Wednesday April 18 , 2018
Sugar is too big to fail DEAR EDITOR, Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan during his press conference on (Friday) April 13, 2018 announced that the economy expanded by only 2.1 per cent, the lowest growth rate in recent times. Incidentally it was Black Friday, was it coincidence? The Minister, among other things, charged that sugar production of 137,307 tonnes in 2017 was responsible for the poor economic showing. The GAWU will not rehash the reasons for the poor production which we shared publicly on more than one occasion. Though the Minister seeks to use sugar as one of his punching bags in seeking to explain what is clearly a worrying situation. At the same time, the admission by Minister Jordan serves to demonstrate the importance of the sugar industry to the wider economy. As GAWU has been saying consistently, the sugar industry cannot be seen solely and only from the financial/profitability argument the Government, like a horse with
blinkers, is focused on. Important as that is, the GAWU strongly believes, and must reiterate, that sugar has to be seen from its wider economic impact in terms of direct and indirect employment, taxes whether be income or consumption, foreign exchange receipts, among other things. The four closed estates aggregately paid its workers $11.9B in 2014, using data available from the Sugar CoI report. To illustrate the significance of what the economy has really lost we contrasted what obtains in the private sector. Using most recently available data concerning employment costs at Banks DIH Limited, Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), and Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited – four publicly listed companies in Guyana and among the country’s largest enterprises – we learnt they spent aggregately G$9.6B. Also, it is estimated that the now jobless workers of Skeldon, Rose Hall, East Demerara and Wales, conservatively, utilized about 85 per
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cent of their earnings on the purchase of goods and services. In other words, directly shop keepers, market vendors, fisherfolk, transportation providers, etc have lost $10.15B. Indirectly, using the income multiplier formula, a further $70B has been removed from the economy. This is a massive and substantial hit and one which many, especially in rural Guyana, may not be able to recover from. With now four closed estates, some resuming operations in a minimalistic way at this time, it would be interesting to know what the 2018 figures would reveal. Clearly, from all appearances, the wiser economic decision was to keep the industry going while working to make it profitable and viable as the SPU is now seeking to do at Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt. What is clear, as the Minister Jordan is reported in the April 14, 2018 Kaieteur News to have said sugar is too big to fail. Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine General Secretary
Cancel these two tenders; favouritism is suspected DEAR EDITOR: The two bids for the provision of security services for the Ministry of Education which opened at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board on Tuesday April 10, 2018 should be rendered ineffective. Sometime in March 2018, there was an open invitation to bid for the provision of security services for three locations of the Ministry of Education in the Stabroek News or Chronicle Newspapers or both. It is important to note that only one Publication for the provision of security services was advertised if my memory serves me correctly and for unknown reasons this information is not on the Ministry’s web site. Every time contact was made with the Ministry’s staff either personally or by telephone as regard the purchasing of the bid document, they would tell you that the document was not available but the Ministry
“Policeman Gets 18 Months For Enabling Escape From Police Outpost” DEAR EDITOR, I was intrigued when I saw the caption in (17/4/ 18) Stabroek News which reads the virtual opposite of the above caption i.e “Break and enter suspect gets 18 mon t h s f o r escape from police outpost”.
I do not think it takes much common sense to realize that any criminalm inded person, suspect or convicted, will try to escape if s/he is not carefully supervised; in a situation where the supervising official is so lax as was reported in the newspaper, it is that offi-
cial who should be at least reprimanded if not dealt with more condignly. (Please, Your Worship, Madam Magistrate, forgive my apparent questioning of your ruling; I hasten to add that that is not the purpose of this letter; I realize your hands may be
tied by the law; but , then again, we have the famous quote: “…if the law is an ass, then…..”) But, I must ask: ‘What good can come out of our p u n i s h i n g t h e cat that drinks the milk which is left un-attended?’ Nowrang Persaud
would call bidders or bidders could continue to make contact with the Ministry to find out if or when the document would be available to be purchased by interested bidders. This back and forth was tiresome; the process ultimately took too a long time which was probably designed to frustrate bidders; some bidders focus their attention elsewhere (Dependants’ Pension Fund and Ministry of Public Health) expecting that the Ministry would have called them when the document was available but this never happened. On Tuesday April 10, 2018, bidders who went to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board to witness the opening of the received sealed bids for the provision of security services for the Dependants’ Pension Fund learnt by chance that there was another open competitive bidding for the provision of security services for the Ministry of Education. While perusing page 11 of Kaieteur News dated Wednesday April 11, 2018, I noted t h a t o n T u e s d a y April 10, 2018 the Ministry of Education received bids for the provision of security services from Neville Spencer and Inter Service Enterprise Security. I just couldn’t wrap my mind around what I had read. There are currently 100 security companies, give or take, registered in Guyana and we only consider 12 of these companies as competition because our represen-
tatives would rub shoulders with their representatives when they attend bid openings for government contracts at NPTAB. I have never heard of Neville Spencer and Inter Service Enterprise Security is not a consistent bidder for government contracts. Let’s check the records! Only the aforementioned two security companies attended the bid opening; the most casual observer would ask why was bidder interest for the provision of security services for the Ministry of Education so low. Was it a deliberate act to prevent all qualified bidders with a fair opportunity to enter the bidding process? In order to eliminate the perception of favouritism, fraud, and corruption in the awarding of Ministry of Education contract, I am respectfully calling on the Ministry of Education to repeat the tender procedure, this time ensuring that all qualified bidders participate. The bids that were opened on Tuesday April 10, 2018 should be rendered ineffective. I am also respectfully calling on the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) to take note. Regards Julius Williams
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The GWI and its auditor DEAR EDITOR, There is at present a matter involving the Guyana Water Authority which is asking ‘for increases in water rates because they claim the income cannot meet their responsibilities. If I remember correctly the Finance person at the Water Authority had said if all the consumers who use the water pay up they will be able to cover costs. It seems therefore a conflict concerning the finances. At the hearing before the Commission to grant
the increases Mr. Rambo Gaskin appeared and made submissions concerning the costs and expenses, etc. But there is another matter of grave conflict. The accounts and figures are before the Court for this hearing and Mr. Gaskin seems to be tract. But how will the conflict between the financial person and the Water Authority be resolved? A member of the C ommission, Mr Maurice Solomon, who is sitting to grant the increase is himself the auditor of the finance
books of the Water company. He cannot sit to hear the matter when he must have already made up his mind about the state of the finances of the company. It seems that we the citizens will be taken for a ride. The Commission should get rid of Mr Solomon. The rules of any audit organisation will tell you that auditors must act fairly and not stretch out both hands to collect what he may be entitled to. Thank you, Gerry Thomas
Wednesday April 18 , 2018
The skill of a person would determine the right to get a job Dear Editor, While I do agree with Freddie Kissoon’s column on April 17 2018l, I find troubling Freddie’s belief that “positions should go to Guyanese who stayed and weathered the storms since the late seventies.” Of course, any resident Guyanese who is best qualified (education, work ethic, personality etc) should be hired for a job, no questions asked. However, the idea that those who stayed behind have sacrificed more and hence are more deserving, is dangerous and has led in part to substandard governance in Guyana. Politicians of all stripes, when confronted with their misdeeds, are quick to respond, “All you left and gone, so don’t tell us what to do”, implying that they have made sacrifices and the spoils of high
office are now theirs to enjoy.In a broader context, this idea had led to undemocratic governance in countries that have fought and won liberation from colonial masters.Those involved in the struggles felt themselves more deserving to govern and went to great lengths to retain power and keep out those not involved in the struggles.The skill sets for fighting and governance are vastly different meant little with this ethos. Mugabe was a classic example of this thinking.There are many Guyanese who could but did not emigrate and others like Freddie who returned to contribute to Guyana. It is for civil society to recognise their contributions. Martyrdom, however, should not be a prerequisite for a job. Mohabir Ramjeesingh
Tens of Billions Invested as a result of Brassington and ... From page 4 these outstanding gentlemen to seek employment outside of Guyana they now seem determined to destroy their professional lives. We cannot build a country with such vindictiveness and spite.” Apart from the vast privatisation and public private partnerships that these gentlemen have worked on, that has generated tens of billions of dollars in investment, saved thousands of jobs, and generated revenue and taxes for the Treasury, Brassington and Singh have transparently sold many pieces of land that were never developed or underdeveloped. These land sales created tens of billions of dollars of investment.
In 2012, President Ramotar issued an 84-page report titled “Privatisation in Tables— Phase II (1993-2011).” This report was prepared by Winston Brassington. Ashni Singh was Chairman of the Privatisation Board and the NICIL Board. This 2012 report is the most comprehensive report on privatisation transactions ever issued in the history of Guyana. The charges. If we start with the 100 acres of land sold to National Hardware Limited. This land was publicly tendered in 2009, almost 10 years ago. NHL was the highest tender with a price of $516M plus VAT. This transaction was approved by the Privatisation Board in November 2009 and the Cabinet in Nov 2009. Title was conveyed the following year. Prior to the sale, the land was a cow-pasture. To date, NHL has spent billions of dollars to put in electricity, water, roads, bridges,
drainage, and fencing. This is a gated community. Any of the purchasers of land in this gated community, would have spent tens of millions of dollars to build their homes. This is major real estate development. As such, this publicly advertised deal for an empty piece of land has created billions of dollars in investment. The value of the land is determined by market bidding. Everyone could have tendered. The tendered price works out at about $5 M/ acre. If we go to a piece of land in the same vicinity, west of the Convention Center. This sale was negotiated and sold to Scady Business Corp, at a price substantially higher than the market price at the time at over G$25 M per acre. Scady is owned by the main shareholder of RUSAL. RUSAL has caused tens of billions of dollars to be invested in the Berbice Bauxite industry and has
saved hundreds of jobs. One may recall in 2001 when ALCOA said it would close its Berbice bauxite mine and exit Guyana, Government stepped in to keep the company open while searching for investors. RUSAL was the only investor. Today, despite very high production costs, RUSAL with its partner Oldendorff, has invested over US$150M (over G$30 billion) in the Berbice operations. So such a land sale above market price, to a key shareholder of RUSAL, is not a give-away. It is part of advancing relations and investment in Guyana. Again, this transaction was approved by the Privatisation Board and Cabinet. The third transaction again deals with an empty piece of land on the opposite side of the railway embankment road to the above land transactions. This land was previously sold by the PNC Government to
Toolsie Persaud. After a long battle, the CCJ finally ruled in Governments’ favor and the land was returned to Government. Government then sought to open-up the land for development. The land was previously tendered but was not sold as the Government then earmarked a portion of this land for the Specialty Hospital with funding committed by the Indian Government. Balancing the goals of getting good value for land, and promoting investment, after setting aside the land for the Specialty Hospital, 10 acres of the remaining land, was sold to Multi Cinemas (Guyana) Inc, the owners of MovieTowne in Trinidad. The sale price was again a very good price, with the price per acre close to $16 M per acre. Again, this transaction was approved by the Privatisation Board and Cabinet in 2011, almost seven
years ago. Since the sale, over US $30M (over $6B) has been committed to this project. Even before the above transactions, Giftland leased from the PPP Government, a large piece of land at Liliendaal, to build its mall and cinemas. This land was not tendered. Giftland has an option to buy its land, at US$12M per acre a price that is lower than the sale prices to Scady and Multi-Cinemas. After much delay, Giftland developed its land with substantial investments into the property. This was one of the first projects declared open by the APNU Government. Under the PPP, the economy has seen its longest period of economic growth in the history of the country. This is no accident. Singh and Brassington’s contributions have been significant, under the leadership of Jagdeo and Ramotar. Nand Puran
Wednesday April 18 , 2018
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Carnegie launches Nutrition for Dietary Assistant programme - aimed at encouraging lifestyle changes
Ms. Penelope Harris – the visionary behind the introduction of the Nutrition for Dietary Assistant programme.
