Monday August 14, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Please give our youths something that they can strive for
President has constitutional power to stop police promotions
DEAR EDITOR, Many years ago, I mentioned to other important sources how vulnerable our poor country was to being “hoodwinked” by other nations, particularly powerful ones. So as not to offend certain sensibilities, I cannot say on what I based my deductions. But this will be ongoing for poor Guyana for years to come. May powers from on high protect our country and its people! Unfortunately, so many of our elderly financiallycapable contacts in the UK were willing at one stage to return to contribute to its progress, but on hearing of the experiences of people like myself, they decided against it. They have never regretted that decision. May we survive! Give youngsters decent values and something to strive for. Geralda Dennison
DEAR EDITOR, A letter by Cherry Devonish in KN, Thursday August 10th, 2017, under caption; “The President cannot dictate to a constitutional commission” attracts both my commendation, and my rebuke, or reprimand. As I will show in this letter both insinuations lacks merits and cannot be supported in constitutional law. But, moreover, this letter anticipates and preempts similar criticisms (but with much less reticence than that of Ms. Devonish) from a certain popular letter writer who has appointed himself the public nemesis of both the president, and the learned Attorney General. So, I argue my case that the direction given by the President to the Police service commission (Ie PSC) that “there be no consideration of promotion of members of the Guyana police force until further notice” (what I call an “appointment freeze” directive) is constitutionally permissible on the basis of the following propositions First, it is article 212(1) (and not 226(1)) whereby the function, inter alia, to appoint police officers to the rank of Assistant commissioner,
GTT’s customer incorrectly identified our Blaze High Speed Service DEAR EDITOR, Please allow us the opportunity to respond to Darshni Balac’s letter which was headlined, “GTT’s “blaze” failed to blaze for continuous days”, published in your Tuesday, August 8, edition of Kaieteur News. The writer h incorrectly implied that service the customer referred to, is our recently launched Blaze High Speed Internet service which has and continues to receive excellent reviews by those with access to the service. The fact is customer Balac’s access to the internet is done via the DSL and not the Blaze High Speed Internet which is provided via fibre. The initial interruption of customer Balac’s service on
July 16-18 resulted from the relocation of our cables in the Eccles area, at request of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, in order to facilitate their construction of the overpass. As part of GTT’s customer care protocol, we did issue a public notice which indicated both the period and reason for the outage. Service was eventually restored to the entire community at the end of the exercise. We do regret the inconvenience customer Balac has experienced and are pleased to advise that both the customer’s voice and internet services have since been restored. Allison Parker Public Relations Officer, GTT
This secret “oil trip” of five Government Ministers to Texas DEAR EDITOR, In an article which appeared in KN on August 13, it was reported that five senior ministers in the APNU/AFC Govt. are on an official visit to ExxonMobil Headquarters in Texas, USA, apparently to familiarize themselves with oil and gas matters as they relate to the development of oilfields off Guyana’s coast. The Ministers’ visit was treated as a state secret as Guyanese are usually informed prior to any overseas visit of Govt. officials and the reasons thereof. By design, however, no prior information was given to the public on this occasion. This secret visit by a large contingent of Government Ministers to the headquarters of ExxonMobil, a company with which the Government is conducting business, raises a number of troubling issues.
