Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News

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

Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8491, 225-8458, 225-8465 Fax: 225-8473 or 226-8210

Editorial

A NATION PETRIFIED

There have been many editorials written on crime, violence and murders in the country.

But one cannot help but continue to write on these issues because almost every day there are headlines in the papers about murders, armed robberies and violence. The robbery at the Princess Ramada Hotel Casino clearly suggests that nowhere is safe in Guyana.

Also, it seems as though women are an endangered species in Guyana. The murders of the “maid of honor,” Simone Hackett by her ‘child father’ and a taxi driver is tragic, and Bagwanttie Persaud by her reputed husband at Rose Hall, Corentyne, are tragic reminders that women are not safe anywhere, not even in their homes.

However, most murderers are not really monsters, they are evil human beings. And that is the most frightening thing about them.

Their gunplay has petrified society and the citizens, including the elderly who are glued to their homes at night, terror-stricken. Although the police are inclined to have the people believe that crime has declined, the population is in panic mode. There is no end in sight to this scourge.

Statistics show that murders, armed robberies and rapes increased substantially in the first three and a half months of the year with a distinct spike in gun violence throughout the country. However, police are apprehending the criminals faster now than before.

Murder and armed robberies are disastrous, ruinous and profoundly lamentable. However low the number is, they are catastrophic and not acceptable or remotely comforting to the nation.

Every murder is the loss of a life, the most precious gift which, ironically, when senselessly taken is of no use to the murderer.

The fact that guns are entering the country illegally or are mysteriously eluding officials is very troubling.

The government must be careful not to make the gun smugglers become confident by promoting the idea that this was always the case. It must act to stem the influx of high-powered weapons, especially AK 47s in the country and put an end to this lawlessness.

It is true that much of the murders and armed robberies are committed by youths who have refined the practice of boldness, ruthlessness and total disregard for life, limb and property. But it is also true that society with its aberrant behavior is a consequence of youth violence.

Studies have shown that poverty and illiteracy are the root causes of youths becoming hard corecriminals. In Proverbs 22:6, Solomon, indisputably the wisest man ever on earth said that we should “train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Many believe that the state should urgently play a more remedial and proactive role in improving the behavior of youths and sharpen their minds to civility, propriety and humanity.

Fighting crime is not an easy task for any government.

The Minister of Public Security has reportedly insulted Berbicians with an arrogance that suggests that he is in panic mode. To put it bluntly, he has to pull his socks up. He has to spearhead the fight against violent crime.

Truth be told, the public is disappointed with the Minister’s poor crime fighting techniques, but not the criminals who continue to ravage society with impunity.

One death is too many but if those in authority continue to keep their heads buried in the sand, the people are in for a long haul because the barbaric and immoral behaviour of criminals will not change anytime soon.

Sunday May 15, 2016

Kaieteur M@ilbox Send your letters to Kaieteur News 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown or email us kaieteurnews@yahoo.com

Dr. Flaherty concludes his impressions and descriptions of Guyana DEAR EDITOR, Thanks for publishing the first part of this. I conclude the journey today Another negative strikes me (pardon the pun) almost every day during my late-afternoon “constitutional” walk.

I have driven a motor vehicle in many countries, but I must confess that I would have great reservations about doing so here. Without generalizing too much, many of drivers exhibit a reckless mixture of aggression, carelessness, and wanton disregard for the safety of pedestrians, to say nothing of their passengers or themselves. This is especially true of the minibuses.

During my latest visit, I have survived more than one “brush with destiny” at their hands on the major

thoroughfares of this city.

No wonder the news contains so many stories of fatal road accidents, and these I do believe are an accurate reflection of reality. From my travel experience, I have concluded that driving habits are a fairly good gauge of a country’s “national character” if such a thing can be said to exist. If this is so, then Guyana is in need for considerable improvement, certainly before I would ever feel comfortable taking my place in the driver’s seat.

From my daily reading of the major papers, I have decided that another negative feature is the tendency for each side in Guyana’s yawning political divide to blame the country’s ills on its opponents, while at the same time

vehemently denying any responsibility of their own for them. Without trying to delve to the bottom of some of the current controversies widely reported in the media, (e.g.- Harmon-gate, the Camp St. prison riots, the Berbice land deals, Baishanlin, the removal of the Stabroek Market vendors, etc.) it seems to me that if one paper finds the previous PPP-C government at fault, then another one will be equally likely do the same for the current administration.

While I do enjoy a partisan, opinionoriented media, I think sometimes a measure of balance and honesty might be in order. From the articles and letters I read daily, it would appear that both of these are in short supply. A notable (Continued on page 6)

Sunday May 15, 2016

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Kaieteur News

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Serious management Who says marijuana use is a cause of crime? problems at MAE’S schools DEAR EDITOR; In response to the piece published, editorials “...drugs and crime,” I find it highly inaccurate and somewhat biased.

Though well written, it is extremely naive to assume that drugs are the initial cause of crimes in our country.

Although I do agree that the magistrates are rather “ uncaring and senseless, “ it doesn’t take drugs to make you a criminal, rather its criminals that indulge in drugs.

Marijuana when smoked induces a state of relaxation which a career criminal would need in order to carry out his insidious agenda against innocent civilians, which ever that

may be. Yes scientific evidence proves that drugs can alter a person’s mentality and inclinations towards society, but the effects of marijuana does not affect negatively those of a lesser mental development, rather than those of a pedantic nature. To sinuate this, it is not only biased but ignorant.

Cocaine makes you violent. Lysergic acid makes you violent. Amphetamines make you violent. Marijuana is not the underlying cause of crime. Lack of governmental participation is employment opportunities, mental health care, insufficient education, for young adults is the real problem.

D. Williams

The press is under threat from the new power-holders DEAR EDITOR; I find it very ironic and disturbing at to see that the free press is being targeted for destruction with threats of libel and perceptive intimidation. One irony being played out, is that when the previous administration was in power, Kaieteur News was praised and admired for exposing the actions of (the PPP).

There was a very person who was at the forefront in the vocal bashing of the previous administration’s dealing and handling of the affairs of Guyana. He was bashing who the PPP was dealing with and how Guyana was being SOLD-OUT. Now that the shoe is on the other foot, the very person now has a problem with Kaieteur News for exposing the same dealings with exactly the exact person/s. I guess as the saying goes “ do-so-nah-like-so” It is very disturbing and scary to see that the freedom of the press is being intimidated first with persons picketing Kaieteur News….BY SOME because the news is

being presented to readers.

When that did not work… now the intimidation is stepped up with threats of libel. It is very disturbing to see that some would like to see Guyana placed back into the dark days of yesteryear. I do implore the People of Guyana to WAKE UP and stand for true and honest journalist.

Stand and let it be known that such acts will not be tolerated, now or ever. I do encourage Kaieteur News to keep up the good work of journalistic integrity and DO NOT ever… ever allow themselves and any other press/ news outlet to be threatened and intimidated.

Muhammad Raoof USA

Entrepreneurship is the answer

DEAR EDITOR; Private sector development in Guyana is shaky and evolved haphazardly, hence high unemployment.

Entrepreneurship is part of the solution. Governmental and political issues are part of the problem, but so are the underlying convictions of the current generation of the political class concerning free markets. Talk has always outdone serious consensus building, long term strategic thinking and most critically sustained action that will

actually enable private enterprise to flourish and the supply of jobs to grow. The political class probably need to be encouraged and pushed to remain focused and on course. We have raised these issues in earlier contributions, however, space constrained the arguments. Our contribution to this discussion is dedicated to the promotion of private entrepreneurship and free enterprise. We hope that the Editor can afford the space to publish this contribution.

Ivor Carryl

DEAR EDITOR, Please allow me a part of your newspaper to pen my letter to continue the conversation with regards to a popular private school in Guyana, Mae’s Schools. I’m a former teacher and current parent of the same institution and I do have a few concerns which I need to address.

Firstly, the administrators and management lack a balance in recruiting a multi-ethnic and a multi – religious workforce. To my knowledge and from experience, 100% of the teachers from the secondary division are Christians.

Neither Muslims nor Hindus are a part of the team.

Bear in mind Editor, the institution of Mae’s Secondary School is deemed as one that is multi-cultural, multi-religious and multi-ethnic.

Further, their selection leaves no room for recognition of multi-ethnic people to be a part of the management team such Heads of Department, Supervisors or even Deputy Director.

According to Part 1, Chapter III of the Constitution on Fundamental Rights of Guyana: “Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the individual entitle every citizen basic rights without distinction and discrimination including the right, regardless of his/her race, origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex subject to the rights and freedoms of others and the public interest to freedom of conscience, of expression, assembly, and association.”

(Articles 40, 145, 146, 147) This is yet another way to show how mismanaged the institution clearly is.

Secondly, I’m very dissatisfied at the fact that teachers are normally disciplined in the

presence of students and parents. This is wrong. Disciplining an employee is always unpleasant for everyone involved. The most effective disciplinary action should be a motivational opportunity so that the employee is inspired to perform better. Learning how to effectively discipline an employee can help you ensure positive working relations and a better, stronger business. This is something management at Mae’s should keep in mind.

Finally, I’m very displeased that the institution had lost high flying CXC teachers in the Science and Arts Department, I’m even further displeased that the rate of turn over for this institution is very high. A study carried out in 2013 reveals the fact about Mae’s Secondary.

Mean analyses revealed

that employee turnover greatly reduces profit and delays customer deliverables (students). In a whole, results show that employee turnover impact negatively on the total factor of productivity growth. Further, the findings reveal that low salary and compensation are the major causes of employee turnover given the fact that the industry jobs are characterized by long-working hours.

In the light of these findings, the study recommends that management should ensure that employees are paid and compensated reasonably, and there should be an improved working condition for the employees. I sincerely do hope management of Mae’s Secondary address these concerns.

Former teacher (name supplied)

DEAR EDITOR, In the February 16th 2014 issue of Stabroek News, Evi Paemelaere from the international Panthera organization (specialized in protection of wild cats) wrote: “In the land of giants, the jaguar stands strong and proud on the coat of arms and adorns many banners and brochures to attract tourists happy to pay for catching a glimpse of America’s largest cat in Guyana.” Tourists visiting Guyana in 2015

would have seen pictures of a dead jaguar, shot by a businessman, being carried through the streets of New Amsterdam and since January 2016 tourists would have seen multiple pictures of at least three trapped jaguars, two of which are presently housed in small cages in the Georgetown Zoo and the third at the “Hyde Park Animal Sanctuary,” Land of Cannan, on the East Bank. The fate of (Continued on page 6)

Guyana must save its jaguars

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Sunday May 15, 2016

Kaieteur News

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Kaieteur M@ilbox

REPARATIONS GUYANA MUST HAVE A PROFESSIONAL PUBLIC SERVICE RALLY TO START ON MAY 20TH

DEAR EDITOR; The Public Service Commission of Inquiry has submitted its report to President David Granger. This report is awaited with much anticipation, given its Terms of Reference (ToR), and the Granger/ Nagamootoo’s administration repeated statements of commitment to a professional public service and respect for the right to collective bargaining.

It is hoped that this report will be made public shortly to allow the trade unions, public servants, and other stakeholders the opportunity to examine and analyse same. This will not only present opportunity for reading the content, the feasibility of what is set out, but also to confirm whether the ToR was addressed, and to what extent.

A professional public service is important for the nation’s development given that it is the primary medium for conducting the government, state and people’s business. From reading the president’s statement on re-

ceiving the report he reinforced his position about desiring a professional service, and took the opportunity to address what he considers lazy public servants, who were put on notice by him that they would attract “lazy person’s remuneration.”

This particular issue can be addressed from several standpoints. One, where it can be said that what goes for the rank and file public servants should also be applied to Members of the Cabinet and the National Assembly, who received pay increases without performance evaluation, and where presently some are under performing by the people’s standard, who are their employers. Another view contends that the president’s comment as Chief Public Servant can stymie the professionalism desired in the public service.

The 2015 administration inherited a public sector whose workers were insulted, battered, demoralised, abused and denied by Chief

DR. FLAHERTY...

From page 4 exception might be the columns of Frederick Kissoon, whose “a plague on both your houses” stance on these issues is invariably erudite, amusing and insightful.

Taking a historical perspective, I think it is not only a great opportunity but also perhaps imperative that Guyanese take a long, reflective look back on their history on this momentous occasion.

The nation has much to be proud of, as one of the large group of what were once called “developing” or “Third-world” countries that took their place at long last on the world stage in the late 1950s and early 1960s as the iron grip of European colonialism finally lost its tyrannical hold across the globe.

This significant phenomenon, that shaped the course of history in the late 20th century and continues to echo down to the present day, was the result of many factors, not least of which was the heroic

struggle of once colonized peoples to be free to chart their own destinies, for good or ill (or sometime both).

It was also ushered in by a generation of truly remarkable leaders in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Latin America, who inspired their peoples with a vision of freedom, justice, and equality. It is an impressively long list, from Nkrumah to Mandela, and two Guyanese patriots would both deserve to have their names included in it.

I do not know how the legacies of Dr. Cheddi Jagan and Linden Forbes Burnham will be commemorated during the upcoming anniversary observances, but in my view they should be, and in an honest way that does justice to the memories of both men, “warts and all” as Cromwell might say, and to the national “collective memory” of them as well.

Dr. Peter Flaherty Faculty of Education York University, Canada

Public Servants Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar.

The continued approach to label these workers will not bring professionalism to the service. It is important for leadership to set the example of professionalism. Remuneration in the public sector has to be addressed in the following manner: i. The Wage/Salary Scale makes provision for minimum, midpoint/rate for the job, and maximum. Those who fall within the minimum and midpoint are on the learner curve.

Providing they display the ability to learn they are entitled to an increment. Within the midpoint and maximum range such workers are expected to perform at good and beyond to receive merit increment.

Increments are usually done through Performance Appraisals. These appraisals while compiled at the end of a specific period can only reflect the performance of the individual as guided by the supervisor. In fact, the supervisor cannot await the end of the appraised period to inform the supervised that performance fell below expectation.

Appraisal is a day-to-day process and where one would have fallen short that person should be informed immediately and systems put in place for corrective action, which include continuous evaluation and appraisal. ii. Collective Bargaining addresses an array of issues, inclusive of wages/sal-

ary increases consistent with pegging same based on the performance of the economy or institution, real wage and inflation. These factors have nothing to do with the issue of merit increment.

Merit increment is given based on the individual worker’s performance. iii. Education in the public sector is not only tied to certification. Certification allows for entry to a particular job and promotion in some respect. Training, which enhances the skills and competencies of the worker, is necessary for the quality of service delivery and is a responsibility of the employer to ensure this if such an interest exists. This is a primary reason why training was considered important in the public service and they were institutions that facilitated same with the government support. iv. The public service caters for workers from all levels, i.e. from the cleaner to the permanent secretary. These workers require varying level of education, certification, competencies, and abilities.

It is therefore expected that any action taken towards workers be consistent with universally established principles, conventions, and agreement between the unions and employers. In this process efforts ought to be made towards delivering a professional public service devoid of emotions.

Lincoln Lewis.

From page 5 a fourth jaguar, captured by residents of Capoey, near Mainstay Region 2, is still unknown. When I read the newspaper articles and look at the pictures of those magnificent animals cowered in their cages I want to hang my head in shame. I’m a firm believer that we must and we can do better.

We are a country of 83,000 square miles with a great deal of “pristineland”; yet unspoiled by animal trappers, miners and loggers.

Our 1st Green President has promised incentives for businesses that invest in his government’s plan for a green and sustainable economy; he has asked that protected areas be established in every region of Guyana and those ecological parks and natural reserves be established to protect our natural habitat.

Guyana is privileged to have international organizations such as Panthera, Iwokrama, World Wildlife

Fund and Conservation International developing projects in our hinterland.

We are also lucky to have an active wildlife division of the EPA and Protected Areas Commission (PAC). Furthermore, we are fortunate to have a large number of private businesses and conservations willing to support a save the jaguar movement.

It seems that Guyana now has the organization and the political will to formulate and implement a strategic plan for saving our jaguars. It would be nice to remember the Golden Jamboree as the year Guyana initiated actions to save our jaguars. It would be heartwarming to look at our Coat of Arms and know that our jaguars were safe for future generations.

In closing, I thank all the daily newspapers especially Kaieteur Newspapers and the Stabroek News for caring not only for people but for our animals and the environment.

SyeadaManbodh

Guyana must...

DEAR EDITOR; On Friday 20 May 2016, THE Guyana Reparations Committee will hold the Main event of its month long activities for the CARICOM International and Regional Youth Reparations Relay and Rally at the Parade Ground (Independence Park) where in 1823 over 200 African Guyanese Freedom Fighters and Martyrs were killed by the British and their heads decapitated and placed on poles to be displayed in public for months afterwards as a deterrent.

This CARICOM Initiative began in Barbados on April 16 when Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, Chairman of the CARICOM Heads of State Subcommittee on Reparations launched the event.

President Granger is a sitting Member of that Subcommittee. A reparations Baton, created in Barbados and made of Mahogany wood was passed on to Guyana at the Event by Chairman of Barbados’ Task Force on Reparations, Professor Dr. Pedro Welch, to Acting Consul General of Guyana to Barbados, Monique Jackman. It arrived in Guyana on April 19, 2016.

The CARICOM Relay and Rally is part of a wider effort to spread the reparations message around the Caribbean, through public education and other initiatives focused on Youth.

The Friday May 20 Event sits in the middle of a large number of activities all across Guyana.

On Friday May 6 and Saturday May 7, the Reparations Baton was sent to Essequibo where it was first taken by boat to Hackney, Liberty, Marlboro and Lillidale in the Pomeroon to Charity.

From Charity runners relayed the Baton to Dartmouth where a ceremony was held.

Runners then took the Baton to Anna Regina where a ceremony was held at Damon Square.

Runners continued to Queenstown where a ceremony was held and finally the Baton was driven to Hopetown back to the Stelling. At each ceremony, the Moringa Tree (‘The Tree of Life “) was planted.

Essequibo activities were followed by Berbice activities.

On Friday 13 May, beginning at Calcutta ( Mahaicony ) Belladrum, Litchfield, Hopetown, Lovely Lass/ Golden Grove and Ithaca. At each stop there was a Ceremony and a planting of a

Moringa Tree. Drummers, outriders, runners and speeches were all part of the process for this 7-hour journey of the Batoon through Region # 5, Berbice.

This was followed on Saturday May 14 by Region # 6 Berbice. Beginning with the historical heritage Village of Sandvoort, the Baton was relayed through Winkel (an historical Village of free African technologists) to the Esplanade in new Amsterdam where representatives from Skeldon , Kildonian Manchester, Lancaster and other African Villages were waiting for a grand Ceremony which was significantly facilitated by the Major of New Amsterdam and several other individuals.

Libations, drumming, singing, speeches and tree planting as well as a Message from the Guyana Reparations Committee constituted the Program.

Friday May 20 is the next major activity at Parade Ground beginning at 4 pm with young runners leaving with the Baton at Stabroek where slaves were undocked through several historical stops (Parliament Building, Cuffy Square, the Sea Walls)to the Parade Ground for the 6pm Program.

Sir Hilary Beckles, Danny Glover and Don Rojas of the African American Reparations Committee have been invited to the Parade Ground Event. Following the Parade Ground event both the East Coast ND West Coast Demerara Village will stage their own activities . The Calendar is as follows: 20 May Plaisance (am) 21 May Mocha (pm) 22 May Buxton (am) Victoria (pm) 28 May Linden (also 27th) 29 May Farm and other cluster villages (am) 29 May Den Amstel and other cluster villages (pm) The Baton will then be sent to the next CARICOM country after Guyana’s activities are over in May and will tour all 15 CARICOM reparations countries this year.

Guyana has produced 3 replicas of the Baton, in beautiful Mahogany, one for each of the three original Counties of Essequibo, Berbice and Demerara.

An open invitation is offered to all groups and individuals whom are interested in the above mentioned activities.

Eric M. Phillips Chair

Sunday May 15, 2016

Kaieteur News

Trump has a history of questionable behaviour with women - NY Times Reuters - Interviews with dozens of women who have worked for Donald Trump or interacted with him socially reveal a pattern of often unsettling personal behaviour by the Republican presidential candidate, The New York Times reported on Saturday.

The Times, which said it based the article on more than 50 interviews, quoted women who recounted episodes in which he treated women as sexual objects and made comments about their bodies. But some women said Trump had encouraged them in their careers and promoted them within his businesses, often in positions in which women tended to be excluded.

When asked about the unflattering incidents described in the article, Trump either denied that they took place or disputed the details, the newspaper said.

“A lot of things get made up over the years,” Trump told the Times. “I have always treated women with great respect.” A Trump representative did not immediately respond to a request by Reuters for comment.

Barbara Res, who oversaw construction of Trump’s Manhattan business headquarters, said he would sometimes interrupt meetings with comments about women’s figures. During a job interview for a Los Angeles project, for example, Trump made a random aside about Southern California women. “They take care of their asses,” Res recalled Trump saying.

Years later, when Res says she had gained weight, she said Trump told her: “You like

Donald Trump your candy.”

Even so, Res, who worked for Trump for 12 years before quitting and then came back as a consultant for six more, said she was grateful to Trump for her professional opportunities, though she said he frequently called her “Honey Bunch,” the Times reported.Trump also earned a reputation for being seen with beautiful women dating back to his days at a New York military-style boarding school where he was named “ladies’ man” in the yearbook, the Times reported.

Barbara Fife, a deputy New York mayor in the 1990s, recalls Trump telling her at her City Hall office that he was in a hurry because he had “a great date tonight with a model for Victoria’s Secret,” she told the Times.

“I saw it as immature, quite honestly,” Fife was quoted as saying.

As a candidate, Trump has made frequent references to his record in business as

evidence of how American women would benefit if he is elected. He has often said that no one “cherishes” or “respects” women more than him.

Some of those interviewed praised Trump for giving women positions of power.

“I think there are mischaracterizations about him,” Jill Martin, assistant counsel at the Trump Organization, told the Times. “For me, he’s made it a situation where I can really excel at my job and still devote the time necessary for my family.”

The story comes less than two weeks after the last of Trump’s Republican rivals dropped out, all but assuring him the party’s presidential nomination this summer.

Throughout his improbable campaign, Trump has managed to deflect criticism about his attitude to women, fuelled by verbal insults he lobbed at Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly and former Republican candidate Carly Fiorina.

Iraqi leader says political crisis helps Islamic State attack Reuters - A political crisis in Iraq is hampering the fight against Islamic State, Prime Minister Haider alAbadi said yesterday after some of the bloodiest attacks on Baghdad this year.

Abadi’s government has been crippled for weeks since parties resisted a cabinet reshuffle aimed at fighting corruption.

In a televised speech, he said a “climate of dispute” had given the militants space to operate in areas under nominal government control.

“The political conflict among politicians and their impact on the brave security forces permits acts of terrorism to occur,” he said.

Hours earlier, an attack by Islamic State on a town near

Baghdad killed five members of the security forces and wounded 13. On Wednesday, suicide bombers killed at least 80 people, the highest daily toll in the capital this year.

Seventeen soldiers died in blasts on Thursday in the western city of Ramadi and 16 people, mostly civilians, were killed north of Baghdad on Friday.

Yesterday’s attack in Amiriyat Falluja, just west of Baghdad, began around 4 a.m. (0100 GMT) when at least nine Islamic State militants, including four suicide attackers, infiltrated the town, police sources said.

The fighters took up positions in a disused residential complex and exchanged

fire with army, police and Sunni tribal fighters charged with holding areas retaken from Islamic State.

A police colonel said the attack was aimed at distracting security forces from closing in on the nearby city of Falluja, which Iraqi forces have ringed for more than six months.

The police sources said all the assailants were killed in a battle lasting about three hours, but Mayor Shakir alEssawi told Reuters that security forces were searching for one militant they suspected was still hiding out.

A separate explosion in southern Baghdad’s farm district of Madain killed two people and wounded seven, police sources said.

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Kaieteur News

LUNCHEON:

Dem boys seh...

Forensic auditor did not allow me a response on NIS Dr. Roger Luncheon (inset), former NIS Chairman, is complaining that he did not get to submit a response to forensic auditors.

Former Chairman of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), Dr. Roger Luncheon, has broken his silence over the findings of a critical forensic audit report that has been released by Government.

The report flagged several issues. It was also critical of the management of that entity which is charged with managing social insurance in the country.

In a letter to the Editor on Friday in the Kaieteur News, Dr. Luncheon, the former Cabinet Secretary, claimed that neither he nor his Board of Directors was afforded an opportunity to respond to some of the findings.

Dr. Luncheon was Chairman of the NIS Board for a number of years until the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) lost its two decades grip on power last year May, following early general elections.

The report covered the review period of December 2011 to May 31, 2015.

Luncheon said that the Board was unceremoniously relieved of its appointment and responsibilities in May 2015 by the new government and eventually replaced en bloc, with the exception of one APNU-nominated member who had been appointed while the coalition was in the Opposition.

Luncheon added that the General Manager of the NIS is by law, a member and Deputy Chairman of the Board.

The former Chairman also wanted to know whether there was evidence unveiled that the previous Board

obtained financial benefits from “irregular” actions.

“The findings that have been displayed by the Forensic Auditor, in the press, should and must be answered. Were the Financial Auditor or the Granger Government so inclined to solicit such an intervention it should be directed to the competent authority,” Luncheon wrote in his letter.

The audit was one of several ordered last year by the new government.

In its findings, the auditor flagged a 2011 construction of a new office at Corriverton, Berbice, as being too costly.

Rather a valuation two years after the office was built placed the cost at only $38M. Many times, it seems, the decisions by Cabinet were handed down and the Board accepted them without question. The Corriverton branch had made the news in a very bad way for the previous administration after documents relating to the

construction revealed what appeared to be high costs for the building.

It was an embarrassment for NIS which is also facing tough financial times as its expenses are outstripping income.

Auditors decided to take it upon itself not to have the contract handled by the National Board for Procurement and Tender Administration.

Rather, the bids were handled by the Tender Evaluation Committee. The reasons given were because of delays in the procurement at the National Tender Board.

The audit also flagged a $2.5B investment in the Berbice Bridge.

NIS is facing problems with little returns on its investments. It has lost almost $5B in the bankrupt CLICO and the Berbice Bridge would be its second biggest investment.

The bridge, commissioned in December

2008, is in deep financial trouble now, with claims that it has racked up $1.5B in accumulated losses based on the 2014 audited financial statements. It has been unable to pay NIS dividends for over a year now.

It was found that, under Luncheon, NIS had little say with the bridge’s operation despite its massive investments.

The forensic auditor, HLB R. Seebarran & Co., in its report wants all that changed now with the current ‘Concession Agreement’ restructured to allow NIS to have a more dominant role in view of its shareholdings.

DEM AIN’T GOT NO MONEY TREE Some people believe that money does grow pun tree. That is why a man can send a lawyer letter asking fuh de Waterfalls paper pay $13 million to he foundation. Dem boys seh that if de man did ask fuh a li’l donation dem coulda understand.

Imagine couple company decide to help sponsor de anniversary celebration and when dem boys check dem does hand over one million and so.

De big telephone company hand over $2 million.

That is why dem boys couldn’t understand how this man could ask fuh $13 million.

Is de same thing wid another man who got to be greedy. He sue de paper and he get $4 million. He had de nerve to appeal de decision. He go to de Court of Appeal and tell dem he want more.

Believe it or not, de Appeal Court give him some more. This time dem boys appeal. After this appeal dem ain’t got no more.

Dem boys know that money to some people is like water to duck. It always deh. That is why de forensic audit expose so much. That is why Jagdeo build a mansion and he can’t even sit down inside because he does hear jumbie talking in one corner.

And de thing that got dem boys shaking dem head is that when people got nuff money dem can’t sleep good. Some of dem does get sick wid bad heart and burn stomach. Even Jagdeo did get sick wid fever and de runnings. Money does mek that happen.

Anyhow, back to de $13 million. Thirteen is an unlucky number and dem boys believe in bad luck.

So it would be nice if de big man turn de number around, That is when people gun know he mekking joke, just like de other one who want $100 million from Freddie Kissoon.

Talk half and wait fuh de money tree.

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Sunday May 15, 2016

Kaieteur News

NICIL being revamped - Finance Minister By: Kiana A. Wilburg Even though a detailed forensic audit report has recommended that the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) be shut down, Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, has said that this course of action would not be pursued.

He explained to Kaieteur News, recently, that while he has considered the proposal by forensic auditor, Anand Goolsarran, he simply cannot agree with it as he believes that NICIL as a company can serve a purpose, once it is refined.

The Finance Minister noted that in this regard, the entity is being revamped in order to prevent it “from ever being used as a parallel treasury again.”

