have been strained since the country’s genesis. Though it seems the issue of racism will continue to plague the country for the foreseeable future, it is important to examine how the millennial generation, and the generations succeeding it, go about handling race relations.

Youth have different ways of dealing with a myriad of issues that they face. Their unique predisposition as millenials has allowed them to grow up in an age that has seen accelerated technological development. Consequently, this age cohort has developed dynamically different systems of communication and forms of relationships.

At the intersection of these generational and racial identities, there are two exceptional young Afro-Guyanese: Patricee Douglas and Joshua Macey. Douglas is the founder of SRHR Adventures, an initiative that was founded to raise awareness on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), with a special focus on family planning and contraception. Joshua Macey is an agriculturalist who advocates for more young people to get involved in the Agricultural sector. He is also an actor at the Theatre Guild, where the members have been working tirelessly to keep the Guyanese drama scene alive.

In an interview with Kaieteur News, Macey explained how conscious he has been of his identity as a black man in Guyana, because of his experiences with stereotyping and discrimination.

He said that the intersection of his ethnicity and his gender results in a unique experience, where black men have been dealt an unlucky hand by gender and racial stereotypes.

“I grew up different from a lot of black brothers,” he said.

Because of this, he explained that he was made very conscious of his behaviour by the people around him, that people would tell him, “You’re a black man, act like a black man.”

He said that black men are held to certain hyper masculine standards that can be harmful, and that attempts to stray from that norm have often been met with ridicule: “Current norms for black men are very toxic.”

He recalled how his hair was policed while he was

growing it. People would tell him, “Why you growing your hair? You look untidy.” He said that it’s not just behaviour that is policed but how black men dress and present themselves.

Macey said, “A lot of black fathers had cruel childhoods that they didn’t heal from,” going on to state that those traumas end up manifesting in the adult stage, and could be passed on from generation to generation, resulting in what is called Toxic, Black Masculinity.

Not only are those stereotypes enforced by black people, he said, but by everyone. Macey told of how some of his Afro-Guyanese friends with whom he attended the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) were attacked and beaten one night because they were assumed to be thieves. From the experience, Macey said that his eyes were opened to how the world views black men, “Black men are some of the most unprotected, endangered and unloved [people]”.

Speaking on the AfroGuyanese group, Macey said that his people are disadvantaged in a few ways, including the fact that they have been disconnected from their history and culture.

He said that work needs to be done on race relations, especially between AfroGuyanese and IndoGuyanese.

Macey still believes that young people are engaging in healthy discourse among themselves, to begin the process of eradicating racism.

He said that Guyanese people have, for too long, conflated race with politics.

He believes that much more education is needed, so that Guyanese could learn to appreciate each other for their cultural differences, and that the people must learn to divorce race from politics.

Douglas has a similar take on the Afro-Guyanese experience: “I have realized from early on that, to climb to the top, I would have to work twice as hard, since the colour of my skin and my nappy hair may serve as hindrances.”

She explained that she has had experiences from which she learnt that many persons harbour prejudices against black people, and that they often prefer to give opportunities to someone who look like them, over Afro-Guyanese.

Patricee Douglas, 27 She has had one overt experience with racism that she says is still clear as crystal, in her mind.

“I can recall one rainy day, I was waiting to get a bus on my road.” She explained that a bus was passing and slowed down for her, but when the conductor got a good look at her, he decided to leave.

“I remember thinking about that incident for the entire day. I was reminded that, even though I had a very close male friend who is East Indian, practically a best friend, and a very close East Indian female friend, I shouldn’t forget at the end of the day that I am black; that there are people right in my beautiful country that don’t fancy people of my ethnicity.”

On relations between Afro-Guyanese and other ethnic groups, she said, “I believe that there may exist some measure of racial tension between Afro-Guyanese and minority groups but it certainly isn’t to the extent of the tension that has existed between AfroGuyanese and IndoGuyanese.”

Like Macey, Douglas believes that youth are the key to curbing the racism that continues to rear its head throughout Guyana, “I strongly believe that young people are able to and will bring about a positive shift in regards to race relations. It’s the older folks that I have no hope in. When people are set in their ways, it’s not impossible, but it’s extremely hard for them to change their views.”

“I believe, more than older folks, us younger ones realize that we all bleed red and hurt the same way; that it’s nonsensical to judge someone merely on their ethnic origins, and not on the substance of their character.”

Monday December 03, 2018

PAGE 19

Kaieteur News

Remembering the Mighty Joe Young…

CJIA halts removal of crashed Fly Jamaica aircraft The cripple who

became a folk hero

Aviation officials examining the Fly Jamaica aircraft shortly after the crash

Officials of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) yesterday issued a cease order, preventing the removal of the Fly Jamaica Boeing 757 aircraft that crashlanded at the airport last month.

Chief Executive Officer of Fly Jamaica, Captain Paul Reece confirmed with Kaieteur News that airport officials issued the ‘cease order’ while they were in the process of removing the aircraft. He said that he was unclear as to the reasons behind the CJIA decision.

Kaieteur News was informed that a team, consisting of insurance personnel, had arrived to assist with relocating the aircraft from the end of the runway where it had stopped after an emergency landing. The team had started efforts to relocate the plane using flotation devises

to a nearby hangar at the airport. According to reports, airport officials intervened to stop the process and police were also called in at one stage. Airport officials were contacted, but could not be reached for comment.

Fly Jamaica had said that it is cooperating with authorities to determine the cause of the crash-landing of its Boeing 757 aircraft on November 9, 2018. The Fly Jamaica flight OJ256 departed CJIA for Toronto, Canada. About 15 minutes into the flight, passengers recalled that the pilot reported that the aircraft was experiencing problems with its hydraulic system and needed to return to CJIA. According to flight maps, the airplane circled before attempting to land.

There were 128 persons onboard, including 86-yearold Rookhia Kalloo, who died

shortly after the incident.

There has been no determination on whether her demise was in anyway related.

Passengers recounted that upon touchdown, the aircraft sped past the airport’s terminal, past the end of the existing runway and onto the newly extended portion of the runway, which is not officially open. It is being said that the pilot experienced brake failure when he touched down.

The aircraft careened into the chain linked fence before coming to rest in the trap at the end of the runway with the front of the plane perched above a ravine – the same area where a Boeing 737 operated

by Caribbean Airlines overran and split in two on July 30, 2011. The right wing of the aircraft was broken along with the engine. Government had appointed Paula McAdam to investigate the crash.

Caribbean Cinemas introduces sensory friendly theatre for persons with autism, Down syndrome Children with autism, Down syndrome or developmental disabilities within Guyana as well as the global Diaspora, over the years, have endured rather than enjoyed movie watching in theatres.

Entertainment giant, Caribbean Cinemas at the Giftland Mall in Turkeyen, has opted to change this in its “Movies for all” programme. This new implementation exercises inclusion and acceptance for children and adults with disabilities.

The initiative was piloted on Sunday at twelve; the programme’s sensory friendly movies allowed persons with disabilities to watch their favourite shows comfortably. However, while the initiative is the first of its kind within Guyana, Caribbean Cinemas is just one of the many theatres globally

that implemented the programme in recent years.

Persons with autism, Down syndrome or developmental disabilities often have sensory disorders, which causes them to experience heightened levels of anxiety and distress due to stimulation in the various senses.

Therefore, things such as theater lighting, volume of the movie and having to sit still might cause distress, greatly affecting how enjoyable that movie is to a child or adult with a sensory disorder. Caribbean Cinemas “Movies for all” programme is aiming to allow persons with disabilities to watch movies in a safe and accepting environment. The movie auditorium will keep their lighting turned slightly up and the volume slightly down.

Movie going for persons with sensory disorders can be rather stressful, flashing im-

ages, booming sounds and excessive changes in lighting can be over stimulating. This can result in over excitement or anxiety by many of these persons, reactions that are often meted out with glares or murmurs from fellow patrons. Caribbean Cinemas in this initiative is hoping to create a safe space for persons with the disorder to watch movies.

The implementing of these kinds of screenings is said to signify a shift in not only the public’s expanding understanding of autism and developmental disorders but also the role of advocacy in the implementing of sensory friendly movies.

The concept of sensory friendly films introduced into Guyana is expected to greatly affect the way persons with sensory disorders see the movie going experience.

The Mighty Joe Young is long gone. But old-timers still tell stories of the cripple who could punch-out a jeep-load of policemen and walk a tightrope on his knees.

And before he passed away, he would regale listeners with his hell-raising days i n Brazil…Suriname…Cayenne.

He would talk about the women, including the one he tried to shoot with a bow and arrow…and about his nearfatal encounter with a serpent, which gave rise to the legend of the Mighty Joe Young…

He was born Winslow Stoute in April 8, 1927, in Maria’s Lodge, Essequibo, the tenth of 14 children.

He was different from the others, though, from head to knees, he was a healthy child.

But his legs were those of a baby’s. They would remain that way for the rest of his life; too weak to support his weight.

When his parents died, he went to live with a sister. But she found it difficult to bring up the young man; and crippled, but fiercely independent, the lad decided to make himself useful. So at the age of eleven, he was hustling at the riverside to earn a smallpiece, helping fishermen separate the shrimp from their other catch.

His dream then was to land a partnership with a fishing crew. But the fishermen were reluctant to employ a young man who could only move around on his knees.

“You ain’t got no feet, so you can’t get same pay wid we,” they would tell him.

But he continued working at odd jobs and he was eventually given a job as a cook with a gold-mining crew. That stint in the bush changed him forever.

It all happened one day in ’52, when he was in camp cleaning fish near to the Essequibo River. Unknown to the young man, the smell of the gutted fish had attracted a huge ‘camoodie’. The serpent had concealed itself among the fish in the cleaning pit, and when the crippled youth came close, it struck.

