Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News

PAGE 04

Sunday March 03, 2019

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

Rusal is the proverbial Jekyll and Hyde When the circumstances surrounding Rusal are carefully probed, a riddle emerges. Elusive are the solutions; many the questions.

First question: how does any company, which was so front-loaded with the rich incentives so characteristic of a bygone government’s easy largesse that breakeven is a struggle? It is neither unreasonable nor improper to ponder if this was yet not another instance of the double bookkeeping of creative accounting.

Each question ushers in one more intriguing brethren: how is it that these sophisticated investors, who negotiated and benefited from the state’s generosity have nothing to show for it? The Berbice River Bridge makes for another compelling case.

Question number two also comes in pieces: for a decade, this company operated virtually unhindered and it was allowed to do as it pleased: bargaining agents ignored and workers’ rights abrogated, and workers’ dignity assaulted.

While all of this occurred, where was government?

Why did the then government conveniently and nonchalantly pretend not to know? Why were material issues impacting various tiers of this society quietly relegated to the back-burner? Something is not adding up here.

There are uncorroborated reports that local political operators have some vested interest in the enterprise that is Rusal. If accurate, this could provide an entrée into two of the mysteries that surround Rusal’s past and present swagger. The first was already asked, where was the government of Guyana during the years of excesses?

The second related question is: how is it that Rusal now has developed this disdain when the state is involved?

Matters would add up if political powers (those with a financial dog in the pound) are using Rusal as a proxy to apply pressure: A company that was a sleeper is now exhibiting aggression that borders on the provocative and obnoxious in its interactions with today’s government.

To furnish context, companies such as Rusals can scan the globe for investment opportunities, with the richest net return being paramount. Where can the best bang for each invested dollar be realized? From where can the sweetest deal be squeezed in a hungry, jobless, investment starved, resources rich Third World?

Which government is believed to be pliable? To be weak? Or so dirty as to be easily manipulated? It was Rusal’s good fortune to encounter all of these ingredients in yesterday’s government.

Since this government took the reins of office, Rusal has transformed into the brutish Mr. Hyde, through one worker atrocity after another. The real Rusal is discovered.

Look where matters began and where they are currently.

In the early days of Rusal’s arrival, there were the regular games embodied in political and corporate courtship, and with the regular promises flowing fast and furious.

First up: jobs - an easy sale for savvy incoming investors; and one sweet swallow for expectant homegrown politicians. Rusal did some of that. This was followed by talk (mostly of a pro forma variety) of infrastructure enhancement and a general spirit of good corporate citizenship. In most situations, however, when examined closely and critically, these infrastructure works and the rest have proven to be akin to charitable scraps. Third, there were those solemn speeches to honour laws, local culture, and pious commitments to make the relationship work.

Except that now, there are no such things manifested, and there is only unconcealed hostility and concentrated abuse delivered. Something is amiss; and commonsense, when exercised, should trace to other than industrial relations and profit roots.

Departure is the threat in an increasingly acrimonious partnership. Rusal was permitted to take the country hostage; now the mutilations surface.

Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.

The Guyana government has to learn from this debacle with RUSAL Dear Editor, According to a Demerara Waves article dated March 2nd, the Hon. Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, has gone on record with some strong words in the matter of the impasse with Rusal. Minister Trotman is quoted as saying, government has to consider the implications of “either them closing or we closing them.”

Those are not only fighting words, but far reaching ones. They bring some comfort. Maybe some courtesy and sanity will follow.

No investors, be they local or foreign, should be allowed to hold this country to ransom; or to think that they can manifest and practise a plantation mentality and get away with it. It is insulting and degrading to workers and the nation. And then when called upon for either an accounting, or to be responsible (or is taken to task), there is

the equivalent of threatening to pick up bat and ball and stumps (perhaps, the wicket too) and leave.

It is the equivalent of this game is over; and ‘ayuh deh pun ayuh own’ (or however that is said in Russian). It is appreciated that this country is in a rough place, but it has to have its dignity, and ought not to accept humbly and meekly the scorn dished out to beggars now forced to its knees.

Now even as I say this, a few points should be made clear. First, companies coming to invest their scarce capital and expertise must be welcomed. Second, the discussing and wooing and negotiating can be-must be-tough, but fair. Third, whatever is finalized and memorialized must have binding power.

Fourth, there has to be insistence on scrupulous delivery and fulfillment on the part of both parties with conditions and clauses clearly identified. Fifth,

this is particularly relevant to the rights of workers and the responsibilities of investing companies. Sixth, this is a two-way street, with those roles just mentioned being reversed and similarly respected and enforced. Seventh, if and when the relationship becomes untenable (for whatever reason), there has to be a mechanism for either conciliation or a dignified exit strategy for both parties.

I do not think that any of those are either impractical or unfair or unsound.

I further think that, when taken together, they establish clear operational baselines for solid, if not productive, industrial relations practice as well as enhanced government-company partnership. The Guyana government has to learn from this debacle; this indignity must not be permitted to repeat itself. Quite frankly, it is my belief that (Continued on page 7)

Sunday February 24, 2019

PAGE 5

Kaieteur News

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Ecstasy is destroying our youths; government needs to do much more It is left to our imagination as funds that appear to be laun- prosper on criminal activity neers and hopefully, politito protect them to whether or not any succeed dered through these build- that enriches them and their cians. Perhaps we will not see DEAR EDITOR, ECSTASY is filling a growing spiritual void in the lives of our bright, young, gullible Guyanese students in a wide cross-section of schools, including those that we associate with the privileged of our society. It appears that the Government is doing little or nothing of consequence to remove this scourge from our land. The PPP/Civic Government has, at best, a questionable reputation as it relates to fighting drug trafficking and related crimes. All you have to do is call the name Roger Khan and phantoms rise from the grave to remind us of the lethal cocktail that is brewed when Governmental access and support unites with money-driven crime. Although, to date, no accusing finger of criminal conspiracy has been pointed at the Granger Government, it has

failed miserably to arrest and purge drug trafficking from our land.

A few days ago, news broke that the Police “busted” a well-established ring of criminal dealers in the mindaltering drug called ECSTACY. And the reported circumstances surrounding the bust suggests more luck and good coincidences than effective detailed police detection work.

But for a very long time, it has been common knowledge on the streets that ecstasy and related drugs are being peddled in places that you would not suspect, and even in our schools. And given the extremely small population of Guyana, it is difficult to believe that the police were not fully aware of this.

A report also indicates that these criminals openly try to bribe our law officers to avoid being held to account.

in actually bribing our policemen.

But given the number of arrests and successful prosecutions reported, the temptation is to assume the worst.

And when a suspected drug dealer who may be implicated in the death of a teenager is released on a ridiculously paltry bail, I would not be surprised if he were also given a guard of honour and a gun salute.The penalties for trafficking in drugs at their current levels are woefully inadequate and almost suggest a co-operation between lawmakers who may have benefitted from profits from the trade and the criminals. In the last two decades, we all have seen multi-billion dollar multistorey buildings shoot up out of nowhere in the absence of their owners being able to demonstrate an accountable economic foundation for the

Unfair to the late Captain Randy Liverpool’ DEAR EDITOR, With reference to Kaieteur News publication dated 24/02/2019 leading front page article - ‘Pilot’s recklessness caused crash’- the bereft family members wish to highlight the harmful presumption of this article and question the motive of the source of this unfounded attack on the illustrious reputation of Captain Liverpool. The proper journalistic conduct would be to pronounce on facts, present possible theories based on past evidence or cautiously speculate based on a trend, but abso-

lutely never to arrive at a definitive conclusion based on anecdotal evidence or an opinion thereof.

This form of mediocre journalism is generally rooted in ‘money over facts’ rationale or even more cynical agendas.The reality is that multiple duly authorised investigations are currently ongoing and will produce their findings at an appropriate time. The traumatised relatives are therefore seeking a retraction and apology.

Regards, Mrs. Karen Liverpool (Grieving Widow)

ings.

This activity cannot thrive outside of an environment in which Government direct or indirect support is available.

Concerns of this nature have not been restricted to local discussion but have thrived in the international arena.

It is bad enough when persons from an easily identifiable section of our society

family.

But we must call for an immediate halt to this activity when the minds and lives of our young people and future of Guyana are being irreparably damaged. The interesting thing about the current ECSTASY plague is that through the High School system, it is reaching the sons and daughters of lawyers, doctors, engi-

meaningful political deterrent action until the son or daughter of a prominent politician is destroyed by ECSTACY. In the meanwhile, ordinary, struggling, hard-working Guyanese are losing their children, one by one, because they have failed to provide a moral and spiritual alternative to ECSTASY in the home.

Phyllis J. Jordan

PAGE 6

Sunday March 03, 2019

Kaieteur News

Kaieteur M@ilbox Mr. Ali and Mr. Jagdeo, I just can’t vote for this version of the PPP DEAR EDITOR, Many others and I have spoken at length on the impending Irfaan Ali degree scandal. I have published twice on the issue.

The arguments made by everyone are similar and equally simple.

I f M r. A l i r e a l l y attainted h i s q u a l i f i c a tions legitimately, then he should have already furnished the nation with the corresponding documents.

There is no transcript for any of the universities that

Mr. Ali claimed he attended.

Including the University no one knew existed on the West Demerara Chamber School.

In fact, Editor, the Indian University and the Ministry of Finance both appear to have no record of Mr. Ali’s qualifications.

There is no need to r e g u r g i t a t e what I have previously written.

We eagerly await proof of Mr. Ali’s qualifications, transcripts and official degrees that can be authenticated.

Mr. Ali should note certificates of attendance are not qualifications.

Mr. Ali and Mr. Jagdeo, I just can’t vote for this version of the PPP. This scandal isn’t going away anytime soon. I say no more.

Vishal Singh PPP/PYO Member

Kaieteur M@ilbox

STEP ASIDE, MR. JAGDEO, AND LET US HEAR FROM MD. ALI DEAR EDITOR, I would be grateful if you permit this letter to be published in your newspaper.

On the 19th January, 2019, the People’s Progressive Party selected Irfaan Ali as its presidential candidate for the upcoming National and Regional Elections. In my opinion, this selection shows the mental decay and lack of intelligence presently permeating in Robb and Church Streets. However, this is not the reason why I am penning this letter.

After more than one month, Irfaan Ali is yet to hold a press conference. As a voter and someone interested in the development of our country, I want to hear from him. I want to hear his opinion on what is taking place in Guyana today and what his vision is for Guyana.

What is his opinion on the constitutional crisis facing Guyana today? Having selected Irfaan Ali, it is only fair that former President Bharrat Jagdeo steps aside. It is not Bharrat Jagdeo who is running for President, it is Irfaan Ali. This is the only way that the electorate can test the suitability, credibility and ability of Irfaan Ali. The PPP must come to the realization that the selection of Irfaan Ali, which they are trying to throw down the throats of the citizens will not work.

People will not blindly vote for Irfaan Ali. Having selected Irfaan Ali, the PPP are starting the race with a liability. At the end of the day, an election is a popularity contest and Irfaan Ali is far more unpopular than Anil Nandalall or Frank Anthony.

Therefore, Irfaan Ali has far more work to do.I therefore call upon Bharrat Jagdeo to step aside, let us hear from Irfaan Ali. It is time Irfaan Ali be made the Leader of the Opposition.

Krishnanandat Arjune.

Why is this senior staffer of Queen’s College giving lessons?

DEAR EDITOR, Please allow me space in your letter columns to express the frustration of parents who have to pay lessons fees.

I would like to know what a senior staffer of Queen’s college is doing giving lessons.

Anyone can check at the building opposite the Shell Gas Station on Camp and New Market Streets in the afternoons to see this official. As I was passing her class, going back to my vehicle, I peeked in just to see what was going on. As usual with most of these lessons, it was overflowing with children, with close to 40 students or so.

The thing about these lessons’ teachers is that it’s not as if they’re charging a $1,500 or $2,000 to help them at the end of the month.

As a parent, I have been following the letters in the newspapers about teachers and their problems over the years, but having a senior of the country’s top school doing this is enough to set even the most understanding parent off.

Sincerely, Parent

Sunday March 03, 2019

Kaieteur News

Kaieteur M@ilbox President should give GECOM a clear directive about elections DEAR EDITOR, As I ponder over the looming constitutional crisis, my initial thoughts were to allow the situation to run its course and let the chips, as it were, fall where they belonged.

On further reflection, I thought that this would be a most irresponsible position to embrace. I therefore sought, through the use of this medium, to urge the parties involved to agree on a “compromise’ position which should include the following:

The President issuing a new invitation to the Leader of the Opposition with an agenda that is mutually agreed upon and which should include the fixing of a date for elections. This could pave the way for some flexibility on both sides for a reasonable extension of the constitutional deadline for the holding of elections by way of the required two-thirds majority.

Concurrently, a clear and unambiguous directive

should be given to GECOM

by President Granger to commence preparations for elections and Government representatives to GECOM should be so advised. The existing List of Electors should be used as the Preliminary Voters’ List, which could then be sanitized during the statutory Claims and Objections period.

I thought of throwing up these proposals as a concerned citizen and hopefully in the best national interest.

Hydar Ally

The Guyana government has...

From page 4 Rusal became accustomed to behaving like one of those 20th century robber barons, with little accountability, with the often-accompanying poorer regard for workers’ welfare.

The latter did build until matters ballooned to the bursting point and then beyond salvaging. There is no tranquility of the spirit introduced through any seeking to allocate blame as to which government was derelict in the faithful and scrupulous performance of its duties.

The only balm for this government is that Rusal furnishes compelling evidence of yet another tainted legacy issue inherited. The less said the better. Clearly, this company got out of hand, became out of line, and went out on a limb too far. It was helped in doing so, and in becoming a power onto itself.Now as the pieces are picked up, the

choice is stark: to repeat the Hon. Minister’s words: the implications of “either them closing or we closing them” will, of hard necessity, bring about a recovery period, which can be protracted for workers, community, sector, and country.

There is so much at stake.

The government would be wise to consider a cooling off period for de-escalation of tensions, and to give all parties involved the time and opportunity to ascertain whether the relationship still holds promise, and is worth salvaging through going forward together. If it does, then it has to be through a serious commitment-an unswerving oneto do this together. Or else, it is nothing. It just will not work for either side.

I think in this way, there is no acting in anger, no looking back in anger, and no cutting of nose to spoil face. Least of all, there should be no attempt

at machismo. Guyana cannot afford such a role or road. No messages have to be sent; rather, the questions come down to this: can we (WE) make this thing work? Do we want to make it work?

If all the parties involved can arrive simultaneously at affirmative junctures on both questions, then I would recommend that it is worth another try. In so saying, there is also the thinking that that which occurred might have served as a wakeup call for everyone, as to how to conduct themselves and as to what is acceptable, as well.

And last, what just will not fly, investment or no investment.

Sincerely, G H K Lall

PAGE 7

PAGE 8

Sunday March 03, 2019

Kaieteur News

Inquest into shooting death of suspected bandits to begin next month An inquest into the shooting death by police of three suspected bandits at the Camp Street, Georgetown, seawall is scheduled to commence next month at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The inquest, which was ordered almost a year ago by the Director of Public Prosecutions, (DPP), is an inquiry into the manner and cause of the men’s death, and if anyone should be held criminally liable.

On March 15, 2018, Dextroy Cordis, known as Dutty, 46, of Grove, East Bank Demerara; Kwame Assanah, of Buxton, East Coast Demerara; and Errol Adams, aka Dynamite, 57, of Dartmouth, Essequibo Coast and also of Buxton, were shot and killed after they reportedly opened fire on police ranks of an anti-crime patrol.

Following the killings, President David Granger ordered an investigation, and thereafter a file was prepared and sent to the DPP for advice.

According to police, ‘operatives’ performing duty around Scotiabank on Robb Street observed a motorcar with two suspicious looking characters in the vicinity.

Assanah and Cordis have

Dextroy Cordis

Kwame Assanah

since been identified as the two men police operatives spotted in the car.

Further, ranks of an anticrime patrol in an unmarked vehicle were alerted and followed the two men in the vehicle. By this time, the police stated that they observed the suspects following a customer who had exited Scotiabank and was in a motorcar.

Police trailed the suspects to the Kingston Seawall where the customer had reportedly parked.

Some time about noon, the two suspicious looking characters in the motorcar drove up to the customer’s vehicle and exited, one brandishing a

small arm at the customer.

According to investigators, the police anti-crime patrol, which by now was in close proximity called out to the suspicious looking characters, but the one who was armed discharged several rounds at the police who returned fire. Following the initial exchange, Cordis and Assanah were shot dead.

Police stated that seconds after the initial exchange of gunfire, two males were observed on a CG motorcycle in close proximity to the motorcar driven by Assanah. Investigators stated that one of the two persons on the motorcycle discharged several (Continued on page 10 )

Sunday March 03, 2019

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

US$150M CJIA expansion…

Passengers fume over smelly airport toilets

In another few weeks or so, the Chinese contractor for the Timehri airport renovation is expected to hand over the facilities.

Already, the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) has scaled back considerably in the size of staff.

However, there is more unhappiness not only about what Guyana is getting for US$150M but the quality of work.

On Thursday, there were complaints at the Departure lounge about smells coming from the toilet area.

In the toilet area, there was a broken doorknob that was taped, with parts of the ceiling missing.

The worse was the smell coming from the toilet.

A number of staffers were asked and said that they had raised the issue with CHEC and the airport management.

But it seems that it was all for naught.

The sewage smell seems to be coming from pipes, which were buried in the

One passenger was Glenn Lall, publisher of Kaieteur News. He said that after passengers complained of the smell, he called management and two senior officials came.

It was explained that the airport is aware of the issue

and renovated after the Coalition Government said it had to modify the designs after it became clear that the contractor was running into money trouble.

The old terminal building had come with major sewage

ground and leading from the urinals. It appeared that the pipes are all connected and the smell is simply the backups.

and that the contractor was told several times about it.

The departure lounge is located in the old terminal building which was gutted

issues and it was the idea to build a brand new one to house arrivals and departures.It is not clear what (Continued on page 15 )

The situation in the new Departure washrooms at the CJIA

Dem boys seh ...

Tekking chance is a bad thing Some people believe dat crime does pay but nuff people finding out dat it don’t.

Dem have people who does do things and when de situation ketch up wid dem is suh de tears does flow.

Of course, people who know dem, does holler how dem is good people and how dem does sing in de church choir.

De thing is dat dem is de people who does tek de most chance and expect to get away.

A man wife lef he wid de children and go in de bush.

He get mad and chop up he poor children. When he end up in jail, dem prisoners put a licking pon him, dat he seh he gon kill heself. De prison authorities tek him at he word and put he under special watch. Up to now, he ain’t kill heself.

Anodda one try to rob a business place pon Sheriff Street.

He carry through de robbery but when he getting away, he get a bullet and he lef pon de road. He fadda use to warn him. De man even tell he son dat he gon bury he.

So said, so done. And people get vex and

seh how de fadda cruel. Dem boys want to know how de fadda cruel.

Now a group of dem decide to rob a diamond seller. De front man know de diamond seller, suh he mek an appearance. Something tell de dealer dat trouble ahead, suh he prepare heself fuh anything. Again, so said so done.

De man pull a gun and try to shoot de dealer.

He miss. De dealer didn’t. Dis time he friends sitting down outside like when vultures sitting pon a fence waiting fuh carcass.

Dem deh sleeping in a jail cell now.

Dat is not de first time something like dis happen.

A man and he friend been pon a robbery spree. One night, dem rob a contractor and tek way he gun. De next day, dem try to rob a store. One of dem lef in de store just like de one get lef in de diamond dealer place.

Dem boys want fuh know why people does tek dem risk.

Talk half and don’t tek stupid risks like dem criminals.

PAGE 10

Sunday March 03, 2019

Kaieteur News

CID office at New Amsterdam office robbed- source The Criminal Investigations Department in New Amsterdam Thursday night reportedly had a break in which resulted in two professional cameras being stolen. This is according to a source close to the police at Central Police Station.

Reports are that the lock

on the back door of the CID building was broken and the perpetrator/s entered and ransacked the offices. They stole the two cameras in the process. However, it is unclear if anything else was missing since the police in the division are mum on the incident.

There was

reportedly no police rank at the building but a senior police source is suggesting that a police rank might be involved.CID ranks reviewed surveillance camera footage from the nearby and opposite buildings.

The officer in charge of Crime in Berbice whose office

CID Headquarters in New Amsterdam with the back door half opened, the said backdoor that was breached. is situated in the said building told the media he was not aware of the incident.

Calls to the Commander of the Division Paul Langevine went unanswered.

Approval for Liza Phase Two Permit delayed …EPA cites further issues with Insurance Policy ExxonMobil’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), was supposed to receive its permit for the Liza Phase Two Project on or before March 1, 2019. But Head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Vincent Adams, noted that this could not happen since there are still some issues with the company’s insurance policy.

It was only last week that EEPGL acquired and subsequently submitted to the EPA, an insurance policy to the tune of US$2.4B. But Dr. Adams said all the kinks have not been worked out.

He said, “I am not at liberty to release all the information where this is concerned as yet. But I have to clarify a few things with Exxon... You know, certain aspects of this policy that they provided to me are not clear and I need to call them in on this…That is all I can reveal to you at this point.”

While the EPA is focused on addressing the aforementioned issue, the Energy Department has initiated discus-

EPA Head, Dr. Vincent Adams sions with Central Bank to ensure oil companies comply with the nation’s laws on having a recognized insurance policy. Making this known a few weeks ago was Energy Department Head, Dr. Mark Bynoe. He said that there will be no approval from the Department of Energy for companies to self insure.

Inquest into shooting...

From page 8 rounds at the police who again returned fire which resulted in the death of Adams.

A 9mm pistol along with a magazine containing seven live rounds and four spent shells were found next to Cordis’s body. Motorcar, PTT 9034, a black Toyota IST, which was being driven by Assanah at the time of the confrontation, was searched.

The car was registered to Claire James of Lamaha Park.

Items found included a supernumerary precept, one driver’s licence, ten passports belonging to Assanah and family members, a key used by trunkers, two handcuff keys, a bandana and clothing.

Events started unfolding at about 10:30hrs. Assanah and Adams were previously arrested in connection with several offences while Cordis was previously granted bail on a simple larceny charge in relation to trunking.

Sunday March 03, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

Sunday March 03, 2019

Kaieteur News

Bandit shot dead inside Kay’s Diamond Enterprise - three accomplices captured while waiting in vehicle What seemed like the perfect robbery went badly wrong when a 27-year-old gunman was riddled with bullets around 12:15 hrs yesterday.

The shooting occurred inside of Kay’s Diamond Enterprise, located at Lot 288 Middle and Thomas Streets.

Gerally Johanison Henry, who police said was a miner, had gained entry into the businessman’s office under the pretext of wanting to buy diamonds. But when he drew a handgun, the businessman who owns a licensed firearm,

Scores of persons converge on the scene

Dead: Gerally Johanison Henry

shot him first. Henry was reportedly shot at least six times in the upper body. Police then arrested Henry’s three accomplices, who were waiting outBandits attempted to rob this business place which is secured by heavy surveillance cameras.

In the photo, a hearse from Lyken Funeral Home waits to remove the body

side in a black Fielder Wagon.

Police sources said that all those arrested are from Albouystown. A 9mm pistol, with eight rounds in the maga-

zine, was recovered from the slain Henry. Police said that Henry had first contacted the dealer by telephone and indicated that he wanted to buy some diamonds.

There are reports that Henry had transacted business at least three times with the dealer. After receiving two calls, the businessman let Henry into his office, located on the first floor.

According to police, Henry then told the diamond dealer that he wanted to use the washroom. According to one report, when Henry exited the washroom, he pointed a gun at the dealer and discharged a round, which missed and struck a wall.