Asked to say whether he was comfortable with the Finance Minister’s decision, Goolsarran said that he has no qualms so long as the safe guards being implemented will prevent the wanton scales of corruption from being repeated.

He asserted, “The important thing has to do with this whole idea of a parallel treasury. Once they put all the proceeds into the Consolidated Fund then that’s fine. They can still keep it as a small company if they want. I am

not unhappy if they want to take that course of action. What we have to ensure is that the mistakes of the past are not repeated.”

In his report, Goolsarran recommended that the entity be closed down and a small department be opened under the Ministry of Finance, if Government deems it necessary.

Goolsarran claimed that the reason for such a recommendation was premised on the fact that NICIL was initially established for the purpose of privatization of state assets. That was done in two phases in the 1990s.

Since that phase ended years ago, the report recommends that there is no need for NICIL to remain a company.

It says that it should be liquidated and government should make moves to establish a department to manage the assets being held by the company.

Since the launch of a forensic audit into the operations of NICIL, several glaring breaches of the country’s financial regulations have been unearthed.

The forensic report on NICIL exposes how former CEO, Winston Brassington, bypassed internationally recognized and credible companies only to engage criminal entities for the

NICIL’s former CEO, Winston Brassington

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan

Forensic Auditor, Anand Goolsarran

construction of the controversial Marriott Hotel.

He failed to justify how millions of dollars were spent in the Linden Mining Enterprise and to properly account for their assets.

The former NICIL CEO also paved the way for the company to illegally fund the preparation of the Pradoville Two scheme, misappropriated billions of dollars, and kept $26B from the Consolidated Fund.

Based on that and more, Goolsarran made several recommendations on the way forward regarding the entity.

Most of these were followed by Cabinet. He also recommended that moves be made to institute

criminal and/or disciplinary actions for the interception of State revenues totaling $26.858 billion in violation of Articles 216 of the Constitution and the related sections of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMA).

He said that disciplinary action is provided for under the following sections of the FMA Act: (a) Section 48 — Misuse of public moneys; (b) Section 49 — Liability for loss of public moneys; and (c) Section 85 — Liability of an official.

Goolsarran also called for the institution of criminal and/or disciplinary actions against all those responsible for violating

Article 217 of the Constitution, by causing expenditure to be incurred without parliamentary approval.

The Chartered Accountant called for NICIL to be liquidated and for the appointment of a Receiver to oversee the liquidation process. He said, too, that Government should reactivate the Privatization Unit as a department of the Ministry of Finance to manage the Government’s residual investments after liquidation proceedings have concluded.

In this regard, he noted that the existing staff of NICIL could be transferred to the Ministry of Finance.

Sunday May 15, 2016

Kaieteur News

Cops locate Babita Sarjou file After informing the relatives of Babita Sarjou that the original file, with statements taken after the woman went missing in 2010 cannot be located, the police on Friday said that they have managed to locate that file.

Sarjou is the young mother who disappeared almost six years ago, The Guyana Police Force said that the original file has been located and the investigations into the matter are continuing apace.

Sarjou’s mother, Champa Seonarine, and other relatives were forced to give new statements on Tuesday to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at Eve Leary after they were informed that the file could not be located.

Seonarine, in an interview had said that she was summoned to the police headquarters where she was informed by the Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud and Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum that the original file could not be located.

The woman was also briefed of the police’s intentions of re-opening the case into Sarjou’s disappearance.

“I had to give them statements and they took DNA samples,” the woman revealed.

She is now hoping to get some information which would enable her to know what really happened to the woman almost six years ago.

Seonarine had previously accused the police of conducting a sloppy investigation into her daughter’s disappearance.

Sarjou, 28, disappeared on November 4, 2010 after telling her mother, that she would be meeting with her estranged husband and fouryear-old son at the Kitty Seawall to view the annual Diwali Motorcade.

Sarjou was expected back at her mother’s Timehri residence around 21:00 hrs that night but never returned.

The Caribbean American Domestic Awareness Organization (CADVA), a Human Rights Organization, has been pressing the police to have the Sarjou case reopened.

During a recent press conference, Chief Operations Officer Dianne Madray criticized the police for the investigation they had conducted into Sarjou’s fate.

“Every little clue they get, the organization would

forward the information to the police,” she said.

“When she disappeared, we gave her phone to the police, where she was threatened by her estranged husband.

We showed them Facebook messages, but none of those things can be found now,” the woman said.

Kaieteur News was told that the police never attempted to obtain a printout of all the calls made to and from Sarjou’s phone.

Madray said that in 2012, CADVA had appealed to the Director for Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali- Hack for assistance.

On January 6, 2012, CADVA was informed in writing by the DPP that further investigations were recommended to clarify certain issues.

“The DPP had advised that a sample be taken from the bone tissue of the skeletal remains of a female that had washed up at the Weldaad foreshore less than a year after Babita disappeared,” Madray said.

Kaieteur News was told that upon completion of all of the investigations recommended, the file should have been returned to the DPP for further advice. This

PAGE 11

Babita Sarjou with her newborn and husband some time ago did not happen.

Madray said she had sent a letter to the Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, and on March 29, last, she received a response that her request would be passed on to the Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud.

PAGE 12

Sunday May 15, 2016

Kaieteur News

Canecutter remanded to jail for killing stepfather Justice system

CJ: New rules to reduce backlog…

A man who murdered his stepfather during a drinking spree on Mother’s Day has been remanded to jail.

The man Bisram Ramsamugh, a canecutter, 33, and a father of two of Lot 308 Bloomfield, Corentyne, Berbice appeared on Friday before Magistrate Charlene Artiga at the No. 51 Magistrate’s Court on a charge of murder.

He is accused of murdering Narine Sewnauth, called “Ham”, of Lot 308 Bloomfield, Corentyne.

The accused and Sewnauth lived at the same residence among other family members. According to information the two men were

Murder accused Bisram Ramsamugh

among a group of persons imbibing alcoholic beverages in celebration of Mother’s Day. Reports revealed that Sewnauth, who resides in the lower flat of the building, during the course of the evening, left the other men imbibing and went to bed. Some time later there were some heated arguments which forced Sewnauth to intervene.

Around 02:30 hrs the arguments got more intense, and this led to a scuffle.

Ramsamugh reportedly left and returned with his cutlass.

It was during the ensuing melee that he allegedly chopped Sewnauth twice to the head, severely lacerating it in the process.

The injured man, who was bleeding profusely, was picked up and rushed to the Port Mourant Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The accused also visited the hospital to treat some wounds which he allegedly received. He was subsequently arrested and taken into custody.

He will have to return to court on June 13 when the matter will be called again.

under pressure

Trinidad Guardian - Chief Justice Ivor Archie said Friday that the current crime rate, coupled with prison overcrowding, continues to place considerable pressure on the criminal justice infrastructure.

He said such a situation was simply unacceptable.

Archie admitted that accused people being held without trial for long periods was also testimony to the fact that the system was not operating satisfactorily.

He was speaking Friday at a breakfast seminar hosted by the T&T Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Westmoorings. It was titled A Restorative Dialogue.

Saying that restorative justice may be viewed with scepticism by some given the high level of brutality in the society, Archie said it was key, however, to delivering “justice that heals.”

And a necessary part of ensuring there was modern infrastructure was the Criminal Procedure Rules which are expected to be fully implemented in January next year.

These rules focus on improved and aggressive case management which would assist in reducing the time matters take in the criminal courts. On drug treatment, Archie said, the more the Judiciary could divert those guilty of minor non-violent

offences towards programmes that addressed anti-social behaviour, the greater the possibility of reducing prison overcrowding, the cost burden to the State and recidivism.

He said Goodyear hearings, where prisoners are made aware of the maximum sentence they would get if they plead guilty, could also assist in speeding up the process, Archie said.

He said last year there were 49 such hearings of which more than 50 per cent led to guilty pleas.

Plea bargaining, Archie added, was another measure which could reduce the backlog of pending cases.

Regarding the recent call made by Roman Catholic Archbishop Joseph Harris for specific prisoners to be pardoned, Archie said he strongly believed that nobody should remain in pretrial detention for longer than was absolutely necessary.

Archie also announced that the judiciary’s flagship project, two juvenile courts, were expected to be on stream

by September, as well as a peer resolution centre.

“The juvenile court project is the judiciary’s response to an outmoded juvenile justice system in T&T. “Youths in custody for criminal offences wait inordinately long periods for matters to be heard,” Archie said.

In addition there was a system of institutionalised gender bias as girls in detention were not afforded the same opportunities to continue their education and pursue programmes as boys since there were no such facilities for girls.

Archie said the Children Court Rules had been drafted

Ivor Archie and were being reviewed by the Rules Committee of the Judiciary.

The draft rules were also being used to inform the reengineering of internal court processes. The Judges’ Rules for Children, Archie said, were also nearing completion.

During the question and answer segment, Reginald Armour, president of the Law Association, asked when would full financial autonomy be given to the Judiciary as promised in last year’s Budget. Archie said there were issues being dealt with, adding this should be on stream within the next 18 months. In giving an example, Archie said he was expected to leave the country on official business today and had to pay for his hotel room using his personal credit card.

“But I have to send a note to Cabinet to spend $30,000 and it has to go before a travel committee. It didn’t go to Cabinet until Friday (Thursday) so I am hoping I can get that approved when I leave here so that the hotel room that I paid for with my credit card I could put back some money in my account. “It is kind of ridiculous that somebody at my level should be going through that,” Archie added. The Chief Justice is the third highest office holder in T&T, after the President and Prime Minister.

Aruba at heightened state of alert due to political situation in Venezuela WILLEMSTAD, Curacao - According to a report by the Aruban news site NoticiaCla.com in connection with the current political situation in Venezuela, where protests and civil unrest are a concern, the Aruba Police Force, together with other relevant authorities, has decided to raise the state of alert, especially on the coast of the island.

In an official statement, authorities indicated that steps have been taken to prevent groups, either out of fear or for a better life, crossing the sea to Aruba.

The public has already noticed the heightened state of alert through more police patrols on the coast. Besides the police patrols on land there will be more patrols on the water by the police, in cooperation with the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard has now increased its presence in Aruban waters.

Although the intensified police controls apply to the entire Aruban coast, there will be extra attention to well-known places like Arashi, the dog cemetery in the Lago Colony and nearby beaches like Baby Beach and Rodgers Beach.After hearing this news, many people in Curacao have wondered if these measures should not be taken in Curacao also.

Sunday May 15, 2016

PAGE 13

Kaieteur News

Nandlall insists Brassington had no conflict of interest in Hand-in-Hand deal …despite incestuous relationship pointed out in audit report BYABENA ROCKCLIFFECAMPBELL Former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, is being accused of remaining blind to what is believed to be clear to other legal and financial minds. “I simply cannot see the conflict. In my mind, no conflict of interest ever existed;” said Nandlall during a recent interview with Kaieteur News about the sale of Hand-in-Hand shares.

Legal and financial minds had publically stated that Winston Brassington, the former Executive Director of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) abused the financial information that he was in possession of, when he purchased for his brother, Jonathan, a $225M stake in Hand-in-Hand Trust Corporation.

In 2002, NICIL headed by the older Brassington, privatized

Guyana National Cooperative Bank (GNCB) Trust and kept 250,000 shares in the new company—Hand in Hand Trust Corporation.

Seven years later, in 2009, the Board of Directors at Hand in Hand Trust Corporation expanded the shares in the company from 2.5 million to 7.5 million.

Winston Brassington bought an additional 50,000 shares for NICIL and 2.25 million shares in his brother, Jonathan Brassington’s name.

Khemraj Ramjattan, while in opposition, had labeled this transaction another in a string of incestuous dealings. He said that in 2009 “a Brassington became the second largest shareholder in a Brassington-privatized company…This is not only corruption: it meets the test of fraud.”

Years later, the issue was highlighted in a forensic audit report.

Anand Goolsarran, the chartered accountant who conducted an audit into the operations of NICIL, highlighted allegations about Brassington and his buying of the shares for his younger brother.

Goolsarran acknowledged that Jonathan now owns one-third of the shares in Hand-in-Hand Trust.

He said that Brassington had signed a resolution of Hand-in-Hand Trust dated August 24, 2011 on behalf of his brother.

Goolsarran explained the relationship the older Brassington had with Hand-in-Hand before his bother got hold of the huge shares.

While the auditor did not address the possibility of insider trading, Goolsarran highlighted the triangular relationship between Hand-in-Hand, NICIL and the Berbice River Bridge.

He said, “Hand-in-Hand Trust is also a private investor of the Berbice Bridge Co. Inc. (BBCI) of which the

Executive Director of NICIL (Winston Brassington) was the Company Secretary. NICIL had also invested $950,000 in shares in BBCI. These were eventually sold to the NIS in order to raise funds.”

Goolsarran said that Winston Brassington explained that he consulted with the then Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh and the Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, and was advised that they saw no conflict of interest.

Contacted about his opinion that there was no conflict of interest, Nandlall said, “This is simple to explain, Hand-in-Hand sold some shares that Jonathan Brassington purchased. Winston acted as a duly constituted Attorney of Jonathon being appointed and authorized to do so by a Power of Attorney. It is as simple as that. I just cannot see how a conflict of interest arises.”

This was Nandlall’s response even as he was asked to comment on the matter against what was found and highlighted in the NICIL audit report.

Ramjattan was the person who first blew the whistle on the questionable transaction involving the Brassingtons.

Ramjattan has said that it was an abuse of insider information as has been aptly demonstrated in what is now being termed the ‘Brassington’s quandary.’

Back then, Ramjattan has promised that the AFC will put forward legislation to curb the practice.

Attorney-at-Law and Chartered A c c o u n t a n t , Christopher Ram, had asked a similar question as Ramjattan which is whether Continued on page 71

Former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall

Auditor, Anand Goolsarran

Former Director of NICIL, Winston Brassington

PAGE 14

Sunday May 15, 2016

Kaieteur News

APNU/AFC Govt.

Minister Broomes: repeats abuse of I HAVE GIVEN UP ALL MINING Contingencies Fund INTERESTS TO MY CHILDREN – FINANCIAL ANALYSTS

Ministers Simona Broomes and Raphael Trotman, earlier this year.

Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, has assured that she is not in control of any mining interests.

The Minister was over the weekend responding to questions over her linkage to a mining dredge.

It would be conflict of interest for the Minister to be in control or participate in mining activities that benefit her financially or otherwise, as the Ministry is charged with overseeing the extractive sector, of which gold mining is part.

According to leaked

documents of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), permission was granted to one Simona Broomes of Bartica to operate SD # 1967 on Mining Permit H43/MP/ 000.

The permission was for period March 3, 2016 to March 3, 2017.

According to the documents, the dredge would be operated on a concession owned by one E. Hopkinson, in the Puruni River, Region Seven.

Yesterday, Minister Broomes made it clear that she had made moves to relinquish

all her mining interests after she was appointed to the Ministry. As a matter of fact, her daughter is also named Simona.

“I can tell you that the mining interest, including the land dredge, which I have owned for some time, before I became a Minister, have been transferred to my children. They are controlling it. I have documents which I have written to the GGMC to confirm the request for transfer.”

Contacted yesterday, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, disclosed that the matter was brought to his attention some time ago and he immediately sought a meeting with Broomes.

“I was satisfied after speaking with her that all rights and interests have been transferred.”

Prior to becoming a Minister, Broomes was a prominent mining activist, helping to establish the Guyana Women Miners Organisation. She has been awarded by the US Government for her work to halt trafficked persons.

Questioned about her involvement in Australianowned mining company, Pharsalus Gold Inc, the

Minister disclosed that indeed she had a longstanding agreement with it.

The company is moving to develop large scale mining operations in Issano, Region Seven. Under the agreement she has with the company when they are ready to mine, they will have the option of buying her out or offering a deal. The interest in that company has also been transferred to her children, Broomes said yesterday.

“So I have no mining interests. I want it to be made clear that I have relinquished all the interests.”

The issue of Broomes being a miner and Minister charged with overseeing the gold sector had reared its head earlier this year after she was appointed.

However, Minister Trotman, during a joint press conference with Broomes, said that there is no conflict of interest. He pointed out that there are other Government officials and even ex-Ministers who own vast properties and businesses.

In the event that transactions regarding Pharsalus come up, Trotman said he will handle it, ensuring Broomes is insulated and “kept at arm’s length”.

He also stated that Broomes would lend a wealth of knowledge to the natural resources sector, particularly mining.

Among other things, Broomes is charged with overseeing aspects of the occupational health, safety and protection of the rights of mining workers and practitioners within the mining and forestry sectors.

She is also charged with monitoring compliance by mining workers and practitioners, of the laws and regulations within the mining and forestry sectors, among other things.

Several Financial Analysts are of the opinion that the one-year-old APNU/ AFC administration has already made the grievous mistake of taking moneys from the Contingencies Fund which do not meet the stipulated criteria.

In this regard, they were referring to the Financial Paper which was recently laid in the National Assembly by Finance Minister, Winston Jordan. The Paper seeks to clear advances made from the Contingencies Fund in the sum of $799M for the period, September 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015. The Analysts stressed that the Contingencies Fund is only supposed to be used to meet expenses that are, “urgent, unavoidable and unforeseen.”

They noted that while some of the advancements listed on the Financial Paper, do not meet the criteria, based on the explanations, they can be excused or pardoned.

They noted however that there is no “urgency” for the APNU/AFC Government to be taking $48M in order to purchase furniture and equipment for the Ministry of the Presidency and the State House.

That sum also catered for the installation of 6000 solar systems. The voted provision for this in the 2015 Budget was $43M. The analysts said that this is a clear case of abuse of the Contingencies Fund. The officials also highlighted a $77M advancement from the said Fund for the provision of salary increase and one off tax free payment for the University of Guyana at the Turkeyen and Tain locations.

The voted provision for this was $684M. The Finance Minister was informed of the said criticisms and asked to say whether he agrees. Jordan told this publication that he is not of the opinion that the advances made amount to the abuse of the Contingencies Fund. He recalled that Government entered office in May, 2015 and its first budget was presented in August.

The Minister said that a number of ministries were changed along with a few additions. He said that further explanations on the advancements made will be done in the National Assembly.

The abuse of the Contingencies Fund is one that has been well documented by the country’s Auditor General, Deodat Sharma.

In one of his reports,

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan Sharma pointed to the abuse of amounts totaling over $550M drawn from the Fund and utilized to meet expenditures that did not meet the eligibility criteria as defined in the laws. In his 2012 report, he said that $95.661M in advances was illegally drawn from the Fund.

For the year 2013, he reported that $510M was withdrawn from the Contingencies Fund which did not meet the specified criteria. The 2014 report once again flagged the inappropriate use of the Fund under the previous administration, as $962M was withdrawn without meeting the specified criteria.

Over the years, the abuse of the Contingencies Fund was a topical issue for A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change when they served as the Parliamentary opposition.

AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan had emphasized on several occasions that the National Assembly is the first device or mechanism for which emergency advances can be protected from abuse.

The politician had asserted, “The (PPP) has been abusing its understanding of the criteria of an emergency under the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act. When we run to the Fund it is only to be used for emergency cases, like if there is a serious flood in Mahaicony and we need to remove citizens. Money would be used in that case.”

He had even appealed for the former President, Donald Ramotar, to assent to the amendment made to the FMA Act. The Public Security Minister was also one who constantly called for sanctions to be imposed against former Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh for his abuse of the Contingencies Fund.

Sunday May 15, 2016

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

Haslington killer shows GEA rescues 47 Miles remorse after sobering up Village with energy supply Now that he has sobered up, 60-year-old Les Hamilton is quietly reflecting on a moment of madness that caused him to stab his brother-in-law Terrence Adams to death at Haslington, East Coast Demerara on Thursday night last.

Hamilton who is to be taken to court tomorrow, has already given police a statement admitting to the fatal stabbing of Adams, following an argument.

A source at the Cove and John Police Station where Hamilton is being held, told this newspaper that the elderly man is showing great remorse over his actions which he blamed on the alcohol that he consumed earlier that day.

Police said that family members have also given statements on the matter, which has shattered their relationship.

On Thursday night last, residents of Haslington were left in shock after Hamilton fatally stabbed Adams following a “casual” argument.

The 52-year-old Terrence Adams was killed around

20:00hrs outside a shop he operated.

According to his brother, Leyland Nelson, Adams and Hamilton got into an argument earlier that day. He said that the dispute raised its head again on Thursday night.

According to Nelson, when Hamilton began quarreling again, Adams brushed him off “because he knew he (Hamilton) was drunk.” Nelson said that his brother told Hamilton that he would deal with the issue “another time, when he (Hamilton) sober up” and so the argument died down again.

“Within the talking, dem mek up with one another and Les go away and lef Terry,” Nelson told this newspaper.

Nelson indicated that after Hamilton left the shop, “I left a little while later to go and buy tennis roll and cheese for us to eat.”

He said that he was riding his bicycle returning to the shop when he saw a large crowd. Nelson said that he inquired and was told, “Go up de road, Les jus’ jook up yuh buddy.”

Nelson said that he rode

Dead: Terrence Adams further along the street and saw his brother lying on the road in a pool of blood.

Blood stains at the scene suggest that Adams stumbled several feet after being stabbed before collapsing on the road.

Hamilton, who made no attempt to leave the murder scene, was apprehended on the spot, while the victim was rushed to Georgetown Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) is boasting that it has been able to assist a small village with energy. This has gone a long way toward improving facilities for those dwelling in the area.

Propelled by the vision of ensuring that reliable energy is provided to all in Guyana within an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable framework; with increasing consideration of renewable energy sources, GEA, in 2014 and 2015 conducted a series of energy efficient rehabilitative works in communities and at schools across Guyana.

GEA said that it recently revisited ‘47 Miles Village’, one of the communities that benefitted from the project.

The village is located along the LindenLethem Highway, between the Demerara and Essequibo Rivers, 47 Miles south of Linden.

Governed by a Central Development Committee (CDC), the village has a population of 153 persons occupying 58 homes.

GEA said that its relationship with the village was initiated by a request from the Chairman, Godfrey Bowen, to assist with solar systems for lighting purposes, so that children can study in the evenings. Two of GEA’s engineers subsequently visited the village to conduct an assessment to determine the priority energy needs.

According to Leon DeSouza, the engineer who spearheaded the project, it was discovered that sources of lighting within the village consisted of battery powered LED lamps, kerosene lamps and 12-volt DC lamps powered by lead acid automotive batteries.

He explained that since LED lamps are powered from non-rechargeable D size dry cell

batteries, their useful life is short. The community would utilize a large number of batteries every three or four days.

Further, the automotive batteries used for domestic purposes had to be constantly charged using a tractor.

The tractors are used for logging activities and would not operate every day, therefore, residents are required to wait for them to be in operation or provide the fuel for charging their batteries.

The team visited various locations within the community, including a school that housed nursery and primary levels; the teacher’s living quarters, a health facility and a number of households.

As a matter of priority GEA decided to facilitate Energy Efficient rehabilitative works at the school, teachers living quarters and the health facility.

“The school at the time had no energy source” said De’Souza, while the teachers living quarters had a 260-watt solar photovoltaic system, which was used primarily for lighting and operating small equipment.

He said that the system only functioned for short periods during sunny days.

It was found that the system had no batteries and the energy that was used was not stored but came directly from the solar panels.

Hence, the power supply only lasted for a few hours. Thus, lights were not available at nights. This made the teachers’ work difficult and compromised their safety.

GEA said that the community’s health facility, used battery powered lamps to (continued on page 65)

PAGE 16

Sunday May 15, 2016

Kaieteur News

Guyana should emulate China’s model of Special Economic Zones following packages for foreign investors.

By Tanza McAlmont Globally, Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are nothing new; countries in Asia, Europe, Africa and Latin-America have all experimented with this model of development. Some are called free trading zones, some processing-exporting zones and some tax-free trading zones.

Practices vary between countries. It has worked successfully in some areas and fared poorly in other regions but nowhere has the model been successfully replicated than in China, where the country’s remarkable rise as the second largest economy in the world is owed hugely to its SEZs. SEZs are set up when a country delimits a special area where, through exemption of customs duty, it formulates various preferential conditions and provides public facilities so as to attract foreign investors to set up factories whose finished products are mainly for export.

As the new government rolls out its decentralization programme (the creation of capital towns) to harness the economic potential of the various

regions for the overall economic growth of the country, it is only befitting that it considers learning from countries where SEZs have achieved high success rates in attracting Foreign Direct Investments.

China’s system of government may be different from what we practise but equally both our countries are seeking better living standards for the general populace. The Chinese model of SEZs is worth considering.

The ascent of China as an economic superpower has often been wrongly attributed mostly to its cheap labour by most analysts. What is often missing is the country’s special attention to economic development zones first popularized by Deng Xiaoping in the late 1970’s.

SEZs in China have contributed more to the lifting of perhaps more than 300 million people out of extreme poverty to middle income status than its reliance on cheap labour. In what has been described as an economic miracle, the country’s economy has been predicted to either overtake the US or roughly the same size as the US or the European Union by 2020.

In the late 1970s, China’s

State Council gave approval for small-scale SEZs experiments in four remote southern cities, including Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Shantou in Guangdong Province, as well as Xiamen in Fujian Province.

To fully comprehend why SEZs have worked well in China, one must first understand the country’s administrative system which is based on five hierarchical levels of government including i) Central; ii) Provincial; iii) Municipal; iv) County and v) Township.

The SEZs are established in the municipalities. Considering the fact that China started with virtually zero foreign direct investment and almost negligible trade before 1978, these zones were used as incubators for liberalization of trade, tax and other policies that were then gradually applied to the rest of the economy.

In August 1980 the People’s Congress in Guangdong Province passed the first legal rule on the SEZs- the Regulation for Guangdong SEZs.This regional law was the first of its kind to be tested. It was drafted with the help of legal experts sent from the central government and the law explicitly provided the

PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS PROTECTION The SEZs encourage foreign citizens, overseas Chinese, compatriots from Hong Kong and Macau and their companies and enterprises (investors) to open factories and set up enterprises and other establishments with their own investment or in joint ventures with Chinese.

The SEZs guarantee to protect their assets, accruing profits and other rights in accordance with the law.

TAX INCENTIVES Foreign investors enjoy a reduced rate (15-24%) of corporate income tax compared to 33% paid by domestic firms. They bear virtually zero custom duties and can enjoy duty free allowances for production materials.

There are income tax exemptions for foreigners working in SEZs as well.

LAND USE POLICY Under Chinese law, all land is under state ownership.

Foreign investors may lawfully obtain the rights for land development, use and business. They may also transfer and lease land rights, or put them up for mortgage in accordance with the law within the stipulated purposes and terms of the use.

When foreigners invest in projects encouraged by the State for an operation term of more than 15 years, the

construction land is exempt from land use fees for five years starting from the day when the enterprise obtains the use right.

The fee is collected at half price in the following five years. The land use right is guaranteed for projects that have a total investment of US$10 million, or that are technologically advanced and have a major influence on the local economic development despite total investment being below US$10 million.

LIBERAL ECONOMIC AND LABOR LAWS There are limited restrictions on foreign ownership. Foreign invested firms have the power to hire and fire their employees. The government made clear the targets of SEZs described by four principles including; 1. Construction primarily relies on attracting and utilizing foreign capital.

2. Primary economic forms are sino-foreign joint ventures and partnerships as well as wholly foreign-owned enterprises.

3. Products are primarily export-oriented.

4. Economic activities are primarily driven by market forces.

Lessons from the initial achievements of the first group of SEZs in 1984, led the central government to expand the SEZ experiment to 14 other coastal cities.

From 1985 to 1988, the central government further included more municipalities along the coastal areas into the SEZ experiment. The

Tanza McAlmont Pudong New Zone in Shanghai was officially opened to foreign investment, as well as more cities in the Yangzi River Valley.

The pattern of granting SEZ status in earlier years was not purely random, according to state-council documents (1980-1990), the central government chose municipalities to be granted with the SEZ status based on better geographical location, industrial condition and human capital.

To date the country has established hundreds of economic zones including state-level economic and technological development zones, and high-tech industrial development zones in large and medium-sized cities.

What this means in the case of Guyana is for the government to identify the regions with the highest potential of having a trickle down impact on the rest of the regions.

As exemplified in the China model, coastal regions in Guyana should lead the way as incubators to support the export driven nature of SEZs. The gains for Guyana, as experienced in other regions including China and countries like Japan and Singapore are the introduction of advanced scientific technology, increased FDIs and significant reductions in unemployment rate in the regions and country as a whole.

As pointed out by many analysts, it would be impossible for SEZs to develop without the support of the interior regions. Only when they operate in cooperation with the interior can the special zones gain necessary materials.

Such cooperation should be based on mutual benefit.

And it can be successful only when the special zones produce commodities needed by the interior.

