Thursday April 27, 2017
Kaieteur News
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Thursday April 27, 2017
Kaieteur News
Generic medicine from India and Third World countries will now be banned DEAR EDITOR, Something alarming is happening at the Food and Drug Analyst Department and it will affect ALL GUYANESE. It will lead to a massive increase in the cost of medicines and supplies in the public health system; a cost that will be borne by taxpayers. Government will have to spend more on medicines, but will receive less, leading to sustained shortages in the public health system. But it will also lead to higher cost of medicines in the private health system. Without full access to medicine healthcare will suffer. At a special meeting held by the Ministry of Public Health at the Regency Suite last week, the Director of the Food and Drug Analyst Department, Marlan Cole, informed suppliers that the department will only register medicines for entry into Guyana, which are already
registered in America, Canada, the UK and Australia, banning generic medicines from India and other countries. This policy change dismisses the World Health Organization (WHO), the world’s premier health organization, and the UN, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNAIDS etc. which have assisted countries around the world to procure safe, quality medicines through the WHO Pre-Qualification System, medicines mostly not registered in America, Canada, the UK and Australia. At the meeting, at the Head Table, were the Permanent Secretary and the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, the Head of the Food and Drug Analyst Department, Mr. Marlon Cole, Ms. Carolyn Healy of the USAID Global Health Supply Chain and other Ministry of Public Health officials.
While the grass is growing, the horse is starving because of VAT DEAR MINISTER, The recent introduction of the 14% VAT on education and educational materials is creating extreme adversity on me. I am a student, studying to fulfill my lifelong ambition to educate myself. I have taken a loan at a bank to pay for my courses and now I have to find 14% more than I catered for. This extra money will have to come out of my salary, which as it is, barely works for me and my family for a month. This only serves to create an extra burden on me. The result of this VAT on education is that I may have to drop out of school as I cannot afford to pay the extra money, nor can I find an extra job to earn the money needed to pay the VAT. This is certainly not the “Good Life” that this Government has promised. In fact, I am now worse off than before as I am no longer in a position to gain a promotion at work and I am unable to earn the extra money that the VAT demands. Many students have already stopped coming to classes. They have dropped out of the school as they cannot afford to pay the VAT. This VAT is supposed to earn some $350,000,000 from the tuition fees that are paid to private schools. However, at
the rate that students are leaving the private schools, the earnings from the VAT on education and educational materials will result in much less than expected earnings. It will also result in a less educated nation. Many of these students, who are affected by the VAT on education, will be voting for the first time in the 2020 elections and they will surely remember you, the APNU+AFC and their leaders as being responsible for shattering their dreams of having a higher education and any chance of promotions at their job. This Government says that it will review the VAT on education in 2018, but by then it will be too late for me and many others. The VAT on education needs to be removed now. Any tax on education is disgraceful and sends a message that the Government is not interested in having an educated nation. There is a saying: “While the grass is growing, the horse is starving”. This is what will be happening if the VAT is not removed before 2018. Please remove the VAT on Education and educational materials NOW! Jonathan Yearwood Struggling Private School Student
It is interesting that the USAID was present at the head table. The US has increased its production of generic medicines to compete with India and other countries. This new architecture will effectively favour one company. Need a clue which of the existing suppliers will benefit? Think of the $606M GPHC scandal. Is the new pharmaceutical procurement system designed to benefit one company? You judge. The Ministry of Public Health is abandoning a system that has worked well for Guyana for decades. It is ignoring that WHOPrequalification System for Pharmaceuticals was designed to assist countries in accessing safe, quality, affordable medicines. WHO-Prequalified medicines are used in all developing countries and several developed countries. But most of the WHO-Prequalified medicines are NOT registered in America, Canada, the UK and Australia. These medicines have saved millions of lives and prevented morbidity and disability for hundreds of millions of people around the world. Importantly, these medicines have saved thousands of lives and prevented hundreds of thousands of morbidity and disability events in Guyana. These medicines are presently found in all public
health institutions and in all private hospitals and private pharmacies in Guyana today. They will now be banned in favour of medicines made by large companies in America, Canada, the UK and Australia. The majority of generic medicines, especially from India, Brazil, China, a number of European countries will now be banned from entering Guyana. Only expensive brand name medicines will be allowed into Guyana. By design this new policy benefits Ansa McAl since this Trinidadian-based company represents several branded drug companies selling their products at exorbitant prices which was publicly exposed in the recent GPHC sole-sourcing fiasco. For reference, GPHC paid $606M for medicines which could have been procured from WHO-Prequalified Companies for about $200M. Some of the Indian generic companies, like CIPLA, RANBAXXY, AUROBINDO, and several others have become the world’s pharmacy. They supply medicines to all countries in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, South America and most of Europe. These companies are WHO-Pre-Qualified and their medicines have successfully undergone scrutiny for safety and quality. Notably, most of the active ingredients in medicines, manufactured in developing and developed countries, come from Indian
companies. Not registering a generic medicine in America does not automatically mean that these medicines are inferior. If this were so, these medicines would not have been prequalified by the WHO. For many non-US, nonCanada, non-UK generic companies, the high cost of meeting the barrage of ever changing import barriers designed to protect American, Canadian, British pharmaceutical companies make marketing low-cost medicines in those markets uneconomical. It is noteworthy that citizens from America, Canada, the UK, Europe and other countries travel to India to procure medicines because they cannot afford to purchase these medicines in their own countries. The Food and Drug Analyst Department Head explained that his department wants “Mercedes and not Tata”, comparing medicines from America, Canada, and the UK to medicines coming from India. Has he forgotten that when we could not procure HIV medicines from America, Canada and the UK for US$15,000 per patient per year, thousands of lives were saved in Guyana because of WHO-Approved Medicines for under US$300 per year? In fact, today, more than 80% of the patients on HIV, TB and Malaria, diabetes and blood pressure treatment
around the world are treated with WHO-Prequalified medicines supplied by Indian generic manufacturers and these medicines are not registered in America, the UK, Canada or Australia. He should also know that Tata today owns and exports brands such as Jaguar and Land Rover to more than 150 countries. In fact, the only documented counterfeit medicines in Guyana in the last decade were malaria medicines which were imported into Guyana from non-WHO-Prequalified Companies and the diabetes medicine metformin which was imported into Guyana from a generic company in Canada. Cole needs to provide evidence of the “massive amount of fake medicines” that came from India, China and other countries and identify the suppliers that brought these products into the country. I urge the government to review this change in policy since Guyana is going in the opposite direction that most countries, including developed countries, are now going. In all these countries preference is given to generic medicines. Requiring imported medicines to be registered in America, Canada and the UK is a regressive move to stack the deck in favor of one supplier. Dr. Leslie Ramsammy
This city councillor’s motion is an insult to democracy DEAR EDITOR, I refer to an article in the newspaper of Tuesday, April 25th, 2017, captioned “APNU councillor tables motion aimed at sanctioning gross misconduct against Mayor.” Let me say at the outset that speaking as a political activist I see no wisdom in this pending motion that was tabled by my friend and comrade Mr. Heston Bostwick. The motion has its genesis in the parking meter project which I believe, was correctly rejected by citizens and the central government. It is on public record that the way the Mayor and the Town Clerk dealt with this important matter, in and out of the council chambers, was nothing short of disastrous and was more damaging to the reputation of the council than any of the negative criticisms which would have been made by dissenting councilors. I have known comrade Bostwick for many years. We worked closely in the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) and in demonstrations organized by
the People’s Movement for Justice (PMJ) against acts of oppression by the former PPP/ C regime. Mr. Bostwick is a serious political activist and a party loyalist and is known to have independent positions on matters of national politics. My experience with comrade Bostwick indicates that he can at times be strong headed and is politically unpredictable. I have no doubt that the opinions he expressed in the motion are very strongly held views of his. But what took place in the Council chambers in relation to this very unfortunate project does not justify such a motion and even if it does, is it the correct thing to do politically? The parking meter project had promised much - bringing order to the city’s streets and financial gains to the cash strapped council, but ended up delivering little on both scores. What it did was to open up political space for the opposition PPP and other government detractors. My ad-
vice to Bostwick in so far as his motion is concerned is that as presently constructed, it is dictatorial and out of sync with the modern sense of democracy. One cannot ignore the feeling that the intention here is to drive fear into the minds of persons who may disagree with positions advocated by certain elements in the Council, both within and outside of the Council. This is a retrograde step, it is self-defeating and is politically backward to believe that threats to impose disciplinary measures on noncompliant members of the Council is the way to go and are the solutions in every situation. There are times in political struggle when playing to the rules is counterproductive to national interests, especially when those who are interpreting the rules are doing so with their self-interests in mind. Inherent in this motion and the circumstances that led to it are political undercurrents that can negatively impact the existence of the
APNU+AFC coalition. While I strongly support personal initiatives by political activists and I recognize that Mr. Bostwick has the right to pursue his conviction, he at the same time has to be mindful that others in the council are also inclined and have the right to take strong personal initiatives. He must remember, and if he does not, he should be reminded that he is involved in a political process which involves other political forces and he represents not the PNC in the council but the APNU+AFC. And while iron fist discipline may be a feature of the PNCR political culture, it is certainly not part of the WPA’s or may be not even the AFC’s political culture. I end by saying that my political judgement is that as much as there are elements in the PNC who support comrade Bostwick’s motion and its intentions. I will be a most surprised political activist if the party allows this motion to pass as it is presented. Tacuma Ogunseye
Thursday April 27, 2017
Improper boats endanger lives on Guyana’s rivers DEAR EDITOR, For many years now private passenger vessels have been ferrying travellers on the Vreed-en-HoopGeorgetown crossing, ParikaSupenaam, Parika-Leguan, Parika-Buckhall on the Essequibo River, and Rosignol-New Amsterdam. Not leaving out the ParikaBartica route, which is the longest river trip for these small vessels. Here is a list of safety concerns that seem to be overlooked by the authorities, who we feel should have been more involved in the day to day river craft operations. After Transport and Harbours Department would have remedied these anomalies, endangering the safety of travellers, there must be the concerted policy of T&HD to pursue vigilant enforcement of the Regulations. For too, long, almost all regulations and laws governing public safety have been set aside, ignored, much to the discomfort of citizens. Firstly, there is a published Regulation on River Craft Safety, issued by Transport and Harbours Depart-
ment many years ago, if we are not mistaken long before these privately owned vessels came on the transportation scene, fulfilling the requirement for fast travel, and in the instance of the Demerara River crossing, the complete siltation of the Vreed-en-Hoop stelling thus preventing the use of the T&HD steamers. The Regulations we speak of involve the size and safety requirements of the boats. Any vessel plying the country’s rivers transporting passengers must be thirty five feet long, eight feet wide, with a beam of five feet They must be fitted with floatation tanks forward and after, in other words, at the front and the back of the boat. The steering wheel must be fitted at the front, and with life saving devices. Only the Demerara River boats seem to comply with length, width, beam, safety jackets. The vessel is steered from the back, the captain using the levers of the outboard engine to command the vessel filled with thirty two passengers. A person called a bow-man stands on the
bow of the boat, possibly as a look-out, or better yet the eyes of the captain who is hard pressed to see the river ahead. One is left to wonder if the thirty two passengers fit the Regulation standards, on the number of persons allowed in the boat. The embarkation and disembarkation facilities are wholly unsafe. One is led to think that these landing stages/steps are temporary, better ones would be erected later. The stairs being higher than normal. There are no rails on these landing stages/steps, and when the tide is high, the vessel becomes unsteady, which is dangerous to passengers’ safety. The craft is never secured to satisfaction. The bow man, who now is the purser, stands on the bow of the vessel taking passengers fares, without a care for their safety, on a rocking unsteady boat. At none of the above named crossing points is there any evidence of safe embarkation and disembarkation facilities. From experience, the Supenaam crossing is the worst of all.
