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KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
CCTV AND CRIME FIGHTING
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nation is a reflection of the sum total of indi vidual action. Each one of us, in a spirit of service, should always strive to build the
country. In such a quest, we have to examine and change the things that have hindered progress for decades and promote those that will advance it. One of the latter things is crime, which continues to plague society. We must commit ourselves to take initiatives to end this scourge. We must use ingenuity and technology. Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance is a proven element in crime fighting. We need to take advantage of this. One of the biggest factors in the growth of crime is the belief by criminals that they can commit their acts with impunity and get away with it. CCTV is the way of the future to put a dent in crime in Guyana. It will no doubt serve as a deterrent to wouldbe offenders. But it is only as good as the people who operate the system. Not much will improve in fighting crime if the morals in the law enforcement agencies are not addressed. Neither will much improve if there is continued corruption in those institutions. The police force in particular must improve its image. The willingness to use CCTV to fight crime is long overdue. It is a proactive approach. However, there are some CCTV opponents who feel that it represents an invasion of citizens’ privacy and allows ‘big brother’ government to spy on the citizenry. Those of this stripe believe that the issue of the invasion of privacy outweighs the advantages that CCTV systems will deliver for the public good. There are others who have argued that there is no empirical evidence that CCTV systems deter criminal activity. The truth is the CCTV systems will undoubtedly invade the privacy of all of us as it seeks to curtail the illicit and damaging behaviour of some. Opponents of CCTV ought to know that personal privacy in the public space should not supersede safety. Those who oppose this technological advancement because it invades their privacy do have a valid point, but the question is: Why would anyone oppose being recorded in public if they are on the right side of the law. While CCTV surveillance is a good start, it alone will not serve crime. It has repeatedly been emphasised that a bipartisan approach is needed to help reduce crime. It is the best gift our political leaders could give to this generation. It would be a refreshing experience that perhaps, finally, the nation can begin to tackle crime from a united standpoint. More often than not, people spend a lot of time criticizing the authorities for their failure to deal effectively with crime that has enveloped our society. This is an opportunity for us to change our negative opinions and appreciate the hard work of the truly dedicated crime-fighters who give of themselves tirelessly, and at great sacrifice, to serve and protect us. Let us all, regardless of our ethnicity or political affiliation, seize the opportunity and join them to make Guyana a crime-free country. The two basic responsibilities of any government is to provide justice and defend the citizens or what is referred to as ‘public safety and security’ of the citizens. The responsibility of the justice system is to punish criminals and other violators of the law. The inability to adequately carry out these functions would be an indication of governmental failure. The use of technology such as CCTV to fight crime and improve public safety should be supported.
Saturday April 14, 2018
How Guyana Is Being Underdeveloped By Exxon Mobil DEAR EDITOR: A number of emerging countries economies have experienced a massive boom in wealth and investment over the past two decades. Yet most ordinary people in these societies live in dire poverty with stagnant life expectancy, high unemployment and in societies with low-levels of manufacturing and heavy industry. One only has to reflect on Guyana and one can observe that the GDP per capita expanded by almost 400% in the last two decades, yet today four out of every 10 Guyanese have serious challenges eating two proper meals and “surviving on income of US$1.75 per day or $10,494 per month” (source: GBPI).
For the roots of these conditions of “under-development,” the best historical account of why these things are happening can be found in Walter Rodney’s “How Europe Underdeveloped Africa” (1972). This book is mandatory reading for anyone who wants to understand what is about to happen to Guyana because of this lopsided anti-Guyanese oil contract signed between the Granger cabal and the international developers. The core of Rodney’s analysis rests on the assumption that Africa has been crucial to the growth of capitalism in Europe. What he terms “underdevelopment” was, in fact, the product of centuries of exploitation. Rodney con-
clusively shows that “Europe” – that is, the imperial powers – did not merely enrich their own empires but actually reversed economic and social development in Africa. Thus, Rodney in his book showed how Europe built immense industrial and colonial empires on the backs of African labour, but in the process devastated the African natural resources and the African societies in the process. As he emphasizes throughout the book, “it would be an act of the most brazen fraud to weigh the social amenities provided during the colonial epoch against the exploitation and to arrive at the conclusion that the good outweighed the bad.” Thus when Mr. Raphael Trotman rolls out the trinkets such as “UG will get G$100
million for training and development”, he was clearly acting like a “slave agent”, as he imprisons a nation for the journey on this ship that will lead to full exploitation. The slave agent is sprinkling a few trinkets here and there to settle the natives. What Mr. Trotman has not told the nation is that the annual sales from this operation when it peaks around 2024, would be close to US$2.2billion. Multiplied over the life of the Stabroek Block of 20 years, UG will be getting 0.0002% of the total sales over the life of the investment. We can now understand why Mr. Trotman can make such infantile statement as “releasing the contract was not good for business” as he was quoted by the Press in November 2017. Of course, (Continued on page 6)
Gold Board is killing the golden goose DEAR EDITOR, The Guyana Gold Board under the Chairman GHK Lall has become an institution misguided in its authority and functions. As a miner, I am convinced that GHK Lall has bluffed his way to the reins of the Gold Board and acts not in the interest of the gold miners and government but rather himself. From your newspaper it is being reported about the board not having any wiggle room under the guise of conflict free gold. That is utter nonsense since the internationally accepted reference countries for conflict gold does not include Guyana. Furthermore, conflict-affected and high-risk areas are identified by the presence of armed conflict, widespread violence or other risks of harm
to people.Armed conflict may take a variety of forms, such as a conflict of international or non-international character, which may involve two or more states, or may consist of wars of liberation, or insurgencies, civil wars, etc. High-risk areas may include areas of political instability or repression, institutional weakness, insecurity, collapse of civil infrastructure and widespread violence. Such areas are often characterized by widespread human rights abuses and violations of national or international law.Guyana is not in any of the definition describe above and as such the Chairman makes these false statements contrary to the Gold Board Act. The board is now requiring from dealers and us miners unnecessary docu-
mentation under the guise of having to be compliant from international partners. What is even more astounding being that GHK Lall seems to be usurping the function of the Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, and by his actions is killing the goose who lays the golden egg for Guyana. Lall should understand that it is us the miners who keep the wheel of the industry and sector turning and being the largest foreign exchange earners, his continuous actions and words are causing unnecessary burden on simple miners. This, in turn, has cause dealers to turn away miners as they say it’s the Gold Board requirements, for compliance all of which we have been using for years and no
issue.The Gold Board is being run like a cake shop, constantly changing their minds when it comes to what they require from miners. While he may have had experience on Wall Street, the reality is that gold industry with its complexities is much different. In so doing, Gold Board has effectively sidelined the Minister of Natural Resources. I urge the President and Minister of Natural Resources to seriously look into the mismanagement of the Gold Board as it seems, under the current board and chairman. Mr. Lall’s seeming infatuations of power is impeding the progress made with stakeholders including miners, dealers and the association. A concerned miner
Who Pays For Carl Singh, Jurist-In-Residence, implemented so that any place, albeit in positions like And What Does He Do? been undue influence, caprice, the Magistracy, Legal Aid, DEAR EDITOR I read with concern, bewilderment and amusement that former acting Chancellor Justice Carl Singh, is currently a “Jurist-in-Residence at the University of Guyana.” In accordance with the dictates of public interest, government transparency and citizens’ and taxpayers’ rights to know, I respectfully ask the following questions, with all due respect to Judge Singh and all those concerned: (1) How, when and why was this position created, or was patronage a consideration? (2) Who pays for the salary and/or expenses for this office, is it of a permanent nature, or was it created as a pension and retirement fund
exclusively for Mr. Carl Singh, more popularly referred to as a “sweetheart deal?” (3) Was this position ever afforded to more accomplished predecessors, like confirmed past Chancellors Massiah, JOF Haynes, Crane, Luckhoo and others of more worthy ilk? (4) Was there an open system where other more qualified jurists, like former acting CJ Ian Chang, AGs Charles Ramson, Bernard DeSantos and others, including ex patriates, were allowed to submit applications for consideration, or was this a secret, partisan and privileged position given only to the present holder, despite the public nature of this portfolio? (5) What guarantees have
whim or bias does not prejudice or permeate to the present Judges and Magistrates, who were until very recently under the jurisdiction and supervision of Chancellor (Ag.) Singh? (6) Has Mr. Singh’s track record been evaluated, scrutinized and considered that h e a c t u a l l y heard, researched, completed and decided cases, and authored due and guiding precedents and decisions, befitting the duties of the office he held for years, or is he haplessly undeserving of such accolades? (7) Can a less grandiose position be found where his experience can be utilized, like helping to clear up the backlogs he bears the blame for as the head functionary of the judicial system in the first
Traffic Court, Family or Night Court? Judge Singh knows that jurists like Keith Massiah, JOF Haynes, Stanley Hardyal, Ian Chang, George Jackman and others proudly and fearlessly continued their careers as regular members of the Bar after their lofty judicial and governmental positions had ended, with dignity and pride, content to be part of the legal system, and worth their salt to earn a worthy living.Indeed, when deserving jurists like Lord Denning, Learned Hand, Blackstone, Mansfield, Burger, Marshall, Bhagwati, Cardozo, Holmes and others retired, there were no golden parachutes or severance packages given to them. Their legacy was their decisions. To his credit, Judge (Continued on page 6)
Hypocrisy and contradiction DEAR EDITOR, Reference is made to Kaieteur News’ Headline of Apr.10, “Ramotar gave construction company oil block, operations at stand still”. Certainly, the nation is now being made aware of this signing agreement between a well-known private, business entity, Nabi Construction and the former People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government led by former President Donald Ramotar. Editor, immediately the question arises as to how many other such agreements may have been entered into, with the former administration, and what are they? Further, this deal, for that is what it really is, would have been contracted, some time after the initial facilitating of the 600 blocks to Exxon, by the late Mrs. Janet Jagan, President of Guyana at that time. Therefore, given the notso-long-ago made suggestion of auctioning whatever blocks do remain, as trumpeted by Bharrat Jagdeo and a few others – one wonders why this very strategy had not been implemented at that time? How convenient and hypocritical have been these
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so called oil and gas “experts”? Not surprising, given their agenda. Are we about to be appraised of such further contracts pertaining to the nation’s oil that had been made by the former government and their friends/cronies? Examining the statistics as stated in the Kaieteur News story, one would have discerned some interesting details with regards to the contract, entered. There are the similarities of the cost recovery arrangements between the administration and the business entity; particularly the 50/50 share of the profits after deduction of costs, and that which has been the current cause of so much vitriol by the so called “experts’’. In fact, the 2016 contract, would have contained some modifications, including the extra 1% royalty. I stand to be corrected by saying that what is further interesting is that the receiving party has ensured that it does not lose in any way, by ensuring two cost recovering percentage ceilings of 70%, if the price per barrel were to be above $100; and 75%, if it dips below. The contract also
gave a very generous licence in terms of dollar cost, lower than those given to Exxon and others. Editor, the discovery of oil in vast commercial quantities as have been announced by Exxon since May 2015, was bound to generate and catalyze national debate, given its widespread implications for the political-social-economic future for the people and country of Guyana. A lot has been said, no doubt from persons who have a genuine interest in their country. However, arising out of all the opinions/views, has been an identified few, whose attacks, have subtly centered specifically on the type of government, which has been leading the preparation of the oil and gas process. This has been because of the traditionally held social view, that a certain kind of people do not possess the wherewithal to deal with economic matters. The Kaieteur News story, underlines not only the aforesaid view, but also the contradictions and hypocrisy that continue to surface in the national debate over the oil and gas contract. Regards Earl Hamilton