To that effect, the new government can set up a special consultative team or think tank to study the framework of SEZs in China and that of other countries where the model has been expertly executed.

Sunday May 15, 2016

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Kaieteur News

Nurses: Professionals who vow to practice faithfully

By Sharmain Grainger “Nursie” is an all too familiar name that we hear in many of our communities.

When said, it often exudes affection and respect towards the individual it is directed.

These individuals are more often than not women, but sometimes men, who have a place in the nursing profession.

They are often sought after within their respective communities when a pregnant woman displays signs of going into labour; they are even called upon to render assistance if there is a freak accident next door.

Even within health care facilities they are usually the first professionals to render attention to patients.

Essentially, the role of a nurse is important; this is undisputable.

This was particularly emphasized during the past week when International Nurses Day (IND) was celebrated. The day was commemorated under the theme: “Nurses: A force for Change - Improving Health Systems’ Resilience.”

In fact IND is celebrated every year on May 12 around the world and the theme is usually chosen by the International Council of Nurses (ICN).

ICN is a federation of more than 130 national nurses’ associations, which was founded in 1899, and was the first international organisation for health care professionals.

It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The body has been celebrating IND since May 12, 1965. The day

chosen to celebrate IND was deliberate, as May 12 was the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale.

Nightingale, who was born in 1820, is said to be the pioneer of modern nursing.

But this is debatable. I, however, was not of this view prior to last week’s commemoration.

I recalled hearing one of our Senior Editors questioning why so many people are convinced that Nightingale was indeed the character who pioneered nursing. He mentioned the name Mary Seacole, and credited her with being the actual pioneer of nursing.

I was enthused, but I didn’t let on. After all I was convinced that there was some plausible reason that Nightingale, for so many years, has been the name associated with nursing. I have seen quite a few nurses sworn into the profession and they are usually required to recite the Florence Nightingale Pledge – nothing relating to Seacole has ever been mentioned.

But with a little bit of reading later I discovered how the name Seacole got its connection to the nursing profession. And it is more controversial than I imagined.

Basically, Mary Seacole was a Jamaican woman, said to be of Scottish and African descent, who was born in 1805 and passed away in 1881. She lived in Britain and was credited with setting up a British hotel during the Crimean War. The Crimean War took place from October 1853 to February 1856. It was a conflict which involved

The Baccoo Speaks The 50th anniversary celebrations are going to be a talking point. However, there will be some incidents that would put a damper on some of the activities. At a public event, a quarrel would break out and would threaten to get deadly, but for the determination of some to ensure that nothing happens.

A gunman would attempt to use his weapon against his adversary. He would be smothered by the crowd. ** Another pedestrian would not live to see the upcoming celebrations. A young and irresponsible motorist would drive into the person because he would be on his phone at the

time and would not be paying attention.

The charge would be small comfort to the survivors of the victim. ** No one can understand why people continue to be careless with fires although the devastating effects are always visible. There would be another fire which would not be electrical. The destruction would be catastrophic as usual.

Russia against an alliance of Britain, France, the Ottoman Empire, Sardinia and the Austrian Empire. The Crimean War was fought mostly in the Crimean Peninsula.

Seacole’s hotel basically served as a venue for her to provide care to wounded soldiers. Her speciality reportedly was herbal medicine. After the war, some of the soldiers were reportedly so appreciative of her care that they helped raise money for her, since her caring efforts had caused her to become a destitute.

Her efforts, however, were not recognised until 1991 when she was posthumously awarded the Jamaica Order of Merit. She was later, in 2004 to be precise, voted the greatest black Briton.

But many of the accounts of her “nursing” contributions have been questioned. One report states that “It has been argued that she has been promoted at the expense of Florence Nightingale, and in an attempt to promote multiculturalism.”

It was reported too that “Dr. Sean Lang has stated that ‘she (Seacole) does not qualify as a mainstream figure in the history of nursing’.”

“Professor Lynn McDonald has written that ‘...support for Seacole has been used to attack Nightingale’s reputation as a pioneer in public health and nursing. There is opposition to the proposed siting of a

statue of Mary Seacole at St Thomas’ Hospital, on the grounds that she had no connection with this institution, whereas Florence Nightingale did’.”

It has been highlighted too that “Lynn McDonald in the Times Literary Supplement asked ‘How did Mary Seacole come to be viewed as a pioneer of modern nursing?, comparing her unfavourably with Kofoworola Pratt who was the first black nurse in the NHS’.”

McDonald had further concluded “she deserves much credit for rising to the occasion, but her tea and lemonade did not save lives, pioneer nursing or advance health care.”

After my reading it was no clearer, than when I started, whether Seacole indeed had a legitimate claim of being a pioneer of nursing.

I have, moreover, concluded that the confusion surrounding Seacole’s contribution to the profession might have been the reason that Nightingale continues to hold the title of pioneer nurse.

But controversies aside, what has remained clear over the years is that nurses are supposed to be, without reservation, compassionate professionals.

Moreover, after keenly pondering over the Florence Nightingale Pledge it left me wondering ‘if the “nursies” of our society are really adhering?’ Those of us who have benefited from their care

can easily decide, as can the nurses themselves.

The commemoration of the recent IND saw calls being made not only for nurses to improve themselves, but also for measures to be put in place to better cater to them in terms of remuneration and working conditions.

This is all well and good, and indeed should be addressed forthwith, but ‘are our nurses really functioning in a manner that emulates what a true nurse should be?’

Veteran United Statesbased nurse, Claudette Powell, during an interview with me earlier this year asserted that while remuneration is always an important factor “it cannot only be seen as a career to just make money.” The nursing pledge certainly makes this notion very clear.

****** The FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE PLEDGE: “I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly, to pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully. I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug.

I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession, and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling. With loyalty will I endeavour to aid the physician in his work, and devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care.”

PAGE 26

Sunday May 15, 2016

Kaieteur News

The trusting Governor’s daughter

By Michael Jordan When I went prowling around Quamina Street where she had once lived, not a single soul had anything bad to say about old Miss Dorothy King. She was kind, some said. She reached out to the less fortunate, others recalled.

But the cynics like to say that no good deed goes unpunished, and back in 1999, there was someone who had it in for 84-year-old Miss King.

A lot has changed in Quamina Street since then.

For one thing, the huge, sprawling colonial-style house which was Dorothy King’s last home has been torn down. Just a weedinfested lot remains.

That old house had a certain touch of grandeur about it; fitting, I guess, for someone of Dorothy King’s background.

Dorothy Rosabelle Napleton King was born on March 22, 1913, and was the daughter of the former Governor of Her Majesty’s Penal Settlement, Mazaruni (now the Mazaruni Prisons).

She spent most of her childhood there before heading for Georgetown, where she attended the Ursuline Convent School.

The young Dorothy King then attended school in London, England, where she was trained in ballet.

Returning to Guyana, King opened her own ballet school at the sprawling Quamina Street residence.

In 1942, she joined the teaching profession, becoming the Drill Mistress at The Bishops’ High School.

King retired from the teaching profession in 1977, but continued to live an active life.

She had a keen interest in art and Guyanese history and ironically, it now seems, was also a member of the Guyana Human Rights Association.

Like I said, the old house had a touch of grandeur.

But it was not the sort of house in which an elderly woman should have lived alone.

From reports, some of Miss King’s close friends had expressed concern about this situation, since that section of Quamina Street was crimeridden then, as it still is today.

But Miss King brushed off these fears.

It has been suggested that Dorothy King’s days at Mazaruni had given her confidence to deal with criminals.

It was said that on many occasions, she had actually

encountered criminals at her Quamina Street home.

According to these reports, she would patiently speak with them, and sometimes even offer them a meal before showing them to the door.

The retired schoolteacher had established a certain routine that some of her neighbours knew of.

At 17:30 hrs every day, she would always close two side windows at the eastern side of her house.

But at 18:00 hrs on Wednesday, January 27, 1999, a neighbour observed that King’s windows were still open.

The neighbour called a guard who worked nearby.

The guard went over to Dorothy King’s house and noticed that her front door was slightly ajar. He summoned a friend and

neighbour of King’s. The friend arrived at 19:05 hrs and, on entering the premises, almost immediately realised that something was terribly wrong. Miss King’s broken spectacles lay on the floor a short distance from the door.

There were also spots of blood on the floor.

Summoning another acquaintance, the friend went further inside, and observed marks on the floor that led to the kitchen.

And that is where they found 84-year-old Dorothy King. She was lying face down on the floor, with her hands outstretched.

Someone had bashed in her skull. A piece of wood about 18 inches long was resting on her back. An autopsy would later reveal that she was also strangled.

Robbery was clearly the motive, since the house was

ransacked. A safe that had contained valuables was open, and the contents were missing.

There was no sign of forced entry and it was surmised that King had opened her door for someone she had known.

King reportedly would look through her window when anyone rapped and then open the door, but only for people she recognized.

From the blood and the smashed spectacles near the door, it was believed that King was attacked as soon as she opened the door.

Detectives immediately began enquiring about any unusual movements around the murdered woman’s house.

They learned that on the Wednesday evening that King was slain, a known sex worker was twice seen rapping at the elderly woman’s door.

The detectives deduced that King might have let the young woman in and that the woman, perhaps with an accomplice, may have murdered King.

However, despite their best efforts, the investigators were never able to locate the ‘street walker’. Other sex workers reportedly went into

temporary hiding for fear of being questioned.

There has never been an arrest warrant for Dorothy King’s murder.

I had visited the area almost thirteen years ago when she was slain.

I returned to the scene of Miss King’s murder in early 2009 because this was one of the cases that remains stuck in my memory.

I was somewhat taken aback to discover that some people were still apprehensive about speaking about the unsolved murder. This is still the case.

One person hinted that the killer(s) might be from a neighbouring community.

Pressed further, he said he had given a statement to the police back then and suggested that I check with them.

The killers were still around and he refused to say anything further, but gave the impression that he knew a lot.

Well, I guess I was hoping for too much. I guess that more than a decade is too long a time to find out who entered that old house on that fateful Wednesday evening and killed a Governor’s daughter…

If you have any further information on this case or any other, please contact us at our Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown office or by telephone.

We can be reached on telephone numbers 22-58458, 22-58465, or 22-58491. You need not disclose your identity. You can also contact Michael Jordan at his email a d d r e s s mjdragon@hotmail.com. (use photo saved as elderly woman)

Sunday May 15, 2016

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==

The Mephisto Waltz is playing all over Guyana In the early seventies, celebrity magazines were hailing British actress Jacqueline Bisset as the prettiest woman in the world.

This aura made the movies of Bisset very popular including, The Mephisto Waltz, about a journalist. The theme of the film is about selling one’s soul for success. It is about the length we go to emulate another person that we admire and want to be like, only in the end to lose one’s soul.

Journalist Myles Clarkson failed to become a recognized pianist, so he took to music journalism. One day he got an interview with a famous pianist, Duncan Ely. Ely took one look at Clarkson’s hands and said they were the hands of a great pianist. Ely and his daughter Roxanne became overwhelmed with Clarkson and Clarkson loved the attention.

Ely was dying from cancer and wanted to continue living through the personality of Clarkson. So just before he died, Ely and his daughter initiated a satanic rite, killed Clarkson, and Ely entered his body and took over his soul.

Myles Clarkson had now become Duncan Ely. Clarkson’s wife was no longer married to Myles Clarkson but Duncan Ely. It didn’t matter if her husband had become someone else she still wanted the man she married, whether he was Ely or Clarkson.

Paula knew her husband, who was now Duncan, had now become intimate with Roxanne because Ely and his

Composer Franz Liszt daughter were very incestuously close. Paula initiated a satanic rite, killed Roxanne and entered her body and took over her soul.

Myles and Paula Clarkson had become Duncan and Roxanne Ely in body and soul.

A similar thing is happening in Guyana. The APNU-AFC has killed off the PPP, taken over its body and soul and has become the PPP. A few years ago, the PPP had a minister referred to as BrukUp Benn.

Bruk-Up Benn was heartless. Vendors hated him more than Jagdeo. If there were only two persons vying for the presidency – Bruk-Up Benn and Jagdeo - Guyana would have witnessed an ethnic miracle.

Even though Blacks vote against Indian political parties, Blacks would have balloted for Jagdeo.

That was the extent to which Bruk-Up Benn was hated. Bruk-Up Benn, Town Clerk Carol Sooba and their

Carol Sooba

Royston King

Poster for the film, The Mephisto Waltz

PPP Government hounded down vendors, reminiscent of apartheid. I heard stories of bestial cruelties from vendors and sellers about the Ministry of Public Works and the Region 3 RDC. I saw some of the cruelties myself.

Fast forward the tape to 2016 and the Mephisto Waltz of the German composer, Franz Liszt is playing all over Guyana.

In an interview with the Kaieteur News shortly after he became President, Mr. Granger said his morning routine would consist of early listening of classical music. I don’t know if the President listens to Liszt, whose music is on par with any of his contemporaries like Schubert, Beethoven, Strauss etc.

I would suggest to President Granger the four Mephisto Waltzes of Franz Liszt. They are great. And maybe he can have a viewing of the movie, The Mephisto Waltz, to see how his Coalition Government has inhabited the body and soul of the PPP regime.

In 2016, the Ministry of Public Works has another name – Public Infrastructure.

Bruk-Up Benn is not there, but a ministerial aide has inherited the soul of Bruk-Up Benn.

The Ministry of Public Infrastructure, with Duncan Ely aka Myles Clarkson, went to Region 5 last week and “bruk” up the stalls of vendors in Bath Settlement and elsewhere, chasing them from the roadways as if they were cattle. The chief chaser, I was told by a Regional

Frederick Kissoon Councillor, was a man from the AFC second-tier leadership who didn’t have the authority to perform that task. Of course, like the PPP regime, the APNU-AFC Government is not going to castigate this new Bruk-Up Benn.

We never learn in Guyana.

A group of African Guyanese men demolished the stalls of Indian vendors in Berbice.

Even if they were acting legally, only a fool cannot see the ethnic sensitivity there.

Only a fool will think that the PPP is going to be nice and avoid trying to get ethnic mileage out of what this new Bruk-Up Benn did in Region 5. Back in Georgetown, Carol Sooba and the PPP City Council are gone.

They are replaced by Royston King and the APNUAFC City Council. The APNU-AFC City Council through satanic rites has inhabited the soul of the PPP City Council. The APNU-AFC central government has inserted itself into the soul of the PPP regime.

Watch the film, The Mephisto Waltz, to see what Guyana has become. Then listen to Franz Liszt’s four Mephisto Waltzes to sooth your soul.

PAGE 28

Kaieteur News

Sunday May 15, 2016

Sunday May 15, 2016

PAGE 29

Kaieteur News

My column

Fifty years later and we have dropped some good things These past weeks I have been caught up with nostalgia. Like so many, I was here when Guyana became independent in 1966. I have seen the transformation that has occurred across the country. Last week I spoke about the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, but I did not even mention the Pegasus and the Bank of Guyana.

Fifty years ago where Pegasus now stands was a large pond. People fished there. After all, that was seafront property. Across the road was a playground; a bank stands there today.

There have been other changes. There was no Tucville or Guyhoc. There was no Festival City or South Ruimveldt. That area is testimony to the housing drive that has occurred over the years. Festival City was created to house the 1972 Carifesta delegation. Guyana had proposed the idea of a cultural festival for the region.

It had to pull out the stops and in the process, set the standards for all the Carifesta events that were to follow.

But that all came after May 26, 1966. I was a boy when there was a murder in the Camp Street jail. A trusting prison warden named Cantzalar was strangled by a

prisoner with a towel. The dead prison warden had the keys so the prisoners, one was known as Sotie, took the keys and staged a prison break.

In the end the authorities found Sotie dead in the cane fields where South Ruimveldt Park now stands. The Guyana Trades Union Congress was to enter into talks with the Burnham government for a housing project soon after independence. The result is Tucville, which was declared open in 1968.

There were other developments. Mandela Avenue which is sometimes called Back Road was a road as far as Cross Street, Alexander Village. At the head of that road was an empty lot on which Russian Bear Rum dumped the fruit. There were many alcoholic cows.

Each day cows from Alexander Village and West Ruimveldt would leave home and head to that empty lot to feed on the dumped fruit. By noon, cows were lying around drunk to the world. The Industrial Site was not yet a reality.

On Thursday President David Granger reminded Parliament of what the education system was. To enter secondary schools,

many of them private, one had to write the Common Entrance. Only 24 per cent of those who wrote the examination passed. The top performers entered Queen’s College, just as today.

Many people today are not aware of what preindependence Guyana was.

The top position in the Guyana Police Force was always held by an expatriate.

Guyanese, if they reached the position of Sergeant, thought that they had scaled the pinnacle.

I saw these things and from my perspective today, I cannot help but conclude that independence was what Guyana needed if its people were to control their destiny.

Black people, and I include people of East Indian ancestry in this grouping, could not enter certain places. Watooka House was one; Georgetown Club was another.

In those days England beckoned. When someone raised enough money to catch the British Overseas Airline Corporation (BOAC) or the Pan Am plane to fly to England, the community used to assemble at the home of the person. There was much crying but a few hours later, people spoke with pride that

“So and So gone to England.”

Many never came back.

The cost of the flight was $575 which in today’s terms is worth a couple hundred thousand dollars.

All the talk of migration today is nothing new. I heard the talk that people left this country because they were running from Burnham.

People were running all the time, even now, although there is no need to run.

Last week, on May 8, Beterverwagting celebrated its 177th anniversary. Again people remembered what it was before independence. Of course, people were more unified because they kept their communities clean. They were also disciplinarians.

Sometimes people say that independence brings indiscipline but for many, it brought responsibility.

Children were respectful.

No child dared walk past an adult without extending a greeting; children couldn’t whistle and certainly, they could not walk with their hands in their pockets. If a boy or a man was wearing a hat, he had to tip it in the presence of a woman.

I suppose the discipline minimized the extent of crime that is so rampant today. Back then, if there was a murder

people talked about it for days. Killing was a rarity.

There was a 21-year-old man, Clement Cuffy, who reportedly stole a gun from someone and hid out in the West Demerara Backlands.

The entire police force hunted him.

I remember people barricading themselves in their homes at nights, very afraid of this ‘bad man’. It did not matter that they lived more than 20 miles from where the man was supposed to be.

I still remember the police celebration when they caught Clement Cuffy.

They were in the Public Works trucks heading to the city that night chanting, “We ketch Cuffy”. That was the chant all along West Demerara. Cuffy died on the operating table of what was Dr Wills’s hospital at Leonora.

Those days are past. It is celebration time. Today, I happen to see the decorations going up in the city. I see the tall buildings putting up their decorations and the place is looking pretty much as it did in 1966. The colours are different in parts, because way back then the Union Jack was very present.

There have been other changes. Rum shops were meeting places; shops had

Adam Harris these long, sloped bridges.

Perhaps that was the building code.

On Sundays, every shop was closed. The radio played somber music almost throughout the day. There were people who did not allow the shop closure to affect them.

They would go around the back and call to the owner who would sell them whatever they needed.

We have come a long way, but I insist that there were things back then that we should resurrect. The discipline is only one.

PAGE 30

Guyana achieved Independence on 26th May 1966, under the inspirational national motto – One People, One Nation, One Destiny.

The Nation, this month, will celebrate its 50th anniversary of Independence. The Guyanese people today have a duty to actualise the vision of our nation’s founders by continuing their work to make

Kaieteur News

Sunday May 15, 2016

One Nation, Guyana

problems.

The Coalition will continue to be totally committed to ensuring equality for all and to protect citizens’ fundamental rights.

It will improve information, communication and education infrastructure in hinterland and coastal areas – a weakness which continues to hinder the development of many citizens.

The Coalition will continue its assault on inequality of opportunity and remove impediments to equal access to public services.

The Coalition, most of all, will remain committed to achieving national unity and to building bridges to all communities and groups which are interested in the well-being of our citizens and the progress of our country.

The Coalition will continue to work towards promoting inclusionary democracy.

The Coalition’s ‘One Nation’ approach could be the main means of combining the talents of a wider constituency and of creating the conditions for social cooperation and economic progress.

The three-fold purpose of such a project would be to reach a broad consensus on the goals of national development, to establish a sustainable institutional architecture and to create effective policy instruments (continued on page 31)

Guyana ‘One Nation.’ We cannot become One Nation if we are divided.

The national motto remained as relevant as ever as the people voted in the general and regional elections on 11th May 2015. The people

were determined to make national unity a reality. A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) coalition won a majority of the popular vote and renewed its commitment to making Guyana ‘One

Nation.’

The results of both the 2011 and 2015 general and regional elections have made it clear that the majority of the Guyanese people want an ‘inclusionary democracy’ in order to promote national unity.

The people want greater inclusion, not exclusion. The current dispensation in the National Assembly in the 11th Parliament requires consultation and cooperation between the legislative and executive branches of government.

The APNU+AFC Coalition is convinced that greater national unity will bring greater national benefits. These include the elimination of one-party domination of the government; enhancement of local, municipal and parliamentary democracy; enlargement of multi-ethnic space and the elimination of ethnic insecurity; expansion of economic enterprise and development and the enrichment of cultural life, national consciousness and pride.

Guyana, today, is an unequal society. The former PPP administration’s 23-year record has ensured that Guyana became and remained an unequal and poor society

in which a few people enjoy an extremely high income and most people endure an extremely small income.

The former PPP administration’s attitudes and policies harmed social cohesion, undermined our sense of solidarity, impoverished a large section of the population, alienated the hinterland regions and gradually divided ‘two countries’ instead of cementing One Nation.

The Coalition will continue to battle against poverty, to establish working people’s economic independence and to improve their livelihood.

The Coalition will continue to promote policies and programmes that are geared to finding ways to increase wealth, not to perpetuate poverty.

The Coalition will continue to ensure that Municipal and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils are democratically elected, and that local government elections are held when constitutionally due.

The Coalition will fortify grass-roots democracy by ensuring that the people are allowed to play a greater role in local government countrywide by finding solutions to rural and agrarian

Sunday May 15, 2016

Kaieteur News

Performance enhancing drugs and their effects on your body

By Dr. Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine There are some athletes who use performance enhancing drugs, especially androgens, to boost their performance.

This is obviously illegal in competitive sports. Steroids are sometimes misused by some (outside of the sporting world) to enhance their appearance/performance.

These drugs can leave lasting effects on one’s body and can even be fatal in some cases. Today I wish to educate you on these drugs and their effects with the hope of decreasing its misuse.

WHATARE ANDROGENS AND OTHER HORMONES TO BOOST SPORTS PERFORMANCE?

Androgens are male sex hormones that are made naturally by the body.

Testosterone is the most important androgen. It is the reason men have male sexual features, such as: * Hair on the body and face * Large, strong muscles * A deep, low voice Women also make testosterone but in much lower amounts than men.

Androgens can also be made in a lab and are called “synthetic androgens.” They are also called “anabolic steroids,” or just “steroids.”

Doctors sometimes prescribe testosterone to men whose bodies don’t make enough. It is taken as an injection (shot), as a patch placed on the skin, or a gel rubbed into the skin.

Some people (mostly men, but sometimes women) take

One Nation, Guyana From page 30 for the achievement of our common objectives.

The Coalition’s One Nation project will be the basis for major sections of society – including the government; political opposition; trade unions; private sector and civil society – to come together to seek agreement on a broad national programme to move our country forward.

The Coalition’s One Nation project shows how its programme is relevant to people’s everyday experiences and expectations. Guyana’s resilient and resourceful people and communities are eager to play their part in rebuilding our country as One Nation.

androgens or other hormones to build up their muscles and perform better in sports. But there are some serious side effects to people who do this.

WHATARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF ANDROGENS AND OTHER HORMONES TO BOOST SPORTS PERFORMANCE? Androgens and other hormones to boost sports performance include: * Testosterone – This is the main androgen made by the body. Doctors agree that it is safe to give testosterone to men who cannot make a normal amount of testosterone on their own.

For men with normal testosterone levels, taking extra hormone might help sports performance a little bit.

But it can be also harmful. * Synthetic androgens – These include stanozolol and nandrolone, which come in pills (but can also be injected). * Chemicals that change into androgens in the body – These include androstenedione (also called “andro”) and DHEA. Androstenedione used to be sold as an over-thecounter pill. But it is now prescription-only. There is no proof that it makes your muscles stronger. DHEA pills are sold over-the-counter.

* Chemicals that help the body make more testosterone – One example is human chorionic gonadotropin (also called hCG), a hormone women’s bodies make when they are pregnant. Another is tamoxifen, a pill that blocks the female hormone estrogen.

Male athletes use this to prevent breast growth and to increase testosterone when they are taking a break from androgens. * Growth hormone – This hormone normally helps the body grow and build muscle.

Doctors prescribe it to people who don’t make enough of it.

But people who have normal amounts of growth hormone sometimes take extra to try to boost their performance.

There is no proof that this works, and it can be harmful.

WHATARE THE RISKS AND SIDE EFFECTS OF STEROIDS TO BOOST SPORTS PERFORMANCE? Androgens can cause the following side effects: * Liver problems * Mood problems, such as being aggressive

* Too many red blood cells and a higher-thannormal risk of blood clots In men, androgens cause the testes to stop making natural testosterone and sperm. They also cause men’s breasts to grow (called “gynecomastia”).

In women, androgens cause a deep voice and hair growth on the face and other parts of the body.

In teenagers, androgens can cause the ends of certain bones to fuse together earlier than normal.

In men, hCG can cause the breasts to swell and grow larger.

Growth hormone has many side effects, including: * Diabetes

PAGE 31

Dr. Zulfikar Bux * High blood pressure * An enlarged heart * Hand swelling As you can see, there are definitely serious risks associated with using performance enhancing drugs. You should always consult with your doctor before using these drugs and avoid using them for cheating.

PAGE 32

Kaieteur News

Sunday May 15, 2016

SUNDAY SPECIAL BAISHANLIN’S IRON GRIP ON GUYANA…COMPANY HAS TENTACLES IN ALMOST ALL SECTORS Over two years ago, its activities in Guyana came under the spotlight raising concerns about the extent of its presence here.

In Region Ten, along the Upper Berbice River, a huge log storage area was discovered, signaling heavy activities in the area.

It was later revealed that BaiShanLin, a Chinese company, had managed to take control of over 700,000 hectares of forest lands.

The investor, much to the shock of other industry stakeholders, was also given a blank cheque, to the tune of billions of dollars, on tax breaks and duty free concessions.

It was also helped by the various government agencies in its acquisitions of several properties throughout the country, some of it on credit and others through questionable means, including joint ventures.

Today, facing public backlash and pressure to reform the country’s systems on how foreign investors are dealt with, the David Granger administration has placed a halt on BaiShanLin’s wood exports.

The company has exported hundreds of containers of raw logs over the last decade.

A number of forestry concessions were recently repossessed by the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC). The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), a few weeks ago, seized two vehicles, including a Lexus SUV and van, for outstanding taxes.

The company has failed to honour its commitments in developing a wood processing facility in Region Ten, in keeping with an investment agreement.

This was despite collecting US$70M in a loan from a Chinese bank to conduct its logging activities and expand operations.

EAST BANK DEMERARA ROAD EXPANSION…MINISTER PATTERSON EYES JUNE DEADLINE FOR PROJECT Back in 2011, the then People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration had rolled out the East Bank Demerara (EBD) four-lane extension project.

Fast forward to 2016, however, and work is still ongoing after construction delays and time extensions. In addition, the work

has been causing extended traffic jams since resuming.

According to Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, however, works on the EBD road project are set to be completed by the end of June 2016, once the weather does not prove too detrimental.

He added that the workers have been given a May 26 deadline for the lanes on either side of the carriageway to be completed. This, he said, was to ensure that the traffic flow is smooth for the Jubilee celebrations.

Asked whether the possibility of the workers working both day and night had been explored, the Minister stated that they had their schedule to complete, by whatever means necessary.

BARTICA ELEVATED TO TOWNSHIP STATUS It was an historic occasion for the approximately 15,000 residents of Bartica last Saturday, as they witnessed their community being officially declared Guyana’s seventh town.

Doing the honours of handing over the title was President David Granger. Hundreds of residents packed the streets and swarmed

every corridor in sight to get a glimpse of the Head of State during the proceedings.

Granger in his introductory remarks welcomed members of the National Assembly, Diplomatic Corps, visiting Mayors, Regional Democratic Council Chairman, Gordon Bradford, Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall and other invited guests.

The President said that he was filled with joy, as he was part of a momentous event.

He said, “In the beginning, before the Portuguese came to this land, before the East Indians came to this land…there was Bartica.

Bartica was established as a mission 185 years ago. It is a blessed place and was conceived and established to further the work of God.” Granger said that Bartica has always been regarded as one of the finest settlements in Guyana. He asserted that in 1887, an ordinance was actually passed to make Bartica a town.