The touts and other loafers at Supenaam are another hazard to safe travel. Those who are employed on these passengers vessels, care little for passengers comfort, safety and dignity. They are basically discourteous, uncouth and most times un-helpful to the weary and scared travellers. Safety vests used on all the routes need regular inspection for their usefulness. Eighteen persons sit in such craft for the journey from Parika to Supenaam, along with much luggage. The boat itself may not be more than eighteen feet long. Its depth is about one foot and about four to five feet wide. This size of craft must be replaced by the Regulation size vessel. The vessels plying the Essequibo River routes must be upgraded to Regulation dimensions complete with safety features now. Much time has passed for the owners of these crafts to be compliant with the basic requirement of the Standards set by T&HD. Hafiz Rahman RURAL PEOPLE
Better is expected from this man who is a Member of Parliament DEAR EDITOR, Response is being made to Jermaine Figueira’s letter “Why the secrecy on Linden TV documents?” His response is purportedly attempting a response to my article, “The power-grabbing effort to control Linden Television” (9th April, 2017). Let me from the outset say to Figueira, as an Educator/ Teacher and Member of Parliament better is expected of him. Approaching this issue in a sensible manner requires understanding of the Broadcasting Act (2011), what constitutes an Agreement as in the instance of the 21st August 2012, and universal acceptable principles. This is a matter of national import that ought not to be trivialised in thinking or actions. 1. The issue before us is the walking out of Figueira, Mayor Carwyn Holland, Regional Chairman Renis Morian and CDC Deputy Director Sandra Adams from the inaugural meeting of the television board to elect its chairman, vice-chairman and secretary, by the way of balloting. There is a significant difference between balloting and voting. Balloting is a secret process. Voting can be either through balloting, show of hands, yea or nay, etc; 2. The Articles of Association of the Trust is a public document. The Trust is a legal entity, registered
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under the Laws of Guyana. The record is housed at the Registry and a copy can be accessed from there. This fact makes nonsense of his position that there is “secrecy” about the document and not having it in his possession. One would expect better from a Member of Parliament/lawmaker, who ought to be au fait with where public documents are stored and can be retrieved; 3. The meeting of 31st March was specifically called to elect officers of the Board (GC 29th March). It meant therefore that this would have been the first order of business on the agenda. It was the disregard for this, and the contempt for the will of the majority of the members to have officers elected through balloting, that led to the walkout of the four; 4. The Guyana Broadcasting Act is a useful instrument in informing that the Trust is eligible for a licence, how the broadcasting landscape
ought to work, and the role of the Broadcasting Authority. Reading and understanding it makes useful for intelligent discourse and approaches surrounding the people of Linden being denied their station; 5. It is a reckless response to my irrefutable contention that those today who are seeking to deny the return of the television were lukewarm, standing on the side line or did not support the struggle, can constitute those who were out there, day in and day out, and gave various forms of support during the period; 6. The insertion of Tony Vieira in this discourse has nothing to do with the establishment of the Trust, the election of the officers, and issuance of the licence. This is another demonstration of the inability to address the substantive issue; 7. The content of Figueria’s letter is clearly that of someone who has not read, does not understand, pays no attention to details, or is
operating outside his league. This is a very troubling feature in our society and does not augur well for the people’s well-being. I stand by the position that the institutions of government (central and regional), the political parties and the political groups (PNCR, PPP/C, AFC and APNU) made no financial contribution in the establishment of the Trust. Equally, the position that this issue for the four is about power and title is evident in their failure to grasp points 1, 2, 3 and 4 and act accordingly. Finally, the opportunity is taken to advise this young man that in public life it is always better and rewarding to stand on the pedestal of universal acceptable principles. Lincoln Lewis
A NEW PARTY IS NOT THE ANSWER TO OUR PROBLEMS DEAR EDITOR, Problems are all around us. Humans have to keep solving problems on a daily basis to survive. From an individual level, putting food on our tablesmaking ends meet by budgeting our finances are necessary problem solving skills that the poor have to acquire to survive. On a community level, we build roads, bridges,etc. to commute and communicate. The increasing difficulties we have to solve our immediate physical problems seem to be straining our ability to comprehend and analyze the abstract. In our ignorance of the abstract we seem stuck in a mode where we desire new products that offer no solution to our problems. I am referring to a letter by a Lance Cumberbach; “A new political party is coming on stream very soon”. Lance appropriately lambasted the Granger administration for their tax policies which he claims is “gutting out the private sector” and their green economy as “political nonsense”. He accuses Granger of becoming just like Jagdeo and not knowing “head or bull foot about running an economy.” What do you expect Lance? The President - historian with a military background. Imagine him going to bed a few moons ago and waking up with a brilliant idea-removing Guyana’s historical artifacts from the Walter Roth museum to create more office space for his government. How Funny! A historian with no sentiment for artifacts. Lance finished by penning.”A new political party is expected to come on stream fairly soon, get ready to join and take control of the life and future that was stolen from you - equality of opportunity for all.” Blah!blah!Blah! Sometime ago Freddie
Kissoon in one of his articles was questioning his heart whether he would or would not support a new party after his bitter disappointment with the coalition. Another writer was articulating between Freddie Kissoon and Nigel Hughes about whom voters on both side of the divide will accept more for a new party. My point is that I cannot comprehend why all these luminaries cannot recognize the root cause of our problems. Any new party coming to power in this country would be riding the same horse the PPP/C rode which the coalition is riding now. This horse is the constitution of Guyana; it gives absolute power to its riders. Absolute power corrupt absolutely. Any new party will follow the same modus operandi of their predecessors and for the umpteenth time; the populace will be disappointed and disheartened. How abstract is this concept for the luminaries in our society to visualize? The common people look to the luminaries in society for ideas to change their plight for the better.Telling people to support a new party under the present constitution is like leading them into a wilderness in search of a mirage. Our constitution needs dynamic changes in the way we elect our parliamentarians. How good it would have been if while the 2017 budget with all its draconian tax measures was debated in parliament, people could have called their elected MP’s from their constituencies to say; “we don’t expect you to vote for that.” Our constitution needs to be changed to give us the power to elect our parliamentary representatives from a constituency. It must also allow for independent persons without political affiliation to run for parliament and the presidency too. Rudolph Singh
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Kaieteur News
Crime Sleuth refuses to testify Guyana has deficiencies in infrastructural in Crum Ewing murder PI development - Granger at UK forum Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mitchell Caesar, who is the head of the Major Crimes Investigation Unit, refused to testify in the preliminary inquiry into the murder of Courtney CrumEwing after a series of derogatory remarks were hurled at him by murder accused, Regan Rodrigues. ASP Caesar was the first witness called by Special Prosecutor Nigel Hughes yesterday. However, during the taking of evidence from the witness, Rodrigues, also called ‘Grey Boy’ stood up in the prisoners’ dock and began hurling insulting remarks at the police officer, who appeared visibly upset. ASP Caesar subsequently told Magistrate Judy Latchman that he will not tolerate being disrespected by the prisoner and left the witness box. Magistrate Latchman instructed ASP Caesar to step outside the courtroom while she and other police ranks, and even the prosecutor, tried to compose an outraged Rodrigues. The police rank then left the court room, slamming the door behind him. “You need to stop behaving like this and let Mr. Caesar give his evidence,” Magistrate Latchman told the murder accused. The Magistrate explained to him that if there is not sufficient evidence against him she will discharge the matter again. She further explained that if a prima facie case is made out she will send the matter up to the High Court for a judge and jury to decide. Rodrigues’s mother was also called in to calm him down. According to Rodrigues, he is being made to prove his innocence twice. He said that the police know who killed Crum-Ewing and that they should investigate a Former Attorney General (name called) and a man (name mentioned) who was initially taken into custody for
MURDERED: Courtney Crum-Ewing
MURDER ACCUSED: Regan Rodrigues
questioning in the murder probe. He also claimed that a detective (name given) planted a gun in his house. The matter resumed but ASP Caesar was nowhere to be found when the court orderly summoned his name thrice. Magistrate Latchman rebuked ASP Caesar for disobeying her instructions to not leave the court compound, given the fact that he is an officer of the law. Crying uncontrollable, Rodrigues maintained that he is being victimized and that he wants to get out of jail and seek employment. The murder accused questioned the Magistrate as to whether she could proceed with the preliminary inquiry without him being present in court. However, Magistrate Latchman failed to respond and retired to her chambers. The PI was stood down until May 8, when Inspector Eon Jackson is also expected to testify. In January, Magistrate Latchman informed Rodrigues that he was free to leave her courtroom after she found that there was insufficient evidence for him to stand trial for CrumEwing’s killing. The Magistrate discharged the charged against him. Magistrate Latchman had
pointed out that one of the court’s reasons for discharging the matter was because there was no evidence to support that the firearm tendered during the PI was used by Rodrigues to kill the political activist although she believed the gun, a .32 revolver, was confiscated by police during a raid at Rodrigues’s home. The prosecution’s inability to make out a prima facie was once again highlighted when the Magistrate disclosed that the prosecutor failed to request the court to rule on the admissibility of caution statements allegedly made by Rodrigues. While stating that several inferences can be drawn from those statements, Magistrate Latchman underscored that they did not implicate Rodrigues in the murder of Crum-Ewing. However, two months later, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) ordered that the murder case be reopened for the sole purpose of taking further evidence from police witnesses and to rule on the voluntariness of all oral statements made by the accused. It appeared that after hearing this, Rodrigues went Continued on page 11
President David Granger who is currently on a visit to the United Kingdom has acknowledged that the country has series deficiencies in the area of infrastructural development. He noted that Government is focused on comprehensive development plans that include deep water harbours, aerodromes and road and bridge networks that link the coastland to the hinterland. Foreign Minister Carl Greenidge added, that the infrastructure needed for the sustained development of the productive sectors is inadequate and stated that this is a major priority area for the administration. He said, too, that the country is working with its neighbours and with international partners to look at the development of a deep water port that allows Guyana and other countries in South America to ship their goods to markets in North America and Europe. Mr. Gil Holzman Chief Executive Officer of ECO Atlantic Oil and Gas, encouraged other investors to take a look at Guyana. He said that economic boom that Guyana is about to witness as a result of oil production, will have a significant effect on several sectors such as real estate, hotels, tourism, airlines, shipping, education and healthcare and will create exciting opportunities. “You will have 20,000 expatriates flying into the country and they will need hotel rooms. The big companies that are going to build the infrastructure will need areas next to the port. You will need better roads from the airport,” he said. Mr. Holzman said that the government is taking impressive measures in terms of ensuring that benefits of the oil and gas industry redound to the citizens and contribute to national development. He added that while there is a
need to develop capacity to manage the sector in Government Ministries and agencies, he said that his interactions with the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission have been heartening. “These are all very savvy people; they are very responsible. They know that the big opportunity of the oil discovery, which is transformational for the country, should be dealt with very, very carefully. “ I know that your administration, Mr. President, is speaking with everyone there is in the UN, in the United States, here in the United Kingdom, in Norway [and elsewhere] in order to learn from other people’s mistakes, in order to take the right measures going forward, taking the oil opportunity and making it for the greater good of your people and your country, and I think you’re taking very impressive measures.” He also informed the Head of State that his company, which is conducting exploration work in the Stabroek Block, respects the country’s ‘green’ thrust. A MAGICAL PLACE Mr. Andy Thorne, Group Chairman of the Kestrel Group, which is involved in the shipping industry in Guyana, described Guyana as “the most amazing, magical
President David Granger place” where it is safe and easy to conduct business. “Please go to Guyana; it is an amazing country, listen to the people. The opportunities there are amazing but do the right thing; give back to the local people. Do this for them as well as yourselves. Make money but make it the right way. Give a helping hand when you can. People do not want a handout they want a hand up. So please do the right thing,” he urged potential investors. Mr. Thorne also spoke of a project that will be implemented in Guyana under the auspices of the Prince’s Trust Continued on page 23
Cuban pleads guilty to overstaying, fined A Cuban national who claimed that he came to Guyana in search of a better life was on Tuesday ordered to pay a fine of $20,000 with an alternative of four weeks’ imprisonment. Daniel Palma Rameirez, 24, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and pleaded guilty to the charge which alleged that between March 1 and April 21, last, at Georgetown, he failed to comply with conditions subject to which any permit is granted. Having being permitted to stay in Guyana from January 31 to February 28, last, he overstayed. The man who resides in Havana, Cuba, arrived in Guyana on January 31. However, upon him going to apply for an extension of stay, it was discovered that he had already overstayed. The Cuban national will be escorted to the nearest port of exit upon payment of the fine or serving the prison term.
