Wednesday April 11 ,2018
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Kaieteur News
This Govt. brought back to life our local democracy and will never do out that in further- Granger.The last time Local clamouring for transparency the people and empowers oranything to repress it pointed ance of local democracy, Government Elections (LGE) and democracy after failing to dinary citizens to become DEAR EDITOR, Municipal elections, held in March 2016, will be held again this year. I wish to underscore the importance of Local Government Elections in Guyana, which are due in November of this year. These elections will afford citizens the right to determine who administers their towns and how. Mayors and Deputy Mayors are vital to the entire system of governance. They must commit to ensuring the delivery of public services within their municipalities and act in the interests of their constituents, consult their constituents and citizens in the decision-making processes, which are likely to affect their well-being, and conduct their duties, at all times, in accordance with the Constitution and the Laws of Guyana and remain faithful to their oath of office. The Coalition Govern-
ment has already outlined its intention to contest this year’s elections as one party, the same way that they came together as one party to contest the May 2015 Regional and General Elections in which they ousted the PPP/C ‘s reign of 23 years. The Alliance For Change Party through its Chairman, Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan made it emphatically clear that despite the issues, which will be addressed between the party and their Coalition counterparts, APNU and AFC will contest the elections together. But the PPP/C with its usual politicking is telling its supporters to “Kick the PNC/ AFC out” of your Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), Town Councils and Mayor and City Council (M&CC). However, it should be
whenever the Government tries to train the Chairmen and councillors to become more efficient and to deliver a better service to the community, the PPP reverses this training and makes it counterproductive. It is always about finding the ‘political twist’ to garner ‘political mileage’, never about development. Former president Bharrat Jagdeo was recently quoted in another section of the media as saying, “They took great credit for returning local government democracy, for ten years stymieing it in that body that we had, the Joint Committee.” It is worth noting that that Local Government Bill, which was in effect vetoed by President Ramotar, was one of the first pieces of legislation passed by the new government and assented to in August 2015 by President
Why only G/town-based Chess players selected for the Junior tournament in Suriname? DEAR EDITOR, I recently learnt that a junior chess team was sent to Suriname for a tournament in that country by the Guyana Chess Federation. I have been informed that all the selected players came from or around Georgetown. If this is true, then it smacks of discrimination against players from the rural areas like Berbice. My sons, Marley and Darwin London, aged 17 and 16 respectively, are prominent in the game of Chess here in Berbice, with the younger, Darwin, winning the Individual Regional Schools tournament six years in a row; that is to say from the age of 10, he has been the champion. Darwin caught the eyes of Stabroek News’ Chess Columnist, Mr. Errol Tiwari, and
was featured or mentioned in his column on no less than five occasions over the years, and has been identified as a special talent that should be groomed. Darwin’s playing of the game has been described as beautiful to watch, due to the flowing lines he employs and his sound strategies. Marley is almost as prolific, but he plays Chess for his school team and has been instrumental in helping his team achieve the status of a chess powerhouse in Berbice. These are facts that can be easily checked by reviewing Mr. Tiwari’s past columns. My question is, if these two youngsters are to develop and help to put our country’s name on the Chess
map, why aren’t they getting the exposure to competition that they deserve so much? I taught them the game and I consider myself an “ok” player (I am being a bit modest here), yet I rarely draw a game with these two strategists, and that speaks volumes for their competence. We need to have my sons notified of competitions (the Guyana Chess Federation’s Coordinator for Berbice has our telephone numbers) so that they can have the exposure they deserve in order to develop their game further, though I sense that they may develop other players also. The National Federation must be aware that Chess is not played only in Georgetown. Sincerely John London
were held in Guyana was in 1994, a full two decades and more ago. Prior to that, they were held in 1970; therefore, when the electorate goes to the polls in 2018, it would be doing so for only the third LGE in 48 years. This is a burning shame for the PPP/C operatives, who are now trying to sanitize themselves with shrill calls on the APNU+AFC government,
hold LGE for over two decades. President David Granger has said, that it is the people who ultimately have a right to determine their fate as the administration leaders of the nine capital towns in this country. The president also reiterated his Government‘s commitment in ensuring that the Local Government continues to function in the interest of
more increasingly involved in the administration of their own communities. This is being made possible through regular elections and concomitant training. Jagdeo et al must understand that it is this Government, which brought back to life our local democracy and will never do anything to repress it. Best Regards Dillon Goring
It is not too late to scrap the parking meter project in its entirety DEAR EDITOR, It seems almost a done deal that the infamous parking meters will be re-introduced in the city of Georgetown. The way is already cleared with the pronouncement by Minister of State Joseph Harmon that the Government will not unnecessarily intervene in the affairs of the Council. This has effectively tied the hands of the Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan regarding any possible intervention as was earlier the case. The Alliance For Change for its part, has practically capitulated by directing the absence of their Councillors at a crucial meeting to vote on the issue. The only dissenting votes emanated from the two PPP councillors who, despite their best efforts, were unable to influence the vote.The fact of the matter is that notwithstanding the seeming reluctance by central government to openly endorse the parking meters, the voting pattern in the Council contains all the elements of
an orchestrated and centrallydirected plan to have the decision railroaded despite resistance from a wide crosssection of citizens of Georgetown and, for that matter, the country as a whole. Apart from the unacceptable terms and conditions of the contract, which remain highly skewed in favour of the contractor, the imposition of parking meters will certainly impose new burdens on the working people and the business community, which is already reeling from the impact of a sluggish economy and reduced consumer spending. In the final analysis, however, it is the ordinary people who will be forced to carry the burden of the parking meter fee structure by way of higher consumer prices and transportation costs. Georgetown is not ready for the installation of parking meters. The per capita income and spending power of Guyanese is by far too low to
justify an additional financial burden. Additionally, the road infrastructure remains largely under-developed, even by regional standards, and with no organized and structured parking allotments. But at an even more fundamental level, it seems that the views and concerns of citizens are of little or no significance as far as the city lords and the current political administration are concerned. The court challenge to the parking meter still remains inconclusive but this was not enough to prevent the APNUdominated Council from their unbridled haste to have the decision implemented. It is not too late to scrap the parking meter project in its entirety. All that is required is the political will to so do by those who walk the corridors of power. The way things look, this may be asking for too much, but in my view, it is the only sensible thing to do. Hydar Ally
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Not a caring government DEAR EDITOR, The unemployment rate in Guyana is staggering, and it is climbing every day. In the three years of this APNU+AFC Coalition, the government has demonstrated its inability to grow the economy and to create jobs, especially for young people in the rural areas. About two months ago, a 58year-old resident of Tempie, Marlin Kwok, invested over $400,000 to construct a carwash bay for her 19-year old grandson, Joshua Johnson, to keep him gainfully employed. She was concerned of the high usage of drugs by youths in the neighbouring No. 30 Village, and was determined to give her grandson an opportunity to make something meaningful with his life. She viewed her investment as a means of creating employment for him and other youths in the village of Tempie. The
wash bay employs three, with others on a part-time basis when things get busy on the weekends. But this is about to end. Last Sunday, Region 5 APNU Regional Councillor, Dillon Crawford, hand-delivered a letter signed by his wife, Oneca Sam, the Overseer of the Tempie/Seafield NDC, advising of the imminent closure of this car-wash bay if it is not “demolished” within 48 hours. In an interview I had with Ms Marlin Kwok, she claims that several members of the Tempie/Seafield NDC, including the Chairman, Frank Wilson, had prior knowledge of the wash bay at the time of construction and could have stopped her then, rather than waiting until she spent over $400,000 to complete the project. The area is concreted with a wooden ramp. There is no building associated with
The goalpost has ... From page 4 speeches and flag wavers at the airport to show appreciation for the Prime Minister does not raid the treasury in the way that it was previously done.” How absurd and laughable! How on earth can that be implied as an admittance on my part that the current government is raiding the Treasury? The desperation here is unquestionable. Let the readers of this letter decide.I will never be mad enough to say that since the government came to office there is no corruption. I will
categorically state that the ministers are not corrupt, nor do they create fertile conditions for corruption. There is no blind loyalty to the current administration, but I am proud to highlight their respect for the rule of law, transparency, equal treatment of all, moral decency in public affairs, and prudent management of the public purse. I encourage you to continue your missives Ms. Bacchus. With critics like you, the APNU+AFC government will be in office for a long time. Yours truly, Jerrick Rutherford
the car-wash. Over 12 years ago, Ms Kwok built a small, wooden road-side shack on the same reserve, where she has been selling fruits and vegetables since. She was never given notice to move by the previous administration, and wonders if her livelihood will now be taken away by the APNU+AFC she voted for in 2015.Admittedly, Ms Kwok is well aware that both her fruit shack and her grandson’s carwash bay are illegally constructed on government’s reserve. However, there is much need for both these services in the Tempie area, and the need to encourage more young entrepreneurs to help reduce the unemployment rate. In addition, there is no plan by government that I am aware of, to utilize this piece of waste land in the foreseeable future. There are no neighbours close by to complain, and the water used by the car-wash is disposed of properly without causing floods. So why not leave them alone? These people are just trying to survive and make an honest living during the hard times we’re facing as a nation. And any attempt to “demolish” this wash bay will not only deny them a chance of achieving the “good life” the government touts about, but this heartless act would send a strong message to their own supporters that the APNU+AFC government is not caring at all. Harry Gill PPP/C Member of Parliament
Wednesday April 11 ,2018
The green monsters must not be allowed to defile our citizens DEAR EDITOR, City Hall debated and voted to approve the parking meter bylaws. Two of the vocal objectors for the parking meter contract - Councillors Duncan and Jaikaran, both AFC members - were absent from the debate and the vote. A third AFC member came late to the meeting and then abstained. It was curious and puzzling that these AFC members took such a low profile in the debate and voting for the parking meter bylaws, given their previously robust objection. Were they under instructions to stand down? Was the AFC leadership intimidated, given the prominent PNC/APNU warnings that the parking meter bylaws must be passed and the City Council be given a smooth space to impose parking meters on the Citizens of Georgetown and on citizens that visit and work in Georgetown? Did they stand down because the AFC broke ranks with APNU? Oscar Clarke had already given the signal that Congress Place and the PNC expected nothing less than the bylaws approval from the City’s Fathers and Mothers (Councillors). It is now expected that the Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, will approve the bylaws in about two weeks, clearing the way for the parking meters to become operational again. Unless Bulkan resists instructions from higher ups, his approval is certain. We know this much because Minister Harmon has already pro-
nounced that the Granger-led Government has no objections, when he made clear that City Hall must be allowed to implement the parking meter contract. Minister Harmon spoke for the Granger-led APNU+AFC Cabinet, which includes the AFC and the WPA. At this time, neither the WPA nor the AFC has indicated that they are not supportive of this position. Two weeks ago, I challenged the political parties to state their position now on the parking meters. I fully expect that citizens will come out in rejection of this new iteration of the parking meters and this rejection will come in the form of boycotts and through public protests. The private sector has already indicated its objection and the Movement Against the Parking Meters is expected to protest soon. My challenge was for political parties and leaders to come out before public protests and stand on principle and conviction, not wait to see where and how the wind is blowing. We know the position of the major political parties - the PNC (APNU) is unequivocal in their support, while the PPP has been unequivocal in their rejection of the parking meter contract. What is the formal position of the AFC and WPA? Is the Cabinet’s position, as articulated by Harmon, reflective of the positions of the AFC and the WPA? When the original parking meter contract was enforced in Georgetown (2016/2017) and the boycott and protest were overwhelming, the AFC cowardly embraced Councillor Duncan’s earlier objection to the parking meters as an AFC position. This is in spite of prior equivocation on the matter by AFC leaders. What drove them to eventually express dissatisfaction with the parking meter contract fiasco was the total repudiation by citizens. The AFC’s position then was driven by vulgar political opportunism and not
by conviction. We now are at a stage when City Hall is awaiting the approval from Minister Bulkan, an approval that has been guaranteed by positions already expressed by Minister Harmon and Oscar Clarke. We have no idea where AFC stands, other than they are part of the collective of the APNU+AFC Cabinet for whom Minister Harmon spoke. This also applies to the WPA, which is part of the APNU+AFC Cabinet. In the absence of any public position and in the midst of their total silence, coupled with the puzzling behaviour of their members on the City Council, I have to assume that the AFC has capitulated and is now fully behind the parking meter contract. The AFC appears to be standing with City Hall, standing against the citizens. I have to assume that the absence of the two prominent AFC councillors from the debate and vote and the abstention from the debate and vote by the third AFC member resulted from them being instructed by AFC leaders to take a softball approach and stand down. It is disappointing that these members allowed the approval with not even a whimper, after their sterling objection from the inception. Something clearly persuaded them to give up their robust objection in favour of capitulation. My reading is that APNU/ PNC, AFC and the WPA support City Hall to impose parking meters under still rigid and onerous conditions for citizens, while the PPP is opposed to City Hall imposing parking meters. We have arrived again, therefore, at a time for People’s Power to intervene. We must stop the parking meters. The green monsters must not be allowed to defile our citizens. We stopped them before. We can stop them again. Dr. Leslie Ramsammy
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Wednesday April 11 ,2018
Ministry re-grades 32 schools, renames two A total of 32 schools have been re-graded with at least two secondary schools moving from Grade B to Grade A schools. This development has been chronicled in the official Gazette. The re-grading of the schools, which became effective from September 1, 2017, include North West
Secondary in Mabaruma and the Tutorial Academy in New Amsterdam both of which have moved from Grade B level schools to Grade A level schools. Two more secondary schools - the Number Eight Secondary School, West Coast Berbice, and Anni Secondary, North West
District have also been regraded effectively moving from Grade C to Grade B Schools. In addition, 15 primary schools from far-flung areas have also been re-graded, with all, save one, moving from a Grade C to Grade B School. Wauna Primary, situated in Wauna, a small
Real democracy continues to elude Guyana…
President Granger continues to act unilaterally
...House met only four times this year - Ram The first quarter of the year has been completed and the National Assembly was convened only four times. Social Commentator and Attorney-at-law, Christopher Ram, said that such a state of affairs is not reflective of a country faring well with democracy. Ram said this as he recently delivered the featured address to the triennial Conference of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) He said that while the Coalition Government has proven to be friendlier with democracy in certain areas, the government’s performance in other areas is disappointing. Ram said, “This Government has a much better record than its
Attorney-at-law, Christopher Ram predecessor in terms of constitutional bodies and local government elections. But there are other developments that are cause for concern. “President (David)
Granger has appointed himself as the counterpoint to pronouncements by the judiciary. He has unilaterally handpicked a Chairman of the Elections Commission whose principal function is the declaration of who is to be President.”Ram said that the Granger Government decides if and when the people’s representatives—the National Assembly—will meet and what business they can transact. The National Assembly has had four sittings for the year even though 100 days have already passed. The House met three times in January and once in March. Ram said that this is unacceptable and “it is not the democracy that we have been promised.”
village in the North West District, is the only primary school listed that has secured the improved Grade of B [moving from C to B]. All of the other re-graded primary schools have moved from a Grade E to D. These include Haimacabra Primary in the Moruca Sub-Region; Santa Cruz Primary, Baramita Mouth; Kokerite Primary, Barama River; Warapoka Primary, Warapoka Creek; Hobodeia Primary, Upper Aruka River; St. Anselms Primary, Barima River; Better Hope Primary, Essequibo Coast; Katoka Primary, Central Rupununi; Rupunau Primary, South Central Rupununi; Annai Primary, North Rupununi; Shea Primary, South Rupununi; Agatash Primary, Essequibo River; Batavia Primary, Arian Island; Lower Cuyuni River; and Imbaimadai Primary, Upper Mazaruni. A total of 13 nursery schools have also been regraded, with five out of the lot moving from Grade C to B. These include ‘C’ Field Nursery, Section C South Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown; Savannah Park Nursery, New Amsterdam, Berbice; Kuru-Kururu Nursery, Linden/Soesdyke Highway; Port Kaituma, Port Kaituma and Santa Rosa,
Mr. Marcel Hutson, Chief Education Officer Kumaka, Moruca. The other re-graded nursery schools are Phillipai, Upper Mazaruni, District; Jawalla, Upper Mazaruni, District; Paramakatoi Village, Pakaraimas, Potari/Siparuni; St. Ignatius Village, St. Ignatius Village; Republic Avenue, Speightland, Lower Kara Kara, McKenzie; South Amelia’s Ward, South
Amelia’s Ward; Amelia’s Ward, Amelia’s Ward Linden; and J.E. Burnham, William Street, Kitty Georgetown. Meanwhile, also detailed in the Official Gazette are two schools that have been renamed. These are David Rose Secondary School in Georgetown, which has been officially renamed the West Ruimveldt Secondary School. The other school renamed is the David Rose School for the Handicapped also in Georgetown. The latter school is now officially named the David Rose Special School. From all indications, these two similarly named schools were renamed so as to enable the public to distinguish them easily. It is however not clear what the developments are in the various schools that allowed for them to be elevated to improved grade level schools. However, all of the changes at the various schools were signed off by Chief Education Officer, Mr. Marcel Hutson.