“What happened between 1887 and 2016, I cannot explain, but as far as I am concerned, Bartica always deserved to be a town and whatever happened was an historical error, a great travesty. Bartica is always in my heart.

The Church of St. John the Baptist was estab-

lished 185 years ago and (today) I will join you, the residents of Bartica in worshiping there, the first church I worshipped at,” the President expressed.

The Head of State said, “You are a town now. This is your moment to dazzle the rest of Guyana. History is being made here. Instead of being the third, you are now the seventh town in Guyana, and you should all be proud of your achievements.

I congratulate you.”

MONDAY EDITION AUDIT FINDS…NIS EMPLOYEES AT RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCKS, OTHER DANGERS IN LEAKY BUILDINGS The forensic audit into the affairs of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) has revealed that employees at the various branch offices are in serious danger.

The Auditor, Ramesh Seebaran, said that the employees are exposed to electric shock and other health hazards. He also noted that already faulty equipment is likely to be (Continued on page 33)

Sunday May 15, 2016

(From page 32) further damaged.

Seebaran said that during visits to some NIS offices, including the main branch, auditors noted that the buildings were in dire need of repairs.

He added that the head office is in such a state that it should be closed temporarily for extensive repairs and maintenance. Seebaran said that the state of the building poses a health risk to employees.

“Whenever it rains, employees, equipment, furniture, records have to be relocated or shifted to prevent further damage because of the leaking roof and the flooding of the compound and surrounding area.”

The NIS audit started during the MayJune rainy season. It was noted that during that time “we observed first hand at the Camp Street and Brickdam locations, the leaking roofs and the soaking of furniture as well as records.”

Seebaran reported that in some cases, “buckets were placed to collect the water from spreading further into the buildings which had to be emptied every fifteen minutes.” According to management, this was a norm whenever it rains.

Further, auditors “witnessed how the pension files stored at Brickdam were being soaked by flood water as rain seeped through the roof and by sewerage water rising from the ground. In some cases the records/files were damaged to such an extent that it required employees to wear masks and gloves to protect their health before handling them.”

STACEYAND SHORACEY GREAVES WIN SENIOR CATEGORY CROWNS …AT 25TH MOTHER AND DAUGHTER PAGEANT Twenty-one beautiful mothers with their equally attractive daughters graced the stage last Saturday night at the 25th Mother and Daughter Pageant at the National Cultural Centre.

In the end, three pairs of mothers and daughters were crowned winners in the junior, middle and senior categories.

Present to witness the proceedings was the Patron of the event First Lady Sandra Granger and Minister within the Ministry of Education Nicolette Henry, among others. In charge of the evening’s programme were the esteemed “Captain” Margaret Lawrence and her deputy Michella Abraham Ali. In the junior category, seven contestants vied for the 2016 crown, with each contestant bringing their unique style and flair to the stage. Second runners-up in this category were Shevon Mitchell and Xaria with their eyecatching green and yellow outfits.

First runners-up, Tricia Van Buckley and Princess were decked out in pink and green outfits depicting the Victoria Regia Flower.

Winners of the 2016 Junior Category Mother and Daughter Crown were Mary Sue and her daughter Typhiara, who wore dazzling dresses of gold and white lace.

Mary Sue is a cosmetologist, while Typhiara attends the Winfer Gardens Primary.

Each winner received hampers and overnight trips to the recently opened H2O Aruwai Resort in the Essequibo River.

Bishops’ High School teacher Kendra Squires-Rose and her daughter, Akua, secured second runners-up while Madonna Trotman, a marketing analyst, and Malia, who recently wrote the National Grade Six examinations, came in as second runners-up. “Country girls”

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Firefighters were pushed to the limit on Monday by a raging blaze at Gafoor’s Houston Complex

Oneca DeSouza and the outgoing Ariana claimed top spots and were crowned by the 2015 edition winners Renita CrandonDuncan and Le Shea as winners of the Middle Category Mother and Daughter Pageant 2016.

As a special feature, winner of the first Mother and Daughter Pageant in 1990, Mrs. Eileen Barker, was honoured and presented with a special award by co-producer of the event, Mrs. Ingrid Fung.

Winners of the coveted Senior Category crowns were Stacey Greaves and her ‘princess’, Shoracey. As Stacey gracefully strolled on stage one could not guess that she is visually impaired, being legally blind for over thirty years.

The audience gasped in amazement as this bit of information was shared during her catwalk performance. Winners of the 2015 crown Ann Rodrigues and Odessa took their final walk and then crowned the new Queens of 2016.

Following the “coronation”, patron of the event First Lady Sandra Granger and Mrs. Fung and her daughter and co-producer, Dr. Sulan Fung, were on hand to greet the winners of “Twenty-Five Flights of Love” 2016.

HIGH INCIDENCE OF UNREPORTED CASES OF RAPE, SEXUALASSAULT CONTINUES TO PLAGUE GUYANA – US REPORTS A high incidence of unreported cases of rape and sexual assault continues to haunt Guyana. This is according to information provided by the United States State Department Report on Human Rights for 2015.

In a detailed document, the US government outlined a large number of cases of rape and other forms of sexual assaults are unreported to authorities, most likely due to fear of stigma, a lack of confidence in authorities, retribution, or further violence.

The report noted that the law criminalizes rape, including spousal rape; successful prosecution of cases of rape was infrequent.

“Based on media reports and commentary from Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), a high incidence of rape and sexual assault was not reflected in official statistics.”

CEO Mr. Sattaur Gafoor

According to the document, the authorities received 233 reports of rape last year, but only 36 persons were charged.

The US government also highlighted the court backlog on tackling cases of sexual violence. ”A judge has discretion to issue a sentence of any length in a rape conviction, depending upon the circumstances and severity of the act committed. The norm appeared to be a sentence of five to 10 years’ imprisonment.”

Acts of sexual harassment involving physical assault are prosecuted under relevant criminal statutes. But while reports of sexual harassment were common, no cases were filed.

“Charges of sexual harassment often were settled out of court,” the US reported. The Department outlined monetary penalties and award of damages to victims, but the law’s scope is confined to the workplace.

For instance, the law does not cover harassment in schools.

Acts of sexual harassment involving physical assault are prosecuted under relevant

criminal statutes.

In 2015, the police received 2,170 reports of domestic violence cases, and 1,131 persons were arraigned on charges. According to the US State Department domestic violence and violence against women, including spousal abuse, was widespread.

TUESDAY EDITION $$BILLIONS LOST, 500 JOBLESS AS…GAFOOR’S HOUSTON COMPLEX GOES UP IN FLAMES Firefighters were pushed to the limit on Monday by a raging blaze at Gafoor’s Houston Complex that sought to consume everything in its way.

The inferno started some time around 16:00hrs and raged for well over three hours.

It started at bond three then destroyed 14 other bonds. It was obvious that the firefighters did not stand a chance against a fire that was aided by combustibles and heavy winds.

Speaking to the media as the fire destroyed (Continued on page 34)

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(From page 33) his billion-dollar-investment, Chief Executive Officer of the company Abdool Sattaur Gafoor remained stoic.

The business tycoon said that he was in his office when he was alerted that a fire had begun. However, he admitted that he adopted a nonchalant approach as it was not even in his imagination that the fire was one that serious.

Firefighters failed to confine the fire to the bond. It later spread throughout the complex.

Gafoor did not blame firefighters for the spread of the fire. He said that the bonds were fully stocked.

Sparendaam Police Station.

There Deryck Persaud informed the police that he had been robbed by the two men who were armed with a handgun and a knife.

He told police that he was walking along the road when the car pulled up alongside him and the passenger got out and confronted him with a “Rambo” knife.

Persaud said that the man demanded his money and he initially resisted. He claimed that the driver of the car, who apparently got angry by his reluctance to hand over his money, got out and pointed a gun at him, forcing him to hand over $25,000.

POLICE SHOOT FORMER COP DEAD

NDIA NOT RENEWING CEO’S CONTRACT

A former cop turned taxi driver was shot dead by the police after he allegedly pointed a gun at ranks and tried to escape after he was arrested for an alleged robbery committed on a Cummings Lodge resident early Monday morning.

Ryan Vaux, called “Gaza”, 36, a former member of the Tactical Services Unit of the Guyana Police Force was shot while driving away from some armed police ranks outside the Sparendaam Police Station.

Vaux who resided at 80 Norton Street, Lodge, eventually collapsed from the guns h o t w o u n d a n d c r a s h e d h i s To y o t a Spacio into a trench about 800 metres east of the police station.

The police in a statement said that about 01:10 hour Monday, ranks of a mobile police patrol along Broad Street, Montrose, East Coast Demerara, saw a man running behind a motor vehicle bearing registration PSS 6835 and shouting that he had been robbed of a sum of money by persons in the vehicle.

The police said that the ranks subsequently intercepted the motor vehicle with the driver and another man inside. In the passenger’s possession was $21,000.

According to the police, the passenger along with the robbery victim who was identified as Deryck Persaud, 46, of Cummings Lodge, were placed into the police vehicle, while a police rank entered Vaux’s vehicle and they were taken to the

The Board of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) has decided not to renew the contract of Chief Executive Officer, Lionel Wordsworth.

The official was written to by Chairman of the Board of Directors, John Piggott, last Friday informing him that he would not be required to resume duties when his 10-month leave expired M o n d a y.

Wordsworth’s contract would have ended on August 31.

NDIA said that it will be paying the engineer his full benefits and emoluments due.

WEDNESDAY EDITION BRASSINGTON WAS DIRECTOR/ CHAIRMAN FOR 13 GOVT. ENTITIES – HELD NEGOTIATIONS WITH SELF – AUDIT REPORT The forensic audit into the National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL) has revealed that the company’s former Director, Winston Brassington was also Director/Chairman for at least 12 other government entities.

He also held negotiations with many of these companies.

Chartered Accountant, Anand Goolsarran conducted the audit into NICIL’s operations.

Goolsarran highlighted that Brassington also held directorship and/ or chairpersonship in several agencies in which the State holds investments via NICIL. These include Atlantic Hotel Inc., where he was the sole director and chairperson; Guyana Power and Light (GPL); the National Communications Network (NCN), Property Holdings Inc., Linmine, Bermine, Bidco, Aroaima Mining Co. Inc., Linden Electricity Co. Inc., Matthews Ridge Power and Light Inc., and NEOCOL. Goolsarran said that “from a governance standpoint, and possible conflicts of interest, the holding of such directorship and/or chairmanship are considered inappropriate in view of NICIL’s relationship with these entities”.

GM, ACCOMPLICE JAILED IN $93M STAGED ROBBERY OF GOLD TRADER Two men, including a former General Man-

Sunday May 15, 2016

ager (GM) of major gold trader, El Dorado Trading Guyana, have pleaded guilty in a 2013 high-profile staged robbery involving over $93M in gold and cash.

The former GM, Neville ‘Sunil’ Chandrawattie of Sparta, Essequibo Coast, had been facing joint charges with Anil Diaram, a Blairmont, Berbice farmer.

The two were part of a group that devised a plot to take the cash and gold of El Dorado Trading, a company owned by businessman Tamesh Jagmohan, and make it look like a robbery. During the staged robbery, Chandrawattie was tied up.

Two other men, Amerola “Iron Roller” Kudratulla and Kenneth Garraway, were also charged with the crime in late 2013.

On Monday, Diaram was the first to throw in the towel. He pleaded guilty to a charge of larceny involving the theft of 96 ounces of raw gold valued at $22M and $71M in cash from El Dorado Trading.

He was also facing a charge of felonious wounding of a worker of the company during the crime.

Magistrate Alex Moore, who was assigned to preside over the case at the Matthews Ridge Magistrate’s Court, Region One, jailed Diaram for four years.

On Tuesday, when the case continued at that court, the GM, who masterminded the plot, also decided to plead guilty.

Special Prosecutor, Glenn Hanoman, who had been appointed to prosecute the case on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) was set to call 11 witnesses, including police, who were all ready to give evidence Tuesday.

Chandrawattie was represented by attorney-at-law Compton Richardson. He faced four offences, including gun possession. He was jailed for five years. Chandrawattie is also facing a charge for murder in a separate case. In late 2013, he was accused of participating in a 2007 robbery in which Dharamchan Mangra was shot and killed. Two other persons had been charged with that murder.

SIX FIREFIGHTERS INJURED DURING BLAZE … AS SECTIONS OF BUILDING COLLAPSED ON THEM In wake of the massive fire at Gafoor’s Houston Complex on Monday evening, it was revealed that six firefighters were injured as sections of the building collapsed during attempts to extinguish the massive (Continued on page 35)

Sunday May 15, 2016

Kaieteur News

ebrations this month. In addition, a casino is being built, as part of the hotel’s attraction.

For Sleep-In owner, Clifton Bacchus, however, he will be going ahead with construction of the Carnival Casino despite not having the requisite casino licence from the new Gaming Authority Board, which was sworn in last month.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Bacchus and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration. With the change in government, however, the MoU was put in limbo after pronouncements were made that agreements made under the PPP would not be honoured.

Under the law, only three casinos are allowed in each Region in Guyana. For Region Four, Ramada Princess has one, while another has been earmarked for the Marriott Hotel at Kingston. This means that the remaining casino licence will be in high demand.

Bacchus was determined to continue with his construction. He was not only optimistic of the hotel’s potential to attract guests and hit a 95 percent occupancy rate, but was also confident that he would be granted his licence.

(From page 34) blaze.

Divisional Commander Compton Sparman confirmed this development.

One fireman had reportedly stopped breathing but was successfully resuscitated via CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation), while all had to be treated for smoke inhalation and lacerations. Another firefighter sustained a fractured neck.

Injuries varied from persons’ eyes being affected by gas from the building to cuts from broken glass.

Four other firemen were treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital and sent home, with one having to seek treatment at a private hospital due to GPHC’s non-functioning Xray machine. The firefighter with the fractured neck was kept at GPHC for observation.

The Divisional Commander indicated that all injured firefighters were granted sick leave.

In terms of the fire, Sparman stated that there were “tremendous challenges” in trying to put it out. He mentioned that while the design of the building and the high wind factor added to these challenges, six fire engines were mobilized and some one hundred firefighters were on hand to combat the inferno.

When this newspaper visited the gutted building at noon Tuesday, firefighters were still working on getting “deposits” of the fire out, “this was as a result of collapsed material trapping embers in the centre of the building.

BANK OF GUYANA LAUNCHES $50 NOTE, COMMEMORATIVE COINS

THURSDAY EDITION GOVT. CONSIDERING LOG EXPORT RESTRICTIONS Government is seriously considering the reduction or even elimination of log exports as part of the measures to help improve local processing.

Speaking on the weekly televised programme, ‘The Public Interest’, President David Granger on Wednesday argued that his administration has been pushing for more value-added processing.

The president was at the time responding to questions about the need for cheaper energy, a major complaint over years by manufacturers who said that it is too high.

Acknowledging that the country would be stimulated with cheaper and dependable power, the Head of State pointed out that the country has the resources to become a regional powerhouse. There cannot be “competitive manufacturing” without cheap energy, he said.

For the manufacturing sector, the use of alternative energy to allow more processing will be the way to go, President Granger said.

It will allow for goods to be produced cheaper and thus become more competitive.

Granger highlighted the gold sector, insisting that more jewellery needs to be produced. He urged jewellers and other investors to seriously consider introducing a gold refinery. It

PAGE 35

will help the wholesale export of gold and cut down on smuggling.

With regards to the timber industry, the Head of State said that there was a time when the country had lumber that was properly processed, allowing homes to last longer. Today, there is a need to ensure proper processing that will not see poor quality lumber being sold, leaving homeowners and others with headaches.

GUYANA MOVES TO RECOVER LUCRATIVE VENEZUELAN RICE MARKET -OVERSEAS MISSIONS TOLD TO SELL MORE RICE, RUM Guyana’s missions abroad have been given the express mandate to push the country’s local products aggressively. According to President David Granger on Wednesday, there is a renewed focus on penetrating new markets. Among some of the more well-known products will be the country’s rice and rum products.

Granger was fielding questions from reporters during his weekly televised programme, ‘The Public Interest’, at the Ministry of the Presidency.

Since taking office last year, the new coalition had shaken up the Foreign Service with several ambassadors and High Commissioners replaced, including for key postings like the US, Canada, China and the United Kingdom.

The President admitted that new diplomats have all been given tough assignments of finding new markets.

According to Granger, a new direction for the diplomatic missions is important, as Guyana continue to remain reliant on the traditional exports of sugar, rice, gold, timber and fish.

The Foreign Service is expected to sell more of Guyana, he said.

SLEEP-IN HOTEL TO OPEN WITHOUT CASINO FOR JUBILEE -OWNER OPTIMISTIC OF BEING GRANTED LICENCE The Sleep-In Hotel chain in Guyana is set to introduce a third hotel, this one on Church Street, Queenstown, at a cost of US$8M. It will feature 150 rooms when completed.

However, only a fraction of those rooms will be open in time for the 50th Jubilee cel-

The Bank of Guyana on Wednesday launched a $50 banknote and two commemorative coins in observance of Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary.

Governor of the Bank, Dr. Gobind Ganga, and Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, unveiled the note and the coins in the presence of bank officials, representatives from the Mint of Norway, and the Minster within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry.

Dr. Ganga, during the presentation said that the $50 banknote carries the 50th Independence Anniversary logo to the right, the crest of the Bank of Guyana in the centre and the people of Guyana standing together as one, on the left.

The reverse side of the note, he said, portrays the National Flag and the map of Guyana in the centre, Peace Doves on the right, and the National Flower – the Victoria Regia Lily – on the left.

The public security features he said are easily identifiable. Appearing on the right side of the face of the note is a Windowed Security Thread which is visible when held up to the light.

On the left of the face of the note the Watermark of a Macaw and the value of the note (50) are seen when the note is held up to the light.

It bears the signatures of Dr. Gobind Ganga as Governor of the Bank of Guyana and Minister of Finance, Mr. Winston (Continued on page 36)

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Sunday May 15, 2016

(From page 35) Jordan.

The note is said to be similar in size to the existing notes with the main colour on the front and back being brown.

The two Commemorative Coins are similar in design with the 50th Anniversary logo on the reverse and the Coat of Arms on the obverse.

The $5,000 coin is struck in silver and plated in gold while the $2,000 coin is struck in a metallic alloy and plated in gold. These coins were struck by the Mint of Norway.

Dr. Ganga, stated that it customary for the Bank of Guyana to issue commemorative coins in observance to Guyana’s significant events and achievements.

FRIDAY EDITION ABSENCE OF NATIONAL UNITY IMPAIRS GUYANA’S DEVELOPMENT - GRANGER TELLS PARLIAMENT President David Granger thinks that national unity is the key to unlock Guyana’s true potential as an independent nation. He said that disunity has been hindering Guyana’s development for far too long and it is time that Guyanese make the change to see the change.

This was Granger’s message as he addressed the Parliament Thursday.

Celebration of Guyana’s 50th anniversary of its political independence from Britain was the focal point of Granger’s presentation. In the familiar walls of the Chambers, Granger reflected on colonial Guiana as compared to Guyana just after independence to where the country stands now.

Granger said that Guyanese can be proud of what has been achieved in the first 50 years of Independence. ”These are the first fruits of freedom which have fed and nourished a generation.”

The President told the House that independence offered Guyanese the opportunity to work together, to heal divisions and to promote reconciliation. He added that Independence also offered an opportunity for national unity.

“But that national unity, however, has been elusive for most of the last five d e c a d e s .” ”The absence of national unity has im-

paired national development. It has triggered a continuous trickle of migration. It has led to political and economic fatigue,” the Head of State reflected.

He charged the parliamentarians to renew “that Independence covenant” with the Guyanese nation.

He said that it is imperative that the House resolves to work together to reunite Guyana.

“The National Assembly must take the first steps on the long road to social cohesion, to political inclusion and to economic resilience.”

G r a n g e r e m p h a s i s e d t h a t t o d a y ’s generation has an obligation, at the celebration of the Independence Jubilee, to repair past damage, to restore trust and to rebuild the bases of a ‘moral community.’

The President said that social cohesion is about fostering greater integration in the nation, which can increase a sense of belonging.

He said that it can give recognition to all groups and allow them to freely practice their culture.

RETIRED PROFESSOR BOUND, STRANGLED IN HOME – KILLERS CAME IN CAR, SEEN LEAVING WITH SUITCASES

Police were on Thursday trying to track down a gang of youths, including two females, who they believe bound and strangled a retired college professor in his Prashad Nagar home.

The body of 75-year-old Pairadeau Mars, called ‘Perry’, was found at around 19.00 hrs on Thursday in his study, after his wife arrived at the couple’s Lot 395 Bissessar Street, Prashad Nagar home.

Kaieteur News understands that his hands were bound with duct-tape, and duct-tape was also wrapped around his mouth and neck.

Police reportedly found a hammer and cutlass nearby.

The victim’s home was ransacked, and there was evidence that the killers had feasted in the home, since bottles and wrappers were strewn on the floor. There was also evidence that the killers lit the stove.

From information police have received, the killers were individuals who were known to Mr. Mars, a remigrant and Professor, who had lectured in ethnic studies at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, USA. Residents reportedly saw the suspects arrive in a car, and later saw them leaving the home with suitcases.

According to reports, the victim’s wife, Joan Mars, had travelled to Linden Thursday, and last communicated with her husband at around 14:00 hrs. She reportedly called at around 16:00 hrs and got no response.

She arrived at around 19.00 hrs and immediately realised that something was amiss, since the front door was ajar. Upon entering, she saw her husband’s bound body on the study floor.

Because the body was still warm, the woman reportedly believed that Mr. Mars was still alive, and, with assistance from neighbours, rushed him to the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The body was later taken to the Lyken Funeral Home.

by the previous Government, as a means to attract foreign direct investments (FDIs). It included tax holidays, duty free concessions and a host of relief enticements, including lands in some cases, to attract investors.

In return, investors were supposed to comply with the agreements they signed with the Government of Guyana. These included actually investing what was promised.

Many investors were granted waivers to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars to bring in equipment and vehicles and even building materials and workers. However, there has been evidence that the previous administration paid little attention to compliance, with the investors raking in profits, and not fulfilling legal commitments.

Locals have been complaining bitterly that the concessions, especially waivers on vehicles and equipment, have been placing them at a severe disadvantage, or at the very least, are unfair.

The issue has been engaging the attention of President David Granger.

Questioned on the issue of concessions and compliance on Wednesday, especially with the recent revelations about a number of Asian investors, including BaiShanLin, a logging company, President Granger made it clear that he is intent on ensuring fairness for businesses in Guyana.

He said that the buzzword will be a levelplaying field and that too many waivers, rebates and concessions are not the road that the administration wants to walk on.

As a matter of fact, he said, Government is considering reducing “the level of these concessions” in order to ensure that local businesses remain competitive.

GOVT. TO REDUCE CONCESSIONS FOR FOREIGN INVESTORS – PRESIDENT GRANGER – SAYS WAIVERS, REBATES ALMOST LIKE SUBSIDIES

The Sophia Exhibition Centre came alive Thursday evening as hundreds braved a brief period of inclement weather to get a glimpse of Guyana’s diverse heritage, tradition and business potential, as the Government’s premier annual trade fair and exposition – GuyExpo – commenced.

With approximately 260 booths set up at the centre, participants got a chance to take a glance at an abundance of creativity and pro (Continued on page 49)

The granting of tax breaks and other concessions to especially foreign investors is being reviewed, with the administration indicating that it wants to reduce the levels.

The concessions were designed over time,

GUYEXPO 2016 UNDERWAY…EVENT MUST BE LAUNCH PAD FOR BUSINESSES – INVESTMENT MINISTER

Sunday May 15, 2016

Kaieteur News

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Roadside barbers, cosmetologist temporarily relocated to Merriman Mall A significant number of roadside city barbers and cosmetologists have been temporarily relocated to a new space at the Merriman Mall.

A section of the Mall situated at Bourda, Georgetown, has been decorated with tents to accommodate some 60 roadside barbers and street cosmetologists, who once occupied pavements along Croal, America, Longden and Regent streets.

The move was initiated by the Georgetown Mayor and City Council. According to

Town Clerk Royston King the area will be fitted with the necessary facilities to assist the roadside workers with their trade. He said that soon the area will be fitted with running water, electricity and toilet facilities. King said that while the facility which was set up free of cost to the operators, each person is required to pay a fee of $1,000 per week for cleaning and maintenance of the area. King was on site when Kaieteur News visited the location yesterday. He (Continued on page 47)

The new facility being offered to city barbers and cosmetologists

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Sunday May 15, 2016

Kaieteur News

Supernatural: Kamarang Night

By Michael Jordan Vibert Sealey stared at the ceiling, his senses tuned to the Kamarang night.

Somewhere overhead, he heard a passing night-bird’s mournful cry.

Distant music from the direction of the Jaguar’s Den disco. Alvin Benn had switched to oldies. The Drifters’ Strangers on the Shore…

Suddenly he felt lonely.

Bap Reggie was snoring in his hammock. Jerry Mentore had gone back to the Jaguar ’s Den. Maybe he should have gone, too. Sat

with old friends, gotten drunk and talked nonsense till the sun came up over the mountains.

Why…oh why…must I go on like this…

Should I be a lonely stranger on thu-uh shore Memories…memories…

It was on a night just like this that he had met her. He had been just a boy back then.

But he had thought that he was a man because he had spent three years in the bush.

He had been through the dreaded Itanami Falls. Seen a man’s shoulders swiped open by a jaguar at Three Miles.

He’d had his share of

women…who won’t, moving with Jocelyn Walker? And all of this had made him think he was prepared for life.

Josephine taught him different.

That was the time of the Tumatumari gold shout. On the way back, the celebrations had started in the trail, everybody half drunk and they hadn’t even reached the landing.

Jocelyn Walker was talking loudly about a pleasure-girl who was waiting for him at Bartica.

Rudy Wilson, a short, quiet, big shouldered miner from Bartica, was talking of the

things he would do for his family, when the truck suddenly veered off the trail.

Sealey and Walker had managed to jump free just as the truck plunged down the Tumatumari gorge, taking Rudy Wilson and six other miners with it.

The memory of the truck slipping on the red loam, tottering over the gorge in slow motion, and the screams of the trapped men remained in his head, even after the funeral. He had wanted to get away from Bartica after they had pooled their money and given something to Wilson’s

wife. Instead, the two days they had planned staying had stretched to a week.

He had expected the men to be subdued. Instead, the liquor had flowed more than ever. The laughter and cursing were louder.

He sensed that they were all trying to drown out the memory of the accident. He joined them too, drinking to forget, but somehow drunkenness had refused to come.

If they had only left earlier, he might never have met her.

They had started drinking at the Diamond of Joy and then had moved to Chiefie’s Shop in First Avenue. Around midnight, they had moved to a new open-air dancehall built at the edge of the riverside.

There was a huge full moon like the one now over Kamarang. The juke-box was blaring out a new Eddie Hooper tune. Jocelyn Walker had an arm around a prostitute they called the Black Pearl and was singing ‘Where are your friends now “Oh yeah…where are they…”

And he had thought of Rudy Wilson and was about to drink again when he saw her coming down the walkway.

God, the things he still remembered. How small and girlish she had looked. Her lips pouting and haughtylooking, but yet with a trace of sadness. The mole just above her left breast.

The way she would squeeze her thighs together as a signal that she wanted to make love. The playful way she would catch a tendril of her reddish-brown hair in her mouth when it blew loose in the Bartica sea-breeze.

He had danced with her.

She had seemed to sense his loneliness and had sat and listened to him talk about the accident, listening to him as if he was the only man there.

That beauty, those slanting eyes with the hint of sadness, her hard life—father

dead, mother an alcoholic had brought out a protectiveness in him.

They had tried to warn him, even before they had realized how badly he had fallen.

Boy, you don’t know that woman. She goin to carry you to the mountain top and then drop you down, and you gun break up in lil pieces like flippin’ humpty dumpty, and nothing could put yuh back together again…

That warning had bothered him. He had sometimes sensed that hardness in her; at other times, something wild and unpredictable. The intensity of her lovemaking excited him.

But it scared him too, made him wonder if he could ever be enough for her.

Sometimes she stared at him as if he was the only man in the world. Sometimes she behaved as if he didn’t exist.

Sometimes he seemed to catch a secret, mocking smile at the edge of her lips.

But he had told himself that they were jealous. They didn’t know her the way he did. He had taken her from Bartica when he could no longer stand to see her being touched by other men. He had rented a house in Georgetown, running around like a jackass trying to stock it with everything she asked for.

He eventually left her at home to return to the bush.

For once, he had been reluctant to leave the city.

