Sunday September 27, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 5
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Over GY$60M for Jagdeo’s personal benefit versus GY$60M for Nagamootoo’s official use
The position of Regional Executive Officer not listed in the Annual Estimates
DEAR EDITOR, Upon reading your news item, “Jagdeo performs gymnastics on Berbice Bridge…advocates government buyout,” (KN, September 26), it is obvious that Jagdeo lives in a world far removed from reality; perhaps a world in which he believes he still ‘calls the shots’ in Guyana. And while he may feel aided and abetted in this ‘bubble living’ experience by the coalition government’s desperation to coddle and cuddle him with Unity Government calls, it is up to the fiercely independent media and learned analysts to work to keep him grounded in reality. I have previously written that the coalition blundered with the campaign promise to lower the bridge tolls without doing its due diligence homework of ascertaining whether the minority investors who sit on the bridge’s board would go along with the idea, even though the bridge would not be losing a dollar from the proposal. In my opinion, the bridge board’s resistance to the idea was based on it feeling slighted that the coalition made such a promise without first consulting it, despite the fact the government is the
biggest investor. Now that Plan A of lowering the bridge tolls has failed and Plan B is now in effect with water taxis, the government has to focus attention on making the water taxi business a truly viable – i.e., safe, reasonable and reliable – alternative to the bridge for passengers. Folks with vehicles and passengers in buses will continue to use the bridge, but it will be up to the minority bridge investors to determine whether it is feasible to continue operating or simply sell out by cutting their losses and moving on. Mini bus operators, meanwhile, simply have to adjust and seek to assimilate into existing routes. Jagdeo apparently read and heard suggestions from others that government, with over 950 million special or preferred shares in the bridge, should consider a buyout of the minority bridge owners. I, too, originally supported a buyout, but time has helped me develop a realistic point of view: The true cost of the bridge in its current state and life expectancy may not be worth a costly buyout. In fact, true to his political trickster form, Jagdeo suggested the coalition could take 15%-20% of some GY$30B sitting in private
accounts belonging to autonomous government bodies and buyout the minority bridge investors. That would be between GY$450M and GY$600M to the bridge investors who ponied up only a few million dollars. But note that he said absolutely nothing about the NIS as the major investor, and this is the kind of selfish and irresponsible thinking that informs Jagdeo’s greedy decision-making that seeks to rip off Guyanese to benefit himself and his friends. Editor, any buyout should take into consideration existing and potential debts to be incurred from loans and operating expenses, and given that the NIS got nothing in return since2008, this coalition government should not be saddled with the debts incurred by selfish and short-sighted planning. At this point, I think the coalition government should leave the bridge management alone and withdraw its idiotic subsidization proposal, because it is an insult to Continued on page 6
DEAR EDITOR, It is not pellucid to what extent ‘Communities’, normally described as the smallest components of the local government structure, manage and/or monitor the various programmes of activities of the ten (10) administrations. Contrary to the current assertions the position of Regional Executive Officer has not been listed in the Annual Estimates amongst any of the positions related to the various Regions, unlike the positions of Deputy and Assistant Regional Executive Officer. In any case, the process for appointments over the last several years has never been exposed to scrutiny. There has been no set of declared criteria by which selection was effected over recent decades; no indication of the system of monitoring and evaluation of performance of these persons who have the power (not necessarily indicated in a verifiable description) to hire, discipline and fire. Nor, in the case of
‘contracted employees’, could it be ascertained what objective measurement was applied to valuing jobs, and making placements at time of recruitment. As said earlier, the management capacity, as well as specific technical skills and competencies o f s e l e c t e d Regional Executive Officers are not normally portrayed to the public. While the absence of the position of Regional Executive Officer will be noted, one must query the exceptional insertion of a Chief Executive Officer in Region 6, and its differentiation from a Regional Executive Officer. The other positions are set out in relation to their respective Public Service grades, thus providing opportunity for the more studious to observe, and
ponder on, the comparative organisation hierarchy. The disparities seen may perhaps invite examination of all ten similar structures in order to understand the rationale for the apparent inconsistencies in the disposition of authority and responsibility. The more insistent may ask to view related job descriptions. If not a familiar programme the more optimistic may also welcome the remarkable presence of a Regional Cooperatives Development Officer and look forward to applauding the products of this particular activity in ‘Communities’. There is so much more to investigate and learn about. Presumably such a task will be undertaken by the current Commission of Inquiry into the Public Service. E.B. John
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Kaieteur News
Sunday September 27, 2015
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Kaieteur M@ilbox
This inflexible approach will keep us mired in under-development
Don’t let the water taxis work the entire day
DEAR EDITOR, It is most distressing to anyone who is sincere about the balanced development of our nation that those on both sides of the political spectrum continue to carry on the affairs of our country by continuing with the misguided approach that they are right in whatever they are engaged in and the other side is wrong. This means that they try their utmost in word and action to discredit all that the other side is proposing or has implemented and as a result working without the benefit of their contribution.
It is must be clear from this that the effect is that at any one time we are actually benefiting from only about 50% of the mental and other resources available whenever we have to implement any project. Is this what the authors of our constitution intended when they crafted the rules by which we should be governed, i.e. by the cooperative system? The present administration is hell-bent on proving that the actions and nature of the past one are and have been totally out of order, while the opposition is
resisting any efforts at coming together to utilise our full potential in our affairs. I expect that their reason for this obduracy is that those presently in power vetoed all they had proposed during their time holding the reins. I strongly believe that this inflexible approach to our political affairs will keep us mired in underdevelopment until those we have elected to serve us consider first the greater good of our people rather than the narrow-minded and self-serving policy of this self-righteousness and wielding of their authority as if Guyana was their property, and without any apparent consideration for those who are represented by the other side of the house. I dream of the time when statesmanship will become the prevailing feature of our succeeding administrations, and our politicians will truly work towards gleaning the full potential of our people in their efforts at development. Roy Paul
DEAR EDITOR, We appreciate the government’s move in introducing the water taxis to ease the plight of residents in New Amsterdam. But while this has eased the burden of some, it created hardship for others (the mini bus operators plying the Rosignol to New Amsterdam route across the
Berbice River Bridge). It would be prudent and equally appreciable for the government if, instead of having the water taxis work all day, have them work from 6:00 -9:00a.m. and from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. In this way, the mini bus operators will be able to eke out a living between those periods, and the government will have a win-
win on all three sides: appeasing the residents of New Amsterdam, easing the potential hardship on the mini bus operators, and getting the Berbice River Bridge toll reduce. Well done New Administration! We applaud you. Resident of New Amsterdam
From page 5 Guyanese intelligence and an assault on their finances that that their NIS money was used to build the bridge and now their tax dollars will be used to put subsidized money into the pockets of minority investors, while the majority investor – NIS – gets nothing at a time when the NIS has to be bailed out with emergency assistance from the Consolidated Fund. It is one thing for Jagdeo to ignore the lunacy of his brainchild, but how can the Granger-Nagamootoo administration fail to see the quagmire they have walked into? It is the same mistake they are making with their Unity Government doltishness! Anyway, time to use the intransigency of the bridge management as an opportunity to beat a hasty retreat to better and more feasible ideas for alleviating the high costs associated with crossing the Berbice River. Jagdeo , meanwhile, made reference in his press conference to the government
setting aside $36M to subsidize the bridge company in face of lowered tolls but more than $60M was allocated to the Prime Minister ‘to fix up his house, buy furniture and a vehicle’. Why did he even think he should go there given that he alone cost taxpayers millions of dollars since he supposedly went into retirement in 2011? Even if the government spends GY$60M or US$300,000 to rehabilitate the Prime Minister’s residence and purchase vehicles, that is an investment by the government that will outlive the prime ministerial life of Moses Nagamootoo. He can’t take those with him when he demits office. What Jagdeo deliberately ignores and folks need to be reminded of is the outrageous benefits package Jagdeo engineered with help from his PPP buddies in Parliament. In July 2014, the National Assembly was informed that the State had spent in excess of $45 million ($45,417,950) on Jagdeo’s light bill, transportation and security
between December 2011 and February 2104 at an average of $1,682,146 per month. Between February 2014 and now, the overall costs may have exceeded GY$60M, but this is the kind of financial information that should require Jagdeo to engage in some self-checking before sticking is foot in his mouth. I would like KN or any other media house to help readers find out if Jagdeo was reimbursed for the electricity bills he reportedly submitted to Parliament, because we learned recently that he had three transformers feeding his house with electricity but he, like everyone else in Pradoville II, did not have meters installed on their houses and were not paying electricity bills. If these people did not have meters and were not paying electricity, how can Jagdeo know how much electricity he consumed, and was he reimbursed for something he never paid for in the first place? Emile Mervin
Over GY$60M for Jagdeo’s personal benefit...
Sunday September 27, 2015
Kaieteur News
At U.N., Iran’s Rouhani calls for investigation into hajj crush
A scene from the Hajj tragedy
Reuters - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani used a major United Nations speech yesterday to demand an investigation into a crush that killed over 700 people at the hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. The fact that Rouhani used a U.N. summit meeting on global development goals to reiterate Iran’s outrage over the hajj tragedy was a sign that Tehran does not intend to tone down criticism of its regional rival Saudi Arabia. Both Iran and the Saudis see themselves as leaders in the Muslim world. In his speech to the 193nation U.N. General Assembly, Rouhani emphasized the need for an investigation into “the causes of this incident and other similar incidents in this year’s
hajj.” He describe the crush as “heart-rending.” Speaking to reporters before a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif repeated that “we need to address the disastrous event in Saudi Arabia.” Saudi Arabia on Friday suggested pilgrims ignoring crowd control rules bore some blame for the incident. Saudi King Salman ordered a review of hajj plans, and Health Minister Khalid al-Falih said an investigation would be conducted. Iran has repeatedly expressed outrage at the deaths of 131 of its nationals at the world’s largest annual gathering of people. Rouhani suggested on Friday the tragedy may be a
result of the Saudis transferring experienced troops to Yemen to fight Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, a military campaign that Tehran has repeatedly criticized. Two weeks ago, 110 people died in Mecca’s Grand Mosque when a crane working on an expansion project collapsed during a storm and toppled off the roof into the main courtyard, crushing pilgrims underneath. Rouhani also told the U.N. summit yesterday that the historic nuclear deal between Iran and the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China “has created suitable conditions for regional and international cooperation including in the field of environmental preservation.”
Reuters - Chinese President Xi Jinping announced yesterday that Beijing will establish an assistance fund with an initial pledge of $2 billion (1.3 billion pounds) to help developing countries implement a sweeping global sustainable development agenda over the next 15 years. “China will continue to increase investment in the least developed countries, aiming to increase its total to $12 billion by 2030,” Xi told a sustainable development summit of world leaders at the United Nations in New York. “China will exempt the debt of outstanding intergovernmental interestfree loans due by the end of 2015 owed by the relevant least developed countries, landlocked developing
countries and small island developing countries,” he added. The 193-member United Nations General Assembly on Friday adopted the most farreaching agenda ever of global goals to combat poverty, inequality and climate change, capping years of debate. Described by the U.N. Secretary-General Ban Kimoon as “a to-do list for people and planet,” the 17 Sustainable Development Goals are to be implemented over the next 15 years with a big global push to win public and political support. “Looking to the future, China will continue to take a right approach to justice and interests by putting justice before interests and join the
other countries in the concerted efforts to realize the post-2015 development agenda,” Xi said. During Xi’s first state visit to the United States, he and U.S. President Barack Obama also unveiled on Friday new steps they will take to deliver on pledges they made then to slash their greenhouse gas emissions. One of the steps announce by Xi was that China would channel 20 billion RMB ($3.1 billion) to help developing countries combat and adapt to climate change, a significant financial pledge from an emerging economy. Yesterday at the United Nations, Xi also said China would establish a development knowledge center to allow countries to share best practices.
China pledges $2 billion to help poor states meet U.N. goals
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Kaieteur News
Sunday September 27, 2015
France says Syria’s Assad has no role in country’s future
Bashar al-Assad
Reuters - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad cannot play any role in a future political transition because it would not be credible to the Syrian people after so many deaths at the hands of his government, France’s foreign minister said yesterday. Some Western officials in recent weeks have suggested a role for the Syrian leader in a negotiated political solution to the crisis after more than four years of civil war that has killed some 240,000 people. Outlining, Paris’ objectives for the U.N. General Assembly, Laurent Fabius,
one of Assad’s staunchest critics, said that while demanding his immediate departure was not a precondition for talks, it was clear that the man behind 80 percent of deaths in Syria could not have a role in the future. “There has been a lot of comment in the last few days on the role of Assad and whether he can or should be a stabilising element in Syria,” he told reporters. “The truth is he is the main person guilty of the current chaos. “If we were to say to the Syrians that the future of Syria lies in Assad, then we’ll expose ourselves to failure,” he said. Fabius said he supported U.N. special envoy Staffan de Mistura’s initiative to work towards a political transition based on the 2012 Geneva Communiqué, a document setting out guidelines on Syria’s path to peace and a political transition. “We have to redouble our efforts,” he said, adding that he would discuss the issue with key players including the United States, Turkey, Iran, Russia and Saudi Arabia in the next few days. U.S. Secretary of State
John Kerry is trying to launch a new initiative for a political solution in Syria during meetings in New York this week, diplomats said. Fabius said that the talks this week would also seek to clarify Russia’s military buildup in Syria, adding that if it went beyond defending its interests in the country would complicate any political transition. Fabius also said France would push in the coming days for a re-launch of the Middle East peace process between Israel and the Palestinians, warning that the status quo could benefit Islamic State militants. Paris is trying to launch an international “contact group” at the United Nations that would comprise U.N. Security Council members, Arab states and the European Union with a view to reviving the peace process. “France will not give up. It is not true that the status quo will hold,” he said. “If we wait while doing nothing then we are taking the risk of letting Daesh (Islamic State) claim the Palestinian cause as its own,” Fabius said, referring to the Arabic acronym for Islamic State.
Sunday September 27, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 9
Jagdeo shies away from disclosing wealth, again Former President Bharrat Jagdeo has yet again shied away from addressing issues relating to his accumulation of extreme wealth. Jagdeo hosted a press conference on Friday last at Freedom House. He said that he felt obligated to address the media before his journey to the United States for a series of meetings. The former President who
is now the Leader of the Opposition did not disclose the nature of his meetings. At this forum, Jagdeo limited the questions of reporters. Nevertheless, he was asked about the wealth he accumulated during his tenure as President. Jagdeo was also asked to respond to Vice President, Khemraj Ramjattan’s statements to the effect that the very fact that he tries to escape scrutiny on his wealth speaks volume
Dem boys seh...
Good can never follow Jagdeo Everything that wrong in this country is Jagdeo cause it. People believe that he turn a blind eye to many things but de truth is and was he had he eye pun everything. He was either getting a kickback or a front kick pun everything. De gold and diamond mining industry fuh one. Lots of foreigners in de country and in de back dam digging out de gold and shipping it out. If de Waterfalls paper didn’t do some digging and expose dem de country woulda never know. Dem had people like Sun and Sand. Jagdeo, that scamp, tell de nation that dem come to build hotel. Dem done build Jagdeo hotel camp in de back dam wheh de gold deh. When it come to de lumber ask him bout BaiShanLin, Wong On Inc, and Vitarna etc. He not only get kick, he get kick up and everything. Dem boys hear that money use to roll in green notes because somebody carry a message to de message that a certain man only know to deal wid green notes. And that was long before Guyana print de $5,000 bill. And this only come to light because de Waterfalls paper dig and find out and expose it. He tun a blind eye to prospecting licence; he tun a blind eye to wildlife plus dem low life. Dem boys seh that he tun a blind eye to drugs and is everybody seh suh. No big one ever get lock up. De land grabbing was something else. He didn’t tun a blind eye to land grabbing, he tun he whole face. He and all he friends prosper. Dem own de East Coast, West Coast, de North Coast plus de South Coast of Guyana. Name it, Jagdeo and he kavakamites own it. Dem own de Berbice Bridge although de taxpayers put in de hog of de money. De same thing would a happen wid de Marriott wha dem did plan to name Barriott, just like he name. That is why David de Pot seh that he government would never uphold another Public Private Partnership deal in this country. De Waterfalls paper again telling de nation this one. He Jagdeo mek this new govt got to give directive to all govt servants to proceed on dem leave due. He allow this lawlessness to happen. De senior players sit down in dem office and never allowing de juniors to get de experience. In some cases, by not taking dem leave dem get extended time on de job which prove a disadvantage to de person under dem. Dem boys believe that de only think lef, that he nah put he eye pun, was de sky but dem wrong. When dem boys seh he tun he face, he tun it to de sky. Is something he accustom to doing since he build he mansion and put in one US$500,000 fancy light called chandelier that come from China. When dem reporter talk he play big seh he gun sell it fuh US$20,000 to de boss man who got he check ready. He done got truck standby to pick up. Talk half and de Waterfalls boss man waiting fuh call Jagdeo bluff.
about the source. Jagdeo sought to escape actually addressing the issue. Instead, he employed his usual “dodge mechanism.” He said that he expected such a question from Kaieteur News and then sought to attack Kaieteur News owner, Glenn Lall. “That is the Glenn Lall question to the reporters to ask, so I am not blaming you. You have to ask that. But you should ask, since the President wants Commissions of Inquiry, there should be an Inquiry into the man that was shot by Glenn Lall on the East Bank Road. “He was shot and killed in cold blood and there was no inquest. He (Glenn Lall) was never charged for manslaughter, murder or anything else... You should ask if there would be a Commission of Inquiry into that extra judicial killing,” said Jagdeo. This occurred during the tenure of the People’s Progressive Party. Besides, Jagdeo had 13 years as President. He could have invoked presidential powers to achieve whatever aims he wanted to at that time, an observer said. After his tantrum about Lall, Jagdeo then turned his attention to Ramjattan. The Opposition Leader said that he thinks Ramjattan does not want to declare his assets and income. “So what do you do? You find a whipping horse.” Jagdeo then repeated comments made at a previous press conference. Jagdeo said that he met with the President David Granger and pointed out that his Asset Recovery Unit noted that it would have difficulties tracking people’s assets outside of Guyana. “Why don’t we work together on getting a piece of legislation that will force every Member of Parliament to declare all that they own abroad,” he
Kaieteur News owner, Glenn Lall
Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo
suggested. Jagdeo recommended that this not be sent to the Integrity Commission “where it sits and nobody knows about it.” Instead, Jagdeo recommended that statements be deposited at the Parliament “so anybody, a reporter, can go to Parliament Building and say ‘let me see what Jagdeo owns abroad.’ So if Jagdeo owns $10 abroad you will know and if Ramjattan has $1 abroad then you will know.” Jagdeo said that this is to ensure that “Ramjattan’s dollar does not become $20 by the time he leaves office while his salary is 25 cents …I think Ramjattan currently owns substantially more assets abroad than I do.” The only thing Jagdeo
directly addressed was Ramjattan’s statement that Jagdeo is the richest politician in Guyana. But even to this, Jagdeo danced. “The only way I can own billions of dollars is if Ramjattan give me some money from the sale of gun licences.” Further to those ramblings, Jagdeo reiterated that he wants a huge penalty to fall upon those who make false
declarations about their assets abroad “if they are found to own some asset that they didn’t declare then you can prosecute.” The Opposition Leader said that there is a specific reason he wants this to be made public. The reason given is that “if someone knows of an asset that an MP has that he did not declare, he or she can come forward…Why would Ramjattan want to oppose something of this nature?” Jagdeo also recalled that he asked for an across the board tax declaration and make it available to the public “So you will see what a member has paid in taxes for years.” Jagdeo said that the declared assets should then be compared to the declared taxable income. The politician said that the people can then deduce that something is wrong when someone who has a certain income can afford certain assets. “These thing are good f o r t r a n s p a r e n c y, ” s a i d Jagdeo.
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?
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Kaieteur News
Sunday September 27, 2015
Camp Street jail a powder keg Efforts are being made to address overcrowding at the Georgetown Prisons even as the prison service is gearing to celebrate its 132nd Anniversary. Director of Prisons Welton Trotz admitted that the Camp Street prison has more inmates than it was originally constructed to accommodate but for security reasons he did not wish to state the prisoners to prison officer ratio. He however said, “Of the five prisons Georgetown is overcrowded but the other prisons are just about level in its inmate population.” And while there have been several escapes from prisons nationwide, the general prison situation at present is under control in Guyana as compared to other Caribbean territories says Welton Trotz, DSM, the current head of the Guyana Prison Services. The last major jail break was on February 23, 2002. Dispelling reports that ranks have been treating some prisoners with more favor than others, he said should that occur disciplinary action is a surety. “Those disciplinary actions range from a fine of a few days pay
to immediate dismissal.” However while that has happened under the watch of other Prison Heads to date there has not be any such case under Trotz. In Georgetown, Trotz admitted that ranks continue to be faced with the problem of persons continually throwing drugs and countraband over the fence and these items ultimately end up in the hands of prisoners. When asked about the new building in the Camp Street compound the Prison chief said, “It is not completed as yet but we are hoping that it will be done before the first half of the New Year (2016).” He explained that the new brick prison will be used to house mainly high profile prisoners but as it is, the past contractor has completed his specified works. Construction is stalled until monies are further allocated in the national budget. Recently, the prison has been the subject of allegations from prisoners who are crying foul over ill treatment among other issues. However, Trotz dismissed these allegations as furthest from the truth. He however
The unfinished Block in the Camp Street Prison compound.
noted that the prisoners are agitated mainly because of the long period that their matters are taking to be heard. “They were very vociferous but that matter is being addressed with the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) and arrangements are being made to treat with the cases more speedily.” Contrary to reports from prisoners, the Prison Service
Director said that the food is a non issue. In fact, he said, “They are fed three meals each day and are treated with special diets on occasions especially for Christmas and other holidays and the same will happen during our anniversary.” The diet includes special occasions of pepper pot, baked chicken and macaroni and cheese etc, “They get better food than
when they are at home.” On the issue of reports of gang violence the Prisons Chief frankly stated, “We do not from our point of view think that there are gangs in our local prisons and this includes Camp Street too.” He explained, however, that, “Some inmates may have had personal out of prison issues. Then when they meet up in prison they
attack each other and take revenge, something we do not encourage”. He noted two cases of prisoner violence during which one prisoner accused the other of robbing his mother. They met in prison where their issues escalated and ended in a fight. Addressing the issue of fires being started in the Camp Street prison DSM Trotz said there were no fires recently, but rather attention seeking actions taken by prisoners. Prisons in Guyana have been in existence over the past 180 years. Today, there are five prison locations in Guyana: The Georgetown Prison built in 1832, Mazaruni Prison built in 1843, New Amsterdam Prison built in 1847, Lusignan Prison was gazetted in 1980 and the Timehri Prison built in 1973. There have been other temporary prisons (housing) at Belbaag, Hope, Melanie Damishana, Mon Repos, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, Dora, East Bank Demerara and Lethem in the Rupununi. The Georgetown and New Amsterdam Prisons are known as admission prisons and it is from these locations that prisoners are transferred to the other locations. Each of the five prisons is manned by an Officer-inCharge and their management team. The first local Prison Director was Mr. Harold Davis, DSM. PRISONERS FLASH BACK Recently pandemonium broke out in the Capital Section A of the Camp Street prison as prisoners sought to air their grievances to the media. As part of their ploy to get attention, they started a fire burning newspapers in the Capital Section Block A of the prison. That fire resulted in officials of the Guyana Fire Service, the police, some armed prison officers and a team from Guyana Power and Light rushing to the scene. While the fire could have been worse according to fire officers at the scene, luckily they caught it in time and were able to extinguish it before it got out of control. The Capital Section of the (continued on page 15)
Sunday September 27, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
PPP chides GECOM Chairman … for ‘dangerous’ statements on fake Statements of Poll The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) recently expressed its dismay with comments reportedly made by Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Dr. Steve Surujbally. The p a r t y c o n t e n d e d that Dr. Surujbally said that it would be impossible to prove who took false Statements of Poll into the Commission and as such, couldn’t see the need for an investigation. The opposition party said that this statement is a reflection of GECOM’s gross incompetence and an indictment of the organization’s inability to conduct free and fair elections unless there are reforms of its machinery. It asserted that the statement is also a confession of the extent to which GECOM’s security procedures and quality control measures have been compromised. The Opposition emphasized that such remarks from Surujbally confirms grave suspicions of many about his biased judgment. The Opposition said that while it is not sure whether the said statement is a conclusion
drawn by the entire GECOM or Mr. Surujbally personally, it is an extremely serious and dangerous development.” It called on the entity’s Chief Elections Officer, Mr. Keith Lowenfield, to respond to this development. “The PPP is convinced that had the Party been returned to office following the May elections and with such an allegation hanging over the Commission, the APNU+AFC in opposition would have refused to accept the results, claimed the elections were rigged, probably burnt the city down and demanded another forensic audit.” It c o n t i n u e d , “ M r. Surujbally must wake up and smell the flavour of the day, that is, the countless number of investigations, audits, probes, commission of inquiries now taking place in the country that smells of corruption or malpractice according to the suspicions of the APNU+AFC coalition government.” The Party said that the newly constituted GECOM must not allow Mr. Surujbally to get away with his “shenanigans.”
The Opposition stressed that the Commission must demand that the police be called in to carry out a thorough investigation into this “elections crime” in the same way the Office of the President has launched investigations and set up its Asset Recovery Unit to go after every perceived wrongdoer and in the same way that the Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan, is going after rogue cops in the Guyana Police Force. It added, “If Mr. Surujablly does not value the vote by each elector then this is most unfortunate and reaffirms the loss of confidence the PPP has publicly expressed in him as Head of GECOM.” The Party reiterated that if there are persons in G E C O M ’s e m p l o y w h o sought to corrupt the system with the fake ‘SOPs’ with the intention of generating incorrect results to thwart the will of the electorate, then this confirms the long held view of the PPP that there is an urgent need for an overhaul of the Commission’s machinery in the not too distant future.