Within seconds, he was being crushed in its coils. “Fortunately, there was another man in the camp,” the Mighty Joe Young recalled. He had a shotgun and he was able to shoot the snake, which measured 21 feet three inches.”

But the near-death encounter had left him badly injured. He was forced to leave the bush. A doctor advised him to exercise to fully recuperate and soon he was on a daily regimen of weight-lifting.

His arms and chest filled out rapidly, but his stunted legs remained the same.

Around that time, too, his life took another turn when the circus movie, “The greatest Show on Earth” came to local theatres. The sight of somersaulting acrobats and highwire performers made him yearn for the same applause.

“I became jealous and I asked myself, ‘Why I can’t do these things?’ I began to train.

Practising alone, he began with simple tricks, such as hand-balancing, but then, with his newfound upperbody strength, and a growing realisation that he was a gifted stunt-man, he was soon balancing objects on his chin…bottles, chairs, then bicycles. Next, he was lifting barbells with his teeth.

He literally stumbled on his high-wire act, when he almost tripped over a length of wire stretched across the ground. “But instead of falling, I found myself balancing on the wire and I thought: ‘I can do this.’”

So, fitting a spongy material used by high-wire performers to his knees, he was soon treading a high-wire suspended 20 feet above the ground. By 1953, his act was one of the top draws at schools and theatres around the country. His repertoire of tricks became even more spectacular. At a school in Uitvlugt, he walked across a stage, clutching a small table in his teeth. He changed his shirt and opened and drank from a bottle while walking a tight-rope.

His spectacular feats moved Guyanese folklorist Roy Brummell to immortalize him in a short story.

“Once of the tight-rope, the Mighty Joe Young slowly opened his arms like two wings of control and balance,” Brummell wrote.

“He made his first move and the rope of tension seemed to tighten, daring him to move again.”

His fame grew. Soon he was touring Suriname…then French Guiana…then Brazil.

Fortune came his way. Unfortunately, so did the drinks and the women.

“I had a weakness for the women, he admitted with a chuckle. When I was on tour, from the time I spot a woman I like, I had to get her. I would throw the money around and most times, the girl would agree. But then, there would be a boyfriend or a husband to stop her and I would hunt him out. Most of the fights would end with the police coming. One time, four cops tried to put me out of a beer garden. I refused to leave, be-

cause I hadn’t finished drinking yet. I ended up beating them, but they were too ashamed to report the matter.

“I was very strong then. I could just spring off the ground into a man’s chest.

Now I wonder where I got that strength from.”

He got a licking in Brazil, though.

“I was drinking in a saloon when some Brazilians started to ‘tantalise’ me. A fight started and a cop was injured.

Two jeeps with policemen came and they had balata staffs. They beat me from the saloon to the lockups.

“I made a lot of money while touring Brazil. But I was ‘spreading joy’.

I stayed in the best hotels in keeping with my image of a successful performer.

Most times, I would be broke and stranded. I also lost a lot of money and my belongings during a boating accident.”

At one point, broke and desperate, he passed himself off as an ‘obeah man’. He found willing clients in Brazilian miners, who, having witnessed his acrobatic feats, were sure he was blessed with occult powers.

The cash flowed again, until a group of irate ex-customers cornered him in a saloon one night. They lassoed the imposter and were about to throw him into a river when a St. Lucian friend turned up and saved him.

Next stop, French Guiana.

But more trouble was waiting for him there. It came in the form of a smooth-skinned girl named Lorancia. He persuaded the girl to leave her parents’ home and fabricated a contract, which claimed that the young woman was part of his act.

But the authorities weren’t fooled. The police destroyed the ‘contract’ and took the young woman into custody.

The Mighty Joe Young threw a tantrum. “I demanded that they gave her back. I warned them that if I didn’t get her back by 5:00 p.m., I would design the streets of Cayenne with blood. I bet up one policeman but then others came and those were armed. They ordered me into a jeep. I sprang over a fence and landed next to a huge dog. I sprang back over and gave myself up. They told me that a Pan American flight was leaving for British Guiana.

They warned me not to miss the plane if I wanted to live.”

The Mighty Joe Young caught the flight and returned to BG after five years overseas. He had made a fortune, (Continued on page 22)

PAGE 20

Monday December 03, 2018

Kaieteur News

Govt. bans loud music at Kingston foreshore The Ministry of Public Infrastructure has announced that it prohibits the use of any medium that generates loud noise on the Kingston foreshore between Fort Groyne and Camp Street.

In a public notice, the Ministry stated that “approvals will not be granted” for the use of that area as a venue “for entertainment, social and other events, which are likely to generate noise above the permissible levels”.

The notice further read that the prohibition includes all events involving the use of loud audio and video systems, including those in motor vehicles.

The government has removed any previous approval that it gave to individuals or entities, and has notified those organizers of such.

The area in question includes the beachfront at the back of the Marriot Hotel, where it is not uncommon for parties to be held.

The government is constantly working on mitigating noise pollution across the city of Georgetown. Just last month, Khemraj Ramjattan, Minister of Public Security, announced his intention to crack down on loud music from music carts, bars and other establishments that usually play loud music.

The notice further indicated that the government will not permit the unauthorized use of any sea or river defence reserve.

The government, in another release, indicated that advertisements to be painted on the seawalls from Georgetown to Ogle, must not be placed without an application, adherence to certain guidelines and the payment of fees to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

A section of the area where loud music is often heard

Some advertisements along the Kingston Seawall

Year of Indigenous Languages to be observed in 2019 In excess of $36M has been included in the 2019 Appropriation Expenditure announced by Minister of Finance Winston Jordan during his Budget presentation. This caters for celebrations for the United Nations designated Year of Indigenous Languages.

This Expenditure will ensure the observances are properly showcased.

Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Valerie Garrido-Lowe has taken the lead in ensur-

ing a detailed plan of action is outlined, which provides for a re-awakening of the need to resuscitate the use of Indigenous Languages.

Minister Garrido-Lowe Tuesday last, commenced discussions with representatives from the Guyanese Language Unit (GLU), Department of Language and Cultural Studies – Faculty of Education and Humanities and the Amerindian Research Unit, University of Guyana.

Linguistics Professors Ian Robertson, University of the

West Indies (St. Augustine Campus) and Hubert Devonish University of the West Indies (Mona Campus) also joined the discussions via skype.

Minister Garrido-Lowe acknowledged that “the Indigenous languages are being diminished by the day across the country and perhaps, even further afield. This is a worrying situation and is therefore one that is in need of urgent inter-governmental intervention, hence the United Nations declaration of

2019 being the year of Indigenous Languages”.

Speaking from an international perspective, Minister Garrido-Lowe noted that, “our concept is one that is perfectly on par with the wider United Nations Framework.

According to the UNESCO Action Plan, the International Year of Indigenous Languages will take the form of action-oriented activities in following three thematic areas – Support, Access, and Promotion”.

One of the key principles

Gem Granites to join Guyana’s market in the new year In a response to an invitation from Guyana’s Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, GEM Granites Group is expected to begin operation in Guyana in 2019 by exporting granite stones products and timber.

The team which was consisted of the GEM Director Gunasekaran Raju, the Executive Director Binu Thomas, along with the company’s Timber Quality Analyst and Consultant for Furniture Design, Saravanan Krishnan, met with several Government Ministers and forestry and mining officials during their visit.

According to a press release GEM Director Gunasekaran Raju “lauded the country’s vast land space, expansive forests and granite potentials.” The Director revealed that “GEM Group was positive about investment in Guyana.”

GEM would start opera-

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo along with the GEM Granite Group tions in Guyana once it locates the right granite for dimensional blocks and calibrated tiles. The group also has an interest in resort, health, hotels and housing apartments.

The GEM Group is headed

by Rangaswami Veeramani, a

lawyer who became a leading investor in granite mining, sugar manufacturing, biomas electric power generation, and textile garment production.

GEM Granites is classified as a Non-government company. It is the pioneer and visionary of the Indian Granite

Industry with more than 36 years of experience in mining and processing of natural stone. Gem Granites and their group companies export their products to most countries across the globe such as China, USA, Germany, Holland, UK, etc.

of the UN’s Action Plan is “Nothing For Us Without Us”.

Locally, statistics was obtained based on informed data from studies conducted in indigenous communities as it relates to the most effective means of transmission of the respective languages and the barriers associated with same.

Among activities proposed throughout the year are a Language Revival Programme, Village Welcome Signboards to be erected at the entrance of each village in their respective language, Radio and Television programmes, a Children’s Book, a Tourist Hand Book, a Short Story competition, debates in four languages (Patamona, Akawaio, Wapishana and Makushi) at the Umana Yana, an Indigenous Food festival, a Calendar of Nations 2019 and establishing an Indigenous Summer School.

Additionally, persons who are skilled and knowledgeable of the languages will benefit from support while they impart such skills to students.

The Ministry has welcomed the University of Guyana on board and Tuesday’s discussion saw both activity calendars (MoIPA and UG) being compared, in order to derive the most suitable group of activities to be executed through the year.

The University will also play an integral role in ensuring resource persons are on board.

Meanwhile, the Ministry will hold discussions with the National Toshao’s Council, NCERD and Indigenous

Organisations.

More importantly, Minister Garrido-Lowe has assured that every effort will be made to engage key stakeholders to have a Language Policy Framework developed in 2019 and presented to the Government.

Guyana does not have a Language Policy Framework and once this is developed, it will put the country on par with other Caribbean countries such as Jamaica.

To this end, the University of Guyana has begun research on a Framework, and the GLU led by Coordinator Charlene Wilkinson has indicated the Unit’s desire to see this included in the calendar of Activities for the 2019 celebrations.