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Wednesday April 11 ,2018
Int’l study on 100 corrupt oil contracts reveal …
Vague terms, abuse of discretion are worrying warning signs Contracts which lead to or encourage acts of corruption, often carry a number of red flags. In this regard, the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), advises that citizens must be on the lookout of contracts with vague terms and those which create conditions for abuse of discretion. Elaborating further in a special report which examines 100 corrupt oil contracts, the group notes that a worrying red flag is when the contract between the company and intermediary describes the services the intermediary must perform in vague, non-descriptive terms. The Institute also notes that when the conduct of the award process departs from
the government’s established rules, standards or criteria, and/or exhibits a high or unusual degree of discretion and/or secrecy, it is without a doubt, a troubling red flag. It said that this is very common in some countries, but nonetheless creates conditions amenable to influence-peddling, self-dealing, patronage and other abuses of discretion. ABUSE OF DISCRETION Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, has constantly been accused of abuse of discretion, since ExxonMobil was granted a production licence without its plan for local content being published. The Coalition Administration was also heavily criticized
for approving the company’s production licence when its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was not published. VAGUE TERMS There are many examples around the world where the governments of nations ensure that oil companies provide insurance, which would ensure compensation for any impact on communities and neighbouring countries due to the said operations. Unfortunately, Guyana is not one of those nations. In the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) signed between the Government of Guyana and USA oil giant, ExxonMobil, there is no provision regarding any adverse impact on fishing grounds and coastal
Chartered Accountant, Chris Ram
Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman
communities or on neighbouring countries. This alarming observation was recently pointed out by Chartered Accountant, Chris Ram, and political Commentator, Ramon Gaskin. The two have been extremely critical of the vague terms in the contract especially as it relates to environmental protection. Ram in his recent writings noted that Article 20.2 of Guyana’s 2016 Oil Agreement deals with Insurance in respect of but not limited to assets, pollution, third parties and employees. The Attorney-at-law said that the Agreement does not require any loss of production insurance as will apply in the case of any major disruption of production or environmen-
tal accidents. He said that while this provision is absent from the 2016 Agreement, the 1999 Agreement, which was signed by the Jagan administration, allowed for insurance to be taken out by Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited’s affiliate insurance company. Esso is a subsidiary of ExxonMobil. Ram stated, “That requirement has been changed and now allows the Contractor to have the right to self-insure against the risks identified. This is a major concession by (Natural Resources Minister, Raphael) Trotman on an issue that only specialist lawyers know about. “What it means in practice is that anyone seeking to make an insurance claim will
have to lodge that claim against Esso, CNOOC/Nexen or Hess, all of which are external companies. Those potential claimants must thank Raphael Trotman for making their chances even more difficult to succeed.” CASE OF UGANDA In 2012, the Government of Uganda signed a PSA with British operator, Tullow Oil. That entity is also exploring in Guyana’s deep waters. In the PSA of that African nation, there are strict provisions for Insurance. The PSA notes that the Licensee is to provide a Performance Security in the form of Insurance Bond or Bank Guarantee amounting to US$500,000, which shall, inter alia, guarantee the payment by Licensee of the sums, if any, due and payable to the Government pursuant to the paragraphs hereunder. “To ensure that Licensee, its Contractors and Sub-contractors meet their obligations to third parties, or to the Government, that might arise in the event of damage, loss or injury (including environmental damage or injury, removal of wrecks and cleaning up caused by accidents) caused by Petroleum Operations, Licensee shall maintain in force an insurance policy through an international insurance company of good financial standing covering the (Continued on page 30)
Wednesday April 11 ,2018
T
here should be no place in the Guyana Police Force for punks. These ranks will bring disgrace, scandal and ruination to the Force. They should be purged from the Force but only after being afforded due process. A Member of Parliament recently related his unsettling experience at the hands of the Police Force who have now found a new method of harassing and shaking down members of the public. That method involves claiming that the drivers are not steady and therefore should be subject to Breathalyzer tests. According to the MP, while on his way to the city he was stopped by the police. A young policeman came out of the police vehicle and told the MP’s driver, “You drivin’ all over the road like you drunk.” The MP said that he replied, “He was not driving like he is drunk and that is an old line.”The police obviously had to establish a basis for stopping the vehicle. That
reason was that the driver was unsteady at the wheel, implying that he was driving under the influence. According to the MP, the young policeman told him to “to shut the f—up” to which he responded, “I am a Member of Parliament and this man is my driver and he will never drink when he is driving”. The young policeman then said, “’PPP ain’t running things now…” The MP related that after leaving the station, another police rank blurted out, “He ain’t no f–ing Member of Parliament, he look like a sku— t.”Those statements, if true, are the product of ignorance. The Force does not need ignorant ranks. If any of these allegations turn out to be correct, then there can be no place for the ranks who made those offending statements. They should be subject to disciplinary proceedings. The ranks who made such statements cannot be trusted to be fair and impartial. They have exhibited bias and an
inability to be professional or objective. They therefore have no place in a Police Force. The experience of that Member of Parliament attests to the unprofessional conduct of some members of the Force whom he described as being punks. Immediately, upon reading that missive from the parliamentarian, the police hierarchy should have dispatched a senior officer to take a statement from the MP so as to begin disciplinary proceedings against the rank or ranks who made unprofessional statements in the course of their engagement with the MP. The hierarchy should not wait on the MP to come forward and make a statement. It should dispatch a rank to obtain a statement from the MP so as to begin to take disciplinary action against the rank. The Minister of Home Affairs should request a report into the outcome of any investigation into this matter. It should be made clear that the
DEM BOYS SEH Donald sorry fuh Lula; Sam sorry fuh Jagdeo Donald Dumb now showing ee true colours. People never believe he was a thief or a scamp but dem always seh show me yuh company/ friends and we gun tell you who you are. Lula, de most popular exBrazilian president gone to jail. He get 12 years fuh corruption and thiefing. He still got 10 odda thiefing charge going on in de courts. Donald know all dis, yet he write a letter in de press cussing de Brazilian judges fuh jailing Lula, dat scamp. Dat alone show ee colours and now dem boys fully understand why he never try fuh jail or jail a li’l thief man much less a politician. Is now dem boys know he fool dem because when he was running fuh de presidency ee give dem boys big
high five and promise fuh jail all de scamps de fuss week he go in. He even tell dem boys dat he know Jagdeo and all de kavakamites was scamps and how dem eating up and sharing out Guyana. Everybody know he nah do nutten bout corruption although he had all dat fat talk before he go in. Matter of fact, dem boys believe he get sweeten wid it like when fly fall in molasses. He should go to jail like Lula. All over de world, corrupt leaders going to jail. Last week, de ex-South Korean president, Park Guen-hye get send to jail fuh 24 years fuh tekking things wha ain’t belong to she. Brazil Lula get 12 years a few days ago fuh de same thing wha she do and he still facing 10 more corruption
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charges. Dat could add 10 more 12-years sentences to his jail term. De amount of jail he gon get, it gon tek he children and he grandchildren to help him serve it. As fuh Jagdeo, Lula buddy padnah, he gon be facing 36 years because he do more than Lula and Park. Dem boys seh suh. He tek; he give he family; he give he friends. Dem boys hope dat when he get jail, dem same friends and family gon help him serve it. Lula got pickney and grandpickney; Jagdeo ain’t got nobody. Sam gon get jail fuh being stupid. He gon get at least 48 days fuh being blind; and Donald gon get double wha Sam get, fuh being dumb. Talk half and watch how dem boys dreams coming through.
policy of the government is to have a police force, which is free of persons who exhibit such attitude on the job. The MP by virtue of the position he holds as a legislator, has a duty to cooperate in rooting out this sort of unprofessional conduct from ranks. The MP is also part of the AFC, which holds the portfolio for national security. The MP therefore has a responsibility to contribute to the improvement of the professionalism of the Force. The police hierarchy should take seriously the allegation that one of its ranks,
however junior, should be stereotyping East Indians as being part of the PPPC. If this is the thinking of any rank, that person does not belong in any law enforcement agency. The hierarchy also should be concerned by the allegation that upon leaving a police station, the MP was subject to abuse by another rank. If true, then this amounts to unprofessional conduct, which should be subject to disciplinary proceedings. These things should not be tolerated. If it is true what the MP said then those ranks should be subject to disci-
plinary proceedings and banished from the Guyana Police Force. It is discomforting that fifty years after Independence, the British High Commissioner would have had to remind the Police that corrupt ranks should be jailed. It just shows the perception which the diplomatic community has of the Guyana Police Force. That perception is not going to improve if punks remain part of the Force.
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Wednesday April 11, 2018
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
I do not share these lofty ideals about Roopnaraine and the WPA I will try my best not to let my frustration lead me to use acerbic adjectives to describe an unruly, inelegant and dishonest interpretation of my analysis of Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine by leading WPA diaspora member, Mr. Rohit Kanhai. Kanhai writes often on WPA matters in a way that deceives readers. He has lived all his adult life outside of Guyana and does not have that historical closeness to the seventies in Guyana that he leads one to think he has. I have been associated with the WPA very closely in the seventies and there was
no Rohit Kanhai in the midst of the WPA that I know of. I returned to Guyana in 1984 and there was no Rohit Kanhai around the WPA in any pronounced way. Kanhai’s latest missive (KN, April 9) which is supposed to be an interpretation of my column, “Roopnaraine is the most honest activist the WPA produced,” (March 29) is a cauldron of boiling dishonesty. The rest of this essay is a demonstration of Kanhai’s fictional constructs. First, here are the words of Roopnaraine in the book, “Walter Rodney: A promise of Revolution” in which he was
describing the secret trip by Rodney who was on bail, therefore couldn’t leave Guyana to go to Zimbabwe while President Burnham was there to participate and address an international gathering on African liberation struggle. He observed; “It was kept to a very tight group that knew about it. Obviously Pat, and Bros. Eusi and myself and that was it.” It is pellucid that after Rodney and Kwayana, Roopnaraine was the guardian of WPA’s secret actions. Later in the book, Roopnaraine stated, “We
were at the time attempting to put ourselves in a state of readiness to make an assault on the state. It is no secret, we were accumulating weapons. We were accumulating equipment of various kinds.” Rohit Kanhai in his letter last Monday wrote; ‘More fundamentally, the WPA never depended on the use of arms to remove the Burnham dictatorship, so the statement (of accumulating arms) is very inaccurate if taken out of context.” I say in anger, who the hell is Kanhai to dispute a statement that came from perhaps the second or third person in charge of WPA activities after Walter Rodney? What more proof would anyone need to ascertain the dishonesty of Kanhai? It is obvious the man has not read the book and didn’t even see it as proper to do so before be penned his response to me. Secondly, Kanhai distorted the context of my panegyric of Roopnaraine. I never wrote on Roopnaraine’s political life. I acknowledged his deep, analytical mind provided knowledge when that mind analyzed politics. Kanhai proclaims himself to be the embodiment of Marxism. I
would advise him that the greatest exponent of Marxist philosophers were professors who never were involved in politics or implemented Marxism in their lives. They simply interpreted philosophy so the world could know about it. I saw Roopnaraine in that context. I did not embrace Roopnaraine’s political life because it was not a reflection of the kind of activism I yearned for though I admit he contributed to the erosion and dissolution of authoritarian governance in Guyana, for which all Guyanese should be grateful. Kanhai has a right to eulogize the activism of Roopnaraine but he should not transfer that proclivity to me. Thirdly, when in that column I used the question; “Why would WPA leaders heap scorn upon Roopnaraine?” it was in the context of the immediate reaction from Rodney’s wife and other WPA leaders after Roopnaraine admitted that the WPA wanted to attack the Burnhamite state. I specifically stated that Roopnaraine was being honest and fulfilling his obligation to history so why would the WPA leaders heap scorn on him for that. Kanhai deliberately
Frederick Kissoon obfuscates my contextual outlay and has me in his letter as questioning why WPA leaders should attack Roopnaraine in general and at the present time. I must say in all honesty, I find Rohit Kanhai to be a dishonest polemicist and this is my first and last reply to him. Finally, I know more of the post 1990 nature of the remnants of WPAleaders than Kanhai who has been absent from Guyana the past forty years. If WPA had core values then with the exception of Eusi Kwayana, David Hinds and Moses Bhagwan, all those WPA leaders who are alive today have embraced political values that are reactionary, ethnocentric, politically depraved and downright backward. They have morphed into something that has caused Walter Rodney to turn in his grave. They include Rupert Roopnaraine.
