Guyana Times Daily - November 9, 2015

Govt can resolve impasse with all investors –

wednesday, september 9, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

No current solution for the issue of vagrancy

– Mayor Green

Mayor of Georgetown Hamilton Green, told reporters on Tuesday at City Hall, that the City Council cannot currently identify a solution to resolve Georgetown’s vagrancy issue.

Green shared that the Council has been looking at a menu of measures needed to make a reality of this aspect of the city’s restoration project and once again mentioned that it is indeed a monumental task.

The Mayor noted that some two weeks ago, a meeting was held with members of the Police Force, prison officers, social services and human rights officials, City Council staff and members of the general public in an effort to identify a solution to what the Mayor considers to be, Georgetown’s most challenging issue. He mentioned that an officer from the Social Cohesion Ministry is to give the Council a report, but added quite frankly, that the group failed to come up with a solution to deal with the matter.

The Mayor reflected that many years ago, Guyana had attempted to deal with the issue of vagrancy, but explained that the methodology that was used back then may not be available in 2015.

He noted also that there are still many unanswered questions as it relates to the legal and social rights of these men and women, and while the debates as to what to do with them are ongoing, they have been providing a lot of trouble for the city.

He shared also that the Council had spoken to several homes and shelters, which explained that many of these individuals only show up to eat and then leave. He added that the only way for them to stay indoors is to physically incarcerate them. Green stated that independent organisations have been trying their best and have done “fantastically” but the problem still exists.

Green explained that sometimes, also to blame are family members who abandon and ignore relatives who may be suffering from a form of mental illness.

The Mayor mentioned that a proposal was made for these individuals to be kept in a building at Onverwagt in Berbice, which will require a lot of doing to ensure that these individuals are well kept, fed, have access to counsellors, medical personnel and equipment. He said that the problem is not being ignored, but confessed that he cannot provide a solution at the moment.

7 guns, 1460 ammo handed over in first week

Gun amnesty programme – Ramjattan will be “badman” afterwards

Despite criticisms of the programme being designed to fail, the Gun amnesty programme completed its first week on Monday, with a total of seven weapons and 1460 ammunition handed over.

According to the Guyana Police Force (GPF), which was given oversight responsibility of the programme, only three of the seven Police Divisions have seen activities under the programme as of Monday September 8. In A Division (Georgetown-East Bank Demerara), five weapons were surrendered along with 1453 ammunitions and ammunition components.

These include 1191 rounds of 7.62x51 ammunition; two .22 Pistols along with 55 matching rounds of ammunition and three magazines; one shotgun with one cartridge; one 9mm Luger pistol along with nine matching rounds; and one .32 Walter pistol with one magazine along with 193 matching rounds.

Over in the D Division (West Demerara-East Bank Essequibo) the Police received one 9mm magazine, three 16 gauge shotgun cartridges and three 20 gauge cartridges from the public. Meanwhile, in the F Division (Interior locations) one 20-gauge shotgun and a 16 gauge shotgun were surrendered to the Police.

On Saturday, the Guyana Times contacted the Commanders of B Division (Berbice), C Division (East Coast Demerara), E Division (Linden- Kwakwani ), F Division (Interior) and G Division (Essequibo Coast-Islands), all of whom indicated that nothing has been surrendered in their

districts thus far. With the official update from the Police Force on the programme, this position seems to be the same. In efforts to curb the number of gun-related crimes and rid the streets of unlicensed weapons, the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition had outlined in its election manifesto that it will be implementing an amnesty programme for the surrender of illegal weapons.

Keeping its word, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan rolled out the programme on September 1. The programme provides for persons in possession of illegal firearms, ammunition or explosives to hand them over to the authorities without facing prosecution.

Meanwhile, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan addressing a gathering in Berbice on Saturday, renewed calls for persons to take advantage of the amnesty period and surrender all illegal guns and ammunition, warning that they will have to face the full brunt

of the law otherwise when the programme concludes. He urged residents to encourage persons whom they know that are in possession of illegal weapons to have them surrendered. “Tell them to carry it into the nearest Police station because after September month, I intend to be a ‘badman’. We coming down on all who we suspect that got arms and ammunition and if we find them is jail… I am promising, if you don’t bring them in this month, and we catch you, we are going to ensure you don’t get bail. And we are getting a lot of tip offs as to who and who got the guns,” the Minister cautioned. However, he did note that if there is an overwhelming request for an extension then he may entertain the thought and extend the amnesty for another month, possibly in December.

Ramjattan explained that he does not intend to make the programme an annual one but has opted to take this route in order to get as much illegal weapons and ammunition off of the streets.

The firearm amnesty programme will run until September 30. Persons interested in handing over firearms, ammunition or explosives can do so between 09:00h and 16:00h daily at selected Police stations identified in the various Police Divisions. It is being implemented through the GPF.

In A Division, the Timehri, Ruimveldt, Providence, East La Penitence, Brickdam and Albertown Police stations were selected for handovers to be done. The Fort Wellington, Blairmont, Central, Albion, Whim, Number 51 Village,

Springlands and Mibicuri Police stations were air marked in B Division (Berbice).

Meanwhile, six Police stations were identified in the C Division namely Sparendaam, Beterverwagting, Vigilance, Cove and John, Mahaica and Mahaicony. Over at the D Division, the La Grange Police Station, Vreed-en-Hoop, Leonora and the Parika Police Station were selected.

The Kwakwani Police Station, Mabaruma, Wismar and Mackenzie Police stations were air marked in the E Division. However, in the F Division a total of 25 stations were indentified including Bartica, Kurupung, Aranka, Enachu, Issano, Lethem, Annai, Aishalton, Karasabai, Monkey Mountain and the Kato Police stations.

As well as the Mabaruma, Moruka, Yarrikita, Port Kaituma, Matthews Ridge, Baramita, Kamarang, Eteringbang, Imbaimadai, Kaikan, Mahdia, Paruima, Kurupukari and Itabali Police stations. Then in the G Division the Suddie, Anna Regina, Charity, Wakenaam, Leguan and Aurora Police stations were listed as locations for handing over the illegal items.

The Public Security Ministry has assured that “all transaction conducted in relation to this specific amnesty period will be treated with strict confidentiality” while also warning that those who are found in possession of any illegal weapon, ammunition or explosive after the amnesty period will be prosecuted in accordance with the laws of Guyana.

wednesday, september 9, 2015 |

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, September 9 –14:30h-16:00h and Thursday, September 10 – 14:30h-16:00h

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, September 9 –14:20h-15:50h and Thursday, September 10 – 15:00h-16:30h

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily.

WEATHER TODAY

Winds: East to East South-easterly at 1.34 to 3.57 metres per second.

High Tide: 01:31h and 14:08h reaching maximum heights of 2.23 metres and 2.24 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 07:36h and 20:00 reaching minimum heights of 0.94 metres and 0.97.

Local Govt Elections….

Govt's massive alterations to LGE laws must be scrutinised

...free and fair outcome demands "transparency" – Opp

Leader Jagdeo

By Michael younge

pposition Leader

Bharrat Jagdeo on Tuesday said that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) had major concerns over some of the amendments that were made to the Local Authorities Elections Act which is slated to be debated in the 65-seat National Assembly today before the parliamentary recess officially begins on September 10 this year.

Jagdeo, speaking to a packed media conference from the Party’s Freedom House headquarters on Robb Street, Georgetown, said that while his Party has no intentions of delaying the long overdue Local Government Elections, it has a number of concerns that must be addressed by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) after reviewing the Bill which is to be debated today.

He expressed concerns over the manner in which the Government had rushed to force a sitting of the Parliament over the weekend to have a final sitting before the recess to ensure that the legislation was passed.

Jagdeo said that the PPP/C Members of Parliament were not given enough time to discuss properly the contents of the Bill as many of them had received late notice about the sitting and copies of the legislation.

“When we looked at the Bill, there are 26 amendments and it seems as though some of the amendments did not originate in GECOM, but in the Minister’s office. Some of the amendments were altered by the Minister’s office,” the Opposition Leader remarked at the media conference,

He continued, “So when GECOM says 40 days before elections should be nomination days, it has now gone to 50 days but that’s just one issue….So we do have major concerns about various elements of the Bill.”

Jagdeo said that from the timelines set out in the new Bill, it would appear as

well that Local Government Elections would not occur before year-end as promised by the new A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change coalition Government.

“We are not going to try to block any passage of any legislation, but at the same time we will not support anything that is inimical to transparency and the interest of people and the conduct of clean, fair Local Government Elections…,” Jagdeo said as reporters listened attentively to his position ahead of the debate.

He said that the PPP/C was looking forward to being told about the clear demarcation of both the external and internal boundaries of various areas and constituencies.

The public also has a right to know about this very early, Jagdeo held out, as he explained the importance of the Guyana Elections Commission assuring stakeholders that people are transferred into their right division or subdivision or constituency.

“At the national level, the overall system is Proportional Representative but if you lived in Berbice, but you now live at Diamond and you didn’t transfer and you go up to Berbice to vote, that’s fine…”, he remarked before explaining that “when it is constituency based, assum-

ing that people are not transferred into their right constituencies, then they can change results, sway results in a marginal area”.

The Opposition said that it has to be “very careful and GECOM will have to assure that people not transferred in the past will now be in their constituencies”.

“We have to start now to argue for enhanced biometrics,” he posited before indicating that the PPP/C would be pushing for a clean voters list and an electronic dual voting system.

Jagdeo insisted on the need for the Opposition as well as other stakeholders to pay keen attention to what would be done with the votes cast by the Disciplined Forces as he explained the impact these can have on declaring winners in various areas and constituencies.

“If they don’t transfer the votes in the right constituencies, you can now alter the results of the votes in marginal areas using the Disciplined Services vote,” he warned.

“But all of these things have to be discussed and given clarity before we rush through legislation,” he insisted.

Back in August, GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally confirmed to Guyana Times during a telephone interview that no “decisions” were made in relation to holding of the Local Government Elections at a statutory meeting after the Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan said that the Commission was holding up the process.

He said while he read and saw reports attributed to Minister Bulkan, he was not aware that the setting of the date or time frame for the elections was one that was scheduled to be discussed in a formal way by GECOM at its

planned statutory meeting.

Dr Surujbally advised that the Commission did discuss the legal lacunae that stand in the way of successful holding of the elections, but these issues were known to all the stakeholders who had interest in the holding of local polls. He explained further that the Commission continued to do what it could at this time to prepare for the elections whenever they would be held.

“There are several prerequisite activities” that must be addressed promptly if elections are to be held in Guyana,” Dr Surujbally said, explaining that the current laws that were in force do not incorporate or support the brand new system that has to be used for the holding of the local Government polls. These laws number 19 and date back to the system put in place back in 1994.

“I can advise you that we will be seeking a meeting with the Minister soon to advise him further on this matter,” Dr Surujbally indicated.

He pointed out that at present, the relevant laws that have to be changed or addressed, in one way or the other, are with the Attorney General’s Office for attention.

Dr Surujbally maintained that the Commission has played its role and made the relevant contributions so far.

“We have to get certain things done so that we can start to do other things…,” the GECOM Chairman said as he spoke about the training of election staff, voter education on the new electoral system and other logistical antecedents.

He declined to say if it was possible to successfully hold elections this year when quizzed by this newspaper on the matter given the snail’s pace at which things were being done.

Editor(ag): Michael Younge

Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

The fading hues of democracy

The term "democracy" is often deployed to embellish political campaigns and discourses with the hope of seducing the electorate with promises of a future where the people are the actual receptacle of power, commanding it through their proxy in decision making processes and through the rule of the majority, via their representatives.

Indeed, democracy to many in other countries, might appear to be a dream, as it once was in Guyana. Under the PNC leadership, in particular the 1968-1985 Burnhamite regime, democracy was trampled upon through rigged elections and the suppression of fundamental human, social, political and economic rights, including freedom of expression.

The progressive restoration of these rights since 1992 has allowed for the liberalisation of the press, the development of an active civil society, as well as a competitive multiparty political arena. The votes of the electorate has been since respected more or less despite the persistent accusations of tampered election results from both the PPP/C and the PNC. It has restored a voice to Guyanese who were deprived of this right for more than two decades - to 1992. Democracy, Which is always a "work in progress", has come a long way in Guyana, and Guyanese have learnt to accept it as a given of a functional society allowing for a healthy, steady public debate.

However, there is a rising fear among Guyanese, in particular those who casted their votes on May 11, that the democratic benefits their citizenship procures, are under threat by the recently elected APNU/AFC coalition Government. Such trepidation does not emanate from thin air but instead is an accumulation of inconsistencies portrayed by the Grangerled Government in relation to its campaign promises on "democracy" which now seem to have been nothing more than a honeypot for votes.

For instance, if one were to examine the status of the Cummingburg Accord, which sealed the coalition between the AFC and the APNU, and ensured that the PNC-led coalition won the general Election, the allocation of power as promised is not fully respected. The PNC-led APNU, in order to tighten its control on Government, has ensured that the coalition is dominated and led predominantly by PNC stalwarts.

This might be a viable explanation as to why there are so many Junior Ministers, reflecting the power struggle between the coalition parties, compensating for where there is not enough or too many PNC leaders. However, the severely diminished role of the prime Minister and the Public Security Minister, Moses Nagamootoo and Khemraj Ramjattan, at the profit of State Minister Joseph Harmon and Citizenship Minister Felix is a slap in the face of the AFC electorate who were promised that their party would not only bring change, but represent IndianGuyanese in the shared governance of Guyana.

Today, disempowered voices raise with remorse from the ranks of these voters, for their democratic right to be ruled by those they have chosen on May 11, is being trampled upon. Yet, the civil society and those who have for years under the PPP/C Government fought for "democracy", remain silent today. Even when press freedom, a most fundamental principle of democracy, is being threatened , those press guardians of the past remain silent.

When Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo chastised a State media reporter for identifying a Government blunder, he trampled the democratic right of the people to express themselves and to be informed. For if communication and information are barred from citizens, then how can democracy prevail? Yet, those of the diplomatic corps remained silent when in the past, they actively endeavoured to help Guyana forward on a track of empowerment of the people through democracy and good governance.

When President Granger stood at the International Conference Centre just a few days after his election to power, and renamed it the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, without the slightest attempt at consulting with Guyanese, he disregarded the right of the people to be involved in the decision making process, through proper communication and national consultation.

Subsequently, how can this coalition Government proceed to engage Guyanese on the issue of "social cohesion" when their democratic constitutionally constituted Ethnic Relations Commission is sidelined.

The absurd behaviour of the Prime Minister

Dear Editor,

I would like to address the absurd behaviour of the man appointed as Prime Minister Guyana. From his first appearance as Prime Minister he began to baulk over his promised responsibilities as Head of the Cabinet. He still believes he can cochair the Government. He clearly doesn’t understand his role in the Granger –led Government. Essentially all he seems to be is a Minister of Information, since there is no substantial proof of his eligibility or his performance as a Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister was also told that he’s the Leader of The House of

Parliament. This means that he’s nothing more than the person who ensures there is an agenda for the members of Parliament to discuss at the sittings of the House. His deplorable performance during the 2015 Budget debate showed his belligerent nature which is unacceptable in the House. His disregard for standard norms of the House really is a worrying step as he was allowed by an inexperienced Speaker to have his way unchecked. His recent utterances at Whim showed that he is desperately looking for support for his Government. He was reported as saying that he will be heading a team to

meet with the PPP/C to discuss forming an inclusionary government of national unity. But, why would anyone in the PPP/C want to cooperate with a man who lost all credibility when he abandoned the PPP? This is a man who condones the ongoing sacking of hard working Amerindians and Indo-Guyanese public sector employees. He has attempted to bring ridicule to the leader of the Opposition whilst taking cover under the privileges of his position in the House of Parliament. Yet, he now suddenly discovers that the Opposition represents not just those who voted for them, but increasingly many of those who blindly or coercively

gave their vote to the coalition and are now beginning to regret it.