Meanwhile, an ongoing Bi-lingual pilot programme, which was integrated into the Ministry of Education’s curriculum in 2017 and is being tested in three nursery schools across the South Rupununi, came in for commendations from Minister Garrido-Lowe for their commitment towards re-vitalizing the Wapishana Language in that Region.

The programme will ensure that students from various villages and communities with little fluency in English are taught in both their traditional language and English.

It is expected that by the end of the project, indigenous languages will be prominently featured across the respective communities.

This project is being implemented by the NCERD in partnership with the Jesuits in St. Ignatius in Karaudarnau, Sawariwau and Mururanau Primary Schools.

Monday December 03, 2018

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

Nat’l Youth Council explores E-voting ‘We will be in every community to allow effective participation repairing your roads’ – Min. Patterson Given its commitment to ensuring that Guyanese youth are allowed equal participation in issues of national importance, the Guyana National Youth Council at its first internal elections is exploring the option of e-voting.

Interim Chairman of the Committee, Derwayne Wills noted that the GNYC opted to host its first executive election on November 24, 2018, which would have seen a transition from the current governance structure of a Steering Committee to one of a full executive committee.

However, based on the participation in the November 24 election, he said that GNYC will be extending the voting process and utilizing a mixed methods voting system, which would allow a counting of the ballots cast on November 24, 2018 and a further engagement of those other GNYC delegates who have not yet been able to cast their vote.

“As of November 24, 2018, the overall membership of GNYC is 346 with 320 being eligible to vote and contest based on the deadlines for registration during the registration cycle (August 19, 2018 to October 31, 2018).

It is evident from this election preliminary that the voting process in itself, by virtue of the magnitude of GNYC, must take on a more dynamic, extended interface or rather must happen as an extended voting process instead of a one-off activity with a

GNYC Interim Chairman, Derwayne Wills narrow voting window,” Wills explained.

According to the interim chairman, the GNYC will consult with its partners in the Caribbean and the Commonwealth on how to effectively conduct an electronic vote (E-Vote) in a manner that is transparent.

He said that the GNYC has already been informed that such a platform is being tested by the Commonwealth Secretariat.

“Even with the E-Voting system, GNYC delegates not in attendance on November 24 will have the option to view the pitches made by the candidates as well as the questions and answers segment as all of this was recorded and will become available soon.”

GNYC’s election was supervised by Returning Officer, Ms. Kimberly Gilbert.

Ms. Gilbert is a director with the Caribbean Regional Youth Council and also a member of the Trinidad

Youth Council. The election observers comprised of representatives of the University of Guyana Student Society, University of Guyana Law Society, and Yo u t h Advocacy Movement of the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association.

A number of positions have gone uncontested based on the absence of the nominee on the day of the election preliminary, withdrawal of candidacy, the nominee’s inability to present themselves to the General Assembly on the day of the preliminary election, or member’s inability to register within the specified time so as to form part of the list of electors and ultimately have the power to vote as well as contest for any position.

The uncontested positions within GNYC include the Secretary, Chairperson for Resource Mobilization, Chairperson for Sports Development, and Chairperson for Monitoring and Evaluation. Those uncontested positions are slated to be opened for nominations after consultation between GNYC’s Steering Committee and the Returning Officer.

So far, Wills said that the positions that have been successfully contested within the Executive Committee are President, VicePresident, Treasurer, Chairperson for Policy and Advocacy, and Chairperson for Inclusion and Regional Participation.

“Voting for these positions will remain opened as our members will continue to be engaged,” he said.

The sum of $38.5B has been budgeted for Public Infrastructure in 2019, a ten percent increase when compared to 2018. Seventytwo (72) percent of the total will be pumped into capital projects, while the remainder will go towards maintenance and repairs.

Appearing on the Budget In Focus programme on the National Communications Network (NCN), Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson explained that next year, some $2.9 billion will be spent on miscellaneous and urban roads in all of the 10 towns and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) throughout the country. The total amount reflects a 33 percent increase when compared to 2018.

“We are pleased with the increase. Over the years, we would have done a total assessment of all the roads and so the extra 33 percent will result in a lot more roads being done this year. Persons have been complaining that they need roads, streetlights, drainage playfields and community centres. We heard them, and I would like to call my budget, ‘I heard you,’ that’s my theme since we are going to go to each and every community that has requested roads.”

Some of the areas to benefit include Lima Sands and Suddie, Region Two; South Ruimveldt Gardens and Park, Lodge, East and West Ruimveldt, Albouystown and Charlestown, Agricola, Region Four; Angoys Avenue, Hope Town, Region Six; Mahdia Region Eight, Lethem, Region Nine; Mabaruma, Region One, and Parika/Goshen road, Region two, just to name a few.

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson Additionally, the Ministry will also be collaborating with the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) to construct and rehabilitate roads in developing housing schemes including La Parfaite Harmonie, Diamond, Herstelling, Grove and Providence.

According to the Public Infrastructure Minister, a total of $2 billion will be invested in the hinterland on the construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of a number of roads, dams and trails. In 2019, Minister Patterson said, the Ministry has prioritised the Wainaina, Yakarita and Bartica-Potaro roads, Karassabai to Kato, Ituni to Kwakwani, Kwakwani to Orealla and the LindenLethem roads.

The Ministry will also be taking over the responsibility from the Guyana Gold and Diamond Mining Associations and the Guyana Manufacturing Association to maintain the roads under their management. “We will

ensure that we keep all of these trails passable for the economic activity of these agencies in 2019,” Minister Patterson assured.

“We have a full programme for 2019, and I will be reviewing the projects myself and confirming that they will reach the intended inhabitants,” Minister Patterson emphasised.

One of the transformational projects that the Government will be pushing next year is the commencement of the East Coast to East Bank (Ogle to Diamond) road linkage. This project is being funded by the Government of Indian at a cost of approximately $25.2B (US$120M).

According to Minister Patterson, the initial stages of the project catered for a single-lane road, however, after a further assessment was conducted, it was decided that a four-lane road will be more feasible. As part of the project, several communities will also be linked including Aubrey Barker Road, Eccles, Mocha and Diamond.

Further, the 2019 budget also included sums for a study to be conducted on a road from Diamond to the Linden Soesdyke highway.

Minister Patterson made it clear that the East Bank bypass road is not a new project because it was in discussion for a number of years, but “under this government, we have revamped it and we will execute it.”

The Minister said that these projects fall under the Ministry’s 2025 to 2030 plan for public infrastructure in Guyana.

PAGE 22

Monday December 03, 2018

Kaieteur News

‘Child mother’ kills Plaisance man during quarrel FOR RENT

SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisement, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535.

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FOR SALE Generac Pressure Wash for sale 3100 PSI. Tel#654-5267/ 652-2244/220-4203 One Ford explore sportage jeep, fully loaded $3.7M. Call# 684-4636/676-4810 Four (4) Pure Breed German Shepherd pups, Black & Tan six (6) weeks old. Tele No #650-9998/626-0953 Business place on 5th St Albertown $30 Million Negotiable. Call: 684-9409 Imported bedroom, Living room, Bathroom: Furniture/ Accessories-Beds, Dressers, Lamps, Carpets, TV Stand etc.

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Makeup stations for rental #638-1106 1 Apt for rent- Bottom flat for rent, for business. Contact Radica Kassim #264-2639 Lot 7-8 Plantain Walk WBD One 2 bedroom apartment located at North East La Penitence. Contact#668-3259/ 621-3762 Mini excavator $8,800 per hour, also Bobcat service available. Tel#623-0290 1 & 2 Bedroom apartments, 3 bedroom house. Can be used for storage also ECD. Contact Mr. Khan #695-6550/656-9313 3 bedroom unfurnished house (all bedrooms selfcontained) Hot and cold water. Monthly $160,000. Call: 672-1920 1 Bedroom for Rent $25,000.

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yesterday.

He didn’t pay much attention, since the couple often had arguments from time to time.

The neighbours claim sometime around 11:30 hours, Roberts left the house and headed in the direction of the Plaisance Line Top, the neighbour assumed that it was to “cool his head”.

Continued on page 23

Logs.

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Thirty-eight-year-old Victor Roberts died yesterday around 12:30 hours after being stabbed to the region of the heart by his reputed wife at their Lot 41 Prince Williams Street, Plaisance East Coast Demerara home.

When Kaieteur News visited the scene, the woman had already been taken into custody and Roberts had already been pronounced dead at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and placed in the hospital’s morgue.

One neighbour said that he heard the couple arguing since at around 10:00 hours

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The murder weapon.

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(From page 19) but now he only had ten dollars. To raise money, he held shows at schools. But the long South American tour; the liquor, the fights had taken their toll. Many who had revered him now called him a ‘has-been…washed-up’.

But he would show them all, he thought. Their adulation would be his again. He would do a trapeze act.

He began training immediately. Twenty feet above the earth he swung, gripping the trapeze bar. Then he let go, hurling himself through space towards another bar several feet away.

But all be brushed was air, then he was plunging downwards, crashing to the earth below.

The career of the Might Joe Young had ended.

“I fell on my head and injured my right shoulder. I had to seek treatment for a year.”

In 1964, broke and unable to find employment, he sought refuge on a small, deserted island in the Essequibo River, some seven miles from Bartica.

Monday December 03, 2018

PAGE 23

Kaieteur News

FIVE ACRES GANJA Diaspora in Venezuela pushes ramped up Immigration services DESTROYED IN BERBICE to stem cross-border trafficking Director of the Guyanese Community Representatives in Venezuela (RCGV), Antonio Hamraj, is advocating for increased immigration services for Guyanese living in Venezuela.