The dealer, who reportedly already had his Glock pistol at the ready, then shot the bandit dead.

Because the building is soundproof, Henry’s accomplices did not hear the gunfire and remained waiting.

Meanwhile, the businessman alerted ranks from the Alberttown Police Station, who arrived and arrested the suspects. By then a crowd had gathered. One resident who lived nearby was overheard saying, “He (the businessman) should have killed all three of them. They ain’t mean to look for a wuk. Them like nuisance to society.”

Another onlooker said, “He (the dead bandit) partners run away and left he.

They mad fuh attack the place. The place got nuff camera and it soundproof.”

From all indications, no relatives or family members were at the scene. “Nobody fuh them ain’t deh here cause you would have hear the man wrong fuh kill he and yuh woulda hear plenty crying.

I hope they don’t charge the businessman. He was only defending his property,” one onlooker remarked.

A woman was also heard saying, “The businessman outsmart them. That thief who went in the building brave.

But he didn’t know the businessman would have locked down the place and pump bullets in he.

“I guess he didn’t know that the place is one way in and one way out. When you don’t want to work, things like these does happen.”

Sunday March 03, 2019

PAGE 13

Kaieteur News

Govt. grants American Airlines 90 % concession on landing fees It appeared that the coming of American Airlines (AA) to Guyana in November was a big deal for the Government of Guyana.

According to aviation officials, Government decided that do something unusual. It waived a significant portion of the landing and air navigation fees. While other airlines pay around US$425 every time a plane lands, AA was granted a reprieve.

It is only required to pay about 10 percent or US$42 to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

The concession/waiver would raise several questions. AA, one of the biggest

airlines in the world, is USowned. It came last year, targeting the big-paying passengers who are coming to conduct oil business in Guyana.

In fact, from all indications, the airline managed to snag a major contract as the official carrier for ExxonMobil employees operating in Guyana. With oil set to start pumping as early as this yearend on the Liza 1 field, the US oil company and its partners will be requiring seats to fly out staffers who are working shifts.

There are concerns over those fares as Guyana and ExxonMobil have both signed an agreement where the prof-

Government has reportedly granted American Airlines a concession/waiver on its landing and other fees, allowing it to pay 90 percent less than other airlines.

its are to be shared 50/50.

However, that is after the expenses have been deducted. One of those expenses is, of course, airline tickets for employees.

The higher the ticket

prices, the less Guyana gets from the oil proceeds.

With regards to what the CJIA is losing from AA every time it flies here from Miami, Florida, well‌there is a problem. CJIA recently informed

airlines operating at the Timehri airport that it will seek to recover costs of a bigger airport. That expansion is currently ongoing.

Every passenger will soon have to pay about $5,000 more

on their tickets because of the expansion.

CJIA therefore will be hard-pressed to explain how it decided to waive their fees for AA when other airlines are made to pay.

PAGE 14

Sunday March 03, 2019

Kaieteur News

City businessman files appeal for Cuban couple jailed for passport fraud A city businessman who said he was moved by the widely publicized story of a Cuban couple jailed last month for forged passports has filed appeals.

According to court documents filed last week, gold

dealer, Nazar ‘Shell’ Mohamed, a Lombard Streetbased businessman, said he is willing to help find work for them while they are out on bail and awaiting the outcome of the appeals.

On February 14, Alexey

Vazquez and wife, Yuliet Sanchez, appeared before Chief Magistrated Ann McLennan, and pleaded guilty to charges. They were sentenced to 12 months each.

Vasquez, 38, claimed to be a doctor.

Businessman, Nazar ‘Shell’ Mohamed

Appeal filed: Alexey Vazquez

Appeal filed: Yuliet Sanchez

The charge against them stated that on February 13, 2019, at Moleson Creek, Berbice, with intent to defraud, they uttered to an immigration official, two forged Republic of Cuba passports, purporting to show that they were issued by the Immigration Authority.

According to the facts presented by Police Prosecutor, Gordon Mansfield, the couple came to Guyana on February 11, via the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

On February 13, while they were at Moleson Creek attempting to cross over to Suriname, they were asked by an immigration officer to present their passports for examination.

The officer upon examining the passports observed that they were forged. The court heard that the Cubans were then arrested and taken to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) where they told officers that they wanted to travel the world.

They further disclosed that

they paid a lawyer US$5,000 and he acquired the passports for them.

The couple spoke through an interpreter and told the court that they came to Guyana to buy clothing for their children.

The Magistrate after considering the couple’s early guilty plea and the fact that they did not waste the court’s time, sentenced them each to 12 months’ imprisonment.

According to court documents appealing the sentences by the businessman, the lawyer is Latchmie Rahamat.

The fixed date application comes up for hearing on March 8.According to the court documents, in the application for bail pending the appeal, Mohamed is a friend of the couple.

It was stated that the two do not speak English and that a police sergeant was sworn in without any evidence being taken as to her qualifications and competence as an interpreter.

Mohamed said that the two had no lawyer and were told to plead guilty and they would be sent home.

It was stated that the couple did not know that by pleading guilty that they would be jailed.

According to the court documents, based on the explanations of the couple, they should not have been sentenced as those explanations amounted to not guilty pleas.

In fact, nowhere did the couple acknowledge that the passports were false.

The documents said that Vazquez is a Doctor of Urology and he and his wife have three children.

The court documents also said that Mohamed was “touched” by the reported stories of the couple and is willing to provide a home while they are on bail pending the appeal.

The businessman also committed to help the couple apply for work permits so they could be employed during the appeal.

Sunday March 03, 2019

Kaieteur News

Proposed seafood facility for E’bo fishermen

Fishing Vessels at the Abrams Zuil out fall channel.”

Fishermen on the Essequibo Coast, primarily the Abrams Zuil/ Cullen area are likely to benefit from a seafood storage facility, which will be established on the Essequibo Coast.

Apart from its active role in the production of coconuts and rice, the Pomeroon/Supenaam is also known for its contributions to the fishing industry.

An overseas exporter has expressed his desire to establish a seafood processing/cold storage facility, which will tremulously aid in increasing the demand for shrimp within the small fishing community.

In an effort to capitalize on standards, the exporter who operates from G&L Inc. announced plans to improve the infrastructure where the boats moor. The exporter who also exports to the US, Jamaica China and South Korea, will purchase large quantities of shrimp from the fishermen, process it, freeze it and ship it to Georgetown to be exported.

With the project implemented, it is likely that there will be a continuous demand for shrimp throughout the year.

The exporter approached the regional administration and it was agreed that an existing building will be used to house the facility. The proposed site that is located at Abrams Zuil, was recently visited by the Regional Executive Officer of Region Two, Dennis Jaikaran, and the Regional engineer Kawan Suchit.

The team also visited the Abrams Zuil Cullen outfall channel, Uno Creek, where they met with a number of fishermen. The fishermen, who numbered between 25 and 30, were eager to vent their concerns. Amongst the concerns raised was the desilting of the outfall channel leading into the sea, which fishermen claims is a hindrance to the operation of their fishing business.

Another concern was the construction of a roadway leading to the beach.

From page 9 CHEC did to deal with the problems inherited in the old terminal building.

What is known is that Government has attempted to defend the modifications, noting that it was able to wrangle some extra work from the contractor.CHEC had approached the Bharrat Jagdeo government to build the airport.

It helped secure a loan from China’s Ex-Im Bank for over US$130M. The rest of the monies were coming from Government.

The contract with CHEC was for US$138M. It has spanned three administrations and still to be completed.

It included a longer runway to cater for the wide-body jets, a brand new glass covered terminal with escalators, elevators and eight

passenger bridges.

However, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport will only be getting four bridges and there is no glass roof.

CHEC, in its contract and cost, had jacked up the prices for material and workmanship by hundreds of percent, in some cases.

Government itself admitted that CHEC erred in starting the runway in the north, but ran in soil issues, wasting millions of US dollars, before being forced to construct the additions in the south.

However, Government did little to sanction the company.Rather it decided to modify the project, at the cost of the Guyana people.

Guyana still has to pay back that loan that it took for the airport, currently the largest ongoing infrastructural project.

Passengers fume over...

PAGE 15

PAGE 16

Sunday March 03, 2019

Kaieteur News

Police seize marijuana during raid at Stabroek Market

Police ranks in and around the Stabroek Market

The police yesterday conducted a sting operation at the Stabroek Market.

This was done in light of the numerous complaints about illegal activities and constant robberies in and around the market.

Police ranks were stationed at the entrances to the market while the operation was carried out. The police also had sniffer dogs assisting in the search even as the police prison truck was parked a short distance away.

The operation also saw search being done at the Ferry Stelling area and route 31, 32, 40, 41, and 44 minibus parks.

During the search, a quantity of marijuana seeds amounting to 128 grams, and 561 grams of cannabis was found.

The operation resulted in 13 persons being arrested in relation to several offences.

Also three of the persons arrested will be charged for possession of narcotics.

The illegal articles found

Sunday March 03, 2019

Kaieteur News

Meet the glamorous Ms. Vanita Harnauth. This ambitious 20-year-old beauty is employed is currently pursuing a career in Business Management at School of the Nations.

She is passionate about dancing and is the reigning Guyana Chutney Dancing Queen.

Her favourite quote is, “Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization.�- Mahatma Gandhi

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

PAGE 24

Sunday March 03, 2019

Respect rule of law

internationally

By Sir Ronald Sanders

T

he United States of America, Canada and the English-speaking countries of the Caribbean together share the deeply-held values of democracy and human rights more than the majority of other countries in the Western hemisphere.

The long history of slavery and indentured

bondage in the Englishspeaking Caribbean, linked to the courageous act of Abraham Lincoln to end slavery in the United States and the immortal recognition in the US Constitution that “all men are created equal”, bind the peoples of the US and the English-speaking Caribbean in jealously safeguarding democracy and human rights.

The kinship, born of that

experience, has been unbroken since the US declaration of independence in 1776, even amid occasional differences of opinion on foreign policy, among them the difference that now exists between the US government and some governments of the Caribbean over how to treat the situation in Venezuela.

The similarity between the US, Canada and the

English-speaking Caribbean countries, in relation to adherence to democracy, human rights and the rule of law, is manifest in the publication on February 28 of the 2019 Report of The World Justice Project, headquartered in the US Capital, Washington, in relation to upholding the Rule of Law. In a survey of 126 countries, Canada, the

United States and several countries of the English-speaking Caribbean ranked highly.

Taken as a region, in the We s t e r n H e m i s p h e r e , Canada, the US, Barbados, St Kitts-Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, St Vincent and the Grenadines and St Lucia are among the top 10 nations.

Uruguay, Costa Rica and Chile were the other three.

T h e Wo r l d J u s t i c e Project stated that its assessment of adherence to the Rule of Law was based on eight factors. These are identified as: constraints on government powers, absence of corruption, open government, fundamental rights, order and security, regulatory enforcement, civil justice, and criminal justice.

Given this latest evidence of shared values for democracy, human rights and the rule of law between the US, Canada and some Caribbean English-speaking countries, what explains the difference of approach to dealing with the situation in Venezuela?

To begin with, the answer is not any hostility toward the US and Canada by these countries. It is rather deep concern about maintaining the machinery that upholds international law and the rules of international order.

To explain. Throughout the 20th Century more than half the world's sovereign states were victims of a coup d'etat - the overthrow of a government.

Sometimes, the government's overthrow was plotted and executed by elements within the country; but more often than not, the coup was designed and supported by vested-interest forces external to the country.

Sir Ronald Sanders Of course, these coups occurred only in developing countries which quickly learned the validity of the observation of Tacitus in relation to the Roman Empire: “Evolgato Imperii Arcano -The secret of empire was out – an Emperor could be made elsewhere than in Rome.”

The world has also seen governments removed from office through the influence or direct action of external forces in the first two decades of the 21st Century.

Those toppled governments were replaced by “Emperors” made elsewhere than by the popular will of the people they governed.

As it happens, in the absence of settled local consensus, those “selected” governments have either themselves been toppled or their reign has been characterised by political turmoil, stagnating their economies and retarding the development of their societies.

The external intervention in the affairs of these states assaults the fundamental principle that states are “sovereign”, i.e., what happens within a state is the prerogative of the people of that state and their institutions, including their government.

This principle has been the bedrock of international order ever since the 1648 Treaty of Westphalia, which ingrained the concept of coexisting sovereign states and established the norm against interference in another (continued on page 57)

Sunday March 03, 2019

PAGE 25

Kaieteur News

---Hinds’ Sight by Dr. David Hinds---

Remembering Walter Rodney and the Grenadian Revolution This is the month of March—the birth month of Dr. Walter Rodney and the month of the Grenadian revolution.

If he were alive, Rodney would be celebrating his 77th birthday this month. And on March 13, Grenada, the Caribbean and progressives the world over would be observing the 40th anniversary of the Grenadian Revolution.

I am old enough to have met Walter Rodney, to have spent some one-and-one time in his presence and to have participated in some small way in one of the greatest political moments of Guyana’s modern political history—the Rodney-WPA Civil Rebellion 1979-80. I am also old enough to have been conscious of the birth, the duration and the demise of the Grenadian revolution.

Much of what has become my political world view was initially shaped by that period of my political upbringing. So, ever so often I return to those moments when I have difficulty making sense of the contemporary.

I teach Walter Rodney in all my courses on Guyana, the Caribbean and the African Diaspora—he is a constant in my classrooms and on my mind. In the process, I introduce him to new generations of young people of all ethnicities and races.

I am always glad when my students discover something about the world through his thoughts and ideas.

Rodney remains, for me, one of the foremost scholaractivists to have emerged from the Caribbean at a time when our region of colonial and excolonial outposts gave the world more than our fair share of intellectual giants.

Here in Guyana, he has become the victim of the bizarre politics he once tried to make sense of via ideas and activism. Of all the spaces in the Caribbean, Africa and the rest of the African diaspora, Guyana is the place that he is least celebrated.

One side of power hates his very name because he dared to challenge the very moment that they celebrate.

The other side uses his name to swat those they consider enemies. And the remnants of his party seem to forget his name and legacy as they grapple with the logic of the contemporary. In the end, Rodney is misunderstood by or lost to new generations of Guyanese.

Equally lost and misunderstood is the Grenadian revolution.

In the almost four decades since the self-destruction of the Grenadian Revolution, there has been a general avoidance of a comprehensive analysis of its relevance to a proper understanding of post-colonial Caribbean politics and society.

Insofar as there had been a discourse on Grenada, it has been confined to shouting attacks between supporters of

the two sides which squared off in the final months of the revolution. While such an exchange is useful, it never gets beyond emotions and selfserving narratives. Some have dismissed the revolution as nothing more than an orgy of violence by a few political hooligans who in the end slaughtered each other. Others have located the revolution in narrow Cold War terms, a narrative which exalts the evil of Marxism and communism.

In the process, the larger significance of the revolution is either marginalized or erased.

The revolution is reduced to an event with little significance to those who lived through it or to the construction of Grenadian and Caribbean history.

Some have questioned whether characterizing it as a revolution is accurate, preferring instead to describe it as a minor coup.

Yet the events in Grenada from March 1979 to October 1983 deserve more scrutiny, not to determine who were the saints and the devils, but to engage something which arose from the bowels of Caribbean Society and greatly influenced that nature of the society since its demise.

While the 1979 overthrow of the Grenadian government stands out because of the way the New Jewel Movement took power, it was part of a larger popular upsurge in the region and the world at large.

The Baccoo Speaks There has been a rash of fires and that has not passed. A mentally man would set fire to his home and take some others with it. The fire service would be unable to do much because of the condition of the homes, nothing more than tinder.

The victims would be rescued by neighbours. ** Guns are available for hire and there is no shortage of takers. One group, frustrated by the declining

opportunities, would be bold to attract a group of shoppers.

However, the police would not be far away. There would

be one shooting and one arrest. ** A fraud would be uncovered in a government agency. It has been going on some time because pensioners are easy prey.

The culprit would be a relatively new employee who would observe that some pensioners are not uplifting their cheques.

A cursory investigation would uncover the fraud.

There would be a lot of talk about the incident.

In Dominica, the authoritarian Patrick John regime, which had governed in the same manner as Eric Gairy and Forbes Burnham, was brought down by a popular insurrection. The ensuing interim government was led by the Dominican left, which led the insurrection. In St. Lucia, the John Compton government lost the election of that year to the St. Lucia Labour Party, which had been energized by the entry of the St. Lucian left led by George Odlum.

The Odlum group came out of the Forum which was radical organization engaged in public education and political mobilization among farmers and students.

In Guyana, the WPA was engaged in what became known as a “civil rebellion” which brought thousands of

citizens to the streets in public rallies and demonstrations against the Burnham regime.

Walter Rodney was the spearhead of this insurrection, which pushed back against the intensified repression of the government which had closed all doors to democratic change.

The civil rebellion exposed the government’s vulnerability to such an extent that the latter resorted to assassination of three WPA members, including Walter Rodney.

In Jamaica, Michael Manley’s People’s National Party, which came to power in 1972 on a wave of popular support, was by 1979 fighting to stave off destabilization by the local opposition in collusion with external forces.

Manley’s democratic social-

Dr David Hinds ism had introduced modest social reforms in Jamaica, but in the context of the Cold War, they were framed by the right wing as socialism.

More of Dr. Hinds’ writings and commentaries can be found on his YouTube Channel Hinds’ Sight: Dr. David Hinds’ Guyana-Caribbean Politics and on his website www.guyanacaribbeanpolitics.news.

Send comments to dhinds6106@aol.com

PAGE 26

Sunday March 03, 2019

Kaieteur News

The kidnapping of Vishnu Bhim

By Michael Jordan On the morning of Tuesday, November 29, 1994, eightyear-old Vishnu Bhim of Annandale, East Coast Demerara, did his chores, kissed his mom, then left for school. At around midday, his father, Heerlall Bhim, who operated his own carpentry shop, was about to enter his home when he noticed his wife sitting on the stairs. She was crying. He asked her what the matter was and she handed him a note which had been delivered by a little girl who attended their son’s school.Heerlall Bhim read the note in disbelief. The note stated that their only son— their little boy—had been kidnapped and was being held at gunpoint. It also stated that if the Bhims wanted to see their son alive again, they were to pay one million dollars for his safe return.

Warning him not to contact other relatives or the police, the kidnappers instructed Mr. Bhim to go to a telephone booth near the Beterverwagting Police Station where he would receive further instructions.

By this time, a relative had already checked at the school Vishnu attended and confirmed that he was not there.

Despite the warning, the couple informed other relatives and the police about the kidnapping.By this time, police had an idea about the possible identity of one of the kidnappers.

They learnt that on the day that he went missing, Vishnu and a girl were walking to school when a man on a bicycle stopped them. The man offered Vishnu a lift on his bicycle and the trusting

“We feel cheated out of justice”: Chaimwatie Bhim and Heeralall Bhim

Murdered: Vishnu Bhim, the couple’s only child child went with him. The man was identified as 19-year-old Ravindra Deo, a resident of La Bonne Intention (LBI), East Coast Demerara.

A few days before Vishnu disappeared, Deo had come to Mr. Bhim’s home to seek work in the carpentry shop.

He was given a job.

Mr. Bhim would later recall that Deo appeared to be a competent worker. However, he also observed that the new worker was constantly glancing around in a manner that aroused some suspicion.

The police checked at the suspect’s home, but he was not there. A female occupant

Ravindra Deo told the policemen that Deo had given her “two muddy hard-pants” to wash before going out.

While detectives and villagers searched for the missing boy, the Bhims scraped up $300,000 to give to the kidnappers. Following the kidnappers’ earlier instructions, Mr. Bhim went to the phone booth near to the Beterverwagting Station.

There, he spoke on the phone with someone who instructed him to drop off the bag containing the ransom at an area on the Beterverwagting seawall.

When the worried father begged to speak with his son, he was told to “shut up.”

Informing the police about the plan, Mr. Bhim dropped off the ransom at the seawall.

But though the police had reportedly staked out the area, the kidnappers somehow managed to pick up the ransom and vanish without being caught.

The following day, detectives got a break when some villagers who knew the suspect spotted him in America Street.

They quickly grabbed the man and handed him over to the police.

Detectives found a camera, a roll of film and $12,000 on the suspect. At first, the man denied knowing about the missing boy’s whereabouts. Finally, after several hours of questioning, Deo

confessed that he, and a man whom he identified as ‘Kresho’ of Mahaicony, had kidnapped Vishnu Bhim.

It was ‘Kresho’, he claimed, who had given him the bicycle with the bar and instructed him to kidnap the child.

Police searched the Mahaicony area for ‘Kresho’, but failed to locate him.

Eventually, just before midnight on Thursday, December 1, 1994, Ravindra Deo led detectives and villagers to a secluded place on the LBI backdam. There they found the bound, gagged and battered body of eight-year-old Vishnu Bhim. The killers had strangled the child with bits of cloth torn from his shirt. An autopsy indicated that they had murdered the boy shortly after abducting him.

Thankfully, villagers managed to dissuade the grieving parents from viewing the remains.

On Tuesday, December 6, 1994, a calm, gum-chewing Ravindra Deo appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, where he was charged with murder.

During the preliminary inquiry and the trial that followed, Vishnu Bhim’s parents were constantly reminded of their son’s brutal end.

Mr. Bhim recalled weeping in court when Vishnu’s schoolbag was presented as evidence.Finally, on Monday, December 4, 1995, a jury found the accused, who was then 20, guilty of murdering Vishnu Bhim.Justice Claudette Singh sentenced him to death. ”I am innocent,” Deo said before leaving the court.

A date was actually set for Deo and two other death row inmates to be hanged, but an ex parte injunction filed by their Attorneys prevented their execution.

Deo’s sentence was subsequently commuted to life imprisonment and he was removed from death row. ”It took a lot of courage to go to the trial,” Mr. Bhim told Kaieteur News a few days after the case ended. ”We shed tears almost daily.

We prayed every morning for hope and strength to live on.

After the verdict, we thanked God, and asked that our son’s soul rest in peace.”

But the Bhims relived that dreadful day of their son’s kidnapping.

In May 2015, Ravindra Deo, now 39, walked out of the Georgetown Prisons a free man—courtesy of a Presidential pardon by former President Donald Ramotar.

Explaining his decision, Ramotar suggested that 21 years was already a long time for someone to be incarcer-

ated, adding that “the man spent more than half of his life in prison.”

Former Presidential Advisor, Gail Teixeira, explained that Deo was one of the prisoners who had requested a pardon through the Committee for the Prerogative of Mercy.

This committee is a constitutional advisory body that informs the President of requests from persons on death row for pardoning.

The body also makes reco m m e n d a t i o n s .

The Bhims, who now reside in Orlando, Florida, USA, say that after spending years struggling to cope with the murder of their only child, they “feel cheated out of justice.” ”It’s so fresh … It’s like it was just yesterday… To hear such a thing now has my wife crying. She is in shock, she can’t take it,” Mr. Bhim said.

Mr. Bhim said that about a year prior to the killer’s release, he received news that the former President was planning to pardon the man responsible for his son’s death.

The grieving father said he returned to Guyana and raised his concerns with the former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, who assured him that it was just a rumour. ”But lo and behold, within the short space of time, it’s a reality,” the father said.

The Florida-based Guyanese wondered why the former President would pardon someone who committed such an unconscionable act. ”How could the President pardon a man who did such a horrible thing? Why him?

Why not some other person?

He took from us our only child. That‘s not right.

That’s not justice.”

And what of ‘Kresho,’ the alleged accomplice in the Bhim kidnapping?A few years ago, someone contacted me and said that a man that police had arrested on another case was ‘Kresho.’

Acting on this information, a senior police officer instructed detectives to question Deo in the Georgetown Prisons. According to the senior official, Deo declined to co-operate with the police.