Sunday September 27, 2015
Cheating wife allegedly stabs husband A 45-year-old fisherman is battling for his life at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after he was allegedly stabbed by his reputed wife. Daniel Persaud, of Lot 99 Sheet Anchor Village, Berbice, was stabbed to right of his back at his home two Saturdays ago. The father of four was reportedly attacked when he confronted his reputed wife about an ongoing affair with a neighbor. According to information received, Persaud found out that his wife of ten years was having an affair with their neighbour. He allegedly went home and confronted her. “The two of them were in the kitchen and when he ask her about the affair, they had an argument. His son said that he choked her,” Fizul Sattaur, the injured man’s brother, explained. He added that he was further informed that his brother walked away but his reputed wife allegedly walked behind him and stabbed him to the right shoulder. Persaud’s screams alerted his neighbours, who then called one of his siblings, who resides nearby. He was first taken to the
…after confrontation
Daniel Persaud in ICU
New Amsterdam Hospital in Berbice before being transferred to the GPHC. According to Sattaur, medical personnel at the hospital informed a family member that Persaud’s condition is listed as critical. “They (doctors) say that
he was stabbed with force and that one of his lungs leaking and there is a problem with his heart,” Persaud’s sibling explained. The fisherman remains in a critical condition at the GPHC while his wife is said to be in police custody.
Sunday September 27, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Govt. orders review of all companies in Mining, Forestry and Oil and Gas sectors By Kiana Wilburg The coalition Government has ordered a review of all companies in the major sectors. It was found that under the previous regime, several entities were allowed to enter certain divisions without any due diligence being exercised. This is according to Minster of Governance, Raphael Trotman. He insists that the process of conducting “due diligence” must be returned to the manner in which the country’s resources are handled. Minister Trotman was asked last week to state when Government would investigate some of those foreign companies which escaped any sort of scrutiny by sheltering under the wings of established local companies. He said, “Well that has already started. In fact, I have ordered a complete review on all the ag e n c i e s i n t h e sectors of mining, oil and gas, wild life, forestry etc. We hope to complete that report by the last week of October so yes we are doing all reviews.” The Minister of Governance continued, “We aren’t anti-investment but we want to ensure that everyone
- Insists due diligence must be returned
Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman is obeying the laws. We have no problem with diversification but it should not interfere with the stability of the market.” The failure to exercise due diligence or examine the background of certain companies cost the country millions of dollars under the previous administration. In one case, Guyana is yet to recover the loss incurred. The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP), on September 14, 2012, entered into a contract with Surendra Engineering Corporation
Limited (SECL) for the Specialty Hospital project. No due diligence was done on this company. It was agreed that the company would provide services related to designing, building, equipping, testing, delivering, installing and commissioning of facilities for the facility in Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara. The cost of the contract was over US$18M. In December of that year Surendra Engineering received 20 percent of the contract price as an advance payment – approximately US$3.6M and November 2013 an additional payment of US$649,440 was made. The contract was terminated when Surendra last year reportedly attempted to submit a performance bond from a company in Trinidad and Tobago called ‘World Bankers Re Company Ltd’. Following queries, the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago stepped in to reveal that ‘Worldwide Bankers’ was not a registered company under the insurance act of Trinidad and Tobago. Following the termination of the contract, Government
GOATS TAKE OVER POLICE STATION
Goats on high heights at the Central Police Station. The unfinished Central Police Station which was started during the era of former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee has been taken over by goats. The building has been under repairs for
the past three years and seems to be at a permanent stand still. Recently the building which was ordered by Rohee seems to have become goat dominated during the day.
moved to the Commercial Division of the High Court with Surendra being named as the defendant. Government was claiming damages in excess of $100M, as well as special damages amounting to over US$4M. Surendra had by then, flown the coop and vacated its local office in Berbice when court officials visited to serve the writ. So when the matter was called twice, on January 21 and again on January 23, 2013, and no one appeared on behalf of the company. The court then awarded judgment in favour of the Government of Guyana. Further, over the years, many of our financial analysts have opined that a country’s inability to carry out proper screening on the type of companies investing in Guyana and the ‘kind’ of money” being invested in the economy can have dangerous implications. They believe that it is important to have proper screening on all investment proposals to determine if companies are “high risk” or corrupt. The results of this screening should be one of the requirements before handing out “like candy, tax holidays,” they stressed. According to a 2013 report by the United States Bureau on Economics and Business Affairs, (http:// www.state.gov/e/eb/rls/othr/ ics/2013/204653.htm) “the (previous) Government of Guyana actively encourages foreign direct investment (FDI), but needs to do more to facilitate investment and implement more transparent and accountable procedures.” It said, too, that Guyanese law permits foreign ownership of
companies. There is no mandatory screening of foreign investment. However, the former government conducted de facto screenings of most investments to determine which businesses are eligible for special tax treatment, access to licenses, land, and approval for investment incentives. It said that in spite of efforts to remove discretionary power from various ministries, former Ministers still retained significant authority to determine how relevant laws, such as the Investment Act, Small Business Act, and Procurement Act, are applied. It also highlighted that the country’s main investment agency, the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-INVEST), is the starting point for those seeking necessary permits and tax concessions, but often time-consuming engagements with other offices is likely to be required. GO-INVEST assesses whether a prospective investor’s proposals have sufficient capital backing, and, if not, inquiries generally do not progress further. The report also said that though not required, the former government expected investors to submit business proposals to GO-INVEST that outline the proposed project, the value of the investment, and employment to be generated from the investment. GO-INVEST would review the proposals and makes recommendations to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) in accordance with the Customs Duties Order of 2003. The GRA determines whether imports comply with regulation and whether those materials are eligible for tax
relief. GRA makes the final recommendation to the Minister of Finance on whether to grant exemptions and waivers from customs duty, excise tax, and value added tax. With this in mind, local financial analysts have called into question the nature of the due diligence reports conducted by the Guyana Office for Investment and whether a report is conducted on all companies it reviews and assesses before providing a recommendation for tax holidays. CEO of Go-Invest, Keith Burrowes had made it clear that the company currently lacks the capacity to conduct a due diligence report on all the investors it sees, thereby making it unable to identify high risk or corrupt companies. He had stressed that GoInvest lacks the necessary resources to even monitor in many cases how the concessions granted to some of the companies will benefit the country. Burrowes had said, “At Go-Invest, the due diligence report is an investigation or audit of a potential investment, which serves to confirm all material facts. So what we basically look for is accessing the company’s financial statements, the liabilities they have and if they are involved in any illegalities.” “But to check for all these things you need the physical and human resources to do so and we don’t have that…We lack the capacity to carry out the economic analysis on companies to determine what they are really coming with… “We want to know what is being done also with the concessions being granted and the tax holidays and how the country is really benefitting from this.”
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Kaieteur News
Sunday September 27, 2015
NIS needs to make prudent investments Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, on Friday, visited the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) Headquarters on Brickdam. He was able to interact with close to 3000 staff members. General Manager of the NIS, Doreen Nelson, and other senior staff accompanied the Finance Minister on his visit which also saw him interacting with members of the general public conducting business at the institution. Describing the NIS as an important part of Guyana’s Social Protection System, Minister Jordan said that the agency is experiencing financial difficulties. “Its capital is under challenge in terms of paying benefits,” Jordan said adding that the NIS needs to adopt a more prudent approach to its investments. “It is unfortunate about what has happened over the last couple of years to its (NIS) investments, especially in the CLICO and the Berbice Bridge. None of these
investments which are substantial, is giving NIS any income, which it should have been earning by now. “As a result, the NIS has had to pare back benefits, in terms of quantum and I believe even in terms of quantity that you have been trying to give to people,” Jordan explained. The Finance Minister added that persons expect that once they would have paid their money into a social security system, then they would get their benefits upon their retirement or when sick. “Delaying tactics must not be used to deny persons their benefits,” Jordan said. He further noted that there is a perception among some, that some payments are delayed due to the lack of monies to actually pay those who subscribed. The Minister explained that his visit made it clear that the NIS was “somewhat behind when it came to having its systems computerised. I see a lot of paper around the place. This
- Finance Minister is very bad for management. I see a lot of old stuff which by now should have been got rid of, to free up space. “And at the Human Resource side, I have asked the General Manager to relook at the dress down Friday style because when you’re serving the public, you need to convey a certain impression,” the Finance Minister said. Recounting his own experiences with the NIS, Minister Jordan said that he has over three years of bills and receipts. “I refused to even come to NIS because of the long issues to get back your money so I just gave up a long time ago. I will reopen the issue soon but, I could understand some of the frustration that people get because I was frustrated enough to just give up, trying to make claims,” Jordan explained.
With regard to the implementation of some the recommendations contained within the last actuarial report, the Minister said that these will be looked at as none were really implemented in any serious way. He further explained that the agency which is observing its 46th year of operation, has to have its organisation and method of operations updated, “We have re-examine whether NIS should remain as a single entity doing these different aspects that they do or whether it can best be done as individuals,” Jordan said. “Maybe one entity that looks at retirement issues, maybe one that looks at the medical issues. Of course you know that NIS doesn’t give u n e m p l o y m e n t compensation, which of course as you know in these times is something that we could be looking at also.”
Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan The need for the NIS to be more pro-active was also emphasised by the Finance Minister who cited the Guyana Revenue Authority’s actions in this regard, as an example that should be copied. In the Minister’s opinion, the NIS should not be seen as a Post Office which just receives contributions but it should be pro-active. In this
way, the Scheme can pre-empt situations such as when businesses are likely to go bankrupt. “It is clear that if you collect NIS this month and next month you don’t see or hear from them, I’m not waiting to find out why. I’m going there. We have to have lots more people out in the field and we can reduce the gap between them collecting the people’s money and not remitting it to the NIS.” Jordan explained. The substandard working conditions at the building, which are below the acceptable Occupational Health and Safety Standards were acknowledged and the Minister expressed the hope that the NIS’s Board of Directors will be moving to address these soon. The visit follows similar ones made to the Guyana Revenue Authority and the Statistical Bureau by the Minister. He has indicated that he will also be visiting the NIS’s Camp Street Branch Office, in the near future. (GINA)
Sunday September 27, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Public Servants must take leave due - Senior officials have leave to take them - Cabinet orders them into retirement but still on the job Public Servants will no longer be allowed to accumulate leave and negotiate for payment in lieu. This is as a result of a decision taken by Cabinet that Public Servants who do not take their annual vacation leave for an extended period will forfeit it. The move will mostly affect senior Public Servants, including the Chancellor, Chief Justice, other High Court Judges and Permanent Secretaries. It could also affect the Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, the Commissioner of Police, Director of Prisons and the Chief Fire Officer, as well as other Heads of Government agencies. Of course, while in some instances the accumulated leave could be justified, the move is aimed at discouraging the deliberate deferral of leave, as well as to allowing for proper succession planning within Public Service entities. A source in the Cabinet, who declined to be named, explained, “Leave is for persons to rejuvenate. That is the basis of annual leave. If you don’t want it, you lose it.” This newspaper was reliably informed that one very senior Judge has accumulated leave that would take him into retirement more than a year before he is due to come off.
“Some who are nearing retirement should not expect to benefit from payment for the leave they have allowed to build up over the years. They won’t be allowed to collect money and work up to their retirement age; they will have to proceed on their leave,” the source stated. The same scenario obtains in the case of one Permanent Secretary, who has accumulated leave totaling over 500 days. A Finance Ministry official explained that should the government offer to pay the Permanent Secretary for the leave, it will amount to close to $10M. The source also disclosed that in the case of a high ranking Police Officer, who has over 100 days leave due to him, the State will have to pay him almost $2 million. “This situation cannot be allowed to continue. Once they are eligible for their leave, they will have to take it because it’s a whole lot of money the government will have to pay.” “Why would someone not want to go on their leave? I can only think of two things; that they have to cover their tracks or, they do not want to let go of the perks that come with the office they hold,” said the source. The current scenario is being blamed on the previous
Camp Street jail a ... From page 10 prison houses three blocks, each of which has in excess of 70 prisoners and most were shouting their stories. The prisoners’ complaints included unfair and inhumane treatment by prison officials and some police ranks, some of whom they say are favouring some prisoners over others. Allegations include prison officers being paid to set prisoners up and cause fights among one another. One prisoner confided, “Dem does take out people from cells and let other prisoners beat them up in here.” Some shouted their need for a more effective and efficient DPP as they labeled her as unfair in the execution of her job. They also sought to clear
the air about the alleged gang fight which led to the chopping of a prisoner during a similar riotous scenario. As it relates to that issue, the prisoners at the top of their voices debunked the story of there being a gang war in the prison. “We ain’t got no gang war in here, some people got problems with one another but is not no gang thing. Another issue raised by the prisoners was that they are not being fed on time. “Since six we ain eat nothing.” Then there was the issue of one prisoner who identified himself as Jermaine Otto. He said he is in the jail for a murder that he did not commit and that a constable (name given) “wanted to take me to a strong cell for another prisoner to chop me up.”
People’s Progressive Party/Civic administration, which according to one top coalition executive, officially sanctioned the deferral of annual leave. It was former Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee, who had ordered police officers to defer their annual leave as far back as 2011. The then Minister had ordered that police officers will only be able to proceed on half their 42 days annual leave. But while the decision did not go down well with the officers, some of them began to abuse it and set themselves up to draw down on payment in lieu of leave. “What Rohee was doing was wrong. The police could have sued him for their (leave) entitlement but of course some of them saw the personal benefit and decided to abuse the situation,” the source stated. Since its accession to office, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change Government has been sending off a number of senior public servants who had accumulated leave. In many cases the agencies to which these officials were attached have been subjected to forensic audits, and some of them have not returned to work. It has been argued that in some public sector institutions, senior functionaries seek permission
to defer their vacation leave, or request payment in lieu of said leave, bringing into question the issue of succession planning. According to the writer of a recent letter that was published in this newspaper, “One of the highest priorities for any Chief Executive should be to develop his or her staff and to have a succession plan in place for at least his successor. During a leadership change, a succession plan maintains the continuity of the organisation’s mission and reduces uncertainty and resistance to change. “Succession planning - as a process, facilitates a review
for leadership talent while identifying possible successors, and then providing those individuals with the training, mentoring, and support they need to prepare themselves for critical roles within the organisation when vacancies occur.” “In Police Forces, although succession planning - when it takes place, is often associated primarily with the Chief Executive’s (or Commissioner’s) position, it is also essential to identifying and preparing leadership at all levels of the organisation. “Having a succession plan at every leadership level ensures that no matter what the change, there will be
experienced and trained personnel to step into leadership positions. In other words, nepotism would have no place to secure a foothold in any sort of law enforcement agency, regardless of size. “It is for this very reason that leadership development for staff is critical particularly in an organisation moving towards modernization,” the letter writer wrote. This position was echoed by a senior government functionary who told this newspaper that the issue of persons staying on and not proceeding on leave, “creates a whole bunch of repercussions for others down the line.”
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Kaieteur News
Sunday September 27, 2015
All concessions must be published The administration is adamant about bringing a fresh approach to every tier of governance. In this vein, Minster of Governance, Raphael Trotman, issued a stern call to the country’s auditor General, Deodat Sharma, to respect the laws of the country. The Auditor General must also ensure that all concessions as stipulated in the law are published. For years the AG has failed to publish the concessions despite calls from various quarters for him to respect this requirement. Minister Trotman made it clear that such behaviour shall be wiped out. The APNU+AFC Government remains committed to returning transparency and accountability. Trotman said, “We are bringing a fresh approach to everything and it takes time but it can’t be done instantly and the Auditor General is quite aware that things have changed. “We have no
- “We’re combing the systems” for all previous concessions granted - Trotman difficulty transferring the level of transparency and accountability needed in every area. We believe in openness but we need your support, patience and this is going to take time.” Trotman said that he is now seeing, for the first time, some of the concessions that were granted across the board under the previous administration. He said that he is in the process of analyzing them. Trotman said that in due course, the publishing of concessions granted within the year will be done as per law. He emphasized that Government is going to ensure this is done. Trotman said that for the time being, he has ordered a report on all the concessions which were granted under the previous administration. The Minister
of Governance added, “We are combing through the systems to do a report on all concessions which were granted.” He said, too, that the Guyana Revenue Authority should also be made to report on the duty free concessions which were granted to remigrants on a yearly basis. Presidential Advisor on Sustainability, Dr. Clive Thomas, had commented on this matter, stating that concessions granted during the year should not only be tabled in the National Assembly as the law stipulates, but also published in the newspaper. In fact, the Economist feels so strongly about this that he intends to make recommendations to the Minister of Finance and President David Granger for this to be done.
He had told Kaieteur News that the “secrecy” and “level of unaccountability” which prevailed under the previous administration in that regard should remain as a mere characteristic of that “dark past.” Professor Thomas had said, “Under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), you had the former Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh and the Auditor General, Deodat Sharma, showing disregard for the laws in this respect,” Professor Thomas said. “Sharma failed in tabling in the National Assembly, the concessions which would have been granted to foreign companies as stipulated by the country’s Investment Act. I am of the belief that all concessions must be published in the newspapers so that the people can see what is really being granted and then they will be able to later assess if the nation was properly compensated.” Dr. Thomas continued, “I certainly believe that the people have a right to know this and there should be no
Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman objection to this. It should not only be tabled in the National Assembly but also published in the papers so that it can reach a wider audience, it can be subjected to constructive criticism and confidence in the system and the process can be restored.” Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram had also criticized Dr. Ashni Singh, the former Finance Minister and the country’s Auditor General, for having failed, over several years, to adhere to the country’s investment
laws. Ram was referring specifically to the sections of that Act that call for transparency surrounding the monitoring and disclosure of tax concessions granted to foreign and local businesses annually. Ram emphasized that both financial officers have ignored their statutory duty and stressed that this needs to change in the new era of governance. The lawyer said that Sharma has been pressured on several occasions to report on the tax concessions as stipulated by the country’s tax laws, but he has continuously turned a blind eye to the issue. Guyana’s Investment Act, Section 38 (1) states that the Auditor General, or any suitably qualified person, designated by him for the purpose, shall annually carry out a procedural or process audit of incentives granted under Section 2 of the Income Tax (In Aid of Industry) Act to an investor or an investment enterprise. It goes on to state that the report of the audit carried out, shall be laid in the National Assembly within six months (continued on page 72)
Sunday September 27, 2015
Kaieteur News
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The Basic ABCs of Diabetes By Dr. Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine Diabetes is a condition that is plaguing our country. We are ranked above the average world diabetes prevalence. Approximately 14 percent of our adult population has diabetes and another two percent is estimated to be undiagnosed. This ranks diabetes as the 3rd most common cause of death in Guyana. As complex as this condition is, adhering to the simple ABC principle that is universally accepted will help you or a relative to combat the dangerous complications of diabetes. Control your ABCs * “A” stands for “A1C” – A1C is a blood test that shows what your average blood sugar level has been during the last few months.
* “B” stands for “blood pressure” – If you have diabetes, controlling your blood pressure is just as important as controlling your blood sugar. High blood pressure puts you at risk for heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease. * “C” stands for “cholesterol” – Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in the blood. High cholesterol is another factor that increases your risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other serious problems. The importance of ABCs Compared with people who do not have diabetes, people who have diabetes are two to three times more likely to have a heart attack or a stroke. People with diabetes also have heart attacks at a younger age, and that are more severe and more deadly. Plus, people with diabetes are much more likely to get kidney disease. By keeping
The pace of political life will cause some people to lose their reasoning. President Granger is going to make a decision that will have people thinking that something is wrong with his mind. He will announce a range of options for people that the nation would like to see incarcerated. Included among the options will be a chance for these people to be a part of the government. However, the people will have the last say. ** The health facilities are going to announce a new and revolutionary treatment for cancer, a common cancer. New
your ABCs under control, you can lower your risk of these problems by a lot. Is blood sugar the most important thing? Keeping blood sugar normal is important in preventing some problems caused by diabetes, including: * Eye diseases that lead to vision loss or blindness * Kidney disease * Nerve damage (called “neuropathy”) that can cause numbness or pain in the hands and feet * The need to have toes, fingers, or other body parts removed by surgery (amputated) Even so, blood sugar is just one of the things that should get your attention. That’s because the problems caused by high blood pressure and high cholesterol are often more serious than the ones caused by high blood sugar. What should your ABC
technology is here. The doctors will come from overseas but expectation is a tall order. The truth is that the technology is not as powerful as the people tout it to be but hope does wonders. The first patient is going to be a symbol until more developed methods come to the fore. ** Another road death and another case of reckless abandon. This is not going to end. At the same time the Force is going to uncover more of its ranks who are nothing but criminals. Money does strange things to people.
levels be? The levels you should aim for will depend on how severe your diabetes is, how old you are, and what other health problems you have. You should consult with your doctor on what your target levels should be. Many people with diabetes aim for: * A1C levels below seven percent * Blood pressure below 140/90, or lower in some cases * LDL cholesterol level below 100 (LDL is one type of cholesterol, often called the “bad cholesterol”) How can you control your ABCs? You should work with your doctor to create a plan to keep your ABCs under control. Your plan might include: * Medicines – Most people with diabetes take medicine every day to control their blood sugar. They might also need to check their blood sugar level every day.
Plus, many people with diabetes need medicines every day to treat high blood pressure or high cholesterol, or to prevent future health problems. It is important that you visit your doctor regularly or as directed until proper control of your ABCs are established. Lifestyle changes – Choices you make every day about the foods you eat and the way you live can have a big impact on your ABCs and your general health. Here are some things you can do to help keep your ABCs under control or reduce your health risks: •Make healthy food choices – Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products. Limit the amount of meat and fried or fatty foods that you eat. •Be active – Walk, garden, or do something active for 30 minutes or more on most days of the week. •Stop smoking – Smoking increases the chance that you
Dr. Zulfikar Bux will have a heart attack or stroke, or develop cancer. •Lose weight – Being overweight increases the risk of many health problems. •Avoid alcohol – Alcohol can increase blood sugar and blood pressure. Luckily, many of the lifestyle changes above can improve all three of the ABCs. For instance, being active and losing weight can help control blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. The next time you or a relative becomes overwhelmed by diabetes, return to the basics and practice the ABCs.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday September 27, 2015
THE CASE OF THE twice-murdered man
- is this man’s wife really trying to kill him? By Michael Jordan He was soft-spoken and he flashed a nervous smile every now and then as we sat in the interview room. He was 63-years old, and he had come all the way from Berbice with the strangest hard-luck story I had ever heard. Someone was trying to kill him, he said; someone he had once loved, and who he thought loved him. That someone had turned him from a prosperous and confident businessman to a virtual pauper; homeless and scared to walk alone after sundown. The ‘someone’ was his wife…his second wife, to be exact; and I haven’t even gotten to the most crazy part yet. He told me he had remarried some eight years ago, after divorcing his first wife. He was a virtual multimillionaire back then, and he trusted that second wife enough to open a joint bank account. “We were living very, very good,” he said. “And then it take a sudden turn.” That “sudden turn,” according to him, happened four years ago. It reportedly
all started after they had made a trip to England. After that, without his knowledge, his wife withdrew all the cash from their joint account. She also began making attempts to acquire a US visa. She filed for divorce twice, only to discontinue the process. He claimed that his spouse also began to sabotage his business by signing documents to show that
clients who owed him had cleared their debts. Then she took him to court to get half of their assets. According to him, a judge gave him the matrimonial twoflat home at Berbice, while she was given a Jeep. He also agreed to give her $300,000. “She said that the marriage would work if I gave her the Jeep and $300,000 and that she wouldn’t torment me anymore. I gave her the Jeep and promised to give her the entire $300,000 in a year.” But this self-described “man of God,” said he still wanted the marriage to work. He took his spouse on a vacation to the US. They visited a Christian theme park, where his wife appeared to experience a conversion. “She cried and said that she is finished (with her past life) and she wouldn’t do these things anymore.”
But they returned to Guyana and he found out that nothing had changed. She still wanted that $300,000 he had promised and when a year passed and he hadn’t delivered it all, she took him to court. At this time, the marriage had deteriorated to the point where they were living in separate sections of the home.Then, according to the man, she tried to have him killed. ‘HIT MEN’ Last year, two men reportedly snatched him from outside his home and took him by vehicle to the back of a Corentyne community. And then, according to him, a very strange thing happened. He said that the men explained that his wife had hired them to kill him, but that they had no intention of doing so. “They told me to
cooperate with them. They said that they didn’t want to harm me, they just wanted her money.” So, according to him, the men tied him up, threw tomato paste on him, ordered him to lie still, and took photographs of his ‘ bloodstained body,’ to give to his wife. They then untied him. He said that the bogus ‘hit men’ also promised to give him a recording of themselves and his wife, but never did. He said that the following day, his wife discovered that he was still very much alive. She flew into a rage. “YOU AIN’T’DEAD?” “She see me and she start cursing on the road,” he said. She say ‘You ain’t dead? They ain’t kill you?’” The man told me that he visited a Berbice police station and told a senior rank about the plot on his life. He also showed the cop the photographs of his ‘body.’ But he said that the policeman chased him out of the station and told him not to return. “He said that he can’t believe that this woman would do that because he knows her very long.” He claimed that his wife made a second attempt on his life a few months ago. Again, he was at home when two men came calling at his gate. He said that the men showed him a forged affidavit that his wife had produced in court when she was seeking spousal support. He claimed that the men also produced a recording of a conversation between them and his wife. Like the first two ‘hit-men,’ he said that the visitors revealed that they were hired to abduct and kill him, but had no intention of going through with the plan. “They said that they were con-men, not hit men.” He said that the men took him to a house on the East Bank of Demerara. Again, he was tied up and had to pretend to be dead. This time, his wife sent one of her friends to see his ‘body.’ Photographs were also taken of the ‘corpse.’ After the wife’s friend saw the ‘body’, she reportedly contacted the wife by phone and said “give the people the money, the man is dead.” He was told that his wife handed over $2.2M to the ‘hit men.’ According to the man, the next day, he overheard his wife and the same friend asking neighbours if they had heard that he was dead.