A
healthy diet can help to guard against malnutrition as well as non-communicable diseases. This was the observation of Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings, as she addressed a ceremony yesterday to launch a dietary programme at the Carnegie School of Home Economics [CSHE] on High Street, Georgetown. The programme - Nutrition for Dietary Assistant – which will be offered at Carnegie – will commence from September. The two-year programme is being introduced even as the institution celebrates 85 years of offering quality education to Guyanese. Minister Cummings, who delivered the feature address at the launching ceremony, disclosed that among the top 10 non-communicable diseases that affect Guyanese are diabetes, hypertension and heart failure. According to the Minis-
ter, the prevalence of these diseases is partially related to nutrition. She moreover noted that good nutrition is important for a healthy lifestyle, and went on to add that healthy people are more productive and important to the further development of Guyana. As such, she lauded the move by CSHE to recognise the lack of dietary professionals. She underscored too that graduates of the programme will be able to work along with registered dieticians to help improve the health of Guyanese. Ms. Myrna Lee, the institution’s Principal [ag], who also addressed the forum, said that the programme was the brainchild of outgoing Principal, Ms. Penelope Harris. Harris, in giving an overview of the programme, affirmed that it is aimed at creating a skilled labour force that will meet the local demand for Dietary Assistants. The programme is one de-
Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings. signed to see students’ participation in training in the areas of Food Safety and Hygiene, Basic Nutrition, Meal Management and Catering, Nutrition in Life Cycle, Food Service Management and General Education, among other courses. According to Harris, at the end of the programme, graduates will obtain a diploma that will allow them to further their studies at university level. Further, she said that the diploma will qualify them to work in the kitchens of hospitals, hospices, colleges and even universities. For instance, she explained that “Dietary Assistants will be employed at local hospitals to oversee the preparation of meals for patients in accordance with the direction of a qualified dietician or nutritionist. They are also involved in educating clients on their nutritional requirements.” The entry level requirements for the programme are: four Caribbean Secondary
Students at the launching ceremony yesterday. Education Certificate [CSEC] subjects with grades one to four, inclusive of Mathematics, English, Food and Nutrition and one science subject; or persons over 25 years with experience working in the fields who need to be certified; or successful completion of the one-year Household Management course; or a Caribbean Vocational Qualification [CVQ] Level one in Commercial Food Preparation. Also speaking at the fo-
rum, Mr. Jerry Simpson, Director [ag] of the Council for Technical Vocational Education and Training [CTVET], said that CTVET is responsible for programmes that are offered in post-secondary institutions. Simpson expressed optimism that the programme will be tabled shortly to be awarded a Caribbean Vocational Qualification [CVQ]. Even as he regarded the programme as a bold step and
commended its introduction, Simpson disclosed yesterday that CTVET is willing to obtain the services of an external verifier to fast-track its assessment. Also at yesterday’s ceremony, moves were made to launch yet another initiative – ‘Water Day Wednesday’. This was done with the hope of creating a new healthy trend among Guyanese by encouraging them to choose (Continued on page 26)
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Wednesday April 18 , 2018
Govt. could save $266M annually by switching to electronic payments - Central Bank report
T
he government and its related agencies could save up to $266m annually by switching from paper-based payment mechanisms to electronic payments. This is according to a report that was prepared by the Central Bank. That document provides guidance on Guyana’s National Payments Development System. Central Bank noted that the sum of $266M is based on a study that was done by the World Bank’s Payment Systems Development Group (PSDG) in 2015. It went further to explain the extent to which government and its agencies make use of paper-based payments. In this regard, Central Bank said that the Government is the single largest enduser of payment services. In volume terms, Central Bank said that the vast majority of Government disbursements are associated with large payment programmes. It said that these include salary payment, pension, social assistance, and revenue collection. Central Bank went further
to explain that the Ministry of Finance, National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and Ministry of Social Protection (MSP) manage the largest of the outgoing payment programmes. In terms of inward flows, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), and the NIS, both quasi-government agencies, manage the largest. Excluding revenue collection, Bank of Guyana said that the programmes managed by the Ministry of Finance, NIS and MSP account for an estimated 260,000 payments a month (a daily average of over 11,000) and over three million a year.Bank of Guyana said that the Ministry of Finance has the most sophisticated internal system. The Finance Ministry uses a centralized, fully automated programme called the Integrated Financial Management and Accounting System (IFMAS). This system is capable of generating electronic payment orders for all 10,000 to 12,000 government employees, 8,000 to 9,000 government pensioners, and all the vendors that supply goods and services to the Government. Yet, due to the
weaknesses in the nation’s payments infrastructure and despite the sophistication of its internal system, Central Bank said that the Ministry of Finance must still print and hand deliver paper cheques to meet these payment obligations. The Accountant General’s office has a dedicated “pay-station” connected to IFMAS, which prints 2,000-3,000 cheques per day, with a particularly heavy load on paydays. As for GRA, this entity includes two divisions: Internal Revenue (responsible for collecting taxes) and Customs and Trade Administration. Central Bank noted in its report that Internal Revenue uses the TRIPS electronic tax administration system developed by Crown Agents. Despite this, all taxes are currently paid either in cash or by cheque. Customs and Trade Administration is planning to implement the ASYCUDA (Automated System for Customs Data) system next year. Furthermore, Central Bank noted that Government employee and pensioner payments are deposited via indi-
rect means into the accounts of the recipients by the Finance Ministry. It said that a multi-step process is required to make the salary and pension payment deposits. It said that the Finance Ministry delivers a single, consolidated cheque payment order (electronically and in paper form) to each bank for all the employees that hold accounts at that
bank. The bank then deposits the funds due to each employee (as specified in a file sent to that bank by the Finance Ministry) to that employee’s account. Central Bank said that this process requires manual handling, and is subject to delays in crediting of employees’ accounts and raises the risk of error. Notably, Central Bank
said that the recipients of government salaries and pensions whose payments are delivered electronically into their bank accounts make little or no use of their accounts to conduct payments electronically. It highlighted that most recipients fully cash out their payments via ATM withdrawals as soon as the funds are made available for their use.
$250,000 bail for man charged with attempted murder Twenty-six year-old Julian Knox appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan yesterday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where a charge of attempted murder was read to him. The court heard that last Wednesday (April 11) at Covent Garden, East Bank Demerara, Knox unlawfully wounded Keith Dalton with intent to murder him. Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield stated that the charge stemmed from an incident in which the accused had a misunderstanding with Dalton and this escalated into a fight, where Knox wounded Dalton with intent to kill him. He was later arrested and charged. The prosecutor said that Knox and Dalton live five houses apart and are familiar with each other. Knox was placed on $250,000 bail and required to surrender his passport to the court. In addition, he has to report to the Timehri Outpost every Friday.Knox’s next court appearance will be on April 30. In the meantime, he is prohibited from going within 50 feet of Dalton and cannot contact him by any means.
Julian Knox is escorted from the court lockups
The government has not yet seen the wisdom of fully liberalizing the sale of gold. It continues to involve itself in the purchase of gold without any justifiable rationale. The government should rethink its position. It now has an additional reason for dissolving the Guyana Gold Board. It is said that of 130 employees of the GGMC tested for mercury poisoning, 60 of them had above normal levels of mercury in their blood. That is a frightening result, but not as much as the possible explanation for the abnormal blood readings. It is said that there could be other reasons for the elevated blood mercury levels, including the consumption of fish. This is a very fishy explanation, because mercury is not likely to be excessively present in the food chain on coastal areas, where one supposes the majority of the staff of the GGMC come from. Most of the fish sold on the coast does not originate in waters that are likely to contain mercury. These workers need help, not the sort of downplaying of the results of their tests. There is a scientific way to determine whether the high
incidence of mercury in staff at the GGMC is due to the operations of the nearby Guyana Gold Board or is due to mercury being present in fish they consume. Take a sample of persons who use a lot of fish, but who do not live or work near to either the GGMC or the Guyana Gold Board. This sample is what is known in science as a control group. The residents who live near the offices of the Guyana Gold Board should also be tested.If it is found that the levels of mercury in the bodies of GGMC workers are primarily due to the operations of that agency and the Guyana Gold Board, then the Guyana government had better prepare itself for a multibillion-dollar lawsuit. Mercury poisoning is serious and people are not going to take lightly this explanation about it possibly emanating from the consumption of fish. The government has never needed a health concern to decide on the fate of the Guyana Gold Board. There is no economic rationale for keeping the Guyana Gold Board. Governments should not be in the business of buying and selling gold. Leave the risks associated with such activities to the market.
As stated before in these pages, the Guyana Gold Board should be prohibited from purchasing any more gold. It must confine itself to regulating the gold mining sector. The laws of Guyana allow for the Guyana Gold Board to be responsible for the purchase of all gold produced in Guyana and for the sale of this gold, locally and overseas. The Guyana Gold Board is the trading and commercial arm for gold in Guyana. Those functions need to be privatized The Guyana Gold Board will become a financial and administrative drag on the Ministry of Natural Resources. It should be dumped and replaced with a regulatory authority. There is no longer any need for a Guyana Gold Board. Gold production is increasing. The Gold Board will therefore be exposed to higher speculative risks, since the bulk of its gold sales are international. The government should not be assuming the risk associated with the movement of international gold prices. The prices are stable now and high. But what happens if they become unstable. The Gold Board was
DEM BOYS SEH
De corruption march gun expose all dem scamps Everybody know that Clivie de Tom Cat ain’t too healthy. And when you not healthy it does affect you mentally. That is why he send out invitation to Jagdeo and de PPP to join a corruption walk this Friday. He was either out de country or he was in a coma when Jagdeo was ruling de country. That man nearly lock up people fuh marching against corruption. He threaten to knock off any public servant who join any corruption protest. He knock off and demote public servants who report skullduggery or corruption. When he hear that word corruption he heart does jump but when people talk gainst it he does see red and dread although he is not a rasta. That is de man Clivie invite to walk de corruption walk. Instead de man put Gail fuh respond. She write back and tell Clivie ‘corruption is everybody business’. She seh if Jagdeo start walk Friday he will nevah stop walking be-
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Wednesday April 18 , 2018
cause de corruption he cultivate in this country will never done. Dem boys want to know if Clivie invite some of Soulja Bai people who running de govt. Dem got some who paying United States dollar by de millions on a jokey threatening letter.Dem boys willing to put dem money wheh dem mouth deh. De march wouldn’t have no PPP member and certainly no Govt Minister or parliamentarian. Nuff of dem frighten de Man above would strike dem wid lightning fuh fooling people. Three things gun happen Friday. Dem who forget dem wallet and purse in de office gun get a first hand glimpse of corruption. But then again, since this is de rainy season nuff people might get an excuse. Rain might fall. But dem boys want de organizers to insist that rain don’t kill people. Dem can get umbrella even if dem got to thief one. Talk half and keep a watch on de corruption march.
established at a time when there was a foreign exchange crisis in the economy and there was need for greater controls. That reason no longer exists, thus there is no need for having a Gold Board. The foreign currency market has been liberalized and, except for a few occasions, has led to an extended run of exchange rate stability, never enjoyed during the era of state-controlled foreign currency markets. Private operators are already licensed to purchase gold on behalf of the government. So why not liberalize the entire market. One explanation may be the
fear of losses in royalties. However, Guyana should have long moved away from royalties, which in itself has been a contributor to gold smuggling, as is well known. Miners have long complained that the high royalties which have to be paid represent a form of tax on the industry. Guyana should have long graduated to a broader natural resource tax, which would be more equitable than the present royalty system, since it would tax all natural resources, including agriculture. The gold mining sector in Guyana needs stronger regulations. The
environmental destruction caused by gold mining is reaching dangerous levels. And there is no strong regulatory body to enforce the mining regulations. This should become the remit of the Guyana Gold Board. It should become an agency concerned exclusively with regulating the gold industry. The government should issue a White Paper on the Guyana Gold Board. This would provide it with a basis for determining the future of the Guyana Gold Board.
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Kaieteur News
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
The PPP stood on a wall, the PPP had a fall, the PPP is dead I live at Turkeyen, very close to the mighty Atlantic. When the Atlantic roars, I hear it coming through the windows. When you live near to the ocean, because of the vastness of space, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact location of sound. When we at Turkeyen hear gunfire, and we look out, we don’t know if it is in our area, from nearby Liliendaal or from the next village of Industry. A strange thing happened on Sunday morning. I heard the Atlantic laughing reverberatingly. But I soon found out it wasn’t the Atlantic. The voices were coming from all over
Guyana and the waves of the ocean swept the sound into my home, making me think that the Atlantic was having fun at the Ancient Mariner. I soon found out that the Guyanese people were in an uncontrollable vortex of amusement because they read the Sunday newspapers where the PPP exclaimed that the most corrupt government in the Caricom family is the APNU+AFC coalition. Life is funny. I am writing this piece on Sunday morning and will mention a certain businessman without calling name, and hours before I saw the businessman while I was walking my dog on the Eve Leary seawall.
He goes there often. He must be getting on in age, because he has a strap on one of his legs. It was this gentleman that related a tale that portrayed for all Guyana the story of horrific corruption under the Jagdeo regime. This is the third time I am going to describe this incident and I will ask readers to reflect on its implications, because it underlies the humongous rapacity that went on under Messrs. Jagdeo and Ramotar. This is not a story for the fainthearted. We are talking here about the financial plunder of a small, poor country under
the PPP regime. This is the organization in this country that citizens woke up Sunday morning to read it saying that the current government is the most corrupt in the Caribbean. Here is a description of that incident. A very close friend of Jagdeo sent his workmen to fence an empty lot in the vicinity of the Promenade Gardens and the home of PNC official Clarissa Riehl. Under President Burnham it was a ministry. It was sold to this investor I referred to above that I saw on the seawall last Sunday. A friend of the investor simply inquired what he was doing with the land, since he saw the workmen there. The businessman was stunned. He sent no one to fence his land. He went down to the site, asked the labourers what they were doing, and they said their boss sent them there to work. The businessman was not amused, he was angry. The labourers had to leave. Simply think of what the implications were if that land was in fact state
property. But this was what Jagdeo’s friend thought. He felt it was government property, because a ministry once stood there. A logically functioning mind would know that Jagdeo’s friend bought up state lands in similar situations. This friend has more than a hundred properties in Georgetown alone, according to a source at SARA. This is just one example of depraved corruption under the PPP regime. State assets were sold to friends and PPP mandarins collected billions. Money-launderers and drug traffickers were protected. Time has caught up with the most corrupt regime the Englishspeaking Caribbean has seen the PPP government from 1999 to May 2015. One former minister is already in the docks. Jennifer Westford is on trial. Imagine the temerity of that woman to ask a High Court judge to stop her trial over alleged fraudulent conversion of a number of state vehicles, because Minister Harmon had given her immunity. Since when was Joe Harmon a police officer and could offer amnesty to persons the police
Frederick Kissoon are investigating. I’d better ask Joe for a car, because my cork ball has my wife screaming over the constant spending for repairs. Don’t forget Joe, I am just a pensioner not a former minister. From Westford, the prosecutor’s tentacles went to certain Rice Board officials, two of whom are PPP parliamentarians. Now the tentacles have pulled in Brassington and Ashni Singh. I am not a believer, but I am still praying that the prosecutor can read the Constitution carefully to see if Jagdeo and Ramotar are protected by legal immunity. The PPP once stood tall on the mountain of corruptibility. It fell and has died.