If you have any information about this or any other unusual case, please contact Kaieteur News by letter or telephone at our Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown offices. Our numbers are (592)-225-8458, 225-8473 and 225-8465. You need not disclose your identity.

You can also contact Michael Jordan at his email a d d r e s s kamarangnight@gmail.com

Sunday March 03, 2019

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

==THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN==

The Jagdeo/Ramotar era; easily painted from memory

I

walk my dog in the evenings at least four times a week at the back of Giftland Mall. The mall ends where the gated, private commercial housing estate of Eddie Boyer of National Hardware begins.

The humungous space was sold to Eddie Boyer during Jagdeo’s reign, far below prevailing market value.

Without remiss, I would stare at this resplendent enclave each time my dog bolts from my hand towards Mr. Boyer’s gate.

There are some extraordinarily expensive houses in that estate. Of course nothing is wrong with people owning jets, yachts, mansions, etc.

Everything is sick about the tax system that favours the wealthy classes.

The rich do not pay taxes in Guyana and it is one of the most diseased perversities in this wasteland of a country.

Don’t fool yourself – a new commissioner in the tax collection depot hasn’t changed a damn thing.

Wealthy folks who own mansions in Guyana do not pay their fair share and the system is so broken that no one cares or gives a damn. I didn’t mind being offered to head the GRA after the great AFC toppled the PPP, but I didn’t ask after 2015. Better late than never; I’m asking now.

There is a deeply moving reason why I look at that private estate each night I am

with my dog in the vicinity. It wasn’t Jagdeo’s land that he sold so cheaply. It was land that Bookers once owned and on which emancipated slaves, and indentured labourers and 19th century sugar workers toiled with their broken bodies.

Those lands belong to the descendants of former slaves and indentured servants. Mr. Boyer received the land that belonged to the people of Guyana from Jagdeo, in turn sold it to the mansion-builders, and made incredible profits.

As I stared at Mr. Boyer’s empire Friday night with dog in my hand and my discman playing the songbook of Burt Bacharach, sung by British Singer, “Rumer” that Aubrey Baptiste sent for me last Wednesday, pure anger pierced my psyche.

Hundreds of thousands of labourers worked the lands that Bookers inherited from our colonial conquerors, and how many of them got the deal that Eddie Boyer received from Bharrat Jagdeo?

That wasn’t the only source of my tempestuous rage last Friday evening. This very former president wants to control the government of Guyana again.

Do you know how many persons in this country have implored me to get house lots for them. Honestly, the number is endless. One lady defied her parents and supported the AFC. She gave her

time and embrace to the AFC during the 2015 campaign.

And she couldn’t get a house lot to build a home for herself, while the lands owned by the people of this country were given away by Jagdeo and Ramotar to their wealthy friends.

I met this very woman as I was coming off the wall with my dog four months ago. She pleaded with me for a house lot. There and then, I drove to Kingston to see Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan, who has overall jurisdiction for housing.

I know Ronald a very long time now, before he ever dreamt of becoming a politician.

He was attentive and kind.

He said he would do it and he did it. This woman deserved that little plot.

The people who Jagdeo gave Guyana’s resources to, do not deserve it.

There is a funny story that vividly drives home the point to me that the PPP should not rule Guyana again. I take Campbell Avenue all the time when I leave home at Turkeyen.

Often, I would see this character. He rides an old bicycle and is always shabbily dressed. I suspect he lives on Campbell Avenue.

Each time he sees me as I slow up, he would yell to me, “Fredaay, Fredaay, PPP coming back bhai, we coming back, Fredaay.” No question about it; he is a frenetic supporter of

the PPP. One day, as he rode away, I gazed at his bicycle and his clothes. These are the types that will kill for the PPP to come back.

And in seventy years from now, he will still be that character on his bicycle that the PPP didn’t do anything for.

But the folks like Eddie Boyer will get what they ask Jagdeo for.

There is another story to be told; this one is not like the bicycle fellow. This tale is about the supporters of APNU+AFC. They chose not to hold their leaders accountable.

Their leaders have made so many incredible mistakes that the bicycle character feels his party is riding so high that it is coming back to power. I hope not.

Frederick Kissoon

PAGE 28

Sunday March 03, 2019

Kaieteur News

Investment opportunities in Guyana’s telecommunications sector unlimited

“Promoting Investment opportunities in Guyana” was the key for a special forum held last week in Houston, Texas. It was hosted by the Greater Houston Partnership in collaboration with the ‘Relocating to Guyana Group’ and the Government of Guyana. Among the sponsors were Chevron and TOTALTEC Oilfield Services On the first day, Ameri-

can medium and large scale business executives interacted with the Guyana delegation comprising Ministers David Patterson, Catherine Hughes, Dominic Gaskin, and GO-Invest’s CEO, Owen Verwey.

Each government functionary made a presentation to the potential investors about the numerous opportunities to expand their busi-

nesses into Guyana, a country that sits on the verge of first-time oil production.

Below is an abridgement of the remarks delivered by Minister Catherine Hughes.

I, along with my Government, am of the view that today’s dynamic and competitive global economy demands an ambitious commitment to Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship. We are all

aware that Technology and the Internet have already transformed economies worldwide where modern technologies were applied to manufacturing, the extractive industries, transportation, energy, education, healthcare, and even farming.

Today, Guyana is at the crossroads of our economic development. The industries we have depended on for so many years – traditional, colonial-era industries such as sugar and rice, are not enough to support our developmental requirements in today’s digitally connected world.

It is not lost on us that we must diversify quickly; most importantly, diversify into industries that make use of our intellectual capacities.

In recognition of this, the then new Government conceived a Ministry of Public Telecommunications in late 2015, and it was gazetted in January 2016. The Ministry’s fundamental purpose is to create an ‘enabling environment’ at policy and infrastructural levels to ensure that Information and Communication Technologies are fully utilized for national development and Guyana’s economic advancement.

To achieve this, the Ministry of Public Telecommunications is creating a knowledge-based society to make us and our products globally competitive, and ultimately for Guyana to become a premier ICT hub in the region.

We are also working towards creating the “enabling environment” for a new, thriving ICT private sector that will create: · Wealth and employment · An ICT literate society · A culture of innovation and entrepreneurship · Cross-country internet availability, free to all citizens · Transformation of the entire public and business sectors into an e-environment · Implementation of legislation that support eCommerce and protect Intellectual Property We have an obligation to the nation to get it right… now! Technology must become the main supporting pillar for broad-based growth, and for reducing social and economic inequality.

In a few short years Guyana is destined to become a significant player in the Oil & Gas industry, at least regionally, and it has to be said that there is a clear nexus between Oil & Gas and ICT.

Our Government has a duty to ensure that Guyanese are prepared to take advantage of the potential opportunities. We have a duty to ensure that our citizens are fully equipped to provide the best services to every local and foreign entrepreneur and investor doing business in Guyana.

ICT is undoubtedly the cross-cutting component in this milieu. If the apps to increase production of rice, cash crops, metal items, and services are not already in existence, we will ensure that they are created.

NEXUS BETWEEN ICT AND HYDROCARBON ENTERPRISES While the Oil & Gas sector has immense potential to spur on economic growth, we are very conscious of the pitfalls that have affected other developing countries. We’ve learnt how oil wealth could harm a country’s democracy and its economic instability.

It is abundantly clear that the emergence of Oil and Gas as an industry in Guyana will change the Guyana economy, our people, our expectations for betterment, our values, and our ways of life, and in the short term too. These are the natural results of economic evolution, and with it will come greater demands for different, modern infrastructures and better eco-systems, and for services and social and business support at higher levels. This is especially true for our emerging ICT industry.

ACCESS AND INCLUSION The ICT sector has become a critical component in Guyana. Our Government (the previous one too) has been preparing for this evolution. More recently, we began to install the necessary infrastructure to ensure that as many of our citizens as possible have free access to the Internet. We continue to provide face-to-face training in Robotics, Coding, Web Design and similar technologies. To date, we have connected almost every public school and technical/tertiary education institution across the nation. This is in addition to:§ All government agencies and Ministries (eGovernment) § The establishment of 170+ ICT hubs in local communities where citizens could access the Internet free of cost if they cannot do so from their homes; this initiative is focused on poor and remote communities, and the

hubs are managed voluntarily by selected groups of community residents who have the autonomy to manage and sustain their hubs DEVELOPING HUMAN CAPITALTHROUGH BROAD-BASED TRAINING Our goal is to equip our citizens with ICT skills ranging from basic to advanced levels of proficiency. For example, the number of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) enterprises in Guyana has been increasing, mostly as a result of cost advantages and a widening skill pool.

This particular business space is now wide open for new entrants.

DIRECT ICT START-UP SUPPORT Financing is one of the biggest challenges facing ICT Start-Ups. Our Telecommunications ministry is committed to finding new avenues for micro and small business funding. Currently, we are in the preparatory stages for an ICT Venture Capital Fund, and we are looking for partners.

ICT Park: We are also examining the feasibility and proposed designs for an ICT (Technology) Park. At the beginning, the Tech Park would be the host for startup enterprises (incubator), a training ground, and a facility for cluster growth.

Virtual Incubators: While we wait for the completion of the prescribed studies/analyses, we are examining the probability of launching virtual incubators which could provide ICT Start-Up businesses with most of the benefits offered by normal incubators without the need for a physical space.

PROVISION OF E-SERVICES To keep pace with ICT advancements around the world, our eGovernment Agency is working with other Ministries to reach a particular benchmark this year. They have designed a broad-spectrum software with portals to more than 200 public services including passport and business compliance applications, pension payments, etc. to be ready for use by 2020.

Imagine the benefits for citizens – efficient public service delivery and cost savings.

In addition, we have been collaborating with the Ministry of Business to introduce e-commerce, e-payments, etc.

We have revised Intellectual Property and Data Protection legislations … and this is only the beginning.

(To be continued)

Sunday March 03, 2019

PAGE 29

Kaieteur News

My column

A perilous state of affairs These are not normal times, although there are some who would want this to be the case. After March 21, unless something happens, the government would be illegal. This is because of the constitution, which stipulates that elections must be held within ninety days of a no confidence motion.

Of course, a two-thirds majority of the National Assembly could make a decision that would alter the ninety-day stipulation. However, there is no move in any direction to have a sitting of the National Assembly, so the push for a two-thirds majority seems out of the question.

There is the caveat that the Guyana Elections Commission is the entity to determine the readiness for the elections, and the commission says that it is just not ready. So there is a problem. The members of the commission are divided on the issue. One side says that the president should be informed that the commission is not ready; the other side says that the commission is close to a state of readiness.

Perhaps recognizing the importance of the March 21 deadline, President David Granger sought a meeting with Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo. However, the unthinkable happened; the Opposition Leader refused to meet with the President.

This is unusual in any part of the world. I cannot picture President Donald Trump or the Queen of England, or Russian President Vladimir Putin, inviting any member of the congress or the parliament and being refused. It is just not done. But it has been done in Guyana.

Jagdeo says that he would only meet if an elections date is on the agenda. And the date for elections is in the hands of the elections commission.

Then there is the matter of the courts. The government has gone to the courts to challenge the no confidence motion. Attorney General Basil Williams is seeking a stay, but the decision would not be known until March 15. If the stay is granted then the government would enjoy a reprieve.

If there is no reprieve, then Guyana could be in a precarious position. Foreign inves-

tors would be hesitant to put their money into the country for a number of reasons.

Jagdeo has promised to undo any contract or agreement the government would have reached during its extended stay in office. No foreign investor would want to take that risk.

Local businesses would also be hesitant to invest, given the uncertainty. Already there has been a reduction in imports. The business community is not prepared to take chances and this has always been the case in the runup to elections.

The country would slowly grind to a halt as goods begin to disappear from the shelves.

People would begin to worry about jobs and pretty soon the tension could grow. Guyana has had its share of unrest and it can ill afford to have another one now, when the country is beginning to emerge from difficult times.

In days gone by, the leaders would talk to each other. I remember Forbes Burnham would pick up the phone and call his opposite number, Dr Cheddi Jagan. Even when things appeared to be difficult in the country, the two would talk.

Dr Jagan would sometimes drop in on Burnham uninvited. They would discuss the troublesome issues of the day. No matter the acrimony, there was always talking.

Parliamentarians back then also met socially. Even after the apparent hostility during the debates, soon after they would be seen socializing. Such is not the case these days. An observer would believe that they are enemies and indeed they do seem so. This is not helping the country.

I have seen parliamentarians talking to each other outside the House, regardless of what went on inside. The bottom line is that they all recognize the good of the country.

I would suppose that Guyanese are different. They are keen to be leaders, if only to occupy the seat of power.

Once there, they tend to pay little attention to the people who put them there. In fact, they pay little attention to the people on the opposite side.

So we have this situation.

David Granger is expected to

do something. He tried a meeting with Jagdeo and that has failed so far. I do not believe that he can dictate to the elections commission. With the Carter formula, the commission is independent. Any attempt at political dictation would be seen as interference into the affairs of an independent organization.

The government cannot dictate to the tender board or

to the Integrity Commission or to the Ethnic Relations Commission. Such an action would draw so much criticism that the government could be labelled a dictator.

Yet this is what is being demanded of the government in the case of the elections commission. The same thing is noticed when it comes to the diplomatic community.

There have been times when

the foreign ambassadors and high commissioners sought to comment on situations in the country. United States Ambassador Brent Hardt got a dose of hostility from the then government. He was accused of meddling.

Today we are asking the foreign diplomats to meddle in this situation. We want them to intervene. And intervene they should.

Adam Harris

PAGE 30

Sunday March 03, 2019

Kaieteur News

This is the future we seek - a united Guyana That Bharrat Jagdeo chose to disrespect a sitting President and has refused (via press conference) to meet with David Granger to discuss matters of national importance, is highly irregular, immature and churlish behaviour by a former President. It is highly irresponsible behaviour for the leader of a party that represents a significant percentage of the population, to refuse to meet with the head of state, especially at a time in our country’s history when sober and mature leadership is demanded.

Over the last forty-two months, the behaviour of this former President has harmed rather than helped the Republic. Instead of advocating for a one-nation policy; working to eradicate ethnic rivalries, fear and distrust. This leader of the PPP has chosen to do the opposite. In contrast, David Granger and the Coalition have managed to govern peacefully by embracing social cohesion and political inclusivity.

Make no mistake, the weekly ranting of Bharrat Jagdeo is intended to drown out the symphony of

progress that is taking place in every region of Guyana.

Jagdeo is hell-bent on regaining political power so that he can continue where he and the PPP left off - creating a divided nation.

While in office the PPP dragged this country to the pit of the human development index. The record rates of arson, armed robbery, murders, suicides, road fatalities, illiteracy, unemployment, trafficking in persons and narcotics made Guyana a pariah state in this hemisphere. The PPP, worse still, divided our nation.

It corrupted our nation. It offered favours to its favourites and inflicted unbearable burdens on the masses of housewives, public servants, working people, paddy-farmers, fisher-folk and students.

By their daily criticism of everything that is done by the Coalition government and its leaders, the PPP’s strategy is to stoke fear, doubt and hopelessness in the minds of the people. They are hoping that the people will forget their 30 years of misrule, corruption, nepotism, favouritism and hate. They are hoping that their gloom and doom mes-

sage, will blind the gullible to the steady progress that has been made and continue to be made under this government.

APNU+AFC has a proud record in office that must be shared more widely and boasted of more frequently.

While in opposition, the parties made several promises and they have kept those promises. They promised that they would hold local government elections - something the PPP deprived Guyanese of for more than two decades. They have since held two local government elections in just 3 years.

They promised that they would increase the wages of public servants who were suffering with starvation wages under the PPP. In just three years, the minimum wage has rapidly increased by nearly 52 percent from $39,570, in 2015, to $64,000, in 2018. It took the PPP administration nine years to move the minimum wage by a similar percentage, or from $26,070, in 2006 to $39,570, in 2015.

The Minister of Finance has assured that all government workers can expect salary increases going forward,

especially in 2019 and 2020.

The APNU+AFC coalition promised to increase old age pension and they did; from the paltry sum of $13,125 - today it is over $20,000.

APNU+AFC reduced the PPP-imposed VAT from 16% to 14%. The Coalition promised a reduction of the Berbice Bridge toll. On January 1, 2016, the toll was reduced from $2200 to $1900 for passenger cars and buses, along with a 10 percent reduction for all other classes of vehicles.

APNU+AFC restored decency and cleanliness to our capital city; today Georgetown is once again a Garden City. The promised establishment of Passport Offices in Berbice, Linden and Essequibo are a reality. Gone are the long lines and crowds that gathered daily outside the passport office in Georgetown.

As mandated by the Constitution and promised in our manifesto, the Coalition government established the Public Procurement Commission and operationalised the Local Government Commission.

Implementation of an amended Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act, was yet another promise made and kept. Today Guyana has been removed from the European Union’s money-laundering blacklist, due to aggressive

anti-corruption campaigns.

The government continues to address the crime situation in Guyana and recent figures from the Guyana Police Force show that serious crime continues to be on the decrease. While in government, PPP failed to encourage the greater use of solar and other renewable forms of energy. APNU+AFC promised to pursue renewables and they have. Mabaruma now has a $264M 400-kilowatt solar farm. Other solar farms are slated for Lethem in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo); Mahdia in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Bartica in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). These farms are anticipated to generate 800,400, and 1.5 kilowatts of electricity respectively. A wind farm is also in the pipeline.

APNU+AFC promised Guyanese a good life and they continue to deliver on that promise. The establishment of the four new capital towns have served to decentralise public service to resident of the Regions where those towns are located.

APNU+AFC promised to increase access to reliable potable water. Over the last three years thousands of residents are able to access potable water in their homes, many of them for the first time.

Many areas have ben-

efited from improved street lighting. Over 10,000 units of the LED street lamps valued at US$1,329,984 have replaced current street lights in several areas. This is an ongoing programme that will deliver improved street lighting to all regions of Guyana.

Thousands of residents of the East Bank Berbice will soon be able to travel to their destinations with ease.

APNU+AFC promised the residents that we would build a modern asphalt road and we kept that promise. The $1.2 Billion East Bank Berbice road rehabilitation project is near completion, after years of neglect by the PPP. These are just a small sample of the numerous accomplishments that this Coalition government can be proud of. In the words of President David Granger; “Guyanese could expect confidently, by the end of 2019, to live in a state with more secure borders; communities that are safer; an economy that is more resilient; a society that is more cohesive; public services that are more accessible and constitutional agencies and institutions which enjoy the confidence and respect of the public. This is the country which will provide every Guyanese with a good life. This is the society at which we aim. This is the future we seek.”

Sunday March 03, 2019

PAGE 31

Kaieteur News

What really happens when you feel dizzy

By Dr Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine “Feeling dizzy” means different things to different people.

Or even to the same person in different situations.

Most commonly it is used to describe one of the following sensations: · Vertigo, which is a feeling of spinning around. · Feeling faint or lightheaded, as if about to pass out or collapse. · Loss of normal balance, i.e. being unsteady but without feeling faint or whirly.

When you go to a doctor saying you feel “dizzy”, you are giving them a real challenge. Because the word “dizzy” describes several symptoms, and a vast number of conditions can cause dizziness. Your doctor should, however, be able to narrow it down, by finding out exactly what you personally mean by dizziness, and asking about other symptoms.

WHY DO YOU FEEL DIZZY? Dizziness is usually a problem of the inner ear or brain.

It may be due to infection or nerve problems of the ear.

Balance issues without dizziness may be due to low blood pressure, anxiety, nerve problems and heart issues.

It is important to see your doctor to investigate the problem.

If you have vertigo, i.e. you feel as if you or the world around you is spinning, then the most common causes are inner ear problems. Infections, nerve problems or a dislodged stone inside the ear can cause

you to feel dizzy.

WHATARE THE POSSIBLE CAUSES OF FEELINGFAINT? If, by dizziness, you mean feeling faint or light-headed, then conditions originating anywhere in your body may be the cause. For example: · Having a high temperature (fever). · Very hot weather. · Side-effects of certain medicines. · Panic attacks. · Problems with your hear rate - its beating too fast or slow or irregular. · Low iron levels causing low blood count.

SHOULD YOU WORRY ABOUT DIZZINESS? If you are getting recurring dizzy spells, or a constant dizziness for which there is no obvious cause, then see your doctor.

If you have dizziness with other alarming symptoms such as sudden weakness in your arms, legs or face muscles, or chest pain or feeling very breathless, then call an ambulance or see a doctor urgently.I t is usually best to have an explanation for dizziness.

If you have a prolonged episode of dizziness, or recurring episodes of dizziness and are not sure what is causing them, then it is wise to see a doctor.

In particular, if you have other symptoms in addition to the dizziness, such as: · Headache, especially if it is severe, or a different kind to ones you usually get. · Hearing or visual loss. · Problems with speech. · Weakness of arms or legs · Difficulty walking. · Collapse, or periods of unconsciousness. · Numbness in areas of

your body. · Chest pain. · An abnormally slow, fast or irregular pulse · Any other symptom that you cannot explain. · If any of these symptoms have come on suddenly, see a doctor immediately.

WHATARE TESTS THAT CAN BE DONE FOR DIZZINESS? Sometimes the doctor can tell you the cause of the dizziness from your symptoms and the result of the examination.

After talking to you, your doctor may do the following examinations: · Taking your temperature. · Examining your ear. · Examining your eyes and their movements. · Checking your pulse and blood pressure and blood sugar · Checking your balance and co-ordination. · Looking for any weakness in the muscles of your arms, legs or face. · Tests which look for dizziness in certain positions or position changes.

Depending on what has been established from the above, further tests might be relevant. These will differ depending on which diagnosis is suspected, but might include: · A hearing test. · A blood test - for example, to test you for anaemia (low blood count) · An MRI or CT scan of your head. · Heart tests: An ECG or an ultrasound of your heart ISTHERE TREATMENT FOR DIZZINESS? The treatment depends on the cause.

Your doctor will be able to advise you regarding this. It

will entirely depend on the type of dizziness and what has caused it. For example: · Labyrinthitis (inflamed ear nerves) usually improves on its own over time. · Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) can be cured by a series of maneuvers tilting your head in certain ways to move debris (small stones) in the semicircular canals of the inner ear back in place. · Dizziness caused by a problem with the heart rhythm or rate is treated by putting the heart rate right - for example, by medicines, a pacemaker or a procedure done directly on the heart.

· Dizziness caused by medication is usually easily solved by reducing the dose of, changing or stopping the medicine in question. · Dizziness due to panic attacks or anxiety is solved by treating these conditions directly with talking treatments or medicines. · Dizziness caused low blood sugar can be corrected by giving glucose · Dizziness caused by low blood count can be corrected by increasing your blood count with supplements or a blood transfusion.

Sometimes when the cause is unknown, your doctor may choose to put you on

Dr Zulfikar Bux medications specifically designed to help the dizziness but not the cause. As you can see, dizziness is a complex complaint with many causes.

Some can be serious while most are not. Let your doctor decide which you have if you start to feel dizzy.

PAGE 32

SUNDAY RUSAL rents presidential annexe for peanuts As the spotlight continues to centre on the operations of the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc. (BCGI), there are details that for years it occupied a prime state-owned property in Queenstown, paying a monthly pittance.

According to the information, the Forshaw Street, Queenstown property was occupied for months by former President Bharrat Jagdeo, in his early years as the president. It was also home to Vice President Viola Burnham.

Viola Burnham, wife of former President Forbes Burnham lived in the building after it was rehabilitated by George Henry.

It was later rented to the bauxite company. It is said to have been in their possession for about15 years.

BCGI, the local subsidiary of Russian aluminium giant, Rusal, was supposed to pay a mere US$2,000 monthly for the property.