The Caribbean Voice Supports the Implementation of Amber Alert in Guyana DEAR EDITOR, The Caribbean Voice (TCV) supports the Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO) in urging Government to seriously consider using the Amber Alert System to help find missing children faster and to ensure the greatest possible safety of such children. The experiences of nations that already have the Amber Alert show that it not only serve as a deterrent to those who would prey upon children but also results in some perpetrators releasing abducted children after hearing the amber alert. The fact that the success of the Amber Alerts depends on total cooperation between communities and the police and the utilization of broadcast media, digital billboards, Internet Ad exchanges, Internet Service Providers, Internet search engines, as well as wireless de-
vices such as mobile phones could augur well for improved relations between the police and the citizenship which is currently far from what is desired. Such improved relations could also bolster crime fighting overall. TCV believes that nations like the US, UK and Canada would be most willing to provide necessary assistance to ensure proper training and implementing mechanism are in place for maximal efficiency. Also
there would be need for requisite legislation to provide a legal framework and adequate resources to foster timely receipt and processing of information and rapid responses, among other requirements. Therefore, bearing in mind the experience of the motion to decriminalize attempted suicide, we strongly urge that the requisite legislation be a bipartisan effort to ensure its passage into law. Sincerely, The Caribbean Voice
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The charges against Brassington, Singh have no basis in law DEAR EDITOR, I will wholly agree with the Leader of the Opposition’s response to the unjustified charges of misconduct in public office. There is no basis for such a charge since Dr.Ashni Singh was carrying out the mandate of Cabinet. According to reports, the three plots of land were sold for $31.9 million, $18.5 million and $5.8 million per acre. This is not a case where the buyers colluded with the Minister or the Government to commit a fraud. There is no evidence to suggest that Chapter 73:05 Financial Management and Accountability Act Section 85 clearly states the criminal liability of an official. It states that an official who falsifies any account, state-
ment, receipt or other record issued or kept for the purposes of this Act, the Regulations, the Finance Circulars or any other instrument made under this Act or conspires or colludes with any other person to defraud the State or make opportunity for any person to defraud the State, or knowingly permits any other person to do so is guilty of an indictable offence. It is clear that SOCU came up empty-handed but the political dictates must ensure that the previous Government faces public embarrassment in yet another display of witch-hunting. Moreover, any reasonable minded Guyanese understands the modus operandi of this Coalition Government. It must be recalled that
they have made public utterances about corruption and stealing of public funds which they abysmally failed to substantiate even though millions were spent on COIs so now they must appease their supporters. But even among their die-hard supporters there are many who have realized that all of this is a drama into futility. These are just baseless and spurious allegations! This is wasteful spending to enrich a few of their cronies.Let me refresh and enlighten the public what took place in 1991 when there was an insane haste by the PNC Government to privatize more than forty State entities in order to enrich some of their cronies and of course themselves. This was time when
Who Pays For Carl Singh, Jurist-In... From page 4 Singh is an experienced rice farmer. He should not be allowed to shun noble labour or other endeavors in deference to hollow, ceremonial or high sounding positions. He is owed nothing by the legal profession, indeed, no one, in Guyana. All labour is dignified. Moreover, in other Universities and Colleges, post-graduate degrees are a prerequisite before even being considered for any academic appointments. Mr. Singh does not pos-
sess such qualifications. The equivalent of a “Jurist-in-Residence” does not even exist, for no one can reasonably claim any monopoly over knowledge.I recall Dr. Jagan warned us about the folly and foolhardiness of languishing in Mercedes Benzes and Cadillacs, when a country’s economy can only accommodate a donkey cart instead. With due respect to all, I submit this “Jurist-in-Residence” is such a contemptible example. Ramesh Maraj
our per capita income was just around US$370. In February 1991, the PNC Government sold Demerara Woods Limited for 9.7 million pounds sterling to Lord Beaverbrook and he obtained a 50-year lease of 1.1 million acres of rain forest. Two months later he sold his interests for 61 million pounds sterling. In 1992 it was resold for 74 million pounds. It was estimated that the rain forest alone at that time valued between US$160-$206 million. Another similar case is Guyana Timbers Limited. The book value of this entity was stated at US$130 million but it was sold for a paltry US$23.2 million in 1991. Registration and other fees amounting to US$1.6 million were waived. The GRMMA complexes at Black Bush Polder and Corriverton were sold off in 1991 for US$3.8 million but these complexes were valued at US$14.9million. The Complexes at Ruimzeigt and Wakenaam and fertile lands were sold for US$2.5 million, the valuation was for US$8.5 million. At Anna Regina the Complex valued at US$14.2 million was sold for US$4.2 million. In all these cases local investor made higher bids but were sold to foreigners!
These are just a few! When the PPP/C took office in 1992, they could have done a lot to embarrass the PNC and even prosecute many of the Ministers but it was a time for healing, reconciliation and Nation building. This Nation had bled too much during the 28 years of PNC dictatorship and could not afford to continue the peoples’ sufferings. Instead the PPP/C put their shoulders to the plough and started a Herculean effort to build this Nation from scratch since our economy was comprehensively bankrupted and the masses were literally starving. Our debts were so debilitating that only 5% of our GDP could be used to run the country! The remaining 95% went towards repayment of debts and interests! It was a crime to have certain food items! Let us contrast with what this PNC majority controlled Government inherited. They inherited a booming economy that was on an upward trajectory. They inherited a full Treasury and a GDP per capita from US$370 to US$4,000. Yet this Government is bent on a collision course with the Opposition although they preached about social cohe-
sion and a good life for all Guyanese. Instead of continuing the nation building process we find that this Government is now using the ‘red herring’ fallacy to divert attention away from the crumbling economy and the cancerous manifestation of corruption, mismanagement, cronyism and unaccountability. This Government should provide answers to the Auditor General of how nearly $1 billion was spent on the Durban Park project. There are missing financial records and the Company has since been liquidated. The Government should provide answers to the lopsided EXXON contract, the many allegations of corrupt public procurement and cronyism among many others. We need COIs on these as well! I am sure that all these vexatious and vengeful efforts by the Government will come to nothing. I fully supported the conclusions of Dr. Jagdeo. The approval to sell came from Cabinet having received recommendations from the privatization unit and the Board. Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf RDC Councilor Region 6
How Guyana Is Being... From page 4 he has to say that because he has much to hide. Then a month later, he was quoted as saying that “we are satisfied with the oil contract bonus”. But when you review the details of the contract, Guyana is expected to walk away with 12.5% of the oil sales but out of that 12.5%, Guyana has to pay the taxes, the transportation cost and the marketing fee which is projected to provide a net benefit to Guyana of under 8% of the oil sales until the initial investments are recovered. This recovery process can last anywhere from 10-12 years. Guyana’s share of all those trillions will until the investment is recovered,
be less than a billion Guyana dollars a year in the first 10 years. Guyana has a G$250 billion budget in 2018 and that was thrown in for context. There is nothing to be happy about on this oil deal, it stinks. But Mr. Trotman and Mr. Granger are satisfied to sell the nation this lopsided deal and I wonder why? Is it that many family members and business buddied of the Granger cabal are set to reap contracts from this deal? Are we experiencing a situation where this Granger cabal has sold out the people of Guyana for personal enrichment by allowing Exxon Mobil to under-develop Guyana? Was it JUDAS who sold out Christ? Sasenarine Singh
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Finance Ministry launches plan for Fake ID card surfaces modernized Nat’l Payment System in Region Four Finance Minister, Winston Jordan yesterday officially launched the implementation plan for the National Payment System (NPS). He announced that the plan and its execution will be led by the Bank of Guyana. According to the document, the Bank recognizes that Guyana’s National Payment System falls short of meeting the needs of the economy and financial markets for efficient, safe and sound means to conduct transactions and transfer funds. To overcome these shortfalls, the Central Bank is undertaking the leadership role in a comprehensive and strategic modernization of Guyana’s NPS - with the active participation and cooperation of all stakeholders including primarily, the use of electronic payments. It was further noted that the broad purpose of the NPS plan is to state an agreed vision and strategies by all stakeholders in a broadened
…aims at efficient, safe means to conduct transactions context based on the findings and conclusions of the Central Bank and World Bank diagnostics. The National Payment System Strategy consists of four chapters and five annexes. Chapter One examines the current state of payment in Guyana. It notes that the Bank of Guyana is the institution responsible for payments. Be that as it may, the document makes clear that there is need to upgrade the laws, regulations and infrastructure for a safe, efficient and modern payment system. The chapter analyses the role of the main players in the current payments arrangement. Chapter Two examines how the Bank will lead the development of the NPS Strategy. It defines the role of a National Payment System as
a series of layers in an inverted pyramid in which each layer is supported by layers beneath it. Chapter Three explores Guyana’s vision to build a safe, robust, sound, efficient and inclusive payment system that meets the current and future needs of the economy. It proposes the year 2030 as a realistic target for full realization of the NPS vision. However, in the medium term it proposes a 20172021 action plan as a first phase on achieving that vision. The fourth chapter concludes with a highlight of the 2017 – 2021 NPS Development Strategy and plan of actions. The Strategy also has attached five annexes. A preliminary draft of the strategy was issued to stakeholders for their comments in August 2016.
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s the Guyana E l e c t i o n s Commission (GECOM) prepares for Local Government Elections later this year, a fake identification card has surfaced in Region 4 (East Coast Demerara), officials confirmed. In a statement, Chairman of GECOM, Justice James Patterson (Ret’d) yesterday confirmed that the Commission is aware of the developments. “The Commissioners have conjectured that this may just be the tip of the iceberg. The public is warned that this may also just be the beginning of mischief that is afoot, a fifth column lurking and running about, abiding it’s time to come forth,” Patterson stated. He noted that members of the public have a civic duty to inform the nearest police station as well as the GECOM Headquarters at Kingston, Georgetown, or any of its
Cop overturns minibus, woman dead
One of the injured persons from the accident arriving at GPHC (Photo: Guyanese Critic) A woman died and several persons were injured following a minibus accident yesterday at Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara. The driver of the minibus has since been identified as a police rank stationed at the Sparendaam Station. According to the reports,
shortly after 5 p.m. the driver lost control of a route 42 minibus which overturned. Several of the injured passengers, including at least two children, were rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic C e n tre for immediate treatment. An elderly man, who is
listed as critical, was among the passengers subsequently transferred to the Georgetown
Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). The driver of the bus escaped with minor injuries.
…GECOM commissioners surmise it may be “tip of the iceberg”
GECOM Chairman, Justice (Ret’d) James Patterson offices, countrywide, for onward transmission to the investigating authorities. It is not unusual for
persons to be found with false passports and ID cards, but this being an election year, the concerns are amplified with allegations of ‘rigging’. Last month, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) called for a thorough police investigation after a man was found with what appeared to be a falsified ID card at Springlands Police Station. The PPP noted that the incident last month confirmed the party’s fears that they are falsified ID cards and source documents, which are being published under a centrally directed electoral design. “We call upon the general public to take note of this very serious matter and to be alert for the circulation of similar falsified, fake and forged Guyana ID cards and other source documents,’ the PPP stated.