Wednesday April 11 ,2018
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 11, 2018
Linden gets portable asphalt plant The asphalt plant
A portable asphalt plant with the capacity to supply asphalt for several roads per day has been established in the Blue Berry Hill/Christianburg area in the vicinity of Bucktown. Road rehabilitation and related works in Linden and Region Ten are expected to benefit greatly from the asphalt plant which was recently established. The portable plant is being operated by Associate Construction Services and is currently undergoing test runs. It is expected to be in full operation soon, management stated. According to Peter Lewis, a Senior Executive of Associated Construction Services, the capacity of the plant is 160,000 tonnes of asphalt per hour. Yesterday, a team of regional officials, including Regional Chairman Rennis Morian, Mayor Wanneka Arrindel, and Deputy Mayor Wainwright Bethune, visited the facility and spoke with Management on some of the benefits the plant is expected to bring to the community. Lewis detailed for the visitors how the plant would positively impact road building. “If you have four contractors who need 200 tonnes of asphalt each day, before one or two o’clock everybody could get their mix,” Lewis said. He said that a previous plant could have only supplied one contractor with asphalt per day. According to Lewis, the plant is environmentally safe as there are no emissions. The initiative was applauded by the Regional Chairman, Mayor Wanneka Arrindel, and Deputy Mayor Wainwright Bethune. Bethune, who is an environmentalist employed with Bosia said that he was very impressed with the project and the fact that there would be limited emissions. As regards the plant layout, Bethune said, “I’m very impressed with the layout and the cleanliness of the area, which mirrors some of the structures that we have at Bosai.” Bethune said that the location of the plant is a strategic one that allows for easy access to a ready supply of road building materials. He added that the initiative is a very good one that will propel infrastructural development in Region Ten. Regional Chairman Rennis Morian in closing remarks said, “To all and sundry...Region Ten is open for business! Invest in Region Ten!”
Wednesday April 11, 2018
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Kaieteur News
‘Smart Skills’ programme to rein in illiteracy A literacy programme targeting young entrepreneurs and school drop-outs is currently being streamlined. The programme, which is a brainchild of the Ms. Emiley King, of the National Library, is one that will be held in collaboration with the Ministry of Education’s National Centre for Educational Resource Development [NCERD]. During a recent interview, King revealed that a pilot of the programme is likely to be rolled out as soon as next month. “We have programmes where we reach out to the communities and we are even doing more outreaches right now in terms of this programme,” King said. According to the Chief Librarian, such programmes are instrumental, given a noticeable decline in literacy. “Guyana has been known in the 70s, 80s and early 90s for educational attainment but something went wrong in
the system. We have not been seeing the same level of results; it seems that some problems occurred limiting our achievements,” King observed. Although Guyana has not failed to consistently yield some outstanding performers over the years, King observed that the society is plagued with a situation whereby “we have a lot of functional illiteracy.” It was against this background, she said, “We are about to launch this programme called ‘Smart Skills’.” King expects that the ‘Smart Skills’ initiative pilot, which is slated to span some 10 months, will gain the financial support of corporate Guyana. She envisages that the start of the programme will target some 30 youths who after undergoing an orientation period will be catered to, based on their abilities. “We are going to be working with them so that
they can become literate. We have many people in our communities who do not know how to read and write but they have glorious ideas. When they have to put them [ideas] to paper or when they have to go to the bank and they are asked to write a business plan, they don’t know how to do that...so in our own little way, we are trying to help those in our society,” said King. It is King’s view that through such programmes that promote literacy, the library is fulfilling part of its mandate. The ‘Smart Skills’ programme will be conducted during the afternoon hours of the library and according to King, “We don’t want it to be too ‘classroomy’...it would be kind of structured whereby there will have interactive exercises. We will put them in groups based on their respective literacy level.” The first aim of the programme, King related, is to
RDC meeting breaks up after REO tells Councillor to ‘Shut up’
The Statutory meeting of the Regional Democratic Council of Region Two [Pomeroon/ Supenaam], was yesterday adjourned after clerk of the RDC, Rupert Hopkinson, reportedly disrespected an RDC Councillor. Hopkinson, yesterday, told the Councillor to shut up, after the Councillor questioned his disrespectful attitude towards the Chairman at the statutory meeting. Hopkinson was at the time “cross talking” to the Chairman, Devenand Ramdatt, during an important discussion on the deteriorating Charity Wharf. Hopkinson on more than one occasions, yesterday, interrupted the Chairman as he was speaking, even without standing or lifting his finger. Kaieteur News understands that according to RDC protocol, anyone who wishes to speak should indicate so by lifting his finger and when called upon the individual must then stand and make clear his point. Failure to speak without raising one’s hand, or speaking whilst seated, is deemed disrespectful. Since Mr. Hopkinson was in clear breach of protocol, he was asked thrice by Mr.
Ramdatt to apologize to the Councillor. The REO, however, on all three occasions refused to apologize to the Councillor. At that point, the entire RDC, except for one Councillor who refrained from voting, voted that the RDC be adjourned until the REO can apologize to the Councillor. Hopkinson at one point attempted to walkout of the meeting, after he was told to apologize. The Councillor, who also represents the Government at the level of RDC, believes that it was quite unethical for the clerk of the RDC to behave in such manner. Since the RDC was adjourned yesterday, key issues affecting the Region remain unaddressed. “Until an apology is offered to the councillor at the statutory meeting such behaviour would not be tolerated… There are a number of pending matters that Hopkinson is not attending to; therefore, when certain questions were asked, he was not prepared to answer.” Devenand Ramdatt told media representatives yesterday that a letter will be sent to the Ministry of Communities, condemning the REO’s actions.
ensure that the participants have a basic level of literacy before moves are made to elevate their literacy level to that of financial literacy. King said, “There are people who can’t even use the ATM properly. They ask for help and then they get robbed. We want to look at those things, and we want to look at health literacy too because when you go to the
doctor, you should be able to explain what are your symptoms and understand why you’re being prescribed certain drugs.” She added, “You must be able to ask questions for your own safety and we expect that when we roll out this programme , women must be able to understand things like why have a pap smear as opposed to a VIA.”
Chief Librarian, Ms. Emiley King
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Wednesday April 11, 2018
Kaieteur News
Better prices, higher yields in rice first crop Rice prices and yield will see the first crop surpassing last year, GRDB reports.
With reports of higher yields from farmers’ paddy cultivation, over 530,000 tonnes of paddy is projected to be produced during the first crop. This is up nine percent from the 488,833
tonnes that was projected for the first crop. With 51,280 hectares of the 87,539 hectares sown, already harvested, General Manager of the Guyana Rice Development Board, Nizam Hassan, further explained the increase,
improved prices, and improved production. “Thus far, we’ve seen an excellent performance in the first rice crop of 2018. To date, we have harvested 59 percent across the country and we have seen an increase in yields. Yield increases have moved from two bags per acre to as much as nine bags per acre, this has been really good for the farmers since they also have been receiving higher prices for their production. “So, overall, we have seen higher yields, better prices and also better paddy coming out of the fields, in terms of production,” Hassan related. The General Manager also noted that there is much more to come since the projected yield for the first crop of 2018 was 5.6 metric tonnes per hectare. However, with the identified performance and average yield so far being 6.1 tonnes per hectare and one area reporting as much as 7.1 tonnes per hectare, the crop will close with record-breaking yields. As of April 8, last, 310,748 tonnes of paddy equivalent to 201,986 tonnes of rice has been harvested. The General Manager further relayed how the above-mentioned production bodes well for the industry, “This fares very well for the sector and very well for the industry because we’ve been getting increases in terms of inquiries and increased opportunities to market our products, and all of the increased production
General Manager of the Guyana Rice Development Board, Nizam Hassan. we have seen has been committed to markets which is a good thing for our producers and the business persons involved in the sale. All of the production has been committed to the market so we’re able to fulfill our markets.” Over the years, the industry has been resilient, seeing significant increases in its first crops. Since the first crop of 2018 is yet to be completed, the over 530,000 tonnes of paddy projected to be produced is set to outstrip paddy production in 2017, which was recorded at 518,667 metric tonnes. Rice is among the top three foreign currency earners, along with gold and sugar.
The harvest thus far is shown below: Regions Hectares Harvested Percentage of hectares thus far Region 2 9,792 hectares 73% of its cultivation Region 3 6,153 hectares 76% of its cultivation Region 4 2,773 hectares 80% of its cultivation Region 5 19,713 hectares 50% of its cultivation Region 6 12,849 hectares 56% of its cultivation
Wednesday April 11, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Rusal bonds slump, customers review contracts as U.S. sanctions bite Rusal’s dollar bonds slumped to record lows. Two major customers said they were reviewing their contracts, and the London Metal Exchange distanced itself from the aluminium giant on Tuesday, in the latest aftershocks from U.S. sanctions. The sanctions imposed on Rusal and its boss, metals magnate Oleg Deripaska, mark the first time a major international company has been targeted by Washington in its moves to punish Russia for alleged meddling in the 2016 U.S. election, according to a Reuters report yesterday. Rusal, through local company, Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc., has operation in Upper Berbice River area, in Region Ten with hundreds of workers. While Russian markets, including the rouble, fell across the board on Monday, Rusal assets were hardest hit, with its Hong Kong-listed shares halving in value and the company warning it risked tipping into technical default. On Tuesday, its dollar bonds maturing in 2023 fell 17.3 cents to a new low, according to TradeWeb. Their yields had previously been steady at around 6 percent, but on Tuesday spiked to 28.5 percent, a record high. Swiss-based commodities trader Glencore, a Rusal shareholder and one of its biggest customers, said it was evaluating the position under
One of Rusal’s operations in Region 10.
its contracts with Rusal in the light of the sanctions. Glencore Chief Executive Ivan Glasenberg also resigned from his role as a Rusal Director. Deripaska’s companies have seen other resignations by non-Russian board members since the sanctions, with his newly created holding company En+ Group saying Board Directors Dominique Fraisse and Zhao Guangming had quit on April 6 and 9 respectively. To offset the impact of the punitive measures, Rusal has triggered a contingency plan asking customers to pay in Euros instead of U.S. dollars in a bid to skirt the sanctions, a source close to the matter said. This follows the example of Iran, which a few years ago opted to use gold, oil and the Japanese Yen to pay for
goods that would typically be priced in dollars. Glencore also said it was pulling back from earlier plans to swap its 8.75 percent stake in Rusal for global depository receipts in En+. “Glencore is committed to complying with all applicable sanctions in its business and is taking all necessary measures in order to mitigate any risks to Glencore’s business as a result of the designation of Rusal and En+ as SDNs (specially designated nationals), including in respect of secondary sanctions,” Glencore said in a statement. “Glencore will not proceed with the transaction at this time in light of the designation of Rusal and En+ as SDNs,” it said. Matt Chamberlain, the Chief Executive of the London Metal Exchange
(LME), said the LME would take steps to keep aluminum produced by Rusal and sold after the sanctions were imposed out of its warehouses. Speaking in the Chilean capital, Chamberlain said aluminum that entered LME warehouses before the sanctions were imposed would not be affected. CUSTOMERS WARY The websites of Rusal and En+ were down on Tuesday evening for unknown reasons. The U.S. sanctions explicitly bar U.S. entities from doing business with Rusal, but the impact extended to companies outside the United
States too. They are wary that Washington could slap socalled “secondary sanctions” on them if they are deemed to be facilitating Rusal’s business. Rio Tinto, a Rusal customer, said it was reviewing its trading relationship with the Russian firm. “We will obviously do what we have to do to ensure that we comply with applicable sanctions,” Alf Barrios, Rio Tinto Aluminium’s Chief Executive, said in an interview. But the company said it was premature to speculate on the future of an Australian venture of which Rusal is part owner. Rusal owns 20 percent of Rio’s Queensland Alumina operation, and Rio owns the remaining 80 percent. According to a Rusal prospectus, its other major customers include Toyota. Other foreign firms with ties to Deripaska’s empire include Austrian Construction Company Strabag, in which the Russian’s firm Rasperia has a blocking stake, and Singapore’s Changi Airports International, which is a partner with a Deripaskaowned airports firm. RUSAL DEBT
The sanctions are likely to mean Rusal is unable to pay the coupon, due on May 3, on one of its Eurobonds, putting the company in technical default on the paper, investors and analysts said. Rusal has the money to pay the coupon, which is the interest payment on the bond, but will be unable to make the payment because it will be blocked off from essential bond market infrastructure such as clearing services, trading platforms and correspondent banks, market participants said. The companies that provide those services are wary that, if they have to handle transactions relating to the Rusal bond, they too could come under sanctions risk. Almost all of Rusal’s $7.6 billion debt is dollardenominated, making it difficult for the company to make repayments since the sanctions effectively cut off its access to the U.S. banking system and correspondent banks and creditors. Rusal declined to comment on Tuesday. On Monday, it said: “The company intends to continue to fulfill its existing commitments in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.”
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 11 ,2018
Murder accused had told cops “I didn’t go to kill” hotel owner
A
caution statement murder accused Bryan Leitch gave to cops two weeks after he allegedly killed Joseph Jagdeo, owner of South Central Hotel, Georgetown, was read aloud in court yesterday by Detective Sergeant Keith Conway. Sergeant Conway was at the time testifying in the trial of Leitch, also known as, “Big Foot” who is accused of killing Jagdeo, called ‘Joey’ between November 13 and November 14, 2013 at the South Central Hotel hotel. Leitch who has retained Attorneys-at-Law Hewley Griffith and Lawrence Harris, has pleaded not guilty to the murder indictment brought against him by State Prosecutors Mandel Moore and Lisa Cave. Presiding over the trial
taking place at the High Court in Georgetown is Justice Sandil Kissoon and a 12member mixed jury. Based on information, on November 13, 2013 Leitch and a female companion rented a room at the hotel. During that time Jagdeo misplaced his cellular phone and confronted Leitch. After Jagdeo’s employees did not see him the following day, they became concerned about his whereabouts and forced their way into his room where they were greeted by his motionless body. Police ranks were later summoned to the scene. Leitch was later arrested and charged for the killing. Sergeant Conway, who was summoned to the court to tender the caution statement which was taken by Retired Police Sergeant Phillip
MURDERED: Joseph Jagdeo called ‘Joey’ Bowman, who is out of the jurisdiction, said that he was a witness to the taking of the statement. He recalled that the caution statement was taken from Leitch around 11:00hrs on December 1, 2013 at the Brickdam Police Station. Recalling the events
leading up to the taking of the caution statement, Sergeant Conway said that he put an allegation of murder to Leitch and cautioned him in accordance to the judge’s rule. But Leitch, Sergeant Conway recalled, replied, “I don’t know anything about any murder.” According to Sergeant Conway, in the caution statement, Leitch recounted that Joseph had come to his room at the hotel and asked him to leave. The police witness said that Leitch related that he was very angry at what Jagdeo told him and tied his hands together and tied another piece of cloth around his mouth. Sergeant Conway testified that Leitch confessed that he pushed Jagdeo under the bed in the room before throwing the keys to the door of the room on the bed. “I then guh in he (Jagdeo) office and tek he cell phone. I sorry for what I made happened. I didn’t mean to kill he,” Sergeant Conway recalled Leitch admitted. During cross-examination by Harris, it was suggested to Leitch that neither he nor Retired Sergeant Bowman inquired from Leitch if he was literate. Sergeant Conway acknowledged that he did not ask the murder accused if he could have read or write. The witness told the court that does not know if Retired Sergeant Bowman did so. Asked by Harris whether the
caution statement was read over to his client, Sergeant Conway said that he and Retired Sergeant Bowman read back the contents of the statement to Leitch and even informed him that he could request to alter, correct or change anything. The witness added that the statement was also given to Leitch for him to read and that he looked at it as though he was reading. “You are not being truthful to this court,” was a suggestion advanced by Harris to Sergeant Conway who responded, “I am telling the truth and nothing but the truth. At the time he assisted with investigation in this matter, Sergeant Conway held the rank of Corporal and was attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the Brickdam Police Station. Also testifying yesterday was Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh, who disclosed that he conducted a post mortem examination in the remain of Jagdeo on November 15, 2013 at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). The doctor said that the hotel owner died as a result of haemorrhage due to blunt trauma to the head compounded by suffocation and compression to the neck. In explaining the post mortem report, Dr. Singh related that Jagdeo’s hands were bound together at the wrist with a piece of cloth.
