Guyana Chronicle New York edition E-Paper 12 08 2016

MONDAY, MAY 23, 2016

No. 104560

Price: $80

AUGUST 12, 2016

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(VAT Inclusive)

Gaskin sets new personal best at Rio Olympics ‌ places second in his heat

See back page for story Guyanese Hannibal Gaskin just before he enters the pool at the Rio Olympics Thursday.

Cocaine found in frozen fish, shrimp at CJIA

New airline service to Guyana Page 9

Bomb threat lands Guyanese man in court 13 Page

The packaged drugs inside the frozen fish OVER 194 pounds of cocaine was seized Tuesday evening in a quantity of frozen shrimp and fish at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), police confirmed. According to a police release the dis-

covery was made at approximately 18:40h by ranks of the Police Narcotics Branch, who intercepted a cargo shipment of thirty five boxes of seafood of which eight contained a total of 88.2 kilos of cocaine. The shipment was part of outgoing

cargo at the CJIA, destined for New York. This newspaper understands that a man from the West Coast of Demerara is in police custody as other main suspects are being sought.

Guyana to sign account info pact with U.S. Page 26

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Dennis A Nelson –– dennisnelson. nychronicle@yahoo.com –– 917-379-6590

Don’t

Genie out the bottle WELL the Genie is out of the bottle with the discovery of four secret bank accounts and it will be very difficult for the City Treasurer, Town Clerk or the Mayor of Georgetown to stuff it back into the bottle. To begin, the law stipulates that the Georgetown municipality should have only one account, and I challenge any municipal official to prove this to be false. So apart from the other four accounts being surreptitious, which is a downright disgrace, it is also completely illegal. The fact that they don’t include them into the financial statements is criminal and needs to be dealt with as such. The fact that the Town Clerk is preventing a forensic audit from being held clearly indicates that there is much to hide at that institution. Might I say that the discovery of

the four secret bank accounts is the mere tip of the iceberg of what has been and continues to be, the propagation of massive corruption and wrongdoing at City Hall. When the cover is finally blown at the Council, it will turn out to be the biggest scandal and venality Guyana has ever seen. And could you imagine the Town Clerk giving us a lecture on Corruption of Omission and Corruption of Commission? Unbelievable! Let me give him some examples of Corruption of Omission to which they are engaged, including their failure to remit National Insurance Scheme and Guyana Revenue Authority contributions and deductions that they deduct from their employees for months at a time, or when they collect property rates which are supposed to fix roads, or install

street lights or to provide humane and hygienic meat-processing facilities to citizens which they don’t, but instead use these property rates to travel around the world. And I could give tons of other examples. Regarding examples of Corruption of Commission, one can allude to the awarding of contracts of hundreds of millions of dollars to a special friend known as “Brother” or “ Man” without tender or procurement procedures and , the well-known and shameful parking meter arrangement. I consider the Town Clerk’s lecture and excuse for failing to pay employees on time to be presumptuous, arrogant and disrespectful to all Guyanese. Best Regards DEODARIE PUTULALL

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New arms, hands for Guyanese woman … dismembered by boyfriend SOME New Yorkers have given an extraordinary donation to a young woman who endured a horror. The woman was mutilated by an abusive boyfriend, and her children were killed. As CBS2’s Carolyn Gusoff reported exclusively to the woman, Natasha Houston. The simple act of pushing open a car door is a struggle for Houston, in what amounts to a painful reminder of an unthinkable act by a man she once loved – a man who was easily enraged. “He would start hitting me — that’s ‘his business.’ I was to ask no questions,” Houston said. “He was just slapping me, choking me, cuffing me into my head.” Houston, 23, wears the scars of the horror she survived in her native Guyana – a horror that left her two children dead. “He padlocked the door with me inside with my kids,” she said. In July 2013, Richard Lord – armed with a sword he used to cut sugar cane – hacked off Houston’s right arm. “I knew this hand was already lost because of how it was, so I started to fight

with him with this hand — the left hand,” Houston said. Lord then slashed Houston’s left hand, leaving her defenseless as he slaughtered their son Saif Lord and daughter Kimberly Houston — and left Natasha Houston for dead. “It broke my heart — to hear that would happen to someone,” said prosthetics maker Dan Bastian. Bastian, an amputee himself, learned of the tragedy from a group of Guyanese New Yorkers, who had been pooling resources for a year to get Houston help in the form of new arms and hands. “At least it’s a start; it gets her back out in the community,” Bastian said. “She can actually use the functional arms.” In the U.S., prosthetics are readily available, covered by insurance and highly advanced. But in Houston’s native Guyana, prosthetics are antiquated and Houston was told they could not help her. But on Long Island, Houston was given a left hand. “It has acrylic nails. It’s custom painted to match her skin exactly with the veins; the palms,” Bastian said. Houston also has a body-powered

NATASHA HOUSTON right arm. “She can open and close the hand; lock and unlock the elbow so that she can hold things,” Bastian said. Houston was immensely grateful. “I have a life back, and I’m thankful for everything,” she said. And with her life, she wants to help other women unable to break free of abuse. “I want them to know that don’t stay

in any form of abusive relationship, because it’s going to end worse,” she said. “They say they’re going to change, going to change, it’s going to stop. ” Houston returns this week Guyana as a proud and brave survivor. Lord was never caught. But he was found dead weeks after the attack – he had committed suicide. (CBSNewYork)

Man knifed to death at wedding house FORTY-SEVEN-YEAROLD Arnold Rattan of Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara was stabbed to the chest during a wedding celebration at Long Pond Road, Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara (WBD) on Monday night. The father of two, who worked as a tractor operator at the Wales Estate, was reportedly escorting his attacker, who was misbehaving, out of his mother-inlaw’s yard, located adjacent to the wedding house, when he was stabbed to the chest with a knife. He died while receiving treatment at the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where he was rushed. His assailant was quickly apprehend by public-spirited citizens and turned over to the police. The murder weapon was also retrieved by the police. Police say the murder occurred at about 23:55hrs on Monday, after a drunken man

refused to be evicted from a yard in which he was not welcomed. And police have lauded the efforts of citizens

Dead: Arnold Rattan who continue to support law enforcement. According to Puran Rattan,

father of five, the deceased is the second son he has lost in a four-year period. He explained that on September 7th, 2012, he lost his 32-year-old son Deonanand Rattan under mysterious circumstances while he worked at the Roger Khan Timber Company. “I would like the police to deal with this case properly, and it would be good if they reopen the other case where my next son was killed. Two of my sons are gone; I just asking for justice to be served,” he declared. Shocked relatives described Arnold Rattan as having been an easygoing individual who did not get into trouble. Residents in the area said the man who is in police custody is known as “Solomon”, who sells oranges in the city. “He normally has a knife to peel the oranges when he sells it to people at Bourda side in Georgetown,” one woman said.

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Personality profile

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Suriname’s Fly All Ways launches service to Guyana By Michel Outridge SURINAME-based airline Fly All Ways has launched its inaugural flight from Guyana to Barbados. This was done without any hiccups on Tuesday, and officials have boasted that safety and comfort give the carrier the edge over its competitors. The airline will provide

Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) initiated a study to assess the economic impact of air transport on the Guyana economy. This study, she said, “will give us an indication of how much air transport contributes to Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).” The minister said the Government of Guyana welcomes the services of Fly

me are the two countries in South America that are least integrated by air with the rest of the continent. Ferguson said the start of this service has bridged both gaps -– enhancing inter-Caribbean travel and also connecting Guyana and Suriname with Brazil via Boa Vista. She said, “Healthy competition is necessary for the development of the

the passengers. She disclosed that, with more travel options as a result of competition, it would mean more reasonable air fares for the passengers. BRING HIGH STANDARD The minister challenged Fly All Ways to bring a high standard of passenger service, one that is efficient and effective. In the past,