Firstly, Guyanese would like to know who is pickingup the expense tab for this costly group trip of Government officials since if it is ExxonMobil, conflict of interest issues evidently arises which can compromise future negotiations on such issues as revenues sharing, EPA rules enforcement, etc. Secondly, no technical professional was allowed to accompany the delegation to discuss such topics as production schedule, gas disposal, waste disposal, after the crude is separated, etc. as much of this information is not incorporated in the Contract Continued on page 6
senior superintendent, superintendent, deputy superintendent, Assistant superintendent and Inspector are exclusively vested in the PSC. So, any unbiased enquiry as to whether the President has purported to give directions to the PSC in the exercise of that PSC’s functions must necessarily begin with the questions: what are the scope and limit of that function? By sheer force of logic (temporary) appointment freeze by its very nature, selfevidently cannot be, or be understood to be, an appointment as AC, SSP, Supt., DSP,ASP, Insp. as the case may be. Pro tanto, an appointment freeze or government policy of non-appointment is not within the embrace of the term “to appoint” (article 212(1)) which embraces promotions; and, accordingly an appointment freeze is not a function of the PSC. Paradoxically, an appointment freeze (if that were the internal policy of the PSC) would be an abdication of its function to appoint; and be ultra vires (ie outside its function). Second, the PSC is NOT the employer of police officers; the Government is. The President as Head of the executive branch of
government has the sole constitutional responsibility and authority by necessary implication of constitutional law (ex necessitatelege; see articles 89 and 99 as to the President being the supreme executive authority) take such appointment freeze governmental POLICY action. This freeze is an entirely different matter from the PSC’s role as to which individual officer is, or is not appointed. I emphasize that policy is per force an indispensable incident of administration in any field of government. Police appointment is no exception. Third, in the alternative, the constitutional doctrine of executive privilege or prerogative (known also as public interest privilege) to the extent that it does not encroach on the PSC’s function to appoint in article 212 (1) (as articulated in my first proposition above); or, is not inconsistent with any provision in the Police Act, Cap. 16:01 authorizes and validates the President’s appointment freeze action. (as to the residue of these privileges in our legal system see section 22 of the Civil Law of Guyana Act Cap. 6:01) Fourth, the question of constitutional law as to whether an appointment
freeze action is one within the meaning and ambit of the term “to appoint”; or, is one of permissible governmental policy within the survival or residue of the doctrine of executive privilege, is a NOVEL one for ultimate judicial clarification by the Caribbean Court of Justice (on which opinions may well be divided). Until such clarification, the President’s action attracts a presumption of regularity; and it appears to have constitutional soundness, (sections 16 & 29 of the IGCA, Cap 2:01 as to the construction of provisions as to functions, offers no insight as to the approach to this novelty). Fifth, the wording and/or scheme of the constitution itself recognize that both the executive government; and the autonomous PSC have respective functions touching and concerning (potential) appointees. In interpreting and considering the counterpart provision in the Trinidad Constitution in relation to its Police service commission, this is what the Privy Council in the constitutional case of Thomas V. Attorney General (1981) 32 WIR 375 at page 386 said relevantly: “In discussing … the division of Continued on page 6
The ‘green monsters’ are set to return DEAR EDITOR, From all appearances the ‘Horrible Green Monster’ seems to be getting ready to rear its ugly head again. And by this I mean that the infamous parking meter albatross appears to be getting set for an unwelcomed return to the streets of our beloved capital. Let me say from the very outset, and from the perspective of the vast majority of citizenry, that our position has not changed an iota. Indeed if anything we are now even stronger and more resolute in our opposition to the deployment of this dastardly imposition. The suspension and review by a ‘Kangaroo
Committee’ consisting of handpicked members of the very Council that imposed this millstone around the necks of our motorists, is nothing more than a sham and mockery of the concerns expressed and indeed, is just simply double jeopardy. Were the citizens not entitled to the review process being undertaken by a competent, independent and impartial committee? It should be noted that the review process and the submission of the findings are equally shrouded in secrecy and mystery as the as the original and scandalous arrangements were. Apparently the Georgetown Municipality just cannot be
transparent, forthright and accountable to the citizenry. But even more egregious is the media report that the findings have been handed over to the Mayor and Town Clerk for them to study. How in the world could the Mayor who is a retired nurse and the Town Clerk whose forte is communications and public relations be expected to examine, evaluate and pronounce on these findings when they both lack the legal, technical and administrative capacity, competence and experience to pronounce on parking meters. Indeed even the committee that undertook the review sorely lacks the wherewithal to properly
understand the ramifications of and to articulate positions on the parking meters. It is time for this parking meter nonsense to be stopped once and for all by the government, by interested stakeholders and the public at large. The Councilors time would be better spent ordering the Town Clerk on his long overdue vacation leave that he is refusing to proceed on for reasons best known to him, and in examining ways of reducing the Council’s enormous, excessive and unnecessary expenditure in order to dig themselves out of their perennial state of bankruptcy. Mateo Phelepe