The Colonial-styled building came under the jurisdiction of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), a state company that manages properties.

Reportedly, BCGI officials were called in by NICIL last year and asked to pay US$5,000 per month.

The company resisted at first but later agreed to pay US$4,500.

The rent would be relevant as it appears now that Rusal got a really good deal from the Government of Guyana, in the mid-2000s.

According to staffers, it came here and took over the concerns that were once under the management of Reynolds Metals, a US company that had been here

Sunday March 03, 2019

Kaieteur News

a decade but pulled out around 2000.

Government managed the facilities for a number of years before Rusal came.

World Cup missing BMW jeep found abandoned at LBI A government-owned BMW jeep that investigators were looking for has been found abandoned on the East Coast of Demerara.

The X3 sports utility vehicle (SUV) was recovered at LBI based on a number of intelligence-driven operations conducted by the police’s Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).

Confirming that the vehicle has been recovered, SOCU’s head, Sydney James, was tight-lipped, only saying that the vehicle, PKK 6636, was reported missing after the Cricket World Cup held in Guyana in 2007.

It is believed that whoever had the vehicle, believed that the noose was drawing tighter and decided to ditch it.

The acquisition of the vehicles was part of the requirements for the hosting of games in a number of Caribbean countries, including Guyana.

According to a forensic audit report for CWC 2007, which had been handed over to police for criminal investigations, the vehicle, a white X3 jeep, with Chassis N u m b e r WBAPA72010WB51380, was registered to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCYS), according to records of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

That ministry was disbanded and a number of departments created following the 2015 elections in which the Coalition, headed by President David Granger, entered office.

Several forensic audits were ordered in 2015 to

The recovered BMW jeep with SOCU’s head, Sydney James last week

The Forshaw Street, Queenstown property determine the health of a number of state agencies.

There were no traces of the vehicle when forensic auditor, John Barnes, conducted checks.

The missing vehicle was among several other red flags – including missing records – that prompted the administration to order a criminal probe.

There are some theories that the missing vehicle could have been shipped out, as it would stick out like a sore thumb here.

The CWC report and the one on the Pradoville Two dealings were both handed over to Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud, in 2016.

SARA owes Trinidad and UK consultants millions The State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) may be taken to court even before it can file its first case.

This newspaper understands that SARA owes in excess of $13M to two investigators.

Sources at SARA say that just over US$55,600 is owed to CIFA Consultancy, a subsidiary of the Caribbean Institute of Forensic Accounting (CIFA); and over US$5000 is owed to SARA’s legal advisor as well as consultant, Brian Horne.

Horne drafted the SARA Bill.

This newspaper has seen a letter sent by Director of CIFA Consultancy Director, Maurissa Jemmott, to SARA Director, Professor Clive Thomas, on January 8, last.

It stated, “Reference is made to the signed contract dated 7th March, 2018, between the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) and CIFA Consultancy, a subsidiary of the Caribbean Institute of Forensic Accounting (CIFA) re: the payment of outstanding Professional Fees and Cost in the sum of US$55,600.00, with US$10,600.00 being for reimbursable expenses.”

Further, the letter read, “As stated in section 2 of the signed contact: The Schedule of Services: CIFA agrees to outsource Mr. Stephon Grey as an Advisor on Asset Tracing & Recovery Investigations to the State Asset Recovery Agency (SARA) of Guyana.”

In the letter, the Director listed Grey’s contractual functions and said, “To date, Mr. Grey and his team have successfully provided all the services stipulated in the contract which has led to the producing of five forensic investigative phase 1 reports, in addition to two preliminary asset identification reports.

This asset identification process involved intelligence

gathering in the United States and provided successful leads into the target’s assets.”

CIFA Consultancy wrote that it has since submitted three invoices for payment totaling US$55,600.00; US$5,000.00 – Out of Pocket expense reimbursement, US$5,600.00 – Asset Identification expense reimbursement and US$45,000.00 – Professional Fees.

MONDAY Liza Phase Two Permit…EPA includes provision for unannounced visits to ExxonMobil’s operations According to the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) between Guyana and ExxonMobil’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), the Minister through his duly appointed representatives, must give the company seven days notice before making a visit.

But this will not apply to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Confirming this with Kaieteur News was EPA Head, Dr. Vincent Adams. He was at the time, responding to questions regarding this provision and how it will affect the scope of EPA’s regulatory powers.

Dr. Adams said, “I am aware that the agreement calls for seven days notice but the EPA will not be bound by this.

The agency has the authority to visit the site and they (Exxon) have agreed that our designated officer will be granted entry at all or anytime. This provision was included in their permit for Liza Phase Two. This is not

something out of the ordinary for regulators of the sector. In fact, it is in keeping with international best practices, which Exxon is very much familiar with. So when we put it to them, there was no objection from Exxon, they said they understand.”

The EPA Headed added, “When you are doing oversight, you are supposed to be able to make unannounced visits. If you give them seven days notice, they can make it look like the best is taking place… The element of surprise is necessary, it is effective.”

With its massive oil reserves…Guyana has more than enough leverage to renegotiate deal with Exxon – former TT Minister The larger the oil find potential, the more leverage a country has to renegotiate contracts believed to be oppressive.

According to Former Minister of Trade, Industry, Investment and Communications in Trinidad and Tobago, Vasant Bharath, this principle stands true in the case of Guyana.

He made these and other comments during an exclusive interview with Kaieteur News in Trinidad and Tobago. The discussion focused on recent statements by his Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley. At an Energy Conference organized by TT’s Energy Chamber, Dr. Rowley had noted that moves to renegotiate oil deals with companies that were enjoying the lion’s share of his country’s resources were proving to be successful.

Given TT’s success thus (Continued on page 33)

Sunday March 03, 2019

From page 32 far, Bharath was asked to say if Guyana should pursue the same route, especially since some deem the contract it has with ExxonMobil to be lopsided.

Bharath said, “If the regime that has been agreed to is oppressive to the government as it has been deemed to be for the government of Trinidad and Tobago, then clearly now is the time to renegotiate. No investor is going to turn their backs on a commercially profitable arrangement. They are here to make money…particularly in light of the oil Guyana is finding, for both Exxon and whoever else, it comes down to dollars and cents, what they can lift it out for and sell it for…

“Let’s assume that like TT, Guyana believes it is getting the short end of the stick, I think the oil companies would be prepared to renegotiate on the basis that in other countries, they may not be earning even half of what they are earning in Guyana. So if they gave up some of it, they would still be earning a lot more in terms of the return on the investments they are earning in other places…”

He added, “With that information, you have the ability to go back to the table and say this has to be a mutually beneficial situation… And we don’t want a situation, which sees you (the oil firm) creaming off all of the profits and we are left with just the dregs and the Guyanese people are not going to benefit from their own resources…”

Just last year, ExxonMobil noted that it has an “aggressive growth strategy”, which will see its earnings and cash flow from operations more than doubling. The 100 percent increase is expected to be achieved by 2025 with Guyana being central to that process.

PPP Central Committee waiting on Ali to return with proof of academic qualifications – Transcripts can be obtained in days but party waiting over a month The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has set certain criteria that one must meet before he or she can receive the party’s blessing to be its presidential candidate.

According to sources in the party’s Central committee, academic achievements are a plus but it is not a “stringent requirement.”

However, “good standing in the party and capacity for public appeal are two important requirements,” said one official who spoke on the

PAGE 33

Kaieteur News

ground of anonymity.

Therefore, when Ali’s qualifications were exposed as questionable just a few days before the hopefuls for presidential candidates were to make presentations to the central committee; his appeal to the party took a hit.

However, he was still chosen to serve as presidential candidate.

How so? Because, Ali was able to convince members of the Central Committee that he is the best choice. In doing so, he had to convince members that his academic achievements are legitimate.

Also, just as he did with the media, Ali promised to furnish the Committee with transcripts from the universities he attended.

It has been over a month and the Central Committee is still waiting.

Over the weekend, this newspaper spoke to several Central Committee members, all of whom confirmed that Ali was asked to clear up “misconceptions” in the public domain.

“Of course it was a concern, and he was asked about it, he basically told us that there is nothing to worry about and that it will be sorted out soon. He also promised to provide the committee with the transcripts,” said one very prominent Central Committee Member.

Another member said, “Yes, he was asked. His response was no different to what he told the media. But we are still waiting.”

One of the members of the Committee said that the party is very concerned about “the effect this can have.”

However, the PPP stalwart said that, “we are all so eager to see the back of this incompetent cabal and wouldn’t want APNU+AFC to think that we are allowing certain things to slide.”

TUESDAY Oil Contract reveals…

Guyana has no legal right to audit ExxonMobil’s subcontractors International Petroleum Experts have said time and again, that cost recovery audits are only as effective as the legal and contractual provisions in place.

But in Guyana’s contract with ExxonMobil’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL, there are a number of loopholes which may hamper the effectiveness of such audits.

The latest anomaly speaks to the fact that Guyana has no provision in the aforementioned contract to ensure it can audit the books of the company’s

subcontractors.

Unlike Guyana, nations like Trinidad and Tobago have strict provisions in place which allow its regulators to check the costs being charged by subcontractors to the oil operators. This mechanism is just one way the Caricom territory protects itself against inflated costs.

In contracts Trinidad has with oil companies, there is a section called Retention. It says, “Subject to the delivery of books, records and documents to the Minister in accordance with the Contract upon termination of the Contract, all books, records and documents must be maintained by the Contractor, Contractor’s Affiliates and Subcontractors and made available for inspection until the later of: (i) seventy-two (72) Months after the termination of each Contract Year; or (ii) if any cost, amount or issue is under dispute, the date by which that dispute is resolved.”

In addition to this, there is no provision in Guyana’s contract with Exxon’s subsidiary which requires its contracting partners, CNOOC and Hess, to submit their independent audit reports of Esso’s costs to the government. (See link for further details: https:// n r e . g o v. g y / w p - c o n t e n t / uploads/2017/12/PetroleumAgreement-Oct-7-2016.pdf ) This however, is in place in Trinidad’s contracts with oil firms. Under a section called, “Audits by Contractor Party,” it states, “If any Contractor Party conducts an audit of the books and records of Operator or any other Contractor Party pertaining to the Contract, it shall provide to the Minister a copy of the audit results, a report setting out the audit exceptions, claims and queries and the manner in which these exceptions, claims and queries were finally allowed or denied by Operator.”

Significant decline in business over political uncertainty- GCCI The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) has said that its members are reporting a significant drop in business amid the current political climate.

According to the chamber, it has been observing and noting the occurrences in Guyana’s political environment and is concerned about the effect of the impact of the associated uncertainty on the business community.

The GCCI said it has conducted a survey in the wider business community which set out to gauge the effect of the

political environment on business performance.

From the results, 64 % of respondents, or about two in every three businesses, experienced some form of decline due to uncertainty over the state of political affairs in Guyana.

“For those businesses which registered a decline in activity, approximately 85 % experienced a 25 % to 50 % drop in the level of commercial activity. The remaining 15% experienced 75% to 100% (percent) decline in business.”

According to the chamber, this significant decline in commercial activity is worrying and with the continued state of political uncertainty can result in further decline in economic activity.

“From a national development perspective, the climate of uncertainty does not bode well for investors’

confidence, both local and foreign, as well as business planning, budgeting and other key features of business management and administration. The Chamber remains hopeful that an environment which encourages investment prevails.

GCCI said its membership size is over 240 business organizations which include micro to enterprise type levels, located throughout the country and in the CARICOM region.

WEDNESDAY Govt. not prepared to work hard for what Guyana deserves …

Comfortable collecting crumbs from ExxonMobil – Petroleum Consultant From all indications, it is

quite clear that the Coalition Administration is still too focused on painting a rosy picture regarding the preparations for oil as opposed to addressing numerous difficult issues to secure Guyana’s future.

Making this statement Tuesday during an interview with Kaieteur News was Oil and Gas Consultant, Dr. Jan Mangal.

His comments followed the presentations made by Business Minister, Dominic Gaskin and Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson Tuesday morning in Houston, Texas at the Baker Institute Rice University. The topic of discussion was “Oil and Gas Development in Guyana.”

Other panelists included Newell Maurice Dennison, Commissioner of the Guyana (Continued on page 34)

PAGE 34

From page 33 Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC); Sean Herrera, Managing Director of the Caribbean component of Schlumberger; and Jamie McInerney, Senior Director at FTI Consulting.

Gaskin, who was the keynote speaker, said that despite what the naysayers and preachers of doomsday may say, the government is of the firm view that oil and gas has the potential to transform Guyana.

In this regard, he noted that the coalition administration is already making moves to improve the business landscape that will see a rush of interest from the looming oil sector. Also expressing similar sentiments was McInerney. He said that if one reads the local media reports, one would get the impression that the resource curse is imminent, when in fact, the government is already taking steps to avoid this.

Even Schlumberger’s Managing Director spoke glowingly of Guyana’s investment climate, while noting that there have been a few surmountable challenges.

After attending the event, which also was live streamed, the former Government Advisor, Dr Jan Mangal, told Kaieteur News that the objective of the participants was to paint a rosy picture of Guyana’s preparation for the oil sector.

Montrose ‘granny’ killer gets 100 years Though 26-year-old Colin Allen was found guilty by a jury of murdering 77-year-old Montrose, East Coast

Sunday March 03, 2019

Kaieteur News

Demerara pensioner, Danrasie ‘Carmen’ Ganesh, Tuesday in the High Court in Georgetown, the killer insisted that he did not commit the crime, even after video evidence presented in his trial shows him in the woman’s home brutalizing her.

“I don’t think a man like you should ever see daylight again,” trial Judge Navindra Singh told Allen, also known as ‘Bonus’, before sentencing him to 100 years in prison. The killing occurred on August 01, 2015, at Ganesh’s Lot 121 Montrose, East Coast Demerara home, where had she lived alone.

State Prosecutors Tuanna Hardy, Abigail Gibbs and Teriq Mohamed submitted that Ganesh lived alone, and that on the day in question, she was visited by an unwanted guest, Allen, who was unknown to her, entered her house as though he knew her, and murdered her.

Following a summation of the evidence, the jurors retired for deliberations and did so for about three hours, emerging with a unanimous guilty verdict. At the announcement of the verdict, Allen’s lawyer Rachael Bakker declined to say anything in mitigation. With this, Allen was left at the mercy of the court.

Allen, as he swayed from side to side, told the judge, “Me ain’t know about nothing. I was never there. Me ain’t kill nobody.”

“They say a picture is worth a 1000 words,” Justice Singh told Allen, as he made reference to CCTV footage retrieved from Ganesh’s home, which shows him attacking her.

In arriving at a sentence for Allen, Justice Singh

commenced at a base of 60 years. In addition, to that, he added 10 years for premeditation; another 10 years. for excessive brutality in that Allen repeatedly stomped and kicked at the old woman who could not have posed a threat to him; a further 10 years was added since, according to Justice Singh, it was a murder for pay and another 10 years, given the woman’s age and the fact that she could have barely walked properly.

Trade unions band together to fight Rusal – put all foreign companies on notice In a strong signal of a growing anger, the country’s trade unions Tuesday met to find ways to respond to the current ongoing crisis at Rusal, Upper Berbice, in Region 10.

It would have been an unusual setting at the Critchlow Labour College for a number of unions which traditionally had been at odds with each other.

However, the situation with bauxite workers, scores who have been fired by Rusal, has galvanized the unions, finding a common cause.

According to the unions, the actions of Rusal’s subsidiary, the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc. (BCGI), is a situation that cannot be left unchecked, lest other foreign investors believe that they can treat local workers with the same disdain.

Among the options being considered are picketing the Queenstown office of Rusal, engaging the Russian embassy and a visit to the Aroaima and Kurubuka mine

JAILED FOR 100 YEARS: Colin Allen called ‘Bonus’

site to check on the situation.

Chairing the meeting Tuesday was General Secretary of the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU), Lincoln Lewis.

The other unions present were the Guyana Labour Union, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union, the Guyana Teachers’ Union and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and

Industrial Employees.

THURSDAY Contract with Exxon partners reveals… Guyana has no legal basis to monitor metered oil When it comes to monitoring the quantity and quality of oil produced by Chevron and the like, most regulators around the world have taken every precaution

possible, be it through laws, policies and contractual provisions, to guard against foul play.

Guyana, in this regard, is the oddball.

A perusal of the nation’s Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with ExxonMobil’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), CNOOC and Hess, shows that there is no (Continued on page 35)

The unions meeting to plan on how to deal with the worrying labour situation at Rusal

Sunday March 03, 2019

From page 34 provision in place which speaks to the country’s right to verifying the operator’s oil production.

Other nations like Trinidad and Tobago, for example, have rigid rules, agreements and regulations in place on this matter. With respect to its PSAs with oil firms, Trinidad has an entire section on Measurement.

Provisions 19.1 and 19.2 under that Section say, “All Petroleum produced, saved and not used in Petroleum Operations shall be measured at the Measurement Points approved in the Development Plan. The Measurement Point shall be at the end of the facilities for which the cost is included as a recoverable cost of Petroleum Operations under the Contract.”

At provision 19.3 it adds, “The Production shall be measured in accordance with the sound and current practices and standards generally accepted in the international Petroleum industry. All measurement equipment shall be installed, maintained and operated by Contractor.

“The Minister shall have the right to inspect the measuring equipment installed by Contractor and all charts and other measurement or test data at all reasonable times. The accuracy of Contractor’s measuring equipment shall be verified by tests at regular intervals and upon the request of the Minister, using sound and current means and methods generally accepted in the international Petroleum industry.”

Upon discovery of a meter malfunction, Trinidad’s PSAs make it clear that the contractor shall immediately have the meter repaired, adjusted and corrected and following such repairs, adjustment or correction shall have it tested or calibrated to establish its accuracy. Upon the discovery of a metering error, the nation also requires that the contractor have the meter tested immediately and the necessary steps taken to correct any error that may be discovered.

20,000 Blaze connections made in last 18 months – GTT US-controlled Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) says that it made 20,000 connections of its Blaze service in the last 18 months with a backlog in the processing applications.

Speaking during a press conference at GTT’s offices at Lot 55 Brickdam on Tuesday, Chief Executive Officer, Justin Nedd, said that the quality of the voice

PAGE 35

Kaieteur News

service on the Blaze is much better than the traditional one.

In fact, customers are giving up the traditional copper line (landline) phones, opting for the Blaze service.

Those services are being offered to where Blaze customers are, with the number beginning with a 500 digit.

The question would be asked as GTT has been mandated by the regulator, the Public Utilities Commission, to make at least 350 new landline connections every quarter.

Nedd said that it is meeting the requirements for new voice connections.

The company is facing, also, an unprecedented demand for internet services.

Workers, residents block Berbice River – union urges examination of Rusal’s operating licence Workers of Rusal and residents of the Kwakwani community, Region Ten, blocked the Berbice River, halting the company’s continued shipping of bauxite. According to workers, the actions started late Tuesday evening, with a wire rope attached to barrels and water tanks strung across the river.

The escalating actions would come after more than 90 workers were fired by Rusal’s local operator, the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc. (BCGI), two weekends ago.

Since then, workers, including those whose services were terminated, have been holed up in housing area, 12 miles from Kwakwani, at the Aroaima property of Rusal.

The standoff has drawn in Government and Rusal’s headquarters with the company refusing to deal with the workers’ union.

Attempts by Government to mediate a resolution, including a return of the fired workers to their duties, have failed with the BCGI saying it is moving to hire new staffers.

Government has been meeting with them and company, almost one and half decades here, refusing to stand down. The company has hired former Chief Labour Officer, Mohamed Akeel, to advise them.

Government sent food supplies to the fired workers who fear leaving the Aroaima site would diminish any possibilities of forcing the Russian-controlled company to rethink its decision to send them home. Wednesday, workers said that Rusal’s local shippers, Oldendorff Carriers, would have heard of blockage of river and therefore not send any vessels. “We want to

send a clear message that it cannot be business as usual,” a spokesperson of the group on the Kwakwani waterfront area told Kaieteur News Wednesday.

About 300 residents and workers were at the riverside Wednesday to lend support.

Meanwhile, Wednesday, Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to stand by workers dismissed

by United Company Russian Aluminum (Rusal).

Following a meeting with Director of Aluminium and Bauxite Department, Vladimir Permyakov, on Tuesday, Minister Ally met with representatives from the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers’ Union Wednesday where she updated them on the status of affairs.

During the meeting held at her Lamaha Street office, the Social Protection Minister expressed her extreme dissatisfaction with the way the Russian company is operating and stated that it will not be tolerated by the government.

FRIDAY Monitoring Metered Oil …

Guyana should require Exxon, others to use independent certifying firms, standards – Int’l Consultant With a plethora of capacity issues facing the country in its bid to prepare for oil, there is still a chance that it can ensure transparency and accountability when it comes to monitoring metered oil.

This came to the fore when Kaieteur News conducted an interview with International Oil and Gas Consultant, Anthony Paul.

This publication asked Paul to share how Trinidad and Tobago keeps track of the volume of oil produced, the price at which it was sold, and the costs incurred by oil companies.

With respect to the volume of oil produced, Paul noted that TT’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mines, as it was then called, had established a Petroleum Inspectorate, whose role and function was to measure and certify quantities produced and sold.

The Chatham House Advisor said that TT’s Customs Department also witnesses shipments. Paul said, “There are standard industry methods for measuring and certifying volumes, and the physical and chemical properties of oil and gas, which affect the price. T&T uses these.”

Further to this, Paul noted that in Joint Ventures, non-

GTT’s CEO, Justin Nedd (center) and other senior officials at the press conference operating parties require that the operator engage an independent certifying firm to validate the reported volumes and composition being sold and/or exported.

Based on checks with local authorities, Guyana is far from making use of such systems and mechanisms.

But all hope is not lost.

Guyana still has a chance to protect itself says Paul. He noted that the Government may not need the internal capacity to do this themselves, but rather, require that independent certifying firms, methods and standards be used by the oil majors.

Further to this, the international Oil Consultant said that this is an area into which locals should be promoted very rapidly, as it is an ongoing business for many years and can bring additional value to Guyana, inclusive of the requisite analytical laboratories that must be certified to internationally acceptable standards.

Opposition Leader rejects invite for March 6 meeting with President Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo has long said that any further meetings with President David Granger will be predicated on the issues listed on the agenda to be discussed. Jagdeo said that unless the President wants to discuss a possible date for elections, meetings are essentially a no, no as far as he is concerned. That position now appears to be unwavering.

Earlier this week, President David Granger extended an invitation to Jagdeo for a meeting on March 6. Jagdeo is still to actually respond to the President’s invite. Before informing Granger about his refusal, Jagdeo informed the media. He did so at a press conference hosted Thursday at

his Church Street Office.

At that forum, Jagdeo did not even state if he plans on ever penning a formal response to the Head of State.

What he stated, however, is that none of the topics the President proposed to be discussed are appealing to him.

Jagdeo asked, “Why do I need to meet with President Granger next week? He wanted to consult with me on the National Assembly’s constitutional role in the present situation, and that is clearly defined in the Constitution. He does not need to consult with me on that.”

Jagdeo suggested that instead of the President consulting with him on such an issue, he should just simply “read the Constitution and comply with it.”

The Opposition Leader said that the second issue President Granger wanted to consult on has to do with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)’s readiness for the hosting of General and Regional Elections and requirements for funding to enable GECOM to conduct such elections.

Jagdeo said that he also needs not be consulted on those two issues.

Addressing the request to meet on GECOM’s readiness, Jagdeo said that it is a waste of time meeting with the president on that, simply because he believes that the government gave “directions to GECOM not to be ready. They have not even started preparations and the constitutional period is essentially expired.”