Shouldn’t he use his role as Prime Minister to ensure that his parliamentarians behave respectfully when they sit in the House? The Prime Minister and his colleagues aren’t there to celebrate their new position as members of Government, but instead are elected to serve Guyanese. We are watching, taking note of all their achievements which so far amount to nothing. We will judge their performance on May 2020 or perhaps sooner.

Sincerely, Faoud Khan

The Prime Minister's downfall

Dear Editor,

It is quite embarrassing to look at the Prime Minister Nagamootoo embarrass himself, one blunder after the next, as the rest of his Government just sits back and observes the spectacle quietly. One wonders if they deliberately leave him to auto destruct, for it is difficult for any to actually believe that at this rate he will be able to maintain any sort of credibility in his position as Prime Minister. Indeed, the Minister cannot seem to get the right words to express himself, his tongue continuously slips to reveal

his penchant for anti-democratic practices and a general lack of consensus within the coalition. This lack of consensus is bloated by the terribly performed one man show in which Nagamootoo, stripped of the powers that he should have inherited through the Cummingsburg Accord and his accumulated mandates, is left to ridicule himself much to the amusement Guyanese and most likely his colleagues.

Could it be that the indifference of his colleagues in Government is a deliberate ploy to contribute to his eventual failure as a Prime

Minister, and thus his future removal from power?

Whatever the case may be, Prime Minister Nagamootoo, was bestowed a position which is merely symbolic, but holds no veritable power within Government, much to the disappointment of his electorate. Additionally, his perceived betrayal to the PPP/C and his willingness to be relegated to a second role as he readily accepts the imposed limitations of his position, gravely threatens his legitimacy and credibility not only is-à-via the PPP/C electorate, but also the AFC’s. Whereas the prom-

ise of a “unity” Government was made to believe by the coalition that Nagamootoo and Granger would be leading this “nation” together, today, it seems as though Nagamootoo is merely fighting to impose himself among Government colleagues who hold him is little esteem, and Guyanese devoured by sheer disappointment.

At this rate, Prime Minister Nagamootoo might become the first failure of this soi-disant “unity” Government.

Sincerely, Stacy Cheong

Dear Editor,

Heritage Village disorganised Was there

Dear Editor,

I write in relation to the Amerindian Heritage Village at the Sophia Exhibition Ground. I never miss an opportunity to visit the Heritage Village each year as I am always interested in the art and craft produced by my fellow Amerindian brothers and sisters. As such, I attended the activities each night, and each night I left disappointed.

Indeed, this year, the Heritage Village seemed dull and unwelcoming, with no proper seated accommodation for visitors and virtually no point person to guide or inform visitors of the night’s proceedings.

As usual, piwari and fly were in abundance to the grand merriment of visitors. However, what I found unprofessional is that there were no restrictions as to who may or may not access alcohol. Unsurprisingly, many young people under the age of 18 indulged in a drinking spree without time limits. While whichever officials present were busy either preparing cultural groups for the stage or applauding presentations, young people who have little interest in the cultural shows are busy getting drunk.

I also noticed that there was a significant number of non-Amerindian vendors selling craft that weren’t produced by Amerindians or do not represent Amerindian culture. However, the Amerindian Heritage Month is dedicated to displaying and promoting Amerindian culture, giving Amerindians an opportunity to expose their ancestral skills and knowledge. It is thus disappointing to see so many non-Amerindian stands making profit at the expense of Amerindians. Many of the Amerindians there present seemed to come from the coastal regions, with hardly any from Regions Seven, Eight and Nine. Instead of facilitating the sale and exhibition of non-

Amerindian craft and products, the Indigenous Affairs Ministry should finance those skillful men and women who live deep in the interior to come out and share their work with us. This should be the true purpose of Amerindian Heritage Month, to display Amerindian pride. A bit more investment in the organisation of these stands may have boosted what seemed like rather bad business this year.

Finally, the disorganisation that seemed to reign leaves one to wonder what level of preparation was put into facilitating the activities. Indeed, for such an official event, the Sophia Ground was transformed rather into a place where one could get drunk easily and where men and women indulge in indecent behaviours, while the Honourable Ministers are under the benab observing the spectacle on stage. One night, this spectacle was chaired by a man who has little or no regard for decent language as he indulged in jokes with disturbing sexual connotations, much to the amusement of the Minister then present in the crowd. This is disrespectful not only to Amerindians, but to the young minds who may have attended the show. It also sends a strong message that the Indigenous Affairs Minister condone such disrespectful language.

In addition, there is much inappropriate behaviour in full view of officials present, from young men of non-Amerindian descent, who have absolutely no respect for young Amerindian women. I highly recommend that the next Amerindian Heritage Month be considered seriously for the purpose it was intended and not as an opportunity for amusement and lawless behaviour.

Sincerely, Alexi Williams

Recent reports carried in some sections of the press on a multimillion dollar heist in the parking lot of a popular hotel on the East Bank of Demerara differ and this in itself is cause for concern in these times of escalating crime.

Initial reports suggested that an elderly man was robbed of a whopping $20 million in cash by a gang of men who escaped. There were no reports of shots fired or injuries to anyone.

Here is where the matter gets complicated. Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum advised that no such incident was reported to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and further that a check with the hotel management confirmed that no such robbery occurred. Interestingly,

really a $20M heist?

sources at the very hotel said that there indeed was a robbery there, that the amount stolen was $l0 miilion and that the entire episode was recorded on the hotel's surveillance cameras. With this critical information, it is expected that the GPF will secure this footage for examination towards a possible apprehension of the perpetrators.

There is every likelihood that the alleged victim may not have wanted to file an official report or to be interviewed by the press as he may be asked by the authorities to account for having such a large sum in his possession. The hotel management, for its part, may have decided to keep the incident under wraps because of the expected adverse publicity for the hotel.

Surely the GPF has to get to

the alleged victim as well as the known character who reportedly handed over that large sum of money. Are these large sums of monies a part of the landscape of casinos?

How are such sums acquired and how could they be spent so flippantly at casinos? Anyone who earns his money the good, oldfashioned way through hard work and paying taxes would not flit it away at gambling tables. It has long been established that casinos are used for a variety of questionable activities.

More importantly, do we need casinos in Guyana? Maybe, it is time for a rethink?

Sincerely, G. Somar

Winds of change in the Caribbean

Dear Editor,

A wind of change seems to be blowing in the Caribbean as the electorates are getting rid of Governments which in their view do not serve their best interest. Last Monday Trinidadians booted out Kamla Persad Bissessar’s UNC/coalition Government and replaced it with the old age PNM which is now led by Keith Rowley who replaced the veteran Patrick Manning.

The defeat did not come as a surprise because Kamla was losing grips -having failed to hold together the coalition partiesmainly the COP - Congress of the People and perhaps because of her high handed attitude in firing Ministers and other law makers. Persad Bissessar was the first female Prime Minister of the twin island republic. Her party lost 2318.

The change of Government came less than four months after Guyanese voters voted out the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) from office after 23 years - replacing it with the APNU/AFC coalition Government, headed by David Granger, a former colonel of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

Over in Antigua and Barbuda, Baldwin Spencer of the UPP was replaced by the Antigua Labour Party (ALP) under the new leadership of Gaston Browne. Last February, Denzil Douglas who was in power for 20 years was also replaced by Timothy Harris, leader of the People’s Labour Party (PLP).

All eyes are now in St. Vincent and the Grenadines which is the next CARICOM country to hold general elections which are constitutionally due before the end of March next year, but which

are anticipated to take place before Christmas. Ralph Gonsalves, United Labour Party (ULP) has been in power for 15 years and is seeking an unprecedented fourth term. While a large number of electorates are clamoring for a change some are not too confident that the leader of the opposition NDP, Arnhim Eustace is capable of leading the country. He failed to hold his seat After being handpicked his predecessor of the NDP. He only served five months as Prime Minister after a snapped election was called. Nevertheless it is anticipated that the next elections will be keenly contested since the ULP only has a one seat majority 8-7 and in the previous administration Gonsalves enjoyed a 12-3 majority.

Sincerely, Oscar Ramjeet

wednesday, september 9, 2015

Berbicians prefer bridge over ferry service

– overall travelling costs lower with bridge – say it has axed time, inconvenience and bribes

“Iremember when I had to leave home at four o’clock to go the stelling and hope that you will catch the 07:20 boat to get to Georgetown. If you don’t make that boat, it didn’t make sense going to town anymore, because I use to go to town to buy things for my shop.”

That is how one businessman Robert Alexander remembers the New Amsterdam/Rosignol Ferry Service. He said during that period, on a few occasions he could not make it home the same day because he could not get his car onto the ferry before it stopped working at 22:30h. “You had to pay $1000 for priority crossing if you wanted to be on the boat but after a while is everybody saying that they get priority crossing and you still can’t get to cross.”

What some called priority crossing is something that former Chairman of Region Six, (East BerbiceCorentyne) Zulfikar Mustop ha had called an avenue for corruption back in 2005. He then put a stop Transport and Harbour Department selling tickets which gave access to priority crossing on the ferry.

“It was easier to go to Trinidad from Timheri Airport than to cross the Berbice River with the ferry,” Joslyn Patterson told Guyana Times

She said while she never owned a vehicle, she frequently visited the capital city to make purchases for the business she operated in the New Amsterdam Market.

“I will go every Wednesday. The car will come and pick me up at 03:30h and we will go to

the Stelling. By the time you each, they have a long line and is only eight cars they taking because they filling the ‘first boat’ with trucks. The next boat is quarter to six and sometimes it don’t leave til after six.”

Patterson said the cost for the trip included breakfast for her and the driver who took her around to do her shopping. “If you see three o’clock catch you in Georgetown, is ‘hell oh hell’ to get to cross. Sometimes

or $500 and when you coming back if you don’t fork out a thousand dollars, you end up sleeping on the stelling.”

She added that on a few occasions when she could not cross back to New Amsterdam the same day, she was in time for when the market opened the next day.

“I would just go straight to the market and put off the goods. But is from one day till the next day just to go to Georgetown. It was terrible… I get to travel a few times on the Bridge doing

when I reach home is midnight. My daughter runs the business now and she still goes to Georgetown on Wednesdays and sometimes at eight o’clock she still home and she does go to Georgetown an come back in time to watch the news on TV.”

Asked to compare the difference in cost, Patterson said that it is cheaper to cross using the Berbice River Bridge. “It was only $600 to cross with the boat but I use to have to pay it because was my cousin car. You have to pay the same thing to come back plus $240 for me and him and then if you want to go on the boat you have to give a bribe sometimes $300

es the Berbice River Bridge on a daily basis and over the past six years since the Bridge has been in operation there have not been ‘man hours’ wasting.

“People may not recognise that all the extra time spent at the ferry stelling when the ferry service was operating that was accounted for in dollars and it was put on to the price of items. You would not see that.”

Patterson was one who confirmed Mustapha’s statement saying that all of the extra money she spent trying to get o the other side of the river, was transferred to the asking price for the commodities she sold.

Meanwhile, Michael Joseph a former minibus operator remembers paying $840 to cross on the ferry with his bus. He explained that the total round trip was $1680 and an additional $120 for himself which brought the total of $1800.

my business before I hand it over to my daughter, it so much easier.”

She said the $2200 that is taken to cross on the Berbice River Bridge with a car is not much when compared with what was eventually paid when the ferries were in operation.

The time spent of getting crossing on the former ferry service was referred to as a waste of ‘man hours’ and calculated in millions of dollars daily by Mustapha.

The former Regional Chairman who now functions as People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Executive Secretary in an invited comment on Monday said that he cross-

“I feel that the Bridge it too high,” Joseph told the Guyana Times, thinking only of his cost. He did not mention that when the ferry was operational, each passenger had to pay a fee of $60 to cross each way, making the total return trip at $1680 for his passengers and bringing the total to $3480.

Joseph agrees that there are tremendous advantages of having a bridge compared with a ferry service but still says that the bridge toll should be reduced. “We might have to make our own bridge.” He could not say where Berbicians would get the money from.

In a survey taken by the Guyana Times on Monday, of the 30 persons interviewed, 28 or 94 per

cent said that they preferred the Bridge.

Ninety per cent said that they if they a choice of the Bridge under the current

conditions including the fare structure compared with the ferry service as we knew it they will prefer the Berbice River Bridge.

"Quasi-political" Ramayya takes up office as REO

...gets a bigger piece of the pie – Nagamootoo

Political activist Dr Veerasammy Ramayya on Tuesday took up office as the Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) replacing Paul Ramrattan who was fired by the David Granger Administration and demitted office on Monday.

Ramayya who one month ago used the media to signal his intentions to Alliance For Change (AFC) officials to resign from the party citing neglect and his dissatisfaction over the way things were being done, recently said his resignation was from the AFC) and not from the Government.

“And that was a spontaneous move because I was promised to go back and do the things that I really want to do and that is to serve the people. I was offered a job in Parliament and I said ‘No, I don’t want to go in Georgetown’, then the Prime Minister also asked me to work with him, ‘I said no, it is not something lucrative that I am looking forward to. I want a job that I can be on the field seven days per week.”

He was at the time speaking at a Government outreach held at Whim on Saturday which Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo said was held to inform Berbicians that Ramayya had been chosen as the new REO, although the media had broken the news more than 48-hours before.

Nagamootoo speaking at Saturday’s meeting on the issue of Government’s decision to make Ramayya the

new REO, said the past was being left behind.

“Maybe I was a little too rash and gave him too small a piece of the pie and so we discussed and reviewed the situation. I remember that he always said that he wanted to be placed in a position where he could serve the people of Region Six and so I was appointing him the Prime Minister’s representative in Berbice, but I realised that that would probably limit him and so he is now identified as the REO and for the next four months of this year, Dr Ramayya has $260 million to spend with the Regional Chairman and the Regional Council.”

He told the gathering that Berbicians ought to put pressure on the Administration in order that $260 million in services is delivered to the people of Berbice.

Ramayya said he was told of Government’s decision to make him the new REO more than a week ago. “And I did consider that that will be an opportunity for me to touch every part of Berbice from Mara to Orealla. I intend not to work five days a week, but seven days a week in every community.”

Meanwhile immediately after entering his office at Vrymen’s Erven New Amsterdam, Ramayya held a meeting with Regional Chairman David Armogan, Deputy REO (Finance) Imran Ally and Deputy REO Bhadase Poonai to look at some of the immediate projects to be undertaken and the strategies that he will implement.