Hamraj formally made this request last week to the Director of Venezuela’s Administrative Service of Identification, Migration and Aliens (SAIME), Gustavo Adolfo Vizcaino Gil. Hamraj requested increased collaboration between the diplomatic representatives of both countries to ensure that citizens traveling from one country to the other can do so safely and legally.

Additionally, he requested more action by that authority to ensure that Guyanese in Venezuela receive proper documentation.

Hamraj told Kaieteur News that Venezuelans traveling from the state of Bolivar to Guyana usually take an uncharted route through the Orinoco River, and that they do so at their peril.

According to RCGV, the port of Barges in San Felix is not safe to travel. He said that the passage puts travelers at risk of harm by natural elements and by sinister individuals who use the river as a regular

RCGV Director, Antonio Hamraj trafficking route.

He said that his objective is to minimise the inconvenience faced by migrants, and conflicts between Venezuelan National Immigration Policy and Guyanese travelers, though he applauded Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, for establishing this operation to combat the illegal trafficking of persons in Venezuela. He asked Maduro to reopen the commercial flight between Puerto Ordaz and Georgetown, which he says will benefit the Guyanese

population in Venezuela.

The Guyanese Diaspora there predominantly consists of the first generation to IndoGuyanese who traveled to Venezuela in 1969. They have managed to develop a thriving community. RCGV Administrator, Satish Ramkissoon, had told Kaieteur News that the Guyanese in the city of Ciudad Guayana, in Northeastern Venezuela, number about 54,000.

He said that the population predominantly consists of Guyanese and their first generation of Venezuelan because they considered the presidency of the late President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham to be a dictatorship.

RCGV has been working with the Guyanese community in Venezuela since 2004. They intend to have meetings with the Presidents of both countries, or ministry officials with responsibility for matters of Public Security and Foreign Affairs, to discuss work to re-establish flights and cooperation between the two nations, whose governments are currently in conflict due to a territorial dispute that has been in force for over a century.

‘Child mother’ kills Plaisance...

The area where the murder occurred.

The camps and cannabis that were destroyed by fire.

The gun and matching round that was discovered in one of the camp.

Ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) last Saturday conducted an eleven hour operation, which resulted in the destruction of about five acres of cannabis cultivation and three camps in the Berbice River.

A statement issued by the Force revealed that there were about 3,300 plants ranging from six inches to six feet in height, with an average weight of 1,660 kilograms.

One of the camps, which was used to dry

the prohibited plants was found with about 200 kilograms of processed cannabis.

Additionally, the ranks found a twelve gauge shotgun and a matching cartridge in another camp.

The cultivation, dried cannabis and camps were photographed; samples were obtained and then destroyed by fire.

No arrests made but investigators are tracing the ownership of the land.

Some of the dried cannabis.

From page 22 The man said at around 45 minutes later, Roberts returned to find that someone had destroyed some items that he sold in a shop.

Roberts allegedly struck his reputed wife and the two began to fight.

It is alleged that Roberts struck his partner with a pipe. The scuffle continued for about another 10 minutes, after which the woman was heard sobbing.

One neighbour went over to the shop to find the woman standing over Roberts while pressing a bloody towel on his chest.

Roberts was also clutching the towel.

The woman, in desperation, also applied Limacol and water to the wounded man’s face.

The police came, and an ambulance subsequently arrived and took Roberts to the hospital where he later succumbed.

Roberts’s partner was taken into custody,

The bloody scene. but police later returned to the scene with the suspect.

The ranks also took a kitchen knife from the scene.

PAGE 24

Kaieteur News

Monday December 03, 2018

CARICOM Climate Change Bahamas firm owed debt unearths T&T sell-off plan Center to launch multi-millionTrinidad Guardian - Business ty-coon Lawrence Duprey has been blocked by the High Court from dis-posing of over $1 bil-lion in assets, in-clud-ing three mega es-tates and a lo-cal in-surance com-pa-ny, af-ter a freezing in-junc-tion was sought by the com-pa-ny’s for-mer sub-sidiary in the Ba-hamas over a failed land de-vel-opment in Flori-da.

This new in-junc-tion grant-ed by Jus-tice Ricky Rahim to British Amer-i-can In-sur-ance Com-pa-ny (BAICO), blocked Duprey from at-tempt-ing to sell off Mo-tor One In-sur-ance Compa-ny and over 700 acres of land that fell un-der the former CL Fi-nan-cial boss.

The pro-ceed-ings stat-ed that Gary Du-mas, an-oth-er one of Duprey’s busi-ness part-ners, con-firmed that sale of a valu-able co-coa es-tate was dis-cussed with a foreign buy-er and that Duprey was in the coun-try for a short time which co-in-cid-ed with the sale of the land.

“Mr Duprey’s al-leged rea-son for be-ing in Trinidad, ie, to sign pa-pers for an appeal is un-con-vinc-ing. His sig-na-ture would not be required to file an ap-peal,” BAICO lawyers said in the injunc-tion.

Du-mas, BAICO said, has al-so con-firmed the sale of small-er pieces of land.

BAICO claims a “se-ries of com-plex cor-po-rate structures and trans-ac-tions designed to de-feat cred-i-tors” show that Duprey and his part-ners con-spired to avoid the op-er-a-tion of the law.

Duprey and the oth-er play-ers in this mat-ter could face a fine or im-pris-on-ment if the freez-ing in-junc-tion grant-ed in the mat-ter is breached.

The in-junc-tion freez-ing Duprey’s lo-cal as-sets was ob-tained against him by BAICO’s lawyers late in Octo-ber and now gives him very lit-tle con-trol over what was once his vast wealth. Ac-cord-ing to the new terms of this in-junction, Duprey is al-lowed some US$500 per week as liv-ing ex-pens-es and the ju-di-cial man-ag-er of BAICO must ap-prove any le-gal expense be-fore it is in-curred.

The freez-ing in-junc-tion on Duprey re-mains enforced un-til he makes good on a US$122 mil-lion pay-ment owed to BAICO or un-til the in-junc-tion is dis-charged.

In the in-junc-tion, BAICO’s at-tor-neys said they were con-cerned that Duprey was try-ing to sell off por-tions of his as-set base

$1B in Duprey assets frozen

Lawrence Duprey

Carl-ton Reis

to di-min-ish the ap-pear-ance of his hold-ings in or-der to avoid a court-or-dered re-payment of the US$122 mil-lion to the in-sur-ance com-pa-ny.

BAICO had sued Duprey in 2009 for a breach of fiducia-ry du-ty over the com-pany’s in-vest-ment in the Green Is-land re-al es-tate de-vel-opment in Osce-o-la Coun-ty, Flori-da. BAICO filed a USbased law-suit against Duprey over a soured deal which saw the com-pa-ny los-ing some US$100 mil-lion and go-ing in-sol-vent.

BAICO had in-vest-ed $US295 in the re-al es-tate de-vel-op-ment led by Duprey and when CL Finan-cial col-lapsed it took BAICO with it.

BAICO was forced to file the lo-cal pro-ceed-ings against Duprey to move against as-sets in this coun-try af-ter he moved back to Trinidad and Toba-go with-out pay-ing the US court-or-dered damages. The lo-cal ac-tion was re-quired as there is no leg-is-la-tive arrangement for the reg-is-ter-ing of US judge-ments in T&T.

In an over 200-page court doc-u-ment ob-tained by Guardian Me-dia, Duprey admits to the ju-di-cial man-ager of BAICO that he and his wife moved “var-i-ous assets” to an-oth-er com-pa-ny be-long-ing to Carl-ton Reis.

The de-tails of the trans-actions are an in-tri-cate web of deals and as-set trades between Duprey, Reis and Gary Du-mas.

“Duprey and his wife also ad-mit-ted that they moved var-i-ous as-sets belong-ing to Mr Duprey to Reis Fi-nan-cial and Carl-ton Reis, the di-rec-tor of the Duprey Com-pa-nies pur-suant to an arrange-ment where-by Mr Duprey would still re-ceive mon-ey from those as-sets with-out legal-ly own-ing them,” the court doc-u-ment said.

Duprey is now al-so in dis-pute with Reis Fi-nan-cial about the own-er-ship of the Duprey Com-pa-nies, alleged-ly be-cause “Reis and Reis Fi-nan-cial have de-cided to take ad-van-tage of the sit-u-a-tion and breach the terms” of their ex-ist-ing arrange-ment.

dollar light detection system

BELMOPAN, Belize CMC – The Caribbean Community Climate Change Center (CCCCC) today launches its most recent initiative to significantly boost the Caribbean’s ability to limit the ravages of climate change.

On Friday, CCCCC said that it will launch a US$2 million Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) System, acquired through the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) three-year CCAP Project.

The system will improve CCCCC’s capability to monitor and plan for physical changes to the land and marine environments.

“The acquisition of an Airborne LiDAR system by the Center – also known as the 5Cs – is possibly the most significant achievement for data capture in the Caribbean,” the CCCCC said.

“For decades, countries of the region have clamored for LiDAR produced data the high cost all but prohibited its application.”

It said the use of LiDAR was made more difficult since such services had to be sourced from outside the region, adding to costs.

At the same time, CCCCC said the requirement for more accurate data to provide evidence of climate change impacts has grown and is rapidly becoming the standard for climate financing.

It said the purchase of the LiDAR system was made possible through funds provided by the Barbadosbased USAID Eastern and Southern Caribbean Office through the 5Cs executed Climate Change Adaptation Program (USAID CCAP).

The use of an airborne

Dr. Kenrick Leslie

Christopher Cushing

LiDAR is the result of a collaboration with Maya Island Air (MIA), a locallyowned Belizean airline company.

“These critical developments also influenced the Caribbean Development Bank and the Government of Italy to provide financial support for the LiDAR system, which is soon to become operational in a region-wide exercise to map some 10,000 square miles of vulnerable coastal areas in the region,” the statement said.