SATURDAY Guyana Goldfields rapidly eroding EPA’s trust in its operations - Dr. Adams …Says issued permit is not to ‘resume’ underground mining, but to collect data The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is alarmed, and disappointed to

say the least, that Guyana Goldfields Inc. is allowing the nation’s Ministers, its Shareholders and the public at large, to run away with the impression that it received a permit to resume its underground mining project.

Speaking with Kaieteur News on Friday, EPA Head, Dr. Vincent Adams, categorically stated that no such permit was issued. He stressed that the company only got a permit to do prospective works which will allow for the collection of data.

“Despite what the media reports are saying, that is all they are allowed to do. There is no mining that can be done,” the EPA Head articulated.

The Environmental Engineer said that the data to be collected by the Canadian mining firm will be used to inform its final design for the planned mine. At the same time, Dr. Adams stressed that the company has to put together a proposal for underground mining which will include some of the world’s most rigid regulations on underground mining. He said that this is essential since the country is without underground mining laws and regulations.

Dr. Adams said that this clarification on the permit was necessary after he saw comments from Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman.

Trotman’s comments were to the effect that the company received the permit for underground mining. “It is disappointing that the company would mislead the Minister in this manner,” added Dr. Adams.

Kaieteur News also contacted Minister Trotman to ascertain the source of his information regarding the permit. He said that it was had from a press release by the (Continued on page 36)

PAGE 36

From page 35 company last week. In the said release, the Canadian company said it has received environmental authorization from the Environmental Protection Agency “to resume construction and development work” on an underground exploration decline at its Aurora Gold Mine.

The document continued, “The mine, which has been in commercial operation as an open pit since 2016, is anticipated to transition into an eventual combined open pit and underground operation and would become the first modern underground mine developed in Guyana…

“The underground decline is intended for exploration and definition drilling in support of planned underground production.

The Company temporarily suspended work on the underground decline in November 2018 at the request of the EPA.”

Sunday March 03, 2019

Kaieteur News

Today’s authorization to resume operations follows the provision by the Company to the EPA of additional information concerning the application of internationally accepted codes concerning the environment, health and safety practices being proposed.”

Even though this was not explicitly stated in its statement, Minister Trotman clarified that the company’s permit is only for prospecting and not for mining.

Commenting further on the matter, Dr. Adams said he was disappointed to observe that the company failed to expeditiously clarify in the media, the purpose of its permit.

The EPA Head said, “This is the second run in that the EPA has had with the company on this underground mining operation. The first was when they went ahead with the project without our approval…

“It is really disappointing

that a company which claims to be of international repute is operating in this manner. It does not speak well for its reputation. It does not speak well for them and it is rapidly eroding EPA’s trust in its operations.”

Dr. Adams added, “I am deeply disturbed by the company’s total misrepresentation and misleading information to the minister, the public and their shareholders.”

Pensioner, 65, perishes in Non Pareil fire Rovena Hassan, 65, was killed in a fire on Friday morning at her home at lot 22 Non Pareil Public Road, East Coast Demerara.

The blaze which started after 00.30hours is suspected to be electrical in nature according to fire officials who conducted preliminary investigations.

The two-storeyed concrete structure was owned by a couple but Ms.

Hassan has been living there for a number of years according to her relatives and other persons who spoke with this newspaper.

Persons living in the area reported that they were awakened by crackling sounds, heat and shattering glass. When they looked outside they observed that the house was on fire and from all indications, it appeared to have started inside.

The fire service and 911 were immediately contacted. The fire service did respond promptly and that prevented the fire from spreading to two nearby buildings that did suffer some damage as a result of the heat.

The charred remains of the woman were picked up from the lower flat of the building and what appeared evident is that she might have been attempting to retrieve the keys for the doors to free herself from the burning building.

One woman said that Ms Hassan was not well and was spending some time with another relative but later returned home.

She was last seen alive by her son who is a businessman. He would

normally ensure that her meals are provided for on a daily basis.

Jagdeo has enough time to rethink meeting with President - Harmon Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, has refused an invitation extended by President David Granger for a meeting. But, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon says that Jagdeo’s decision is not being considered final by government.

Harmon said this as he noted that Jagdeo is still to formally respond to the President’s invite.

“A letter of invitation was sent to the Leader of the Opposition for a meeting with the President on March 6 at 11:00hrs.

We made that public after the letter was sent to the Leader of the Opposition.

“One would expect that under normal decency and by virtue of democratic behaviour, the Leader of the Opposition would respond to the President indicating whether he would attend that meeting or not, but not to hear in the Media that he has said that he is not attending,” said Harmon.

Minister Harmon believes that there is enough time before the March 6 meeting for the Opposition Leader to reconsider his decision to a c c e p t t h e P r e s i d e n t ’s invitation.

“We have always said that the President is prepared to engage with the Leader of the Opposition on any matter of national interest. We consider this to be one such matter and therefore that is why the President invited him.

“So it is our hope that after mature consideration, the Leader of the Opposition will change that stance which he has taken and attend the meeting,” Minister Harmon added.

Jagdeo had long said that any further meetings with President David Granger will be predicated on the issues listed on the agenda to be discussed.

Jagdeo said that unless the President wants to discuss a possible date for elections, meetings are essentially a no, no as far as he is concerned.

Jagdeo said that none of the topics proposed by the President are appealing to him.

Sunday March 03, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 37

Kaieteur News

PAGE 38

Sunday March 03, 2019

COUNTRYMAN

- Stories about life in m and out of Guyana, fro ve a Guyanese perspecti

Surreal encounter in the Guyana bush

By Dennis Nichols

H

ere's another story from my repertoire of diversionary tales, as we prepare ourselves for Godonly-knows-what in the remaining ten months of 2019. They are set in Guyana's rugged, pristine, and bewitching hinterland,

spoken in hushed tones with s o m b e r, h u m o r o u s o r mysterious gestures.

Through the years, Amerindians, porkknockers, and bush men have spoken of strange encounters with spirit folk, alluring water maidens, and the silent, shape-shifting forest Kanaima, or 'manimal' as one old head put it.

Even visitors and writers from foreign lands have sampled our enigmatic folklore against the backdrop of the forestedhighland and savannah regions shared with Venezuela and Brazil. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's 'Lost World', William Henry Hudson's 'Green Mansions' and Evelyn Waugh's 'Ninety-

two Days', all explore the region's myth and mystery, while local writers like Edgar Mittelholzer, Wilson Harris, Pauline Melville, and lately Michael Jordan, pen their intrigue from a more embedded setting.

The following is the retelling of a story originally related by a jolly, North West friend of mine given to

hyperbole and leg-pulling.

But he swears this one is true, simply because it happened to him. Here it is in his own words, paraphrased for the sake of 'good English' readers.

“Many years ago I was employed by a certain government department to act as a labourer and a kind of guide for a group of workmen and surveyors at locations between Matthew's Ridge and Port Kaituma. My co-workers were clearing paths and opening up an area of about four acres for a small airstrip. At least that was what I was told. I didn't know the area that well, but enough that I felt capable of doing what I would be paid to do.

It was in 1977, I think in late March, just before the Easter holiday weekend. We had travelled by the slowest train I ever rode, from Port Kaituma to Matthew's Ridge, before setting off through the jungle in the direction of Arakaka. On the very first night we set up camp in a small clearing near a creek. It seemed a suitable enough place, since there were at least two rough trails nearby heading off at right angles to each other.

The next day the group decided to stay at the same camp, and do some unofficial surveying of the area between the two trails. I told them I wanted to check out one of the trails as I had heard what I thought was the whistling of a bush cow the night before. A young one would provide the eight of us with enough meat for about one week if salted and roasted properly.

With shotgun, cartridges, and a torchlight, I set off at about five-thirty that afternoon, as I knew tapirs were night-movers, especially during the early part. It got dark very quickly, although I could see a halfmoon in the sky when space between the overhead branches allowed it. By six 'o' clock, I had walked maybe a mile-and-a-half from camp.

The trail grew faint, and was taken over by fallen leaves which I could make out when moonlight brightened it. I heard the grunts and squeals of animals that sounded nearby, but saw nothing. Suddenly

Dennis Nichols the trail, which was in the shape of a gentle curve, took a sharp turn to the left, and I could sense up ahead an air of lightness, and the smell of vegetation after a shower of rain. But no rain had fallen, and I began to feel uneasy.

Two very large trees in front of me formed a sort of natural gate just at the turn, and I could see some of their topmost branches waving from a breeze I couldn't feel myself.

As I edged round the turn, the vegetation scent hit me again, but this time another one was added to it that made me almost gag. It was the unmistakable smell of fresh-kill blood. I was a hunter, and knew it well. But there was no evidence of predator or prey anywhere.

Then in an instant, like a picture dropped before me, I saw a dream scene; that's the only way I can describe it. A large clearing magically appeared, but it was immediately evident that the ground had not been landscaped by human hands.

I can't explain, but it looked something like a broad cricket pitch, somewhat circular, maybe about 40 yards long. The moon had disappeared behind a cloud, but I could see at the head of the clearing, another huge tree.

My head and eyes began to spin slowly. I knew I wasn't actually dreaming, but yet I was. It sounds weird now, but that's how I felt.

Then I saw it – the tiger. I knew it was actually a jaguar, since we don't have 'real' tigers in Guyana, but that was the image I saw before me in a circular patch under the tree. When I was a child my priest-teacher, Father Cornelius, used to love to read a poem called 'The Tyger' to us, and the first part of that poem now rang in my ears, with paralyzing fear.

“Tyger, tyger, burning (continued on page 57)

Sunday March 03, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 43

Sunday March 03, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 45

PAGE 46

Sunday March 03, 2019

Kaieteur News

UNAIDS urges action to change discriminatory laws In 2018, a number of countries made landmark decisions to change discriminatory laws and bills.

The Supreme Court of India, for example, struck down Section 377 of the Penal Code, which criminalized same-sex sexual relations, while the Philippines lowered the age of consent for voluntary HIV testing without the need to obtain consent from a parent or guardian to 15 years, and

Malawi removed provisions from a draft bill that would have criminalized HIV nondisclosure, exposure and transmission.

To keep this pace going, on Zero Discrimination Day [March 1], UNAIDS amplified the equal dignity and worth of every person, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and is calling for action to change discriminatory laws and

practices, which are a significant barrier for access to health and other services.

“Human rights violations are happening all over the world because of discriminatory laws and practices,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “Laws must protect, not cause harm. All countries must carefully examine their laws and policies in order to

ensure equality and protection for all people, without exception,” he added even as he pointed out that raising awareness, mobilizing and taking action are essential.

On Zero Discrimination Day, UNAIDS proposed specific actions that individuals, civil society o r g a n i z a t i o n s , parliamentarians and donor organizations can take to change discriminatory laws.

These range from being an ally to someone affected by a discriminatory law to joining a non-governmental organization, tabling amendments to laws and calling for reviews of legislation.

UNAIDS is convinced that making a positive change is possible and there are many ways a law can be amended or abolished.

These include, among other things, reforming or removing laws through parliamentary processes and the votes of parliamentarians.

The UN body therefore

Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS recognises as essential the raising of awareness among parliamentarians as was done in the revision of the HIV laws in the Philippines and bills in Malawi.

In a number of countries

too, courts have the power to strike down laws that are discriminatory, UNAIDS has underscored even as it pointed out that “This can be done if an individual or (Continued on page 48 )

Sunday March 03, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 47

PAGE 48

Kaieteur News

Sunday March 03, 2019

UNAIDS urges action to change...

From page 46 organization affected by the law takes legal action and wins the case for change.”

The case of India’s Supreme Court which removed Section 377 in 2018, was a striking example, according to UNAIDS. “In some countries, people or politicians can propose law reform through a petition and request a national vote or referendum.

This is a standard method of legislating in Switzerland,” said UNAIDS, which has identified a r a n g e o f l a w s t h a t a r e d i s c r i m i n a t o r y, i m p e d e access to health and social services, restrict freedom of movement and violate human rights.

In 2018, UNAIDS said, at least 20 countries imposed travel restrictions of some form a g a i n s t p e o p l e l i v i n g w i t h H I V. Added to this arou n d 2 9 c o u n t r i e s r e p o r t e d t h a t t h e y r e q u i r e t h e c o n s e n t o f a w o m a n ’s husband or partner to access sexual and reproductive health services and 59 c o u n t r i e s r e p o r t e d m a n d a t o r y H I V t e s t i ng for marriage, work or residence permits or for certain g r o u p s o f p e o p l e i n t h e l a w, r e g u l a t i o n s o r policies.

F u r t h e r, U N A I D S r e v e a l e d , 1 7 c o u n t r i e s h a v e criminalized transgender people and 41 countries had laws that impose the need for parental c o n s e n t f o r a d o l e s c e n t s a n d y o u n g people below 18 years to access HIV testing services.

Of note too, is that 33 countries imposed the death penalty for drug offences in law and same-sex sexual relations were criminalized in at least 67 countries and territories worldwide.

UNAIDS therefore is actively working with United Nations partners, governments and civil society organizations to change those laws as part of the Global Partnership for Action to Eliminate all Forms of HIVRelated Stigma and Discrimination.

Sunday March 03, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 49

PAGE 50

Sunday March 03, 2019

Kaieteur News

STAG brand takes on social issues through multimedia campaign Concerns relating to domestic violence, lack of respect for women and fatal

motor accidents due to drinking and driving, are issues ANSA McAL Trading Limited

plans to take on. Through its Stag Beer brand, the company over the next three weeks will

be focusing on these social issues.

The multimedia campaign called ‘#LiveRight’ will be done via print, radio, television and social media. As part of the company’s corporate social responsibility, it’s the vision that this will significantly help reduce instances of problematic behaviour in our society.

Much international research suggests credible evidence to support the notion

that general education can play a leading part in promoting beneficial behavioural change.

During the campaign stories of citizens who already ‘LiveRight’ in their respective communities simply by making a daily difference will be highlighted.

The six commercials developed are going to be aired on all sponsored radio and television programs during prime airtime targeting the

general population with effective messages. In addition, seven (7) impactful messages were also captured on posters that will be disseminated via the company’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

ANSA McAL Trading Limited like its parent company in Trinidad and Tobago maintains the position that investing in initiatives like these can merely create a ripple effect transformation in our ever-changing society.

Wine of the week …

The Antigal 1 (Uno) Malbec : An Argentine Masterpiece If you’re looking for a wine that’s a perfect blend of sharp rapture and elegance, then the Antigual Uno Malbec is the perfect pick. It was birthed in the historic winery called Bodega Antigal which is located in Maipú, Mendoza – Argentina. Its origins date back to 1897.

With a completed remodeling in the 2000s, the Bodega Antigal was able to achieve the very best in high-tech functionality and houses a state-of-the-art facility whose gravity-flow platform system allows for a largely “hands off” approach to winemaking thereby eliminating the need for forceful pumps and crushers.

Since 2007, the company started the exports of its mouth-watering treasure mainly to the US market, and quickly became a statewide recognized quality brand from Argentina, with its signature UNO Malbec.

In fact, UNO Malbec, received its first recognition by the prestigious US Magazine Wine Enthusiast. Additionally, Antigal has been recognized worldwide for its quality, with a strong presence in America, Europe and Asia.

But that’s enough history for you.

Let’s get down to the more interesting part: taste and what to pair it with. This wine undoubtedly showcases the optimally ripe grapes of Argentina’s vineyards. It has an intense, almost blood red colour and carries a

powerhouse taste of red fruit, cedar, and vanilla spice. But this boldness is beautifully tapered off by smooth firm tannins. It is perfect for pairing with pasta and red meats.

This Argentine masterpiece can be found at the Wine Vault located at the Marriott Hotel for $8300 VAT inclusive. You can also find it at the Hibiscus Restaurant, Nice Restaurant and Bar, Palm Court and other leading hotels and bars.

Sunday March 03, 2019

PAGE 51

Kaieteur News

Should You Get Rid of All Your Bad Habits at Once?

To make healthy changes, it’s long been recommended that people start with a small tweak to their lifestyle, and build upon it. But a new small study suggests that embracing a wide variety of healthier behaviors at once, including changes to diet and exercise, may be even more beneficial.

What the researchers found in a recent study, the New York Times reports, was that people who changed several aspects of their life to be healthier saw bigger improvements in their mood and stress levels compared to people in other trials who changed just one part of their lifestyle.

The study was very small, with only about 30 college students. Half of them went about their days as normal, while the other half changed their behaviors significantly, by doing exercises in the morning, including stretching and resistance training, and attending an hour-long session in meditation and stress reduction.

A couple times a week they also increased the intensity of their workouts and learned about sleep and nutrition, and they met with instructors to discuss personal challenges and were encouraged to partake in random acts of kindness. Before they started the interventions, men and women in the study underwent physical and cognitive tests, including graduate comprehension exams, as well as brain scans. A few weeks later they repeated the

tests and brain scans and the researchers found that the control group performed the same, but the students with intensive behavior changes were more focus and reported improved happiness and memory.

“Our findings suggest that making multiple lifestyle changes at once can lead to both larger and more numerous benefits than typically observed when

focusing on just one thing at a time,” says study author Michael Mrazek of the University of California Santa Barbara. “We found parallel and enduring improvements in more than a dozen different outcomes that truly matter in our lives—strength, endurance, flexibility, focus, reading comprehension, working memory, self-esteem, happiness, and more.”

Mrazek says it may be that each lifestyle change supports all the others, and that reinforcing lifestyle changes with other behavior tweaks may make the overall goal more sustainable.

“Exercising regularly makes it

easier to sleep. Sleeping well makes it easier to meditate.

Being mindful makes it easier to choose healthy foods,” he says. “If you try to force a change like drinking less coffee without also addressing other relevant aspects of your life like sleep, you’ll likely find that it’s hard to make the new coffee habit stick.”

But is it possible to sustain so many lifestyle changes? And is it really better to transform all behaviors at one time—over smaller changes one after the other? Unfortunately those questions still remain. The study is too small to make any definitive conclusions on how to best achieve a healthier life, and some researchers are skeptical of the findings.

“I think that this interpretation is way overblown,” says Russell A. Poldrack, an Albert Ray Lang Professor of Psychology at Stanford University. “I don’t see how the study tells us anything about different ways to give up bad habits, since it did not compare different interventions, just a single multifaceted intervention versus a very weak control. All it says is that changing lots of things at once can have an effect, but we don’t really know where that effect is coming from. In addition, the sample size is far too small for us to make any strong conclusions.”

Poldrack was not involved in the study.

Why Fears Over Folic Acid and Autism Need to be Properly Understood Experts are questioning a study that suggests a link between high levels of folic acid in pregnant women and a greater risk for children with autism.

Taking the nutrient folate during pregnancy can prevent neural development defects early on, but a recent study suggested that there may be risks to taking too much, suggesting a higher risk for autism if a mother has four times the recommended amount of folate. However, experts, including the study authors, are saying: “Not so fast.”

The study, which was a presentation at an autism research meeting, did not find a causal link between taking folic acid and autism. What the study actually found was pretty specific.

The researchers took blood tests of close to 1,400 mothers between one to three days after they gave birth and

found that about 10% of the mothers had very high levels of folate, beyond recommended amounts, and that these women were also more likely to have a baby that would later be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

That doesn’t mean that pregnant women should stop taking folic acid. Other studies have even suggested it can lower the risk for autism.

Folate is critical to maintaining proper growth, and on May 10, the United States Preventative Services Task Force released a draft update to its existing recommendations on folic acid, and once again the group is advising all women who are planning or capable of getting pregnant take a daily supplement of 0.4 to 0.8 mg of folic acid.

“We have long known that a folate deficiency in pregnant mothers is detrimental to her child’s development. But what this tells us is that ex-

cessive amounts may also cause harm.

We must aim for optimal levels of this important nutrient,” study author M. Daniele Fallin, director of the Bloomberg School’s Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities said in a statement. The study findings were presented at the2016 International Meeting for Autism Research in Baltimore.

The authors of the study are also anxious that their study is not misunderstood.

“There’s this danger that the message would be that folate supplementation is bad. And that’s not at all what we saw,” Fallin told the Atlantic.

The new study is an early finding and more research is needed. The researchers say more focus should be placed on understanding the optimal dosing for women for the greatest health benefit. http:/ /time.com.

More research will be needed to best understand the most successful ways to

improve health and wellbeing.

“Our findings suggest truly remarkable changes are

possible if you’re willing to put in the work,” says Mrazek. http://time.com.

Sunday March 03, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 52

Potatoes, Eggs, and Coffee Beans Once upon a time a daughter complained to her father that her life was miserable and that she didn’t know how she was going to make it. She was tired of fighting and struggling all the time. It seemed just as one problem was solved, another one soon followed.

Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen. He filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire.

Once the three pots began to boil, he placed potatoes in one pot, eggs in the second pot, and ground coffee beans in the third pot.

He then let them sit and boil, without saying a word t o h i s d a u g h t e r. T h e daughter, moaned and impatiently waited, wondering what he was doing.

After twenty minutes he turned off the burners. He took the potatoes out of the

pot and placed them in a bowl. He pulled the boiled eggs out and placed them in a bowl.

He then ladled the coffee out and placed it in a cup.

Turning to her he asked.

“Daughter, what do you see?”

“Potatoes, eggs, and coffee,” she hastily replied.

“Look closer,” he said, “and touch the potatoes.”

She did and noted that they were soft. He then asked her to take an egg and break it.

After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee. Its rich aroma brought a smile to her face.

“Father, what does this mean?” she asked.

He then explained that the potatoes, the eggs and coffee beans had each faced the same adversity– the boiling water.

However, each one

reacted differently.

The potato went in strong, hard, and unrelenting, but in boiling water, it became soft and weak.The egg was fragile, with the thin outer shell protecting its liquid interior until it was put in the boiling water. Then the inside of the egg became hard.

However, the ground coffee beans were unique.

After they were exposed to the boiling water, they changed the water and created something new.

“Which are you,” he asked his daughter. “When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond?

Are you a potato, an egg, or a coffee bean? “ Moral:In life, things happen around us, things happen to us, but the only thing that truly matters is what happens within us.

Junior page Popsicle Stick Flower Pots Materials Needed: · 20-30 popsicle sticks · tin can · rubber band · jute or twine · flowers & dirt Materials Needed: · 20-30 popsicle sticks · tin can · rubber band · jute or twine · flowers & dirt Directions: 1. Peel the label off a tin can, wash, and dry it 2. Put a rubber band around the can making sure it's a snug fit.

3. Place the popsicle sticks under the rubber band, pushing them together so there are no gaps.

4. Continue placing popsicle sticks underneath the rubber band all the way around the can. Depending on the size of your can, you'll need about 25 popsicle sticks to cover the whole

thing.

5. Now to hide the rubber band! Tie a piece of jute or twine around the can, making sure to go around several times to cover up the rubber band.

6. Finally, add a little bit of dirt to the bottom of the can and plant a flower in it!

Which one are you?

Logic puzzles Below are 4 logic puzzles. Can you solve them using logic?

FUN WITH POETRY

by Uncle Roy

Wake up early and be happy Sometimes I feel like sleeping late, And get up after everyone, But when I do rise and come outside, My eyes burn from the bright sun.

At other times when I get up early, The sun is now peeping out, I find the air so nice and cool, It feels so good to move about.

That is why I now try every night, To sleep so as to rise early; Then I can greet the sun coming up, Which makes my whole day so happy.

Sunday March 03, 2019

Kaieteur News

PAGE 53

Develop a Sense of Identity Last week, at the celebration of Mashramani, we explained how you can contribute greatly to the progress of our country by developing a value system to guide you to act in the best interest of yourself and your country.

This week we proceed to tell why these values are important to this vital contribution.

A proper knowledge of self is the key to the development of a sense of identity. This self-knowledge implies a clear and realistic idea of what we are, including awareness of one’s strengths, one’s shortcomings and how one appears to others.