It was a miner at Tumatumari who started the trouble. The man had just come in from Georgetown. He said he had seen her drinking with a half-Portuguese chap at the Ritz. Sealey had put the man in a lock…almost broken his neck. He hadn’t known his own strength back then.

But he couldn’t work after that. He caught the first truck out and returned to Georgetown... To a house that was empty as a hall cleared for a dance. The furniture he (Continued on page 48)

Sunday May 15, 2016

Kaieteur News

PAGE 47

Roadside barbers, cosmetologist temporarily relocated...

The city barbers and cosmetologists meet with Town Clerk, Royston King From page 45 said that the idea is to raise the standard for grooming operators to offer their services and earn a living in a more organized, excellent manner which can be beneficial to them and the city as well.

The Town clerk explained that the workers were taken from along the streets and relocated to the Merriman Mall which is much beneficial for them and in keeping with the public health laws.

“We have about 52 cosmetologists and 17 barbers who will be occupying this area. And while we want to clear the city of any congestion, insanitary and illegal activity, it is also important that we put a human face to it as well. Therefore we are not just removing the illegal operators; we are also providing areas for these persons to continue to ply their trade in an orderly fashion,” said King.

Yesterday was the second day of the move for the city barbers and cosmetologists.

Many persons appeared to be settling into the new location while quite a few were already offering services. Several of the grooming operators noted that the Merriman Mall location was cleaner, fresher and more comfortable for their customers.

Natasha Les Prance, a roadside nail technician for some 15 years noted the benefits of the new arrangements are many. And this she linked to the fact that the operation there will be regulated.

In a statement issued by City Hall it was revealed that King, during the past week, met with the cosmetologists and barbers who ply their trade along the city streets, to address temporary relocating them. This was in light of the fact that Council had moved to address encumbrances on its parapet and reserves, which resulted in vendors and other persons who ply their trades in the Stabroek Square and nearby locations being relocated.

The Town Clerk said that it is important that cosmetologists and barbers ply their

trade in an environment that does not compromise the Laws of the City and the health of other citizens. He told the operators too that “I understand that everyone has to earn a living but at the same time it must be done within the confines of the Law.” According to King, cosmetologists and barbers should not operate in close proximity to food service providers. He reiterated that the Council is not trying to move anyone from the hub of economic activities, but the city is very congested. “Blocking the entrances to private premises and cutting hair on the streets is a health situation” King had pointed out.

It was against this background, he said that he identified a section on the Merriman Mall for the barbers and cosmetologists to do their work. According to him, the area would be equipped with light, water, refuse collection and security services.

Also, the cosmetologists and barbers would have to work under strict supervision of the Public Health Inspectors and the City Constabulary Department.

The Georgetown Municipality had expressed serious concern with the operations of roadside barbers and cosmetologists. From a Public Health perspective the operation is unsafe. In addition, it is a contravention of the Municipal and District Council (Act 28:01). Part II Provisions Relating to Barbers’ Shop: states that no person shall act as a barber in or upon any public street or way or at any place within public view other than at a duly registered barber’s shop.”

Before a barber can commence operations he must be registered with the Mayor and City Council. The registration process includes a medical examination by the Council’s Medical Officer of Health, who will provide a medical certificate to the applicant deeming the applicant fit to carry out such an operation.

And according to the Town Clerk, “I urge you to carry out your work within the ambit of the law.”

PAGE 48

Sunday May 15, 2016

Kaieteur News

Supernatural: Kamarang Night From page 46 had bought at Fogarty’s... gone.

The new double-bed… gone.

The De Luxe fridge… gone. The cabinet with the fancy Pyrex wares...gone...

Even his clothes were missing; his shoes, his hats -

even back then he had loved hats. All that was left was a cup, a plate, a sponge by the sink, and a pair of her red panties on the bathroom rail.

Thinking of it now, he realized that he had nearly gone mad, the way he had searched for her. At Bartica, he heard something about her spending money on a tall, half-Portuguese man named Johnny Perreira. But she wasn’t there. She wasn’t anywhere that they said she was.

At the Ritz, he had finally found Perreira; this tall, lightskinned man, wearing his suit, his hat, and a cloud of red rage was in Sealey’s head, and he had Perreira by the throat, just squeezing, just squeezing, just squeezing…

He did not see the knife.

All he knew was that suddenly his hands and legs were heavy, all his anger draining away, and he was slipping to the ground in tangled slow-motion.

And the red mist cleared and now he saw the knife handle sticking out of his side.

Stabbed…stabbed…dying over a whore...

It was three weeks before he could leave the hospital.

Afterwards, he knocked around town, drinking out the little money he had, feeling sorry for himself, until Jocelyn Walker came from the bush and straightened him out.

Welcome, boy, Walker had said.

Welcome to the world of foolish porknockers…

It was when he had finally stopped his mad search that he had finally found her. Or rather, she found him.

He was going home from a drinking session in Lombard Street, when a woman in the darkness said “Vibert?”

She was wearing a flowered dress like the one he had first seen her in. It looked old, rumpled, too big for her.

She, too, looked worn and older. There was no sign of the jewels he had made for her; even the gold tooth she’d once flashed was gone. But there was still enough of the

girl he had known to make his heart turn over.

She asked for something to eat, and he bought her a meal and drink at a Chinese restaurant. As she took the first spoonful, a tear slid down her cheek.

He had given her money to return to Bartica.

She had looked at him…that sad, soft-eyed look that had melted him before and made him stupid.

That was the last time he had ever seen her. Months after, he thought of her, wondering at the look he thought he had seen in those slanted eyes, wondering if she had meant it this time.

Where was she now? Had she married? Was she still alive?

Even after all those years, he still hadn’t forgotten her.

And the thought of what might have been, had he given her that second chance, was still a wound in his heart that hurt most on nights like this. ********** …and when sleep finally came to Vibert Sealey, he found that she had followed him there. He was a boy again, still aching at the loss of her. There were tears at the back of his throat and he was travelling on a strange, wide jungle river in his mad, endless search. Hundreds of water dogs swam alongside the leaky corial in which he sat. A soft-glowing orange sun was setting in the east.

The squint-eyed boatman was smiling at him. He reminded Sealey of Tony Perez, his old friend from Kamarang.

“You sure you want to find her, boy?” the boatman said, when they were halfway across. “She will build you up, then break you into little pieces. Little, little, pieces,” he said again, dipping his paddle, which Sealey now

saw was a man’s leg, into the water.

Suddenly it was twilight, and he was walking along a thin jungle trail. A huge bird beat its wings overhead. It flew past him, then stopped in the middle of the trail. It waited until he was close, then it flew down the track, stopping again to stare at him. It knew where she was.

He could see the amusement in its red eyes.

You sure you want to find her, boy? It said with its eyes.

You know where she is now?

She’s with Johnny Perreira…red-skinned Johnny Perreira…

Suddenly the bird gave an alarmed squawk and flew into the bushes. Three veiled women were coming toward Sealey. They made no sound.

He could not see their feet.

“You know where I can find Josephine” he asked, deepening his voice, pretending to be brave.

They said nothing, but they shook with silent laughter. As they passed him on the trail, the woman nearest to him reached out and grabbed at him.

She was in a troolie hut at the end of the trail. His Josephine. She lay naked on a bed of skins. She was smiling, eyes half-closed, a tendril of her reddish-brown hair caught playfully between her lips; her hips undulating in a strange, boneless rhythm.

Suddenly she was pulling him down onto the skins. He was about to kiss her when he saw that she wasn’t Josephine, she wasn’t Josephine at all. She was the strange girl who had appeared on the landing and who was now Leon’s girl; he couldn’t kiss Leon’s girl, but yet he kissed her and drew her close. She brushed stickywet fingers to his cheek, the smell of her pungent even in his dream.

“You can’t leave me now,” she said, her voice filled with a fierce tenderness. She stroked his face again, leaving a trace of her wetness on his cheek. “You will always come back to me…”

She entwined him. She writhed beneath him like a limbed serpent, her movements carrying them from the blanket of skins to the hut’s entrance and into the forest. Strange stars stared down at them. She stared up at him, and writhed, snakelike, and smiled with cold amusement in her eyes.

Who are you? he tried to ask.What do you want from me? But she just kept on writhing, snakelike, and smiling with cold amusement into his eyes…

(An excerpt from KAMARANG)

Sunday May 15, 2016

(From page 36) duction capabilities.

While many repeat-exhibitors dominated t h e expo, a few newcomers were seen setting up shop. Many exhibitors travelled long distances to be present however; their aim being more than to just make a “quick buck”.

A fair number of them seized the opportunity to expand their reach to other entities and to attract potential partners and sponsors.

The Guyana Police Force Steel band and the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry/Buxton Steel Orchestra took turns to wow the audience with renditions of popular folk and contemporary tunes and rhythms.

Recording Guyanese artistes, Poonam Singh and Lisa Punch with their high notes and overall excellent vocal control, also had their fair share in entertaining the gathering.

Among the distinguish e d g athering were President David Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Minister of Business and Investment, Dominic Gaskin, other Ministers of Government, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Vishnu Doerga; Business operatives both local and international; and several foreign dignitaries and stakeholders.

First Lady cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the event.

“Think what GuyExpo will look like in 10 years’ time, if we can turn it into a regionally well-regarded, eagerly anticipated annual

Kaieteur News

match-making opportunity,” Minister Gaskin posited.

“If all goes well, there will be businesses from all over the world showing up and lining up to see and to place orders and to purchase top quality products at future events.

“Let’s be pragmatic about GuyExpo itself. In order for an event to be truly developed, it needs to have both local and foreign participation,” the Minister said.

He added that the event needs to become a much more foreign affairs.

“It must attract foreign exhibitors and it must attract foreign buyers. Our slogan, ‘Guyana needs businesses,’ will have to be embodied in GuyExpo over the coming years and this event must become a launch pad for businesses seeking access to both local and foreign markets.”

“CASUAL”ARGUMENT BETWEEN BROTHERS-INLAW ENDS IN DEATH Residents of Haslington were left in shock Thursday evening after a “causal” argument between two brothers-in-law ended in deadly fashion.

Fifty-two year-old Terrence Adams was killed around 20:00hrs outside a shop he operated. Adams’ alleged assailant, Les Hamilton, was said to have been under the influence of alcohol when the incident occurred.

The dead man’s brother, Leyland Nelson, told Kaieteur News that Adams and Hamilton got into an argument just around 14:00hrs Thursday.

He said that the dispute had simmered, but manifested itself again later in the

evening.

According to Nelson, when Hamilton began quarrelling again, Adams brushed him off “because he knew he (Hamilton) was drunk.” Nelson said that his brother told Hamilton that he would deal with the issue “another time, when he (Hamilton) sober up” and so the argument died down again.

Nelson indicated that Hamilton then left the shop, “and I left a little after to go and buy tennis roll and cheese for us to eat”. He said that he was riding his bicycle returning to the shop when he saw a large crowd. Nelson said that he inquired and was told “Les jus’ jook up yuh brother.”

Nelson said that he rode further along the street and saw his brother lying on the road in a pool of blood.

Hamilton, who made no attempt to leave the murder

scene, was apprehended on the spot, while the victim was rushed to Georgetown Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

SATURDAY EDITION PROFESSOR, 75, WAS SLAINAFTER INVITING GIRL, 17, INTO HOME —TOLD HER WIFE WOULD BE OUT Retired professor, Pairadeau Mars, was bound,

PAGE 49

beaten and strangled last Thursday by a gang of youths shortly after telling a 17-year-old girl to come over to his Prashad Nagar house, since his wife would not be there.

Police are in possession of evidence that showed that the 75-year-old had texted the teen to ask her to come over while his spouse was out.

In custody Friday night were two girls, aged 17 and 15, and three young men aged between 15 and 18. Police also detained a sixth individual who was allegedly found with an item that the killers had stolen from Mars’ Lot 395 Bissessar Street home.

Police recovered a laptop computer, a mobile phone, an Xbox play station, and $20,000 in local currency after arresting the youths, who all reside in Sophia.

The teens have reportedly all admitted to robbing Mars, but also claimed that they had not planned to kill him. They are all likely to be charged with murder by Monday.

The 17-year-old girl was known to Professor Mars, since she had previously lived a few doors away from the victim. She is also said to have been a frequent visitor

to the home where the remigrant and his wife lived.

He is said to have often given her small sums of money.

The teen has reportedly told police that after receiving a text message from Mars, she contacted her 16-year-old boyfriend and told him that the elderly man would be alone at ho m e , a n d t h e y could rob him. The boyfriend reportedly then contacted some of his friends, who became involved in the plot.

Shortly after 14.00 hrs o n T h u r s d a y, t h e 1 7 year-old and a 15-yearo l d g i r l w e n t t o M r.

M a r s ’s r e s i d e n c e a n d were invited in.

While the girls were i n h i s s t u d y, t h e e l d e r girl, who had left the front door open, reportedly texted her 17-yearold boyfriend and his associates and told them to enter the house.

The other youths reportedly then entered the study and bound Mr. Mars with duct tape. According to a statement given by the 17year-old, the retired professor told the teens to take whatever they wanted, but to spare his life.

Instead, some of the youths then gagged the elderly man, then beat and strangled him.

PAGE 50

Kaieteur News

Sunday May 15, 2016

Should You Get Rid of All GRAPEFRUIT: Health Your Bad Habits at Once? Benefits & Nutrition Facts 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.”

What Teen Girls Should Eat to Reduce Breast Cancer Risk Fruits and vegetables are staples in a healthy diet, and that includes one aimed at preventing cancer.

Many studies have documented the lower risk of various cancers among people who eat more fresh produce, and avoid things like red and processed meat.

But the majority of those studies have focused on adults, and it’s becoming clear that many of cancer’s drivers start early in life, with genes and even with childhood exposures to potential carcinogens.

To investigate this further, Maryam Farvid, a research associate at Massachusetts General Hospital and a visiting scientist at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, and her colleagues decided to study how diet during adolescence might affect cancer risk.

In a study reported in the BMJ, they plumbed the Nurses’ Health Study, a massive survey of nurses who filled out questionnaires on their diet and were followed for various health outcomes, including cancer.

About half of the 90,000 women who participated in the Nurses’ Health Study also answered questions about their typical diet while they were teens. Those who reported eating nearly three servings of fruit a day on average had a 25 percent lower risk of developing breast cancer than those who ate half a serving of fruit.

Certain fruits seemed to

confer the biggest protection against breast cancer apples, bananas and grapes were associated with the greatest reduction in risk while kale and oranges in adulthood also contributed to reduced breast cancer risk.

Farvid says that apples, bananas and grapes contain fiber, which could help to lower cancer risk; they are also high in flavonoids, which act as antioxidants to combat

damage to cells that can trigger abnormal growth. Kale and oranges are high in vitamin C, another antioxidant.

“This study underscores the importance of what a young girl eats for her future health,” says Farvid. “This study also has an important message for schools and the need to provide students with the opportunity to consume more fruits and vegetables as part of the school meal program.”

Grapefruit is a popular citrus fruit that is a terrific source of vitamins, fiber and other nutrients. Grapefruit is known for its antioxidantand immunity-boosting capabilities as well as its digestive and cholesterol-lowering benefits.

Grapefruit provides vitamins A and C, folate (B9), fiber, choline, limonins and lycopene, according to Alissa Rumsey, a New York Citybased registered dietitian, certified strength and conditioning specialist and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

“Grapefruit has been hailed as a popular diet food for many years because it is widely believed to boost weight loss,” said Rumsey. “While a grapefruit diet is far too extreme, the fruit can be added to one’s diet for a healthy weight loss plan.”

- See more at: http://www.livescience.com/ 54746-grapefruit-nutrition.html# sthash. u3vvZAmc.dpuf Grapefruit gets its name from the way it grows. Grapefruits grow on tree branches in grape-like clusters, according to the Library of Congress.

PUZZLING HISTORY Grapefruit is an accidental hybrid between the orange and the pomelo, but no one is sure when it was first grown. It was first documented in 1750 by a Welshman in Barbados who described it as a “forbidden fruit,” according to the Purdue University horticulture department. Until the 19th century, it was also called the shaddock, named after a sea captain who is said to have brought the seeds of a pomelo to Jamaica. It has also been called paradise fruit. It was given the scientific name, Citrus paradisi, but in the 1940s when research confirmed that it was hybrid, the name was changed to Citrus x paradisi - the x indicates that it is a hybrid.

Grapefruit grows in warm climates; Florida and southern areas of China are the world’s top producers. There are several varieties of grapefruit, including white, ruby red and pink, which have varying levels of sourness and sweetness. “Try topping it with savory seasonings, like cilantro or chili powder, to offset the tangy flavor,” Rumsey suggested. She noted that grapefruits go well with seafood dishes, too.

According to the George Mateljan Foundation’s World’s Healthiest Foods website, half a medium-size grapefruit provides 59 percent of your daily vitamin C needs.

“Vitamin C is plays a role in immunity and helps neutralize free radicals in our body,” said Rumsey. According to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, vitamin C stimulates the production of white blood cells and may protect the integrity of immune cells.

Vitamin C helps also protect leukocytes, which produces antiviral substances.

HEARTHEALTH Vitamin C is linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, said Rumsey. A 2015 study published in The American Journal of

Clinical Nutrition looked at more than 100,000 people and found that those who ate the most fruits and vegetables had a 15 percent lower risk of developing heart disease. Those with the highest vitamin C levels in their plasma had even more reduced rates of heart disease.

KIDNEY STONES According to University of Wisconsin Health, citric acid, which is found in grapefruit, may deter stone formation and also break up small stones that are forming. The more citric acid in your urine, the more protected you may be from forming new kidney stones.

A study published in theBritish Journal of Nutrition found that women who drank onehalf to one liter of grapefruit, orange or apple juice each day saw their urinary pH value and citric acid excretion increase, which significantly lowered their risk of forming kidney stones.

CANCER According to Rumsey, vitamin C and betacarotene may lead to a reduced risk of esophageal cancer. A study published in the Journal of Chemotherapy found that vitamin C supplementation exerted a chemotherapy-like effect on esophageal cancer cells. The researchers suggested that vitamin C might improve the efficacy of chemotherapy.

According to the Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine, red and pink grapefruit is one of the best sources for lycopene after tomatoes.”Lycopene has been linked to a decreased risk of prostate cancer,” said Rumsey. A large-scale study of nearly 50,000 men published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found an inverse relationship between lycopene (in this study, the lycopene was from tomatoes) and prostate cancer risk.

Men with the highest levels of lycopene were 21 percent less likely to develop prostate cancer than those with the lowest lycopene levels.

The lycopene in grapefruits may also contribute to reducing risk of stomach cancer, according to a review in the Journal of Cancer Prevention. Researchers looked primarily at participants who smoked, suffered from chronic inflammation or had elevated levels of stomach bacteria Helicobacter pylori, though they noted that poor diet and family history could also be risk factors lessened by lycopene.

Animal studies have suggested that grapefruit may have a reduction effect on colon cancer cells. A study published in the journal Carcinogensis found that grapefruit increased the death of cancer cells in rats whose colons had been injected with carcinogens.

“There are numerous studies being conducted to understand the role folate plays in cancer reduction,” Rumsey said. A 2007 article in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition noted that folate’s possible cancer-reducing properties are likely linked to its role in the production of substances that silence cancer DNA.

Sunday May 15, 2016

PAGE 51

Kaieteur News

Tyga Gets Candid About The Reason Patti LaBelle Is Split From Kylie Jenner Raising Her Powerful Voice

Tyga opened up about his breakup with reality star Kylie Jenner in a rare interview Friday.

TMZ caught up with the rapper while he was in Los Angeles International Airport and asked him, “Did age difference play a factor in the breakup?”

Tyga, 26, took a long pause before he replied: “I think, you know, we’re both just focused on our lives, our individual lives right now, you know?”

“Sometimes things don’t work out. But, you know, I love her,” he added. The two had been dating publicly since October 2014, but their relationship became tense once Tyga’s ex-girlfriend Blac Chyna became engaged to Jenner’s brother, Rob Kardashian. Chyna,

whose real name is Angela White, and Kardashian, 29, also announced they were expecting their first child together last week.

Chyna, 28, also has a child with rapper, Tyga - a 3-year-old son named King Cairo Stevenson. When asked about Chyna’s engagement to Kardashian, Tyga had well wishes. “People, grow and you know, it’s time to evolve, you know what I mean,” he said.

“So everybody should have the opportunity, you know, at love and, you know, to live their life.”

Still, when the videographer asked if Kardashian would make a good step-father, Tyga shot back: “Don’t go too far.” ABC News reached out to reps for Tyga and Jenner. So far, there’s been no work back.

Patti LaBelle is used to performing in front of big crowds. The Grammy-winning singer has been doing that since getting her musical start in the 1960s. But now LaBelle is using her voice in a new way: to speak out about lung cancer.

“My two sisters died in their early 40s of lung cancer,” LaBelle told The Huffington Post about her siblings Vivian and Jackie. “There was no cure for it and within a year of being diagnosed they both died ... I would come back from touring and I would see them going through changes and diminishing. I couldn’t do anything about it then because I didn’t know much about what was going on.”

LaBelle’s choir director, whom she says “gave me my voice,” also died of lung cancer.

“Now, as 71-year-old lady, I decided to put my voice into action,” LaBelle said.

She’s partnering with Lung Force, a national movement led by the American Lung Association to unite women against lung cancer, the No. 1 cancer killer of women. According to the American Lung Association,

an estimated 72,000 American women will lose their lives to lung cancer in 2016 alone more than a quarter of all female cancer deaths. LaBelle hopes she can do something about that - by helping to raise awareness, as well as funds, for cancer research. While chatting with LaBelle during National Women’s Lung Health Week, HuffPost also also caught up with the singer about new music, Prince and more: How she stays healthy: “I try to eat great foods and I do

cook for myself a lot. And I do exercise as much as I can, and I realize that my body is a temple and I have to treat it like that.”

On her 1974 landmark hit “Lady Marmalade”: “It was a song that we had gotten from Bob Crewe 40 years ago. When we heard the song we knew it was a hit so we took it to the late Allen Toussaint in New Orleans, and that was the first song we recorded for that project. And it was all over - everywhere.”

Amal Clooney Makes Up For Robert De Niro Plans New Central London Hotel Wardrobe Malfunction With a Bright Rainbow Dress at Cannes After suffering a major fashion mishap at the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, on Thursday, the 38-year-old human rights lawyer resurfaced two days later looking bright and beautiful as she walked hand-in-hand with her husband, George Clooney.

Spotted leaving Hotel Du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, Amal stunned in a tie-neck Valentino dress, which featured patterned blocks in an assortment of vibrant colors. She completed her chic ensemble with a pair of gray wedges, oversized red sunglasses and a ruffled handbag.

George, 55, kept it cool and casual in a pair of light-wash denim jeans, a Casamigos Te-

The actor has submitted plans to Westminster City Council for the development which will be constructed on the site of several existing buildings.

The Wellington Hotel, as it will be called, will include a luxury spa, two restaurants and a central courtyard if it is granted planning permission. The star of Taxi and Goodfellas said: “London is one of the most exciting and cosmopolitan cities in the world.

“It makes perfect sense to develop a hotel that represents all of that in the heart of this city in Covent Garden.”

Constructing the hotel will involve knocking through six adjacent buildings, three of which are Grade II listed.

De Niro says he will respect the history of Covent Garden in his plan, which involves retaining the historical facades.

He added: “The Wellington Hotel would

honour the heritage of the area, while bringing the best of what we’ve done in New York to London.” The building would be surrounded by Wellington Street, Tavistock Street, Burleigh Street and Exeter Street and be just yards from the famous market building and Royal Opera House. Work is scheduled to begin in 2017 if plans are approved, with construction due to to finish in 2019.

The application is a joint venture by De Niro with two other developers - UK property firm Capco and America’s BD Hotels.

De Niro already works with BD’s billionaire owners in New York where they co-own the Greenwich Hotel.

The actor has been branching out into business in recent years, running the Tribeca film festival in New York and launching several other hotels and restaurants, including celebrity hangout Nobu.

quila T-shirt (he is an owner of the company, along with Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber) and leather jacket, clearly hoping to leave all eyes on his brunette beauty.

The fashionista made her Cannes Film Festival red carpet debut in a one-shoulder Versace gown at the Money Monster premiere.

While she looked as elegant as ever in the pastel yellow frock, the train on the dress caused her to stumble a few times as she attempted to make her way up the steps at the Palais des Festivals.

Luckily, George was there to rescue Amal - like a true gentleman! - and the two simply laughed off the embarrassing moment.

Sunday May 15, 2016

Kaieteur News

104 and going strong!

Evadnea Talbot, one of Buxton’s oldest citizens, is open to a crossword challenge in spite of celebrating her 104th birth anniversary this week.

Born on May 10, 1912, the woman grew up in Buxton where she still resides enjoying her five children, several grand children and great grand children.

Remarkably, she still has strong eyesight

and enjoys watching television and filling crosswords.

Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence, was among those wishing her well on this great milestone.

In photo the Minister presents the woman’s daughter, Hermine Talbot with a hamper for the senior citizen.

GEA rescues 47 Miles Village with energy supply From page 11 provide lighting when needed. The lack of lighting resulted in the invasion of bats which saw the items being destroyed and a significant amount of bat droppings which created a health hazard.

In the recent follow up visit, Headteacher of the school, Michelle Downer, said that the installation at the school has allowed for enhanced education.

GEQ quoted the teacher saying, “There was never any electricity before because the installation was not properly done…Since it was rectified, along with other technical assistance from GEA, we are now able to involve the children in the Ministry of Education ‘Interactive Radio Instruction’ (IRI) programme which has helped to enhance their numeracy and

development of other listening skills.”

As it relates to the teachers’ quarters, Downer indicated that they are now able to light both the interior and exterior of the building which has given them an additional sense of security…”Prior to the intervention there were robbery attempts and break and entering. Since the installation there have been no such attempts.”

GEA said that professionals at the health centre were also appreciative of the intervention.

Nurse Natoya Ashby said that the health centre now has a refrigerator which aids with the vaccination process.

“We usually get the vaccines from the Linden Hospital Complex and it is stored in a vaccine carrier that is lined with cold packs.

However, there are some

parents who cannot make it early. The refrigerator is very useful as it allows for the storage of additional cold packs which are used to replace those in the carrier; thereby allowing the vaccines to be kept at the right temperature to facilitate those parents who cannot make it early,” Nurse Ashby explained.

Additionally, she indicated that that there were break and entry incidents prior…”However since we were able to light the building and compound no such incident has occurred” GEA said that it will continue to facilitate such interventions as part of its community outreach with the aim of realizing its vision to provide reliable energy that is e c o n o m i c a l l y , environmentally and socially sustainable for all in Guyana.

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Sunday May 15, 2016

Kaieteur News

Family medicine for Guyana - Caring beyond prescription, giving hope for a better tomorrow

By Krystle Fraser World Family Doctor Day, 19th May 2016, is an opportunity to highlight and commend family doctors for their contributions to health care for all people around the world. Since its establishment in 2010 by the by the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA), family doctors around the world have celebrated this important day by organizing activities and events to acknowledge their contributions in the development of primary health care as well as highlight ongoing health care concerns.

This year the focus is to encourage the cessation of tobacco smoking, decreasing health damage due to the use of tobacco and its products and the promotion of education on the dangers of tobacco use.

One study in the US found that compared to patients who used specialists as their personal doctor, patients who used a primary care physician had 33% lower annual adjusted health care expenditures and lower adjusted mortality.

In both England and the

US, each additional primary care physician per 10,000 population is associated with a decrease in mortality of 310%, depending on the cause of death.

The importance of health promotion and disease prevention is every day clearer as we see the

epidemics of diabetes, hypertension, obesity, mental health disorders and all their complications unfold.

Developed countries are able to address these challenges with ever increasing technologies, devices and new medicines.

Lower middle income

countries like Guyana however, are burdened economically to deliver the best care.

In this setting, population based prevention and health promotion, along with rational and judicious use of limited resources become crucial. In this context, the family doctor must be a competent clinician, familiar with best practices as well as available resources, providing and coordinating the highest level of care.

They can help lower emergency room visits and hospital admission rates, prevent life threatening sequelae of chronic disease and lower healthcare costs by coordinating testing, procedures and follow- up care.

Formal training in family medicine began in Guyana in May 2015 when the MMed. Family Medicine Postgraduate course was

launched with a group of six residents. A robust curriculum was developed through the collaboration of the University of Ottawa, University of Guyana and the Institute for Health Science Education.

The programme incorporates local faculty distinguished in their specialties along with visiting family medicine specialists to provide the necessary blend of international best practice and expert opinion for our setting.

Even in the first year of existence of this programme, there have been notable changes in attitudes, perspectives and competencies among residents. One such example would be the enthusiastic uptake of a whole person perspective to health care.