Minister Annette Ferguson and GCCA officials as they met with Fly All Ways officials and Surinamese representatives at CJIA on Tuesday three non-stop flights per week from Guyana to Suriname to Barbados; and in September Fly All Ways will start its service from Barbados to St. Maarten, for the holiday season only. At the end of September, the airline will fly twice weekly to Boa Vista from Guyana, and from next week will also fly to Haiti once weekly. The aircraft, a Fokker F70, is outfitted with 80 seats. From Suriname, it made its maiden voyage to Guyana; after which it flew to Barbados with a media team, Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson; CJIA officials, and a team from Fly All Ways based in Suriname. Before the flight took off to Barbados, an opening ceremony was held at the VIP Lounge at Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), where several persons spoke. Ferguson told the gathering that aviation is a key sector in the facilitation of global, regional and national development. She said that to underscore its importance globally, aviation moves 3.3 billion passengers annually, contributes roughly 3.5 per cent of global GDP, and employs some 58 million people worldwide. STUDY ON AIR TRANSPORT Ferguson added that, recently, the Guyana

All Ways to operate flights on the Paramaribo-Georgetown-Barbados routes; and in the near future, on the Paramaribo-Georgetown- Boa Vista routes. She said, “We also believe that the introduction of new airlines into the aviation industry can only mean good for the Caribbean region and the people of the Caribbean, moreso for those countries that are directly affected by the entrance of new services. “For us in Guyana, air transport is critical for our international connectivity, as more than 81 percent of tourists come to Guyana by air. Also, not forgetting the role air transport plays in sub-sectors such as agriculture, forestry, mining and social services. In the future, we anticipate an even greater role as Guyana’s oil and gas sector develops”, Ferguson added. She pointed out that she is pleased that investors from Caricom countries can invest in regional airlines which will boost the economies of the regions, support the tourism sector, and provide more travel options for Caribbean travelers and also neighbouring South American countries. The minister noted that Fly All Ways is coming into the market at a time when there is a decline in inter-Caribbean travel by air, as noted in one of the IDB’s studies; and also at a time when Guyana and Surina-

regional air transport sector, and so the introduction of flights to Barbados by Fly Always will complement the existing operators providing flights already to Barbados, such as LIAT and Caribbean Airlines Ltd.” Additionally, Ferguson said, air carriers will develop the air connectivity and network of Guyana, and provide multiple travel options for

there were many start-up airlines that did not make it for various reasons, and left a bad taste in the mouths of many Guyanese; airlines such as Redjet, Ezeejet, Universal Airlines and others. She said, “I trust that Fly Always will be a fresh start for regional airlines, (one) that will make a difference and serve the people of the

Guyana and Caribbean well. In recent times, as well publicised in the media, many passengers were stranded at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport because of a glitch in the check-in facility, maybe as a result of faulty Internet connection.” Ferguson encouraged Fly All Ways to be committed to the travelling public, and keep the passengers always informed whenever there is a delay or cancellation. She said, “I know, based on the business case submitted by Fly All Ways, that they have plans to commence services to Boa Vista, Brazil in the near future. I encourage Fly All Ways to also consider other destinations within South America and the Caribbean.” Ferguson said: “When our Government took office, the aviation sector was confronted with numerous challenges, notably the poor level of compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation Standards and Recommended Practices. However, understanding the importance of the aviation sector, I have met with the ICAO regional officials and also attended meetings to find solutions.” Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Indranauth Haralsingh, told the ceremony at CJIA that Fly All Ways flights to Guyana is a timely investment, and deployment of its aviation assets will boost network connections between

South America and the Caribbean. He said this new route will create a wealth of opportunities to increase intra-regional travel, trade and connectivity; and further facilitate the development of multi-destination packages and tourism. Haralsingh added that the new route will result in time and cost savings for travelers, especially on long-haul flight connections, and will help to boost demand for ‘Destination Guyana.’ The GTA Director pointed out that the tourism industry is heavily dependent on air transport. Airlift and connectivity will definitely improve Guyana’s accessibility, which is critical in boosting arrivals on a sustained basis. He said airlift capacity and airlift load factors are important tourism metrics to driving successful tourism results; and to this end, GTA is looking forward to close collaboration with Fly All Ways. Also making brief remarks was Chairman of GCAA, Larry London; newly appointed Director General of GCAA, Egbert Fields; Fly All Ways CEO of Marketing, Amichand Jhauw; Director of Civil Aviation Safety, Surinamese Brian De Souza; and Joyce Blokland, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transportation, Communication and Tourism. They were all pleased to be a part of the inaugural flight on Tuesday.

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Body of missing teen surfaces at Hope Canal –– then thrown unceremoniously from speeding hearse By Shauna Jemmott

PANDEMONIUM broke out yesterday when the remains of 14-year-old Malaika Hamilton, reported missing since Monday, was fished out of the Hope Canal. Things got decidedly worse when the cadaver was thrown out of the hearse as it sped away, heading for the morgue. That aside, speculations vary as to how Hamilton, of Two Friends Village, East Coast Demerara, met her demise -- as some believe she may have been murdered, while others feel she may have drowned, or taken her own life. But according to ‘C’ Division Commander, Assistant Commissioner Marlon Chapman, since the body bore no marks of violence, the police are left with no alternative but to await the post-mortem to determine cause of death. A cousin of hers, Angelena Clomwell, told the press yesterday that Malika “had not been herself” on Monday after an heated argument with her dad, Marlon Hamilton, called ‘Brando’, on the telephone. Clomwell said that after speaking to her father, Malika picked up a knife, saying she was “fed up with Brando”. Fearing she might attempt to commit suicide, Clomwell said she somehow managed to wrest the weapon from Malika and calm her down. When she later left home to go for a swim with some friends, it would be the last time Clomwell would see the Hope Secondary School student alive. She was discovered missing after she failed to return home that evening, and was found floating in the Hope Canal by one Shellon Sampson, a resident of Doch Four, hours into a search that was mounted to find her. Sampson told the media yesterday that she did not know Malika was missing until a male cousin of hers called out to her, asking if “Cousin Dorrel” had found her granddaughter.

Malika Hamilton with one of her recent pageant awards

Recalling that the boy had told her he’d seen something strange in the canal, Sampson said that upon checking, she discovered it was the body of the missing teen, who was a hot contender in a recent beauty pageant. Malika’s grandmother, Dorrell Cambridge, said her daughter, Atesha, the child’s mother, went to her security guard job as usual on Monday, leaving the teen and her two younger siblings at home with the rest of the extended family. Cambridge, a fruit vendor, said she left home at about 09:00 hours on Monday to pick plums, but when she returned in the afternoon, she learnt that Malika was not at home. She was told by another grand-daughter that the teen had gone to have her hair braided at another cousin’s home in neighbouring Ann’s Grove. Cambridge said that knowing that Malika is never late getting home, she became worried when, at 21:00 hours, there was no sign of her. She said the matter was immediately reported to the police, and a search was mounted to find her. She described Malika as being very active in the church, as she was a member of the Ebenezer Congregational Church’s Youth Ministry. The church’s youth leader, Ms. Shunnet Waterman, concurred, saying they are all saddened by Malika’s passing. “Malika was a beautiful, gifted and very intelligent young lady, who grew up under difficult circumstances,” Waterman said, adding: “She was ambitious; she was also a whizz with a computer, loved to express herself, and had the dream of one day becoming a news reporter…. “We used to say that it was the perfect job for her, because she used to talk a lot. But she was a wonderful young lady; a diamond in the making.” She leaves to mourn her four siblings, her mother and father, and other close relatives.

Relatives of the dead teenager comforting each other after her body was taken away by a hearse from the Hope Canal bridge (Samuel Maughn photo)

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Fake bomb threat lands Guyanese man in court … was trying to scare girlfriend from going home

A Queens couple who are apparently crazy in love were reunited Tuesday outside Brooklyn Federal Court after the man was released on US$20,000 bail for calling in a fake bomb threat against a Caribbean Airlines flight to prevent her from traveling to Guyana. Danesh Gomanie admitted he was acting out of jealousy—and the influence of a few beers—when he was overcome with fear his girlfriend was going to hook up with her ex-husband.

