Archives for August 29, 2016
Counterfeit US$50 note surfaces at Kitty business
August 29, 2016 By
Businesses beware
Business people are advised to be on guard as counterfeit foreign currency has surfaced. Guyana Times was shown surveillance footage of an alleged fraudster who exchanged a counterfeit US note for Guyana currency at a shop in Kitty on Sunday.
According to the proprietor, the perpetrator entered the grocery shop a little before 14:00h, appearing as a regular customer. He then bought about $4000 worth in groceries, however, just before he was about to leave, he asked the shop owner to assist him in changing a US$50 note, which the businessman agreed to do.
The proprietor explained that he made the shocking discovery shortly after the man left, when his wife noticed that the highlighter
imprinted its mark deep into the US$50 note; this is usually the case with counterfeit notes. When used on genuine notes, the ink would fade after sometime. This publication was given a demonstration using a US$1 note.
The Kitty businessman explained that he doesn’t normally change money but gave into the man’s request.
“I changed his $50 note but there were other customers waiting so I did not go to check; I changed it hurriedly thinking I could assist the rest of customers which I realised was the wrong thing to do there, not to check the note before,” he noted.
He pointed out that after four years of operating his business, this is the first time that such an event occurred and indicated that in future he would be reluctant to assist customers who may ask for help.
“It definitely made an impact on me because when the mistress came over and she realised the note is not good, I kind of break down because I work very hard,” he stressed.
He added that he intends to report the matter to the police, who will retrieve the note and obtain the shop’s surveillance footage as evidence.
Scott, Nobrega dominated 2 day event
August 29, 2016 By
Ecstatic Regatta Concludes
or a second day there were once more abundance of entertainments and thrills as the Aruwai Summer Regatta concluded with the power boat races at the Aruwai Resort.
Dave Scott who drove in the 200 horse power and over category was the day’s most successful competitor, winning three of his four races while finishing second in another. He won the day’s first event which was the Courts 225hp open followed by the Digicel 200 hp and the day’s final race, the 225 hp open. Scott who drove the Jaguar (the name of his boat) was only beaten in the 225 hp which was won by Pomeroon’s own Clint Gonsalves, who drove Cyzie Boys.
In total Scott won $420,000.00 dollars in cash and several accolades to go with it as he ended as the day’s top driver. Other winners were, Jose Jardine, Shawn Belle, Danny Benjamin, Israel Henry, Gonsalve and Shawn Jacobs.
The following is a list of the top finishers in each race from the first to the last. Courts 225 hp open- first Scott ($150,000), second Neil Gonsalves ($120,000) first Jose Jardin and third Shawn Belle ($100,000). 75-M1EMF Yassin-first Jardine ($80,000) and second Danny Benjamin ($60,000). Prime Minister’s Office race-first place Shawn Belle ($100,000), second Selwyn Joseph ($80,000) and third place Jardine ($60,000). Lalchand Seeraj 40hp-first Benjamin ($50,000), second Clint Gonsalves (40,000) and third Romeo Randolp ($30,000). Aruwai Canoe- Israel Henry first and second went to Jerman Samuel. Digicel 200hp first Dave Scott ($150,000), second Gonsalves ($120,000) abd Belle ($100,000). Courts 40 hp- first Benjamin ($50,000), second Gonsalves ($40,000) and third Belle (30,000). PM’s Office 225 hp first Gonsalves ($150,000), second Scott ($120,000) and Belle ($100,000). Bartica Service Station jet ski race- first Jacobs ($30,000), second Marlon Sanasie ($25,000) and third Ramcharan Boodhoo ($20,000). 225 open-first Scott ($100,000), second Belle ($80,000) and third Jardine ($60,000).
Most of the day’s proceeding was quite fine with the exception of one accident which left driver Selwyn Joseph unconscious for some period before he recovered and was safe at home up to press time. Joseph’s boat ’the girls them sugar’ hit the rope attached to the buoy and toppled, causing him to be thrown into the water. He was retrieved from the water by life guards who acted quickly to rescue him. At the time he was lifted from the water he was unconscious but was quickly revived by coast guards, who were on duty at the time. Subsequently he was rushed to the Bartica Hospital where he was examined by a doctor, who did x-rays and monitored his condition for some while before he was discharge from the ward.