Thursday April 27, 2017
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When the happy days are gone A star is not born every day. But sometimes it is only when a star dies that their accomplishments are more fully appreciated. The death, this past week, of Erin Moran, star of the sitcom “Happy Days’ reminds us that happy days are not here to stay. When the rainy days arrive we must be prepared for it, umbrella and raincoat in hand. ‘Happy Days’ did not last forever. The popular TV show had eleven seasons, very short by today’s standards. But Erin Moran’s role remained unforgettable. She was one of the darlings of the show. It made her a lot of money and a lot of fans. But then hard times struck and the fans and friends could not be found. When you are on top of the world, the whole world wants to be your friend. But when times get harder – as it did for
Erin— the friends tend to disappear quickly. We had a world boxing champion in this country called Andrew Lewis. He had a lot of friends when he was in his prime and had lots of money. But no sooner had his money disappeared so too did his friends. He lost his life riding a bicycle. This is what a former world champion came to just before he died. He was pedaling a bike rather than driving an SUV. You have to take care of yourself. Do not play for the fans. Do not play for your country. Play for your team and play for yourself because when times get tough, you can be sure that your fans will not be around and even your country will turn its back on you. This past week the government welcomed home in heroic style the athletes who participated in this month’s
Carifta Games. The government is desperate for publicity and so it went overboard in welcoming the team. The President even hosted them at State House. It is a good thing, of course, for a country to welcome back home the team which did well. But the government has to be careful that it is not creating high expectations for these young athletes. These athletes are in the limelight today but what happens next week when they have to recommence their training. Who is going to help them with all the expenses that it takes to be a top athlete. Who is going to help them with their meals, their training gear and their transportation? The red carpet is paid out for them. They are allowed into the VIP lounge but on the next flight out it is not going to be the VIP. They will walk down the
Dem boys seh...
Two actions, Bee Kay true colours A Ministah call Bee Kay vulture. Basil de Willie and Sue Jordan did agree to pay Bee Kay US$5 million as settlement. Dem boys believe big kak pass right deh. De govt pay a part and owe a part. That was de arrangement. Out of de blue dem boys hear Bee Kay write a letter to de Bull ministah asking fuh an additional $14 million on de balance. He tell de Minister how US dollar gone up. When dem boys hear dem couldn’t believe. In de first place this man should a never get a cent settlement. He should a go to court. Dem boys did believe that Soulja Bai mek a mistake when he pay Bee Kay but when dem find out, he and all get con. That is how he tell de Bull ministah to tell Bee Kay he is a vulture. When de news meet de real Vulture from Bartica de man tell dem boys de Bull minister mustn’t tek he eyes and pass him. Vulture is Vulture and Bee Kay is Bee Kay. Don’t mix de two. If you did call Bee Kay a vulture I wouldn’t seh nutten. But you give de man me name.
Vulture seh he does deal wid gold and he does do hanest business. Bee Kay does deal wid ee crush stone and garbage. Vulture seh de last time he see Bee Kay, de man was quarreling wid Donald Dumb over de Sun and Sand hotel pun de East Coast. Jagdeo did bring dem men. To this day de Jagdeo that scamp, Donald Dumb, Bee Kay de Vulture and even de Sun and Sand people can’t find de sod wha dem tun on de East Coast fuh mek de fancy five star hotel. Bee Kay action remind dem boys of de time when ee pick up a woman cell phone. After about two days she decide to call de number to see if anybody hanest enough to answer. She call and Bee Kay answer. “Hello? Look that is my phone you have deh you know?” Bee Kay seh, “You know how long I been waiting to hear this phone ring?” De lady seh, “You mean you want find out how to return it?” Bee Kay answer, “Naaah. I want de charger.” Talk half and wonder wha does happen in private wid contracts.
street next week and people will forget that they did so well for Guyana. They will be forgotten. The Carifta Games is a junior athletics championship event though there is an Over20 category. It is not a highly rated championship. Jamaica had dominated this championship. Guyana did its best this year but the real test will come in other championships this year such as the Common-
wealth Games, the Pan Am Games, the South American Championships and the Central American and Caribbean Championships which is of a much higher standard than the Carifta Games. We therefore have to be careful that we are not setting the wrong precedent in respect to the medalists of the Carifta Games. The government should establish a system of sports honours just as it does with national honours.
It should honour its athletes and sportsmen and sportswomen while they are alive. The government should not wait until it is too late before it honours Guyana’s stars.
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=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
From Sattaur to Statia: the unpleasant story of Guyana This article is about the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). For the purpose of research, I went through my files of columns on the GRA. It never occurred to me that I literally have done more than twenty-five articles in which the GRA is featured and all were negative commentaries. I didn’t know which one to quote from for the purpose of this commentary. The files showed I did two columns whose contents dealt with GRA officers’ absence at the places where the GRA had set up drop box centres during this time of the year for citizens to drop off the tax submissions. These unpleasant encounters were during the reign of Khurshid Sattaur. Sattaur is gone. He was re-
placed by someone who lived outside of Guyana for more than fifteen years. Godfrey Statia is the new head of the GRA with many qualifications from the United States where he lived. I got a rude introduction to Statia’s rule at the GRA on Tuesday morning. I couldn’t stand Sattaur. He was not the right person for the GRA and for millions of reasons. Statia I hope would run things better. As I drove away with my frustration from the City Mall’s GRA drop box centre, I know in my heart this country will not survive another forty years. This is the time of the year to submit tax returns to the GRA. As in the years of Sattaur,
they identify specific locations in and around Georgetown for citizens to deposit the documents. My last, bitter experience with Sattaur was outside Mattai’s Supermarket. They were supposed to start at 8am. They turned up way past 9am. All the newspapers carried the drop off spots for 2016 returns. For Georgetown it is only three – central post office (GPO), City Mall and GRA head office. The notice also carried the opening hours (from 10am) with telephone numbers. I put my dog in the car, pulled in at the customers’ car park of Republic Bank, used the ATM, left my dog in the car, and crossed over the road
to City Mall to deposit my stuff. That would take literally minutes so my doggie would not be too long on her own. I don’t have to submit property tax returns because that starts at $42 million. I don’t have that amount. My wife insists since the confrontation with Sattaur, when he demanded I submit same, that we should nevertheless complete the forms each year. I have tried my best to persuade her not to do it. But every year, I submit property tax returns; for what I don’t know. At 10 am sharp there were no GRA officials. I crossed back over the road, went to the car and killed time with my doggie. I crossed again to City Mall. I looked at the time. It was 10.22 am. The drop off centre was still without its GRA officials while a long line of citizens were waiting with their returns in their hands. I would ask readers to accept
what they are about to read. The same agitations I heard in the line at Mattai’s Supermarket ten years ago, I heard at the City Mall. It was time to leave. I called a journalist col-
Frederick Kissoon league to get Statia’s number. I got it. I called Statia about ten times but as is the culture in Guyana, you cannot get policy-makers and high State officials on the line easily. You are not going to believe this.
I rang Prime Minister, Michael Manley in Jamaica and his secretary put him on the line. I rang Prime Minister, Olaf Palme in Sweden, and his secretary put him on the line. That is the honest truth. I rang my wife to get the GRA numbers that were in that advertisement. None of the extensions listed in that newspaper notice were working. I got hold of Statia’s secretary. Well space would not allow for a description of our conversation and what Ms. Boyce said and did. I cannot say I was impressed with her but maybe I was too upset to discern the lady’s kindheartedness. I will leave it at that. But my essay would not be complete if I didn’t mention the unbearable lines to hand in tax returns that I saw at the GRA on Tuesday. So I lost my patience with the GRA under Sattaur. Now under a brand new head, I am experiencing the same angst. I looked at those people’s faces in the line at the City Mall and at the GRA and I know in my heart this country has no right to exist.
Thursday April 27, 2017
Kaieteur News
Gold dealer money laundering probe widens...
Rasul’s former employee arrested again Ricardo Fagundes, called ‘Paper Shorts’, a former employee of embattled gold dealer, Saddiqi ‘Bobby’ Rasul, was on Tuesday re-arrested by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) as that entity continues to probe what appears to be a massive money laundering scheme. SOCU is looking at the relationship between the gold dealer, his friends and associates and an apparent collusion between his two gold mining operations R Mining Inc and SSS Mining and the Guyana Gold Board (GGB). Fagundes was apparently picked up by SOCU agents at the same 25 Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, address that was raided where a number of items were seized including a Jet Ski, three luxury motorbikes, cell phones and a large cache of ammunition. A SOCU official confirmed that Fagundes was indeed arrested by that unit and is being questioned in a ‘major’ money laundering probe. Kaieteur News has learnt that Fagundes was re-arrested after it was discovered that he cashed some of the cheques
Ricardo Fagundes aka ‘Paper Shorts’ in the $956M fraud at the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) Bartica branch. At the time when SOCU raided the Sandy Babb Street address Fagundes’s sister, Tessa Fagundes, disassociated her sibling from the embattled gold dealer. Referring to SOCU’s latest visit on that raid the woman said that it was the third visit that the unit had made to her
Crime Sleuth refuses to...
From page 8 into hiding because he failed to report to the Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters (CID) Eve Leary, Georgetown on numerous occasions. A few weeks later, the murder accused released several videos that went viral on social media proclaiming his innocence. But he was arrested by police on Good Friday at a house in Middle Road, La Penitence,
Georgetown. The bullet-riddled body of Crum-Ewing was found at Third Avenue, Diamond New Scheme East Bank Demerara on March 10, 2015. The 40 year-old was shot twice to the temple, once to the back of the head and twice to the stomach. The political activist was well known for his one-man protest outside the office of former Attorney General Anil Nandlall.
brother’s address. The woman said that her sibling no longer works with ‘Bobby’ and that the constant visits by SOCU have been frustrating. That assertion by the man’s sister seemingly contradicts what is currently unfolding now with Rasul. In fact the male Fagundes seems to have been integrally involved in Rasul’s inner circle. Rasul found himself in hot water after allegedly collecting more than $956M at the Bartica, Region Seven branch of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) based on a number of cheques he deposited. The cheques later bounced. It is protocol that banks would normally hold other banks’ cheques until they are cleared, before making payments against them. However, it appears as though this procedure was flouted by GBTI officials, one bank official has since been sacked. The role of the GGB was called into question after it was found that Legal Officer of GGB, Suzanne Bullen, said that she assisted in the formation of one of Rasul’s companies. She even used the GGB address of Upper Brickdam..” Bullen recently said that she received her instructions to assist Rasul from her superiors at the GGB. She was among three officials including the General Manager of the GGB, Lisaveta Ramotar, and the Deputy Andrea Seelochan that were sent on administrative leave to facilitate a probe by the police.
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Cane cutter on attempted murder charge
Warren Dennis of Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara, has been remanded to prison after he was charged with attempted murder for chopping off the left hand of the mother of his three children, who is a policewoman. Yesterday, Dennis was arraigned in the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Courts where he was not required to plead to the indictable charge which alleged that on April 23, at Quamina Road, Beterverwagting, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Alana Hazel, 28, with intent to murder her. Magistrate Zamilla Ally-Seepaul instructed the accused, who was unrepresented, to return to court on May 8. According to reports, Hazel who is attached to the Police Officers’ Mess, Eve Leary, Georgetown, was attacked by the man and allegedly chopped several times about her body with a cutlass resulting in her left hand being severed at the wrist. It was reported that the policewoman who also resides in Beterverwagting with another man, went to see her 12 year-old son at her sister-in-law’s, who also resides in the same village, when she was brutally attacked.