“It’s just jealousy,” said the girlfriend, who declined to give her name. “We’re back together. I forgive him.” Gomanie, 33, is charged with calling 911 on July 27 and telling the operator there was a woman traveling to Guyana on flight No. 527 from Kennedy Airport on July 29, and she would be carrying a bomb or drugs, according to the criminal complaint. He gave the operator his girlfriend’s first name and Customs and Border Protection officers confirmed there was a woman

Danesh Gomanie and his girlfriend

with a ticket on the flight. Meanwhile, the FBI traced the call to Gomanie’s cellphone and agents fanned out to separately interview the couple. She told the agents she had an argument with Gomanie about her trip to Guyana, and he admitted that he was “fearful that she might reunite with

her ex-husband who lived there.” “It’s just jealousy,” said the girlfriend, who declined to give her name. “We’re back together. I forgive him.” After he was released, Gomanie said he was in bed with his girlfriend when the FBI came to arrest him

early Tuesday morning. She laughed off the idea that she wanted to get back with her ex-husband, whom she has been separated from for 10 years. Gomanie’s father was confused, too. “I don’t know what they see in each other,” Devanand Gomanie said. “I told him to find someone younger and

have children.” Defense lawyer Mildred Whalen said Gomanie agreed to live with his father at his father’s home in Jamaica, Queens, as a condition of his release. Gomanie works as a mechanic for a private company at Kennedy Airport. (NY Daily News)

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The quiet farming is By Tajeram Mohabir AN ISLAND located at the mouth of the Essequibo River was once settled by the Dutch, but they never found a suitable name for this sprawling, picturesque area. They began referring to it by the Dutch word “Wakenaam” which, when trans-

Early records indicate that in 1690, after the French had invaded Fort Island, the Dutch plantation owners moved to, and settled on, the island of “Wakenaam”, where they established plantation Maria Johanna and enjoyed a vibrant presence on the beautiful 17.5 square-mile island, the largest in the

and established more plantations on the island. At one time in the 1600s, the island had 29 grinding sugar estates, and the exponential growth of the sugar industry made it necessary for additional labour to be sought. To fill the gap, slaves were bought from Africa and were traded at the Wakenaam village named Free

The Wakenaam Cottage Hospital is a referral hospital. Patients are mostly referred to the Suddie and West Demerara hospitals

This airstrip at Maria’s Pleasure, Wakenaam, Region Three was completed in 2011 to the tune of $54.4M but was never used (Tajeram Mohabir photo) lated into English, means “waiting for a name”; and overtime, this became the official name of that island.

Essequibo River. Their occupation did not last for too long though, because in 1716 the British took control of Wakenaam,

and Easy, which today is home to a ruined grinding mill. With Emancipation of Africans and other factors,

DOROTHY BROWNE

the sugar industry on the island began to decline, and by the turn of the 20th century, many small estates were closed or absorbed in the larger ones. By 1930, the only three remaining estates were Zeelandia, Better Success and Belle Plaine, and it was not too long before those eventually ground to a halt. Before the closure of the sugar estates, the indentured servants on the island were into rice cultivation whilst the Africans produced ground provisions.

Even to this day they still cultivate these crops, but with the downturn in rice prices on the international market, production of about 70,000 bags of paddy per crop has been slashed by half. Aside from rice and ground provisions, residents also engage in cattle rearing. HARD WORK Seventy-seven-year-old Dorothy Browne of Maria Johanna told the Guyana Chronicle that life on the island has changed greatly

Maria Johanna: Village where mothers a

THE now predominantly African village of Maria Johanna was among the first plantations established by the Dutch colonisers on the island of Wakenaam. Allegedly named after Maria and Johanna, the beautiful twin daughters of a plantation owner, the Guyana Chronicle tried but was unable to locate the name of the original plantation owner; but based on our research, in 1803, the plantation was owed by one Hugenoltz. It was bought by Mr Boddart and Company in 1832, and then by Adam Ramkin in 1851. The plantation was surveyed by Henry Rainford, and 88 house lots were laid out, most of them to accommodate the workers. The Colonial Govern-

This koker, built by the Dutch at Maria Johanna, is still in good condition

ment later took control of the plantation because of bankruptcy, and sold it in April 1871 to a company whose shareholders were predominantly former slaves. The sale price was $700. There were many disagreements among shareholders as to what was the best way to develop the land. Ultimately, the plantation was taken over by the Partition Ordinance in 1914; and in 1921, a village was created, and a tax system was introduced. A visitor to Maria Johanna can still observe evidence of Dutch occupation, and the fact that slaves worked there. There is a unique Dutch sluice which, after centuries, still stands immaculate and spectacular. Every now and then, various types of Dutch bottles and coins are found when there are excavation

works in Maria Johanna and other villages on the island. Residents of Maria Johanna are a peaceful and happy people, who depend on cultivation of rice and ground provision for

a living. The community of about 400 residents has three Indian families, who live in harmony among their African neighbours. Residents believe that Maria Johanna is a model

The community centre in the village. Here, cultural programmes and indoor games are held

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sland of Wakenaam in the past four years. “No longer (do) rice farmers use sickle to cut rice in the rice field. In those days it used to be real hard work. Man, woman and children used to be in the rice field from early in the morning to late in the night. It was backbreaking work. Today, we gat combine and tractor to cut the rice and take it out of the field,” she said with a smile. Browne related that while this development is good, in the sense that life is easier for this generation, the young people are not knowledgeable about their

roots, and old customs are gradually dying out. “The African celebrations that we used to see in my younger days don’t happen. The drumming, the dancing, the village day, the cook out, the story telling -- all these have almost disappeared,” she told this publication, pointing out that they have declined with the passing of the elderly organisers. Browne, a mother of 10 and very active for her age, was not too fond of all the African customs she had grown up seeing. “I used see my mother and grandmother taking out a little of all the foods that they cook

and put it in a plate and cover it neatly and carry it in a corner of the room. They used to do it every day, and they tell me that it was an offering for their ancestors. I used to go to church and I used to believe that it was a very strange thing. I never did it, and when my grandmother and mother died, that custom died with them,” the elderly woman said. She was conducting summer classes at the St James Presbyterian Church at Fredericksburg, the first church built by freed African slaves on Wakenaam. There are churches, Plantains at Moor Farm, Wakenaam mandirs and masjids on the island; and according to Browne, residents of today are more religious.

The village of Sans Souci, located at the front of the island of Wakenaam

ATTENTION NEEDED She said young people need attention since, due to very limited employment opportunities, many have left the island, while a few have resorted to “stupidness Wild West”, resulting in a number of cases of teenage pregnancy. Browne is calling on the Government to look at ways

of creating employment on the island, home to several large coconut and plantain farms. Wakenaam is a quiet, peaceful place with happy people. And according to residents, robberies on the island are non-existent, and inhabitants usually die a natural death or by accident, and not at the hands of robbers. The island has a cottage hospital, a guest house, a gas station, a secondary school, several primary schools, police stations, health centres, shops, and

an abundance of farmland and water. Some 90 per cent of its 4000 residents are self-employed. Several old grinding estates still exist today, but in a ruined state. At Maria Johanna, a Dutch koker built in the 1600s still stands, and is in good condition. There are also several Dutch burial grounds on the island. Wakenaam is a closely-knitted community, and residents warmly welcome visitors to the island.

and fathers are guardians of every child for social cohesion, since every mother and father there is a mother and father to every child in the village, regardless of ethnicity. Also, the pastor of the African Methodist Church, a person of Indian origin, is celebrated by all the members of the village. Visitors to Maria Johanna are warmly greeted by cheerful residents, and their inquiries are attended to promptly. Before the establishment of the African Methodist Church in 1906, Maria Johanna residents and others on the island used to worship at the St James Presbyterian Church at Fredericksburg, built by freed African slaves in 1884. The Guyana Chronicle was told that, years ago, in front of the church’s compound was a silk cotton

tree, and residents across the island used to assemble and sleep their on Saturday night in order to catch the Sunday morning mass. Over the years, the church, located next to a burial ground, fell into disrepair, and members have of late been pooling their resources to carry out critical rehabilitation works on the building. Some work has been done, but rehabilitation has been slow due to lack of financing. The church administrators are appealing to the public for financial support to ensure the preservation of this historical site. This place of worship was the first to be built on the island by freed African slaves. There is no Government school in Maria Johanna, and the closest nursery and schools are in Fredericksburg, some three miles away. Residents, however,

make concerted efforts to ensure their children attend school, regardless of whether they have to walk or be driven to their place of learning. This publication was told that the village needs a resource centre to train young people in various skills, to ease unemployment among young people. They also noted that greater attention should be placed on fixing the sea defence aback their village, to protect their farmland from erosion. The road in this village is also in a poor state, but Regional Engineer Joseph Patterson told the Guyana Chronicle that Government has allocated $17M towards that project. The rehabilitation contract has not yet been awarded.

