Weekend Mirror 31 December 2016 to 1 January 2017

31 December, 2016 - 1 January, 2017 / Vol. 9 No. 50 / Price: $100 Internet: http: //www.mirrornewsgy.com / e-mail: weekendmirror@gmail.com

Norwegian study says:

Amaila – the only realistic path SEE INSIDE

T

he Norwegian firm that conducted the study on the hydro-power potential in Guyana has concluded that the Amaila falls project initiated by the PP government is the “only realistic path for Guyana towards an emission free electricity sector is by developing its hydropower potential.

The fastest way forward is to maintain AFHP as the first major step for substituting its current oil fired generation”.

The APNU/AFC coalition government has shelved the project and while it has“confirmed its devotion” to the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), which was the brainchild of former President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, who introduced the revolutionary strategy in 2009, the updated version of which was confirmed in 2013.

This hypocritical stance by the Granger-led coalition Government was exposed in the final report on the Review of the Amaila falls Hydropower Project in Guyana – a 49-page document done by the Norwegian company, Norconsult, and which has been made public today.

Following is summary of the findings of the just concluded study: Since 2009 Norwegian International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI) has supported Guyana’s efforts for protecting its rainforest from exploitation and degradation and for changing its currently oil fuelled electricity sector to emission-free power generation.

As reward for Guyana’s endeavours to-

wards these goals, Norway in 2014 deposited US$80 million in the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) earmarked for Guyana’s equity share in Amaila Falls Hydropower Inc (AFHI), a Special Purpose Company for realising the 165 MW Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP) as a public/private partnership BOOT project supported by IDB. Sithe Global, the private partner and main sponsor in AFHI, withdrew from this position in August 2013 after the Guyanese National As-

sembly did not vote unanimously in favour of a proposition presented by Sithe Global for certain project features, including raising the ceiling for maximum annual payment by Guyana Power and Light (GPL) as power off-taker.

Thereafter, efforts continued, supported by IDB, to establish a new main sponsor in AFHI. This came to a standstill after a new coalition government created by the earlier opposition

parties took power after the parliamentary elections in May 2015.

The new government has confirmed its devotion to the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), which was introduced in 2009 by the former government and confirmed by its updated LCDS declaration in 2013. With the aim of finding a way forward for the transition of Guyana’s power generation system, Government of Guyana represented by the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Natural Resources and the Government of Norway represented by the Minister of Climate and Environment, decided in December 2015 to perform “an objective and factsbased” assessment of AFHP. On June 20th 2016 NORAD (Norwegian Agency for Development Co-operation), in support of NICFI signed an agreement with Norconsult for carrying out an initial analysis. Main conclusions and recommendations are presented below: The only realistic path for Guyana towards an emission free electricity sector is by developing its hydropower potential.

The fastest way forward is to maintain AFHP as the first major step for substituting its current oil fired generation.

AFHP was prioritised as the first hydropower plant because it was the only project with a full feasibility study completed, it has a higher plant load factor than the alternatives, a smaller reservoir and a levelised unit cost in the same (Turn to page 2)

The Road to Ruination: APNU+AFC Racial and Political Discrimination PAGE 3

Mike Persaud passes on

PAGE 4

APNU/AFC Government continues to lie About Amaila Falls

– should apologise to Norway for misrepresenting the Report PAGE 8

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WEEKEND MIRROR 31 DECEMBER, 2016 - 1 JANUARY, 2017

Minister apologises for “impotent” remarks against FITUG, GTUC

M

inister with responsibility for Labour, Keith Scott has expressed regret for his statement made about the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), and the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) during the debate on the estimates for the 2017 National Budget on December 20 in the National Assembly.

Minister Scott said, “I made the mistake, that statement is regrettable, I’m solely responsible for the statement being made. I take full responsibility for saying so, and it takes nothing out of me to say to FITUG, GTUC, media and to the citizens of

Guyana, that I’m sorry.”

Scott made his apology at a press conference today, in the presence of Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle, GTUC’s General Secretary, Lincoln Lewis and other members of FITUG and GTUC. FITUG and GTUC had called out the Government over remarks made by Minister Scott when he classified both bodies as being ‘virtually impotent’.

Scott made those assertions after being grilled

by Opposition Members of Parliament over his justification for allocating $24M to the little known ‘umbrella body’ Guyana National

Cooperative Union Limited (GNCUL), while FITUG and GTUC were only allocated $500,000 each.

Both Unions in a joint letter to Minister Scott said that his remarks were ‘distasteful and disturbing’ taking into consideration the importance of the labour movement and by extension workers of Guyana and were calling on the Minister to clarify/apologise, provided that his comments were not reflective of the Government’s position on the Trade Unions.

The joint letter to the Minister reads: We noted, with alarm, various media reports about,

Amaila – the only... range as the most attractive alternatives.

Amaila Falls alone cannot provide a 100% emission free power generation in Guyana.

Other generating sources will have to be added in parallel

like sun, wind and thermal production based on emission neutral fuel (bagasse) for back-up in the dry periods when the water flow to AFHP may be insufficient for full capacity operation.

(From page 1)

As the power demand is growing, and for reaching the goal of 100% emission free generation by 2025, as assumed by the LCDS, a second hydropower plant of capacity comparable with

what we strongly view as a most distasteful and disturbing remark, about our organisations – the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) and the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) – during the deliberations of the Committee of Supply in the Parliament on December 20, 2016.

This most incredulous labeling by you of our organisations as “impotent” begs the question whether this is the level of regard that the Government has for the labour movement and by extension the workers of Guyana.

As Minister, it is hoped it has not escaped atten-

tion that workers represent a most decisive force in our country. We wonder, whether your remark, as a representative of the Government, inadvertently conveys a clandestinely held view of the Administration with respect to the trade union movement.

The distasteful comment further opens speculation as to whether your utterance –which is clearly contemptuous of a major stakeholder in this society with a constitutional right to exist – has informed your Administration’s decision to dismantle the Ministry of Labour, which is relegated to a department, headed by

you.

We are disturbed by the continuous frontal attack on workers in view of their value to this nation’s development. For clearly a message is being sent by you, and it is hoped not representative of the Government, that there exists no regard for the workers of his country.

We call for clarification or an unequivocal apology if your utterance is not that of the Government’s position of the workers we represent, and where it may be important to remind you they pay your salary from their toil and sweat, and in many instances, are left with what is not adequate.

AFHP will have to be commissioned by 2025. In parallel with preparations for AFHP, therefore, prefeasibility studies will have to be carried out for promising candidates for the second hydropower project and a full feasibility study be performed for the selected candidate. The environmental and social impacts of AFHP are well established in the performed studies. No resettlement is required and there is limited human activity in the area directly affected by the project. About 23 km2 of rainforest is inundated by the power plant’s reservoir.

The live storage volume is small compared to the annual water flow and the plant will be operated mainly as a run-of-river plant with little impact on the downstream river hydrology, except for the about 4 km stretch of the river between the intake dam and the tailrace outlet from the powerhouse. The most serious threat to the environment that may result from the project is the access road, which is almost completed and has already, while the further progress of the project itself is uncertain, created easier access for mining and exploitation of the forest along its alignment. A strict control regime is required for obstructing such activities. It is important to take up again consultations with all affected parties as soon as resuming the project preparations.

Other hydropower plants that could have replaced AFHP as the first hydropower project to be implemented, would require 1-2 years of investigations and studies,

including environmental and social impact assessments meeting today’s standards, to reach an updated feasibility study stage comparable to AFHP. The first needed step for revitalising AFHP is decision by the Government to maintain AFHP as the priority project in the transition to a green generation regime, as recommended in the “Initial Study on System Expansion of the Generation & Transmission System” of 2014 and reiterated in “Guyana’s Power Generation System Study” of June 2016, and thereafter to resume the planning of Amaila Falls with political consensus and understanding with all stakeholders. It is our opinion that the BOOT type public private partnership model should be maintained for the project implementation. An internationally well merited investor and operator in the hydropower industry should be invited to take the majority position and the driving seat (main sponsor) in the project company. The main sponsor and the EPC Contractor should not be associated in any way. By restructuring the financial model, the risk for Guyana’s economy can be reduced.

The annual payments from GPL may possibly be reduced by 20%, which are significantly lower than the current fuel costs paid by GPL for its oil fuelled generation. The risk to Guyana’s economic stability would be at the same level with other projects generating the same amount of energy, as the investment would be of a similar magnitude. It is our opinion that the EPC tenders

from 2008 are outdated and need to be replaced by a new EPC tender process. Before that, certain technical features of the project should be reviewed and the EPC tender documents be updated. In order to save time this work should be done in parallel with identifying and assigning a new main sponsor. To get on with these activities GOG will need continued support by IDB, or a similar institution, and Guyana Light and Power will need technical and management support by a highly qualified engineering company with extensive experience from the international hydropower industry. If later agreed between the parties, the same engineering company may continue in a role as independent engineer in the relation between GOG/GLP and the new main sponsor.

We may suggest that the cost for buying out Sithe Global from the project company and expenses for services by an engineering company engaged for support until a new main sponsor is established, are covered from a portion of the US$ 80 million deposit in IDB for later being turned into equity contribution from GOG to the project company. Our estimate is that 3 years will be required from a decision is taken to resume project preparation for AFHP until Financial Close and Notice to Commence to the EPC Contractor.

From this point in time, we estimate another 3.5 years for construction until start commercial operation of Amaila Falls Hydropower Project.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 31 DECEMBER, 2016 - 1 JANUARY, 2017

The Road to Ruination: APNU+AFC Racial and Political Discrimination

By Donald Ramotar

G

uyana is a multi-racial/ multi-ethnic country.

For it to progress and reach its full potential, it has to be managed in the interests of all its people. To do otherwise is surely a clear-cut path on the road to ruination.

We don’t have to look far for examples of this.

Our own experiences under the PNC regime are enough to tell us that following that course is a recipe for destruction.

It should be recalled that when the PNC took power in 1964, Guyana (then British Guiana), was one of the most developed colonies in the Caribbean, English speaking and others.

By 1992, when the PNC was removed from power, we were the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.

This was the conclusion drawn by the McIntyre Commission.

The reason for that were the unprincipled policies of the then undemocratic government (rigged elections, etc) and massive racial and political discrimination.

Even though this is our sordid history, the APNU+AFC regime has chosen to go down that path again.

Sometime in mid-December 2016, the media reported that was regime was planning to expend US$12.4M to upgrade ‘neglected villages.’ The funds would be coming from the Caribbean Development Bank.

The villages identified for this project are overwhelmingly Afro-Guyanese populated communities – Mocha Arcadia, Beterverwagting/Triumph, Buxton and Ithaca.

This is clearly another naked act of racism being practiced by this regime. It is a continuation of what is clearly a conscious, deliber-

Here are some facts: Golden Grove/Victoria

1.) Rehabilitation of 12,000 rods or 27.2 miles of drainage and irrigation channels.

2.) Rehabilitation of Golden Grove Pump Station 3.) Rehabilitation of Victoria Pump Station (One of the three pumps were inoperable since the 1980’s) 4.) Maintenance of 27 miles of channels using the establish management of Water Users Associations (WUA) and Community Development Councils (CDCs).

Den Amstel/Fellowship

1.) Rehabilitation of 8,000 rods (18.1 miles) of canals and drains, grading and shaping of 5 miles of access dams.

2.) Rehabilitation of 6 irrigation structures.

3.) Maintenance of 8 miles of channels using the establish management of Water Users Associations (WUA) and Community Development Councils (CDC).

Buxton/Friendship

1.) Rehabilitation of Buxton East Sideline, West Sideline and Irrigation Canal amounting to 4,500 rods (10.2 miles).

2.) Rehabilitation of Friendship East Sideline, West sideline and Irrigation Canal. Also, the Navigation canal was excavated a total of 4,000 rods.

3.) A drainage mobile pump was installed in Buxton in 2006.

4.) A new Drainage Sluice was completed in 2014 to drain Buxton pump Basin.

5.) The PPP GOG placed some 45 CDIP workers to clean and maintain village drains in addition to the NDC subvention and allocation coming from the RDC and NDIA. 6.) The entire crown dam and three (3) irrigation structures were rehabilitated.

BV/Triumph

1.) The entire drainage and irrigation system in BV/Triumph was rehabilitated in 2007/2008 using GOG and hired equipment - a total of 4,600 (10.4 miles) rods of canals and drains.

3.) The Triumph pump station was repaired and maintained with dredging of basin and installation of new sluice door in 2009.

Mocha Arcadia

1.) The entire primary drainage and irrigation system (4,100 rods or 9.3 miles)) in the Village of MOCHA was rehabilitated including the main No. 3 drainage canal. Also, two CDC groups were formed and handed all the maintenance contracts to clean the channels monthly.

2.) The only village on the east bank of Demerara to have a drainage pump installed to supplement the village’s drainage is mocha.

Ithaca

1.) The main drainage canal and sluice was rehabilitated in 2008/2009.

ate policy of discrimination against Indo-Guyanese.

During the period of the PPP/C in office, the then government spent a lot of money on improving the life of all communities/villages, regardless of ethnic makeup. It had set up a joint committee with the PNC to ensure that no discrimination would be practiced in the allocation of resources.

Despite all the charges made against the PPP/C administration, no evidence has to date been produced of a policy of racial discrimination against villages.

As part of the Agriculture Support Services Project, the following areas benefitted from full drainage and rehabilitation programmes, but were not mentioned by the APNU/AFC Government.

This is why under an earlier PPP government (1957-1964), our country made huge leaps forward.

With the PPP/C in office from 1992-2015, our country moved from being described as a ‘basket case’ to being viewed as the fastest growing economy in the region. We moved from being a Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) to a Middle Income developing Country (MIDC).

Both the PPP government of 1957-1964 and the PPP/C government of 19922015, managed to make these achievements under very difficult conditions and an active policy of sabotage by the PNC and PNC-led APNU+AFC. The reason the PPP was able to accomplish those feats was because we refused to be diverted from the democratic path and never practiced racial nor political policies. The PPP and the PPP/C never had any such policies.

The same cannot be said about the PNC-led APNU+AFC. From the moment they took power, less than two

years ago they began a purge of Indo-Guyanese from the public service.

This is still ongoing and Indo-Guyanese’s presence in the public service is at one of the lowest levels ever, and continues to decline.

Indo-Guyanese are hardly being employed too. Less than 5% of the persons being hired as contract workers or in the traditional public service are Indo-Guyanese.

Also, judging from the photograph published in the newspapers of the first batch of trainees admitted for the public service training centre, approximately 2% are Indo-Guyanese. This means that if this regime stays in office by 2020, Indo-Guyanese presence in the public service will be non-existent.

This racist policy is also seen in the regime’s attitude to the sugar and rice industries. These sectors are perceived to be dominated by mainly Indo-Guyanese and the regime’s seems determined to destroy these people’s livelihood.

They have shut down Wales Estate and they have not denied that Rose Hall Estate is their next target.

Recall, too, that they have not lifted a finger to assist the rice industry. In fact, instead of helping, they took away the duty-free and VAT-free concessions that the PPP/C had granted to farmers and millers purchasing equipment.

Under the PPP/C, government scholarships were fairly and evenly distributed and public meetings were held with students going abroad to study. Even the

blind could have seen the fairness in the granting of scholarships.

This regime has never published a list of those persons granted government scholarships. Why? The only reason is that it is skewed against Indo-Guyanese.now the regime is moving to discriminate against villages where Indo-Guyanese live.

All the villages on Guyana’s coastland are approximately at the same level of development. The Ministry of Local Government has all the information the National Drainage & Irrigation Authority (NDIA) can also substantiate this.

Therefore, the attempt by the regime to describe Mocha, Beterverwagting/ Triumph, Buxton and Ithaca as ‘neglected communities’ is dishonest and aims to perpetuate racial discrimination.

President Granger, is a historian by training, but he seems not have learnt the lesson of the PNC government from 1964-1992, i.e., in a multi racial/multi-cultural society such as ours, it is impossible to discriminate against one section of society in order to promote another section. This will eventually harm all sections of our society.

This is a disastrous path to follow, The regime has done very little to halt the policy of racial and political discrimination. It still has a little time to change.

Failing to change its racial line will lead to the ruination of this land.

PPP HOTLINE

Our valuable supporters and friends please call our hotline number 225-4279 and give us all important information.

Pensioners please inform us about any issues you may have in respect to you getting your well deserved pensions.

Further, let us know about the issues you are having in respect to your ID cards. Do not hesitate to speak to our activists and leaders in your communities. Call 225-4279.

The PPP will always represent you.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 31 DECEMBER, 2016 - 1 JANUARY, 2017

Grassroots Talk

By Jagnarine Somwar

A

s we enter the New Year this week-end, this column and the Grassrooters would like to take this opportunity in wishing our readers, comrades and friends and families, along with all Guyana, a Prosperous, Progressive and Successful 2017.

The festive season reached us at a difficult time, with the Coalition Government imposing almost 200 additional taxes on the nation, including VAT on electricity and water, two of the most basic necessities of a comfortable life.

As preparation was at its peak to enjoy and celebrate a true Guyanese Christmas, with the usual pepperpot, garlic pork and black cake with gingerbeer, the rains came on Christmas Eve, and within a few hours, the entire City of Georgetown and the Coastland was under water.

The Guyanese nation are a people of determination, resilience and endurance who would prevail under extreme difficult conditions and circumstances but when businesses, farms and other cultivation lands, livestock and households suffer immense damages because of a negligent Government who cannot manage basic drainage and irrigation systems in a land that is below sea level, then much is left to be desired.

Hundreds of millions of taxpayers’ dollars were used in a haphazard manner to clean and beautify the Garden City for the 50th Independence celebration, yet within a few hours of rain, the entire City was submerged with knee high water that was mixed with the sewer waste and filth from the clogged gutters.

What would have happened if the PPP Government hadn’t provided pumps, excavators, tractors and trailers and other machinery to assist in drainage and irrigation and garbage collection and disposal?

This Coalition Government is incapable of handling and managing the relevant authorities and systems

that were created by the former administration, especially during disasters like these.

Opposition Leader, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo and the PPP General Secretary, Clement Rohee, were the first to wade the flooded waters to visit areas in Georgetown in a bid to assess the situation and spoke to residents and business persons about the damages/losses they suffered.

There has also been flooding in residential and agricultural areas of Regions 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, with many homes and businesses severely affected in South Georgetown, Cummingsburg, Alberttown, Bel Air, Newtown Kitty, Regent Street, Main Street and Turkeyen.

Coastal villages areas such as Lima, sections of Heneritta and Hampton Court, Capoey, Land of Plenty in Region 2; Canals Polder and Goed Fortuin in Region 3; and residential and agricultural areas of Anns Grove/Two Friends, Cane Grove, Good Hope, Mon Repos, Lusignan, Foulis within Region 4 were also affected with flood waters.

In Region 5, several communities were severely affected and some farmers in the Region have reported damage to cash crops and livestock.

The affected areas include: Blairmont; Rosignal NDC area; Bel Air & Woodlands Farm NDC areas; Number7 Back Street; Bath Woodley Park NDC area; Bush Lot NDC area; Number 28 and Number 29 Villages; Hopetown, Seafield/ Tempie NDC area; and Profit/ Rising Sun NDC area . In Region 6, New Amsterdam Town; Number 52 to 74 residential villages; Rose Hall ( residential area); and several villages along Central Corentyne were affected.