Dr Kenrick Leslie, CCCCC’s executive director welcomed the launch of the center’s latest tool in building climate resilience. He said the system enhances the center’s capacity to provide the region with “critical data essential for building climate resilient communities.

“Caribbean leaders will now have access to the data set necessary for the development of tools for use in vulnerability and capacity assessments and early warning systems, and tangible adaptation and disaster risk reduction initiatives,” he said.

“The documentation of

the state of the current coastal bathymetric and topographic environment will allow for the development and implementation of appropriate sustainability policies,” Leslie said.

CCCCC said the technology is capable of simultaneously gathering topographic and bathymetric (depth of the seafloor) data, which are to be used to provide detailed information of the region’s coastal areas, reefs and seafloor to produce flood and inundation maps and other products.

Christopher Cushing, mission director of the USAID Eastern and Southern Caribbean, is expected to formally hand over the equipment to the 5Cs at the launch.

This is the agency’s latest contribution to the regional data enhancement capability under the USAID CCAP. In addition to the LiDAR, CCCCC said five data buoys have been added to the regional Coral Reef Early Warning System (CREWS) network, and 50 Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) have been added to the regional climate and weather monitoring and data collection efforts in the Eastern and Southern Caribbean.

The project has also provided a computer server that will enhance the input, processing and sharing of the vast amount of data generated from the equipment acquired under the project, CCCCC said.

“The information will ensure that the CCCCC, its partners and regional universities are able to provide accurate and country-specific climate and climate change data to help countries improve their countries abilities to protect their citizens from the effects of climate change,” the statement noted.

Ministry buildings ‘sold’ in $.7m scam Trinidad Express - Signs of activity at a State-owned property last week alerted authorities to a sophisticated $700,000 scam featuring a fraudulent Housing Development Corporation (HDC) mortgage, receipts for monthly installments, supporting letters from the Election and Boundaries Commission (EBC) and the Registrar General’s Department for a sale negotiated by a lawyer who cannot be found.

The scam involved the illegal sale of Buildings 38 and 39 at Caroni North Bank Road, Centeno, both of which are owned by the Ministry of Agriculture.

Centeno is home to the ministry’s research facility and the University of Trinidad and Tobago’s Eastern Caribbean Institute of Agriculture and Forestry (ECIAF) campus.

The Stateowned property.

Monday December 03, 2018

Kaieteur News

PAGE 25

Monday December 03, 2018

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

Wilder draws with Fury to retain WBC heavyweight title

Powell and Russell blast Warriors to T10 title

Deontay Wilder reacts after knocking down Tyson Fury.

(Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge)

The Northern Warriors celebrating the fall of another Pakhtoons wicket.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - American Deontay Wilder retained his WBC heavyweight title after a thrilling split decision draw with Britain’s Tyson Fury at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, leaving both fighters talking up a rematch.

The hard-hitting Wilder knocked Fury down twice, including a brutal right-left combination that sent the towering Fury to the canvas in the 12th in what initially looked to be the end of the fight.

But the ‘Gypsy King’ willed himself to his feet and held on to send the fight to the judges, who rewarded him for controlling much of the fight behind his long jab, precise footwork and slippery defence.

One judge scored the fight 115-111 to Wilder, another 114-112 to Fury and the third had it 113-113.

The scorecards showed that Wilder benefited greatly from his two knockdowns in the ninth and the 12th, which all three judges scored 10-8 in favor of the champion.

In all the other rounds the fighters were separated by a single point.

Wilder said he thought the battle was over when he saw Fury’s eyes “roll into the back of his head” as he fell hard on his back early in the 12th round. Wilder at first celebrated with a shimmy only to appear stunned when Fury beat the count and got back on his feet.

Both fighters preserved their unbeaten records with the draw, but both thought they had done enough to earn the victory in the bout, which played out before 17,698 fans in downtown Los Angeles.

“I think with the two knockdowns I definitely won the fight,” said Wilder (40-0-1), adding that he started slow and rushed his

punches in a sub-par performance.

“We poured our hearts out tonight. We’re both warriors but with those two drops I think I won the fight,” he said in the ring after the fight.

“When I rush my punches like that I’m never accurate. “The rematch I guarantee I’m going to get him.”

FURY’S REDEMPTION Former world champion Fury (27-0-1), in just his third bout since a two-and-a-half year absence from the sport following mental health issues and a failed drug test, was convinced he should have walked away with the title.

“We’re on away soil, I got knocked down twice, but I still believe I won that fight,” said Fury, who out-landed Wilder 84-71 overall. “That man is a fearsome puncher and I was able to avoid that.

“The world knows I won the fight.”

After exchanging harsh words in the lead up to the fight, both men were full of praise for each other following the final bell and were eager for a rematch. “One hundred percent we’ll do the rematch,” Fury said.

Fury also taunted Anthony Joshua, the undefeated holder of the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO crowns, from the ring.

“We are two great champions,” he said.

“Me and this man are the two best heavyweights on the planet.”

A win for Wilder would have likely set up a blockbuster world heavyweight unification title bout next year against the 22-0 Briton, a fight the American has long sought.

But in the widely expected rematch with Fury, the 33-year-old ‘Bronze Bomber’ will likely need to win to get his shot.

Deontay Wilder in action against Tyson Fury during their drawn fight. (Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge)

SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates, CMC – Power-hitters Rovman Powell and Andre Russell both played electrifying innings to help the Northern Warriors capture their first T10 league title with a 22-run victory over Pakhtoons here yesterday.

Powell smashed a sensational unbeaten 61 from just 25 balls with eight boundaries and four sixes and Russell blazed 38 from 12 deliveries to help the Daren Sammy led Warriors to 140 for three from their 10 overs.

Andre Fletcher then topscored with 37 from 18 balls, but Pakhtoons fell woefully short as they could only muster 118 for seven off their 10 overs.

It was sweet revenge for the Warriors, who were beaten by Pakhtoons in the first eliminator and made to defeat the Bengal Tigers in the final qualifying match.

With their top five batsmen all West Indies players, Pakhtoons snagged the early wickets of Lendl Simmons (5) and Nicholas Pooran

who made 18.

But Powell and Russell launched a furious attack against Pakhtoons’ bowlers, with Russell being especially savage on Liam Dawson. He bludgeoned the all-rounder to all parts of the ground in the sixth over which yielded 27 runs.

The pair put on 62 runs in three overs to help carry the score past 100. And even when Russell was eventually dismissed by Shahid Afridi with the score on 102 in the seventh over, Sammy along with Powell ensured that the Warriors ended on a high note.

Needing to make the highest successful run chase in the T10 league’s two seasons, Fletcher’s knock propelled Pakhtoon to 62 for one after five overs.

But once he lost his wicket to Chris Green – who bowled two sensational overs for just 11 runs – the Warriors eased to victory with only Shahid Afridi’s knock of 17 from seven balls, providing any real fireworks thereafter.

Batsmen were not mentally prepared: Brathwaite

DHAKA, Bangladesh, CMC – Following the West Indies’ dismal performance in the just concluded two-Test series against Bangladesh, the team’s captain Kraigg Brathwaite has admitted that the batsmen were not up to the task mentally.

The West Indies crumbled to an embarrassing innings and 184-run defeat to Bangladesh yesterday to lose the two-Test series 2-0.

It was the first time they had lost a Test series to Bangladesh in Bangladesh.

After watching the home side amass 508 in their first innings, the Windies were then dismissed for 111 and 213 in another dismal batting performance.

“It was very disappointing.

Our bowlers did a good job, but the batting let us down. Some of the shots weren’t the best. Most of the games we were 30-odd for three. It put the batting order under a lot of pressure. It wasn’t good for us at all. I can’t blame the wicket. Some of the shot selection wasn’t good at all,

West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite especially yesterday evening,” Brathwaite said.

“Test cricket is a mental game. Five-hundred on the board with the ball spinning on the first day. We could have had some talks.

Mentally we probably weren’t there, especially yesterday when we lost five wickets quickly. We have to do better as batsmen, even myself. We can’t consistently

be 30 for three. We have to hold up our hand and do the job. Simple.”

He said although the pitches in Bangladesh were drier than those in India, the conditions were not to blame for his team’s performances.

“I think the pitches here were a little drier but we didn’t carry out the shots at the right time. We just didn’t get anything together with the bat.

“We planned for spin here. We had a lot of spin sessions in the nets. We probably weren’t 100 per cent.

Test cricket is never easy. You can’t blame fielding. It is tough, but we have to get better,” Brathwaite insisted.

The 26-year-old was appointed to lead the team in the absence of Jason Holder, who was forced to return home due to injury.

But he too had an abysmal series with the bat, scoring only 22 runs in four innings.

In the previous tour of India last month Brathwaite made only 26 runs in four innings.

PAGE 28

Monday December 03, 2018

Kaieteur News

DMW HOCKEY FESTIVAL

Guyanese clubs sweep tournament

Old Fort’s Goal keeper Ron Alexander (about to make a save) was awarded best keeper of the veteran division which his club won.

The 14th Diamond Mineral Water (DMW) International Hockey Festival, which concluded last evening at the Cliff Anderson Sport Hall (CASH) on Homestretch Avenue, proved to be a special edition as local fans witnessed Old Fort, GBTI GCC and Pepsi Hikers win the veteran, women’s and men’s division respectively .

As expected, the men’s final was a replay of last year’s fixture between Hikers and Queen’s Park Cricket Club (QPCC) men’s hockey team of the twin island republic of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) who were defending their title.

Hikers led 4-2 at the half and seem to be on track for an easy victory but two late goals in the final two minutes of play by Jordan Vieira and Jerazeno Belle, who scored another hattrick in the game, sent the match into penalties.