Wednesday April 18 , 2018
Kaieteur News
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Govt. has piecemeal approach to capacity building for oil sector By Kiana Wilburg It appears that for the time being, the government has taken a piecemeal approach to capacity building for the oil and gas sector. Finance Minister Winston Jordan during a press conference he held last week, reminded those present that US$3M from the US$18M signing bonus would be used for capacity building for the oil and gas sector. In response to questions on how soon this money would be used, the Finance Minister said he would not be in a position to say at that time. He said that perhaps, at the next press conference, he
would be able to give a better answer. This newspaper then asked Jordan to say what development plan is in place for the use of this money. The economist admitted that, “There is no master plan.” The Finance Minister explained that the Government informed various agencies on the areas that they would need to improve capacity, but he is not aware that those individual plans have been combined into a master plan. In the interim, he noted, there are several persons who are in various countries on scholarships as regards training for oil and gas. He
said that, technically, the government may very well only need to draw part of the US$3M. Jordan noted however that the money is fungible (mutually interchangeable) and that it could be used for other things such as workshops and conferences. He said that these are all part of capacity training. IMF RECOMMENDS The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has informed the government about the need to improve capacity in a number of areas, one of which includes financial management systems. Strong Public Financial
Management (PFM) systems are essential for any country to ensure effective and sustainable economic management and public service delivery. Guyana has been carrying out several assessments in an effort to achieve those objectives as best as it could. And while there were some improvements over the years, the International Monetary Fund noted that there is still more which needs to be done, especially since the nation is preparing to be an oil producer by March 2020. During one of its assessments, the Fund noted that the limited capacity at all levels of the Ministry of Finance, and even in various line agencies, will pose significant constraints when the time comes for the implementation of needed reforms for Public Financial Management. To ensure success going forward, the IMF said that reform measures will need to be carefully prioritized and sequenced so as not to overload the limited capacity.
Finance Minister, Winston Jordan The Fund said that the extent and wide-ranging nature of future PFM reforms perhaps requires a more coordinated approach to reform implementation. It said that many countries faced with an extensive body of work have formed a dedicated reform team to organize, coordinate, and facilitate the required reforms in many PFM areas. It said that the reform
unit/team will provide oversight, guidance and monitoring to the PFM reform plan, and act as a coordinator of the overall PFM reform programme. The Fund said that a substantial part of their work should be directed to upgrading the skills of staff in the Ministry of Finance and line agencies by developing a core PFM training programme. The Fund also stressed that capacity building in the Ministry of Finance and in line agencies is an important prerequisite for sustainable PFM reform. It said, “A comprehensive assessment of required skills is essential for successful implementation. It could be considered to appoint a small group to analyze the longterm capacity building needs, and to develop an overall plan for PFM capacity development, to be managed and coordinated within the reform unit in the Ministry of Finance.” The Fund added, “The results of the assessment Continued on page 14
Wednesday April 18, 2018
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Kaieteur News
PPP wants caution in sanitising Brazilian chopped to death at Cuyuni in row over woman Electors’ List of dead persons - SUSPECT HELD
The Opposition- the People’s Progressive Party (PPP)- said it is pleased that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and various stakeholders are engaged in a process to update and sanitise the List of Registered Electors. “One of the tasks undertaken by GECOM and stakeholders is to cleanse the list of deceased persons, based upon information generated by the General R e g i s t r a r ’s O ff i c e ( G R O ) , w h i c h i s responsible for the issuance of Certificates of Death,” the party explained in a statement yesterday. The removal of names of persons who have died from the List of Registered Electors is a responsibility of GECOM and is guided by strict laws and rules. “Only on the basis of a certified list of persons who have died, issued by the GRO, can GECOM remove a person’s name. It is, therefore, imperative that we emphasise that names cannot be removed from the list on the ground that persons are dead, unless confirmation is received from the GRO,” the
party warned. The PPP said it has noted that GECOM issued five lists of persons who have died between December 2015 and March 2016. “One of the lists is of persons who have died but whose names are not on the List of Registered Electors (that is persons who never registered).” The PPP said it has conducted a review of this particular list and to its surprise, “we discovered a significant number of names which are in fact on the List of Registered Electors. This list is, therefore, not accurate. As a result, the names of deceased persons will continue to be on the List of Registered Electors.” In the circumstances, the PPP said it is calling on GECOM to exercise greater care and due diligence in their attempts to sanitise the list. “We will continue to partner with GECOM and other stakeholders, in a concerted effort, to produce a List of Registered Electors that is accurate and whose integrity can withstand objective scrutiny.”
A quarrel between two men over a woman ended with a Brazilian being chopped to death and a Guyanese being detained. The victim, 46-year-old Adrian Sousa Santos, succumbed after being chopped on the right arm. His alleged attacker, a 33-year-old Guyanese, has reportedly admitted to the killing. According to reports, the two men and others were drinking on Saturday night at an area known as Quartz Stone, ‘Far Far’ Backdam, Cuyuni, when the Brazilian began to make advances to a Venezuelan woman who was
the girlfriend of the Guyanese. An argument broke out between the two men and Santos, allegedly speaking in Portuguese, threatened to kill the Guyanese. The suspect reportedly then armed himself with a cutlass and chopped Santos twice on the right arm. The Brazilian reportedly died at the scene, while others who were present apprehended his attacker until police ranks arrived. The suspect and the body
of his alleged victim were brought to Georgetown yesterday. There have reportedly been at least three murders in ‘F’ Division since the year began. Two Fridays ago, Dominican Republic national Pedro Pablo Rosario was shot dead in a mining camp at Black Water Backdam, Cuyuni/ Mazaruni. He was allegedly slain by gunmen who carted off a large sum of raw gold after invading a mining camp.
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Wednesday April 18, 2018
Kaieteur News
Three GDF ranks to meet with Lindo Creek Commission today Three army ranks are to present themselves to members of the Commission that is looking into the June 2008 Lindo Creek killings. The Guyana Defence Force had indicated on Monday that it had made arrangements for some ranks, who are still employed in the army, to be interviewed by the Inquiry Commissioner, Retired Justice Donald Trotman. This was in response to a request by the Commission. “The Force has since
responded, indicating the availability of the requested ranks, as some are no longer in its employ. Further, an agreement has been reached for those available ranks to report to the Commission of Inquiry for a preliminary interview on Wed 18-04-18 at 11:30 hours,” the GDF said in its statement. In a recent public notice, the Commission had stated that it was seeking to make contact with Ayodele Woolford, former Lieutenant of the GDF; Dwand
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood.
Cambridge, former Assistant Superintendent of the Guyana Police Force; Colonel Lloyd Souvenir; Captain Sheldon Howell; Major Fitzroy Warde, Private Taylor; Private Quailo, and Mr. Philbert Bobb. There had been indications that the Commission was unhappy with the response from members and former members of the Guyana Defence Force, whom it wished to question, particularly in view of reports that some members of the army were at Lindo Creek in June 2008. “The Commission is said to know that a party of Joint
Services ranks were at Lindo Creek, and this is the party of police and soldiers that they are now trying to get,” a source said. On June 21, 2008, the burnt remains of Cecil Arokium, Dax Arokium, Horace Drakes, Bonny Harry, Lancelot Lee, Compton Speirs, Nigel Torres and
Clifton Berry Wong, were found at Lindo Creek, Upper Berbice. They were employees of a diamond mining operation that was run by Mr. Leonard Arokium, whose son, Dax, and brother, Cecil, were among the victims. Police contended that the men were slaughtered by
members of the Rondell ‘Fine Man’ Rawlins gang, who had fled to Lindo Creek after a shootout with lawmen at Christmas Falls. But mining camp boss Leonard Arokium had expressed the belief that members of the Joint Services killed his crew and also robbed his camp.
Govt. has piecemeal approach to... From page 12 could summarize the skills required in every function. For example, for budget office skills in preparing baseline expenditure are crucial or for macro-fiscal division, the analysis of fiscal risks.” The IMF further stated that capacity building efforts could be coordinated with local training institutions. In this regard, it said that the Ministry should explore further, the options to cooperate with local training institutions (e.g. recently-opened Bertram Collins College of the Public Service; University of Guyana) and other partners to deliver necessary training programmes on a continuous basis. It noted that other cost-effective and efficient solutions, such as developing a partnership arrangement with other countries in the region could be a viable option as well. The IMF also asserted that new capacity building actions should be designed to channel appropriate training programmes through these institutions, and to use staff to perform training. In this way, the Fund said that training skills could be further built up in those institutions to provide sustainable ongoing training in years to come. ONGOING ASSESSMENTS As of now, the IMF said that authorities here, in cooperation with the European Commission, are carrying out an assessment of PFM systems. The last integrated fiduciary assessment of PFM and procurement systems
was carried out by a team of staff from the Ministry and three external consultants in 2012. According to the Fund, the team used the Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) assessment methodology and the Methodology for Assessing Procurement Systems (MAPS). The Fund said that the findings of the ongoing assessment of PFM systems will be used to update a PFM reform programme. In addition, several developments partners like the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), World Bank, and the Commonwealth Secretariat have recently conducted assessments of PFM reform needs which will provide inputs to the PFM reform programme. The IMF noted that the Office of Budget in the Ministry of Finance has been a focal point for the PFM reforms. At present, the IMF said, the planning and coordination of the PFM reform process seems to depend heavily on the Director of the Office of Budget and one or two heads of key departments. It stressed that there is no dedicated reform unit or team in the Office of Budget or the Ministry to coordinate and guide the PFM reform efforts. At the same time, given current levels of staffing, the Fund observed that most of the staffers are fully engaged in day-to-day operations. It said that many of them are learning how to perform operations on the job as the staff turnover tends to be high.
Wednesday April 18, 2018
Kaieteur News
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Wednesday April 18 , 2018
Counselling must be mandatory for attempted - Caribbean Voice Director suicide victims Although a situation may seem daunting and there may appear to be no way out, suicide should never be seen as a way out. “Suicide is preventable; it is not an option...it is totally preventable,” insists National Coordinating Director of the Caribbean Voice, Mr. Nazim S. Hussain. In fact, he emphasises that the main focus of Caribbean Voice, a notfor-profit Non Governmental Organisation [NGO] headquartered in New York, is to help Guyanese understand not only that suicide is not an
option, but that it is a mental health issue that can be treated much like several other illnesses. “Suicide can be cured and for those who are not cured, it can be controlled,” said Hussain, even as he revealed that although there are some people with regular suicide ideations and others who might have thought about it only once, they all can access available treatment. In order to curb suicide ideations, Hussain noted that persons must be able to accept that suicide is a mental
health problem. He shared his conviction that mental health screening should be a necessity for all persons employed in sensitive areas, such as those who are required to bear arms. “We have been saying this for a long time...such persons and those who deal with chemicals should be screened regularly,” said Hussain. He however assured that neither he nor Caribbean Voice can officially pronounce on such a need. But Hussain asserted that the Caribbean Voice has been unyielding and will con-
tinue to advocate for all persons who would have attempted suicide to be subjected to mandatory mental health counselling sessions. The counselling process, according to Hussain, will have to go hand in hand with efforts at decriminalising suicide. Currently, suicide is seen as a criminal act, but the Caribbean Voice has been consistently calling for it to be decriminalised. “This is necessary, because if you attempt suicide and you did not succeed, you will not receive the mental health counselling that you require,” said Hussain, as he insisted that attempted suicide should no longer be viewed as a criminal act, as it is in fact a cry for help resulting from a mental health breakdown. However, Hussain, when asked if a person found guilty of committing a homicide and then attempts to commit suicide but fails, should be subjected to merely counselling, replied, “You should be penalised based on the statues of Guyana – the criminal law for committing a murder.” He noted that the onus is on
legislators to discuss and decide whether there is need for the re-tweaking of existing laws governing such matters. Even as the way forward is decided upon, Hussain is unwavering in his support for counselling as an immediate priority for persons who attempt suicide, even if they are the perpetrators of a homicide. “Regardless of what is decided, the Caribbean Voice will continue to advocate for immediate requisite counselling for such persons. This is important, because a person without needed counselling could continue to do harm...they could harm themselves and other persons if they are on bail, or harm fellow prisoners if they are sentenced. This is why we are saying there must be mandatory counselling.”But counselling shouldn’t merely be an option, Hussain asserted. He is of the conviction that there should be penalties if mandatory counselling sessions are missed. “This is an area for the Government, they have to decide what the penalties are, because they are the people who govern the operation of
Mr. Nazim S. Hussain, National Coordinating Director of the Caribbean Voice. the Mental Health Unit,” Hussain added. As a suicide and violence prevention advocacy organisation, the Caribbean Voice, according to Hussain, has dealt with more than 300 successful counselling cases, both locally and internationally. A total of four counselling cases are also currently engaging the attention of the organisation. In order to further expand its reach, Hussain said that “we are always willing to either invite collaborations or collaborate with other organisations...we are always willing to collaborate with [like-minded] organisations like the Ministry of Public Health...‘The more the merrier’ is a slogan that is attracting motivation to collaborate,” he noted.