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South African firm to explore precious metal refinery
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team from SA Pre cious Metals (Pty) Ltd, a South African precious metal manufacturing company, is expected to visit Guyana this month to explore the estab-
lishment of a refinery to process special metals, including gold. Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman told reporters yesterday that the Government intends to
move away from utilizing the current lab operated by the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) in the compound of the Guyana Geologies Commission (GGMC). The lab has been a source
for concern in recent weeks, as workers have been exposed to elevated levels of mercury emissions due to the burning of gold to get rid of the mercury. “The Gold Board is in receipt of a number of proposals for the establishment of a refinery in Guyana. We have been doing this method for decades, but we do believe the time has come for us to look at a long term solution,” Trotman stated. “Every situation gives rise to opportunities, and so we are strongly looking wholly through Government to take part of this responsibility out of the Government’s hand, and we have an entity that does the burning, the refining as
best as possible,” Trotman outlined. The South African company is being facilitated through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Trotman noted that the Government is seeking to get out of the process of burning gold.Among the considerations for moving away from the GGMC compound is the availability of adequate security, transportation and other measures which will be needed. The Minister explained that generally, when gold is being moved, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has to be involved to seal the packages. Hence, he stated it is not a simple matter of picking the lab up and moving it from
point A to point B. “We have looked at similar facilities in Surname. We have received proposals from local business persons as well as far away as Dubai, India, the U.S and Canada as well. We are moving in a direction of modernizing this ind u s t r y, ” Tr o t m a n stated.Staffers from both the GGMC and GGB have complained about a spike in mercury, forcing officials to undertake a series of tests and to formulate short term and long term plans to alleviate the problem. Residents who live in the surrounding areas have also complained, but Government has maintained that the level of mercury is not yet at an alarming stage.
U.S., Britain, France launch air strikes in Syria WA S H I N G T O N (Reuters) - U.S., British and French forces hammered Syria with air strikes early today Syria time in response to a poison gas attack that killed dozens of people last week, in the biggest intervention by Western powers in Syria’s civil war.U.S. President Donald Trump announced the military action from the White House late last night. As he spoke, explosions rocked Damascus. Trump said he was prepared to sustain the response until the government of Syrian President Bashar alAssad stopped its use of chemical weapons. The intervention was the biggest strike by Western powers against Assad in the country’s seven-year-old civil war and pitted the United States and its allies against Russia, which itself intervened in the war in 2015 to back Assad. “A short time ago, I or-
dered the United States Armed Forces to launch precision strikes on targets associated with the chemical weapons capabilities of Syrian dictator Bashar alAssad,” Trump said in a televised address from the White House.A U.S. official told Reuters the strikes were aimed at multiple targets and involved Tomahawk cruise missiles. At least six loud explosions were heard in Damascus in the early hours of today and smoke was seen rising over the Syrian capital, a Reuters witness said. A second witness said the Barzah district of Damascus had been hit in the strikes. Barzah is the location of a major Syrian scientific research center. Speaking of Assad and his suspected role in last week’s chemical weapons attack, Trump said, “These are not the actions of a man. They are crimes of a mon-
ster instead.” “The purpose of our actions tonight is to establish a strong deterrent against the production, spread and use of chemical weapons,” Trump said. The U.S. president had sharply critical words for both Russia and Iran, which have backed Assad’s government. “To Iran and to Russia, I ask, what kind of a nation wants to be associated with the mass murder of innocent men, women and children?” Trump said.British Prime Minister Theresa May said she had authorized British armed forces “to conduct coordinated and targeted strikes to degrade the Syrian regime’s chemical weapons capability.” She described it as a “limited and targeted strike” aimed at minimizing civilian casualties.The military action is not about intervening in Syria’s civil war or changing its government, she said.
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Bandit shot after picking on wrong customer
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK;Guyanapassport application. G r a p h i c s design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6004212: We create A/works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. PASSPORT, PERMANENT & VISITOR VISA APPLICATION, PROFESSIONAL IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT – SABITA IMMIGRATION SERVICES. CALL: 613-3920/625-3767. Eagle’s: Re-gas –low prices, washing machine repairs, gas stove, plasma flat Screen, computer repairs & more. Call: 697-2969/6460966 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Budram’s Landscaping Services. Free advice, Free designs, Free after care follow up Tel#626-1044 LAND FOR SALE Parfaite Harmonie (upfront) $1.6M Schoonord $2.6M Uitvlugt (100x50) $2.8M Harmonie high income $2.6M Call: 611-7223/656-0701 Parfaite main road 1.7 M, Parfaite 10 years $2.8 M, Parfaite $1.5 M, $1.3 M, Uitvlugt $ 2.5 M, Eccles $6M, Diamond $5.5 M. Call 6662326 Land at Tuschen Housing Scheme, near school, 3 minutes away from main road. Call: 261-2988/6958215 Prime residential house lot in Farm East Bank with reserve. Light, water & road $3.2M Call 656-1345 TOLET Rooms in Albertown & 1 house in Good Hope, 5 bedroom, 4 self contained. Tel#225-3234 Business spaces, top & bottom flat located @ 177 Charlotte and Alexander, Georgetown: #644-3555/6893462
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Cottage house, 2 bedroom, living room, kitchen, dining room located @ Fourth St Pearl, EBD Tel# 219-5462, 625-3981 Unregistered DAF trucks: Dump trucks, Flatbed, Flatbed with crane & hauler, Foden 6x4 Dump truck. Call: 659-3100 New triangle truck tyres, front & all-wheel drive, size 295/ 80R22.5 Call: 647-2022 Whole chicken $300 per lb (50 lb up) chicken foot $140 per lb, liver & gizzert. Contact: 699-7415, 696-5424/610-6196 2008 Primo car with treadmill, fridge, stove, bed, all Ashley furniture etc $4M Call: 6117223/656-0701 Organic potting soil $700 Supari palm, Foxtail, Sugarcane palm @ $1000 Ashoka trees, Crotoons. Tel#626-1044
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 2 and 3 bedroom fully furnished luxury to rent long and short term #666-7028/ 691-1432 Space to rent, display rack, computers and office furniture for sale. Contact: 624-6783 Apartment 2 bedrooms, kitchen, patio, toilet & bath. 2089 Parfaite Harmonie WBD. Price $50,000. Contact # 6768842/698-9910 2 bedroom apartment for rent working couple, Houston Tel#611-3064 2 Bedroom furnished apartment near UG, Teacher’s Training College $50,000 Phone#685-9127 Upper flat 3 bedroom house in Diamond Housing Scheme, includes bath A/c(s) hot & cold etc #216-0589/686-5645 2 apartment for rent : 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms ECD. Contact Mr Khan #6752550/656-9313 One room to rent for a single person or student. Call: 2273825
PROPERTY FOR SALE Lot 15 Public road #2 Village. West Coast Berbice. 49ft by 10,314ft. $18M. Contact:6487109/686-4818 2-flat 3 bedroom wooden building situated at 154 ‘B’ Shell road, Kitty 2 lots East of Kitty Market.670-2653 3 story commercial building,120ftX60ft Building 62ftX30ft Location- Lot 1486, Plot B Herstelling, EBD $95 million neg. Contact: 6093777/697-4557
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR R E N TA L : S U V F O R RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL:6435122/656-0087, ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIAL OFFERS! . CALL: 690-6494 AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807
Transported (2) storey concrete with (6) bedroom property Uitvlugt New Scheme WCD $30M Neg Call: 693-4667/277-3743/697-0882
We buy land in Eccles, Farm, Herstelling, Parfaite Harmonie, Providence, Covent Garden Call: 611-7223/656-0701 Labourers to work on farm in Demerara river. Accomodation provided. Tel: 684-1098/646-9821 One maid preferably from the East Bank of Demerara. Call Tel# 266-2217 Maid, Duties: Cooking & Housekeeping, Time: Monday to Friday 8:30am12:30pm Contact: Diana #6548839 Location: Eccles EBD. Young male age 18-30, for position at Henny Bar-B-Q Smoke House. call 629-2044 Male and Female to work in interior age 25-40, salary $80,000 monthly. Call 674-1767 (1) abled bodied male to live in & work on chicken farm. Serious enquiries only. Call Dhari: 625-2685
House for sale $4.3 Million, 52 West Sideline Dam Victoria Village ECD. 648-6457 Lot 259 Wisrock Housing Scheme, price negotible. Tel # 628-1832/694-9226
227-0373 Live in waitress to work in bar. Call: 604-6606/ 692-4649 Live in waitress to work in bar. 18-25 yrs old, must have ID Contact No: 221-2785
8 Lots with model house Ulverston, Corentyne. Double lot with shed Rosehall near market #680-6577 1-620-240 Foreign used DAF engines Hepicycle & axle for 60 DAF Lorries & many other parts going cheap, owner migrating #649-8449/228-5655
WANTED VACANCY Looking to buy a house or Exists for one experienced empty land, Preferences-EBD dispatcher- Call: 231-5784 Public road. Buyer #1917-6225810/694-3331 Earn 5-20K working from home One radiator workman www.jobfairworldwide.com preferably from the West Tel#622-1957/652-8829 Coast of Demerara. Contact Vacancy exist for (1) Charran’s Radiator Works experienced pharmacy Tel#622-5721 technician to work @ One full time auto body reputable pharmacy in technician for repair center. Diamond (Flexible hours)- Call: Must have previous 645-3422 experience. Call: 222-0675 One office clerk, must be One service manager for computer literate. Call: 614repair centre, must have 4358 previous experience. Call: 647- Inventory clerk, Tool room 2022 clerk, Female cleaner Call: 2331 Male cook to cook in interior 2745 #699-4718 Wa i t r e s s , S e c u r i t y Driver, Cashier, Pastry maker/ guard,Receptionist- Aracari cake decorator, curry cook, Hotel Versailles, West Bank counter server, Apply H/ Demerara. Apply in person or written application @ Hack’s phone 264-2946-8 Halaal 5 Commerce St Sanitation Foreman to work in Live in or live out babysitter/ Georgetown, Tel#227-1717 domestic- Call: 223-7500 Monday to Saturday 8:15am- 1-Grillman,1 live-in mature 4:15pm nanny from Berbice/ One family to work at wildlife Essequibo,1-kitchen assistant farm at Timehri. Housing Contact X’s Grill & Cuisine provided. Please call: 227- 675-2550/656-9313. 0373 Mature male Salesperson, One 312 Hymac operator, must know about Japanese car must have mechanical skills, parts. Sales experience. housing provided. Please call: Contact: 601-2622/227-2322
EDUCATION Register your child for after school classes for slow learners in Mathematics, Reading, Phonics, Spelling, etc. Call: 675-4379
(1) Part time maid between the Age 40-50 years. Must know to iron & have character reference. Contact# 500-5923 Buying Wamara,Tonka Bean,Mora Fresh logs. Contact Tel or Whatsapp #664-5150
Chef and Assistant cookPreferably Carnegie tranied. Call 225-7933, or visit 173 Sheriff street. Immediate Vacancy exist for one maintenace worker + Operators, 25 yrs+ to work @ Del Ice Co Tel# 642-9191/2311408
On Wednesday night, a bandit picked on the wrong man at a city eating spot. According to information, the incident occurred at the Seiko Restaurant in Kitty. A customer was reportedly waiting at the counter when an armed bandit appeared and tried to rob him. In video footage obtained by Kaieteur News, the gunman was seen involved in a scuffle with the customer who was sitting at the counter.From the grainy video, it appeared that the customer also pulled out a firearm and shots were fired in the direction of the bandit who quickly turned and ran away. It also appeared that the bandit was shot.The matter was reported to the police and is currently being investigated.