On the Coastal Plain, the PPP appointed Regional Chairman were out in the fields monitoring the situation and mobilizing machinery and labour to carry out emergency works.

Dr. Jagdeo has called on the Government to implement every

measure necessary, to bring immediate relief to those affected, by ensuring that steps are taken to minimize damages and losses to property, livestock and agricultural crops. He had also urged the Government to pay special attention to the rising water levels in the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC), which was reported to be above 57 GD level, as well as the Boerasirie Conservancy.

He has said that the Mahaica and Mahaicony Creeks, Pomeroon River and other inland areas, should also receive attention, since backwater flows can result in downstream flooding, which is the predominant trend in riverain areas.

Dr. Jagdeo noted that the defective sluices and silted outfall channels in drainage polders such as Capoey, Cozier, Three Friends, Letter Kenny and Borlam must be urgently addressed and operationalized, as well as those on the East Coast of Demerara, Georgetown and other areas, as necessary.

Only after the Party, through its Chairman, had started to put arrangements in place to address the flooding situation, were a couple of Government Ministers and the Mayor of Georgetown seen walking the ground and making promises to address the problems.

Commercial activities were dealt a hard blow, for the people that would normally crowd the shopping centres and municipal market places were detained either because of the depth of water through which they would have had to wade, posing great risk to their health; or the limited availability of transportation, since many motorists parked their vehicles for fear of getting water into their engines.

So deep was the inundation on roadways that a few motor cars broke down and were left at the roadside, their engines badly affected by the water.

Last Friday’s flash floods are a stark reminder to citizens about the effects of climate change; the need for officials to always maintain

our drainage structures and also to the government that despite its earlier pronouncements about the effectiveness of the city clean-up exercise, we are not yet out of the woods.

There is a fourth element in all of this, the unreliability of the country’s hydro meteorological service.

Enough has been said over the years about the city’s drainage system and its weaknesses, but unless we fix the weather forecast department, the calamity of the floods will continue to happen.

Mr. Nagamootoo stated that the “HydroMet Service’s forecast of “scattered showers” Thursday evening and “occasional showers” early Friday morning were misleading and left citizens without accurate information, allowing them to take the necessary precautions and allowing agencies to act pre-emptively.”

He insisted that this situation of the HydroMet Office not forewarning citizens of flooding has existed for several years and most recently, there were episodes in December 2014 and June 2015.

He cautioned: “Floods cause economic dislocation, damage and losses and the HydroMet Office cannot afford to be casual about these matters.”

It is common knowledge that when flood waters come, business owners are forced to shut down their operations and engage their staff and additional hired help in cleanup activities. Critical business hours are lost, profits are diminished.

These have knock-on effects on the local economy, which for the most part is not analysed, to understand the real impact of any flood.

Cumulatively however, one could say tens of millions of dollars would have to be expended on cleaning detergents and agents, buckets, mops, and sponges; labour alone is a modest estimate.

This does not include the man hours and profits lost, the business disrupted, the additional electricity and water used in the clean-up exercises among other economic

considerations. Add to that the closure of schools, the banking sector disrupted, city transportation in gridlock, work at the wharves grinding to a halt, market operations hampered, virtually every aspect of life suffered.

Then there are the health effects.

Many persons, particularly children, may suffer from diarrhea and similar communicable and water-borne diseases caused by them being exposed to the unsanitary flood waters. Apart from these persons not being able to attend school and work during their period of illness, they required medication and treatment, causing a strain on the health sector.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo had acknowledged the suffering of Guyanese through their losses and discomfort anytime it floods in the City and the Coastlands, however he is deemed on blaming the Hydro meteorological office for inconclusive and inaccurate weather reports, but should note that regardless of the reports the Government must always have systems in place to deal with the eventuality of flooding and means to avert the situation.

What about compensation for those that suffered damages and losses?

It is hoped that the weather pattern will changed for the New Year so all could start preparatory arrangements for the customary Old Years Night Cook-up. Whilst some would be attending mass others would auger in the New Year with Parties.

Although the Grassrooters will welcome 2017 with pomp and all the traditional means of joy and splendour, they would be doing it cautiously, as 2017 would be a difficult year for all Guyana.

Our resolution for 2017 would be to remain steadfast and continue our struggle to limit the Coalition Government to, not more than one term in Office, so we could continue the development of a progressive and prosperous Guyana.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Mike Persaud passes on

By Neil Kumar

M

ike Persaud who passed away last week was a genuine party activist, a dedicated and loyal party member.

Mike Persaud was born in Richmond village, Essequibo Coast. After he completed his secondary education he worked as teacher. At a very young age he joined the Progressive Youth Organization, youth arm of the People’s

Progressive Party.

He attended the party’s Ideological school ,Accabre College. After Mike completed the basic course he was selected to go to the advance Accabre course, where he excelled.

Mike was then employed with the Party as an Organiser on the EssequiboCoast. In 1975 he was selected to go on a PPP scholarship to study in Moscow. Leader of that batch of students was another

stalwart, Navin Chanderpal.

After a highly successful stint in Moscow, Mike returned to Guyana where he continued to work with our party’s headquarters, Freedom House as office manager. He also served as General Manager of the New Guyana Co. Ltd. He was later appointed as a Regional Democratic Councilor in Region #4. In 1994 when we had the first and genuine free and fair

Local Government Elections in Guyana, Mike Persaud was elected as Chairman of one of the biggest and most prominent Neighbourhood Democratic Councils, The Better Hope / LBI NDC. Mike was a good Chairman, very effective and got things done for his community.

Mike was indeed a social worker of the highest class.

For many of us who knew Mike well will remember him as a vey jovial person and

was always good company.

He was a role model of a father. He was extremely proud of his only child ‘Jaclyn’ Persaud. He was elated when she won a place to go to Bishop High school. He was proud of her performance. Mike was indeed a father who did his best for his daughter’s education. She is now married and resides overseas and continues to study.

His daughter revealed that genuine love and ap-

preciation for her father as she was quick to say what a loving and caring father Mike Persaud was. As his family, friends and comrades bid him farewell, we will all remember him as a real Party Comrade. Mike’s death brought hundreds of people together, and those paying respects were PPP General Secretary, Clement Rohee, and the former President and Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo.

Getting It Right

WEEKEND MIRROR 31 DECEMBER, 2016 - 1 JANUARY, 2017

By Dr. Bheri Sygmond Ramsaran

A Successful Party Congress

T

he 31st Congress of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) was held under the theme “Strengthen the Party. Defend Democracy. Onward to Victory.”

The Congress was held from 1December 17-19 and participants travelled literally from all corners of the country to the Congress venue.

Congress -- the highest decision-making forum of the Party -- was held at the Cotton Field Secondary School, located on the Essequibo coast. This is the second time in the past decade that this school hosted the Party Congress.

The Congress venue is located in the heartland of one of the major rice-producing areas of the country. The downturn in the fortunes of rice farmers and the rice industry has been highlighted in the recent Budget Speech and Budget Debates recently concluded in Parliament.

The current plight of the industry attracted discussions in the relevant sessions of Congress.

The highlight of the 31st Congress was the Central Committee Report, which was presented by General-Secretary, Clement Rohee, the address by the Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, and the election of members of the Central Committee (CC) and recognition of Party veterans.

Delegates came from all over. However, the large Amerindian representation was particularly noticeable and outstanding. The Amerindian members came predominantly from areas heavily populated by our indigenous peoples.

Region Nine was by far the most heavily represented.

That Regional contingent of Delegates totalled some 250, while numerous old and tried stalwarts were among them, the youthful faces predominated. This is a most heartening indicator.

This is tangible evidence that not only is the Party well represented and active in hinterland communities as demonstrated by the large Amerindian contingent, but the youth and energy of the Amerindian delegates demonstrated its relevance and adaptability. Other sizable Amerindian delegations came from Regions One, Two Seven and Eight. The presence of such a large representation of Amerindians from far flung villages across the interior of the country was a significant logistical challenge.

The Congress Committee did a fine job providing for their comfort and full participation. One special invitee from the Diaspora remarked “This is an Amerindian Congress”.

The Congress Delegates and Observers organized themselves into smaller “working groups” to discuss the Central Committee’s Report presented by General Secretary, Clement James Rohee.

These groupings of Delegates and Observers are referred to as “Congress Workshops”. There were seven “Congress Workshops” namely: Party Organization, Economic Situation, Political and Parliament, Local Government, International Situation, Youth and Party and Amerindian Affairs. These “workshops” are a standard feature of every Congress.

The “workshops” are sub-groups of Congress Delegates and Observers which are formed following the presentation of the main Congress Document - the Central Committee Report. The detailed, free and open discussions occur, in the main, at these “workshops” and are followed by conclusions and recommendations which are presented to the Congress Plenary Session which follows.

The Central Committee Report itself is a product of monu-

mental consultations and discussions from the grass-root level to the leadership levels over a protracted period of almost one year. The Plenary session which received the reports from the seven workshops itself turned out to be quite robust.

The Congress was attended by some 800 Delegates and 250 Observers. Several Diaspora groups attended and participated in the 31st Party Congress. The Diaspora groups are critical to the fund-raising activities of the Party.

But more importantly, to mobilizing influential international partnerships to support the Party’s political and Parliamentary agendas. These groups were vital in mobilizing international support in the pre 1992 era and their individual members possess enormous experience that will be very useful in this current period of the Party in the Opposition. Congress is the supreme authority of the Party and is convened by the Central Committee at least once every three years.

However, the Congress may be postponed by the Central Committee for not more than one year at a time by a vote of two-thirds of the members present and voting at the meeting at which the resolution to postpone is proposed. The agenda of the 31st Congress was circulated to all Party Groups and Bodies at least six weeks before Congress. This allowed for full preparation of hundreds of Party Groups across the country.

The Congress is mandated to: a. to receive the Report of the Central Committee and other Party Bodies and decide whether to accept or reject them. b. to review, amend and endorse the Constitution and Programme of the Party, if necessary. c. to determine the general policy and tactics of the Party in relation to national and international issues. d. to elect by secret ballot a Central Committee, the number of Members and Candidate Members of which shall be determined by Congress. Nominations for members and candidate members of the Central Committee must be submitted at least two weeks before Congress. Party members of less than five consecutive yeas immediately preceding the date of

5

Congress standing up to the commencement of the Congress and who do not belong to a group shall not be eligible for election as members or candidate members of the Central Committee. Party members who are or were members of the Central Committee shall not be entitled to be nominated as Candidate Members.

The 31st Congress brought together hundreds of Delegates and Observers drawn from all ten (10) Administrative Regions of Guyana as well as a number of overseas groups.

135 persons competed for the thirty-five (35) seats on the Central Committee. Eighty (80) persons contested for the five (5) seats of Candidate Members to the Central Committee.

Several members of fraternal Diaspora groupings participated in the Opening and the work of the Congress.

The participation of the overseas groups is a long and cherished tradition of the Party. It is an expression of the Party’s continuous transnational operations which sees it firmly connected and close to the Guyanese Diaspora. The Diaspora was critical to the victory of the PPP-lead pre-1992 struggle for the restoration of free and fair elections and democracy in Guyana.

This victory brought an end to a quarter of a century of rigged and fraudulent elections under Forbes Burnham and the PNC. The continuing support by the Diaspora in the struggle to resist current creeping efforts to re-impose those dark days will now be similarly critical.

The Parliamentary Agenda and Parliamentary Strategy of the Party, too, generated much deliberation at Congress. The decisions and recommendations coming out of the workshop on Local Government is expected to engage the attention of the new Central Committee in a big way. Those discussions by the new Central Committee will be conducted against the background of the just concluded Budget Debate.

The draconian nature of the tax-laden, anti-working people Budget for 2017 will no doubt influence discussions and present challenges to create a balanced response in defense of the economic and social gains achieved under the PPP/C Administration.

The “Youth Factor” will, by all indications, be closely intertwined with these deliberations of the new Central Committee.

The ongoing review of the General Elections and the Local Government elections analyses and reviews at every level of the Party - from Group through District and Regional levels up to the full Central Committee - all raised concerns relating to the “Youth Factor” and the perceived susceptibility of our youth to new approaches (eg Social Media) and the urgent need for the Party to recalibrate its own interactions with this key sub-population group.

Several “new” and young faces have been elected to join the Central Committee which emerges out of this 31st Congress.

We expect robust and informed debate and deliberations on this and other matters as the process of “greening” the leadership continues seamlessly after the 31s Congress.

The newly elected members of the incoming Central Committee are expected to convene for the first time within a week or two. One of the main agenda items will be the election of the General Secretary and the fifteen-person Executive Committee (ExCo).

Former President Donald Ramotar New Year’s Message

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wish to extend best wishes to all Guyanese for the New Year 2017.

The year 2016 was indeed a very challenging one for the Guyanese people. The gains that were made by our country during the various terms that the PPP/C government was in office are being eroded by the PNC-led APNU+AFC regime.

These reversals will begin to impact heavily on the quality of life of all Guyanese in 2017. The addition of 14% VAT on essential food items (which were zero-rated by the PPP/C administration) will certainly impact on the cost of living.

VAT charges on water and elec-

tricity bills are also going to impact heavily on ordinary Guyanese people and on businesses.

The adding of VAT on machinery and equipment in the agriculture and mining sectors will increase the cost of production, resulting in a negative impact on competitiveness with other businesses.

These can lead to more dismissals of our workers. During 2016, hundreds of persons lost their jobs in the sugar and forestry sectors and in 2017, more persons will be dismissed.

With no policy being implemented by the regime to assist these industries, we can expect these problems to grow.

All sections of our society must express their views publicly and oppose the anti-worker, anti-business and generally anti-people budget measures by this regime in the coming year.

We must together defend our democracy, struggle to maintain openness and free speech in Guyana.

These are essential to social and economic progress in our country.

While we take some time off to welcome the new year, let us resolve to work together towards a better and safer Guyana.

Happy New year to the Guyanese nation!!

6

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WEEKEND MIRROR 31 DECEMBER, 2016 - 1 JANUARY, 2017

Local Government and You!

his being the final edition of this column for the year 2016, we take the opportunity to wish all readers, our comrades and friends throughout Guyana and the Diaspora, a Happy New Year and a Prosperous and Progressive 2017.

Indeed, 2017 will be very challenging, given the framework established through the extreme and conflicting budgetary measures imposed by the APNU/AFC Government on our citizens.

There will be significantly increased pressure on the poor, through the imposition of increases in approximately 200 additional taxes, including VAT on water and electricity for the first time.

We could also expect the closure and/or downscaling of major productive entities as the incentives previously provided have been unwisely taken away.

Despite the expectation of tremendous hardships foisted on our nation, the Guyanese creativity, collective strength, cooperation and resilience will be necessary to overcome the survival struggle.

Our people have their own individual as well as our country’s destiny to mould!

As such, we should never become susceptible to the trickery and witchery of the APNU+AFC government by allowing them continuously to cajole and threaten them into believing, again, based on the deceptive promises they made to the nation.

Their lies in acquiring the votes and support in the 2015 General and Regional Elections, now are being absolutely confirmed with a harder life instead of a good life. It is very clear that the policies they have implemented target the enrichment of a few at the expense of the nation.

By now, every Guyanese and the ABC countries are aware that GECOM’s inept performance, was a contributing factor towards the Coalition being in power today. The GECOM Chairman allowed fake Statements of Poll in the system and when it became knowledgeable by the Chief Elections Officer, who brought same to the attention of the Chairman, nothing was done towards investigating the source of the fake Statements of Poll.

Dr.Surujbally said that no investigation was necessary without evidence. A kindergarten student would tell you

that most evidence is derived through investigations.

Dr.Surujbally insulted the intelligence of the Guyanese electorates. His actions could have resulted in major and deeper catastrophic consequences, and no other Commissioner’s resignation was more welcomed.

Albeit, it came against the backdrop of sustained pressure and constant picketing by the PPP/C and other stakeholders. The hard work and consistent struggle has paid dividend and the haughty Chief, who was responsible for the questionable and illegal results of the 2015 Regional and General Elections, is now gone.

However, he would be remembered in the annals of this country’s history as the worst serving Chairman of GECOM, making Harold Bollers looked like an angel.

We all know that Mr. Bollers was Chairman of GECOM when the most blatant of rigging of elections in Guyana took place under the Burnham and Hoyte regimes.

Nevertheless, this column wishes Dr.Surujbally

the best in his future endeavours and hopes that, as he relaxes into retirement, he is not spared the torment of reminiscing the woes he brought to the people of this country, through the last Regional and General elections he managed in Guyana.

The search for a new Chairman of GECOM is ongoing, with the Leader of the Opposition submitting six names, after consultation with more than thirty entities, bodies and organisations.

It is the responsibility of the President or the Head of State to reject or choose one as the next Chairman of GECOM. These esteemed persons represent a wide cross section of the Guyanese public, as made known by the nominators of those persons.

It is hoped that this process would conclude very early in the New Year to enable GECOM to continue its work as mandated by the Constitution, at present and since mid-August the work of GECOM had been stagnated at the Commission

level, with no meetings and no responsible decisions taken to enhance the work at that institution.

In the interest of Guyana’s continued development, the categorical rejection of APNU/AFC’s imposed hardships must be legal, measured and structured.

At the local government level, the Internal Elections have concluded, with the PPP having the control of fifty of the seventy-one Local Authority Areas, winning 48 at the Local Government Election in 2016 and maintained control at the Internal Elections.

It is a clear statement of the people and an acceptable demonstration of rejecting government’s uncaring approach.

However, there are still unresolved issues in respect to two of the tied Local Authority Areas, with one, the Municipality of Mabaruma remained tied and the Minister of Communities prevented internal elections at two in Region 5, namely Bel Air/ Woodlands and Woodlands/ Farm Neighbourhood Demo-

cratic Councils.

Minister Bulkan, who usually finds comfort in quoting sections of the Local Government Act, Chapter 28:02, has violated the Constitution and the same Act that give guidance to the administration and function of the Local Authority Areas by not allowing the internal elections for the two Neighbourhood Democratic Councils in Region # 5, when the other five tied Local Authority Areas have had internal elections.

Shame on you, Minister Bulkan!

Further, at the Municipality of Rose Hall (constituency#7),where there was a tie during the Local Government Elections in March 2016, still no effort has been made to resolve the “Tie” as outlined in the Local Government Act, Chapter 28:02. Since nothing is being done by the Minister of Communities and Coalition Government to resolve this issue, this column views the deliberate inaction as an attack on democracy on the local front.

So much for inclusiveness and governance at the grassroot level, as been preached by the Coalition Government!

The Coalition boasted of conducting Local Government Election in its first year in Government, but failed to accept and take responsibility for an inconclusive Local Government Election.

Readers must be reminded of the deliberate absence of the Local Government Commission which, after 8 months, has not been activated despite the fact that PPP submitted the names of its three nominees over 6 months ago.

The establishment of the Local Government Commission was one of the critical Coalition Manifesto Plans. After 20 months in Government, however, the people are still awaiting its establishment, a promise that should have been fulfilled in their first 100 days.

Activate the Local Government Commission NOW! (This article is produced by Mr. Neil Kumar, Mr. S and Mr. A)

Moment in History

Opening of Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Berbice.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 31 DECEMBER, 2016 - 1 JANUARY, 2017

January 1 - The defeat of the Batistano dictatorship in Cuba

By Eddi Rodney

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017 will mark the completion of 60 years since the initial foray and base consolidation in the Sierra Maestra of the July 26 Cuban guerilla led

by Fidel Castro, Raul Castro and Ernesto Guevara.

