Monday April 09, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Why would WPA leaders heap El Sindicato VS The Nation scorn upon Roopnaraine? State of “not a blade of grass” DEAR EDITOR, After carefully selecting the caption for his article, “Roopnaraine is the most honest activist the WPA produced”, Freddie Kissoon informs us that his original caption would have read “The tragic decline of a brilliant mind” but he “thought readers could be misled into thinking it was Burnham or Jagan or Hoyte.” He then goes on to justify his definition of “honesty.” Rather surprisingly, it is the last paragraph that reveals what the article was all about, captured in the sentence, “why would WPA leaders heap scorn upon him” (Roopnaraine). His last sentence claims, “History is more important than friendship.” I am unaware of any WPA leaders heaping scorn upon Dr. Roopnaraine. On the contrary, it is precisely because of the great admiration and deep respect for Dr. Roopnaraine that there is total concern about the state of his health and how it is affecting him in the performance of his public duties. In that sense, it can be claimed that the performance of his public duties becomes more important than friendship, since nonperformance can jeopardize friendship. That does not relegate friendship to secondary proportions. On the contrary, it is precisely because of that friendship that the person must be protected. His health issues should not be used to manipulate him into taking positions that are detrimental to the political party that he is representing in the current government. It is tempting to see it as naked exploitation of the sick person by those who do so in the name of friendship. It is because of this susceptibility to manipulation that WPA leaders have criticized him,
without having to “heap scorn upon Roopnaraine,” as Kissoon claims. Ethical norms protect persons who are sick from being exploited by professionals who are responsible for their wellbeing. There have been cases in Guyana of persons in power using their authority to exploit vulnerable persons who depend upon them for protection by the law. Again, there are strict ethical norms in place to prevent such an abuse of authority. Friendship does not permit for the violation of those ethical norms. Friendship actually demands that they be enforced, because it becomes a particularly vulnerable area when people are familiar with each other. It is a well know maxim, “in sickness and in health, till death do us part.” This vow demands that persons who become sick should be protected and not cast aside. It goes beyond friendship and enters into the realm of ethical conduct, having the status of a sacred vow. Sir Thomas Moore lost his head on this matter. President Granger, in removing Dr. Roopnaraine as the Minister of Education, a role that the President himself had felt was suited to Dr. Roopnaraine’s brilliant mind, noted that his removal and reassignment was premised on the findings of the Commission of Inquiry. The President, on face value, did not allow friendship to get into the way of public duty. The WPA has argued that there is a fuzzy line between the claims of friendship and the interests of the WPA, sounding a warning bell that Dr. Roopnaraine was being possibly being exploited by the government to the detriment of the WPA. Kissoon’s observation that “Rupert always came across to me as a bohemian middle class intellectual with
real and definitive flashes of elitism, who really didn’t care about grounding with the masses” is rather revealing. The question must be posed as to whether Kissoon’s observation is indeed an accurate reflection of “Rupert.” If it were at that time, did it evolve into a more workingclass philosophy which represents the core value of the WPA as it changed from a pressure group into a fullfledged political party? Kissoon also informs us that “I met Rupert in 1976 and never got close to him when I was in the WPA. Being close to such a giant of an intellectual with such a deep analytical mind, you would have learnt priceless lessons in sociology and history.” This is certainly one of Kissoon’s greatest misfortunes, one had he not suffered, would possibly have caused him to reexamine many of the things he claims to be gospel truth. In 1979, when the WPA declared itself a political party, the social reality of Guyana took a dramatic turn. It had changed from a pressure group into a contender for political power. It was a direct challenge to the “big boys.” Prime Minister Burnham declared that university professors could engage in academic exercises, but once they stepped into the political arena, they would be subjected to a different set of rules, rules more akin to the Roman amphitheater. He boasted of his sharper steel. The political reality of Guyana took on a new persona, one that forever changed the historical narrative of Guyana from that day forward, creating a new narrative regarding the sociological reality in terms of the racial divide. The Jagan/Burnham political/racial dichotomy had been seriously challenged, Continued on page 6
DEAR EDITOR, The current situation in the remote mining communities is a direct threat to the nation. The ability of foreign nationals to illegally cross the borders and set up command and control centres is indicative of the weak security posture of our nation’s state. The five basic functions of identifying, protecting, detecting, responding and recovering have failed because every functional area has already been circumvented in any strategy that we may have had to secure this nation. I’m not a politician - yet, but I’ve listened to every stakeholder and those with executive power, and concluded that we lack adequate safeguards to secure our nation. I’ve also concluded that there is a divide between those titled politicians and the titled military in this situation. Why are our military training, if not to be excited to respond to this escalation on our borders? As a nation state, within our territory, we can respond to any threat with the use of Kinetic military action to subdue and mitigate the risks of that threat. We do not have to
wait on NATO or consult the Tallinn Manual to wage kinetic and other offensive operations on threats within our nation state. I know that our leaders know this but they also have a number of other threats to manage and ultimately determine which ones are HIGH priority. Only focusing on the situation on the border, we need to ensure that we have operational readiness to locate, monitor and plan an offensive course of action. This should not only be done by leveraging intelligence from local miners and members of the community. This would be responding to the situation at the same level of abstraction that the threat exist. We need to now think of the ways in which we can leverage the existing technological advances that the wider world uses and determine the costs and potential advantages of using such strategies. Yes, technological advances in terms of obtaining and using Command, Control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR). Continued on page 6
Footballing the sugar industry DEAR EDITOR, Reports in the media (7/4/ 18) about FITUG and GTUC wrangling over which Minister (Agriculture or Finance) should have oversight responsibility for GUYSUCO, Guyana’s number one industry, is indeed a sad reflection of a major flaw in which this premier industry has been floundering for far too long. There is no doubt that the sugar industry has had too long a spell of depressing performance about which there have been a number of diagnoses and remedies proposed by numerous ‘politicians’, ‘pundits’, ‘professionals’ and ‘pragmatists’ among us. ‘Privatization’ vs ‘Nationalization’ vs ‘Outsourcing of the Management’ of the
industry have been among the several plasters prescribed for the sore and sorry plight of the industry and they have all been given a fair chance to prove their worth (or worthlessness!). (In similar vein, the governmentappointed COI into the sugar Industry has also made its recommendations upon which we are still to see any action). Now, out of the blue as the saying goes, we have a debate about which ‘Minister’ not which ‘Ministry’ should take control of the industry. At this rate we may soon have the Minister of Cohesion being proposed as the most appropriate to oversee the industry since it appears that ‘personal’ or ‘personality’ wrangling is at the core of the
poor industry’s plight! My good friend and professional colleague, Mr E.B. John, in Stabroek News of the day before identified the need for good old “team work” in the industry; it is now palpably clear that we also or moreso need a strong dose of decisive leadership from the very top. Mr President, may I respectfully beg for your necessarily decisive intervention? I do not have to tell you Sir, that there is too much at stake at the national level to allow this apparently ‘boyish’ wrangling to go on and for the industry to continue in an apparently rudderless mode. Nowrang Persaud
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Why would WPA leaders heap... Parking Meters: PNC controlled From page 5 they knew him to be. Kissoon’s “tragic decline and both men realized the danger the WPA of a brilliant mind” reminds us of that reality. City Council Not Listening to posed to their racial blocks. If Kissoon’s definition of “honesty” is At a public meeting Eusi Kwayana raised taken at face value, should Dr. Roopnaraine Concerned Citizens the hands of both Walter Rodney and Rupert have confessed to the burning down of the Roopnaraine, clasped them together, and proclaimed that these two men represented the new political/racial reality of Guyana. It was a moment of inspiration for many Guyanese of all races, one that they will forever cherish. Without that hope of a new dawn, Guyana is doomed. With the assassination of Walter Rodney, Rupert Roopnaraine, at that time, assumed a heavy burden of ensuring that vision of the WPA remain alive. Kissoon makes the claim that, “I knew the WPA burnt down the Ministry of National Development. I know that it stole the arms that were removed from the People’s Temple when Jonestown collapsed and other conspiratorial things. I know the little illegal things I did.” There is no indication by Kissoon whether his knowledge of the events he claimed were first hand or second hand. It raises the question as to why the Burnham-led PNC state was unable to prove what Kissoon claims that he has definitive proof of, despite hauling the arson-trio to court as in the case of the burning down of the Ministry of National Development, a ministry which was in reality the PNC headquarters financed by state funds under the Doctrine of the Paramountcy of the Ruling Party. The assassination of Walter Rodney was one of the most traumatic events on the Guyanese nation. It was also one of the most devastating and sobering moment in the life of the WPA. In the chapter Kissoon refers to, published in 2013, Dr. Roopnaraine made it known that he had not had time to mourn the death of his beloved comrade and friend. Any psychologist will attest to the need for the mourning of a loved one, and how tormented a person will remain if they are unable to do so. Why Dr. Roopnaraine has inflicted upon himself such a terrible burden is a great tragedy, and it represents the type of case that Dr. Freud would have been willing to investigate for the sake of advancing scientific knowledge. It can be speculated that this may be contributing to Dr. Roopnaraine’s ill health. Many of the young cadres at the time felt the loss of Dr. Rodney profoundly as he was their mentor. Several sought solace in the person of Dr. Roopnaraine for leadership at that critical juncture of the party’s history. They were granted that invaluable insight that Kissoon wished he had access to, but deliberately spurned, that of “being close to such a giant of an intellectual with such a deep analytical mind.” These young men and women did learn “priceless and valuable lessons in sociology and history.” Dr. Roopnaraine shared his profound insights with them. Today they yearn for the person
de-facto PNC headquarters assuming Kissoon’s knowledge of the facts of the matter to be true? If Kissoon is prepared to argue that “History is more important than friendship,” then he must tell us when “history” begins and when “friendship” ends. There is also a question mark as to what Kissoon meant by “friendship.” Kissoon original title, “The tragic decline of a brilliant mind,” is a no-brainer if he has a grasp of what is the state of Dr. Roopnaraine’s mental and physical health. It would be useful if Kissoon assists us in revealing how the tragic decline is manifesting itself in the present situation since he has not stated that he has medical information on this matter, and he must be judging it by its manifestation in “one of Planet Earth’s most complicated polities.” Kissoon failed to give testimony at the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry, where his “honesty” would have set the historical record straight. He states that Dr. Roopnaraine did not give names to the claim “(w)hen he admitted that the WPA was stockpiling arms to overthrow Burnham.” It is unlikely such testimony would carry much weight, since any person could make such claims without any means of corroboration from independent sources. More fundamentally, the WPA never depended on the use of arms to remove the Burnham dictatorship, so the statement is very inaccurate if taken out of context. Without an insurrectionist strategy, which depended heavily upon the involvement if the masses, any attempt to remove the dictatorship that depended on guns would have been doomed to failure. As Professor Ken Danns noted in his study, the Burnham regime outgunned the population with its monopoly on guns, by a ratio of one gun for every thirty-five citizens. The claim that the WPA is a dead party has been made by Kissoon on numerous occasions. Is Kissoon making a case that “the decline of a brilliant mind” of Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine is a major contributing factor to the lingering presence of the corpse? Political parties are known to come back to life when the occasion demands it. Kissoon more than any other critic, has kept the WPA alive with his high expectations of the party, expectations he claims it has failed to live up to. He remains one of the WPA’s best friends with his critique of the shortcomings of the party, regardless if they be real or imagined. Rohit Kanhai 30 Clovelly Drive, Valley Stream, NY 11580
DEAR EDITOR, The PNC controlled City Council of Georgetown for decades now, continues to mismanage the resources of the City and ignoring the voice of the people. They have demonstrated their inability to manage the city roads and regulate orderly motor vehicle parking. They have also demonstrated an inability to consider smarter alternatives to collect more revenue than what is considered by m a n y, i n c l u d i n g t h e Movement Against Parking Metres, as an ill conceived, burdensome and expensive venture for a small return, even if all the meters are fully used. The negotiating brains in the City Council failed to explore other possible options for revenue generation. The Council failed to be transparent and accountable, failed to carry out a careful study of the proposal, or canvassed views of the consuming public, residents
and businesses in the city. An option was published in the press in February 2017 suggesting that the City Council negotiate with Central Government for a subvention to cover the estimated net income from the parking meters. It was suggested that the “Government can institute a small increase in the price for each gallon of fuel, collected up front from the few distributors for this venture. This small increase in the price for fuel can be extended to the entire country as vehicles use and park in other cities and along public roadways. “This can contribute to the subventions for other Municipalities and Regional Councils. This is a more equitable solution. The parking meters should therefore be abandoned along with Smart City Solutions. The same negotiators of the Council should negotiate the
scrapping of this venture”. There should also be cost cutting measures such as more prudent execution contracts based on need and value for money. There should also be a comprehensive personnel and organizational audit at what is widely believed to be over staffing and padding in employment at the City Council. A serious audit should be undertaken to justify every single position on the Council’s pay roll. The Auditor General a n d St a ff o f t h e A u d i t Office must be fully supported in the execution of their lawful duties including of a forensic audit, including management audit, and value for money audit with the support from experts in the relevant fields. The Auditor General should not be subject to not subtle threats from politicians. Yours faithfully Joshua Singh
El Sindicato VS The Nation State... From page 5 What is this and why does this little nation need this? On the simpler side, Guyana finds herself in a very peculiar socio-economic, geopolitical and sovereignty challenged situation. Threats from the opposition and localized actors and threats from her neighbours. How do we leverage control and gain superiority over all of these challenges? Our operational readiness will depend on all of the potential threat indicators and inputs into such systems. Our well trained Guyanese
will have to ability protect this nation and leverage both our military and police infrastructure; and those other agencies such as CANU and Child Protection Service to respond in kind to any situation that threatens the wellbeing of our nation. With that said, I’m confident that our minister and military will respond adequately and recover from this situation and the community and miners will have assurance that this government has the capability of dominating any threat. Going forward, as we