Wednesday April 18, 2018
Kaieteur News
Man gets 28 years for raping girl, 6, left in his care Twenty four year-old Colvin Norton was yesterday sentenced to serve a term of imprisonment of 28 years after a jury found him guilty of raping a six-year-old girl on two separate occasions in 2013. It was revealed by trial judge Jo Ann Barlow, that Norton—who was 19 years of age at the time of the commissioning of the offences—was left to take care of the young girl and her siblings while there mother was out. The jurors found Norton unanimously guilty on both counts of the offence. On August 1, 2013 and August 6, 2013, respectively, Norton engaged in sexual penetration with the underage girl. Both acts were committed in the county of Demerara. Norton was jailed for 24 and 28 years on the first and second counts respectively. The prison terms are to be served concurrently. The convict had no legal representation throughout the trial. The case for the state was presented by Prosecutors Abigail Gibbs and Tiffini Lyken. Testifying in court yesterday was Celeste
Convicted rapist: Colvin Norton Mullin, a counsellor at ChildLink Guyana. The counsellor took an impact statement from the rape survivor, who she said, told her about her feelings towards the incident. According to Mullin, the young girl told her that at first, she felt sad and ashamed of what happened to her and that she felt responsible for it. The rape survivor told the counsellor that whenever she reflected on the incident she would shout at anyone. Now
that Norton has been convicted, Mullin related that the young girl expressed that she feels as though a weight has been lifted off her back. Norton was reluctant to say anything to the court after he was convicted even after given two opportunities to do so. In calculating a sentence for the convicted rapist, Justice Barlow took into consideration the aggravating circumstances. The judge underlined that like a thief in the night Norton went into the home and violated the young child who was left in his care by her mother. The judge pointed out that Norton, after molesting the young child, tried to silence her by telling her not to say anything to her mother, who he warned would kill both of them. Nevertheless, the trial judge ordered that Norton undergo rehabilitation for sexual offenders during his time in incarceration so that he will be of meaningful contribution to society when he is discharged from prison. He was also ordered to undergo training programs to help improve his literacy after telling the court that could not read and write properly.
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Wednesday April 18, 2018
Kaieteur News
One jailed, others...
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. Installations, Repairs and parts for AC, Fridge, Washing machine, Stove etc call Nick 627-3206, 630-1600 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
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
Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $90,000 Nail Technician Course: $35,000. Call: 647-1773/688-0009
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620
One radiator workman preferably from the West Coast of Demerara. Contact Charran’s Radiator Works Tel#622-5721
Upper flat 3 bedroom house in Diamond Housing Scheme, includes bath A/c(s) hot & cold etc #216-0589/686-5645
One full time auto body technician for repair center. Must have previous experience. Call: 222-0675
(1) 2 bedroom apt for rent @ Peter’s Hall. Contact: 2239677/698-5800
One service manager for repair centre, must have previous experience. Call: 6472022
Room to rent & (2) bedroom fully furnished @ Providence & Tel#660-7716/617-2666/ 682-6238 Space to rent, display rack, computers and office furniture for sale. Contact: 624-6783/664-1070
Organic potting soil $700 Supari palm, Foxtail, Sugarcane palm @ $1000 Ashoka trees, Crotoons. Tel#626-1044 8 Lots with model house Ulverston, Corentyne. Double lot with shed Rosehall near market #680-6577
Fridge and freezers for sale #671-3004 PROPERTY FOR SALE Lot 15 Public road #2 Village. West Coast Berbice. 49ft by 10,314ft. $18M. Contact:6487109/686-4818
Lot 259 Wisrock Housing Scheme, price negotible. Tel # 628-1832/694-9226 Transported (2) storey concrete with (6) bedroom property Uitvlugt New Scheme WCD $30M Neg Call: 693-4667/277-3743/697-0882
TOLET Business spaces, top & bottom flat located @ 177 Charlotte and Alexander, Georgetown: #644-3555/6893462
Diamond EBD 2 storey concrete, 6 bedrooms, hot/ cold, secured parking, ready to move in. Price negotiable. Call: 693-4890/692-5014
FOR SALE/RENT American Pool Table Tel#277-0578
Well kept 3 bedroom house in Bel Air park. Contact: 6245864/226-8279
1 Male cook to cook in interior #699-4718 Driver, Cashier, Pastry maker/ cake decorator, curry cook, counter server, Apply H/ written application @ Hack’s Halaal 5 Commerce St Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic- Call: 223-7500 Monday to Saturday 8:15am4:15pm
1-woodmizer resaw HR120 (Kohler engine) 1-resaw blade shapener for 1 ¼” blade. Contact: 218-3399
3 story commercial building,120ftX60ft Building 62ftX30ft Location- Lot 1486, Plot B Herstelling, EBD $95 million neg. Contact: 6093777/697-4557 SALON
WANTED
New triangle truck tyres, front & all-wheel drive, size 295/ 80R22.5 Call: 647-2022
1-620-240 Foreign used DAF engines Hepicycle & axle for 60 DAF Lorries & many other parts going cheap, owner migrating #649-8449/228-5655
EDUCATION Register your child for after school classes for slow learners in Mathematics, Reading, Phonics, Spelling, etc. Call: 675-4379
FOR RENT
VEHICLE FOR SALE One Mitsubishi canter, Excellent condition, long base, engine #4D335A2F3513 $2,000,000 neg. Call: 698-8820 (1) 2006 Toyota Premio, Excellent condition, very low mileage. Call: 698-1134 1 Toyota Tundra $2M Call: 630-3695 2003 Toyota Spacio AC,CD, Mags,HID Excellent condition, late PVV, never crash nor hired $1,775,000 #618-1047 (1) 2004 Nissan X-Trail, Immaculate condition, PRR series, 4WD, original leather seats, Alarm, Ice cold A/c. $2.650 M (neg) #658-7891 1 Suzuki Escudo, Immaculate condition, fully powered bluetooth, reverse camera, mag rims. Tel#691-1876
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) 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 Sawmen and skidder operator Contact: 218-3399 Urgently needed porter boys at Robb St ages 20 to 25. Attractive starting salary. Contact #223-5897 Live in or live out male, dutiesdriving, mechanical skills. Georgetown area. Tel#2271830 Jet + Marack men to work in interior. Tel: 672-3359
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 LAND FOR SALE 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
(From page 21) Albouystown; Edward Skeete, called ‘Pretty Boy’, 30, of Lot 309 Independence Boulevard; Marvin Blackman, 27, of South Ruimveldt; Mark Prince, called ‘Fineman’, 39, of Lot 52 Parfait Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, and Nabadinghi Gobin, called ‘Dangles’, 33, of Lot 181 Charlotte Street, Bourda, were slapped with the same charges of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition. Each of them pleaded not guilty to each of the charges. In addition, the five men were charged jointly for conspiring with Hercules to change the licence plate of motorcar PVV 6204 to HC 4543. They all denied the allegation and were instructed to return to court on April 20, when they are expected to face additional charges. Hercules was charged alone with fraudulently imitating identification mark PVV 6204 on a registered motor vehicle. To this charge he pleaded not guilty. Attorney-at-Law George
VACANCY 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 Caretaker for 84 year old female 6 days 7pm-7am C/ville area. Call: 225-5606/ 674-8617
VACANCY Exists for one experienced dispatcher- Call: 231-5784 Earn 5-20K working from home www.jobfairworldwide.com Tel#622-1957/652-8829 Vacancy exist for (1) experienced pharmacy technician to work @ reputable pharmacy in Diamond (Flexible hours)- Call: 645-3422 One office clerk, must be computer literate. Call: 6144358 Inventory clerk, Tool room clerk, Female cleaner Call: 2332745 Mature male Salesperson, must know about Japanese car parts. Sales experience. Contact: 601-2622/227-2322 SECURITY GUARDS with personal firearm. Call: 2664427 Administrative clerk must have driver’s license. email: info@cevons.com
Thomas entered an appearance on behalf of the men. According to reports, the six men had attempted to commit an armed robbery on poultry farmer Michael Chang Yuen, 69, a Chinese national, at Supply, East Bank Demerara. It was reported that Chang was with his two sons when he heard a noise outside. On checking, he saw four men in his yard. He raised an alarm and the suspects fled in a car, HC 4543. Police intercepted the six men at a roadblock on the Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara. They were in possession of two 9mm Glock pistols, with 22 live rounds; a Beretta Pistol with 11 rounds; a. 32 Taurus Pistol with six live rounds; along with a sledgehammer, two pairs of latex gloves, and trade plates. Kaieteur News understands that the firearms were handed over to the ballistic section of the Guyana Police Force to ascertain whether the firearms were used in any other crimes. Police said that the vehicle the men were in was stolen from its owner during an armed robbery on March 25, last, at Princes Street, Georgetown.
Carnegie launches Nutrition... From page 7 water as their preferred beverage every Wednesday. Ms. Gillian Trim of the Food Policy Division within the Ministry of Public Health encouraged those in attendance to take up the challenge by highlighting several benefits of drinking water which include: weight loss, flushing of toxins, headache remedy and improved physical performance. The importance of water in one’s diet was further emphasized by a skit performed by students of the CSHE and Ms. Radha Singh. Among other presentations was a promotional talk from Ms. Mignon Maynard-Sancho, Coordinator of the University of the Southern Caribbean [USC]. She said that the USC remains committed to being a partner of the CSHE, in terms of offering higher qualification programmes.
Wednesday April 18, 2018
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Kaieteur News
WORKPLACE POLLS IN LEGAL JEOPARDY A decision in 2015 to appoint a new board for the all-important Trade Union Recognition and Certification Board (TURB) without conforming to regulations is coming back to haunt those responsible. Last year, the High Court ruled that the previous board was not only illegal but there were questions over the selections of the members of the board. The fact that the board which is certified to represent workers at business places, and which regulates how unions bargain, is not legal, would raise questions about the legality also of a number
- after court rules Trade Union Recognition board illegal of recognition polls that were held. In fact, a few weeks before the November court ruling by Justice Sandil Kissoon, the TURB had held a recognition poll at the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc. (BCGI)/Rusal, worksites, in Region 10, with the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) recording 93% of the votes, over the National Mines Workers Union. The legality of that poll and others are now being questioned. A new board has
reportedly not been named. The absence of a board would also affect or delay any union that wants recognition at a particular work place. In April 2016, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) filed action actions against TURB. After several months of back and forth, the matter came up for hearing on September 11, 2017. The judge after submissions and argument, both oral and written from both sides, ordered and
declared that contrary to the Trade Union Recognition (Amendment) Act 2009, FITUG, the biggest union body, was not consulted prior to the appointment in 2015 of the Chairman of the Trade Union Recognition and Certification Board. Judge Kissoon ordered and declared that there was non-compliance with the amendment to Section 5 of the Trade Union Recognition Act 1997 as set out in the aforesaid Amendment Act 2009 in the 2015 appointment of the Chairman and Trade
Union representatives. Justice Kissoon found also that FITUG was the most representative organization of workers in Guyana. “And it is further ordered and declared that the Trade Union Recognition and Certification Board thereinafter referred to as the Board set up in 2015, was not established in conformity with Trade Union Recognition Act of 1997 as amended in 2009 and was therefore not established in accordance with the existing law, and it is further ordered
and declared that the plaintiffs have not been duly recognized and treated in accordance with the law, and consequently the aforesaid board cannot be regarded, recognized and treated as being in accordance with the law and it is further ordered that costs be taxed for the plaintiffs.” The TURB was reportedly chaired by Justice (Ret’d) Claudette La Bennett. FITUG had argued that it was not consulted on the appointments and despite being the most representative workers organization, it was only given one seat on the seven-person TURB.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 18, 2018
Education Ministry receives 36 bids for repairs to several city schools The following are bids presented at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board yesterday. The Ministry of Education received bids for the repair and maintenance of Tucville Secondary School.
The Guyana Revenue Authority received bids for the supply and delivery of surveillance cameras and equipment.
The Ministry of Education also received bids for the repair and maintenance of the North Georgetown Primary School.
Guyana Energy Agency received bids for the supply, installation, and commission of gridconnected and hybrid solar photovoltaic system in three lots.
Seven companies bid for the repair and maintenance of the Selman Fraser Nursery School The Ministry of Communities received bids for operation services at Lusignan sanitary landfill.
The Georgetown Supreme Court received bids for the rehabilitation of courtrooms 8 and 9. Ministry of Education received several bids for the repair and maintenance of the Rama Krishna Primary School.
The Supreme Court received bids for the Provision of security services for the Lethem Magistrates’ Court and Quartz, Region 9.
For the repair and maintenance of the Carnegie School of Home Economics, the Ministry of Education received four bids.
Finally, the Ministry of Education received bids for the repair and maintenance of St Pius Primary School.