Last November Commander Fidel Castro died aged 90 when he was no longer head of state but as resolute, as articulate and insightful as he was when his column of fighters engaged with the imperialist supported army of General Fulcengio Batista and emerged victorious.

But the victory of the Revolution sealed on January 1 after Batista flew out from Havana’s Camp Colombia on New Year’s Eve was the culmination of a process, a historical process that equated the reformists of the ‘gobenacion’ (reforms to maintain political neocolonial status with United States imperi-

alism) as one factor, and the more popular ‘revolutionists’ programmed to create the political conditions for national liberation.

The Pseudo Republic, Dictatorship, Tokenism and La Frutera This year it should be recalled will be 50 years since the death of Ernesto Che Guevara – killed by a Central Intelligence Agency counter insurgency operative in a hamlet in the Bolivian hamlet of La Higuera.

It is a daunting task to gauge the Cuban complexity and state system without a necessary historical and class structuration of late 19th into 20th century developments.

And even at this qualitative level there would have to be some analysis of the external issues that determined American intervention into Cuba’s national and provincial life and society.

Indeed revolutionary movements, or ‘accion grou-

po’ (Action Groups) occupied with the island’s national liberation through non electoral methods initially began with the establishment of Jose Marti who was the leader of Cuba’s Independence movement and formed a political party – the Cuban Revolutionary Party, (PRC) in the early 1890s.

The PRC vision was Cuba Libre (Cuba Free) of Spanish domination in any form.

Less than three decades later when US imperialism had become entrenched in Cuba there was the establishment of what was known as the ABC, a formation of revolutionaries committed to armed struggle against the agents and lackeys of the then Machado regime (1922-1933) radical anti-dictator student entity that coalesced with other intelectuals and humanists known as La Organisation Cellilar Radical Revolutionaria (OCRR).

The OCRR was opposed

to any engagement with the liberal bourgeois political class, and expressed disdain for the corrupt and often anachronistic National Assembly.

These movements functioned during the decades when Fidel Castro would have been a preteen and that would have been up until the mid or late 1930s, during the presidency of Franllin D Roosevelt and the installation of an interim provisional government controlled by Union Nacionalista figurehead, Senor Carlos Mendieta and former Cuban army Sergeant (soon promoted to Colonel Fulgencio Batista in 1934.

These decades were part of the crisis known as the Depression.

This pro Imperialist regime was closely identified with La Frutera (United Fruit), the largest and most powerful sugar mills corporation, by Cuba Sugar as well as the American owned banks and other investments across the island.

The socio economic system interlocked with politics. Many educated sectors viewed political activism as

the only way to secure gainful employment. Perhaps a variation of the PNC party card paramountcy under LFS Burnham and his successor.

Fidel Castro was to that extent radicalized by these 1930s to 1950s developments.

Trade union federations and syndicates were established and 100s of thousands of workers joined Obreras associations.

The Victory over the dictatorship

There are several accounts of the Cuban Revolution led by the July 26 ‘brigadistas’ and guerillas. Amongst these are the Monthly Review publication, The Cuban Revolution by Baran and Sweezy; Cuba-An-American Tragedy; by Sweezy and Zeitlin; Cuba – Anatomy of a Revolution by Huberman and Sweezy (Monthly Review Press) and The Economic Transformation of Cuba by Edward Boorstein – all in English with limited Spanish translations.

However, it ought to be consciously understood that although the Platt Treaty had been abrogated decades

earlier, US State Department interests sought to protect and guarantee the interests of United Fruit, the American Sugar Company, Texaco, Standard Oil and Shell in sugar and oil distributions.

Elsewhere in the extractive sector Bethlehem Steel and Rockfeller interests in nickel and salt petre were significant.

The Fidelistas therefore recognized that the guerilla struggle had to be conducted based on a programme of creating a popular mass sustained uprising against armed tyranny.

It would be interesting to know to what extent American properties and/or citizens were jeopardized before Batista fled the island.

So when Che Guevara led his column to the army base at La Cabana on January 2 after marching from Santa Clara, the insurgency attained its revolutionary seizure of power over the pseudo republic References ● Cuba since 1959 - Prof James Millete, UNIP publication; Dec., 1973. ● Profile of a Revolution, Miramar Havana.

The Caribbean Voice Inspired Awards and Tributes

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rdinary Guyanese folk, especially those who have participated in the country’s community service sector in some formalist way over the decades, should support and embrace the concept of the El Dorado Award as expounded

by Caribbean Voice and its mentors.

However a scan of the recently published listing or innovation of the awards schedule (SN December 19) reveals a sharp under-value of the Guyanese humanitarian experience, and indeed the socialisation process that corresponds to Counselling and Suicide Prevention.

1. Caribbean Voice over the past year has engaged in media interventions that are significant, particularly at the level of flagging those traits prevalent within the East Indian villages and neighborhoods that contribute or influence towards individuals becoming suicides.

Indeed the kind of activism co funded or sponsored

by Canadian Life Support organisations was very much appreciated during the late 1990’s and subsequently with the efforts of Vince Ramcharran and Professor Samad to a lesser degree within selected East Berbice locations.

But these counselling

tend to be of limited duration for a number of reasons.

Voluntary work in contemporary Guyana requires stamina and fortitude; and at times even those as requirements are not sufficient to ensure realistic goals.

Counselling and the Environment sans Poverty Alleviation, Depression.

Activism and or a lifetime recognition such as the Pakaraimas should be so synonymous with a broad involvement in communication micro grounding in the traditional (the faith based church Mandir and Masjids) as a start line, except for notable projects linked to the provision of specific needs ( Kempadoo, KamptaKarran or the Bakja Health Centre).

1.1 Caribbean Voice it would appear may well have had those subjective criteria to contemplate. The danger or, if we prefer, the high risk factor emerges when there is a class and ideological deviation from reality needs and suicide prevention focus does not connect with anthropological fractions in a formulated mediation that is long terms- examples being the Rupununi Women’s Help Group as well as Save Abee.

The point is that there has to be a broad based attack on poverty as well

as domestic and gender violence that rejects the notion of truncated margilisation of communities that are not viewed as politically part of a pro-government consensus.Pakaraimas – El Dorado and Some Omissions

● The late Dr. Josh Ramsammy-for his pioneering environmentalist work in bio diversity, in extractive sector river/ air pollution (the 1995 Omai Disaster), as well as his support scientific research beneficial to Guyanese development. ● The late Dr. MotiLall- for his tremendous contribution to the fight against tuberculosis, and in the latter part of his services the fight against HIV Aids and the reemergence of TB in parts of Guyana. MotiLall also developed a direct community relationship that was tantamount to Counselling (health, access to education and sub-regional government departments etc.). ● Mr. Clifford Reis, Director Banks DIH- for his consistent advocacy of rendering assistance to communities, supporting local Special Needs and or disabled persons organisatons as well as education pursuits for young

people.

2. Attorney Counsel Miles Fitpatrick, arguably one of Guyana’s leading advocates for law reform and Constitutional Rights. His ineterventions during the 1970s in particular included the establishment of a low income community shelter for socially at risk, predominantly urban youths (i.e. the movement against Oppression) thus deterring in some way a trend of extra judicial police killings. ● Mr. Tony Xavier- for his commendable involvement in lobbying and urging the (then) Central Government to lay emphasis on infrastructural (road, bridges) development (Georgetown Roads Phase I and II. Xavier also contributed towards a qualitative improvement in the area of rural sub- regional road development that had a practical impact on the lives of People. ● The (late), Attorney Gaumattie Singh- for her considerable pro bono legal services, particularly in instances where access to the established Legal Aid Offices or lawyers was not available. ● Then there was a political

involvement as a Rights advocateof AnnetteArjunefor her immense environmentalist work, especially in the area of Mangrove Restoration and Related matters of concern to shoreline security and river-rain neighbourhoods. This work has also contributed towardseconomic initiatives craft and Micro cash crop or garden farmventures inparts of rural Guyana a spin- off of the improved anti flood interventions. ● Dr. Royston Anderson, Former resident medical doctor at the Berbice Public Hospital- for his compassion and humanitarian work (similar to that of Dr. MotiLall at the community level). Many Berbicians would credit Dr. Anderson for his capacity as a counsellor in areas of psychotic aliments.

2.1 D r . B h i r o H a r y Psychiatrist and supervisor of services in the sector of mental health / Dr. Harry certainly must be one of the most knowledgeable and experienced specialists in suicide and the illness that results in suicide.

Special Considerations and the Empowerment of Low Income Elements

Empirically whenever there is a widening gap

between the higher earning and low income groups there arises these tensions that demand solutions beyond the pragmatism of laissez- faire.

Two organisatons that are active in social counselling that should not be overlooked are firstly, the Guyana Islamic Trust (GIT) and, the Bakja Health Center (for Natural Medicine).

GIT’s agenda lays emphasis on helping the Impoverished both Muslims and others. In several parts of the country the Islamic Trust assists the vulnerable and distraught. Bakja combines social phycology with Self Reliance and targeting those that the system has failed. Mention could be made of the curing of ailments associated with either drug or alcohol abuse.

Finally Caribbean Voice should, providing there is such a decision examine the tremendous contributions of Philomena Sahoye– Shuryand the late sociologist KamptaKarran both of whom were active for years as counselors to what are culture groups of the formerly disenfranchised and ethically insecure- a broad a category as one would expect under the circumstances of state Capitalism in Guyana.

8

EDITORIAL

Keeping Hope Alive

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he Norwegian firm has completed its fact-based assessment of Guyana’s Hydropower potential and reviewed the Amaila falls hydro project initiative by the PPP/C government. Essentially, the recommendation is that the project is feasible and the firm has recommended that the government start working on its implementation as early as possible.

In its executive summary, the firm stated that “the only realistic path for Guyana towards an emission free electricity sector is by developing its hydropower potential. The fastest way forward is to maintain AFHP as the first major step for substituting its current oil fired generation.”

This is god news for Guyana, even at this late stage.

Had it not been for the blocking of this project by the APNU/AFC opposition at the parliamentary level, Guyana would have been a far way in having its first hydro project.

This would have meant a total transformation of Guyana’s economic situation as cheaper energy would have boosted practically all sectors of the economy. It would have provided jobs by making the investment climate more feasible for local and foreign businesses. It was criminal for the then opposition, because of its majority in parliament, to knock down the project.

Now that the report is out it is hoped that the APNU/ AFC government would move away from its negative postures on this important initiative and run with the recommendations. The report did mention that the government is receptive to the PPP/C’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). While that may be so, it continues to peddle a confused plan for a “green Guyana.”

The report pointed out some deficiencies of the design which could be corrected and should not be used as a pretext to shelve the project again. Further delay in moving towards hydro-power will be delaying the development of Guyana and its people.

While the response of the government is yet to come, the mischief makers are busy at work peddling negative attitudes towards this project and the recently-concluded report. Kaieteur News, for instance, carried a front page banner headline that reads: “Norway team shoots down Amaila Falls hydro project” and that the report “finds it too costly, burdensome”.

The report did nothing of the sort. Can it be that the Stabroek News got it all wrong when on the same day its story was headlined: Amaila hydro project gets positive review. The other privately-owned daily, Guyana Times stated: Amaila Falls only realistic path for Guyana – Norway report.

This is the kind of mis-information that is being circulated by those who are clearly bent on stalling the development of the country and is probably intended to push the government in a particular direction.

Any negative response from the government will be unpatriotic. It is time for the government to behave in a mature way and embrace the project as a national priority.

Blocking it because it was an initiative of the PPP/C administration would be childish.

The report is like a light at the end of a dark tunnel.

Since taking office, the APNU/AFC government has not been able to bring hope to the Guyanese people for a bright future. The government still cannot put to the nation a vision for the development of Guyana.

Since taking office it has brought misery to Guyana – the economy is on shambles, the cost of living is sky-rocketing, there are no new jobs, no new housing schemes being planned, more taxes on an already over-taxed population, corruption in contracts, lack of transparency, wasteful spending, fat salaries and high living for Ministers, etc.

Major sectors of the economy are being neglected such as sugar and rice. Thousands of workers have lost their jobs both in the government and private sectors.

Lets us hope that as we welcome the New Year, that the government will see the wisdom of keeping hope alive!

WEEKEND MIRROR 31 DECEMBER, 2016 - 1 JANUARY, 2017

APNU/AFC Government continues to lie About Amaila Falls – should apologise to Norway for misrepresenting the Report

G

overnment claimed that the recently-released independent assessment of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project vindicated APNU+AFC’s years of effort to destroy the project. This claim plunges new depths in this Government’s disregard for the truth - in actual fact; the independent assessment urges the Government to re-start AFHP immediately.

The PPP calls on all concerned Guyanese to read the assessment for themselves, and to join with the PPP to put pressure on the APNU/AFC Government to quickly re-start the project.

On Wednesday, the APNU/AFC Government issued a statement about the recently-released independent assessment of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project. The assessment was carried out by the internationally reputable consultancy, Norconsult.

The APNU/AFC Government claimed that the Norconsult assessment justified the Government’s efforts to abandon the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP). Even by the low standards of APNU/AFC, this plunges new depths in their utter disregard for the truth, and it clearly shows the Government’s contempt for the people of this country. Guyanese families and businesses are still paying way too much for dirty, unreliable electricity, when they should be on the threshold of affordable, clean and reliable electricity. They deserve the truth about Amaila Falls.

We set out below our reaction to the Norconsult assessment - which originated from the Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo’s call for a fact-based assessment of AFHP. However, we also urge all patriotic Guyanese to read the assessment and form their own view on what it says. We are confident that intelligent, independent-minded Guyanese will see that the assessment vindicates the project, and supports re-starting it immediately. Contrary to what the APNU/AFC Government has claimed, the Norconsult assessment actually says: ● “The only realistic path for Guyana towards an emission free electricity sector is by delivering its hydropower potential” - page 3 ● “The new *APNU/AFC+ Government has confirmed its devotion to the Low Carbon Development Strategy, which was introduced by the former *PPP/C} Government in 2009” – page 3 ● “We regard the soundness of AFHP as evident and in order to follow up the intentions of the LCDS as fast as possible, we recommend the preparations for AFHP to be resumed.” – page 38 ● “It is our opinion that the BOOT type public-private partnership model should be maintained for the project implementation. An internationally well-merited investor and operator in the hydropower industry should be invited to take the majority position” – page 4 In short: the assessment vindicates the PPP position that Guyana should develop its hydropower capacity and that AFHP should be the first hydropower project to be developed.

Crucially, it reaffirms that the BOOT

three places: ● US$20 million of the reduction relates to taking the cost of the access road out from the project, given that the road is already constructed. This is a sensible reflection of reality, although it does not mean that US$20 million has been saved, only that it has been invested already. ● Further reductions are based on the new private investor securing a return of 17% instead of a return of 19% on equity investment – the PPP believes this to be sensible as it is in line with where the PPP expected the final position to be on AFHP back in 2013. It is also in line with global benchmarks for this type of capital being invested in markets similar to Guyana. type public-private partnership model - ● The rest of the reductions are based which the then APNU+AFC Opposition on assumptions that some financing can destroyed in August 2013 - is the right be achieved at slightly lower interest financial structure for AFHP. rates in the capital markets or by inUp until yesterday, APNU+AFC, creasing the repayment period for some first in Opposition and then in Govern- borrowing. The PPP believes that these ment, claimed that their concerns with financing reductions are not likely to the project related to the financing costs be achievable for Guyana, but supports which are associated with this BOOT testing the capital markets to see if bettype of partnership. They made wild ter rates can be achieved. claims about the cost of the project and There are also several other areas the resulting cost of electricity, and where the assessment could encourage repeated the ridiculous claim that the discussion on improving the project. For project would saddle Guyanese with example, on page 32, the assessment decades of debt. They also claimed that also states that “the original PPA had a the EPC contracts had been awarded risk allocation which was not well balthrough closed, corrupt practices. anced”. We agree with this statement, However, in Wednesday’s state- but point out that this risk allocation ment, they did not mention these con- was already being improved when the cerns at all - because they have been project was put at risk by APNU+AFC. thoroughly debunked by Norconsult. Regardless, we believe that an updated The independent assessment says: discussion about realistic risk allocation ● “After competitive bidding between should be taking place as part of advancfive pre-qualified candidates, AFHI in ing the project today.

2008 selected China Rail First Group However, it is important to re-em(CRFG) as EPC Contractor.” – page 12 phasise that even with the original ● “Constructing Amaila Falls would financing structure, AFHP would have cut electricity costs by more than 50% delivered more electricity for less monfor the energy produced by AFHP, or ey than today, avoided any public debt US$3,3 billion over 20 years” – page 32 for Guyana, and reintroduced Guyana In their statement, APNU+AFC hid to the global capital markets for the how they are no longer making claims first time in 40 years. Any marginal about the financial model by instead improvements that can be achieved claiming that there were mission-critical now are dwarfed by the losses incurred engineering issues to be solved. This is by Guyana because of APNU+AFC’s not true – the Norconsult report sets out actions since August 2013. some design areas for consideration as To try and repair the damage, the project progresses, but also notes Norconsult sets out how AFHP can be that these areas were already being operational in six and a half years time looked at. Norconsult clearly states “Al- – mainly because the original tenders though certain design aspects of AFHP date from 2008 and now need to be should be reviewed and revised, we re- re-tendered. gard the soundness of AFHP as evident This is six years too late because and in order to follow up the intentions AFHP should have been providing of the LCDS as fast as possible, we affordable, reliable, clean energy to recommend the preparation for AFHP Guyanese within the next few months. be resumed” – page 38.

However, given that the wasted time Instead of focusing on these engi- cannot be re-gained, we must focus on neering issues, APNU+AFC should the future. have looked at areas where the project’s The PPP wishes to see AFHP re-start financing can be improved - the Norcon- immediately, and is willing to engage in sult assessment sets out several sensible discussions on all the recommendations recommendations which deserve further set out in the Norconsult assessment. discussion and analysis. The PPP does With that in mind, the PPP calls on all not agree with all of these recommen- Guyanese to join with us in ensuring dations, but will support any efforts go that the APNU/AFC Government acts get costs down further if possible. Spe- in the interest of the people of Guyana, cifically, the assessment sets out several apologises for their repeated lies about recommendations to reduce costs from the project and instead works to make c. US$858 million to US$801 million – AFHP a success. (Statement issued by on page 33. These reductions come from Office of the Opposition Leader)

9

WEEKEND MIRROR 31 DECEMBER, 2016 - 1 JANUARY, 2017 and tomatoes. Including home-made food in your diet can help control the daily calorie intake.

Include Whole Grains in Your Diet

Want to Get a Flat Belly? Find How to Remove Stomach Fat

M

any people struggle to lose stomach fat and sport a flat stomach. The thumb rules to get rid of belly fat are a proper diet plan, healthy eating habits and cardio exercise.

Everyone prefers to have a flat stomach. In addition to the unpleasant appearance resulted from excess belly fats, it may pose serious health conditions. Belly fat increases the risk of inflammation and hardening of blood vessels. Considering this, people having accumulated fats in the midsection for a prolonged duration

As per statistics, about 99 percent of individuals who have lost weight successfully, lose stomach fat prior to losing fats in the other body parts. Also, it is observed that the upper body part loses more weight in comparison to the lower portion. It is due to the fact that the type of fat in the waistline is visceral fat, which is easier to lose than the fats located under the skin (subcutaneous fat). Hence, with proper ways for fat removing, one can sport a flat stomach.