REMANDED: Warren Dennis Her chopped body was picked up from a trench. The man and woman reportedly lived together for several years during which she was allegedly subjected to physical abuse. She is a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
PAGE 12
The health system may be creating addicts The pain killer, Pethidine, is highly addictive. This is why many countries have embarked on replacing it with morphine, which is just as effective, but less addictive. A respected medical practitioner, who asked not to be named, told Kaieteur News that while there is ample availability of morphine here in Guyana, many doctors continue to prescribe the contentious Pethidine medication to their patients. Pethidine is also known as Demerol. This is the same drug that is being administered to the recently resigned APNU-AFC Councillor, Carol Joseph. She is believed to have become addicted to the narcotic medication, and has been accused of using her political status, to access frequent injections at the Fort Wellington Hospital in Berbice. “The thing about Pethidine is that the more you give to a patient, the more they become addicted to it,” the official said. It was made abundantly clear, that Pethidine is not a drug intended for prolonged use. However, records show that Joseph has had access to the medication for many months. Some sources say,
Thursday April 27, 2017
Kaieteur News
- says Senior Medical official
Former APNU-AFC Councillor, Carol Joseph even years. “You would usually find doctors giving a patient, one or sometimes two doses of Pethidine, and then stop. It should not be used for a long period of time,” the Health official said. The doctor is of the few that the continued use of Pethidine by public health institutions may be doing more harm than good. “Indeed, the system does seem to be creating addicts,” the doctor said. It was explained that there are even in cases, where medical practitioners give one or two doses of Pethidine to a patient, the patient themselves would then return
to the hospital, requesting more of the very medication. Cases also exist of patients faking allergies towards morphine, to avoid being switched from the highly addictive, Pethidine. “People seem to like the high that Pethidine gives,” the official opined. In the case of Carol Joseph, she is being seen as a victim of the system that continues to prescribe Pethidine. Initially, Joseph was receiving a 50mg injection of Pethidine. Her need, which continues to be met by medical professionals, has grown to as much as 200mg of Pethidine, in just one day. The frequent doses are no longer being administered to Joseph via painful injections, but rather, “a central line that has been placed in her neck, which takes the drug directly through her vein intravenously (via IV).” Only recently, a Government official admitted to Kaieteur News that Joseph’s condition was no secret to some of her comrades in the People’s National Congress (PNC), but no efforts were made to help. (Rehana Ahamad)
$1.1B Haags Bosch settlement…
Minister dubs BK a vulture for demanding more monies Months after agreeing to a billion dollar settlement for work done on the Haags Bosch landfill, a prominent contractor has demanded more, but it is not going down well with the administration. Kaieteur News understands that recently, the contractor - Brian Tiwarie of B.K. International Inc. - wrote the Ministry of Communities, stating that he should receive more monies. According to reports, B.K. was asking for $1.191B, some $14M more than the $1.177B (US$5.7M) that the ministry had agreed to pay the company for outstanding works done on the Eccles landfill area. B.K. was reportedly basing its arguments on the fact that the exchange rates had gone up. However, it appears that the demand displeased the ministry. Writing Tiwarie, Minister Ronald Bulkan reportedly last week disagreed and made it clear that request was unreasonable and consistent with the actions of a “vulture”. The letter to B.K. was copied to the Attorney General, Basil Williams, and to Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, among others, Kaieteur News was told. Yesterday, Bulkan when asked if he wrote to B.K, would neither confirm nor deny. “One would have thought that B.K. and Mr. Tiwarie would have been ecstatic that we have opted to have this matter settled and not drawn out in court.”
Minister Ronald Bulkan
B.K.’s chief, Brian Tiwarie
Guyana first learnt that the administration was working on a settlement early last year with an announcement last July that it was agreed that B.K. will receive US$5.7M, down from the US$10M that had been demanded for work done on the dumpsite. The company’s services of managing the Haags Bosch Landfill were terminated by the government in December 2015. The administration had been hard-pressed to explain why it decided not to contest the matter of compensation to B.K. in court. They explained that the landfill and its management were critical and therefore the matter had to be brought to a closure with B.K. It had ended up before the National Assembly. A new contract has been awarded to
Puran Bros. The facility was opened in early 2011, replacing the dumpsite at Le Repentir Cemetery in the city, which had to be closed because of health and capacity reasons. Under the arrangements, BK was supposed to be paid for every tonne of waste processed. The matter came to a head when the administration of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic on February 27, 2015, terminated BK’s contract for the construction and operations of the landfill. The government said that the company had missed deadlines and committed other breaches. On March 13, 2015, BK through his lawyer, Devindra Kissoon, filed a lawsuit asking Chief Justice (Ag) Ian Chang, to overturn the decision of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development to terminate the contract. As of July 23, 2013, the Ministry had reportedly owed BK some US$324,677, the monies being for work done since 2012. Aside from this, BK had filed claims against the Ministry for breaches in the contract for US$8M.
Thursday April 27, 2017
Kaieteur News
U.S. says strategy on North Korea centres on sanctions, open to talks (Reuters) The Trump administration said yesterday it aimed to push North Korea into dismantling its nuclear and missile programs through tougher international sanctions and diplomatic pressure, and remained open to negotiations to bring this about. The U.S. stance, which appeared to signal a willingness to exhaust nonmilitary options in spite of repeated warnings that “all options are on the table,” came in a statement following an unusual White Househosted briefing for the entire Senate. The statement from Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats described North Korea as “an urgent national security threat and top foreign policy priority”. North Korea’s growing nuclear and missile threat is perhaps the most serious security challenge confronting U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump has vowed to
The Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, Admiral Harry Harris, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S, yesterday. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas prevent North Korea from being able to hit the United States with a nuclear missile, a capability experts say it could have some time after 2020. “The President’s approach aims to pressure North Korea into dismantling its nuclear, ballistic missile, and proliferation programs by tightening economic
sanctions and pursuing diplomatic measures with our allies and regional partners,” it said. “The United States seeks stability and the peaceful denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. We remain open to negotiations towards that goal. However, we remain prepared to defend ourselves and our allies.”
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FOR RENT
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Thursday April 27, 2017
Kaieteur News
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Thursday April 27, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Voir Dire ongoing in Freddie Govt to review Sexual Offences, Domestic Violence Acts Kissoon assault trial
Frederick Kissoon
Shawn Hinds
The trial of Kwame Mc Coy, Jason Abdulla and Shawn Hinds who are charged with assaulting newspaper columnist, Frederick Kissoon by allegedly throwing faeces into his face is continuing before Magistrate Judy Latchman. They have each been ordered to post $100,000 bail. According to reports, the trio is accused of throwing fecal matter into the face of newspaper columnist, Frederick Kissoon, when he emerged from Nigel’s Supermarket, Robb Street, Georgetown on May 24, 2010. It was reported that the men walked up to the newspaper columnist’s vehicle and threw the
substance on him. Based on reports, after the attack Kissoon managed to drive behind the perpetrators who reportedly ran north along Light Street then west into North Road, before entering a waiting motorcar. Kissoon reportedly tried to intercept the motorcar but backed off to avoid a collision. At present a Voir Dire (trial within a trial) is ongoing to ascertain the admissibility of caution statements and oral statements given by the defendants. Police Inspector Detective Suraj Singh testified to taking statements from two of the defendants. According to the witness, at no time did he or any other police rank assault the defendants.
Kwame Mc Coy Earlier on in the trial, Police Inspector Detective Devon Lowe, who is attached to the Major Crimes Investigations Unit, testified to taking statements from Shawn Hinds and Jason Abdulla. Inspector Lowe also testified that he made an entry in the Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters station diary and showed it to Hinds, who said it was correct. Inspector Lowe said that Hinds then affixed his signature to the entry. According to the Police Inspector, the said station diary was also shown to Abdulla for him to read an entry but he looked at it and replied yes and refused to sign.
Guyana has deficiencies in infrastructural... From page 8 International. He explained that it targets young people who are unemployed; offering them training in various fields such as tourism, hospitality, port operations, infrastructure and transportation among others and finding them fulltime employment at the end of the programme. He noted that when oil comes on stream there will be an immediate boom in jobs and these individuals will be trained and ready. “It is so important and so valuable that we do this. In Barbados when we started it, I was a little sceptical, but 41 young people went on to the course and 36 ended up in fulltime employment,” he said. British High Commissioner to Guyana, Mr. Greg Quinn said that Guyana is moving in the right direction, particularly as it relates to the ease of doing business and the reduction of corruption. “I think we went up 16 points on the ease of doing business between 2016 and 2017 and that was from 140 to 124.
The corruption perception index went from 29 to 34… We believe that this is an Administration and a Government, which we can and want to work with and which has significant potential going forward,” he said. President Granger also spoke, along with Baroness Anelay, Minister for the Com-
monwealth and the UN, whom he had met with earlier in the day at the Caribbean Council’s House of Lords Annual Reception. He also met with Member of Parliament and Foreign Secretary, Rt. Hon. Boris Johnson. Details of that engagement will be provided in a subsequent report.
The Ministry of Social Protection’s Sexual and Domestic Violence unit is working to have the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Acts reviewed for better handling of sexual offences and domestic violence cases. In an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA), Manager, Sexual and Domestic Violence Unit, Akilah Dorris, said the aim is to have the Act more broad-based and concrete so that domestic violence will be taken more seriously in Guyana. “We really hope that once we have the revised Act in place that it provides the instrumentation and severity of offences. We want to deter perpetrators; we are really hoping that when families recognise that things aren’t going well, they can come forward and seek support rather than waiting until it escalates to a higher level,” Dorris explained. The Sexual and Domestic Violence Manager further explained that the review is necessary since several sexual offences domestic violence cases are not properly handled. She added that the unit recognises that there have been several gaps within the legislation as it relates to the domestic violence and the sexual violence Acts. Therefore, the unit will be embarking on the review very soon. “We would be identifying a consultant who will help us to revise the Act. We intend to have stakeholder consultations across the country,” Dorris noted. Additionally, April is nationally recognised as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Manager, Sexual and Domestic Violence Unit, Ministry of Social Protection, Akilah Dorris Dorris pointed out that from April 24 to 30, the unit will be intensifying efforts to raise awareness to further educate the public on the repercussions of sexual offences. “We recognise that we need to intensify our efforts, to increase awareness in the area and we would like to know what’s been going on... so we have embarked on a week of activities where we
would be interacting with the public through various forms of modern media,” the Sexual and Domestic Violence Manager emphasised. The Sexual and Domestic Violence unit is primarily responsible for ensuring and advocating for the creation and development of policies and programmes to address sexual and domestic violence in Guyana.
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Thursday April 27, 2017
Kaieteur News
City Hall to proceed with parking meter negotiations, consultations …Special team elected
Councillor Oscar Clarke making one of his many points in yesterday’s meeting The Georgetown Mayor and City Council will begin consultations and negotiations with the relevant stakeholders to arrive at a favourable position on the parking meter issue for all Guyanese. This step is in line with the Council implementing Cabinet’s recommendation to conduct consultations with stakeholders and renegotiate the parking meter contract during the three month suspension of the project. The Extra-Ordinary Statutory Meeting began at 14:00Hrs yesterday in the Chambers of City Hall and
lasted three and a half hours. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Georgetown M&CC elected a sub-committee which will carry out Cabinet’s recommendation on behalf of the council. Councillor Malcolm Ferreira was elected Chairman of the seven-member team and Councillor Noelle Chow-Chee was elected Vi c e - C h a i r w o m a n . T h e other members of the committee are Councillors Carlyle Goring, Tricia Richards, Ivelaw Henry, Roopnarine Persaud and Heston Bostwick. The members of the Com-
mittee were all nominated by Councillor and Chairman of the Finance Committee Oscar Clarke following the approval of the Terms of Reference (TOR) which will guide the operations of the Committee. Arriving at a final decision on the TOR absorbed the majority of the meeting. At the onset, Deputy Mayor Lionel Jaikarran commended Mayor Patricia Chase-Green for recusing herself from being a part of the consultation and negotiation process. He further suggested that those councillors who would have acted as additional witnesses to the signing of the
May 2016 contract should also recuse themselves from being a part of the committee. The councillors referred to are Councillors Junior Garrett and Oscar Clarke. When it was time for Council to deliberate on what the TORs should be, Mayor Chase-Green presented a document to the Council which she suggested can be used as a guide to councillors as they decide what should be the TORs. However, from all indications, it was only the Mayor who went to the meeting equipped with TORs to contribute to the process. It was suggested by Deputy Mayor Lionel Jaikarran that Councillors return on another date with their own contributions to the TORs but appoint the committee in the interim. Responding to the suggestion, Town Clerk, Royston King advised the council that
the TORs must be established before the Committee is elected since it will inform councillors when they make their nominations for members. He said that the TOR forms the scope, nature and character of the work to be done by the negotiating team as it relates to the parking meter contract. It was suggested by Councillor and former Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan that the Council reject the TORs suggested by the Mayor since it would be ironic for her to recuse herself from the negotiations but still play a role in deciding how those negotiations should be undertaken. The Town Clerk sought to defend the Mayor’s contribution by saying that the suggested TORs are not imposed on the council. He said that in her capacity as Mayor, Chase-Green has the
right to offer guidance to the Council. Further, he said that it is the Council’s choice whether to take the recommendations as is, subtract, add or reject altogether. Councillor Heston Bostwick then moved a motion for the council to resolve itself into committee for 30 minutes to consider the TORs as prepared by the Mayor before making a decision. This motion was seconded by Councillor Chow-Chee. Following the 30-minute break in discussions, 18 councillors voted to accept the TORs as the final guide for the Committee. After all the procedures were followed, Councillor Oscar Clarke asked for Council’s approval to table at the next meeting of the Finance Committee to discuss a stipend being offered to members of the Committee. This approval was given.