Later, on seeing that he was still alive, his wife allegedly accused him of ‘sticking her up’ and forcing her to withdraw $2.2M from the bank. He claimed that a male relative of his wife also threatened to kill him. By November, he had moved out of his own house after his wife paid a neighbor to harass him. But that apparently didn’t stop the torment. He said that a few weeks ago, an attorney representing his wife served him with a legal document which stated that the house he owned was no longer his. He was told that he had a week to remove his belongings from the property. According to the hardluck husband, he subsequently learned that his wife had sold the house to a relative. Now too destitute to hire an attorney, he said he turned to Legal Aid for assistance to get his property back. Meanwhile, he lodges at a friend, and ekes out a living by selling the few vegetables he plants. Friends chip in by giving him meals. Adding insult to injury, he said he’s still paying off the $300,000 that he had agreed to give his spouse. He’s since filed for divorce. “I am living day to day. I sold some karaila today to get some money. I am living on handouts.” One positive thing that has happened is that this time around, police appear to be taking his story seriously. At present, police at Berbice are investigating his claims about the attempts on his life. Meanwhile, he still fears that his estranged spouse will make yet another attempt to get rid of him. The recent spate of cases of individuals hiring others to ‘bump off’ their spouses is worrisome to him. “I don’t walk around after 5.00 p.m. I heard that she is looking for somebody to do it (kill me). She could pay anybody, and this time they might not be con-men.” If you have 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 also be reached on telephone numbers 22-58458, 2258465, or 22-58491. You need not disclose your identity. You can also contact Michael Jordan at his email address: mjdragon@ hotmail.com.
Sunday September 27, 2015
Kaieteur News
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== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==
Three-year-old died: Cause of death; old age There is a real, authentic death certificate in the Polish archives where a three-yearold boy died in the Nazi concentration camp and the cause of death was registered as old age. On reading this, anyone would find it funny but Guyana produces far more facetious horror stories. A mother of two small children was brutally raped (not the finger pushing definition of rape as enunciated in the Sexual Offences Act) in Diamond in front of her children by two intruders. What follows after the violent attack reminds us of the cause of death of the boy in the death camp. The Nazi doctors registered the cause of death so they could have a laugh. The relevant authorities that the woman complained to made sure they had their laugh too. Here are some of the mother’s grievances as reported in the press: “The young woman said her landlord attempted to chase the predators with his
car, but the men vanished. The police were contacted, and officers from the Criminal Investigation Department who were on patrol responded quickly. The young woman said she asked the officers to accompany her to the doctor, but was told that they were tired because they had worked all night. The police left without taking a statement, or even inviting her to the station to make a formal report. Her landlord eventually drove her to the Brickdam Police Station in Georgetown, and requested the rape kit. When one of the policewomen responded that they all were tired, she was taken to a police doctor stationed in an office within the very compound. The young woman said the male doctor, to whom she was taken by one of the policewomen, handled her in a rough manner, even pulling her hair during a physical examination. “He was swabbing me, and when I cried because I was feeling pain, he said in a
rough manner: “Is not a penis I swabbing you with!” The young woman said she felt embarrassed because the two female officers never objected to his remark, and they were also called to view the bruises she had sustained while being raped. “I asked him (the police doctor) for an injection to protect me from STDs (sexually transmitted diseases), and he turned and said, “That is whitepeople stupidness”, the distraught woman complained. A drive back to the Golden Grove Police Station ran her into verbal abuse by an officer there, whose name was given to her. After relating to the officer what had happened back home earlier, the young woman said, “He asked me how I open my foot, and I told him the man opened it, and he telling me that I had enough strength to close my foot.” (end of quote) Sounds very much like a tale from a tenth rate banana republic. But this is what Guyana has become. This lady’s trauma occurred eight months before
we celebrate 50 years of Independence. What is there to celebrate? Maybe, the greatness of Burnham and Jagan, the two biggest destructors of Guyana. There will be no discipline of the police officials who behaved atrociously toward this helpless mother. The mediocre doctor will probably get a promotion. But let’s do some class analysis of Guyana’s society. Why did the police and doctor behave this way (assuming that they did)? Would they have been so flippant if she was of European descent? Would they have been so insulting if the incident had occurred in the upper class suburbs of Kingston, Lamaha Gardens, Happy Acres, Houston Gardens, University Gardens, etc? Would they have been so
dismissive if she was a middle class woman from the medical or legal or business profession or from the judicial system? She came from the working class section of the sprawling housing estate of Diamond/Grove up the East Bank. The burglars got into her house by removing louver panes. She had no costly grills in her home. There was no alarm system. There was no guard on duty.This woman was officially mistreated by officialdom because of her class position of the lower rung of society. And the worse is yet to come. Our middle class women groups probably don’t care to read about her plight. After all she has no membership in the Lions or Jaycees or Inner Wheel Club or hangs out at Moray House or Oasis Café. I was asked by the new government to serve in an
Frederick Kissoon important capacity. I philosophically declined, meaning I gave philosophical reasons for saying no thank you. Will tell you more later. I end with a confession you may find unacceptable. I have three pets – two cats and a dog. I really love them perhaps more than…. Well should I say it?
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Sunday September 27, 2015
BLUEPRINT FOR UPGRADING PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE …river and sea transport, large passenger buses A multifaceted policy and programme to overhaul infrastructure across the nation is on the move. The Ministry of Public Infrastructure under the leadership of Ministers David Patterson and Annette Ferguson is already moving ahead with the acquisition of buses larger than 26 seaters to ply long routes, e.g. Georgetown to Lethem, Mackenzie to Kwakwani, Adventure to Charity and Georgetown to Corriverton. This programme is a direct spin off of a road transportation policy which is being refined. In the meantime, the ‘low hanging fruit’, the projects that are immediately achieveable have already been set in motion
while a new coordinating unit, The Transportation Authority, is set up. As a matter of course, the issue of weight, time and speed limits on specified roads and highways for heavy-duty vehicles have been included. Owners of both small and large cargo vessels, shipping terminals in Port Georgetown, in Berbice and Essequibo, bulk exporters and other frequent users of the main rivers for transportation purposes will be pleased to learn of the Ministry’s plans (already being implemented) to upgrade and modernize this main Port and dredge the Demerara Navigational Channel which will in the short term reduce the high charges they have been paying to
transport goods only in small quantities in and out of Guyana because of the shallow draught of the Channel. A brand new dredger will be purchased to dredge and maintain the channel, rivers and creeks. The deepening of these rivers will facilitate in-country movement of lumber, stone, sand, people and consumer goods from the interior regions to the coast. No longer will their passage be delayed while they wait for high tides to sail. They will lose fewer markets as a result of those delays, and the complaints lodged by our value-added wood producers including sawmillers, joiners and makers
of doors, decking, furniture and other products are sure to diminish. Rehabilitation of the Lighthouse and replacement of navigational lights, buoys and other equipment will serve a similar purpose. This move would also boost the tourism sector and encourage the growth of the arts and craft industry since the deeper draught will allow large cruise ships to berth at Port Georgetown. These facilities are extremely important to our local manufacturers and exporters as well. Their products are likely to become more competitive in local and overseas markets. In addition, more Guyanese will be encouraged to establish indigenous value-added enterprises due to less costly, easier access to markets in the Caribbean and farther afield. (The issue of cripplingly high energy costs that result in high prices for Made-inGuyana products will be addressed in the second installment of this article). All sea and river defense works will be consolidated under the ministry’s new Coastal Protection Unit. The Marine Administration Department (MARAD) has placed on their work programme a number of deep water projects including new harbours and will intensify their training schedules for boat and ferry captains and crews. This is part of a Port Master Plan that will be implemented in a phased manner for the benefit of both national and international marine traffic. Restructuring and
rehabilitation of wharves and stellings also feature high on the Ministry’s agenda. A new ferry will be acquired to ply the Parika - North West District route. Already Berbicians have begun to benefit from the introduction of river launches crossing the Berbice River between Rosignol and New Amsterdam. Parents of school aged children and the elderly can now cross the river free of cost, and frequent passengers including students of the University of Guyana’s Tain campus are saving money by avoiding the high tolls they had been paying to cross the mile-long Berbice Bridge. Depending on the outcome of the government’s negotiations with the Berbice Bridge Company, another passenger/vehicle ferry may be reintroduced to this crossing after the Rosignol and N/A stellings and gantries are replaced. Linking the Hinterland and coastland by river, road and air is another priority. The Ministry of Public Works intends to aggressively restructure previous plans to pave the road between Lethem to Linden. This corridor serves a multitude of purposes, especially transporting consumer goods and Guyanese and foreign adventure seekers on safaris, hunting trips, sightseeing and shopping in Lethem or across the Takatu Bridge to Bon Fim, Sao Paolo, Manaus, Roraima, Amazonia and other western states of Brazil. According to President David Granger at the
Minister David Patterson
commissioning of Trans Guyana’s new 19-seater Raytheon Beechcraft 1900D in September 2015, the hinterland is an essential element in Guyana’s development. “It is the frontier of our economic progress,” he declared, while urging stakeholders to “unlock the hinterland potential faster” and in a sustainable manner. Domestic Aviation has proven to be one of the keys to unlocking this potential, bringing our people together, developing our communities and exploiting our natural resources. One key to unlocking the socio-economic potential of Guyanese and bridging the distance between the Coastland and Hinterland lies in the skies. Of necessity, all island and hinterland airstrips are slated for de-bushing, re-surfacing, widening and generally upgrading to the specifications required by aircraft owners. This includes the landing strip at the Kaieteur National Park. (To be continued with plans to achieve Category I aviation listing, bridging the Demerara River at a secondary location, and implementing green energy initiatives)
Sunday September 27, 2015
Kaieteur News
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MY COLUMN
The secondary school that disappeared People rarely remember things that do not make an impact on their lives. If a man is knocked down on the roads he will remember that incident for the rest of his life. If one attempts something and is caught and imprisoned, he will never forget his stint in the pen. Women do not forget their first love nor do they forget their wedding anniversary. They remember the birth of every child until the onset of Alzheimer’s. They remember other things in a general way but on the whole people forget a lot of things. The other day I asked a young person about the secondary school that once existed in Le Repentir Cemetery and got a blank stare. I then asked some older people who were around when the school was constructed but they could not remember anything about it. That school was the South Georgetown Secondary School as opposed to North Georgetown Secondary School. The children came from that catchment area in South Georgetown but from the inception there was trouble. Guyanese are a superstitious lot. Although we pretend to be people who only accept reality we do harbour a belief in ghosts. That belief crippled the school. First, some children exhibited signs of possession and one thing led to another. I still remember the spate of possessions in a number of schools in Guyana. For example, in the North West District many children became ‘possessed’ and had to be brought to the city. And they did not come from one school. In the end, a psychologist, with support from a psychiatrist, concluded that these manifestations only occurred at examinations time.
Something in the children’s psyche caused them to develop some sort of psychosis as the examinations drew near. There were manifestations at the East Ruimveldt Secondary School, at a school on the East Coast of Demerara and at a school in Berbice. I must admit that some years have passed and there have not been any further manifestations. I wonder whether something has happened to the schools since those days. I do know that on the East Coast of Demerara at the school where the children claimed to be possessed the community concluded that a canteen constructed on a particular location was responsible for the manifestations. The school demolished the canteen and that was the end of that. Of interest is that all the children who experienced these manifestations countrywide straddled the racial divide. Just goes to show that beliefs are so pervasive. This school in the cemetery had its share of possessions. In fact, the possessions were so many that the authorities eventually closed it down. And people actually forgot this school. The story does not end there. Some entity decided to buy the location and opened a baker shop. That too failed. Someone began to talk about jumbie bread. Strange that people actually forgot those things but then again they did not impact the lives of these people. So they forgot. Some people do not remember that GTV ever existed. I asked people about the first television newscast in Guyana and many said that they recalled Vieira
television—that was the Evening News broadcast on Vieira Communications and Television (VCT) Truth is that GTV had the first locally produced newscast. It is not too difficult to know who started the first television death announcement but not many people remember that radio was the place for death announcements. That programme started at nine each night and probably lasted for as long as 40 minutes. Now death announcement on radio seems to be a thing of the past. There was a programme called Birthday Requests. I am not going to say but someone will tell me where it was heard and at what time. Action Line was another. But none can
come close to the secondary school that came up and died not long after. So what is this thing about cemeteries? As a boy I was told that whenever I happened to point toward a cemetery I should bite my finger. My primary school was located very close to the St Jude’s Anglican Church which had a cemetery. When we played cricket someone had to field between the tombs. Before long the tombs were just obstacles until a ball ended up in a hole in one of them. No one wanted to push one’s hands into that crack. These days there is still the fear of cemeteries but there are criminals who have no problem hiding out in them. One young man who is
languishing in the Camp Street penitentiary actually spoke of living there and hearing the police walking through looking for him. When I lived in East La Penitence I had no problem walking along Cemetery Road, no matter how late. And there were many of us walking there after a late night show. We never saw anything or felt anything. But there were stories. One taxi driver talked about picking up a woman on Cemetery Road and chatting up a storm then when he was driving along Princes Street he suddenly found himself alone. In Bartica, when I was a young man, I would end up on Sorrow Hill with some friends and we would drink under the stars. We saw no
ghosts;Adam we didHarris not suffer any possessions. But the children who attended the South Georgetown Secondary School did. Strange how I remember these things, like how I remember running from a white sheet of paper in a drain and gouging out a piece of my head when I fell over a pile of rocks in the road.
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Sunday September 27, 2015
Hacking vs. Open Source By Lance Hinds There were a series of events that generated some interest and also intense social media discourse this past week. It started off nicely enough with a number of local ICT practitioners and educators celebrating Software Freedom Day by hosting a working session with a series of presentations on the work being done using free open source software (FOSS). The presentations were quite simply, a joy to watch. There is clearly extensive work being done in national mapping using open source Geographic Information System (GIS)-related tools. Individuals also provided an overview of how they provide professional services, others highlighted their research in using FOSS for educational purposes. The staff from local government agencies highlighted the tremendous amount of work done on mapping locations for effective monitoring of the extractive industry, our natural resources and also land application processing and occupancy. It is always amazing to see what people are doing in their various corners, in terms of using alternative resources to develop and provide solutions. To date, however,
this work remains just that…done in these various pockets with very little attempt to publicize and champion what is being created. One of the speakers made the point that FOSS will gain very limited traction if work continues to be done in these silos, without any effort to highlight what is possible using the open source model. Later in the week it was announced that the Government of Guyana engaged in discussions with Microsoft and Cisco with a view to providing a range of enterprise level services to support some of the operations within the public sector workspace. This too would have been noted, primarily by the local information technology community, but generally did not cause any waves. This, however, changed by midweek, and brought the matter of the open source versus proprietary solutions into full focus. During the hearings of the Commission of Inquiry into the Public Service, a ministry official said during his testimony that his ministry was forced to use unlicensed software in order for the ministry to function with some level of effectiveness. He said specifically that the technicians had to “hack and steal software via the Internet to keep systems going”. He also lamented the
fact that funds were not released to purchase software and new computer equipment, and that the IT staff had to cobble together unlicensed software and parts to get systems to work. Absolutely marvelous. My initial feeling on this, without any deep thinking, was the usual disappointment about a ministry not seeing ICT as a priority, with this being the end result. This issue, however, triggered a high level of discussion among members of the open source community. The question arose as to why there was no consideration of using open source as opposed to using unlicensed software, and then further, why aren’t the policymakers actively considering the use of open source software in view of the potential cost of proprietary solutions. Reference was made to the fact that the Italian Ministry of Defence is transitioning to open source software for productivity and the Indian Government is mandating that open source must be considered as part of any solutions that are required by its various agencies. Here, therefore, is a measured perspective on all this. First of all, in government, there is a clear distinction between the allocation and
release of funds. In the interest of establishing best practices, it might be useful for the Commission of Inquiry to seek clarification on exactly where and when this problem started. I know some colleagues who, like myself, have been around the local IT scene for quite a few moons, and would therefore be quite aware of the millions spent on procuring sophisticated Human Resource Management Systems for the Public Service Ministry in years past. This, I imagine, cannot be a happy moment. It is hoped that through the efforts of the e-Government Unit this state of affairs is quickly addressed and must never happen again. I suspect that the IT technicians at the Ministry had little or no knowledge of open source solutions that were available to resolve their issues. This goes back to my point about making sure the message about FOSS is shared widely. The local open source practitioners will have to become podium-thumping evangelists for the cause. Education and awareness sessions are needed. Meetings need to be held with the relevant stakeholders to press the case for the implementation of FOSS. The issues of using FOSS versus the use of proprietary software have been the basis of long, sometimes heated
arguments for close to 15 years. It is not going to end anytime soon. Some people feel that on moral or ethical grounds alone, FOSS should be used instead of the likes of Microsoft, and some countries perceive advantages in not having to depend on a sole source company based in another country. The pushback to this of course is stability, unified standards, wide, integrated set of tools from one vendor etc.etc. To my mind this is about practicality and the maximum returns on investment. I would vote for example, as a matter of policy, for open source solutions to be used in all academic institutions, from primary to tertiary. In this environment of limited resources this is an ideal solution, since there are no licensing fees or related requirements. The ability to tinker with open source software also facilitates a wider scope for increased learning, especially for those pursuing ICT as field of study. It also allows for a software development community to quickly develop and evolve without the burden of significant cost. Implementation in Government and large enterprises, however, requires deeper thought and analysis. What for example, is the cost of implementing
Lance Hinds LibreOffice across the public sector in its current deployment model versus the provision of a unified cloudbased solution with an integrated set of tools like Office365? I am not advocating one over the other, but if we are spending money, this level of evaluation is critical. My happiness about all this, however, is that this level of conversation has now resurfaced, and people appear to be excited about what is possible. It looks like these discussions will be elevated and attempts will be made to engage the policymakers on specific issues. Hopefully these latest efforts are sustained and productive. In this environment, with all its needs, there is room for both FOSS and Microsoft. Lance Hinds is the President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He is also the Chief Executive of the BrainStreet Group, an Information Technology and Content Development Company.
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Kaieteur News
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We will not waiver in our resistance Excerpts from an address to the National Assembly by Hon. Carl B. Greenidge M.P. The Arbitral Award of 1899 definitively established the boundary between Guyana and Venezuela. It is clear that Venezuela, by its actions, is no longer contending that the Arbitral Award of 1899 is null and void. The inescapable conclusion, and one which portends grave danger to regional and international peace and security, is that the Venezuelan Government has now elevated the contention of nullity and invalidity to an assertion of fact. The Decree with respect to the Essequibo Region as well as the maritime space the region provides is ipso facto Venezuelan territory. It is difficult for a dispassionate observer to determine what has propelled the Government of Venezuela to take this so patently illegal action-an action that flies in the face of all norms and conventions that governs relations between States.
Guyana has always sought the principled route in response to Venezuela’s persistent and continuing acts of aggression and will continue to do so. We have been in contact with several members of the international community and have made special approaches to other Member States of the Caribbean and of the Commonwealth from whom we have consistently received support in the past to our just cause. Other steps are being taken to ensure that Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are not compromised in any way and that our sovereign right to develop this great country, free from threats and acts of economic aggression, remains untrammeled. For 49 years we have lived in the shadow of Venezuela’s illegal claim and attempts to despoil our country. The sword of Damocles, for the most part unseen, nevertheless hangs over our heads. Unless removed, it will be the legacy that will be inherited by our children. It is
time to end this cycle. A definitive solution has to be found that will put to rest Venezuela’s contention of nullity. Venezuela has, by its recent Decree, virtually given notice that it intends to continue increasing the pressure on Guyana and to weaken our resistance to its illegal claim. We will not waiver in our resistance. Apart from the diplomatic and related measures of resistance, to which I have just alluded, there is also a legal instrument assented to by Guyana, the United Kingdom and Venezuela, which provides for the examination of Venezuela’s contention that the Arbitral Award of 1899 is null and void. It also provides mechanisms for the eventual settlement of the baseless contention. The Geneva Agreement of 1966 remains the best hope for keeping the issue between Guyana and Venezuela from going totally out of control. The mandate of the Secretary General of the United Nations under this Agreement is quite
clear. It is very specific. According to Article IV (2) …the Secretary General of the United Nations shall choose another of the means stipulated in Article 33 of the Charter of the United Nations, and so until the controversy has been resolved or until all means of peaceful settlement there contemplated have been exhausted. For more than 25 years, the Good Offices Process, as
one of the chosen means of peaceful settlement, has been in operation. Unhappily, it has signally failed to resolve the issue. The Decree of May 26, 2015 has served to widen even further the gap between Guyana and Venezuela. Notwithstanding the fact that an International Boundary Settlement already exists in the form of the Arbitral Award of 1899, a juridical settlement in respect of Venezuela’s contention that
this Award is null and void appears to be the best, if not the only way now open to us. To that eventuality, we must now direct our full attention. Guyana of course stands ready to continue discussions with Venezuela, with respect to our bilateral relations, while we pursue a peaceful settlement within the framework of the Geneva Agreement where the UN Secretary General has a defined role.
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SUNDAY SPECIAL GOVT. INSTRUCTS BRASSINGTON TO EXPLAINALLNICIL-FUNDED PROJECTS For years, the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) has been touted to be a parallel treasury in the
been one meeting thus far at which Brassington was told to prepare a “position paper” to say what policies and strategies were employed to justify investments made by the company into certain projects. When this report is prepared, the economist said that it will be examined to inform the future decisions to be taken with the company. Dr. Odle said that Brassington has until month end to submit the “position paper.” He explained that the paper is expected to give good reasons for investments into the Marriott Hotel, the Berbice River Bridge Company and Pradoville Two scheme. Dr. Odle said that the Board is already aware of some of the financial assets of the company which are held in several accounts. He reiterated that the Board is particularly interested in this “special business model” that was used to inform the types of investments made by the company. INTEGRITY COMMISSION WILL BE EMPOWERED TO INVESTIGATEALL STATEMENTS OF ASSETS – MINISTER OF STATE
Chief Executive Officer, Winston Brassington
country. It was used by the former administration to invest millions of taxpayers’ dollars into highly risky development projects. NICIL reportedly also spent tens of millions of dollars to build roads, drainage and culverts, and to lay pipelines and in some cases, underground power cables. The developed house lots, complete with infrastructure, were then sold to former President Bharrat Jagdeo, several ministers and Government officials and friends.
The Integrity Commission will soon be able to do more than just collect statements from politicians regarding their accumulated wealth. Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, told the media two Fridays ago at his post cabinet press briefing that the coalition government is currently examining the mandate of the Commission with the aim of giving it powers to investigate the truthfulness of such declarations. Harmon said that there is still some work to be done at the Commission which he visited last week. He said, too, that he held discussions with the entity’s Chief Executive Officer. The Minister asserted that the government is of the opinion that the Commission does not have enough power to enforce any of its decisions. He said, “Public officials would just submit statements to the Commission and there was no clear procedure as to what happens after that. We need to ensure that there is some mechanism within the law to allow for follow ups. “I discussed this matter with the CEO. I told him that there are models in Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and all across the Caribbean region where submissions to the Commission are subjected to further scrutiny.” Harmon continued, “So when you go and say you got one house when you actually have 12 others across the country and the Commission does not have the capacity to investigate that, then it is a waste of time. This is what we had in the past. Statements are taken to the Commission and then there is no follow up. “We want a Commission that has the capacity to follow up when statements are made by public officers and action needs to be taken.” MONDAY EDITION
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon
With a new board and Chairman in place, the government has instructed the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Winston Brassington, to explain NICIL’s investments into all projects over the years. He must also honestly state the position of the company’s assets. This is according to NICIL’s new Chairman Dr. Maurice Odle. Dr. Odle said that there has
STATE ASSET RECOVERY UNIT RECEIVES NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF STOLEN GOV’T. PROPERTY Head of the State Asset Recovery Unit, Dr. Clive Thomas said that those who held authority over state assets under the previous administration will be subject to “rigourous” audits, preparations for which are already underway. The Economist said that this comes in light of the “hundreds upon hundreds of
Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop complaints” that come in on a daily basis to the Asset Recovery Unit regarding individuals who held high office and abused or allegedly stole state assets. Dr. Thomas said that by all legal means necessary, his entity’s mandate to return or regain what rightfully belongs to the state, will be achieved. Dr. Thomas noted that under the previous regime, the assets of the state were “misused and in some cases stolen in unconscionable ways.” He said that he will make it his duty to see that due process is followed and that justice is served. The Head of the Asset Recovery Unit stated, “I cannot begin to tell you the amount of complaints we get on a daily basis on persons under the previous government who abused assets of the state and in some cases, the evidence would strongly suggest that they stole it for their own benefit or the benefit of a third party. So we have our job cut out for us.” He noted however that in order for this to be done, the entity must be legally empowered to prosecute and this comes from having its own legislation.
Sunday September 27, 2015
promises were made to the effect that it will ensure that the wrongs the PPP committed will be corrected under the APNU+AFC government. But Harmon is now saying that the government will not interfere. At the most recent post Cabinet press briefing, Harmon was asked how soon it is likely that the nation will see a review of the radio licences. He said, “We have always said that these Boards must be independent and they must act in an independent way.” Further Harmon said, “We will not give any directions to the Board as to what they have to do. I believe that now it has been established it is really up to persons who are affected, the Guyanese public in general, to go to the Board and say well this is what has happened and we ask that you review it. But the administration will not direct the work of the Board or give it any instructions as to whose licences should be taken or who should get a licence.” TUESDAY EDITION ‘HITMAN’ REMANDED FOR BLOCK MAKER’S MURDER …SAYS TO SISTER “TELL MOMMY I LOVE SHE” Standing in the docks with tears in his eyes, alleged hitman, Oswald Junior Yaw, listened in silence as Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan remanded him for the murder of Herstelling block-maker, Nathan Persaud. The 21-year-old Yaw, also called Leow or Jason, of East Ruimveldt, is accused of killing Persaud on September 10, last, at Herstelling East Bank Demerara. The charge stated that Yaw was promised payment by the victim’s wife, Beverly Persaud, to cause Persaud’s death. Police Prosecutor, Deniro Jones did not reveal any facts to the court about what
GOVT. WILL NOT FORCE THE REVIEW OF ILLEGALLY GRANTED RADIO LICENCES – BROADCAST BOARD WILL BE ALLOWED TO DO ITS WORK WITHOUT INTERFERENCE Despite promises to the contrary, the executive has decided that it will not have a hand in ensuring that all the illegally granted radio licences are reviewed. According to the Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, the onus is now on the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) to decide whether a review is fitting. That means that the Authority will get to decide if it should conduct a review, when it will conduct the review and how this review will be done. In 2011, outgoing President Bharrat Jagdeo granted permission to 11 persons and entities to run radio stations. Those granted licences include Jagdeo’s best friend Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop, the Mirror Newspaper, which belongs to the former ruling party; and Telcor Cultural and Broadcasting Inc. The three received five frequencies each, giving them countrywide reach. The then opposition—A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change— had dubbed Jagdeo’s actions, just a few days before he demitted office, illegal. In fact, when the two parties campaigned as a coalition in the lead up to elections,
Oswald Junior Yaw
transpired on the day in question. Jones informed the court that the police file is still incomplete. The Prosecutor also told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has advised that the accused be charge jointly with the victim’s wife, Beverly Persaud, 46, of 56 Diamond New Scheme, East Bank Demerara. She appeared in court last Monday and was remanded to prison until October 13. Yaw, her alleged partner in crime, will also be appearing in court on that date when the matter comes up for reports. Yaw, who had no legal representation, Continued on page 33
Sunday September 27, 2015
Kaieteur News
Commuters taking advantage of the river taxi From page 32 remained relatively calm as the charge was being read to him and only gave the court his name and occupation, which he described as construction worker. Before the accused left the courtroom, he told his sister, who was seated a few feet behind him, to “hold it up and keep strong because once you strong I gon’ be strong. And tell mommy I love she”. Nathan Persaud’s bloodied body was discovered lying face down in his house at Lot 66 Herstelling, New Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, on September 10, last. The body bore a stab wound to the chest and the back of his head was bashed in. Police recovered a hammer, two knives and a piece of rock, all of which had blood stains from the crime scene. Yaw was detained last week at a city location and reportedly confessed to beating the block maker to death with a hammer.