One of the best ways for removing stomach fat is adding adequate amounts of whole grain foods in the diet plan, rather than consuming refined grains. Studies have been conducted on people who consumed the same diet, but with different grain servings. In one group whole grains were given with fruits, vegetables and other food items; whereas the same diet with refined grains was served in another group. The outcome is that participants consuming whole grains lose belly fat more than the others.

Change Eating Habits

In addition to the foods that are included in the diet plan, what is equally important is the timing and frequency of eating.

No doubt, serving a large meal at a time is the key factor for gaining excess fat. The logic behind this is that the body does not get time to covert the fats into energy. In order to avoid such a condition, you can consume less servings frequently. Instead of 2 large meals, you can have 4-5 smaller meals per day. This will speed up your metabolism. Your body will burn more calories and store less fat. Having 4-5 meals during a day will keep you satiated and help you stay away from junk food.

Reduce the intake of sugar, sugary drinks and alcoholic drinks. Incorporate low glycemic fruits and vegetables, nuts, lean protein foods, whole grain cereals, beans, legumes, fish, low-fat versions of dairy products and small amounts of healthy fats (like olive oil) in your regular diet. Drink lots of water, at least 8 to 10 glasses, in a day. Water is essential for the health of the cells. It aids in digestion. It works as a detoxifying agent and as an appetite suppressant. Do not skip your meals and have a heavy breakfast.

Exercise to Lose Stomach Fat

are at a higher risk of developing diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and heart problems. Hence, it is very essential to lose stomach fats.

The chances of developing belly fats are more in people who indulge on eating excess fatty foods and drinking beers.

Generally, women, following their pregnancy, tend to put on more belly fats.

As far as the best ways to remove fat are concerned, there are no magic tips as such. Experts say that a specific diet plan or a particular exercise is not effective to target belly fats only. On the brighter side, stomach fats are the first to get rid of while losing weight.

How to Get Rid of Stomach Fat

Cook Your Own Food

Those who want to get rid of stomach fat are often attracted towards fad diets or crash diets. But remember, they are good for short-term results. Moreover, these diet plans can cause deficiency of important nutrients and can lead to several health problems. To lose tummy fat fast, you should follow a balanced and healthy diet.

Your diet should be high in protein and fibers, moderate in carbohydrates and low in fats and sodium. Make a habit of cooking your food in less oil. Avoid overeating or over-consumption of calories. Your meals should include foods that burn fats, for example, apples, citrus fruits, chilies, pulses, cinnamon, cucumbers, ginger, asparagus,

In contrast to many people’s views about removing stomach fat, spot exercise is not effective for getting rid of belly fats. Even if you perform several rounds Doctor’s Note: The advice given by the Mirror Doctor is issued free of charge to all readers and contributors to the column. All letters are answered with the exception of those with illegible handwriting.

of crunches or abdominal exercise daily, you are not going to flatten your stomach.

Nevertheless, you can strengthen and tone the abdominal muscles with spot exercise.

While speaking about the exercises to lose belly fat, performing moderate physical activities for about 45-50 minutes, 4 to 6 times a week, is sufficient to effectively remove fat from stomach. The more time you indulge on rigorous cardio exercise (like brisk walking, cycling, running, jogging, etc.) and aerobic exercise, the faster you will lose belly fats. Remember, skipping a few days in between will only mean you start all over again. You can increase the duration and intensity of the exercise gradually, as your stamina increases. Do not forget to perform 5-10 minutes warmup exercises before you begin with your exercise regime Adopt Lifestyle Changes

Be active and avoid use of locomotives for short distances. Prefer taking the stairs instead of using the elevator. Walk as much as you can and avoid driving your vehicle for short distances. Avoid late night dinners and heavy food at night. You should enjoy your dinner 2-3 hours before going to bed. There are certain lifestyle changes that can indirectly help you to lose tummy fat. Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol. Stop smoking and avoid taking too many medications. You should stay away from all those things which lead to hormone imbalance and obesity. Yoga, meditation, music, leisurely walk, sports activities, vacations, sufficient sleep, etc. help lower stress, an unavoidable factor of modern life. Excessive stress can result in hormonal imbalance and obesity. So, leading a stress-free lifestyle is important, if you want to shed those extra pounds.

Last but not the least, the best way to lose belly fat is to follow the above tips from today itself. Many times, we tend to postpone things until the day comes, when it is too late to correct. Be patient and inculcate healthy lifestyle changes to lose stomach fats effectively. Losing stomach fats not only improves your appearance and general health, but you will also become more confident with yourself.

Mirror

Dear Doctor, ow soon after a muscle strain or sprain can I begin exercising again?

Harold Singh

H

Dear Harold, For muscle sprain or strain, active exercise and stretching is typically necessary to help reduce pain and encourage healing.

It is advisable to start stretching as soon as possible. For most back conditions, active

Readers wishing to ask questions, which will be kept in full confidence, can write to: Mirror Doctor, PO Box 101088, Georgetown or 8 Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

exercise and stretching help reduce pain and encourage healing. A patient’s back pain exercise program should be comprehensive, working the whole body with target to the back.

The exercise program should include a combination of stretching, strengthening, and low-impact aerobic conditioning.

Strengthening the core muscles will decrease the stress placed on the lower back. Walking definitely helps in conditioning the body.

Congress Resolutions 10

WEEKEND MIRROR 31 DECEMBER, 2016 - 1 JANUARY, 2017

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he following are some of the major points made in resolutions which were passed at the recently-comcluded 31st Congress of the People’s Progressive Party: Set out here under are a few of the important Resolutions which emanated from the several Workshops of the 31st Congress of the PPP, held at Cotton Field Essequibo on the 18th, 19th and 20th of December. ● A Resolution calling on the Inter-American Development Bank to investigate the deliberate re-tendering of the institutions’ funded projects and the constant interference of the Government of Guyana in the evaluation process which subvert Guyana’s Public Procurement laws and processes.

the Ethnic Relations Commission, the constitutional organ, designed and intended to promote harmony among Guyanese of different ethnic backgrounds. From all indications, this Ministry appears to be a slush fund for APNU/ AFC’s political activities and has been nothing short of divisive in its outreaches and activities.

● A Resolution urging the International Community to speak out against the repeated legal and procedural artifices utilized by the Chief Elections Officer to delay the hearing and determination of the PPP’s Elections Petition, contrary to the advice given

by certain members of the Diplomatic Community to the party that they had received assurances from the judiciary that the said Elections Petition would be heard and determined expeditiously as provided for and in accordance with the laws of Guyana.

● A resolution calling upon the International Community to support the necessary reforms which would ensure free and fair elections in Guyana in 2020. ● A Resolution urging the

UNDP and other organizations which are offering technical advice and assistance to the Government of Guyana on social cohesion,to desist from collaborating in activities with the Ministry of Social Cohesion that subvert, undermine or exclude

● The Congress of the PPP welcomes the decision of the Secretary General of the United Nations to continue to pursue an agreement on the controversy in relation to the Guyana/Venezuela border issue. The PPP remains resolute in its support of and for any process intended and designed to protect the territorial integrity of our country.

Granger-led gov’t confirms ‘devotion to LCDS’ to Norway after telling Guyanese it was ‘too narrow’ – Norway report T

he final report on the Review of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project in Guyana – a 49-page document – done by the Norwegian company, Norconsult, has been made public.

And states that the Coalition Government has “confirmed its devotion to the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS)”, which was introduced in 2009 by the former government and confirmed by its updated LCDS declaration in 2013.

The “confirmed devotion” of the Coalition Government, which was expressed, comes after President David Granger, himself, has criticised the LCDS as being “too narrow” in its conceptualization. “We would like to look at Climate Change more broadly,” he had said in one of his televised ‘Public Interest’ programmes.

On June 20th 2016 NORAD (Norwegian Agency for Development Co-operation), in support of NICFI signed an agreement with Norconsult AS for carrying out an initial analysis.

BELOW IS THE FULL SUMMARY: Since 2009 Norwegian International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI) has supported Guyana’s efforts for protecting its rainforest from exploitation and degradation and for changing its currently oil fuelled electricity sector to emission-free power generation. As reward for Guyana’s endeavours towards these goals, Norway in 2014 deposited USD 80 million in the Inter-American Develop-

ment Bank (IDB) earmarked for Guyana’s equity share in Amaila Falls Hydropower Inc (AFHI), a Special Purpose Company for realising the 165 MW Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP) as a public/ private partnership BOOT project supported by IDB. Sithe Global, the private partner and main sponsor in AFHI, withdrew from this position in August 2013 after the Guyanese National Assembly did not vote unanimously in favour of a proposition presented by Sithe Global for certain project features, including raising the ceiling for maximum annual payment

by Guyana Power and Light (GPL) as power off-taker.

Thereafter, efforts continued, supported by IDB, to establish a new main sponsor in AFHI. This came to a standstill after a new coalition government created by the earlier opposition parties took power after the parliamentary elections in May 2015.

The new government has confirmed its devotion to the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), which was introduced in 2009 by the former government and confirmed by its updated LCDS declaration in 2013.

With the aim of finding a way forward for the transition of Guyana’s power generation system, Government of Guyana represented by the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Natural Resources and the Government of Norway represented by the Minister of Climate and Environment, decided in December 2015 to perform “an objective and facts-based” assessment of

AFHP. On June 20th 2016 NORAD (Norwegian Agency for Development Co-operation), in support of NICFI signed an agreement with Norconsult AS for carrying out an initial analysis.

Main conclusions and recommendations are presented below: The only realistic path for Guyana towards an emission free electricity sector is by developing its hydropower potential. The fastest way forward is to maintain AFHP as the first major step for substituting its current oil fired generation. AFHP was prioritised as the first hydropower plant because it was the only project with a full feasibility study completed, it has a higher plant load factor than the alternatives, a smaller reservoir and a levelised unit cost in the same range as the most attractive alternatives.

Amaila Falls alone cannot provide a 100% emission free power generation in Guyana.

Other generating sources will have to be added in parallel like sun, wind and thermal production based on emission neutral fuel (bagasse) for back-up in the dry periods when the water flow to AFHP may be insufficient for full capacity operation. As the power demand is growing, and for reaching the goal of 100% emission free generation by 2025, as assumed by the LCDS, a second hydropower plant of capacity comparable with AFHP will have to be commissioned by 2025.

In parallel with preparations for AFHP, therefore, pre-feasibility studies will have to

be carried out for promising candidates for the second hydropower project and a full feasibility study be performed for the selected candidate.

The environmental and social impacts of AFHP are well established in the performed studies. No resettlement is required and there is limited human activity in the area directly affected by the project. About 23 km2 of rainforest is inundated by the power plant’s reservoir. The live storage volume is small compared to the annual water flow and the plant will be operated mainly as a run-of-river plant with little impact on the downstream river hydrology, except for the about 4 km stretch of the river between the intake dam and the tailrace outlet from the powerhouse.

The most serious threat to the environment that may result from the project is the access road, which is almost completed and has already, while the further progress of the project itself is uncertain, created easier access for mining and exploitation of the forest along its alignment. A strict control regime is required for obstructing such activities. It is important to take up again consultations with all affected parties as soon as resuming the project preparations.

Other hydropower plants that could have replaced AFHP as the first hydropower project to be implemented, would require 1-2 years of investigations and studies, including environmental and social impact assessments meeting today’s standards, to reach an updated feasibility study stage comparable

to AFHP. The first needed step for revitalising AFHP is decision by the Government to maintain AFHP as the priority project in the transition to a green generation regime, as recommended in the “Initial Study on System Expansion of the Generation & Transmission System” of 2014 and reiterated in “Guyana’s Power Generation System Study” of June 2016, and thereafter to resume the planning of Amaila Falls with political consensus and understanding with all stakeholders.

It is our opinion that the BOOT type public private partnership model should be maintained for the project implementation. An internationally well merited investor and operator in the hydropower industry should be invited to take the majority position and the driving seat (main sponsor) in the project company. The main sponsor and the EPC Contractor should not be associated in any way.

By restructuring the financial model, the risk for Guyana’s economy can be reduced. The annual payments from GPL may possibly be reduced by 20%, which are significantly lower than the current fuel costs paid by GPL for its oil fuelled generation. The risk to Guyana’s economic stability would be at the same level with other projects generating the same amount of energy, as the investment would be of a similar magnitude.

It is our opinion that the EPC tenders from 2008 are outdated and need to be replaced by a new EPC tender

process. Before that, certain technical features of the project should be reviewed and the EPC tender documents be updated. In order to save time this work should be done in parallel with identifying and assigning a new main sponsor.

To get on with these activities GOG will need continued support by IDB, or a similar institution, and Guyana Light and Power will need technical and management support by a highly qualified engineering company with extensive experience from the international hydropower industry. If later agreed between the parties, the same engineering company may continue in a role as independent engineer in the relation between GOG/GLP and the new main sponsor.

We may suggest that the cost for buying out Sithe Global from the project company and expenses for services by an engineering company engaged for support until a new main sponsor is established, are covered from a portion of the USD 80 million deposit in IDB for later being turned into equity contribution from GOG to the project company.

Our estimate is that 3 years will be required from a decision is taken to resume project preparation for AFHP until Financial Close and Notice to Commence to the EPC Contractor.

From this point in time, we estimate another 3.5 years for construction until start commercial operation of Amaila Falls Hydropower Project.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 31 DECEMBER, 2016 - 1 JANUARY, 2017

Bandits torch way into Hardware Emporium, escape with safe

Torched hole that the bandits used to gain entry and also exit with the safe

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s the year comes to an end, crime continues unabated, the most recent resulting in bandits torching their way into the Hardware Emporium General Store earlier this week and carting off a safe containing an undisclosed sum of cash.

The men reportedly gained access to the Church Street, Georgetown premises by scaling a fence that separates the Guyana Telephone Telegraph (GTT) Company and Hardware Emporium General Store, then proceed-

ed to torch a square hole into the metal gate which prevented intruders.

The bandits then made their way into the building.

However, they cunningly ensured to lock the door which led to the living quarters of the caretaker, from the outside.

This online publication was told by the supervisor of the entity who identified himself only as “Errol”, that the suspects also cut the main power supply to the building, ultimately shutting down the

security system and cameras.

Upon visiting the location this morning, detectives were seen scouring the premises for evidence which may lead to the culprits.

“Errol” also noted that at the time of the robbery, no security guard was on duty.

Additionally, the brother of the owner of the business related that he found it very unusual that days after a new security system was installed, the place was burglarized.

No one was arrested and investigations are ongoing.

Man killed during fist fight at Iguana Creek

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man, who has so far been identified as “Dougla” was on December 23, 2016, killed during a fist fight with another man at Iguana Creek, Cuyuni River. Reports are the now dead man and the suspect were imbibing at a “bottom house” when an argument ensued. This eventually led to a fight, during which “Dougla” reportedly fell to the ground.

He was subsequently picked up and transported to the Bartica Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The suspect has since

been arrested and is assisting with investigations. Inews understands the now dead man started working in the interior a few weeks ago and was only referred to as “Doug-

la”.

The Police believe that he is from the Pomeroon River, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and have been in contact with their counterparts at the Charity Police Station to assist with the identification of the deceased.

Nevertheless, the Police are asking anyone with information that will lead to the positive identification of the man to contact them on telephone numbers 455-2238, 455-2241, 225-6411, 2271152, 227-2272, 2271270, 911, or the nearest Police Station.

Business couple robbed of holiday sales on Christmas day

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rmed bandits on Christmas morning pounced on an East Coast Demerara (ECD) couple who had just returned home after closing their business in the City Mall at Georgetown.

The incident took place after 01:00hrs as the couple drove into their First Phase, Good Hope, ECD yard.

This publication understands that after arriving home, the couple opened their remote-controlled gate and drove into the yard.

They were about to enter the garage to park the car, while the gate was closing when a silver-grey 212 Toyota motor car pulled up into the driveway and three men, two of whom were armed, exited.

The men rushed into the yard and ordered the hus-

band and wife duo to hand over their valuables. At the time, they were carrying the day’s sales from their business. During the struggle, the bandits gun-butted the wife to her head before taking possession of the couple’s belongings, including an undisclosed sum of cash, three cellphones and a handbag containing documents, keys and other valuables.

The three bandits then rushed to the car, where a fourth person was waiting in the driver seat, and they drove away, making good their escape. As the men were fleeing the scene, the wife raised an alarm, alerting neighbours.

One of the neighbours related to this news outlet that he was in his yard a

few houses away from the victims when he heard the woman shouting “Thief!

Thief!”. The man said he, along with a few others, rushed over to the victims’ home and was told by them of what just transpired. The Police were subsequently summoned. The investigations continue.

When contacted, a senior Police Officer within C Division (East Coast Demerara) told this publication that no one has been arrested for the robbery. However, he noted that two sets of fingerprints were lifted from the scene and were sent to Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters where they are being run against the database for any matches.

Former GPHC Chairman sentencing postponed

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he former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Dr Noel Blackman, is expected to be sentenced the latest in February 2017, sources have disclosed, a year after he was first arrested.

Blackman, a People’s National Congress (PNC) Executive Member and former Health Minister, became embroiled in an allegation earlier this year which stated that he illegally wrote a number of prescriptions for the narcotic-based painkiller ‘Oxycodone’.

He pleaded guilty to count one of his indictments before Judge Joanna Seybery, before whom he stood following his arrest.

Federal authorities in the United States arrested the 68-year-old doctor in February of this year, shortly after he was appointed Chairman of the GPHC Board.

The former Health Minister, under the PNC, was arrested for his alleged involvement in a prescription drug-dealing enterprise across three States. US fed-

Dr Noel Blackman

eral authorities said he was illegally prescribing vast amounts of oxycodone – 365,000 pills in 2015 – in a drug-dealing enterprise spanning three States.

Agents took Blackman into custody after they ordered a Guyana-bound jet taxiing for take-off with him on board to return to the airport terminal. Blackman – under investigation for several weeks – was intent on permanently leaving the United States, according to a tip agents received before they headed him off at the airport. After the plane returned to the terminal, he was arrested and later charged

with conspiracy to distribute the narcotic.

Federal agents with Homeland Security Investigations also found $30,000 in cash stashed in his luggage, officials had said.

According to Blackman’s prescription records checked by federal authorities, the 365,000 oxycodone pills came from 2487 prescriptions – a marked increase from the 114 he wrote for 3800 pills in 2014 and 63 written in 2013 for 2100 pills.

Blackman, who is also co-owner of HBTV Channel 9 in Guyana, had offices in Franklin Square, in Elmhurst, Queens, and in Brooklyn.

Until his arrest, Blackman had practiced surgery and pain management from offices in Franklin Square, Elmhurst and Brooklyn and most recently lived in Far Rockaway, but was a long-time resident of Valley Stream.

Blackman’s arrest was said to be the latest in a string of cases involving Long Island doctors charged with illegally doling out highly addictive prescription painkillers.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 31 DECEMBER, 2016 - 1 JANUARY, 2017

Fiscal Austerity Has Been Blocking Economic Recovery

By Jomo Kwame Sundaram (IPS) - Instead of concerted and sustained efforts for a strong, sustained economic recovery to overcome protracted stagnation, the near

policy consensus on fiscal austerity in the G7 and the G20 OECD countries, except for the US and Japan, has dragged down economic recovery in developing countries.