Red flags raised over Govt engineers’ estimates Concerns have been raised over the competence of engineers within the various Government agencies and ministries. A number of letters over the past few weeks from contractors and others, called on Kaieteur News to ‘investigate red flags’ as they relate to bids being submitted by contractors to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB). It was contended that all was not right with the Engineer’s Estimates which in many occasions, were way above what contractors were bidding. This was never more evident than last Tuesday, during the opening of tenders for several Government-funded projects, where contractors submitted bids – in some cases, millions of dollars below the Engineer’s Estimate. This was pointed out by a contractor yesterday, who explained that if contractors consistently bid way below the engineer’s estimate, it signals that works can be done at a cheaper cost. It can further be deduced that the engi-
neers’ estimates are not a true reflection of the cost to carry out a project. There have been known cases in the past where the engineers’ estimates were being deliberately ‘inflated’. Another contractor believed that the engineers must be catering for “superior” materials. “Unless they making the engineer’s estimate to cater for superior quality materials, this is obviously utter rubbish because obviously, those materials are not available locally. “The engineers are supposed to be looking out for the state’s interest to ensure that we don’t pay contractors way above (what) we can afford. It creates an impression that these engineers are incompetent or worse yet, corrupt,” the contractor alleged. He added that the “exorbitant” engineer’s estimate makes it difficult for contractors to compete. “The method being used is of course unknown but if the estimate is not close to the real cost then how do we as contractors
bid? How can we be the closest responsive bidder when our estimation of a job is so different from what is being announced?” the contractor queried. These concerns the contractor said, would be brought before the authorities. “We intend to deal with this matter accordingly. It has been going on for years and we thought things would change but it’s the same thing,” The table below illustrates the bid prices submitted for a Ministry of Infrastructure project for geometric improvements of the Railway Line, East Coast Demerara. Several contractors bid in some instances, $10M below the engineer’s estimate. Bidder Amount Gaico Construction and General Services Incorporated $57.2M Eron Lall Civil Engineering Works $57.3M Compustruct Engineering $69.9M BK International Incorporated $56.5M GuyAmerica Construction Incorporated $60.7M Y. Bhola Construction Services $67.6M KP Thomas and Sons Contracting $60.4M B&J Civil Works $68.7M Engineer’s Estimate $70.5M
Thursday April 27, 2017
Paraguay’s lower house rejects presidential re-election amendment (Reuters) Paraguay’s lower house of Congress yesterday rejected a constitutional amendment that would have allowed for presidential re-election, ending a month-long political crisis that aroused violent protests. Under the measure, center-right President Horacio Cartes could have sought re-election in 2018. But last week, the former soft drinks and tobacco mogul who took office in 2013 said he would not run regardless of whether the amendment was approved. Protesters set fire to Congress on March 31 after
the Senate secretly voted in favor of the amendment. Police later stormed an opposition political party’s headquarters and killed a protester. Re-election is a sensitive subject in Paraguay, a landlocked South American country where memories still abound of a brutal 35-year dictatorship that fell in 1989. The constitution has prohibited re-election since it was passed in 1992. “We have lost interest in continuing to push for this due to our candidate’s decision,” said Hugo Velazquez, a member of the lower house and member of
Cartes’ Colorado Party. The lower house’s move was also a blow to former leftist President Fernando Lugo, whom law m a k e r s ousted in 2012. Several of his congressional allies had supported the proposed amendment in the hopes he would run again in 2018. Investors favor Cartes’ low-tax policies and credit him with spurring growth in Paraguay, the world’s No. 4 soy exporter and long one of South America’s poorest countries. But business groups had urged him not to seek another term, in order to avoid more riots.
Gold Board boss denies ordering... From page 16 to incorporate Mr. Rasul's company Response: I wish to strongly deny that I ever gave instructions to Ms. Bullen to incorporate Mr. Rasul's company. In fact, the first time I learnt of her incorporating the company is on April 20, 2017, when she indicated that she should resign her position at the Guyana Gold Board because she incorporated the company. 6. Issue Raised: The whistleblower states that Guyana Gold Board should
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not be involved in gold buying and should instead only be involved in the regulatory aspect of the mining business. Response: It was particularly interesting to read in the Kaieteur News the whistleblower's views about role of the Guyana Gold Board. As the term whistleblower implies, and from the reports that actual declaration records have been obtained by your entity, it can be concluded that the person is an employee of the Guyana Gold Board. I wish to inform you that should the
organisation not be involved in the buying of gold, then sellers of gold will be required to sell their metal only to licensed gold dealers. Further, at most the only relevant department in the organisation would be the Compliance Unit since only regulation of the dealers would be required. Investigators need to question why would someone want their place of employment closed. All for your information and guidance. Sincerely, Lisaveta Ramotar
PPP to table motion challenging Presidential lands CoI The Main Parliamentary Opposition, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), appears to be adamant in its move to have a Presidential ordered Commission of Inquiry (CoI) revoked. After weeks of lamenting, the Party will now be moving to the National Assembly at a sitting scheduled for May 8. According to a statement issued by the party yesterday, two motions were submitted. One was the motion “Calling for the revocation of the commission of inquiry on lands” The other motion is the call for the revocation of “V.A.T (Value Added Tax) on Education.” Last month, President Granger established a CoI under the Commission of Inquiry Act, Chapter 19:03 of the Laws of Guyana “to examine and make recommendations to resolve all issues and uncertainties surrounding the claims of Amerindian land titling, the individual, joint or communal ownership of lands acquired by freed Africans and on any matters relating
to land titling in Guyana.” Seven persons have already been appointed to this Commission. The final report consisting of the commission’s findings and recommendations will be handed over to the President on or before November 1, 2017, or any later date as may be determined by the Head of State. The PPP/C, in previous reports, had contended that the commission was established without any consultations with the National Toshaos Council (NTC); nor directly with “any Amerindian communities, nor with recognized non-governmental organizations representing Amerindians in Guyana”. “In so doing the government denied the National Toshaos Council, Amerindian communities and Amerindian non-governmental organizations, of the right to be informed and consulted as to the rationale for and the objectives of this Commission of Inquiry,” the release from the Opposition read. The PPP/C is of the opinion that the ‘expansive man-
date’ of the Commission could undermine the legitimacy of Amerindian land rights and lead to the dispossession of Amerindian land titles and future land titling since the CoI will also be looking at “any matters relating to land titling in Guyana”. The Opposition is also questioning the CoI in its motion, the need for the Commission since according to the PPP/C, Guyana has already established under the Amerindian Act of 2006, “a unique, comprehensive and robust legal framework which addresses Amerindian land rights and Amerindian communal land titling forever and absolute” with “Free Prior and Informed Consent” of the Amerindian communities, in accordance with the Constitution of Guyana, statutes and international law”. The motion is being moved by Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) and Former Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, and seconded by Nigel Dharamlall, PPP/C MP.
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Thursday April 27, 2017
Thursday April 27, 2017
Kaieteur News
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Windies in a ‘tough phase’, laments...
Regional Super50 – 4th round
From page 29 Chase, Shane Dowrich and Holder, to get up to 286. “ We d i d n o t m a k e enough runs in the first inn i n g s . We l o s t w i c k e t s early and then we had to consolidate and we never really got that partnership going in the middle,” Holder explained. “Credit must go to Shane Dowrich and Roston Chase [for] the way they batted. I came down at the end and tried to wag the tail a little bit but unfortunately that didn’t happen. We needed to get in excess of 300 runs but we didn’t.” West Indies were then
sloppy in the field as Pakistan piled up 407 to carve out a 121-run lead and batting a second time, the Caribbean side slumped to 93 for four at the close of Monday’s final day. Tasked with surviving the final day, West Indies produced another sub-par display with the bat as legspinner Yasir Shah grabbed six wickets to help wreck the innings and earn Manof-the-Match honours. “Obviously we lost early wickets again [and] we we’re able to get a good start,” Holder pointed out. “Yasir Shah did bowl well but I thought we could’ve batted a lot bet-
ter. From the position we were in yesterday evening, it would have been difficult coming into a fifth day pitch trying to survive Yasir.” He said the twin failure of usually prolific opener Kraigg Brathwaite had hurt West Indies. “We definitely need to get off to a better start. A big key for us is Kraigg Brathwaite and he didn’t get off in this Test match,” the all-rounder said. “The last Test match which we won against Pakistan, he carried his bat in both innings. For him, he just needs to get in and stay in.”
Thursday April 27, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Look for professional guidance if it will help unite the family. You should not be concerned with coworkers who insist on spreading rumors. TAURUS (Apr. 21- may 21) Travel will be to your advantage; however, it might be expensive. You can help sort out problems that friends are facing. You will find that joint ventures could easily turn out to be dead end projects. GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Back off if you want to keep the relationship intact. Concentrate on work. You should be trying to clear up legal contracts that have been pending. CANCER (June 22-July 22) Try to take care of the needs of those you love. Advancement can be yours if you are assertive in your approach. LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Concentrate on work. Renovations or purchases made for your home will payoff. Make sure that you make reservations early. VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Wait and get all the information before consulting your boss. If you can mix business with pleasure much can be accomplished. Don't be too quick to judge partners or those you work with.
LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) You should focus on moneymaking matters and stay away from emotional disputes. A change of attitude has probably disrupted your home environment. SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Changes regarding family members will set you off. You may overspend if you travel today; however, the trip will be one to remember. You may have difficulties at an emotional level with mates. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Think twice before you volunteer information. It will do you some good. Selfimprovement projects will payoff in more ways than one. CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Property investments, insurance, tax rebates, or inheritance should bring you financial gains. Your mate will enjoy helping out. AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) It's time to reevaluate your motives. Your personal life will be under the gun and you may want to avoid the questions your lover is going to want to ask you. PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Sign up for seminars that will expand your business awareness. Don't make a move; your confusion has caused this dilemma and you are best to back away and reassess the situation.
KINGSTOWN, St Vincent, CMC – Results of matches played in the fourth round of the Women’s Regional Super50 here yesterday. Scores: At Sion Hill: Guyana won by seven wickets. LEEWARD ISLANDS 41 all out off 17.4 overs (Subrina Munroe 3-10, Akaze Thompson 3-14) GUYANA 43 for three. At Arnos Vale: Barbados won by six wickets.
Carib Beer, PAHO U17 T20 on this weekend The Georgetown Cricket Association Carib Beer first division T20 tournament will continue this weekend with several matches. On Saturday at MSC at 13:30hrs, Transport SC will face UG (Umpires - Hortence Isaacs and Shannon Crawford). The PAHO U17 semi finals will be contested on Sunday at DCC with TSC facing MSC at 09:30hrs and GYO playing DCC at 13:30hrs (M. Yisrael and Cyril Garnath). On Monday the final of the U17 tournament will be played at DCC from 13:00hrs (Moses Ramnarine, Deon Feassal and Andre Hurry).
Rising Sun Turf Club to host race meet on May 7 Organised by the Jumbo Jet Stables in association with the Rising Sun Turf Club, the venue will host a one day horserace meet on May 7 starting at 12:30pm. Seven races are carded for the day and the action promises to be keen with most of the top stables represented and leading horses involved. The main attraction is for D3 and Lower horses for a first prize of $1M and trophy over 1400m. Other events on the programme are for G1 and lower and E3 non earners for six month over 1400m for a $400,000 purse. The H3 and lower and 4years non earners for 2017 will gallop over 1100m with the winner claiming $350,000. The 3 year Guyana Bred horses will battle for $250,000 over 1400m, the J2 and lower winner will cash in on a $200,000 purse, I Maiden $175,000 and the Cow horse $100,000, with all over 1400m.