adapt the use of advance computing capabilities, even the slightest unwanted or unwarranted activity in those remote areas of our country will be dominated. Whether Venezuela is pussy-footing with the use of proxy gangs and testing their performance and effectiveness of whatever their objectives are – we have a saying of “not a blade of grass.” Ultimately, it’s Guyana, our nation state that has to respond and determine our Measures of Merit. Sincerely, Dustin Fraser
The impact of change in.... From page 4 natural since there is nostalgia from many that the just concluded configuration of GuySuCo should remain for posterity and at the same time, become economically viable. Deep down inside, they must know that such a position is more sentimental than practical. Sometimes for us to live, something must first die and so as we evolve, it is only fitting to conclude that it is now time for permanent and productive change. The Head of the SPU, Mr. Heath-London, has an approach that is visionary in thinking and with his disposition, has managed to
stem the flow of uncertainty within the Company. The rearrangement of functions and management systems has had a positive effect on the morale of employees at all levels. There is much support from the Administration/ Finance and Technical Support Staff (Agriculture and Factories) offered by GuySuCo proper to the resuscitation of Enmore, Rose Hall and Skeldon Estates. Their support continues to be invaluable and exhibits a camaraderie that has blossomed nicely and the SPU reciprocates in kind. The spill-off effect is that throughout the Industry, there is a feeling of excitement amongst all levels of
employees (and exemployees) that the cogs have finally been removed from the wheels of progress and that the Industry is changing for the better. The GuySuCo Estates, Uitvlugt, Blairmont and Albion, have adopted a more definitive approach in management and their performance, given the hardships faced, are commendable with Uitvlugt in sight of achieving its First Crop Target. The restructuring of the Company into a Diverse Entity, is certainly indicative that Leadership is at work and that thinking for the Head of the SPU, is not a new experience. Mike Singh Snr
Monday April 09, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Int’l study on 100 corrupt oil contracts reveal…
Oil companies with record of corruption listed as major red flag An international study that was conducted on more than 100 corrupt oil contracts lists 12 red flags which all nations must be on the lookout for. One of the major warning signs on the list includes companies with a record of participation in corruption or other misconduct. The Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) which created the list with its team of experts noted that oil companies with such a record could indicate that it has a propensity to engage in problematic business practices, or that officials tend to treat it with favoritism. It noted that while some companies may be wrongly accused by their rivals, the level of scrutiny prompted by this red flag should depend on factors such as the reliability of the evidence or how often the company or individuals involved have been accused. As it relates to specific warning signs, the Natural Resource Governance Institute said that the company or individuals involved may be
under suspicion, investigation or indictment for criminal activity, in the country it is operating in or elsewhere. Along with that, the Institute said that one might want to pay attention to whether the company or individuals involved have been convicted of criminal activity or violations of other relevant laws, in the host country or elsewhere. It also said that the company having a long record of litigation or other adverse legal activity that suggests unethical business practices is an important warning sign. EXXONMOBIL’S RECORD OF MISCONDUCT Exxon Mobil’s questionable record around the world ranges from its proclivity to underpaying royalties, to being complicit in various acts of misconduct. With regard to underpaid royalties, it was noted that in 2003, ExxonMobil was found to be defrauding the state of Alabama out of royalty payments, It was ordered by the courts to pay up more than US$100 million in back-pay
royalties. According to www.classaction.org., in August 2012, a Kansas judge approved a US$54 million settlement with landowners who claimed they were underpaid royalties when ExxonMobil made deductions for expenses that occurred downstream of their wells. The settlement also ended a lawsuit filed in Kansas state court against ExxonMobil over royalties dating back to 2000. Exxon Mobil was also found to be complicit in a corrupt arrangement in the African country, Equatorial Guinea. In January 2017 an American Senate Subcommittee investigation into the operations between the Government of Equatorial Guinea and ExxonMobil exposed a number of revelations. Among the reasons for the hearing was that in 2004, the subcommittee identified a bank account in Washington where ExxonMobil and other oil companies deposited millions of dollars owed to Equatorial Guinea for operating
there. The money went to President Obiang’s family, the subcommittee found. This occurred during the time Rex Tillerson was the CEO of ExxonMobil. Tillerson now sits at the desk of the US Secretary of State. At one of the hearings, Tillerson was grilled by Senator Jeff Merkley. The politician’s questions were based on how President Obiang became exceedingly rich due to ExxonMobil making payments into a private account as opposed to the country’s National Treasury. Tillerson was asked to say why ExxonMobil participated in such an activity. Tillerson said, “Senator, I am familiar with the circumstance you’re talking about. That was the subject of an investigation by the Judiciary Committee and there were no findings that Exxon committed any wrong or broke any laws at the end of that investigation. “In terms of the payments that ExxonMobil would make in any arrangement in any contact with any country, (it) would be no different than
they are made with domestic producers here in the US that are operating on federal lands. “There is royalty and there are taxes to be paid to the Treasury. What the government does with those monies when the company pays is up to the government. Obviously, the US government distributes those funds responsibly and some countries, I understand, do not.” Tillerson noted, nonetheless, that ExxonMobil’s operations do have positive spinoff effects for countries it engages like Equatorial Guinea, such as job creation. He said, however, that he is not suggesting in any way that that mitigates the corruption that is taking place in the country, but it is not without benefit and not without having American values on the ground in those countries. After sifting through Tillerson’s statements, Merkley, the senator, highlighted his remarks about taxes and royalties, and the fact that they must go to the Treasury. Merkley stressed to Tillerson that in the case of Equatorial Guinea, Exxon was
making payments to a private account which was controlled by the President. He was asked if he saw anything wrong with that. Tillerson said, “I’d have to review from my memory the circumstance you’re talking about. My recollection is that that account was designated as the government’s account and I think that when it was discovered that the account either may or may not be a valid account, it was closed.” Merkley pointed out that Exxon’s actions raised a moral question. He asked how the company could be engaging Equatorial Guinea in such a manner that it was essentially enriching the leaders without little thought as to how this was going to impact the people there. Merkley also pointed out that the unfavourable state of Equatorial Guinea is even reported on by the US State Department. Tillerson said that while he is aware of the circumstances spoken of by the Senator, he maintained that during his time, there were no violations.
Govt. pays workers scant attention while “disappointing” trade unionists enjoy comfortable salaries - Ram Attorney at Law Christopher Ram has criticized Government over what he deemed to be its negligible salary increases to workers, while slamming trade union leaders whom he said are failing miserably while enjoying much better standards of living. Delivering the feature address at the recent triennial Conference of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), Ram also noted that the coalition government has failed to have a substantive Ministry of Labour, It has also neglected to pass a single piece of worker-related or primary social legislation. According to the attorney the APNU+AFC government has passed the midway stage of its term in government, hence it seems fair to assess its contribution to enhancing and improving the position of workers in the country. He pointed out that from January 1, 2017, the national minimum wage for the private sector was increased to $255 per hour or $10,200.00 per week or $44,200.00 per month, “an amount that even a single individual would find impossible to sustain the minimum
Attorney at Law, Christopher Ram dietary requirements without consideration of rent or any of the basic comforts that make life worth living.” Further, Ram remarked that despite having the largest number of Ministries and Ministers since 1966, President David Granger could not find room for a dedicated senior Ministry and Minister of Labour. He also accused government of failing to pass a single piece of worker-related or primary social legislation. He said that the government continues to violate the constitutionally guaranteed right to free collective bargaining and
routinely and arbitrarily imposes increases without consultation, let alone negotiations. Even further, Ram highlighted the fact that for several months now, a new Trades Union Recognition Board has not been constituted, “even as the Government continues to ignore Article 13 and Article 149 C in relation to involving the citizenry in matters affecting their interest.” “But the ultimate indignity from the Government to the Trade Union movement came from Minister Keith Scott who described the leadership of the movement as “impotent”. While under public demands the Minister walked back from the insult, he received no reprimand from the President or any member of the Cabinet. Without in any way excusing the crudeness of the Minister’s language, it may be that he was trying to point out what in my view is a crisis of leadership in the labour movement.” FAILED UNIONS Ram told those at the conference that democracy in Guyana owes its birth and development to the labour
movement in the persons of Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, Cheddi Jagan and Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham. “Yet for some time, we have witnessed the slow and painful crippling of the movement under its current leadership comprising individuals who seem to have no new idea, no vision and no energy, and to put it bluntly, no capacity to advance the interests of the workers. This leadership has allowed industries and new employers to pass them by with the result that the representation of the labour force among employers and sectors that arose in the past twenty years is probably zero.” Ram said that in terms of their activism, when the leaders do appear, it is to lead their workers on Labour Day of each year made more famous for the ‘after-sport’ than for any serious resolutions. “Then they retreat into hibernation for the next 364 days except when periodic union elections are due, weighted heavily in their favour, shutting out any youthful challenges, stunting development and often killing democracy.” Ram said that many of the
leaders enjoy job security on the backs and dues of workers who under Collective Agreements signed by the very leaders are subject to mandatory retirement age. “As we heard in the reports a short while ago, changes come only with death, in a system that can fairly be described as office for life. “These leaders have so bent the rules in their favour that challenges at election time are invariably doomed to failure.” Ram said that the system for the election of office bearers in the Unions is so arranged that the membership finds it almost impossible to make personnel changes. The lawyer said that the
Government, which finds the leaders weak and ineffective, and which has its own democratic challenges, enjoys and benefits from the status quo. “In that sense, the leadership, instead of making the Unions strong, actually does the opposite.” Ram insists that the whole structure of the movement needs to change. He said that term and age limits need to be introduced and new blood nurtured. But even as he made those recommendations, Ram expressed little hope of change. “I must confess to a total lack of hope that things will change and as I look to the future, all I see is the further decimation of the movement by its leadership.”
Media must ensure... (From page 3) Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes and Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira addressed the topic of Parliamentary coverage from a Members’ perspective while Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs along with Parliament staff provided insight on several issues relating to the business and sittings of the National Assembly. Attending the sessions were Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland; Members of Parliament, Jermaine Figueira and Audwin Rutherford.
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U.S. Report finds…
Govt. corruption, narcotics among primary sources for money laundering Guyana continues to attract the attention of the United States (U.S) over deficiencies to tackle financial crimes, particularly corruption, money laundering and drug trafficking. Narcotics trafficking and government corruption are the primary sources of laundered funds, according to the March 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INSR)released by the United States Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. In the 2017 version of the report, the U.S. stated ‘corruption’ as a primary source for laundered funds, but this time they have specifically identified ‘government corruption’. Other illicit activities, such as human trafficking, illicit gold mining, contraband, and tax evasion, are also sources. The report cited that common money laundering occurs through fake agreements of sale for precious minerals used to support large cash deposits at financial institutions; cross-border transport of volumes of precious metals small enough to avoid
scrutiny by relevant officials and the payment of the relevant taxes and duties; and using middle-aged and elderly couriers for cross-border transport of large sums of U.S. dollars. While several agencies fight financial crimes, the U.S. noted that the investigative effectiveness of these agencies is limited due to inadequate human resources, insufficient training, and a lack of strong interagency cooperation. The report also cited the business community’s lack of cooperation also hinders Guyana’s anti-money laundering (AML) efforts. The report noted that Guyana has taken steps to address money-laundering, pointing out that current legislation provides that the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) as the investigative authority into alleged money laundering. Among the steps listed is the FIU’s completion of its risk assessment and action plan, which guides the government’s national AML strategy. INSR noted that in July 2017, the FIU purchased soft-
- FIU & SOCU need additional resources ware to detect illegal financial activities and sought to hire a financial analyst and a legal advisor. Further, the U.S pointed out that the FIU refers cases to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), an arm of the Guyana Police Force, for investigation and has submitted 11 money laundering reports to date. “Suspicious activity reporting, wire transfers, and customer due diligence regulations should be strengthened and additional resources given to the FIU and SOCU. Reporting and investigating entities should improve their inter-agency coordination in the future,” INSR noted. Some of the notable cases listed in the U.S. report include SOCU’s investigation of the Guyana Gold Board’s involvement in money laundering for a gold dealer who was arrested in April last year and an investigation into a hotel and potential casino operator, whose Surinamese partner was jailed in the Neth-
erlands for money laundering in 2006. “Guyana has made great progress on the AML front, but should continue to provide training to increase awareness and understanding of AML laws within the judiciary and agencies with investigative authority for financial crimes,” the report stated. Apart from AML seminars to inform local reporting entities of their obligations and responsibilities under the AML regime, Guyana in January returned to British crime expert, Dr. Sam Sittlington to help SOCU with a number of complex financial-related cases. He was featured prominently in a number of highprofile investigations last year, including the Pradoville Two matter involving ex-government officials. His stint ended last year but the administration asked for his return. Sittlington will be here until March 2020, in six-week and
UK Fraud Expert Sam Sittlington (left) chatting with Head of SOCU Sydney James in the SOCU compound 24-week deployments. The APNU+AFC government came to power in 2015 promising to take down corruption along with dismantling the network of financial crimes, but with no major convictions, particularly, in the political arena, there is growing discontent nationally.