After seven years of lackluster economic performance and rising tensions over the Eurozone straightjacket on fiscal stimuli, there are signs of a growing willingness to reconsider earlier

policies. While it is not yet clear whether this will lead to significant enough policy changes, this may well led to the long awaited turning point the world economy has sorely needed since the

2008 financial crisis and the ensuing Great Recession.

Quixotic windmills of the mind

Opponents of fiscal stimulus cynically claim that all such efforts are bound to fail, citing, as evidence, then US President George W Bush’s 2008 tax cuts.

Others deny that the US Fed’s ‘quantitative easing’ efforts have been successful, emphasizing the weak basis of its apparently “strong” recovery compared to other G7 economies. While undoubtedly mitigating the impact of the crisis at the outset, Europe’s “automatic stabilizers” are now acknowledged not to have sustained recovery very much beyond 2009.

The first bogey has been public debt. Much has been made of high levels of sovereign debt on both sides of the Atlantic and in Japan although the fiscal challenge remains long-term, not immediate. While Japan has the highest debt-to-GDP ratio among rich countries, this is not a serious problem as its yen-denominated debt is mainly domestically held.

The international community has, so far, failed to develop effective and equitable arrangements for restructuring sovereign debt, despite the clearly dysfunctional and problematic consequences of past international public debt crises.

This prevents timely debt workouts, effectively impeding economic recovery.

High public debt has also been invoked in support of fiscal austerity in many developed countries.

But, rather than helping, the rush to cutting expenditure is blocking, or even reversing earlier recovery efforts.

With private sector demand still weak, austerity is slowing down, not accelerating, recovery.

Another distraction has been the exaggerated threat of inflation. Recent inflation in many countries was the result of higher commodity prices, especially fuel and food prices. In these circumstances, domestic deflationary policies only slowed growth and failed

to stem imported inflation.

This is now evident with the recent collapse of oil prices and its aftermath.

Formula for Stagnation

Unfortunately, the urgent task at hand — of coordinating and implementing efforts to raise and sustain growth and job creation — continues to be ignored.

Meanwhile, cuts in social and welfare spending, demanded by the austerity fetish, are only making things worse, as employment and consumer demand fall further.

The pressure on employment and household budgets is likely to persist.

Strident calls for structural reforms mainly target labour markets, rather than product markets. Growing worker insecurity, exacerbated by further labour market liberalization, is imagined to be the basis for a healthy economy. This belief not only undermines remaining social protection, but is also likely to diminish real incomes, aggregate demand, and, hence, recovery prospects.

It has already reduced growth and employment.

And, while financial markets insist on deficit reduction, the recent decline in equity and bond prices — and the loss of confidence that this reflects — suggests that they also recognize the adverse implications of fiscal consolidation at a time of weak private demand.

Slower growth means less revenue and a faster downward spiral. Most major countries’ fiscal deficits nowadays reflect the collapse of tax revenues following the growth collapse, as well as very costly bank bailouts.

Policy U-Turn Needed

Current policy is justified as ‘pro-market’, i.e. effectively pro-cyclical choices, although counter-cyclical efforts, institutions and instruments are sorely needed instead. Global leadership today seems to be held hostage by financial interests and associated media, ideologues and oligarchs (Turn to page 14)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 31 DECEMBER, 2016 - 1 JANUARY, 2017

How the PPP transformed the lives of people

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he following is a section of the PPP Central Committee Report at the PPP’s 31st Congress dealing with the PPP government’s achievements in the social sector: During its tenure, the PPP/C administration implemented a wave of modern policy initiatives that created a sustainable housing market and provided affordable shelter to low and moderate income families. These policies were complemented with substantial public investments in the sector. In the last decade of its term (20042014) the PPP/C administration allocated more than $30 billion for capital works to develop new settlement schemes and rehabilitate the physical infrastructure in existing schemes. It also utilized these funds to regularize numerous squatter’s settlement.

The various policy initiatives by the administration yielded the following benefits: ● The distribution of over 50,000 residential house lots across Guyana between 2004 and 2014; bringing the total number of house lots distributed up to 112,761 since the Government initiated it housing programme in 1993.

Approximately 80 percent of the house lots distributed benefitted low income families.

3.1 The transfer of wealth to low income families in the form of land and infrastructure subsidy. The lower-income households were the most significant beneficiaries of this subsidy. The infrastructure subsidy to low income earners approximated to $17.6 billion; almost six times and seventeen times the subsidy provided to moderate and middle-income groups respectively. The Ministry of Housing successfully advocated the first mortgage tax credit.

Improving Access to water The PPP/C administration also focused significant attention to improving sanitation infrastructure and access to safe water. The investment covered both Coastal and Hinterland regions. In the Coastal regions, several new water treatment plants and wells commissioned. Some of our notable investments by region include: Region 2 – in excess of $ 1.2 billion for the: ● Construction of a new water treatment plant at Lima. ● Upgrade of transmis-

sion/ distribution systems at Queenstown to Walton Hall, Queenstown to Aurora, Wakenaam, Cullen to ZorgenVlygt, Onderneemning ● Drilling of new wells at Somerset, Onderneeming, Good Hope, Little Red Village (Onderneeming), Siriki.

Region 3 - in excess of $2.3 billion to: ● Construct of a new water treatment plant at Vergenoegen ● Upgrade of Water treatment plant systems at Poulderoyen and Fellowship. ● Upgrade of distribution/ transmission systems at Patentia, Stanleytown, Canal # 2, Plantain Walk, Meten Meer Zorg to De Willem, Fellowship to VreedEn Hoop, Pouderoyen, De Kenderen to St. Lawrence ● Drilling of new wells at Tuschen, Cornelia Ida, Parfaite Harmonie, Belle Vue, Vergenoegen Region 4 - in excess of $5.5 B has been invested of which more than $3 B was directed at Georgetown and the remaining $2.5 B invested on the East Coast and East Bank to: ● construct the Central Ruimveldt WTP ● Rehabilitate the Sewer System in Georgetown ● Rehabilitate the Sewer Receiving facility In Tucville ● Rehabilitate the Transmission and Distribution Systems in Zones W1 ( Festival City, South Ruimveldt Park, Guyhoc Gardens, Guyhoc Park, North Ruimveldt), W2 (South Ruimveldt Gardens, Tucville, East La Penetence, North East La Penetence, La Penetence, East Ruimveldt), W4 ( part of East Ruimveldt, Roxanne Burnham Gardens, West Ruimveldt, Liang Avenue) and W 14 (Campbellville, Prashad Nagar, Lamaha Gardens) ● Drill wells at Cumming’s Lodge, Lusignan Region 5 - contributed nearly $1B in capital investments for the: ● Construction of a new state of the art Water Treatment Plants in Cotton Tree Village ● Drilling of a new well in De Hoop Region 6 in excess of $6B invested for the: ● Construction of two new state of the art Water Treatment Plants in No 56 Village and Queenstown ● Rose Hall Water Improvement Project

● Upgrade of distribution systems in No 51 to No 73 village, No 1 Road to Whim, Whim to Bush Lot, Good Banana Land, No 1 to No 50 Villages, No 74 village to Crabwood Creek, Glasgow to Edinburg ● Drilling of a new well at Canefield ● Drilling of a new well at Rose Hall, Manchester and No 47 Village.

Region 10: in excess $700 for the: ● Construction of 2 new state of the art treatment plants which are presently being undertaken and are scheduled for construction in the first half of 2015. ● Installation of transmission and distribution mains and upgrade of service connections Hinterland: more than $G 1 billion invested for: ●The installation of 45 Photo voltaic pumping systems have been installed with new trestles ● the construction of more than 50 potable ● construction of two new wells The investments in the water sector saw: ● The percentage of the population with access to treated water increasing from 26% to 50%; ● Increased coverage in Hinterland from 25% to 84%, and it is targeted to achieve 90% by 2016; ● Increased coverage on the Coast from less than 70% to in excess of 95%; ● Increase in the number of pensioners being subsidized from 19,000 in 2010 to 24,000 presently.

Investment in Health for Sustainable Development

In recognition of the im-

portance of a healthy population for achieving sustainable development, the PPP/C administration has made tremendous investments in the health sector. During 2014, the total budgetary allocation to the health sector was $21 billion, more than 4 times the allocation of $4.6 billion in 2001. The average allocation to the health sector was maintained above 8 percent of the national budget while spending in the sector consistently represented more than 4 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) during the period 2001-2013.

Investment in the sector was aimed at increasing access to health services through the expansion and upgrade of the health infrastructure. Since assuming office, the PPP/C administration constructed more than 90 new health facilities. . were

modernized.

The PPP/C administration also focused on improving the quality of health care through the provision of essential drugs and enhancement of the sector’s workforce.. The PPP/C has also provided many young Guyanese with the opportunity to become medical practitioners in general as well as specialized areas such as surgery, emergency medicine, and trauma.

Between 2009 and 2014, more than 2,000 nurses were graduated from the nursing school and 500 Guyanese Doctors from the University of Guyana, China, Cuba and other countries joined the health sector.

The massive investment in the sector witnessed improvements in all the key indicators of an effective health system. Today we have more beds, doctors and

nurses per individual than any other period in our post colonial history. The number of doctors and nurses per 10,000 population increased from 1.6 during and 14.3 in 1980 to reach 9.5 and 15.3 respectively by 2013. The number of beds per 10,000 population also grew dramatically from 3 during 1980 to 25.4 by 2013.

The infant mortality rate was lowered from 41 per 1,000 live births in 1980 to 13.8 per live births by 2012; thereby allowing Guyana to achieve Goal 4 of the MDG. Maternal mortality rate also declined continuously from 140 per 100,000 live births in 1991 to 116 per 100,000 live births by 2012; placing Meanwhile the prevalence of undernourishment was reduced from 21 percent in 1992 to reach 2.2 percent by (Turn to page 15)

Unruly

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The

WEEKEND MIRROR 31 DECEMBER, 2016 - 1 JANUARY, 2017

Horse

The appointment of the Chairman of GECOM By: Mohabir Anil Nandlall, MP. Attorney-at-Law

L

ast week, the Leader of the Opposition submitted to the President, a list of six persons from which the President is entitled to choose one, in accordance with article 161 (2) of the Constitution, to fill the vacant position of Chairman of the Elections Commission.

Article 161 (2) contains three important caveats: (a) the six persons must not be “unacceptable” to the President;(b) the Opposition Leader is required to hold meaningful consultation with non-governmental parties represented in the National Assembly; and (c) if the Leader of the Opposition fails to submit such a list then, the President shall appoint a person who has held the Office of a judge of a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court, or a person who is qualified to be appointed as any such judge.

As regards (a) above, there is no non-governmental political parties, currently, in the National Assembly with whom the Leader of the Opposition could have held meaningful consultations.

Nevertheless, and commendably, the Leader of the Oppo-

sition held widespread public consultations with civil society organizations, the religious community, the labor movement and the private sector. My information is, that it is these consultations which yielded the six names submitted to the President.

As regards (c) above, there ought to be no issue of this eventuality arising, since the Leader of the Opposition has submitted a list of six names as is required.

Therefore, it is now for the President to determine whether he finds this list “not unacceptable.” If he finds it unacceptable, he will go down in history as the first President to have done so since this formula was introduced in 1992. In such an eventuality, I agree with the sentiments expressed in the press by my learned friend, Minster Joseph Harmon, who pointed out that the Leader of the Opposition will then be called upon to submit another list until consensus is reached.

When one examines the historic evolution of this matter, as I will briefly do, it is clear that those who conceived and designed this formula, intended to achieve consensus between the Government and the Opposition, in the appointment of the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission.

Perhaps a convenient

point to begin is to examine the precursor position to the current constitutional formula for the appointment of the Chairman of the Elections Commission. It is captured in article 161 (2) of the 1980 Constitution.

It provided for the Chairman to be elected by the President (acting on his own) from among persons who have held the office of a judge of a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court or a person who is qualified to be appointed as any such judge. Under this formula, two chairmen were appointed: Sir Donald Jackson under the 1966 Constitution and Sir Harold Bollers under the 1980 Constitution. Both were former Chief Justices of Guyana.

Among the changes campaigned for, nationally and internationally, as a run-up to the 1992 elections, were reforms to the Elections Commission and the selection of a new chairman. President Desmond Hoyte eventually conceded to these, among other reforms. It was the Carter Center which put forward a proposal under which the Opposition parties were to submit a list of names, of six persons, and President Hoyte was to choose one of them as

chairman.

The 1980 constitution was temporarily amended to accommodate this new formula and other changes were made to the Elections Commission which are not relevant to this discourse.

The qualifications of the chairman were also expanded to include “any other fit and proper person.”Under this new formula, Opposition Leader, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, in, 1991, submitted to President Hoyte, the following six names: David Yankana, Bryn Pollard, Rudy Collins, Joey King and Ronald Luckhoo. From this list, President Hoyte chose Ambassador Rudy Collins.

After the 1992 elections, this temporary amendment to the Constitution lapsed.

However, for the Local Government elections 1994, the Constitution was then again temporarily amended, incorporating the Carter Formula for the purposes of the Local Government elections, with one addendum: that the list of names must not be “unacceptable” to the President.

Under this formula, Mr. Hoyte submitted a list of six names to President Jagan. From this list, President Jagan chose Mr. Edward Hopkinson as Chairman of the Elections Commission for the Local Government Elections.

The amended Carter

Formula was used again in the 1997 elections with the Constitution again being amended in 1995, capturing the Formula. In pursuance thereof, Opposition Leader Mr. Hoyte, submitted six names to President Jagan.

These names were: Doodnauth Singh, S.C., Edward Hopkinson, Justices James Patterson and Rudolph Harper, Charles Liburd and Randolph Kirton.

President Jagan chose Mr. Doodnauth Singh as the Chairman. During the 19992001 Constitutional Reform process, the Carter formula was eventually incorporated permanently into article 161 of the Constitution by Act #2 of 2000.

The Minutes and the Notes of that process clearly explain that the intention of the Carter Formula was designed to achieve consensus between the Opposition and the President in respect of the appointment of the Chairman of the Elections Commission. The Formula has been a permanent feature of the Guyana’s Constitution since.

In relation to the 2001 elections, the current President himself were among the names submitted by Mr. Hoyte to President Jagdeo.

The list was as follows: Major General Joe Singh, Justice Rudolph Harper, Dennis Craig, David Granger, Gem

Fiscal Austerity Has Been... whose political influence enables them to secure more rents and pay lower taxes in what must truly be the most vicious of circles.

Many policymakers have insisted on immediate action, not only to close fiscal deficits, but also, trade imbalances and banks’ balance-sheet weaknesses.

While these need to be addressed in the longer term,

prioritizing them now has effectively stymied stronger, sustained recovery efforts.

Bad public policies can induce recessions. This happened in 1980-1981, when the US Federal Reserve raised real interest rates, ostensibly to kill inflation, but inducing a protracted global economic downturn. This contributed not only to sovereign-debt and fiscal crises,

but also to protracted stagnation outside East Asia, including Latin America’s ‘lost decade’ and Africa’s ‘quarter-century retreat’.

Inequality

Moreover, according to Piketty, in recent decades, profits have risen, not only at the expense of wages, but also with much more accruing to finance, insurance,

and real estate compared to other sectors. The outrageous increases in financial executives’ remuneration in recent decades have exacerbated financial sector focus on the short term (recently termed ‘quarterly capitalism’), while worsening risk exposure in the longer term, thereby worsening systemic vulnerability.

Growing income in -

Fletcher and Harold Davis. President Jagdeo chose Joe Singh as Chairman. Dr. Steve Surujbally was similarly appointed Chairman.

He functioned as chairman for the 2006, 2011, and 2015 General and Regional Elections. He served the longest under the now permanently constitutionalized Carter Formula.

From the above recitation, there is one commonality: the list submitted by the Opposition Leader from 1992 onwards was always deemed acceptable by the President and a person was chosen from that first list.

While it is open for President Granger to reject the list submitted last week by Opposition Leader, Bharat Jagdeo, the task of furnishing good and proper reason for this rejection and for disregarding strong precedent, I daresay, would be herculean.

The list is made up of six constitutionally, academically and professionally qualified Guyanese of national eminence who have served with distinction in their chosen field of endeavors. They are: Major General retired Norman McLean, Lawrence Latchmansingh, Ramesh Dukhoo, Professor Dr. James G. Rose, Ryhaan Shaw and Lallbachan Christopher Ram. The ball is now in the President’s court.

(From page 12)

equality in most countries before and even after the financial crisis has only made matters worse, by reducing household savings and increasing credit for consumption and asset purchases, rather than augmenting investment in new economic capacity.

Indeed, the menace that now confronts us is not public debt or inflation, but

a downward economic spiral that will be increasingly difficult to reverse. The international financial institutions were created after World War II to ensure not only international monetary and financial stability, but also the conditions for sustained growth, employment generation, post-war reconstruction and post-colonial development.

Looking Back 15

WEEKEND MIRROR 31 DECEMBER, 2016 - 1 JANUARY, 2017

By Hydar Ally

T

he new year always brings with it a renewed sense of hope and optimism.

Many resolutions are being made only to be broken long before the dusk from the past year is even settled.

That unfortunately is part of our human make up. We like to set new standards for ourselves only to find that the bar has been set too high.

But we have to move forward, both at as individual and at the level of the collective. In doing so, we need to look back at some of our setbacks and achievements, and as the saying goes, give thanks to the Almighty for small mercies.

The past year has not been particularly good at the international level. The conflict in Syria stands out as a monument of shame on the part of world leaders, which failed to arrest the situation that has fueled one the worst humanitarian crisis in recent history. Millions of families have been displaced due to conflicts in the Middle East, in particular Syria, not to mention the hundreds of lives lost in an attempt cross the Mediterranean Sea to enter Europe.

The conflict in the Middle East has led to a swarm of refugees entering Europe, which has resulted in a rise in xenophobia and right wing tendencies in several European countries, most notably Britain, Germany and France.

This has created problems, both at the political and sociological levels, with right wing parties gaining ground by exploiting the fears and anxieties of the European people. It was that fear, which I believe was partly responsible for the surprise exit of Britain from the European Union and the Donald Trump upset victory in the recent UA presidential election.

The latter part of the year also saw the passing of the legendary Fidel Castro.

Closer home we saw the removal of the former Brazilian President from office by way of a constitutional coup and the mounting of opposition attacks against Venezuelan President Maduro to demit office before the constitutionally due date.

At the local level, the

country experienced local government elections after an absence of twenty three years. The PPP//C won an overwhelming majority of the NDCs, which is all the more significant given the fact that the PPP narrowly lost the general and regional elections which was held just under one year earlier.

The results of general and regional elections are currently before the courts

by way of an election petition mounted by the now opposition PPP/C. Perhaps the most depressing moment was the presentation of the 2017 Budget Estimates by Finance Minister Winston Jordan, which saw the introduction of a slew of new taxation measures including the introduction of Value Added Taxes on water and electricity.

How the PPP transformed the...

2012. Further, the life expectancy at birth also improved by 4 years; from 62 years in 1991 to 66 by 2013.

Empowering our people with ‘life skills’ to cope with new global challenges

The PPP/C has radically transformed the country’s education system through the implementation of world class policies and expansion of the education infrastructure and workforce. The PPP/C administration has consistently increased its allocation to the sector from $1 billion in 1991 to $23.6 billion by 2013. During the period 2001-2013, investment in the sector accounted

for more than 15 percent of the national budget, compared with 6.5 percent in 1991. Additionally, the education budget accounted for more than 4.6 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) since 2009; underscoring the importance the PPP/C administration attaches to empowering its people through education.