WINDWARDS 83 all out off 24.3 overs (Nerissa Crafton 26, Quiana Joseph 25; Shamilia Connell 4-15, S h a k e r a S e l m a n 2-8, Deandra Dottin 2-16) BARBADOS 83 for four off 18.5 overs (Kyshona Knight 28 not out, Hayley Matthews 24; Afy Fletcher 3-19)
At Park Hill: Trinidad and Tobago won by nine runs. TRINIDAD & TOBAGO 111 for eight off 24 overs (Reniece Boyce 31 not out; Shanel Daley 3-15, Stafanie Taylor 2-31) JAMAICA 103 all out off 22.4 overs (Karishma Ramharack 3-10)
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BCCI outvoted in crucial vote on ICC constitution
ICC chairman Shashank Manohar was the force behind the new constitution © AFP ESPNcricinfo - The ICC’s new constitution moved a step closer to reality on a dramatic late afternoon in Dubai, as cricket’s Full Members exercised their collective will to outvote the BCCI. The Indian board was the only member to object against a new financial model and was one of the only two countries to vote against the new governance changes. The finance model received a 9-1 vote in favour, while the governance structure was passed by an 8-2 margin. In the financial model that was passed, the BCCI’s share of the ICC revenue is only $290 million, a little more than half the amount the Indian board wanted. Apart from the BCCI, the Sri Lanka Cricket was the other board member to op-
pose the governance structure. It is understood the SLC wanted to see the changes that had been made after the ICC received feedback from the members. The BCCI was alone in opposition to the finance model, after its office bearers - the secretary Amitabh Choudhury and treasurer Anirudh Chaudhry - had rejected the ICC’s settlement offer worth approximately $400 million on Tuesday. The Indian board wanted $570 million, the share it was getting under the Big Three model. The settlement offer had been made by ICC chairman Shashank Manohar to Amitabh Choudhury. Manohar was the head of the ICC working group that had prepared the proposed constitution, which comprises the
finance and governance structure models. The BCCI then approached most of the major Full Members with a counter offer: it gets $570 million but none of the other Full Members get anything less than what was stated in the new constitution. ESPNcricinfo understands the other Full Members rejected the BCCI’s offer, leaving Choudhury and Chaudhry in a tight position yesterday morning, hours before the ICC Board meeting. “The alternative left for them was to adopt the middle ground,” an official present in Dubai said. The BCCI was told that it would do well to consider Manohar’s offer. “It is INR 700 crore, and they were told to consider hard before making a move.”
Boyce and Jefford All stars to face Trophy Stall in 10-over fixture on Sunday Boyce and Jefford All stars will face Trophy Stall in a 20-over softball fixture on Sunday when the Boyce and Jefford organisation stage its relay festival and family fund day at the Police Sports Club, Eve Leary.
Trophy Stall Angels will take on Mike’s Wellwoman in a female T/10 affair. The Boyce and Jefford Allstars include Trevor Benn, Troy Benn, Mark Scott, Lyndon Wilson, Lennox Cush, Theodore De Monick, Colin
Boyce, Jermaine Neblette, Christopher Barnwell, Alphius Bookie and Edison Jefford. The Trophy Stall XI will be led by Ramesh Sunich. The female teams will come from Trophy Stall Angels; Amanda Roberts, Mathana Cambridge, Nicole Leacock, Akilah Castilo, Aneesa Mohamed, Anna Ceru, Alisa Allen, Ruth George, Basmattie Ramdeo, Lisa Gilkes, Sheneka Grimmond, Laticea Edwards, Sherika Campbell, Akelia Alves and Akema Mc Kenzie. Mike’s Wellwoman; Latoya Smith, Zola Telford, Abena Parker, Amanda Bob Semple, Joan Vansertima, Renika Isaacs, Timikea Wilson, Sherrian Fraser, Monique Benn, Haseena Mohamed, Susan Devanand and Sheneeza Saywack.
Balram Raghubir Joint Services t20 cricket
Cops arrest GDF at Eve Leary to retain title By Sean Devers A Man-of-the-Match performance by Jason Heyliger and an up-tempo 37 from opener Odonnel Hill spearheaded two times defending champions the Guyana Police Force to a fourwicket win over the Guyana Defence Force in yesterday’s final of the five-team Balram Raghubir t20 joint services cricket tournament at Eve Leary. Heyliger took 2-22, while Grisean Grant had 2-13 as GDF were kept in shackles for most of their innings and could only reach 122-8 as only opener Leon Andrews, who struggled for 28 balls for his five runs, changed gear towards the back end of his innings before he was run out in the last over for 44 from 53 balls with five fours and a six as only Damion Waldron (16) of the other batsmen reached 15. Andrews, who made 204 in this tournament against City Constabulary to become the only Guyanese with a double century in T20 cricket, returned with the ball to take 3-16 in a losing effort for the Soldiers as the lawmen replied with 123-6 with 15 balls remaining. Hill reached the boundary six times and cleared it once in his 37 from 29 balls, while Heyliger finished unbeaten on 35 from 33 balls with four fours and a six. GDF elected to bat on a track with generous bounce and a lightning fast outfield. Urged on by a noisy crowd and with live commentary being done over the public address system, Grant struck with the score on four when he trapped Quincy McPherson for a duck and it was soon 24-2 when he disturbed the stumps of Darious Nedd (14) and after the first 10 overs GDF had limped to 40-2. Isaiah Bridgadder hit Kester Hardcourt back over his head for six before edging him for four off successive balls, while Andrews hooked Trevor Benn for four as he bowled some lively short balls, before Bridgadder (13) was run out was run out at 61-3. With the overs running out Andrews finally put his foot on the gas and punched Heyliger past cover for four before cutting Eon Rodrigues to the point boundary. Waldron dumped Heyliger for six but was soon removed by the same bowler at 93-4, while Andrews hit the off-spinner like a scud missile for Randy Knights at longoff, injuring his hand in attempting to take the catch with Andrews on 33 and GDF on 95-4 in the 17th over. Nikieto Nester was removed by Heyliger before Terry Fraser edged Rodrigues past Keeper Rawle Browne for
Policeman Odonnel Hill hits one of his seven boundaries yesterday at Eve Leary.
Leon Andrews pulls Jason Heyligier at Eve Leary yesterday before he was run out for 44. four and when Andrews and Calvis Sam (0) were run out in quick succession after Fraser (7) was struck by a throw from a fielder and retired hurt, the last 10 overs produced 82 runs. When Police began their chase McPherson got going with a glorious cut past point and a dismissive pull for boundaries off Andrew McFarlane before whipping Jamal Chisholm for four. Hill jumped on Chisholm like a cat upon a mouse and smashed him for four audacious boundaries before the last ball went for four byes in an over which cost 22 runs and the Police supporters were dancing in
the stands. After Hill give himself room and murderedAndrews behind point for four, rain stopped play at 62-3 in nine overs and Police were ahead by 7.3 runs on the D/L system. When played resumed in overcast conditions, Heyliger stroked Nedd imperiously for four and Benn hammered him for another boundary to leave the equation at 20 from 24 balls. Heyliger deposited Waldron for six and smashed him for four off successive balls and the sun returned with Police needing eight from 18 and although Benn (12) gifted his wicket at 115-6 Heyliger finished off the contest with his fourth boundary.
Thursday April 27, 2017
A. Ally and Sons Showroom lends support to YWCC Mash Cup Once again, A. Ally and Sons Showroom of Sheet Anchor, East Canje, Berbice is on board with The Young Warriors Cricket Club Mash Cup 2017. They are one of many sponsors who have been with this event from the inception. This, the fourth edition is now slated to be held on April 30 at the Cumberland Cricket Ground, East Canje, Berbice. At the presentation ceremony, Waqar Sahid, Managing Director of the Showroom said that they are happy to be part of this event once more. He thanked the public for their support over the years and promised that he will continue to support this event and many others. In response, President of the club Rafeek Kassim expressed gratitude to the sponsor for the faith shown in the club. He promised that the event will be well run and provide fun and entertainment for the entire family, adding that funds provided will be used as incentive for the competition. Kassim called on the general public to support the
Priya Singh left, senior sales clerk, hands over sponsorship to the club President Rafeek Kassim in the presence of CEO Waqar Sahid. popular business entity so that they can continue to support community development. He further stated that YWCC
will continue to provide opportunities for the young boys and girls in the East Canje area.
Diaspora assists ECCCC to acquire blade tractor/mower
ECCCC members with the newly acquired machinery. Several overseas-based Guyanese recently made a generous monetary donation towards the acquisition of one 48-inch blade tractor/ mower to assist in the maintenance of the Enmore Community Centre ground. In the past, the ground and facilities were maintained by Enmore Estate, the legal owners, but such assistance had not been forthcoming for some time now, the Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club (ECCCC) said in a release. “Thus, the approach to well-wishers from our friends overseas. It goes without
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saying that maintenance of a sports ground facility, particularly one which is cricketoriented, requires constant maintenance and at great cost. The kind assistance of the under-mentioned donors is therefore most timely and welcome,” the release noted. The membership of the Enmore Community Centre wishes to sincerely thank the following persons and entities for their meaningful contributions towards the successful acquisition and Operation of the tractor mower: Jai Hardowar, Baby Gajadhar, Polly Abbas, Juliet Singh/Mahase,
Alma Mahase, Doodnauth Jirjodhan (Banda), Henry Singh (H), David Anthony (Girrie), Seow Prashad, Harry Mohabir, Ramphal Bridghmohan, Haripaul Bridghmohan, Shareef (Sharo), Dhanmattie Bridghmohan, Enmore Association Toronto Chapter, Moulvi Mohamed Hussain Khan (deceased), Vishnu Singh, Deodat Gajadar, Shafiek Mohamed, Zorina Mohamed, Rohan Hardowar, Robert Budhu, Patsy Downey/London Cricket Group, Paul Bhola, Surujpaul Singh and Laparkan Shipping and Anil Persaud.
Linden Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Competition
Coomacka, Amazings, Future Stars among those advancing
Players from eventual winners Coomacka and Mile Star battle for possession of the ball during their encounter on Tuesday, at the Mackenzie Market Tarmac. Amazings, Future Stars, Coomacka, Swag Entertainment, Good Fellas, Young Stars, Cherokee Park and Trainline Warriors booked their places in the Round of 16 following the conclusion of the second night of action in this year’s Linden Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Competition, which continued on Tuesday, at the Mackenzie Market Tarmac. In the opening encounter, Future Stars advanced to the net round with an impressive 2-0 triumph over Ariama Colo Colo with Dexter Garraway in the 12th a n d T r a v o n Archibald’s 18th minute strike accounting for their tally. That game was followed by one of the most exciting games of the night which featured Coomacka and Mile Star which the former prevailed 2-0 in a penalty shootout after regulation time failed to break a 2-2 deadlock. Kerston Thom and Keron Dow netted for Coomacka in the fifth and 18th minutes, while siblings Donald and Brian Johnson responded for Mile Star in the 12th and 14th minutes respectively. Swag Entertainment squeezed past Magic Stars 1-0 through a Colwyn Drakes 20th minute winner, while Good Fellas enjoyed a similar margin of victory over Goal Getters 1-0. Deshawn Joseph third minute strike was what separated the two teams. Cherokee Park beat Hardknocks 3-1 on penalty kicks after regulation time failed to produce any goals.