PPP/C nominated GECOM Commissioners resign – two

former MPs selected as replacements

By Michael younge

Two of the three persons who were nominated by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) to sit as Commissioners on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) have resigned with immediate effect.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo informed the media that Commissioners Mohamood Shaw and Athmaram Mangar have already been replaced.

He thanked the two PPP/C representatives for their sterling contributions to the Commission and their representation of the Party at that level. Commissioner Mangar was appointed back in October 2013, while Commissioner Shaw was appointed by former President Jagdeo.

Jagdeo said that their contributions have been recognised at the level of the Party because of their value and the yeoman efforts associated with the task which was bestowed upon them.

The Opposition Leader announced that former Human Services Minister and longstanding PPP/C parliamentarian Bibi Shaddick and former Transport and Hydraulics Minister Robeson Benn have been identified to represent the Party at the Commission.

“I have already written President Granger on the matter,” Jagdeo said as he expressed the need for both Commissioners to be sworn in with dispatch by the new Head of State.

Questioned by the media as to

whether the Commissioners were forced to resign, Jagdeo responded in the negative explaining that they resigned for personal reasons.

“You can ask them why they resigned too,” he suggested.

Following the May 11 General and Regional Elections, Jagdeo had indicated a view to make sweeping changes at the level of the PPP and GECOM.

The PPP/C itself in a release confirmed that Guyanese could expect substantive changes at the level of the Commission as the Party had concerns about the questionable conduct, lack of professionalism and apparent lack of impartiality with which GECOM conducted its business at the last elections.

The lone Commissioner representing the Party until the two nominees are appointed is Attorney-at-Law Sase Gunraj.

The Government-nominated Commissioners are Vincent Alexander, Sandra Jones and Charles Corbin.

Guyana marks Int’l Literacy Day 2015 –

Education Ministry launches robust reading campaign

Under the theme “Literacy and Sustainable Societies”, Guyana joined the rest of the world in celebrating International Literacy Day, for which the main event was held on the Main Street Avenue Tuesday.

The event saw the participation of students from several public schools and educators, including lecturers from the University of Guyana and Chief Education Officer Olato Sam.

Former Registrar of the University of Guyana, Vincent Alexander, who is also the technical adviser to the Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, said reading remained one of the major skills a person requires in life and was essential to the act of literacy.

“Today is, therefore, a very significant day, since it serves as a reminder with regard to the fundamental role that reading plays in the education process, and indeed in life itself. Today is a thought pause for those who were being carried away by the oral facility or those who have not embraced the culture of reading.

“Reading is the gateway to knowing where we came from. It is the courtyard of where we are at and it is the beacon with regard to our destination. It is simultaneously a receptacle, a utensil and an artefact of life,” Alexander told the gathering.

He said for many reading was associated with books; however, with the predominance of electronic sourc-

es, many are inclined to disregard reading as a dominant factor in the education or learning process. He said reading was still central to information gathering and learning, since it provided access to the essentials of life, in as much as it was a part of life in itself.

In his remarks, the Chief Education Officer said Guyana this year celebrated the day “with a deep sense and appreciation of the national developmental implications literacy holds”.

He restated the need for the nation to ascribe a significantly higher degree of importance to the issue of developing a more literate society.

“It is clear that if we are to make significant improvements in this regard, the Ministry of Education alone cannot adequately fulfil those expectations and a more broad-based, national approach must be devised with the Ministry as the lead agent. The research is abundantly clear; the more literate the population, the greater our output will be in all sectors. The more literate our workers, the more amenable they will be for further training and higher education; the greater value they will ascribe to education and pass those values on to their children,” Sam said.

The Chief Education Officer noted that efforts to develop a better nation, to heal old wounds and erase traditional mindsets must begin with a more literate population.

“As such, this can no longer be regarded as only a schoolhouse or classroom issue, but must resonate from the bottom houses, rum shops and street corners to the highest offices and platforms in Guyana. A culture of literacy has to be developed that permeates all public and private endeavours,” he said.

According to him, widespread access to free or low-cost literacy programmes through a range of media and with ample supporting resources must be made available to the general public. He said employers must internalise the responsibility they have to support their employees in becoming more literate, just as parents must internalise the deep sense of responsibility they have to ensure that their children are not robbed of the opportunity to be literate productive citizens.

The formal part of the programme came to an end a few minutes to 11:00h and at the top of the hour, each participant was encouraged to read for 15 minutes.

Following that activity, teachers and students, along with passersby, crowded the reading tent where books and other educational materials were laid out in abundance.

Also bringing light to the event was the message given by storyteller Michael Khan in his narration of an Anansi story.

wednesday, september 9, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

After weeks of intense investigations, the Guyana Police Force on Monday closed the probe into the multimillion-dollar fraud allegations at the Public Service Ministry and immediately handed over the files to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice on the way forward.

tion by DPP Shalimar Ali-Hack. Rahaman said she could not say how long it would take to review the files, noting that the DPP usually went through all the documents submitted before proffering legal advice to the Police on the evidence provided.

Sources told Guyana Times that funds were requested from the then Office of the President for various services and programmes at the Ministry, but no records were found to show that the monies were spent on such.

granted bail in the sums of $800,000 and $1.2 million respectively.

DPP gets files on fraud probe at Public Service Ministry Trini moves...

Head of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Wendell Blanhum, told the Guyana Times that the investigation was wrapped up on Monday and in excess of 20 files were sent to the DPP’s Chamber the same day.

On Tuesday, Communications Officer at the DPP Chambers, Liz Rahaman confirmed to this newspaper that “several” files were received from the Police Force and were immediately given atten-

Back in July, the Fraud Branch was called in to investigate allegations of a multimillion-dollar fraud at the Ministry. This was done after the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) Administration had discovered more than $120 million missing from the Public Service Ministry’s bank account.

However, reports indicate that during the probe, investigators found in excess of $400 million missing. The probe focused on records dating back two years.

This newspaper was told that former subject Minister Dr Jennifer Westford and her then personal assistant, Margaret Cummings were said to be at the centre of the probe. Both women were questioned by investigators on the missing funds.

On July 29, the day before the probe commenced, both Westford and Cummings appeared before the court on fraud charges in relation to the alleged illegal transfer of several State-owned vehicles to private ownership. The former Minister and her personal assistant were

The transfer of the Ministry vehicles was uncovered following a request from Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Khurshid Sattaur, who had written the Public Service Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Hydar Ally, requesting that he re-issue a letter, dated April 14, 2015, requesting the transfer of registration for eight vehicles into the names of Westford, Wayne Walker, Delroy Lewis, Gary Beaton (Westford’s spouse) and Osbert McPherson.

A change of registration for two vehicles for Walker was sought; one for Lewis; one for Westford; three for Beaton and one for McPherson.

Only Mission closed under PPP/C Administration was Moscow, says Rohee

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has been accused of crippling foreign affairs in Guyana under its tenure but General Secretary of the Party, Clement Rohee, maintains that this was not so.

During a press briefing at Freedom House on Monday, Rohee stated that the previous Administration before PPP/C took office, prior to 1992, had closed the embassies in India and in Africa. When one of these missions was to be closed, it was argued that the other had to be closed as well in a ‘so called balancing off diplomatic approach.’

“We didn’t close any missions, the only mission that was closed was the mission in Moscow and there were already plans under the previous Administration to close Moscow. This was the embassy that was fantastically and terribly downgraded to probably one person working there by the name of Hutson. Plans were already afoot to close that embassy when we took office in 1992 and we just continued with that so that is in relation to closure of diplomatic missions,” Rohee explained.

He told Guyana Times that he had repeatedly stated ‘over and over again’ that the task he was entrusted with by then President Cheddi Jagan was to visit all of the diplomatic mis-

sions with a view of assessing the strength of the staff and the terms of reference of each member.

“I don’t know who could now be disrespectful to Granger as President to say that ‘I am not undertaking such an assignment’. If President Jagan gave me an assignment to undertake at that time… obviously I had to take that. I didn’t want to be an undisciplined comrade by not undertaking an assignment given to me by the Head of State so I undertook that mission,” the PPP/C General Secretary noted.

Negotiations held

This newspaper was further told that Rohee at that time had visited the various missions where he ‘sat with each member’ and negotiated either the termination of their contracts or the renewal of the contracts under new conditions.

However, for those whose contracts were terminated, they all had discussions with the Minister at the time.

“In addition to that, we also ensured that they received all their benefits that were due to them, nobody was sent home by virtue of a letter or by a phone call, each person sat down and had a discussion. The Minister had a staff meeting first with them and a staff meeting with them after to explain to them that the Government during

its election campaign promises had said that the Foreign Affairs Ministry was receiving a greater allocation than Ministries of education, health, social services and even the fire service and the Police. And the Government’s intention was to reallocate these resources and in the reallocation of these resources the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ budget was going to be slashed along with the Office of the President budget and it was in that context that the cuts took place,” Rohee further explained.

Guyana Times was notified that these cuts took place on the basis of staff and on other facilities that were granted to the missions. It was also pointed out that with regards to the meetings with the heads of missions this process was a ‘rather torturous process’ because each discussion was lengthy in order to determine whether to extend or terminate contracts with all benefits that were due.

Some of these individuals went to the courts and eventually won their cases where they were awarded their benefits from the Government.

“I should also mention in this connection that one of the issues which the Government at the time cut back on was the contribution to international organisations which ran into millions upon millions of

foreign currency. Because the Government had to pay a lot of money in its annual contribution to many international organisations and Dr Jagan felt that we could have used this money better elsewhere. So what he decided together with Cabinet was to suspend the payment of these millions of foreign dollars to these international organisations upto a particular time when the economy was doing better,” Rohee said.

According to the PPP/C General Secretary, Dr Jagan utilised the resources garnered from those savings to pump it into the social sector and that was until between 1997 and 1998 when those contributions were eventually and gradually restored.

“So all this was taking place within the context of the reordering of the economic and social priorities of the Government, the shortage of resources, remember we were still having heavy foreign debt. That was the kind of challenges that the Government had to be facing at that time. And in the context of the social cohesion matter where Government apparently is seeking to boost its image as a reliable partner with the international community with the social cohesion issue, I am saying therefore Government is likely to use resources to boost its image,” he added.

...in politics

Well, so much for Kamla having more cojones than all the other male politicians in Caribbean politics. Didn't do her much good in Monday's general elections. Her coalition dropped a massive 10 seats; reducing their numbers in Parliament to 19, compared to the PNM's 22. Not a big gap, but in Parliamentary politics, a miss is as good as a mile. As the PPP's finding out here with their razor thin shortfall of 1 seat.

When the votes are counted on motions in the Assembly - the Speaker doesn't even bother to lift his head up from his papers to acknowledge, "The ayes have it!". So where did Kamla and the PP go wrong? To paraphrase an old American political riposte on the subject (which got the first Bush ejected from the White House) - IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID!!

Trinidad's economy's taken a nosedive that tracks the one taken by petroleum prices. Kamla had benefitted from a plunge in 2010 and now Rowley's returned the favourwith oil falling below US$40. As the old folks used to say, once they've seen the bright lights, how do you keep them down on the farm? And as we know after giving them all that land, which they've done absolutely nothing about, Trinis ain't staying on no farms!

Some analysts also point to "crime and corruption" (C&C). But those outrages were the same under the PNM, no? Very few Trinis see the PNM "solving C&C. Like the "poor" they seem to feel that C&C will always be with them. But the economy? They feel Kamla and the PPP should've done more. The good burghers of Trinidad will duck those flying bullets - but they want to duck behind the walls of their gated communities.

And there's a lesson for the APNU/AFC government here in Guyana. It's now rather clear to most Guyanese that pure ethnic voting ain't going to get no party into government any longer. So questions like how well governments do on the economy and such-like, will loom ever increasingly higher on voters' preferences when elections roll around.

From one standpoint, Kamla shouldn't have been blamed when the bottom dropped out of the oil market. But what she WAS blamed for was she didn't make moves in the economy to make up for that loss. Same here in Guyana. The Sugar and gold plunges have a momentum of their own -but what's the coalition doing about substitutions? Could they've done things differently on the Venezuelan rice market?

The economic slowdown here is real - we don't need fancy definitions of what constitutes a "recession".

Unless APNU/AFC reverses that, they're outta here!

...in smelter

One of the last acts of Kamla's government was to firm up a deal bumping up shipments of oil to Guyana. Even though Guyana had joined the Venezuelan PetroCaribe oil facility, it'd hedged its bets and was receiving about half of its supplies from T&T. But with oil below $40 a barrel, we don't earn any credit benefits from Venezuela. That kicks in when oil prices are substantially higher.

This is all well and good... but what about the future?

This Eyewitness believes that the APNU/AFC Government can try to negotiate a win-win situation, similar to the Venezuelan deal. How about us exchanging our raw bauxite for Trinidad petroleum. Trinidad under the PNM can finally open up that aluminum smelter in La Brea that the PP put in mothballs in 2010 - after $66 million had already been spent. The rest of the financing was already in place. After all La Brea voted PNM, as usual.

...in law school

Another outstanding issue we need to get under our belt is a firm agreement with Trinidad's Hugh Wooding Law School on students from our UG programme. Once the numbers are secure, the students ought to pay. Law isn't a "public good", is it?

Green in about-face with previous helpers

–

“a vote for any Government is not an excuse for attitudes of indiscipline” – King

Following outbursts from vendors of Bourda Market after the Mayor and City Council authorised the demolition of several vendor stalls, Mayor Hamilton Greene during a press conference on Tuesday, announced that the time for change in the city of Georgetown has come.

Last Wednesday, the Mayor and City Council launched the “Green Volunteer Corp” at City Hall, which the Mayor shared was a precursor to what will be a massive attempt to return the city to its days of glory, ensuring a “good and green Guyana”.

As this exercise continues, Green reiterated that the task to get Georgetown back on track is monumental and public support is needed on many levels.

“The time for change in Georgetown has come” Mayor Green noted, adding that change will not be easy as it may always involve some dislocation, but the end result will produce a much better Georgetown. The Mayor shared that no effort will be spared to fix the pattern of things around Georgetown.

Greens mentioned that one of the biggest issues affecting the city is the deplorable conditions of the drainage systems. He added that over time, for many reasons, business owners and other individuals had completely covered the gutters for their own convenience.

The Mayor recalled that some sections of his engineering staff believe that the Council should not agree to manholes, and that anything done, should not go beyond solid grills that are easily removable so that the waterways can be seen daily and at all times, which then makes it easier for the drains to be cleaned more

frequently.

He mentioned that flooding in Georgetown is attributable to a number of factors, noting that during tours through the capital city in order to highlight critical issues, the Council noticed that sometimes well meaning citizens continue to contribute in a real way to the degradation of Georgetown’s fragile drainage systems.

As a start in dealing with

such matters, Green announced that individuals and businesses that have covered their drains will have to “break them down”.

He shared that this radical change will be traumatic for some people, but added that the integrity of Georgetown’s drainage system is primus, and is therefore asking persons who may be inconvenienced to understand that this is in the general interest of the city.

In response to allegations made by market vendors on Monday that the Council, and by extension the Government, have betrayed the people, Town Clerk Royston King stated “a vote for any Government is not a reason or an excuse for attitudes of indiscipline, and incidents of lawless-

ness”.