A year ago, several members of the former People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration, including former President and the party’s current General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo have been questioned by SOCU over a housing development known as Pradoville Two.
Cops challenged by new ‘cold cases’ On January 10, 27-year-old ‘Korner Kick’ bar manager Tevin Parris was found lying in his bed, in the upper flat of his Lot 66 Garnett Street, Newtown home. He had been shot in the head. An unlicensed 9mm pistol, with 14 live rounds, was found in his right hand. A matching spent shell was found near the body. Parris had managed the popular Korner Kick Restaurant and Bar located at the corner of Lime and Bent Streets, Georgetown. Parris’ relatives insisted that he had not taken his own life, and a postmortem revealed that his death had been staged to look like a suicide. The postmortem indicated that the young businessman was shot from a distance. A spent shell was reportedly found under the body. The postmortem, conducted by Government pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh, also revealed that Parris died from a single gunshot wound, “where the bullet entered his right nostril and exited the middle of the head.” It was suggested that the victim would have suffered much more facial damage had he
Ambrose Baharally
Romen ‘Eddie’ Gomes
Ursilla Padarat
Martin Godette
Tevin Parris
been shot at close range. Police had detained a man who was in a relationship with a female relative of Parris.’ Detectives have reportedly confirmed that Parris had loaned the ‘close friend’ $100,000. Investigators are seeking to ascertain whether the loan may be a motive for the killing. However, they were forced to release the suspect after keeping him in custody for 72 hours without being able to link him to the killing. Police swabbed Parris’ hands and those of the suspect for evidence of gunpowder residue, but are still awaiting the results from those
tests. Baffling police also are the deaths Ambrose Baharally, 28, of Grant Stelling, Hope Lower Pomeroon, and Martin Godette, 23, of Friendship Canal, Lower Pomeroon. The coconut farmers were found dead with gunshot wounds to their heads at Baharally’s home on January 14. The deaths had initially appeared to be executionstyle killings. But one report alleged that the two coconut farmers and a third man were drinking and smoking marijuana when Baharally shot Godette. The third man reportedly fled the scene. There are suggestions
that Baharally then took his own life, but the motive for the killing is unclear. Baharally’s wife later led detectives to an area where she had allegedly disposed of the murder weapon after discovering the two bodies. Police recovered a 9mm Beretta pistol with a magazine, one .38 revolver, 16 live cartridges, 21 live .38 rounds, 19 live 9mm rounds, six .32 rounds, two 9mm spent shells and 51.5 grams of cannabis. It was revealed in a postmortem that while Godette was shot from a distance, Baharally was shot at close range. However, police are also
awaiting the results of tests for gunpowder residue in this case. Even more baffling is the March 12 killing of Romen ‘Eddie’ Gomes. The 33-year-old Linden businessman was shot dead at Lot 53 Wismar Hill, where he lived with his two-year-old son. It is alleged that a woman went to his home to collect the child, and saw a man with dreadlocks, who she said was acting strangely, sitting in front of Gomes’ home. The woman said she then called for the child, who walked out of the yard to her. She allegedly looked in the yard, and she saw Gomes with
his hands tied and a man standing next to him. The woman said she collected the child and hurried away. She said she then heard a gunshot and immediately alerted the police. Gomes was subsequently found dead at his home with gunshot wounds to the head. A yellow rope was still strapped around his left hand. While the motive for the murder is unclear, a relative said that Gomes had earlier collected a “box hand.” They said that the killers also stole Gomes’ new Toyota Allion. According to the relative, Gomes operated a (Continued on page 12)
Monday April 09, 2018
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Kaieteur News
LULA WAS FRAMED The death of Higo Chavez has hurt the progressive left wing governments of South and Central America. His death has had a domino effect on progressive movements in the region, leading to their decline and loss of power in many countries. Imperialism has returned with a vengeance after poor health removed Chavez, the rallying force which kept it at bay. Imperialism has resorted to military, legislative and now judicial coups to inflict serious damage to progressive governments in South and Central America.
Chavez himself was a victim of a short-lived military coup before junior officers launched a counter-coup to restore him to power. But Venezuela has long faced an onslaught by US imperialism from both within and outside the country. In 2009, there was a coup against President Manuel Zelaya of Honduras. This coup was covertly backed by the United States which refused to apply pressure to have Zelaya restored to power Meanwhile in Venezuela, imperialism had aligned itself
with the old oligarchy which still has powerful business and media interests in Venezuela. It is within this alliance that Venezuela food crisis has its origins. The alliance of oligarchs and US imperialism realized that the one fortress which was outside the control of Chavez was the economic distribution of goods and services. And this was what it exploited by not reducing imports, hoarding basic food items and smuggling subsidized goods to Colombia thereby creating shortages in Venezuela. Toilet
Seven held in Cuyuni gold mining camp robbery/murder - ex-employee among suspects A former mining camp employee was among seven suspects in custody last night in connection with last Friday’s attack on a Cuyuni/ Mazaruni mining camp that left one man dead and a reported $30M in gold missing. A senior police official said that the suspects were arrested in the same area where the attack occurred. No firearms or any of the stolen gold, suspected to be around 100 ounces, has been recovered. One of the detained men is a former employee of the camp that three gunmen raided, while killing Dominican national Pedro Pablo Rosario. The official told Kaieteur News that the suspects are to be brought to Georgetown today for further questioning.
The arrests came after police flew in reinforcements on Saturday from the Tactical Services Unit and the Criminal Investigation Department at Eve Leary. A police release had stated that the owner of the mining camp provided “aerial support”, which resulted in additional investigators and TSU ranks being flown to the location. A senior police official had indicated to Kaieteur News that investigators believed that the suspects were still in the area. The source also said that the four other Brazilian miners from the camp were questioned. Police were said to be somewhat baffled as to why the attackers chose to kill Dominican national Pedro Pablo Rosario.
Rosario was said to have been lying in a hammock when he was shot in the left side chest. There are no reports indicating that he had done anything to provoke the attackers. The mining camp is reportedly owned by a Kitty resident. According to reports, Rosario was relaxing in a hammock at around 02.00 hrs on Friday when the gunmen entered the camp and shot him. They then held the other employees at gunpoint before fleeing with two mats from the operation’s sluice box. The killing occurs at a time when Government has sent security forces to the Cuyuni/Mazaruni and other areas in the wake of escalating attacks on miners and other businesses in the area.
DEM BOYS SEH
People want to control Guyana again
Everything that Guyana produce is fresh and natural. De vegetables don’t have too much fertilizer, de fish come straight from de river and de ocean. De whole world talking about going and eating natural. De Guyanese people pride dem self pun having fresh food. But all of a sudden de Americans ban de catfish wha Guyana got. Dem claim how dem checking de quality. Only dem got to check de quality, though. All dem Guyanese who live in Canada and England and dem odda place does only buy Guyana catfish because dem know it ain’t grow in no farm wheh de people does feed dem wid all kind of thing but mostly people mess. Then dem Americans now talking bout de gold wha Guyana producing. Dem claim how dem want to mek sure is not gold that pay to fight war and feed terrorists. Guyana ain’t fighting any war and it ain’t got contact wid no terrorist. Dem boys think about all de things dem want to ban from Guyana and suddenly dem
realize that de big plan is to control Guyana. ExxonMobil find oil and de Americans realize is de biggest oil find. Dem want to mek Guyana a colony. De first thing dem want is fuh Guyana beg dem. Then dem gun want Guyana to seh thanks when dem lift de ban. But is not only Guyana, is nuff odda developing country. Venezuela already feeling de pressure. Dem did try it wid Cuba but dem Cubans hold out fuh more than fifty years. When dem boys read how Americans complaining how some countries got wealth and dem dealing wid countries like China dem decide that is time dem collect all dem countries and mek dem colonies once more. Then dem gun live off de wealth of those countries. Well dem boys want dem to know that Massa day done. Talk half and remember no matter how bad things might be nutten better than freedom.
paper was short in Venezuela long before oil prices dipped. The present food crisis in Venezuela can be traced back to the failure of the State, including the military, to effectively distribute goods within the economy. Once this distribution was left in the hands of the old oligarchic class, which is in bed with US imperialism, it was easy for that class to create the shortages which now affect millions of Venezuelans. Venezuela is a victim of economic sabotage from within. The food and medicine shortages in Venezuela are not affecting the rich people. You do not see rich people lining up for food in Venezuela. The rich oligarchs in the private sector have long controlled the food supply and they are not lining up for any food. Their pantries are well-stocked. But the class to which they belong are not importing or hoarding the food supplies and this means that the vast majority of Venezuelans, the poor, are left without. Venezuela also is a victim of US pressures from outside. Venezuela was designed by the Obama administration as a national security threat to the US. Trump is now laying the groundwork for sanctions against Venezuela which will hurt the country more. But economic destabilization has not been the only weaponry which the US has employed against
progressive governments in South America. The US has initiated a new threat to democracy – the legislative coup – which it successfully deployed to remove from office Fernando Lugo in 2012. A legislative coup and judicial was also used to remove Dilma Rousseff as President of Brazil. That coup showed that the United States was prepared to trample on democracy which had touted in the region for the past thirty years. It was prepared to do this in order to return to power the old oligarchs which would allow US business interests to reseize control of those countries whose progressive governments had tried to reverse inequalities and poverty. The latest victim of imperialism is Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the former President of Brazil, who is the frontrunner for this year’s election but who is not liked by either US imperialism or its partner in crime, the old oligarchic class. Lula is a victim of a judicial coup. He was found guilty of corruption and sentenced to
12 years in imprisonment. He was out on appeal until this week, when the Court decided that, despite his pending appeals, he must begin to serve his time in jail. Lula’s crime is that he is said to have accepted a bribe from a major construction company. The bribe is supposed to be an apartment but no evidence was ever produced that Lula actually owns has ever accepted or has ever used this apartment. He was convicted on the flimsy evidence of a statement of a top official of the company who benefitted from a pleabargaining deal. America is up to its old dirty deeds. It is attempting to reverse progressive movements in South and Central America. It wants the oligarchic class back in power in these nations in order to open the floodgates for US companies to renew their exploitation of the resources of these countries.
Monday April 09, 2018
Kaieteur News
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Monday April 09, 2018
Kaieteur News
OPR completes probe…
Mom turns son, 16, wanted for Report of girl’s alleged cavity gunpoint robbery over to cops
search by female cop for DPP The Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) has completed its investigation into allegations that a policewoman submitted a 17-yearold girl to a cavity search at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport last February. A report on the OPR’s findings is likely to be submitted this week to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The Force has acknowledged that a female rank from the Force’s Narcotics Branch searched the 17-year-old at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport. At the time, the teen was an outgoing passenger to Barbados. The release by the Force stated that the female rank denied conducting a cavity search of the passenger. But the rank has reportedly admitted to ordering the teen to remove her clothing. But the girl’s aunt, Winifred Morris, insisted that her niece said that the rank had inserted a finger in her vagina. She also said that her niece’s luggage was searched and she was ordered to ‘strip naked ‘ and ‘squat’ in a room. In a telephone interview from Barbados, the teen told Kaieteur News that she arrived at the airport around 04:00 hrs. She alleged that just after her luggage was scanned, “a fat woman with lipstick” in “a blue top and jeans” approached her. “She told me that she has to check my bag; she emptied out my suitcase and tried to bend it. She say she checking
to see if I carrying any illegal drugs.” According to the teen, after emptying the suitcase, the woman indicated that she had to do “one more thing.” She alleged that the woman then escorted her to a room, and told her to remove her clothing. “I started to take off my top and pants and she told me to take off my bra and lift my breasts.” She was then told to remove her underwear and ‘squat’ and ‘cough’, while the woman “came close and watched my privates.” The door was partly open when she was being subjected to the search, and a man was just outside, the girl claimed. “Afterwards, she told me to hurry and put on back my clothes because she got other people waiting. After I went to Immigration, she came and took my passport and took down the information on it, and the address where I would be staying in Barbados.” Expressing her feeling of humiliation, the teen said: “I feel really bad because I had to stand up naked before this person that I don’t know.” Mrs. Morris, who said she has lived in Barbados for over 19 years, said she has contacted an attorney with a view to taking legal action. “We are taking legal action; whatever has to be done will be done. We are not backing down. “My niece feels so humiliated. I picked her up at the (Sir. Grantley Adams) Airport and
she was in tears. She cannot enjoy her vacation.” The woman said she was not surprised that the rank had denied carrying out the cavity search on her niece.”No one will admit to fondling a 17-year-old girl.” Relating her own experiences travelling through the Eugene F. Correia International Airport (formerly Ogle International), she alleged that the airport “has some of the most unfriendly people, and we need to do something about this. “I am a registered nurse and midwife, and I have worked at all the hospitals in Guyana. I have never been in trouble with the law.”