The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs received bids for the supply of coaster bus, outboard engines & ATV for Indigenous residents.
The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs received bids for the procurement of uniforms and uniform-related materials and ready-made uniforms.
Ministry of Public Health received bids for the supply and delivery of medical toolkits for community health workers in Region Nine.
The Ministry of Public Security received bids for the procurement of one new motor car for the Guyana Police Force. The Guyana Office for Investment received bids for the supply of promotional materials.
Ministry of Public Security received bids for the procurement of certified reference materials—mixed—for the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory. >>>> Continued on page 29 <<<<
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 18 , 2018
Appeal Court affirms ruling that ex-policeman’s dismissal was lawful The Appeal Court has affirmed that former Policeman, Lloyd Lyte, was not wrongfully dismissed from the Guyana Police Force (GPF). In their decision, the full bench of the Court of Appeal yesterday upheld a ruling by former Chief Justice Ian Chang that Lyte did not prop-
erly seek permission to stay away from duty. The former policeman was deemed illegally withdrawn from the GPF in September 2010. He had however moved to the Courts to challenge the dismissal. Through his attorney, Patrice Henry, the ex-police-
man questioned the Force‘s authority to dismiss him, based on claims that he failed to properly obtain leave of absence. Claiming a contravention of his rights, the applicant sought exemplary and aggravated damages. In the initial challenge before the High Court, Lyte had
Education Ministry receives 36 bids... >>>> From page 11 <<<<
The Ministry of Public Security received bids for the procurement of CANU
For the procurement of dietary supplies, feeds, fertilizers, drugs, and medical supplies for lots 1-4, the Ministry of Public Security received eight bids.
The Ministry of Public Security received bids for the procurement of field materials, stationery, office supplies, printer ink and toners.
The Ministry of Public Security received bids for the procurement of uniform materials for the Guyana Fire Service.
Finally, the Ministry of Public Security also received bids for the procurement of equipment for the Mounted Branch.
outlined that he was informed of his dismissal from the Force on September 6, 2010, by way of a letter bearing the seal of the Commissioner of Police. He indicated that his career in the GPF started in March 26, 1990 and concluded on September 6, 2010, by way of a dismissal letter. Lyte disclosed that he had been employed as a Corporal of the GPF until July 19 of that year. Up until that date, he was the Corporal in Charge of Ituni Police station. Before proceeding on leave, Lyte said that he had informed a constable at Ituni Station that he was unwell and would be absent from duty. He said too that he obtained a medical certificate that allowed for seven days sick leave. He said that he then left the Ituni Police Station for his residence in Sparendaam. In her arguments on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Lawyer for the Attorney General Chambers, Judy Stuart-Adonis noted in accordance with the Police Force’s Standing Orders that Lyte was wrong to merely notify a junior rank about his leave. Stuart-Adonis stressed that Lyte needed to have contacted the officer in Charge of his Sub-division and informed that individual of his intention. The State Attorney pointed to the evidence of a senior rank of the Police Force, that Lyte had casually informed him that he was unwell and needed leave, but “there was never any formal report by officer Lyte to that effect.” According to Stuart– Adonis, Officer Lyte‘s actions would have resulted in ramifications based on the Force‘s Standing Orders. While Lyte’s attorney maintained that his client has a medical certificate to substantiate the need for the leave, Stuart–Adonis countered that even after the seven days
Former Policeman, Lloyd Lyte that he was permitted by the medical for sick leave, Lyte continued to stay away from his job. She emphasized that he failed to report for duty even after the seven days expired. However, Henry was adamant that his client should not have been deemed illegally withdrawn from the Force in light of the medical certificate. He said too that Lyte would have at some point informed the officer in charge of the East Ruimveldt Police Station of his absence. Stuart-Adonis contended, nonetheless, that Lyte should have informed the officer in his division at the Linden Police Station, under whose purview the Ituni Police Station directly falls. She further asserted that what Lyte did was irresponsible, pointing out that as the officer-in–charge, he had the keys to the arms and ammunition cabinet among important duties. She contended that these responsibilities should have
been properly handed over. The State Attorney noted that in the High Court, then Chief Justice (Ag) Chang had dismissed Lyte’s application and ruled that he failed to properly obtain permission to stay away from work. The Court had outlined that the medical certificate obtained by Lyte only covered seven days. In their ruling yesterday, Justices of Appeal Arif Bulkan, Yonette Cummings– Edwards and Rafiq Khan affirmed the decision of the High Court that Lyte did not have permission and that he was away from his duty without lawful excuse, alluding inter alia to provisions in Section 37(A) of the Police Act, which stipulate that there should be written permission for leave of absence from the Court. The Judges therefore upheld the decision that the former policeman had not been wrongfully dismissed. The Court of Appeal also found Lyte’s actions to be “mischievous” and ordered both parties to bear their own cost in the matter.
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ome 300 residents of Wa k e n a a m , Essequibo Island were on Saturday the beneficiaries of a wide variety of medical services compliments of the newly established Non Governmental Organisation [NGO], Save A Life [SAL] The medical outreach is one that was coordinated by Mr. Mohamed Karimbhola who has been at the helm of
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two such events previously in Wakenaam. The outreach, according to Karimbhola, utilised the expertise of over 15 doctors, several nurses and other medical professionals offering in excess of 11 services. Among the services offered were those within the fields of Ophthalmology, Optometry, Dermatology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Psychiatry, Infectious Diseases, Paediatric and
Dentistry. “In terms of Dentistry, we are offering cleaning and a bit of filling, VIA [Visual Inspection with Ascetic Acid for the detection of cervical cancer], low vision testing and we are hoping people can benefit from all of our services,” said Karimbhola during Saturday’s outreach.All of the residents who sought to access the service were eager to express their appreciation to the
Wednesday April 18 , 2018
Dental services being delivered.
Several residents waiting to access medical services visiting team which selected them for the wide variety of medical services. According to Karimbhola, although he was in the forefront of two earlier medical outreaches, he had however conducted over a dozen across Guyana. But he disclosed that through SAL, “our plan is to have one every quarter, but in between we are looking at special intervention and a lower scale outreach, because there are over 43 personnel on this visit.” The Coordinator spoke of plans to have special intervention outreaches. These, he explained, would entail having outreaches, for instance, in the Mahaicony Creek, attending to young
Coordinator of the medical outreach, Mr. Mohamed Karimbhola children who are suffering from skin issues and stomach
problems. “We would target them for Paediatric and Medicine services. In that case, we wouldn’t walk with the whole range of skilled doctors,” Karimbhola said. ‘Save a Life’ was launched in January and according to Karimbhola, “this is the first medical outreach for them, and our mission is to continue doing this across Guyana, and hopefully we will select another community that can benefit from this huge intervention. Our principal way of executing our work is based on trustworthiness, skills and ability, treating everybody with respect, and giving them the human dignity that they deserve.” SAL is a Guyanese registered charitable organization, according to the laws of Guyana, and comprises members of the medical and nonmedical profession in communities across Guyana. Guided by the motto, “We can’t help everyone, but together we all can help someone save a life”, SAL’s mission is to: promote healthcare and wellbeing through charitable works to all regions of Guyana, providing access and sustained treatment and care; assist needy families and disadvantaged senior citizens in communities; establish alliances with other credible organizations and individuals whose goals are of similar import to SAL and support the works and initiatives of the Ministries of Public Health, and appropriate Ministries, to enhance the delivery of public goods and services in communities.
Wednesday April 18 , 2018
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Kaieteur News
Support System In Place For Certain British PM Tells Holness… Migrants Threatened With Deportation The Gleaner - British Prime Minister Theresa May has told Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness that the UK Government will ensure the correct support is in place to give people from the Windrush generation certainty about their existing right to reside in the United Kingdom. There has been mounting pressure on the British government after the Home Office indicated that it would have been seeking to deport as undocumented immigrants, people from the Windrush generation comprising migrants from British-run Caribbean countries who went to the UK as British citizens to help with its rebuilding after the second world war in 1948. During bilateral talks with Holness earlier yesterday at Downing Street in London May said she deeply valued the contribution made by the
Windrush generation and all Commonwealth citizens who have made a life in the United Kingdom. “They looked forward to the meeting later this morning with heads of delegation from Commonwealth Caribbean countries where the matter will be discussed and the Prime Minister will have further opportunity to listen to concerns,” the Downing Street Spokesperson said. At that meeting, May said, she was “genuinely sorry” about the anxiety caused by the Home Office threatening the children of Commonwealth citizens with deportation. People who went to help with the rebuilding of Britain after the World War were given indefinite right to stay in the UK until 1971 when a new law was passed declaring as illegal immigrants those who failed to get their paper
British Prime Minister Theresa May and Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness during bilateral talks at 10 Downing Street yesterday morning - Contributed photo in order.Yesterday morning, the heads of government also discussed migration and agreed that the UK and Jamaica would continue to co-
operate closely on disaster preparation ahead of hurricane season, on tackling serious and organised crime, and on health care training
and education.Meanwhile, May has indicated that there is the potential for investments in the region as the United Kingdom prepares to
exit the European Union.They reportedly agreed that the bilateral trade and investment relationship would continue to grow.The Downing Street spokesperson said during the meeting, May outlined that her government is encouraging British businesses to look more widely around the world to identify opportunities to expand and diversify trade. The spokesperson said the leaders agreed that economic development and the provision of opportunities for the many young people in the region was key to Caribbean security. They also agreed that bilateral trade and investment relationship would continue to grow. According to May, Jamaica is a key Commonwealth partner, with over 800,000 members of the Diaspora residing in the UK and over 200,000 Britons visiting Jamaica each year.
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Wednesday April 18 , 2018
Grenada to place priority on developing gas sector ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada - CMC – The Grenada governments says it will place priority on developing the gas sector here despite the island recently announcing the discovery of oil within its territorial boundaries. Energy Minister Gregory Bowen said the National Gas Company (NGC) of Trinidad and Tobago will play a significant role in developing the sector. ‘The first result has shown an abundant of natural gas, so, in the first instance focus will be on the gas because we are mindful of the impact of oil on our tourism product and that is why we will be working towards having the refining be done in Trinidad where there is an already existing infrastructure,” Bowen told reporters following the Cabinet meeting here yesterday. During the campaign for the March 13 general election, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell announced that a recent oil and gas find off the coast of Grenada had commercial value, describing the discovery as a ‘game changer’.He said then that results from preliminary assessments have shown that oil discovered in Grenada’s marine territory is of ‘huge commercial quantities. “We can now confirm that we have found oil and gas in huge commercial quantities. Grenada is now on its way to
Gregory Bowen becoming a major oil-producing country. So when we say we shall become the dominant Caribbean economic powerhouse in 10 years – this is neither pipe dream nor idle boast,” he told supporters of his ruling New National Party (NNP). Bowen told reporters that drilling was done in only one well and over the next 12 to 18 months three more wells will be drilled and the samples tested.“We just need to confirm the these three are just as abundant in gas as the first one and then move forward with doing what has to be done in the best interest of the country,” he said while explaining that royalties to the country are negotiated based on international standard regulations of between six and 10 per cent.Earlier this
month, NGC announced that it had finalised a commercial agreement with the US-based Global Petroleum Group (GPG) operating in Grenada. In 2017, GPG had undertaken exploration and appraisal activities off the south coast of Grenada, near the Patao/Dragon fields in Venezuela and North Coast Marine Area (NCMA) fields in Trinidad in mid-2017. “This agreement marks a major development in the collaboration and energy cooperation among CARICOM countries, and is an important pillar in growing and strengthening the region’s economies. The relationship between the two companies is a result of the Energy Sector Development Framework Agreement signed between the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT) and the Government of Grenada,” NGC said in a statement. NGC chairman, Gerry C. Brooks said that with the support of the Trinidad and Tobago government, the stateowned oil company would work closely with GPG and the Grenada government as the project progresses. The NGC statement quoted Brooks as indicating that the “framework agreement between the two governments will foster a partnership of mutual benefit and growth opportunities for both countries.
Grenada signs open skies agreement with United States ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada - CMC – Grenada and the United States have signed a new Open Skies Air Transport Agreement they said strengthens the civil aviation partnership between the two countries and deepens commercial and economic ties. A statement posted on the website of the US Embassy in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, said that the new agreement permits greater opportunities for airlines, travellers, businesses, shippers, airports and localities by allowing unrestricted reciprocal market access for passenger and cargo airlines to fly between the two countries and
Tourism and Aviation Minister Clarice ModesteCurwen; (left) and Stephen Frahm, Principal Officer, U.S. Embassy Grenada beyond. It said the agreement also commits both governments to high standards of safety and security. “In doing so, the new agreement will facilitate future travel and commerce between
the United States and Grenada. The agreement entered into force upon signature of both governments on April 10, 2018,” the statement said, adding that it replaced “an older”, more restrictive air transport agreement.
Wednesday April 18 , 2018
Kaieteur News
Lawyers protest want meeting with Justice Minister on court conditions
Dominican lawyers on their way to deliver letter to Justice Minister ROSEAU, Dominica CMC – Lawyers marched through the streets of the capital here yesterday to present a letter to Justice Minister Rayburn Blackmoore after complaining about the conditions of the court buildings ever since Hurricane Marie battered the island last September.“The executive and members of the Bar Association…casually walked up to deliver a letter to the Minister of Justice….basically addressing the situation at the courts,” said President of the Dominica Bar Association, (DBA) Mary Roberts.