Formation of this clear sense of identity is based on the ability to separate yourself from the influence of others – your parents, peers, what you see on the television and read in the press – and make up your mind as to who you really are, what are your goals in life, and what you will make of yourself as you plan honestly and successfully to achieve these goals.

These are the steps you should purposefully take in the effort to form your identity:1. Accept your physical appearance for what it is. You should realise that you had no control over the way you look and not even your parents, whose features you partly bear, had that control. Begin to take a purposeful attitude about acceptance of how you look, and feel good about it. Always remember that you are a unique person, and this combination of your features, your size, your height, your figure, your

complexion, etc. is unique, and will never be duplicated, no matter how many other people are born in this world. Stop the habit of comparing yourself with other people who may seem as perfect. You are someone without comparison, and that is your own identity.

Think of these questions and try to answer them in an honest and searching way:(i) What are the forces that act against your forming your own identity? (ii) What would you advise a friend who is always depressed about how he/she looks? (iii) What is the first step towards formation of your own identity?

2. The other important step in your effort to develop this sense of identity is what we advised last week on a conscious value system. A value system is based on:- (a) knowing the difference between right and wrong, good and bad, honesty and dishonesty; (b) choosing to do always that which you believe to be right, good and honest; and (c) showing respect for other people’s right to forming and expressing their own opinion, to enjoying their own personal property, to their privacy, to living their lives as they feel is right, and to peaceful coexistence with others.

Continue with this effort to develop values and you will reap endless rewards in the improvement of your personality.

Difficult maze

Perseverance pays Two frogs fell into a deep milk bowl, The one was wise, and a cheery soul; The other took a gloomy view, And bade his friend a sad adieu.

Said the other frog with a determined grin, “I can't get out, but I won't give in; I'll swim around till my strength is spent, Then if I die I'll be more content.”

And as he swam, though forever it seemed, His struggling began to churn the cream; Until on top of pure butter he stopped, And out of the bowl he quickly hopped.

The moral, you ask? It's quickly found: If you can't get out, keep swimming around.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK Sharing with others what you learn each day will tend to cement this in yourself.

Solutions to last week’s Dots in a square

Try to connect the two tiny squares in each maze. For each maze try to finish in 10 minutes. You can rush but don’t get lost.

Tip: Use a pencil

Logic puzzles Puzzle #1: The car is parked in parking spot #87.

How? Just turn the image upside down.

Puzzle #2: The bus is travelling to the left (unless you are from the UK, in which case the bus is travelling to the right). Why is that? Because we can’t see the door in the picture which means it’s on the other side!

Puzzle #3: The answer is 4. The answer comes from the number of circles in each four-digit number. For example, 6 has one circle, and 8 has 2 hence, 9999 is 4.

Puzzle #4: D = 1345, E = 2440 The numbers at the bottom level are connected to the upper level. Add the numbers in the bottom line: 198 + 263 = 461.

The number you get is greater than the neighbour above. Subtract the numbers: 461 – 446 = 15.

All other squares in the pyramid produce 15 so 1345 and 2440 are the only answers that work.

PAGE 54

Kaieteur News

Sunday March 03, 2019

Sunday March 03, 2019

Home Remedies To Lighten Dark Knees And Elbows

W

hat Causes Your Elbows And Knees To Become Dark?

Dark elbows or knees are a result of localized accumulation of darker skin. This may be triggered by a range of factors like: • Accumulation of dead skin cells on the affected area • Exposure to the sun, resulting in hyperpigmentation • Drugs like birth control pills •Pregnancy, which may cause melasma • Freckles • Age spots • Skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema • Inflammation or bruising from a previous injury All these factors can cause dark skin or patches on your elbows and knees.

Those with a darker skin tone are more susceptible to having dark elbows and knees. But no matter what the cause, the issue has several natural cures. And the most popular ones are listed below.

1. Baking Soda What You Have To Do 1. Take 3 to 4 teaspoons of baking soda.

2. Add a little water to it to form a thick paste.

3. Apply the baking soda mixture to your knees and elbows.

4. Scrub gently for a few minutes and leave it on for another 15 to 20 minutes.

5. Wash off with cold water.

2. Lemon Juice With Sugar And Honey What You Have To Do 1 Squeeze the juice of one lemon into a bowl.

2. Add a tablespoon each of sugar and honey to it.

3. Mix well and scrub your elbows and knees gently using this mixture.

4. Leave it on your skin for about 20 minutes before washing it off with lukewarm water.

3. Turmeric What You Have To Do 1.Add a little lemon juice to the turmeric powder and mix well to form a thick paste.

2. Apply the turmeric paste to the affected areas.

3. Allow it to dry for 15 to 20 minutes before washing it off.

4. Aloe Vera What You Have To Do 1. Extract a tablespoon or two of aloe gel.

2.Apply it to your knees and elbows.

3.Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes before washing it off with water.

SOLUTION TO LAST WEEK’S WORD SEARCH

Kaieteur News

OUT OF AFRICA

PAGE 55

PAGE 56

Kaieteur News

Sunday March 03, 2019

Sunday March 03, 2019

Kaieteur News

Respect rule of law

internationally From page 24 state's domestic affairs.

These concepts are central to international law and to the prevailing world order. They have been implanted deeply into the Charters of the United Nations, and the Organisation of American States.

The fear of small states, such as those in the Englishspeaking Caribbean that differ with the US and Canada on the way to resolve the situation in Venezuela, is that if these fundamental concepts are abandoned, world order will quickly weaken and territorial takeover or conquest would resume, triggering confrontations and conflicts between powerful nations as they seek superiority among themselves.

The nations that know this best are the most powerful. That's why there has been no outright attempt to overthrow the current international system that places the sovereignty of states, however small or large, at the centre of world order.

It is also why powerful governments with a vested interest in other countries have sought to intervene in those countries by other means, such as humanitarian assistance. If the intervening governments manage to mobilise popular opinion

amongst their own people, and to garner support from other governments, they could fulfil their own interests without seemingly disregarding obligations to the principles of international law and treaties that underpin a peaceful world order.

It is in defence of i n t e r n a t i o n a l l a w, t h e international system and of themselves that Englishspeaking Caribbean governments have expressed their deep concern that humanitarian aid to Venezuela should not be politicised and that “United Nations mechanisms that have been used for years” should be deployed for “impartial and effective delivery of aid”.

If the rule of law is to mean anything w ithin countries, it must be seen to mean something internationally.

Values honoured domestically are devalued when they are set aside internationally.

(The writer is Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States and the Organisation of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and at Massey College in the University of Toronto.

The views expressed are entirely his own)

Surreal encounter ...

From page 38 bright, in the forests of the night; what immortal hand or eye could frame thy fearful symmetry?

I'd seen a jaguar twice before, but this was different.

Although it was crouched, I could see it was very large, its head unmoving. Its eyes even from that distance were like fire and ice. They stared straight into mine. In this dream-trance, I started walking slowly towards it. I knew I was heading towards death but couldn't help myself.

Then the most unbelievable thing happened. Although I was walking towards the creature, I wasn't getting any closer. Inexplicably I found myself back at the turn where I had begun my eerie walk. I was trembling now, and the fear I experienced was something I cannot describe to this day. Then the moon broke through a cloud and I looked up – into the face of my dead grandfather. Inside me I heard his voice.

“Remember the words I spoke to you that you should say and the thing you should do whenever fear hits you.

Do it, now!”

Well I cannot tell you the words I spoke; they are only for me, but I can tell you what I did, or what my grandfather did, for he had entered into me – again I cannot describe that to you.

I stooped down, and in the half-dark earth where a few fresh leaves were scattered, I searched for the one I instinctively knew would work. I held it in front of my face and said the words I'd first heard more than 40 years before.

When I looked up, and ahead of me, I saw a man standing where just moments before the jaguar had crouched. He seemed about six feet tall, muscular and scaly-looking, with long, night-black hair; completely naked. And his eyes even from that distance, were like ice and fire, burning into my own.

(To be continued)

PAGE 57

PAGE 58

Kaieteur News

Sunday March 03, 2019

Sunday March 03, 2019

PAGE 65

Kaieteur News

GMSA wants dedicated maintenance programme for hinterland roads

Hinterland roads must be subjected to a dedicated Governmentled project to maintain them, so that manufacturers, especially in the forestry and wood-processing industry, have better accessibility, according to the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA).

In his address at the Annual General Meeting on Thursday last at the Marriott Hotel, President of the GMSA, Shyam Nokta, said that infrastructure and access proved a key challenge in the first half of 2018. “The extended rainy season

coupled with lack of maintenance, rendered many key roads to the interior virtually impassable. Consequently, this led to severe challenges in getting goods to hinterland locations overland and affected the forestry and mining sectors in a major way.�

He noted that while efforts have been made to address this issue, accessibility remains a challenge.

The forestry sub-sector experienced 18.1 percent growth in the first half of 2018, driven by the production of logs and round wood, mainly from small operators.

However, the export of timber is

slowing because, for much of the year, the sector has been plagued by the reduced supply of goods by manufacturers to hinterland areas.

The GMSA advocated for this road improvement, when pursuing its position paper on Budget 2019 to Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan. There were a few other initiatives, which it posits, will improve business for the forestry and woodprocessing sector.

To assist with the institution of a dedicated maintenance programme for hinterland roads, the GMSA suggested that incentives be provided to exiting logging companies to repair and maintain roads to close their forest concessions.

A list of roads was submitted by GMSA to the Ministry of Public In-

frastructure for which only a few were partially done. It suggested that public work contracts be awarded outside of the rainy season, with contractors being carefully examined and weight limits per axle/tyre being implemented with scales at strategic points.

The Ministry of Public Infrastructure has received tenders, in the past two months, for projects focused on the rehabilitation/construction of hinterland roads across the country. Tender openings for projects related to hinterland road works had engineer’s estimates adding up to about $2B for last Tuesday alone.

Pertinent to the discussion of the wood-processing sector is the fact that Guyana imports wood products

even though the country has one of the highest percentages of forest cover in the world.

This was noted by Business Minister, Dominic Gaskin, at the last Timber expo held at the National Stadium in 2018.

He had said that Guyana has not yet developed its resources in a way that fully exploits the value associated with them.

Nokta said that the forestry and wood-processing sub-sector, as the largest sub-sector of GMSA, will see improvements through the mechanism of minist e r i a l r o u n dtable discussions, where representatives of GMSA and the government meet bi-monthly to discuss key issues affecting the sector.

PAGE 66

Sunday March 03, 2019

Kaieteur News

Sandra Craig’s sauces will add a power-punch to your barbecue Imagine this. You know how to prepare a decent barbecue, but you have special guests to impress and you need an ingredient with a power-punch to boost your dish from nice-enough to eyepopping-good. What do you do?

Sandra Craig assures that

her sauces will add the flavour you require.

Marketed under the label “SS B-B-Q Sauce”, Sandra’s products are a huge hit among local barbecue lovers, from expert chefs to backyard grill-and-gigglers.

Barbecue connoisseurs agree that a good, thick,

flavourful sauce is essential to get the best out of grilled meats. Some use just a smattering of sauce for a gentle, subtle flavour; others believe a good dollop is the only way to guarantee finger-licking goodness. It doesn’t matter if you’re the “smattering” kind or fall into the “good

dollop” category; Sandra promises great results.

Many satisfied users swear that the unique flavour, texture and taste of Sandra’s sauces have a magical power to supercharge barbecues.

This reputation seems to be richly deserved, and it is a fitting reward for a resourceful Guyanese entrepreneur who has been able to transform her homemade-sauce recipes into a range of top quality sauces suitable for both local and international markets.

It all started in 2014 when Sandra, a food vendor at the time, had a wonderful idea.

She wondered what would happen if she added carefully selected natural flavours to enrich the deep flavours of her homemade barbecue sauces.

With this in mind, she added pineapple to storebought sauce and …voila!

She knew she had a winning flavour.

Encouraged by this success, she continued to experiment by adding honey, other sweet local fruits and a few secret ingredients. Since testing —and tasting— the results, Sandra hasn’t looked back. She had invented a remarkable range of new sauces with unique, delectable flavours, which she knew would add visual interest plus a burst of flavour to any barbecue.

She resolved to produce a distinctive local product that people would want to buy again and again, and she thought incorporating her sauces in her food vending business was the best way to go. Sandra said people loved her barbecue sauces and were captivated by their unique smokiness and exotic, balanced tastiness. “People are shocked when they come across them…when people taste the sauces, they are amazed,” she said.

Sandra said she quickly established her initial range of sauces, which included pineapple, golden apple, tamarind, sour-soup, mango, passion fruit and a version made with ginger and garlic.

Recently, she expanded her product range to include a special sauce for chicken wings called “Spicy Fusion”, as well as a sweet-and-sour sauce that can be used primarily as a dip or marinade.

She has also introduced a type of pepper-sauce that contains bilimbi (known as ‘souree’) and pineapple, which has a flavour similar to pickled ‘achaar’.

Sandra said that her sauces have a distinct competitive edge because they are prepared for wider use than enhancing barbecued meats. In fact, she expects

Sandra Craig’s sauces will add a power-punch to your barbecue them to be used as marinades, delicious dips, as well as to augment stews and roasts.

Additionally, she only produces her products with fresh ingredients from the market.

It is probably no surprise that the pineapple sauce is Sandra’s favourite and she promises that it adds a new dimension to the ever-popular chowmein dish.

Giving her preferred preparation method, she said she marinates chicken with the pineapple sauce, and then stir-fries it until it is thoroughly cooked and golden brown. After mixing the fried chicken with stir-fried vegetables into boiled and strained chowmein noodles, she adds more sauce for even more flavour.

“It’s delicious…” she said.

UncappeD Based on her customers’ positive reaction to her sauces, Sandra was finally ready to scale up production.

She decided to test the market by putting them on show at GUYEXPO, and she was pleased with the public interest, acclaim and increased sales generated by the exposure.

When she heard of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association “UncappeD” event to promote the products of local entrepreneurs, Sandra made sure she got on board.

She decided to market her sauces as a line of authentic and flavourful Guyanese condiments and, in the process reinforce the fact that Guyanese have the ability to produce, package and market high quality products. And her sauces were an even bigger hit.

People who attended the event now look forward to her participation in and many ensure they take home at least one bottle of her sauce.

With this success under her belt, Sandra is preparing to participate in this year’s Marketplace UncappeD at the National Stadium on March 31, 2019 where she will also once again market one of

her latest products—coconut water with lemon, a product she calls ‘Lemon Burst’.

Sandra has come a long way since she first started concocting homemade sauces in her kitchen. Through a long and slow process of elimination, she has tested and adapted her sauces to better meet the demands of her customers. She can now bottle and label her products in larger quantities, but it is still a small-scale business.

One of her main challenges as an entrepreneur in the agro-processing sector is getting enough capital to expand her operation. This would allow her to produce ample quantities quickly enough to fill large orders, to supply supermarkets adequately and even look at opportunities to explore overseas markets.

Humble, natural ingredients are central to Sandra’s sauces, and she has to be very conscious of food safety.

She knows that expanding her business will also warrant a significant investment in safety measures to eliminate potential points of risk. It all comes down to getting capital, and this is where she sees the biggest future benefit of her participation in Marketplace UncappeD. Sandra knows that the UncappeD event attracts financiers and investors along with potential customers. As she sees it, sooner or later someone who can help her to get the capital she needs to take her business to the next level will attend the event and be impressed by the popularity and quality of her sauce.

Meanwhile, Sandra is producing enough sauce to earn a living. She also wants to help other agro-processors and is encouraging them to bring their products to be sold at her shop in Orange Walk between Regent and Charlotte Streets.

Her advice to agro-processors is, “Whatever is your dream, bring it to reality. Put your stuff out there…do not give up. Life is about trials and tests. I never gave up on my dream.”

Sunday March 03, 2019

PAGE 67

Kaieteur News

CONSUMER CONCERNS

FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH

By PAT DIAL Consumer advocates are concerned not only with the goods and services consumers buy and use but they are also concerned with socio-cultural matters if they affect the public in any negative way. Every year in February, Black History Month is commemorated worldwide, particularly in countries where large African-descended populations reside.

Guyana is one such country.

Black History Month originated in the United States during the high days of segregation and discrimination against Black People, Black academics discovered that in the major American universities, Black or African History was given little notice since the general assumption of academia was that Sub-Saharan Africa and Black People had no History and had made no contribution to human betterment or civilization.

Such an assumption resulted in Black People being despised as being of a lower grade of Humanity and gave an intellectual justification for segregation and discrimination.

A number of historians, both Black and White, realized that

something was amiss when so large a segment of the Human Race was believed to have contributed nothing to Civilization or even to themselves. This opened up a new and fruitful area of sociological, historical, anthropological and archaeological studies.

In a short time, discoveries like the beginnings of early Man in the Rift Valley and Sub-Saharan achievements and Civilizations came to be placed in their proper provenance, Simultaneously, the Black contribution to America began to be uncovered.

Gradually, the understanding began to seep into Academia that human survival and the very beginnings of Human Civilization could be traced to Black Africa.

The achievements of ancient Egyptian Civilization were shown to have a close relationship to Black Africa and indeed many of the Pharaohs were Black. This increase of knowledge of Black History has helped to reduce prejudice and discrimination against Black People to the point where America could elect a Black President, Barack Obama.

In Guyana, Black History

Month is marked by reviewing the achievements of AfroGuyanese and more important, in efforts to cultivate nationbuilding and more progressive and constructive attitudes among Afro-Guyanese.

In Guyana, over the last two generations, since life has become so politicized, if anyone either inside or outside of an ethnic group speaks about the group, the cry of “racism� is raised against him. Such cries of racism run counter to the concept of the Plural Society which Guyana has clearly become and which needs to be continually explained, articulated and popularized.

When it is fully grasped that Guyana is a Plural Society, it will be realized that Black Achievements or the achievements of all other ethnic groups are part of our national heritage and as such belong to all groups.

All groups could therefore share in the satisfaction of Black achievements as well as in the achievements of all other groups. This is different from America where so far, Black achievements are regarded as strictly Black achievements.

There are two Black or Afro-Guyanese achievements, which we would like to highlight since they bring satisfaction and empathy to

all ethnic groups. The first is the long struggle against plantation slavery and the final victory of Emancipation.

Emancipation was fundamental to the creation the modern state and nation of Guyana.

The other Afro-Guyanese achievement was the Village Movement, which followed Emancipation.

The freedmen who had carefully saved the very small wages they had received during the Apprenticeship System and the tiny incomes they earned from their Sunday Markets were able to pool their resources cooperatively and purchase abandoned sugar plantations from which they created villages.

The Village Movement was one of the most memorable moments of Guyanese History and of which every Guyanese could be proud. Simple largely unlettered Afro-Guyanese freedmen were able to create new communities from scratch.

They demarcated thousands of house lots, laid out streets, drainage systems, farms, created a village economy and a system of village government and above all they organized a school system which in a generation was able to produce high caliber intellectuals.

As pointed out above, Emancipation helped to create modern Guyana since it led to the importation of indentured servants from Af-

rica, Madeira, China and India who helped to people the colony and create the unique country Guyana is.

The Village Movement showed that Guyanese, and in particular Afro-Guyanese, had a culture of thrift, saving, enterprise and entrepreneurship, a sense of democratic Government, cooperation, maintaining Law and Order and a commitment to Education and learning.

They also were god-fearing and had reverence for religion. African History Month could help us to reflect on past achievements and recapture those virtues and qualities, which created those achievements.

PAGE 68

Sunday March 03, 2019

Kaieteur News

LAND FOR SALE Parfaite Harmonie $1.6M Dairy- with Foundation & Fence $2M Schnoord $4M Farm (East Bank) $3.5M Tel#656-0701/651-1969

SERVICES

FOR SALE

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620

475 acres of transported water front land at Hogg Island, Essequibo River, suitable for farming, cattle rearing etc #617-4004

Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisement, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535.

Yamaha Outboard 200 HP Reasonable price, foreign use.

Call: 667-1650 Piles for sale- 40-45ft $1000 50-55ft $1,100 60-65ft $1200 Tel#699-6505

ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6006887: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included.

Original pure breed rotweiler pups for sale. Price $150,000.

Tel: 609-2815, 696-4659

Jay’s Welding Est specialized in: Grills, Gates, Rails, Fencing, Razor wire, Repairs etc. Tel#698-0501

Foreign furniture: Beds, Dining & centre tables, Mattress, Baby Crib, Dresser, Strollers, Printer, Generator, Night Stands. #655-3070

Bihair Service for Interior Location. Contact#666-7131 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezer-Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158

2010 Ducati 796, Black. 2015 CBR 300R, Red. 2012 250 Ninja, White/Black. 610-5370

1 Bicycle, 10 speed $7000. 1 Lg fridge $45,000. #222-0618/ 644-2634 Boat for sale- 1 Steel hull cargo boat 50’x13’x6' with GM671 marine engine165 HP.Contact#603-1445 Second hand Tacoma Parts in good condition. Contact Felix Perry on Tel#266-2367 at Grove

EDUCATION Electronic Course, Registering now, limited space available, Abdul Electronics Tel#2266551/687-9992

CAR RENTAL

Extra lessons are available to your child from Grade 3-6 & Secondary School students in Business stream. Triumph ECD. Call: 694-8231

PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS FROM $4000 & UP, SUV’S PER DAY- CALL:643-5122/6560087, ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM

TOLET

DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL:225-7126/ 2263 6 9 3 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL @YAHOO.COM/ WWW.D OLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM

2 bedroom house. East Coast Demerara. #662-9043 Lodge apartments (Vlissengen/Durban) Unfurnished, two bedroom $60,000 p/m. Furnished studio (for visitors) US$600 p/m 6779638/668-7687 3 Bedroom apartment upstairs.

1 Bedroom apartment downstairs. Lot 1 Yorrow Dam Ruimveldt. Tel# 666-2424/ 227-1317

Fabs Rental, Beterverwagting ECD Cars from $4000 #6040883

FOR RENT

WANTED

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620

Wanted experienced hire car drivers, bus drivers and dispatchers at Ramada Princess Hotel. Contact on #256-7075/616-5419

Two (2) Bedroom, 1 (3) Bedroom apt, fully furnished in Providence $ 4th Ave Diamond. Call: 672-1906/ 2162299 or 682-6238

Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665/6493750 One Office Clerk, must be computer literate. Call: 2332725/2439

4 bedroom newly built house 5th Avenue Diamond EBD. Fully grilled, hot & cold water system $180,000 per month. #696-3915

Urgently needed soursop leaves and stem from 50lbs to 1000lbs. Tel#609-8281

1-1 Bedroom apartment, Uitvlugt Housing Scheme, WCD Tel#276-0400/698-2802

One Farm Manager to work on Coconut Plantation in Pomeroon River. Experience in Farming. Contact# 226-9768/ 665-6082

3 Bedroom upstairs, fully grilled, master bedroom, fenced concrete yard, parking space in Tuschen. Contact# 692-5525, 266-3965

Male and Female Counter Staff, Kitchen Assistant, Apply Shanta’s 225 Camp St

3 Bedroom house to rent.

Diamond scheme on main road. Security cameras on building. Call 644-2733 New fully furnished 2 bedrooms apartment, air conditioned @ 55 Station Street, Kitty. $85,000 monthly.

Contact 629-6264. Parking available

Waitress to work in Bar #6614863 Wanted land to buy on the East Bank or West Coast. Tel: 642-1252 Experienced cashier, counter server, roti/puri cook, cleaner.

Apply @ Hack’s Halaal with h/written application. 5 Commerce St

New, unfurnished 1 bedroom apartment at 55 A Station Street, Kitty. 55,000 per month.

Contact 629-6264

1 Pitbull bus to buy down payment $500,000 value 1.8 #694-1258

Bottom flat house to rent.