“You will find that there will be a rush during the morning hours from Rosignal and then you will find another rush later in the afternoon around 3. I am happy with the service and I am hoping that it will continue even after the month is up”. WEDNESDAY EDITION VENEZUELA SENDS TROOPS, ANTIAIRCRAFT MISSILES TO VENEZUELA/ GUYANA BORDER – “ILLEGALLY” LAUNCHES GUNBOATS IN CUYUNI RIVER ACTION OFFENSIVE, PROVOCATIVE AND AGGRESSIVE – PRES. GRANGER Less than a week before Head of State, David Granger, makes his maiden presentation to the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, neighbouring Venezuela has sent army
country would follow a number of actions, including the recent refusal to approve a new ambassador to that country. Top army officials in Venezuela claimed that the troop buildup was for “operational exercises”. Speaking to reporters at his Vlissengen Road offices Tuesday, President Granger disclosed that he recently received reports that Venezuela has been making “extraordinary” military deployment in eastern Venezuela. That area is immediately west of Guyana. The president was convinced that the deployment was linked to Venezuela’s claims on a large section of Essequibo and on parts of the Atlantic Ocean which belong to Guyana. “…very provocative and we feel that Venezuela is treading on a dangerous course at this point in time. But rather than making a peaceful resolution of the matter, Venezuela seems to be pursuing a very offensive and aggressive course,” the president told reporters. PRISONERS SET FIRE TO CAMP STREET PRISON Pandemonium broke out in the Capital Section A of the Camp street prison about 19:00hrs Tuesday as a result of the desperate attempts by prisoners to air their grievances to the media. As part of their ploy to get attention, they began to burn newspapers in the Capital Section Block ‘A’ of the prison, This resulted in officials from the Guyana Fire Service, armed prison officers and the Guyana Power and Light rushing to the scene. While the fire, according to fire officers at the scene, could have been worse, they were able to extinguish it before it got out of control. The Capital Section of the prison houses three blocks each of which has in excess of 70 prisoners, most were shouting their stories.
BERBICE WATER TAXI SERVICE A SUCCESS AFTER FIRST DAY …BUS DRIVERS FEEL THE SQUEEZE The Government provided ‘smooth’ rides Monday and after years of neglect the New Amsterdam Stelling saw a ‘burst of life’ again. At the centre is the recently implemented Water Taxi Service introduced to cushion the cost of traveling across the Berbice River. There were smiles from students, nurses, pensioners and other persons who chose to utilize the service. Service began from 6:00 hours; there were eight trips by each boat within a period of two hours. The two contracted boats for the day namely ‘Nicolas’ and ‘Shanti’, can both seat 35. The boats were all equipped with safety gear to make the rides safe. A Second Year Student of the New Amsterdam Technical Institute stated that the service is extremely fast, “I didn’t expect to reach over here so early, it was better than the one before. It’s faster, it’s a better way; you can catch your rest and you don’t have to worry about waking up early. If you will miss the boat, it got two boats. As one go over the other one is there.” Other commuters gave ‘thumbs up’ as they exited the boats one by one. Most, if not all said that they were happy with the service provided. One of the Engineers attached to the Transport and Harbours Department, Mr. Galloway, noted that the service ran smooth from the first trip “Everything seems to be going ok. At least, when we asked some passengers just now they said they were happy about it.
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the execution of her job. They also sought to clear the air about the alleged gang fight which led to the wounding of Romel Ross two Fridays ago during a similar riotous scenario. As it relates to that issue, the prisoners at the top of their voices debunked the story of there being a gang war in the prison. THURSDAY EDITION GUYANA STANDS READY TO PROTECT SOVEREIGNTY – TROOPS BRIEFED ON VENEZUELA’S “UNUSUAL” MILITARY ACTIONS ALONG BORDER – GOVT. The “unusual” deployment of some 200 military troops along Guyana’s borders, and boats armed with missiles along the Cuyuni River by Venezuela has caused the defence forces to heighten their vigilance along the country’s border with the neighbouring Spanish-speaking country. This is according to Chief of Staff, Brigadier, Mark Phillips, who announced Wednesday that troops from the Guyana Defence Force were already at strategic locations near the border. He made this and other comments at a post cabinet press briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency, in the wake of actions by the Venezuelan military, which he shared with Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, and Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman. The Brigadier said that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) “remains ready to define aggression of our borders.” Brigadier Phillips said that the important locations in this sense are Eteringbang and Kaikan. He said that several observation posts along the Cuyuni River have been established. “We continue to monitor the activities by the Venezuelan armed forces on our frontiers. Our deployment is geared to define aggression and acts of incursion of our border. We remain ready to deploy additional troops and equipment, if need be, to those locations.” He said that a build-up in troops on the Venezuelan side had been observed about one week ago but over the past weekend, there was a noticeable increase in troops in the area. “What is unusual is the deployment of military boats with machine guns in the Cuyuni River; the Cuyuni River is inclusive of Guyana’s border. To deploy armed boats in the Cuyuni River is an affront to our sovereignty. PPP GOVT. ENCOURAGED CONTRACTORS TO ABUSE THE TENDER PROCESS – SAYS CALCULATING TACTICS OF CONTRACTORS A TRAVESTY – HARMON
Venezuela’s army equipment and personnel being deployed to border areas near Guyana.
personnel and anti-aircraft guns to the border area of Guyana. The Government of Guyana has since described the actions as one of aggression, warning Tuesday that its citizens in the border areas to be on the alert. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, disclosed that there is confirmation that Venezuela has also illegally positioned gunboats in the Cuyuni River—considered as a waterway belonging to Guyana. These latest moves by the neighbouring
The prisoners’ complaints included, unfair and inhumane treatment by prison officials and some police ranks; some of whom they say are favouring some prisoners over others. Allegations include prison officers being paid to set prisoners up and cause fights among one another. “Dem does take out people from cells and let other prisoners beat them up in here.” Some shouted their need for a more effective and efficient Director of Public Prosecution as they labeled her as unfair in
The coalition Government seems to be at its wit’s end with the anticompetitive practices and calculating tactics of some contractors who were awarded major government projects under the previous administration. The government insists that this sort of lawlessness would be wiped out. It intends to bring a fresh approach to this area by scrutinizing all projects. It will also be implementing a special committee that would employ strict penalties when substandard work is detected. Communicating this sentiment to the media Wednesday during a post Cabinet Press briefing was Minister of State, Joseph Harmon. He said that Cabinet had “very firm” words about the manner in which the contracts were executed under the previous administration. Continued on page 34
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From page 33 Harmon said that it was discovered that contract sums were being “extended and extended” beyond a sum that was actually catered for in the award of the contract. He said that this was due to the fact that some contractors were deliberately ‘underbidding” to win the contracts only to return on numerous occasions with excuses to justify the need for increases.
down that route again; we will find out first what is the best option available,” said Minister Patterson. The Minister disclosed too that the prefeasibility study which was conducted under the previous administration will also not be used. The current government is looking to have another feasibility study undertaken. According to Minister Patterson, the prefeasibility study that was conducted by the
Demerara Harbour Bridge The Minister of State said, “People were bidding low knowing full well that they would come later on for variations so in a process like that, persons who could have done the work, they are actually cheated out of the contracts because some persons deliberately bid low and the contracts were awarded to the lowest bidder.” He said that this is exactly what happened with the Kato Primary School in Region Eight. He noted that Cabinet had before it this week, a request for the extension for the consultancy service for works on the School.
previous administration was done in a most ad hoc manner, lacking basic components such as soil tests and tidal flows. The Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/ C) administration, according to Minister Patterson, was pursuing the construction of a bridge using incomplete documentation. He said the APNU+AFC Government has in fact set aside money to undertake a proper feasibility study to determine the best way forward in pursuit of a new river crossing across the Demerara River.
FRIDAY EDITION
COPS TAKE $6M TO LET COCAINE PASS
NO PPP FOR NEW DEMERARA RIVER BRIDGE …HAS SEEN WHAT IT DID FOR MARRIOTT, BERBICE BRIDGE – PATTERSON The controversial Public Private Partnership (Px3) financial structure that was used by the previous administration to construct the Berbice River Bridge and the Marriott Hotel will not be used by the coalesced A Partnership for National Unity plus Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government, to construct the new Demerara River Bridge. Minister with responsibility for Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, said that the APNU+AFC Government will not be using this model, given its track record in Guyana. Further, there are numerous other options available. He said that the administration has seen the outcome of the Public Private Partnership model with the construction and operation of the Berbice River Bridge and the Marriott Hotel. He drew reference to the use of concessional loans and options such as the Build Own Operate Transfer (BOOT) models. “I don’t know which model we will use but it will not be the Px3, we are not going
Assistant Superintendent of Police, Terrence Browne, has been transferred with immediate effect from the Division to Police Headquarters, as the force’s Police Office of Professional Responsibility investigates an alleged corrupt transaction. The transaction
Sunday September 27, 2015
involves a number of police ranks and it follows the seizure of a quantity of cocaine from a minibus travelling along the Corentyne, Highway, a little over two weeks ago. Information reaching this newspaper indicates that one officer and four junior ranks accepted a large sum of money to forego prosecuting the cocaine traffickers. The other ranks, a Subordinate Officer and three Constables, including one female are under close arrest as the investigations continue. Kaieteur News understands that while two ranks have reportedly confessed to the scheme, the others involved are maintaining their innocence. It is alleged that the ranks were on roadblock duties at Whim on the Corentyne Coast when they stopped a minibus that was transporting a large quantity of cocaine reportedly worth a whopping $18M along with an undisclosed quantity of cash. According to information the police had been tipped off about the vehicle, which would usually ferry large quantities of cocaine, guns and cash along the Corentyne highway. Three persons were in the bus at the time and they were detained. But instead of taking them into the police station, the ranks began negotiating with the suspects. Initially a sum of $2M was offered on the spot, but this was refused by the ranks. A source in Berbice told Kaieteur News that after intercepting the cocaine, the ranks drove to the nearby police station where they dropped off a female colleague who was with them. Following further negotiations a deal of $6M was agreed. Once the money was handed over, the ranks allowed the occupants of the bus to go with their drugs onwards to neighbouring Suriname. SATURDAY EDITION JAGDEO NOW SUPPORTS LOWER TOLL FOR BERBICE BRIDGE …ADVOCATES GOVT. BUYOUT Former President, Bharrat Jagdeo, has said that he would not oppose the Berbice Bridge toll being lowered. He is also promoting a buyout of the private equity in the Bridge by Government. Jagdeo, as he hosted a press conference at Freedom House, Friday, said that his position stems from the promise and advocacy of the coalition A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government. He wants to see if they can deliver on their promise, he said. The People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/
Berbice River Bridge
C), according to Jagdeo, “never promised a reduction of the toll in the (elections) campaign…The PPP could have easily committed a reduction in the toll.” Jagdeo said that the then government had looked at what the persons paid to cross the Berbice River using the ferry service. “They were paying $1,500 for a vehicle already and they had to also pay for every passenger in the vehicle.” According to Jagdeo, what is being charged by the Berbice Bridge Company is similar to what was being paid to use the ferry service, “but the benefit of it is that people can move at their convenience.” He was adamant that it is the APNU+AFC Government “that advocated a $1,000 reduction in the toll.” This, he said, the coalition subsequently revised to $300. “I will never stop supporting anything that can bring benefit to people,” said Jagdeo. He said that he is in fact supportive of all the promises made by the coalition to bring benefit to the people, including a promised 20 per cent increase in pay for public servants. The former president said that Guyana does not have a “co-government”. “If the government wants to buy out the bridge, that is its solution; if it doesn’t want to, fine….if it wants to buy out the bridge and drop the toll as it promised, fine.” $6M COCAINE BRIBERY SCANDAL… CASH RECOVERED FROM HOMES OF IMPLICATED COPS Police have recovered a fraction of the $6M that drug dealers allegedly gave an Assistant Superintendent and some of his junior colleagues to avoid prosecution, after a massive cocaine find. Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum said that ranks conducting the investigation returned to Berbice Friday and that “a small quantity of notes” was recovered. Kaieteur News understands that the homes of the implicated ranks were searched and that about $300,000 was recovered. A source said that all the implicated ranks are in custody. Assistant Superintendent of Police, Terrence Browne, who is at the centre of the scandal, was reportedly escorted back to Berbice Friday to assist the investigators. A Subordinate Officer and three Constables, including one female, are also under close arrest as the investigations continue. The illegal transaction reportedly occurred after some police ranks seized a quantity of cocaine from a minibus travelling along the Corentyne Highway, a little over two weeks ago.
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Sunday September 27, 2015
Sealey and the soul-taker interrupted by a young man with short dreadlocks who had ridden up to the gate. “Morning, Mister Sealey.” “Hi man. You could come around for the hammock and the other stuff tomorrow.” The young man grinned. “Alright, Mister Sealey.” He clenched his fist in a Black power salute, then rode off. Jocelyn Walker, who had awoken, peered after the departing man. “That is not…the young chap…who say he going on…De’ Abreau dredge?”
had happened when he left the Ritz… * SEALEY STARED at the ceiling as he lay in the hammock in his spare room. The smell of fresh bread came to him…Brenda’s baking. Someone was listening to the two o’clock radio programme Sunday Showcase. He could hear a woman singing, in this stifling August heat, that it was such a rainy rainy night in Georg-uhhh. He heard Jocelyn Walker cough in his sleep. He thought about his laughter when they had spoken about old Arthur De Abreau. He had especially wanted to talk about what had happened to him in Lombard Street on Saturday night. It had been at the edge of his tongue, even as they walked
* He called it a night when most of the prostitutes had booked their rooms or gone elsewhere. He glanced up at the brothel as he turned from Harel into Lombard Street. He could see the girl’s shadowed face at the window near the bar. Her head was in profile, but yet he felt she was watching him. He continued down Lombard Street, trying to put some distance between himself and the brothel, and the vague unease that always seemed to hang over him whenever he saw the girl. But yet the feeling of being watched persisted. He didn’t consider himself to be a very imaginative man. But yet he sensed a difference in Lombard Street tonight. He was now near the Broadway
Sealey smiled. The old porknocker kept surprising him. Since his illness, there were times when he seemed to wander in his own hazy world. At other times, like now, his memory and eyesight were as sharp as before. “Same one,” Sealey said. “He want to borrow some things.” Walker smiled. “He ain’t frighten…De Abreau…sell he soul?” Arthur De Abreau was a dried-up, very wealthy Portuguese miner who’d had a series of deaths at his mining camps over the years. Not surprisingly, the rumour had grown that he sacrificed his men to spirits in exchange for gold. Sealey joined in Walker’s laughter; two seasoned bush-men who knew that there was nothing supernatural about dying from malaria, or snake-bite or drowning in an underwater cave. Laughing, but tense inside, as he remembered what
this morning. The boy had not turned up at the Ritz on Saturday. Sealey guessed he was following the doctor’s instructions. He wondered how long that would last. He’d seen the girl, though. She had sat in the corner at the side of the bar, out of sight of him and away from the Saturday night patrons. He’d sensed a restlessness in her, though. She had thrice come to the bar for her Woodpecker Cider. Once, when he’d gone to the punch-box, he’d stolen a quick glance at the corner. She was sitting with eyes shut tight and her hands were out of sight under the table. Something about her posture triggered a sharp, bitter-sweet memory of the whore Josephine, who had broken his heart long ago. Who are you? He had found himself thinking. What the hell are you up to? But no answer was reflected in that pale face, and he did not go over to question her.
Brothel. On the road, opposite the brothel, he saw a hairless, bony mongrel, with two pups clinging to its teats. And now, ahead, he could see the lights of the Guyana National Cooperative Bank and the cars at the Demico park. He was thinking of home, and of Brenda, when he heard the scream. It seemed to come from way behind him, and right behind him at the same time; a stretched-out, sobbing cry like that of a terrified woman or a pig being slaughtered. He swiveled around, clutching at his prospecting knife. He stared up the darkened street. Nothing. But now he heard a growling nearby. The hairless dog that had been feeding its pups was now crouched low, its teeth bared, eyes glowing as it stared at something behind Sealey. He turned again. He felt the hairs on his neck rise as the sobbing scream came to once more, closer this time. The mongrel, with pups in
Kaieteur News celebrates Indigenous Heritage Month with works of fiction that focus on the myths of our First People. This excerpt is from a supernatural novel, Kamarang, by Michael Jordan, to be published next year BRENDA WAS SWEEPING the yard when Sealey returned from his morning walk with the old pork-knocker. She opened the gate for them, and retrieved the Sunday Chronicle that the newspaper boy had pushed between the slats of the paling fence. She smiled at the old man, pointedly ignoring Sealey. “You going upstairs now? I got the bath-water ready.” The old man’s twisted mouth moved silently. Then he said: “No chile. I gun…sit under the house…lil bit.” She turned away, swept a heap of leaves under a breadfruit tree near the fence, then headed upstairs. Sealey stared at her for a moment, then guided the old man to a bench under the house. Jocelyn Walker sighed, closed his eyes, and leaned back in the bench. The walk they’d taken couldn’t have been over 400 yards, yet a pulse fluttered rapidly at the base of his throat. Looking at the old man, Sealey tried to tell himself that his friend had come a long way since his stroke. But then he would remember that this was the same man who could once walk for hours through mountain-country with a 50 pound warashi on his back. Now having to be helped upstairs. Now having to bathe with warm water, after a lifetime of swimming in icy creeks. Sealey shifted his eyes away from his friend and stared towards D’urban Street. He watched a family, dressed for church, frantically flagging down a car. The pious voice of Jim Reeves came from a nearby radio. That would be from the home of the elderly Chester sisters, who were always sharing out tracts and inviting him to church. He smiled without humour, as he remembered that Sunday had almost caught him leaving the old brothel. He had entered the bedroom quietly so as not to disturb Brenda. But he had found her sitting up in bed, because, as she explained later, she had awoken with a strong feeling that something had happened to him. They had quarreled about his nights out, and he had almost told her about the girl; almost told her what had happened when he left the brothel that night. His thoughts were
tow, skittered into an alleyway near the brothel. Sealey stared up Lombard Street; seeing nothing, but yet held to the spot by the feeling that something malevolent was watching him. With a conscious effort, he turned away. He forced himself to keep walking when the sobbing scream came again. At last he was at the end of Lombard Street. He was about to cross Hadfield Street when he felt the overwhelming tingling at the back of his neck again. He glanced around. A squatty figure, that he knew he’d seen before, stood in the centre of the street, about two hundred yards away. It stared at him for a moment. He heard a loud, contemptuous, sniffing sound, then the figure faded suddenly into the gloom. * Sealey shifted uneasily in his hammock. He really should have told Walker what had happened. The opportunity had presented itself like a gift when they had spoken about De Abreau. He could have gotten Walker going with those stories bush-men tell each other to pass the time. Tales about miners who went to bed normal and woke up crazy. About hunters lost into the forest after shooting at deer that the never seemed to hit. About forest spirits that Amerindians said ate human flesh and walked on feet that were turned backwards… Sealey sighed. He should have asked Walker about those things. He really should have… * ….they ran through the blue forest; Sealey, Walker and the woman who was sometime Brenda, who carried a child on her back. They ran, pursued by the creatures that bounded over mountains on feet that were turned the wrong way. They fled into a hut that was a cave and the old brothel in Harrel Street. They shut the door, but not before the creatures, with unified, triumphant screams, descended on the woman who was sometimes Brenda and tore the baby loose from the pouch on her back. Through the thin walls he heard them feeding; heard them, ravenous still, sniffing outside… * Sealey awoke in the hammock. He felt listless, as if he really had been running through a strange forest. Gradually, he absorbed his surroundings….the windows in his room… the rocking hammock…the fading notes of a Dionne Warwick s o n g … S u n d a y
Showcase?...smelled freshbaked bread that told him that the woman that he loved was close-by. He heard Brenda’s footsteps heading for his room. He heard her push open the door. He was facing the window, and now he turned to her. The dread that he’d awoken to returned as he realised that he had not turned. He could not turn. He was fused in his position facing the window. Wake up, chap, he thought. Wake up! But he was awake. He could not move, and someone was in the room. He knew that it wasn’t Brenda. He could hear the clatter of baking pans in the kitchen. He felt the prickle of gooseflesh as he sensed someone standing by the door and staring at him. He heard Walker cough in his sleep. He tried to cry out, but his throat seemed to be clogged with something that tasted like a ball of vile yellow snot. He felt the weight of someone by his hammock. He heard the whirring of insect wings. A sudden roachy smell came to him, and something landed on his right shoulder. Somehow he shifted his head. He saw a blurred image of a winged, scorpion-like thing with pinprick eyes on his shoulder… “Vibert…” And he was brushing madly at the thing, which was skittering towards his face… “Vibert...” …brushing at the creature… Vibert!” …but now he was aware that someone was shaking him and calling his name. And now the vile ball of mucus that had choked him had burst, and Brenda was there and the thing was gone. He sat up in the hammock. Brenda, wide-eyed, stared at him. “Vibert, what happen, chap?” He shifted his eyes away from her, seeking the thing that had squatted on him, expecting to see it scurrying into some cluttered corner. Nothing… “Vibert, what happen man?” “Some…thing…my…face.” His tongue felt heavy. His words were slurred, as if he had drank too much. “Something?” His hands brushing a scaly, undulating body… “Something.” “Like what?” He chased the image with a shake of his head. “Something,” he muttered again. “Dunno.” “You want me to get some (continued on page 50)
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Kaieteur News
Yachts anchored at Hurakabra River Resort
Nereid’s Yachting Rally departs Guyana The third Nereid’s Yachting Rally recently departed the Essequibo River for Suriname then to finally conclude in French Guiana at St. Laurent du Maroni. The fleet of 10 yachts arrived in Guyana on September, 11. Yachtsmen and women journeyed from as far as New Zeeland, France, Italy, Canada and Australia and as close as French Guiana, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados to take part in this event. They were officially welcomed to Guyana by Minister of Tourism, Cathy Hughes, and hosted to a lunch at Hurakabra River Resort by the Minister herself. At the official welcoming reception held the day after the arrival of the rally, owner of the Hurakabra Resort, Kit Nascimento, and his wife Gem Nascimento extended a warm welcome to the yachtsmen and women. David Matelicani, the mastermind who came up with the concept of the rally, also delivered brief remarks. It was discovered that Matelicani actually ventured off to Guyana by accident and, had it not been for that misfortune, Guyana would have never realised its potential of unlocking that tourism aspect. Matelicani was actually sailing along the border of Venezuela when a storm struck and his yacht floated all the way into Guyana’s shores. There, he and the Nascimentos got to talking and the Nereid’s Rally was born. Chairman of Region Seven, Gordon Bradford, also welcomed the Rally to Bartica and the Region and took the Rally participants on a tour of Bartica, the Mazaruni-Cuyuni
area and Marshall Falls rapids. Hurakabra River Resort has expressed its appreciation of the sponsorship of the Rally’s visit to Guyana by Banks DIH Limited and the additional wifi data access provided to the cruisers by Inet Communications, facilitating the cruisers being able to upload pictures of Guyana to friends and family overseas and on the social media. During the Rally’s visit, several of the visitors enjoyed trips to the Kaieteur Falls, Iwokrama and Rock View, arranged by Hurakabra Tours, and were fortunate to get an introduction to the International Music Festival while visiting Rock View on the day prior to the opening of the festival. The visiting yachtsmen and women expressed considerable pleasure at having the opportunity to visit the wonders of Kaieteur Falls and Guyana’s beautiful hinterland tourism attractions and remarked on the efficiency in which all the resorts linked up for their connection and transportation to these interior locations. During the Rally, the visiting boats anchored off Bartica and Baganara Island Resort, as well as Hurakabr River Resort, getting a true taste of the many attractive and safe anchorages offered on the Essequibo River for visiting yachts. The Nereid’s Rally has served to bring attention to Guyana’s Essequibo River as a growing and attractive destination for cruising yachts and resulted in many other yachts arriving immediately prior to and following the Rally. There are currently some eight yachts in the Essequibo River enjoying GUyana waterways, flora and fauna.
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Sunday September 27, 2015
CPA Head, Ann Greene
Child Protection must be everybody’s business - CPA Head By Sunita Samaroo With statistics that show every day at least one child is grappling to cope with various social struggles, child care experts are emphasizing that the safety and welfare of children must be everybody’s business. Being at the helm of the Child Care and Protection Agency (CPA), career Social Worker Ann Greene says no day goes by without her receiving a report of a young child being abused, neglected or mistreated in some way. The “horror stories,” as she calls them, have been piling up but Greene believes the numbers would depreciate if child protection was seen as a collective responsibility.