The St James Presbyterian Church at Fredericksburg needs rehabilitation

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Murder, gun crimes down … serious crimes decreased by 17%

POLICE have announced a 16% decrease in murder, as well as a 9% drop in gun-related crimes for the month of July. The Force also recorded a 17% decrease in serious crimes at the end of July relative to the same period last year. In a statement, police said that in addition to the drop in murders and gun-related robberies, there was a 12% decrease in armed robberies where other instruments were used; a 22% decrease in robberies with violence; a 2% increase in robberies with aggravation; a 17% decrease in rape; and a 21% decrease in break and enter and larceny. Burglary went down by 15%, whilst larceny from the person decreased by 35%. “The Guyana Police Force continues

to work hand-in-hand with various stakeholders in both the public and private sectors in a collaborative effort to reduce crime country-wide and improve safety of all Guyanese. This was deemed possible by the gaining of momentum in increasing public trust which spins off into the gathering and sharing of intelligence that result in the solving and prevention of serious crimes and in some instances even the reopening of cold cases,” the Force said. In the aspect of training and development of ranks, the Guyana Police Force said it has recently seen the graduation of two hundred and twenty five ranks from its various training colleges in the three counties of Guyana. These ranks have been deployed across the seven policing

divisions in an effort to boost the present strength and further aid in the reduction of crimes in particular, by increased visibility. A further 215 recruits were recently accepted into the Felix Austin Police College and currently 33 ranks are being trained in investigative techniques to boost the Criminal Investigation Department.

TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT Additionally, in the area of Traffic Management, the Force has recorded 72 road fatalities at the end of July this year, which is 13 more for the same period last year. “While there was a reduction in serious accidents, there have been increases in minor and damage accidents.” The Guyana Police Force said it has charged 41,497 persons with traffic

offences so far this year. This includes 15,427 for speeding and 1,035 for driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI). Besides, traffic enforcement is continuous country-wide with special emphasis being placed on DUI, speeding and use of cellular phones whilst driving. Attention is also being paid to pedestrian crossings at schools and elsewhere, where foot traffic is heavy during peak hours. “The Traffic Department is also seeing an influx of newly trained Certifying Officers who will assist in reducing traffic offences on our streets and roadways,” the police noted. Additionally, the Force said that in excess of 44 ranks have already been selected and training commenced for a number of overseas training programmes in several ‘specialists’ fields as the Police Force looks to bolster its resources in expertise.

Twins arrive mid-air! ––Roraima Airways’ Gerry Gouveia calls it ‘an amazing magical day’ By Shauna Jemmott FOR Roraima Airways’ Captain Gerry Gouveia, that a woman should give birth to twins while the aircraft in which she was travelling was mid-air made it “an amazing, magical day.” It happened around 10:00 hours yesterday when a Roraima Airways aircraft, which was called out to do a ‘medivac’, was 8000 feet in the sky. The aircraft was being manned at the time by Captains Ryan Persaud and Emil Jahan, who, along with Ministry of Health officials, made the journey from Ogle International to Mahdia, in the Potaro-Siparuni district of Region 8. Their mission was to bring to Georgetown a pregnant woman they were told was having complications, and in need of urgent help. Taking to Facebook to relive the experience, Gouveia wrote: “We did a ‘medivac’ for a pregnant

woman with complications. “During the flight, God intervened and delivered the twins at 8000 feet in the plane.” His son, Captain Gerry Gouveia Jnr, would later tell the Guyana Chronicle that though several babies were born on Roraima aircrafts during medivac operations, this was their first multiple birth. “This is the first time we had twins,” Gerry Jnr said, adding that they’re “very cute little babies.” And though they might appear premature, they survived the ordeal, and are at the Georgetown Public Hospital with their mother, Malinda Srites. Everyone was excited when they arrived safely at Ogle, he said, adding that it was more than the usual feeling that grips them whenever a ‘medivac’ operation is successful. “This is exactly why I became a pilot,” he said.

Electric cars coming to Guyana … Cayman company to deliver one to Guyana Embassy in Cuba

THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that the Guyana Embassy in Cuba will receive from Cayman Automotive Leasing and Sales Limited a Nissan Leaf SUV as part of that company’s initiative aimed at supporting Guyana’s Green Energy Programme. In a statement the ministry said that during a recent visit to Cuba, John Felder, Chief Executive Officer of Cayman Automotive, held discussions with Mr. Halim Majeed, Guyana’s Ambassador to the Republic of Cuba, who emphasised that green

energy constitutes one of the main elements of His Excellency President David Granger’s strategy to revitalise and strengthen Guyana’s economy by making it less dependent on fossil fuel, the cost of which has been a tremendous financial burden to the national economy. The Ambassador further pointed out that “Guyana intends to develop a Green Development Plan, which would comprise elements of clean energy supply, the protection of our bio-diversity, and development of eco-tourism, among other things.”

According to the ministry, Felder explained that his company has been looking carefully at the approaches both Guyana and Cuba have been taking with regard to green energy development and is currently concretising plans to export Electricity-driven vehicles to Guyana and Cuba. He is expected to travel to Guyana to begin discussions with the Government of Guyana and the Private sector. The Electricity-powered Nissan Motor Vehicle is expected to be delivered to the Guyana Embassy in Cuba on September 23,

2016. According to its portfolio, Cayman Automotive Leasing, Marketing, & Sales, Ltd said it is a fully licensed Automotive Broker Company and has the ability to sell any new or certified pre-owned vehicle manufactured in the U.S. now featuring a wide variety of all electric vehicles as well. The company said it introduced the Caribbean’s first electric vehicles in 2009 and have since rapidly added other vehicles from companies such as Wheego, Tazzari, AMP, Think City, Mitsubishi and GEM by Polaris.

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Granger pressed on lifting ban on scrap metal exports By Rabindra Rooplall

ARMED with placards members of the Guyana Metal Recyclers’ Association Inc. (GMRA) assembled Tuesday morning at Ministry of the Presidency, Vlissengen Road to voice their concerns about the ban on scrap metal exports – they did not anticipate that the very person they were protesting against would later greet them. President David Granger on his way into office took the time out to speak with the protestors. Some of the placards read: “We have been suffering in silence for too long, President Granger please help us,” “President Granger please intervene and re-open the scrap metal trade,” “We the scrap metal dealers are now deemed unreliable by our suppliers,” “Good Life for the big boys none at all for scrap metal dealers.” GMRA Secretary Michael Benjamin who was representing the group told the President of their plight. In explaining to the President some of their frustrations, Benjamin gave an example of several loaded containers that were packed at US$80 per ton and because of the ban the price over the prolonged period reached US$8 which resulted in millions of dollars being lost for exporters. When asked by President Granger what would be a short term solution, Benjamin said “the short term is for the trade to be reopened based on your immediate intervention.” He said the legislation also needs to be fast tracked. “The banks are foreclosing on some of the exporters with their equipment and most of all the buyers overseas that we took advance from are promising to take legal action against us because we can’t deliver. We took their money and we cannot export presently,” Benjamin explained. President Granger noted that the Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin who is responsible for the sector is presently overseas and he doesn’t want to take action since the Minister is dealing with the matter. “We don’t want to cause any hardship on your lives, once you’re a legitimate exporter I will work with Mr. Gaskin to see if he can speed the matter up. It’s not that there is any opposition it’s a matter of regulation, so we will try to speed the matter up,” the President explained to the scrap metal dealers. In an interview with this publication Benjamin noted that as the suspension of scrap metal exports continues, dozens of dealers and an estimated 1,500 workers are affected directly and indirectly. “The suspension was effective from June 15, last year and when we did our inquiring, we found out that it was to facilitate the forensic audit which was done. It was completed sometime in December and since then we have been in talks with the Ministry of Business to resuscitate and resume the sector since almost 1,500 workers are out of jobs,” Benjamin asserted. Friday last, members of the