- hours after he escaped from police station Aided by Sophia residents, a mother yesterday turned her son over to the police, hours after the 16-yearold armed robbery suspect had escaped from custody. The teen had escaped from the Cove and John Police Station, where he was being held for allegedly robbing a man at gunpoint. But while in custody, the teen asked a rank to use to the washroom, but used the opportunity to bolt from the station. The teen then turned up at his mother’s home in Sophia. It was reported that upon seeing him, his mother alerted the police after she learnt that
he had escaped from police custody. The juvenile was subsequently handed over to Commander ‘C’ Division Senior Superintendent Edmond Cooper in the presence of Crime Chief Assistant Commissioner Paul Williams. Last week, the teen allegedly slapped a 34-year-old painter after robbing him at gunpoint. He is among three persons in custody after police seized a Taurus pistol with six live rounds, two revolvers and 79 grams of marijuana. It is alleged that the painter was walking through ‘C’ Field, Sophia when the teen pointed a ‘shiny’ object at him
and demanded money and other valuables. After the man handed over what he had, including a cell phone, watch and a haversack, the teen allegedly slapped the painter and told him to “run home”. The victim reported the incident to the police and gave a description of the attacker. Police, acting on information, went to the teen’s home, where they allegedly found him with a revolver, a cell phone and other suspected stolen items. A police official stated that the teen claimed that he rented the firearm from a ‘C’ Field, Sophia resident, whom he identified.
Teachers working under duress in Region Ten - Chairman claims SCHOOLS reopen across Guyana today after the Easter holidays and while students look forward to the beginning of the new term, for some teachers across Region Ten it means heading back to work under conditions that they say are far from conducive. Chairman of Region Ten Rennis Morian in highlighting some of the issues prevailing at several schools declared, “ Teachers in the Region are working under duress and are afraid to speak out because of fear!” Morian pointed to a case where a teacher from a school in Amelia’s Ward broke down in tears while relating her experience with the school’s administrators. He posited that the case was not an isolated one as he is in receipt of reports from teachers detailing experiences that are negatively impacting them. He said that there are several other issues that he is aware of, but which teachers are afraid to highlight because of possible reprisals. Mackenzie High School Over the years residents of Linden have been observing with much concern the decline of this premier Secondary school with some per-
sons calling for the disbandment of the school’s board. Concerned parents have complained of several issues that are impeding the growth of the school including those that are tarnishing its former impeccable image. Washroom Facilities The washroom facilities at the school are reportedly in an unsatisfactory state and this is nothing new. A few years ago, teachers had downed tools over the atrocious state of the facilities. They had protested at the doors of the Regional Education Department. The situation was subse-
quently rectified, but presently the facilities have retrogressed. Several other issues at other schools were highlighted including the provision of three bolts and a door lock for St Aidans School, which had been requisitioned over three months ago, but have not been supplied. The Regional Chairman who has responsibility for education, said that it is time that teachers within the Region start working in comfortable environments. He suggested that any correspondence regarding issues that need rectifying at
schools should not only be forwarded to the Education Department, but should also be forwarded to REO Orrin Gordon simultaneously so that these could be dealt with alacrity. In correspondence seen by this publication, several issues affecting the smooth running of schools and performance by teachers have been highlighted, with some teachers pointing to what they claim is the discrimination being perpetuated with regards to promotions and transfers and the sometimes unwarranted “disciplinary” actions meted out to some.
Cops challenged by new... (From page 8) grocery shop where he also sold wholesale beverages. He lived alone with his son after his wife, Althia Gill-Gomes, whom he married last November, migrated to the United States of America a year ago. On March 14, a man who was doing some work for 68year-old Ursilla Padarat, went to the pensioner’s Bell West, West Bank Demerara home. He reportedly observed that the lights were on and a padlock was on the outside of
the door. He then entered Padarat’s home and found her sitting upright in a chair by her hallway. Her throat had been slit. There was reportedly no sign of forced entry to the one-bedroom premises. Police sources said that Padarat was last seen alive at around 19.30 hrs the previous day. Some residents have alleged that Padarat had quarreled with a drug addict that day.
The drug addict reportedly told the pensioner that he would “deal with” her later. Police detained, then released a friend of the individual, but are reportedly still to locate the drug addict.
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
Monday April 09, 2018
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Kaieteur News
BANKS DIH opens $110M vehicle workshop - Harmon lauds company as model of innovation and adaptability
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon cuts the ribbon to mark the official opening of BANKS DIH Vehicle Workshop, while Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, Chairman of BANKS DIH, Clifford Reis and Co-Managing Director, George McDonald looks on. Minister of State, Joseph Harmon on Saturday lauded Banks DIH Limited as “a model of innovation, enterprise and adaptability”, as the company opened a $110M vehicle workshop at the Demerara River Front Property, obliquely opposite Thirst Park, Georgetown. The property, which now
houses the vehicle workshop, was acquired by BANKS DIH in 2001 and was originally the Plant Maintenance Division of the then Ministry of Public Works. It was used to repair and maintain heavy equipment and service vehicles of all government ministries and Minister Harmon expressed
confidence that the value of such a facility to the government will not be lost under the company’s management. According to a DPI release, Minister Harmon applauded the fact that approximately 100 persons are employed at the site and are provided with training in the field of engineering at the
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon (2nd left), Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson (2nd right), Chairman of BANKS DIH, Clifford Reis (left) and another member of Staff in conversation during a tour of the new vehicle workshop.
A section of BANKS DIH new vehicle workshop.
University of Guyana (UG) and the Government Technical Institute (GTI),
Co-Managing Director, BANKS DIH, George McDonald
compliments of the company. He also underscored that government has undertaken a new economic model guided by the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS), which has as its core principles the reorienting and diversification of the economy and the reduction of reliance on traditional sectors. The GSDS strives “to open up new and sustainable
income and investment opportunities through valueadded endeavours and a high growth sector,” he noted. The Strategy, the State Minister said, will set the foundation for green, inclusive, economic and social growth and create the framework for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and related targets. The GSDS will also Continued on page 22
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Monday April 09, 2018
Kaieteur News
BANKS DIH opens...
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK;Guyanapassport application. G r a p h i c s design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6004212: We create A/works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. PASSPORT, PERMANENT & VISITOR VISA APPLICATION, PROFESSIONAL IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT – SABITA IMMIGRATION SERVICES. CALL: 613-3920/625-3767. Eagle’s: Re-gas –low prices, washing machine repairs, gas stove, plasma flat Screen, computer repairs & more. Call: 697-2969/646-0966 Babysitting Company name: B-Z-Bee Babysitting Club Inc. Contact: 663-0924/ annalisp.alp@gmail.com, FB: B-Z-Bee Babysitting Club Inc Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 TOLET Rooms in Albertown & 1 house in Good Hope, 5 bedroom, 4 self contained. Tel#225-3234 Top flat, fully furnished two bedroom apartment in Riumveldt, Georgetown. Call: 227-8529
EDUCATION Register your child for after school classes for slow learners in Mathematics, Reading, Phonics, Spelling, etc. Call: 675-4379 Computerized accounting, Quickbooks, Peachtree, POS $35,000 Diploma in Computers 9 courses $40,000 MicroGraphics Vreed-enhoop #264-3057
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Freezers for sale. Call: 671-3004 Cottage house, 2 bedroom, living room, kitchen, dining room located @ Fourth St Pearl, EBD Tel# 219-5462, 625-3981 Unregistered DAF trucks: Dump trucks, Flatbed, Flatbed with crane & hauler, Foden 6x4 Dump truck. Call: 659-3100 New triangle truck tyres, front & all-wheel drive, size 295/ 80R22.5 Call: 647-2022
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 2 and 3 bedroom fully furnished luxury to rent long and short term #666-7028/ 691-1432 Room to rent & (2) bedroom fully furnished @ Providence& Diamond. Tel#660-7716 Bottom flat apartment for rent, two bedroom. Independence St, La Grange W.B.Dem. Tel#592-663-1280 Two Bedroom apartment, bottom flat $40,000 #687-3017 small family Space to rent, display rack, computers and office furniture for sale. Contact: 624-6783
PROPERTY FOR SALE Lot 15 Public road #2 Village. West Coast Berbice. 49ft by 10,314ft. $18M. Contact:6487109/686-4818 2-flat 3 bedroom wooden building situated at 154 ‘B’ Shell road, Kitty 2 lots East of Kitty Market.670-2653
VEHICLE FOR SALE Bluebird 2012 model-$2.7M Axio 2010-$2.6M Tida-2010 $2.1M All vehicles unregistered #655-3400 1 Toyota 2 RZ minibus in excellent condition with rim & AC BMM series, Price $1.1M Neg Contact:6530120/646-9417
One experienced cook wanted. Call: 226-0554/6238654 One radiator workman preferably from the West Coast of Demerara. Contact Charran’s Radiator Works Tel#622-5721 One full time auto body technician for repair center. Must have previous experience. Call: 222-0675 One service manager for repair centre, must have previous experience. Call: 6472022 1 Male cook to cook in interior #699-4718
Land in Parfaite Harmonie, Providence, Eccles of anywhere on the West Coast. Tel# 642-1252/697-6311 1 Able-bodied male clerk. Call: 231-2029/219-4533/616-5954 Wanted urgently one bus driver RZ Bus #BSS 1605 Contact: 603-2640/218-4636 Driver, Cashier, Pastry maker/ cake decorator, curry cook, counter server, Apply H/ written application @ Hack’s Halaal 5 Commerce St Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic- Call: 223-7500 Monday to Saturday 8:15am4:15pm
Property for sale (1) 3 story building at 97 Sugarcane street S/Rvldt Gardens. Price US 1.5M neg. Tel: 695-1356 & 6878445 3 story commercial building,120ftX60ft Building 62ftX30ft Location- Lot 1486, Plot B Herstelling, EBD $95 million neg. Contact: 6093777/697-4557
Dispatcher, driver & contract cars. Tel# 231-0316/231-0002
Live in general domestic and 1 experienced cook (Live out) #610-3974
Motors 220 Volts, water pumps, Generator iron cage, Fans, Wine-making equipment Tel#225-8183. Call after 9am (1) 8 apartment buliding located on the E.C.D Tel#6295582 (Selling)
WANTED Looking to buy a house or empty land, Preferences-EBD Public road. Buyer #1917-6225810/694-3331
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR R E N TA L : S U V F O R RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL:6435122/656-0087, ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM
SALON
AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807
Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $90,000 Nail Technician Course: $35,000. Call: 647-1773/688-0009
WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIAL OFFERS! . CALL: 690-6494
EDUCATION Study in Canada/USA 100% Acceptance Registration for September, 2018 MicroGraphics Vreed-en-hoop #264-3057/613-4354
PROPERTY FOR SALE 2 Storey commercial building at Durban & Haley street $28M, Price negotiable, serious enquiries only. Contact: 625-8884
From page 22 provide the basis for a prosperous and secure future for all Guyanese, he assured. Further, Minister Harmon said, Banks DIH has shown its ability to adapt to the changing business environment over the years, making reference to the company’s recent announcement that for the new financial year there will be further investment in solar energy, based on a tested innovation introduced in 2017 at the Main Street, Georgetown Qik Serve Restaurant. Banks DIH made this disclosure at its 62nd Annual General Meeting hosted at Thirst Park on January 27, 2018. According to Minister Harmon, “this move is yet another trailblazing initiative of BANKS, because of its size and scope within the private sector”. Co-Managing Director of BANKS DIH, George McDonald, in his address, said in recognition that clean and reliable power generation was a critical input to the company’s production facilities, and in its efforts to produce the best quality
Urgently (1) industrial electrician knowledge of motor rewinding will be an asset. Please call: 644-9084/664-9635 One family to work at wildlife farm at Timehri. Housing provided. Please call: 2270373 One 312 Hymac operator, must have mechanical skills, housing provided. Please call: 227-0373 LAND FOR SALE 1 House lot situated on the West Sea Coast of Windsor Castle, Essequibo. Land size: 48x155. Tel#648-1397 Parfaite Harmonie- $1.4M Uitvlugt $2.4M Zeelugt $2M Tuschen $3.3M Tel# 6976311/642-1252 18,731 acres mining land Gold & Diamond Mazaruni $5,000,000 USD Contact: 6951356, 687-8445
VACANCY Handyman and Counter Staff wanted. Tel: 223-2800, 6091400 Exists for one experienced dispatcher- Call: 231-5784 Earn 5-20K working from home www.jobfairworldwide.com Tel#622-1957/652-8829 Cook/Baker & Welder for interior location. Applicants must be experienced. Call: 6182020 Paralegal with degree in law. Duties: secretarial, clerical & research tasks. Email: lawofficegy@gmail.com/ guyana@hotmail.com Cashier at Nirva Supermarket 49 Sheriff & Craig Street C/ ville. Apply in person with written application. Contact: 227-5771 1 person to make and bake bread and pastries. Call: 2262320 or Charlotte & Wellington St L/town 1 female cashier to work shift at Durban & Haley streets, Delicious Restaurant. Contact: 231-5108 Vacancy exist for (1) experienced pharmacy technician to work @ reputable pharmacy in Diamond (Flexible hours)- Call: 645-3422 One maid preferably residing on the East Bank. Call: 2278529
products, the company in 2004 embarked on the installation of specialised generation facilities. BANKS DIH as a partner of the Coca-Cola Company was also required to meet the ISO 9001 Standards or First World Production standards, McDonald related. The vehicle workshop is presently equipped with 10 Megawatts Diesel and Bunker Sea generating plants, which means the facility is operating independently of the National Grid. “We are also actively pursuing the development of alternative energy to reduce the dependency on the use of fossil fuels in the long-term as we work to reduce the carbon footprint of our operations,” McDonald pointed out. The company was commended by the State Minister for this undertaking which is in line with the Government’s green pathway. The Vehicle Workshop measures 36,000 sq. ft and, according to the CoManager, made logistical sense for the company to invest since the Thirst Park ran out of space. The facility was declared officially opened with the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon by Minister Harmon. Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL), Albert Gordon, Chairman of BANKS DIH, Clifford Reis, members of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) and the Diplomatic Community were in attendance.