That cloth, Dr. Singh revealed, was tied all the way around Jagdeo neck. The pathologist said that he removed a piece of green cloth from Jagdeo’s mouth and that the man’s neck and spine were fractured. On Monday, the three pillow cases that were used to bind and gag the hotel owner were tendered into evidence by Police Inspector Bharat Mangru, who was the prosecutor assigned to the preliminary inquiry into the offence that was conducted by then Chief Magistrate now Judge Priya SewnarineBeharry. Inspector Mangru also read into evidence the deposition of Shawntel De Jonge, who during a confrontation with Leitch, said that he had sold her a small grey cell phone for $4,000 on November 14, 2013, at Pike Street, Kitty, Georgetown. The deposition of Felecia Williams, who testified to meeting Leitch at the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) in 2012, was also read into evidence by Inspector Mangru. According to Inspector Mangru, Williams testified that she met Leitch again on November 2, 2013 at Pike Street, Kitty, Georgetown. Inspector Mangru said that Williams stated that she and Leitch had lived in Room 9 at the hotel and that she “put him out” after she found him with Jagdeo’s phone. Inspector Mangru testified that Williams said that the maintenance man felt sorry for Leitch and permitted him to stay in Room 10. This trial continues next week Monday.
Wednesday April 11, 2018
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Kaieteur News
CARICOM pursues regional customs document
CARICOM’s Assistant Secretary-General, Trade & Economic Integration, Joseph Cox A proposed regional Single Administrative Document (SAD) for CARIFORUM countries is currently under consideration by regional Customs Administrations at the Secretariat of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The document will address the critical need to adopt harmonised approaches for conducting trade across borders. The three-day meeting opened yesterday and will engage officials of regional Customs Administrations. CARICOM’s Assistant Secretary-General, Trade and Economic Integration, Joseph Cox, said that as the trading environment continues to evolve, and the Caribbean Community seeks to deepen the integration process, trade
facilitation has shifted to a higher level of priority on the regional trade agenda. “In keeping with the Community’s vision of full economic integration and keeping with our obligations under the European Partnership Agreement, there is a critical need to adopt harmonised approaches for conducting trade across borders,” Cox told the meeting. Assisting in the process, the CARICOM Secretariat has already assessed the state of readiness of Member States Customs Administrations. The report of a study recommended that a common document be developed, for which the secretariat began work to develop a SAD in 2010. This effort led to a draft
SAD of 48 information fields being developed but following several setbacks and non-interest at times by the member states, the Secretariat said it is now pleased to witness the completion of this journey. “The Secretariat’s focus through the Customs Committee has always been one of keeping track of the challenges being experienced by the Member States and mobilising resources to target such challenges. Our encounters with regional customs authorities suggest that non-compliance among traders to declare true and correct values is the single biggest cause of revenue leakage,” the assistant Secretary-General said. According to Cox, as the trading environment continues to evolve, and as the Community seeks to deepen the integration process, trade facilitation has shifted to a higher level of priority on the regional trade agenda. The Community, he said, has taken its cue from the “going-into-effect” of the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (FTA), for which Member States are finalising their category B and C commitments. He said the Community’s approval of model harmonised Customs Bill and Regulations in September 2016, and advanced work in
developing a CARICOM Customs Procedure Manual, along with the signing last month of a Memorandum of
Understanding with the World Customs Organisation, CARICOM and by extension CARIFORUM, have opened
doors for the future landscape of trade. The workshop will conclude on Thursday.
A few of the persons at the forum.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 11, 2018
Improved salaries, enabling environment could stem health workers deficiency - PWR The local health sector is currently deficient by some three percent of its requisite number of health care workers. This daunting state of affairs has been linked to the wanting salaries that some levels of health workers are paid. This observation was on Saturday highlighted by Country Representative of the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation [PAHO/WHO], Dr. William Adu-Krow. Dr. Adu-Krow was at the time sharing his concerns about the move by some health workers to opt for greener pastures rather than serving their country. “We are losing about three percent of our health
Public Health Minister, Ms. Volda Lawrence care workers in terms of nursing and midwifery and we need to stem that,” he asserted. He disclosed that in
addition to ensuring that health workers are allowed to operate in an enabling environment, “I think the other thing we have to look at, as a country, is salaries. I think for a midwife who is going to be visiting homes, for nurses and Community Health Workers who need to know everything about their catchment area, there is need to have them love without thinking, “Ok, I think I need to go to another country.” Dr. Adu-Krow’s remarks in this regard were forthcoming even as the local PAHO/WHO Office collaborated with the Public Health Ministry to host a series of activities to commemorate World Health Day 2018. World Health Day
PWR, Dr. William Adu Krow is observed annually on April 7. This year the day was observed under the theme: ‘Universal health coverage:
everyone, everywhere.’ The theme, according to the PAHO/WHO Representative [PWR], is one that emphasises the notion that, “we want everyone irrespective of where you are living – you could be living in some distant part of the Rupununi, or somewhere in Georgetown – you should be able to enjoy good quality health [care] and when you need it, without having to dip into your pocket to pay for it.” But according to Dr. AduKrow, there are some people who are very sick in some parts of the world and are in dire need of health but are unable to access same. He however asserted, “Thank God, you can go to every
[public] health entity for free [here] and that is a great stride.” In order to achieve this goal, he noted that the public health sector has been making significant use of public health professionals the likes of midwives. He however, noted that the operation of such experts could be limited if the availability of an enabling environment is limited. “I think what we need a lot more of, is an enabling environment whereby when we have more midwives trained, the system is ready to accept them. They should have a house near the hospital, they should have the things that they need to Continued on page 27
Wednesday April 11, 2018
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Kaieteur News
GPHC battles to save man’s life FOR RENT
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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 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 2 Storey commercial building at Durban & Haley street $28M, Price negotiable, serious enquiries only. Contact: 625-8884 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
Unregistered Axela 2011, New shape, dark interior, fully loaded. #617-5536 $2.4 Mil. 1-50 DAF Labor lorry 1-55 DAF dump lorry in working condition. Tel#664-5149/6418335 Nissan Laurel Classic Car and Nissan Pathfinder JeepSuperb condition, Great deals. Call : 660-3415/225-8427
One service manager for repair centre, must have previous experience. Call: 6472022 1 Male cook to cook in interior #699-4718 Live in general domestic and 1 experienced cook (Live out) #610-3974 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 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 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 Live in waitress to work in bar. Call: 604-6606/ 692-4649 Live in waitress to work in bar. 18-25 yrs old, must have ID Contact No: 221-2785
SALON Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $90,000 Nail Technician Course: $35,000. Call: 647-1773/688-0009
We buy land in Eccles, Farm, Herstelling, Parfaite Harmonie, Providence, Covent Garden Call: 611-7223/656-0701 Labourers to work on farm in Demerara river. Accomodation provided. Tel: 684-1098/6469821 One maid preferably from the East Bank of Demerara. Call Tel# 266-2217
EDUCATION Register your child for after school classes for slow learners in Mathematics, Reading, Phonics, Spelling, etc. Call: 675-4379
LAND FOR SALE Parfaite Harmonie (upfront) $1.6M Schoonord $2.6M Uitvlugt (100x50) $2.8M Harmonie high income $2.6M Call: 611-7223/656-0701
Doctors at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) are currently trying to save the life of 32-year-old Oneil Jordan. He is in the Intensive Care Unit. He was diagnosed with a condition known as Perforated Hollow Viscus, which is caused by a ruptured bowel. The man was treated at the Port Mourant Hospital, but was then taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital by his sister Melinda Burgess who said the doctors stated that his condition can be as a result of a number of causes.
Improved salaries, enabling... VACANCY 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 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 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 Handyman and Counter Staff wanted to work @ The Garage Bar & Grill Tel#223-2800/6091400 One office clerk, must be computer literate. Call: 6144358 Inventory clerk, Tool room clerk, Female cleaner Call: 2332745 Handyman,Experienced sales persons with CXC qualifications. Apply @ Christine’s Variety, Lombard Street. Contact: 227-8529 Wa i t r e s s , S e c u r i t y guard,Receptionist- Aracari Hotel Versailles, West Bank Demerara. Apply in person or phone 264-2946-8 Sanitation Foreman to work in Georgetown, Tel#227-1717 LAND FOR SALE 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 Farm, Light, water, road, new air conditioning unit, 4 piece lobby set $3.5M Call: 6117223/656-0701
From page 26 practise in their profession,” Dr. Adu- Krow explained. According to him, currently there are ongoing training programme for midwives and also nurses with the view of improving the pass rate thereby increasing the number of these professionals who are certified to practice within the public health system. Even as she stressed government’s commitment to ensuring that the nation has access to quality health care, Minister of Public Health, Ms. Volda Lawrence, made it clear that the onus is still on individuals to make their health a priority. “Do something! Don’t sit down and wait to get diabetes like your grandmother or mother but start to take care of your own body and your family and then you can share with your friends and communities,” stressed the Public Health Minister. According to WHO, modifiable behaviours such as tobacco use, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet and the harmful use of alcohol, all increase the risk of chronic non-communicable diseases [NCDs] which are known to kill 40 million people [equivalent to 70 percent of all deaths] each year. NCDs, WHO has noted, tend to be of long duration and are the result of a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behaviour factors. The main types of NCDs are cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and stroke, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma and diabetes.
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Ten companies bid for the extension of Indigenous Residence in Princes St. As is usually done on Tuesdays, the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board opened several bids. The Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs received 10 bids for the extension of Indigenous Residence, Princes Street, Werk-en-Rust.
Ministry of Public Health received bids for the supply and delivery of medical equipment, installation and training programme six.
The Marine Administration Department received bids for docking and rehabilitation of ML Kakabelli. The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs received bids for the construction of Green Energy Development Centre at Bina Hill Institute, Region 9.
Marine Administration Department also received bids for the docking and rehabilitation of MD Steve. N.
Environmental Protection Agency received bids for the consultations for the preparation of Guyana’s Interim national report of the Nagoya protocol and Access and Benefits Sharing.
Ministry of Public Security received bids for the parenting, domestic violence prevention, conflict resolution and interpersonal violence prevention training programme.
The Ministry of Public Infrastructure received bids for the supply and delivery of computer hardware and software.
Four companies bid for the provision of Sanitary Disposable Services Lot 1 for the Guyana Elections Commission.
The Transport and Harbour Department received one bid for the overhanging of the machineries main engines, generators and hydraulics system: M.V. Sabanto
The Transport and Harbour Department also received bids for the overhanging of the machineries main engines, generators and hydraulics system: M.V. Kanawan.
In addition to the above bids, the Transport and Harbour Department also received bids for the acquisition and supply of spares for vessels.
For repairs to fence and bridge at the Rama Krishna Primary School, the Ministry of Education received 15 bids.
Companies bid for the provision of security services for the Dependents’ Pensions Funds.
Ten companies bid for the supply and delivery of medical equipment, installation and training programme two, for the Ministry of Public Health. The Ministry of Education received bids for the provision of Security Service.
The Ministry of Education received bids for the supply, delivery, installation and testing of SCCP equipment.
>>>> Continued on page 29 <<<<
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Ten companies bid for the extension... From page 11 Ministry of Education received bids for the supply, delivery, installation and testing of equipment for the Unit of Allied Arts
Ministry of Education received bids for the repairs and maintenance at Cummings Lodge Secondary School.
The Ministry of Education received bids for the rehabilitation of electrical system for the Cyril Potter College of Education.
For the repairs and maintenance of the David Rose Special School, the Ministry of Education received several bids.
The Ministry of Education received 14 bids for the construction of RC water trestle at the St. Mary’s High School.
Facebook shares rise sharply as Zuckerberg deters regulation talk WASHINGTON/SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) Facebook Inc shares posted their biggest daily gain in nearly two years yesterday as Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg fended off questions from U.S. senators on how the world’s largest social network might be regulated more closely. Zuckerberg repeated apologies made on Monday for a range of problems that have beset Facebook, from data privacy to foreign attempts to influence U.S. elections, but the 33-year-old internet mogul managed to deter any specific talk about new laws and made no new promises.“I’ll have my team follow up with you so that way we can have this discussion across the different categories where I think this discussion needs to happen,” Zuckerberg told a joint hearing by the U.S. Senate’s Commerce and Judiciary committees, when asked what regulations he thought were necessary.He denied that Facebook, which has more
than 2 billion monthly users across the world, was a monopoly. “It certainly doesn’t feel that way to me,” Zuckerberg said.Wearing a dark suit and tie instead of his typical T-shirt and jeans, Zuckerberg appeared largely unruffled as senators questioned him. Investors welcomed his performance. “Zuckerberg is conciliatory in his presentation,” said Mariann Montagne, portfolio manager at Gradient Investments in Arden Hills, Minnesota. “The stock is running up on his comments. Maybe people like seeing Zuckerberg in a suit.”Facebook shares closed up 4.5 percent at $165.04, their highest level in almost three weeks. It was their largest daily gain since April 28, 2016.The shares fell steeply last month after it came to light that millions of users’ personal information was harvested from Facebook by Cambridge Analytica, a political consultancy that has counted U.S. President Donald Trump’s election campaign
among its clients. The latest estimate of affected users is up to 87 million. CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE That disclosure pitched Facebook into a crisis of confidence among users, advertisers, employees and investors who were already struggling with Facebook’s reaction to fake news and its role in the 2016 election.Facebook disclosed in September that Russians under fake names used the social network to try to influence U.S. voters in the months before and after the 2016 election, writing about inflammatory subjects, setting up events and buying ads.“We believe it is entirely possible that there will be a connection there,” Zuckerberg said when asked if there was overlap between Cambridge Analytica’s harvested user data and the political propaganda pushed by the Kremlin-linked Internet Research Agency during the 2016 presidential election, which Facebook has said was seen by some 126 million people.
South Korean court jails former president Park for 24 years SEOUL (Reuters) - A South Korean court jailed former President Park Geunhye for 24 years last Friday over a scandal that exposed webs of corruption between political leaders and the country’s conglomerates. Park became South Korea’s first democratically elected leader to be forced from office last year when the Constitutional Court ordered her out over a scandal that landed the heads of two conglomerates in jail. The court also fined Park, the daughter of a former military dictator, 18 billion won ($16.9 million) after finding her guilty of charges including bribery, abuse of power and coercion. “The defendant abused her presidential power entrusted by the people, and as a result, brought massive chaos to the order of state affairs and led to the impeachment of the president, which was unprecedented,” judge Kim Se-yoon said as he handed down the sentence. Up to 1,000 Park supporters gathered outside the court, holding national flags and signs calling for an end to “political revenge” against her. The court found Park guilty of colluding with her old friend, Choi Soon-sil, to receive about 7 billion won ($6.56 million) each from Lotte
South Korean ousted leader Park Geun-hye arrives at a court in Seoul, South Korea, August 25, 2017. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji/File Photo Group, a retail giant, and Samsung, the world’s biggest maker of smartphones and semiconductors, while demanding 8.9 billion won from SK, an energy conglomerate. Most of the money was intended to bankroll nonprofit foundations run by Choi’s family and confidants, and to fund the education of Choi’s horse-riding daughter, the court said.Prosecutors sought a 30-year sentence
and a 118.5 billion won ($112 million) fine for Park.Park, 66, who has been in jail since March 31 last year, has denied wrongdoing and was not present in court. The judge said Park had shown “no sign of repentance” but had instead tried to shift the blame to Choi and her secretaries. “We cannot help but sternly hold her accountable,” Kim said.