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Kaieteur News
Monday August 14, 2017
Where is the 1,000 strong This government is wandering in the political wilderness Green Volunteer Force? DEAR EDITOR, Could someone advise of what has happened to the ‘Green Volunteer Corps’ the (GGVC) that was registered under the M&CC and overseen by the Council under the stewardship of the Town Clerk that formed a while back by the then Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) by then Mayor Hamilton Green; then Deputy Mayor, Patricia ChaseGreene, and Town Clerk, Royston King. We w e r e t o l d a t i t s launch that the Green Volunteer Corps which was going to be 1000 strong and purportedly financed by the business community, was going to bring about change to the Garden City, would have received identification material including teeshirts and hats and cards. Was this another failed
project by the Georgetown Municipality like the three day Green Conference and Expo held on the Independence Ground in 2015 that turned out to be a dreadful flop, was it an initiative that the Council enthusiastically started up but like so many other things was unable to sustain, or was it just a con job to seem to be in sync with the President’s Green Agenda? And what about the 1000 tree planting initiative, the other plans for making impressive strides in Georgetown toward ecofriendliness, for helping our over 200,000 residents live better, greener lives? Cities around the world are identifying ways of making their environment healthier and more livable through the improvement of air, water and land, but in
Georgetown all that is happening is talk, talk and more talk by Patsy and Roy. Instead Georgetown is becoming better known for sprawling slums and polluted drains, deteriorating and unsafe buildings, chaotic traffic that cannot be corrected by the implementation of a draconian and illegal parking meter system and considerable air pollution. Why don’t Patsy and Roy get out of their fancy luxurious gas guzzling sports utility vehicles and use bicycles to commute to work and to move around the city? That would cause them to see firsthand the distress and misery being experienced by the citizens, it would help to reduce greenhouse gases and would be a first step greening the city. Anu Bihari
President has constitutional... From page 5 functions between the Governor – general and the Police Service Commission in relation to what in the constitution is called the “police force” … the functions of the Police Service Commission falls into two classes: ( 1) to appoint officers … including their transfer and promotion … and in respect of any matters not dealt with by legislation ( whether primary or subordinate) it is for the EXECUTIVE to deal with in its contract of employment with the individual police officers …”. The main point here, is that this dictum is a clear refutation of some misconceived notion that the executive ( headed of course by the President ) has no function whatsoever in relation to police officers because of article 226 (1). That is an utter fallacy. And as I see it, the minister of State’s letter to the PSC was in substance and intent a
NOTICE of the exercise by the President of his residual function/power to effect an appointment freeze. Broad policy directives of a nondiscriminatory nature and as the PUBLIC INTEREST requires is the privilege of any government of the day. The Service Commissions were never intended to operate in isolation or immunization from such public interest incidents; but rather within these parameters. A freeze on ALL appointment (en bloc) is in no way discriminatory, and is not directed to any particular individual officer; and accordingly, it cannot rationally be argued that any such omnibus freeze negates the whole beneficial constitutional purpose of the autonomous PSC: to insulate individual officers from political influences (for better, or worst). Nor, in the circumstances can there be (by any critic) any condescension to particulars of any Kind to show how the
This secret “oil trip” of... From page 5 Agreement between the Govt. and ExxonMobil which continues to be a state secret. The APNU/AFC Govt. should be transparent and inform the people as to the reasons for this visit of five of its most senior ministers to ExxonMobil Headquarters in the USA, the topics which were discussed and the agreements which were made, if any. This will assure Guyanese in no uncertain way that the Government is not, “hand in glove” with ExxonMobil, a company which will soon be a large generator of much of its revenues. After all, Guyanese should the conscious of the sharing and disappearance of oil extraction revenues by large overseas companies operating in Nigeria, Angola, Sudan and elsewhere in the world. Charles Sohan
alleged unconstitutionality has happened. Was President Granger tending to, or purporting to direct or instruct the PSC as to which individual officer should, or should not be appointed? Plainly NOT. Sixth, the local analogous case of Teemal V. Guysuco in which the Guyana court of Appeal rejected an argument that the employer (Guysuco) could unilaterally vary its contract of employment with its workers by imposing a government “wage freeze” directive, is no authority for arguing that President Granger has no authority to effect an appointment freeze. That case was decided on private law of contact principles. In this matter we are in the sphere of constitutional law (ie public law contract). No police officer has any constitutional/statutory vested right to be appointed; and besides by the constitution itself the President in the exercise of his (executive) functions, in this type of matter, acts in accordance with “his own deliberate judgment” (article 111(1)),as to what is best in and for the overriding public interests, including but not limited to, the overarching public interest matter of the safety and security of the Head of State (a matter of which there is no greater national security concern and significance). And, national security is no function of the PSC. It is exclusively a function of the Executive. Maxwell E. Edwards Attorney-at-Law