While the agency has been at the forefront of the fight to protect and promote the rights of children, Greene said the notion that they are sole caretakers of children must be removed. As she spoke to Kaieteur News, the CPA Head was at pains to emphasize that children ought to feel safe and that society as a whole must step up. “Protection of children is shared responsibility; every adult member of society has a responsibility to protect a child. It is not something we can do alone,” the CPA Director stressed. Family, she said, is the starting point of this but sadly in most of the reports of child abuse she receives family
members are the perpetrators. “The hurt is in the home but it should not be. Your home should be safe,” said Greene. There has been a 65 percent increase in the number of reported cases of sexual offences from January to the end of August as compared to the same period last year. In fact, the statistics by the CPA shows there has been a whopping 334 reported cases of child molestation from January to July. Greene explained to this publication that reports have shown that most of the young victims are between the ages of 14 and 18 years old and of the 334 reported cases of sexual abuse, 286 of them are females and 48 are boys. All of these cases,
recorded by the Agency, have been forwarded to the Guyana Police Force. The problem, as highlighted by Greene, is that dysfunctional families are rampant across board and the
group has been putting children at risk in numerous ways. According to her, the problems encountered in families usually stem from four basic factors: substance abuse, mental health issues, domestic abuse and poverty. Once present in families, they have detrimental effects on the overall development of children, Greene explained. As she is confronted with countless cases of substance abuse, Greene told this newspaper that “Alcohol is a serious substance and it has destroyed a lot of families. It is creating vulnerability for children.” Speaking on the mental health component, the CPA Head indicated that good mental health would mean that members of families are dealing well with life stressors and maintaining good balance but this is not always the case. In reality, members of the family may be grappling to cope with various burdens, for instance hunger created by inadequate food supplies in households. “What we have found is a lot of parents can’t deal with the stressors of life and as a result it filters down to the children. They are the ones being neglect as parents may ‘run off’ and leave them,” said the CPA Head. Greene spoke too of the different types of abuse suffered in families, particularly those which are less evident like emotional abuse. The social worker said the Agency has come face-toface with instances where young mothers struggle to cope with abuse in their relationships and they leave their children behind. This, Greene explained, at times lead to the verbal and
emotional abuse that was meted out by the father being turned to the children, often damaging them psychologically. She said, in cases, these pains are reflected negatively in children’s behaviour later in life. She underscored that poverty is another factor which families struggle to cope with and it often times leave children in vulnerable positions. Greene said too that the Agency does not clamp down on poverty but would often face criticisms by those who feel they are being harsh on families. “We are making decisions to save children,” the CPA Head said, adding that they work to improve families, in the best interest of the children. Neglect too was underscored as very painful for children and it has serious long-term effects, oftentimes creating a cycle of abuse. The zero to three years stage in a child’s life is very important, highlighted Greene. “Children have secret pain of abandonment and rejection and then they react. If we don’t fix it now, they take it into adulthood,” said Greene. “Hurt people, hurt people. The reality is people deal from their point of pain,” the child care expert said. To stop the cycle of pain, Greene said focus must be given to strengthening families. Child Protection Week activities are observed in at least 120 countries worldwide. In Guyana, this year it was carried out from September 20 to 26, aiming to raise the level of awareness on issues relating to children, including child abuse with hopes of propelling individuals, families and groups into action to keep children safe. Child Protection Week is a week set aside annually as a national project with the main purpose of increasing common awareness and understanding of the importance of primary prevention to reduce child abuse and neglect in society by instilling the core principle that child protection is everyone’s business.
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Sunday September 27, 2015
Welcome to Angoy’s Avenue: the forgotten squatter settlement
By Desilon Daniels Angoy’s Avenue is a seemingly forgotten community. Commonly known as Cow Dam, the Berbice neighbourhood – Guyana’s largest squatter settlement – lies on the outskirts of central New Amsterdam but in the heart of poverty. The area is relatively large and takes several minutes to cover by foot. At first, the community may seem like any other. The roads are not great but are not terrible either; music is playing, and a few shops – even an ice cream parlour – are open. However, as a walk through the community continues, there is a shift; the asphalt eventually turns to mud, concrete houses shift to wooden ones and utility posts all but disappear. In other parts of the world, and even other parts of Guyana, Angoy’s Avenue is the embodiment of neglect and poverty. However, while residents of the community are aware that they are not in the best of circumstances, many of them unbelievably opine that the community is much more developed than it had been before. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Guyana has met the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of halving the proportion of people who suffer from hunger. Guyana has also made significant improvements in reducing poverty while increasing employment. “The proportion of the population
living in extreme poverty has declined from 28.7 percent in 1993 to 18.6 percent in 2006. In order to meet the MDG target for poverty reduction, the extreme poverty rate must be reduced by a further four percentage points by 2015,” UNDP has said. While on paper four percent may not seem like much, for persons like Patricia (name changed) of Angoy’s Avenue, any reduction in Guyana’s extreme poverty rate would drastically change her life. Patricia has been living in the poverty stricken community for 11 years. She recalled how the area had been overgrown with bushes when she first arrived. She said that her family went about clearing the bushes and building up a land with old materials before they finally built a tiny shack. “We dig drain at the back and full up the place and so. Long I deh here; when I come here fuh live me ain’t had neighbour or nothing so,” Patricia said. Just over a decade later, Patricia is living on the same land with her five children and husband. “It’s only me that grow up that still living at the back here suh. Now, the people here smoking and drinking and killing.” In fact, she said, there had been a murder just two yards away from her own. The shack has not grown since then and is still one living space with no separations for a bedroom, a kitchen, or even a bathroom. “My house ain’t so proper where I living now, so I’m trying to save, save lil
Most of the houses in Angoy’s Avenue are wooden and erected by the residents
money to see what I can do. Even if it’s a $200 for the day or what, it’s anything to help and do something proper. Sometimes them children want bring them friends home
earnings rarely trickle down to the rest of the family. “He like drink so when he leff and gone out and he draw pay, I ain’t even hold a cent. It’s me looking after the
“We hearing about how the country doing well and thing but like we ain’t getting the benefits too.” by we but they can’t ’cause we ain’t get a room here.” Though she is married and living with her husband, Patricia is somewhat of a single mother; her husband works on a sugar estate and, though he is employed, Patricia admitted that his
Vanessa and her son, Joshua
children them; you got to say like it’s a one sided affair because when he draw pay you not gon’ see it,” Patricia said. She continued, “He just gonna deh in the rum shop til night time. When he do bring some money I don’t tek it cause when you see you get a man and he does drink, that money don’t bless.” Her husband’s behaviour has left Patricia in a tricky situation; unable to find work, she had to find a way to take care of her children and last year she opened a little shop in the area. “I decided that I wanted to make a living; when dem children fadda wukking he hardly give them money and so. So, I wanted to help myself get things for the children, especially when they got to get this and that for school.” The shop is not much, but Patricia is proud of it. However, despite the added income, things are still difficult. Patricia noted that the community is one where many are living below the poverty line and cannot afford to support her business. “All of my children take lunch to school every day;
the big ones might want a lil money and sometimes when they come home, you got to pay $1,100 to put on a lil internet on your phone so that they can do homework. If you can’t mek it to put on the net, you got to give $200 to send them til out on the main road to a cafe.” She said too that she would often depend on the very goods in her little shop to provide meals for her children. “It’s hard to live in here; nuff time I go out on the road and the people just crying that money ain’t deh, money ain’t deh. For me, sometimes I might see a lil $500 for the day. I still got to try though; I can’t give up.” Especially when it comes to unemployment, residents have noted that there are limited options. One such person is Vanessa, 27, who is financially dependent on her partner. “I don’t wuk; I does just deh home, looking after the children,” she said. Vanessa is a mother of five and is pregnant again. Her oldest child is four-year old Viola. Not all of her children live with her and she tries to visit them at their different locations as often as possible. With no job, Vanessa spends most of her days doing little chores such as feeding fowls. She has cut back on her walking because of her pregnancy. More often than not, she waits patiently for her partner to return from sea. Currently, he is at home but things have not been going well in the relationship, she said. “Every time my belly big we don’t agree; when I done
get the baby we does be good, good,” she said with a laugh. She knows, however, that ending the relationship is not much of a choice. CREATING OPPORTUNITIES There are many communities like Angoy’s Avenue throughout the length and breadth of Guyana. Many of them are in rural regions such as Region Six, East Berbice-Corentyne. “A lot of the poverty related problems have to do with governance,” says Region Six Chairman, David Armogan. And while the longstanding chairman has noted that there have been developments in the region, he emphasised that much more is needed to be achieved. According to Armogan, the regional democratic council (RDC) of Region Six aims at eradicating poverty through developmental programmes. These programmes impact on areas which make people’s lives better through the provision of better public infrastructure, housing development, water, and electricity, Armogan said. He said too that the region, within its limited ambit, also works as best as it could to promote economic stability. He noted that the region is one that focuses largely on the agriculture industry and therefore its programmes zero in on opening areas for persons to engage in farming. Further, Armogan said that as part of its aim to build economic independence there are government-funded programmes executed under (continued on page 49)
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Welcome to Angoy’s Avenue: From page 48 the region that provide training to youths. Armogan noted that many of the persons in poor, rural communities work primarily in carpentry, subsistence farming and some in the sugar industry. Skills training, he said, goes a long way in helping them find employment. However, while these programmes have been fairly successful, there is need to expand its reach to more people, Armogan said. He said too that while efforts at the regional level are being made, efforts must be simultaneously made at the government level. These efforts, he added, should be multi-sectoral and should focus on identifying the root causes of poverty before any development strategy could be formulated.
“For example, with crime, locking a few persons up and putting them in jail is not going to deal with the root causes. Instead, we need to do much more in terms of letting people into agriculture, in terms of improving drainage and irrigation. We have to assist our people in becoming self-sufficient and comfortable,” he said. He noted too the link between poverty and crime and stressed that youth unemployment must be a focus – not only in Region Six but throughout Guyana – to reduce poverty. “Unemployment is fuelling poverty and the poverty is fuelling crime; it’s a vicious cycle and we have a lot of other social problems being fuelled by poverty.” SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT NEEDED
“What we could tell yuh about this place?” one woman asked upon my approach. She and two other women were sitting under an old wooden house, “breezing out”. There is not much for them to do during the day once their chores are finished so they sit, talk and watch the children play until nightfall. “It got mo’ house,” the woman, Abiola Wilson, finally said after a moment of thought. “The place got more houses and it develop; it didn’t have this amount of people but now it got plenty,” she added. “What we need behind here is light and water,” another woman, who introduced herself as Shaundelle Ageday, chimed in. “That is the main man behind here. We does try with the lil mud too but if we could get the road done, that would
be good. When rain fall it does get nuff mud and water but we make do.” Abiola and Shaundelle have clearly grown accustomed to their circumstances; while many persons might see water, electricity, and proper roads as necessities, these women see them as luxuries. Only some sections of Angoy’s Avenue are privy to electricity. In fact, these sections only received power this year. The provision of power to the community came decades after the area would have formed. Before then, Angoy’s Avenue had the highest amount of illegal connections in Guyana and in 2014 over 1,600 illegal connections were severed. Residents noted, however, that even if they could receive electricity, many of them could not afford to
pay the bill. Many of them still have illegal connections. Like Patricia, Abiola and Shaundelle have both lived in Angoy’s Avenue for more than a decade. Abiola has four children while Shaundelle has six and is pregnant with a seventh. The women shared that they are the main providers for their children. “It’s a bit tough providing for them but we try; you got to provide proper thing for them to come to school cause you know children does watch each other. you got to prepare things for when they come home,” Abiola explained. She added that her children’s father works in the interior and is therefore unable to spend much time with them. However, this situation will change soon since the father has fallen ill with malaria. “He gon’ come out cause
of the malaria so things will be tough,” Abiola said. However, there is one bright spot in life in Angoy’s Avenue. “Christmas time there got people that come around and they give out hampers and tek down names. Depending on the amount of children in a home, they help two or three families with clothes and shoes. Last year people came and we hope they come back this year. At least they come and we had a bright Christmas,” Abiola said. “We does depend pon de hampers and the lil bit we provide for ourselves,” Shaundelle added. The women both admit, however, that these once a year visits are not sustainable but they nonetheless look forward to it. “Is like we people forget we deh at the back hay except when is Christmas; we hearing about how the country doing well and thing but like we ain’t getting the benefits too,” Abiola said.
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Sealey and the soul-taker From page 36 brandy?” He nodded, sobered somewhat by Brenda’s practical suggestion. Her arm tightened on his shoulder. “Vibert, what going on? What happen last night?” He looked at Brenda, really seeing her now; aware now, too, of the buttered bread and cheese that she
had placed on an upturned crate near the hammock. He hesitated, then said: “I find the girl.” * But he didn’t tell her much. He told her where he’d found the prostitute who was now calling herself Lucille. He told her about the other boy, and what the doctor had said.
He didn’t tell Brenda about this new fear that he himself might be in danger, or about the crippled woman, or of being followed. He admitted that he had been sleeping badly; blamed the incident in the room on a bad dream. He sensed that she didn’t believe him. “Christ,” she said afterwards. “You really frighten me. I thought you did getting a heart attack or something.” * Sitting on his back step, Sealey remembered her words now. They had sent a cold knot of fear to his stomach, because he sensed that she was more right than she knew. Sitting outside, feeling the August sun on his skin, hearing the sound of children
singing from a nearby bottom-house Sunday school (“IF YUH HAPPY AN YOU KNOW IT STAMP YUH FEET…”) He could almost fool himself that it had just been a bad dream. But then he’d remember the creature clinging to his shoulder; its roachy smell; the feel of it…scaly. He still felt a taint on him—about him—even though he had bathed. And the memory brought with it the certainty that he had been close to death; that something had entered his room this bright Sunday afternoon and tried to steal his soul. That if Brenda hadn’t come into the bedroom he would have been dead. Later, many might have said that Vibert Sealey went peacefully.
He lit a cigarette. It had finally happened to him. One of the unexplained things that bush-men talked about, but which had seemingly avoided contact with him during his thirty-odd years knocking around the jungle. So why had it happened now? Why in his home? He breathed deeply. He needed to remain calm. Maybe something had crawled on him….tarantula… centipede...maybe a scorpion, accidentally brought home from Kamarang. He wouldn’t be the first bush-man to have brought some crawling thing home from the interior. There was a story about two brothers who had died that way…. No…he had searched the room twice. Not that he had expected to find anything.
Besides, the thing that had crawled on him was unlike anything that he knew, though he believed that he had seen it briefly before… No…he hadn’t been dreaming. He had heard Brenda in the kitchen. He had heard Walker cough in his sleep. Music from a radio. That was what had been so scary. Just lying there helpless with something staring at him… If Brenda hadn’t come into the room… He felt the earlier panic welling in him. He shook his head, trying to chase unwanted shadows away. But he couldn’t rid himself of the thought that he had been at the edge of the valley, almost stolen away from his family on a bright Sunday afternoon…
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====== Standards in Focus ======
A GOOD CORPORATE REPUTATION IS IMPORTANT What takes 20 years to build and five minutes to ruin? Answer? Reputation, at least according to Warren buffet, one of the richest men in the world. Many organizations consider their greatest asset to be their good name or reputation. Thus, they work actively to build the “bank of goodwill” towards them. The main benefit of a healthy corporate reputation can be found in: - Customer preference in doing business with you - Stakeholder support for your organization in times of controversy - Your orga n i s a t i o n s v a l u e i n the financial marketplace Although reputation is an intangible concept, research universally shows that a good reputation demonstrably increases corporate worth and provides sustained competitive advantage. A business can achieve its objectives more easily if it fosters trust among its stakeholders, especially key players such as its largest customers, opinion leaders in the business community, suppliers, and current and potential employees. That said, reputation is very fragile and it only takes one small slip to cause irreparable damage to a company’s image. A recent corporate survey reported in Insurance Journal
suggests that reputation is the hardest risk to manage. The study indicates that 81% of companies see their brand identity as their most significant asset but are challenged in knowing how to protect it. Oftentimes, long established brands have their reputation seriously tarnished and these problems are compounded when social media is added to the mix. Further, it’s not just offensive images trending on social media that can spiral a company’s image out of control. Accusations of bribery and corruption real or perceived can also destroy a company. What’s significant about these scandals is the damage they do to the cooperate image. As one reads this article, one is tempted to consider: How might standards help? What would occur if
standards were used more wisely? The answer is clear: a lot. Quite a lot would be different. Anti-bribery and online reput a t i o n a r e t w o n e w subjects that are now taking actual, practical shape in the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO). The future ISO 37001 standards will take account of internationally recognized good anti bribery practice. It will apply to all organization, regardless of type, size and nature of activity, and whether in the public, private or voluntary not-for-profit sectors. Equally anticipated, is another ISO standard on online reputation, which is in the pipeline. It will help companies manage the pitfalls of online mudslinging, be it from other businesses, serial companies, ex-employees, or quite simply
dissatisfied customers. If you can’t beat them, join them, as many companies learn to use customer feedback, both positive and
negative, to their advantage. Warren Buffett’s famous quip was probably right. I say “probably” because with all due respect to Mr. Buffett, he
wasn’t thinking about the potential of standards when he said it. Source: ISO Focus Issue #107
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==== Dr. Neromini Fagu’s DENTAL COLUMN ===
The key to your appearance “You never know what you’ve got until it’s gone”. This is true for many things but so very true for your teeth. Many people don’t value them until they go missing or when they are lost. Most adults have 32 teeth and so they think that losing a few of them is not such a big deal. But, each and every tooth is important so losing one or several of them should be a big deal. How are your teeth important to you? Healthy teeth are important for many reasons, including appearance, confidence, eating, speaking and giving shape to your face. Research has shown that your teeth are the first things someone will notice about you. Shallow as it may seem, a healthy, clean mouth will give a much better impression of you than an unhealthy looking mouth would. Your teeth also affect your self- confidence. Confidence comes with
the appearance of healthy teeth and people who are not happy with their smile will try to cover it up. A healthy mouth is a great asset, not just medically, but also both socially and professionally. In certain professions having that winning smile may determine whether you get the job or not. The different shape and size allow the teeth to do many different jobs. Having a full set of teeth, with all their differing functions, allows you to keep a healthy and varied diet. Teeth play an important role in chewing, speech development and to pronounce different sounds clearly. Your teeth also help in maintaining the shape of your face. Don’t believe me, take a look at a person with and then without their dentures on. Notice anything different? How about their facial profile, not the best is it? If I still haven’t convinced
you about the importance of taking care of your teeth, think about this. Did you know that maintaining excellent oral health can increase your lifespan? It’s true — but so is the reverse. Not taking care of your teeth can actually lead to a shorter lifespan. When it comes to overall health, the teeth, gums, and health of the mouth are crucial. Good oral hygiene and regular dental appointments can easily save — and lengthen — your life. Take for example the common toothache. For some people, it might seem like no big deal. But what’s important to remember is that the body is made up of organ systems where each part affects the others. Tooth infections, especially those located along the upper teeth, are not far from the brain, and infections can travel. Obviously, a brain infection is much more difficult to treat than a tooth infection, if it’s possible at all.
However, if caught early, a simple tooth infection runs very little risk of affecting the brain. In terms of actually increasing your life expectancy, gum disease prevention is the key. Unlike a toothache or other trauma to the mouth, you might not be aware you have gum disease. But, just because you’re not experiencing discomfort right now doesn’t mean there isn’t a problem. Gum disease, or periodontal disease occurs due to the chronic presence of plaque along the gumline. Plaque is a sticky, colourless deposit of bacteria that is constantly forming on the tooth surface. Plaque contains harmful bacteria that put your whole immune system at risk. These same bacteria produce substances that are linked with heart disease, diabetes, premature and low birth weight babies, and other systemic problems. Likewise, tooth decay can have a similar effect on the mouth, increasing the presence of bad bacteria and putting your entire system at risk. Keeping your teeth, gums, and mouth healthy is easy, comfortable, and essential for a happy life. Knowledge is power. The more information you receive, the better able you are to take care of your health. The goal of this column is to provide you with information to take care of your dental health. If you have any questions, suggestions or comments, please feel free to email me at nerominifagu@hotmail.com.
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Happy Acres building razed following massive explosion
It was pandemonium in the usually peaceful neighbourhood of Happy Acres after an earth shaking explosion left one building
being completely engulfed in flames. The explosion all but obliterated the top floor of the two storey building with fire
swallowing up the East Coast Demerara community premises. Fortunately, no one was injured or left homeless as the Lot 167 dwelling had
Pedestrian injured in hit and run accident
Reginald George awaiting medical attention last night at the hospital. An evening walk to a nearby shop came to an unpleasant end for Reginald George of Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara. George, who is said to be in his late 50s, was struck down by a speeding motorcycle and left to bleed on a roadway in his community. The accident occurred around 18:20hrs, yesterday. He has since been admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) A&E unit. When Kaieteur News arrived at the hospital attendants were seen lifting
the injured man from a motorcar and unto a stretcher. He appeared to be in intense pain as he struggled to move his body. George sustained several injuries about his body including a wound to the left foot. The patient’s niece, Alicia (only name given) and nephew, Edmond Fraser were present at the hospital last night. Alicia told Kaieteur News that someone in the neighbourhood notified her of the accident via phone. The relative said that she heard of the accident minutes after her uncle left to
purchase something at a shop in the village. Further, Alicia related that she was informed that a taxi driver by the name of Shawn, struck down her uncle and left him lying helpless on the road. The woman added that after she got the terrifying news, she and other family members rushed to the scene and confirmed their worst fears. Alicia said that her brother, Fraser, who is a policeman, rushed their uncle to the hospital in his car. Police are still on the hunt for the hit and run driver as investigations continue.
been abandoned for some years now. According to residents of the community, it was a normal Saturday evening when suddenly a loud blast shook their homes, shortly after 21:00hrs, and shards of glass could be heard shattering onto the street. The blast quickly alerted residents as far as the neighbouring community, Atlantic Gardens, with fire
service ranks arriving at the scene moments after. However, the inferno proved to be too much for one fire truck to handle, with the firemen calling for another backup fire truck to tame the blaze. They were eventually able to control the fire as residents gathered some distance away from the scene. The cause of the fire could not be confirmed up to
press time, but residents in the area believe that it was not electrical in nature. One neighbour she had smelt gasoline shortly before the explosion occured. As residents gathered around the scene some noted that there was whiff of gasoline in the air as firefighters did what they could to contain the fire. The building was once a residential home, but had recently been utilised as a storage unit for new owners of the premises. It was estimated to cost over $30M. But while the building was typically used for storage purposes, residents commented that in recent days they had noticed an unusual amount of movement around the unit. Others commented that it was a miracle that no one was injured, as the premises is regularly watched over by a security guard. This news paper understands that said security guard had not been seen on the premises for a number of days. Meanwhile, Kaieteur News understands that the building was one of the very first homes to be built in the community’s decade’s old history. It was built in a style that not many residents were used to seeing in the neighbourhood.
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CONSUMER CONCERNS
READING ESSENTIAL FOR HIGHER ACADEMIC SUCCESS PAT DIAL Relating to a wide spectrum of consumers, many of whom are parents of secondary school children and even University students, we have witnessed the great worry and uncertainty both parents and students feel about their achieving success in their school and university studies. From time to time, parents have asked us, as a life-long educationist, to guide and help their children, and University students come to us for help with their long papers and theses. A major problem with the school and University students, is the fact that their reading had been confined to the CXC syllabus, which, in any case, they never did with any thoroughness. For example, many have never heard of Napoleon or Julius Caesar or Shakespeare’s Hamlet and have never read any of the world’s classics. A great part of their “education” seems to be confined to looking at Television and the popular programmes among them are the most superficial. Only a very tiny percentage views the Educational and Learning Channels with regularity. Wide reading is a necessity if Guyanese students are to achieve better academic standards and to be able to deal with the problems of their future lives and to be able to do the world’s work efficiently. With wider reading, a young person’s skills in the knowledge and use of language would immensely improve. He/she would be able to express himself/herself effectively and with overall improvement of language skills, students would be able
to understand the various text books and improve their performance. Reading the world’s classics would give young people a great deal of wisdom and would lead to greater personal happiness; ability to deal successfully with the numerous persons and personalities one would encounter as one progresses through life and would elevate cultural levels. For example, if a young person were exposed to George Eliot’s novels, or Shakespeare, or the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, the Bhagvat Gita, the Ramayan, the Bible, the Koran and the Buddhist scriptures, he would understand the Human Condition and how the world works and would be able to successfully navigate through life and assist others along the way. In this effort to improve academic standards among young people, to raise cultural and moral levels, and to provide the path of their leading happier, more creative and successful lives, parents have to play a major role. Parents have to ensure that their children read widely and this would mean that they should take advantage of the Library facilities and use the Television for the Educational Channels. Parents need to exert more discipline on their children so that they would not waste a valuable part of their lives that could be more creatively employed in playing computer games and looking at cartoons. In a word, parents need to be intimately involved in disciplining their children and guiding them. They should exorcise from their minds the illusion that teachers or the school system or
“lessons” tutors had or would have assumed this responsibility. The Ministry of Education and the teacher-training institutions must consciously and positively adopt the cultivation of reading among the young as part of their remit. A list of, say, two hundred books which every educated person should read in his/her life, should be compiled. That list should be widely disseminated in the teacher-training institutions and the Ministry of Education should actively and persistently promote it. This would imply that stocks of those books would have to be imported for the libraries, the schools and even bookshops. In addition to this list, the Ministry of Education and the teacher-training institutions should promote the Classics in the schools. In compiling the list, the Authorities should invoke the contributions of as broad a spectrum of able persons from academia, the religious and cultural institutions and members of the public who would desire to make recommendations. The compilers should avoid the pitfall of an undue stress on Caribbean writings.