Young Stars were 1-0 winners over Attackers of a penalty shootout after the game finished 2-2 in regulation time. Shaka Lewis and Denzil Pryce were the players on target for Young Stars in the 12th and 15th minutes respectively, while R. Venture and K. Boston did likewise for Attackers in the ninth and 11th minutes. Trainline Warriors moved on courtesy of a 1-0 win on penalties over Running Guns after their encounter finished 1-1. Kelon Adams scored for Trainline Warriors in the second minute, while S. Jones responded in the seventh minute for Running Guns. Amazings gained a walkover Bourda All-Stars that failed to show up at the venue. Play in the competition resumes tonight with Round of 16 action, at the Silvercity Tarmac. The winning team walks away with $400,000 and the championship trophy, while the runners-up, third and forth placed finishers take home $150,000, $75,000 and $50,000 respectively. In the night’s full results: Game-1 Ariama Colo Colo-0 vs Future Stars-2 Dexter Garraway-12th Travon Archibald-18th Game-2 Mile Star-2 vs Coomacka-2 Coomacka won 2-0 on
penalty kicks Coomacka Scorers Kerston Thom-5th Keron Dow-18th Mile Star Scorers Donald Johnson-12th Brian Johnson-14th Game-3 Amazings vs Bourda AllStars Amazing won via walkover Game-4 Hardknocks-0 vs Cherokee Park-0 Cherokee Park won 3-1 on penalty kicks Game-5 Goal Getters-0 vs Good Fellas-1 Deshawn Joseph-3rd Game-6 Attackers-2 vs Young Stars2 Young Stars won 1-0 on penalty kicks Young Stars Scorers Shaka Lewis-12th Denzil Pryce-15th Attackers Scorers R. Venture-9th K. Boston-11th Game-7 Running Guns-1 vs Trainline Warriors-1 Trainline warriors won 1-0 on penalty kicks Trainline Scorer Kelon Adams-2nd Running Guns Scorer S. Jones-7th Game-8 Swag Entertainment-1 vs Magic Stars-0 Colwyn Drakes-20th
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Kaieteur News
Balram Shane General Store Agricola, Camp Street All Stars, Sophia latest to confirm supports YWCC Mash Cup 2nd Annual Boyce & Jefford Relay Festival & Family Fun Day - Broad Street also in
This is the kind of action that will be witnessed on Sunday at the Police Sports Club, Eve Leary. With four days remaining before the scheduled staging of the 2nd Annual Boyce & Jefford Relay Festival & Family Fun Day the teams invited to participate in the 5-a-side football competition have signaled their intentions to be part of the day’s activities, at the Police Sports Club, Eve Leary. The latest to confirm participation are Agricola Champion Boys, Broad Street Bullies, Sophia, Police, GDF and Camp Street All
Stars and they will join West Front Road ‘Gold is Money’ who was the first team to confirm participation. The Gravesande brothers Jimmy and Rocky will no doubt lead Broad Street Bullies quest for the first prize and they are expected to receive support from the l i k e s o f J a m a l C o z i e r, Keiron Solomon and Darren Benjamin. With the inclusion of Sophia, the tournament is now wide open and fans can be assured that the
tournament which carries a first prize of $50,000 and a trophy will be loaded with talent and excitement. Sophia will rely on the expertise of players such as Akeem Jaikissoon, Sheik and Joshua Kamal, Shemroy Arthur, Desmond Cottam and Dwayne Lowe to lead them to victory. Agricola Champion Boys is another team that is on the rise and players such as the livewire Kacy John, Domini Garnett, Delroy Dodson and Gordon
Grant to lead their attack and a crack at the top prize. Wendell Austin, Dwayne Christopher and Steve Bacchus are the players on whose shoulders the responsibility will be to lead their team to the summit. Meanwhile, Milo champions Chase Academy have confirmed their participation in the event and they are expected to take on Morgan’s Learning Centre, but this time it will be in the shorter version for a winner-take-all prize of $50,000.
Benn expresses gratitude to 1E CEO and founder Sumir Karayi Former national middle distance star Waveney Benn recently offered support to the Junior Carifta Games team as she continued on her quest to give back to her native land. Benn, who resides in the United Kingdom, donated a quantity of clothing, footwear and other equipment to members of the team compliments of 1E CEO and founder Sumir Karayi. Karayi, whose Company is based in the UK, handed over a quantity of sports apparel and equipment to Benn shortly before her return to Guyana for an annual h o l i d a y, a p e r i o d s h e uses to solicit assistance to help out lesser fortunate, but promising athletes and sports organisations. Founded in 1997, the Company develops software for managing and r e d u c i n g c o s t s i n I T, known as Software Lifecycle Automation and has 1,700
Waveney Benn (second from left) seen with Chantoba Bright, Claudrice McKoy and Compton Caesar shortly after they returned to Guyana. organisations in 42 countries. Its customers are drawn from public and private sectors across the world and include Dell, Arup, and Ford Motor Company. Benn, who represented with distinction for a number of years at
several international and regional games, including medals in the 400M and 800M at the Carifta Games said that local athletes need more assistance to take them to the next level and urged more business entities to follow in the footsteps of
Karayi who she assured is willing to extend more help to local athletes. Guyana finished with a total of eight medals (four golds, one silver and three bronze) at the Games which was held in Curacao earlier this month.
Balram Shane (left) hands the sponsorship prize to Ray Ali. Balram Shane General Store of Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, Berbice has been with The Young Warriors Cricket Club Mash Cup from its inception and this year is no exception. This, the fourth edition is now slated to be held on April 30 at the Cumberland Cricket Ground, East Canje, Berbice There is excitement in the air as the public looks forward to this signature event from which proceeds go towards coaching, religious and educational organisations as part of the club’s policy to enhance community development. Betsy Ground Triple Stars are the defending champions. It is expected that a number of teams from the East Canje area will compete in the action packed five overs aside cricket competition for prize monies of over $100,000. Two top Masters softball teams in Guyana are expected to do battle in a 15 overs aside feature game.
There will be added attractions for the kids and the entire family, live musical entertainment and a well stocked bar. At the presentation ceremony, Balram Shane, owner of the popular store said that he feels satisfied to give back to community development. He thanked the public for their support and promised that he will continue to support sport, cricket in particular. In response, treasurer of the club, Ray Ali expressed gratitude to the sponsor. He promised that the event will be well run and provide fun and entertainment for the entire family. He said that the funds provided will be used as incentive for the competition. He added that YWCC will continue to provide opportunities for the young boys and eventually girls in the East Canje area. Ali said that the club is proud of its first test cricketer Shimron Hetmeyer and will work hard to maintain its short but rich history.
Malta Supreme Tapeball bowls off on Tuesday at Thirst Park Thirst Park will be the venue for Malta Supreme 7-a-side Tapeball tournament which will commence on Tuesday and conclude the following day. Entrance fee is $5,000 and action gets underway at 17:00hrs. The winning and runner up teams as well as manof-the-match in the final and MVP will received cash prizes. Teams are required to provide balls and can contact Eric Sukrah on 655-0332 for more information.
Thursday April 27, 2017
Kaieteur News
Colors Boutique makes two-year commitment to Jr Sportsman of the Year At a simple presentation at the Colors Boutique on Robb Street Georgetown local sports moved a step forward at a time when most sports lacked the goodwill of this 50 year-old nation when the Boutique made a twoyear commitment to Junior Sportsman of the year, Caribbean and National U11 y ear s tab le ten n is champion Kaysan Ninvalle, a student of Chase Academy. C o l o r s S a l e s Representative, Creanna Damon disclosed that as one of the Country’s leading Footwear and fashion outlets it was a natural progression to join forces with the Caribbean’s leading young Table Tennis player. “Over the next two years Colors will take care of Kaysan’s training footwear and other Table Tennis attire. Colors will also assist with overseas travelling for Caribbean Championships,” Damon explained. At 11 Kaysan is believed to the youngest person to ever win Junior Sportsman of the year and Damon said Colors applauded the fact that the Junior Sportsman is also
doing well academically. In October in Lima Peru, Ninvalle finished third and received his bronze medal among U-11 players at the Wo r l d H o p e s L a t i n American Table Tennis Selection and training camp, while in August Ninvalle broke the Trinidad and Tobago dominance at the Caribbean Pre-Cadet Table Te n n i s C h a m p i o n s h i p played at the National Indoor Sports Centre (NISC) in Jamaica as he stormed to the lone gold medal in the Under-11 department. “I am honored that we at Chase were a part of history that someone so young was awarded such an accolade as Junior Sportsman of the year. We are all happy and proud since he represents the future sportsmen of this society,” The Principal of Chase Academy, Henry Chase, told reporters. “It is commendable of Colors to have taken up the opportunity to contribute meaningfully. It is indeed something unique since few businesses or the Guyanese population do such humane acts and I urge all
appropriate stakeholders in Guyana to help change the negative culture regarding sports,” Chase continued. Chase disclosed that giving scholarships to talented youngsters involved in various sports disciples is a classic indication of his dream and vision to merge sports with education. “Sports and education can work simultaneously,” stressed Chase, who has given scholarships to promising Cricketers and Footballers to make the learning institution a power house in the these sports at schools, while giving the students the opportunity to focus on both their Sports and academics without having to worry about school fees. Kaysan thanked Colors and stated that he felt honored and privileged to be selected as Junior Sportsman of the year. Young Ninvalle thanked his Coach Linden Johnson who has been with him since he started the sport six years ago and promised that with Colors support, better performances are coming in the future. (Sean Devers)
Windies fined for slow over-rate KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – West Indies have been slapped with a fine for slow over-rate, adding to the pain of their sevenwicket defeat in the opening Test against Pakistan here Tuesday. International Cricket Council match referee, Chris Broad, ruled that the Caribbean side was one over short of their target during the contest at Sabina Park. Each player was fined 10 per cent of his match fee while captain, Jason Holder attracted a 20 per cent fine, as per the ICC Code of Conduct. The ICC statement said Holder pleaded
guilty to the charge and accepted the sanction, ruling out the need for a formal hearing. “If West Indies commits another minor over-rate breach in a Test within 12 months of this offence with Holder as captain, it will be deemed a second offence by Holder and he will face a suspension,” the ICC said. West Indies will seek to level the threematch series when they take on Pakistan in the second Test starting on Sunday at Kensington Oval in Barbados. The final Test is set for Windsor Park in Dominica from May 10-14.
Windies in a ‘tough phase’, laments Holder KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Embattled West Indies captain Jason Holder conceded Tuesday his inexperienced side were enduring a difficult period, after they suffered a sevenwicket thrashing at the hands of Pakistan on the last day of the opening Test at Sabina Park. Behind by 121 runs on first innings, the Windies started the second day on 93 for four but failed in their bid for survival, dismissed for a paltry 152, 37 minutes before the scheduled lunch break. Pakistan then scored the 32 runs required for victory to condemn West Indies to
their 11th defeat in their last 15 Tests, with just one victory to show in that period. “It’s a tough phase. It is very tough but it is what it is,” Holder said moments following the Windies defeat. “We’ve got to work with what we have [in terms of players]. I have full confidence in this young group. It’s just a matter of sticking together but we’ve got to learn. It’s just not a matter of us coming in and playing cricket, we’ve got to learn and we’ve got to learn from our mistakes.” He added: “It’s a very inexperienced side basically
in terms of our batting [but] it’s just a matter of them getting in and stamping their authority and there’s no better place to do it than in the next Test match.” West Indies entered the game with a batting line-up which included two debutants – Guyanese lefthanders Vishal Singh and Shimron Hetmyer – and three other batsmen in the top seven with less than 10 Tests to their name. And the inexperience showed in the first innings as they slumped to 71 for five just after lunch on the opening day and needed half-centuries from Roston (Continued on page 25)
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NBA Playoff Roundup ROCKETS 105, THUNDER 99 HOUSTON (AP) — James Harden had 34 points and his supporting cast helped Houston overcome a 47-point game by Russell Westbrook to get a 105-99 victory over Oklahoma City on Tuesday night to advance to the Western Conference semifinals. The Thunder head home a year after advancing to the Western Conference finals after Houston took this series 4-1. The Rockets used a 5-1 run, with all their points coming on free throws, to pull away from the Thunder and make it 98-91. Victor Oladipo threw a pass about 5 feet above Westbrook’s head and out of bounds on the next possession and Harden made a layup on the other end with about three minutes left. The Rockets began eating up the clock after that and Oklahoma City missed shot after shot that could have closed the gap. Houston
couldn’t add to its lead though and the Thunder cut it to four points twice in the final seconds, with the second one coming on a basket by Alex Abrines. But Harden made two free throws both times they got close to secure the win. JAZZ 96,CLIPPERS 92 LOS ANGELES — Gordon Hayward scored 27 points, Utah controlled the paint, and the Jazz beat the Clippers 96-92 to take a 3-2 lead in their first-round playoff series. Hayward returned after missing most of Utah’s win in Game 4 because of food poisoning that caused him to lose weight and energy. Chris Paul’s 3-pointer drew the Clippers within two with five seconds left. After George Hill hit two free throws, Paul struggled getting the ball under control near the sideline and couldn’t do anything as time expired. The Jazz made five 3pointers in the fourth quarter, including three by Rodney Hood, who finished with 16 points.