Spending in the sector targeted the three important pillars of an effective education system, namely, access, quality and delivery of education. In excess of 20 percent of the total allocation went towards expanding and maintaining the schools infrastructure so as to ensure

equitable access to education by all Guyanese. A new university campus was established in Berbice in 2000 and two (2) new Technical and Vocational Institutes (TIs) were built in Leonora and Mahaicony. During the period 2007-2014, more than 30 schools were also constructed or re-constructed.

The largest portion of the sector’s budget was directed at improving the quality and the delivery of education.

Over 60 percent of the education budget was allocated for improving the quality and delivery of this important social service. To encourage greater attendance and participation, the PPP/C admin-

istration also applied targeted interventions, such as, the school feeding programme, national school uniform programme, and the provision of transportation to students in hinterland communities.

The additional schooling capacity created by higher spending in the sector witnessed overall improvement in the education sector.

Available statistics suggests that the country has achieved Universal Primary Education (Goal 2 of MDG). Equally remarkable, is the improvement recorded in the ranking of Guyana’s education system.

Based on the Global Competitiveness Report 2014-15, the quality of Guyana edu-

This is most likely to result in an overall increase in the cost of living since the burden of increased taxation invariably is borne by the consumers.

Water and electricity are two unavoidable and essential inputs into any production process and it is difficult to see how increased costs for these inputs could be prevented from entering the pricing equation. The situation was further dampened by the escalating crime situation and an overall climate of fear and insecurity.

But it was not altogether a year of doom and gloom.

The main opposition party, the PPP, concluded its Congress in Essequibo on a high note of optimism as party members resolved to take back the mantle of governance in the next general and regional elections. A new Central Committee of the Party was elected, which will now provide leadership to the party until the next Congress.

And at the international level, there have been some positive developments at the United Nations Security Council, with respect to the Palestinian issue, which saw for the first time the abstention by the US on a vote regarding new housing construction on occupied Palestinian lands.

This is a significant development, which hopefully could pave the way for a more lasting solution to the Palestinian issue.

(From page 13)

cation system is ranked 54th in the world and 4th in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The quality of the primary education system is ranked even higher at 37thin the world and second only to Barbados in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

The investment in the sector also witnessed the continuous increase in secondary enrollment rate placing Guyana on course of achieving universal secondary education.

Based on the Global Competitiveness Report 2014-15, the enrollment in the secondary system is currently 101 percent; the third highest in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The average attendance

rates at the primary and secondary levels were above 70 percent during 2013. Meanwhile the drop-out rates at these levels have also trended downwards over the years.

Indeed, the drop-out rates for Guyana are below the levels recorded in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Improvement in the quality of education is also reflected by the number of trained teachers in the school system.

The number of trained teachers at the primary level was 2,637 in 2011, compared with 1,875 in 1994. Consequently, the percentage of trained teachers at the primary level improved from 55.3 percent in 1994 to 77 percent by 2011.

16

News

WEEKEND MIRROR 31 DECEMBER, 2016 - 1 JANUARY, 2017

Highlights

Glitz

of JonBenet Tekno as he receives Brother Ramsey sues CBS for $750 Salman Khan hails huge recognition million over documentary ‘Partner’ Govinda’s T from America comeback film

J

ust when we thought Wizkid and Kah – Lo’s nomination for a Grammy was going to be the final highlight for Nigerian music in 2016, news recently broke that popular singer Tekno was listed in International magazine Billboard’s annual artist to watch list.

The Pana crooner was also described as a very agile and elastic-voiced singer who is set to gain even more recognition in 2017.

See what Billboard wrote below: “Tekno already has a number of hits in Nigeria, and Columbia Records took note, throwing its weight behind this agile, elastic-voiced singer. Tekno’s “Pana,” which has already accumulated more than 13 million views on YouTube and inspired a minor version of a video challenge, is romantic and light on its feet with little more than a nagging guitar line and squirts of bass, everything pegged to a serpentine forward march.There’s clearly a demand in the mainstream for feathery dance cuts like this one: close your eyes and imagine a smart radio programmer cueing this up after Drake’s “Too Good.”

Record label owners, promoters guilty of sexual harassment – Yemi Alade

S

ensational singer, Yemi Alade, has disclosed how people she looked up to in the entertainment industry shocked her by demanding to have sex with her.

Although she stated she had never been ‘harassed’, she told The Punch she had a way of escaping from their net.

The ‘Johnny’ crooner said, “Record label owners and show promoters are all guilty of this.

“Sexual harassment comes in different levels; some are intense, some are subtle, and some even come through third parties.

“However, I’ve never found myself in a situation that felt very uncomfortable.

“Once I see the signs, I run and the person would not even have the opportunity to go through with his evil plans.

“There are some people who I looked up to in the industry but surprisingly, they also wanted sex,” she quipped.

he brother of slain Colorado child beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey has filed a $750 million defamation lawsuit against CBS Corp over a documentary aired by the network theorizing that he killed his little sister, court documents showed on Wednesday.

Burke Ramsey has been “exposed to public hatred, contempt and ridicule” over the four-hour show that was broadcast in September in two parts, according to the complaint filed in a state court in Michigan, where he lives. The program aired amid a flurry of media accounts ahead of the 20th anniversary of the girl’s death.

The bludgeoned and strangled body of 6-year-old JonBenet was found in the basement of her parents’ Boulder, Colorado, home on Dec. 26, 1996.

No one has ever been charged for the murder, but in 1999 a grand jury seated to examine the case voted to indict the parents for child abuse resulting in death.

The district attorney at the time, Alex Hunter, declined to move forward with a prosecution, citing a lack of evidence.

A spokesman for CBS declined to comment on the lawsuit. At the time of the broadcast, the network said it stood by the program and “will do so in court” if sued by Ramsey.

At the conclusion of the CBS show, a panel of experts said it was its opinion that Burke Ramsey, who was 9 at the time of the killing, struck JonBenet in the head with a heavy object.

The parents, John and Patsy Ramsey, then staged the crime scene to make it appear an intruder was the culprit, the group opined.

The lawsuit asks for $250 million in compensatory damages $500 million in punitive damages against CBS, the production company that produced the show, and the experts who re-examined the case.

S

alman Khan is all praises for his buddy Govinda’s upcoming flick ‘Aa Gaya Hero’ which is touted to be his comeback movie after the failures of his last two releases, ‘Kill Dil’ and ‘Happy Ending’.

The ‘Sultan’ of Bollywood took to Twitter to share the trailer’s link and wrote, “Aa gaya mera Hero . Mera Partner . Superb Trailer.”

The movie is directed by Deepankar Senapati, and is produced and written by Govinda himself. While there were reports that the two have parted ways, owing to reasons best known to them, Salman’s latest post proves there’s still some warmth left in their camaraderie.

Paaji Sunny Deol gets groovy!

As Trump moves up, ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ gets Schwarzenegger spin

s Donald Trump prepares to take office as U.S. president, A another celebrity turned politician is about to take over his “Apprentice” TV show hot seat, and is hoping for higher

ratings.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, the “Terminator” movie star who served two terms as California governor, promises a more humorous touch on “The New Celebrity Apprentice,” starting on Jan. 2 on NBC with a new round of stars taking on business-related challenges.

Schwarzenegger, 69, said he asked for the reality show to move from New York to California and to reflect his personality.

“Even though it looked very dramatic and terrific when you saw the boardroom in New York, it was kind of dark.

I wanted to see everything more bright. I’m a very upbeat person and I have a good sense of humor,” Schwarzenegger told reporters ahead of the premiere.

“I want to play up my personality. Trump did a great job playing up his personality,” he said.

Trump’s 11-year stint on “The Apprentice” and sister show “Celebrity Apprentice” catapulted him from New York businessman to a household name. More than 20 million Americans were regular watchers in the show’s early years, falling to around six million in 2015.

News that Trump will retain an executive producer credit on the show, which usually involves a payment, caused a media furor earlier in December about potential conflicts of interest.

‘I

t’s not just Sunny Deol’s dhai kilo ka haath which will be in action in Neeraj Pathak’s upcoming comedy, ‘Bhaiyyaji Superhitt’, in which he plays a UP don, but his happy feet have been working overtime too. Mirror has learnt that the 59-year-old actor has been shooting five songs, back-toback, with choreographer-friend Ahmed Khan at a suburban Mumbai studio.

“I made him dance two years ago on ‘Gud Naal Ishaq Meetha’ in Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru’s ‘I Love NY’. But this time Sunny will be seen in a completely different avatar.

He’s wearing glares and a gamcha and sporting a mouchi. All the songs have been lavishly mounted with Sunny grooving with almost 200 backdrop dancers,” informs Ahmed who has been filming with the actor over the last week at several locations, including Filmistan Studio, Film City and the Imperial Grand Palace Hotel in Goregaon. “We will be filming for another five days and may also incorporate Sunny’s iconic ‘Yaara O Yaara’ step in one of the songs.”

Ameesha Patel plays an actress and Preity, a small-town girl and Sunny’s wife, tries to emulate her. Sunny’s don speaks in Bhojpuri. “He has the unit in splits when he unintentionally slips into Punjabi in between his dialogues,” director Neeraj had told Mirror earlier (April 29).

17

WEEKEND MIRROR 31 DECEMBER, 2016 - 1 JANUARY, 2017

Philippines Duterte: I threw suspect from helicopter

Syria conflict: Ceasefire agreed, backed by Russia and Turkey

BBC -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to throw corrupt officials from helicopters mid-air, saying he has done it before.

“If you are corrupt, I will fetch you using a helicopter to Manila and I will throw you out,” said Mr Duterte, who is waging war on

corruption and drugs.

It’s the latest claim by the president that he has personally carried out extra-judicial killings.

His spokesman played down the remarks, which he described as “urban legend”.

Earlier this month another spokesman Martin Andanar said his blunt-speaking boss should be taken “seriously but not literally” when he said he had shot dead three men while mayor of Davao.

Nearly 60 community leaders murdered in Colombia

BBC -- The Syrian government and rebel groups have agreed a nationwide ceasefire from midnight local time (22:00 GMT) on Thursday, followed by peace talks.

The deal was announced

by Russian President Vladimir Putin and confirmed by

the Turkish foreign ministry.

Russia and Turkey, which back opposing sides, will act as guarantors.

The rebel High Negotiations Committee (HNC), seen by the UN as the main opposition group, confirmed the deal, which excludes

jihadist groups.

The Syrian army said in a statement that so-called Islamic State (IS) and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham (formerly the Nusra Front) “and the groups affiliated to them” were not part of the agreement.

China’s unmanned submersibles descend 10,000 metres underwater (Prensa Latina) Three Chinese unmanned deep-sea devices descended over 10,000 metres underwater and successfully completed sea tests in the Pacific Ocean marking a major step in the country’’s deep-sea research, researchers said.

Cui Weicheng, director of Hadal Life Science Research Center at Shanghai Ocean University, led a team of researchers to carry out research at the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the world’s ocean.

The group left December 3 on Zhang Jian, a research vessel and mother ship of the Rainbow Fish series,

and included three deep-sea landing devices, one unmanned search submersible and a manned submersible, all capable of diving 10,000 metres.

From December 25-27, three deep-sea landing devices descended into the trench, Cui said.

The first Rainbow Fish landing device took photographs, the second took sediment samples and the third took biological samples, Cui said.

All three submersibles reached over 10,000 metres, and the third device brought back 103 amphipods, he said.

The Rainbow Fish project is a mobile lab co-fund-

ed by the state and private capital. ‘The successful sea test marks another step in China’s deep-sea research,’ Cui said.

Globally, there are 26 hadal trenches, defined as those with depths of 6,500 meters or more. They are home to many unknown species as well as energy and metal resources.

China became the third country after Japan and the US to build submersibles capable of reaching depths in excess of 10,000 meters.

Scientists forecast China will have a manned submersible capable of descending to 10,000 meters by 2019 or 2020, the report said.

(Prensa Latina) The Interior Ministry of Colombia has confirmed that 58 community and rural leaders were murdered by alleged paid assassins this year in the country.

In statements to the media, the Interior Minister Juan Fernando Cristo admitted that other institutions might have higher figures, but their official count -he said- of murdered social activists is 58.

This wave of killings is of growing concern for social and political leaders at times when Colombia is proceeding to implement the Peace Agreements between the Government and the FARCEP guerrilla movement.

He downed play claims that these murders are systematic, adding that the Government of President Juan Manuel Santos is concerned about it while pointing at drug dealers as the alleged responsible.

In particular, Cristo mentioned that in the Cauca and

Nariño departments, in the country’s south, where the FARC-EP members are leaving their bases following the Peace Agreements, there are drug-trafficking groups which are responsible for the murder of local activists.

Left-wing Senator Ivan Cepeda, for the Polo Democrático Alternativo, said that these homicides are

a very serious threat to the Peace process. He added that it was a good move by President Santos to speak against this killing wave when he called ‘to stop this violence’.

The legislator upheld that it is a systematic plan of exterminating left-wing activists and community leaders, particularly in the country’s most outlying regions.

Haitian election results postponed until January 3rd (Prensa Latina) The Haitian Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) has postponed the publication of the final results of the general election, which were held on November 20th.

The decision was announced in a statement released on Thursday, which said that the results would not be declared this Thursday as had been previously announced.

Although the Electoral Council did not reveal the reason for the change in the decision, it has been reported that there has been an impasse with regards to the

verification of the electoral count.

This has been caused by claims made to judges by two political parties, the Pitit Desalines platform and the Alternative League for Progress and Emancipation

of Haiti (Lapeh).

Their claims have now been rejected and final counting resumed on December 29th at 10:00am, meaning that the final results will not be released until the 3rd of January.

18

Children’s Corner

WEEKEND MIRROR 31 DECEMBER, 2016 - 1 JANUARY, 2017

The Banker and the Pauper O nce upon a time there lived a pauper and a banker. The first was as poor as the second was rich. So it was inevitable that the rich man will be happier than the pauper. But their natures were opposite, for the poor man was happy whereas the banker was not. The banker was annoyed of the fact that while he tossed and turned in his bed at night, the pauper slept peacefully and always awoke rested and full of energy.

One day the banker could stand it no longer. He decided to find out why the pauper was a happy man inspite of his poverty. So he summoned him to his house and asked him his yearly income because he believed that happiness could only be measured in terms of wealth.

“I don’t count too well, nor do I really care. I live each day as it comes and never worry about the next.”

“Well, then, just tell me how much you earn in one day,” insisted the rich man.

“I earn what I need. And even that would be too much were it not for all the Sundays and holidays when I must close my shop.”

The banker liked the pauper. He wished to thank him for coming to his house, so he presented the poor man with a bag of hundred gold coins.

Now, to the pauper these

coins, which meant so little to the banker, seemed a great fortune. He decided to hide the bag, so that he would have the money if ever he should need it. So, when he returned to his house, he dug a big hole in a secluded corner of the garden, threw the bag into it, and covered it with dirt.

But from that day on, the poor man’s life changed- he began to worry about the safety of his money. Every night he slept a little less, and each time he heard the slightest sound, he became anxious about the safety of his coins.

Finally, he could bear his unhappiness no longer. He went to the garden, dug up

the coins and returned them to the banker.

The pauper had learned an important lesson, and so has the banker.

Dear Children,

T

he winner of the colouring contest Jolly Stocking is Rhea Jaisingh. The picture to colour this week is entitled Happy New Year and is submitted by Keisha James.

Colour and send it to Weekend Mirror, PO Box 101088, Georgetown or 8 Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

The winners will receive the prize of a storybook.

Name: ............................................................................................................................................

Address: ........................................................................................................................................ ......................................................................................... Tel. No: ................................................

WEEKEND MIRROR 31 DECEMBER, 2016 - 1 JANUARY, 2017

19

20

WEEKEND MIRROR 31 DECEMBER, 2016 - 1 JANUARY, 2017 Emotional Equivalence

Corner Helpful tips on dealing with rejection in a positive way

? Constant comparison with an elder or younger sibling will deplete their self-esteem. As a parent, you will have to highlight the good qualities of children and encourage them. ? Give your children unconditional love and affection. ? Create a strong emotional bond with your children, where they will learn to trust you.

Professional Counseling

? If needed, do not hesitate to give your child professional assistance. It will help identify the root cause of a problem and solve it. ? You do not want your child to grow up with a feeling of rejection which he may carry all his life.

Rejection by a Lover People feel rejected in love when...

... a partner leaves them ... prefers the company of someone else ... puts the onus of the breakup on their actions ... blames them for not giving him/her space They should rather Manage Negative Emotions

? Always remember that your emotions are a powerful tool which can make or break you. ? Instead of brooding and feeling guilty, take a while to think what went wrong. ? Talk to a close friend or family member who would be able to help and guide you. ? Do not sit and cry over the person who rejected you. ? It is indeed difficult but not impossible to get over a breakup.

Go Out and Have Fun

? Go out with friends and do things that you like to do. ? Keep yourself occupied. Listen to music, watch movies, read books, or pursue a hobby. ? Groom yourself to feel better and confident.

Cut Off all Contact

? Avoid communicating with him. ? Avoid finding out what’s going on in his life. ? Live your own life and let him live his.

Learn from Mistakes

R

? It’s time to move on. Tell yourself that you’ll find someone who will love you as much. Be positive and have an open mind. ? Don’t be in a hurry to start another relationship. Get to know the person better. ? Learn from your mistakes and don’t repeat them.

Rejected for a Job

ejection is something that every person has to face one time or the other in their life. Whatever the reason, there are many people who take it in a negative sense, which can lead to depression and lower their self-esteem. Here are some tips about handling refusal in a positive way in your personal and professional life.

Oftentimes, people find it difficult to face refusal, making them anxious, hurt, dejected, and depressed. In extreme situations, such people can even harm themselves or others.

We all have different levels of tolerances. However, reducing the rejection-induced stress by thinking that it is temporary and will eventually go away can help deal with the situation better. We have to practice to let go our negative emotions and concentrate on overcoming them. Though it may seem to be difficult, it is essential for having a successful and happy life ahead.

motivate them to do better. ? Understand your child and correct him, if wrong. ? Ask him to call his friends at home for a small party to help him mingle with them. ? Find out what his interests are, and encourage him to develop and excel in those.

Rejection at School

A child may feel abandoned when he is... ... abandoned by a parent ... constantly compared with other siblings ... not loved by a parent ... constantly berated

? Always tell yourself that it is OK to fail sometimes. ? Instead of fretting, an honest self-introspection can help understand what went wrong. ? Be objective in listening to constructive criticism, do not listen to people who point out your faults without substantial reasons. ? Learn from your mistakes and work on your pain points to get through the next interview.

Dealing with parental refusal by...

Aim Higher

How parents can help Boosting their Confidence

Positive Notes

Children feel rejected when they are... ... not accepted as a part of popular groups ... not selected for group activities ... laughed at, teased, bullied, and even ridiculed ... punished for a misdeed They can come to terms by...

... trying to make friends with other children ... refraining from talking ill about others ... learning new social and interpersonal skills ... sharing their thoughts and feelings with a close friend so that they do not feel alone Helping them deal with the situation Make them Feel Secured

? Make them a part of groups which accept them easily, to evoke a feeling of security. ? If your child is getting bullied at school, bring it to his teacher’s notice immediately. ? Encourage group activities by making your child socialize occasionally to remove his mental block.