60 staff... From page 12 Lab, a local company who will also be assisting in the monitoring. Lall said the government will be taking all necessary steps to protect those exposed to mercury. This includes further tests from a foreign company. “What we are doing is over-compensating. This is a continuous process for us, and we want everybody to know that we are going above and beyond to put layers and layers of this inspection, of testing, results; and that we have got a comfort level to an extreme degree,” he stated.
SALON VEHICLE FOR SALE Bluebird 2012 model-$2.7M Axio 2010-$2.6M Tida-2010 $2.1M All vehicles unregistered #655-3400 One Mitsubishi canter, Excellent condition, long base, engine #4D335A2F3513 $2,000,000 neg. Call: 698-8820
Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $90,000 Nail Technician Course: $35,000. Call: 647-1773/688-0009 FOR SALE/RENT American Pool Table Tel#277-0578 VEHICLE FOR SALE
(1) 2004 Nissan X-Trail, 1 Toyota Tundra 4WD. Immaculate condition, PRR Excellent condition $2M Call: series, 4WD, original leather 220-6380/618-1395 seats, Alarm, Ice cold A/c. Unregistered Axela 2011, New $2.650 M (neg) #658-7891 shape, dark interior, fully 1- Twinsteer Doubleaxle loaded. #617-5536 $2.4 Mil. Leyland DAF 4- LeylandDAF 1-50 DAF Labor lorry 1-55 Flatbed tray 30ft 10- Guysuco DAF dump lorry in working Lorries 1 DAF engine. owner condition. Tel#664-5149/641- migrating #228-5655, 649-8449 8335 (1) 2006 Toyota Premio, Nissan Laurel Classic Car and Excellent condition, very low Nissan Pathfinder Jeep- mileage. Call: 698-1134 Superb condition, Great deals. 1 Toyota Tundra $2M Call: Call : 660-3415/225-8427 630-3695
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Saturday April 14, 2018
PSC, T’dad Institute to host seminar on corporate governance
T
he Private Sector Commission of Guyana (PSC) and the Caribbean Corporate Governance Institute on Monday signed their first Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad, Port of Spain. The purpose of the agreement is to use the complementary objectives of both entities and arising synergies to foster exemplary models of corporate governance in Guyana, the PSC disclosed in a release. Officials present to execute the MOU included Ramesh Dookhoo, Corporate Coordinator of the Private Sector Commission of Guyana and the Chief Executive Officer of the Caribbean Corporate Governance Institute, Denise Deonarine. The Caribbean Corporate Governance Institute (“the Institute”) is a membership based organisation for governance professionals. It is headquartered in Trinidad. The Institute is a duly incorporated, not-for-profit
Ramesh Dookhoo, Corporate Coordinator of the PSC and the CEO of the Caribbean Corporate Governance Institute, Denise Deonarine shake hands after executing the MOU. company that is self-funded. Established in 2012, the Institute is dedicated to being part of a solution-oriented ecosystem that fosters good corporate governance within the Caribbean region. According to the PSC, the Institute aspires to enhance the professional standard in all
boardrooms in the Caribbean. The Institute has coauthored the Trinidad and Tobago, Corporate Governance Code and has hosted corporate governance events that focused on Family Owned Governance, Governance for State Owned Enterprises, Women in
Dilemma over two Boards of ... From page 13 estates to improve the current GuySuCo. Jordan said too that the Cabinet is not divided on the issue.Health-London would have been part of the team spearheading the search for financing to run the three estates. They managed to raise $30B via a number of syndicated loans and bonds at 4.75 percent. Recently, the official also managed to broker a deal with Demerara Distillers Limited to reopen the Enmore estate and
using less than quarter of the staffers, restarted the factory and processed the canes on the ground for molasses production. Rose Hall is also reopened for harvesting, with canes being processed for sugar and molasses at Albion. Several hundreds of workers have been rehired for the work. It is the plan to reopen Skeldon shortly too. The cash-strapped GuySuCo has been facing a decade of heavy losses with more than $32B reportedly
plugged in by the Coalition Government over the past three years to keep the sugar industry afloat. There are questions now as to how that $32B was spent. GuySuCo is battling high costs, old machinery and factories, low worker turnout and the fact that it was producing more than three times it was selling sugar for. There are more than 70 proposals on the table that SPU is considering, to run the different estates of GuySuCo.
Governance and offers its Certificate in Corporate Governance. Deonarine noted that “the Institute is elated to join forces with the Private Sector Commission of Guyana through this MOU. Guyana is a critical part of the Englishspeaking Caribbean, which is the geographical focus of the Institute’s mandate. Many of the entities in the region face similar corporate governance challenges.” The commission noted that in an era where both the private and public sector are being asked to do more with less, it is critical to collaborate
with like-minded organisations that want to preserve and foster the well being of the region. Dookhoo advised that “the Commission is equally pleased to partner with the institute given its independent work as a selffunded entity. Our focus remains on addressing national issues and influencing policies which will promote socio-economic growth and development.” The two entities will be manifesting its partnership in 2018 with a series of joint corporate governance events. This includes its
inaugural breakfast seminar on May 23, 2018 at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, Georgetown from 7:00am to 11:30am. The seminar, titled “Leading With A Progressive Perspective”, will be delivered by international faculty member of the institute and global expert of Corporate Governance, Alison Dillon Kibirige. According to the PSC, in July 2018, both entities will host a full day corporate governance seminar dedicated to family-owned businesses with a focus on Succession Planning.
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Kaieteur News
Incest case dad, daughter and child dead in murder-suicide
Steven Pladl, 42, and his biological daughter Katie Rose Pladl, 20 (BBC) A US man in an incest case has reportedly killed his biological daughter, their child, and the girl’s adopted father, before killing himself. The murder-suicide by Steven Pladl spanned three states, authorities told local media.North Carolina police began a search for Pladl, 42, after his mother called police, saying her son had confessed to the killings. Katie Pladl and her adoptive father, Anthony Fusco, were later found dead.Police in New Milford, Connecticut, found the bodies of Ms Pladl, 20, and Mr Fusco, 56, in a truck that had its windows shot out on Thursday morning. The suspect was later found in upstate Dover, New York, in a minivan, dead from an apparently self-inflicted
gunshot wound, WTVR-TV reports. Last January the father and daughter were arrested in Virginia and charged with incest. Katie Pladl reconnected with her biological parents at the age of 18 through social media. She became pregnant shortly after moving in with them. Pladl’s wife - Katie’s biological mother - moved out, telling police he planned to wed their daughter. In March, Pladl was released from jail on bail, on condition he not make contact with his biological daughter.According to a 911 call obtained by WTIC-News, his mother called to report he had admitted the killings to her.
“My son just called me. He told me... he killed his baby and he’s in the house,” she tearfully told emergency officials. “He killed his wife. He killed her father. I can’t even believe this is happening.” She added that “his wife broke up with him yesterday over the phone”. Pladl’s mother had been granted custody of her son’s seven-month-old son, Bennett, as part of his bail agreement. The day before the murders, he picked up his son from her, saying he planned to take the child to New York to see his mother. Police in Knightdale, North Carolina, discovered the infant’s body on Thursday.
Saturday April 14, 2018
Quebec City mosque shooter feared Trudeau’s refugee policy (BBC) The Quebec City mosque shooter told police he launched his attack because he feared Canada’s immigration policy after Donald Trump’s “Muslim ban”. The day before the January 2017 shooting, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted his support of refugees. A Canadian court watched Alexandre Bissonnette’s police confession during his sentencing hearing on Friday. The 28-year-old pleaded guilty to six counts of firstdegree murder and six counts of attempted murder in March.Bissonnette stormed into the Quebec Islamic Cultural Centre on 29 January, 2017, and opened fire, killing six Muslims. Five others were seriously injured. In the video of the police confession, which was taped the day after the mosque attack, Bissonnette said he
feared there would be another terrorist attack in Canada, like the one on Parliament Hill in 2014 or the one in Nice, France in July 2016. He said he was pushed to act then because he saw television coverage of Mr Trudeau’s intention to bring more immigrants into Canada after the US president announced he would be halting all refugee admissions and temporarily barring people from seven Muslim-majority countries.“Yes, I was listening to TV, and we knew that the Canadian government was going to take more refugees, those who would not be admitted to the United States would be here. And there, I lost the map, “ Bissonnette said during his confession. “I saw that and they will kill my parents, my family and me too. I was sure of that. I had to do something,” he said. “I could not do any-
thing. It’s something that tortured me. It’s been months that it tortures me. Every day, I am worried, anxious through the ceiling. I do not know what to do. I want to kill myself because of that.” Last year on 28 January, Mr Trudeau told refugees in a tweet “Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith”. It was retweeted 418,000 times, liked by over 768,000 Twitter users, and received widespread media coverage. Bissonnette admitted during the confession he had mental health struggles, and had been prescribed medication to deal with anxiety. He had taken a three-week mental-health leave from work, he said, and was due to return on 30 January. His sentencing hearing continues next week, when victims are expected to give their statements.
Trump lawyer Michael Cohen under criminal investigation (BBC) US President Donald Trump’s top lawyer is under criminal investigation, the US justice department has announced. Prosecutors say they are focusing on Michael Cohen’s business dealings rather than his work as a lawyer. Mr Cohen has been under investigation for months, the court filing says. The filing was in response to efforts by Mr Cohen’s own lawyer to stop prosecutors reviewing material seized from Mr Cohen’s office on Monday. Mr Cohen’s team argues that the papers are covered by the attorney-client privilege.President Trump has condemned the office raid, calling it “disgraceful” and “an attack on our country”.During a court hearing in New York yesterday, prosecutor Tom McKay accused Mr Cohen of trying to use attorney-client privilege “as a sword to challenge the government’s ability to re-
Michael Cohen works as a lawyer for President Donald Trump view evidence”. Government prosecutors also said they believed Mr Cohen had “a low volume of potentially privileged communication” because he seems to only have one client President Trump. “It is neither apparent that Cohen, in his capacity as
an attorney, has many, or any, attorney-client relationships other than with President Donald Trump,” the filing said. It added that while Mr Cohen was an attorney, “he also has several other business interests and sources of income”, and is “being investigated for criminal conduct that largely centres on his personal business dealings”. A new lawyer for President Trump, Joanna Hendon, said the president had an “acute interest” in the case. Ms Hendon, who was hired on Wednesday, asked the judge to adjourn the session so she had more time to prepare. According to a New York Times report, the president phoned Mr Cohen to “check in” on him today. Lawyers tend to advise clients not to discuss investigations - which means their discussion could cause them problems, depending on what they talked about.