Monday April 09, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Govt. led SLED project assisting Guyana has fourth highest community groups with micro financing lawyer population in CARICOM - spurs several start-up businesses Guyana with a population of approximately 735, 909 persons in 2016, has the fourth highest population of lawyers in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Guyana has an estimated 1,120 lawyers—one lawyer per 657 persons—with between 25 and 30 lawyers qualifying annually. This is according to the Final Report on survey of Legal Education System in CARICOM Member States. The Report is the result of a survey conducted between 2016 and 2017 by the Improved Access to Justice in the Commonwealth Caribbean (IMPACT Justice)—a regional justice sector reform project being
is an active cohort of 138 lawyers. Over in St. Kitts and Nevis there is an estimate of 129 lawyers; while in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada there is an estimate of 100 lawyers respectively. The report highlighted that in Dominica there is actually an estimate of 30 lawyers but 100 of them are on roll. As for Montserrat, there is an estimate of 21 lawyers. “If the Magee formula is to be used, the Bahamas, with one lawyer per 246 persons, Montserrat with one lawyer per 250 persons, followed by Barbados with one lawyer per 300 persons were the best served, or had an oversupply
were on the roll, but 972 were practicing and in St. Lucia, where membership of the Bar Association was not compulsory, the numbers given as practicing were said to range from 100 to 200, but 508 names were on the Roll.” Further, another reason pointed out, was that in some countries, those providing legal advice in-house were not required to be formally qualified and lawyers in government practice were not required to register with the local Bar Association. “In addition, the consultants noted a wide range of paralegal courses being available, but did not have figures for the paralegal population. It is of course
funded by the Government of Canada—and being implemented from within the Caribbean Law Institute, Faculty of Law, University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill, Campus, in Barbados. The Consultants Ching and Watson visited Guyana from 27th to 29th October, 2016 and held meetings with members of the judiciary, representatives of the University of Guyana (UG), a senior practitioner, the Attorney General and members of his staff and the Minister of Education. According to the report which was released last month, the estimate of lawyers in the region between 2015 and 2016 is given at 10, 900 with Trinidad and Tobago raking in the most at approximately 3,000. This was followed by Jamaica with 2, 642, the Bahamas with 1,317 and Guyana with 1,120. This was followed by Barbados with 972, Belize with 251. In St. Lucia there is an estimate of between 100 and 200 lawyers. In Antigua and Barbuda there
of lawyers, depending on the approach taken. And even though the lawyer population is in some cases inaccurate, Dominica, Belize, Jamaica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines could be considered underserved using the Magee formula”, the report revealed. It, however, noted that these figures are “cautious estimates” for several reasons. One of the reasons stated by the report is that bar associations may not accurately represent the number of lawyers in active practice in a jurisdiction, or the numbers available as private practitioners to the general public. The report added, “ Secondly, in some cases, there is no system for ‘pruning’ the Roll Books kept by the Supreme Court registries or even the Bar Association records to remove the names of deceased or inactive lawyers. For instance, in Dominica, only 30 of a list of 100 lawyers were actually practicing in the country. In Barbados, 1,004
possible that some of the legal work done by young lawyers employed in law firms or by referral from senior practitioners, could be carried out by paralegals with different, and less expensive, qualifications. Although the Consultants met at least one senior practitioner who had been a paralegal, there is no formal route from paralegal to lawyer recognised under the Treaty, other than the possibility of mature entrant access to the law faculties.” The report continued, “The UWI paralegal associate degree offered online or through blended learning is specifically designed to align with the matriculation requirements of the UWI LLB, providing a means of progression. The extent of a need for paralegals, and paralegal education, as an alternative career or an alternative route into a career as a lawyer, is not clear, although the variety of paralegal courses being offered in the region suggests that there is a demand for this.”
While entrepreneurial activity has the potential to create vibrant and thriving village economies, a primary challenge to starting a business is getting enough venture capital to get the business going. The development of cooperatives is a possible solution to the problem, but in some cases community members, even after pooling their resources, may still come up short. In this regard, the Ministry of Social Protection has been pushing the Sustainable Livelihood Entrepreneurial Development (SLED) project to assist community groups in creating profitable small startup businesses. The SLED Department, which falls under the purview of the Ministry, has provided micro financing assistance to several newly established Cooperative groups across the country. As a result of this assistance, there are now several start-up businesses catering to the needs of their communities while providing employment and skills training. After the launching of one co-operative business which focuses on the processing of fish in Region three, four additional cooperatives groups commenced operations in Region Two, while another three are developing in Region five, as others across the country begin to take shape. One of the SLED groups, The Women on the Rise Cooperative Society of Region Five, produced their third batch of birds through poultry rearing as a result of the SLED programme. They held a small gathering and present were Member of Parliament, Jennifer Wade and Regional Executive Officer, Ovid Morrison. Morrison reminded the women of the importance cooperatives played in the history of the regional development and the future of its success lies in the willingness to run with the vision.
Dhanmattie Sohai of the Ministry’s Micro Projects Unit reminded the women that “business is about making money in order for it to be a source of sustenance for the community”; while further encouraging them to persevere. The groups are predominantly comprised of women who seized the opportunity to pool their resources for their financial empowerment. The Little Red Village, a tranquil community on the Essequibo Coast, is a low income village where the males in most families seek work in the field of mining. Women of that community have taken the initiative to start a sewing group to cater to the needs of school children living there. The starting of the group is a venture of the Onderneeming/ Sandpit multi-purpose cooperative. Leroy Nelson, Chairperson of the community development council and a member of the Co-operative, said “while some persons may have unfavorable views about coops, he believes that with the help of the Ministry of Social Protection, his group has been able to make significant strides and is now poised to enhance the development of their community”. Leona Cornelius, the head of the sewing group, said she has been living in the village since it was established in 2009 and has been plying her trade as the community’s seamstress since; she is now happy to be involved in training other women. In Lima Sands, another village on the Essequibo coast , approximately thirteen miles removed from the public road, women again have come together to empower themselves financially through the creation of cooperatives and the assistance of the SLED initiative. Urania Success, chairperson of the women’s Multi-Purpose Co-op of LimaSands, walked door to door to mobilize the women in her community to start a female
Dhanmattie Sohai of the Ministry’s Micro Projects Unit solidarity group to address issues they are facing. After being successful, it was her initiative to start a co-op so that the women could get into business to solve the issue of unemployment and financial difficulties. With effort from the women and assistance from the Ministry of Social Protection, the women now both own and work at the Lima Sands Women Home Style Bakery. Manerva McLennan, a member of the co-op, recounted when her interest was first sparked in pooling resources she said: “As there are no jobs in the community, we were sitting there one day and Success came to us as women and asked if we would support her in forming a women’s group, I said aunty Urania that is a very good suggestion because most of the time we have nothing to do and most of the women depend on their husbands, who go into the interior and that’s a gamble.” McLennan said she has been a member of the group since and has offered to the group a space within her plot of land to temporarily house the bakery until the groups are able to purchase land of their own. The Ministry of Social Protection have completed twenty SLED projects in nine regions of Guyana for the year 2017. With an increased budget for the SLED programme for 2018 the department envisages an increased number for SLED projects in this new year.
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Kaieteur News
Increase training for Medical Professionals in Region Four Dr. Quincy Jones, Regional Health Officer (RHO) at the Regional Democratic Council, Region four, has promised increase training for medical personnel within the region. This is with the aim to improve the level of care being offered to persons who seek help at health centres in the region and to decrease the number of persons who go to the public hospitals instead. “Since assuming the office of Regional Health Officer, it has been part of my overall vision and mandate to increase training [because] with improved and increased training there will certainly be an overall improvement in the healthcare that is given to the general public,” Jones said. Jones said that this forms part of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC’s) vision to further strengthen the effectiveness of medical personnel working at the v a r i o u s health centres throughout region four; thus ensuring that patients seeking various services can be effectively attended to. He noted that a number of persons continue to seek medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and the Diamond Diagnostic Center, adding that the services they seeking are often being offered at the health centres within their respective district. “You have situations whereby persons go to either GPHC or Diamond Hospitals for services that they could have received at their health centres, and as such, they are forced to wait for long hours because of the immense pressures on the medical personnel at these two hospitals,” he said. “We are seeking to bring our medical personnel at the
various health centres up to par and to ensure that they are trained effectively in a number of areas and ways, thus ensuring that they can render some of the services that they (persons) are seeking elsewhere,” he continued. Pauline Lucas, Regional Executive Officer (REO), Region Four, in a comment said: “It’s no secret that the general public has concerns over the health care services that they receive from the government-run institutions, thus resulting in some seeking private services, but I want to assure all that we, within the region with the RDC’s support, are working towards holistic development.” Lucas said that the quality and enhanced health care will certainly help in boosting the productivity level. Adding that, once patients and residents can access improved health care the country human resources would improve. She said that this can only be possible with the appropriate training of the medical personnel. Lucas, in commenting on the many training opportunities that will be made available to staff with the Regional Health
Department, urged those benefiting to be dedicated, committed and disciplined. The REO added that they must be cognizant of the value for money through the demonstration of the skills and knowledge that they would gain from all these training programmes. Jones said that while they have already completed several training programmes for the year, there are several additional training programmes that will be implemented. Another four doctors have been added to the region’s health sector. In recognising the works that Jones has been doing since assuming the role as RHO Lucas said: “This is a young man who truly understands the needs and concerns of the ordinary man and also is very skillful in building and motivating his staff to achieve set targets.” She said that there has been evident improvement and growth since Jones has taken over the reins of the region’s health sector. “I am satisfied and with his level of professionalism and management, we at Region Four are certainly heading in the right direction,” Lucas declared.