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Standards in Focus
A GOOD CORPORATE REPUTATION IS IMPORTANT What takes 20 years to build and five minutes to ruin? Answer? Reputation, at least according to Warren buffet, one of the richest men in the world. Many organizations consider their greatest asset to be their good name or reputation. Thus, they work actively to build the “bank of goodwill” towards them. The main benefit of a healthy corporate reputation can be found in: - Customer preference in doing business with you - Stakeholder support for your organization in times of controversy - Your organisations value in the financial marketplace Although reputation is an intangible concept, research universally shows that a good reputation demonstrably increases corporate worth and provides sustained competitive advantage. A business can achieve its objectives more easily if it fosters trust among its stakeholders, especially key players such as its largest customers, opinion leaders in the business community, suppliers, and current and potential employees. That said,
reputation is very fragile and it only takes one small slip to cause irreparable damage to a company’s image. A recent corporate survey reported in Insurance Journal suggests that reputation is the hardest risk to manage. The study indicates that 81% of companies see their brand identity as their most significant asset but are challenged in knowing how to protect it. Oftentimes, long established brands have their reputation seriously tarnished and these problems are compounded when social media is added to the mix. Further, it’s not just offensive images trending on social media that can spiral a company’s image out of control. Accusations of bribery and corruption real or perceived can also destroy a company. What’s significant about these scandals is the damage they do to the cooperate image. As one reads this article, one is tempted to consider: How might standards help? What would occur if standards were used more wisely? The answer is clear: a lot. Quite a lot would be different.
Anti-bribery and online reputation are two new subjects that are now taking actual, practical shape in the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO). The future ISO 37001 standards will take account of internationally recognized good anti bribery practice. It will apply to all organization, regardless of type, size and nature of activity, and whether in the public, private or voluntary not-for-profit sectors. Equally anticipated, is another ISO standard on online reputation, which is in the pipeline. It will help companies manage the pitfalls of online mudslinging, be it from other businesses, serial companies, exemployees, or quite simply dissatisfied customers. If you can’t beat them, join them, as many companies learn to use customer feedback, both positive and negative, to their advantage. Warren Buffett’s famous quip was probably right. I say “probably” because with all due respect to Mr. Buffett, he wasn’t thinking about the potential of standards when he said it. Source: ISO Focus Issue #107
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BRAY DONKEY, BRAY By Ralph Seeram During a recent family reunion, my brother George and I reminisced on our boyhood days. We let the younger nieces and nephews know how “tough” life was in our youthful days in Guyana. Most of the younger ones never heard or saw a donkey or a donkey cart, so naturally they were keen to hear stories about how we survived as a poor family. My brother recalled our donkey, “Saga Boy”. Saga Boy was a very smart donkey, if not stubborn sometimes. Life could not exist without Saga Boy. If you need barrels of water fetched, it was Saga Boy. To make a long story short Saga Boy was what is today your SUV and Pickup Truck. So when I saw that Freddie Kissoon mentioned me in the letter column this week inferring that I am an “Indian Supremacist” Saga Boy readily came to mind. Saga Boy had one tune in braying, Freddie has one tune in writing.
Saga Boy was essential to making our chores lighter, Freddie as an entertainment writer (he probably is the only person who thinks he is a serious writer) is essential to bringing comic relief in our everyday lives. But there is one major difference between Saga Boy the Jackass and Freddie Kissoon. Saga Boy was an intelligent ass. Therein lies the difference. But remember a Jackass will still remain a donkey. So what Freddie brayed about me lately? Actually I did not know I was that important; actually never thought of myself as Indian then Guyanese. If I am guilty of anything, it is calling me a Berbician first before saying I am a Guyanese. You will find a large number of Berbicians think that way. So what did I do to gain this “honor” from the selfstyled, political activist? Social activist?? “Trained historian”? Oh I criticized Moses Nagamootoo in the run up to the last election. Freddie brayed that I was afraid
Nagamootoo will cause the PPP to lose the election, resulting in Indians losing power. As I recall, and I still maintain, Moses Nagamootoo in my view is a political opportunist. Fact, he claimed he was anointed by Cheddi Jagan to be his heir. When he did not get the PPP nomination he jumped in bed with the AFC, with demands of a senior position. Then he jumped into bed with the PNC, a party he opposed for over 40years with the promise of a Prime Ministership and powers he is yet to achieve. Ask Joe Harmon. But back to Freddie braying. He was actually replying to what one Lormarsh Roopnanarine wrote, it had nothing to do with me, but dragged me in as a “Indian Supremacist” in the Diaspora. This is what he is good at, name calling and labeling people, in his warped mind, the world must share his twisted illogical views. His envious mind is more focused on people and personalities who are more successful than him, he tries to belittle people who disagree with his singular view of the world.
A supremacist is one who advocates the supremacy of some particular group or race over all others. I would like to see where I advocated that Indians are supreme to other groups. This fool knows very little of me, my family, friends and upbringing in making such an idiotic inference. Two weeks ago the comedian mentioned me also in an article unrelated to me, but mentioned I am an untrained journalist, I did not see the relevance of that to the article. Freddie brays about him being a trained historian versed in research He did not have to go far he only had to ask the editor of this newspaper for info on me. First I would like to know where the fool was trained in journalism. Being a mediocre college teacher for 26 years does not qualify you to be a journalist. You got to be pretty stupid and dumb to spend 26 years of your life in an institution you “bad mouth” every day. Back in the day journalists trained on the job, there was nothing like a journalism course in Guyana. Reporters started as apprentice and
worked their way up. Some fresh out of high school were also trained on the job. A few were able to go on courses abroad, but that was far and in between. So Freddie, store this in your file on me. I worked as the Berbice correspondent for the now defunct Evening Post and Sunday Argosy in the early 70’s. The job as a Berbice correspondent is a rounded position, you do all aspects on reporting - sports, crime, court and anything newsworthy. With the closure of the Evening Post I moved on to the Guyana Graphic, then Guyana’s leading newspaper, as their Berbice correspondent. Graphic had some heavyweight reporters and writers. Your standards had to be very high to have your stories published by then Editor Montague Smith. You had to be pretty good to last four years with them. I actually succeeded George Barclay who is still around and probably Guyana’s oldest journalist after Adam Harris. Ok Adam, I threw that one in. Incidentally George must be the only journalist in Guyana who still writes shorthand. I lost that skill decades ago. After a few years with the Graphic I moved on to Radio, succeeding the great Oscar Ramjeet, as the Berbice Correspondent for the then Guyana Broadcasting Service forerunner to today’s government owned radio stations. Remember there were only two radio stations in those days.
That had to be somewhere in the mid 70’s, I can recall a young long hair hippie looking Ron Sanders, now Sir Ron Sanders without the hair, interviewing me and giving me assignments to make up and report before giving me the job as a stringer, paid on stories, which paid more than a salary. Of course Radio was a new experience, but I had the late great Cecil Griffith as Editor to guide me. After Sanders moved on to bigger things, the late Terry Holder placed me on staff on the top of the salary scale as a senior reporter where I stayed for some four years until I moved to the United States. For an “untrained” reporter I think I did pretty well. But what about the training, Freddie? Considering that he does not have a creative mind, I mean the poor fellow can only write about the PPP, Jagdeo and Ramotar. That is the extent of the journalist experience. The PPP has been out of office going on five months now, but everyday his article is on Jagdeo/PPP. He is stuck in that mode. The truth is he is not creative enough to write on any other subject. You would have thought the “trained historian” would have enlightened Guyanese on the history on the Venezuela crisis, and how the issue was settled in 1899. That would be more topical than Donald Ramotar’s misuse of the word “intuition”. It shows he cannot think beyond PPP. Ralph Seeram can be reached at email; ralph365@hotmail.com and Facebook.
Sunday September 27, 2015
Kaieteur News
FOR RENT
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
WANTED Experienced hire car driver & dispatcher @ Princess Hotel Providence-Call: 616-5419 We buy land with or without title only residential house lots, Farm, Herstelling, and Eccles-Call: 611-7223; 6042207 One hotel/club manager to work on the Essequibo Coast: Contact: 615-6172; 226-9768
Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana Passport application. Graphics design, Advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. PARTY DECORATING: balloon creation, back drops etc. for weddings, birthdays, anniversary etc. Make your event extra special! Tel Maya: 642-6664
Waitress to work a bar- Call: 612-2522 1 Receptionist between ages 19-25 to work at Ourominas, 120 Regent Street BourdaContact: 612-6672
REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES,AIR-CONDITIONERS, WASHINGMACHINES,TVS, MICROWAVES,FREEZERSCALL: 629-4946 OR 225-4822 REPAIRS & SPARE, FRIDGE, FREEZER, A/C, WASHERS, STOVES CONTACT NICK: 6831312, 627-3206
Honest, experienced sales clerk. Apply at Nanda’s Boutique-223 Camp Street, next to Gas Station Urgently needed live in waitress –Call: 670-2323 Straight stitch/Over edge machine operators- Call: 2222541 (8:00am-4:00pm MonFri)
Floor sanding & Lacquering House plans, Estimate & painting, Boat for Santa Mission - Call: 650-4362 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building. visadocumentsgy@yahoo.comCall : 225-6496, 662-6045 Eagle’s fridge re-gas @ 99-100 New Market Street - $8,000 & washing machine repairs. Phone: 697-2969, 223-5818 Creative construction professional in all your general work: roofing, pool, carpentry, plumbing, tilling, painting –Call: 675-1510; 613-7964 Landscaping: Palms, largest varieties of plants, Used in every one of our unique landscapes- Call: 648-1821/ 219-0468
Field sales agents @ Max Consultancy & Accounting Services, preferably males, must be experienced in this field –Call: 223-1855 One experienced captain to ply from Georgetown to Bartica must be 55years and over- Contact: 650-0402 1 Cook for family in the interior-Call: 677-8484
K. Lakeram, building contractor: carpentry, masonry, drawings of plans, general maintenance –Call: 216-0671, 622-0267, 692-8464/ klakeram.construction@gmail.com
Farm in need of, Large quantities of Paraquat- Call us today: 219-0468 Two female bartenders at Tajoes’s Sports Bar, Pouderoyen W.B.D must have good communication skills –call: 2640041/ 684-1838 Waitress with secondary school education-$60,000 monthly must be honest-( from East Coast) –Call: 610-3974 A family person to work on a farm to look after Cow & Sheep-Call: 619-9143/ 6148857
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 One bedroom apartment for couple -$30,000 monthly – Call: 223-3958 or 660-9463 One four storey building at Lot 14 Croal and Lden Street to rent- Contact 6631876 3 Bedroom upper flat for rent at Vreed-En-Hoop JunctionCall: 661-0162 GT TOOL RENTALS: COMPACTOR; CHIPPING HAMMER RANSOM & FLOOR SANDER, JACK HAMMER, CONCRETE SAW & MORE- CALL: 6750767, 627-5098 Business place to rent at Mon Repos E.C.D four two bedroom apartment for rent at Block 8 Mon Repos E.C.DCall: 618-1754; 681-1508; 2206168 Lodge (Vlissengen/Durban): Professional/office/business (no food retailing) spaceCall: 677-9638; 629-1093 Prime business space for rental on Public Road in Meter-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demeara-Call: 683-7585 Residential top flat to rent on Public Road in Meter- MeerZorg, West Coast DemearaCall: 683-7585 One upper flat, one self contained master bedroom + 2 bedrooms @ Diamond EBD -$90,000 –Call: 688-0980; 6668767
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVEAUTORENTAL: CARS & SUV FORRENTAL$4,000 & UPPER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 219-3900, EMAIL: PRO_AUTO RENTAL @YAHOO.COM DOLLY’SCARRENTAL-CALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.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
LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997
FOR SALE/RENT American pool tables –Call: 277-0578 One 2 storey 5 bedroom concrete and wooden house with two large self contained rooms, well secured –Tel: 6928923
VACANCY Male & female workers, accountant, checkers, bond clerk @ RA Soda Factory Rosignol West Coast Berbice: Tel: 330-2399; 6235920 Drivers, Drink machine operator, anyone with mechanical ideas @ RA Soda Factory Rosignol West Coast Berbice: Tel: 330-2399; 623-5920 One maintenance worker with at least 5yrs experienced to work @ ice factory meadow bank wharf –Call: 231-1408; 642-9191; between 8am-2pm IT technicians; send your CV or info to jobs@awngy.com Indoor Salesman with sales skills, secondary education, customer friendly @ Key Food Trading, Mc Doom, next to Post Office . Custodian, able bodied female 35-45yrs, serious enquiries only-Call: 223-9006; 223-5282 Office assistant Sales Clerk preferably with experience and from West Coast Demerara- Call: 254-1801 Manager wanted, for horticulture nursery, On lower Linden Highway- Call: 2190468 Housekeepers/cleaners, females only- Contact Aagman Restaurant/ Email: aagmanrestaurant@gmail.comCall:219-0161; 219-0158 Computer literate person with CXC, 1 computer IT person, apply at Trophy Stall Bourda Market. Male sales representative @ Wieting & Richter Ltd-Call: 226-6150-7 Maid, 38-50ayears @ Wieting & Richter Ltd-Call: 226-6150-7 Porters to work at Covenden, E.B.D, apply at Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling. One ice machine operator to work at ice factory on Meadow Bank Wharf, please Call: 231-1408; 642-9191 between 8am-2pm Driver @ Wieting & Richter Ltd-Call: 226-6150-7
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SALON -Make Up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, Black Opal, Mabelline. -Nail Technician Course Call: 647-1773/660-5257 Affordable salon services: pedi, mani, wash & blowout, facials, etc $2,500 each. Vogue @ Kalyan Mall, Lamaha Street. Tel: 647-1773/660-5257
TO LET Space for office, stationery, cosmetic store, salon etc @ Star Central Mall, Leonora, W.C.D-Call: 227-1876; 6950246 Three bedrooms executive concrete top flat in South Ruimveldt Gardens –Call: 218-1949 One bedroom apartment Grove, E.B.D -$36,000 –Tel: 642-1956 Space for office, internet café, stationery & like business @ Nandlall’s Building, ground floor, 217 South Road, G/ Town-Call: 227-1876 or 6950246 One bedroom apartment for decent working single or couple –no children, all conveniences-$20,000 –Call: 672-1586; 218-3463 Lodge apartments (Vlissengen/Durban): Unfurnished $40,000- $90,000 monthly & furnished (for visitors) from $500US monthly- Call: 677-9638; 6291093
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Great Deals on video games & all gaming consoles. PC, phone games & applications. Delivery also – Call: 672-2566; 265-3232 1 Aqua Sol water heater price$150,000 negotiable, interested person can contact: 264-2946 Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, motors, etc Call: 225-9032, 647-2943 1-Ford F250 truck, manual and lifted, 1-4-Stroke 40HP Yamaha Outboard – Call: 6843248; 662-9603; 653-0266; 696-0712 1-100 KVA Generator on trailer, 1-40HP, 2 Stroke Yamaha outboard. Call: 6843248; 662-9603; 653-0266; 696-0712 One male Mastiff/Doberman large breed, ears cut, vaccinated, de-wormed, 6 months old-Call: 233-0570; 629-7426 Land at Schoonord (Next To Demerara Harbour Bridge), 45' X 100' $ 6 M, 60' X 100' $ 7.5M- Contact 650-0402 / 260-4988 Pools table (slate) & house hold items –Call: 616-0398; 676-7643; 2690916 Sheet sets 100% cotton full & queen, bed throws, pampers & wipes @ Aubrey Barker Road, Tucville BridgeCall: 626-6335 120z. glass jars with Acid protective covers suitable for jam, achar, etc- Wieting & Richter Ltd-Call: 2266150-7
EDUCATION Individual tutoring available for CXC Accounts, for guaranteed excellent graderCall: 654-1723 -$2000 monthly
ACCOMODATION Aracari Resort: rates from US$45; breakfast included, fully air-conditioned rooms; 5 minutes from the Demerara Harbour Bridge. Tel: 592-2642946 Saturdays & Sundays after lunch @ Inner Retreat Hotel Parika: Bar-B-Que & games: pools, darts, table tennis etc – Phone: 260-4504.
Learn to cut from elementary to advance @ Enid Dressmaking Classes, sewing also done here-Contact: 6437966; 223-9106
Inner Retreat Hotel Restaurant & Bar, Retreat Road Parika. Indoor /Outdoor bar in Picturesque setting – Phone: 260-4504; 685-6934
Simpli Royal School of Beauty offering evening classes in cosmetology with easy payment plan-Call: 2252303; 665-4565
International Language Institute Classes for adults & Children, Spanish, English as Second Language, Portuguese, Dutch –Call: 2233556
1-1000 gallon fuel tank at (New Amsterdam Location) Wieting & Richter Ltd-Call: 226-6150-7 2-LL 7000 F.G Wilson Alternators (600KVA) Wieting & Richter Ltd-Call: 226-6150-7 One Toyota Verossa $2.6MCall: 614-0694 German shepherd and pit bull (mix) puppies -$30,000 each –Tel: 269-0711 or 621-7842 5 Toyota Coaster, 1 Mitsubishi 30 seater, 1-320C bucket, must be sold- Call: 648-0121; 628-1832 Pit-Bull Puppies: Mother Brazillian, father from Hubo Backdam, Pure breed red nose, 6 weeks old, 2 females & 1 male –Call: 601-5374 Continued on page 72
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Kaieteur News
Sunday September 27, 2015
NDC puts damper on Covent Garden... From page 71
VEHICLE FOR SALE
PROPERTY FOR SALE
1 Mazda Axela, PTT series, low mileage, e x c e l l e n t condition -owner migrating Tel: 649-0956 Toyota Rush- Unregistered $3M negotiable; Honda CRV 2003 model PSS 2018- $3.1M negotiable, pre-order any vehicle. Call: 655-3400
Property for sale, Grove $20M / Rent: $50,000 per month. Tel: 625-5461.
We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 TacomaCall:680-3154 Toyota Noah & Voxy -$1.7M ‘G’ Series, never registered – Call: 617-2891 One Honda CRV Immaculate Condition 17" mags, CD, AC, price -$1,850,000 negotiable – Call: 626-2884 Kaw a s a k i N i n ja 650R, excellent condition, lime green $650,000 asking price Tel: 655-2561 Unregistered pit-bull bus (3M) Noah, Voxy (1-8)-Call: 603-9700 One 1.5 Ton Toyota Toyoace Canter, good working condition-Contact: 623-1202 2 Unregistered new models Tacoma, Step, Crash Bar, Alarm, bed covering, mag rims, etc-Call: 695-6461 or 6397758 Pitbull minibus-Call: 6886316; 603-4494 Solid Diff Toyota Hilux Pickups, Just Arrived, Excellent condition, AC, MT Tyres, ARB Bumpers, unregistered- Call: 691-2077 1 New Model 212 fully loaded, price negotiableContact Dave: 687-6695 Unregistered Fielder Wagon, Spacio, fully loaded, rims, camera, bodykit, HID, dark interior-Call: 617-5536 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call:680-3154 Nissan X-trail PMM 89522002 model, asking $2.5M negotiable-Call: 232-0628, 328-7832; 641-3001 NOTICE We buy land with or without title only residential house lots, Farm, Herstelling, and Eccles-Call: 611-7223; 6042207. LAND FOR SALE Parfaite Harmonie -$1.5M, 1.3M, 1M, Tuschen 8th street -$1.5M, Tuschen 2nd Street -$5.5M corner lot –Call: 604-6724
2 Storied transported concrete property upstairs 2 bedrooms, downstairs 2 bedrooms, fully grilled, block ‘8’ MonRepos, E.C.D -$18M- Call: 625-1514; office 231-7255 1 Flat house on 1 acre land with chicken pen & fruits tree at Unity E.C.D- $11M-Call: 642-7898 One-two storey house with four bedrooms at 160 Stewartville, land -50’X120’, building 24’X60’ – price $10.5M –Call: 220-9419; 627-9794 House and land for sale, situated at lot 95 La Penitence Street Albouystown. Call: 687-5851; 1604-589-1852 Transported Property @ Grove/Diamond, 3 bedrooms, 1 self-contained, concrete fence, grilled store room & Shed, (45X26) – Call: 660-1353, 216-4338 Wortmanville, bottom flat, bar, -$120,000 per month negotiable @ B&G’s RealtyTel: 617-9717 or 682-4094 or 227-4125 Brand new 2 storey concrete building in 5th Avenue, Diamond, E.B.D, all modern amenities - $45M –Call: 6629335; 612-3244 House for sale Versailles W.B.D five minutes from Harbour Bridge, price neg. Call:616-0111 Business place @ Anna Catherina, Road side. Call: 661-9880
(From page 17) money would have gone to waste, he stressed that the issue went beyond finances. “We’re looking at the entire scenario here. These people had a responsibility. A lot of planning went into this; we had extensive meetings and held fundraisers,” he said. “It’s so frustrating when you put effort into something and things like this happen, simply because someone failed to do their job.” The day was not comp l e t e l y l o s t , h o w e v e r. Rather than send everyone home who turned out, the sports day was instead turned into a mini fun day. “We d i d n ’t t h i n k i t would be fair to send the children back completely empty-handed after they would have put so much
Lot 12 Mon Repos E.C.D Tel: 220-7330, 203-850-5235
Clifford Ruffino
areas and they all put their hearts into this so it’s very unfair. At this point I can’t
say if the event has been postponed or cancelled entirely,” he added.
All concessions must be... FOR SALE IMPORTED AMERICAN BULLY PUPS –CONTACT HARRY: 220-7933, 6674845, 610-0068 (WHATSAPPAVAILABLE) BBM PIN 52E62193 1-6 Cylinder Perkins Diesel Engine Model 6354, bedded complete with Murphy Switch – $675,000- Call: 6979648 or 660-9399 1-3 Cylinder Mitsubishi Diesel Engine Model L3C$325,000- Call: 697-9648 or 660-9399 1-3 Cylinder Perkins Older Model running, need rebuild, complete-$350,000- Call: 6979648 or 660-9399 Shepherds, Rottweilers, BV building, cooker spaniel, boxer, pug, schnaunzer dogsCall/Whatsapp-Call: 6645401 or 680-6426 1-6 month Baby mannequin, 1-3yr child mannequin, 1-10yr children mannequin, 1 clothes rack- Call Simone: 626-5317
LAND FOR SALE 33 Acres prime agriculture land located at Plantation Flensberg W.B.D-price negotiable-Contact Erick Boodhoo: Call: 654-6229; 627-0556 Eccles $5M, Parfaite Harmonie -$1.2M, $1.5M $2.8M, Zeelugt -$2M, Uitvlugt -$2.5M- Call: 6117223; 604-2207 Concrete fenced land in residential high income area at Republic Park, Water, light, etc-Call: 233-0570
effort into this,” Ruffino explained. However, he noted that the setback had consequences. He said that the school could not simply shift the date for its interhouse sports. He said that the date had been set aside by the Ministry of Education. Therefore, the school would have to go through the necessary channels before it can hold another sports day. He further said that the setback could affect the school’s performance at the inter-school championships. “Without first having inter-house sports we can’t make it to the interschool. We held pre-trials for our students in some
LAND FOR SALE 1500 Acres Transported land 4 Miles from Bartica, 2 Miles River front, sand, loam, forestry, rock quarry, farming, resort-Call: 603-1266; 6259788 Professional Realty: we buy/ sell/rent/value your real estate –Call: 694-3875; 6490353; 654-6198 Land for sale at Yarakabra Call: 685-1259
From page 16 after the end of each financial year. This has never been done. Further, Section 37 of the said Investment Act says that the Government shall publish in the Gazette, information regarding all fiscal incentives granted under Section 2 of the Income Tax (In Aid of Industry) Act. The Chartered Accountant had said that given the failure of both Dr. Singh and Sharma to respect and obey the country’s laws, it becomes imperative for the whole matter of tax
concessions to be part and parcel of the tax reform process with the aim of minimizing the cases for which exorbitant concessions are granted in an ad hoc fashion. He said that the rules need to be made tighter and applied across the board. In doing this, the lawyer asserted that the country would stand to benefit more from greater revenues. When Sharma was contacted by this newspaper to explain why he failed to report on the incentives granted annually, his response was, “I remember
they used to be published in the papers between 2007 and 2008 but my memory of that is vague. “I am not sure why it has stopped. I would have to go into office to see and check the laws. I am not in a position to say why this was stopped or why a report was not tabled in the House. “There was a report on the re-migrant duty free concessions. So that’s one. But I really think your question should be posed to the Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority, Khurshid Sattaur.”
Sunday September 27, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Sunday September 27, 2015
Sunday September 27, 2015
Kaieteur News
Bolivia’s Congress votes to let Evo Morales run for re-election again
Evo Morales La Paz (AFP) - Bolivia’s of the Aymara indigenous Congress voted yesterday to group who was easily reamend the South American elected last year to another country’s constitution to let five year term. The Congress, President Evo Morales run for which is controlled by re-election again in five years, Morales’ followers, approved and potentially extend his the constitutional changes by a two-thirds majority after 18 presidency to 2025. The changes must be hours of debate. The amendment stipulates ratified by a national referendum set for February that Morales’s re-election in 2014 counts as the first of two 21, 2016. The leftist president, in consecutive presidential repower since 2006, is a member elections allowed under the
rule change. His first two four year term as president do not count because they were won under a previous constitution. Opposition legislators put up a noisy fight, first attempting to thwart the measure through procedural means. When that failed they engaged in a heated back-andforth with Morales supporters, sometimes climbing on their chairs make their point. Henry Cabrera with the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS), the president’s party, contrasted Morales’s “Process of Change” program with the rightwing governments of the past that “wreaked havoc on the country’s economy.” Oscar Ortiz, a leading opposition leader, snapped back by accusing top government officials of funneling money from an agriculture program into their personal bank accounts. “When the opposition opposes reforming the constitution they want to block the ... will of the citizens, and of course we will not allow that,” said progovernment legislator Oscar Baron.
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Justice Ministry To Renew Discussions With Police Over Improving Security For Prosecutors The Gleaner - Justice Minister, Senator Mark Golding, says his ministry is to renew discussions with the Jamaica Constabulary (JCF) aimed at improving the security of judicial officers including prosecutors. He gave the update in a statement Friday in which he condemned Wednesday’s attack on a deputy director of public prosecutions as she arrived at the Spanish Town Courthouse in St Catherine. Arising from the incident, DPP Paula Llewellyn, called for greater security to be put in place to protect prosecutors and support staff.