He added that it does not matter which Government an individual may cast his/ her vote for, that there are rules and laws that still needs to be obeyed. King shared that the entire street should have been cleared but the Council is trying their utmost to ensure that persons are allowed to make a livelihood.

“We have been very sup-

portive of all the vendors and the fact that they’ve been there all these years give testimony to that. We permitted them to vend at that spot and we have removed them to another spot. We’ve offered help and they have refused the help. We have received a mandate from the President and have made it our mission to make Georgetown the cleanest and greenest city in the Caribbean regardless of the degrees of difficulties, this task must be achieved,” declared King.

The Town Clerk added that the Council is moving forward with change and they have “released the hands of mediocrity” and is embracing the spirit of excellence.

ATC student tops Caribbean at ACCA exams

Shaian Haniff, a student of the Accountancy Training Centre (ATC) in New Market Street, Georgetown, is the Caribbean’s top performer at the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) examinations.

The ATC said in a media release that it was “extremely proud” to produce this year’s top Caribbean performer.

Haniff received an impressive 83 per cent for ACCA F5 paper –Performance Management – at the June 2015 examination session. Haniff began studying at the ATC in June 2014 immediately after completing her A Levels, and was tutored for the F5 paper by one of the institution’s leading ACCA members and lecturers, Lancelot France-Cummings.

The Centre stated that Haniff’s success was a testament that hard work, commitment and dedication were the equation to achieving high rewards as was reflected in the young woman achieving first-time passes in papers F1 (82 per cent); F2 (83 per cent), F3 (96 per cent), F4 (91 per cent), and F6 (91 per cent).

The ATC further stated, “Shaian’s performance

is outstanding”, adding that it has “a track record of producing successful students and it upholds integrity”.

The Centre has been in existence for over 15 years. During this period, there have been several students who obtained top ACCA marks gaining over 90 per cent in various papers. The institution is Gold approved by ACCA and with its dedicated administrative and lecturer teams, prides itself on providing quality tuition and career guidance to all students.

The ATC has been actively sensitising the public on the career options available to persons who study there. On August 22, the institution hosted a free information/guidance session for students and their parents/guardians at its New Market Street location. The session was aimed at guiding the audience in choosing a career path that was most suitable for the individual and which was in demand in the global economy. At that session, the ATC administrator and other speakers stressed on the fact that students often pursue qualifications that were not internationally recognised. Some also pursue qualifications that do not provide scope for them to move on to high-

er levels of qualifications –which makes them feel as if they wasted their time and money in the end.

Lecturer FranceCummings stated at the session, “Every day persons are migrating out of Guyana in search of higher pay. ACCA helps you to secure this, be self-sufficient and marketable anywhere in the world. It also teaches ethics and upholds integrity at the highest level unlike many other qualifications.”

The ATC administrator stated that “ATC not only focuses on providing quality tuition to its students, the institution aims to engage them in activities that will build them professionally and develop their competencies”. The institution is currently enrolling persons for the Foundation in Accountancy/ CAT course commencing in the week of September 21, 2015. In another of its efforts to stimulate learning, the ATC, in observance of International Literacy Day (September 8), had its directors, staff, lecturers and students donated books to the Corneila Ida Children’s Home. The books are expected to make the children more aware of the environment and build their reading skills.

CGX says fully committed to long-term future

– in wake of reports of pullout

One week after Canadian oil explorer CGX Energy Inc said management had determined that exploration drilling in the Corentyne Block offshore Guyana would not be prudent, the firm said it was fully committed to drilling in that Block by July 31 next year.

“We wish to confirm that CGX Energy sought and obtained an extension from the Government of Guyana to its drilling activities on the Corentyne Block so as to further assess the prospects on this Block in light of the Exxon-Mobil Liza1 discovery in the adjacent Stabroek Block and to allow us more time to use this information to secure a joint venture partner. CGX Energy is fully committed to drilling on the Corentyne Block within the new timeframe July 31, 2016 negotiated with the Government of Guyana. Contrary to certain media reports, CGX Energy has not shelved its exploration focus on the Corentyne Block or any of our other assets,” CGX Energy Chief Executive Officer Dewi Jones was quoted as saying in an ad published in the daily newspapers on Sunday.

In the August 28 state-

ment, which was reported on by Stabroek News, Jones had said, “Given the steep decline in oil prices that has persisted over the last 10 months, CGX Energy and its Board of Directors have determined that exploration drilling on the Corentyne Block offshore Guyana would not be prudent”.

The company had disclosed that its ability to continue as a going concern was dependent on securing additional financing through issuing additional equity, debt instruments or the sale of its assets or by obtaining a joint venture partner.

CGX had also said that the termination of the rig sharing agreements and deferral of the associated costs

would allow it to continue to search for a joint venture partner and it would continue to evaluate industry and market conditions over the next six months.

The company also highlighted its cost-cutting initiatives and revealed that it was in a precarious financial position. “Given the company’s capital commitment requirements associated with its petroleum prospecting licences and the ... penalties, the company does not have sufficient cash flow to meet its operating requirements for the next 12 months,” the August 28 statement said.

In CGX’s latest statement, the company’s CoChairman, Dr Suresh Narine, said ExxonMobil’s Liza-1 discovery on the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana has been a significant event for both CGX Energy and Guyana. In addition, as a result of the recent drilling extension received for the Corentyne Block and the payment deferral arrangements obtained from Japan Drilling Co Ltd (JDC), CGX Energy has been afforded ample time to secure a joint venture partner.

“We welcome JDC as a significant equity holder of CGX Energy. Whilst

the sustained low oil prices continue to be a concern for CGX Energy and other exploration companies, the company continues to be excited about its future in the Guyana basin,” Narine was quoted as saying.

The company, which has been engaged here since 2000 in the search for oil, also terminated its rig sharing agreement with Teikoku Oil (Suriname) Co Ltd (INPEX).

The statement said that in partnership with Pacific Exploration and Production Corp, CGX Energy continues to attract interest from potential joint venture partners. The company is working with Pacific to find a suitable partner to develop its offshore and onshore acreage in Guyana, including the Corentyne Block, the Demerara Block and the Berbice Block, the statement said.

It added that CGX, along with Pacific, will be attending the APPEX regional conference in November where it plans to market its acreage to institutional and strategic potential joint venture partners, including several large international exploration companies.

CGX is not only engaged in oil exploration, but wholly owns a logistics yard and deepwater harbour facility in Guyana, which it is actively developing.

“The company continues to commit investments into the social fabric of Guyana as it envisions a long-term presence in Guyana both on activities related to exploration and in the development of its deepwater harbour facilities,” CGX said in the statement.

According to the company, it recently committed $1.5 million to assisting with drainage in Georgetown, $1 million to Emancipation

Slippery ochro

Satiricus was a man of few words and he liked people who were of the same inclination. But when you're a man of "few words" you have to choose and use them carefully. And it was for this reason that Satiricus liked Comrade Rodee. This Comrade didn't like "long talk" and also didn't suffer fools too gladly.

So when he announced that achieving "Social Cohesion" by the APANU/KFC Government was going to be "slippery ochro", Satiricus knew that the Comrade was introducing a phrase that was going to live on for a long time in the vernacular. Comrade Rodee was a man of the people - and so his metaphors and similes were drawn from things that ordinary people related to.

Hadn't he popularised the old folk saying, "Goat na bite me."? Which Guyanese didn't know that after goat bit off a stem of a plant... that was it! Comrade Rodee didn't have to explain that he meant there was nothing done to him to stunt his growth and ambitions. Any Guyanese, including him, could grow up to be President.

On the Social Cohesion business, Comrade Rodee could've said, "The attainment of Social Cohesion by the incumbent administration will prove to be elusive because of the inherent contradictions immanent in the modus operandi of its promulgators." But he did not. The ordinary fella or feline in the street wouldn't have gotten it. But ochro? That they knew. Try getting that last piece of ochro onto your roti!! It looks easy, sitting on your plate... nothing in its way. But you just can't get that piece of roti around it!

And Satiricus thought how profound this analogy was to APANU's activity of "social cohesion” it had sponsored at the Convention Centre. Here it was APANU had brought people like so many pieces of ochro and placed them into the Centre. And at the end had sent Comrade Rodee's old buddy Naga Man to bring them together.

And Naga Man confessed to everyone that all the daylong speeches and talk and singing were all a "palliative". It might help with Social Cohesion on the surface, but not where it counted.

Just like trying to catch a slippery ochro

Day celebration activities in Guyana, and $1.7 million to the provision of a new boat to ferry hinterland schoolchildren as part of President David Granger’s initiative for providing transportation for hinterland students.

CGX was originally scheduled to drill by the end of October this year.

The Government of Guyana in June had granted approval for CGX to extend its spud date deadlines on the Corentyne Block from October 31, 2015 to July 31, 2016 for the first commitment well and from November 27, 2016 to November 27, 2017 on the second commitment well.

Dynamic Airways training new batch of flight attendants

Six more flight attendants have been added to three full crews under the employ of Dynamic Airways, and Chief Executive Officer of Roraima Airways, Captain Gerry Gouveia said the company is simply trying to offer its best service to Guyana.

The first of batch of six is expected to undergo a threeweek training session, beginning September 28 at the Pan Am International flight academy in Miami, Florida. They include Yolanda Armstrong, Kemo Bayley, Amber Low, Demi Nunes, Zandy McRae and Tara Harewood.

Captain Jerry Gouveia at the simple introductory ceremony at Duke Lodge on Tuesday said the need for more flight attendants has been presenting itself daily, even as the company continues to strive for international excellence.

According to him, the company’s mode of operation is not only to move people, but to help Guyana by creating employment. Roraima Group of

(centre) at aintroductory

Companies facilitated and participated in the recruitment process of hiring what it said was the most capable and qualified Guyanese applicants for the vacancies.

The recruitment period gained the interest of more than 400 applicants who for the most part were

interviewed by a panel inclusive of Aviation specialists, Human Resources experts and officials of Dynamic International Airways which commenced on August 28, 2015.

During the interviews and assessments, strict adherence to the criteria including academic qualifica -

North East La Penitence man shot during home invasion

A56-year-old man, of North East La Penitence, Georgetown, was shot in the wee hours of Tuesday after gunmen invaded his home.

Andrew Lee, of Lot 415 North East La Penitence was shot once to his right foot during the ordeal. He has since been hospitalised

at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer Ivelaw Whittaker, the incident occurred around 02:30h on Tuesday. Whittaker disclosed that four men, two of whom were armed with handguns, broke into Lee’s home and held him up at gunpoint.

During the invasion, the perpetrators discharged a round at the 56-year-old man hitting him in his foot.

They then managed to take possession of a television set and an iPod before making good their escape.

The Police have since launched an investigation into the incident.

tions was met to ensure all applicants had an equitable chance of securing the position.

The interviews and as -

sessments assisted the panel in identifying effective communication skills and the applicants’ knowledge of their country which was

some of the criteria that is required for an ambassador of Guyana.

Taking the criteria into consideration, 12 applicants were successful in the process to be recruited as Flight Attendants. However, the first of batch of six to be trained are expected to begin training by September 28.

“Our finalists demonstrated a high level of professionalism, academia and the potential to be exceptional ambassadors of Guyana. In our final analysis, we believe that our young people are smart and are ready to build the country of Guyana, and as such, Roraima Group will continue to seek opportunities such as these to afford economic mobility and professionalism to the people of Guyana”, a representative of the interviewing panel told Journalists.

Guyana joins Brazil in celebration of neighbour’s 193rd independence anniversary

Guyana reiterated its commitment to further strengthening ties with Brazil, as it joined the neighbouring country in celebrating its 193rd independence anniversary on Monday.

Addressing the reception to mark the occasion at Brazilian Ambassador Lineu Pupo de Paula’s residence, President David Granger said he was honoured to be part of the celebrations for the commemoration of the 193rd Independence celebrations of the Federative Republic of Brazil.

He noted that Brazil has made significant economic progress over the past few decades and has become a major economic power in the continent. He added that the neighbouring country has emerged as a “bellwether” for many developing countries, as it was recognised as a champion for peace and order on the continent of South America.

Granger stated that Guyana and Brazil have always had an interest in each other’s development, as many Brazilians come to Guyana to work and live and many

Guyanese go to Brazil to do the same.

“It is said in international relations that you can choose your friends but you can’t choose your neighbours. Guyana has in Brazil, both a neighbour and a friend,” the President stated.

As he recalled the visit of then President Luiz Inácio da Silva to Guyana in March of 2007, and the historic commissioning of the bridge between Guyana and Brazil in September 2009, the President explained that both events signified the deep and wide areas of bilateral cooperation that have existed over the past 47 years to bring the countries closer together.

Granger told the Brazilian Ambassador, “The Cooperative Republic of Guyana looks forward to working with the Federative Republic of Brazil to reaffirm the inviolability of borders on this continent, to respect international treaties under the United Nations, to preserve peace through UNASUR (the Union of South American Nations) and to promote economic development through

MERCOSUR (the Southern Common Market).”

He reiterated that Guyana was committed to the peaceful settlement of disputes and to the upholding of international laws, and Guyana has a right and duty to pursue its economic development and the development of its resources for the good of its people.

The Head of State urged that South America remained a zone of peace, and added that Guyana was encouraged by Brazil’s determination not to accept any disturbance of its borders.

“Guyana desires good neighbourly connections. Our two countries share a long and productive history as friends, neighbours and partners. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1968, our wide-ranging cooperative programmes have strengthened the bonds between our societies and have laid the foundation for continued peace and goodwill between our people,” he noted.

The President further added that Guyana was committed to widening and strengthening cooperation with Brazil.

Keeping it real

Towards Social Cohesion

Several issues from the madia caught my attention over the last week.

All of them are related to this issue euphemistically referred to as “social cohesion”. One could easily assume that social cohesion refers to “ethnic cohesion” or “ethnic inclusion” or “national unity”. However, the very fact that race relations is being discussed in the public arena means that there is some recognition that Guyana still remains a divided State, one largely polarized between two major ethnic groups. The Amerindians are also becoming a significant voice and voting bloc.

The first issue refers to a letter by Audreyanna Thomas in which she argues that her “research” has shown that “Indians were taught to fear Black leadership” and “Blacks were taught to fear Indian leadership”. She attributed this “fear” to “the human factor as against the characteristics of a particular race”. Ms. Thomas then makes a quantum leap. While referencing a letter I wrote in which I argued that the electoral result will reflect our divided nature, she argues that President Granger and Prime Minister Nagamootoo are “good” leaders who presumably possess the essential qualities to lead by example and heal the nation’s ethnic rift. I don’t doubt that both leaders may be “good” by nature but the task of promoting national unity will require good men to have the foresight chutzpaw to accomplish what other leaders failed to do since independence. By any yardstick, Ms. Thomas offers a simplistic view of race relations in Guyana. Nothing is mentioned as to how we can move beyond “emotions” or “perception” to foster a permanent institutionalized stable democracy where ethnicity remains in the cultural background rather as a nagging issue that contributes to our political divide. Nor did she consider the role of all stakeholders and how any action plan can move us closer to this goal post.