DEAR EDITOR, Recently the Diaspora hosted a conference at the Princess Hotel. The President, David Granger, was the opening speaker. I did not attend the conference. I have lived overseas for many years and was almost tempted to attend. But then I asked myself, “For what?” The mere premise of the conference – at least this is the belief of those like me who did not attend – is that those from the Diaspora have to appear to be organized, in order to convince the Granger administration that we can be called upon to assist the country. That in itself is what irks me. I can bet that most of the persons gathered at that conference are among those who would have been a part of the massive brain drain that has taken place in Guyana over the last 40 years. I can grantee that with the drop of a hat, a collection of those gathered at that convention could take over and run the affairs of Guyana with substantially more precision, transparency, and progressiveness than anything we have witnessed over the last 24 years. And surely what we have seen over the last 17 or so years. Most of the persons who were gathered there are professionals with pedigree attested to from reputable institutions of higher learning. Many of those in attendance were people who have achieved their knowledge and wealth at
standards that are measured by international values. In other words, they were no flyby-night, Johnny-comelately, political lackeys. They are professionals who remained in touch with Guyana and Guyanese matters and they are desirous of returning (some have already returned), to help. It is a crying shame that, after all the campaign promises by the Granger-led opposition, the folks who in large part funded their political aspirations, volunteered their time and helped guide them to their upsetting victory, now have to grovel, hat-in-hand, for a seat at the table. Mr. Granger should be embarrassed. The organizers of the event and those who attended must have had to hide their mortification and frustration at the current administration. Here they were, huddling and discussing matters that they could regurgitate at the drop of a coin. Forced to do this because a power-hungry government is refusing to engage the mental capacities of those to whom they looked, while they were wandering in the political wilderness. Where is the diaspora ministry or outfit? Where is the point person/s to whom the citizens of the Diaspora could communicate, to register their expertise and areas of specialties? In other words, where is the fulfillment of the promises made to the overseas Guyanese just prior
to the 2015 elections? Not many people will ask those questions because the notion is that if you speak out, you will NEVER get a leg in. It is here that the saying rings true; a promise is a comfort to a fool. The United Republican Party (URP) is opened to the assistance from those of the diaspora. We would welcome your assistance as we seek to change the developmental trajectory of this dear country of ours. Politics will dictate that come 2019 many overtures will be made to the Guyanese residents abroad. Apologies will flow like the Kaieteur and excuses will be plentiful. But it would take a real foolhardy person to believe that the current administration is willing to subject itself to the kind of transparency, progressive, objective thinking that those from the diaspora bring. After observing the PPP for 23 years and now Coalition for the last twoyears, if the overseas Guyanese are really thinking of helping Guyana out of its political, racial, crime ridden, quagmire, then it would be better for them to form their own party, or join one that is yet untainted by the blight that has infected our career politicians. The URP welcomes any Guyanese who would like to assist in bringing about a real political change in Guyana. Can we do it? Yes we can! Dr. Vishnu Bandhu Leader, URP
Arguments in favour of overseas... From page 4 must move on from. We must stop complaining and crying about ethnic voting—it is stale. People vote interests, not issues. If people vote their ethnic interests, they are merely seeing issues through ethnic lenses. If people don’t vote along ethnic lines, they will choose some other interest—maybe gender or class or region or generation. What makes these other interests less destructive than ethnic interests? If we return to overseas voting we would be granting rights to Guyanese living abroad. Since when fear of fraud and ethnic voting are disqualifications from voting at elections? If the colonials had said that they were withholding the franchise from Guyanese because of fear that we would have ethnic voting or that there would be fraud, where would we be today as a country? The other complaint about denying overseas
voting is the other stale retort that if people don’t pay taxes in a country they shouldn’t vote in that country. Guyanese overseas remittances amount to an average of over US400 million dollars per year— approximately 20 percent of our GDP. If that’s not akin to taxation, I don’t know what is. In fact, that amounts to much more than if they were paying taxes in G u y a n a . A n d l e t ’s n o t forget that there are many Guyanese living in Guyana that do not pay income taxes simply because they
don’t earn an income. So, should we deny them the right to vote? I agree that when we have to confront big issues like overseas voting, there must be extensive discussions and our collective fears must be taken into consideration. I am also conscious that the political parties would not touch this issue unless they are convinced that it would bring electoral advantage to them. But, we must begin to grow up politically and in the process, muster the courage to look at old initiatives in new ways. David Hinds
Monday August 14, 2017
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Kaieteur News