Kaieteur News
Saturday April 14, 2018
PM defends decision to include former opposition legislator in Cabinet ROSEAU, Dominica CMC – Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit yesterday defended his decision to include former opposition legislator, Joseph Isaac, into his new look cabinet, insisting that his hurricane battered island “required all skills and talents” going forward. Speaking soon after Isaac, was sworn in by President Charles Savarin as the new Minister for the Environment, Climate Resilience, Disaster Management and Urban Renewal, Skerrit said his decision should not be viewed as a political move to strengthen his ruling Dominica Labour Party (DLP).“We have 15 seats in Parliament so this is not about mathematical configurations. This is about working with people who are prepared to work (and) be of service to Dominica. “There is too much negativism in the country and we have to close the gap on this and I think today is an opportunity for us to close the gap and I am hoping and praying that we can continue to close the gap,” he added.Isaac, who resigned from the main opposition United Workers
Party (UWP), a few days ago was appointed a minister in the Skerrit administration even as he told his constituents in Roseau Central and the country in general that he would be an “independent” legislator in the Dominica Parliament..Isaac thanked Prime Minister Skerrit for the “trust and confidence” in him, acknowledging that his new portfolio would be challenging.“I would also like to tell the world that even in the political arena you may have opponents but even when you are a person’s opponent and you admire that person, you have to show the respect. I admire the Prime Minister,” he said, saying he was offering his talents and skills “for the love of country.“At the time when I said that, I remember a lot of people said that I didn’t consult but that in and of itself is a consultation by saying that we should all of us work together and offer our services to rebuild our country after a major, devastating hurricane. “No one had problems with that statement in Parliament. No one had problems with that statement in the media, no one had a problem
with it when I spoke about it in the bars …but after I made a decision, after consultation, after a long time, some people have a problem with it.” Earlier, this week, the Roseau Central Constituency Association pledged its “unequivocal support and admiration for the leadership of our party” and condemned “the sinking sand approach of Joseph Isaac, the ironical, selfproclaimed, independent representative of the Roseau Central Constituency and wish him well and good riddance”.At a public meeting here on Thursday night, UWP leader Lennox Linton said the party would push for legislation outlawing the crossing of the floor by parliamentarians.He told supporters that this would be a major priority of a future UWP administration and it would be done in the interest of voters. “When we come in government, therefore, one of the first orders of business will be to outlaw floor crossing in the Commonwealth of Dominica,” he said, adding that there are several Caribbean countries where legislation exist making it illegal to cross the floor.
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CDB launches rehabilitation and reconstruction project in BVI BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - CMC – The Barbadosbased Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has launched rehabilitation and reconstruction project in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) which it says will assist the island recover from the effects of Hurricane Irma last September. CDB said that the project will be funded through a US$65.3 million loan and a US$300,000 grant. The main components of the project include road rehabilitation; the construction of schools and coastal defences; improvement of water and sewage facilities; and capacity building for the provision of psychosocial support and disaster risk reduction. Implementation is expected to be completed over a three-year period. “It is time to get our livelihoods back on track. It is time for us to get on with the several projects and initiatives that are identified for each ministry in the loan agreement. And, it is time to weather proof our infrastructure and rebuild it in a way that offers some resiliency to unprecedented weather patterns,” Premier, Dr. D. Orlando Smith, said at the launch. He said the funds would also help to restore economic stability to the British Overseas Territory.
Premier Dr. D. Orlando Smith, “Today’s project launch signals that we are moving full steam ahead, and getting on with it, so that we can put this Territory in a much better place tomorrow than it was yesterday, and is today. “My government is now ready to begin injecting this money into the economy to rehabilitate and rebuild our schools, our roads, our ferry terminals, and other infrastructure, working hand-inhand with CDB, as well as our local contractors and others to this end,” said Dr. Smith. CDB general counsel, Diana Wilson Patrick, said the project is a further extension of CDB’s efforts to help the BVI recover from the impact of the category 5 storm, after the bank had initially provided an emergency relief grant of US$200,000 and re-
Diana Wilson Patrick sponse loans of US$2.25 milion. “It was with a sense of some pride that the management and staff of the Caribbean Development Bank were able to work with our counterparts in the Government of the Virgin Islands to have financing towards the proposed rehabilitation and reconstruction activities approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors on December 14, 2017. “This was a mere three months after Hurricane Irma caused the loss of four lives and an estimated US$3.6 billion in damage to homes, schools, infrastructure, public administration and defence and several other sectors; disrupting the lives of the country’s men, women, boys and girls,” she said.
PM Holness on working overseas trip to South America, Europe KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC – Prime Minister Andrew Holness arrived in Peru as part of an intense working trip overseas where he will hold bilateral talks with key partners as well as participate in the Summit of the Americas here and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in England. A government statement said that Holness will deliver a speech at the Business Forum of the Summit of the Americas ahead of bilateral discussions with Chile’s President, Sebastian Pinera and will also meet with other Caribbean leaders and the United States Vice President, Mike Pence. Holness leaves Peru today for Brussels where he will address a special session of the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Committee of Ambassadors and meet with Donald Tusk, President of the European Council.It said prior to his arrival in London for the Commonwealth
Prime Minister Andrew Holness Summit, Holness will meet with the Jamaican community in Brussels, Antwerp and Paris. The statement said that Holness will have a full agenda in Britain, holding talks with his British counterpart, Theresa May, and will also be “received by Her Maj-
esty, Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace” The statement said that the private audience with Queen Elizabeth “is specifically or g a n i s e d f o r Heads of Government who have taken office since the last CHOGM in 2015” and that bilateral discussions are also scheduled with Prince Charles. Holness is expected to address the summit on the theme “Toward a Common Future” and will hold bilateral talks with the head of government from Mauritius. “As part of his focus on economic growth and job creation in Jamaica, Prime Minister Holness will also hold key meetings with current and prospective investors in the business, banking and professional ind ustries,” the statement said, before ending his visit with a town hall meeting with members of the Jamaican Diaspora. Prime Minister Holness returns here on April 21.
PORT OF SPAIN – The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary General, Irwin La Rocque says while the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) continues to be a work in progress, it is sufficiently advanced to be used more effectively by the regional private sector. The CSME allows for the free movement of goods, skills, services and labour across the 15-member grouping and La Rocque said that it still remains as relevant today as when the idea was first conceived in 1989. “It represents tremendous potential to provide business opportunities for manufacturing, services and agriculture. The CSME has been fashioned to provide the opportunity for us to use our resources – human, financial and natural – to build a competitive economy. It allows for expanding scope and scale of production, using the skills and capital available in our Region, and allowing for cross-border production and production integration,” La Rocque told the annual general meeting of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers
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Association (TTMA). He said all of the basic elements of the CSME are mutually supportive; be it trade in goods, trade in services, movement of skills and capital and the right of establishment. “We therefore need to make advances on all elements simultaneously for us to be truly successful,’ he said, adding that the CSME is a vehicle through which businesses, utilising the enlarged single space, can expand their horizons to enhance their competitiveness and so use the regional platform as a springboard into the global market.The region’s top public servant said in that regard, CARICOM has negotiated a number of trade agreements with countries such as Venezuela, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Costa Rica, as well as with the European Union. He predicted that the CARICOM market will grow from approximately six to more than 16 million, as soon as Haiti puts the necessary requirements in place to participate in the CSME. La Rocque said that Trinidad and Tobago has the
Irwin La Rocque largest share of the trade in goods within the Single Market. In 2016, the last year for which CARICOM has released regional trade data, the country’s total exports to the rest of CARICOM amounted to US734 million dollars, representing 32 per cent of CARICOM’s intra-regional exports.La Rocque said that this was the lowest figure in 13 years, due primarily to the drop in energy prices. He said it also represented 10 per cent of Trinidad and Tobago’s global exports indicating that CARICOM was Trinidad and Tobago’s second largest ex-
port market in 2017. He said excluding petroleum and petroleum products, exports to CARICOM totalled US567 million dollars or approximately 25 per cent of total intra-regional exports. Further, non-petroleum exports to CARICOM in 2016 represented 11 per cent of Trinidad and Tobago’s total global non-petroleum exports, La Rocque said, adding “it is clear, therefore, that the CSME provides an important market for Trinidad and Tobago’s manufacturers”.La Rocque said that these figures do not
include trade in services which is a significant aspect of Trinidad and Tobago’s trade with the region.“While the CSME continues to be a work in progress, it is sufficiently advanced to be used more effectively by the private sector. There has been significant progress in several specific ways. There is free trade in goods and services, free movement of skills and capital, and the cross-border establishment of businesses. It is true that there have been some hitches but these are
being addressed.” The CARICOM Secretary General said that the Common External Tariff (CET) and Community Rules of Origin regimes are operational, but “after about 25 years we are doing a comprehensive review of this regime, including the mechanisms for suspensions of the CET”. He said the administrative arrangements for free trade in services, free movement of skilled nationals and the right of establishment are all in place and working fairly well. (CMC)
St Lucia starts process of returning He disclosed that alprisoners to BVI and TCI though housing the TCI and CASTRIES – St Lucia has begun the process of returning prisoners to the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) and the British Virgin Islands. The prisoners who were transferred to St Lucia last year following hurricane damage to both British overseas territories.On Thursday, National Security Minister Hermangild Francis, announced that one of the 24 prisoners has so far been repatriated.“Today one of them is being repatriated because his sentence in the
Turks and Caicos Islands has expired, so we have to send him back. Two Marshals came from the Turks and Caicos Islands and the gentleman has been sent back – so we now have 23,” the National Security Minister explained.“We will be in touch with the Turks and Caicos Islands and the BVI as to the condition of the prisons so that as soon as we are satisfied that they are secure, those persons will b e r e p a t r i ated,” Francis stated.
BVI inmates at the Bordelais Correctional Facility here comes at a cost, St Lucia will be repaid.Francis disclosed that the travelling expenses of the inmates are not St Lucia’s responsibility.He said St Lucia would ensure that the prisoners from the British colonies remain safe until they can be repatriated.However, in the BVI, the government is close to completing provisions to allow for the return of the hardened inmates of Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP).
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Hamilton fastest in China practice but Ferrari close SHANGHAI (Reuters) Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton edged out Kimi Raikkonen at the top of the timesheets as Ferrari ended the opening day of practice for tomorrow’s Chinese Grand Prix hot on pacesetter Mercedes’ heels. The Briton lapped the 5.4 km Shanghai International Circuit in one minute, 33.482 seconds in the afternoon session, beating Raikkonen to the top spot by a mere 0.007 seconds. Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas was third and 0.033 seconds off the pace, with F e r r a r i ’s c h a m p i o n s h i p l e a d e r S e b a s t i a n Ve t t e l fourth, 0.108 seconds short of his rival’s best. The top three finished the afternoon in the same order as they had ended
the opening 90 minutes of practice. “We got through all the laps that we needed and got some good feedback a b o u t t h e c a r, ” s a i d Hamilton after a cold afternoon. “The balance of the car is good but we have some fine-tuning to do on it tonight. Ferrari were quick and Red Bull looked really fast on the long run. “It’s good to see all the times so close, but it means that we really need to bring our A game. We need everyone in the team to be on it throughout the weekend because it is a joint effort,” added the Briton. T h e b e s t Ve t t e l h a d managed in the morning had been sixth, 0.862 seconds off Hamilton’s pace. Hamilton has an impressive record in China and is
Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton during practice. (REUTERS) determined to claw back at least some of his 17-point deficit to Vettel in the overall standings after the German powered to victory in the opening two races in Australia and Bahrain. The Briton, like Vettel a four times world champion,
Saturday April 14, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) A friend or family member could be feeling rather grim, taciturn, and not open to communication. He or she could have you wondering if you've done something wrong, or they're angry with you. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) A warm, loving phone call or letter could come your way today from a lover or close friend who's presently out of town. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Today you could discover a talent for investment, real estate, or other form of money management that you never thought you had, Gemini. CANCER (June 21–July 22) You might wake up today feeling a little grumpy and out of sorts, Cancer. You could aspire to nothing more strenuous than spending the day without any distractions other than a good book.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Today you could find yourself brainstorming a way to put your inventiveness and ingenuity to work so that you can advance your career by leaps and bounds and increase your income. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) An intense study of philosophy, religion, or some other exalted school of thought could find you involved with a group that shares your interest in the subject. You could make a new friend today SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Sex and romance should be at the top of your priority list today, Sagittarius. You should be feeling especially warm, loving, and passionate. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) A lack of communication on the part of your mate or perhaps a business partner can cause you to feel uncertainty about the relationship. Don't fall into this trap, Capricorn.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Some pretty heavy soul searching could reveal that the time has come to make use of a talent you may have always had but never developed.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) The right moment to ask for a raise or apply for a promotion or new job could come your way today, but you'd better make use of it or the opportunity could pass you by. .