The other issue was raised in a column written by Freddie Kissoon in which he lists a number of names of Guyanese who were removed from positions they held due to what he termed the “ethnic cleansing” policy of the PPP. In another column, he explained that as an invitee to the West Berbice Chamber of Commerce meeting he was appalled that “there wasn’t one African face or even a businessman of mixed race; not even a Portuguese Guyanese or Chinese entrepreneur.” Writing about the warm reception he received by his hosts, Kissoon interrupted his narrative to tell readers that “scores of PPP leaders, including their intellectual propagandists (chief among whom is Dr. Baytoram Ramharack” have commented that he “had and have no cultural background” (his words) and that he was “a Guyanese who criticizes Indian people all the time and Indian people do not like me.” Perhaps that was a Freudian slip and Kissoon is revealing his true lamentations for Indians. But three things should be obvious to readers.

One, I have been critical of the PPP, and supportive of the coalition, as I see fit. Kissoon is aware of my criticism of Cheddi Jagan’s political legacy and his ideological confusion and has acknowledged my position in the past. No one is against historical revisionism, but Kissoon clearly wants to revise Jagan’s legacy with a legacy of intellectual dishonesty, given his wellknown personal animosity for the PPP/C. Two, his public anti-Indian postures, rantings and critique of Indians who seek to make a political contribution to Guyana’s political problems makes him suspect. I argued before that his vitriolic statements made against Swami Aksharananda whom he referred to as a “so-called Swami” with a “caste mentality” (he actually used more pejorative language) of the highly successful Saraswati Vidya Niketan school led to a public abuse of the Swami as he was boarding a boat in

West Demerara. And Kissoon wonders why the Swami has not ever responded to any of his missives, and probably never will. Three, Kissoon uses the term ethnic cleansing to refer to racial discrimination that led to the removal of non-PPP supporters after 1992. As Andrew Bell-Fialkoff reminds us, “ethnic cleansing” refers to the physical annihilation of one group of people to create a homogenous society, as practiced by the Serbs of the former Yugoslavia. He went further to argue that this was the “official” policy of the PPP/C. Kissoon’s mis-use of the language to describe racial discrimination is as dangerous as is own anti-Indian sentiments. Nor will they bring us any closer to social cohesion or ethnic healing. No one has seen fit to challenge him on this matter.

The third issue that is indirectly related to the above is the recently held meeting at the Arthur Chung Convention Center to discuss and define ways to promote social cohesion - a plan initiated, presumably by Social Cohesion Minister Amna Ally. While discussions are a good start, Ms. Ally, a retired former teacher with a degree in Management from the University of Guyana, is not known to have a background on conflict resolution and ethnic relations. The issues that are raised by Ms Thomas and Kissoon are rooted in the issue of race relations in Guyana and they require deep philosophical and political thoughts and commitment, and there is a wealth of information that exists on how other societies have dealt with their own racial and ethnic problems.

I would submit that as starters, we recognise a number of things. One, any discussion of race relations must recognise the fact that honesty and legitimacy must prevail. There must be a willingness to move away from the notion that “to the victors go the spoils”. Leaders of opposing groups must not dictate who would be the best leader of the opposing group. Two, institutional arrangements for a united Guyana must recognise that all possible proposals must be on the table for discussion, be it an affirmative action plan to create a black entrepreneurial class or balancing of the military forces to reflect its population. Three, a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, like the one headed by Desmond Tutu in South Africa after Apartheid, would be a good place to start the ball rolling. Such a commission, if allowed to do its work fairly will go a long way towards building trust, accountability and transparency in our fractured society. Mr Granger, a disciplined historian who understands the negative impact of a divided society on our economic development, following his recent meeting with the Opposition Leader, indicated his willingness to promote a united Guyana. We will keep our watchful eyes on him.

Dr. Baytoram Ramharack is an Associate Professor of Political Science (adj) at Nassau Community College. Send comments to BRamharack60@gmail.com

Canadian charity working to improve neonatal survival

– collaborating with Public Health Ministry and GPHC

In maintaining a rich history which dates back to early 2009, Guyana Help The Kids (GHTK) has once again extended a hand of collaboration to the Public Health Ministry, with the primary objective of reducing under-five mortality and by extension, infant mortality.

GHTK is a registered Canadian charity which has been playing an integral role in Guyana by assisting in the reduction of neonatal and infant mortality. Just recently, its President, Dr Narendra Singh, a Canadian-based

NICU at the West Demerara Regional Hospital, it has been out of operation for an extensive period. However, those at the Georgetown Public Hospital, the Linden Hospital Complex, the Suddie Hospital and the New Amsterdam Hospital are functioning effectively despite the need for additional staffing and consumable items. This was confirmed by the Health Minister, who had previously told this newspaper that with the exception of Georgetown Public Hospital, all other NICUs were down.

tension the Government of Guyana, needs to work assiduously to address this problem. But in addition to a shortage of medical personnel to man these units, infection remains a burning problem, particularly at GPHC, where there has been a surge in number of deaths.

“We need to fix that immediately, we need to identify the source of the infections and put systems in place to prevent it,” he said, while emphasising the need to have infection control procedures in place.

Guyanese, paid a courtesy call to the newly appointed Health Minister, Dr George Norton, in which discussions were held on the five Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) spread across the country within the public health system.

In an interview with Guyana Times, Dr Singh said, contrary to reports published; only one of the five NICUs is not functioning at the moment. It was explained that due to a lack of medical and nursing personnel to operate the

He has since retracted that statement.

Dr Singh acknowledged that the number of neonatal deaths quoted were not accurate, since it included still births and non-viable foetuses. He did, however, agree with the Minister that the numbers were too high and corrective measures need to be taken immediately.

Lack of staffing and infection control

Lamenting on the issue of staffing, Dr Singh said the Health Ministry and by ex-

“Aside from the obvious hand washing, equipment disinfection, personnel education, a robust microbiology service is essential to identify the infections early, thereby preventing massive outbreaks. Additionally, it is equally important for the emphasis to be placed on consumable items which should be part of the annual budget of the Ministry and [Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation] GPHC. If this does not happen then I am very concerned that the programme is not sustainable.

I applaud the Ministry and GPHC for the proposed plan of a new NICU at GPHC. I also encourage them to gather expert advice on the size and the design to ensure that the current issues are not repeated”.

In Guyana, neonatal deaths account for approximately 50 per cent of the under-five mortality, but these figures are reducing with the installation of NICUs.

This is so because NICUs provide specialise care for prematurely born babies (neonates) who are not fully developed and are unable to survive on their own without the assistance of monitoring equipment, incubators and breathing apparatus. The neonatal period in Guyana is considered to be from 28 weeks gestation to the first 28 days of life.

Since the re-commissioning of the 24-bed NICU at the Georgetown Public Hospital in 2012 by GHTK and the Public Health Ministry, tremendous progress has been made in the area of neonatology.

The facility was brought up to standard with the installation of procure monitors, IV pumps, pump monitors and incubators procured from funds raised by the GHTK. Prior to the commissioning, the unit was in dire need of incubators, which

support the breathing of premature infants while they are still hospitalised, thus giving them a better chance of survival.

Based on the successes of that NICU, a decision was subsequently taken by the Public Health Ministry to establish units at the Linden Hospital Complex, the West Demerara Regional Hospital and the Suddie Regional Hospital in partnership with GHTK. The units at West Demerara and Suddie were installed in 2014. The capital cost for all five NICUs have been in excess of Cdn$750,000, all donated by GHTK.

Training

But while major attention is being given to the es-

tablishment of NICUs, equal attention is being given to training by GHTK. With the support of the Health Ministry, GHTK has been facilitating a Paediatric Residency Programme and a Neonatal Nurses Programme at GPHC.

To date, there are six new Paediatricians in Guyana and 27 new Neonatal Nurses. GHTK collaborated with the GPHC’s Institute of Health Science Education, the University of Guyana, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the McMasters University and the Humber River Regional Hospital in Toronto, Canada, to introduce a Paediatric Post-Graduate Residency Programme and the Neonatal Nursing Programme in 2011. GHTK with the assistance of Dr Leif Nelin, Dr Andre Hunter, Dr Julie Johnstone and Caitlin Biggs have been integral to the success of the training programme.

Dr Singh also stated that he has been uniformly impressed by the level of commitment and a genuine sense of caring of doctors and nurses that work at GPHC and the regional hospital in their quest to same every single baby. By 2017, GHTK is hoping to have a well-developed neonatal network that would be handed over to the Public Health Ministry.

Govt can resolve impasse with all investors – PPP/C

...including Beharry group, DDL and NIS

The gridlock between the new David Granger-led A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government and the Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) could be easily resolved, if only the new Administration would sit and work with everyone involved.

This view was expressed by former President and now leader of the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), Bharrat Jagdeo.

Government and the privately-owned BBCI are currently at loggerheads, because the latter has refused to agree to a proposal the new Administration has laid out which would eventually see a reduction in the toll for the Berbice Bridge. Government has offered to subsidise the loss the Bridge would incur, should it reduce the toll for motor cars and minibuses by some $300.

Government, without consulting the BBCI, had moved ahead and announced that the plan would be realised and that by the first day of September, vehicles would pass at a reduced rate. The situation, however, remains as is, since the Bridge Company is still in consultation with its numerous shareholders.

Addressing media operatives at his Party’s head office on Tuesday, Jagdeo said while he was in favour of a toll reduction, Government still needed to find a way to find a negotiated deal.

The situation is a bit sensitive, since many of the host of investors in the PublicPrivate Partnership (PPP) initiative are still to receive their dividends. These investors are not only NEW GPC, Queens Atlantic Investment Inc, and Hand in Hand, which are mentioned, but also Secure International

Limited (Beharry affiliate); the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) (govt body), and Demerara Contractors Limited (affiliate of Demerara Distillers Limited – DDL).

“They put in their money, but they did not receive a single cent so far,” Jagdeo told Journalists, noting that while the widespread notion suggested that the Board was influenced by the previous Administration to give monies to their friends and families, the truth of the matter is that the hundreds of millions of dollars invested in the project by the investors are still to go back to them..

“They have retained earnings to pay the dividends, it’s just that the Board had not been paying the dividends in spite of the fact that they say that we were influencing them to give to friends and family.”

Should there be a change in the project economics, Jagdeo said, the returned earnings and everything will disappear.

“They will not be able to pay any dividends to the investors who are arguing that they are entitled to their dividends.

“Under the PPP, NEW GPC never got any dividends. This does not come over to people,” he noted.

Jagdeo explained that the same concern expressed over the investment made by the NIS should be extended to every other investor, since none of them has been receiving dividends.

“That is why when [Finance Minister Winston] Jordan said NIS should not have invested, wasn’t it a bad investment for Ramroop as well?” he asked.

The former President said all the investors have been practically subsidizing the bridge, without any guarantee of any return of

dividends.

“They have not received a single cent in dividend payment. They have been subsidising the bridge. They have not received daily single dollar of return of the river invest in the bridge, which led Jordan in Parliament to say that it was a bad investment. He is looking at it that NIS has the money there, but has not received a return.”

Jagdeo maintained that the Public-Private Partnership initiative remains one of the better modes of investment in any one country.

“Sometimes in the politics and rhetoric, people lose sight of the reality of putting projects together and how hard it is sometimes and that is what is absent from this government. While the Ministers are good to saying what is wrong, they have to start putting things together in a fashion that makes financial sense,” he said.

Speaking on the initial move to have the Bridge built, Jagdeo explained that his Government back in 2006 had persevered, although it was told time and again that it was a bad investment. He noted that while his Government had struggled to put the project together, it was of the view that “it was a good investment”.

According to him, the bridging of the Berbice River has done a number of things. Outside the obvious ease of transport, he said it was integrating the territory of the country.

“It has impact on the trade, the movement of goods and services. It does something for the country that is unbelievable.”

He said his Administration had made a promise to keep a promise that was made in 1960 that the Berbice River would be bridged.

Ramsammy’s Ruminations Is it sheer hypocrisy or the early signs of dictatorship?

We have had too many occasions already in just over three months to highlight the hypocrisy that guides governance in Guyana. The APNU/AFC administration is not only practicing vulgar hypocrisy, but it is elevating hypocrisy as a guide for governance in our country. Virtually every made by this Government has been hypocritical.

It has flouted our constitution, our laws and our well-enshrined best practices. It has also flouted the promises made to the people of Guyana. The hypocrisy of this new administration is no laughing matter but represents the relentless push towards dictatorship.

Not a day passes that we do not accumulate further evidence of the sheer hypocrisy that the APNU/AFC symbolizes, such as the recent appointments of members of the parliamentary standing and sector committees. Guyana’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has always been chaired by a member of the Opposition and has never included any member of Cabinet, not even after independence in Guyana’s first Parliament. The APNU/AFC is contravening all the standing orders once again by appointing a Cabinet member to sit on the PAC.

The sector committee was established in Parliament as part of the shared governance promoted by the PPP/C Government. At the time the then PNC Opposition argued that Cabinet members cannot sit on the sector committees. The PPP/C had argued that it was unfair for the lead Opposition members to sit in these sector committees with only back benchers of the Government. But the Opposition didn’t change its stance.

Today, the PNC-led APNU/AFC is filling Government membership of sector committees with Cabinet members, ignoring the very principles and practice they themselves crafted when in Opposition. This is an insult to the Guyanese people; it is contravening the standing orders. This Government redefines and elevates hypocrisy as a new model for governance.

In spite of the promise that the Prime Minister will share the powers of presidency, Mr Joseph Harmon remains the right hand of President Granger, representing the real power in the ranks of the APNU/AFC Government. He recently justified the firing of Regional Executive Officers (REOs) stating that his Government regards these officers as political appointees of the previous administration. Yet, this is no justification for the Government’s replacement of REOs by lead APNU/AFC members who were on the APNU/AFC candidate list as REOs.

However, when in Opposition, the APNU

Dr Leslie Ramsammy

had insisted that REOs are public servants and not political appointees. They have again broken another commitment they made to people. First, they promised that people will be respected as professionals and no one will lose their jobs. The truth is that over 90% of those people fired are Amerindians and East Indians.

The APNU/AFC when in Opposition, fiercely advocated that the REOs must be professional civil servants. Now it argues that Government must appoint people with whom it is comfortable, to serve as political creatures. It reminds us of how Burnham as Supreme Leader, had articulated and demanded party paramountcy and loyalty to the party. This was further elaborated by Desmond Hoyte who spoke of creatures appointed by the leader to serve the leader. Mr Harmon now admits that appointments in the civil service are being made by the APNU/ AFC to serve in its likeness and its command, loyal to the coalition but not to the people.

Such hypocrisy prevails in the appointment of State boards. Some appointees have no experience but have only secured the qualification of being absolutely supportive of the Government. In fact, appointments for some of these boards have not adhered to the laws of Guyana. The laws dictate the appointments of some boards, such as the NDIA, the GRDB and the UG Council, of which the responsibility of appointing members isn’t entirely the Government’s.

As a people we must become more mindful of what is happening in our country and the people must reject this hypocrisy, for it is the hallmark of dictatorship. We must not ignore these early signs of dictatorship. These are not merely broken promises; they are genuine manifestations of the DNA of the people in Government today, naturally inclined towards authoritarian rule. Our country is in danger of once again going down a road that brought much misery to our people. We ignore these signs only at great peril to our welfare as a people and as a nation.