Encourage and Appreciate

? Parents and teachers should appreciate children when they do good work. This will give them a feeling of acceptance and

Constructive Criticism

? Ask your child to introspect and see if he has done anything to trigger rejection. ? If your child is reprimanded at school, he may feel dejected and angry. It is very important to make him take responsibility for his actions by explaining the repercussions. ? Make him learn from his mistakes so that the same actions are not repeated.

Rejection by Family

... not taking the blame on themselves ... harboring positive thoughts ... sharing their feelings with a parent, guardian, or counselor ... trying to bring their parents together ... ignoring the comparisons between siblings, and developing individual goals and expectations

? Children of divorced or separated parents feel abandoned and hurt, and often blame themselves for the divorce. Help them understand it’s not their fault and that they shouldn’t feel guilty about the differences in the family. ? Make them feel secured and wanted. ? If one parent has disowned/deserted the child, the other needs to play the role of both parents by giving the child special attention and making him feel loved.

A person may feel rejected when...

... turned down at an interview ... considered incapable ... criticized for his weaknesses ... he loses the job to another candidate To cope up they should Accept Failure

? Keep looking for better opportunities, you will definitely find something that will take you professionally ahead. ? You can observe and consult your peers who have undergone a similar situation and have learned how to tackle it. ? Always think of career setbacks as opportunities. ? According to Bo Bennett, a refusal is nothing more than a necessary step in the pursuit of success.

Move on: Do not dwell on rejection for long, try to find ways to achieve success in your personal and professional life.

Don’t lose self-esteem: No matter what, do not allow negative feelings to plague your mind.

Get ready for a new life: You are going to embark upon something new very soon. Be it starting a new job or entering a new relationship, it’s going to change your life in some way.

Get ready for the change, start life anew.

Be positive: In relationships, rather than focusing on what is (Turn to page 21)

21

WEEKEND MIRROR 31 DECEMBER, 2016 - 1 JANUARY, 2017

The Surprising Benefits of Olive Recipes Fish in Oil for Skin and Face Care Pungent Sauce

Ingredients: 2 lbs fish, ½ tsp salt, 1 tbsp chopped celery,1 tbsp chopped eschallot, ½ tsp chopped wirri-wirri peppers Batter: 2 cups flour, 2 cups water, 3 level tsp baking powder, Salt and black pepper Sauce: 4 tbsp oil, 1 large onion, sliced, 1 medium carrot, sliced, 1 green pepper, sliced 2 tomatoes, sliced, 8 tbsp ketchup, 7 tbsp vinegar, 8 tbsp water, ½ tsp salt

O

live oil is a natural oil derived from the fruits of the olive tree. For centuries, women have been using olive oil for hair and skin care. Unlike the skin care products that are available in the market, olive oil is pure and natural, sans any chemicals, and hence, has no side effects either, thus, making it an ideal choice for facial skin care.

Instead of using the various cleansing creams and face washes in the market, which by the way, contain chemicals, you can use pure olive oil for face cleaning.

Here is a simple method for its usage.

Step 1

Take a small amount of virgin olive oil in your palms and apply it on your face. You do not need to wash your face with any soap or cleanser prior to its application. Use circular motions so that the oil reaches all the parts of the face, especially the creases of the nose, which normally get overlooked.

Step 2

Continue massaging for about two minutes. There are many benefits of olive oil for facial skin cleansing. It helps in dissolving the oil, dirt, makeup or any other impurities that get deposited in the skin pores. Post massaging, leave the oil on the face for about thirty seconds.

Step 3

Now take a washcloth and dip it in

hot water. Rinse it slightly and then put it on your face. This will help in steaming your face and thus, remove the impurities in the skin pores which have already been loosened by the oil.

Keep the washcloth on the face for about ten minutes.

Step 4

After the face steaming has been done, remove the wash cloth. Splash cold water on your face and clean it thoroughly so that oil is completely removed. Remember not to rub or pull your face skin while cleaning.

Regularly washing your face with olive oil, will make your skin soft, supple and fresh.

Olive Oil Face Mask

For skin that is dry or wrinkled or sunburned, this face mask works best.

Take a bowl and put together one egg yellow, one tablespoon flour and half a tablespoon olive oil, in it. Now mix them properly to form a paste.

Apply the face pack on the skin and leave it on for twenty minutes. After that, wash off with lukewarm water.

Apply this face pack twice a week on dry skin, to keep it well moisturized.

For normal skin, make a face mask by putting together half cup yogurt, half cup cucumber juice and half tablespoon olive oil. Apply the face mask on the face, leave on for fifteen minutes and then wash off

Helpful tips on... wrong with you, think about your good qualities.

Wounds into wisdom: Make the emotion of pent up anger work in your favor by taking efforts to achieve success.

Look before you leap: Think twice before entering a new relationship. Restrict yourself from getting emotionally attached too early. It is always better to know about a person completely before getting involved with him. If it’s about venturing a

with lukewarm water. Since normal skin is already quiet healthy, applying this face mask once a week is more than enough for natural skin care.

For oily skin, make a face pack by mixing together one cup oatmeal, half tablespoon olive oil, sea salts and half cup sour milk. Apply the mixture on face for fifteen minutes and then wash off. This face mask will help in cleansing the pores thoroughly, thereby preventing pimples, acne, zits, which an oily skin is very prone to.

Take a tablespoon of sandal wood powder, add half a teaspoon of turmeric and half a spoon of olive oil to it. Next, pour enough milk in it so as to form a paste. Mix it properly and after that apply evenly on your face and neck. Let the face mask remain on your face for about half an hour.

Follow this up by washing your face with lukewarm water. In the end, spray rosewater on your face. If applied every week, this face mask will give all skin types an unmatchable glow.

Besides being an excellent cleanser and an important ingredient in face masks, olive oil serves as a great moisturizer too. In order to use this oil for face massage, I prefer to use the one which is available in the market for cooking. Olive oil as a moisturizer helps in keeping the skin well-nourished, thus, making the face dewy-soft and glowing.

(From page 20)

new job, re-analyze your strengths, weaknesses, and see what kind of job suits you best. Reflect on yourself, your qualities before you take the leap onto what’s waiting for you.

Do not let rejections affect your present and future. As Oliver Goldsmith has rightly said,”Our greatest glory consists not in never falling but in rising every time we fall.” Heal your wounds, get over the pain, and move forward in life!

Preparation Clean the fish and season with salt, chopped celery, eschallot and wirri-wirri peppers.

Heat the oil in a pan, and sauté the onion, carrot, pepper and tomatoes for about 3 minutes. Add the ketchup, sugar, vinegar, water and salt, and simmer for 10 - 15 minutes.

Mix the flour, water, baking powder, salt and pepper to a smooth batter.

Coat the fish with batter and fry in deep fat until brown.

Place in a serving dish, pour the sauce over and serve hot.

Fried Chicken with Orange Sauce Ingredients: 1 x 2½ - 3 lb chicken, cut up, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper, ¼ cup flour, ¼ cup margarine or shortening, hot water Orange Sauce: 2/3 cup orange juice, 1½ cups water or chicken broth, 2 tbsp cornstarch ½ tsp grated orange rind, 2 tbsp sherry, optional, ½ tsp ginger

Preparation Coat the pieces of chicken with flour and seasonings. Melt the fat in a frying pan and brown the chicken. Add water, cover and cook slowly until the chicken is tender (25 - 30 minutes). Serve with orange sauce.

Orange Sauce In a saucepan, bring the orange juice and water (or chicken broth) to a boil. Separately, in a little water, mix the cornstarch to a smooth thin paste. Stir the cornstarch mixture into a boiling orange juice base and stir until smooth and thickened. Add the remaining ingredients and heat.

Serve with fried chicken.

To add colour, add a few thin slices of orange with a touch of parsley.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 31 DECEMBER, 2016 - 1 JANUARY, 2017

Grade Six Assessment ENGLISH Hummingbirds

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow. Refer to the text to check your answers when appropriate.

Have you ever heard the sound of a hummingbird? They make a buzzing noise when they fly. They make this noise because they beat their wings so fast. They beat their wings up to 80 times a second. All that flapping makes a lot of noise. That’s why we call them hummingbirds.

Hummingbirds fly in a unique way. They move their wings so fast that they can hover. This means that they can stay in one spot in the middle of the air, like a helicopter.

Sometimes they fly or hover upside down. They are the only bird that flies backward.

Hummingbirds are small. One type called the bee hummingbird is the smallest bird in the world. Bee hummingbirds weigh less than a penny. They are just a little bit bigger than bees. I guess that’s where they get their name.

Bee hummingbirds build tiny nests. They use cobwebs and bits of bark to make their homes. Their homes are only an inch around. This is big enough for their eggs though.

Their eggs are smaller than peas. People have found these tiny nests on a clothespin.

Hummingbirds move fast. It takes lots of energy to move as fast as they do. This means that they need to eat a lot of food. Their favorite food is nectar, a sweet liquid inside of some flowers. They drink more than their own weight in nectar daily. They have to visit hundreds of flowers to get enough nectar to live. They can only store enough energy to survive through the night. They live on the edge.

Hummingbirds don’t use their long beaks like straws. They have a tongue just like you. They use their tongues for eating. They flick their tongues in and out of their mouths while inside of flowers. They lap up nectar. Flowers give them the energy that they need.

Hummingbirds help flowers too. They get pollen on their heads and bills when they feed. Flowers use pollen to make seeds. Hummingbirds help pollen get from one flower to the next. This helps flowers make more seeds. More seeds means more flowers. More flowers means more food for hummingbirds. Isn’t it nice how that works out?

EXERCISE A 1. Why are they called hummingbirds? a. They are very light c. Their wings make a humming sound

b. They sing when they fly d. Their song sounds like humming

2. How do hummingbirds eat? a. They drink nectar through their beaks like a straw. b. They chew up flower petals with their beaks. c. They use their heads and bills to eat pollen. d. They lap up nectar with their tongues.

3. How do hummingbirds help flowers? a. They drink nectar.

b. They eat pollen.

c. They bring pollen from one flower to the next. d. They plant seeds.

4. According to the text, which does the bee hummingbird use to make nests? a. straw

b. concrete c. bark

d. sticks 5. Which best describes the main idea of the fifth paragraph? a. Hummingbirds move fast. b. Hummingbirds like to eat nectar. c. Hummingbirds use lots of energy and eat often. d. Hummingbirds drink their own weight in nectar every day.

6. Which statement about bee hummingbirds is not true? a. Bee hummingbird eggs are smaller than peas. b. Bee hummingbirds weigh less than a penny. c. Bee hummingbirds have built nests on clothespins. d. Bee hummingbirds do not grow larger than bees.

7. What is unique about the way that hummingbirds fly? a. They can fly faster than any other bird. b. They can fly longer than any other bird. c. They can fly forward and backward. d. They can only fly for a few seconds at a time.

8. Which best defines the word hover as used in paragraph two? a. To stay in one spot in the air b. To clean an area thoroughly c. An animal that has hooves

d. To move your wings very fast 9. Why do flowers need pollen? a. Flowers eat pollen.

c. Hummingbirds eat pollen.

b. Pollen attracts hummingbirds. d. Flowers use pollen to make seeds.

10. Which title best describes the main idea of this text? a. Bee Hummingbirds: The World’s Smallest Bird b. Pollination: How Birds and Flowers Work Together c. Hummingbirds: Unique and Uniquely Helpful d. Interesting Facts About Birds EXERCISE B

1. How do flowers and hummingbirds benefit each other? Refer to the text to support your answer.

2. Why does the hummingbird have to eat so often? Refer to the text to support your answer.

3. Why is the ability to hover useful to a hummingbird? Refer to the text to support your answer.

23

WEEKEND MIRROR 31 DECEMBER, 2016 - 1 JANUARY, 2017

The Other View

on Twitter,” she told IPS. Article 2 of Peru’s constitution recognises the right to freedom of information, opinion, expression and dissemination of thought through written or oral means, or images, through any social means of communication, without previous authorisation or censure.

But “there is no criminal penalty when a user is blocked by official social networks accounts,” said Novoa.

By Franz Chávez Article 19 of the Universal Declaration The blocking of sites as a form of cenof Human Rights, in force since 1948, states sorship on the Internet is not very effective APOPAN, Mexico, (IPS) - Email sur- that “Everyone has the right to freedom of because the message will just be multiplied veillance, blocking of websites with opinion and expression; this right includes over the social networks, said Javier Pallero, content that is awkward for governments, freedom to hold opinions without interferan Argentine analyst for the international or the interruption of services such as ence and to seek, receive and impart infordigital rights defence organisation, AcWhatsApp are symptoms of the threat to mation and ideas through any media and cessnow. freedom of expression online, according to regardless of frontiers.”

Beyond that, it represents an action that Latin American activists.

“Three years ago, someone hacked into stifles the debate needed to strengthen deRepresentatives of organisations in the my email account and made my list of conmocracy, he told IPS. region participated this month in Zapopan, tacts public,” Martha Roldos complained Censorship on the internet “is a deploron the outskirts of the Mexican city of Gua- to IPS. She is executive director of the able act by people who fear the power of indalajara, in the Internet Governance Forum Ecuadorian Foundation 1000 Pages, which formation,” said David Alonso Santivañez, a (IGF 2016), an initiative formally estab- researches and promotes accountability of Peruvian expert on digital legislation. lished by the United Nations Organisation civil servants towards the community.

In any case, in his opinion, the capacity in 2006. They discussed the problems facing She described challenges faced by activof social networks to multiply a message freedom of speech on the social networks. ists, including espionage or interception of some 60 million times A total of 12 Mexiin a minute calls into can civil society organquestion the possibility isation highlighted the of true censorship of situation in their counpeople’s communicatry, which is similar to tion. that of other countries What is needed, the in the region. expert told IPS, is to “There are no hecreate laws that guargemonic standards or antee the use of the models of legislation service, offer security for the information soand are the result of ciety. Every region, teamwork between civcountry, government il society, legal experts and key actor makes and governments. decisions in accor“Judges and prosdance with their own ecutors are the ones financial and technical that have to investigate possibilities, political these kinds of abuses will and digital culture, and interference in the which it is necessary to private lives of journalwork on.” -- J. Eduarists, activists and politdo Rojas ical leaders. If they deIn a statement they tect illegal interference denounced the interwith no judicial order, ception of communiwithout any legitimate cations and the use of objective, they must malware “to silence sanction this kind of journalists and politioffence,” urged IAcal opponents”.

“Mexican author- Experts and adolescents during a workshop about the risks of internet for children and young people, as part of the 2016 Internet CHR rapporteur Lanza.

In a world dominatGovernance Forum (IGF2016), held in Zapopan, in eastern Mexico ities intercept private ed by the information communications” and 99 percent of the geolocalisation and ob- email messages, and mentioned government tions, concluded that web pages that were society, the paradigm of self-regulation taining of people’s digital identity (meta- actions such as employing facial and voice blocked belonged to companies that had makes it necessary for “multi sectoral data) ”are done without a judicial order,” recognition equipment for people involved provided information about the exchange stakeholders to establish an informed and rate of the dollar. intelligent dialogue in order to define apthey stated in the document, issued by the in journalism or environmental activism.

It was also established that other blocked proaches, methods and techniques to face Mexican branch of Article 19, a Paris-based In Brazil, the mobile text messaging app websites were media outlets and blogs the challenges of an increasingly digitalised international organisation for the defence of WhatsApp was interrupted on four occacritical of the governing United Socialist society,” J. Eduardo Rojas, a Bolivian exfreedom of expression. sions over the last two years by judges who Party of Venezuela and the administration pert who heads the Networks Foundation, “Civil society actors are very worried” demanded that conversations be revealed told IPS. with regard to the surveillance that the new as part of investigations – a measure that of President Nicolás Maduro.

Yvana Novoa, a lawyer for the Peruvian “There are no hegemonic standards or technologies allow “and the possibility of was condemned by Artigo 19, Articulo 19’s organisation Anti corruption and Freedom models of legislation for the information intercepting our computers and telephones, local branch. of Information (Liber), documented cases society.

Every region, country, government where we leave a digital fingerprint when “The court ruling is disproportionate and we look for news or use our email,” Edison is a direct attack on freedom of expression. in which users were blocked from accessing and key actor makes decisions in accordance Lanza, special rapporteur for Freedom of The measure represents a blatant violation the Facebook account of the city of Lima. with their own financial and technical posExpression of the Inter American Commis- of principles and of the proportionality that Also, “some public officials such as minis- sibilities, political will and digital culture, sion on Human Rights, told IPS. judicial rulings should have,” said Artigo 19 ters have blocked users who criticise them which it is necessary to work on,” he said.

Threats to Freedom of Expression in the Social Networks Z

in defense of millions of Brazilian citizens who use the popular app.

Ana Ortega, the head of the Freedom of Expression Committee (C-Libre) in Honduras, told IPS that among the many incidents against freedom of expression was the arrest of and prosecution against Elvin Francisco Molina for allegedly spreading false information on his Facebook page about the country’s banking system.

Accused of causing “financial panic in the social networks,” Molina was investigated by order of the National Council of Defence and Security. C-Libre expressed concern over the “criminalisation” of the use of social networks in the draft of a new Criminal Code which is being debated by the National Congress.

In Honduras, “there is no law to protect internet users and we take refuge under the right to freedom of expression and the 2006 law on access to information,” explained Ortega.

The report “Surf Freely”, carried out by the Venezuelan Press and Society Institute in several of that country’s states before and after the December 2015 parliamentary elec-

24

WEEKEND MIRROR 31 DECEMBER, 2016 - 1 JANUARY, 2017

New Year and Resolutions

H

ow often have your New Year’s resolutions been forgotten by January 2nd?

Well, according to ancient tradition, January 2nd was actually the day to make New Year resolutions as it is the twelfth day of the Yuletide festival.

I thought it would be fun to devise a New Year ritual to help you support those good intentions for 2017.

This is a two-part ritual that first involves cleansing ourselves of what we want to remove from our life and then affirming the things we want to invite in. You have between the New Moon (Dec 29th) and the Full Moon (January 12th) to carry it out.

The period of the New Moon is ideal for beginning this kind of ritual and we are fortunate that the New Moon falls on December 29th this year, just a few days before the start of 2017.

As the New Moon energy is great for initiating new things, you can incorporate this lunar power and energy into your Resolutions. This is what you want to be thinking of come January 1st.

My good Readers, you can begin your ritual sometime between the 29th of December and the 1st of January.

Go to a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed, draw the curtains and dim the lights and then light a candle. You can even light incense if you like. Sit down so that you are comfortable and breathe deeply until you feel relaxed.

Let your mind drift over the past 12 months, thinking about all that you have done. Then, write down on a piece of paper all your achievements and everything that gave you pleasure this past year.

Next, on another piece of paper, list everything you want for yourself in 2017. It can be as detailed as you like.

The clearer you are with your intentions, the easier it is for the Universe to help you fulfill them.

Once finished, put this paper in a safe place, like the back of a drawer. This is the first part of your resolution your dreams, projects and/or goals for 2017.

The second part of this ritual involves letting go.

Most of us have at least one or two habits we would like to break, like negative thought patterns that prevent us from doing what we would like to do. Or perhaps there is an emotion we cannot quite let go of, one that no longer serves any purpose other than to bring us down.