Hikers’ custodian Jason Hoyte saved both of QPCC’s attempts in the shootout and Aroydy Branford, Jamarj Assanah

Hikers men’s David Hoyte was awarded goalkeeper of the tournament. and Rayon Branford made no mistake in slotting home each of their penalties to give Hikers’ sweet revenge on their regional rivals who had usurped them in 2017.

In the women’s final, GBTI

GCC successfully defended their title after overcoming the strong opposition of T&T’s Shandy Carib Magnolia in the semifinal round before edging Ventures hockey club 3-2 in the final. On the score

Hikers’ Aroydy Branford (left) who scored the most goals of the men’s open division (13) being presented with his award from Director of Sports, Chris Jones. sheet for GCC in the final were their more consistent strikers of the ball of recent in Skipper Sonia Jardine, Marzana Fiedtkou and Gabriella Xavier with one goal each.

QPCC and their prolific

forward Jerazeno Bell couldn’t stop the charge of the Old Old Fort team that clinched the Over-35 division title with a nervy 4-3 victory.

Old Fort had four different scorers in the match with

Adonis Stevenson in critical condition in hospital after 11th-round knockout BBC Sport - Canada’s Adonis Stevenson is in “critical condition” in hospital after losing his WBC and lineal lightheavyweight titles to Ukrainian Oleksandr Gvozdyk in Quebec City.

Stevenson, 41, who was boxing’s oldest and longestreigning champion, suffered an 11th-round knockout,

slumping in the corner after a flurry of punches.

He was put on a stretcher, before being taken to hospital by ambulance.

Stevenson’s promoter Yvon Michel said his boxer was in intensive care.

Unbeaten Gvozdyk, 31, told a news conference on Saturday night: “I talked to the people at the hospital. He

was very confused when he arrived, we suspect a concussion. It’s very disturbing.”

On Sunday, Michel tweeted his thanks on behalf of Stevenson’s wife and family: “Thank you for your many messages of encouragement and support. #Superman is currently under careful medical supervision of

very competent doctors in a controlled environment. #hope.”

The World Boxing Council tweeted: “The WBC and boxing community from the world join in prayers for the safe recovery of our dear friend, great fighter and exemplary human being @AdonisSuperman,” The University Hospital

of Quebec said the Haitian born boxer “was admitted to the emergency room” without giving further details, news agency AFP reports.

Stevenson was making his 10th title defence since winning the belt in 2013 by defeating American Chad Dawson. He successfully defended the title against Britain’s Tony Bellew.

Dwight Sullivan, Askofu Simon and John Abrahams each banging in a field goal, while Solomon Eccles penalty corner in the 19th minute proved to be the divisive goal.

Head of the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB), Philip Fernandes, posited that without our visitors, there won’t be any DMW Hockey Festival and so we are thankful to see their participation.

“I think I speak for everyone when I say this year ’s competition was fantastic, one of our best yet and I must say thanks to everyone including the sponsors, hard-working officials and volunteers that helped to make this tournament such a success.”

The individual accolades are as follows: Diamond Water Open men’s division Most Goals – Aroydy Branford (13) (Hikers) Best goalkeeper -Jason Hoyte (Hikers) MVP – Jamarj Assanah (Hikers) ExxonMobil Open women’s division Most Goals – Arielle Williams (12 goals, Ventures) Best goalkeeper – Briawna Gordon (GCC) MVP - Carina Moller (GCC) Stag Beer Over-35 (veteran) division Most Goals- Jerazeno Bell (16) (QPCC) Best goalkeeper -Ron Alexander (Old Fort) MVP – Dwayne Quan Chan (Old Fort)

Monday December 03, 2018

Series win serves as redemption, says Shakib

PAGE 29

Kaieteur News

T&Ts Beckles conducts Boxing Workshop

T&T Referee Judge James Beckles speaks to local Referees during yesterday’s Boxing Workshop.

Shakib Al Hasan led his team to a 2-0 Test series whitewash of the West Indies.

DHAKA, Bangladesh, CMC – Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan has commended his teammates for bouncing back from a below par performance four months against the West Indies to record a convincing series win.

Bangladesh wrapped up the two-Test series against the visitors with a massive innings and 184-run victory inside three days at the Shere Bangla National Stadium here yesterday to win 2-0.

The hosts also won the first Test by 64 runs.

Back in July on their tour of the Caribbean, Bangladesh lost the two-match Test series 2-0 in a disappointing showing, which included being bowled out for 43 in the first Test match in Antigua, the lowest Test total since 1974.

Despite bouncing back to win the ODI and T20 series, Shakib said he had challenged the team to produce a better showing at home. “ We n e v e r e x p e c t e d such a performance in the We s t I n d i e s . We h e l d discussions after the Test series defeat there, and then came back strongly in the ODIs and T20Is. “Since we didn’t do well in the Tests [there], we had this opportunity to do well at home. We wanted people to at least understand that it was a performance in their home conditions, and see that we could do the same in our home conditions,” Shakib said.

“I would thank my teammates and the coaching staff, for believing that it was possible. I was quite demanding of my players in this series. I wanted a lot from them. I think everyone contributed in their own way, but I saw everyone really wanting to contribute to the win.”

Shakib said the fact that the ninth-ranked Bangladesh side thoroughly dispatched the eighth-ranked West Indies was equally satisfying.

“This is the first time we enforced the follow-on in more than 100 Tests in 18 years, which is definitely something special,” Shakib, who has been involved in ten of Bangladesh’s 38 innings defeats, said.

“We haven’t done this against smaller teams, so to do it against a higherranked side is an achievement.

We obviously had a lot to prove after losing to them in that manner [in July]. I think we have done that at least at home.”

Shakib also praised his batsmen for making the most of good batting conditions in the first two days of this Test.

Mahmudullah struck his third Test hundred, a bloody-minded 136 that spanned over six hours, while debutant Shadman Islam, Liton Das and Shakib himself struck halfcenturies.

“Our batsmen have done well on good wickets.

Both sides [Bangladesh and Sri Lanka] made plenty of runs in the Chittagong Te s t in J a n u a r y.

Afterwards, we have played mostly on tough wickets, at home and in the We s t I n d i e s . E v e n t h e opposing side didn’t reach 500. It is not right to blame the batsmen all the time.

“In this game, they believed in the plan put in front of them. We no longer prepare flat wickets on which we are expected to score 500 and draw the game.

We try to win every game, and this changed mindset has taken us to a better place as cricketers,” Shakib said.

T&Ts Referee James Beckles makes a point.

In preparation for this month Caribbean Boxing Championships (CBC), International Boxing Association (AIBA) accredited 3-star referee, Trinidadian James Beckles, yesterday held a RefereesWorkshop for novice referees at the National Resource Centre on Woolford Avenue.

Beckles, the Caribbean’s highest ranked referee-judge, officiated in the recently concluded AIBA women’s championships in India and shared his experience in India with eight Referees present when Kaieteur Sport visited the Workshop.

The Trini, who came here in July of this year, will move to the Andrew ‘Six head’ Lewis gym for practical sessions today before returning to the Resource Centre tomorrow for another theoretical session before another practical session is done on Wednesday in Albouystown which will be followed by the commencement of the CBC on Thursday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall from 18:00hrs.

Some 12 overseas Referees that will participate in the CBC should attend Beckles’ sessions.

Beckles, who has visited here for every championship since 2015 when Guyana hosted the CBC, said that the training is vital since it will cover the recently implemented AIBA rules and spoke on topics such as refereeing techniques, ring control, ring management, administering of fouls, along with cautions and warnings. (Sean Devers)

Squash Pro, Cameron Stafford, chooses...

From page 31 to see others in the Caribbean succeed”. The Caymanian has always wanted to know why Guyana’s National teams were so successful and was impressed by the achievement of Nicolette Fernandes who was an early student of Ince. He wholeheartedly believes it is largely down to this man and states; “There was no hesitation in choosing to take the Level 1 & 2 in Guyana with Coach Ince and learn from the master of success.”

Eager to take his new knowledge of different ways to teach, different techniques and new information back to the Cayman Islands, he

outlines a few of the areas he now feels more proficient in such as programme planning, running tournaments and the coaching approach of mixing beginners and intermediates.

He sums it up by saying, “I’ve learnt so much that I never knew existed and asked so many questions… I want to

be the best and the only way to do that is to learn from the best!”

After complimenting the junior players he worked with throughout the course and the hospitality of the Guyanese people, Cameron spoke of the advantage of being out in the middle of the

rainforest with no distractions giving him time to process and digest all the new information.

He smiles as he makes his final comment that he will take away Coach’s life philosophy; “The only way to the top is hard work and dedication to your craft”, and adopt it as his own.

West Demerara dominate...

From page 33 Uitvlugt, Ruben Dainty’s 55th minute strike.

Edwards would go on to complete his brace in the 63rd with Mickael Mckend (65th) making the scoreline 5-1 at the whistle.

Christianburg won via walk over ST Roses High for the game two result but action returned in game three when Vergenoegen trampled Charlestown.

Ronaldo Macey (4th and 42nd) lead the line in the 5-1 drubbing with Troy Skeete

(39th), Esan Heymar (47th) and Brentnol Bobb (54th) were all on target.

Charlestown had Carlos Agard in the 44th minute registering their lone strike.

Annandale on the other hand picked up a 2-0 win over Lodge Secondary thanks to Junor Verreia in the 22nd and Omari Glasgow in the 36th.

Matches continue today with Dolphin playing Queens College and Bishops playing Marian Academy from 15:30hrs.