“We are not satisfied as legal practitioners that enough has been done to bring the courts up to operation after Hurricane Maria to the satisfaction of the lawyers, the judges, members of the public who attend at the Registry. “We think that much better should be done and we think we had to make this statement this morning to deliver the letter to the Minister of Justice, he may not be aware of the situation,” Roberts said. “We have asked for the Minister to meet with us so that we can discuss our own concerns as to what the posi-
tion is with regards to opening of courts properly so that we can serve the members of the public,” said Roberts, noting that discussions with a senior public service official have indicated that the authorities are working on restoring government buildings as soon as possible. She said the Registry for example is not air conditioned, the Judge’s Chambers are not up to standard “and we are here to represent all these concerns”. She said the DBA is expecting “cordial discussions” with Blackmoore “to move things forward in a timely fashion”.
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FICA alert: Players desperate to board free-agency flight ESPNcricinfo - Young players are increasingly drawn towards becoming free agents, floating from one T20 league to another, and shunning traditional paths in order to play in international cricket. That is the headline conclusion of the first global employment report on men’s professional cricketers, released by the Federation of International Cricketers Association (FICA) last week. The report, titled ‘Shifting Landscape’, is based on responses from 300 cricketers across the world (but not from India or Pakistan, where there are no player associations). These are the key findings. Traditional employment under “significant threat” The money and exposure on offer in T20 leagues mean players are no longer beholden to national contracts,
an umbilical cord, which about a decade ago many found hard to cut. As players have evolved their game, a consequence of playing in different T20 leagues, the report states the “traditional model is under significant threat from alternative employment” options available in the “new market”. “We are seeing the beginnings of a trend in which annual contracts across all formats of the game, are being declined by players at both domestic and international level worldwide. This ‘flight of talent’ from the traditional ‘vertical’ pathway with players moving to where they are increasingly valued, and can build more lucrative careers has the potential to undermine both the quality and value of international cricket, which already sees many top play-
ers in the world not playing for their national teams on a regular basis, or at all.” “Sideways” route to free agency FICA finds that more young players are now taking a “horizontal pathway” where they travel the world year-round playing various domestic T20 leagues like the IPL and the Big Bash (the two most popular voted by the players). That offers them greater financial security and better work-life balance in the absence of a coherent international cricket structure, and is a break from the traditional “vertical pathway” in which a player graduates through a domestic system to international cricket. A growing number of players have recently opted out of national and domestic contracts. West Indian T20
Wednesday April 18, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Keep your eyes and ears open to all new possibilities, Virgo. Even if it isn't your habit to read the "Help Wanted" section of the newspaper, do so today. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) This is a good day for you to analyze information, Taurus. You have an especially acute business sense, which you should use to your advantage. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You're a conscientious, hard worker, Gemini, but today your thoughts are more on home than work. You feel especially close to your family and friends. They mean the most to you. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Today is likely to be another busy one for you, Cancer. You might have a volunteer activity in the morning and then get roped into running errands in the afternoon. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You have a strong spirit of cooperation today. It inspires you to pitch in and help others without being asked. Your romantic partner could be surprised to see you VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Keep your eyes and ears open to all new possibilities. Even if it isn't your habit to read the "Help Wanted" section of the newspaper, do so today.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Today your strong sense of nostalgia likely has you leaning toward all things old. If you do some furniture shopping, you'll be drawn to antique shops rather than contemporary stores. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) This is bound to be a wonderful day, Scorpio, as everybody seems to be in a warm and congenial mood. You and your romantic partner, in particular, are feeling especially close and connected today. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) You have much to be grateful for, Sagittarius. Why not go out tonight and celebrate with friends? Forget about work and family troubles and kick up your heels. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You're eager and optimistic today, Capricorn, which works well with your strong, capable nature. You're likely to find that things begin to click into place at work. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Today should be devoted to paperwork and getting your financial affairs and budgets in order. Once this is done, you can relax in the evening PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) All financial undertakings have good aspects today, Pisces. It could be that you have been thinking of starting a new business venture.
The cumulative number of days of international cricket stood at 427 in 2017, up from 365 in 2011. (ESPNcricinfo Ltd) stars like Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard and Andre Russell have led the way, declining national contracts. Last year Mitchell McCleneghan also opted to not take up a retainer offered by New Zealand Cricket. Recently the England pair of Adil Rashid and Alex Hales signed white-ball only county contracts. This exodus of players is steadily “creeping” up. “We are seeing younger players and those who would be in the middle of their traditional international or domestic careers choosing to leave the vertical pathway and move sideways to the free agency route. Where over recent years, the horizontal free agency market has had its most significant impact on taking players out of the traditional employment market in the less wealthy cricketing nations, where T20 league earnings comfortably surpass national contract earnings, we are now seeing the gradual creep of this pathway into all areas of the game in almost all
Edwards demolishes... From page 41 victim in the day’s fourth over.Wickets then fell steadily as Worcestershire lost their last seven wickets for just 68 runs. Edwards contributed to the swift decline, snatching two wickets in successive deliveries as Ed Barnard (4) was lbw and captain Joe Leach was caught at the wicket without scoring, leaving Worcestershire on 101 for nine. Edwards, who played 55 Tests for the Windies, was presented with his county cap before the start of play for his contributions to the club.
countries.” In the last decade a “hybrid” pathway has also opened. In this, the player has a national contract, but can enhance his earnings significantly by playing in leagues where the money on offer, the report says, “can be life-
changing.” Unhappy players According to the report, the most disgruntled players come from financially-challenged cricketing nations, which offer annual contracts that can’t compare to massive deals franchises can provide.
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Wednesday April 18, 2018
Rohit, Lewis batter Royal Challengers in imposing win ESPNcricinfo - After the match, Mumbai captain Rohit Sharma said Kishan hadn’t suffered any major injury. He said it was only swelling around the area of impact, and that he would be fine in a few days. Mumbai Indians’ first win of the season came in an imposing performance that saw them post 213 after being 0 for 2, through powerful performances from Evin Lewis and Rohit Sharma, before their spinners went against the trend of the game to tie Royal Challengers up in a steep chase. Virat Kohli made an unbeaten 92, but it was a subdued effort for most part.
It was another case of Royal Challengers’ middle order crumbling under pressure after their bowlers had struggled to keep the runs down, even with the sixth bowling option of Corey Anderson who had been brought in to replace Brendon McCullum. IMPLOSION AND EXPLOSION Apart from his return against Rajasthan Royals on Sunday, Umesh Yadav has brought his captain wickets every time he’s been given the ball. On Tuesday, he was rewarded with the brand new ball on a cloudy evening. Kohli said at the toss that the dampness and overhead
conditions had prompted him to elect to bowl, an assessment that seemed perfect after the first two balls, both of which beat the inside edge, one of a righthander and the other of a left-hander, one off the pitch another with bend through the air. But after what could have been a dramatic hat-trick to start the innings was averted, Royal Challengers could not keep the pressure on. It was a pitch that thoroughly suited Lewis’ propensity to hit on the up. Washington Sundar strayed short and wide too often in his 19-run first over, Mohammed Siraj tried too many things in his first over,
which cost 16, and in both those overs Quinton de Kock allowed wides to run past him for a bonus eight runs. Despite that first over and the sixth that went for only four, Mumbai made 60 off the Powerplay. A STRANGE METHOD Mumbai’s method was effective, but peculiar. They played 20 dot balls in the Powerplay, and would play 24 between overs 7 and 15. After Lewis got to his maiden IPL fifty with a six in the ninth over, he played and missed at two balls. At that point, he had made 51 with 42 coming off nine scoring-shots and 17 dot balls. Lewis wasn’t keen on risky singles after some mix-ups with Rohit, and the pair missed out on quite a few runs when the fielders were at the edge of the circle. Still, the scoring rate didn’t subside, compensated in plenty by sixes off every over of spin during that phase. By the time Lewis got out to a tope d g e o ff A n d e r s o n , t h e third-wicket pair had added 108 in 11 overs. GRAND FINISH Yu z v e n d r a Chahal hadn’t completed his quota twice in three games this season. On Tuesday night, that would turn into three in four. With Sundar going for 32 off his two, Kohli decided to go with four overs from Anderson. Rohit particularly enjoyed this as he produced yet another innings where a seemingly slow start was amplified into match-winning tempo - a strike rate of 120 in the Powerplay, 162 in the middle, and 239 in the slog overs. He took Anderson for 39 off 19 balls, his most productive return against any bowler, making use of the angle across him to strike predominantly through cover and extracover for the fours, and picked up big sixes over the leg side off hip-height short balls from Umesh and Siraj. For all the talk of an improved bowling line-up, Royal Challengers now have the worst economy rate in the last four overs this season, 12.49. It was that kind of profligacy that allowed Rohit, starting the final over on 80, to move within reach of a century with two balls to go. Mumbai finished with 213, with some luck at the end w h e n H a r d i k P a n d y a ’s caught-behind dismissal was controversially over-
Evin Lewis then launched Mumbai Indians’ innings with fierce leg-side swats ©BCCI
Rohit Sharma, at the other end, played text-book style shots ©BCCI turned in the 19th over, after which he smacked 17 off his next four balls. A MEEK SURRENDER Royal Challengers were never in it in the chase. Not when de Kock and de Villiers fell in the space of three balls, not through the middle overs when a brittle middle order was exposed yet again, and not during the majority of Kohli’s innings - one that took him past Suresh Raina for most IPL runs - when he showed more anger at his partners than intent to go after the bowling. After a quick start in de Kock’s company, Kohli settled for drives down the ground, nudges for ones and twos - sometimes even off full-tosses - and shots dropped pitchside. Kohli scored 32 off singles in an innings of 62 balls, with a scoring rate of six an over in the middle overs. Among all individual scores between 80 and 95 in the IPL, only one has included more singles: Kohli himself, when he made 34 out of 80 that way against Rising Pune Supergiant in April 2016. M u m b a i ’s s p i n n e r s found plenty of grip and looked altogether more menacing than Royal Chal-
lengers’ duo. Krunal Pandya’s slow pace in particular was difficult to go hard against, and in combination with Mayank Markande he shut down the batting operation in the middle overs. They went for a combined 53 off their eight overs and picked up four wickets between them. By the time Kohli decided to go after the bowling, Royal Challengers were looking at upwards of 20 runs per over with less than half their batsmen left, and although some clean, gorgeous hits came off Kohli’s blade in that phase, the match was long gone. Perhaps the most disheartening thing for Royal Challengers was the reality that the two batsmen who were brought in to fortify the middle order - Sarfaraz Khan and Anderson - made only five runs between them off seven balls. It was yet another challenge to the claim of this being their most balanced team. Scores: Mumbai Indians 213 for 6 (Rohit 94, Lewis 65, Umesh 2-36) beat Royal Challengers Bangalore 167 for 8 (Kohli 92*, Krunal 3-28, McClenaghan 2-24, Bumrah 2-28) by 46 runs.
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Russell to return to West Indies squad in fundraiser for IrmaMaria damage ESPNcricinfo Allrounder Andre Russell is set to return to the West Indies squad for the first time since he was banned for a doping-code violation in January 2017. He was named in a 13-man squad for the Hurricane Relief T20 Challenge, a charity match against an ICC Rest of the World XI. The match is being staged with the support of the MCC, ECB and ICC to raise funds to rebuild and restore five cricket venues in the Caribbean that were damaged by Hurricanes
Irma and Maria last year. The squad will be led by all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite and will also feature openers Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis. All three of them, along with Russell, are currently playing in the IPL, which is scheduled to end on May 27, three days before the charity match at Lord’s. “We welcome the return of the players who missed the Pakistan series and are delighted to recall Andre Russell to the squad, as we believe he will have a key role in our white-ball
cricket. Denesh Ramdin and Keemo Paul keep their places after encouraging performances at both regional and international level,” the chairman of selectors Courtney Browne said. Russell last played an international match in August 2016 and is currently in the middle of a productive comeback which began with him representing Jamaica in the Regional 50-over competition in February. This isn’t the first charity match being staged to raise funds to repair the damage done b y t h e t w o C a t e g o ry 5
hurricanes, Irma and Maria - the former being the most powerful recorded in the Atlantic since 2005 - which ravaged the Caribbean Isl a n d s l a s t y e a r, a m o n g other hurricanes through August and September. In October last year, Darren Sammy and Kieron Pollard had led the Caribbean Select XI and Trinidad sides in a charity match that was aimed to directly help the communities that had suffered damages. This time round, the focus will be on the major cricketing centres that were affected, with all proceeds going into their rehabilitation.