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Repeat offender gets 4 years for robbery
Onderneeming, Essequibo Coast resident, Devon Holder, was sent to prison for a total of four years after confessing to two robberies he committed in the Stabroek Market area. Holder appeared before Magistrate Annette Singh yesterday and admitted that, he on, April 5, robbed Pamela Gibson of a gold chain valued $100,000. He further admitted that on January 9, last, he robbed Rafeek Mohamed of a gold chain valued $500,000.
Magistrate Singh jailed Holder for two years on each count of robbery, which she ordered to be served concurrently. According to facts presented in court, Holder attacked Gibson by placing a knife to her neck while she was shopping in the Stabroek Market area. He allegedly kicked and cuffed the woman several times before making good his escape with her belongings. Holder has been in and out of prison since 2009.
Vague terms, abuse of discretion ... From page 8 activities of itself and its contractors and subcontractors, sub-licensees and the employees of all such parties‌ ‌To the extent that third party liability insurance is unavailable or is not obtained, or does not cover part or all of any claims for damage, loss or injury caused by or resulting from Petroleum Operations, Licensee shall remain fully responsible and shall defend, indemnify and hold the
Government harmless against all such claims by the Government arising from any such damage, loss or injury. Licensee shall indemnify, defend and hold the Government harmless against all third party claims for damage, loss o r i n j u r y, i n c l u d i n g , w i t h o u t l i m i t a t i o n , claims for loss or damage to property or injury or death to persons, caused by or resulting from any Petroleum Operations conducted by or on behalf of Licensee.�
Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 11 ,2018
Argentina will not recognize Venezuela vote: Macri Buenos Aires (AFP) - Argentina will not recognize the result of next months’ Venezuelan presidential election, which is being boycotted by the main opposition parties, President Mauricio Macri said yesterday. Macri was speaking after talks in Buenos Aires with visiting Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, during which they discussed the Venezuela crisis. “We are not going to validate the result of the election on May 20,” said Macri. “It does not have any value, even if Mr Maduro insults me, we will not recognize him as a democratic president because there has not been a democracy in Venezuela for some time.” Despite presiding over an economic collapse, Socialist President Nicolas Maduro is seeking a second six-year term in elections which the opposition coalition claims are effectively rigged in advance. Speaking at a joint press conference, Macri said the crisis would be “top of the agenda” at the Summit of the Americas, which begins Friday in Lima. The center-right Argentine president said countries agreeing that the elections have no validity will discuss
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy (L) and Argentinian President Mauricio Macri discuss the situation in Venezuela in Buenos Aires ahead of a Summit of the Americas in Lima (AFP Photo/EITAN ABRAMOVICH) at the summit what measures could be taken against Maduro’s government. Rajoy said that “unfortunately the problem (of Venezuela) is of such magnitude that it already affects the entire region and has overflowed all borders.” Oil-rich Venezuela’s crushing economic and political crisis has caused widespread shortages of basic goods, in addition to hyperinflation which the International Monetary Fund expects
to run to 13,000 percent this year. Tens of thousands of Venezuelans have fled the country, mostly taking refuge in neighboring Colombia. The main opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable, known as the MUD, is boycotting the elections, saying they lack guarantees of a free and fair vote. Maduro’s main opponent is Henri Falcon, a former governor who is defying MUD’s boycott.
Rousseff appeals for ‘international solidarity’ with Brazil’s Lula Madrid (AFP) - Brazil’s former president Dilma Rousseff yesterday called for “international solidarity” with her predecessor Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva who was jailed over the weekend on a corruption conviction. Lula, 72, remains the leftist Workers’ Party candidate for Brazil’s October presidential election though his incarceration casts doubts on whether he can legally run for office. He remains the comfortable favourite in voter surveys heading toward the October election. “We need international solidarity,” Rousseff, who was impeached in 2016 for allegedly falsifying public accounts, told a conference in Madrid.She warned that “Brazilian democracy is at risk” because of the “parliamentary coup” which led to her impeachment and replacement as president by her conservative vice president Michel Temer. Lula has so far received the support of the leftist governments of Cuba and
Dilma Rousseff Venezuela.While in Spain Rousseff met with leaders of the far-left party Podemos who have also expressed solidarity with Lula. Rousseff, a 70-year-old former Marxist-guerrilla fighter of Bulgarian roots, reiterated that she believed Lula is innocent and that the Workers’ Party would not drop him as its candidate for president. “We don’t have a Plan B. We maintain Lula’s candidacy,” she said, adding the party would fight in court to ensure he can stand in the
election. Lula is set to be declared ineligible in August after having his conviction upheld once again by an appeals court. But he and his party are gambling that he could be released from prison before then and go on to contest the election. Many in Brazil revere the former trade union leader for lifting tens of millions out of poverty during his 2003-2010 time in office. But many others see him as emblematic of the graft that plagues Brazilian politics. He was found guilty last year of accepting a luxury seaside apartment from a construction group that picked up government public works contracts. Brazil’s Supreme Court is currently considering the laws that have put Lula behind bars while his lawyers are still pursuing appeals. A vote by the court’s justices could take place on Wednesday. If it goes ahead, Lula could be released — for now — or remain in his cell.
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Cops nab six men, four guns and stolen car Police last night apprehended six men with four guns at Supply, East Bank Demerara. ‘A’ Division Commander Leslie James told Kaieteur News that the men were captured after a foiled robbery attempt at the home of a Chinese businessman. The Commander said that at around 19:00hrs, the businessman heard strange noises on his property, and on looking outside, saw four
- following robbery attempt on Supply businessman men on his premises. He immediately raised an alarm, and the men fled to a car and drove away. The police were then alerted. “As a result of excellent work, six men were held tonight with four firearms,” Commander James said.
Kaieteur News understands that at least two of the men were previously before the courts. Police believe that the vehicle, which has also been impounded, was fitted with false number plates. (see more details in Thursday’s edition)
Chile imposes new regulation for Haitians entering the country SANTIAGO, Chile - CMC – Chile has announced new immigration measures that could significantly reduce the number of Haitians entering the South American country. “We want these people to enter Chile in accordance with our laws, integrate into our society, be a contribution to our country and realise their dreams of a better life,” President Sebastián Piñera said as he announced plans to introduce legislation to regulate migratory flows, through the application of visas. Figures released by the Policía de Investigaciones (PDI), during the month of February, 11,619 Haitians entered Chile, while the figure dropped to 5,477 in March due mainly to the decision by Latin American Wings (LAW) airline to temporary suspend flights after Chilean authorities expressed concern at the number of illegal or undocumented Haitians arriving here. The figures show that in 2017, an estimated 104,782 Haitians entered Chile, an increase of 114 per cent compared to 2016 when 48,783 Haitians entered the country. The figures show that the majority of foreign nationals in Chile are from Haiti, Venezuela and Colombia. Piñera said that among the measures being contemplated include having Haitians obtain a simple tourist consular visa, with the right to enter and stay in Chile for a maximum period of 30 days. He said holders of this visa will
President Sebastián Piñera not be able to work or earn money in Chile. Haitians who already have a family member in Chile having a regular immigration status, will be able to access the 12-month family reunification visa. This visa must be requested from the Consulate of Chile in Haiti and will be subject to a maximum annual quota.Other new measures include an entry ban for persons with criminal records, the creation of a national migration service, mandatory application outside Chile for a temporary residence visa that will not be interchangeable with a tourist visa and a simplified eviction mechanism for offenders. The new measures are expected to come into force on April 23, this year. Piñera also introduced new legislation to replace the
current immigration law, which has been in force since 1975 and allows the immigration officer with the power to say who can enter Chile. Currently the legislation allows any foreigner who enters Chile with a “tourist visa” to be able to apply for a temporary or permanent residence once in the country. “Our country needs a new migration law, adapted to our time and guaranteeing a safe, orderly and regular migration, which opens the doors to those who do good in Chile and closes the doors to those who harm us,” said President Piñera. The new regulations will be submitted to Congress with a simple emergency request, which means that it will have to be evaluated within 30 days, said Interior Minister Andrés Chadwick.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 11 ,2018
Minister Darryl Smith terminated by PM PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC – Less than 24 hours after he was demoted as a Cabinet minister, the newly appointed Minister in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Darryl Smith has been fired. A statement from the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday said that Smith’s dismissal followed a meeting with Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, Planning and Development Minister, Camille Robinson-Regis and Smith “during which new information came to the attention of the Prime Minister”. On Monday, Prime Minister Rowley removed Smith as the Sports and Youth Minister, after the Sunday Express newspaper in an exclusive story exposed his alleged unwanted sexual advances on his personal secretary CarrieAnn Moreau, which she detailed in her witness statement in support of her claim for wrongful dismissal at the Industrial Court. It’s alleged Smith’s unwanted advances to the former staffer resulting in a TT$150,000 (One TT dollar=US$0.16 cents) settlement by the Ministry using taxpayers’ money. The decision had been criticised by the main opposition United National Congress (UNC) and political commen-
Minister Dr. Keith Rowley tators that regarded the demotion more as a promotion. “In Smith’s case, the Prime Minister not only needs to fire Smith but demand his resignation from Diego Martin Central. Smith no longer has the moral authority to represent the mothers, sisters and daughters of Diego Martin Central. He should resign his seat,” Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar said. “The Prime Minister has ignored the call of all rightminded citizens…newspaper reports have shown that Ministry funds were used to settle a case in which the allegations of sexual harassment were made against Smith,” she added. The statement yesterday
Darryl Smith, Prime noted that the “meeting also resulted in the appointment of a committee to thoroughly review the circumstances surrounding the dismissal and payment of compensation to Ms Carrie-Ann Moreau at the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs”.It said that the committee is to be chaired by former senior public servant and human resource expert, Jackie Wilson and would include attorney Elaine Greene. The committee is expected to report in two weeks. “It is anticipated that all parties involved in any nondisclosure arrangement in this matter will lift such impediment so as to allow the fullest examination of the facts for the benefit of the public,” the statement noted.
Caribbean mayors urged to reduce dependency on central governments KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC – Jamaica’s Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Desmond McKenzie, has called on local authorities to become more self-sufficient, in order to reduce their dependency on central government. Addressing the inaugural Caribbean Conference of Mayors, which ends here today, McKenzie said “if we speak about the independence of local government, then we should create our own niche of revenue, and it’s time we extricate ourselves from the pockets of central government by becoming more relevant when it comes to generating our own sources of revenue”. He told the delegates attending the conference that is being held under the theme “Caribbean Cities: Honouring the Past, Embracing a Smart Future’ that the potential is there for this to become a reality, noting that “this is one area of disappointment in local government”.
Mayor of Kingston, Delory Williams He said that the success of central government requires the continued success of local government. “Local government has and continues to be the most accessible and intimate form of government to the citizens anywhere, (and) its importance continues to grow.
“As our collective economy and societies evolve, we should pool our intellectual and social capacities to drive and support development in our cities, municipalities and countries,” he said. He said the conference provides an opportunity for local government practitioners to share best practices and significantly improve the quality of service provided to citizens, particularly in starting the process of coordinating the creation of smart cities across the Caribbean. “The starting point of this process is the sharing of ideas – communication and information technologies – to increase efficiency and creativity of our operations. In this way, we will positively affect service delivery and governance in our cities and municipalities, and, at the same time, we will more strongly contribute to the share of the limited budget resources that are available to the local authorities,” he said.
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European Commission investigators raid U.S., Russia clash at U.N. over Rupert Murdoch’s Fox HQ in London chemical weapons attacks in Syria (Daily Mail) The London offices of Rupert Murdoch’s Fox Networks have been raided by investigators from the European Commission as part of a continent-wide move against companies involved in sports broadcasting and rights. Commission agents began searching the offices of Fox Networks Group in Hammersmith, West London early yesterday. In a statement, the Commission said: ‘The Commission has concerns that the companies involved may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices’. ‘Unannounced inspections are a preliminary step into suspected anticompetitive practices. [It] ... does not mean that the companies are guilty of anticompetitive behaviour nor does it prejudge the outcome of the investigation itself.’ It added: ‘Officials carried out unannounced inspections in several Member States at the premises of companies active in the distribution of media rights and related rights pertaining to various sports events and/ or their broadcasting’. Sports broadcasting has become a huge business in
….as part of continent-wide probe into sports rights cartels
Europe and the United States, with networks spending billions of pounds to secure exclusive rights to show games in top-flight leagues to attract viewers. Fox Networks Group (FNG), a unit of Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox Inc, had said earlier today that it was cooperating with the inspection. Investigators are believed to have taken documents and computer records. They are also believed to still be at the offices, where it is expected they will remain until as late as tomorrow. FNG is an operating unit of Fox, which distributes TV and cable channels and content around the world. It is part of the Murdoch empire’s entertainment arm, distinct from News Corp, which owns The Times and The Sun newspapers among others. The Commission is invested with the power to investigate firms they believe are abusing their market dominance or are involved in price fixing with other companies. It comes after 21st Century Fox proposed selling rolling TV channel Sky News to Disney earlier this month in
order to finally seal control of pan-European satellite broadcaster Sky. Fox - which for a long time has sought to buy the 61 per cent of British pay TV giant Sky that it does not already own - has also offered to ringfence the 24-hour news channel instead, it said in a statement, as it looked to allay concerns over Murdoch’s increasing media influence. Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) regulator provisionally ruled earlier this year that Murdoch’s planned takeover was not in the public interest and that a deal would hand him too much power in swaying public opinion. ‘We believe that the enhanced firewall remedies we proposed to safeguard the editorial independence of Sky News addressed comprehensively and constructively the CMA’s provisional concerns,’ Fox said in a statement on April 3.New York-listed entertainment titan Fox has already bid £11.4 billion for the 61-per cent of Sky it does not already own but in Britain concerns linger over the strengthening influence of Australian-born US tycoon Murdoch.