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Monday December 03, 2018

Kaieteur News

Mehidy leads Bangladesh to historic win over hapless Windies

Shane Dowrich resisted alone with 37 but West Indies crashed to 111 all out ©AFP DHAKA, Bangladesh, CMC – Mehidy Hasan Miraz produced the best bowling performance ever by a Bangladesh bowler to bowl his side to victory in the second Test and claim a historic series win over the West Indies.

Mehidy tore through the Windies’ middle order on his way to grabbing seven wickets in the first innings and then returned to wreck more havoc, snaring five more wickets in the second innings, to finish with the remarkable figures of 12 for 117.

His showing allowed the hosts to complete a memorable and momentous innings and 184-run win over the West Indies, their largest ever margin of victory in a Test match.

So dominant were Bangladesh’s spinners in this two-match series that they accounted for all 40 West Indies wickets to fall.

It was the first time Bangladesh had defeated the West Indies on home soil and only their fourth Test series win in history

and first since 2014.

The writing was on the wall for a huge Bangladeshi victory at the end of the second day with the Windies struggling on 75 for five in reply to the home side’s mammoth first innings total of 508.

Mehidy, who had claimed three of those scalps, continued from where he left off.

He was responsible for breaking the 57run partnership between Shimron Hetmyer and Shane Dowrich – the only form of resistance in the Windies’ first innings- when he induced the former to play down the wrong line to have him caught and bowled for the top score of 39.

Devendra Bishoo made just one before he became Miraz’s fifth victim, driving the spinner straight into Shadman Islam at silly point, who took a spectacular reflex catch as the Windies slipped to 88 for seven.

Kemar Roach tried to launch him out of the ground but only picked out Liton Das at long on and then Miraz trapped Dowrich leg before wicket for 37.

Skipper Shakib Al Hasan then rounded off the innings when he had Shermon Lewis out leg before wicket.

Asked to follow on after trailing Bangladesh by a massive 397 runs, the West Indies found themselves on the back foot from the very first over.

Windies’ captain Kraigg Brathwaite’s torrid run of form in the series continued when he played down the wrong line of a looping delivery from Shakib and was out plum leg before wicket for one.

Opener Kieron Powell’s struggles also continued, as having been giving a lifeline after he was dropped by wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim early on, he waltzed down the track and completely missed a turning delivery from Mehidy to be easily stumped for four, as the Windies slumped to 14 for two.

Taijul Islam then made it 23 for three when he trapped Sunil Ambris leg before wicket with a delivery that kept low and skidded on and Roston Chase only scored three before he drove Taijul into the diving hands of Mominul Haque at short cover to make it 29 for four.

Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer then tried to repair the damage during a fifth wicket

Shimron Hetmyer slogs one over midwicket ©AFP partnership that yielded 56 runs.

Hetmyer was his usual aggressive self, smashing Mehidy over the long on boundary for six as the Windies went to lunch on 46 for four.

But when it looked as though the pair had weathered the storm, Hope hit Mehidy into the hands of Shakib at short midwicket to be out for 25.

Hetmyer proved to be the lone bright spark, his 93 coming from just 92 balls as he took the attack to the spinners. He also struck nine sixes, which equalled the most ever in a Test innings by a West Indies batsman.

Bangladesh, however, continued to strike regularly, with Nayeem Hasan accounting for the wicket of Dowrich for three and Mehidy dismissing Devendra Bishoo for 12 to leave the Windies on 143 for seven.

By the time Mehidy accounted for Hetmyer, seven runs short of a deserved century, the outcome was already sealed, with only a fighting unbeaten 37 from Kemar Roach and 20 from Shermon Lewis delaying the inevitable.

SCOREBOARD BANGLADESH 1st Innings 508 WEST INDIES 1st Innings (overnight 75 for five) *K Brathwaite b Shakib 0 K Powell b Mehidy 4 S Hope b Mehidy 10 S Ambris b Shakib 7 R Chase b Mehidy 0 S Hetmyer c&b Mehidy 39 +S Dowrich lbw Mehidy 37 D Bishoo c Islam b Mehidy 1 K Roach c Das b Mehidy 1 J Warrican not out 5 S Lewis lbw b Shakib 0 Extras (b4, lb3) 7 TOTAL (all out; 36.4 overs) 111 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-6, 3-17, 4-20, 5-29, 6-86, 7-88, 8-92, 9-110, 10-111.

Bowling: Shakib 15.4-4-27-3, Mehidy 16-1-58-7, Nayeem 3-0-9-0, Taijul 1-0-10-0, Mahmudullah 1-1-0-0.

WEST INDIES 2nd Innings *K Brathwaite lbw b Shakib 1 K Powell st Mushfiqur b Mehidy 6 S Hope c Shakib b Mehidy 25 S Ambris lbw b Taijul 4 R Chase c Mominul b Taijul 3 S Hetmyer c Mohammad b Mehidy 93 +S Dowrich c Soumya b Naeem 3 D Bishoo c Soumya b Mehidy 12 K Roach not out 37 J Warrican c&b Mehidy 0 S Lewis lbw b Taijul 20 Extras (b6, lb3) 9 TOTAL (all out; 59.2 overs) 213 Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-14, 3-23, 4-29, 5-85, 6-96, 7-143, 8-166, 9-171, 10-213.

Bowling: Shakib 14-3-65-1, Mehidy 20-2-59-5, Taijul 10.2-1-40-3, Mahmudullah 1-0-6-0, Nayeem 14-2-34-1.

Mehidy ripped through West Indies again, taking a second five-wicket haul and finishing with his best match haul of 12 for 117 ©AFP

Result: Bangladesh won by an innings and 184 runs.

Series: Bangladesh won the series 2-0.

Toss: Bangladesh.

Player-of-the-Match: Mehidy Hasan.

Player-of-the-Series: Shakib Al Hasan.

Umpires: Aleem Dar, Ruchira Palliyaguruge; TV – Richard Illingworth.

Monday December 03, 2018

PAGE 31

Kaieteur News

Squash Pro, Cameron Stafford, chooses Guyana to pursue Coaching Certification Fresh from the Professional Squash Association (PSA) circuit, 26 year old Cameron Stafford of the Cayman Islands, recently visited his father’s homeland Guyana to undertake his Level 1 and 2 England Squash Coaching Certificate with Guyana’s National Junior Coach Carl Ince (Elite Level 4 Coach). Alongside Trinidad’s National coach Ryan Jagessar, who Cameron describes as “one of the best coach’s in Caribbean”, the two visitors gained a wealth of theoretical and practical knowledge from Coach Ince as well as each other.

On the final day of the course, Cameron sat looking out at the serene picture of horses grazing in the fields on Coach Ince’s farm and said he feels humbled by the experience he has had over the past week by both the environment and the man conducting the course. He has travelled to almost every continent for training or to compete as a professional squash player, but his time on the Linden, Soesdyke Highway at this remote location has enhanced his development in ways he didn’t expect.

Not many squash players

from the Caribbean make it into the world circuit but from a young age Cameron displayed a level of discipline and commitment that is at the core of a successful player.

His hand eye coordination was nurtured by his grandma who tied a ball to a pole in her garden and put Cameron to stand in a hula hoop and hit the target. He stayed out in the yard the entire day hitting his mark with no thought of food or drink. This led to a successful junior tennis career before an attentive squash coach, Dean Watson, coerced him off the tennis court onto a squash court one rainy afternoon. Those four walls became his home as he immediately fell in love with the game.

Following obsessive hard work and dedication under Watson’s wing, Cameron toured with the junior team to compete in Junior CASA and first met Coach Ince in 2007 in Tortola. He remembers “Coach complemented me and said it was hard to coach against me. He gave me great advice even though he wasn’t my coach and that has helped me to this day” Moving into his senior career, coaches Mark Forster, who focused on fitness, and

From left Coach Carl Ince, Nicholas Verwey (student) and Cameron Stafford Ryan Jagessar and Samuel Ince-Carvalhal (student).

Lucas Buit on court training, contributed greatly to his successful competitive

outcomes, but the PSA player now wants to develop his coaching skills in order to help

T&T’s Ryan Jagessar successful in Level 2 Squash Coaching Certification Trinidad’s National Junior Coach, Ryan Jagessar is the latest Caribbean Coach to make the journey to Guyana to undertake his England Squash level 2 Coaching Certification under the tutelage of Coach Carl Inc; Guyana’s Junior National Coach.

Ryan has been coaching squash for 15 years and has earned a reputation of being a remarkable coach. Part of a cohort of Trinidadians to undertake the level 1 in 2015 and impressed with the teaching style of Carl Ince, he has been eager to come to Guyana to undertake the next level.

As a youngster, Ryan tried every sport you can imagine and quit each one soon after he started. In a last attempt to get him focused on a sport, his dad introduced him to squash and whilst on court for the first time, the youngster somehow hit a lucky boast, a shot usually executed by a more seasoned player, and the game captured his heart. At 13, he was hooked.

After touring a few of the

Caribbean Islands as a junior competing in the Caribbean Area Squash Association Championships and enjoying some success, Ryan’s life in squash was secured. He began coaching the senior team in 2003; a transition which “kind of evolved…. I was always one to share my knowledge with others.” It only took someone asking for help and the squash junkie jumped right in and gave it all he had.

His evolving involvement in squash broadened into becoming a member of the Trinidad Squash Association Board in 2011; holding the position of tournament director for Senior CASA 2012 and Junior CASA 2018; National Senior Coach and manager for 2014-2017, and coach at the Commonwealth Games and the CAC Games in 2018.

Over the years Ryan has interacted with Coach Ince in the network of coach’s in the Caribbean and his respect for the man at the helm of such a successful National team was heightened by what he felt was a similarity in their drive

and willingness to share knowledge. Half in jest, Ryan said “He [coach Ince] is so open and sharing his trade secrets with us even though we are technically the enemy!”