Parfaite Harmony. Tel# 6193258/614-8104

Dish washer. Apply to the manager Herdmanston Lodge.

19-20 Peter Rose & Anira Sts, Queenstown

One apartment for rent, Lot 10 Mon Repos EBD First Street (Market) Tel#602-4105/2207330

Security guards. Apply in writing to the manager, Herdmanston Lodge. 19-20 Lamaha St Queenstown

1 bedroom apartment $25,000 monthly #222-0618/644-2634

One cake decorator. Call: 6810217

PEN PAL

Live in or Live out, Domestic worker. Call from MondaySaturday between 8:154:15pm #223-7500

Male seek female penpal that can speak hindi, spanish and chinese. Whatsapp #698-6391 HEALTH HERBAL REMEDIES: Diabetes, Hypertension, Infertility, Menstrual disorders, Enlarged prostate, Kidney,Gall stones & Arthritis etc. Call Sparman #676-5924

ACCOMODATION

LEARN TO DRIVE

Fully Furnished apts $5000 and $6000 daily, air condition room $3000 per day #223-0994 or 678-5827

N. Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way @ Cuffy Square. Affordable package. Call: 644-5166/6912561

PROPERTY FOR SALE 2 storey building Broad St, Prime Business location.

Contact Ray’s Realty #6279685 2 storey concrete property, 11 self contained rooms, Broad St G/town. Contact Ray’s Realty #627-9685 Spotless 3 bedroom Home, Melanie ECD, Large Yard Space $17M. Contact Ray’s Realty #627-9685

VACANCY

Parfaite Harmonie (Transferable) $2.5M Parfaite Vacancy exist for (1) Manager Harmonie Business spot $2M to work at Hotel Purple Heart $1.8M $1.6M Schnoord Restaurant & Bar on the (140x66) Tushen Phase II Essequibo Coast #665-6082 $1.4M Call: 666-2326 General Domestic with cook- Parfaite Harmonie Dairy 10 yrs ing experience for East Bank $1.500 10 yrs $1.800 Transpot #614-4358 land, Best Village, Vreed-enhoop $2.600 105x41 #672-0416 Looking for a job & educa- Uitvlugt - $2.3M, Zeelugt tional services? Contact The $1.1M, Parfaith Harmony Job Centre 43 Croal & $1.3M 697-6311 Alexander Street or call 6008457/683-8765 House Lots at Enterprise ECD, Paradise ECD, Middle Rd La 1 Free Lance Videographer for Penitence. Contact# Ray’s a News company to report on Realty #627-9685 Natural Resources in Guyana.

9 acres Land, Mahaicony #619-3430 Public Road ECD. Contact Ray’s Realty #627-9685 1 Business research technician to gather info on 10 1/2 acres of riverside land the Natural Resource Sector at McKenzie, Linden. Price $20 in Guyana $40,000-$50,000 bi- Million negotiable. Call #645weekly #619-3430 8050 One experinenced Lorry/ Tractor Driver. Apply at Alabama Trading 65 Robb St Bourda One male Janitor. Apply at Alabama Trading 65 Robb St Bourda

VEHICLE FOR SALE One female cleaner, Apply at Alabama Trading 65 Robb Bedford TL Truck GHH 6776, engine in perfect condition.

Street, Bourda Tacoma 2005, excellent Accounts Clerk/ Customer condtion GTT 1295. Tel#687Service Rep in Linden, 5 3146 Subject CXC, Accounting & Quickbooks experience an (1) Honda fit $800,000 neg PPP series. (1) Mazda Axela, New asset. info@cevons.com Model, just registered 17" rims, spoiler, etc $2.5M neg Operators supervisor, #610-9636 logistic/bond clerk, operations manager assistant.

Contact Number: 218-5120/ Honda Suv, PTT Series.Call: 6 0 3 - 4 5 4 1 . 623-0368/225-9230/225-1005 chungsvacancy@gmail.com VACANCY Chef & assistant cook preferably Carnegie trained. #225-7933 or visit 172 Sheriff Street

Industrial Sales Representative, 5 Subject CXC Age 25+ Experience in Sales, must own vehicle, email r e s u m e : Receptionist. Ages 25-50. vacancy@josarltd.com #225-0198. 233 South Road Lacytown Operation supervisor to work in Georgetown, Apply to Male factory worker needed, a.mccullock@cevons.com must have police clearance.

For more info, call: 223-0090 Female cleaner office & home PROPERTY FOR SALE age 25to 50 Tel# 233-2745 House for sale, Eccles Housing Scheme. 7 bedrooms, 3 toilets and bathrooms enclosed. $28.5M. Call 642-0391/ 001447587233657

Experienced skilled carpenters, Apply at Alabama Trading 65 Robb Street, Bourda

Salon for Rental- Hair stations, Nail stations, Barber stations House and land available at available for rent. Tel#699Parfaite, Tuschen, Diamond 6505/615-1872 New Market etc.

Contact Pacific Street Development Inc. 223-6035/ 604-4909 Property for sale, located on 18th Street on the 8th Cross St Diamond. Contact# 6805944/656-4211

A mini health check is the first step to donating blood

Sunday March 03, 2019

STANDARDS IN FOCUS At the advent of the month of March, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) like other consumers protection bodies is gearing up to participate in a number of activities to highlight its role in consumer protection.

These activities are steered towards World Consumer Rights Day, which is commemorated annually on March 15.

During this month, significant focus will be placed on educating consumers across the country on their rights and responsibilities during the purchase and use of good and services.

Since its establishment in March 1984, the GNBS has been providing consumer protection through the services it offers to various stakeholders.

The GNBS has been at the forefront in the protection of consumers through facilitating the development of standards.

The organisation also acts to make many of these standards compulsory.

When standards are made compulsory (Technical Requirement) they are enforced by various regulatory agencies, including the Bureau, to protect the health and safety of consumers (e.g. labelling

PAGE 69

Kaieteur News

standards).

Consumers are also protected through the verification of weighing and measuring devices used in trade such as scales, weights, measures and fuel pumps.

Accuracy and fitness for use is established when these devices are verified by the GNBS, and this prevents consumers from getting incorrect measurements when making purchases.

Through its Goods Inspection Programme, the Bureau monitors a number of products including household electrical appliances, cellular phones, gas stoves and electricity meters etc. to ensure compliance with requirements outlined in national labeling and quality standards.

Substandard products are held for corrective actions, are confiscated or destroyed by

Consumer Protection - A key mandate of the GNBS the GNBS to prevent distribution to consumers.

The Bureau also provides testing services including the testing of gold jewellery to ensure that the declarations made regarding the karat or purity are true.

In addition, capacity is being built to test concrete (hollow) blocks and this will improve the quality of blocks available for construction of buildings, fences and other structures.

To provide confidence to consumers, products are certified by the GNBS to National Standards, and the National Standards Mark is affixed.

This mark tells consumers that these products have been inspected and tested, and comply with the requirements set out in the respective standards.

This also assists consum-

ers to make wise choices regarding the quality of products they purchase.

The GNBS offers protection to consumers through education and information.

This is done using Print and Digital Media, the Bureau issues timely advisories and warnings concerning defective or unsafe products and services.

Information is also provided to students of primary and secondary schools via lectures and on site tours to the organisation.

Other opportunities to share consumer information include visits to the outlying Regions of Guyana, participa-

tion in exhibition and trade fairs, and during the conduct of symposia, workshops and training sessions.

Finally, business support services offered by the GNBS are ultimately intended to protect consumers.

These services assist companies to implement management system standards such as the Quality Management System (ISO 9001) and the Food Safety Management Standard (ISO 22000).

The implementation of these standards ensures that consumers are satisfied with products and services they procure and allows safe foods to be made available for

consumption.

As the GNBS and other consumer protection bodies declare the month of March 2019, the month of the consumer, it encourages businesses to strive to provide consumers with products and services that satisfy their needs.

Meanwhile, consumers are urged to understand their rights and responsibilities, and to always make quality their first option.

For further information, contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0062.

Please visit our website: www.gnbsgy.org and like our Facebook page: gnbsgy

PAGE 70

Kaieteur News

Region One Chairman denies allegation of sexual molestation but victim insists Region One Chairman, Brentnol Ashley, who authorities said is fingered in a sex probe involving an intellectually impaired man, has defended himself, saying that the allegation was engineered to attack his credibility in light of upcoming elections.

The Mabaruma, Region One victim is claiming that he came to the city for treatment but was given alcohol and then “touched” by the chairman in a hotel room.

The man and his mother visited Kaieteur News yesterday. During questioning, the victim repeated his accusation of sexual molestation in the presence of his mother.

The incident reportedly happened last week and the Child Care Protection Agency is said to be looking into the matter.

The following statement was issued by the Chairman yesterday: “I have noticed a publication in the Kaieteur news (Saturday March 2, 2019) which alleges That I am being investigated for engaging in a sexual activity with a 22-year-old young adult, who is medically diagnosed with a psychiatric condition. I believe that this accusation is being instigated by APNU/AFC operatives in Region One who continuously target me.

From my entry into politics in

20l5, I have been subjected as a young man to all sorts of attacks on my character. These attacks intensified after the 20l8 Local Government elections in which the APNU/AFC suffered a massive defeat in Mabaruma. This allegation is intended to diminish my effectiveness as a leader of the PPP and also Regional Chairman in light of the impending national elections.

It is as a direct result of the desperation of the APNU/AFC clique who is faced with defeat all around them, especially with the successful No-Confidence motion which necessitates the Government having to face new elections at

which they will be defeated again.

Consistent with this pattern of behavior, just recently we (members of the RDC and I) have suffered the most vile racist treatment by the new APNU/AFC Regional Executive Officer sent from Georgetown.

It would appear as though these political operatives would go at any level to smear my good name, which I have maintained throughout my public life from the commencement

Sunday March 03, 2019 Region One Chairman, Brentnol Ashley

of my career as a teacher.

I assure residents of my Region and the Guyanese public at large, that this allegation is false and wholly malicious.

I have since contacted my Lawyer on this matter who is examining the most suitable approach on the way forward.

Brentnol Ashley Regional Chairman, Region # 1"

Sunday March 03, 2019

Kaieteur News

381 BIT graduates ready to enter oil industry, other sectors

By Kiana Wilburg From December to now, the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) has churned out 381 graduates from its National Training Project for Youth Empowerment (NTPYE). Today, these youths stand ready to fill the skilled personnel positions in the oil and gas industry, and in other sectors.

Of the 381 graduates, 339 came from Region Four. The trained youths were given their certificates in December, at the National Cultural Centre.

Speaking at the graduation, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, noted that the graduates were drawn from nine institutions across Region Four and represent 20.8 percent of the number of persons trained by BIT. Harmon was also heartened to learn that among the institutions that provided persons for training is the Guyana Council for Persons with Disabilities. He said that it is a testimony to the progressive development that is taking place in the technical and vocational training endeavours of BIT. At the Region Four ceremony as well, BIT’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Richard Maughn, reminded that BIT is strategically constituted to provide for the development of the manpower needs within the local industries while helping to reduce joblessness and thus reduce poverty.

Maughn said, “Unskilled and jobless individuals will remain deprived unless they

are given the opportunity to acquire skills that are suited for engagement within the current economic landscape of a developing Guyana. As an organization, BIT remains committed to the development of individuals for engagement within Guyana’s industrial sector.”

“We are aware of the changes within the economic landscape of our nation, which require individuals who are fitly trained for employment within the oil industry. We are already adapting to the changes.

During 2018, service companies within the oil industry such as Blackhawk Specialty Tools and JSL Guyana Inc. have engaged individuals who were trained under the BIT training programme.”

As for the remaining 42 students, they hail from the town of Lethem. On February 20, last, they were awarded with skilled certificates in Heavy Duty Equipment Operations.

During his remarks, BIT Chairman, Clinton Williams, said that it was the third graduation being held in Region Nine for NTPYE. And to ensure that the youths of Lethem receive continuous training, he said that BIT will donate 10 computers to the region.

Williams noted that the programme started last September, with 43 youths: 37 males and six females between the ages of 18 and 35 years. During the fivemonth training period, Williams said that the trainees were exposed to 1,088 hours

of skills training relevant to Heavy Duty Equipment Operation. They also received 120 hours of life skills tutoring in basic Mathematics, English Language, Sexual Reproductive Health and Micro Enterprise. He said that the areas of programmes were selected with the intent of fostering personal growth of the participants.

Williams said that the Board of Industrial Training has been partnering with numerous Public and Private Sector Companies for over 108 years in the conduct of its renowned Apprenticeship Vocational Programmes.

Within the last five years, Williams said that BIT has partnered with eight Service Providers or Masters and is responsible for training in excess of 500 apprentices.

Speaking to the history of the NTYPE programme, the BIT Chairman said that it was launched in 2006 with the objective of providing competency based Technical and Vocational Education and Training, and to fill the dire shortage of entry level technically skilled personnel for both the Private and Public Sector. He said that the current Administration has not only embraced, but expanded the programme.

In a sense, Williams said that the programme has enjoyed and continues to enjoy bi-partisan support.

The BIT Chairman said it is expected, that by the end of 2019, over 25,000 persons from various regions would have graduated in areas relating to Engineering and (Contiued on page 73 )

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon gives one of BIT’s Region Four graduates her certificate

PAGE 71

PAGE 72

Sunday March 03, 2019

Kaieteur News

Putting Brazil to Georgetown road into perspective…

Chinese take over Lethem’s Commercial Zone

By Abena Rockcliffe-Campbell Decades ago, Marlon Jardine’s rendition, “Guyana looking just like China,” became very popular locally.

This year, this hit remains relevant as Chinese construction companies, restaurants, clothing and hardware stores get even more comfortable in here.

A recent trip to Lethem revealed that China’s heavy presence is not relegated to Georgetown. Chinese dominate several areas—Lethem is one of the main locations.

Locals inhabiting Lethem say that Chinese nationals began appearing some 15 years ago. However, they say that the Chinese nationals have been managing to increase their strength each year with operations growing in size and number. Now, the Chinese enjoy almost full control of Lethem’s main economic activity.

Lethem only became a town less than two years ago—on October 20, 2017.

The town, which is still considered a remote area, has just about 1,158 persons living there. But, no less than 20 stores are owned and operated by Chinese in the Lethem Commercial Zone. These stores are big and well stocked. In fact, some of them can even be compared to a few of the better known Chi-

nese stores on Regent and Robb Streets in the city.

SO, WHY ARE THEY THERE? China’s market is Brazil.

This newspaper understands that 90 percent of Chinese customers are Brazilians. Brazil has over 209 million people.

The three towns in Brazil closest to the Guyana border are Bonfim (just as you cross the Takutu Bridge), then there are Boa Vista, and Manaus.

Manaus alone boasts a population of 1.7 million people. The other two towns—Bonfim and Boa Vista—have 10,951 and 277,799 people respectively.

Now that is a good market. The demand can be measured by the fact that no fewer than three truck loads of goods go to Lethem per week.

So good is the network of Chinese Nationals in Georgetown and Lethem that “the one set of trucks supply all the stores. So they use about two or three trucks and those bring goods for everyone.”

WHAT IS GUYANAGETTING? When Kaieteur News visited Lethem, the obvious question was, “How is Guyana benefitting from this takeover”?

There was not much that the locals could have pointed to. However, a few were quick to note that some local food joints benefit. “When the Bra-

zilians come over, they have to eat.”

Another fact that was pointed to was that about 30 locals have gained employment as sales representatives.

But many believe that this is mainly because of the language barrier.

Most Guyanese living in Lethem speak Portuguese so they can relate to the Brazilian customers. This newspaper spoke to some of the sales representatives. They view their pay as “reasonable” but indicated that they do not make contributions to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).

Many of the stores are said to be “subsidiaries” of commercial establishments in Georgetown and have ‘temporary’ licences.

Therefore, when goods are being transported to Lethem from Georgetown, no taxes are paid as it is assumed that relevant taxes were paid in Georgetown. This newspaper understands that random searches are sometimes executed at checkpoints.

WHAT IS VAT? Information received by this newspaper suggests that the Chinese stores operating in Lethem usually do self assessment to pay ‘regular’ taxes. But they do not pay Value Added Tax (VAT).

In fact, most of these stores are not even registered for VAT. Further, there is little or no monitoring of the quan-

One of the many Chinese owned and operated stores at Lethem.

Notice, all the vehicles parked there, carry Brazilian number plates tity of goods sold.

No bills are issued. One shopper bought one item each from about five of the stores and it was the same thing at all the locations—no cash register, no receipt.

WHAT ABOUT US? Many business owners from Lethem and Georgetown that had a place in Lethem Commercial Zone before the “takeover” are lamenting loss of revenue.

Locals at Lethem said, “Them Guyanese businesses had to go because they could not compete with the Chinese. Chinese offer nice, nice price.” Kaieteur News understands that in the beginning, the locals were not as upset as they are now. Initially, when they went out of business, some of the locals rented their buildings to Chinese and “fall back on rent money.”

But now even that feature is being eliminated. The Chinese are now moving to erect their structures. When this newspaper visited, construction was ongoing on two

buildings. Some were already completed.

The Chinese are enjoying the area.

The Road The main economic activity in Lethem is commercial.

Probably with the exception of Rodeo, nothing much happens there.Yet, Government is seriously examining constructing a road from Manaus to Georgetown. Several Ministers had indicated that China is expected to fund the project. In 2017, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, was asked about this.

At a post-Cabinet press briefing, he said, “This was one of the matters that was raised – the question of the road between Lethem and Linden and going through…That is really one of the major public infrastructure project; this has actually been on our agenda from the time we came into office.”

That was even before Guyana signed on to China’s Belt and Road initiative. The road would be to whose ben-

Reputed husband stabs Sophia woman Carol London, 41, of Block ‘F’ North Sophia, Greater Georgetown was admitted a patient of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, (GPHC) yesterday after she was stabbed multiple times by her common law husband.

The man identified as Dereck Solomon, a taxi driver, reportedly fled the scene shortly after the incident took place. He was arrested late yesterday afternoon.

Kaieteur News understands that the couple’s six-year-old foster daughter, alerted neighbours to the stabbing.

“She was the only person home with her mother at the time. Nobody really knows what happen,” the woman’s mother, Annie London said.

She said that she received a phone call around midday informing her of the incident. London said that she was shaken by the news. “My son called and told me that Dereck stabbed his sister. I live till at Plaisance but I got down here as soon possible.”The woman noted that her daughter had been with her common law husband for the past 14 years.

She said that she did not know of any domestic problems in that the couple might have had.“They were living together for so long, I don’t know of what could have caused this.”

The woman was nevertheless grateful that her daughter is still alive.Kaieteur News understands that London was admitted to GPHC’s Accident and Emergency Unit around midday, yesterday. “She’s currently in a conscious and stable condition but has lost a lot of blood after she sustained injuries to her hands and face,” another relative of the woman said.

efit?

Brazil or course, Guyana’s neighbour, needs access to the Atlantic. But another major beneficiary would be the Chinese. This is known on the international stage.

Just last month—February 18—, Global Research reported, “Further adding to the explosive geopolitical cocktail of the region is the fact that China has formally incorporated Guyana into its Belt and Road Initiative and is building a highway link from Manaus in Northern Brazil through Guyana giving Brazil far more efficient access to the Panama Canal, cutting thousands of miles off the shipping route.

Earlier in the year, on January 28, Dialogo China reported, “Today, the Rupununi border town of Lethem is a 14-hour ride along dirt roads from the Guyanese capital, Georgetown. Red dirt is set to be replaced by asphalt and Lethem converted into a major trading hub.

China is expected to provide the required capital and carry out construction work.”

Important to note, too, is what Research professor, Dr. Evan Ellis had to say in his paper, titled, “The future of Latin America and Caribbean in the context of the rise of China.”

He wrote, “They (China) also will likely include enhanced river and multimodal routes linking Brazil to the Atlantic in a southerly direction through Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina, and north to the Atlantic through the Guiana Shield, with improved highways through northern Brazil to the Atlantic coast of Guyana and Suriname.

“This infrastructure will increase the flows of people and goods across all ten countries’ land borders which will focus Brazil’s attention to the security of those borders and foster coordination with its neighbours, while increasing Brazil’s interest in their internal affairs, affecting that coordination and security.”

Sunday March 03, 2019

PAGE 73

Kaieteur News

Local aircraft operator denied one acre land but ExxonMobil gets 10

L

ocal aircraft owners who operate at the Eugene F. Correia Airport are still complaining.

This newspaper understands that several small

operators still cannot secure required land that is less than an acre while foreign oil giant, Exxon, was given access to 10 acres of land for no less than 30 years.

This newspaper under-

stands that there is a small operator with two planes who was trying to get his hand on a piece of land since 2012.

The operator’s application was not even acknowl-

381 BIT graduates ready to...

From page 71 Building trades, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Forestry, Home Economics, Health Services, etc.

Additionally, the BIT Chairman said that the entity has been continually expanding its relationship with both Public and Private Sector facilitators with a view to optimizing the utilization of all available resources and facilities, such as five Government Technical Institutes, two Industrial Training Centres (GITC), and catering and ICT companies.

Williams also noted that BIT was able to expand its partnership with the Ministry of the Presidency D e p a r t m e n t o f Yo u t h Empowerment to provide skills training for over 22 youths in Apiculture, as well as continuing to provide training in Heavy Duty Equipment Operation for another 30 youths.

He said, “We also partnered with the Ministry of Natural Resources to implement its innovative Industrial Skills Training Enhancement Programme (IN-STEP).

This project provided training for some 89 displaced workers, following the closure of a number of sugar estates.

Additionally, we

continued to intensify our alliance with the Office of the First Lady for the generation of over 200 skill sets in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for youths in the Hinterland Region, such as, St. Ignatius and other depressed communities.”

The BIT Chairman added, “During the last two years, over 75 persons from Orealla/ Siparuta, St. Monica and Kabakaburi villages were trained in Outboard and Small Engine Repairs, Boat Building, Block Making and Electrical Installation.

We consider these critical skills for the sustenance and empowerment of the youths within these remote communities.”

BIT will continue to intensify the delivery of its technical and vocational skills trainings, with a view to addressing the skill demands, not only for Guyana’s current dynamics but to encamp the requirements of emerging industries; such as, Oil and Gas, Clean E n e rg y, Hydroponic Farming, Agroprocessing, among others.

In fact, Wi l l i a m s highlighted that over 50 of BIT’s graduates from both t h e A p p r e n t i c e s h ip and Traineeship Programme have gained employment in the Oil and Gas Sector.

“We plan to also expand

our association to include those agencies responsible for the IDB-funded Citizens Security Programme and the Hinterland Youth Employment Service Programme to allow for better coordination among the formal and non-formal training institutions in order to reduce the high level of duplication in the delivery of many occupational skills training programme, while at the same time increasing the focus on employment generation.”

Williams was also pleased to report that BIT signed an agreement with the Basic Needs Trust Fund to train over 500 Youths in 2019 in skills such as Solar Pho t o voltaic Systems Installation and Maintenance; Boat Building and Outboard Engine Maintenance.

These will benefit no doubt, the energy and construction sectors, Williams noted. He said that t h e r e a r e a l s o p l ans to review course content and curricula for our respective training programmes, to ensure relevance and value.

Williams said that this intervention is necessary, if BIT is to generate skills sets that are both technologically relevant and adaptable to the constantly changing workforce to ensure their expectations are achieved.

edged until 2014, only to be rejected in 2015.

That operator and others have been “fighting the good fight,” to get land but still cannot.

However, ExxonMobil was given approval to commence construction on 10 acres of land via a mere Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in July 2017.

ExxonMobil will begin

constructing its local headquarters by next week at the Eugene F. Correia Airport.

In the MoU, OAI agreed, during the tenure of the MoU, to not offer the use of the land to anyone without ESSO’s consent.