On a separate piece of paper or several sheets, write down the things you would like to remove or eradicate from your life. When you are finished, put the papers aside where they won’t be disturbed, but keep them handy.

You will complete the second part of the ritual on January 12th, the night of the Full Moon. This is when you will release your “let go” list.

When the Full Moon is out, you are ready for the final step of burning your list(s). You must do this safely. If you do not have access to a fireside, you can use a stainless steel bowl or empty tin, or you can go outside and use a grill, the ground or the road shoulder. Just be mindful that the flames can be contained.

Take all your pieces of paper and burn them, one at a time. As you do, say out loud or silently, “I no longer need ………… in my life”.

While doing this, think about all your negatives going up in smoke and your wish list gathering strength in the darkness!

Comrades, Friends and Readers! Best Wishes for a Very Happy New Year (2017)!

25

WEEKEND MIRROR 31 DECEMBER, 2016 - 1 JANUARY, 2017

Cheetahs heading towards extinction as population crashes

T

he sleek, speedy cheetah is rapidly heading towards extinction according to a new study into declining numbers.

The report estimates that there are just 7,100 of the world’s fastest mammals now left in the wild.

Cheetahs are in trouble because they range far beyond protected areas and are coming increasingly into conflict with humans.

The authors are calling for an urgent re-categorisation of the species from vulnerable to endangered.

According to the study, more than half the world’s surviving cheetahs live in one population that ranges across six countries in southern Africa.

Cheetahs in Asia have been essentially wiped out.

A group estimated to number fewer than 50 individuals clings on in Iran.

Because the cheetah is one of the widest-ranging carnivores, it roams across lands far outside protected areas. Some 77% of their habitat falls outside these

parks and reserves.

As a result, the animal struggles because these lands are increasingly being developed by farmers and the cheetah’s prey is declining because of bushmeat hunting.

In Zimbabwe, the cheetah population has fallen from around 1,200 to just 170 animals in 16 years, with the main cause being major changes in land tenure.

Researchers involved with the study say that the threats facing the fabled predator have gone unnoticed for far too long.

“Given the secretive nature of this elusive cat, it has been difficult to gather hard information on the species, leading to its plight being overlooked,” said Dr Sarah Durant, from the Zoological Society of London, UK, and the report’s lead author.

“Our findings show that the large space requirements for the cheetah, coupled with the complex range of threats faced by the species in the wild, mean that it is likely

to be much more vulnerable to extinction than was previously thought.”

Another of the big concerns about cheetahs has been the illegal trafficking of cubs, fuelled by demand from the Gulf states, as reported by the BBC earlier this year.

The young cats can fetch up to $10,000 on the black market. According to

the Cheetah Conservation Fund, some 1,200 cheetah cubs are known to have been trafficked out of Africa over the past 10 years but around 85% of them died during the journey.

At the recent CITES conference in South Africa, governments agreed to put new measures in place to tackle this issue, clamping down on the use of social media to

advertise cheetahs for sale.

However if the species is to survive long term then urgent efforts must be made to tackle the wider question of protected areas and ranges.

The new study argues for a “paradigm shift in conservation”, moving away from the idea of just declaring an area to be protected and towards incorporating “incentive-based approach-

es”. This, in essence, means paying local communities to protect a species that many see as a dangerous predator.

“The take-away from this pinnacle study is that securing protected areas alone is not enough,” said Dr Kim Young-Overton from Panthera, another author on the report.

“We must think bigger, conserving across the mosaic of protected and unprotected landscapes that these far-reaching cats inhabit, if we are to avert the otherwise certain loss of the cheetah forever.”

To fully recognise the scale of the threat that the cheetah now faces, the report is calling on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to change the categorisation of the fastest animal on its Red List from vulnerable to endangered.

This would help focus international conservation support on a species that the authors fear is heading for extinction at an increasing pace.

Scientists to start sending messages into universe in hopes of getting a reply from aliens A

team of scientists is preparing to phone ET’s home.

The San Francisco-based non-profit organization METI (Messaging Extraterrestrial Intelligence) International has announced plans to start sending signals into space for extra terrestrials starting in 2018, rather than waiting for them to contact Earth.

It is a plan that is receiving mixed reviews however, with some leading minds of the opinion that we should not try and seek out alien life but rather hide from them out of

fear that could want to conquer the planet.

‘If we want to start an exchange over the course of many generations, we want to learn and share information,’ said Douglas Vakoch, the president of METI. Now it is just a question of figuring out the best way to greet any extra terrestrials who might receive this message.

‘It’s too late to conceal ourselves in the universe, so we should decide how we want to represent ourselves,’ said Vakoch.

‘Extraterrestrials may be waiting for a clear indication from us that we’re

ready to start talking.’

METI plans to send their first radio transmission by the end of 2018, with an emphasis on messages that reveal basic mathematical and scientific

concepts.

‘It would be ideal to use a powerful transmitter like those used for planetary radar studies, such as Arecibo Observatory,’ said Vakoch.

A number of such sig-

nals have already been sent, with perhaps the most famous being fired out by the Arecibo radio telescope in 1974.

Its binary digits reveals some details about our solar system, humans species and Earth’s biochemistry.

Vakoch says that we should include an instruction manual of sorts so that aliens can decode are messages more easily. ‘’There are a lot of hidden assumptions embedded in the ways we portray three-dimensional objects on two-dimensional surfaces,’ said Vakoch.

‘Even if aliens use pic-

tures, they may use a different set of conventions to map solid objects onto flat surfaces.’

Some scientists, however, believe we should refrain from contacting aliens at all in case they are hostile.

Professor Stephen Hawking believes if aliens discovered Earth, they are likely to want to conquer and colonize the planet.

‘If aliens visit us, the outcome could be much like when Columbus landed in America, which didn’t turn out well for the Native Americans,’ he said in an interview.

26

Single-minded Rousey aims to claim back UFC belt

W

hen UFC bantamweight Ronda Rousey makes her long-awaited return to the octagon on Friday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, she will have just one thing on her mind - avenging her only UFC defeat and winning back what she sees as “her” belt.

Over a year has passed since a stunning knockout

by Holly Holm saw her lose the title and Rousey, who has shunned the media for much of the last 12 months, now takes on current champion Amanda Nunes.

“I don’t care how this pay-per-view does. I don’t care how much money I make. I don’t care about interviews and I don’t care how I look,” the 29-year-old Californian said in a brief video about the UFC 207 event posted by TMZ on Wednesday.

“All I care about is winning my belt back on Friday night and that’s it.”

The most dominant female athlete in mixed

martial arts and, alongside Irishman Conor McGregor, one of the most bankable stars in the UFC, Rousey’s loss to Holm stunned the fight game and started a period of turbulence in the bantamweight division.

Having won the title in spectacular fashion, Holm lost it just as quickly as Miesha Tate caught her in a rear naked choke at the end of a bruising five-round battle in March to emerge with the belt.

Tate then fell at the first hurdle herself as Brazilian challenger Amanda Nunes swarmed all over her at UFC 200 in July before finishing the fight in the first round with the same choke Tate used to beat Holm.

Rousey has said that this will be one of the last times fans will see her in the octagon, and a defeat to the 28-year-old Nunes may well hasten the retirement of the 2008 Olympic judo bronze medalist.

Amir Khan admits that a British battle with Kell Brook could be his next major fight in 2017 A mir Khan believes Kell Brook will be his ‘next big fight’ and expects to make his comeback from a hand operation in April.

The former two-weight world champion has successfully recovered from extensive surgery on a long-standing injury in September and

is planning two fights next year, which could include a long-awaited British battle with Brook.

Khan expects to return to the ring in the spring, following by another bout at the end of the year, and has suggested that IBF welterweight champion Brook and Danny

Garcia, the WBC title holder at 147lbs, are his two likely opponents.

“I want to be back in the ring around April time and then again at the end of the year,” Khan told The Bolton News. “I had the hand operation and it feels brand new.

WEEKEND MIRROR 31 DECEMBER, 2016 - 1 JANUARY, 2017

Money problems force cancellation of 2017 Tour of Qatar T he 2017 Tour of Qatar has been canceled due to the lack of a financial sponsor, cycling’s ruling body announced.

The stage race, due to take place in Doha in February, was called off because of “difficulty attracting sponsor financial support,” the International Cycling Union (UCI) said in a statement late on

Wednesday.

The announcement is a blow to the sporting ambitions of Qatar which has hosted the race for 15 years.

The Gulf state is planning for the 2022 soccer World Cup and has hosted the Asian soccer cup, the Men’s Handball World Championship and the FINA World Swimming Championships.

Previous editions of Tour of Qatar have been won by top cyclists including Britain’s Mark Cavendish and Belgium’s Tom Boonen.

In October Qatar became the first Arab country to host the UCI Road World Championships, an event which was hailed by Qatar as a success but which detractors criticized for the heat and low fan turnout.

Former world number one Ivanovic retires at age 29

F

ormer French Open champion Ana Ivanovic announced her retirement from tennis at the age of 29 on Wednesday because she no longer feels fit enough to compete at the highest level.

Ivanovic became the first Serbian woman to win a grand slam tournament when she beat Russian Dinara Safina in the 2008 French Open final, following in the footsteps of compatriot Novak Djokovic who clinched the Australian Open title the same year.

“There is no other way to say it. I have decided to retire from professional tennis. It has been a difficult decision but there is so much to celebrate,” Belgrade-born Ivanovic said on Facebook.

“I began dreaming about tennis when I was five. My dear parents backed me all the way and by the time I was the world number one and won Roland Garros in 2008, I have seen the heights I never dreamt of

achieving,” she added.

Her French Open victory catapulted Ivanovic to the summit of the WTA tour rankings but she only occupied top spot for a few weeks and dropped to 22nd at the end of 2009 after a dramatic loss of form.

She returned to the top five in 2014 and reached the French Open semi-finals in 2015, but slipped out of the leading 60 this year after losing to little-known Czech Denisa Allertova in the U.S. Open first round, her final match on the WTA tour.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 31 DECEMBER, 2016 - 1 JANUARY, 2017

Sport View

Qatar World Cup construction workers to get ‘cooling’ hats

by Neil Kumar M Here’s raising our hats high to 2017!!!

I

wish to extend best wishes for 2017 too all our readers and it is my fervent hope that the new year will be a far better year for sports.

However, the serious problems that are affecting the development of sport in Guyana must be taken care of now.

While we must congratulate all our top sport achievers during 2016, it is imperative that we critically examine what is taking place within each national sport association.

The numerous/serious problems that are preventing these associations from functioning properly must be fully investigated and some people must answer for all their wrongdoings.

Guyana is a country filled with young people with tremendous talent and potential.

However, our coaches, organizers and sport administrators must be able to motivate our young sportsmen and sportswomen to perform at their very best and win medals for our country.

However, corruption

seems to be the major deterrent to the development in sport in Guyana. There are serious complaints about corrupt practices in national associations, while favoritism, nepotism, ‘racism’ and irregularities are common in some national associations.

The biggest issues are the serious financial irregularities that are taking place in the organizations.

Our sport administrators in the club and sub-associations must be properly guided so that the very young athletes must be confident of their future.

The allegations and uneasiness in the structures of the sports associations are a serious threat to development.

Presently, an executive member of one of the better associations is threatening to take the President of that association to court for a massive fraud in the association.

While, the financial problems are very prevalent in most associations other members, particularly parents are complaining bitterly about some

level of antisocial behaviour that taking place in some national associations.

This seems to be an issue that is getting very worrisome. Anti-social behaviour in clubs and sports associations are getting’ out of hand.’ Youths are rebelling and complaining bitterly about all the ‘touching’ and ‘advancing’ by senior persons in the ‘Group’. As a consequence the youths are not motivated to give of their best and perform to win medals.

The year 2017 will be very unsettling. The Government does not have a clue of what is happening in sport. The numerous issues and serious problems must be carefully investigated, analysed and resolved.

Sports must be one of the tools that bring our people together in peace and harmony. In these times of peace, let’s pray that all the evils will leave our sport fraternity and all good things will prevail.

Let’s have a peaceful and successful 2017.

igrant workers building soccer stadiums in Qatar’s desert heat are to be given ‘cooling’ hard hats to reduce their body temperature and risk of suffering heat stroke, tournament organizers said.

Scientists at Qatar University designed the solar-powered hard hats to improve conditions for 2022

World Cup laborers who rights groups say have suffered abuses.

A fan in the top of the helmet blows air over a cold pack onto the person’s face reducing skin temperature by up to 10 degrees centigrade, said Saud Ghani, an engineering professor at Qatar University.

“Our objective was to

reduce heat stress and heat strokes for workers in Qatar and the region,” said Ghani.

About 5,100 construction workers from Nepal, India and Bangladesh are building stadiums in the wealthy Gulf Arab state which has drawn charges by human rights groups of labor abuse, including poor safety at work and squalid living conditions.

Woods worth $740 million, Jordan a billionaire says Forbes

G

olfers Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson and former NBA player Michael Jordan are among the 20 wealthiest American celebrities, Forbes reported on Wednesday.

Woods, 40, is the youngest person on the Forbes top-20 list, with a net worth estimated at $740 million.

The 14-times major champion, who trails only Jack Nicklaus (18 majors) on the all-time list, recently launched a competitive comeback after being sidelined for more than 15 months while recovering from back surgery.

Woods who went

through a costly divorce in 2010 and lost several sponsors after revelations of multiple infidelity, is seventh on the list, while Mickelson is 18th, with an estimated worth of $375 million.

Jordan, 53, who retired in 2003 with the mantle of arguably the greatest basketballer, is worth $1.2 billion according to the magazine, good for fourth on the list, which is topped by filmmaker George Lucas ($4.6 billion).

Forbes says eligibility for the list was limited to United States citizens who are rich because of their fame, rather than famous

because they are rich.

According to Forbes, President-elect Donald Trump belongs in the latter category.

Jordan must explain how billions vanished – Nandlall

F

ormer Attorney General and Member of Parliament, Anil Nandlall, has debunked allegations by Finance Minister Winston Jordan that the state agency, NICIL, was used to hoard billions of dollars.

Nandlall has called on the Minister to explain what has happened to the money. “The billions cannot simply vanish,” he said in a statement issued last week. The full text of the release follows:

The APNU+AFC, while in Opposition, alleged repeatedly, that NICIL was used by the PPP/Civic Administration to hoard billions of dollars and to siphon off from the treasury billions of dollars. The Minister of Finance cannot now make the vacuous statement that “NICIL not as rich as it used to be” (Kaieteur News headline today). As the custodian of public funds, the Minister must now explain to

the public to where have the billions which were allegedly hoarded by NICIL under the PPP/C Government gone.

The billions simply cannot vanish. Either it was stolen under this Administration, or the APNU+AFC lied to the nation when it made those bold allegations that NICIL was hoarding billions of dollars. The Minister cannot eat his cake and have it. He is obliged to choose one of the two options to which I

have alluded if he wishes to be taken seriously.

Since the Minister is speaking about NICIL and it’s not too rich status, the Minister ought to also update the nation on the status of the 5 million US dollars owed to NICIL for the sale of the GT&T shares. The time for the payment of that sum of money under the agreement by which those shares were sold has long expired. The nation needs to be told what

steps, if any, are being taken by this administration to recover those monies.

It may also be opportune for the Minister of Finance to say how much of the billions of dollars which were in commercial bank accounts and in accounts held by extra-budgetary funds have been transferred to the Consolidated Fund. During the 2015 budget debates, the Minister had promised to transfer all these mon-

ies into the Consolidated Fund. In fact, this was also a major platform promise made in the elections campaign by the APNU+AFC. 19 months after, the Minister ought to account to the nation how much money have been transferred from these account to the Consolidated Fund and if all the monies have not been transferred as he promised, he must give the reasons why he is breaching his own promise.

Jagdeo engages West Bank Demerara residents, states support for their petition to address imposition on hardships W ith days before sugar operations on the West Bank of Demerara come to an end, concerns have intensified, as has unease and uncertainty among residents.

On Wednesday, Opposition Leader, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, engaged scores of West Bank Demerara residents to listen to their concerns.

Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, on January 18, announced that harvested land at the Wales Sugar Estate will be retired to be used for other ventures, which have yet to be detailed. Also, it was announced that land preparation and planting will be discontinued. In announcing the closure, Government’s statement said the Estate will operate until the end of the second crop of 2016 and will be completely closed in 2017. Also and Private cane farmers’ canes will be milled at the Uitvlugt factory. Sugar workers who are not absorbed at the Uitvlugt Sugar Estate will be fired.

Over 1,500 workers will be directly affected.

One resident made a case for the communities on the West Bank of Demerara to be supported. His call found support with the Opposition Leader, who pointed to his own call for water and electricity subsidies to the communities, similar to the ones benefiting communities in Region 10, including Linden. He added that such

a petition can be sent to the President, as well as international agencies, including the UNDP, which is funding social cohesion work under the government.

During today’s engagement, the concerns raised included the fact that: • There is uncertainty around the new venture that will replace sugar production; • The talk of rice will not be enough to satisfy the demand for jobs; • The only jobs being offered at the Uitvlugt Sugar Estate are for harvesters; • Crime is likely to increase; • The number of school drop outs are expected to increase; • There will be a social im-

pact and strain on households; and • Market vendors and shopkeepers will be affected and with the new tax/penalties announced in Budget 2017 will likely have to close their operations; among others.

Another resident questioned if a court challenge can be advanced and Jagdeo noted that while there are grounds to challenge decisions based legality, bad decisions cannot be challenged.

“This is a bad decision,” Jagdeo said, adding that there is a major difference between making a decision based on financial and economic bases.

He added that the concerns expressed are understood and stressed that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) is not a “fair weather friend,” but will continue to support the community. “We will be here in the difficult times,” Jagdeo assured, adding that “good times” will return.

The Opposition Leader noted that the decision to close the Wales Estate and the signals being sent by government about the future of the sugar industry are not positive ones, despite the fact that sugar has been a net contributor to the nation’s development for decades.

Referring to the hard

times that faced the bauxite industry, he stated that the PPP/C administration then made a “political decision to support all Guyanese” – a disposition that was expected of the Coalition Government.

“This is a matter of people’s livelihoods,” he stressed.

Jagdeo added that the fallacies regarding the possibility of support to the Wales Estate have been exposed with by acts that cost the treasury billions more than it would have to keep the estate open – including millions paid for the controversial ‘drug bond’ and the multi-billion dollar settlement with Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL).

The Opposition Leader

acknowledged too the double-hardships that will face the West Bank Demerara communities – since the closure of the Estate will not be coupled with increased taxes, Value Added Tax (VAT) on water and electricity consumption, as well as on healthcare and education.

At the same time, he underscored the fact that there are no foreign direct investments, only increased taxes, borrowing and spending on areas that do not support economic growth or generate wealth for Guyanese people.

“There is not much to look forward to, economic wise,” Jagdeo said.

All considered, he noted that the reality of the day is a hard one to face, but reiterated that the PPP/C will offer support to the West Bank Demerara communities during the current period of hardships. “We will stand with the community,” Jagdeo assured.

Notably, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), and the Guyana Labour Union (GLU) – all representing workers in the sugar industry have registered their strong opposition and total disagreement with the decision to close the Wales Sugar Estate at the end of the second crop this year (2016).

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PUBLISHED BY NEW GUYANA Co. Ltd., 8 Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana. Tel: 226-2473, 226-5875 Fax: 226-2472 WEEKEND MIRROR, 28-29 May 2016