UNITED NATIONS/ BEIRUT (Reuters) - Russia and the United States tangled yesterday at the United Nations over the use of chemical weapons in Syria as Washington and its allies considered whether to strike at President Bashar alAssad’s forces over a suspected poison gas attack last weekend. Moscow and Washington halted attempts by each other in the U.N. Security Council to set up international investigations into chemical weapons attacks in Syria, which is in the throes of a seven-year-old civil war. U.S. President Donald Trump and Western allies are discussing possible military action to punish Assad for a suspected poison gas attack on Saturday on a rebel-held town that long had held out against government forces. Trump yesterday canceled a planned trip to Latin America later this week to focus instead on responding to the Syria incident, the White House said. Trump had on Monday warned of a quick, forceful response once responsibility for the Syria attack was established. On the diplomatic front, the United Nations Security Council failed to approve three draft resolutions on chemical weapons attacks in Syria. Russia vetoed a U.S. text, while two Russiandrafted resolutions failed to get a minimum nine votes to pass. Moscow opposes any Western strike on its close
ally Assad and has vetoed Security Council action on Syria 12 times since the conflict started. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley told the Security Council that adopting the U.S.-drafted resolution was the least that member nations could do. “History will record that, on this day, Russia chose protecting a monster over the lives of the Syrian people,” Haley said, referring to Assad. At least 60 people were killed and more than 1,000 injured in Saturday’s suspected chemical weapons attack on the town of Douma, according to a Syrian relief group. Doctors and witnesses have said victims showed symptoms of poisoning, possibly by a nerve agent, and reported the smell of chlorine gas. RUSSIAACCUSES Russian U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said Washington’s decision to put forward its resolution could be a prelude to a Western strike on Syria. “I would once again ask you, once again beseech you, to refrain from the plans that you’re currently developing for Syria,” he said after the council failed to approve a third draft resolution on chemical weapons attacks in Syria.International chemical weapons experts are expected to go to Douma to investigate the suspected poison gas attack.France and Britain discussed with the Trump administration how to respond to
the Douma attack. Both stressed that the culprit still needed to be confirmed. The Douma incident has thrust Syria’s conflict back to the forefront of the international stage, pitting Washington and Moscow against each other once again. Trump said that he would make a decision about how to respond within a few days, adding that the United States had “a lot of options militarily” on Syria. Assad’s government and Russia have said there was no evidence a gas attack had taken place and that the claim was bogus. Any U.S. strike is likely to involve naval assets, given the risk to aircraft from Russian and Syrian air defense systems. A U.S. Navy guidedmissile destroyer, the USS Donald Cook, is in the Mediterranean. A key issue being considered by U.S. defense and intelligence agencies and war planners is the effectiveness of Syrian air defenses and the extent to which Russia is helping to organize, and ultimately, direct Syrian air defense operations, according to two U.S. government sources. Last year, the United States launched strikes from two Navy destroyers against a Syrian air base. U.S. military action similar to last year’s would likely not cause a shift in the direction of the war that has gone Assad’s way since 2015 with massive aid from Iran and Russia.
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Kaieteur News
Salah and Firmino send Liverpool into last four MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - Liverpool reached the Champions League semifinals for the first time in 10 years as Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino struck decisive blows to secure a 2-1 win over Manchester City yesterday that completed a 5-1 aggregate victory. Trailing 3-0 from the firstleg City manager Pep Guardiola had said his team needed to produce a “perfect game” at the Etihad Stadium if they were to achieve a famous comeback and for 45 minutes they were not far off that level. Yet it was Liverpool whose approach turned out to be perfect in the circumstances as they followed up some staunch first-half defending to level through Salah in the 56th minute and seal the tie through Firmino 13 min-
utes from fulltime, clinching their third win against City this season. Gabriel Jesus had scored for the hosts after two minutes to fuel the home fans with hope and Guardiola’s side had then launched wave after wave of attacks to pin Liverpool back. Yet after Bernardo Silva hit the post in the 40th minute and Leroy Sane had an effort ruled out for a disputed offside two minutes later, City had just the solitary goal to show for their first-half exertions. “It was quite difficult tonight, especially with the start,” said Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp. “This wonderful goal that we served them on a plate. I was expecting something like that but I liked the reaction immediately after that. They
could’ve scored two or three goals in the first half but it was 100 percent clear that if we win the ball we’d have an opportunity.” After a glorious attacking display in the first leg, Liverpool did exactly what they had to do in Manchester and deservedly took their place in the semi-finals. City can look back with some pride though on their first-half performance. They needed an early goal to set the mood and they got exactly that. Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk gave the ball away and Fernandinho played a superb pass to Raheem Sterling on the right who slipped the ball across to Jesus to slot home. CONSTANT PRESSURE Fired-up by that breakthrough and with the crowd roar-
Wednesday April 11, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You've been juggling career, romance, and creative interests for the past year, Aries. This is apt to continue. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Ingenuity blossoms when you make the effort to do a little writing, Taurus, perhaps technical manuals or other professionally oriented projects. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Are you considering moving to a new residence, redecorating, or making some home improvements, Gemini? If so, this is a good time to do it. CANCER (June 21–July 22) You might need to make a lot of phone calls and get through some lingering paperwork today, Cancer. A business partner or friend could be instrumental in helping clear up some loose ends that have been left hanging. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) If you've been worrying about having spent too much recently, Leo, the astral configuration indicates you should be able to put those worries behind you. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Communication takes a prominent place in your life today, Virgo. Your practical, direct, and down-to-Earth manner can be very impressive. You're known for succeeding where others have failed.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You could be surrounded by secrets, Libra. A number of colleagues might be leaving to pursue new opportunities, and you could wonder if there's a reason for it that escapes you. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) A phone call or email from a friend could open up new career possibilities for you, Scorpio, perhaps involving the communications industry. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Communication of all sorts could be vital to you today. You might spend much of the day on the phone organizing an important event or perhaps clearing up a misunderstanding. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Idealistic love could come your way today, Capricorn. This might involve a colleague or possibly someone in a group with which you're affiliated. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Tending to paperwork could take up much of your time today, Aquarius. A lot could be riding on your careful planning and projections PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Communication between you and either a business or romantic partner should get a fresh start today. You've gotten to know each other better and feel more comfortable being honest
Roberto Firmino slides home to put Liverpool ahead on the night and leaving Manchester City needing five goals. (PA) ing them on, City were first to every ball, applying constant pressure on the Liverpool defence while Juergen Klopp’s side were unable to earn some respite. Kevin De Bruyne tested Loris Karius with a low drive in the 27th minute and the home side had an appeal for a penalty turned down when former Liverpool forward Sterling went down in the box with Andy Robertson’s arms around him. Yet for all the pressure, Liverpool’s defence held firm and City were unable to create another clear-cut chance until the 40th minute when Bernardo Silva cut in from the right and his fierce left-foot drive crashed off the post. Two minutes later, Sane thought he had added a second, poking the ball over the line but the referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz
Guyanese duo...
From page 43 bronze to Scotland’s Alexander Walter and Ian Shaw (582:49). South Africa placed 4th (581:53), New Zealand 5th (581:50), Australia 6th (580:54), Northern Ireland 7th (579:49), Canada 8th (579:47), Guernsey 9th (575:45), Jersey 10th (572:36). The Individual Championships will shoot off today with competition at the 300, 500 and 600 yards ranges, the same ranges would be repeated tomorrow before the marksmen engage in a practice session on Friday at the 900 and 1000 yards ranges before the final day of the Individual competition on Saturday at the same 900 and 1000 yards.
ruled the German was offside. City protested strongly, arguing the ball towards Sane had come off Liverpool’s James Milner. Liverpool sent a warning just before the break when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
rounded Ederson after a swift attack but shot wide from a tight angle. As the teams came off, Guardiola’s protests about Sane’s disallowed goal resulted in him being sent to the stands for the second half.
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Wednesday April 11, 2018
NBA roundup: George, Westbrook help Thunder clinch playoff spot The Associated Press MIAMI — Paul George scored 27 points, Russell Westbrook got his 25th tripledouble of the season and the Oklahoma City Thunder clinched a playoff spot with a 115-93 win over the Miami Heat on Monday night. Westbrook finished with 23 points, 18 rebounds and 13 assists for the Thunder, who were down 18 in the opening minutes before outscoring the Heat 39-12 in the fourth. The 27-point margin was the third-worst for any quarter in Heat history, and the worst ever in a game at Miami. Jerami Grant scored 17 points and Carmelo Anthony added 11 for Oklahoma City, which made 14 3-pointers.
Josh Richardson scored 18 points and Hassan Whiteside added 16 for the Heat, whose playoff seed won’t be decided until the season-finales Wednesday. Justise Winslow and Tyler Johnson each scored 12 for Miami, and James Johnson added 11. CAVALIERS 123, KNICKS 109 NEW YORK (AP) — LeBron James had 26 points and 11 assists, Kevin Love scored 28 points, and the Cavaliers got their 50th win and another Central Division title by beating the Knicks. The Cavaliers pulled within a half-game of Philadelphia for the No. 3 spot in the Eastern Conference, bouncing back from their loss to the
76ers on Friday and winning for the sixth time in seven games. They reached 50 wins for the fourth time in four seasons since James returned from Miami and the 11th time in franchise history. J.R. Smith and Jordan Clarkson added 16 points apiece for the Cavaliers, who made 19 3-pointers and won for the ninth straight time at Madison Square Garden. Michael Beasley scored 20 points for the Knicks in their final home game of the season, which opened a home-and-home series. Rookie Frank Ntilikina added a career-high 17 and Courtney Lee also had 17. SPURS 98, KINGS 85 SAN ANTONIO (AP) —
Rudy Gay scored 18 points, Manu Ginobili had 17 and the Spurs rallied late to beat the Kings and clinch their 21st straight postseason appearance. Sacramento, which was eliminated from the postseason on March 11, led by 14 points before being outscored 38-19 in the fourth quarter. Reserves Gay, Ginobili and Bryn Forbes combined for 25 points in the fourth quarter. Forbes finished with 11 points total. Willie Cauley-Stein led Sacramento with 25 points and 10 rebounds. RAPTORS 108, PISTONS 98 DETROIT (AP) — Jonas Valanciunas scored 25 points, and the Raptors scored the first 13 points of the fourth quarter before holding on for a victory over the Pistons. Detroit was without injured stars Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin for its home finale, but the Pistons still led by 17 in the first half. The margin was only three, however, at halftime, and Detroit managed only 38 points over the final two quarters. Detroit is out of playoff contention, and Toronto had already wrapped up the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors played without Fred VanVleet and Serge Ibaka.Luke Kennard led Detroit with 20 points and Reggie Jackson scored 16 with nine assists. Langston Galloway had 15 points on 7of-8 shooting. NETS 114, BULLS 105 NEW YORK (AP) — Allen Crabbe scored 20 of his career-high 41 points in the first quarter and the Nets beat the Bulls for their first threegame winning streak this season. D’Angelo Russell had 21 points and 11 assists, and Spencer Dinwiddie scored 20 points for the Nets, who had not won three straight since April 1-4, 2017. Former Net Sean Kilpatrick was one of seven players for the Bulls to score in double figures, tallying 16 points. Cameron Payne had 15 for Chicago, which has lost its last three games. Brooklyn hit 18 3-pointers in its first game since falling one shy of the NBA record with 24 in a rout of Chicago on Saturday. Crabbe celebrated his 26th birthday by going 8 of 11 from deep Monday. TIMBERWOLVES 113, GRIZZLIES 94 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Karl-Anthony Towns slammed his way to 24 points and grabbed 18 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Carmelo Anthony (7) dunks against Miami Heat guards Goran Dragic (7) and Wayne Ellington (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, April 9, 2018, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) toughed out a victory over the Grizzlies to move one step closer to a long-sought spot in the playoffs. Jeff Teague added 24 points and Jimmy Butler scored 15 points for the Timberwolves, who trailed by 10 points early before taking over against a depleted Grizzlies team that beat them 10193 exactly two weeks ago in one of their worst losses of the season. Towns had five dunks to help ignite the crowd.Ben McLemore had 18 points for the Grizzlies, who moved one loss closer to a prime lottery pick. The Wolves entered the evening with more than just payback on the agenda. They had the opportunity to secure their first appearance in the playoffs since Kevin Garnett was patrolling the post with Latrell Sprewell as a wing man and Sam Cassell running the offense in 2004. BUCKS 102, MAGIC 86 MILWAUKEE (AP) — Shabazz Muhammad scored a season-high 22 points and helped spark a key third-quarter run, Eric Bledsoe had a triple-double and the Bucks beat the Magic. The Bucks leapfrogged Miami for sixth in the Eastern Conference. The Heat lost to Oklahoma City on Monday. Milwaukee won its second straight game without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is resting a sore right ankle. Both victories came against 50-loss teams. Nikola Vucevic led Orlando with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Bismark Biyombo had 14 points.
Bledsoe had 20 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists for Milwaukee. PELICANS 113, CLIPPERS 100 LOS ANGELES (AP) — Anthony Davis scored 28 points, Nikola Mirotic had a double-double and the Pelicans beat the Clippers to clinch their first playoff berth in three years. Mirotic had 24 points and 16 rebounds in the Pelicans’ fourth straight victory. It will be just their second playoff appearance in seven years and they made it without big man DeMarcus Cousins, who sustained a season-ending Achilles injury on Jan. 28. Sindarius Thornwell scored 20 points off the bench, DeAndre Jordan had 15 rebounds and Montrezl Harrell added 15 points for the Clippers, who have lost three in a row while being eliminated from playoff contention. NUGGETS 88, TRAIL BLAZERS 82 DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic posted his 10th tripledouble of the season and the Nuggets kept their playoff hopes alive by rallying past the Trail Blazers. The Nuggets have won a season-high six straight games and a seventh, on Wednesday night in Minnesota, would clinch their first playoff berth since 2012-13. Jokic scored 15 points and pulled down a seasonbest 20 rebounds and had 11 assists. Will Barton added 22 points, leading a comeback from an 11-point third-quarter deficit.
Wednesday April 11, 2018
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Solo Under-19 Hockey Leagues off to promising... From page 41 and Meshach Sargeant for GCC would face off against ball wizard Omar Hopkinson of Old Fort. While GCC appeared the more complete side with the edge on possession, Old Fort’s quick counter-attacking raids always seemed a dangerous threat. With the first half coming to a close and no goals on the sheet, the diminutive Sargeant finally got the breakthrough for his side with a drive into the scoring circle and well-placed shot past the Old Fort Goalkeeper. Not surprisingly, McKenzie would be the other name on the GCC score sheet just after the break with a powerful shot. While Hopkinson and the rest of the Old Fort crew created several chances, the staunch defence marshalled by Samuel Woodroffe kept them scoreless, giving GCC a 2-0 win at full time. GCC also defeated Joseph’s Warriors the follow-
ing afternoon 2-0 with goals being scored by Tariq Nelson and Seth Jeffrey. Hikers, featuring a litany of Garnett brothers and cousins took on the Saints Splinters in what turned out to be a tougher battle than anticipated. Prolific goal scorer Baraka Garnett pulled off a hatrick of goals in the last 5 minutes of play to decide the match which was dead even up to that point. The Splinters fought bravely but ran out of steam in the end and conceded to the stronger side. With NR Multilateral playing their first ever competition, Saints Sonics took full advantage of their home court familiarity to score maximum goals. The experienced Troy Hodge led the scorers with 6 goals, Hilmar Chester added 4, Edmond Chinian 3, Shakeem Fausette 2 and Shemar Boston and Malique Ferreira added one each. In the girls’ competition, Bingo Spartans made light
work of the GCC Hurricanes with a 12-0 victory. Speedy striker Abosaide Cadogan was the top-scorer of the match with 5 goals while Alana Cheung scored a hattrick, Makeda Harding added 2 and singles were scored by Madison Fernandes and Sarah Klautky. The Saints girls rounded off the weekend’s matches with a 4-1 victory over St Joseph’s. Talented athlete Charlia Webb scored the opener for Saints in the 10th minute and Cherub Autar scored the team’s second on the halftime buzzer. Although St. Joseph’s managed to pull one goal back just after the break through Jasmaine Assanah, Autar was in unstoppable form and hammered home two more to complete her hatrick and a 4-1 final score for the Saints win. Matches continue on Saturday and Sunday at the St. Stanislaus College ground.