The Justice Minister says the government owes it to prosecutors to ensure they are able to do their work without being exposed to unacceptable risks. As a result, he said Permanent Secretary in the Justice Ministry, Carol Palmer, has been tasked to renew discussions with the Police High Command to see what else can be done to improve security. Palmer said the issue of security for prosecutors remains a concern and she will continue dialogue with the Police High Command in an attempt to find a lasting solution.
Senator Golding is asserting that his ministry will have to redouble efforts to find a solution to meet the security needs of prosecutors, in collaboration with the police force. Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary said every effort is being made to relocate a number of courthouses and the Spanish Town courthouse is high on the list. Palmer indicated that the Ministry has already identified property in C e n t r a l Vi l l a g e o n t h e outskirts of Spanish Town, St Catherine, for the relocation of the Spanish Town Courthouse.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday September 27, 2015
Carmona issues warning to Independents…
Never venture into Parliament’s pit
Newly appointed independent senators pose for a group photo at their retreat Friday. Senators, from left, are Dr Dhanayshar Mahabir, Paul Richards, Melissa Ramkisson, Sophia Chote, Jennifer Raffoul, David Small, Taurel Shrikissoon and Stephen Creese. PHOTO: COURTESY OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Trinidad Guardian President Anthony Carmona says Independent senators must refrain from venturing into the “pit” as they go about the nation’s business over the next five years. He made the comment Friday during the formal opening of a two-day retreat for the nine independent senators at the Office of the President, St Ann’s. The retreat is designed to assist the participants in performing their roles as independent senators during the 2015 to 2020 term, which started last Wednesday. In the cinema there are usually three levels of seating for patrons, which included pit for the cheapest seats and balcony for the most expensive, Carmona told the senators Friday. He said the independent senators should “be the bar of excellence that is required
in the Parliament.” “Independent senators should reside in balcony but you are allowed to come down into house and you can stay in house, you can stay in house for as long as you desire but you must never venture into pit,” Carmona said. The President said one of the distinctive features of the senators’ stewardship was to “never venture into pit.” Carmona later defended his choic e o f s e n a t o r s , saying that the media h a d r e p o r t e d o n their impressive academic qualifications but no mention was made of “your impressive human qualities.” He said many of the independent senators were involved in sports, with NGOs, in issues pertaining to climate change, dealing with the voiceless, the disabled, the marginalised and the less
advantaged. He said the senators had the intellectual and human mix that were required of independent senators. Carmona said it was during his interview to select the senators that he found they were outstanding in human terms, as they had “the right heart and the right calling.” He said his choice of senators was “not based on parochial, insular or geographical considerations. It was based on appreciating the need to have proper representation of the public interest and the common good of T&T.” Among the issues being discussed at the retreat, which is being facilitated by Douglas and Associates, are diplomacy, protocol and etiquette, assertive and effective communication and emotional intelligence.
UNITED NATIONS — Jamaica is to hold bilateral talks with a number of countries on the fringes of the 70th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, now underway here. Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister AJ Nicholson, who is leading Jamaica’s delegation to the assembly, is scheduled to hold talks with his counterparts from Botswana, Senegal, the United Arab Emirates and Sudan. The meetings are aimed at strengthening relations and promoting trade between the countries and the Caribbean island.
Nicholson will also be part of a group of Caribbean Community foreign ministers who are scheduled to hold talks with India’s Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj. In addition to the series of bilateral talks, the minister delivered Jamaica’s policy statement at the opening plenary summit for the adoption of the post-2015 sustainable development agenda. The sustainable development agenda includes a number of set goals aimed at improving the living standards of developing countries. The goals were agreed on in August, following years of consultations and
discussions following the Millennium Summit in 2000. With a new trust, member nations of the UN have now agreed to a 17-goal and 169target development agenda under the theme “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. Among the goals are an end to poverty in all forms everywhere, an end to hunger, ensuring healthy lives through the promotion of the well-being for all at all ages, and ensuring the availability and sustainable water and sanitation for all. The agenda also calls for urgent action to combat climate change and its impact.
Jamaica to hold bilateral talks on fringes of UN meeting
Sunday September 27, 2015
Kaieteur News
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U.N. says world waited too Germany’s Merkel says U.N. long to act on refugee crisis Security Council must be reformed
Migrants cross the border between Hegyeshalom, Hungary, and Nickelsdorf, Austria, September 26, 2015. REUTERS/HEINZ-PETER BADER
Reuters - The United Nations high commissioner for refugees said yesterday the world waited far too long to respond to the refugee crisis sparked by the wars in Syria and elsewhere, though rich countries now appear to understand the scale of the problem. “Unfortunately only when the poor enter the halls of the rich, do the rich notice that the poor exist,” U.N. refugee chief Antonio Guterres told Reuters in an interview on the sidelines of the annual gathering of world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly. “Until we had this massive movement into Europe, there was no recognition in the developed world of how serious this crisis was,” he said. “If, in the past, we had more massive support to those countries in the developing world that have been receiving them and
protecting them, this would not have happened.” The sudden arrival in Europe of tens of thousands refugees from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere, many abandoning refugee camps i n Tu r k e y, J o r d a n o r Lebanon, has stirred sharp disagreement between European Union countries on how to “process” and accommodate them. While governments such as Germany have proven more welcoming, Eastern European countries have resisted plans for quotas to disperse refugees. For years, Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan have
struggled to cope with millions of refugees from Syria’s 4-1/2-year civil war. “The refugees are living worse and worse,” he said. “They’re not allowed to work, the overwhelming majority of them live below the poverty line. It’s more and more difficult for them to have any hope in the future. “Without peace in Syria, and without massive support to the neighbouring countries ... we risk a massive exodus” of refugees from Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon. He also disputed some assessments, including Hungary’s, that most of the people reaching the EU’s doorsteps from the Balkans were economic migrants, not refugees who deserve protection. Most of them are genuine refugees, he said. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is convening a high-level meeting on Wednesday on the refugee and migration crisis. Guterres said rich countries appeared to be finally waking up. “I think political leaders are starting to understand ... the scale of the problem and the need to have a much stronger response, response in humanitarian aid. “One of the reasons that refugees started to move in such big numbers was because international assistance declined,” he said, adding that Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon would need billions of dollars in assistance to cope with the refugees.
Angela Merkel
Reuters - It is high time the United Nations Security Council is reformed to reflect the real distribution of power across the world in the 21st century, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said yesterday. “We need a new method of work to solve problems,” Merkel said. “That makes reform of the Security Council necessary, reform which reflects the real power in the world better than the situation today.” The appeal was in a summary of Merkel’s opening remarks at a meeting with her counterparts from Brazil, India and Japan provided to reporters by the German delegation. “We have to proceed very
wisely,” she added, according to the summary. “We have to find allies to reach our goal of reform.” Merkel is in New York for a summit meeting of world leaders on global development at the U.N. General Assembly. The Security Council, the most powerful U.N. body, has 15 members, five of them permanent. It has the ability to issue legally binding resolutions imposing sanctions or authorizing military action to enforce its decisions. The 10 temporary members are elected for twoyear terms by the General Assembly. Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, key allies from World War Two, are permanent veto-
wielding council members. Germany, Japan, India and Brazil say the world is very different from what it was in 1945 and the Security Council should reflect that. Germany and Japan, which are global financial powers and top contributors to the United Nations, argue that they deserve permanent council seats. “The current atmosphere is that not only we four but many others don’t agree with the structure and the working method of the Security Council,” Merkel told the other leaders. “We want to take others with us to reach a modern working structure of the Security Council which suits the 21st century.” The goal of expanding the council to include additional permanent and temporary members has long been an elusive one. Many U.N. member states routinely call for Security Council reform and have been working for decades, so far unsuccessfully, to find an acceptable formula for expanding the council. The five permanent council members can block any such moves. Britain and France say they support council reform. The United States has also cautiously backed it. U.N. diplomats say China, and to a lesser extent Russia, are the principal opponents of the idea.
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Grenada and China moving forward with air services agreement
Grenadian Prime Minister Mitchell (left) recently met with a high powered delegation in China let by the country’s Premier Li Keqiang (RIGHT).
ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada – Grenada and the People’s Republic of China are pressing ahead with plans to formalize an air services agreement. Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell made the announcement following his return from China, saying tourism was also among items high on the agenda during his trip. Grenada is set to become the second country in the region after Bahamas to formalize such an agreement with Beijing. Mitchell says with Chinese investor Charles Liu’s multi-million dollar tourism project in Mt. Hartman, an air services agreement with China will be a fillip for the local economy. “We proceeded to do so,
so we are going to be the second country in the Caribbean that has signed on officially to air service agreement with the major project being planned by the Chinese investor Charles Liu in Mt. Hartman area, which is almost a billion dollar investment,” he said. “If we can be able to have an air service agreement to get some form of transport from China to the Caribbean and to Grenada specifically, it can have enormous impact on the economy of our country.” China is planning to initiate a regular flight to Cuba by way of Montreal, Canada next month. The Grenadian leader says his government plans to work with Cuba in order to benefit
from a Chinese flight in the region. “That sort of reinforces the idea that we had that the opening up of Cuba to tourism may not necessarily, as some people might have thought, affect us negatively. It might in fact enhance our tourism product, because the attraction to Cuba will also be attraction to the Caribbean region as a whole,” Mitchell said. The Prime Minister met with a high powered delegation in China led by the country’s Premier Li Keqiang. Discussions covered a range of others issues, including Beijing’s desire to speed-up infrastructural projects on the island such as the housing projects and completion of the football and athletics stadium.
United Nations (United States) (AFP) - Cuban President Raul Castro yesterday took aim at the US embargo against his country, describing it as the “main obstacle” to his country’s economic development. “Such a policy is rejected by 188 United Nations member-states that demand its removal,” Castro told a UN development summit, referring to a UN resolution calling for the end of the decades-old embargo. The UN General Assembly has voted each year since 1982 to approve a resolution calling on the United States to lift the embargo against Cuba, which has been in place since 1960. Making his first visit to the UN, Castro hailed the reestablishment of relations with Washington as a “major progress,” but stressed that the embargo was unfinished
business. “The economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba persists, as it has been for half a century, bringing damages and hardships on the Cuban people” said Castro, who succeeded his brother Fidel as president in 2006. Cuba estimates that more than $121 billion in damage has been inflicted on its economy from the embargo, which was imposed in retaliation for Cuba’s nationalization of US properties on the island. Since the rapprochement wit h C u b a , P r e s i d e n t Barack O b a m a ’s administration has expressed support for lifting the embargo, but the decision rests with Congress, where a Republican majority opposes the move. Castro argued that the embargo affects other nations
that face punishment for investing in Cuba under US laws, and that it was “hurting the interests of American citizens and companies.” The General Assembly is set to discuss a new draft resolution condemning the embargo at a session next month. This year, however, Cuba will introduce a resolution that “welcomes” the reestablishment of relations and acknowledges Obama’s determination to work with the US Congress to lift the embargo, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez has said. More than 160 world leaders are arriving in New York for the UN development summit, followed by the UN General Assembly debate opening Monday. Castro is due to speak again on Monday, a few hours after Obama takes the podium.
Cuba’s Castro at UN calls for end to US embargo
Sunday September 27, 2015
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Alpha and Slingerz going after first win; GFC and Monedderlust stand in the way
Stag Elite League...
By Franklin Wilson They came into the league with the billing as the best two sides in Guyana, pound for pound but after two games in the biggest league to hit the shores of Guyana, Stag Elite League (SEL), Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United and Slingerz FC are yet to fire on all cylinders. Both sides have arguably the best players in Guyana in their camp and have also displayed their financial prowess by buying overseas players to bolster the local cadre but they are yet to unleash. Meanwhile, the other teams, not as liquid, have been showing that they can take care of themselves and Latest Points Standings Club Fruta Conquerors Pele Monedderlust GDF Alpha United Slingerz GFC Buxton
P 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
have been standing up to the task of competing albeit, these are early days yet. Alpha showed some glimpses of brilliance with Kithson Baines up front running riot briefly against Pele who they drew with 2-2 in their second game on Wednesday evening last at the same venue, they will take on home team Georgetown Football Club who are on a high after they drew with Slingerz on home turf on Wednesday last also, a result that can be classified as a win for the young Bourda boys. Alpha, aka ‘The Hammer’ will be seeking to bring their season back on track and can’t wait any longer to show what they are capable of doing and that is winning. W 2 1 1 1 0 0 0 0
L 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 2
D 0 1 0 0 2 2 1 0
The likes of Captain Daniel Wilson, Philbert Moffatt, Baines, Delon Lanferman and company must restore confidence in their chief tactician, Head Coach Wayne Dover as well as supporters. Coach Dover commented: “We’ll approach the game with the same mindset to win like we did in the previous two games. We have to score goals and prevent conceding on the night. We’re all aware GFC will approach the game like they did for the Slingerz match which is to be compact and play off the counter but we will have our strategy to deal with and that’s compactness as well as how we deal with the transition from offence to defence.” Standing in Alpha’s way GF 3 4 4 3 2 0 1 0
GA 1 3 4 3 2 0 2 2
GD Points +2 6 +1 4 0 3 0 3 0 2 0 2 -1 1 -2 0
Sunday September 27, 2015 ARIES (MAR. 21APRIL 20) Travel for business purposes may bring the highest returns. TAURUS (APR. 21MAY 21) You are best not to say too much to colleagues. Don't allow personal problems to conflict with professional duties. GEMINI (MAY22-JUNE 21) Make the necessary changes that will enable you to advance financially. Take time to deal with the concerns of children. CANCER (JUNE 22JULY 22) Try to calm down emotionally about personal financial matters. Take care of any medical problems if they've been troubling you. LEO (JULY 23-AUG 22) Your pursuits may end up being fruitless. If you're uncertain of your feelings, keep your opinions to yourself. VIRGO (AUG. 23 -SEPT. 23) Use your creative talent in order to accomplish your goals. You can make a serious attempt at quitting those bad habits that you've picked up over the years.
LIBRA (SEPT. 24 -OCT. 23) Secret activity is evident. Be careful when dealing with superiors. It might be best not to spend your money on luxuries today. SCORPIO (OCT. 24 NOV. 22) You need to be active and spend time with friends you enjoy. You will accomplish the most in the work environment today. SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 23 -DEC. 21) Be aware that minor accidents or injury may prevail if you are preoccupied. Enlist the aid of family members and consider the feelings of your mate. CAPRICORN (DEC 22.JAN. 20) Children will want to help, too. Residential changes, renovations, or moves are likely to disrupt your routine. AQUARIUS (JAN. 21 FEB. 19) If you can work at home, do so. Your mind will be wandering to exotic destinations. PISCES (FEB. 20-MAR. 20) You're eager to learn. If you're already in a relationship, use this added energy passionately.
this evening will be a confident GFC unit, a young side which has displayed the will to fight in their two matches to date. Their Manager, Faizal Khan, who has not held back in terms of stating that it is the time for the young talented players to be given the opportunity to shine, says that he will be going for a win against Alpha. “I think it is fair to say that GFC is quickly showing we are able to mix it with the best of them in this league, it will be business as usual for us tomorrow night (tonight). Our young side will be going out
to win the game and turn heads yet again while doing it.” GFC will again be banking on their Captain Shad Fernandes to lead from the front with support from the young brigade including CurtizKellman, Kurt Johnson, David Coates, Kelsey Benjamin and Derrick Carter in goal. Slingerz, boasting a star studded line up has under achieved so far and according to senior player Vurlon Mills, they will certainly be going after full points against Monedderlust this evening. Mills noted that they are
Simmons upset with... From page 82 professionally as it should be done, [there was] too much interference from outside and in this case, I even go as far as saying maybe influence because of the reasons that were given for them being out. “It’s disappointing for me … because we want to have our best squad. The chairman put it to us that we need to have our best squad and it’s not so, so I’m disappointed about that squad.” Simmons, a former West Indies opener, took over as West Indies coach immediately after the World Cup in March. Simmons was a popular coach in Ireland previously and had earned recognition for his work ethic and the ability to instil a positive attitude in the players. His signature was immediately evident in the home series against England and Australia, where West Indies put up spirited performances - drawing the Test series 1-1 against England and losing 2-0 against Australia. In the past few months, Simmons has sought an audience with senior players like Bravo, Pollard, Sunil Narine to gauge their desire to play for West Indies. According to Simmons, Bravo and Pollard were happy to work with him and told him they were available to play in the limited-overs format. Pollard has never played Test cricket, and Bravo retired from Tests earlier this year. “There was no agreement reached [with the players]. I can’t go and say, ‘Oi, you’re selected’. I had a chat with every one of them saying ‘This is the way I think things should be done, are you happy with the way I’m going to do things.’ And everyone to a [man] was happy with the way things were going to run,
happy with the captain, happy with everything that was to move forward,” Simmons said. “So once they had bought into our philosophy as to the captain and myself then it’s about selection. I can’t go and tell them, ‘Hey, you’re in the squad’ so I think that’s all I could have done.”
hungry for victory and are cognizant of the fact that they cannot afford to drop anymore points. Anthony Abrams, Dwayne Jacobs, Domini Garnett, Captain Tischard Joseph, Colin Nelson, Les Charles Critchlow and Solomon Austin will have to combine efforts to ensure a positive result. However, the task will not be easy as Monedderlust have already exhibited the likeness to bring down big teams as was the case when they defeated the Guyana Defence ForceGDF coming from two goals down in their first game to win 3-2. The West Berbice based club under the guidance of Gordon Braithwaite will have to come up with a potent strategy to get back the opening game momentum while staving off the threats of Slingerz tonight. Expected to be their front players are Kevin Layne Jnr., Kevin Sullivan, Kevin Cottoy, Captain Travis Henry and Kimba Braithwaite.
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“SPORTS BRING SADNESS,
happiness, smiles and hope!” Colin E. H. Croft Like West Indians everywhere, I hope that yesterday’s (Saturday) “Rally Round Dominica” charity game at revered Kensington Oval, while a fun event, generated dollars galore for Dominica’s Hurricane Relief Fund, a very serious project which will help with absolutely necessary, timely rejuvenations of one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful, truly ecological islands.
Great merriment should have been had by all, for when players like (Sir) Curtly Ambrose, Ambassador and former WI captain Brian Lara, another former WI captain Darren Sammy and the likes of former Manchester United and Trinidad & Tobago footballer Dwight Yorke get together, regardless of the seriousness and severity of the cause, enjoyment and hope too should prevail. Inundated by deceptively deadly Tropical Storm Erica,
Dominica will shine again, for it is “The Emerald Isle”. Nowhere in the Caribbean ever seems to be as incandescent green as Dominica, with its rolling hills, still remembered steep, swirling descents for landing into Cane Field airport, and playing at and appreciating the magnificent, iconic Rousseau Botanic Gardens cricket ground. I have been involved in at least five seriously devastating hurricanes,
flying supplies into Haiti for disasters in 1994, 1998 and 2008, courtesy of Hurricanes Gordon, George and Hanna respectively, and doing similarly for Grenada’s problems with Ivan in 2004. But by far the worst experienced, first-hand, was 1992’s Hurricane Andrew, which hit Florida, from West Palm Beach, where I then lived before re-migrating to the Caribbean, to the southernmost tip of Key West, and beyond, causing nearly
Over sixteen countries invited as Guyana hosts Caribbean Boxing extravaganza By Michael Benjamin Efforts by the executive of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) to pursue developmental strategies for the sport while exposing local pugilists to international competition has reached new heights and those officials are currently putting the modalities in place for a Goodwill Caribbean Development tournament, scheduled for November 26-29 next. More than 13 Caribbean countries are scheduled to come to Guyana to engage in four days of fistic fury and to date, six of them have affirmed their participation. These countries include St Lucia, whose contingent comprises 6 boxers and 4 officials, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, the Bahamas and Jamaica. The other countries invited but still to confirm participation are Venezuela, Belize, Aruba, Cayman Islands, US Virgin Islands, French Guiana and Martinique. The organizers have assured that the responses from the other invited countries should be forthcoming within the week. President of the GBA, Steve Ninvalle joined with President of the Guyana Olympics Association (GOA), Juman Yassin and convened
KA Juman Yassin and Steve Ninvalle at the briefing. a press conference, at the GOA High Street headquarters yesterday morning to brief the media of the plans in place for this tournament. Mr. Ninvalle said that a large percentage of the funding has been accrued from the GOA and he expressed deep gratitude to the GOA boss for the support rendered. Mr. Yassin then explained that his executives were concerned by the drop in standards in the fistic sport over the years and were determined to render the necessary assistance to facilitate developmental changes. “Amateur boxing is on the decline and the GOA
has been injecting funds into this entity to forge necessary changes,” explained Mr. Yassin. He spoke of past strategies enacted by the GBA executives and supported by the GOA but lamented that the returns were not as favourable as he would have liked. Some of those strategies included support rendered to local coaches and Sebert Blake was one of the recipients that went on several sojourns to Hungary and Cuba among other countries. Blake was also selected to accompany a 4 man team of boxers to Mexico to participate in the box off to the Pan Am Games in Toronto, Ontario Canada. Dennis Thomas was the only boxer to clinch a victory and even then, he did not qualify after losing his quarter finals match. The GOA boss feels that the boxers ought to take some of the blame for their failure. “The GBA executive is doing all they can but our boxers must make the requisite sacrifice and effort to rise above their foes,” asserts Mr.
Yassin. He further issued an urgent plea to local pugilists to diligently apply themselves to the task in order to enhance their fortunes. Mr. Yassin further divulged that he has suggested that Mr. Ninvalle identify 2 boxers for preparation in the 2018 Commonwealth Games even as he committed to assistance in this regard. Meanwhile, Mr. Ninvalle expressed gratitude to Mr. Yassin and his executives for their timely intervention in making the Caribbean tournament a reality. He explained that the cost of the tournament exceeds six million dollars and Government input as well as that of the corporate community will be sought. The GBA President also said that his executives are putting the modalities in place for the 2015 National Open Championships, scheduled for mid October. He further said that the team of boxers to compete against their Caribbean counterparts would then be identified and encamped at the Andrew Lewis Boxing Gym.
US$30 billion in damage. Even now, Miami and environs are still rebuilding, fortifying, attempting hurricane-proofing, after Andrew! Andrew was more powerful than 2005’s fabled Hurricane Katrina, whose results created misery in USA’s Gulf Coast, mostly Louisiana, where terrible engineering during construction of supposedly water-restrictive levees and flood walls aided Katrina’s resultant deaths and destruction. Regeneration has been slow and painful and no-one knows if that region will really recover fully! Anyway, I had volunteered for involvement in that match for Dominica but did not make the final cut, but I will still make contributions, directly and stealthily, in time. Dominica must recover, as WI cricket needs that picturesque island badly. It is still the only Caribbean country where even a Test match is almost guaranteed to be sold out! The Caribbean owes Dominicans big time for undying support, regardless of local conditions, so this is an opportunity for every Caribbean country to give back in some way, a trend already started by Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago. There really should be no excuses for not doing something for “The Emerald Isle”! Last week’s sadness came with the death of a genuine American sporting icon, baseball great Lawrence Peter “Yogi” Berra. Often that word “great” is used, especially in sports, to nominate and indicate contributions to some game, for club or country, by player or administrator. Here was a guy who deserved more than mere “greatness”, both as successful player and coach too. There were rumors, even contemplated, eventually dropped lawsuits, emanating from suggestions that “Yogi Bear”, that likeable but insufferable cartoon character created by Joseph Barbera and William Hannah – ‘Hannah/Barbera’ – was something of a caricature for Yogi Berra. Indeed, last week, one very prominent news agency even actually announced that ‘Yogi Bear had died!’ It can certainly be wagered that no other sporting personality, with the possible exception of boxer
Muhammad Ali, has been more quoted, even in these articles, than Yogi Berra, but Ali and Berra could justifiably claim to have been the greatest practitioners of their respective sports. That Yogi, a catcher, could still garner such accolades is a massive achievement. Batters/hitters and pitchers, even outfielders, are more glorified in baseball teams, but Yogi’s exploits for USA’s best known baseball team, New York Yankees, could compete with another Yankees’ stalwart, George Herman “Babe” Ruth – ‘the sultan of swat’ - for being America’s best player ever. Babe’s career spanned twenty two years; 1914 to 1935; at a time in USA when sports played a tremendously important part for simple everyday existence, during the Great Depression. Yogi played baseball for nineteen seasons; 1946 to 1963, then 1965; yet another time of necessary rebuilding in American life, that time used for overall recovery from World War II. Those periods confirmed that sports can be used to fuse nations fractured by abnormal situations, as WI cricket had so proved too during our own age of independence - 1960’s, 1970’s and 1980’s - when, coincidentally, considering circumstances now, we were also cricket world champions. Yogi Berra was obviously one of the greatest sportsmen ever, but it was his soliloquys – “Yogi-isms” – that have so enraptured the English language; the sheik of very strange and memorable speeches! “Never answer an anonymous letter”; “You can observe a lot by watching”; “I am not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did”; “If you do not know where you are going, you might end up somewhere else”; most favorite of all, “Baseball is 90 percent mental. The other half is physical.” Like Yogi Bear, Yogi Berra made everyone smile! Enjoy! E-mail address = c.e.h.croft@gmail.com
Sunday September 27, 2015
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Alpha United GT&T makes big input with $1M Footall Club holds injection in Guyana Marathon AGM October 10 The Alpha United Football Club will hold their Annual General Meeting on Saturday October 10 at the Water Chris Hotel from 10:00 in the morning. The respective reports and elections of office bearers are on the cards as the release from the club indicates. Fiona Hamilton Secretary Dear Members, The Executives of the Alpha United Football Club hereby invites you to participate in the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday October 10, 2015 at 11: 00 am, at Water Chris
Hotel, Waterloo Street, Georgetown. The agenda are as follows: 1. Prayer 2. Welcome & Opening Remarks 3. Secretary’s Report 4. Financial Report 5. 2015 Plans - Stag Beer Elite League, Alpha Futsal Tournament 6. Adoption of New Constitution 7. Elections of Office Bearers 8. AOB Regards. Fiona Hamilton Secretary
RHTY&SC host 5-over KO tourney to honour memory of Bakewell CEO Naeem Nasir The Area ‘H’ ground, Rose Hall Town will be a hive of activity come Sunday October 11 when the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) host a 5over knockout tournament for twelve second division teams in Berbice. The one-day tournament, the third of its kind organised by the club over the past four months, would be held in memory of the late Naeem Nasir, former Chief Executive Officer of Bakewell, a long standing sponsor of the RHTY&SC since 2000. Bowling off at 09:00hrs, Rose Hall Town Bakewell ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams, West Berbice, Police, Courtland, Kennard Memorial, and All Stars Youth of West Demerara among others will be in contention. Winner of the tournament will walk away with $100,000 and trophy, runner-up $40,000 and trophy and the losing semi-finalist $25,000 and trophy. The first round of six matches would be four over affairs due to time while the 2nd round, lone semifinal and final would be 5 overs. Umpires would be provided by Berbice Umpires Association while teams would have to provide balls for the first and second rounds. The organisers would provide balls for the semifinal and final. Hilbert Foster, Club Secretary/CEO informed that the club was proud to be associated with Bakewell to honour the memory of Mr. Nasir who was a remarkable friend of Guyana’s leading
Members of the organizing committee for the Santa Mission Marathon collects the symbolic cheque from GT&T’s Allison Parker (2nd left). GT&T Public Relations Official Allison Parker handed over a $1 million dollar gift to the organisers of the Guyana Marathon which is set for November 14 at Santa Mission. The proceeds of the event will go to the Santa Mission School.