Paul led the Clippers with 28 points and J.J. Redick added 26 with injured star Blake Griffin watching from the bench, his right foot encased in a black walking boot. The Jazz can clinch the series with a victory in Game 6 on tomorrow night in Salt Lake City. S P U R S 1 1 6 , GRIZZLIES 103 SAN ANTONIO — Kawhi Leonard had 28 points and San Antonio rebounded from two discouraging road losses to beat Memphis and take a 3-2 lead in their first-round series. San Antonio shot 14 for 28 on 3-point attempts, two off its postseason record, including 5-for-7 shooting by Patty Mills. Mills finished with 20 points and Tony Parker added 16. Mike Conley had 26 points and Marc Gasol added 17 for the Grizzlies, who have lost nine straight postseason games in San Antonio.
Sharapova marks comeback from ban with win over Vinci (Reuters) Former world number one Maria Sharapova made a winning comeback to the tour yesterday following her 15month doping ban, beating Italian Roberta Vinci in straight sets in the first round of the Stuttgart Grand Prix. The 30-year-old Russian, three-time winner on Stuttgart’s clay courts, received a controversial wild card for the German tournament, having had no ranking points after more than a year out following her suspension. She had a nervous start in front of a supportive crowd but quickly found her strokes and her trademark shrieks to power past the world number 36 7-5 6-3 and set up a second-round clash against fellow Russian Ekaterina Makarova. “It’s the best feeling in the world. To know I would be walking back into the arena was very special,” Sharapova said in a courtside interview. “I was waiting for this moment for a long time.” She added: “When I am on the court, because I have been doing it for so long, even though you are rusty and trying to get a rhythm, you try to block everything out. I am a competitor by
Maria Sharapova of Russia (REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski) nature. That’s when I am at my best.” Sharapova has also received invitations to play in Madrid and Rome and will find out in May whether she will be given a wild card for the French Open. Some players, including Vinci, have criticised the wild card awards, saying a doping offender should have to start from scratch and build up their ranking by playing in the lower tournaments again. REDUCED BAN Sharapova’s initial twoyear suspension was reduced
to 15 months after she tested positive at the 2016 Australian Open for meldonium, a medication the Russian had been taking within the rules but which was then reclassified as a banned drug. “It’s important to play, points, games, sets. It is a journey that officially starts today and I look forward to playing as many matches as I can,” said Sharapova, the second highest paid female athlete last year according to Forbes. “I spent a long time without hitting any balls.
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Kaieteur News
Thursday April 27, 2017
GTTA Endorses newly elected Steering Committee in Bartica Region 7
Members of the recently elected BTTC committee. T h e G u y a n a Ta b l e Te n n i s A s s o c i a t i o n (GTTA) has endorsed the
newly formulated Bartica Table Tennis Steering Committee (BTTC) as an
affiliate member. The G T TA E x e c u t i v e Committee has been
IBGL supports Boyce and Jefford Relay Festival
General Manager of IBGL, Ewart Adams (right) hands over the contribution to Edison Jefford while Proprietor of Determine Immortal Sound, Eon ‘Father Moey’ Havercome, share the moment yesterday. Insurance Brokers Guyana Limited (IBGL) continued its support for the Boyce and Jefford Relay Festival and Family Fun Day, scheduled for Sunday at the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary when it handed over its contribution yesterday. General Manager of IBGL, Ewart Adams congratulated the organisers of the event for their efforts to continue to develop grassroots sports. Adams said that it is from events like these that future stars are born; hence the company’s continued support. The relays this year include the 4x100 (Male and Female); 4x400 (Male and Female); 4x200m Mixed Relay; 4x400m Mixed Relay; Sprint Medley Females (100m,100m, 200m, 400m); Sprint Medley Males (100m, 200m, 400m, 800m); Distance Medley Females (2400m) (400m, 600m, 600m, 800m) and the Distance Medley Males (2800m) (400m, 600m, 600m, 1200m). Cash Prizes of $25,000; $15,000 and $10,000 will be awarded to teams finishing first to third in the relay events for total prize money of $500,000 to be handed out in 10 races. In addition, the event this year will include football, softball cricket, cycling and dominoes competitions.
actively engaging, supporting and providing direction to the plans, work, activities and members of this committee as part of its p l a n s f o r t h e decentralisation, development, advancement, promotion, marketing and administering of the sport a release from the GTTA stated. The GTTA President, Godfrey Munroe recently visited Bartica to meet with the newly formulated committee to listen to their plans and ideas and to outline the plans, projects and mandates of the association. The duly elected members as endorsed by the GTTA are: Timothy Cornelius; President Jermaine Joseph Vice President Stefan Dass Treasurer’ Arita Embleton General Secretary: Stacy M. Cubbin Asst. Secretary Treasurer Committee members: Collen Carrington Leon Stuart Dax Holder Clinton Bobb Ryker Pollard Nikith LaRose Carol Livan T h e C o m m i t t e e ’s mandate, which falls under the supervision of the GTTA, will be to promote, develop and coordinate the game in Bartica.
The Committee has set out some key initiatives as part of its plans/mandate to develop the sport in Bartica. These include the hosting of a Bartica vs Linden encounter, Novices Schools Teams a n d i n d i v i d u a l Ta b l e Te n n i s c h a m p i o n s h i p s which will be used as a recruiting programme to have players who will attend after school and weekend training programmes. The central aim and objective of hosting the ev ent is to s timulate students/players interest and commence a system to actively engage players in the Bartica region, introducing them to the sport of table tennis in view of increasing participation. The establishment of Steering committees are catered for in the constitution of the Guyana Table Tennis Association, and is very critical to the advancement of the sport in Guyana. As part of the long term projection, the committee has identified the Bartica Community centre as a central area that can facilitate six tab les f o r hos tin g of competitions training after school and on weekends. The committee also outlined that they will use the three mile school auditorium to host
training programmes on the weekend and after school as a central hub. The GTTA will lend support to the committee for the hosting of tournament/competitions and the capacity to do same, development of capacity within the region with the provision of training in key areas, provide resources to help the committee to develop, manage, coordinate and organise the sport in the region. The establishment of committee in Bartica region 7, has become even more critical given the implementation of the National Athlete D e v e l o p m e n t Ta b l e Te n n i s f o r S c h o o l s Programme which seeks to implement table tennis in a structured manner in schools, targeting children between the ages of 6-15 years old in 106 schools across Guyana and the 11 Guyana Teachers Union districts. Timothy Corneiluis t h a n k e d t h e G T TA president for coming to Bartica and endorsing and working with the committee, he outlined that his mandate is to provide access and the opportunity for the many youths in the region with a concentration in schools with central aim of making table tennis a mainstream sport in the region.
Thursday April 27, 2017
Kaieteur News
Page 33
RHTY&SC Cricket Teams honour Shimron Hetemyer, four Outstanding Coaches The Cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, M.S on Sunday last became the first organisation to honour Shimron Hetemyer on his achievement on becoming Berbice’s 18th Test Cricketer. The teams also honoured four coaches for their outstanding contribution towards the development of the gentleman’s game in Berbice and Guyana. Tw e n t y y e a r s o l d Hetemyer made his Test Debut on Friday 2017-05-20 against Pakistan in Jamaica and Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster stated that the Club was delighted to honour him a mere three days after his debut. The Club was also the first organisations to assist Hetemyer with cricket gears, seven years ago under its Basil Butcher Cricket Development Trust Fund. The Veteran Cricket Official urged Hetemyer’s Parents who represented him to make sure that the young cricketer remains
Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo presents the Award to Shimron Hetemyer’s parents. disciplined, focused and most importantly grounded as most young cricketers
tends to become affected by early fame. The RHTY&SC presented Hetemyer with a
First innings totals key going forward, stresses Holder KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Captain Jason Holder has urged his struggling batting line-up to improve, especially in the first innings, as West Indies chase an important series-levelling victory against Pakistan in the second Test starting Sunday in Barbados. The Caribbean side produced two impotent displays with the bat during the opening Test here at Sabina Park, to crash to a seven-wicket defeat, 20 minutes after lunch on the final day. Holder stressed the importance of a large first innings total, pointing out this was key to putting Pakistan under pressure and laying the groundwork for a positive result. “We’ve beaten them before in the recent past. It’s just a matter of us ticking all our boxes and we need to hold our chances obviously,” the 25year-old said. “We need to get a better start and put up a stronger first innings total. I think many cricket games or Test matches are really set up in the first innings so we need to put up a better first innings total. I think once we do that, I back our bowlers to come out
and get 20 wickets.” West Indies struggled from the outset of the just-concluded Test here, slumping to 71 for five just after lunch on the first day. And though they recovered to score 286, Pakistan piled up 407 in reply to take a first innings lead of 121 runs. The Windies batting failed again in the second innings. They were tottering on 93 for four at the end of day four and lost their last six wickets for 42 runs on Monday’s final day to be all out for a disappointing 152. Holder pointed out that opener Kraigg Brathwaite’s twin failure in the game had been a huge blow to the batting group. “We haven’t been able to get off to good starts during this Test match. If you check the last Test series, we’ve been struggling for an opening partner with Kraigg,” he explained. “He’s been the guy at the top who has been the rock for us but he didn’t get off in this game and unfortunately so. Going forward, we need to get him going and once he gets going, batters tend to bat around him nicely.” He added: “It’s a matter of
trusting our defence a little bit longer, being able to stand up against the swinging ball up front with the quicks and then when Yasir Shah and the other spinners come in, be a little tighter with our defence.” Historic Kensington Oval could prove a source of motivation or West Indies. They won their last Test played at the ground two years ago when they stunned England inside four days and also trounced Pakistan by 276 runs when the two teams last met there 12 years ago.
framed certificate, trophy and medal as souvenirs for his debut. He joined the elite l i s t o f B e r b i c e Te s t Cricketers that includes John Trim, Rohan Kanhai, Basil Butcher, Joe Soloman, Ivan Madray, Roy Fredericks, Alvin Kallicharran, Sew Shivnarine, Clayton Lambert, Mahendra Nagamootoo, Narsingh Deonarine, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Brandon Bess, Devendra Bishoo, Assad Fudadin and Veerasammy Permaul. Foster expressed disappointment that the Berbice Cricket Board to date has not extended any congrats to Hetemyer. The four Cricket Coaches honoured under the Club’s Tribute to Coaches Programme were Senior National Cricket Coach
RHTY&SC, M.S Vice President Mark Papannah Hands over Award to Coach Delbert Hicks. Esuan Crandon, National Female Coach Andre Percival, National Under-15 Coach Julian Moore and RHTY&SC Senior Coach Delbert Hicks. Percival was honoured for his commitment towards female cricket in Berbice and Guyana, Crandon, a product of the RHTY&SC, was honoured for coaching Guyana to back to back three successive regional first class cricket titles, while Moore was recognised for leading Guyana to two consecutive regional Under-15 titles. Hicks, the head of the RHTY&SC Coaching staff, was honoured for the outstanding role he has played in nurturing the talent o f t h e C l u b ’s j u n i o r
cricketers that includes Kevlon Anderson, Chanderpaul Govindan, S l y u s Ty n d a l l , K e v i n Sinclair, Mahendra Gopilall, Plaffina Millington, Shenneta Grimmond and Marian Samaroo among others. The Secretary/CEO on behalf of the Club urged the Cricket Coaches to uphold their high standards and to remain committed to their coaching jobs. The honouring of Hetemyer and the coaches were organised by the Farfan and Mendes Under-15, Bakewell Under-17 and Second Division, Pepsi Under-19 and Intermediate, Metro Females and Gizmos and Gadgets Under-21 and First Division teams.
rt o p S Balram Raghubir Joint Services t20 cricket
P.26
Cops arrest GDF at Eve Leary to retain title
Winners Police and Runners-up GDF with senior Military officers after the Balram Raghubir joint Services t20 Final at Eve Leary yesterday. (Photos by Sean Devers)
Linden Guinness ‘Greatest Colors Boutique makes two-year of the Streets’ Competition commitment to Jr Sportsman of the Year Coomacka, Amazings, P.29
Future Stars among those advancing P.27 2nd Annual Boyce & Jefford Relay Festival & Family Fun Day
Agricola, Camp Street All Stars, Sophia latest to confirm
- Broad Street also in
Kaysan Ninvalle collects gear from Creanna Damon, while Chase Academy Principal Henry Chase (right) and Robeson Botherson (left), Manager at Colors share the moment.
Sharapova marks comeback from ban with win over Vinci
P.29
BCCI outvoted in crucial P.26 vote on ICC constitution
IBGL supports Boyce and Jefford Relay Festival P.30
RHTY&SC Cricket Teams honour Shimron Hetemyer, four P.31 Outstanding Coaches
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