Roma dump Barca out of Champions Ousmane Dembele League with stunning win tute whistled a long-range shot ROME (Reuters) - AS Roma pulled off one of the great Champions League comebacks by knocking Barcelona out with a remarkable 3-0 win in their quarterfinal second leg yesterday, overcoming a 4-1 deficit from the first game to reach the last four on away goals. Roma’s Kostas Manolas headed the decisive third goal in the 82nd minute, putting the Italians in the semi-finals for the first time since they reached the European Cup final in 1984 and making amends for his own goal in the first leg at the Nou Camp. Roma forward Edin Dzeko had opened the scoring when he beat the offside trap and latched onto a perfectly weighted through ball from Daniele De Rossi to score in the sixth minute, lifting the hopes of the boisterous home fans in the Olympic Stadium. Captain De Rossi converted a penalty in the 58th for the hosts after Dzeko was fouled by Gerard Pique, giving Roma a deserved second goal after Dzeko and his Czech strike partner Patrik Schick missed two clear chances each before the break. “This would be a great
triumph for any team, but for Roma and considering our story in European competitions, it’s truly incredible,” De Rossi told reporters. “We knew it would be difficult, but we had that little bit of belief. The first leg showed us Barcelona had a lot of quality, but not as much as a few years ago. We knew the gap between us and them wasn’t 4-1.” Barca fielded the team that thrashed Roma in the first leg with the help of two own goals and were overwhelming favourites to go through but the five-times European champions barely got a foothold in the game after falling behind to Dzeko’s opener. BARCA SWAMPED Ernesto Valverde’s side were swamped by Roma’s high pressing and struggled to get hold of the ball as they were bullied in the air by the more physical Italian side, who inflicted the damage with long balls over the top and frequent crosses. The visitors’ Sergi Roberto squandered the first chance of the game but after that Barcelona struggled to respond to Roma’s constant waves of attacks until substi-
just over the bar in added time. “We weren’t capable in any moment of getting in the game because of how they approached the game,” said Barca coach Valverde. “They were very strong with second balls and we aren’t used to defending like that.” The runaway La Liga leaders had not lost in the Champions League this term until visiting Rome but slumped out at the quarterfinal stage for the third year in a row after being eliminated by Juventus last season and Atletico Madrid in 2016. “It’s difficult to accept this elimination because we had a lot of hope for this season and once again it has escaped us,” said Barca captain Andres Iniesta. It was a reversal of fortune for Barcelona who last term pulled off the greatest comeback in Champions League history by overcoming a 4-0 loss to Paris St Germain. They join PSG and AC Milan (eliminated by Deportivo La Coruna in 2004) as the only teams to have been knocked out after winning the first leg by at least three goals.
GCC’s Kareem McKenzie controls the ball against Theodore Theirens of St. Joseph’s.
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Williams leaves it late, Levy and Victor top podium
Winner Ronald Levy (right) and Jamaican teammate Hansle Parchment celebrate their one-two in the men’s sprint hurdles. GOLD COAST, Australia, CMC – Jamaican Kimberley Williams produced a superb final leap to snatch gold in the women’s triple jump, headlining a trio of Caribbean winners as fellow countryman Ronald Levy captured the men’s sprint hurdles and Grenadian Lindon Victor claimed the men’s decathlon, on day six of the Commonwealth Games here yesterday. The defending champion appeared headed for silver after teammate Shanieka Ricketts laid down the gauntlet with a season-best jump of 14.52 metres in the opening round, to lead throughout the competition. However, Williams unfurled a personal best 14.64m on her final attempt to overtake Ricketts, who was forced to settle for silver. Dominican Thea LaFond grabbed bronze with 13.92m, to ensure a Caribbean clean sweep of the podium. Up until the final round, Williams’s best mark had been 14.37 in the fourth round but came up with her best following a foul jump on her fifth attempt. The 29-year-old won gold in Glasgow four years ago with a measurement of 14.21 and only last month copped silver at the World Indoor Championship in Birmingham with a leap of 14.48. Tr i n i d a d i a n Ay a n n a A l e x a n d e r, w h o t o o k bronze at the last Common-
Wednesday April 11, 2018
Kaieteur News
wealth Games, was well below her personal best with 13.47, which was only good enough for sixth place. Te e n a g e d G u y a n e s e Natricia Hooper (8th) recorded a personal best 13.36, while older sister Natrena (11th) posted a season-best 12.62 but the performances left them down the field. Levy, meanwhile, collected his first global title when he nipped teammate Hansle Parchment coming off the final hurdle to win the 110m event in a time of 13.19. Parchment, who looked the winner at the half-way stage, posted 13.22 seconds for silver while Australian Nicholas Hough stopped the clock at a personal best 13.38 to claim bronze. An Olympic bronze medallist in London and a silver medallist in Beijing World Championship three years ago, Parchment was challenged by England’s Pozzi early on, with South African Antonio Alkana also in contention. Levy, in lane seven, gradually gained on the leaders and was level with Parchment following the last set of hurdles before out-sprinting him to the finish. Barbadian Shane Brathwaite was sixth in 13.53 while 18-year-old Jamaican De’Jour Russell was last in 13.92. Victor, meanwhile, made the most of leader and defending champion Damian
Warner’s massive stumble, to take the the decathlon title by amassing 8303 points. Canadian Warner, the Olympic bronze winner and a former world silver medalist, entered the second day of the event as the odds-on favourite to win but crashed out of the pole vault after missing three attempts at 4.50 metres. He slumped from first to sixth and then failed to compete in either the javelin or the 1500 metres, leaving the door open for his rivals. The 25-year-old Victor grabbed the opportunity. He cleared 4.60 to win the pole vault in a new personal best, unveiled an excellent throw of 71.10m on his final attempt to also win the javelin and trailed in seventh in the last event, the 1 500m, in five minutes, 04.75 seconds to formalise his title capture. “ I t ’s n o t t h e w a y I wanted to win, with Damien having three fouls but I prayed for the gold medal. It’s 10 events, not nine. It’s the nature of the decathlon,” said Victor, a two-time NCAA decathlon champion. “I was a little below my personal record, but it’s early in the season.” Canadian Pierce Lepage took silver with 8171 points while Cedric Dubler of Australia was third with 7983 points. Victor ’s brother Kurt Felix, who claimed bronze in Glasgow, finished fourth in 7756.
Highlights on day six of the Commonwealth Games GOLD COAST, Australia (Reuters) - Highlights on day six of the Commonwealth Games yesterday (times GMT): 0615 INDIA’S SIDHU CLINCHES RIFLE GOLD India’s Heena Sidhu won her second medal of the Games when she took gold in the women’s 25 metre pistol. Elena Galiabovitch of Australia was second and Malaysian Alia Sazana Azahari third. 0600 GARFOOT WINS TIME TRIAL GOLD Australian road cyclist Katrin Garfoot romped to victory in the women’s individual time trial, ahead of New Zealand’s Linda Villumsen and England’s Hayley Simmonds. 0425 HUBBARD INJURY ‘CAREER-ENDING’ The elbow injury that forced transgender competitor Laurel Hubbard out of the Commonwealth Games weightlifting competition has ended her career, she said yesterday. Having led in the 90+kg division on Monday with a lift of 120kg in the snatch, she injured her arm while attempting 132kg with her third effort and was forced to withdraw. 0410 PHELPS SHOOTS GOLD Welshman David Phelps won 50-metre rifle prone gold with a Games record score of 248.8. Scotland’s Neil Stirton
took silver and England’s Kenneth Parr won bronze. 0330 ANOTHER MEDAL FOR TANFIELD FAMILY English road cyclist Harry Tanfield joined his brother Charlie as a Commonwealth Games medallist with silver in the men’s individual time trial. Charlie Tanfield claimed gold medal in the individual pursuit and silver in the team pursuit last week. 0255 NEW ZEALAND WOMEN’S SEVENS NAME REPLACEMENTS Illness forced Ruby Tui (mumps) and Caleb Clarke (appendicitis) to be withdrawn from New Zealand women’s rugby sevens team. Alena Saili, 19, will replace Tui in the playing group and 17-yearold Risi Pouri-Lane was confirmed as the travelling reserve. 0210 ENGLAND’S DALEY OUT OF 10M INDIVIDUAL World champion diver Tom Daley will not defend his Commonwealth individual 10metre title due to a hip injury. Team England confirmed he would still compete with fellow Olympic bronze medallist Dan Goodfellow in Friday’s synchronised 10m platform event. “I am truly devastated not to be competing in the individual event. I have been training so hard for the Commonwealth Games, so this is
a real disappointment for me,” the 23-year-old said in a statement. 0130 CAMEROON’S TSOYE FAILS MEDICAL, WEIGH-IN PROCEDURE Cameroon boxer Christian Tsoye has been withdrawn from the 91kg division quarter-finals for failing the medical and weigh-in procedure. New Zealand’s David Nyika, a gold medallist at Glasgow, is now guaranteed at least a bronze. 0100 TITMUS QUALIFIES FASTEST FOR 400 METRES FREESTYLE The morning after winn i n g t h e w o m e n ’s 8 0 0 freestyle gold, Australia’s Ariarne Titmus, nicknamed ‘The Terminator’, qualified fastest for the 400 final on Wednesday. “After the 800m last night I was pretty excited, but I had to calm myself down and calm the emotions because it’s my main event today,” said the 17year-old. “I didn’t want to ruin it by getting overexcited. I just have to hold it together for one more day and then I can relax.” 0030 AMOS TOPS 800 METRES QUALIFYING Botswanan Nijel Amos topped qualifying for the 800 metres final with a time of one minute 45.12 seconds, ahead of Kenya’s Wycliffe Kinyamal and England’s Kyle Langford at Carrara Stadium.
Australia and Pakistan to play tri-series in Zimbabwe ESPNcricinfo - Zimbabwe Cricket, still reeling from their inability to qualify for the World Cup and the sacking of the organisation’s entire coaching staff, will host Australia and Pakistan in July for a T20I triangular tournament and then Pakistan for five ODIs. Neither country will play a Test in Zimbabwe, although the FTP had Australia pencilled in for one Test and Pakistan for two, further underlining ZC’s desire to restructure and avoid costly home Tests. “Playing two of the game’s biggest teams will provide us with a very welcome litmus test as we forge ahead with our plans to develop a stronger Zimbabwe side capable of consistently competing and winning against the best,” Faisal Hasnain, ZC MD said. But ZC’s plans appear, at best, hazy. After hosting West Indies for two Tests in Octo-
ber last year, ZC strongly indicated it would consider playing less longer-format cricket at home, given the costs and the fact that Zimbabwe is not part of the new Test Championship. Instead, it focused its energy on 50-over cricket, in the hopes of qualifying for the 2019 World Cup. Failure to do that has left Zimbabwe Cricket in limbo, which came to a head when all coaching staff - from national coach Heath Streak to under-19 coach Stephen Mangongo were fired. Graeme Cremer lost the captaincy and Tatenda Taibu was relieved of his duties as convener of selectors as well. ZC held a press conference on Tuesday to outline its plans for the resumption of domestic cricket - the 201819 season was not concluded as World Cup qualifier preparations began earlier this year - as well as plans for an academy. But the issue of coach-
ing staff was not on the agenda. They would need to attend to the allocation of backroom staff with haste if Zimbabwe are to play international cricket again three months’ time. The prospect of the tours of Australia and Pakistan being curtailed has been looming large for months given the financial state of Zimbabwean cricket, and matters came to a head with the country’s failure to qualify for the 2019 World Cup set to hit them hard in the pocket. In February, there was doubt over the fate of Pakistan’s tour to the country, with ZC’s managing director Faisal Hasnain saying as much. “Finances may not allow the [Pakistan] series to go ahead because we don’t get a lot from our TV contract, and the series ends up - the production costs result in huge losses,” Faisal Hasnain, ZC’s managing director had told ESPNcricinfo.”
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Badminton prodigy Narayan Semenya smashes the 1,500 Ramdhani wins opening match in record, on track for double -Winston George Commonwealth Games out of 200m event Yesterday, National Badminton men’s Champion Narayan Ramdhani made light work of St. Helena’s Vernon Smeed 21-6, 21-8 to win the three-game match in two sets to advance to the round-of-32 in the event at the XXI Commonwealth games being held in the Gold Coast, Australia. Ramdhani’s performance was one of the only positives for the Golden Arrowhead’s overall disappointing show yesterday. On the Badminton courts, female Doubles team of Taylor Fernandes and Mary Fung-A-Fat lost 2-0 to Canadian Duo of Samantha Cornett and Nikki Todd in Pool D. Taylor Fernandes and Sunil Seth also suffered a similar 20 loss in the Mixed Doubles Pool D, while the pair of Mary Fung-A-Fat and Jason Khalil also lost 2-0. On the track, Guyana’s representative and South America champion, Winston George, failed to get past his first heat in the men’s 200m, finishing fourth coming out
of lane three with a time of 21.19 seconds. It was another disappointing performance for George who failed to make the 400m finals after clocking 47.25 in the semifinal of that event. In the field events, Guyana’s female triple jump duo consisting of siblings, Natricia and Natrena Hooper, finished eighth and 11th respectively in that event’s final. Natricia leaped a personal best distance of 13.36m, while Natrena recorded a season best 12.62m, both of which were off Gold medalist, Jamaican Kimberly Williams’ top distance of 14.64m. In the men’s Long Jump, Emmanuel Archibald finished ninth in the men’s qualifying round Group B with a best leap of 7.24m which unfortunately wasn’t good enough to see him qualify for the event’s final. Australian Henry Frayne was outstanding to win Group B after recording a games record of 8.34m. On the previous day,
Keeve Allicock, the 2017 Junior Commonwealth Games silver medalist, suffered a heartbreaking controversial defeat to 2014 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Reece McFadden of Scotland. Much was expected of Allicock ahead of the games, and the 18-year-old from Albouystown lived up to those expectations, only to have his hopes of reaching the quarter-final of the 52kg class snatched by some obvious dubious judging. Fijian Judge Seru Whippy scored the fight 29-28 for Allicock, giving the Guyanese fighter two of the three rounds, but the other four judges scoring in similar fashion for the Scottish boxer, though he was outpunched. Allicock’s defeat ended Guyana’s campaign in the ring since the other fighter, Colin Lewis (light welterweight), was knocked out of the competition in a controversial manner as well, after winning his opening fight.