President Granger in discussion with GMRA Secretary Michael Benjamin while other dealers listen attentively GMRA picketed the Ministry of Business and had appealed to President Granger to intervene in lifting a suspension on their trade, which has been in place for now just over year. Last week Gaskin wrote the Scrap Metal Recyclers’ Association informing dealers that the new proposal to govern the trade would be taken before Cabinet within the next two weeks. The minister, in his missive, said the Ministry is working towards November as the target date for completion of comprehensive reforms and resumption of the scrap metal trade. Minister Gaskin said the audit report into the trade, which was completed in December, advised that reforms be introduced into the system. Those reforms include legisla-

tive amendments, new regulations, and smarter monitoring of the trade. “I do understand the hardships that metal dealers are facing, and my earlier commitment to resolve the matter still stands. However, we cannot resume under the same terms and conditions which previously prevailed and expect to achieve a different result,” Gaskin stated in the letter. But even as the minister has committed to ensuring that all reforms are speedily done, Secretary of the Guyana Scrap Metal Recyclers’ Association, Michael Benjamin, believes that there is a lack of respect for the trade and its dealers.

A section of the scrap metal dealers protesting the ban

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Fire averted at GPO –– after vagrant tosses cigarette butt in garbage on ground floor By Michel Outridge A MAJOR disaster was averted on Monday afternoon when the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) responded promptly to a fire call at the ground floor of the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPO) building and successfully contained the flames. The section where the fire ignited is unoccupied and the area was supposed to be the storage room for water tanks for the Bakewell Food Court, which is expected to be opened soon. The ground floor of that section of the building is being rented by Bakewell and had a pile of garbage stacked there by vagrants occupying the pavement. The conflagration started when a vagrant reportedly threw the ignited end of her cigarette into the building, which is unoccupied and went back to sleep on the pavement as if nothing had happened. Her fellow vagrants reported that she usually smokes and is in the habit of not

putting out her cigarette afterwards. GFS Divisional Commander, Compton Sparman told the Guyana Chronicle on Monday afternoon that they received the fire call at noon. He added that two fire tenders from Central Fire Station and one from Alberttown responded and doused the flames which had consumed the large heap of refuse inside the building. Apart from inside the building being water-soaked there is minimal damage. Meanwhile, the pavement outside is littered with faeces, garbage and other stuff left there by vagrants who dwell there. A vendor told this newspaper that the vagrants do everything there, including urinating and defecating, and was in support of the sprinklers being placed there since the place stinks and is so untidy that people cannot traverse there. The stench was unbearable on Monday and passersby had to step carefully to avoid the heaps of faeces on the pavement.

Employees of Bakewell assessing the damage after the fire inside the GPO building

Container fee reduced to $5,000

The fire scene at the GPO on Monday afternoon

THE Mayor and City Council of Georgetown (M&CC) has decided to reduce the container fee from $25,000 to $5,000, a release from City Hall revealed Monday. According to the release, a meeting was held on August 5, between the Mayor and City Council, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and the Private Sector Commission (PSC) to address the issue. It was noted that the reduction is an interim measure and the fee will be collected at the source, at the various ports and wharves, effective August 01, 2016. The release stated that discussions were also held on the possible implementation of per tonnage per cargo fee for all cargo within vehicles of specific type of weights traversing the streets of the City. “The Private Sector representatives have also indicated their interest in forming a Tripartite Committee between the government of Guyana, The Mayor and Councillors of the city of Georgetown and the Private Sector Commission to engage in continued discussions on other initiatives and the insti-

tutionalising a solid partnership to develop and modernise Georgetown. This was agreed by all parties involved. The Committee will be in place by August 15, 2016,” the release further noted. The $25,000 container fee which City Hall sought to implement attracted much criticism from members of the business community and the PSC. Some businessmen had also resorted to the courts, accusing the M&CC of illegally implementing such a fee. The court had ruled in favour of the businessmen. City Hall had said that the money is needed to repair roads, which the containers have damaged over the years. Meanwhile, according to the release, the August 05 meeting with the private sector representatives was held in an atmosphere of understanding and cooperation. “The Council wishes to advise that the collection of container fee and tonnage fee are instituted by invoking section 274 (h) in conjunction with section 272 of the Municipal and District Council’s Act, Chapter 28:01.”

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THE CLOCK IS TICKING –– President Granger calls on Afro-Guyanese to develop plan for the future

By Ariana Gordon GUYANESE of African descent have been called upon to unite and stand firmly against all forms of discrimination while putting together a plan of action for the future. This charge was given by President David Granger on Sunday at the opening of the 4th annual Cuffy250, State of the African-Guyanese Forum held at the Critchlow Labour College, Woolford Avenue. Reflecting on the United Nations (UN) General Assembly proclamation that 2015-2024 is the International Decade for People of African Descent, President Granger said 20 months have since passed and “The clock is ticking.” He said African-Guyanese must work together to ensure the enjoyment of economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights through their full and equal participation in all aspects of society. The international decade is aimed at promoting respect, protection and fulfilment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by people of African Descent, as recognised in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; promoting a greater knowledge of and respect for the diverse heritage, culture and contribu-

tions of people of African descent to the development of societies; and adopting and strengthening national, regional and international legal frameworks according to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and to ensure their full and effective implementation. Giving his Government’s full support, the Guyanese leader said racial discrimination must come to an end, while emphasising the need for job-creation and access to education for all citizens. “I am not going to be so crass as to ask you to measure the accomplishments so far in this decade, but what I would like to caution you about is that this is the key time to organise, this is the time to mobilise and not to agonise interminably about the condition in which we find ourselves as a nation,” he said. ALL ENTITLED President Granger said each Guyanese is entitled to the country’s patrimony despite ethnic background. He stressed the need for an inclusionary approach to be successful and called for a forum to be created to ensure that there is sufficient con-

sultation to achieve the objectives of the International Decade of People of African Descent. According to the coalition leader, the APNU+AFC is committed to implementing five of the activities that the UN has approved for the decade. He said the colonial masters must apologise for the agony meted out to people of African descent. Germany has apologised to the Jews for the Holocaust while Britain has done so to the Mau Maus for torture, but according to President Granger, apologising to people of African descent is proving difficult for Europe. “It is a very hard thing for the European Governments which enslaved Africans for over two and a half centuries to apologise… this is a hard thing and the Caribbean governments are insisting on an apology; a crime has been committed and they must say they are sorry,” said President Granger. He told the gathering at the Critchlow Labour College that descendants of Africans must be compensated, and as such, there must be a demand for reparation. “There needs to be now an organisation and a plan in order to ensure the implementation of that programme. Guyana will continue to advocate for reparation for the interna-

tional crime of enslavement. The Government will work with other Caribbean Governments and non-governmental organisations which represent people of African descent during the remaining years of the international decade,” said President Granger. CANNOT SLEEPWALK Do not “sleepwalk into the future without understanding” that a plan has to be followed, he said, while highlighting the need to formulate a plan and stick to it. The President said the ancestors of people of African descent understood the importance of acquiring an education, as it meant social mobility and a means of lifting them out of poverty and inequality. Their belief, he said, continues to be relevant even today despite the number of school dropouts annually. President Granger said too that any form of discrimination promotes insecurity and social exclusion that has the potential of causing disorder. He called for the plan of action to focus on non-discrimination, as there is evidence of discrimination in the past in both the public and private sectors. “The plan of action that

A section of the audience on Sunday at the fourth Annual State of the African-Guyanese Forum (Samuel Maughn photos)