T&T starts new era under PNM

The People’s National Movement’s fourth leader, Dr Keith Rowley, now Prime Ministerelect, will be T&T’s second Tobago-born Prime Minister following Monday’s 2015 general election victory.

Rowley follows Tobagoborn late Prime Minister Arthur NR Robinson into history in this regard. Mammoth cheers from supporters went up at PNM’s Balisier House headquarters at 23:40h last night when PNM Chairman Franklin Khan announced the party’s election result victory, add-

ing: “I now invite to address you, the new Prime Minister of T&T.”

Speaking to the media just before the announcement, Rowley had said: “We have been tracking these results and the PNM would have won the elections and from tomorrow (Tuesday) TT will have a new Government... the PNM has come out with the majority of seats... tonight is the beginning of another era.”

Rowley said the PNM had won 22 or 23 of the 41 constituencies. Results for the Moruga Tableland con-

The People’s National Movement’s fourth leader, Dr Keith Rowley, now Prime Minister-elect, will be T&T’s second Tobago-born Prime Minister

stituency were still incoming when he spoke.

Later on it was unofficially announced that the PNM had taken the election 23-18, pending the official release of that information by the Elections and Boundaries Commission.

The PNM takes the helm from the People’s Partnership, which now forms the Opposition, with 18 seats and which won the popular vote despite the PNM’s win in the majority of constituencies.

Dr Keith Rowley will be sworn in as the sixth Prime

Minister of Trinidad and Tobago today following his People’s National Movement (PNM) victory in the general election on Monday.

Rowley, 66, will take the oath of office before President Anthony Carmona at a ceremony to be held at Queen’s Hall at 13:30h (local time). Rowley, who met with President Carmona on Tuesday, said that the Attorney General will be an elected Member of Parliament.

The PNM won 23 of the 41 seats contested on Monday, defeating the coalition

People’s Partnership government of Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar. The Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce in a congratulatory message said it was looking “forward to forging successful links and collaborating with this newly-installed Administration, by ensuring, in the main, that the interests of the business community are served in a manner that benefits our valued members and the country as a whole.” (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian and Jamaica Observer)

Around the world

UN to Europe: Guarantee to relocate 200,000 refugees

The United Nations has called on European states to guarantee relocation for 200,000 refugees, as record numbers flee to the continent from wartorn nations.

UNHCR spokeswoman Melissa Fleming told Al Jazeera on Tuesday that Europe is a “wealthy” continent that could manage the numbers of people coming in.

The UN official said European Union countries needed to form a plan where it was mandatory for member states to accept refugees.

“There should be EUled mega-reception centres established in Greece, in Italy and also in Hungary –whereby the people arriving could go to these centres and be received in decent humane conditions, and apply for asylum” Fleming said.

She added that under the current system, countries on Europe’s frontier were being “overburdened”.

At an earlier press brief-

ing, Fleming said there was not a “German solution to a European problem”, in reference to the leading role taken by German Chancellor Angela Merkel in ending the crisis.

“Those can only work if there is a guaranteed relocation system whereby European countries saying

yes will take X number. We believe it should be 200,000, that’s the number we believe need relocation in Europe countries.”

Al Jazeera’s Mohammed Jamjoom, reporting from Vienna, said many refugees arriving there were worried about new measures that would restrict their movement.

US$100B BRICS monetary fund now operational

The US$100 billion BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) has become fully operational following the inaugural meetings of the BRICS CRA Board of Governors and the Standing Committee in the Turkish capital of Ankara.

“The first meetings of the governing bodies mark the start of a full-scale operation of the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement as an international institution with activities set to enhance and strengthen cooperation,” said a Russian Central Bank statement on Friday.

BRICS leaders Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, Jacob Zuma, Narendra Modi and Dilma Rousseff witnessed the signing of the agreement on the CRA in the Brazilian city of Fortaleza in July 2014.

The agreement entered into force on July 30, 2015.

China will provide the

bulk of the funding with US$41 billion; Brazil, Russia and India with US$18 billion each, and South Africa with US$5 billion.

The CRA is meant to provide an alternative to International Monetary Fund (IMF) emergency lending. In the CRA, emergency loans of up to 30 per cent of a member nation’s contribution will be decided by a simple majority. Bigger loans will require the consent of all CRA members.

Meanwhile, Finance Ministers from the five BRICS countries have met in Ankara on the sidelines of the G20 meeting of global finance ministers and central bankers, amid growing worries about the state of the global economy.

With a looming US Federal Reserve rate hike and Chinese market turbulence sending shock waves through emerging markets, the IMF has lowered its global growth forecast.

A G20 communiqué after their two-day meeting in the Turkish capital Ankara noted that global growth was falling short of expectations.

“Global growth falls short of our expectations. We have pledged to take decisive action to keep the economic recovery on track and we are confident the global economic recovery will gain speed,” the statement said.

The G20 vowed to “carefully calibrate and clearly communicate our actions … to minimise negative spillovers, mitigate uncertainty and promote transparency”.

As the BRICS countries launched new financial institutions like the US$100 billion BRICS Bank, the Chinaled Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank, and a US$100 billion BRICS currency reserve fund, the IMF has once again delayed voting reforms to give emerging countries greater say. (BRICS

POST)

20 Indians killed in Yemen as more foreign troops reported arriving

ASaudi-led alliance killed at least 20 Indian nationals in air strikes on fuel smugglers at a Yemeni port on Tuesday, fishermen said, and more foreign troops were reported to be arriving to intensify the campaign against Houthi forces.

The Houthi-run State news agency Saba also said that 15 citizens were killed in air strikes on Sanaa, and medical sources said at least 15 civilians were killed in similar attacks on Monday. It was not immediately possible to independently verify the figures.

“Even the Austrian Government at this point doesn’t have a clear-cut path ahead... We spoke to a member of the Interior Ministry and quite clearly the Government is struggling to come up with a coherent policy to stay within EU rules,” Jamjoom said. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

The alliance, made up mainly of Gulf Arab countries, has increased air strikes on Sanaa and other parts of the country since Friday, when a Houthi missile attack killed at least 60 Saudi, Bahraini and United Arab Emirates soldiers at a military camp east of Sanaa.

They were part of a force preparing to assault the capital, which the Iranianallied Houthis seized last September.

Friday’s attack was the deadliest yet for Gulf soldiers in the war and may herald a turning point as Saudi-allied countries appear to be committing to a ground war they had so far avoided.

In western Yemen, local residents and fishermen said planes from the Saudi-led alliance struck two boats at al-Khokha, a small port near Hodeidah used by Indians to smuggle badly needed fuel supplies into the country, killing 20 of them.

Officials were not immediately available to comment on the report.

Qatari-owned Al Jazeera TV reported that the number of forces deployed by the alliance had risen to 10,000.

Pope radically simplifies Catholic marriage annulment procedures

Pope Francis on Tuesday made it simpler and swifter for Catholics to secure a marriage annulment, the most radical such reform for 250 years, and told Bishops to be more welcoming to divorced couples.

Under the old norms, it often took years to win an annulment, with hefty legal fees attached. Francis said the procedure should be free and the new rules mean that a marriage might be declared null and void in just 45 days in some cases.

The announcement came the week after Francis signalled a more merciful approach to women who had

obtained abortions and was another sign of his drive to shake up the hidebound Roman Catholic Church and try to soften some of its more rigid rules.

In a document known as a Motu Proprio, Latin for “by his own initiative”, Francis reaffirmed traditional teaching on the “indissolubility of marriage”, making clear that the Vatican was not in any form promoting or sanctioning divorce.

However, he said he would make it easier for separated couples to obtain an annulment – a ruling whereby the Church decides that a marriage was not valid in

the first place because certain prerequisites such as free will, psychological maturity and openness to having children were lacking. Francis eliminated a previously mandatory review of an annulment decision by a second tribunal and gave bishops sweeping powers to judge quickly the most clearcut cases.

He said he had decided to streamline procedures so that Catholics who sought annulments should not be “long oppressed by darkness of doubt” over whether they could have their marriages declared null and void. (Excerpt from Reuters)

China marks Tibet anniversary with rallying cry against Dalai Lama

China celebrated the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Tibet Autonomous Region on the roof of the world on Tuesday with a rallying cry against its exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

Yu Zhengsheng, in charge of religious groups and ethnic minorities and number four in the ruling Communist Party, stressed the official line that the Dalai Lama, who fled China in 1959 after an abortive uprising against Chinese rule, is a violent separatist.

The Dalai Lama, who is based in India, says he is

merely seeking greater autonomy for his Himalayan homeland.

“People of all ethnicities are steadfastly engaged in a struggle against separatism, continuously thwarting the Dalai clique and foreign hostile forces’ splittist and sabotage activities,” Yu said in front of Lhasa’s grand Potala Palace, once the home of the Dalai Lama and, flanked by mountains under a bright blue sky, the highest palace in the world.

Yu, who led the central Government’s delegation to the region, spoke to officials, Tibetans dressed in ethnic

costumes and students waving Chinese flags. A procession of gaudy floats celebrating the achievements of the Communist Party and others that showed famous Tibet landmarks such as the Potala Palace paraded down the street after the speeches.

On Monday, Yu urged Army, Police and judicial staff in Tibet to be ready to “fight a protracted battle against the clique of the 14th Dalai Lama”, state news agency Xinhua reported. (Excerpt from Reuters)

wednesday, september 9, 2015| guyanatimesgy.com

West Dem CPG Chairman refutes Top Cop’s claims

– says Group only has two vehicles not five

West Coast Demerara Community Policing Group (CPG) Chairman Adool

Ahmad has refuted claims by Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud that the group was assigned five vehicles for use.

In a recent interview with Guyana Times, Commissioner Persaud had supported Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan’s decision to divert vehicles from the CPGs to the Guyana Police Force, saying the two organisations were competing for resources. The Top Cop specifically made reference to the case of West Demerara where the CPG had five vehicles and the Police Force merely two patrol vehicles.

Ahmad has rubbished this claim, pointing out that Division One (West Coast Demerara) was assigned one

vehicle and Division Two (West Bank Demerara) another, which were donated since 2006 under the previous Administration. “At no time were there five vehicles used by the CPG in the West Coast district,” he reiterated.

The Chairman also alluded to the fact that the vehicles given to the CPG were usually vehicles in derelict condition and that the members would have to use personal funds for maintenance.

Furthermore, Ahmad mentioned that the previous Government had used budgetary allocations to purchase some 20 plus vehicles for the CPGs. He noted that these purchases were made and the vehicles were set to be handed over to the CPGs, but this was never done. Instead, the Chairman added, these vehicles were

left in the possession of the Ministry and would now be handed over to the Police Force.

“These vehicles were purchased for the CPG and should be given to them for their effective functioning,” Ahmad adamantly posited.

Since Minister Ramjattan’s announcement of his intention to divert resources, former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee denounced the idea, stating that the new Minister was “digging a hole to fill a hole”. He pointed out that both the Police Force and the larger CPG organisation have their own budget allocations to finance their needs.

“They have to resource both the Police Force and Community Policing Groups; they just can’t resource one and leave the other,” the former Minister

posited.

Moreover, during the interview with this newspaper, the Police Commissioner had stated that CPG members often venture out of their communities into other areas where they were not known and this caused uneasiness among residents of those villages. In response to this, Ahmad said, “We have uniforms for all our members and we do not leave our designated areas of patrol and in fact, we have a roster for efficient working hours.”

The Chairman went on to say that there were usually monthly meetings held with the National Community Policing Group Executive (NCPG) and the Honourable Minister of Home Affairs (now Public Security). However, since the new Government has taken office, the subject Minster has only made one appearance, citing the recently concluded Budget debates as the reason for his absence.

Ahmad underscored the importance of resources to effective carry out the task of the CPGs, noting that more resources were in fact needed by the Policing Groups. As crime evidently is having a continuous upsurge, and these CPGs certainly can have a positive impact in the fight against crime, it seems bizarre that more is not being given to them.

ECD man wins grand prize in Trinchloro Bleach promotion

ANSA McAL Trading Limited on Friday last concluded the Trinchloro Bleach “Sure Cash” promotion which saw lucky persons winning a total of US$10,000 in cash.

Walking away with the grand prize of US$5000 was Navindra Balram of New Settlement, Lusignan, East Coast Demerara. The second prize winner of US$3000 was Allison Sauers of 227 Fort Ordinance, East Canje, Berbice and the third place winner of US$1000 was Narissa Deokarran of Lot 7 Lusignan.

Kendaci Garrett of 2849 Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara and Marcia Gulab of 51 Grove Village,

East Bank Demerara won themselves US$500 each. The promotion was launched on June 19 and continued until August 28 which saw 15 winners receiving US$100 each.

The final drawing of the Trinchloro Bleach “Sure Cash” promotion was held at N&S Mattai Supermarket on Water Street, Georgetown. ANSA McAL Trading Limited congratulated the winners of the Trinchloro Bleach “Sure Cash” Promotion and conveyed a heartfelt thank you to all participants of this promotion for their support. The company encourages all Guyanese to continue to use Trinchloro Bleach.

Indigenous youths worried about future – Sukhai

As the annual Indigenous Heritage Month celebration continues, a number of Amerindian youths are still concerned about their future in their respective villages, and in the country at large.

So said former Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai, who told Guyana Times on Friday that while she was happy to be part of the celebration at the Sophia Exhibition Site, she noticed that the turnout was poorer in comparison with previous years.

She noted that while culture was an important as-

pect of Amerindians’ livelihoods, the downturn which the indigenous people were experiencing has had a detrimental effect on their livelihood and overall well-being.

“I get many calls from young people every day to find out what is happening and it is very disturbing that the new Ministers have not yet reached out to the young people to explain to them what is on the developmental agenda to enhance their future options and opportunities,” the former Minister noted. She also lashed out at the Government for not

budgeting for the training programme it was about to introduce that was supposed to benefit young Amerindians.

“There is no concept with how it will operationalise itself; if there is no money in the budget, if there is no methodology, there is no consultation, it will be worrisome to the young people,” Sukhai emphasised.

She further noted that since the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government took office, the Administration has “let loose” of many technical staffers who were employed at the Ministry.

She opined that these staffers brought with them technical expertise to help in generating exuberance in indigenous development.

“... indigenous development is like an entire sector, if there is a downturn or slide backward, it will affect the villages’ development. This loss of time, loss of investment opportunities, will be very difficult to regain; you simply don’t regain it. I don’t believe that we should be generating negative impacts on a people who are in need for such support,” the former Minister stated.

She told Guyana Times that Government’s inter-

Solid waste has negative impacts on society and aquatic life

For a number of years the country has encountered problems with proper solid waste management and the impact it has on society has been always a negative one. According to retired Major General Joe Singh, solid waste disposal seems to be a monumental problem in almost every Guyanese community.

Solid waste is a huge byproduct of modern living and has a major impact on the quality of life in communities and the environment in particular.

In a recent press briefing, the former Army Chief stated that this issue was a manifestation of the materialism and indiscipline prevalent in the Guyanese society.

“I don’t need to remind you of the serious problems generated by solid waste and the dumping of solid waste indiscriminately on the parapets, in the canals, you see them turning up at the kokers or sluices and on the beaches on the Atlantic side. It is also reflective of the lack of planning, we have been speaking for years now on restricting the importation of plastics and Styrofoam,” he explained.