The event which contains a Marathon, Half Marathon and a 10K, will be the first of its kind in the area. The main aim of the event is to boost tourism and it intends to attract athletes from around the world. Over 50 competitors have already
registered including those from Kenya, United States of America and Canada. The marathon will commence at 08:00 hrs which will be followed by the half marathon at 09:00 hrs and the 10k at 10:00 hrs. Among the local athletes that will be on
show are Kelvin Johnson, Alika Morgan and Cleveland Forde. Interested athletes can register at www.guyanamarathon.com. For all questions please contact the organizers at guyanamarathon@gmail.com.
Former Guyana and WI ‘B’ player Leslaine LAMBERT RECOGNISED BY RHTY&SC
Mr. Naeem Nasir youth and sports organisation. Bakewell has been supporting the Rose Hall Town Under-17 and Second Division teams since 2000 and had also sponsor numerous activities for the club including magazines, the annual cricket academy, award ceremonies, charity programmes and the Say No To Drugs and Education programmes, among others.
Former West Indies ‘B’, Guyana and Berbice player Leslaine Lambert was on Friday last recognized and honoured by the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) under the club’s Tribute to the Hero’s Awards programme. Lambert became the 29th person added to the Hero’s Hall of Fame for his contribution to cricket in Guyana and the Caribbean. He was also specially honoured for his support of the RHTY&SC over the years especially it’s charity projects and Say No to Drugs and Yes to Sports programme. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster at the presentation ceremony, which was held at the head office of the St. Francis Community Developers, described the former pacer as a true sports ambassador of the Ancient County and one
who is a positive role model to the youth. Foster expressed his personal pleasure of seeing Lambert in his heyday playing for the Guyana Defence Force, Albion and Guyana. He stated that he was not only a hardworking and committed player, but was also a discipline individual who did his home village of Fyrish proud. Foster also noted that Lambert, whose career was cut short by injuries, was unfortunate not to play for the West Indies due to the presence of players the caliber of Andy Roberts, Joel Garner, Malcolm Marshall, Michael Holding, Wayne Daniels and Winston Davis but would have walked into any present day West Indies team. The RHTY&SC was proud to honour Lambert, despite the fact that he never played for their club which
was founded in 1990. Lambert officially retired from the game in 1985 and migrated to the USA one year later. The 57 year-old Lambert played 18 first class matches, claiming 48 wickets with best bowling figures of 7-59 vs Trinidad and Tobago at the Albion ground. He toured Zimbabwe in 1983 with the West Indies ‘B’ team along with fellow Guyanese Andrew Lyght and Carl Hooper, among others. Lambert, looking fit as in his heyday expressed gratitude to RHTY&SC Management and Staff for honouring him for his contribution to cricket. Reflecting on his days playing for Guyana, Lambert described winning the Shell Shield 4-day tournament under Clive Lloyd’s captaincy as his best moment while dismissing batsman including West Indies legends Gordon
Greenidge and Desmond Haynes were also memorable moments. He spoke of the hard work, commitment and discipline that he and other players had to strive for in order to succeed under the guidance of Lloyd, Roy Fredericks and other senior players while expressing dismay at the current structure of the game at all levels in the Caribbean. His association with Guyana’s leading Youth and Sports Organisation started after the club was recommended to him by former Berbice Cricket Board Secretary, Mortimer George and he was delighted to support such a dynamic organisation which touches and changes lives on a daily basis. Lambert received a plaque, trophy, medal and a collection of gifts from the Club.
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Simmons upset with outside GTTA discusses programmes ‘influence’ in ODI selection WITH DIRECTOR OF SPORT ESPNcricinfo - West Indies coach Phil Simmons has openly expressed his disappointment and outrage at not getting the “best 50over ODI squad” for the Sri Lanka tour. The West Indies Cricket Board is yet to announce the ODI squad but Simmons blamed “interference from outside” at a selection meeting on September 23, where experienced allrounders Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard were left out. Bravo and Pollard have not been considered for ODI selection since they were dropped for the series in South Africa in January this year. Simmons revealed that Bravo and Pollard had backing not just from him but also Clive Lloyd, the chairman of selectors, and West Indies Test and ODI captain, Jason Holder. However, Simmons and Lloyd were outvoted 3-2 in the selection meeting. Besides Lloyd, the other selectors on the panel are: Courtney Walsh, Courtney Browne and Eldine Baptiste. “I think it’s disappointing from the fact that I haven’t got the best 50-over ODI squad that we can select in the Caribbean,” Simmons said at a media conference, at the conclusion of the West Indies training camp at the 3Ws Oval in Bridgetown. “The chairman, Mr Lloyd, he came and he gave an exceptional speech saying that he thinks
By Edison Jefford
FILE PHOTO - Phil Simmons and Clive Lloyd pushed for the inclusion of Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard for the Sri Lanka ODIs but were outvoted © WICB Media Photo/Philip Spooner. it is time they are back in the squad and he gave exceptional reasons for them being back in the squad. Unfortunately, when we went into the selection [meeting] we lost it 3-2. Him and myself - the captain [Holder] doesn’t have a vote in this - but the captain also gave his views as to why they need to be back.” What annoyed Simmons the most was elements outside the selection panel, although he would not identify who forced the final vote. “That’s not the disappointing fact. The
disappointing fact is that you can lose 3-2 in a vote-off but there is too much interference from outside in the selection of the ODI squad and it’s disappointing for me to know that in any aspect of life … [people would use] their position to get people into a squad; or in this case, get people left out of a squad. It is wrong and I don’t like it and that is my beef with the selection of the ODI team.” Simmons was blunt about the interference and called it unprofessional: “I don’t think that it [selection] was done as (Continued on page 73)
The Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) Executive Committee held what it described as “a fruitful meeting” with Director of Sports, Christopher Jones where several matters concerning its development and programme were discussed. According to GTTA President, Godfrey Munroe, the meeting was held to discuss the plans, aims and projects of the association to get Jones’ support for the initiatives. In addition the association was intent on aligning its programme with Jones’ vision. “Jones alluded to the fact that he was very enthused with some of the GTTA and would be giving support to ensure that the sport grows. He indicated that he wants to see a focus on development plans from the respective association,” Munroe indicated. The meeting with the GTTA is the first of several meetings Jones will be having with national associations to get more in-sight into their plans, programmes and projections for the respective sport disciplines. Munroe summarised the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the association and outlined its plans and programmes. Proposal for a High Level Chinese Coach/Player
Petama Enterprise/Motor Trend Softball cricket tourney continues today Play in the Petama Enterprise/ Motor Trend Softball cricket tourney continues today with a number of matches. In the scheduled action: Fixtures for today 27th September at Carifesta Sports Complex: Pitch (1) 9:30am- Herstelling Raiders vs United Brother. 12:30pmWellwomanvs Trophy Stall Angels.1:30pm- Floodlights Masters vs Enterprise legends. Pitch (2) 9:30amFloodlights legends vs Park Rangers.12:30pm- Fishermen Masters vs Savage Masters. Pitch (3) 9:30am- Wolf Warriors vs Princess Hotel. 12:30pm- 4R Lioness vs Blue Divas. 1:30pm- Farm vs Brickery Super Stars. Meanwhile, in Results from matches played last Sunday at Carifesta Sports Complex: Wolf Warriors were too good for Brickery Super
Stars. Wolf Warriors def: Brickery Super Stars by 251 runs. Wolf Warriors 346-8 in 20 overs. Azad Azeez 73, Lincoln Leander 73, W. Hussein 52, Vikash 46, A. Juman 2-54, F. Wilkie 2-68. Brickery replied with 95 all out from 14.5 overs. Mark Harold took 6-6 and S. Ramnath 2-13. Princess hotel def: United Brothers by 52 runs. Princess Hotel 98 all out. Rasko King 32, Azaad Azeem 3-22. United Brothers 46 all out. D. Sookdeo 6-20 and Shafeek Ishmel 3-15. Floodlights Masters def: Park Rangers by 52 runs. Floodlights 190-9 off 20 overs. Ramesh Narine 35, Ricky Deonarain 29, Wayne Jones 28, Ryan Singh 4-46, A. Mitchell 2-26. Park Rangers 138 all out from 17.5 overs. Dennis Mangroo 31, F. Ali 21, W. Jones 3-7, Ramesh Narine 3-9 and Greig De Franca 3-24.
Enterprise Legends def: Savage Masters by 66 runs. Enterprise 190-7 off 20 overs. Dairam Hemraj 79, Ravi ally 42, Arjune Persaud 3-33. Savage Masters 124 all out from 18.3 overs. Raymond Bisraj 37, Kennard Luke 30, Stanley Mohabir 4-3 and Narine Roopdeo 4-27. Fishermen Masters def: Floodlights Legends by 17 runs. Fishermen 179-7 from 20 overs. Robers Mohan 51, Ramo Malone 39, David harper 31, Rahaman Khan 228. Floodlights 162-8 off 20 overs. Lloyd Rooplall 46, S. Ramdin 28, Lionel Persaud 218 and R. Mohan 2-33. Young Guns def: Herstelling Raiders by 14 runs. Young Guns 110 all out. Ralph Lane 3-15.Herstelling 96 all out. P. Mann 26 and Gaj 5-18. Wellwoman def: Blue Divas by 8 wkts. Blue Divas 76-5 in 10 overs. Cindy
Chunoo 22. Wellwoman 79-2 off 8 overs. Latoya Smith 23 N.O. and H. Mohamed 22 N.O. Trophy Stall Angels def: 4R Lioness by 2 wkts. 4R lioness 90-5 in 10 overs. Shemaine Cambell 52, KavitaYadram 2-7. Trophy Stall Angels 91-8 off 7.3 overs. A. Allen 24, R. Demonik 19, N. Mohamed 2-14. At GNIC Ground Regal def: Farm by 87 runs. Regal hit 217-7 from 20 overs. F. Rafeek 46, C. Gittens 36, R. Latif 34, A. Khan 4-52, A. Mohamed 2-33. Farm replied with 130-7 in 20 overs. S. Perch 42, Q. Yusuf 24 and F. Rafeek 3-22. Regal Masters def: Parika Defenders by 7 wkts. Parika Defenders 167-7 off 20 overs. A. Jagan 81, O. Black 23, P. Persaud 2-35. Regal 174-4 in 18.3 overs. E. Thomas 99 and M. Chunilall 48 led the scoring.
Christopher Jones
Godfrey Munroe
through Diplomatic Provisions The GTTA advocated and outlined its position and reasons for seeking Jones’ endorsement to engage the People Republic of China via the Chinese Ambassador/ Embassy through diplomatic cooperation between the respective Governments for a High level Coach/Player to visit Guyana on a one or two year stint to boost a national elite programme. In addition, Munroe is looking to secure training opportunities for local players in the high yield training environments, which includes engaging countries such as China, Japan, Korea, France, Austria and Brazil for elite athletes at different age levels. National Table Tennis for Schools Programme The association outlined its plans for the introduction and implementation of a National School Table Tennis Programme as an integral part of the association’s long-term athlete development strategy (LTADP). In this regard, the association is aiming to deliver athletes to the national team with some greater potential for improvement at an age where optimal performance is possible over time; the GTTA also believes that it is time that table tennis gets its own facility. “This centered on the critical need for the association to have a home of its own in order to facilitate training of athletes at the required level,” Munroe said. Additionally the association requested a review of a Memorandum of Understanding previously
discussed and drafted with Government to arrive at a position in terms of building design and the location of building, financing and utilisation. “The director indicated that such facility was part of his vision since he felt facilities were critical to providing access to sports men and women and improving mass participation in sports in view of improving the fortunes of Guyana’s sporting success,” Munroe informed. The association brought the Director up to date with the plans of the association as it relates to the Development of a National Sports Structure (DNSS) for table tennis, which is pivotal to the decentralisation of the sport along a sustainable pathway. The DNSS will address the impact in building capacity and bring cohesion to the many plans and programmes of the association. This, according to Munroe, is an Olympic Solidarity Programme that would be initiated through the Guyana Olympic Association. The meeting also focused on the parameters for the support for the table tennis association as it relates to elite players benefit, international competition and training. “The Director outlined his mandate for sports and pledged his support for programmes outlined in the meeting, indicating that he is looking forward to working with the GTTA in the realisation of its success in sports,” Munroe said. The GTTA would be refining some elements of its programmes to commence implementation.
Sunday September 27, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 83
Classic Ball Blasters V/ball Club preparing for UWI Tournament Reeling from the absence of significant involvement in volleyball for the distaff side, several young women along with Head Coach Marlon Pearson has made a purposeful decision to correct the anomaly by forming the Classic Ball Blasters Club which is currently preparing to participate in the annual University of the West Indies (UWI) Invitational Club To u r n a m e n t a t M o n a Campus, Jamaica. The event will run from November 20-22 and according to Coach Pearson, the ladies are hard preparing to participate in the competition and if they do it will be the first time that a representative club from these shores will be involved in the tournament. Speaking with Pearson during a practice session at the National Gymnasium yesterday, he told Kaieteur
Head Coach Marlon Pearson (centre) poses with members of the Classic Ball Blasters team during a practice session yesterday. Sport that the formation of the club was first and foremost done to fill a gaping hole created by the a b s e n c e o f o rg a n i s e d
competitions for females in the sport of volleyball. He said so far they’ve already gotten the approval of the Guyana Volleyball
Federation (GVF) and the Georgetown Volleyball Association (GVA) to compete in the tournament and is now fully engaged in
the soliciting funding to get to the tournament. “We have written the Minister of Sport asking that it assist us in getting to
Jamaica, while we are currently gearing ourselves to host a few fund raising events which will also help in procuring funds to offset expenses,” Pearson said. The club which was formed in May is affiliated to both the GVF and GVA and consists of several experienced players along with a few newcomers to the sport. He added that apart from the enthusiasm shown by some of the players, they also had a robust recruitment drive where they walked through the streets of Georgetown encouraging young girls to join them. “One of the primary aims is to get them involved in meaningful activities in their spare time and I am grateful to those who’ve responded,” he stated. The team continues to practice at the National Gymnasium.
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GCA’s Carib Beer t20 Cricket
Kaieteur News
Sunday September 27, 2015
Police arrest GDF at MSC MSC, GCC, DCC & GNIC advance to semis
Niel Smith clobbers a big six for GDF yesterday.
Dexter Solomon goes big for GDF yesterday at MSC. By Sean Devers The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) did a poor job in defending their total as they were arrested by Police at the Malteenoes ground yesterday in final preliminary round of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) Carib Beer t20 division one cricket tournament. Yesterday’s match was of only academic interest since leaders MSC and GNIC have already qualified for the semis from Zone ‘A’, while DCC, who topped Zone ‘B’ and GCC are the other two semi-finalists. The semi-finals are set for this weekend with MSC at home to GCC and Zone leaders DCC facing-off with
GNIC at DCC. Yesterday GDF opted to bat first on a track with variable bounce and were dismissed for 137 off 20 overs despite 30 from Niel Smith and 24 from Dexter Solomon. Left-arm spinner Anthony Adams (3-28), Troy Benn (2-15) and Kelvin Leitch (2-1) did the damage with the ball for the Lawmen who galloped to 138-4 from just 12.3 overs. Adams scored a quickfire 30 before Kelvin Leitch (40*) and Shaid Gittens (37*) completed the job with their unfinished 77-run fifth wicket stand as pacer Gilford Moore took 2-21 from three overs. In sweltering heat with white cotton wool-like clouds drifting lazily over the
Malteenoes sward, the lefthanded Leon Andrews (3) and Berbician Jomal Lafleur (12) put on 20 for the first wicket before LaFleur had his stumps scattered by Gittens. Sherwin McPherson had enough time to change uniforms before holding the catch at mid-on as Andrews skied Benn ‘miles’ into the air at 29-2. Benn then removed Berbician Kevin Ramdeen (8) while Akeem Hinds (9) soon departed before Marcus Watkins, who was just beginning to flow on 14 when he was run out by the length of the pitch as Solomon turned his back on his Skipper as Watkins struck the ball to mid-on and GDF had slipped to 62-5.
Solomon hit two fours and a six as he found his rhythm and along with Smith, one of the four Berbicians in the Army’s line-up, escaped from the shackles of the cops with 50-run partnership before Solomon was caught off Adams at 108-6. Leitch got rid of Berbician Romario Sheppard (9) and Jerimiah Harris (0) in quick succession before Smith, who reached the boundary twice and cleared it once, was removed by Adams as only four GDF batsmen managed double figures. Police began their run chase like a house on fire with McPherson dumping spinner Ravi Persaud for a colossal six and a couple of spanking fours before he was caught
behind. But the eventful over wasn’t finished as yet and Adams’s six meant it had cost 27 runs and produced a wicket. Andrew Lyght (1) was LBW to Moore, while Benn (5) was trapped in front to LaFleur and when Adams, who was dropped at mid-on on 21 off Moore, played a lawless swipe at Moore and was taken at third-man after hitting three fours and two sixes (61-4) in the sixth over as the soldiers were hoping that the reckless shot selections would continue. But that was not to be as the 100 was posted in the ninth over and all that was needed to see Police home was sensible batting, and that was exactly what Leitch and Gittens did.
Without sacrificing the big shots, the pair took the attack the bowlers with some crunching shots. Leitch savagely cut his former Bermine team-mate Sheppard, who bowled with some pace, for a couple of fours when he bowled short and when Persaud was switch to the Northern end, pulled him a brutal six and flicked off his legs next ball for four as the partnership flourished. Gittens was not to be overshadowed and greeted Smith with a pugnacious drive back past his ankles like a scud missile, while Leitch pivoted and pulled Smith for four when he insisted on bowling short on a slow track and finished the contest with another pull for two.
IPSC/Guyana NRA host 1st Level 1 Range Officers Seminar The first ever International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) / Guyana National Rifle Association (GNRA) Level 1, IPSC Range Officers (RO) Seminar commenced Friday afternoon and concluded yesterday at the Regency Suites, Hadfield Street, Georgetown. The seminar is being facilitated by Mr. Harold ‘ To p g u n ’ H o p k i n s o n , Regional Director for the International Practical Shooting Federation, IPSC. According to Hopkinson who participated in a similar seminar in Jamaica earlier this month, on the successful completion of this course, participants will be certified Level 1 Range Officers of the International Practical Shooting Confederation. This will make them eligible to be part of the world wide pool of Range O ff i c e r s . A f t e r g o i n g through training with a seasoned Range Officer, the successful participants will be competent to officiate at
IPSC Regional Director Harold Hopkinson with participants during the opening session of the Range Officers Seminar.
IPSC sanctioned matches, which would then enable them to gain points towards the Range Master and ultimately, Chief Range Officer’s status. The seminar
also touched on the 2015 Handgun Rules with a view of aiding in the members developing a comprehensive understanding of the IPSC principles. Certificates
were awarded to successful participants. Meanwhile, today, there will be a Secure Innovation and Concepts Inc. Level 1 IPSC Sanctioned Shoot at
the Timehri Ranges. This will be the second IPSC Level 1 Shoot at Timehri and will see prizes being awarded as follows: Open – 1st and 2nd for full blown
race guns; Standard 1st – 5th Modified production guns without electronic sights; non modified out of the box Production 1st - 5th, Junior Production 1st – 5th.
Sunday September 27, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 85
GCA/NBS second division tournament...
Wins for GNIC SC, GYO, GCC and UG By Zaheer Mohamed Guyana National Industrial Corporation SC (GNIC SC), Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO), Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) and University of Guyana (UG) recorded victories when the latest round of matches in the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)/New Building Society second division 40-over tournament concluded yesterday. At GNIC SC, the host overcame Third Class by 11 runs. GNIC posted 212 all out in 36.4 overs after they elected to bat. Ryan Shun struck thirteen fours in a top score of 62 and shared in a third wicket stand of 80 with Premchand Sookdeo who made 32. Jermaine Grovesnor scored 41 (5x4,1x6) and David Dick 17. Yuvindra Ramnanan, Martin Salik and Alvin Castello claimed two wickets each. Third Class threatened before they were bowled out for 201 in 38.4 overs. Castello led the chase with an attacking 74 which
Jermaine Grovesnor (left) and Ryan Shun. included thirteen fours and one six. Govindra Moniram made 27 and Ramnanan 25. Delory Charles, Orlando Fraser and Ken Alphonso captured two wickets apiece. At, Demerara Cricket Club, GYO got the better of Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) by 71 runs. Batting first after winning the toss, GYO managed 187 all out in 28 overs. Alex Ramalho
cracked 46 and Surendra Heeralall 39. Shafeek Ishmeal grabbed 4-49 while Imtiaz Pooran and Richard Latif had two each. MYO were bowled out for 116 in 23.5 overs. Ishmeal stroked 71; Trevon France and Divesh Ramjattan picked up three wickets apiece while Shane
Divesh Ramjattan (left) and Trevon France. Rekheram had 2-1. At Bourda, GCC thumped Diplomats by 178 runs. GCC took first strike and rattled up 270-9. Martin Pestano Belle slammed five fours in scoring 55, Elon Fernandes slammed 49 (6x4), Devon Lord 42 not out (5x4,1x6), Deonarine Seegobin 25 and Manny
Forde 24. E. Ali snared 2-32. Diplomats were sent packing for 98 in 26 overs in reply. Ali made 28 (2x4) and E. Sukrah 16. Ronaldo Ali Mohamed bagged 4-26 and Stephon Wilson 4-34. At Everest, UG defeated the home team by 58 runs. UG batted first and mustered 177 all out. Leon Williams
smashed 55 and Darnel Douglas 36. Everest were skittled for 119 in reply. Dennis Haywood and Pravindralall Persaud took two wickets each. The competition continues today with Transport SC facing Sophia at GNIC SC and Ace Warriors travelling to Malteenoes SC.
Lionel Messi out Hardaiow guides Everest Masters up to eight weeks to victory over Central Renegades with knee injury
Lionel Messi will be out for seven to 8 weeks after tearing a ligament in his left knee. (Getty Images) BBC Sport - Barcelona forward Lionel Messi will be out for seven to eight weeks after tearing a ligament in his left knee during a 2-1 win over Las Palmas. Messi, 28, was injured in the third minute of the match and was taken to hospital after being replaced. The Argentine is set to miss five La Liga games and three Champions League fixtures, but could return in time to face Real Madrid on 22 November. In his absence, Luis
Suarez scored twice as the champions beat Las Palmas. The former Liverpool striker rose superbly to head in Sergi Roberto’s cross and doubled the lead when he powerfully converted at the far post following Sergio Busquets’s dummy. Las Palmas forward Jonathan Viera reduced the deficit with a late strike, but Barca held on to return to the top of La Liga. Real Madrid can move back above their arch-rivals if they beat Malaga later.
Captain of victorious Everest Masters Rajesh Singh (left) accepts the trophy from Jameer Alli of Rockaway Auto Sale in the presence of team mates.
O
pener Sahadeo Hardaiow struck a fine 72 as host Everest Cricket Club Masters defeated the touring Central Renegades of Trinidad and Tobago by 62 runs in a T20 fixture Friday. Hardaiow hammered four fours and five sixes and shared in a first wicket stand of 115 with Shaheed Mohamed who made 51 as Everest posted a challenging 194-2, after they decided to bat. Mohamed hit seven fours while Hemraj Garbarran scored 36 not out with four fours and one six.
Central Renegades were restricted for 132-7 in reply. Narine Bidhesi top scored with 33 (2x4) while Matthiew Alexander and Anthony Rangoo made 13 and 12 respectively. Rajesh Singh grabbed 2-23 while Ravindra Seeram, Rohan Sarjoo, Rakesh Gangaram and Jameer Alli had one each. Sahadeo was given the man of the match award while Everest collected a trophy; both compliments of Trophy Stall Bourda Market. Managing Director of Rockaway Auto Sales Jameer Alli made several
monetary contributions to members of both teams on their outstanding performances. Meanwhile, Laluni overcame the Media XI by 13 runs in T20 match played earlier. Laluni batted first and scored 111-9. Colin Benn scored 36 not out (5x4,2x6) while Jevon Hector and Tethram Persaud made 15 each. Isaiah Jackman captured 3-22 and Rene Stoby 2-28. The Media XI responded with 984. Ravi Persaud cracked 31 (1x4,1x6), Jackman made 15 and Daniel Singh 13. Benn took 2-17.
t r o Sp
Alpha and Slingerz going after first win; GFC and Monedderlust stand in the way Dwayne Jacobs
Kithson Baines
Kevin Cottoy
Shad Fernandes
Former Guyana and WI ‘B’ Over sixteen player Leslaine Lambert countries invited recognised by RHTY&SC as Guyana hosts
Caribbean Boxing extravaganza
RHTYSC Executive Keith Hicks hands over award to Leslaine Lambert (2nd right) in presence of RHTYSC Mark Papannah (extreme left) and RHT IMC member Grey Butcher.
GT&T makes big input with $1M injection in Guyana Marathon
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