This perspective takes into account more than just

the illness, but looks to improve a person’s wellness in all functions of life- social, emotional, physical, and mental.

The willingness to engage patients in a therapeutic relationship has led to the uncovering of underlying mental health issues which would otherwise go unrecognized.

In May 2016 a second cohort of residents were accepted into the programme.

And two new health centres, Sophia and Grove, in addition to Enmore and Campbellville, are now the homes of the family medicine programme where residents are working with local staff and the community to reach beyond traditional prescriptive medicine and see them attain the healthier and happier future they hope for.

The Family Medicine Postgraduate programme is set to be the vanguard in defining excellence in primary health care for Guyana.

In this next academic year we look forward to meeting and working with you as we rotate through different clinics, have a shared education event or contact you regarding management of a patient. We are excited to partner with different specialties and facilities.

We hope we can work together with all of you to improve communication and coordination of care for our patients to improve the efficiency and efficacy of all our work (hence our job satisfaction) and ultimately to improve the health and wellbeing of the people of Guyana.

Sunday May 15, 2016

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Kaieteur News

STANDARDS IN FOCUS....

LEARNING THE METRIC SYSTEM

STREET VENDOR loses his cart to City Constabulary A push cart fruit vendor was stopped by City Police on Friday after he tried to sell a watermelon in downtown Georgetown yesterday.

The owner of the cart who asked that his name remain anonymous said that he was on Avenue of Republic Road, at the time.

He was told that it was illegal to vend in the vicinity of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

His yellow and green-striped cart which carried several slices of the fruit, briefly obstructed the flow of traffic as the officers turned it around and pushed it to City Hall.

- USING THE UNITS OF V OL UME VOL OLUME

Suspect in Linden businesswoman’s murder among two fugitives captured It’s two more cases in the bag for the police, with the capture of Thurston Kenrick Williams, who was wanted for the March 2015 murder of gold miner Charles Major at Mahdia, and the arrest of fugitive Stafrei Alexander, wanted for the April 4, 2015 murder of businesswoman Shevon Gordon.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum said that Williams, of Lot 9-10 Queen Street, South Cummingsburg, was arrested on Friday in a bus at the Mahdia bus park in Georgetown.

Alexander was held around 10.00 hrs yesterday in a bus at Yupukari, Rupununi.

Williams was questioned at CID Headquarters, where he reportedly admitted to killing Charles Major, 57, whose battered body was found on the Dickman Hill Backdam trail on March 6, 2015.

Williams reportedly blamed Major for causing his aunt’s death several years ago. He also claimed that he had worked with Major, but that the miner had robbed him. The suspect stated that he was ‘smoking weed’ with another man some time last year when he told his associate about the things Major had done.

His companion, known as ‘Dougla’, reportedly claimed that M a j o r h a d c a u s e d h i s b r o t h e r ’s death.

He reportedly told investigators that he was smoking ‘weed’ with ‘Dougla’ on another occasion when

Stafrei Alexander

Kenrick Williams

‘Dougla’ expressed the desire to “done he (Major’s) dance.”

They later attacked and killed Major. Before killing the miner, Williams reportedly told the victim: “this is for my aunt and this is for robbing me.”

He is to be charged this week.

St a f r e i A l e x a n d e r, t h e o t h e r captured fugitive, was charged for the April 4, 2015 murder of businesswoman Shevon Gordon, who was shot by two bandits who had accosted her after she stepped out of her truck. She was also relieved of a bag containing money. Her son was also wounded.

Hopkinson, 30, of Lot 129, Laing

Av e n u e , We s t Ruimveldt, Georgetown; Robin Maxwell Thomas, and Aiden Bowen, of Blueberry Hill, were arrested and charged with Gordon’s murder. Alexander was also slapped with several armed robbery charges.

B u t i n D e c e m b e r, 2 0 1 5 , Hopkinson and Thomas escaped from the Mackenzie Police Station.

They were to have attended court the following day.

Thomas’s decomposing body was found in the Demerara River, in the vicinity of West Watooka, some weeks later. Thomas is believed to have provided investigators with information about the murder.

As we prepare to commemorate World Metrology Day on May 20, 2016, the focus will be on measurement and its importance to our daily lives.

Therefore, it is relevant for all of Guyana to refresh and recommit to the use of the metric system, as we place focus on the units of Volume.

Most of us would know that the Metric System is a measurement system using Standard International (SI) Units. It is simple to learn and easy to use because of its decimal nature.

Let’s look at the metric units used for measuring Liquids also referred to as measurement by Volume.

Volume refers to the space an object occupies and it is measured in cubic metres (m3). The volume of a container is generally understood to be the capacity of the container, that is, the amount of fluid (gas or liquid) that the container could hold.

Therefore, the Metric unit for measuring Volume is the cubic meter (m3) but the Litre which is a unit of volume denoted as capitol “L” is used especially for measuring liquids. The general rule for writing metric symbols is to use lower case letters, However there is an exception in this case.

1 Litre (L) of water at 40C weighs 1 kilogram.

Litre (L) - The Litre is used for measuring intermediate and large amounts of liquids, such as fuel at the filling stations, juices, water, and cooking oil.

One litre is equivalent to one and three quarters of a pint 4.546 Litres are equivalent to 1 gallon.

Another commonly used

unit is the Millilitre (mL). The millilitre is used for measuring very small amounts of liquids.

For example, contents of medicines.

1000 millilitres is equal to one litre.

In Guyana soft drinks are sold in 250 mL, 500 mL or ½ litre, 1 litre and 2 litre packages.

There has been significant progress in the implementation of this unit of measurement in Guyana.

Wholesalers of liquid commodities have been measuring, prepackaging and labelling the said commodities in litres and millilitres with the exception of a few who still label soft drinks in imperial units.

Further, the GNBS has managed to have all fuel stations throughout the country convert their dispensing meters from imperial to metric, and as such, fuel is sold in Litres and millilitres.

Wholesalers and retailers of all liquid commodities, especially drinking water, now need to go a step further and label their commodities totally in metric, excluding the imperial conversions.

Advertisements for these commodities also need to be done in the same manner.

CONSUMERS DO NOT BUY RICE, PEAS AND OTHER SOLID GRAINS BY PINTS, GALLONS OR LITRES. THESE COMMODITIES MUST BE WEIGHED AND SOLD BY MASS BECAUSE THEYARE SOLID. BUY THESE COMMODITIES BY GRAMMES AND KILOGRAMMES. For further information please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 2190069, 219-0065, 219-0062.

PAGE 68

Sunday May 15, 2016

Kaieteur News

Security officer at ESSEQUIBO SMASH-UP CLAIMS St. Margaret’s FOUR, SEVERAL OTHERS INJURED Primary remanded - drunk driving reportedly the cause for injuring parent A security officer of St. Margaret’s Primary School was on Friday indicted on an unlawful wounding charge after he admitted that he struck a woman with a padlock while he was on duty.

Appearing at the city’s court Peter Noble, of Lot 154 Section ‘C’ Sophia pleaded guilty to unlawfully wounding Simone Lewis, a parent of a child attending the school on April 26, at Camp Street, Georgetown.

Noble, 45, pleaded guilty to the offence when the charge was read to him by Magistrate Faith McGusty.

The man, who said that he is employed by a private security service, told the court that on that day Lewis, a mother of two, tried to force her way into the compound through a gate. He said that he was instructed not to let anyone through the gate at a certain hour.

“It was 2:30pm when she came to see her daughter,” Noble said. He told the court that even after he informed the woman about the restrictions, she still persisted.

Prosecutor Seon Blackman told the court that he was not in possession of the file at the time to relay the facts to the court. However, Lewis, 42, told the court that she went to the school to collect her seven-year-old daughter when Noble refused to allow her inside the compound. She related that she tried to push the gate to let herself through but “He tek a padlock and lash me in my head and cuff me to my face.”

“As a result, my forehead burst and the side of my eye was swollen.” Lewis told the court that she received a medical from the hospital for her injuries.

Lewis was arraigned on two charges of assaulting the man on the same day. She denied the allegations. She was also charged with malicious damage to property where she allegedly damaged the man’s shirt valued at $2000 - an allegation she also denied.

The 42 year old woman (no address given) was granted $15,000 bail and the matter was scheduled to continue on May 16.

Noble was remanded to prison. He will appear again on Monday for his verdict.

In the aftermath of what is being described by Essequibians as one of the worst accidents in recent years, five persons are dead and several others seriously injured.

A minibus carrying partygoers, and a motorcar, were involved in a head on collision on Friday night.

Three persons from the minibus and one occupant of the motorcar are now deceased. Leavon Clay aka Jack, Stefan Benn and Esan Cornette all hailing from Dartmouth; and Gavin Laurie of Plantation Andrews are those that reportedly died while receiving treatment at the Suddie Public Hospital.

According to reports, the driver of minibus BRR 3943, Glensford Stephens, and Ruel Lawrie, who was driving motor-car PMM5867, were both speeding while under the influence.

Stephens who was transporting 16 passengers in the minibus, was headed south along the Richmond Public Road while Laurie was heading in the opposite direction when the accident occurred.

It was reported that Stephen was transporting the occupants of the minibus to a party while Laurie was said

to be returning to his Plantation Andrews home with Gavin Laurie, Navin Radesh, Maxton and Maxwell Laurie.

The four occupants of the car had earlier travelled to Queenstown Village to transport an employee and were returning home when they collided head on with Stephens’ bus in front of popular hangout spot “Wongies”.

Gavin Laurie died three hours after the accident at the Suddie Public Hospital. He reportedly sustained a broken right leg and severe internal injuries.

The dead man’s teenage sister, Renisa Laurie stated that her family received word of the accident shortly before midnight after a friend called to inform her.

Laurie leaves to mourn his parents and two siblings.

Esan Cornette, a student of the Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI) and was an occupant of the minibus.

His cousin, Osafo Cornette said that Esan left his Darthmouth home some time Friday night to meet with a friend.

Osafo stated that around 2am the family learnt of the accident. By the time they had traveled to Richmond; the scene of

The wrecked car

Mechanic gun-butted, robbed by bandits A 27-year-old mechanic was gun-butted and robbed by two bandits Friday night after one of the men entered his car and demanded that he follow the other gunman, who was driving a white Toyota Premio. The bandits’ car had no number plate.

The victim, Kushal Singh—with a gun to his head, was instructed to follow the white car which was being driven by one of the armed men. This was around 21:30 hrs.

Singh was taken into John Smith Street, Campbellville, where he was beaten and robbed of $70,000, a cell phone, driver’s licence, bank cards and his car keys.

The men then escaped.

The victim, during an interview yesterday, said that he had just parked in front of a shop at Prashad Nagar and was about to exit his car when he heard someone shout, “Don’t move” at him.

“This guy had a gun to my head while standing outside the car because the window was down and he tell the other guy to come in the car with me. The other guy come in and put a gun to my head and tell me to follow their car,” Singh recalled.

The devastated young man said that he did not have a choice since a gun was pointed at him while he was heading to John Smith Street—a desolated area.

“He (bandit) told me when to stop the car and the other guy came out from his car and walk straight up to me and ask for money,” Singh said. He added that he told the men that he had no money on him.

“When they searched and find money, they hit me in my head with the gun and they continued searching. They search in the trunk and everywhere to see what else they could find,” the victim said.

He added that after the men finished searching his vehicle, they escaped.

A report was made to the police and the matter is under investigation.

The bus that was involved in the deadly collision.

DEAD: Gavin Lawrie

DEAD: Esan Cornette the accident, Cornette appeared to be dead.

Meanwhile no relatives for Leavon Clay have stepped forward to claim his body. Stephon Benn, 19, reportedly died around 11am on Saturday.

Those hospitalized at the Suddie Public Hospital include, Anil Marks, Alvin Stephen, Glensford Stephens, Caden Clay, Kevin Brummell, Alfred Shepherd, Kevin Clay, Trevon John, Delroy Barrington, Lancel Caesar, Rovon Johnson, Ansel Cornette, Maxwell Laurie and Maxton Laurie, Navin Pradesh and Ruwel Laurie.

Recent accidents on the Essequibo Coast have claimed eleven lives for the first quarter of this year alone.

Sunday May 15, 2016

By Dr. Neromini Fagu We all know that smoking is bad for our health. It increases the risks for several types of cancers, respiratory diseases, coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes and ulcers. It can contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes, earlier menopause in women, and sperm abnormalities and impotence in men.

Smoking also has a very negative impact on our oral health as the chemicals in cigarettes are in direct contact with our mouths and the structures within. It affects our senses of taste and smell and contributes to many oral health problems.

Bad Breath More than 4,000 chemicals pass through a smoker’s oral cavity every time he or she lights up. Smoking contributes to bad breath by drying out your mouth leading to gum infection, and even sinus irritation resulting in post-nasal drip. The most immediate way that cigarettes cause bad breath is by leaving smoke particles in the throat and lungs. This effect

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Kaieteur News

Smoking and its effects on YOUR ORAL HEALTH is typical of nearly any tobacco product that involves inhaling smoke or rolling it around in your mouth.

The smell of a freshly smoked cigarette can linger in the lungs for hours, hence the stale scent associated with a smoker’s breath.

From a somewhat broader perspective, tobacco causes chronic bad breath by drying out the palate which is repeatedly subjected to hot gases.

The frequent inhalation of the hot smoke parches the tongue and gums, leaving a dry, chemical-filmed environment where anaerobic oral bacteria can run rampant.

Gum Disease Gum disease is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults. Smokers are four times more likely to develop gum disease than non-smokers, as smokers tend to produce more bacterial plaque in their mouths which put their gums under attack.

The chemicals in cigarettes may restrict the blood flow to the gum tissues, thus limiting the nutrients necessary for bone and periodontal support of the teeth.

Because of the lower levels of oxygen in your blood, you will also have slower healing times when your gums become infected, and recovery will take longer.

Staining and Tooth Discolouration There are two substances in tobacco that cause the teeth to become stained: tarandnicotine. Our tooth enamel contains microscopic pores, and when you smoke some of the tar and nicotine are drawn into the mouth and settles into these pores.

Tar is naturally dark and nicotine is actually colourless but when it is combined with oxygen molecules it becomes

yellowish.

Over time, as tar and nicotine continue to build up in the pores, it causes discolouration of the teeth.

The resulting stains usually appear yellowish or brownish and generally affect the enamel layer of the teeth.

Tooth Loss and Post Extraction Healing Smokers are twice more likely to suffer tooth loss from dental decay than non-smokers. You are also at a greater risk of developing dry socket from tooth extraction procedures. This is mainly because of the disruption of the blood clot at the extraction site due to the constant suction in the

mouth when smoking.

When dry socket occurs, you experience severe pain in the affected area due to the bone and nerve endings being exposed.

Quitting smoking is probably the most effective way to ensure better oral health, but for those who continue to smoke there are a few things that you should keep in mind. While everyone should get dental checkups twice a year, those who smoke should consider more frequent visits. Smokers should take extra care with brushing, flossing, and using a tongue cleaner. There are specially formulated toothpastes for smokers which are chemically stronger and better able to tackle harder to clean bacteria.

There are also mouthwashes that are made just for smokers. If you smoke you should also perform oral health self-checkups on a regular basis. You should check for long lasting sores around the face, mouth, and neck. If the sores persist after two weeks, it can be a sign of a more serious problem.

White, red, or dark patches on the inside of the

Dr. Neromini Fagu mouth, under the tongue, and on the cheeks that last more than two weeks should be brought to the attention of your dentist.

Just in case you were thinking that you are okay with living with the consequences of your smoking, consider this: Second hand smoke can be just as harmful to those around you as it contains at least 50 known carcinogens and other harmful chemicals. So, next time you light up, remember it’s not only about you.

For more information contact OMNI DENTAL at 295 Quamina Street, Georgetown Tel: 227-0025, Parika Tel: 260-3133 or send emails to nerominifagu @hotmail.com.

CONSUMER CONCERNS

50th anniversary is here: new beginings for happier Guyana PAT DIAL We are just a week away from the week of activities to celebrate the 50th Anniversary. The week begins next Sunday, May 22.

Anniversaries are always multifaceted events but the first 50th Anniversary is unique in any country’s history as it is something which shall never again occur.

Three of the most important of the many facets which will be seen over the next two weeks is firstly, the Celebratory where all who wish to participate could enjoy the performing arts, partying, eating and even street-dancing to steel bands.

It is a time for children to participate in as many of the celebratory events as they could for they would be accumulating experiences which would bring them happy nostalgic memories in later life.

The second facet which will suffuse this period is the Reflective.

Most of us, both young and old, will reflect upon our personal as well as our country’s History. One does not necessarily have to be 50 years of age to do so.

We will reflect upon our achievements, our failings, our missed opportunities, our mistakes and how we corrected them. In this process of Reflection, the newspapers and TV will carry appropriate photos and writings and programmes. The Ministry of Education has organized some symposiums as part of this

process of Reflection. Students, both at University and at Secondary schools are enjoined to take advantage of them.

In this process of Reflection, we could take the opportunity of listening to the music which was enjoyed over this period. Such music will be both Western as well as Indian.

It will be a rewarding experience for younger people to listen to the music, especially the hits, which were enjoyed by their parents and grandparents. The various patriotic songs composed in this period could be revived.

The Militia and Police Bands which used to give regular performances in Georgetown and New Amsterdam should resuscitate such concerts not only in the two old municipalities but also in the newer ones as well.

A third facet which will inevitably occur during Anniversary week is our envisaging the kind of country we hope and expect Guyana will be within the next 50 years.

Such dreams and pictures of Guyana in the years to come have generally been articulated by our writers, poets, journalists and leaders over the years.

These dreams and pictures are part of the folk memory of the nation from the time of Raleigh onwards and our intellectuals are quite conversant with them.

The 50th Anniversary provides the opportunity and ambience for

our intellectuals to assimilate these disparate dreams and pictures and create holistic plans and blueprints for Guyana over the next two generations. Such plans and blueprints could provide programmes for social and economic development and be a source of optimism in the coming years.

The 50th Anniversary commemoration is therefore useful and valuable in helping to create a happier Guyana of the future. But the Commemoration also has a very practical side and we will highlight a few of the practical achievements.

In the first place, as a direct result of the Commemoration, Guyana has enjoyed a successful clean-up campaign. Drainage of the City of Georgetown has greatly improved, the mountains of garbage have been cleaned, and the massive proliferation of sellers on foot, in carts and motor vehicles and shanty stalls have been cleared making way for planned urban development.

The clearing of Stabroek Square and the contiguous parts of Water Street is one of the memorable achievements of the 50th Anniversary. Then there has been the orderly and high standard of bed-andbreakfast accommodation and culture introduced. This is not only useful for visitors from abroad but for Guyanese moving from one part of the country to another.

There are also serious and successful efforts being made to introduce a regime of hygenic and cleanly

preparation and selling of food publicly. Places of cooking will be inspected and all sellers will eventually be given a badge as evidence that their preparation has been inspected and that they are healthy persons without any infectious diseases.

Dr Gobind Ganga, Governor of the Central Bank, has put into circulation a $50 note which is not only a fitting commemorative event, but would assist in the counting and keeping of cash.

One of the most impacting and imaginative commemorative events was the launching of a 50-year old rum by Demerara Distillers going with an 18-carat gold medal. DDL produces the best rums in the world.

Its flagship rums are sold in all the major airports, worldwide. Over the years, the company has quietly given Guyana a very positive image everywhere. The launching of the

50-year-old with a gold medal thrown in, is a unique event in the history of the rum and distillery business and all Guyanese at home and abroad feel proud and express their appreciation to Dr. Yesu Persaud and Mr Komal Samaroo, the CEO of the Company for this fine achievement.

And lastly, President David Granger has emphatically remarked that the 50th Anniversary commemoration has presented an extraordinary opportunity for us as a nation and as a country to work for greater unity. The PPP party has unequivocally declared that it is supportive of the 50th Anniversary commemoration.

At this moment, both Government and Opposition need to extend the hand of fraternity to each other with a new beginning of understanding, tolerance and accommodation but the initiative rests with Government primarily.

PAGE 70

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Experienced Mechanic preferably on East Bank-Call: 666-8121; 265-3424

Transported property in Regent Street between Wellington & Camp. Call: 625-1514

Cashiers/salesperson to work in general store on East Coast. Call Nalinie: 625-8662; 699-0143 Salesgirls, Porters & Watchman. Apply with written application @ Best Buys Food Supplies, 1E Dennis & Middleton Streets, Campbellville.

One boy to assist in a shop in the Interior. Call: 678-0565 Gasoline and light diesel mechanic needed. Call: 6230318

La Parfaite Harmonie: $6M, $5M, $20M, New Road -$17M, $15M, C.I -$6M, Pouderoyen $45M. Terms available on lands. Call: 604-6724

Experienced dispatcher and hire car drivers @ Princess Hotel Providence. Call: 2657075; 616-5419 1 Live in waitress must have secondary education, know to use cash register -$70,000$80,000 monthly. Call: 6103974 Live in waitress to work in a bar @ Berbice- Call: 6046606;692-4649 Land to buy in La Parfaite Harmonie, Uitvlugt, Zeelugt and Tuschen, Best Price offer. Call: 642-1252 Experienced general domestic to work in G/town.

Must know to prepare Indian dishes, honest & pleasant.

Call: 656-6388 1 Cleaner to work in snackette & bar. Must know to cookbetween ages 20-35 -Call: 6477432/ 223-5798 Arc/Acetylene Welder 10yrs.

Plus machine shop experienced. Call: 227-1830 (57pm)

TAXI SERVICES

Sunday May 15, 2016

Kaieteur News

Fitter/Machinist; Arc/ Acetylene welders -35yrs plus high rates if qualifiedCall: 227-1830 Chilly’s Bar wanted waitress, apply in person @ lot 7 Public Road Ruimveldt, G/Town.

Land to buy @ La Parfaite Harmonie, Providence, Eccles, Tuschen, Uitvlugt. Best price & cash. Call: 604-6724

WANTED 1 General worker to work shift-Call: 218-1400 Driver/Salesman: experienced is an asset - interested persons call: 226-9800 We pay cash for residential house lots: Eccles, Farm, Bartica, La Parfaite Harmonie, Herstelling & Other areas.

Call: 604-2207; 611-7223 Dispatchers. Call: 622-0622; 680-2181; 226-8055 between 9am-6pm Land to buy at Mocho, Second Bridge, two at Farm & 2 at Herstelling. Call: 2660693; 611-3398 Drivers & Domestic workers.

Apply to GEB Security Services Inc., 10 Providence E.B.D with police clearance & 2 character references.

Do you live or ever lived/ work in the Bahamas? Got Friends or family there? Call: 604-2207; 611-7223

4 Bedroom property @ Enterprise, 3 bathrooms, 2 garage, pressurized system, overhead tanker, generator, etc. Call: 600-6195 Brand new 2 storey concrete building in 5th Avenue, Diamond, E.B.D, all modern amenities -$41M –Call: 6629335; 612-3244 Property @ 32 Princess St., Wortmanville, GeorgetownCall: 621-8767 2 Storey property: 4 bedrooms (1 master), grilled, toilet (both flat), concrete fence @ Q68 Guyhoc Gardens, Ruimveldt. Call: 231-9174 Property @ Yarrowkabra: 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, 2 storey, concrete fence, 1 Acre lots of fruit trees. Call: 682-5212 or 0011- 305-232-5843 FOR SALE 1 Cargo Boat – steel haul with 1-671 GM engine 50’X13’X6’Call: 691-5104; 609-3447 48,000 BTU/H Klimaire $70,000, Mark 2 Car (H17), small glass case -3ft. Call Patricia: 626-5317

CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM Aidan’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up, cheapest rate, low security- Call: 698-7807 Wing’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up rental- Call: 690-6494

One fuel tanker (new), 1 steel vessel with documents, in working condition. Call: 665-3664 Roxie’s Fashion Independence custom made clothing: costume, spandex, metallic & plain, leotard & tights. Call: 227-8538; 6964397; 622-4386 1 Model M Truck, gym & salon equipment, 1 cash register, 3 TV sets (all used).

Call: 622-4386; 696-4397 Salon equipment, 1 complete shampoo sink with chair, 1 air brush compressor, 1 facial steamer, all new. Call: 2162465; 629-6757

One 125CC XR for sale $270,000–Call: 699-7870; 6988503 ROAD TO BELWASA & A DIP AT THE SANGAM. AVAILABLE @ AUSTIN’S BOOK STORE- TEL: 2267350/7 & AT LATCHMANSINGH DRUG STORE. TEL: 226-5053 Whole sale pork for sale-Call: 644-8396 Dachshund puppies, dewormed- $15,000. Call: 2160521/694-3567 One Toyota Minibus (BJJ series). Contact Kelvin: 677-7910 Mouldings, spindles, hand rails, pine cupboard doors 16X27 -$3200 (knot free)Call: 621-1278 1 Complete high volume 3 stage water purification system, UV light, water tanks, reasonably price, owner migrating. Call: 649-8430 YAMAHA 600CC BIKE 2013 FULLY REGISTERED. CALL ELIAS: 628-3003; 667-4845; 610-0068 Freezer, 2 doors cooler, food warmer, industrial stove, pots & all equipment for restaurant Call: 698-7438; 678-4724

Three bedrooms top flat @ 20 Peter’s Hall Public Road, East Bank. Call: 233-6930 Prominent business premises for rent @ 106 Smyth Street, Georgetown. Call: 226-3560 Bottom flat for business situated in prime business area @ Robb Street Bourda.

Call: 226-1642 2 Bedrooms lower apartment @ 529 Section “D” Block “X” Great Diamond, Housing Scheme –Call: 689-1518; 2164200 after 6PM Bottom flat (2 rooms) @ Enmore, East Coast Demerara. Call: 256-0912; 6048929; 664-9261 Shop for rent in Lethem 2850sqft front line- Call: 6257171

Muscovy Ducklings-Call: 254-1768 or 602-7203 One Red RX8 Motor Car, fully loaded music set, new tyres & mags- hardly usedexcellent condition- Call: 6802095; 261-5401 Rotweiler pups - 622-6646/ 652-8511 One 6X6 logging truck (alligator type) very good condition -$4M negotiable. Call: 621-5950; 602-9068 Pit-bull Puppies for sale, mother & father from Hubu.

Call: 601-5374

FOR SALE 1-4 Piece queen size bedroom set, 1 bed, 1 wardrobe, 1 vanity, 1 chest of draw ( price-$100,000), 1 parker ($50,000). Call: 6731350 One 15HP Yamaha outboard engine -$200,000 negotiable, one 5HP Yamaha, outboard engine -$100,000 negotiable.

Call: 688-7017; 628-2692

Roxie’s Fashion has on sale flags (coloured), Independence casual wear dresses @ 301 Church St. Call: 227-8538; 622-4386 1 New model IST, PTT $1.7M negotiable, 1 new model Allion PSS -$2.5M negotiable, 1R6 Yamaha CD $600,000 negotiable.

Call: 622-7201

FOR SALE/RENT American pool table - Call: 277-0578 (Continued on page 71)

Sunday May 15, 2016

Commercial banks report lower profits as economy struggles The banking sector is facing challenges with at least two of them reporting lower profits when compared to same period last year.

It would be the first time a number of years that has happened.

The two banks are the Demerara Bank Limited and Citizens Bank.

According to published mid-year reports for the sixmonth period ending March 31, 2016, Demerara Bank has managed to chalk up $711 profit before tax as compared to $902M for the same period in 2015.

Deposits to the bank, according to Chairman, Dr. Yesu Persaud, increased from $47.5B to $51.7B, an increase of 8.8 percent. Loans and advances moves from $23.3B to $24.4B, an increase of 4.7 percent.

According to Dr. Persaud, Guyana economic growth was lower than expected at three percent at the end of 2015.

This was as a result of mixed performance in the major sectors of the Guyanese economy.

“Global growth, estimated at 3.1 percent in 2015, is projected at 3.4 percent in 2016 and 3.6 percent in 2017.

The local and global business environment may continue to remain challenging in 2016.”

For Demerara Bank, the drop in profits would be significant since between October 2014 and March

PAGE 71

Kaieteur News Local banks are reporting less profits as the economy continues to struggle.

From page 70

VACANCY

2015, the profit of the bank has gone up to $901.9M against profit of $760.6M in the corresponding period of 2014.

The deposit base of the bank rose from $40.4B in March 2014 to $47.5B as on March 31, 2015, reflecting an increase of 17.6%. “ At present, the bank has a network of six branches countrywide with a new corporate headquarters commissioned.

Meanwhile, the situation of a drop in profits, was also evident at Citizens Bank.