C r i c k e t We s t I n d i e s CEO Johnny Grave said: “On behalf of C W I , I ’ d l i k e to thank the players for their commitment to and support of this vital cause. We ’ r e h o p i n g t o raise a significant sum from the Hurricane Relief T20 Challenge and are very grateful to the MCC, ECB and ICC, without whom this match would not be taking place.” We s t I n d i e s s q u a d : Samuel Badree, Carlos Brathwaite (capt.), Rayad Emrit, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Ashley Nurse, Keemo Paul,
Rovman Powell, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Kesrick Williams The five major venues · R o n a l d We b s t e r Park, Anguilla - damaged in Irma · Sir Viv Richards Stadium, Antigua - temporarily converted to host refugees from Barbuda following Irma · Windsor Park Stadium, Dominica - damaged in Maria · A.O. Shirley Recreation Ground, BVI- damaged in Irma · Carib Lumber Ball Park, St Maarten - damaged in Irma
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Wednesday April 18, 2018
‘Screw’ Richmond Linden Schools U-18 Football semi-finals on today - Mackenzie High, New Silver City, Christianburg Wismar Multi, Wisburg in action It is down to the final four in this year’s 10th edition of the Edward ‘Screw’ Richmond Linden Under-18 Secondary Schools football tournament and the semifinals will be played this afternoon when
Mackenzie High School, with an unblemished record, match skills with New Silver City Secondary at 14.45hrs, while the second pits the reigning champions Christianburg Wismar Secondary ‘Multi’
against home side Wisburg at 16.15hrs at the Wisburg Secondary School ground. In the preliminary round robin group play, Mackenzie High School behind their top scorer at this stage, Kemuel
Batson, upset last year ’s winners Christianburg Wismar Secondary 2-1 and registered a 2-1 victory against Linden Technical Institute, while getting past Harmony Secondary 3-1. They face a New Silver City Secondary side who demolished the Private Schools Combined 10-0, humbled Linden Technical Institute 6-1 and lost their match against Christianburg Wismar Secondary 2-1. Their leading scorers are
Emmanuel Atkins who heads the list with six goals and Ojai Whittington with four. The defending champions Christianburg Wismar Secondary were winners over Harmony Secondary 3-1, lost to Mackenzie High 2-1 but made it through by a walkover victory over Linden Technical Institute. Their best scorer has been Mickel Adams, who has two goals. Their opponents Wisburg
Secondary, led by Joel Isaacs who has two goals, won against New Silver City Secondary 2-1, benefitted from a walkover win against the Private Schools Combined, but lost to Linden Foundation Secondary 4-0. On Friday today’s winners will play for the championship trophy and the losers for third place either at the Wisburg Secondary School ground or the Mackenzie Sports Club ground.
South Essequibo Invitational T/20 Cricket Tournament
Several teams record wins in latest action A clinical bowling display backed up by superb fielding saw Aurora Knightriders easily overcoming Invader Masters by 7 wickets last Sunday at the Golden Fleece Cricket Ground in the South Essequibo Invitational T/20 cricket tournament as several teams recorded victories in the latest round. On a cool, breezy day, Masters won the toss and decided to take first strike on a wicket with plenty of preparation moisture. Raj Parbattie (17) started off in a no-nonsense mood, but was quickly tamed by seamer Anwar Buksh who made early inroads into the Masters’ experienced batting lineup. The introduction of spinners Anand Manniram and Norwayne Fredericks orchestrated a collapse as only S. Horilall (14), L. Daniels (16) and D. Madhoo (13) got into double figures as the Masters were bowled out for 91 in 19.1 overs. Bowling for the Knightriders, Manniram ended with 4-10, Buksh 3-18, Fredericks 2-25, while the other wicket went to Saieef Ally. The Knightriders were off to a decent start with openers Deoraj Dindyal (8) and Manniram (26) putting on 39 for the first wicket. However, the spinning pair of D. Lakhan and B. Seepersaud quickly accounted for both openers. Fredericks then arrived at the crease and stroked the ball beautifully to all parts of the ground in his unbeaten 28
(2x6) (3x4). Ravi Beharry who was struck on the knee by Horilall, never looked comfortable and was soon stumped off Seepersaud for 7. However, Garfield Phillips and Fredericks ensured their team overhauled the target of 92 in 13.1 overs. Bowling for Masters, Seepersaud grabbed 2-24, while Madhoo had 1-17. At Imam Bacchus Cricket Ground in game one, the home team defeated Top Shattas by 109 runs. Batting first on a fast track and quick outfield, Imam Bacchus Sports Club piled up a daunting 188-5 in a game which was reduced to 17 overs due to early morning showers. Neiland Codogan stroked an attacking unbeaten 68, while Yougeshwar Lall and Mohendra Balbadar made 31 respectively. Bowling for Top Shattas, Tameshwar Deonarine snared 3-33. In reply, Top Shattas could only muster 79 for 8 when their overs expired with Nisan Khan 22 and D. Williams 21 getting past 20. Bowling for Bacchus Sports, L. Narine claimed 2-10, P. Parsotam 218 and R. Persaud 2-2. In the afternoon fixture at the same venue, Imam Bacchus Eagles overcame Bush Lot Trendsetters by 58 runs. Batting first, Eagles flapped their wings and flew to 138 for 3 in their 15 overs contest. D. Sookdeo made 42 and Devendra Narine 22. Bowling for the Trendsetters,
Keith Blackman had 1-30. In reply, the Trendsetters were skittled out for a modest 80 in 12 overs with only T. Benn with 18 offering some resistance. Bowling for the Eagles, Trevor Collins grabbed 3-25, D. Narine 3-26 and R. Sooklall 2-5. At Reliance Ground, Sparwin defeated Reliance Sports Club by 52 runs. Opting to bat first, Sparwin made 165 for 5 in 15 overs with K. Narine 56 and Khemchand 50 being the leading scorers. Reliance Sports Club responded with 122 for 9. Bowling for Sparwin, D. Rudolph took 3-15 and L. Narine 2-12. At Walton Hall Ground in game one, Devonshire Castle got the better of Rising Stars by 8 wickets. Taking first strike, Rising Stars shone to 110 for 7 in their 15 overs matchup. K. Lakhan made 33 and L. Rohit 26. Bowling for Castle, Avenash Persaud claimed 2-28. In reply, Castle galloped to 112 for 2 in 9 overs, thanks mainly to Persaud’s 54 and O. Harrel’s 23. Otis Roberts took 1-30. In game two at the same venue, Young Achievers defeated United Warriors by 37 runs. Young Achievers batted first and achieved a respectable 154 for 6 in their reduced 15 overs showpiece. Tameshwar Dhanpaul scored 44, Vishnu Murray 36 and S. Boodram 30. United Warriors fought hard but couldn’t win the war, eventually surrendering for 117. S.Narine made 30 and J.Persaud 25. Meanwhile, Reliance Hustlers and Golden Fleece got walk-overs from Jaguars over 40 and Queenstown respectively. The competition continues this weekend with several matches across various grounds throughout the coast.
Wednesday April 18, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Fraser-Pryce eyeing elite company on return KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Former World and Olympic champion ShellyAnn Fraser-Pryce says becoming only the fourth woman to go below 10.70 seconds in the 100 metres, is one of the major driving forces behind her return to track and field. The 31-year-old ran a personal best 10.70 six years ago and is now keen on joining the distinguished company of Americans Florence GriffithJoyner (10.49) and fellow Americans Carmelita Jeter (10.64) and Marion Jones (10.65), as the fastest women in the sport. “I haven’t achieved everything. I just think, time-wise, I believe I can dip below the 10.70 barrier,” Fraser-Pryce
told the Gleaner newspaper here. “I know I can do it. You just have to put your foot forward and commit yourself and just work hard towards it.” She added: “I have always said to myself that if they (Griffith-Joyner, Jeter and Jones) can do it, you can do it too.” The pint-sized Jamaican, affectionately dubbed the “Pocket Rocket”, missed the 2017 season as she gave birth to her first child, leading to her absence from the World Championships in London last year. However, her management announced this year she was already in training and was targeting a return by “early June.”
Fraser-Pryce said while she was under no illusions about the size of the challenges involved, she was confident of overcoming them. “A lot of persons may think that coming back from a baby is hard. Listen, every day is hard. Training itself is hard, so I am looking forward to the challenge,” she explained. “I always tell people that I was a full-time student when I first won at the Olympic
Games and I had to stay up and study. So that gave me a lot of practice to be a mom and to continue to run.” Fraser-Pryce is one of the finest female athletes of all time. She won back-to-back Olympic 100m titles in Beijing and London and has also
captured three World 100m crowns – including a sweep of the sprint titles in Moscow 2013 when she won the 200m. But with the birth of her son Zyon behind her, FraserPryce said she was already feeling the buzz of competition. “Training is good. I had
my son eight months ago, so I am back in the full swing of things,” she said. “I have had some hiccups but nonetheless, it is still wonderful. I am back to where I am supposed to be in terms of what my body is feeling. I am really excited about next year.”
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Wednesday April 18, 2018
Kaieteur News
Hand-in-Hand 3-Day Inter-County U-19 cricket
Berbice crush Demerara by 8 wickets in one & a half days By Sean Devers Although the entire second day was washed out, the second round Hand-inHand Inter-County U-19 three-day match at Lusignan ended in one and a half days as Berbice defeated defending Champions Demerara by eight wickets in the low scoring match-up with over a session and half remaining yesterday. Scores: Demerara (148 & 50), Berbice (120 & 792). The emphatic win, led by a mesmerising spell of 7-16 by Man-of-the-Match left-arm spinner Kelvin Umroa and 2-20 from offspinner Karan Arjpaul, pushed Berbice one step closer to dethroning Demerara as all they need to do in their final match from today is take first innings points against the National U-17s.Play began at 09:30hrs in overcast conditions and Berbice on 102-5 replying to Demerara’s 148, and it took the defending champions just under an hour to claim the remaining five wickets for the addition of just 18 runs. Once Kevlon Anderson was taken at leg-slip from one that bounced and turned from Off-spinner Dwain Dick after adding just six runs to his overnight 16, nobody else reached double figures. Windies U-19 World Cup left-arm spinner Ashmead
Junior Sinclair followed-up his first innings 58 with 31 yesterday. Nedd (5-54) and Dick (4-26) to followed up his six-wicket haul in the first round, bowled in tandem to befuddle the batsmen to spin Demerara to first innings points. When Demerara began their second innings with a slim lead of 28 they quickly slumped to 18-4 after opener Adrian Hinds (1) was bowled by Umroa as the inept batting display on both sides had little to do with the state of the pitch as indisciplined batting orchestrated their own demise. Windies World Cup U-19 player Bhaskar Yadram got off
the mark with a six off Anderson but failed to show the temperament required by a batsman who had played First-Cricket.When he was ninth out, off the bowling of Arjpaul his team was in danger of not reaching 50 as Umroa was virtually unplayable on a track with assistance for the spinners. Berbice needing 79 for to win in two sessions, had a solid start before both openers fell in the space of six runs with them seven runs away from consecutive victories. Algoo, one of only two
Govt. ponders reward for history-making Spencer CASTRIES, St Lucia, CMC – Sports Minister Fortuna Belrose says government is mulling over an appropriate reward for jumper Levern Spencer, who won the country’s first-ever gold medal at the Commonweath Games in Australia last weekend. Belrose said Spencer’s achievement had been a significant one for the country, communicating to the next generation of athletes the values that were necessary for international success. She told reporters here Monday government would decide on a reward for Spencer shortly. “For young people in this country, that’s the message we want to communicate; it takes time but if you work at it, if you stick to it, you can achieve the goals,” Belrose said.
St Lucia Sports Minister Fortuna Belrose. “And sport is really a great tool to demonstrate to young people, how best they can stay focused on their goals and realise it.” Spencer cleared a seasonbest 1.95 metres to win the women’s high jump and end the country’s 56-year wait for a Commonwealth Games gold medal. With her performance, she forced England’s Morgan
Lake (1.93) and Australian Nicola McDermott (1.91) into the runners-up positions. Spencer also won gold at the Pan American Games three years ago in Toronto. Belrose said such was the nature of the achievement that the entire country needed to show its appreciation when Spencer returned. “To be honest with you when she won that medal I didn’t sleep for 24 hours,” Belrose revealed. “For our country, she’s made us tremendously proud, significantly proud and I think it’s something that everybody should celebrate and when she arrives here, we all should actually go out and meet her.” Spencer had reached the podium in the two previous Commonwealth Games, claiming bronze in Delhi 2010 and again in Glasgow four years later.
batsmen with centuries in this year’s tournament, clobbered four sixes in his explosive 38 before he threw his wicket away looking to go after Sagar Hertheramani with the score
Ashmead Nedd finished with six wickets in the match in a losing cause. on 66-1. Junior Sinclair followed up first his first innings 58 with another good innings of 31 before he too threw his wicket away when he was bowled by
Nedd. Javid Karim (1) and Kevin Sinclair (8) saw their team to victory at 13:26hrs with the sun reappearing in all its glory.
Second consecutive international win for Guyana Draughts team The National Draughts Team of Guyana secured their second consecutive International wins within two weeks. One week ago they won against Taylors’ Draughts Club in Trinidad and last weekend they defeated Jo-FeWa Organisation from Suriname. President of the National Draughts Association Mr. Jiaram and tournament organizer of the Jo-FeWa Dam Bond in Suriname, Mr. Hemradj Basdewsingh organized the second invitational Goodwill game between the two countries here in Guyana. The tournament involved senior players and school children from both countries. The game was opened at the Aquatic Centre Lilliendaal where Jiaram welcomed the participants. The Guyana senior players were comprised of Jiaram, Khemraj Pooranmall, Mark Brathwaite, Ulric Brathwaite and Steve Bacchus. Ulric was defeated by P. Hardyal of Suriname, Pooranmall won against H. Basdewsingh, Bacchus took a win from P. Basdewsingh, Mark drew with P. Hardyal and Jiaram lost to H. Basdewsingh. The result reads Guyana 5 points Suriname 5 points. A tie breaker at this point was inevitable.