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Still popular, Brazil’s Lula woke up in jail yesterday - Starting a 12-year sentence
Former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, second right, arrives at the Federal Police Department in Curitiba, Brazil, Saturday. CURITIBA, Brazil (AP) — Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva woke up in jail yesterday as the first current or former president in Brazil’s modern history to be incarcerated, adding a measure of unpredictability to the country’s upcoming presidential elections. Foreshadowing possible unrest in the weeks to come, about 500 supporters remained outside of the jail hours after police shot rubber bullets and sprayed tear gas to disperse the crowd. The Workers’ Party said eight people were injured during the previous night’s clashes and one was hospitalized. No serious injuries were reported. “The police cowardly attacked us last night, but we accept that we have to stay outside the perimeter. We will respect it,” said Roberto Baggio, local coordinator of the Landless Workers’ Movement. “We are expecting people from southern Brazil to arrive here today. We are not leaving until Lula is freed.” Federal police agents said da Silva did not speak during his transfer from Sao Bernardo do Campo to Curitiba. Da Silva’s fall from grace has unfolded steadily over the past week after the Supreme Federal Tribunal, the country’s top court, ruled against his petition to remain free while he continued to appeal his 12-year sentence for money laundering and corruption. But his prison conditions will not be dismal. Not considered a formal cell, the 160square-feet room that has been set aside for the former president is located on the fourth floor of the five-story Federal Police building
in Curitiba. It is mostly used as a dormitory for agents visiting from other cities across the country. Brazilian news site G1 reported that da Silva’s room has bars on the outer side of its single window and none on its door. It has enough space for a single bed and a small table now that its usual bunk beds have been removed. It also has a private bathroom with a toilet and a shower with hot water. Federal police said da Silva had bread and butter and coffee for breakfast yesterday morning and was told that he could knock on his room’s door if there was anything he needed. He was also told he would be allowed to watch TV, and police said he was planning to watch his soccer team, Corinthians, play the state championship final against their arch rivals, Palmeiras. Workers’ Party leader Gleisi Hoffmann said da Silva was in a good mood and that she accompanied the former president until he entered the room where he will serve his sentence. Meanwhile, opinions about the incarceration of da Silva remained strong in the southern city of Curitiba, which is considered to be the center of the so-called “Car Wash” investigation. Judge Sergio Moro, who oversees many of the Car Wash cases in the city and ordered da Silva arrested, is often seen as a hero for jailing politicians involved in the widespread corruption scheme. He is the latest high-profile Brazilian to be ensnared in the Car Wash investigation, which has seen several of the country’s political and business elite arrested over the last four years. He is also leading preference polls ahead of October’s presidential election.
JCF, US authorities probing Montague death threats KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) says it is leading a multi-jurisdictional investigation into allegations of threats being made on the life of the Former National Security Minister Robert Montague. The JCF, in a release yesterday, said it is being assisted by United States law enforcement counterparts with the investigation. The JCF takes all incidents of threat seriously and investigate them.
“The investigation into this particular report includes authenticating and identifying the source of the threat, which reportedly emanated from overseas. The matter is being dealt with expeditiously and all aspects of it will be fully ventilated,” said the JCF. The force also added that all the requisite actions have been taken to adequately cover the newly appointed tranport and mining minister’s safety and security. (Jamaica Observer)
Robert Montague
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Kaieteur News
Govt. support for JDF to continue KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC – Newly appointed National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang, says the Government will continue to provide the necessary resources to bolster the capabilities of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF). Chang, in a recent interview with the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) said the objective is to ensure that the JDF remains relevant in safeguarding Jamaica’s borders as well as providing training for at-risk youth in a wide range of skill areas. “The JDF does very well with the resources that they have, but they certainly need more. The JDF is the primary agency for air/sea rescue missions and to safeguard our coastal waters, and resources in that area have been depleted over the years. We have taken steps to restore capacity and they may still need more support,” Chang said. The Minister said that he is “very impressed” with the JDF’s training activities, but noted that additional support will allow the Force to strengthen offerings and create a wider pool of highly skilled individuals that can make a positive contribution to the Jamaican economy. Chang spoke following a tour of facilities at the JDF’s headquarters – Up Park Camp that was led by Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Rocky Meade. Chang said the meetings and the tour were very informative, and commended the JDF for displaying high
Dr. Horace Chang standards in carrying out its programmes and projects. “They have taken on the mission outlined by the Prime Minister very seriously and they have taken on a group of young men from inner-city areas through the National Service Corps (NSC). I was quite impressed with the work being done, and certainly that is an area that we can maintain,” he said. “It is designated that, this year, they will expand their numbers, so there have been some resources allocated in this Budget to give them the additional capacity required,” he pointed out, noting that the NSC has become a model locally and internationally. For his part, Major General Meade said the Government continues to provide “tremendous support” to the JDF, “and I can’t complain”. He noted that strategies are being implemented to quadruple the number of recruits annually, particularly through the NSC, which
creates an avenue for young people, aged 18 to 23, to be fully empowered through national service. “We have taken on the Prime Minister’s challenge to employ and engage youngsters. What we have done is to use that programme… to not only expose Jamaican youngsters to discipline and training over a year but to absorb them into the military afterwards,” he noted. “It is a win-win programme, where we are helping to get youngsters off the street, help with the employment programme and build out the Force, so that we can have the numbers to help the police with the internal security challenges. The aim is for 1,000 per year, which is four times what we normally do,” he said. Over a one-year period, the youngsters undergo a modified version of the JDF’s traditional basic military training and receive on-thejob instruction in various aspects of the JDF’s operations, such as the Coast Guard, Air Wing and Engineering. They also benefit from vocational and life skills training. Upon completion, the participants will be given the opportunity to continue on as soldiers in the JDF or join the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), Department of Correctional Services or become security guards. The NSC recruits will be remunerated accordingly, be separate in identity and fully provided for in law.
Wreckage from Russian rocket on Mayaro shore
Trinidad Guardian What was believed to be wreckage from an aircraft that washed ashore in Mayaro Saturday has been identified instead as parts of a stage rocket. Retired director general of the T&T Civil Aviation Authority Ramesh Lutchmedial positively identified the debris as parts from a rocket that was launched by the Arianespace Company, a commercial launch service provider, in French Guiana. Lutchmedial, who now practice as an aviation safety and security consultant, said “For years rocket parts have washed ashore in T&T as the Arianespace company often launches rockets from the Spaceport in Kourou. They normally wash up on the Southeastern coast such as Mayaro and Manzanilla.
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Trump warns of ‘big price’ after North Korea tells U.S. it is prepared to discuss denuclearization – source suspected Syria gas attack
An image grab taken from a video released by the Syrian Civil Defence in Douma shows an unidentified volunteer holding an oxygen mask over a child’s face at a hospital following an alleged chemical attack on the rebel-held (AFP Photo/HO) Beirut (AFP) - An alleged chemical attack that left dozens dead in Syria’s rebelheld town of Douma sparked international outrage yesterday, with US President Donald Trump warning there would be a “big price to pay”. As condemnation of Saturday’s attack poured in, rebels began evacuating Douma, the last sliver they held of their one-time stronghold Eastern Ghouta, under a deal with Syria’s regime. Trump’s threat came exactly a year and a day after the US fired cruise missiles at a Syrian air base in retaliation for a deadly sarin gas attack in 2017. “Many dead, including women and children, in mindless CHEMICAL attack in Syria,” Trump wrote on Twitter, lashing out at Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russia’s Vladimir Putin, a key ally of the regime. “President Putin, Russia and Iran are responsible for backing Animal Assad. Big price to pay,” he said. Asked whether the US could again respond with a missile strike, White House homeland security adviser Tom Bossert told ABC television: “I wouldn’t take anything off the table.” Damascus and its allies have denounced the accusations, with the Syrian regime brushing them off as an “unconvincing broken record”. Russia’s foreign ministry called the latest reports a provocation and warned against them being used to justify military action. “A military intervention under far-fetched and
fabricated pretexts in Syria, where there are Russian soldiers at the request of the legitimate Syrian government, is absolutely unacceptable and could have the most dire consequences,” it said. France, which has repeatedly said evidence of chemical use in Syria could prompt military action, called for an urgent UN Security Council meeting on Monday. Their request was also signed by eight other UN Security Council members including the US and Britain, while Russia asked for a separate Security Council meeting to discuss global threats to peace. Syria’s White Helmets, who act as first responders in rebel-held areas of Syria, said “poisonous chlorine gas” had been used late Saturday. In a joint statement with the Syrian American Medical Society, the White Helmets said more than 500 cases were brought to medical centres “with symptoms indicative of exposure to a chemical agent”. It said six died while being treated, and rescuers found 42 more people dead in their homes with similar conditions. Footage posted online by the White Helmets, which it was not possible to verify, showed victims with yellowed skin crumpled on the ground and foaming at the mouth. “The scene was horrifying. So many people were choking, so many people,” White Helmets member Firas al-Doumi told AFP from inside Douma. A member of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) inside the town said
volunteers were still trying their best despite the organisation’s Douma branch being out of operation. “This morning, we drove around and found bodies lying in the streets. We took four trips to bring the corpses back, each with three or five dead,” the SARC member told AFP. He said the hospital was teeming with dead and wounded, as well as civilians taking cover from the previous night’s bombardment. “Imagine, people were cooking for their kids next to corpses. There’s nowhere to bury the dead now.” The reports prompted international anger, with UN chief Antonio Guterres saying any confirmed use of chemical weapons would be “abhorrent”. Pope Francis described the allegations as “terrible news”, adding that “nothing, nothing can justify the use of such devices of extermination against defenceless people and populations.” The European Union said “the evidence points towards yet another chemical attack by the regime”, while opposition ally Turkey stated it had a “strong suspicion” Assad was to blame. But key backer Iran came to Assad’s defence, saying the allegations were a Western conspiracy and echoing Russia’s warning against foreign military action. Douma is the last remaining opposition-held town in Ghouta, the former rebel bastion outside Damascus that has now been ravaged by a seven-week regime assault.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - North Korea has told the United States for the first time that it is prepared to discuss the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula when North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets President Donald Trump, a U.S. official said yesterday. U.S. and North Korean officials have held secret contacts recently in which Pyongyang directly confirmed its willingness to hold the unprecedented summit, the official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity. Until now, Washington had relied mostly on ally South Korea’s assurance of Kim’s intentions. South Korean envoys visited Washington last month to convey Kim’s invitation to meet. Trump, who has exchanged bellicose threats with Kim in the past year, surprised the world by quickly agreeing to meet Kim to discuss the crisis over Pyongyang’s development of nuclear weapons capable of hitting the United States. But Pyongyang has not broken its public silence on the summit, which U.S. officials say is being planned for May. There was no immediate word on the possible venue for the
talks, which would be the first ever between a sitting U.S. president and North Korean leader. The U.S. official declined to say exactly when and how the U.S.-North Korea communications had taken place but said the two sides had held multiple direct contacts. “The U.S. has confirmed that Kim Jong Un is willing to discuss the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula ,” said a second U.S. official. Questions remain about how North Korea would define denuclearization, which Washington sees as Pyongyang abandoning its nuclear weapons programme. North Korea has said over the years that it could consider giving up its nuclear arsenal if the United States removed its troops from South Korea and withdrew its so-called nuclear umbrella of deterrence from South Korea and Japan. Some analysts have said Trump’s willingness to meet Kim handed North Korea a diplomatic win, as the United States had insisted for years that any such summit be preceded by North Korean steps to denuclearize.
Kim Jong Un looks at a rocket warhead tip after a simulated test of atmospheric re-entry of a ballistic missile, at an unidentified location in this undated photo released March 15, 2016. REUTERS/KCNA
China’s state media urges U.S. industry to rally against Trump tariff threat BEIJING (Reuters) Chinese state media yesterday called on industrial and commercial sectors in the United States to rally against President Donald Trump’s plans for an additional $100 billion in tariffs against Chinese goods. Trump threatened the extra tariffs after China last week imposed $3 billion of tariffs on U.S. fruits, nuts, wine and pork, just hours after the United States unveiled an initial $50 billion in tariffs on Chinese goods. The tit-for-tat tariffs between the world’s two largest economies follows a U.S. finding that China was engaging in unfair trade practices in connection with intellectual property protections. China rejects the
charge. “We call on the international business community including the United States industrial and commercial circles to take prompt and effective measures and urge the U.S. government to correct its errors,” said state newspaper People’s Daily. It also said that Chinese enterprises and industry will band together to support any government action against the tariffs. China warned on Friday it was fully prepared to
respond with a “fierce counter strike” of fresh trade measures if Trump imposes the additional $100 billion in tariffs. China’s media, which is under strict control by authorities, has staunchly defended the country’s position, saying it is a victim of U.S. trade protectionism. On Friday, China launched a World Trade Organization complaint against the United States, triggering a 60-day deadline for the two countries to settle the matter.