The bank, for its half year, recorded a profit after taxation of $441M compared to the $459M for the corresponding period last year. Net interest income remained $1.2B. The bank’s operation expense went up to $621M compared to $562M. As at March 31, Citizens Bank would have chalked up net loans and advances of $29.4B, compared to $31.8B to

the corresponding period.

Total deposit was $38.3B compared to the $34.7B at March 31, 2015.

According to Citizens Bank, the remaining six months of its financial year will require them to overcome many challenges.

“Citizens Bank Guyana Inc. is however optimistic that our strategies will yield a satisfactory performance that will result in increased shareholders’ value.”

The downturn in the economy in the local economy has been felt for some time now with businesses complaining of reduced spending by consumers.

This is significant if it is taken into account that consumer spending continues to play a vital role.

The reduction in house lot distribution and by extension, the slowdown in construction have all contributed to the challenges.

Nandlall insists Brassington...

From page 13 Jonathan Brassington knew of the offer of the shares in Hand in Hand Trust through a public advertisement or by way of his brother Winston, who would have known of the offer as a shareholder representing NICIL. Ram has suggested that in any other Caribbean country, Brassington would have already been prosecuted.

In a column, Ram pointed to the deficiencies in the Guyana Legislation. Ram said, “More developed markets and economies have been grappling with the phenomenon of insider dealing for decades.

These almost invariably deal with the use of information by “insiders” a term generally defined to mean directors and officers but which in some cases include a 10 per cent shareholder as NICIL is in Hand-in-Hand Trust.”

Ram posited, “The rationale here is that of the fiduciary obligation imposed by law on those in a position of trust, an obligation owed in any case to the company and not to any shareholder or member of the public.”

He said that Guyana’s general laws on the use of insider information are not well developed and any progress appears to have ceased with the Securities Industry Act 1998.

“The 1991 Companies Act was an improvement over the Companies Act it replaced, but as far as insider trading goes, it deals with the concept only in respect of

narrowly defined transactions and persons…The Financial Institutions Act and the Securities Industry Act are both limited in their scope and only to companies within the ambit of those two Acts.”

The FIA’s provisions deal with conflicts of interest involving directors and officers and the disclosure of customer information, while the SIA defines “insider” to include a person (an outsider) who is informed of a material confidential fact by an insider.

This is not unlike the UK Criminal Justice Act 1993 which creates a distinction between a primary insider (a person who has direct knowledge of inside information) and a secondary insider (a person who learns inside information from an inside source).

Under this definition, “Winston Brassington would clearly be, at the very least, a secondary insider, except that the SIA deals only with a certain kind of company.”

Habits are not the product of one decision — They’re the result of repeated choices that eventually become automatic responses. How can you know your true spiritual condition? By the company you keep and the choices you make. When you’re free to go, where do you choose to go? Whose company do you prefer?

LAND FOR SALE Land @ La Grange Public Road to Sea Dam 4 Acres for commercial or Housing Scheme-Call: 625-1514 High value transported land, Greater Diamond, E.B.D $8.5M. Call: 684-7234 Bartica (corner lot) $2.8M; Eccles -$5.5M, Herstelling (corner lot) -$3M, La Parfaite-$1.3M & $2M. Call: 611-7223; 604-2207 Tuschen -$1.2M, Zeelugt $1.2M, La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.2M, Herstelling –$5M. (All prices negotiable). Call: 642-1252 La Parfaite Harmonie-$1M, $1.3M, $1.6M, Providence$4M, $4.5M, Eccles -$5M, New Road- $15M, Tuschen -$1.3M, $2M. Call: 604-6724

TO LET Fully furnished 2 storey house with 3 AC bedrooms, security & sensor lights, etc @ Gated Community. Call: 668-8714; 685-5845 Large 6 bedrooms house with toilet and bath, fully furnished @ Soesdyke Linden Highway. Call: 6000036/223-1273

Popular East Coast Gas Station Day/Night: pump attendants, sales clerk & office assistant. Contact: 6719570; 695-9880,Non-Pareil Exist at Confidential Cabs for one experienced dispatcher.

Call: 231-5784 Cook/baker for the Interior location, applicants must be experienced. Call: 618-2020

VEHICLE FOR SALE Toyota WILL VS-low mileage, 2010 Kawasaki Ninja 250r- imported from the USA, low mileage. Call: 674-9002 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154

Need a job? Call JFWW (local & international) earn -$5,000$20,000 daily –#233-6517; 638-0595; 622-1957 MondayFriday 9am-5pm/ www.jobfairworldwide.com

AT192, 212, Allion, Premio, Hilux Surf, BRR, RZ & Pitbull,Pajero Junior: Cash / terms- Call:680-3154

Female secretary must be 2535yrs, computer literate & at least Grade 2 in English. Call: 643-4049 One Driver/salesman and one cashier: apply @ Mike’s Pharmacy, Lot 1 Bel-Air, Embankment Road.

One three bedrooms flat concrete house for rent-Call: 678-9413

Toyota Fun Cargo, AT212, AT192, RZ, 4 Door Canter, Wagon (Suzuki Viatara 4WD) Nissan pickup 2008 unregistered. Call: 644-5096; 697-1453

CLEANING LADY FOR 15 Seater pit-bull -$2M- Call: OFFICE: MATURE, 697-2550; 613-1810 HONEST& FOCUS ON THE JOB. POLICE CLEARANCE One 212 -$1.1M, one long & REFERENCE A MUST. base canter-$2.3M, One RZ CALL: 231-8529/ 231-8344 minibus long base -$1M. Call: 604-6724 Sales Representative (with valid license); Labourers & Honda Civic motor car, Driver (with valid license)- 250cc Kawasaki Ninja Apply: jkeshwani.alesie motorcycle- Call: 696-2815 @gmail.com Call: 269-0026/ Toyota Hilux Surf 3Y fuel 269-0058 injected automatic Female office assistant for 2 transmission. Call: 600-6195 months -$28,000 per month – 2001 Tacoma stick gear, 4WD Call: 626-6722 -$1.7M, serious enquiries Evening cashiers, porters. only. Owner migrating! Call: Apply at Survival, 16 650-9840 Vlissengen Road & Duncan St., with application and Brand new KIA sports SUV. Call: 624-5650 passport size photo.

Unregistered Toyota Allion 2005: dark interior, HID lights, Waiters/Waitress/Cashiers rose light - $2.2M negotiablewith 3yrs experience.

Call: 617-5536 Contact 222-7375/660-5839 for interview Roxi’s Fashion has vacancy for 1 seamstress & 1 sewing machine operator. Apply @ 301 Church St. Call: 227-8538; 622-4386 Minibus & Lorry Drivers needed, must have valid driver’s license. Call: 661-7777 serious enquiries only

Rooms in guesthouse, selfcontained -$35USD per night @ Kuru Kururu- Call: 2616456/600-0036 One bedroom apartment; furnished @ Durban & Haley -$40USD per night, overseas guest, female. Call: 600-0036; 223-1273

One Toyota IST 2007 Model, PRR series, female driven, in excellent condition.

Call: 678-2495 & 692-1999

LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997

EDUCATIONAL Private Tutoring is available for all age groups-Contact Ms Cort on 672-0348 for details.

MASSAGE Relaxing Massage Therapy Services. Call: 674-8147

PAGE 72

Kaieteur News

Sunday May 15, 2016

Sunday May 15, 2016

Kaieteur News

Nigeria’s central bank denies report of planned devaluation Reuters - Nigeria’s central bank denied yesterday a website report that the West African nation planned to devalue the naira currency.

Speculation of a devaluation has been rife since Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said on Wednesday the central bank needed to change its foreign currency policies to spur investment.

The news website SaharaReporters.com, which focuses on Nigerian politics, said President Muhammad Buhari had agreed to devalue the naira in exchange for funds from the International Monetary Funds (IMF) to help offset a slump in oil revenues.

The website is based in New York and founded by a Nigerian journalist. It seeks to the hold the government to account by encouraging tipoffs from sources and whistleblowers.

Quoting unnamed Buhari aides, it said the naira rate to the dollar could fall to 290, compared with 198 currently.

“The rumour that the naira is going to be devalued is

false,” said Isaac Okoroafor, a spokesman for the central bank.

Buhari has so far resisted calls by the IMF and investors for a devaluation.

On Wednesday, Osinbajo said Nigeria needed a “substantial” review of its foreign exchange policies and would see very soon a more flexible approach. Asked whether Nigeria needed to devalue the

naira, Osinbajo said then that “there is an ongoing debate” but that it was too early to say whether such a move made sense.

The central bank has imposed hard currency curbs and frozen the naira rate to the dollar, which has hit investment as foreign firms expect Nigeria to devalue the currency anyway at some point due to a slump in oil revenues.

PAGE 73

PAGE 74

Sunday May 15, 2016

Kaieteur News

Brexit leader Johnson says EU on same doomed path as Hitler LONDON (Reuters) - Boris Johnson, who is leading the “Out” campaign ahead of Britain’s European Union membership referendum, said in an interview that the bloc was following the path of Adolf Hitler and Napoleon by trying to create a European superstate.

Johnson told The Sunday Telegraph newspaper that the EU lacked democracy and a unifying authority and was doomed to fail.

“Napoleon, Hitler, various people tried this out, and it ends tragically,” Johnson was quoted as saying in an interview.

“The EU is an attempt to do this by different methods. But fundamentally what is lacking is the eternal problem, which is that there is no underlying loyalty to the idea of Europe,” the former London mayor said.

“There is no single authority that anybody respects or understands. That is causing this massive democratic void.”

Johnson, who is a front-runner to succeed Prime Minister David Cameron, has emerged as the most important voice in the “Out” camp ahead of the June 23 referendum.

Cameron, who is leading the “In” campaign, has argued that Britain’s membership of the EU makes the country more secure, more influential and more prosperous. He also says Britain, which is not part of the single-currency euro zone, will not be dragged into ever

Boris Johnson closer union among the EU’s member states.

But an opinion poll published earlier on Saturday suggested that twice the number of voters believed Johnson was more likely to tell the truth about the EU than Cameron.

With less than six weeks to go until the referendum, voters are evenly split between wanting to remain in the EU and preferring to leave, other opinion polls have shown.

In his interview with The Sunday Telegraph, Johnson said he wanted the British people to be “the heroes of Europe” again, creating echoes of the language used by wartime prime minister Winston Churchill, the newspaper said.

Cameron struggles to make Britons believe his EU message - poll

British Prime Minister David Cameron delivers a speech to supporters of the ‘Stronger In’ campaign event in Witney, Oxfordshire, Britain, yesterday. REUTERS/WILL OLIVER / POO Reuters - Prime Minister David Cameron is struggling to convince voters he is telling the truth about why Britain should stay in the European Union and his main “Out” rival Boris Johnson is doing a better job, an opinion poll found. Only 21 percent of respondents in the survey carried out by polling firm ComRes agreed that Cameron was more likely to tell the truth about the EU than Johnson while 45 percent said Johnson was more believable than Cameron.

With less than six weeks to go until the June 23 referendum on Britain’s EU membership and voters evenly split on how they intend to cast their ballots, the rival camps have stepped up campaigning.

Cameron has warned of the risk of a hit to Britain’s economy from a decision to leave the world’s biggest trade bloc. Johnson says

Britain would flourish outside the EU if allowed to make its own rules, strike its own trade deals and spend its EU budget contributions at home.

The ComRes poll, conducted for the Sunday Mirror newspaper and the Independent website, found 33 percent of respondents believed they would be better off if Britain stayed in the EU, only slightly more than the 29 percent who thought they would be better off if Britain left.

ComRes interviewed 2,043 adults online on Wednesday and Thursday.

Bank of England Governor Mark Carney warned on Thursday of the risk of a sharp slowdown in Britain’s economy, and possibly a short recession, if the country left the EU. The ComRes poll did not ask voters how they intended to vote on June 23.

Sunday May 15, 2016

PAGE 75

Kaieteur News

Brazil’s new government Judge to rule next vows support for graft probe month in former FIFA vice president lawsuit

Brazilian acting President Michel Temer (L) and his new Minister of Justice Alexandre de Moraes gesture during the inauguration ceremony of the new ministers at Planalto Palace, in Brasilia. (AFP Photo/Evaristo Sa) Brasília (AFP) - Brazil’s new justice minister pledged his “full support” for an explosive corruption investigation that has a host of top politicians in its sights, including several of his colleagues.

Opponents of the new government installed by acting president Michel Temer have accused it of seeking to smother the anti-graft probe known as “Operation Car Wash,” which has uncovered a multi-billion-dollar embezzlement and bribery scheme centered on state oil company Petrobras.

But Justice Minister Alexandre de Moraes said he would protect the probe’s independence and even increase its funding if necessary. “There isn’t the slightest possibility of interfer-

ence,” said Moraes, who was previously security secretary for the state of Sao Paulo.

“Fighting corruption is the most important thing in the country, now and always,” he told TV network Globo in an interview broadcast Friday.

Temer, the former vice president, took power Thursday from his suspended boss-turned-nemesis, Dilma Rousseff, pending her impeachment trial on unrelated charges of cooking the government’s books.

He promptly sacked the leftist leader’s ministers and installed his own businessfriendly cabinet — including three ministers under investigation in the Petrobras probe and several others whom witnesses accuse of involvement. Temer is not under in-

vestigation himself, but some key allies are, including top leaders in his party, the centre-right PMDB. Moraes promised that would make no difference.

“The law must apply equally to everyone, regardless of name or party affiliation,” he said.

Moraes is one of several controversial figures in Temer’s cabinet, which supporters of Rousseff, Brazil’s first female president, attacked as a throwback to another era because its members are all conservative white males.

Dubbed “Temer’s pit bull,” Moraes oversaw a police force accused of frequent human rights abuses in Sao Paulo, including the use of death squads to confront suspected criminal groups.

Region’s offshore financial sector under threat, says ECCB governor BASSETERRE, St Kitts (WINN) — “We’re concerned about the future of international financial centres, the offshore centres in the region… at the moment they are under a serious threat,” governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank Timothy Antoine said, referring to the possible undermining of the critical sector due to increased financial information reporting requirements and external scrutiny.

St Kitts and Nevis, like many of its regional counterparts, relies heavily on its international financial services sector as a foreign revenue earner and leading contributor to the economy.

Antoine pointed out that there are several IFCs in the region, which provide revenue and jobs.

The recent onset of additional international tax and anti-money laundering agreements like the US FATCA and the OECD Common Reporting Standard, is causing foreign investors to move their offshore business out of the region to more developed countries.

“The future of the international financial centres is at stake, because already we are seeing more and more business starting to go onshore, as in the developed countries; even the US mainland for example, and that is a concern.

“What we say is level playing field, balanced discussion, same standards should apply. You can’t wink at states in certain countries including the United States, but find it particularly interesting that you’re focused on the Caribbean only, to the detriment of the Caribbean. We do earn a livelihood from this business.”

Antoine said that the Caribbean offshore sector is being unfairly branded as being comprised of shell companies that engage in tax evasion and even money laundering. He said the increased scrutiny of this sector should not be greater for the region than it is in advanced countries.

(Caribbean News)

PORT OFSPAIN, Trinidad - CMC - A High Court judge will rule on June 17 whether or not to allow the United States government to be included as an interested party in the law suit filed by former FIFA vice president Austin Jack Warner challenging his extradition to that country on a several fraud related charges.

Justice James Aboud Friday heard submissions in the matter where Warner, 72, who has been on TT$2.5 million (One TT dollar =US$0.16) bail following his first court appearance on May 27 last year, is challenging his extradition to face 12 offences related to racketeering, corruption and money laundering allegedly committed in the jurisdiction of the United States and Trinidad and Tobago, dating as far back as 1990.

US law enforcement authorities last year arrested a number of FIFA officials as part of the probe.

British Queen’s Counsel James Lewis, who is representing the US interest, argued that Washington

should be granted permission as it stood to be affected the most by the eventual outcome of the case.

In his lawsuit, Warner is asking the court to declare Attorney General Faris AlRawi’s decision to sign off on his extradition in September, last year, as unlawful.

Warner’s lawyers are claiming that Al-Rawi acted unfairly as he failed to give their client an opportunity to respond to the US’s extradition request before making his decision.

“These proceedings are a challenge for the extradition proceedings themselves. It will be nothing but an advantage to this court to hear the applicant on the extradition itself,” Lewis said.

He said that while attorneys representing Al-Rawi’s

Austin Jack Warner

office were defending his decision, they would not be in a position to provide the court with information on the US’s extradition request, about which Justice Aboud would need to make a final decision.

James argued that the US government, as the requesting state in the extradition proceedings, were the ‘prosecutors’ in the matter and had ‘locus’ (or a right) to be heard in Warner’s challenge of the Authority To Proceed (ATP) which was signed by the Attorney General giving the Chief Magistrate the go ahead to begin committal proceedings.

“There is absolutely no doubt we are affected,” James submitted, arguing “the court can be misled if we are not here to make representations”.

Thousands in Suriname protest against electricity price hike PA R A M A R I B O , Suriname — Over 5,000 disgruntled citizens took to the streets in Suriname’s capital Paramaribo on Friday to protest against a steep price hike for electricity.

The move to increase the price came just days after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) advised the Bouterseadministration to cut back on subsidizing electricity bills.

The government subsidizes the national power company annually by over 1 billion Surinamese dollars (US$160 million). The higher rates took effect on May 1 and people will have to pay higher bills starting late June.

From the beginning, the opposition, the private sector, trade unions and part of the coalition in parliament were against the increases.

A last ditch effort from President Desi Bouterse on Thursday afternoon could not prevent a massive turnout at Friday’s rally. During a radio interview, the president announced that the price increases are being postponed

for the time being.

During the coming days the government will discuss the matter further with the unions and business sector and also seek advice from the Social and Economic Council, before taking a final decision, Bouterse said.

However, the organisers of the protest refused to call off the rally.

Although the price increase for electricity was the straw that broke the camel’s back, citizens also complain about the fact that life has become more expensive since the government devalued the Surinamese dollar in November last year, and prices for all goods and services have risen correspondingly.

Several weeks ago, Bouterse said in parliament that the price hike for electricity won’t affect some 75 percent of all households since the government subsidy for this group will continue.

Protesters urged the government not to implement the austerity measures backed by the IMF, in fear that the eco-

nomic situation in the country will worsen. As a result of the sharply lower prices for oil and gold on international markets, Suriname’s main export products, and alleged wasteful expenditure policy of the government, there has been a financial and economic crisis in the country for over a year.

In late April, an IMF team reached a staff-level agreement with the Surinamese authorities on the key elements of an economic program that could be supported by a twoyear stand-by arrangement (SBA) in the amount of approximately US$478 million, the IMF announced a couple of weeks ago.

Subject to the timely completion of prior actions by the Surinamese government and obtaining necessary financing assurances, the IMF’s executive board could consider the proposed financing arrangement in early May. It was expected that the executive board would take a decision on Friday.

(Caribbean News)

PAGE 76

Kaieteur News

Sunday May 15, 2016

Sunday May 15, 2016

Kaieteur News

Police forms new youth...

(From page 75) were started by his predecessors Assistant Commissioners Brian Joseph and Christopher Griffith, while some are his ideas most of which deals with youths, community activities and education.

Apart from visiting all existing youth clubs in the division, resuscitating some which were dormant, Church services were held in a number of areas.

A number of new youth and sports clubs were formed in a number of areas. One such was recently formed at Kildonan on the Corentyne to cater for youths in the Central Corentyne area.

Amsterdam along with Officer in charge of the Police No2 Sub Division, Deputy Superintendent Marlon Taylor

and B Division Community Relations Officer Assistant Superintendent Marlon Taylor and a number of other police officers were among the group that travelled to the Kildonan Community to launch the group.

A number of sport gear and educational materials

were donated to the youths by the police including cricket, football and circle tennis gear.

The efforts are part of the police social crime prevention programme in an effort to get persons especially youths involved in a positive live style.

NSC, GCB make donation to...

(From page 74) make arrangements to have those athletes display their skills outside of their Region.” He expressed gratitude to Mitzy Campbell (one of the organisers), Sky West, George Melville (Global Technology) and the Guyana Cricket Board in making the event a success.

Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley said he is happy that the venture was a successful one for it will help to motivate the youths there. He explained that the district has a lot of potential not only in cricket but in other disciplines and if given an opportunity he is confident the youths can do their country proud.

Sunday May 15, 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You will be highly entertaining when in contact with your lover. Your best efforts will come through investments concerning your home. Avoid functions that will bring you in contact with those you find difficult to get along with.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Alienation may be the result of a misunderstanding. You can accomplish a lot if you put some effort into household duties or redecorating plans. You may find yourself caught in a triangle.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Be diplomatic and honest, and that person will only be made to look bad. Discuss your objectives with peers or lovers. You will be able to make favorable changes in your living quarters.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You will attract potential lovers, but be sure that they're unattached. Jealousy may get in the way of a good relationship. Sudden changes could result in estrangements.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Be careful while traveling.

You'll be prone to tears if your mate is harsh with you today.

Don't hesitate to take short trips.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Dig deep, ferret out any hidden concerns before you sign your life away Travel and entertaining conversation will be informative and uplifting. Romance appears.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Trips will be exciting. You can have a working relationship with children if you exercise patience and understanding of the dilemmas they face.

Your pursuits may end up being fruitless.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Your personal life will be disrupted if you have been too busy with business. Your greatest gains will come through your creative ideas.

You may attract attention if you get out socially.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Talking to those you trust and respect will help you sort out any problems. Your time, not your cash, will do a lot more for your relationship. It may not be the best day to confront employers or to present your ideas.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Your home may be in an uproar and you are best to stay out of the line of fire if at all possible. You will accomplish the most through orderly activities.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Your moneymaking opportunities will flourish. Try not to lend or borrow money or belongings today. Use your energy wisely.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Try not to be too aggressive or judgmental when talking to your mate. Rewards for past good deeds will highlight your day. Be discreet about any information you uncover.

PAGE 77

Professor Seecharan’s cricket...

(From page 77) tribute to the late Tony Cozier who was the best Caribbean Cricket Broadcaster and Journalist and said towards the end of his career Cozier was ostracized by the WICB and prevented from doing commentary for daring to say what most of us say that WICB should go.

When Martins, who sang that song, asked Murray what else can be done to remove the Board members? Murray, who represented the West Indies for 17 years, replied “Cricket is important to West Indian people and we must not allow the game to be played as a private event. We as people have to take action by not going to their games, by writing letters to the media and by protesting for their removal as Board members.”

“It’s not cricket alone but all sports bodies are driven by agendas that are self severing and are not in the best interest of the masses,” Murray, who traveled from T&T for the Book Launch, concluded.

Minister Roopnarine, who played 29 First-Class matches, reiterated that skin colour played a big role in the ‘old’ days and remembered when QC once played GCC and all the little black boys had to sit in the stand while the fair complexioned ones sat in the pavilion.

As the 73 year-old Education Minister reflected about the days when three interhouse matches were played simultaneously on QC’s ground and about the stands at the famous Bourda ground falling apart, he disclosed that this Government wants to fix these things.

“The Government wants to see sports and music back

in schools. We want to restore the grounds and those schools that don’t have their own ground must have access to a public one. If a student wants to write 23 subjects then he must have nothing else to do,” said Roopnarine who excelled academically while being involved in sports.

“History is something we could learn from and our history must be protected. I remember when I visited the old Archives when the wind blew all the papers would be in disarray. It is a good thing that history is now protected at the new location at the Racket Centre,” Roopnarine continued.

Roopnarine noted that Tony Cozier was an icon in cricket reporting and a great student of the history of the game. “I don’t believe there is any journalist who can write about cricket the way he did because they are not prepared to research and lack the passion and love for their work,” Roopnarine lamented.

The Minister called on Government to honour the late Cozier with a National Award. When a journalist reminded him that Reds Perriera was a Guyanese who had

contributed both as an administrator and Guyana’s best cricket commentator and all round sports reporter who deserved the Media Centre at Providence being named after him while he was still alive, Minister Roopnarine said “that’s very likely”.

Also speaking at the occasion was Chairman of the Hand-in-Hand group of companies John Carpenter, who said it was a great achievement that like Guyana’s FirstClass cricket, the Insurance Company was formed in 1865 and is still strong after 150 years of existence.

Director and Fire Manager, Howard Cox, who did a wonderful job as MC and Human Resource Manager Zaida Joaquin, who did the vote of thanks, also spoke.

Each invitee was presented with an autographed copy of Seecharan’s Book while presentations of the books were made to the National Archives of Guyana, University of Guyana, the National Library and the National Trust of Guyana.

At the conclusion of the book signing by the Author refreshments were served as the guests mingled with each other.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday May 15, 2016

Golyn 10/10 resumes today with British Guiana win 1961 several matches around the country Hockey championship Pre-independence Heroes

Cecil Skip Roberts

Godfrey Chin

Statistician Charwayne Walker in his series of Pre and Post Independence triumphs for Guyana (British Guiana) as we look to the upcoming 50years of Independence celebrations on May 26th looks at the 1961 West Indies Hockey championship with Guyana won.

British Guiana won the West Indies quadrangular hockey championship 1961.

British Guiana playing under the captaincy of Walter (Affoo) Chin, won the 1961 West Indies quadrangular hockey championship hosted

by Trinidad. British Guiana finished the tournament with five wins, one defeat, totaling ten points, the defending champs Trinidad had three wins, two draws and one loss, totaling eight points, Jamaica and Barbados were the other countries that participated in the championship.

Please find below a summary of the champs performance: Game one: British Guiana beat host and defending champs Trinidad, one nil at Queens Park Oval. The lone goal came off the stick of left winger Gerald Wong.

Game two: British Guiana swamped Barbados nine nil at Queens Park Oval. The British Guiana goal scorers were Eddy Caetano three goals, Gerald Wong three goals, Rollo Lee two goals and Gary Lee one goal.

Game three: British Guiana beat Jamaica four nil at Queens Park Oval. British Guiana marksmen were Norman Wight who netted a double, Eddy Caetano and Rollo Lee with one goal each.

Game four: Trinidad halted the British Guiana show with a two nil victory at

Queens Park Oval. The host scored in the twentieth minute through Patrick Gomez. It was a controversial goal and the Guianese were annoyed. Ken Merrick sealed the issue for the Trinidadians with a bullet like shot that gave goalkeeper Godfrey Chin no chance.

Game five: British Guiana rebounded from their disappointing lost to host Trinidad by stopping Barbados one nil at Guaracara Park, Eddy Caetano’s goal in the sixth minute of the second half was enough for the boys from eighty three thousand square miles.

Game six: British Guiana beat Jamaica two one at Queens Park Oval. The British Guiana goal scorers were Rollo Lee and Gary Lee. The earlier clash between these two teams was abandoned with only nineteen minutes left. British Guiana leading one nil at Guaracara Park umpires Ken Laughlin and Henry Permuy made the decision after a rain storm which begun mid-way into the first half turned the field into a quagmire making it almost impossible to play anything like constructive hockey. British Guiana had the better of the exchanges and got their goal through Eddy Caetano early in the first session. The 1961 victorious British Guiana hockey team that won the West Indies quadrangular series were Walter (Affoo) Chin – Captain, Eddy Caetano – vice captain, Gerald Wong, Cecil (Skip) Roberts, John Embleton, Rollo Lee, Norman Wight, Gary Lee, Ian Leal, Neville Thomas, Vincent P Chung, Jeffrey Lee, Godfrey W Chin , with V-S Lee – Manager.

The Golyn 10/10 softball cricket tournament organized by the Guyana Softball League and sponsored by the Golyn and sons, Trophy Stall and Miss Love Trading (West Coast), resumes today with five matches on the West Demerara that will give the teams a chance to go one step forward towards a quarter finals berth in this zone.

The East Coast and Leguan zones will start as soon as the weather gives a chance and the grounds are prepared. The person to contact for all East Coast teams is Herman Persaud on telephone number 643-3033/ 223-6535 and for Leguan Chintamanie on tel number 692-9611/629-0039.

The East Bank and Linden zone administrated by Representative Shafeek Mohamed (657-2300) and Mortimer Denny (653-2589/ 442-1562) will commence as soon as the weather permits.

The fixtures for West Demerara are as follows: Ruimzeight XI versus Superstreet XI; West Siderz Furniture Store XI versus Praim XI; West Coast Blazers XI versus La Grange all-stars

SC XI; Westsiderz Furniture Store XI versus Mighty Viper XI and Westsiderz Furniture Store XI versus Amazon Warriors XI. And the one ball manto will resume this week for trophies and a ‘King of the Manto” will be crowned.

Meanwhile, Unstoppable XI, Ruimzeight XI, Amazon Warriors, Mighty Lion, West Siderz Furniture Store were in winners row in the last round of matches.