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You're looking good and your social skills are at their peak, Virgo. Therefore, social events and group activities that you might attend today could well be the most satisfying
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Love and romance are definitely on the agenda for today, Pisces, and you should be feeling warm, passionate, and particularly sexy.
has won in Shanghai an unprecedented five times. The lap-times in the second session were a lot c l o s e r, h o w e v e r, a f t e r Hamilton went comfortably fastest in the morning, raising hopes for a closelyfought race with Red Bull
Recordsetting... Page 33 stunning two-time Olympic and four-time Commonwealth champion, Valerie Adams of New Zealand in the women’s shot put. The 25-year-old, who narrowly missed out on a medal at the London World Championships last year, measured 19.36 metres to post a new national record in the event. Her’s was an unlikely triumph especially after Adams led for the first four rounds but she came up big on her fifth throw and her rival failed to respond in kind. Canadian Brittany Crew registered 18.32 to hold on to bronze. Trinidadian Cleopatra Borel, a former Commonwealth Games bronze medallist and a Pan American Games champion three years ago, was fourth in 18.05. In the women’s sprint hurdles, former world champion Danielle Williams and and Jamaican teammate Yannique Thompson took the runners-up medals as Oluwatobiloba Amusan of Nigeria won gold in 12.68. Williams took silver in 12.78 seconds while Thompson secured bronze, in 12.97. Natoya Goule also managed to make it onto the podium in the women’s 800 metres, taking bronze in a personal best one minute, 58.82 as South African wonder woman Caster Semenya smashed the Games record to win gold in 1:56.68. Friday’s success carried Jamaica’s gold count to six and their overall medal tally
also showing flashes of speed. Red B u l l ’s Max Verstappen was fifth quickest in both sessions, closing in to end the day 0.341 seconds off Hamilton’s p a c e . R e n a u l t ’s N i c o Hulkenberg was sixth. “We spent a bit of time during the first session today working on the setup of the car in order to understand it better,” explained Verstappen. “By the end of the day the pace was looking good and I think we can be happy with the car’s performance.” Kevin Magnussen was seventh for the U.S.-owned Haas team ahead of the other Renault of Spaniard Carlos Sainz. Daniel Ricciardo, who was fourth in the first session for Red Bull, couldn’t
quite string a clean lap together and finished the day only ninth, ahead of M c L a r e n ’s Fernando Alonso who rounded out the top 10. There was little drama in the session, which was hit by rain in the closing stages.Stoffel Vandoorne stopped his McLaren out on track with a loose wheel, while a wung mirror fell off the Williams of Russian rookie Sergey Sirotkin. Team-mate Lance Stroll, meanwhile, survived a spin. The Canadian, having gone slowest in the opening session, continued to prop up the timesheets in the afternoon. Several other drivers spun or went off the track as they tested the limits, with the cool and blustery conditions catching them out.
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Blake set to face Bolt’s ribbing NBA Roundup: Celtics Win Finale after Commonwealth flop GOLD COAST, Australia (AFP) — Sprint legend Usain Bolt accused fellow Jamaican Yohan Blake of “panicking” in the Commonwealth Games 100 metres final — and can’t wait to tease him about it. The eight-time Olympic champion, who retired from the sport last year after almost a decade of freakish dominance, had warned Blake not to bother returning to the Caribbean if he failed to win the Gold Coast title. And after Blake stumbled out of the blocks on Monday to finish third in a 100m final won by South Africa’s Akani Simbine, Bolt confirmed that he would be having words with his former Jamaica teammate about his choke. “I haven’t seen him, I haven’t texted him,” said Bolt, who is in Australia in an ambassadorial role. “I’m waiting until I go to the village and actually see him because I’m definitely going to make fun of him and stuff like that — that’s definitely going to be a good conversation!” “It was a little bit shocking Blake didn’t win,” added the 100 and 200m world record holder, who arrived on the Gold Coast on Wednesday and headed straight for a local nightclub where he partied until the early hours. “I think Blake stumbled a little bit, but probably panicked — that’s always one of
Jamaica’s Usain Bolt presents the silver medal to his compatriot Shericka Jackson after the final of women’s 200m inside the Carrara Stadium during 21st Commonwealth Games on Australia’s Gold Coast. (AFP) the toughest things. “When you stumble, the worst thing you can do is panic and I think that’s what set him back. It’s one of those things and now it’s just about bouncing back.” On a serious note, Bolt promised to talk to Blake about the pressures of becoming Jamaica’s main man in his absence. “We haven’t really talked about it, but I think he understands, because we’ve competed against each other,” said the 11-time world champion.“He understands the pressure. I will bring it up when I see him, but I will make fun of him first.” South Africa claimed an
upset one-two finish in the men’s 100m final with Henricho Bruintjies taking silver, rubbing salt into Jamaican wounds in the first major competition since Bolt retired from the sport. “One of my friends called me and said ‘the South Africans are the kings of sprint’, and what can I say — they really showed up,” said Bolt, after showing off his football skills with some ‘keepy-uppy’ by the beach. Despite Simbine’s shock victory, Bolt’s world record of 9.58 seconds — set at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin — never looked threatened, the South African winning in 10.03.
McLaren fined 5,000 euros for unsafe pitstop SHANGHAI (Reuters) McLaren have been fined 5,000 euros ($6,161.00) after the Formula One team’s Belgian driver Stoffel Vandoorne was released from the pits with a loose wheel during yesterday’s Chinese Grand Prix practice. Vandoorne brought his McLaren to a halt in the closing stages of the second 90minute session. “I need to stop the car, the tyre is not o n , ” r e ported the 26-year-old before climbing out and helping marshals push his car to safety. Stewards said McLaren had released
Vandoorne from the pits in an unsafe condition. They decided to limit the punishment to a fine, however, with Vandoorne escaping a grid penalty because he had stopped the car in a safe manner. “Consistent with previous decisions of a similar nature, the stewards decided that the grid place penalty...would not be applied as the driver took all appropriate actions at the first available opportunity,” stewards said in a statement. Vandoorne’s case was the latest in a series of incidents of drivers being released from the pits with loose wheels on their cars. Ferrari were fined 55,000 euros in Bahrain last weekend after two incidents involving Kimi Raikkonen. The Finn was sent out with a loose wheel in second practice at Sakhir and his car hit a mechanic, who suffered a broken leg, during a race pitstop when given the sig-
nal to go while one rear wheel was still unchanged. Haas drivers Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen were both forced to retire from the season-opening Australian Grand Prix while on course for the team’s best finish due to wheels not having been fitted properly. The American team were fined 5,000 euros for each incident. The governing FIA’s race director Charlie Whiting expressed concern after Bahrain at the number of such incidents this season. “It’s looking less and less like a coincidence but the two incidences in Melbourne were quite clearly wheelgun operator error,” he told the Formula One website (www.formula1.com). “They cross-threaded the nuts and thought it was tight, came off and then realized a little too late it wasn’t. “(In Bahrain) the guy hadn’t even taken the wheel off, which is slightly perplexing.” ($1 = 0.8116 euros)
The Associated Press Boston — Aron Baynes led a shorthanded Boston lineup with a career-best 26 points and 14 rebounds, carrying the Celtics to a 110-97 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night in the regularseason finale. The Celtics, who had already clinched the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, will face No. 7 Milwaukee in the first round of the playoffs. Jonathan Gibson scored 18 points, Guerschon Yabusele had 16 and Shane Larkin added 12 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds for the Celtics (55-27). Nik Stauskas scored 18 points for the Nets (28-54) who had their three-game winning streak snapped. Allen Crabbe had 16 points. The Celtics rested Al Horford, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Terry Rozier and Marcus Morris. Baynes was the only regular in the starting lineup for the Celtics and he helped them take charge by scoring six points during a 9-0 run midway into the third quarter that pushed them ahead 66-47. The 6-foot-10 Baynes had a double-double (18 points, 10 rebounds) at halftime. Wo l v e s 11 2 N u g g e t s 106 (ot) Minneapolis — Jeff Teague’s jumper with just over a minute left in overtime put the Timberwolves ahead to stay, and Minnesota topped Denver to grab the final spot in the NBA playoffs. The last West spot was the only one up for grabs on the season’s final night. It was the NBA’s first winner-gets-in, loser-goeshome game since 1997. Denver would have gone to the postseason with a win at Minnesota. Minnesota is in the playoffs for the first time since 2004 — ending what was the longest active drought in the NBA. Sixers 130, Bucks 95 Philadelphia — Joel Embiid and JJ Redick watched from the bench, Ben Simmons had a scoreless first half and the 76ers still won their 16th consecutive game, thumping Milwaukee to clinch the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference. Fultz had his first career triple-double with 13 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds. Justin Anderson led the Sixers with 25 points and Dario Saric had
24.