President David Granger speaks at the fourth Annual State of the African-Guyanese Forum held at the Critchlow Labour College, Woolford Avenue on Sunday we contemplate must give the assurance that no group or community would be disenfranchised from accessing public services; people of African descent must be assured that they must not be discriminated against and hindered in accessing public services including housing, education, public health and utilities and most important their land rights,” said President Granger. The President’s assertions came following allegations of discrimination against Indian-Guyanese by the APNU+AFC Government. Those allegations were made by former President and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo recently. President Granger also stressed the revival of village economies. November 7 has been declared the National Day of Villages. “The villages were cradles not only of a free economy, an economy which gave rise to village markets, but is also the cradle of local democracy because the villagers learnt to run their own communities. “It is the intention of this Government to establish a Lands Commission in order to rectify the anomalies and resolve controversies which up to now still sur-

round thousands of hectares of land which were purchased with hard cash in the post- Emancipation Village Movements,” President Granger announced. Additionally, the President said the unemployment of young school-leavers is of serious concern to his administration and called on the plan of action to address the high incidence of unemployment in the economy and aim at creating an entrepreneurial programme to assist young Guyanese in establishing and managing their businesses. “We no longer have to face the song-and-dance people; we have to plan seriously for the next 100 months of the Decade of People of African Descent. It should not be taken lightly,” he stated. The annual State of the African-Guyanese Forum was held under the theme “African Guyanese self-realisation: Challenges for the next 50 years.” Cuffy250 is an African-Guyanese organisation dedicated to the empowerment and revitalisation of the African-Guyanese community through public education and community engagement.

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Improved water supply for Sophia by year-end

RESIDENTS of Sophia are set to see a significant improvement in their drinking water, both in terms of supply and quality, between now and mid next year, Guyana Water Incorporated’s, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Richard Van West-Charles said. Addressing the media at a press briefing at GWI Shelter belt office yesterday, Dr. Van West-Charles explained that the improvement for the community will be felt as soon as the end of the year as a result of several measures taken by the water company to improve water supply and water quality to the community. According to the CEO, GWI has refurbished a well at North Ruimveldt and

Sophia water -Chief Executive Officer, Guyana Water Incorporated, Dr. Richard Van West – Charles addressing the media at the press briefing at Shelter Belt.

is in the process of installing transmission mains from that community to Sophia. The installation of some 200 -millimetre transmission mains from North Ruimveldt to Sophia was a project valued at $8.671M that is expected to benefit approximately 2,500 residents, within the project area. This project is about 30 percent completed. The GWI, CEO said that these interventions, along with the completion of rehabilitation of the Turkeyen well are what would result in significant improvements in water supply in the community, by the end of the year. The other measures to be taken that would further improve water supply

and quality in Sophia, by mid-2017, are the digging of two additional wells and the construction of a storage tank in the company. Dr. Van West-Charles explained that the first well which is currently being advertised was approved by the board. The second well is being funded under another programme, the CEO said. The storage tank will benefit more than 3000 residents and it entails the installation of 126 greenheart piles for the construction of a ground storage tank to facilitate additional storage of water for delivery to the residents of Sophia. The construction of the storage tank is a $19.376M project.

Wortmanville flood issues to be addressed soon WORTMANVILLE, Georgetown is set to receive assistance from government to eradicate the flooding situation in the area. On Wednesday, a team from the Ministries of Communities and Public Infrastructure, and

the Mayor and City Council visited the area to conduct an assessment. Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s Community Coordinator, Neilson McKenzie speaking to the Government Information Agency (GINA), explained that

A flood affected yard in Wortmanville

Community Coordinator, Ministry of Public Infrastructure Neilson McKenzie along with officials from the Ministry of Communities and Mayor and City Council assessing the flood affected community of Wortmanville.

from the assessment, the team was able to determine the type of interventions needed. After inspections were completed, it was agreed that works will commence on August 13, 2016. The de-silting will take place from Princes to Hadfield streets and from Louisa Row to Vlissengen Road. McKenzie pointed out that there are several factors that are contributing to flooding in the area. “One is high tide, but the second factor is the continual bad disposal of solid waste and other waste, plastic still around the place causing invariable blockages in areas we would rather not have blockages,” McKenzie explained. Additionally, McKenzie cited that last year some works were done to de-silt the interlocking drains in the area. How-

ever, he explained that if such drains are cleaned and the main drains are not, then the situation will remain the same. Sharon Austin, a resident of the Wortmanville area suggested to the Community Coordinator that youths from the area be employed to assist with the works on Saturday.” Austin was assured by McKenzie that her suggestion would be taken into consideration. McKenzie stated, “what we try to do is look at how we can make the most meaningful intervention, that means to get all this water off the land as quickly as possible while at the same time ensuring we are able to employ as many people as possible.” In addition, McKenzie noted that de-silting of drains and canals in low lying areas around Georgetown will be commencing soon.

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Consultation begins on draft solid waste strategy By Rabindra Rooplall

THERE needs to be a solid waste integration strategy to reduce the negative impact created by poor solid waste management on the health of citizens and on the environment. This was among the sentiments expressed at the launching of the consultations for the National Integrated Solid Waste Management Strategy, held by the Ministry of Communities on Monday.

management… this includes resource recovery from recycling, as well as waste-to-energy initiatives,” he said. SANITATION MANAGEMENT UNIT A Sanitation Management Unit has been established at the Ministry of Communities, the Minister said. The unit was not created as a project outfit, but as a unit with qualified subject-matter personnel, to provide oversight and advice for all waste management initiatives across the country.

hold litter offenders accountable. “Littering and illegal dumping are widespread. There is limited emphasis on waste reduction and resource recovery, sustainable financial measures are lacking, and the waste collection service coverage is inadequate,” Minister Bulkan noted. “Without a clear path forward to reduce our waste and manage it better, Guyana’s long-term environmental, social and economic well-being will be placed at risk.”

progressive way of addressing the issue of Solid Waste Management problem. WASTE MANAGEMENT BILL During his presentation, Environmental Consultant Samuel Wright detailed that every human action creates a by-product, and requires prior thought even before the waste is produced. He related that the Solid Waste Management Strategy is a progressive one, based on the sustainable paradigm of a green economy.

A section of the stakeholders who attended the launch of the consultation on the National Integrated Solid Waste Management Strategy “The environment that we have is the only one, and if we do not do a good job in preserving and protecting it, then we will all be losers and victims. Cleanliness, sanitation and environmental conditions within our towns and communities can be improved,” Minister Bulkan said. Relevant stakeholders and partnering organisations of the Ministry attended and participated in this event, held at the Umana Yana in Kingston, Georgetown. Those included the mayors, town clerks, regional chairmen, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Conservation International, sanitation service providers, University of Guyana School of Earth and Science, and the Central Board of Health. Underscoring the need for a more sophisticated approach in dealing with effective and efficient solid waste management, Minister Bulkan said this initiative is linked directly with the green economy agenda. He said that in order to reduce the carbon footprint of economic activities pursued across the nation, Government has underscored the importance of a green economic policy. “This will see new initiatives in waste

He said the unit would provide support to infrastructure development, institutional strengthening and capacity-building, and public awareness and community participation. Minister Bulkan said this would build capacity at the local democratic organs to deliver services to their constituencies; and it would include training and providing of equipment and tools necessary for local councils to be more effective and modern in the management of solid waste. Noting that the consultation strategy constitutes the next important steps in Government’s solid waste management approach, he said the Integrated Solid Waste Management Strategy was first drafted in 2014 under the Georgetown Solid Waste Management Programme, with support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Finalisation of the strategy would emphasise participation in matters that affect communities all across Guyana. With Cabinet’s approval, Minister Bulkan said, the strategy would become the primary policy for integrated solid waste management. This will be implemented through regulations, standards and guidelines. He said further that the ultimate goal is to transform waste into useful resources, and to