Russell thrills with half-century but KKR stunned CHENNAI, India, CMC – West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell announced his return to the Indian Premier League in style, belting an explosive unbeaten half-century but it was not enough to prevent Chennai Super Kings from pulling off a five-wicket victory here yesterday. Jamaican Russell, who missed last year IPL through a doping whereabouts suspension, finished unbeaten on 88 from 36 deliveries in his second outing as Kolkata Knight Riders piled up an impressive 202 for six from their 20 overs. However, CSK then produced an absorbing run chase to overhaul the target with a ball to spare. Englishman Sam Billings struck 56 and Australian Shane Watson, 42, but the hosts still required 17 from the final over. West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, who ended 11 not out, struck seamer Vinay Kumar for a six over fine leg off the first ball and Ravi Jadeja (11 not out) cleared the ropes at long on with the fifth delivery to earn CSK an exciting win. The first part of the game belonged to Russell who smashed a four and 11 sixes – equalling the record for the most sixes in an individual T20
Andre Russell bludgeoned the highest score by a No. 7 in the history of the IPL.©BCCI innings of less than a hundred. Robin Uthappa made 29, captain Dinesh Karthik, 26, while Australian Chris Lynn scored 22. With KKR slumping at 89 for five in the 10th over, Russell arrived to inspire the best partnership of the innings as he posted 76 from 46 deliveries for the sixth wicket – en route to the highest score by a number seven batsman or lower in the IPL. When Karthik perished in the 18th over, Russell put on a further 37 from 14 balls for the seventh wicket with Englishman Tom Curran (2 not out). The right-handed Russell had a slow start, gathering just 10 runs from his first 11
deliveries before exploding to reaching his 13th T20 halfcentury of another 15 balls, reaching the landmark with a six over extra cover off seamer Watson in the 18th over. He thumped a pair of sixes in one over from Bravo which leaked 19 runs and in the penultimate over, again took his wrath out on his Windies teammate with three consecutive sixes as the over went for 21. Bravo’s three overs gushed 50 runs marking only the fourth time in his 377match career he has conceded 50 runs or more in a T20. Scores: Chennai Super Kings 205 for 5 (Billings 56, Watson 42) beat Kolkata Knight Riders 202 for 6 (Russell 88*) by five wickets.
GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA (AP) Long after smashing the Commonwealth Games 1,500-meter record to set herself up for a middledistance double, Caster Semenya passed Isaac Makwala under the stadium and gave the Botswana sprinter a congratulatory hug. They both had convincing wins on a drizzly night at Carrara Stadium, with Makwala dominating the men’s 400. Semenya won in 4 minutes, 0.71 seconds to wipe more than four seconds off the old games mark and post a South African record in the process. The two-time Olympic 800-meter champion describes the longer race as a learning experience, and said it makes her more confident. At the last world championships, she won the 800 and took bronze in the 1,500. “That’s the beginning — started the quest last year,” Semenya said. “Winning this gold medal means a lot. Shows we are maturing, we are growing ... still learning how to run middle-distance. “But with 10 years of experience now for me I’m ready for anything.” There was a 12-minute delay at the start with the athletes at the line, trying to stay warm, because of a technical fault. Unlike the semi-finals, Semenya didn’t go straight to the front. Instead, she settled in fifth spot through the first half of the race and moved up into third as she entered the last lap. She started her surge with 250 to go and rounded the leaders with 200 remaining, extending her lead in the home stretch and then flexing her biceps in a bodybuilding pose after crossing the line. Beatrice Chepkoech took silver for Kenya in 4:03.09 and Melissa Courtney collected bronze for Wales. After being selected as South Africa’s flag bearer for the opening ceremony, Semenya said she’d repay the honour with two golds. “You need to lead by example ... I’m more like a captain so I need to show the guys that, yes, I’m a woman of my words,” she said. “If I say I’ll do something, I’ll do it.” Makwala arrived on the Gold Coast with one mission: the 400-meter gold. He eased to finish 44.35 seconds and did some push-ups beyond the line. He said the semifinal was worth five, but the gold was deserving of 10. “Just my trademark — I want to show that Makwala is still there,” he said. “I still
South Africa’s Caster Semenya gestures after winning the women’s 1500m final at Carrara Stadium during the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, Australia, Tuesday, April 10, 2018. (Mark Schiefelbein AP Photo) have the power to go.” Makwala grabbed a Botswana flag and ran around the track to celebrate with teammate Baboloki Thebe, who took silver in 45.09. Javon Francis of Jamaica got bronze in 45.11, edging out India’s Muhammed Anas Yahiya who placed fourth in a national record of 45.31. It was a special win for Makwala, who reached the 200 final at last year’s world championships days after being refused entry to the stadium for the 400 final because of quarantine restrictions amid a viral outbreak. He clenched the gold medal between his teeth as he stood on the podium and his anthem played, making sure to celebrate. Makwala decided not to compete in the 200 here, and will focus now on the Diamond League and preparing himself for a potential run at a 200400 double at next year’s world championships. The aptly named Lindon Victor won the decathlon for Grenada after defending champion Damian Warner failed to clear a height in the pole vault. Warner, the Olympic bronze and former world silver medalist, missed all three attempts at 4.50 meters and slumped from first place to sixth, well short of his personal best of 4.90. After seven events, he was leading with 6,297 points. The 28-year-old
Canadian dropped from first to sixth and didn’t compete in the javelin or the 1,500 meters on a wet night at the Carrara Stadium. His officials result: DNF. Victor won the gold 8,303 points and Warner’s Canadian teammate Pierce Lepage took silver at 8,171. Australia’s Cedric Dubler collected bronze in 7,983. “It’s not the way I wanted to win, with Damian having three fouls, but I prayed for the gold medal,” Victor said. “It’s 10 events, not nine. It’s the nature of the decathlon.” Jamaica went 1-2 in the 110-meter hurdles and in the women’s triple jump. In the first of the night finals, Ronald Levy won the hurdles in 13.19, edging fellow Jamaican Hansle Parchment by 0.03 in a damp track and Australia’s Nicholas Hough took bronze in a career-best 13.38. The triple jump was also contested between light rain showers, and Kimberly Williams took gold with a winning jump of 14.64 meters, 12 centimeters clear of Shanieka Ricketts and Thea Lafond of Dominica won bronze at 13.92. New Zealander Julia Ratcliffe won the women’s hammer throw with a best mark of 69.94 meters, with Australians Alexandra Hulley and Lara Nielsen finishing second and third.
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Wednesday April 11, 2018
Kaieteur News
Letter to the Sports Editor
Corona Futsal Tournament
Why only Georgetown based Chess Bent Street and Sparta Boss to meet in Saturday’s highly anticipated final players were selected for Junior Tourney in Suriname Dear Mr. Editor, I recently learnt that a junior chess team was sent to Suriname for a tournament in that country by the Guyana Chess Federation which is headed by Mr. James Bond. I have been informed that all the selected players came from or around Georgetown. If this is true then it smacks of discrimination against players from the rural areas like Berbice. My Sons, Marley and Darwin London aged 17 and 16 respectively, are prominent in the game of Chess here in Berbice with the youngest, Darwin winning the Individual regional Schools tournament six years in a row; that is to say from the age of TEN he has been the champion. Darwin
caught the eyes of The Stabroek News Chess Columnist, Mr. Errol Tiwari and was featured or mentioned in his column on no less than five occasions over the years and has been identified as a special talent that should be groomed. Darwin’s playing of the game has been described as beautiful to watch due to the flowing lines he employs and his sound strategizing. Marley is almost as prolific but he plays Chess for his school team and has been instrumental in helping his team achieve the status of a chess powerhouse in Berbice. These are facts that can be easily checked by reviewing Mr. Tiwari’s past columns. My question is, if these
two youngsters are to develop and help to put our country’s name on the Chess map, why aren’t they getting the exposure to competition that they deserve so much? I taught them the game and I consider myself an “ok” player (am being a bit modest here), yet I rarely draw a game with these two strategists and that speaks volumes for their competence. We need to have my sons notified of competitions (the Guyana Chess Federation’s Coordinator for Berbice Mr. Krish Raghunandan have our telephone numbers) so they can have the exposure they deserve in order to develop their game further, though I sense that they may develop other players also. Chess is not only played in Georgetown, Mr. Bond. Sincerely, John London.
Campbell gamble pays off as Australia win 4x100m medley relay
Bronte Campbell (left) has long been in the shadow of her older sister Cate (right), with most of her success coming as part of relay teams. (AAP: Dave Hunt) GOLD COAST, Australia (Reuters) - Bronte Campbell repaid the faith in her by Australia’s selectors as she chased down Canada’s Taylor Ruck in the final leg of the 4x100 metres medley relay to ensure the home nation won their eighth successive Commonwealth Games title yesterday. Australia’s coaches had chosen 100m freestyle champion Bronte over her elder sister Cate to bring their team home, with the decision likely to have been heavily dissected by local media had they not won the title. Cate had swum a blistering split time of 51.00 in the 4x100m freestyle relay to help set the world record and with Canada’s strong opening with Kylie Masse and Kierra Smith, the sprint between Bronte and Ruck was expected to be wafer thin. The gamble, however, paid off with Bronte and the Canadian hitting the water together after Emma McKeon had dragged Australia back into the race on the butterfly, before the 23-year-old hauled in Ruck in the final few metres.
“I was just focusing on Em,” Campbell said of her watching as McKeon and Olympic 100m freestyle champion Penny Oleksiak duelled in the butterfly. “She gave me a really good finish at the end there to get off on. I just tried bringing it home in the end, and we managed to.” Ruck, who won eight medals in total to surpass Elaine Tanner’s seven medals in the pool in Kingston in 1966 as the most successful Canadian at a single Commonwealth Games, said she still felt overjoyed with silver. “Amazing swim on that relay. As much as we were going for gold, it’s amazing to get a silver too,” she said. “It was really close, and the crowd was going wild. “That first 50 metres, I was so excited. I think I spent a lot on that first 50 metres, so the last 50 I was tiring out, but I tried to hang on the best I could. “I’m just so honoured to be able to win that many medals. I don’t think it has sunk in yet, but I’m just so happy with how this meet has gone.”
The two best futsal teams, Bent Street and Sparta Boss, have once again set up their second consecutive futsal final after their respective drama-filled semi-finals of the Corona Futsal tournament on Saturday at the National Gymnasium. Bent Street was once again in an enticing match, this time against Leopold Street. The game, arguably one of the better of the tournament, ended 6-5. Bent Street came out firing and quickly went 3-0 up w i t h g o a l s f r o m Ry a n Hackett, Kelsey Benjamin and Pernell Schultz in the seventh, eighth and 10th minutes respectively as the game seemed all but over at the halftime break. However, Omari Williams and Eon Alleyne teamed up to bring the game on level pecking with Williams scoring a double in the 14th and 19th minutes, while Alleyne’s goal came in the 18th minute to end
regulation time with the scores tied 3-3. Extra time started hot with Job Caesar putting Bent Street ahead in the 23rd, while Alleyne responded in a minute later to equalise with his second goal of the night. However, Caesar in the 25th, struck while, Andrew Murray Jr made it 6-4 in the 28th minute. Williams got his hat-trick of the night in the 29th minute as time expired. Meanwhile, Sparta Boss had to hold off Alpha Warriors with a 5-4 win to move to the final. Sparta, much like Bent Street, had a hot start with two quick goals from Jermain Junor and Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson in the first and eighth minutes respectively. Alpha did not take long to respond and scored two quick goals through Sheldon Holder and Daniel Favorite, with both goals coming in the ninth minute to put the game on even standing at 2-2.
Sparta wasted little time in responding and new comer to the team, Jeremy Garrett continued his goal-scoring form with a goal in the 10th minute. However, Vurlon Mills equalised for Alpha in the 14th minute, while Garrett put Sparta ahead for the third time in the game with a goal in the 18th minute. With time winding down and Sparta starting to relax a bit, Alpha Warriors equalised with a magnificent goal from Favorite in the 23rd minute. Garrett would score in the winner in the 28th minute of the match to send Sparta through to final to face Bent Street. The final will be played this Saturday at the National Gymnasium. The winners of the tournament, which is sponsored by Top Brandz through their Corona Beer brand, Namilco and Rose Ramdehol, will pocket $600,000, runners-up $300,000 and third place $150,000.
Olympic stars Thompson, Miller-Uibo cruise into semis GOLD COAST, Australia, CMC – Olympic champions Elaine Thompson and Shaunae Miller-Uibo both won their preliminary heats as they cruised into today’s semi-finals of the 200 metres at the Commonwealth Games. The 25-year-old Thompson, the reigning double sprint champion from the Rio Games, won heat four in 23.09 seconds, leading eight Caribbean qualifiers into the penultimate stage of the event yesterday. Trinidadian Kai Selvon finished fourth behind Jamaican Thompson in 23.23 to book her spot in the semis. Thompson will clash with Olympic 400m champion, Miller-Uibo, in today’s second semi-final after the Bahamian captured heat three in 22.95 seconds. Miller-Uibo, who sensationally won her Olympic title two years ago when she dived over the line, said she was running the event to strengthen her performances in the 400m. “It all went to plan. I think I did a pretty good job today. I have only been here five or six days and I have only just started to acclimatise,” Miller-Uibo said afterwards. “My coach believes the first 200m is my weakness [in the 400m] so I have
been sent out to run the 200m. I am having a bit of fun with it.” Jamaican Shericka Jackson also advanced by winning heat five in a time of 22.87, with Trinidadian Kamaria Durant coming home third in 23.33 to also qualify. Jamaican Shashalee Forbes, second in heat one in a season-best 22.88, Trinidadian Semoy Hackett who followed her home in third in 23.37, along with Bahamian Anthonique Strachan, who finished fourth in heat two in 23.52, were the other qualifiers from the region. I n t h e m e n ’s e v e n t , meanwhile, Jamaican Warren Weir booked his spot in the semi-finals when he clocked 20.60 to win the opening heat. The 28-year-old, an Olympic silver medallist from London 2012 who also won silver at the last Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, was one of eight Caribbean qualifiers. Jamaican Rasheed Dwyer won heat three in 20.78 while Kyle Greaux of Tr i n i d a d a n d To b a g o clinched heat eight in 20.67, with Barbadian Burkheart Ellis Jr finishing second in 21.02. Antiguan was third in 21.10 but qualified as one one of the fastest losers.
In heat five, Trinidadian Jereem Richards made sure of his qualification by crossing the line first in 20.33. Jamaican Kenroy Anderson, second in heat two with 20.89 and Bahamian Teray Smith, second in heat four with 20.82, both also also qualified. Zharnel Hughes, who formerly represented Anguilla before recently suiting up for England, raced to victory in heat nine in 20.34. In the women’s 400m, Jamaicans Anastasia Le-Roy and Stephenie McPherson both won their semi-finals to qualify for Wednesday’s final. Le-Roy clocked a seasonbest 51.08 to win semi-final one while McPherson was timed at 51.21 in taking semifinal three. In the men’s 400m hurdles, Jamaican Jaheel Hyde led the Caribbean qualifiers for tomorrow’s final with a win in heat two in 49.14, with countryman Andre Clarke (49.10), Kyron McMaster of British Virgin Islands (48.78) and Bahamian Jeffery Gibson (49.75) all advancing. On the women’s side of the event, Jamaicans Janieve Russell (54.01), Ristananna Tracey (55.66) and Ronda White (55.10) all reached the final along with Trinidadian Sparkle McKnight (55.15).