Knicks 110, Cavaliers
98
Cleveland — LeBron James played in his 82nd game, scored 10 points and then got some rest for the playoffs as Cleveland was beaten by New York in its regular-season finale and c o a c h J e ff H o r n a c e k ’s likely last game with the Knicks. James had never played every game in his 15-year NBA career. But he capped a remarkable season in which he seemed to break a record every night by adding another accomplishment to his long list of achievements. With Philadelphia beating Milwaukee, the Cavs are the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs and will face Indiana in the opening round. The Pacers went 3-1 against the Cavs this season. Thunder 137, Grizzlies 123 Oklahoma City — Paul George scored 40 points, Russell We s t b r o o k clinched a triple-double average for the second straight season and Oklahoma City defeated Memphis. Westbrook entered the night needing 16 rebounds to clinch the triple-double average. He pulled down his 16th rebound with just over nine minutes left in the third quarter and received a standing ovation. He finished with just six points, but had a career-high 20 rebounds and 19 assists. Pelicans 122, Spurs 98 New Orleans — Anthony Davis had 22 points, 15 rebounds, four blocks and three steals, and New Orleans assured itself no worse than the sixth seed in the Western Conference playoffs.Rajon Rondo had 19 points and 14 assists, Nikola Mirotic had 21 points and 15 rebounds, and Jrue Holiday added 19 points for the Pelicans, led by double-digits throughout the second half, with their largest lead topping out at 25. Heat 116, Raptors 109 (ot) M i a m i — Wa y n e Ellington scored a careerhigh 32 points and set M i a m i ’s s i n g l e - s e a s o n record for 3-pointers, helping Miami wrap up the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Ellington finished with eight 3-pointers, giving him 227 for the season. He topped the mark set by Damon Jones, who made 225 in 2004-05. Kelly Olynyk, Dwyane
Wade, Justise Winslow, James Johnson and Tyler Johnson each scored 11 points for the Heat, who open the playoffs at No. 3 Philadelphia this weekend. Wizards 101, Magic 92 Orlando, Fla. — Washington went cold in the fourth quarter of its regular-season finale, losing to Orlando and finishing eighth in the Eastern Conference playoff seeding. The Wizards shot 5for-25 in the fourth quarter, and 34 percent for the game. Jodie Meeks came off the bench to score a gamehigh 18 points for Washington, which lost five of its final six regular-season games. A win would have pulled the Wizards up to seventh place and a firstround playoff series against Boston. Instead, they will play Toronto in the opening round. Pistons 119, Bulls 87 Chicago — Rookie Luke Kennard scored a career-high 23 points and Eric Moreland set career bests with 16 points and 17 rebounds as Detroit closed the season by routing Chicago. Anthony Tolliver had 18 points and Henry Ellenson added 14 points and 10 rebounds as the Pistons snapped a twogame losing streak and won for the ninth time in their last 13 games. Rookie Lauri Markkanen had 20 points, and Sean Kilpatrick added 14 in his only start of the season for Chicago. The rebuilding Bulls maintained their seventh position heading into the draft lottery on May 15, losing their fourth straight. It was also Chicago’s 11th loss in 14 games. Tolliver made his first five shots and also keyed an early 22-4 run as Detroit took a 35-21 lead after one quarter. The Pistons shot 26-45 (57.8 percent), including 10-19 (52.6 percent) on 3pointers, to take a 66-50 halftime lead. The Bulls had a 13-5 run early in the third quarter and got the margin down to 71-63 after six straight points from Markkanen. But Ish Smith had six points during an 11-0 run that re-established a 20-point margin for Detroit, which led by as many as 34 in the fourth quarter. The final margin of victory was the second-largest of the season for Detroit, behind a 114-80 win on Jan. 10 against Brooklyn.
Saturday April 14, 2018
Ban humbled me, says in-form Russell CHENNAI, India (CMC) — West Indies Twenty20 star Andre Russell says his time away from the sport serving a one-year anti-doping whereabouts ban had taught him humility, and stressed he was now fit and confident to continue his successful return. The Jamaican failed to file his whereabouts on three separate occasions within a 12-month period, a violation that constitutes a positive drugs test, and was subsequently banned by anti-doping authorities from January last year. However, Russell returned to action last February, slamming a hundred for his native Jamaica Scorpions in the West Indies domestic 50-overs competition before turning out in the Pakistan Super League and more recently, resuming his contract with Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League. “I think the last one year has made me a different person. I have learnt how to be humble,” Russell was quoted as saying. “I need to make sure that you stay on top of what you are doing as a professional and yet be humble. I just want to ensure that these things don’t happen again.” The 29-year-old seems to
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Andre Russell has his eyes on the ball. ©PTI have lost little of his ability which made him one of the most sought-after players on the international T20 circuit. On Tuesday, he blasted an unbeaten 88 off 36 deliveries for KKR in only his second game back — the highest-ever score by a number seven batsman or lower in the league.Russell said his fitness and state of mind had been key to his strong return. “I think I am confident at the moment. In any sport you play, it is important to be confident,” he pointed out. “I am in good condition and have worked hard on my game. I am happy with the way I am striking and the pace with which I am bowling.” During Tuesday’s innings, Russell belted a four and 11 sixes — equalling the
record for the most sixes in an individual innings of less than a hundred. He also got stuck into Windies teammate Dwayne Bravo, lashing the right-arm seamer for 41 runs in three overs which leaked 50 runs overall. Russell said all the Windies players campaigning in the IPL tended to target each other, though all were great friends. “I think if I bowl to him, he would do the same thing. We are from West Indies and good friends,” he pointed out. “If I am playing against Sunil Narine I will try to hit each ball out of the park. It is just that in a game we go hard against each other and once we are off the field, we are good friends.”
Good Success, SS Jaguars, G Square Cavaliers triumph Good Success, Sans Souci Jaguars and G Square Cavaliers recorded victories when the Badri Prasad Memorial T20 competition continued recently in Wakenaam. Good Success defeated Zeelandia by eight wickets at the Wakenaam Community Centre ground. Batting first, Zeelandia were bowled out for 94 in 17.2 overs. Yogesh Persaud made 41 as Vickram Ramnarine grabbed 3-16, Imran Khan 2-7 and Wazir Khan 2-28. Good Success responded with 97-2. Charles Benjamin scored 36 not out, Tulsieram Ramadeen 18 and Mahase Ramnarine 15. Sans Souci Jaguars beat Noitgedacht Sports Club by 69 runs. Sans Souci Jaguars took first strike and managed 162-7. Derwin Daniels struck 37, Dellon Osbourne 23 and Sanjay Jairam 22. Neil Ramalho claimed 335. Noitgedacht Sports Club were sent packing for 93 in reply. Matthew Cheong made 25; Daniels captured 4-9 and Jairam 3-2 including a hattrick. G Square Cavaliers overcame Sans Souci by seven wickets. Sans Souci scored
Vickram Ramnarine
Kamal Khan
Derwin Daniels
Jaggernauth Manbodh
122 all out in 20 overs, taking first turn at the crease. Cleon Venture made 29 and Derwin Bacon 18; Satnarine Sahadeo bagged 4-25 and Jaggernauth Manbodh 2-19. G Square
Cavaliers replied with 123-3 in 18 overs. Manbodh stroked 48 and Kamal Khan 44. Varounie Sasepaul had 1-28. The competition continues on Sunday.
MOB/NBS claim MOFA dominoes title Esau century, Etwaroo 5 for guide Independence SC A to victory
James Lewis (left) presents the winning trophy to Captain of the GNBS team. The Ministry of Business/National Bureau of Standards chalked up 74 games to walk away with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) dominoes title when the competition was held recently at the Ministry of Agriculture canteen. Thirteen teams participated in the competition which saw the winning team taking home a trophy and
$70,000, while the Ministry of Social Cohesion/National Culture Centre staff with 68 games took the runner up spot earning a trophy and $35,000. Transport and Harbours Department marked 64 games to finish third and received a trophy and $20,000. All prizes were donated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and also came from the entrance fees.
In the Tapeball tournament, which was played at Durban Park tarmac, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure took the first prize and Supreme Court the runner up spot. Organiser James Lewis has expressed gratitude to the Permanent Secretaries the Chief Executive Officers, General Managers and staff members for their input.
Safraz Esau struck a fine century, while Jagnarine Etwaroo grabbed five wickets as Independence Sports Club A defeated Mc Gill SC by two wickets when the West Demerara Cricket Association President’s Cup 40-over tournament continued recently. Playing at Joe Vieira Park, Mc Gill batted first and managed 148 all out in 37.3 overs. Travis Persaud made 30 and Daniel Basdeo 20; Jagnarine Etwaroo bagged 5-21 and Jason Hector 2-0. Independence SC A scored 149-8 in 25.2 overs in response. Safraz Esau slammed 102 not out; Safiek Dean claimed 3-44 and Abdool Razaak 2-34. At La Grange, All Youths made 156 all out in 29 overs, batting first. Deoram Persaud hit 45 and Avinash Tulsie 27; Navendra Persaud claimed 47 and Marvin Cheong 3-42. Rising Stars responded with 153-5 in 15.3 overs. Sachin Singh struck 51 and Keon Roberts 28; Sewchan Narine snared 4-23. At Canal Number Two, Wales were bowled out for 153 in 20.2 overs, taking first knock. Yogendra Singh made 50 and Randy Yankhana 26;
Safraz Esau (left) and Jagnarine Etwaroo Paul Ashby had 3-40 and Kevin Paul 2-31. Christ Ambassador scored 154-4 in 18.2 overs in reply. Leon Andrew made 52 and Damion Ross 46; Ryan Shun took2-33. At Meten-Meer-Zorg, Meten-Meer-Zorg B batted first and posted 176 all out in 27.1 overs. Deryck Foo scored
55 while Reyaz Khan made 36. Ashim Basir picked up 4-62 and Mahendra Dasrat 3-16. Meten-Meer-Zorg A responded with 156 all out in 38.1 overs. Ravindra Dasrat struck 55 and Hemnauth Persaud 23; Jermaine Maxwell claimed 3-36 and Deryck Foo 2-27.
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YBG/NSBF Regionals at CASH
Dominant round-robin wins for St. Joseph’s, Chase and Marian Academy Photos and story by Calvin Chapman Play in Youth Basketball Guyana’s (YBG) National School Basketball Festival (NSBF) Regonals continued yesterday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) on Homestretch Avenue with three matches in the boys’ under-16 division which produced three imposing, onesided triumphs for the victors. Chase Academic Foundation proved most dominant when
the day’s play expired. Chase Academic Foundation 54 – 23 Christ Church Chase’s Stephen De Leon was a joy to watch yesterday afternoon as his game-high 26 points was instrumental in his team’s steamrolling of an out of sorts looking Christ Church school team. De Leon chipped away with fancy layups, jump shots and even three-pointers and he was the driving force of the team that lead Christ Church 17-1 with
almost a quarter of the game’s play expired. De Leon, diminutive in stature, dribbled with much flair and had the few spectators which consisted mainly of students from Brickdam Secondary and St. Joseph High (whose teams played the first match) on their feet. Omarey Kwley netted 14points and Owen Goodridge 16 rebounds were also outstanding for Chase, while Tyrese James scored 12
points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the losers Christ Church. St. Joseph’s 38 – 19 Brickdam Secondary In the opening game of the day which tipped off at 15:00hrs, Shaquan Gill was most outstanding for the winners, he swooshed 22 points, assisted five field goals, while grabbing seven rebounds to close off the game in which his team mate Shakeem Wilson’s contribution of 14 points and five rebounds, proved vital. Kareem Whitney scored nine points to be the best player in Brickdam’s miserable performance. Marian Academy 34 points – 18 Tutorial High School Jether Harris, who was a vital part of Marian Academy’s victorious campaign in the under-14 division of the NSBF Nationals last year, was a joy to watch with 20 points and 19 rebounds as his side comfortably overcame Tutorial High School by a 16-point margin. Meshal
Shaquan Gill scored 22 points for St. Joseph’s in their win over Brickdam Secondary yesterday at CASH.
Chase’s Stephen De Leon was a joy to watch yesterday and his 26 points helped his side defeat Christ Church by 21 points.
Allicock assisted with seven points and seven steals in the win, while Jaden Moses was the best Tutorial player on the court with seven points and six rebounds with his team mate Omiha Liverpool scoring six points and leaping to collect an impressive 14 rebounds in a losing cause.
This tournament which is being sponsored by Edward B. Beharry and Company, the National Sports Commission (NSC) and Ministry of Education (MOE) will continue next Thursday at CASH with for group round-robin matches in the boys’ under19 division.