Jiaram choose the most informed player, Khemraj Pooranmall, from Guyana, while P. Hardyal who is the Draughts teacher in Suriname was chosen to compete in the tie breaker. A half hour on the clock was allotted for each player. Both players battled intensively to the end but the result ended in a draw. The second breaker was adjourned to be played at the Kanuku Lodge Campbelville the following evening. Again Jiaram laid his trust in Pooranmall to continue the battle. The game started at 7.10pm on another half hour each on the clock. Again both players battled, while anxious spectators from both countries looking for a breakthrough from their counterparts but the game ended in yet another draw. A ten minute each was the next breaker but Pooranmall was reluctant to take up that challenge since being a studious player found that ten minutes would be too short. However, coaxing from his captain Mr. Jiaram encouraged him to take up the challenge. The game resumed again with both players trying to beat the clock. Evenly poised, both players battled with even pieces. Brain versus brain, mind versus mind, it was late in the evening.
Three minutes to go on the clock and Pooranmall stepped up the heat. He mentally tortured the Surinamese. He sneaked through his opponent’s defence and took up the King Check. Two moves after it was all over; Guyana won. At a simple presentation ceremony both Jiaram and Basdewsingh complimented Pooranmall for his fine performance; he was adjudged best player of the tournament. In the children tournament, the Guyanese children were outmatched by the children of Suriname. The only win from Guyana came from Devendra Budhu of Campbelville Secondary School. Those involved were: - Campbelville Secondary Orlando Braithwaite, Devendra Budhu, Rayon Pollydore, Tyrese Lam and Jia Jun Zhu accompanied by games master, Mr. Gaskin. From St. John’s Secondary Marlon Bruce, Joshua Sobers and Demetre Van Sluytman accompanied games master, Mr. Downer. The National Draughts Association would like to thank the NSC for the usage of the Aquatic Centre venue, Guyana Beverage Inc. for refreshment, H. A. Snacks and Mr. Marcel Hutson CEO Ministry Of Education.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 18, 2018
Solo Under-19 Leagues
H
ikers had a productive weekend in the Solo under-19 leagues with two wins in as many matches. This performance elevates them into second position behind the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Pitbulls who also were victorious against Saints Sonics. Meanwhile, the Saints Splinters enjoyed their first win of the competition at the expense of newcomers North Ruimveldt Multilateral. Just one goal separated the Hikers from a strong St. Joseph’s Warriors challenge and with the teams locked at 0-0 for the first half of play; leading scorer of the competition, Baraka Garnett finally managed to make a breakthrough in the 25th minute to score the deciding goal which gave the Hikers a 1-0 victory. Saints Splinters scored their first goal of the competition against the lowly NR Multilateral after losing their first two matches. Leroy Geer was the player on target, scoring in the 16th and 18th minutes for Saints. The GCC Pitbulls
Hikers and Pitbulls on top following last round of play at Saints Ground
completed an unbeaten first round with a 3-1 win over Saints Sonics. After a scoreless first half, the game came alive in the first minute of the second half with midfielder Samuel Woodroffe blasting home a shot to give GCC a 1-0 lead. The lanky Malique Ferreira found the back of the GCC net six minutes later to signal that the Sonics would not go down without a fight. GCC strikers Tariq Nelson and Gianni Carpenter had the final say by scoring a goal each to give the GCC Pitbulls a 3-1 win. Hikers Hockey Club topped off a productive weekend with a 4-1 victory over Old Fort. Baraka Garnett was once again the high scorer of the match with a hat-trick, while Joash James scored the fourth goal for the Hikers. Rafael Robertson managed to pull one goal back for Old Fort in the dying minutes but it was too little too late. In the female competition the Bingo Spartans and Saints continued to dominate with both teams chalking up their second victory in as many
matches. Tournament leading scorers Abosaide Cadogan and Alana Cheung both scored twice in the match for Spartans, while Makeda Harding and Kirsten Gomes added one each in the one-sided affair. The GCC Her-ricanes did little better against Saints as the greys racked up 5 unanswered goals in their convincing victory. The promising Charlia Webb was top of the scorer’s table with two goals for Saints, while teammates Kizia Chinian, Kimberley Kenyon and Thea Heartly each scored singles. The boys table finds the GCC Pitbulls at the top of the table with 15 points followed by the Hikers with 9, Saints Sonics 7, Joseph’s Warriors 4, Old Fort and Saints Splinters 3 and NR Multilateral 0.The girls table sees the Bingo Spartans and Saints sharing the lead with 6 points each, while St Josephs and the GCC Herricanes are yet to secure points. Matches continue on Saturday and Sunday at the St. Stanislaus College ground.
Bingo Spartans midfielder Sarah Klautky takes a shot against St Joseph.
Edwards demolishes Worcestershire wickets in the first innings to end with a five-wicket match after county cap honour haul. SOUTHAMPTON, England, CMC – Ex-West Indies speedster Fidel Edwards celebrated receiving his county cap by grabbing three wickets on Monday’s final day as he helped propel Hampshire to a 196-run crushing of Worcestershire, in their opening County Championship fixture. Resuming on 59 for three
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chasing 324 at the Rose B o w l , Wo r c e s t e r s h i r e collapsed for a meagre 127 all out, with the right-armer Edwards finishing with three for 33. New-ball bowler South African Kyle Abbott finished with four for 55 to end with an eight-wicket haul in the match. The 36-year-old Edwards grabbed two
Travis Head top-scored with an unbeaten 45 from 61 deliveries while opener Daryl Mitchell chipped in with 35 but they were only two of three in double figures. Tw e n t y - y e a r - o l d nightwatchman Josh Tongue, yet to score on the resumption, made just four before becoming the first (Continued on page 35)
Leading scorer Abosaide Cadogan of the Bingo Spartans tries to escape from Akeaba Singh of St Joseph’s.
Kaieteur News
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Wednesday April 18, 2018
Guyanese founder of ‘Maxido’ Self-defense featured in movie; ‘Martialist’
M
ax Massiah, a 2nd, 3rd and 5th Dan Black belt in 3 different styles of Martial Arts, was present to witness his featured part in the movie, “MARTIALIST The decline & rebirth of Martial Arts” which premiered during the Expo 12 Kung Fu and Karate Masters of Martial Arts Demonstrations and Awards event, held at the Golden Nugget Casino in Atlantic City, USA, on Saturday April 7th. The movie received tremendous applause from the attendees, 85% of which were made up of Grandmasters and Masters of the Ancient Art, who acknowledged the movie being one of a kind due to the uniqueness of its content which included no ‘stunts men’, camera-tricks, or enhancements, but rather natural demonstrations by world-acclaimed Masters. The Guyanese (referred to as “Master Max”) said he was overwhelmed by being chosen to be implanted into
the movie, - his 5th to date, following Rainbow Rani, The Convert, Protection Game and Ankoko which will be released this year. The movie is based upon a culmination of four years of demonstrations by Masters of the various forms, styles, & techniques of Martial Arts, most of which was extracted from the annual KUNG FU & K A R AT E E X P O ; a gathering of high-calibre Masters delivering demonstrations, explanations, presentations, and information to the Martial Arts community & brotherhood. Some footage of the April 7th event can be seen on the popular TV Sports programme MAXIMUM S P O RT S C O M B AT & STRENGTH, aired Fridays at 21:00hrs on NCN TV. The programme is produced & hosted by Max Massiah who added that arrangements will be made for the movie “MARTIALIST” to be shown to the Guyanese public. Master Max Massiah is
A 60 year old female Maxido student applies a technique on a fellow student. Guyana’s (and possibly the Caribbean) most
internationally awarded Martial Artist, being the recipient of the following: * 3-time Legends of Martial Arts Hall-of-Fame (2015, 2016, 2017) awards (USA) *Action Martial Arts
Master Max Massiah. Magazine Academy Awards of Martial Arts Hall-ofHonor (2018) USA * 2-time EXPO Kung Fu & Karate Masters of Martial Arts award (2016, 2017) USA * THE 300 Masters of
Martial Arts “Gold” Category Award (Barcelona, Spain, 2017) * Certified member of the International Board of Black Belts, World Black Belt Council (Germany 2017)
GFF Elite League Season III
Western Tigers top latest points standing - New Amsterdam United in last Following the last match day of the 2017/18 season of Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Elite League at the Den Amstel Community Centre ground, Ruimveldt based Western Tigers remain unscathed at the top of the points table with narrow onepoint lead over 2nd place Fruta Conquerors Football Club. East Coast boys Victoria Kings are third with 16
points, from an identical nine matches played as Tigers and Conquerors. Defending Champions, Guyana Defence Force (GDF), are a distant fourth place with 15 points with a game in hand followed by Den Amstel with 14 points, while Buxton United FC are in sixth place with 11 points. Milerock, who have nine points from nine games
played, are also on the bottom half of the points standing during this first phase of the competition at seventh. Berbice’s Cougars FC who lost some tough games during their opening matches have managed to salvage two wins for their six points that pit them in eighth position above Ann’s Grove FC which have four points, while New Amsterdam United are last with one point.
Action between Ann’s Grove FC (Stripe) and New Amsterdam United durin the former’s 5-2 win at Den Amstel ground on Sunday.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 18, 2018
Boyce/Jefford Relay Festival and Family Fun Day Ganesh Parts and General Store became the latest sponsor of the Boyce & Jefford Relay Festival and Family Fun Day yesterday when the company handed over a sponsorship cheque to the organisation ahead of the event scheduled for Sunday at the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary. Sales Manager, Suresh Rampersaud handed over the cheque and indicated that the company is pleased to be associated with an organisation that has been contributing to the development of sports and youth in Guyana for the last decade.Ganesh Parts, the sole distributors of B r i d g e s t o n e Ty r e s i n Guyana, is a first time sponsor of the event. Other sponsors include flagship brands, Stag Beer and Heineken, I Cool Water, National Sports Commission, K&B Mining, Antarctic Maintenance and Repairs, Romano Builders, Starr Party Rentals and Jude Cycle Shop. Here is a summary of
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Ganesh Parts becomes latest sponsor
what will happen at the Eve Leary Ground on Sunday. Relays: 4x100 Females; 4x100 Males; 4x400 Females; 4x400 Males; 4x200 Mixed Relay; 4x400 Mixed Relay; Sprint Medley Females (100m,100m, 200m, 400m); Sprint Medley Males (100m, 200m, 400m, 800m); Distance Medley Females ( 2400metres ) (400m, 600m, 600m, 800m); Distance Medley Males (2800metres) (400m, 600m, 600m, 1200m); Distance 4X800 Male and Female Relay Cash Prizes of $25,000; $20,000 and $15,000 will be awarded to teams finishing first to third. Total prize money of $780,000 will be handed out in the Relay Events. Football: Five-a-side small goal football featuring eight teams. Cash Prizes: $50,000 (winner) and $25,000 (second place) + Champion and Runner-Up Trophy.Cricket: Male: Trophy Stall Masters vs. Foreign Service Association; Female: Trophy Stall Angels
Sales Manager at Ganesh Parts, Suresh Rampersaud (left) hands over the sponsorship to Chairman of the Boyce/Jefford Committee, Colin Boyce yesterday outside the Robb Street Store. vs. Mike’s Wellwoman Cash Prize: Females $50,000 (winner) and $25,000 (second place) + Champion and Runner-Up
Trophy Cycling: Devil Takes the Hinds Most (Male) and 2000m Sprint (Female) among two other races.
Cash Prizes of $25,000; $15,000 and $10,000 will be awarded to cyclists finishing first to third. Total of $200,000. Trophies will
accompany incentives. Domino: In excess of 20 teams for $250,000; $150,000 and $50,000 for first to third. MVP $10,000. Total prize money of $460,000 will be handed out in the Domino Competition. Total Prize Monies from all events: $1,600,000. Two Novelty events to be named for participating patrons. Kids Zone will feature bouncy castles, trampolines, face painting and many more attractions Four lucky patrons will go home with four impressive prizes including a microwave, $20,000 cash and the largest family will win a ‘Household Hamper’ including Ariel Soap Powder, Swinger Matches, Rage Insecticide, Hefty Garbage Bags, Trin Chloro Bleach and Squeezy compliments of Ansa McAl. Entertainment: Stereo Sonic, Selector Face and DJ Winston (Linden), Guest Boys, Stitchie One Man Band. Entrance Fee: Adults $500 and Children $200.
rt o p S Hand-in-Hand 3-Day Inter-County U-19 cricket P. 40
Berbice crush Demerara by 8 wickets in one & a half days
Hand-in-Hand’s Jesse Rahamatullah presents the MOM trophy the Kelvin Umroa at Lusignan yesterday.
Alex Algoo drives Qumar Torrington yesterday at Lusignan during his explosive innings.
Hikers and Pitbulls on top Fraser-Pryce eyeing P. 39 following last round of play at Saints Ground elite company on return Solo Under-19 Leagues P. 41
Former World and Olympic champion, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
Hikers striker Tahrea Garnett is challenged by the St Joseph’s defenders.
FICA alert: Players P. 35 desperate to board free-agency flight
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