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Narine leaves troubles behind Vettel wins incident-packed in match-winning fifty Bahrain Grand Prix as Lewis Hamilton finishes third
Sunil Narine Kolkata, India, CMC – Sunil Narine cast aside the recent troubles over his action to blast a sensational half-century in a Man-ofthe-Match performance, as Kolkata Knight Riders stunned Royal Challengers Bangalore by four wickets in the Indian Premier League here yesterday. Opening the batting, the left-handed Trinidadian struck exactly 50 from 19 balls as KKR chased down 177 to win with seven balls at Eden Gardens. Captain Dinesh Karthik finished with an unbeaten 35 while Nitish Rana chipped in with 34, to further drive a run chase that wobbled at tNarine, plagued with problems over his action prior to the tournament, had earlier produced a miserly spell, conceding just 30 runs from his four overs while accounting for the wicket of the dangerous New Zealand opener
Brendon McCullum for 43. South African star AB de Villiers topscored with 44 while Mandeep Singh got 37 and captain Virat Kohli, 31. Quinton de Kock fell cheaply for four in the second over but McCullum and Kohli added 45 for the second to revive the innings, before de Villiers joined Kohli to add a further 64 for the third wicket. De Villiers faced 23 balls and belted a four and five sixes but he and Kohli fell in successive deliveries to off-spinner Rana in the 15th over, leaving Mandeep to rally the innings with an 18-ball cameo which contained four fours and two sixes. Narine then gave the innings a rollicking start despite Lynn’s demise, smashing four fours and five sixes as he put on 49 off 21 balls for the second wicket with Robin Uthappa (13). In the fourth over of the innings from England seamer Chris Woakes (3-36) which went for 20 runs, Narine pummeled a pair of fours and sixes and also tore into ofbreak bowler Washington Sundar in the following over which leaked 19 runs. A single off the last ball of the over saw Narine reach his half-century off just 17 balls – the joint fourth fastest in the IPL – but he perished off the second ball of the next over from seamer Umesh Yadav (2-27), bowled dragging on a low full toss. Karthik, who faced 29 balls and counted four fours, kept KKR on course for victory in a 55-run fourth wicket stand with Rana who collected two fours and sixes in a 25-ball knock. West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell made 15 from 11 balls. The start when marquee opener Chris Lynn fell cheaply for five in the second over.
Sunshine Girls trounce Irish to remain unbeaten Goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Reid
Gold Coast, Australia, CMC – Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls won their third on the bounce here Sunday when they whipped Northern Ireland, 79-41, at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, to remain unbeaten in Pool A. They stormed to a 17-11 lead at the end of the first quarter and never eased up, increasing their lead in every period, especially in the final one where they completely dominated their opponents. Goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Reid was nearly perfect, scoring 32 from 33 attempts while Romelda Aiken shot 26 of 28, in her stint also at goal shooter. Goal attack Rebekah
Robinson chipped in with 10 from 11. For the Irish, goal shooter Lisa Bowman scored 23 from 32 attempts and was supported by her sister Kyla who weighed in with 11 from 16. Entering the second quarter with a six-point cushion, Jamaica comfortably extended that advantage to post a 35-22 lead at half-time. The second half was a blowout. Jamaica outscored the Irish 21-11 to lead 56-33 at the end of the third quarter and outshot their opponents 23-8 in the final quarter to coast to victory. Jamaica will come up against Caribbean neighbours Barbados today.
Vettel (left), Bottas (centre) and Hamilton celebrate with champagne following the conclusion of the Bahrain Grand Prix. Boring, eh? Formula One again revealed its capacity to defy a prognosis of death by tedium with an incident-rich Bahrain Grand Prix won dramatically by Sebastian Vettel on tyres as thin as tissue. Kimi Raikkonen ran over his unfortunate Ferrari team member and broke the mechanic’s leg after being released early from a pit stop. The unfortunate tyrefitter was holding the wheel in his hands, waiting for the old one to be taken off. His colleague could not free it, Raikkonen was sent on his way, and the mechanic in question, standing in front of the rear left tyre, was bowled over by the accelerating Ferrari. The mechanic, named as Francesco Cigarini, was taken to the medical centre, where he was diagnosed with a broken shin bone and fibula. He was later moved to hospital for surgery. The FIA summoned Ferrari to hear their explanation for what had gone wrong and handed down a £44,000 fine. In a statement, the FIA said: ‘The stewards determined that the car was released unsafely. The team released the car in a manner endangering team personnel and causing injury.’ Raikkonen, blameless for the incident, had been on target for a podium appearance and was bitterly disappointed to have to retire from the race. The beneficiary of the Finn’s withdrawal was Hamilton, who moved up a place to finish third.But Hamilton was angry with
Verstappen after they came together in an early skirmish that caused the gung-ho Dutchman a punctured tyre and led to his retirement. Watching a replay of the incident in the green room pre-podium ceremony as he took off his balaclava, Hamilton turned to Vettel and said: ‘Such a d***head.’ The world champion was no more forgiving half an hour later, saying: ‘There has to be respect between drivers, and it didn’t feel as if he was showing any at that stage. It was a silly manoeuvre for him because he didn’t finish the race. He has made some mistakes recently. It was unnecessary.’ Verstappen, who spun in Melbourne a fortnight before, was certainly robust. But his Red Bull boss Christian Horner defended the 19-yearold’s aggressive driving as the reason people switch on their TVs, and, in a sanitised era, he has a point. But while Verstappen probably fell out of the title reckoning before he had entered it, not so Vettel, whose second successive victory took him into an unexpected 17-point lead in the table. The German’s triumph in Melbourne had an element of luck to it; this one did not. It was a nervy win and an expert one. Vettel was hanging on as Valtteri Bottas got his Mercedes right on the tail of the Ferrari on the final lap. Perhaps if it had been Verstappen or Hamilton, the pursuer would have passed the red machine in front. But,
no, Vettel prevailed by half a second over Bottas. Hamilton was six seconds off the pace. ‘Fortunately, he ran out of laps,’ said Vettel of Bottas. ‘It worked, just.’ The ‘it’ that ‘worked’ was the gamble that he could make it to the end with just one change of tyres. Mercedes had moved Hamilton to the medium compound, the more durable if slightly slower selection than the softs that Vettel was put on. The initial plan at Ferrari was to bring the German in again. But that could not have been accomplished without handing the win to Bottas. So Vettel, expertly driving a Ferrari that was lighter on its feet than the Mercedes, nursed his rubber home brilliantly for 40 long laps. As for the move of the day, that accolade goes to Hamilton. Early on, he found himself alongside Fernando Alonso with Nico Hulkenberg and Esteban Ocon in front of him when he pulled out and powered down the right-hand side of the straight at 220mph, turning up at the first corner ahead of them all. Bravo. Hamilton was up to fifth and about to pass Pierre Gasly of Toro Rosso, which he did easily. After that, passing was impossible. Gasly, it should be noted, distinguished himself with a fourth-place. It was a dreadful day for Red Bull. Both cars retired, with Daniel Ricciardo suffering an electrical shutdown to go with cavalier Max’s exit. ‘This sport can rip your heart out,’ said Ricciardo. (MailOnline).
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Road to Mecca V
Defending Champs Bounty Colts, Eagles, Ravens and Royals shoot to winning starts Half Mile Bulls’ Devon Thompson goes to the ring during his team’s 99-50 loss to Bounty Colts on Saturday evening.
Story and photos by Calvin Chapman The Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) was buzzing with action on Saturday evening last when the first four, group stage, roundrobin matches bounced off in the 2018 edition of the prestigious National Club Basketball Championships, dubbed ‘Road to Mecca V’. Action got underway as early as 16:00hrs with fans being allowed to enter free of cost until the knockout stages of the tournament. Eagles Basketball Club, led by 28-points from Travis Belgrave secured the first win when they defeated Kobras 63-51. It was a disappointing loss for Kobras which ended third in Road to Mecca IV last December to a team that is returning to the National Championships after a two-year hiatus. The game was close at half time with the score 29-27, a slim two-point lead for Kobras but Eagles soared and capitalised on some loose play by their opponents and chipped away to a ten-point lead during that period of play. The third quarter was decisive for Eagles’ win and Kobras only managed to put points on the board after more than half of the period had already expired. Mark Wills was always part of the three-point action but his defensive work, mainly on the rebounds was important as Eagles shut Kobras out in the final minutes of the game. In this competition which will see the winner receiving $100,000 for most rebounds, no rebound stats were recorded in this opening game. In the second match, two-time defending champion Colts were one point short of a century as they completely decimated Linden
Amateur Basketball Association’s (LABA) Half Mile Bulls 98-50. In the 49-point victory, National Center (C) Shane Webster was the main torment of the Bulls with his 24-point game high performance more than enough to tame them, almost equaling half of the losers’ final tally. Derwain Gladstone (19) and Shelroy Thomas (12) were the other standout performers in the game. Terran Welch (18 points) tried to rescue Bulls but his efforts were not sufficient to prevent such a heavy loss. LABA Champions and last year’s runnersup, Victory Valley Royals made light work of city club Republic Bank Nets in a 78-61 victory. Juan Johnson scored a game-high 20 points in a losing cause for Nets while Lawrence Da Costa top scored with 17 points for Royals, his teammate Daniel Lee sunk 15 in the win. In the final game of the evening, Dynas’ Ravens, 4th place finishers in Mecca IV, defeated East Coast based Plaisance Guardians 65-57. Dorian Lewis (19) led Ravens, that had overcame Eagles in the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) Mecca qualifiers, to a comfortable eight-point win over Guardians. Lewis’ skipper, Ryan Stephney, assisted with 14 valuable points. The competition which continues this Wednesday with three more matches at the same venue will see the champion’s cash in on $600,000, 2nd place $400,000 and 3rd, $300,000. Meanwhile, the MVP will pocket $200,000, player with the Most Points, Rebounds and Most Improved will each receive $100,000 each.
Royal’s Marlon Pollydore looks for a pass into the paint during his team’s very comfortable 78-61 win over city side Republic Bank Nets.
Blake has Bolt’s backing after reaching 100m final Gold Coast, Australia, CMC – Four-time Olympic medallist, Yohan Blake, will chase his first Commonwealth Games gold after cruising into the final of Monday marquee event. The Jamaican clocked the fastest time of 10.06 seconds to win the first semi-final yesterday, and install himself as favourite to capture the final at Carrara Stadium. He will have two other Caribbean runners for company after Jason Rogers of St Kitts and Nevis and Kemar Hyman of Cayman Islands both qualified. While Hyman won the third semifinal in a season-best 10.10, Rogers qualified for the final by virtue of being one of the fastest qualifiers, after finishing third in semi-final one in 10.21. Blake, a former World champion, will now take on the likes of South African speedster Akani Simbine who was second in semi-final three in 10.12, and Englishman Adam Gemili who was second in the opening semi in 10.11. The 28-year-old, the second fastest man in history, said he planned to produce something special for the final. “There’s a lot more in the tank. I’ll just be going and speaking to my coach, seeing what he says, then tomorrow I will come back and lay it down,” he said. Blake will have the backing of his friend
Jamaica’s Yohan Blake and greatest sprinter of all time, Usain Bolt, who is expected here to witness the final. Bolt has already thrown his support behind Blake, a former training partner and sprint relay teammate. “He should be flying in on the eighth or the ninth, one of them. I’m looking forward to it,” Blake said. “This morning he messaged me on Instagram and said ‘I believe in you.” He added: “[I] just come here and get the job done. Usain told me ‘Yohan, you’ve got to win, you know what it means, you know you can’t go back home.’” There was disappointment, however, for several Caribbean sprinters. Barbadian Ramon Gittens
(10.44) and Trinidadian Emmanuel Callender (10.54) were last home in semi-final one while Jamaican Oshane Bailey (10.32), Antiguan Cejhae Greene (10.39) and Guyana’s Emmanuel Archibald (10.46) finished outside the top three in semifinal two. In the last semi-final, Trinidadian Keston Bledman (10.30) finished fifth, Jamaican Nigel Ellis (10.38) was seventh while Bahamian Warren Fraser was last in 10.44. Meanwhile in the women 100 metres, Jamaican Christania Williams led six Caribbean sprinters into today’s final, as she won the third semi-final in time of 10.22 with Trinidadian Reyare Thomas clinching second in 11.36. Trinidadian Michelle-Lee Ahye won semi-final two in 11.25, with Jamaican Gayon Evans following her home in 11.37. However, Shenel Crooke (11.69) of St Kitts and Nevis and Bahamian V’Alonee Robinson (12.09) missed out. In semi-final one, Jamaican Natasha Morrison qualified by finishing second in 11.27 while Trinidadian Khalifa St Fort finished third but squeezed through to the final by virtue of her 11.35 which left her as one of the next two fastest qualifiers. Tahesia Harrigan-Scott finished seventh in 11.63.
Cedenio, Quow book spots in 400m semis Gold Coast, Australia, CMC – Olympic finalist Machel Cedenio and Trinidadian teammate Renny Quow, headlined Caribbean runners booking their places in the semifinals of the men’s 400 metres here yesterday. The 22-year-old Cedenio clocked 45.68 to win the opening heat, with Jamaican Javon Francis second in 45.70 to also qualify for the all-important next round. Grenadian Royan Marcelle finished fifth in a personal best 46.78 seconds to go through as one of the six fastest nonautomatic qualifiers. The 30-year-old Quow, a World Championship bronze medallist, clinched the third heat in 46.42, leading a trio of Caribbean qualifiers in the race. Vincentian Kimorie Shearman was timed at 46.66 in finishing second while Guyana’s Winston George trailed in third in 46.92. Grenadian Bralon Taplin also ensured his place in the
Trinidadian Machel Cedenio semis when he captured heat six, clocking 45.11 while Warren Hazel of St Kitts and Nevis also advanced with a time of 46.83, despite finishing fourth. Meanwhile, Jamaican Rusheen McDonald finished second in heat four to India Muhammed Anas Yahiya, crossing the line in 45.99 but there was no such success for London 2012 Olympic
bronze medallist, Trinidadian Lalonde Gordon, who was sixth in 49.07. Demish Gaye, also of Jamaica, reached the next round when he finished third in 45.70 in heat five, accompanying Bahamian Michael Mathieu who propressed as one of the fastest non-automatic qualifiers with 46.97, which was only good enough for fifth. Dominica’s Derick St Jean (47.27), St Lucia’s Mavric Pamphile (48.66) and Angelo Garland of Turks and Caicos (48.38) all failed to advance. In the men’s shot put, Dominican Dillon Simon threw a season-best 19.44 metres to reach the final of the event while Jamaican Ashinia Miller also progressed with a throw of 19.35. Trinidadian Akeem Stewart also recorded a season-best in qualifying, measuring 19.12m while O’Dayne Richards of Jamaica joined him in the final with a throw of 19.65.