Ryan undertook the course with PSA Player Cameron Stafford form the Cayman Islands and enjoyed their shared experience of being on Coach’s farm with no internet and no interruptions. He believes the venue added to the overall success of the week explaining, “It has been stress-free and the peaceful environment has made it easier to digest the information.” Of his cocandidate, he highlighted, “It was great to work with one of the most talented squash players in Caribbean squash history” Already proficient in tournament organisation, the T&T National Coach felt he gained mostly through the vast amount of theory which made him surer of himself and more confident. With the new information and new

techniques he has learnt during the course he feels even better equipped to move forward with his coaching.

Comparing the level 1 to this current level 2 Ryan describes it as “more intense and containing a lot more information. Applicants are required to demonstrate more on court and have sharper skills.”

He further added, “Being allowed to ask so many questions cleared up all my uncertainties….I can now plan course of training, breaking it down physically, theoretically and practically”.

Ryan found Coach Ince informative and interesting and would like to thank him for his patience. Describing the level 4 Elite coach as “such a class act”, he expressed gratitude that Carl “taught me how to deal with situations being respectful to everyone”.

Ryan will be working hard in the New Year to prepare his junior team for CASA 2018 which will be held in Trinidad in July.

future generations and inspire young players in his home town. His passion and enthusiasm are contagious as he determines; “I want to bring the next best thing into the game.”

With access to a host of other coaches for this course,

he explains that the reasons he chose to take 3 flights to come to Guyana is that he wanted to work with someone who genuinely cared and wanted to share their knowledge. “I have so much respect for Carl as he wants Continued on page 29

GT Beer Candy Boss 8-a-side football competition

Mahaicony and Soccer City advance to next round Mahaicony and Soccer City were the two teams that came out victors with contrasting wins when the latest matches were played in the ongoing GT Beer, Candy Boss and Antics Promotion 8-a-side football competition ongoing in Berbice.

The first encounter between Mahaicony and Wolves United was an evenly contested affair which went down to the wire with Mahaicony coming out victors from the penalty spot following a 2-2 draw at the end of regulation time.

For Mahaicony Sunil Logan opened the scoring for his team in the 6th minute. Wolves were able to draw level in the 23rd minute when Jason Wrong found the back of the net as the team went to the break 1-1.

At the resumption Mahaicony struck early when Cleveland Welch netted in the 34th minute. However, a determined Wolves team continued to hunt and were soon rewarded when David Belgrave was able to level things up with a 43rd minute strike.

However it was joy for Mahaicony and heartbreak for Wolves as Mahaicony were able to seal the win by scoring from the penalty spot.

The second game was also a keenly contested affair as Soccer City edged past Cougars B 1-0. Jason West was the man on target with a 14 minute strike for Soccer City team.

The competition is set to continue this evening with two more games. The first encounter will see Paradise Invaders FC matching skills with fellow West Berbice side Hopetown.

This will be followed by Rosignol United of West Bank Berbice taking on Mahaica Determinators in what is expected to be a closely fought encounter. (Samuel Whyte)

PAGE 32

Monday December 03, 2018

Kaieteur News

GCA’s NBS 2nd Division 40-over cricket

Brown’s 102 highlights latest round GCC, MSC, MYO & TSC in winners’ row

MYO’s Captain Khemraj Ramdeen is dropped by Quincy Ovid-Richardson before his 36 led MYO to victory yesterday.

A responsible 102 from MSC’s inform left-hander Stephon Brown highlighted the latest round of the NBS 40-over second division cricket competition for Georgetown Cricket Association Teams as MSC, GCC, MYO and Transport Sports Club (TSC) registered victories yesterday.

In glorious sunshine, Brown followed up 67 against at Bourda in the Semi-finals of the Noble House Seafoods two-day first Division tournament with an attractive 102 from 118 balls with 11 fours and a six to register the day’s only century at the small GYO ground on Woolford Avenue, while Transport’s 346-6 from 40 overs against Third Class at Everest was the highest total of the round in which no five-wicket haul was

registered.

At GYO, on an underprepared track which kept low from the first over, MSC, invited to bat by the host, fell for 223 in the last over as schoolboy Tuen Hicks who hit four boundaries in 30 and Brown added 88 for the second wicket after Shaquille Mosley (0) was dismissed at 12-1 by off-spinner Darshan Persaud.

Left-arm spinner Trevon France (3-34), Medium pacer Sachin Singh (2-24) and son of Minister of State Khemraj Ramajattan, leg-spinner Devish Ramajattan (2-69) were the wicket takers for GYO who were bowled out for 201 in the 39th over to lose by 22 runs.

Micheal Deonarine (51), Navindra Persaud (47) and Sachin Singh (27) offered fight as Skipper Nkosi Barker

Lenny Pancham hits a big six for 3rd Class at Everest yesterday.

followed up his four-wicket haul in the first Division semis with 3-28 and got support Delon Dalrymple who had 330.

After losing Mosley, Hicks and Brown took MSC to 90 with several well timed shots before Hicks tried to clear mid-wicket on the tiny ground and was taken on the boundary as Persaud struck again before Barker (3) was LBW at 111-3 as Ramajattan was not afraid to give the ball plenty of air.

Kellon Carmichael (11) inexplicably charged Persaud and was stumped with a wide while Kefa Naughthon (6) missed a slog and was bowled

by Ramajattan at 160-6.

France then bowled former West Indies U-19 player Kwame Cross (13), Jermaine Joseph (0) and Ntini Permaul (9) while Singh wrapped up the innings.

At Everest, Devaughn Nandan (82), Sunil Singh (81), Jamal Wilson (61) and Devon Allen (47) batted positively on the large Camp Road venue as TSC galloped to 341-6 with left-arm spinner Trever Hossain and Keon Bailey picking up two wickets each for Third Class who fell for 123.

After Bailey (5) was removed by Mark Baptiste who also got rid the burly Lenny Pancham (21) who dumped off-spinner Ross for six to leave 3rd Class on 45-2 and they never recovered although Yogcandra Singh hit Ross for six before falling for 19 and Ricardo Ghisawan played a few aggressive shots in his 35.

Baptiste, Azim Azeeze, Shawn Massiah and Raphael

Singh picked up two wickets each for TSC who won by 220 runs.

At MYO, the host beat GNIC by two wickets after Parmanand Sookdeo (34), Ryan Shun (47), David Dick (18) and Jeremiah Benjamin (16) reached double figures as GNIC fell for 168 with Shun and Sookdeo putting together 71 for the third wicket.

Richard Latiff (4-41) and Timour Mohammed (3-32) did the damage for MYO who reached 173-8 with Skipper Khemraj Ramdeen, dropped by the keeper before he had scored, made 36 and Sheriff Ishmael (31) saw MYO to victory as Trevon Jones (425) and Jermaine Grosvenor (2-45) bowled well for GNIC. At Bourda GCC beat GDF by six wickets after reaching 110-4 in 22.4 overs in reply to 109 all out made by the soldiers.

Damion Waldron top scored with 34 and added 40 with Jerimiah Harris who finished unbeaten on 31.

Randy Lindore chipped in with 21.

Skipper Devon Lord had 3-14 with his left-arm spin and

MSCs Stephon Brown drives for four during his 102 at GYO yesterday. got support from Bernard Bailey and Renaldo AliMohammed who had two wickets each.

GCC, led by a 54-run opening stand between Martin Pestano Bell (35) and Khemraj Jaikarran (25) registered an easy victory although Jaguars Super50

Selectee Ali-Mohammed (8) again suffered another failure when after hitting a four, he pulled Shamar Allen and was caught.

Waldron, who broke the opening partnership when he removed Pestano-Bell, finished with 3-14.

(Sean Devers)

Guyana’s Shavin Greene is the ITTF Expert as GTTA host ITTF level One Course The Guyana Table Tennis Association in collaboration and under the auspices of the International Table Tennis federation will be hosting an ITTF level one coaches certification programme from December 8 to 14.

The programme will be conducted by recently certified ITTF level one Course Conductor Guyanese Mr. Shavin Greene.

Greene, who is also an International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) level one coach, General Secretary of the Linden Table Tennis Committee and teacher at the McKenzie High School, secured his credentials as an ITTF level one course coordinator in November of 2017, when he successfully passed the ITTF Course Coordinators course held in Guyana and conducted by ITTF Continental Development Manager Mr. Ramon Ortega Montes.

He is now certified to conduct ITTF level one programmes internationally.

Coach Linden Johnson and Dwain Dick are coaches who also took the ITTF course coordinators course under Mr. Ortega Montes and were certified to conduct

Shavin Greene certification programmes for coaches at the national level under the guidance and approval of the GTTA. The programme is selffunded by the Guyana Table Tennis Association and supported by the ITTF and forms a key pillar in the GTTA’s development thrust, aimed at positioning the association to establish a coach certification pathway and structure, Developing a nucleus of coaches with the right attributes and attitudes and technical capacities to develop players with the correct technical and tactical

orientation. It also is aimed to aid the GTTA’s Decentralization of the sport and institutional strengthening.

The GTTA has targeted teachers from schools under the National Table Tennis for Schools programme and who would have completed the GTTA - ITTF 12 hour programme conducted by Mr. Linden Johnson in addition to club coaches community personnel.

Persons outside of this group interested in participating in the programme can make contact with Mr. Linden Johnson Hon. General Secretary GTTA on telephone numbers 6217630 or Mr. Shavin Greene ITTF Course Coordinator on telephone number 682-8835.

Participants are expected to complete thirty (30) participatory hours in addition to doing a presentation on a particular subject area covered in order to receive certification; therefore attendance at sessions will be mandatory.

Shavin Greene will be supervised by newly appointed ITTF Pan American Development Manager Mr. Carlos Esnard.