He told Guyana Times that while this restriction has not been implemented and has yet to be realised for “probably justifiable reasons”, the relevant authori-

ties and the Government at large needed to hasten and find a solution to this prevalent problem.

As such, the recentlyformed National Task Force Commission (NTFC), which Singh heads, will be focusing on recommending well-developed best practices in the area of solid waste management which can be employed in all areas of Guyana.

These include predictable garbage collection, recycling, conversion of organic waste into compost and removal of derelict vehicles.

The retired Major General further stated that a main contributor to the issue of solid waste build-up in the country was persons not disposing of garbage/ refuse in a proper manner.

“People eat and if there are not enough receptacles

Minister, Pauline

vention was still necessary to assist the indigenous people in moving forward eco-

nomically.

“For them to be independent, it is not only about culture but deals with a lot: sustainability and ability to become economically independent. We will continue to monitor the situation, and our support base is fully much aware that we are representing them as the best we can. There is going to be more work as we proceed, because the economic development of the indigenous people must be stimulated.”

This newspaper was told that if this was not done then the aspiration of the new Indigenous Peoples’

Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock to ‘teach a man to fish instead of giving him a fish’ still would not propel the level of activity and opportunity that Government was hoping to achieve.

“The ability of indigenous people to invest in resources is still very short of financial support. Teaching them to fish doesn’t mean we leave them alone to be adrift but to walk with them throughout the pace of their development. It is when they become fully able to stand on their own; obviously, like everyone else they will do that,” the former Minister added.

or garbage bins, unfortunately instead of taking it to their homes and disposing in their receptacles, they dump it at the side of the road. Or they throw it through the window of the minibus or dump it from the boat into the river. It is not only unsightly but it also creates problems for aquatic life; for example, on the marine foreshore we have had the problem of turtles ingesting plastic and dying and you have had fish turning up dead as a result of spillage of chemicals or oil,” he said.

It was further emphasised that derelict vehicles were ‘eyesores’ which can be seen on parapets, and other parts of the country that needed to be removed.

“You have bush buses that have now outlived their usefulness, cars that people have an affinity for and don’t wish to get rid of. But they have long outlived their usefulness and they need to be removed, cut up as scrap and disposed of in a responsible manner. Vehicles here include equipment for example in the mining district, excavators, bulldozers, all manner of vehicle or vehicle types that are creating visible offensiveness to people, citizens as well as tourists,” the retired Major General explained.

He maintained that these were areas that needed to be tackled at the national level as soon as possible.

wednesday, september 9, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Nagamootoo not credible to discuss “unity” with PPP

...should first fix Cummingsburg Accord’s

unity – Opposition

With the role of the Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, being so diminished, he is in no position to make a credible offer to the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) to join forces aimed at having inclusive governance.

This is the position of Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, who during a media briefing at Freedom House stated that his Party, through him (Jagdeo) would prefer to hear such offers from President David Granger and his office instead of utterances coming from the Prime Minister.

He explained that any such calls from the President himself would be treated in a much more credible manner than those emitting from the mouth of Prime Minister Nagamootoo. Nagamootoo, he pointed out, was unable to even secure his own power as adumbrated by the Cummingsburg Accord negotiated between the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC).

Tuesday emphasised that those comments were geared for political mileage and that the meeting between himself (Jagdeo) and the President which occurred last week had discussions on a national unity committee and not a national unity administration.

It was also noted that Prime Minister Nagamootoo’s declaration of leading a committee which would engage the leadership of the PPP/C was news to Jagdeo.

es” without any real substance to them. The former President is also of the view that Nagamootoo has not been and is not authorised to make any offer to anyone because he was unable to secure commitments which were made to him in the Cummingsburg Accord.

Social Cohesion Ministry subverts constitutional ERC

... Opposition demands Commissioners be sworn in

Contending that the establishment of a Social Cohesion department breaches a fundamental act and undermines the Constitution, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is demanding that the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) Administration swears in Commissioners for the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC).

Over the weekend, the APNU/AFC Prime Minister while in Berbice told a gathering that the Government was prepared to open the doors to the PPP/C if it wished to join this Administration since the coalition wanted to have an “inclusive government”.

The Prime Minister had added that this was so because the present Administration wanted to have a Government of National Unity “as broadly as possible”.

However, Jagdeo on

The Opposition Leader explained that he knew nothing about any such committee that would be engaging the leadership of his Party that was going to be led by the Prime Minister. Jagdeo also questioned Nagamootoo’s authority since he was only responsible for public information; the management of the Government Information Agency (GINA); the National Communications Network (NCN); and the Guyana Chronicle Newspaper which are all State agencies.

He believes that the Prime Minister is “prone to make those utteranc-

According to the Cummingsburg Accord which solidified the coalition between the AFC) and APNU, Nagamootoo’s responsibilities should have accrued in much more power and authority than he has presently.

These responsibilities include domestic security, appointing non-constitutional commissions and the chairing of Cabinet. However, the Prime Minister has not been given these responsibilities even though months have passed since the APNU/AFC took office.

However, Jagdeo also noted that there would be talks in the future between the present Government and the Opposition, and issues of national interest would be raised by the PPP/C with President Granger and his Administration.

Broomes claims pattern of labour violations found at Regent Street stores

Regent Street businesses have been warned to get “their house in order” or face prosecution for violating the rights of workers, the Government Information Agency (GINA) has reported. Minister within the Social Protection Ministry, Simona Broomes and a team of labour officials Tuesday inspected some businesses on Regent Street where they discovered that a number of labour laws were being violated.

After visiting a number of stores, the Minister and her team discovered a pattern to the violations. Employees’ contributions to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) were being deducted but not paid over to the Scheme, no proper records of employees’ wages were kept, and some stores had no business registration.

There was a prevalence

of poor working conditions, employees working over 40 hours per week without being paid overtime, being paid under the minimum wage, having only 10 minutes of lunch, and not having proper lunchroom or restroom facilities, while First Aid kits and safety mechanisms, such as a fire escape or fire extinguishers, were found to be absent from most businesses.

According to Minister Broomes, the inspection resulted from the numerous complaints received by the Social Protection Ministry, from employees who were being underpaid and treated badly by their employers.

“Persons may have said why a Minister would want to walk down Regent Street and get directly involved? It is because of the nature of the problem and people are not

complying. So I am here this morning to support the staff, and make it known in a very strong way that compliance is a must,” Broomes told reporters.

The Minister pointed out that whenever a breach of the labour law was pointed out to an employer, that person was then written and given time to fix the issue. If there is no compliance, the matter is referred to the courts.

Minister Broomes ex-

hours of work, they are entitled to one hour for lunch and should be compensated if they decide to work through it. She made known to the employees that they are working and that entitles them to be paid.

Minister Broomes recognised that there must be a balance between employer and employee. She stated that employees’ rights must be protected and not violated.

“It is something that has to be changed. They are not store

pressed her disappointment with how the courts are dealing with these issues. She said when the employers are found guilty, they are only subjected to pay a $10,000 fine. According to the Minister, the laws will be amended to give justice to those employees whose rights are violated.

Employees at various stores were informed by Minister Broomes that the labour laws state that after four

boys and store girls, they are workers and should be treated like workers,” Broomes said. She urged employees not to be scared stating, “I am here to help.”

The Minister said that her Ministry, along with the Government, would be implementing the ‘fresh approach’ policy laid out in Parliament, noting that it was for all Guyanese.

Jagdeo informed media operatives at a press conference on Tuesday that he recently stated to the Deputy Secretary General of the Commonwealth that the international community may have unwittingly participated in an act that would supplant a constitutional protective body and replace it with Executive fiat.

“The ERC has Terms of Reference and the mandate to forge cohesion among our people, through promoting better understanding through building trust. It also has a coercive role and an investigative role so not just a role to bring people together but complaints can be made about cases of discrimination and more. To sit on this Commission, you have to have two-thirds of the National Assembly and it is bi-partisan, where we are forced to work together and these do not come from the political class,” Jagdeo noted.

He explained that by replacing the ERC with a Ministry of Social Cohesion which will have a large sum of resources, this clearly shows that the Executive will take over the role of the ERC.

“They will have tonnes of resources which I believe that they will use to campaign and they told the international community they will have outreaches. They (Government) have shown how partisan they can be. So not they will be both implementers and judge themselves about breaches,” the former President further stated.

Guyana Times was told that the People’s progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) did not, and will not, participate in any effort(s) which will undermine constitutional bodies in Guyana.

The Party is of the opinion that the recent hastily put together social cohesion conference emanated out of a promise made to a few donor countries and that this is a ‘cover up’ to hide the actions which are being executed to ‘divide the people’.

“I believe we should reject it, modify it or something of the sort but we will not participate in any act that undermines the

Constitution of Guyana and supplant bodies that were created to bring harmony to our people to falter… We will not participate in social cohesion efforts until the environment changes and we are prepared to discuss this with the Government,” Jagdeo also explained. He stated that the PPP/C will most likely place this on its agenda for future talks with the Administration since this is essential for the benefit of the country and must occur; talks between the Government and the Opposition.

However, he maintained that the APNU/AFC Administration should immediately move to swear in the Commissioners that were named by the tenth parliament if the Government is truly serious about social cohesion.

“Swear in the members of the Ethnic Relations Commission now… resource them so they can work… to bring grater harmony and social cohesion to people but not replace it with a Government Minister who has shown over and over that she has a proclivity to be very partisan… She is very, very partisan and she doesn’t hide it,” the former President added.

The gazette identifies Social Cohesion Minister Amna Ally as having responsibilities for ethnic relations and not the ERC.

President David Granger had said, given the strained relations between the two major ethnic groups following the May 11 General and Regional Elections, Minister Ally’s role would be to devise programmes to help bring the races together.

However the PPP/C had argued from the inception that the ERC is also responsible for investigation actions taken by the Executive itself and that the Constitution is clear; the ERC functions and discharges its responsibilities without the interference, input or direction from the Government of the day.

Former Chairman of the ERC, Juan Edghill had also stated that the ERC’s independence is guaranteed by the Constitution, ensuring its funding comes as a direct charge on the Consolidated Fund. He had earlier noted that staffing and remuneration of staff is determined by the Commission and not the Administration. It was also stated that to have a Minister placed in charge of the ERC is to subject this duly appointed constitutional body to the directions of the Executive.

Powell and Simpson win out-of-court settlement

Fresh from helping Jamaica win sprint relay titles at the World Championships in Beijing, China, which ended on August 30, sprinters Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson have scored a victory in a legal matter arising from their positive tests for Oxilofrine last year.

According to a release issued by the company of the former world 100m record holder and the 2008 Olympic

100 metre silver medallist respectively, “the athletes have reached an out-of-court settlement with Dynamic Life Nutrition LLC, the company that sold the supplement Epiphany D1”.

Under the agreement reached between the athletes and the offending company, no details of the amount of the settlement will be made public.

However, Powell and Simpson had been suing the

company for US$8 million after independent laboratory tests revealed that there were “ingredients in the product (Epiphany D1) that were not listed on the label,” the release added.

The sprinters had testified at an anti-doping disciplinary hearing in Jamaica and at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) appeal that they took Epiphany D1 as part of their training regimen, but later

West Indies set for 44day tour of Sri Lanka

West Indies embark on a 44-day tour of Sri Lanka, which includes two Tests, three ODIs and two T20Is in October and November, an SLC press release said.

The first Test begins in Galle on October 14, where West Indies have played only two matches in 2001 and 2010. They will only have three days to acclimatise to the venue.

The SLC interim committee had earlier said that the board was trying to reduce the costs it will incur by hosting games in Galle, as well as at other venues for the tour. That could be the reason West

Indies will spend much of their time ahead of the first Test in Colombo - seven days of training at the Sinhalese Sports Club, followed by a three-day game at the venue.

Following the Galle Test, West Indies return to Colombo for the second Test at P Sara Oval, where they have never played red-ball cricket before. Three days’ practice at the venue will lead them into the match starting on October 22.

West Indies have never won a Test series in Sri Lanka. They drew with the hosts in 1993 and 2010, and lost in 2001 and 2005.

The ODIs start in

found out that the supplement contained the banned stimulant oxilofrine.

As result of the company’s failure to indicate all ingredients contained in Epiphany D1, Powell and Simpson faced a lengthy anti-doping hearing in Jamaica, forcing them to miss the 2013 World Championships in Moscow, Russia, before both were suspended from track and

November and will be daynight affairs. The first two ODIs will be held at the R Premadasa stadium on November 1 and November 4.

Pallekele will host the final ODI on November 7 and the teams will stay back for the first T20 two days later. The final T20 will take the teams back to Premadasa on November 12.

These T20s are the only confirmed matches that West Indies play before the World T20 in India in March 2016. Sri Lanka have two more on their docket when they visit New Zealand in December 2015-January 2016. (Cricinfo)

Lewis leads RHT...

Lewis also received a trophy, a medal and a special hamper for being the Man-ofthe-final. Number 48 Cricket Club received $20,000 and a trophy for the third place, West Berbice collected $30,000 and a trophy for being the losing finalist, while RHT Bakewell carried home $70,000 and the winner’s trophy. At the presentation ceremony, RHTY&SC’s Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster expressed gratitude to

the management of Assuria Insurance for their sponsorship of the highly successful tournament.

He specially mentioned General Manager Yogindra Arjune and Julieann Fraser and stated that the tournament was organised under the club’s “Say No to Crime and Say Yes to Sports Programme.”

He also disclosed that the club would continue to organise such tournaments, as fans and teams praised the success

from page 22

of the one day event, which attracted twelve teams.

In an invited comment, Berbice Branch Manager of Assuria Insurance, Julieann Fraser, expressed satisfaction with the high standard of cricket on display and the mileage Assuria received via the electronic and print media, along with the massive crowd at the game.

The tournament was organised as part of the 45th anniversary celebrations of Rose Hall Town.

field for 18 months.

Their sanctions were later reduced to six months after the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) found that they did not know the stimulant was present in Epiphany D1.

Powell said: “There is no way to really explain the kind of damage a ban has on an athlete’s reputation. For us it was especially painful, because we really let down our countrymen.”

The two-time world 100 metre bronze medallist added: “There’s no doubt that we’re going to continue to fight to repair it and regain the trust of my fans and fans of the sport.”

The supplement Epiphany D1 has since been placed on the USADA’s high risk supplement list, warning athletes to avoid the product.

It is understood that Dynamic Life Nutrition has also stopped selling the product.

Simpson was delighted with the legal victory. “Both Asafa and I are happy that

we were able to settle this out of court. The legal process is tedious, but we don’t think about it when on the track.”

Simpson, a three-time Olympian, who won the Pan American Games 100 metre crown in July added: “We have a very capable team, and both of us are now extra careful about our diets and supplement regimen.” (RJR News)

Radcliffe ‘categorically denies’ cheating

Marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe has “categorically” denied any form of cheating.

The 41-year-old Briton said questions raised during a parliamentary select committee “effectively implicated” her in the Sunday Times’ allegations of blood doping in athletics.

Jesse Norman MP suggested London Marathon winners and medallists and “potentially British athletes” were under suspicion.

Radcliffe was not specifically named.