Monday April 09, 2018
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Kaieteur News
GCA/NYTS 50-over U-19 Cricket NSC hands over lights to BV Beaton’s ton & 2-17 Triumph 8thof May Movement fires DCC to title
Annual Village Anniversary Celebration Continues
Latecia Stuart receives one of the Floodlights from Christopher Jones in the presence of members of the BV Triumph 8th of May Movement. Director of Sport, Mr. Christopher Jones on Saturday last donated floodlights and footballs on behalf of the National Sports Commission (NSC) to the BV Triumph 8th of May Movement. The presentation ceremony took place at the Beterverwagting Community Centre ground, on Republic Drive. Mr. Jones asserted that the NSC is pleased to make this contribution at this time to the BV Triumph 8th of May Movement, as the committee hosts its Annual Village Anniversary Celebrations. The Director, who appeared impressed with the initiative undertaken by the 8th of May Movement, stated that he had earlier pledged his commitment to execute enhancement works to the Beterverwagting Community Centre ground. While these works were not executed in 2017 as planned, the NSC is honored to fulfill its promise as it relates to the “Light It Up Campaign.” He stated that the BV Community Centre ground is the very first ground country-wide to benefit from the “Light It Up Campaign.” He further indicated that the NSC trusts that this valuable donation will help to
encourage more effective utilization of the ground by residents. Chairperson of the 8th of May Movement, Latecia Stuart took the opportunity to thank the NSC on behalf of the residents of the communities of Beterverwagting and Triumph. She noted that the contribution will indeed aid in the successful execution of the activities planned to commemorate the village anniversary. Stuart also indicated that the donation will help in advancing the community’s quest to revitalize sports as an avenue to reducing the social ills currently faced by the community. Further, she noted that in keeping with the Movement’s intention to promote community development, this anniversary celebration will be used as a catalyst to continue the spirit of cooperation and togetherness which their village ancestors successfully embraced while building this community. Stuart mentioned that the Beterverwagting Triumph 8thof May Movement has an elaborate vision for the implementation of development programmes in the areas of education,
sports, culture and skills training. She highlighted that a part of this programme includes the proposed establishment of a major multi-sports complex, a heritage park for the preservation of the communities’ tangible and intangible culture and a community skills training centre. She also used the forum to reaffirm the Movement’s dedication to working with the residents of the community, the National Sports Commission, the Regional Democratic Council, the Neighborhood Democratic Council and all other relevant entities in the development process of BV/Triumph. Stuart concluded by once again, thanking the National Sports Commission for
signaling its interest in the Movement’s vision and hope for the community of BV/ Triumph. She also indicated that the 8th of May Movement hopes that this marks the beginning of a progressive and enduring partnership to empower Beterverwagting and Triumph as pilot communities for the implementation of sustainable people-centered development programmes geared at improving the wellbeing of all persons regardless of age, gender, socio-economic status, etc. The Movement reemphasised its commitment and eagerness to collaborate with all stakeholders in chartering the communities’ course towards continued advancement.
It was carnage at the DCC ground yesterday as the home side crushed an outclassed MSC by 213 runs in the GCA New York Tri State 50 over Under-19 final to follow-up wins by their U-15 and U-17 teams over the Easter vacation. Watched by a good size crowd, Man-of-the-Match Nkosi Beaton reached the boundary 17 times and cleared it thrice in an accomplished 120 from 110 balls. A swashbuckling 93 (6x4 8x6) from just 54 balls off the bat of pacer Qumar Torrington and an important 65-ball 62 (7x4 2x6) from Ashmead Nedd powered DCC to 363 from 46.5 overs after they had found themselves in deep trouble at 42-6. Ntini Permaul (4-59) and Jeremiah Scott (2-49) had ripped through the top order before the hosts were allowed to dig themselves out of the hole. MSC, chasing the second highest total in this tournament following the 406 against GNIC by the New York Tri State unit, could only reach 150 in 31 overs despite an entertaining 59 off 36 balls (6x4 3x6) from Skipper Jeremiah Scott and 43 (5x4) from Tuen Hicks. Sagar Hertheramani (419), Nedd (3-28) and Beaton (2-17) were the best bowlers for DCC which has asserted themselves as the strongest youth club in Guyana. Set an improbable victory target, MSC began positively with Hicks flicking Torrington, who worked up some pace, for four and cut Diquan Bamfield for another boundary. His opening partner Wayne McPherson (10) whipped To r r i n g t o n sweetly off his legs for four before he was taken at slip off Beaton. Wayne Bollers (5) joined Hicks at 50-1 in the ninth over but did not last long being removed by Beaton eight runs later. Scott hit Mootoo for six and two fours while Hicks continued to play a fighting knock but when
Bicentini reflects on Curacao improvement... From page 32 result. We did well,” added Bicentini. Last summer’s Gold Cup proved to be a great learning experience for Bicentini’s squad. Although they lost all three matches to Jamaica (2-0), El Salvador (2-0) and Mexico (2-0), the lessons learned have since been applied. “We were able to offer good resistance [at the Gold Cup], but we fell short in terms of finishing the chances we had in all three matches. In the games after the Gold Cup we did well against Qatar. Only in the first match
against Bolivia did we fall back into our familiar pattern of creating many opportunities, but not finishing. In the second game we did better. I think we have improved a lot in holding our own under heavy resistance from a strong opponent like Bolivia,” said Bicentini. It all sets up Curacao to have a successful campaign in 2019/20 Concacaf Nations League CNL qualifying in which the Caribbean side will face Grenada, Cuba, Guadeloupe and Antigua and Barbuda. Bicentini certainly likes how his team is shaping up for the four matches. (CONCACAF)
well set for a fifty he was bowled by Nedd to end the third wicket stand of 54 with MSC on 112-3 in 23rd over. It was left to the Skipper to carry the fight and he hit Nedd for two fours in three balls before hitting the left arm spinner back over his head for six. But wickets continued to fall around him and when he was eventually removed by Hertheramani at 136-7, it was all over for the Thomas Lands side. E a r l i e r, Brandon Jaikarran (0) was run out while Permaul trapped Alphius Bookie (0) LBW as two wickets tumbled with the score on 10. Garrick Persaud (6) edged Scott to slip five runs later before Permaul induced Joshua Persaud (15) to ‘nick’ a catch to second slip at 274. Daniel Mootoo (7) fell to Scott at 38-5 before Hertheramani (5) was bowled by Permaul as DCC stumbled to 42-6. But things began to go horribly wrong for MSC as Nedd and Beaton joined forces in ‘operation rebuild’, Permaul (3-26 from 4 overs) was inexplicably pulled out of the attack by Scott. Nedd, a member of the Windies U-19 World Cup team, played some spanking shots and was supported by the burly Beaton who played the supporting role. Nedd was eventually LBW to Ray Seecharan at 164-7 and whatever thoughts MSC were harbouring of swinging the pendulum back in their favour were dashed by the merciless onslaught that followed. To r r i n g t o n w a s i n pugnacious mode and boundaries rained at the small DCC ground from his bat while the more orthodox Beaton soon joined Raymond Ramrattan from the USA side as the only batsmen to reach tons in the competition. Beaton was taken at Point when McPherson broke the 157-run stand but by then the match had already slipped away from MSC. Torrington, picked more for his bowling, swung his bat lustily and inflicted some mighty blows but when seven short of his first century, Kareem Whitney hit a free ht high to mid-on and Torrington, looking to get the strike, was run out at the Striker’s end to be last out. (Sean Devers)
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Monday April 09, 2018
Kaieteur News
7th LBFCC/Baker’s Memorial Cycling Classic
Eastman tops star studded field in open category; Briton John and Paul Choo-Wee-Nam also win
The respective category winners pose with members of the Baker’s Family following yesterday’s presentation of prizes. The seventh edition of the annual Baker’s Memorial Cycling Classic which is organised by the Linden Bauxite Flyers Cycle Club (LBFCC) came off yesterday in the Bauxite Mining Town with a bang and saw Team Coco’s Hamza Eastman pedaling to victory in the open event. Eastman who clocked Two Hours 30 Minutes 20 Seconds to win the 60-mile showdown also won 9 sprint prizes as he outsprinted
Deerag Garbarran in a two-way sprint to the finish line. Jamal John, Paul DeNobrega, Curtis Dey and Walter Grant-Stuart completed the top six places in that order. United We Stand Cycle Club’s Briton John won the Junior Category Ajay Gopilall and Adealie Hodge in that order while the Under-45 clash saw Paul Choo-Wee-Nam winning from Junior Niles and Ralph Williams.
Bicentini reflects on Curacao improvement ahead of Nations League qualifying Willemstad, Curacao - It has been a remarkable 12 months for the Curacao National Team. In the last year alone, the Caribbean nation won its first ever Caribbean Cup, played in its first ever Gold Cup, and last week earned a 1-1 draw and then a 1-0 win over CONMEBOL side Bolivia in front of the home fans in Willemstad. Speaking with Concacaf.com, Curacao Head Coach Remko Bicentini reflected on what the results versus Bolivia say about his team. “To get to a high level is in my opinion not the most difficult, but to be able to continue playing there is what matters,” said Bicentini. “We won after the Gold Cup in and against Qatar and now had these last two games against Bolivia. Bolivia is a big opponent for us, and much higher in the FIFA rankings. We have mainly learned to deal with certain
Remko Bicentini situations in a disciplined way throughout the game. The players of Bolivia are accustomed to playing big matches and we had to make sure that we kept playing our own game for these two games, using our strengths and not adapting to Bolivia in order to achieve a good Continued on page 31
Jonathan Ramchushit was the leading juvenile followed by Esau Lowden. Shenika Texiera and Abigale Jeffery were the two females that competed and finished in that order. The race which rolled off from outside the Baler’s residence at the GTT Junction saw the riders going through the Town before returning to the starting point for the commencement of the event.
They riders then proceeded to the Linden Highway before turning back at the Moblissa Hill, doing that circuit three times. The Baker’s family expressed gratitude to the cyclists and officials for coming out in their numbers to make the event, which is held in memory of their late mother, father and sister, possible. Attractive cash prizes and trophies were handed over to the top six seniors and the top three in the other
categories. Grant-Stuart was presented with a special prize apart from his 6th place reward. He is expected to leave Guyana later this week to compete at the UCI C1 Para-Cycling Event at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, Montreal, Canada this month end. Sponsors of the event were Squadra, Sports Plus, The Baker’s Family & Friends and Clear Water Guyana Inc.
Bermuda poised to grow from CONCACAF Nations League
Hamilton, Bermuda - For the Bermuda National Team, 2019/20 CONCACAF Nations League (CNL) qualifying is more than just playing four matches, it’s about the long-term growth of the sport in the island country. “Most definitely the CNL will help grow the game in Bermuda,” said Bermuda FW Justin Donawa in an interview with Concacaf.com. “We struggle to get games, usually only three a year, so this is all positive for Bermuda. It will help Bermuda football so much. I feel proud and excited to be part of the process,” added Donawa, who currently plays college soccer in the United States at Dartmouth College. Bermuda will certainly have their work cut out for them, as they will face Aruba, Saint Maarten, Central American heavyweights El Salvador and the Dominican Republic. Donawa says that Bermuda feel like they can compete against all four teams. “We have the mindset that we can win the Aruba and Saint Maarten games. El Salvador will be difficult. We have to make the most of our opportunities. We’ll need to take what is given to us,” said Donawa. Bermuda are coming off a productive FIFA international break in which they narrowly fell 3-2 to Antigua and Barbuda before a 0-0 draw at Barbados. Donawa feels like there were some important lessons learned in the two matches. “I think against Antigua we sold ourselves short. We were the aggressor, we controlled the tempo and we feel like we should have beaten them. Against Barbados it was good to get a clean sheet, that’s always a positive, but we had chances that we didn’t take. Still, it shows that we can compete and the CNL will give us another chance to do that,” concluded Donawa. (CONCACAF)
Forward Justin Donawa in action playing for Dartmouth College (Photo courtesy Dartmouth College)