Av i a t i o n o p e r a t i v e s at Ogle say that this action is in complete contrast to “the strong-arm tactics and threats of re-

p o s s e s s i n g l a n d s which OAI had approved for use by local aviation compan i e s . ” Through the MoU, ESSO is not only protected from any breach of agreement by OAI, but will have the right to continue to possess the land if a breach occurs.

ESSO agreed to pay US$43,570 for years 20172020, and certain “small inc r e a s e s ” .

PAGE 74

Kaieteur News

Sunday March 03, 2019

Sunday March 03, 2019

Gayle, Thomas decimate...

From page 77 further 23 for the sixth wicket with Moeen Ali (12) but once Moeen feathered a loose drive at Thomas and was caught at the wicket, England lost their last five wickets for just two runs.

Buttler was eighth out, top-edging a quick one from Thomas to deep square and giving Cottrell his third catch of the innings.The chase could have been tricky but Gayle quickly erased the lingering uncertainty, mounting a brazen assault on England’s new ball bowlers, as West Indies raced to 40 from just three overs.

Gayle smashed 14 runs from the first over from Chris

PAGE 75

Kaieteur News

Woakes and took another 23 runs from the seamer’s second over, including three massive sixes.John Campbell, almost unnoticed amidst the carnage, played around a full length one from speedster Mark Wood and was bowled for one in the fourth over.

But Gayle kept up his savagery in Wood’s next over, smashing the bowler for a pair of leg-side sixes before sprinting a single to cover to raise his half-century.

With the result all but assured, Gayle opted for fullscale entertainment. He twice cleared the off-side boundaries off the first two balls of the eighth over from Wood before finding the

boundaries on either side of the wicket with the next two deliveries.

He cleared the ropes at mid-wicket with the fifth ball but then missed a heave at a fullish delivery and was bowled.By then, West Indies needed only 21 runs and Hope’s demise, bowled for 13 missing a heave at Woakes in the ninth over, was of little consequence.

Scores: ENGLAND 113 off 28.1 overs (Jos Buttler 23, Alex Hales 23; Oshane Thomas 5-21, Carlos Brathwaite 2-17, Jason Holder 2-28).

WEST INDIES 115 for three off 12.1 overs (Chris Gayle 77; Mark Wood 2-55).

Sunday March 03, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) A new fascination with history or an exotic culture could drive you to learn more about it It could become an obsession, for today at least.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You may find that your instincts are right, Taurus, particularly where other people are concerned. You and a friend could come up with the same words at the same time GEMINI (May 21–June 20) - Social events and group activities could bring new interests your way that provide a rich field of knowledge for you to delve into. Someone could recommend books on the subject.

CANCER(June21–July22) A number of people involved in the healing professions could cross your path today, Cancer. You might hear news about recent discoveries in those fields that sparks your interest.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) A potential new love partner could show up, Leo, perhaps someone from a distant state or foreign country or in a field like law or education. You could have a lot of interests in common with this person.

Some intriguing discussions could result.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Family members could spring some surprising news on you today, Virgo. This news may concern people you know or perhaps a family member has some interesting plans of his or her own that you weren't aware of.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Invitations to some exciting social events in your neighborhood could come today, Libra. You might hear from some friends who are planning to attend.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Good news involving a small, extra sum of money could come today. You might receive a check in the mail.

Take a friend out to lunch.

You will both have fun.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Bonding is today's keyword, Sagittarius. Relations with close friends should be enhanced by increased communication, perhaps some fascinating conversations about new ideas and exciting world events.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) A lot of unfinished tasks may need doing around the home today, Capricorn. You might decide to ignore some of the work that desperately needs to be handled in favor of a project that you think you will enjoy more.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Some great news about a friend's good fortune could be exciting, Aquarius, and you might spend a lot of time on the phone not only congratulating that friend but also discussing it with other people.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) This week concerns your inner feelings. Your emotions may be a bit tumultuous, especially when it comes to work. Rather than give in to a job you don't like.

Three horserace...

From page 78 Sun Turf Club, Arima Park, West Coast, Berbice. The KMTC meet has been brought forward by one week to the 17th March at the KMTC Facility, Bush Lot Farm Corentyne, Berbice.

Before that Budhan’s Memorial will be staging a meet on the 10th March on the Corentyne.

Reifer, Hemraj & Permaul give...

From back page 64, Jonathan Carter 47, Shamarh Brooks 44, Tevyn Walcott 33; Raymon Reifer 222, Veerasammy Permaul 462).

GUYANA JAGUARS 201 (Raymon Reifer 52, Vishaul Singh 33; Jonathan Carter 4-52, Marquino Mindley 235) and 118 for three (Chandrapaul Hemraj 51, Chris Barnwell 23 not out; Shamar Springer 3-29).

PAGE 76

GMR&SC National Race of Champions

Kaieteur News

Sunday March 03, 2019

Today promises intense rivalry

Race day is upon us. All roads will lead to Timehri’s South Dakota’s Circuit today for the first leg of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s (GMR&SC) National Race of Champions. For a meagre cost of $1000, fans will see all of the country’s top drivers in action, including two-time CMRC group four champion Andrew King and his rival Mark Vieira.

A correspondence from the club has assured that the track is in excellent condition and all systems are in place for a

fantastic race day which will feature a 24-race programme.

Competition is expected to be stiffer with cash and prizes up for grabs including a round trip to Miami for the group two champion.

In addition, the winners of the Choke Starlet Cup, Miracle Optical Street Tuner and Prem’s Electrical Sports Tuner are set to pocket $500,000 each, while Mohamed’s Enterprise has sponsored in excess of $250,000 for the top novice bikers.

Other confirmed sponsors of the event include, Air Services Limited, Mohamed’s Enterprise, Truck Master, Special Auto, Nexus, Cyril’s Taxi, Motor Trend Service Center, Prem’s Electrical, Windjammer Restaurant, A&R Printery, Trans Pacific Auto Sales and Spares, N&S Fuel Pump and Injector Services, Choke Gas Station, Miracle Optical, R. Kissoon Contracting Services, E-Networks, Powerline, B.M. Auto Sales and Supreme Ventures Enterprise.

Sunday March 03, 2019

PAGE 77

Kaieteur News

Gayle, Thomas decimate England as Windies share series GROS ISLET, St Lucia, CMC – Man-of-the-Series Chris Gayle plundered the fastest One-Day International fifty by a West Indian after Man-of-the-Match speedster Oshane Thomas’s had demolished England for a record low, as West Indies pulled off an emphatic sevenwicket victory in the final ODI here yesterday to level the five-match series 2-2.

Choosing to bowl first on a lively pitch at the Darren Sammy National Stadium, West Indies bundled the world number one side out for a paltry 113 in the 29th over – their lowest ever ODI total against West Indies – with the 22-year-old Thomas snatching a career-best five for 21 from just 31 balls.

Veteran Gayle then erased any doubt over the result by storming to a 19-ball halfcentury, en route to an amazing 77 from just 27

deliveries, as the hosts eased to their target in the 13th over.

The 39-year-old, in his farewell Caribbean tour, clobbered five fours and nine giant sixes in what was his fourth score over 50 in the series. He finished with 424 runs at average of 106.

“It was a fantastic series to be able to tie the series twoall. I thought both teams played well,” Gayle said afterwards. “Today our bowlers were fantastic so you have to give credit to them.”

Inspirational captain Jason Holder, who oversaw West Indies’ recapture of the Wisden Trophy in the preceding Test series, said the way his side had held their nerve throughout had been satisfying.

“That was the perfect performance. All of the bowlers put in an outstanding effort. Oshane is an impact player for us and it’s good to

see him make this breakthrough,” Holder said.

“He was quick, aggressive and consistent, and he caused trouble. It’s been a total team effort with the ball and then Chris stole the show at the end. Chris is a champion. It’s great to see him bow out in the Caribbean like this.”

Jos Buttler and Alex Hales were the joint top-scorers with 23 as the England line-up never came to grips with the seam and bounce in the pitch, and crumbled meekly at the hands of the Windies pace attack.

Carlos Brathwaite was brilliant, taking two for 17 from eight overs while Holder claimed two for 28.

The signs were there when Jonny Bairstow (11) inedged a quick, full length delivery from left-arm pacer Sheldon Cottrell and had his leg stump uprooted in the

third over at 16 for one.

And Joe Root perished for one off the first ball of the next over, helping a short ball from Holder down to Cottrell at third man, to leave England on 18 for two.

Hales and captain Eoin Morgan (18) then steadied the innings in a 39-run, third wicket stand which proved the best for England, as the visitors appeared to be finding stability.

However, the righthanded Hales had struck four

fours off 35 balls when he sparred at one from Brathwaite which bounced, and was caught at the wicket – one of four catches for Shai Hope – in the 11th over.

Introduced in the next over, Thomas immediately made life difficult for the England batsmen, with both Morgan and Ben Stokes (15) appearing uncomfortable against his pace.

It was no surprise then when Morgan perished in Thomas’s next over,

attempting to fetch a short one from outside off and holing out to Cottrell at deep square.

Stokes and Buttler added 25 for the fifth wicket but lacked conviction and Brathwaite eventually broke the stand when he got the left-handed Stokes to glove a pull to Hope, after he had gone past the left-hander’s outside edge several times.

Tottering on 88 for five in the 19th over, Buttler put on a (Continued on page 75)

PAGE 78

Sunday March 03, 2019

Kaieteur News

Three horserace meets Still playing the “Beautiful Game” at 70 years set for this month Despite threats of rain three horserace meets have been planned for the month of March, making it one of the busy months for horseracing in Guyana. All of the meets will be held in Berbice.

Two will be on the East Berbice with the other being held on the West Coast of Berbice.

After some confusion and uncertainty with two

major entities - the Jumbo Jet and Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) planning their meet for the same date, the 24thMarch, some sanity has returned after communication between the concerned parties.

The Jumbo Jet entity has retained the 24th March date with their meet set for the Rising (Continued on page 75)

He is arguably the oldest footballer still playing the ‘Beautiful Game’, here, in Guyana and at age 70 , Seaton Floris can been seen in action on any Sunday morning at the GNS sports ground on Carifesta Avenue where the Pele Masters and Rastafari Patriarchs have their regular sessions among other players of the Masters football fraternity.

The Septuagenarian who celebrated his 70th birth anniversary two Wednesdays ago will be

among the ‘crème de la crème’ of Masters who will be featured in a special game this morning at GFC ground beginning at 8:00 o’clock.

Also expected to take to the field this morning is Guyana’s first World Cup team captain Maurice Enmore who is one of the players Floris recalls he met at Santos FC when he joined as a 15 year-old. Floris who represented Santos at Divisions One and Two in the Georgetown Football League during the 70s claims he is

‘Santos for Life’.

According to the elder statesman of Guyana’s onthe-pitch football, his ‘love for the game and the fact that I tell myself I still have the energy to play” are the main reasons behind his longevity and he intends to be involved for as long as possible.

Past national players Herbert Pellew, Anthony Stanton, Rawle Jones, Deon Barnwell and others will be among the teams that will participate in today’s special game.

Seaton Floris

PAGE 79

Sunday March 03, 2019

Al Sport, FBF Windball Cricket tourney concludes today at National Gymnasium Defending Female Champions Mae’s Secondary will be going all out to retain their title, while a new male champion will be crowned as the Curtains come down in the Forbes Burnham Foundation, AL Sport & To u r P r o m o t i o n , N a t i o n a l S p o r t s Commission, 28th Annual Easter Term Windball Champions Trophy at the National Gymnasium.

Sixteen teams, eight females, eight males will be battling for the number one sport in this year programme namely, Females: Mae’s, Valmiki V High School, Zeeburg, Soesdyke, East Ruimveldt, Charlestown Government, Goed Fortuin Secondaries and

Bladen Hall Multilateral .Males are: Covent Garden, Annandale, Goed Fortuin, Zeeburg, Mae’s Secondaries, The Bishop’s High, Government Technical Institute and The Business School.

Play start in this Day/Night programme at 10:00am, Chairman of the FBF Vincent Alexander and Officials of AL Sport & Tour Promotions will be present to greet the players on arrival at the venue, and also along with Director of Sport Christopher Jones to do the presentation at the conclusion of the programme.

The programme is organised by A. Munroe.

Shallow: Nanthan’s tenure has been plagued with inefficiency and ineptitude

K

INGSTOWN, St. Vincent D r. K i s h o r e S h a l l o w, President of the St Vincent & The Grenadines Cricket Association Inc. President and the Vice-Presidential candidate for Cricket West I n d i e s ( C W I ) Vi c e Presidential candidate, is running to make a greater contribution in the boardroom and publicly to this key CWI role, compared to the invisible tenure of incumbent Emmanuel Nanthan.

In the upcoming elections, Nanthan will be aiming for a 4th term. He will face an uphill challenge to accomplish this feat with opposition from Information Technology and business consultant, Dr. Kishore Shallow.

Nanthan’s tenure as Vice President of CWI has gone unnoticeable.

In some quarters, this is construed as the domineering style by President Dave Cameron, while other evidence points to the ineptitude of the Dominican.

N a n t h a n ’s l a c k o f leadership has retarded the administration of the Windward Islands Cricket Board of Control (WICBC).

He reluctantly called an AGM in January 2019, following failure to do so for nearly two years, despite many calls by his fellow board members.

In September 2018, Nanthan, who heads the Citizen by Investment Unit for his native country Dominica, resigned as President of the Dominica Cricket Association (DCA).

His rationale at the time was heavy work commitments making him incapable of performing his cricket

Dr Kishore Shallow

administrative duties.

Former West Indies test wicketkeeper, Michael Findlay, believes that: “As a consequence, and in principle, Nanthan should also step down as President of the WICBC and Vice President of CWI and make way for someone who can p r o v i d e t h e d e d i c ated leadership required to move the Windward Islands and We s t I n d i e s c r i c k e t forward.”

O s t e n s i b l y, s u c h limitation of Nanthan was not unique to the DCA, as proven by an eventual relocation of a mismanaged Wi n d w a r d s Vo l c a n o e s franchise from Dominica to Grenada prior to his resignation.

The exit from Dominica has resulted in excessive costs to the franchise due to inefficiencies and miscalculations, some of which have been credited to convenient dictatorship by Nanthan.

Vi c e P r e s i d e n t i a l candidate, Dr. Shallow expressed that: “Mr Nanthan has had an extended tenure as president of the WICBC not due to

any sterling representation or performance but due to reluctance of other senior members to challenge the status quo. As a result, the latter period of his tenure has been plagued with inefficiency and ineptitude.

This is a typical example where term limits can help a well-intended individual from damaging his reputation by trudging along after they have clearly ran out of zeal and ideas.”

He continued: “My decision to challenge Nanthan is strictly in the interest of advancing regional cricket; this mission is more significant than any individual or our territorial boards.

For sustainable success in CWI, fundamentally, we must have astute, committed professionals with an appreciation for all our stakeholders.”

CWI elections will take place in Jamaica on March 24, 2019. Former West Indies team manager, Ricky Skerritt, and Dr. Shallow are challenging Dave Cameron and Emmanuel Nanthan for the offices of President and Vice President respectively.

Students displaying the Trophies and medals at stake for the top 4 teams in both divisions.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 80

Sunday March 03, 2019

Gold is Money claim Dragon South Turkeyen SC & Blackwater Stout Dominoes tourney Athletics Club F/Ball set for today Gold is Money chalked 87 games to win the final of the Dragon Stout and Good Times Sport Bar dominoes tournament which was contested on Wednesday night Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara.

TNT took the runner up spot with 82 games, while OPKO finished third on 55.

Meanwhile, Senior Organising Secretary of the Georgetown Dominoes Association,

Mark Wiltshire in collaboration with Mambo Sports Bar of Barr Street, Kitty will be hosting an 18-team tournament starting at 14:00hrs today. Entrance fee is $12,000 and the winning team will take home a trophy and $150,000, runner up a trophy and $75,000 and third place a trophy and $35,000. Teams can call Wiltshire on 665 5855 for registration.

T

he South Turkeyen Sports Committee in collaboration with the Blackwater Athletics Club host a four-a-side small goal Football competition from 10:00hrs today at the East Ruimveldt School ground.

Some of the teams expected be in action today are Lodge, Sophia, North, East and West Ruimveldt and Vryheid’s.

Entrance fee is $5,000 and could be paid at the venue or by contacting Johnny ‘Overseas’ Barnwell on 666-2950.

Trophies are sponsored by Troy ‘Coach Man’, Andy ‘Drybe’ Richards and Barnwell.

Johnny ‘Overseas’ Barnwell with the Trophies for his event.

Guyanese horse trainer Dharamjit making waves in U.S. See this quick’ won its first ever race and purse of US$41,000.

The victorious Gold is Money team.

United States (U.S.) based Guyanese horseowner and trainer, Darmindra Dharamjit, who has been an owner for over ten years, made some headlines last month with a maiden win for his horse.

Dharamjit, who is the brother-in-law of long-serving horse race patron and organiser, Nasrudeen ‘Jumbo Jet’ Mohamed, saw his horse ‘See this quick’ win on February 21 at the Aqueduct turf club in New York.

The purse was US$41,000 which is in excess of GYD$8million.

The Guyanese horse owner who has been in possession of a trainer’s certificate in little over a month now recounted the experience as phenomenal.

‘See this quick’ ran the distance of 6 and 1/2 furlongs in 1 minute and 18 seconds for the win.

The Dharamjit family pose with ‘See this quick’ and jockey.

Kaieteur News

Sunday March 03, 2019

PAGE 81

“Greatest Schoolboy athlete” Eric Phillips bestowed with A.A.

Eric Phillips Gifted athlete, engineer and youth mentor, Eric Phillips, was among the list of individuals who received national awards last week from H.E. President David Granger.

The former Queen’s College (Q.C.) student received the fourth highest award in the Order of Service; the Golden Arrowhead of Achievement.

During his days at Q.C., Philips represented Guyana

in an astonishing three sports. In 1967, he played for Guyana Under-17 football and cricket teams.

The football team included Lennox Arthur as Guyana clashed with Suriname in the first ever Inter-Guiana games which featured just two nations then.

In the regional cricket competition that year, the Guyanese were runners up, and it was majorly to the exploits of then schoolboy Colin Croft who had a career defining tournament, that would later see him go on to represent Guyana seniors and then West Indies.

In 1970, Phillips won the Caribbean table tennis doubles championship with Garth Isaacs. Also on that 1970 table tennis team were Mike Baptiste and Bruce Edwards.

Academically, Phillips

Courts Furniture store cycle road race in Berbice pushed back The cycle road race sponsored by the Courts Furniture Store in Berbice and organised by the Flying Ace Cycle Club (FACC), which was set for today, has been push back to a later date.

The event, which is an annual affair staged in observation of the Mashramani celebrations, is usually opened to cyclists throughout the country.

A c c o r d i n g t o information all logistics remains the same for the new date. The 50 miles event is expected to ride off from in front of the Courts Furniture Store at Main and St Ann’s Street New Amsterdam, Berbice, proceed to Nand Persaud Business Complex at No36, Village, Corentyne

20

before returning to finish at its place of origin.

There will be cash, trophies and other incentives up for grabs for the top finishers in the respective divisions.

Prizes are expected to be awarded to the first six finishers in the open category, the top three veterans the top three juniors, the first three juveniles and the top females. There is also expected to be an event for BMX riders. A number of sprint point prizes are also up for grabs. Officials from The Courts Furniture store are expected to be on hand to start the race and distribute the prizes when the race is staged on the new date to be announced.

has certified himself with three degrees; Chemical engineering degree, Telecommunications and a MBA in Marketing and international Business.

Over the last five years he has thought eight different courses at the University of Guyana (U.G.).

Phillips, who was the

only Caricom national to be selected as a White House fellow in 1990, is actively involved with youths in Guyana. Currently, he is a part of 11 local youth groups.

During an interview with Kaieteur Sport, Philips expressed gratitude to the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana for bestowing the award on him.

Eric Phillips with U.S. four star general and former statesman, Colin Powell.

t r o Sp

Gayle, Thomas decimate England as Windies share series Chris Gayle went on another rampage ©Getty Images

Morgan falls to Oshane Thomas ©AFP

Regional First-Class cricket

Reifer, Hemraj & Permaul give Jaguars 6th win - Still ahead with 134.2 points with a game to go from Veerasammy Permaul 9-44 to take his wicket tally LBW to Permaul who also and an aggressive 51 from to 23, while Permaul had Chemar Holder; caught Chanderpaul Hemraj, won supported with 4-62 to move and bowled for a duck with their sixth match for the to 39 on the wicket takers the score on 234-8.

Chanderpaul Hemraj blasted his Bajan Reifer, Barbados’ season when they list, only behind off-spinner 7th fifty as Jaguars roared to beat Barbados Pride Rakeem Cornwall from tormentor in-chief, induced an emphatic 7-Wicket win over Jomal Warrican (4) to edge by seven wickets Leewards Hurricanes.

Pride. (Sean Devers photos) Set 114 to win, Jaguars to wicket-Keeper Anthony just after Lunch on the third day of their reached 118-3 as 25-year- Bramble for his 38th n i n t h r o u n d old Chanderpaul Hemraj dismissal of the season R e g i o n a l F i r s t - smashed five fours and a six before knocking out the C l a s s in his 63-ball top score of 51 stumps of Miguel Cummins for a duck as the last two C h a m p i o n s h i p s which lasted 107 minutes.

Christopher Barnwell wickets fell at 238. encounter at The Jaguars lost the leftP r o v i d e n c e blasted an unbeaten 23 from y e s t e r d a y t o just 12 balls with four h a n d e d T a g e n a r i n e maintain their lead boundaries which included a Chanderpaul, who executed a positivity and swivelled and dominant and destructive with 134.2 points six to finish the match and glorious cover driven pulled Springer to mid- batsman, finished the game w i t h a g a m e along with Skipper Leon boundary off Chaim Holder wicket boundary, while 25- by lofting Jonathon Carter Johnson, who reached the before he edged a delivery year-old Hemraj went after down the ground for four, remaining.

Reifer picked up ropes on four occasions in his which left him from Springer the bowlers with his usual steering the medium pacer to two wickets, while undefeated 20 from 40 balls, to the keeper after making aggressive intent and soon the third man boundary and Permaul took the featured in an unfinished 51- eight from 33 balls and 45 reached his sixth First-Class depositing him for six. other two to dismiss run fourth wicket stand in 23 minutes batting with the score fifty before he hit Springer to Guyana’s final game is a B a r b a d o s , w h o minutes to see the Jaguars to on 35-1. Hemraj, one of six mid-off. day/night contest against MOM Raymond Reifer left-handers in the Guyana b e g a n t h e an emphatic win at 13:22hrs.

Barnwell, the DCC T&T’ Red Force starting at took nine wickets and Windies ‘A’ pacer 21- side, was bowled off the right-hander, launched into 14:00hrs at Providence from penultimate day on made an unbeaten fifty 228-6, for 238 in 22 year-old Shamar Springer inside edge before he had Springer and clipped him Thursday. to lead Jaguars to their picked all the wickets to fall scored by a no-ball from forward of square and the minutes.

Scores: BARBADOS 6th victory yesterday.

Cummins and then flicked ball raced across the PRIDE 76 (Chaim Holder Reifer, who hit to end with 3-29.

When play began, Tevyn the pacer to third man for lightening fast outfield like a 22; Raymon Reifer 5-20) an unbeaten 52, finished with 4-22 Walcott added five to his four. Johnson, short of runs, bullet. and 238 (Shayne Moseley for match figures of overnight 28 before he was came out with refreshing (Continued on page 75) Barnwell, GCA’s most Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.

By Sean Devers Guyana Jaguars, led by Man-of-the-Match Raymon Reifer, a four-wicket haul