But she is a three-time London Marathon winner and the only British athlete since 1996 to triumph at the event - though Norman later tweeted that he had not made any allegation against individual athletes. Following the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee hearing, Radcliffe issued a statement saying she was “devastated” her name had been “linked to these wide-rang-

ing accusations”.

The Sunday Times published data from 5,000 athletes, which it had reviewed by scientists and said revealed an “extraordinary extent of cheating”.

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) called the allegations “sensationalist and confusing” and de-

nied it had failed in its duty to carry out effective blood testing.

Radcliffe said she had the “greatest respect” for people “responsibly trying to uncover cheating”, but added she was “profoundly disappointed that the cloak of parliamentary privilege” had been used to tarnish her reputation, without recourse.

She said: “I have campaigned long and hard throughout my career for a clean sport. I have publicly condemned cheats and those who aid them. These accusations threaten to undermine all I have stood and competed for, as well as my hardearned reputation.

“By linking me to allegations of cheating, damage done to my name and reputation can never be fully repaired, no matter how un-

true I know them to be.”

Radcliffe, who also won the New York Marathon three times and the Chicago Marathon, retired from competitive athletics this year following a persistent foot injury.

She is regarded as the greatest female marathon runner in history.

She said she “wrestled long and hard with a desire to speak out” following the initial publication of

the joint Sunday Times and ARD/WDR investigation of 12,000 blood tests from 5,000 athletes between 2001 and 2012.

She said she had wanted to “fully explain any fluctuations” in her blood data, but was advised she would risk her name being connected with “false allegations”.

“As a result of today’s parliamentary hearing I can no longer maintain my silence,” she added. (BBC Sport)

GVF benefits from “Reds” Perriera Sports Foundation

The Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) received a welcomed boost on Tuesday as the Joseph “Reds” Perriera Sports Foundation Inc. donated a cheque valued almost $250,000 to the work of the local governing body for volleyball.

Receiving the cheque on behalf of the federation was President John Flores, who was evidently pleased with the impetus given to the sport and expressed that he was overall satisfied with the direction the sport is heading and the momentum it appears to be developing.

In his gratitude to the Foundation, Flores explained that he has always been aware of the contributions the Foundation has been making to the development of sport and sporting organisations in Guyana over the years, and is pleased that the GVF has now joined the long list of beneficiaries of its generosity.

Outlining that the GVF is a federation on the rise, the President said that such a donation will go a far way towards helping the body to

Two major events slated for the remainder of the year are the Premier League for

WICB quarterly meeting

in Antigua on Saturday

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) will hold a regularly-scheduled, quarterly meeting of its Directors on Saturday at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua.

Key issues on the agenda of the meeting will include: Chief Executive Officer’s report, Cricket Committee report, Presentation of the economic impact assessment of cricket in the Caribbean, Finance Matters, Presentation of a new commercial strategy for West Indies cricket, Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee report, and Corporate Governance report.

The Directors of the West Indies Cricket Board

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Taylor’s 101 helps England beat Australia in third oDi

James Taylor’s maiden one-day international century helped England keep the series alive as they beat Australia by 93 runs at Old Trafford. England opener Jason Roy made 63 before Taylor anchored the innings with 101, adding 119 with captain Eoin Morgan (62) as the hosts posted 300-8.

Aaron Finch (53) gave Australia a good start but

they were bowled out for 207 in 44 overs as England’s spinners took charge, Moeen Ali taking 3-32. Australia lead the ODI series 2-1.

Though Taylor reached 42 from 52 balls before he hit a boundary, he reached three figures in England’s penultimate over but fell with four balls of the innings remaining. It would have been the highest successful ODI run chase at Old Trafford if they had made it - but the hosts looked in control as soon as leg-spinner Adil Rashid took the crucial wickets of Finch and captain Steve Smith. (BBC Sport)

SCOREBOARD

(50 overs maximum)

c

b

run out (Bailey/Cummins) 1

1

Woakes not out 14 AU Rashid not out 1 Extras: (b-1, lb-5, w-11) 17 Total: (8 wickets; 50 overs) 300 Fall of wickets: 1-52 (Hales, 9.3 ov), 2-86 (Roy, 14.6 ov), 3-205 (Morgan, 33.1 ov), 4-231 (Stokes, 39.2 ov), 5-271 (Bairstow, 45.3 ov), 6-273 (Ali, 46.1 ov), 7-279 (Plunkett, 46.5 ov), 8-291 (Taylor, 49.2 ov) Bowling: MA Starc 10-0-791 (5-w), JL Pattinson 6-1-36-0 (2-w), AC Agar 9-0-45-1 (1-w), PJ Cummins 10-1-50-2 (1-w), GJ Maxwell 10-0-56-2 (1-w), MR Marsh 5-0-28-0 (1-w)

Assuria Insurance 5-over knockout cricket…

Lewis leads RHT Bakewell “A” to title

Afine spell of leftarm spin bowling from veteran spinner Rondhall Lewis spearheaded the Rose Hall Town (RHT) Bakewell “A” team to championship honours in the first-ever RHTY&SC/ Assuria Insurance five-over knockout tournament. The final was played at the Area “H” ground in

front of a large and colourful crowd, which filled the venue to capacity. Lewis captured three wickets for three runs as defeated finalists West Berbice were restrict-

ed to 47-3 from the allotted five overs.

Batting first after losing the toss, West Berbice were pegged back by national Under-17 pacer Slyus Tyndall, West Indies female pacer Erva Giddings and offspinner Khemraj Mahadeo.

Openers Keith Fraser (18) and Andrew Dutchin (21) blasted 18 runs from a Delbert Hicks’ overs to put West Berbice on a solid footing at 44 without loss at the end of the fourth over. However, Lewis’ over changed the game as the visitors were restricted to 47-3.

In response, Rose Hall Town Bakewell, who lost only four wickets in the entire tournament, raced to victory as openers Vidal Crandon and Khemraj Mahadeo added 32 for the first wicket before the latter was run out for 16. Crandon (26*) and Delbert Hicks (06*) then took the home team to victory, ending on 50-1 from 4.1 overs.

RHT Bakewell “A” had earlier defeated Number 48 by 11 runs in the lone semifinal, as West Berbice drew the bye to the final.

RHT Bakewell “A” scored 52-2 off the allotted overs as Mahadeo, the former national Under-19 all-rounder, ended on 33 not out (4x4s, 2x6s). In response, Number 48 reached 41-3 with B. Persaud top scoring with 15, as Giddings bowled well to

Berbice defeated All Youths Cricket Club by 18 runs, and Tamarind Roots upset the powerful Courtland Cricket Club by eight runs in the first round.

In the second round, RHT Bakewell “A” drew the bye, while West Berbice knocked out Tamarind Root Cricket Club with a 10-run victory, while Number 48 created another upset with a nine-wicket victory over

claim 2-10.

In brilliant sunshine, and against the backdrop of musical entertainment provided by Popular True Hearts Music System, RHT Bakewell “A” also defeated Kennard Memorial by 11 runs, while in other results, Police Cricket Club prevailed over RHT Bakewell “B” by 24 runs, Number 48 won by 16 runs against Belvedere, West

Police Cricket Club with as many as two overs to spare. Lewis ended the tournament as the loading wicket-taker with five victims, while Fraser ended with the most runs (65), edging out Mahadeo (63). Police opener Philbert Wilburg had the best personal score (36 not out), while Lewis had the best individual bowling figure (3-3).

Rutherford’s century spurs DCC to win over West Demerara

– Persaud’s blitz in vain

National youth player

Sherfane Rutherford’s obvious talent was on full display last Friday night as he punished a West Demerara Under-19 bowling attack to lead Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) Under-19 team to a 43-run victory in a friendly T20 contest.

Played under the newly installed floodlight towers at the DCC ground in Queenstown, the high-scoring game produced a combined 389 runs from the full allotment of 40 overs.

Batting first, DCC, through a brilliant Rutherford hundred, piled up 216-2, and despite a blitz from West Indies Under-19 selectee Akshaya Persaud, West Demerara could only muster 173-6 when the overs ran out.

Rutherford slammed 124 and received solid support from another national youth player, Raymond Perez, who

Akshaya Persaud

chipped in with a fluent 53. Mark Jeffers picked up two wickets for West Demerara.

Sherfane Rutherford

Persaud, who, like Rutherford, was part of the Guyana Amazon Warriors training camp in the Hero Caribbean Premier League earlier this year, then smashed his way to 62 off 31 balls, but his effort, which included six sixes and three fours, could not inspire victory.

Avinash Dhaniram was also among the runs, scoring an even, unbeaten 50 (3x4s, 4x6s). Rutherford crowned an excellent outing by claiming two wickets.

Elite League necessary, but so too support – Lumumba

Alpha United Football Club President Odinga Lumumba believes the Stag Beer Elite League is necessary, but so too the requisite support from key stakeholders to aid its sustenance.

The first-ever Elite League, which was conceptualised by the Clinton Urling-led Normalisation Committee of the Guyana Football Federation, was launched on Saturday last with much grandeur at the 704 Sports Bar in Alberttown.

The eight-team League is set for a September 18 kick-off at the Track and Field and Football Facility at Leonora, West Coast Demerara.

“You need an Elite League or something that separates the sheep from the goat,” Lumumba reasoned. “Football cannot develop if you have a mixture where the good players are playing with the bad players. You need that separation, so you can develop the quantity and quality of the good players. You need that, but at the same time you need a lot of support.”

Ansa McAl Trading, through its popular Stag Beer brand is the main sponsor of the League, which has also received major corporate support from Courts (Guyana) Inc. and E-Networks. Lumumba believes that for the League to be viable, more sponsors will have to come onboard in a tangible way.

“The Elite League can only work if you have more sponsors. We have to be a superior league, superior not in the sense of the way you play, but also of the nature: how you pay the players, how they upkeep themselves, how you administer them, those are keep factors,” the football administrator pointed out.

At an event to announce Stag Beer’s title sponsorship of the League last month, Urling stressed that the most important element of the League is to have it sustained, in order to aid the development of the sport.

“Without the League, we’re only talking about development. We want to move away from one-off competitions where people look at and assess and say that’s where development is happening. Development can only happen over a longer period of time where there is consistent football being played. The Stag Elite League starts that process,” Urling asserted.

Urling hailed the part-

WICB’s town-hall meeting moves to Antigua this Friday

Cricket stakeholders in Antigua will have a chance to be up close and personal with President of the WICB Whycliffe “Dave” Cameron and Vicepresident Emmanuel Nanthan this Friday.

nership between Ansa McAl Trading and the football fraternity as “historic.”

“This solidifies Ansa McAl as the largest, direct sponsor and contributor to the Guyana Football Federation’s programme after FIFA. I know for the Normalisation Committee, it’s not by inches, it’s by miles that Ansa more than any corporate company has supported the efforts of the Guyana Football Federation,” Urling outlined.

Urling, who had previously spoken of the League revolutionalising local football, added that all players involved will be paid, and the highest qualified local officials will be called upon to officiate.

“The League strives to achieve footballing excellence, and the partnership with Ansa McAl demonstrates that partnership of excellence,” he pointed out. “The eight clubs in the League are the best football clubs in the country, and not just best in terms of the players who go on the field; they’re the best in terms of their administrative practices.”

Apart from securing one of the two spots to represent Guyana at the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Championship and probably the CONCACAF Champions League, a club could pocket as much as $10 million at the completion of the league.

The league will be split into two- Genesis and Finale- with the club coming out on top taking home $4 million, second $2 million, third $1 million and fourth $500,000. There will also be a $1 million bonus for the club with the most points at the end of both seasons.

Alpha United, Slingerz FC, Buxton United, Monedderlust, Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Georgetown Football Club (GFC), Pele and Fruta Conquerors are the eight participating teams.

The WICB leadership has been engaging stakeholders through a series of town-hall meetings around the region since May this year.

This latest town-hall meeting will be held at the Multi-Purpose Centre in Perry’s Bay.

“This will be an extraspecial town-hall meeting, considering that it will be staged in the home base of the WICB,” said Cameron. “We know Antiguans are passionate about the game and we urge them to come out and share their thoughts.

“Throughout the series of town-hall meetings, we have received a great deal of valuable feedback and we will continue to take into consideration all the views with the overall aim of be-

ing efficient and effective as we seek to spur the re-investment in the sport that we all love so much in the Caribbean.”

Fans will get their chance to ask questions and make comments about the sport and how the region can merge its efforts to make the cricket industry more viable than it has been.

“We want to emphasise that the region’s cricket requires all of its partners to work together in a coordinated approach to make the product develop and grow,”

“We’re enthusiastic about continuing to use these sessions to listen to concerns and share information about where West Indies cricket is now, our strategic goals for the future and how the fans can impact upon the way we progress.”

The questions, typical of town-hall meetings, were wide-ranging, but the audiences have identified key issues like: (1) The overexposure of young players to the Twenty20 version of the game, (2) The operation

Other issues of selection, governance, marketing, player relations, player development and pitch preparation

discussed.

Giftland Mall unveils Next Generation Boxing

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

The usual daily buzz at the freshly minted Giftland Mall will reach fever pitch on September 26 when the management of the sprawling department store in partnership with the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) stages the first-ever Next Generation Boxing- Giftland Showcase ProAm boxing card.

An evening of fistic fury is set to transform the Liliendaal facility into a virtual battle ground, as 16 of the country’s emerging boxing talents will compete in four professional and a similar number of amateur fights.

The format of this rebranded eight-fight event will take a similar format as the GBBC’s marquee monthly programme, the Guyana Friday Night Fights, which started in 2010, but has suffered a lull after 30 editions.

President of the GBBC, Peter Abdool, speaking at a media event on Tuesday to announce the partnership between the board and Giftland Mall, said the

President and Founder of the shopping centre, Roy Beepat, and his team have now picked up “the torch” and have launched an event to feature the “next generation of fighters” in Guyana.

“Consequently, this entire card has been put together essentially on the tremendous prospects that

are still in Guyana,” Abdool said.

“The presumption is that Mr Beepat, once we are successful, will actually be able to put this programme to us and allow us to box on a regular basis so that we get our amateur boxers exposed… and move them up to world titles.”

Abdool, who is also the President of the Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE), hailed the partnership as “a fantastic undertaking.”

Beepat said the move to align itself with boxing is just an extension of the company’s active involvement in the sporting community.

“It has always been our long-term plan to be more involved in sports, and the Giftland Mall allows us the opportunity to actually host these events and to further our participation [in sports],” Beepat intimated.

The card will be headlined by a 12-round title fight that will see Trinidad

and Tobago-based Guyanese Iwan Azore putting his national welterweight belt on the line against reigning national lightweight champion Dexter Gonsalves.

Imran “Magic” Khan, a highly successful amateur boxer, will make the move up the professional ranks and will face David Thomas in a four-round lightweight contest, while Terrence Adams and Keeve Allicock will open the professional segment with a four-round featherweight showdown. In bout number three, Anson Green and Quincy Gomes will trade punches in a six-round junior welterweight clash. The amateur segment of the card will be announced shortly, according to Technical Director of the Guyana Boxing Association, Terrence Poole. Shortly after the formal proceedings on Tuesday, seven of the eight professional boxers, with the exception of Azore, who will arrive in Guyana three days before the fight, signed their contracts, and all expressed a high degree of confidence of being in the winning corner on fight night.

Elite League necessary,