Satrohan Nauth, Environmental engineer attached to the Sanitation Management Unit of the Ministry of Communities, explained that Guyanese must begin to think about ways to first prevent waste generation before minimising and reusing it. PREVENT WASTE GENERATION He mentioned that the three pillars of waste management -- reuse, recycle and recover -- would help in reducing the amount of waste that eventually ends up at landfill sites. Nauth disclosed that the unit would be seeking to establish sanitary landfill facilities in all 10 regions of Guyana. Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tagman Media Inc, Alex Graham, pointed to the synergy between personal hygiene and public waste disposal practices. Graham, Communications Consultant for the Ministry’s “Green Generation Guyana” public awareness campaign, said provisions must be made to ensure the re-education of a society that is accustomed to improper garbage generation and disposal habits. He noted that the awareness campaign would especially be geared towards children, with the aim of producing a new cadre of Guyanese as a more modern and

Wright said that after a period of consultations in 25 communities in all 10 regions, the draft solid waste management strategy is expected to inform a final document which would support the enactment of the National Solid Waste Management Bill. According to Wright, it is projected that 40 per cent of all generated waste will, by the year 2024, be recycled, composted, or otherwise put to use. Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Dawn Hastings-Williams, said during a closing address that many citizens are now fully cognisant of their role in contributing to a society that is clean, healthy, and wholesome for human habitation. “There are daily reminders about the state of our capital city just a few months ago -- the piles of garbage that was left lying on the street and the way illegal dumping had become a way of life. No more can we afford to allow our citizens, their children and grandchildren to regress to a status quo of wanton disregard for the environment,” Hastings-Williams said. The contract for the consultations was awarded to Project and Environmental Management Consultant Samuel Wright, and consultations are expected to be held in all 10 regions.

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ANSA McAL supports reintegrating young mothers into school system –– donates $150,000 of baby care products to Education Ministry By Vishani Ragobeer

ANSA McAL Trading Limited has donated $150,000 worth of newborn baby care products to the Ministry of Education to foster the Ministry’s programme of reintegrating young mothers into the school system. Marketing Representative of the Consumer Goods Department at ANSA McAL, Joel Lee, noted on Monday that the company is pleased to render support to the Ministry of Education in an effort to “help in offsetting some expenses” of the young mothers, thus making it easier for the ministry to reintegrate them into the school system.

He noted that this assistance to the ministry is “something that is ongoing”, and as the ministry expands the programme and seeks to render assistance to more young women, the company would work alongside the ministry. Lee stated, “This is just the beginning.” Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Delma Nedd, noted that the ministry is pleased to receive assistance from the company, after “reaching out” to its officials. She said this donation would be part of the “care packages” the ministry, through its School Health, Nutrition and HIV/ AIDS (SHN HIV/AIDS) Unit, would be giving to

ANSA McAL Representative Joel Lee handing over some of the company’s ABCD diapers to Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary Delma Nedd. Also in photo are SHN HIV/AIDS Representative Janelle Sweatnam (left) and Deputy Chief Education Officer Donna Chapman (second left)

SECOND CHANCE She declared that the ministry is not promoting teenage pregnancy, but is simply looking to

give those affected a “second chance”, and to show them that “there is hope.” Janelle Sweatnam, SNH HIV/AIDS Unit Representative, noted that, in 2014, an initiative was started with the aim of supporting young women in the Education Department and reintegrating young mothers into the school system. She noted that each targeted mother would be presented with a care package consisting of tissues, diapers and wipes, compliments of ANSA McAL, besides other baby care products such as clothing, powder, oil, towels, swabs, body wash and feeding

utensils, all procured by the Ministry of Education. In the past year, although this programme was recently started, 17 young women from Region 4 (including Georgetown) and 14 from Region 10 were reintegrated into the school system under the ministry’s programme. The ministry is now looking to expand this programme to all other regions, especially hinterland areas, where there are many cases of teenage pregnancy. More than 100 young expecting mothers have been beneficiaries of these care packages over the past year.

Salima Bacchus-Hinds

Town Clerk Royston King to inform the Guyana Elections Commission of the vacancy that will exist from September 1, under Team Benschop. Following the statutory meeting, Bacchus-Hinds told the Guyana Chronicle that the reason for her resignation was to facilitate her team’s decision to rotate the seat. “So my time is up,” she commented, while she declined to state who is being considered

for her place. Meanwhile,leader of Team Benschop, Mark Benschop told this newspaper in an invited comment yesterday that a few individuals are being reviewed. “However, again I’ve declined to go as I prefer the younger ones get the experience in fighting for the people via the council,” he said. Benschop, too, will occupy the seat as councillor before the end of the three-year council.

more young mothers. The ministry, according to the Permanent Secretary, is seeking to collaborate with the Welfare Departments in schools, and with the young mothers to have them reintegrated into the school system, where they can be able to write the CSEC examinations to “equip (themselves) with the skills” to be employed and be marketable in the job environment.

The baby care products included in the ‘care packages’ given out by the Ministry of Education

‘My time is up’ ––Team Benschop city councillor resigns

TEAM Benschop City Councillor, Salima Bacchus-Hinds has resigned from the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) with effect from September 1, in order to facilitate the rotating of the council

seat. Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase-Green announced at Monday’s statutory meeting that she received Bacchus-Hinds resignation. “My time at the council has been invaluable

experience and I am grateful to have had opportunity to serve the residents of Georgetown,” Chase-Green quoted the councillor as saying. The Mayor thanked Bacchus-Hinds for her contribution and asked

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Guyana to sign account info pact with U.S. GUYANA is set to sign an inter-government model A-1 agreement with the United States’ (US), Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that will allow for the provision of details on holders of US dollars’ accounts locally. “This agreement will allow financial institutions in Guyana to identify and disclose details regarding the holders of United States dollars accounts (locally),” Minister of State, Joseph Harmon told media operatives, today at a post-Cabinet press briefing. The signing of the reciprocal agreement is necessary, Minister Harmon pointed out, because, “Cabinet noted that since 2014, Guyana was regarded as having an agreement which required

local financial institutions to submit reports for 2014, but were unable to do so because the agreement was not in place.” Further, Minister Harmon explained that as a consequence, reports for 2014 and 2015 are now due to be submitted by September 30, 2016. The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA) was enacted by the US in March 2010, aiming to combat tax evasion by US taxpayers. In brief, under FACTA, foreign financial institutions (FFIs) are required to sign agreements with the US, IRS to identify and disclose details regarding their US account holders. These financial institutions will be

required to withhold tax for relevant US account-holders who do not give consent to such disclosures, or to close such accounts. An FFI which does not sign or is not otherwise exempt will face a punitive 30% withholding tax on all “withholdable payments” derived from US sources, initially including dividends, interest and certain derivative payments. In addition, starting from 2017, gross proceeds such as sales proceeds and returns of principal derived from stocks and debt obligations generating US source dividends or interest, will be treated as “withholdable payments”. “The signing of this IGA will also allow the completion of the service

agreement with the software provider for the installation of reporting software relating to the foreign accounts compliance act also known as FATCA, thus bolstering Guyana’s Anti Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) thrust,” Minister Harmon said. The US has developed two Model Inter Government Agreements to simplify the implementation of FATCA. Model I establishes a framework of reporting account information on US persons by financial institutions to the relevant domestic authority which in turn provides the information to the US, IRS.