Ryan Crawford Memorial Turf Club Meet set for tomorrow The Ryan Crawford Memorial Turf Club one day horserace meet will be staged tomorrow at the Alness Village, Corentyne Berbice Racetrack starting from 1:00pm. Keen competition is anticipated with several leading racehorses in action and attractive cash prizes on offer. Six races are carded for the day with the main event fixed for horses classified J Class and Lower. The winner of this event will claim a $200,000 prize and tro-
phy. This event will see the long awaited clash between Not This Time of the Shacking Stable, O. Royan of the Crawford Stable and Wise Thom among others battling for that purse. Other races on the programme will see L Class and Lower Open, L/2, L/3, K Class and Lower and Cow horse in action. The track is said to be in excellent condition and an exciting day of horseracing is anticipated.
Umesh, de Villiers carry... From page 34 Kock and de Villiers hit back. Both batsmen enjoyed the extra pace that Mohit Sharma offered, and smashed 16 runs - including a six and two fours - off the eighth over. With the pressure dropping off, de Kock freed his arms further, clearing the longon boundary off a R Ashwin dolly and then smacking two more boundaries off the Kings XI captain and Axar Patel to give RCB’s innings a push. Ashwin eventually won
the battle against de Kock and so, when he was bowled in the 12th over, it needed a composed show from de Villiers. With 69 runs still to win and 54 balls remaining, de Villiers took his time and chipped away at the target before going after Mujeeb (19 runs came in one over when 41 were required off 24) to bring the equation under control. He fell in the 19th over, holing out to deep point off Andrew Tye, but Washington Sundar’s two boundaries off
the last over ensured RCB managed to draw curtains on the horrid run endured last season. Mohit Sharma was expensive for the visitors, conceding 45 in 3.3 overs. In contrast, the other Kings XI bowlers went at 7.50 or less per over. Scores: Royal Challengers Bangalore 159 for 6 (de Villiers 57, de Kock 45, Ashwin 2-30) beat Kings XI Punjab 155 (Rahul 47, Umesh 3-23, Sundar 2-22) by four wickets.
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Corona Futsal Tournament Grand Finale on tonight at the Gymnasium Sparta Boss versus Bent Street! All roads will lead to the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue tonight for the final of the Corona Futsal tournament which will be competed between Sparta Boss and Bent Street for the grand cash prize of $600,000. This will be a replay of the last futsal final played at the Gymnasium that Bent Street won, and Sparta Boss, which is the most successful small goal team in Guyana of recent, will be looking to regain their dominance as they did when they defeated Bent Street in the inaugural edition of this tournament that is coordinated by Petra Organisation.
In the lead up to the final, Bent Street have been engaged in some exciting matches and their semifinal win against Leopold Street was once again one of the better games in the tournament which they clinched 6-5 in extra time. Meanwhile, Sparta Boss had another nail biting victory against the star-studded Alpha Warriors side which the won 5-4. The game was very energetic and Sparta managed to hold on by their fingertips to win the very keenly contested matchup. These two teams, who are
hands down the best in local futsal arena, will serve up a mouth watering contest through their ‘never give up’ mentality for the excitement hungry fans tonight. Much more than the $600,000 first prize will be decided as the fans and players themselves look to settle once and for all which of the two sides is better. Before the final there will three exhibition matches to warm up the crowd before the third place playoff at 22:00hrs followed by the final which will kick off at 23:00hrs. In addition to the winners of the tournament, which is sponsored by Top Brandz through their Corona Beer brand, Namilco and Rose
BV/Triumph 8th of May Movement Annual Village Anniversary Celebrations…
U17 Soccer Competition Opens with Kingston’s Astonishing Header The BV/Triumph 8thof May Movement Village Anniversary Celebration activities continued recently at the Beterverwagting Community Centre ground with the commencement of the Under 17 Inter-Block Soccer Tournament. The Tournament which comprises four teams, namely Ogle Street, Central, Backdam and Sideline, saw Ogle Street emerging winners over Central. The two teams, Ogle Street and Central, engaged in over 90 minutes of competitive action as they appeared closely matched in skills and tactics. The two teams provided the sizeable crowd with much excitement as they demonstrated exceptional offence and defence
with their goal keepers being equal to the task by preventing a number of possible goals with superb athletic and agility skills. Nevertheless, it would be Shamar Kingston’s consistent awareness and superb positioning in the box that enabled him to receive a cross from the left wing by diving and heading the ball to the Centre of the goal just under the top bar for the only goal of the match. With timing running out, Central seemed too bewildered to recover, and though they made valiant attempts to equalise, Ogle Street goalkeeping and defence proved too good as the match ended 1-0 in favor of ogle Street.
Record-setting Dacres wins gold, Thomas-Dodd springs upset GOLD COAST, Australia, CMC – Jamaican Fedrick Dacres broke a 16-year-old record while Danniel ThomasDodd claimed her first global title, grabbing the headlines as the 21st Commonwealth Games moved into the home stretch here yesterday. The 24-year-old Dacres captured gold in the men’s discus with a throw of 68.20 metres, shattering the old mark of 66.39 set by South African Frantz Kruger at the Manchester games back in 2002. Teammate Travis Smikle clinched silver when he measured 63.98, to ensure a Jamaican domination of the two top places. Apostolos Parellis of Cyprus finished with bronze after throwing 63.61. Dacres led from the start when he threw 65.55 in the opening round but the winning throw came on his his third attempt, allowing him to
Danniel Thomas-Dodd … upset four-time Commonwealth champion Valerie Adams. further distance himself from the field. The gold added to his triumph at the Pan American
Games in Toronto three years ago.Thomas-Dodd, meanwhile, pulled off an upset by (Continued on page 29)
Ramdehol Auto Sales, pocketing $600,000, the runners-up will receive a handsome
$300,000, while the third place team will cash in on $150,000. The most valuable player
(MVP) will receive a Hero 150cc motorcycle, compliments of Rose Ramdehol.
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Saturday April 14, 2018
Kaieteur News
Ramesh Sunich T20 softball
Floodlights prevail over Savage Masters in thriller On a beautiful Friday evening under lights with a large gathering of family members and friends, Floodlights defeated Savage Masters in a T20 softball game in honour of the 64th birth anniversary of popular businessman Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall, Bourda Market. Savage Masters batted first and scored 176 for 6 off their allotted overs. They lost two early wickets in Patrick Khan bowled by Reyaz Hussain for 13 and Troy Ramsaywack run out for nine. N. Baksh also followed shortly for one leaving Savage Masters in some trouble at 47 for 3. Rudolph Perriera then joined opener Seeraj Bheemsain and blasted the ball to all parts of the ground in a partnership of 77 before Perriera was run out for 27. Bheemsain rallied with the rest of the batting to end on 94 not out. Hussain, Rakesh Arjune and Petambar Maharaj took one wicket a piece. In reply, Floodlights lost the prolific Uniss Yusuf early
Bibi Sangster presents the winning trophy to captain Ricky Deonarain in the presence of his team mates. via the run out route for two. Ramo Malone then joined Anil Beharry and steadied the chase before they fell in quick succession. Malone spanked the bowlers to all parts of the
ground in making a robust 66 consisting of seven fours and three sixes, while Beharry fell for 30. However, Essequibian Ramesh Narine, possibly the best softball batsman around,
teamed up with Imtiaz Mohamed and took their team to victory with one ball to spare in an unbroken partnership of 60. Narine clobbered two fours and four sixes in a rapid 44, while Mohamed
made 15. At the presentation ceremony, Steve Narine was voted best bowler and Malone best batsman for Floodlights. Bheemsain was the best
batsman and Perriera best bowler for Savage Masters. There were also trophies for best fielder and best catch on both teams. Malone was named manof-the match.
Umesh, de Villiers carry RCB past Kings XI ESPNcricinfo - Royal Challengers Bangalore collected two points against Kings XI Punjab, extending the streak of chasing teams winning fulllength matches at IPL 2018. Umesh Yadav’s three wickets in one over set the game up for the hosts early on, after which the South African duo of Quinton de Kock and AB de Villiers overcame a slight hiccup to take them to a relatively comfortable four-wicket win. The win meant RCB had arrested a five-match losing streak at the Chinnaswamy from 2017. At one point, it didn’t look easy for RCB, especially after they lost both Brendon McCullum and the captain Virat Kohli inside the Powerplay. But the 54-run partnership between de Kock and de Villiers did enough to take the pressure off the chase. In the first innings, Kings XI made 155; they should’ve made more after a blazing start courtesy KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal. At the end of the match, the losing captain R Ashwin confessed that Kings XI were “20 runs short”, and that - one could say - was the eventual difference between the two sides. Umesh extinguishes blazing start This may have been an away game for Kings XI, but two local boys walked out to open. For KL Rahul and
Umesh uprooted Yuvraj Singh’s middle stump with a superb inducker ©BCCI Mayank Agarwal, the Chinnaswamy is where they ply their trade during the domestic season, and the duo wasted no time in making full use of the familiar surroundings. Rahul, fresh off his 14-ball fifty against Delhi Daredevils, started exactly where he left off on Sunday. After seeing off the game’s first two balls, he creamed consecutive sixes and then a boundary to take 16 off the first six balls. Next over, Agarwal showed no mercy to Umesh Yadav either, walloping him for two boundaries. At 32 for no loss after three overs, King XI were looking at another excellent
Powerplay but Umesh had other plans for his second over. The first ball, a tempting full-pitched delivery, was edged by Agarwal to the keeper de Kock diving to his right. Aaron Finch, playing his first game after his wedding, lasted one ball as Umesh trapped him in front first up. Then Yuvraj Singh fell off the over’s final delivery. He looked tentative, managing to defend the hat-trick ball and then almost holing out to deep backward square, but Umesh got his man soon after. Coming around the wicket for the fourth over’s final ball, he fired one in and Yuvraj was too slow to get in position. The end result: Yuvraj’s
middle stump on the floor and Kings XI at 36 for 3 after four overs. Rahul fails at late surge but Ashwin saves face Karun Nair was tasked with rehabilitating the Kings XI’s innings and together with KL Rahul found the occasional boundary while knocking the ball into the gaps and rotating the strike. With Kings XI at 84 for 3 at the halfway stage and still needing a lot more on a batting-friendly surface, Rahul looked to change gears once again but perished trying to accelerate. He fell to Washington Sundar, who started his spell after the Powerplay for only
A.B. de Villiers scored a 40-ball 57… ©BCCI the second time in the IPL. Rahul’s slog sweep found short third man and, with that dismissal, the Kings XI batting began to unravel once more. Nair fell for a 26-ball 29 next over and Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel and Andrew Tye didn’t last long either. Captain R Ashwin (21-ball 33) played a mature innings, though, to push the visitors past 150. He hit three fours and a flat-batted six off Yuzvendra Chahal in the 19th over, but fell next ball looking for another big hit. Kings XI were eventually dismissed for 155, but Ashwin’s cameo ensured their bowlers had something to bowl at.
De Kock and de Villiers deliver The target of 156 was always gettable on this surface, but a poor start with the bat did not help RCB’s cause. McCullum fell slashing the chase’s second ball to backward point, after which a wrong ‘un from Mujeeb Zadran hit Kohli’s middle stump. With RCB at 33 for 2, the game could’ve swung either way, but the South Africans saw the Powerplay off with no further damage. A careful batting approach often corresponds to a bloating required run-rate, and just as RCB looked to have fallen off the pace de (Continued on page 32)