The results are as follows: Unstoppable pounded Pream XI into submission by 10 wickets: Pream XI took first strike and rattled up a challenging 70 all out in 10 overs with Premendra Arjune looking in good touch being the only one to offer some resistance with 18 (2x6) off 20 balls, He was going at a good run rate but seemed to lose concentration and was caught on the long off boundary going for another big shot. Asif Mustapha with 4-14 rattled the batting.

Unstoppable 76 without loss with Lincoln Leander, who looked solid and positive in his strokeplay and putting in

a good all round performance, took the fight out of them with a blistering 44 not out laced with 3 sixes and 3 fours and Ricardo McAllister 23 not out (3x6;) ensured victory for Unstoppable XI. Ruimzeight XI got back into winning ways by defeating Superbet XI by 10 wickets.

Superbet XI batted first and scored 56-6 in 10 overs with Chaitram Nauth 2-10 to anchor the innings.

Ruimzeight XI replied with 590 in 6.2 overs to clinch victory.

Dukraj Singh clobbered 28 not out (4x6) off 13 balls and with support from Indar Dhukie 24 (3x6) saw his team through.

Underdogs Amazon Warriors XI shocked Marachs XI by 6 wkts: The over confident Marachs XI took first strike and scored 96-6 in 10 overs with Feroze Rahaman taking 2-9 in 2 overs and Irfan Hack 2-14 in 2 overs. In reply Amazon Warriors XI 98-4 in 7.3 overs. Arjune Ajmal started to play shots to all parts with 56 (6x6 ..3x4) off 23 balls to put them back on track.

Mighty Lions XI defeated West Siderz Furniture Store: West Siderz Furniture Store won the toss and batted scoring a paltry 46 all out in 6.1 overs with Yogendra Singh scoring 14 (2x6) off 20 balls to take the fight to Mighty Lion XI. The Skipper took 4-22 off two overs and Doodnauth Seechan 4-10 were the best bowlers. In their turn Mighty Lion XI replied with 51-5 in 5.1 overs. Manoj Persaud entered the fray and clobbered 21 (3x6) to achieve victory for his team. Abid Haniff took 3-11 off 2 overs.

West Siderz Furniture Store defeated Power XI in a thriller: Power XI won the toss and batted scoring a challenging 122 -5 in 10 overs with Gershom Sookmangal scoring 39 (4x6;1x4) off 29 balls and Ravi Laldeo 26 (3x6) to take the fight to We s t S i d e r z F u r n i t u r e Store. Anil Singh 2-5 was the best bowler. In their turn they replied with 124-6 8.5 overs, Robin Singh 39 (5x6) and Anil Singh 20 (3x6) to achieve victory for their team.

Jai Chakravarti took 2-12 off 2 overs and Gershom Sookmangal 2-12.

NSC, GCB make donation to clubs, schools in Region One

By Zaheer Mohamed The National Sports Commission and the Guyana Cricket Board on Thursday donated sports equipment to several clubs and schools in Region one following a T20 fixture at the Mabaruma Settlement recreation ground.

Those clubs that received sports gears are Kumaka Warriors SC, Dynamite SC of Mabaruma Township, Jaguars of Mabaruma Settlement, Wanaing Youth and Sports Club of Mabaruma Sub Region, Barimanobo SC of Barabina Waini and Barabina Warriors SC. Hosororo and Mabaruma Primary schools were the recipients of kiddy cricket kits from the GCB. Thousands of residents converged on the venue for the event which was organised as part of the Guyana’s 50th Independence anniversary celebrations in Region one and was seen as an effort to promote the game there.

Although the home team went down to the GCB Select XI, the fans there enjoyed every moment of the match and made the most of opportunities to interact with their local heroes which included

Director of Sport Christopher Jones (center) with representatives of the various clubs and schools after the presentation.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Tremayne Smartt, Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul, Tevin Imlach and Robin Bacchus who was born in the Region.

Speaking with Kaieteur Sport, Director of Sport Christopher Jones said that they received several requests from various communities and was happy to assist with the development of sports there.

Guyana female world boxing champion Gwendolyn O’ Neil and athlete Cleveland Forde originated from Region one and Jones expressed delight with the interest shown the by

the residents for sports. “I am very much happy with the turnout at the game, it shows that there is a craving for sports in the Region which is very encouraging and the ministry will embark on a similar exercise with the Guyana Football Federation in the near future”, he added.

Jones stated that they will continue to assist with the development of sports there.

“As part of the ground enhancement initiative where we are now giving communities $10M, the Mabaruma ground is one of the venues ear-

marked for development and lights will also be installed there so the youths can practice for longer periods,” Jones said.

The director indicated that the NSC will be working closely with the Municipality and RDC to give athletes an opportunity to showcase their talent. “I have learnt that many youths in the area may qualify in time for athletics event, but due to the geographical location it is very difficult for them financially to participate, however we will (Continued on page 73)

Sunday May 15, 2016

Kaieteur News

Estwick is Windies’ new bowling coach Former Barbadian pacer Roddy Estwick will join the technical team for the West Indies for the upcoming 2016 Tri-Nation ODI series which also involves South Africa and Australia and starts on June 3 at the Providence Stadium in Guyana.

Estwick is the bowling coach for the Barbados Pride Franchise and replaces bowling consultant, Sir Curtly Ambrose whose last assignment was in India when India

won the t2O world Cup. The 54-year-old Estwick has won Barbados Coach of the year in 2005 and 2011 after he coached the Barbados U-19 team to three titles between 2000 and 2004.

Estwick toured extensively with the West Indies U-19 on tours in and out of the region and has participated in the High Performance Centre programme.

Estwick played 37 firstclass games for Barbados,

Cozier to be buried on Friday

Roddy Estwick Transvaal and West Indies ‘A’ between 1983 and 1990.

He has also participated in 42 List ‘A’ 50-over games.

Region Six Jubilee Committee CAVALCADE OF SPORTS on today at Albion CC The Region Six Jubilee Committee continues to keep itself busy by organizing a number of activities to celebrate Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations.

A cavalcade of sports is scheduled for today at the Albion Sports Complex Ground, beginning at 10:00hrs.

Teams from across the region will compete in a number

of disciplines which include –Athletics.

Among the athletics events listed on the day are 100m, 200m, 400m and medley relay events for both males and females.

Softball cricket, volleyball competition- for teams and two men, circle tennis, five-a-side and small goal football competition among

others.

There will also be a number of indoor events on the day including chess, draughts, darts, whist and dominoes.

According to a release from the organizers all teams must be uniformed and comprise of both males and females players in each discipline.

(Samuel Whyte)

34th MoE/NSC/GCF Independence 3-Stage Cycle Road Race

Hinds ahead of field for final stage today; Leung and Niles are leading junior and veteran Defending champion Orville Hinds of Team Evolution is well positioned to retain the title having won the first stage and recorded the same time as stage 2 winner Joseph Hercules of Anguilla going into the third and final stage of the Golden Jubilee Ministry of Education (MoE)/National Sports Commission (NSC)/Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) Three Stage Cycle Road Race.

Hinds (4:15:36) is the overall leader with Hercules (4:17:57) holding down the 6th place behind Michael Anthony (4:16:05) of Team Evolution who is 2nd overall, followed by Junior Niles (4:17:25) of Team Coco’s who is also the leading Veteran, Marlon ‘Fishy’ Williams (4:17:26) and Shaquille Agard (4:17:29) of the Linden Bauxite Flyers Cycle Club the 2nd to 5th place leaders.

Hercules who crossed the line in the second stage from Rosignol Berbice to Carifesta Avenue in Two Hours 34 Minutes 39 Seconds received the 10 bonus seconds with Hinds who was credited with the same time crossing closely behind Hercules receiving the 7second bonus.

Anthony, Williams and Agard received the bunch time of 2:34:58 for the second stage with Hinds clocking 2:36:58.

The leading junior overall is Raphael Leung (4:22:38) having finished the first stage in

PAGE 79

Raphael Leung

Junior Niles

2nd place (1:43:28) eight (8) seconds behind Jornel Yearwood (4:25:25) who is third overall to second placed Andrew Hicks (4:23:54) who won the second stage (2:34:39) after placing 3rd in the first with a time of 1:49:18.

Second to Niles in the veteran category going into today’s final stage is Stephen Fernandes (4:19:36) after placing second in the first (1:43:20) and second (2:36:16) stages, the same second stage time as Niles.

Raymond Newton is 3rd overall (4:20:53) and held similar positions after the first (1:43:28) and second (2:37:25) stages respectively.

After being sent on their way by Director of Sport, Christopher Jones for stage one at Corriverton, Berbice

yesterday morning, Hinds covered that stage from the Corriverton Police Station to Main and Alexander Streets in New Amsterdam in One Hour 41 Minutes 04 Seconds, three seconds ahead of teammate Michael Anthony and Junior Niles, two seconds back.

Taking the fourth place was ‘Fishy’Williams (1:42:28), followed by Agard (1:42:31) and Trojan Cycle Club’s Jeaban Crawford (1:43:04) closing out the top six places.

The top four riders from this stage received bonus points of 10, 7, 5 and 3 seconds respectively.

Today’s final stage will pedal off in the Bauxite Mining Town of Linden from 08:00hrs and will conclude just outside the National Sports Commission, Homestretch Avenue.

Iconic Barbadian cricket commentator and Journalist Tony Cozier will be buried on Friday at 15:00hrs according to his only son Craig.

The veteran cricket journalist was admitted to a hospital in Barbados on May 3 for tests related to infections in the neck and legs and eventually succumbed to a prolonged period of illness.

Cozier was West Indies’ most revered Radio and TV commentator and cricket journalist, ultimately changing the image of cricket coverage in this part of the World with his calm and eloquent description of shots from Sobers to Chanderpaul. He was 75.

Born in Bridgetown to Journalist Jimmy Cozier, the Managing Editor of the St

Tony Cozier Lucia Voice and Founder of the Barbados Daily News, Cozier, like a duck takes to water, naturally gravitated to Journalism. His son Craig also writes on cricket and is a

statistician for TV networks covering International matches.

Cozier represented Barbados as a Hockey Goalkeeper and played a bit of cricket at the club level. He got into cricket commentary in 1958 and did his first International game in 1965 when West Indies played Australia.

Cozier worked for BBC’s Test match special, Channel 9 in Australia and Sky Sports and was the voice of cricket for the West Indies. He was later joined by another West Indian Broadcasting icon, Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira, as the only Caribbean voices when West Indies played overseas in the early days. He leaves to mourn his wife and two Children.

Mayor’s Cup football tourney set for Wednesday start at Victoria Following several postponements due to the inclement weather which left the venue in not the best playable state, Football fans on the East Coast of Demerara are now set for a Wednesday evening start to the Mayor’s Cup Football tournament at the Victoria Ground from 6:30pm. Coordinator Lennox Arthur has indicated that they are looking to get things underway on Wednesday evening at Victoria. He expressed gratitude to the fans, teams and sponsors who have been patient as they wait for the start of the event which should finally see action this week.

He indicated that a few changes were made to the starting line-up.

The opening encounter at 6:30pm will pit Buxton Bakewell of the East Coast against Grove Hi Tech of the East Bank Demerara. At

8:30pm in the nightcap, home side, Victoria Kings challenge Agricola in another East Coast versus East Bank meeting.

The tournament is set to continue on Friday again at the Victoria Ground at the same times with BV Triumph facing Eagles of Linden, while Golden Grove tangle with Herstelling.

The teams are battling for the Mayor’s Cup and a first prize of $700,000, second $300,000, third $200,000 and fourth $100,000.

The Coordinator, who is a former National footballer and Coach and has been behind this event for all of its 22 years, had indicated that this year’s cup will form part of the 50th Anniversary Jubilee celebrations.

Arthur was extremely grateful to the sponsors who have assisted so far. The top four prizes have been put up

by Aruwai Resorts, Ansa

AMcAl, John Fernandes and German’s Restaurant respectively. Others to have thrown their support include the Government of Guyana, Macorp, Busta, Cummings Electrical, Bakewell, IPA, China Trading, E Networks, Namilco and BK International.

The games will be of 90 minute duration and if no result is derived after this period then 20 minutes of extra time will be contested. No further result or deadlock will be determined by penalty kicks.

Players involved in this tournament must be affiliated to their respective associations where the invited clubs are drawn. No entry fee is required. The tournament is governed under the rules and directives of the Guyana Football Federation. Players with double yellow cards or red cards will be penalized in accordance with the rules of the competition and the GFF.

Police forms new youth and sports club in Berbice

Assistant Superintendent Keith Williams (in uniform) and Deputy Superintendent Marlon Taylor (second back row) presents equipment to an executive to the Kildonan Police youth and sports club.

Police Commander Assistant Commissioner Ian Amsterdam upon his taking over the reins of the Police B

Division Berbice has being taking a number of initiatives to enhance the work of the police in the division, espe-

cially in their community relationship.

Some of the programmes (Continued on page 73)

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Kaieteur News

Sunday May 15, 2016

Guyana v Canada Men’s U-23 Friendly Int., nations promises exciting showdown tonight Ambassador Giroux hosts teams under theme - ‘Growing Together’

By Franklin Wilson Tonight’s historic international friendly between Guyana’s ‘Golden Jaguars’ and Canada’s Men’s Under23 side at the Guyana National Stadium from 19:00hrs promises to provide scintillating action as neither side will relent.

Canadian Ambassador to Guyana His Excellency Pierre Giroux yesterday hosted both teams at a reception which was held at his residence in Bel Air, an event where the respective Head Coaches, whilst acknowledging that its Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary as well as the 50th year of Diplomatic relations between the two nations, will celebrate this momentous occasion with fierce rivalry on the field tonight.

The Guyanese have opted to expose a number of younger players even as they are in preparation mode ahead of Round 2 action in the Caribbean Mean’s Championship whilst Canada is on the path to putting together the best possible team for this

summer’s Olympics for which they have qualified.

Gracing yesterday’s occasion were Director of Sport Mr. Christopher Jones and Acting President of the Guyana Football Federation, Mr. Bruce Lovell.

Ambassador Giroux in welcoming the teams reminded the gathering of the friendly relations between the two nations, pointing out that over 150,000 Guyanese reside in Canada, noting that the relations are very deep and strong. ”And that is why the theme of our 50 year relation is ‘Growing Together’. So today is a great day for us, your presence here, the Canadian team to play with the Golden Jaguars is part of our year long celebrations of activities. But what we really hope is a further step in strengthening the very deep relations we’ve had now for several centuries.

Now we hope to extend it in the sports field.”

Giroux further informed that plans for this match was initiated months ago when he was visited by Canadian /

Canada’s Men’s U-23 Captain Maxime Crepean (2nd right) and Golden Jaguars Captain Colin Nelson display the autographed replica shirts after the exchange.

Guyanese Footballer and Hall of Famer, Alex Bunbury and he was happy that it has become reality.

GFF President (ag) Bruce Lovell noted that one of the grand strategic aims of the new executive is rebranding the image of football in Guyana and one of the mechanisms is exposure of the national teams to high quality

football. ”And I dare say we have begun to see that strategy bearing fruit because from the start of this year to now we have jumped some 32 places in FIFA’s rankings.

Hosting of Canada is all in line with our strategic aim.”

He said the skills that the visiting team brings with it would be a good test for the local

E- Networks on board Golden Jubilee’ 5 and 10K Run and Health & Fitness Walk The May 22 ‘Golden Jubilee’ 5 and 10K Run and Health & Fitness Walk received a fillip recently when cable provider E-Networks Inc added its name to the growing list of corporate entities to support the event which is being organized by Rising Star Track Club in collaboration with the Office of the President as part of Guyana’s 50th Anniversary celebrations.

The Company presented a cheque for an undisclosed sum to co-ordnator Lorrieann Adams during a simple ceremony which was conducted at its Camp Street Head Office recently.

The event which is being co-ordinated by former Guyana track star Lorrieann Adams and Coach Leslie Black will see athletes and fitness enthusiasts take to the starting line at the Square of the Revolution, proceed along Hadfield Street into Mandela Avenue, before turning into Homestretch Avenue for the finish at the place of origin.

Kaieteur Sport speaking with Black yesterday was told that the support for the event has been great with many

Event Co-ordinator Lorrieann Adams (second right) receives the cheque for an undisclosed sum from E-Networks representative in the presence of Avril Black recently. members of the business community offering their assistance to the cause, while a similar outpouring is being received by persons desirous of participating in the respective categories.

“I envisage that we may very well find that we will have to cater for more entries than we first envisaged, athletes have been confirming their

participation every day, while a few members of the Government called to pledge their support,” Black told this newspaper.

Among the entities that are already on board are: Banks DIH, GTT, Real Value, BK International, Star Party Rentals, S&L Electrical, Toucan Industries, Antartic Maintenance, Payless Variety

Store, Brans Security, Kevin Jeffrey, Ming’s Products, Corona Beer, Cummings Electrical, Wartsila, Ministry of Indigenous Affairs and Office of the President.

Interested persons can register at the Michael Parris Gym in the National Park, ENetworks on Camp Street and Fitness Express on Sheriff Street.

boys. ”High Commissioner as you rightly observed, it is for us more than a game. It’s about growing together and certainly advancing the 50 years of cooperation that Canada and Guyana have had over the years. Certainly this football match is an expression of that.”

Lovell urged both teams to play good, hard but friendly football. Director of Sport Christopher Jones welcomed both teams telling Canada that they were now in the most beautiful country in South America, noting that Guyanese are the most hospitable.

He noted that when plans were being put together last year for the 50th Jubilee celebrations it was the desire of His Excellency President David Granger to have an international friendly football match with any country; this was indicated to the GFF. ”All of Guyana is indeed excited that you guys are here to play with the Golden Jaguars and of course I want to take the opportunity to welcome international players from the Golden Jaguars. The hype and the excitement are in the streets, lots of persons are out getting their Golden Jaguars jerseys to be part of the match tomorrow (today). We will be rooting for friendly and exciting play between you guys and we would like to wish you all the best.”

Canada’s Men’s U-23 Head Coach Michael Finlay expressed congratulations to Guyana on its 50th Independence Anniversary on behalf of Soccer Canada, his players and staff pointing out that his nation always loves to stretch

their hands and help but that would not be the case tomorrow (today). ”But what we would like to say there is nothing better than a football match to celebrate something and we look for to it; it gives us a great opportunity to engage in competition but most importantly to advance ourselves as a nation and yourselves and also CONCACAF.” Guyana‘s Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz in his remarks noted that it is a big moment for CONCACAF’s football, the fact that Guyana is being afforded the opportunity to play the Canada Olympic team; complimenting Canada on their qualification. ”You will indeed get a test tomorrow (today), you will get a huge test and we intend to put our best foot forward. We also want to thank the Canadian government over the years, not just for helping Guyana but for opening up its doors to Caribbean people. We look forward to strengthening these ties.”

Also complimenting the government of Guyana for including football on the calendar of activities to celebrate the Jubilee, Shabazz stated that it is only fitting for the Golden Jaguars to destroy the Canadians today. ”So we look forward to meeting you on the pitch, we look forward to trying to break you down and defending against you trying to break us down and competing with a fierce desire to come out on top.”

At the end of formal proceedings, the respective team captains, Colin Nelson (Guyana) and Maxime Crepean (Canada) exchanged autographed jersey’s as a mark of friendship between the two sides.

Nelson in an invited comment said that his charges will be approaching the game with the same intensity like every other game as they are using this encounter as preparations for the next round of the Scotiabank CFU Men’s Caribbean Cup; Guyana set to play Curacao on June 1 and the United States Virgin Islands on June 7.

Gates will be opened from 14:00hrs today with a supporting match between the Digicel nationwide Schools champions, Christiansburg Secondary and Milo champs Chase Academy commencing at 16:00hrs.

Kaieteur News

Sunday May 15, 2016

Professor Seecharan’s cricket history book launched ‘History should be protected’ says Minister Roopnarine

By Sean Devers The Woodbine room at Cara Lodge was filled with nostalgia last Friday evening as English based Professor Clem Seecharan launched his book entitled ‘Hand-inHand History of cricket in Guyana, 1865-1897 Volume 1: the Foundation.’

The specially invited audience included Government dignitaries, members of the opposition and names like a who’s who in the local cricket fraternity and when it was all over, the evening was well spent and most present would have been enlightened about the rich and glorious history of Guyana’s cricket before they were born.

Seecharan spoke of those who helped in compiling the must read book which spoke of the colonial days when the ‘white or light’ controlled everything in Guyana (then British Guiana) including cricket.

Seecharan said that it was Ian McDonald who conceived the idea of this unique project. He spoke of the GCC, which was founded in 1858. The Parade ground, Middle Street, where the inaugural FirstClass match in this country was played between Barbados and Demerara in 1865, was used by the GCC to practice on special days of the week before the oldest local club moved to its present location in December 1885. Seecharan told those present of how ‘challenges for cricket matches’ were sent by letter.

Among those present were former West Indies Keeper and the first

Secretary of WIPA, Deryck Murray, sports Minister Nicolette Henry, former Sports Minister Dr Frank A n t h o n y, E d u c a t i o n Minister with responsibility for Sports Dr Rupert Roopnarine, Director of Sports Chris Jones, former Director of Sports Neil Kumar, Ex-Test batsman Joe Solomon, former West Indies off-spinner and Guyana CPL franchise Coach Roger Harper, former GCB President Ramsay Ali, WICB Director Anand Sanasie, National Cricketer Steven Jacobs, West Indies Female player Tremayne Smartt, Singer Dave Martins, Sports Editor of Stabroek News Donald Duff and past WICB Directors Claude Raphael and Bish Panday.

McDonald and Murray were Guest Speakers and Murray, who sits on the CARICOM Sub Committee on Cricket, said that he first met Minister Roopnarine at University in England and informed that Roopnarine, who played Inter-County cricket for Demerara, was his mentor at University.

“He told me he was going back to Guyana to get into politics and I advised him not to do that. I am sure that you here would be pleased that he did not listen to me,” said Murray, who turns 73 next Friday.

“Roopnarine was a very good off-spinner but Lance Gibbs prevented him from representing Guyana,” added Murray, who along with Andy Roberts shared in a record late order stand in 1975 World Cup semi-final.

M u r r a y, a f o r m e r President of the TTCB, paid (Continued on page 73)

PAGE 81

Seecharan signs one of his books as others including Minister Roopnarine (4th from right) and Murray (3rd from left) share the moment.

PAGE 82

Sunday May 15, 2016

Kaieteur News

GMR&SC ‘Golden Jubliee’ Drag Meet

Dogfight for supremacy as Guyana battles Suriname today

Anthony Sokromo Sharima Khan

Ramchand’s Toyota Verossa.

Drag racing fans are being assured of a day of enthralling battles when the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC) stages its ‘Golden Jubliee’ International Meet today, at the South Dakota Circuit.

Speaking with President of the GMR&SC Raj Boodhoo via telephone yesterday, he disclosed that a large contingent of dragsters and supporters from neighbouring Suriname are already in the country to take on the Guyanese in what is being touted as a dogfight for individual and overall supremacy.

Boodhoo said that the Dutch has sent a strong team of dragsters and while he is predicting that the locals will successfully defend home turf, he expects the duel on the track to be intense and exciting and something that will provide a real treat for Guyanese racing fans.

Guyana will no doubt have as its spearhead Anand Ramchand and Peter and Rondell Daby, while Chet Singh, Sanjay Persaud, Sharima Khan, Shairaz Roshandin, Danny Persaud and others are anticipated to add critical support to the lead cast.

The Dutch attack will no doubt be led by the experience Hans Ijzer in his powerful GMC Typhoon along with backup from Ashton Ceyaram in his Toyota Chaser, Ruifan Chen in his Honda Integra, Prakash Lachman (Toyota Supra), Micheal Namchand (RX7) among others.

In the Superbike category, it is difficult to see anyone upstaging the 1000cc of Charlie Henry, but word is that Surinamese Tom Gumperts Suzuki GSX R, Anthony Sokromo and Giovanni Slagveer astride a similar machine could provide a formidable challenge for him.

There seems to be lots of excitement in store in every division so the best advice is to get to the Circuit and get a first hand glimpse of what the daredevils will do on the quarter mile dragstrip with their speed monsters.

The Porta Tree Timing device with specialized starting lights will be operational throughout the day.

Starting time is 09:00 hrs and admission is adults $1000, children $500, while those under the age of 12 years and vehicles are free.

Kaieteur News

Sunday May 15, 2016

PAGE 83

2016 Linden Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Futsal Competition

Panthers, Future Stars, Constab among teams advancing

Part of the action on opening night of the Linden segment of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Futsal Competition.

Played before a large turnout in overcast conditions, Main Street Panthers, Future Stars, Royal Youths, Classic-6, Eagles, High Rollers, Half Mile / One Mile and Constab, all made it to the Round of 16 of the Linden segment of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Futsal Competition which opened on Friday evening, at the Mackenzie Market Tarmac.

This year’s competition which is being played on a straight knockout basis saw Main Street Panthers ambush Cherokee Park 2-0 through goals from Chris Bowling and Kevin Kennedy in the fifth and 18th minutes respectively.

Royal Youths easily d i s p o s e d o f Tr a i n l i n e Warriors by a 4-0 margin with Denzil Pryce starting the rut in the second minute of play following a tap in from the left side.

In the sixth minute, Kwesi Tafawa made it 2-0 when he fired into the goal from the left side of the area.

Pryce returned to complete a brace after fourteen minutes after being left unchallenged in the goal area from a pass from the back, before Franklyn Lewis completed the score-line with a sweet finish in the 16th minute.

Classic-6 made light w o r k o f Tr e n d s e t t e r s , beating them 3-1 with Shane Luckie in the sixth and 10th minutes, and Colwyn Drakes

NIS NIS Dominoes Dominoes to to commence commence on on May May 21 21 The National Insurance Scheme S C 5 0 t h Independence Anniversary inter corporation and visitors dominoes competition will commence on May 21 at NIS Sports Club, Carifesta Avenue.

Entrance fee is $6,000 and $3,000 per reentry. Double-six time is 12:00 hrs and the winning team will take home $50,000, runner up $30,000 and third place $20,000.

The competition will conclude on May 22 at the said venue and teams can contact Barbara Marshall on 663-8280, 617-0493 or Dellon Davidson on 6995862 for more information.

screamer in the 12th giving them a comfortable 3-0 lead, before Trendsetters Tafon Alexander responded in the 17th minute to add a little respectability to the scoresheet.

Future Stars squeezed past Speightland 2-1 in penalty kicks after normal time ended 1-1.

Roy Cornelius gave Speightland the initial lead in the 11th minute, tapping in from the left side, after racing to a pass from the right side.

However, five minutes

later Future Stars responded through Jeshawn Moore, who hammered a fierce right footer into the goal.

Eagles coasted to an easy 3-0 win over Unruly Shots with Delon Charter leading the way with a double in the fourth and 16th minutes, while Benny Neblett netted in the 12th minute.

High Rollers edged Coomacka 3-2 through a treble from Omar Brewley in the third, fifth and ninth minutes, while Joel Rawlings and Dorwin Daw made it a tight tussle after

scoring in the sixth and 10th minutes respectively for Coomacka.

Constab beat Scheme 1-0 on penalty kicks after normal time ended 2-2. Ivor and Daquan Wilson scored in the third and seventh minutes apiece for Constab, while Nantambu Akbar scored for Scheme in the fifth and eighth minutes.

Half Mile/One Mile secured a spot in the next round by virtue of a walkover from Exodus.

Action in the event was slated to continue last

evening at the same venue.

The winning team will walk away with $400,000 and the championship trophy, while the runner-up takes home $150,000 and a trophy.

The third and fourth placed finishers will receive $75,000 and $50,000 respectively.

Shortly before the start of p l a y, t h e t e a m s w e r e introduced to Linden Branch Manager Shondel Easton, Brand Supervisor Shawn Grant and tournament coordinator Caeron Sealey.

t r o Sp

Guyana v Canada Men’s U-23 Friendly Int., nations promises exciting showdown tonight Ambassador Giroux hosts teams under theme - ‘Growing Together’

Growing Together! Canadian Ambassador to Guyana His Excellency Pierre Giroux (kneeling center) with GFF President (ag) Bruce Lovell (right) and Director of Sport Christopher Jones take a photo with the Golden Jaguars and Canada’s Men’s U-23 team.

34th MoE/NSC/GCF Independence 3-Stage Cycle Road Race

2016 Linden Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Futsal Competition

Hinds ahead of field for final Panthers, stage today; Leung and Niles are leading junior and veteran Future Stars,

Constab among teams advancing GMR&SC ‘Golden Jubliee’ Drag Meet

Anguilla’s Joseph Hercules leading overall race leader Orville Hinds to the finish line in yesterday’s second stage which concluded on Carifesta Avenue. (Franklin Wilson photo)

Dogfight for supremacy as Guyana battles Suriname today

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