That accident was the only incident for the two days but it did not stop the patrons’ fun as the activities continued with much anticipation of who the winner of each race would be. After the races ended there was live entertainment by local soca singer Jomo Primo, who entertained the gathering in his usual energetic and rhythmic delivery.
Subsequently there was the award ceremony before the after lime got underway.
Scott was the top competitor on day two while Steven Nobrega won all the races on day one.
Overall it was two days of spectacular activities which showed scope to expand with longer planning among other concerns which could make it one of Guyana’s premier events on the national calendar of summer activities.
Berbice pumpkin farmers seeking new markets
August 29, 2016 By
With tons of pumpkin being reaped daily, farmers in the Berbice River community of De Veldt, in Region Six (East Berbice- Corentyne) are hoping that government would finally come to their rescue, as more and more pumpkins are left to spoil from lack of export.
What was once known to be a booming business for farmers in the area has suffered a severe blow and residents, particularly those whose livelihoods depend on farming, are once again calling on Government to assist in the acquisition of markets for their produce.
Pumpkin cultivation and exportation have been the main source of income for many families in the community; however, incidents of cocaine being discovered in pumpkins has negatively impacted on the exportation of the produce.
“The residents there now need new markets for the pumpkin. People are planting lots of pumpkin and not getting markets for it”, Lucien Christopher, a farmer and captain of one of the few passenger boats on the New Amsterdam route said.
The farmer explained that, because of the type of soil and the growing market for the vegetable, pumpkin had become the main crop planted in the village. He did note that other foods such as corn, pine, and banana are also harvested there.
Lamenting on the current state of affairs, which he blames on the exporters, Christopher said, “It’s not the farmers you know, it is the exporters who put the cocaine in the pumpkin and because of that the farmers are losing”.
Christopher said that it is his belief that the community has been receiving insufficient attention from the Government.
“These villages like Sand Hills and Kimbia get all of the attention. And Kimbia, which is considered a very far village from New Amsterdam is just 25 miles farther from here”, He complained.
Speaking to Guyana Times recently, the farmer revealed that while he has been in contact with the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), he is also trying to secure his own market. He said he has finished his part here and is awaiting word from partners overseas.
He assured that the pumpkins being planted by farmers in his village are not “fertilizer pumpkin” and are of good quality.
Baboolall keen to satisfy tradition through regatta
August 29, 2016 By
By Delvon McEwan
Many might view the Aruwai Summer Regatta as an event that was hosted to rake in millions in profit, but to the man behind the initiative, Chunilall Baboolall, this is not the case as he is keen to satisfy the people of Bartica and the adjacent areas’ cultural desires.
According to Baboolall, Regatta for Barticians is a tradition, “one where we (Barticians) get to showcase and sustain our culture.” Actually the Summer Regatta is not the brainchild of Baboolall but due to the desire of the people in the region, he saw the need to reintroduce the activity after it was absent for a year.
The Bartica Races Regatta Club is the original host for the annual Summer Regatta; however, after a downturn in the economy there was no regatta last year. Due to this, Baboolall approached the original host some mere six weeks before this year’s event and was given permission to host the event.
The Regatta was known for its usual power boat races, but the dirt bike inclusion was wholesomely the new host’s idea and he wants to make it a ‘big deal’ locally and internationally, hinting that by the time of the next event, the races on the track could be done under lights.
In total the Regatta investments cost Baboolall approximately twenty million dollars ($20,000,000), ten million ($10,000,000) of which went to prizes and the other half was spent on organising.
With such hefty investments it is Baboolall’s hope that Guyanese enjoy two full days of entertainment and relaxation.
He is inviting all Guyanese, not just the Essequibians, to hop on board as he strives to make this event better the next time around.
Evidently, the entrepreneur is diverting from mining to the tourism sector. He seems to have the ideal initiatives and seems to be on the verge of hitting climax. However, it is just for a matter of patience and consistency, as it is not a sector in which evolution is manifested without the proper approach.
Green Bartica Development Plan presented
August 29, 2016 By