Bill to curb illegal trade of wildlife passed By Alva Solomon GUYANA has fulfilled its requirements as a party to the Convention on International Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and protection of the nation’s flora and fauna is guaranteed with the passage of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Bill. The bill, which was read for a second time and passed with eight amendments within the early hours of Tuesday morning in the National Assembly, was moved by Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman. Trotman in opening remarks to the National Assembly, said that the bill has its genesis in the CITES convention and was taken to Parliament twice. “This is its third attempt at being passed, its third incarnation, there have been some changes made to it and I wish to recognise that this is not a new bill “, he said. He said Guyana is a party to CITES and the membership process revolves around certain responsibilities, including having appropriate laws and regulations to safeguard that flora and fauna to the curb illegal trade of wildlife and to provide for the safe and regulated breeding, movement and trading of wildlife, without and within of state parties. Further, he pointed out that though being a state party, Guyana has not been fully compliant even though every effort is being made to do so. “We have been using regulations published under the EPA (Environmental; Protection Agency) Act and these have since been deemed inadequate, hence the presence

of this bill”, he said. He said the country cannot go forward without the adequate legal framework and laws being in place without facing sanctions for non-implementation. Trotman noted that the legislation at-

deadline in September is missed. He said during the 10th Parliament, moves were made to pass legislation relevant to wildlife in the form of two bills; unfortunately neither bill was enacted into law. “Time is of

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Raphael Trotman

PPP MP, Anil Nandlall

tempts to remedy a jeopardy, which he noted is the CITES conferences which are held triennially, the next which will be held next month in South Africa. He said it would not be until the year 2019 when another CITES conference will be held and Guyana risks being sanctioned for non-compliance if the

the essence and we must seize the opportunity that presents itself”, he noted. He said that the time is ripe for Guyana to move from a category two listed nation to category one, regarding wildlife. Trotman told a visibly tired House of MPs that at the last CITES conference held in Bangkok , Thailand in 2013, Guyana was

cautioned “very strongly“ regarding its status and that the country risked being shortlisted for possible sanctions if the legislation was not in place by this year. He said several weeks ago, CITES dispatched a note to Guyana, noting that the bill meets that body’s requirements and the country was commended in that regard. Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) MP, Anil Nandlall raised several concerns about the bill, including the auditing process under which monies relevant to the mandate of the wildlife entities would be expended. He said the bill consists of the “technical” requirements of the CITES convention, as well as an obligation of the subject minister to pilot regulations which he noted would be necessary for the effective discharge of the bill. He later registered his support and that of the opposition, of the bill. The bill, which is lengthy, is divided into 85 parts. Its key objectives are to create a supportive mechanism cognizant of the national goals of wildlife protection, conservation management and sustainable use and to create a national framework and mechanisms governing the local and international trade in all species of Guyana’s wildlife. It will lead to the implementation of the primary provisions of the CITES convention and also to provide a framework of licencing and decisions which support core principles of transparency, certainty, natural justice and fairness. The bill also makes provisions for captive breeding and wildlife-ranching.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending August 12, 2016

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SportS CHRONICLE

Tallawahs rout Warriors for 93 to claim second CPL title A REMATCH from Wednesday’s first Caribbean Premier League playoff qualifier between the regular season’s top two teams quickly turned into an uncontested romp for the Jamaica Tallawahs, who rampaged past Guyana Amazon Warriors by nine wickets to claim their second CPL title on Sunday night at Warner Park. For the Warriors, it was a flat effort that left them runner-up for the third time in four CPL seasons, twice to the Tallawahs. The Warriors were the regular season table-toppers and beat Tallawahs in two of their prior three meetings, including by four wickets in Wednesday’s opening playoff match, but stumbled badly after being sent in by Chris Gayle at the toss to be bowled out for a franchise record low total of 93 in just 16.1 overs. The Warriors never won a game while chasing in 2016, going 0-3 when being asked to bat first with two of those three losses coming to the Tallawahs. Warriors were under pressure early when Nic Maddinson became the first of three batsmen dismissed first-ball, edging Andre Russell behind in the first over. A bigger blow came to start the third over when the tournament’s leading scorer, Chris Lynn carved Shakib Al

Shakib Al Hasan goes up with a successful appeal for the wicket of Jason Mohammed.

Jamaica Tallawahs captain Chris Gayle celebrates with the CPL trophy after trouncing the Warriors in the final at Warner Park last night. Hasan straight to Jonathan Foo at backward point for 7. Left-handed Sohail Tanvir was promoted up the order to No. 4 in an attempt to combat the left-arm spin threat posed by Shakib and Imad Wasim. On a personal level, the plan worked as Tanvir top-scored with 42 off 37 balls, but the rest of his team-mates struggled. Despite Tanvir’s calm, chaos was ever-present at the opposite end. Dwayne Smith was one of just two others outside of Tanvir to reach double-figures but his stay ended on 17 when he topedged a pull off Oshane Thomas to Rovman Powell at mid-on, to make it 50 for 3 in the eighth. With the top three removed, Shakib and eventual Man of the , Imad Wasim set about tearing through the middle order in ruthless fashion. Jason Mohammed was trapped playing down the wrong line to an arm ball from Shakib for a golden duck to make it 53 for 4 before Imad took the first of his three wickets as Christopher Barnwell mistimed a slog to Gayle at short midwicket for 10. Two balls later, Anthony Bramble was bowled

Jonathan Foo takes a catch on the boundary to remove Sohail Tanvir. backing away for a slog, and Imad claimed his third in four balls to start the 14th when Rayad Emrit was stumped for nought, missing a flick to a legside wide to make it 83 for 7. Kesrick Williams also was on a hat-trick in the 16th when he had Tanvir caught by Foo running in from the midwicket boundary, followed by a gem of a delivery that jagged back to knock back Steven Jacobs’ off stump for 7. Adam Zampa survived the hat-trick ball to end the over, but was out one ball later after failing to ground his bat coming back for a second run with Williams’ relay from long leg to Sangakkara producing the end of the innings. Gayle propelled the chase with his third 50+ score of the season, reaching his half-century off 22 balls and ending up with 54 off 27 balls before flicking Emrit to Jacobs at deep midwicket. The Tallawahs captain ended the campaign as his side’s leading scorer with 425 runs, good for third overall behind Lynn and St Lucia Zouks’ Johnson Charles. Not far behind Gayle, fellow opener Chadwick Walton steered the rest of the chase with 25 not out, ending seventh overall in the CPL and second on the Tallawahs behind Gayle with 301 runs. However, it was the old pro Kumar Sangakkara who struck the winning runs with a four smeared wide of long-on off Veerasammy Permaul to clinch the title with 7.1 overs to spare. Russell was named Player of the Tournament, thanks in large part to his scintillating century in Friday’s knockout game against Trinbago Knight Riders, hitting the fastest century in Caribbean T20 history off just 42 balls to break a three-game Tallawahs losing streak and put them in the final. The allrounder finished 11th overall with 286 runs - fourth on the Tallawahs behind Gayle, Walton and Sangakkara - and finished tied for 14th overall with 11 wickets at 19.27 and an economy of 8.42. Shane Watson was the only other player to finish in the top 15 in both categories, ending tied for ninth in runs with Jason Mohammed at 287 and tied for tenth in wickets with 12.(ESPN Cricinfo)

Gaskin sets new personal best at Rio Olympics … places second in his heat By Daniel Haynes

THE first of Guyana’s two-man swim contingent, Hannibal David Gaskin, finished second in his 100m butterfly heat in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. In the process he has made Guyana proud despite not going forward to the semi-finals. Gaskin finished with a time of 58.57, taking down his previous personal best of 59.98 going into the games. The swimmer, who is in the Guyana Olympic squad based on FINA’s universality place rules, may have also set a new national record. The ‘old’ (long-course) national record was also Gaskin’s previous personal best, one he achieved after he broke Niall

Roberts’ 2009 time of 1:00:02 earlier this year in Paraguay. According to Gaskin’s coach Stephanie Fraser who was watching the race, the athlete did not swim his best race. “He had a shaky start and when you have a bad start it affects your entire race,” Fraser stated. In an interview with a reporter at the Olympics, Gaskin admitted he did not swim the race he had wanted to. “I drifted away from my game plan, my mind was a bit clouded,” stated Gaskin. Gaskin also commented on being the flag-bearer during the Olympic opening eremony, stating it was a life-changing experience.

HANNIBAL DAVID GASKIN

Also proud is the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA), which expressed sentiments of pride in the swimmer. “We are happy to see that Hannibal has surpassed his personal best and is making strides forward,” stated GASA president Ivan Persaud. The GASA president in an earlier encounter had stated that it was expected that Gaskin would set a new personal best. All eyes are now on Jamila Sanmoogan, the second of Guyana’s two swimmers as she competes today at 12:02hrs. Her event is the 50m freestyle. Sanmoogan, like Hannibal, will have expectations of a new personal best. The swimmer enters the heat with a time of 28.60 seconds, and will be swimming in lane 7 of heat 5.