COI into alleged plot to Man who killed 17-year-old wife likely to be charged for wounding ex-lover assassinate Pres. Granger has potential to ruin careers - Ramkarran Veteran politician and former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran has his reservations about the ongoing Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the alleged plot to assassinate President David Granger. He is of the opinion that the Guyana Police Force should not be targeted this way as it is the “first and last” line of defence for Guyana. Further, Ramkarran said that the ongoing investigation has the potential to ruin the careers of members of the Force. Ramkarran’s views are reflected in his latest column published on his website, www.conversationtree.com. In that piece, Ramkarran noted that the public has been gripped over the past few weeks by the evidence which has been emerging from the COI. He noted parts of the COI’s Terms of Reference (TOR) which states, “The Commission will review all actions taken by the Guyana Police Force and examine whether there was evidence of failure, neglect or omission to thoroughly or properly investigate the intention or plan to assassinate the President and determine whether such failure or omission was intentional…The Commission of Inquiry will also seek to determine whether any person and, in particular, officers of the Guyana Police Force had any information before and after reports were made of the plan to assassinate the President and whether any such officers communicated that information to a superior authority.” Also, Ramkarran noted that in responding to concerns raised by the Opposition, Minister of State Joe Harmon is reported to have said that COIs are used by the administration to ‘ferret out information, which would not necessarily be made available during regular investigations.’ Ramkarran said that it was also reported that the COI ‘would address among other things the police’s investigation of the case.’ “In any event, the TOR suggests that there will be an investigation of the investigators, which must address whether there has been a dereliction of duty or failure to properly investigate the matter.” With that being said, Ramkarran stated that it is not known what motivations were behind the decision to hold a public, as opposed to a pri-
Former Speaker of National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran vate, inquiry. “I am not suggesting that there might have been anything sinister. But I would have thought that the danger of a public inquiry of undermining the investigators in the eyes of the public would inevitably be the consequence of a public inquiry in view of the TOR.” The former Speaker said that an internal investigation by an external agency such as the COI, utilizing the same or similar procedures applicable to a public inquiry, might have served to elicit the same information, while at the same time protecting the Police Force. Ramkarran noted that the Guyana Police Force, particularly the Criminal Investigation Department, depends on confidentiality in relation to its methods and practices. Where these are exposed it can compromise future investigations. Ramkarran even raised the question about police methods being compromised. He said, “Those with a criminal bent are certainly paying attention to learn all they can about police methods.” He continued, “Apart from this, it is not clear why it is necessary to parade witnesses from outside the investigating team, and who may not have training as investigators, to publicly chastise investigators and even the Commissioner on tangential issues.” Ramkarran noted that the Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud, gave evidence, “no doubt to defend himself against allegations.” Ramkarran said that it does not appear that the allegations made against Commissioner Persaud related directly to the investigation of the alleged assassination plot, but to the propriety of him requesting the release of the brother of the person under investigation, Imran Khan, who was held for disorderly behavior, and whether he read the file relating to the matter. Further, Ramkarran said
that Crime Chief Wendell Blannum also gave evidence “and gave a good account of himself. “The Crime Chief does not court the press, but every time he comes under public scrutiny, his reputation soars.” Ramkarran said that Blannum “spoke truth to power and was quite clear that the story of the complainant, Andriff Gillard was ‘inherently incredible.’ Based on legal advice, he viewed the information obtained as ‘tenuous’ and not sufficient to base legal charges. Blannum expressed satisfaction with the investigation. “The Crime Chief has been rightly praised for his work in the past. The results show that he is one of the most successful Crime Chiefs in recent memory. Even though Guyana still lives in fear of crime, there would be much public concern if there is second guessing of the work of the Crime Chief.” Ramkarran noted that former Justice of Appeal Claudette Singh, Senior Counsel, who is the Police Legal Adviser will assist the COI. He said however that it is not known whether Singh will give evidence. “But it appears that she advised that no charge be brought. This is not surprising, having regard to the evidence, which came out in the COI, that the Police had evidence that Andriff Gillard was making up the story. With such conflicting evidence in the Police file, there would have been no hope of a conviction. In fact, based on their investigations, according to the evidence of Corporal Keion Benjamin, the Police concluded that Andriff Gillard should be charged for giving false information to the police.” Ramkarran wrote that the public waits anxiously for the conclusion of the COI as to whether the investigation was adequate or not and, if so, in what areas the Criminal Investigation and Operations Departments fell down. “If such is the finding, the COI might also wish to tell us what would have been achieved if the investigation had been more thorough, having regard to the evidence by and in relation to, Andriff Gillard and the independent evidence that his story is false.” The former Speaker said, “Investigations such as these ruin careers. Let us hope that the Police Force and its able and dedicated officers survive unscathed. High though the crime rate, they are our first and last line of defence.”
Ryan Singh Police have taken a statement from 22-year-old Aszeema Khan who was allegedly stabbed multiple times by Ryan Singh, the man accused of killing his17-year-old common-law wife two weeks ago. Kaieteur News was informed that once there is enough evidence, Singh who was captured last week Wednesday in Suriname could be charged for the brutal 2015 attack, which has left the victim badly scared. He is also expected to be charged with the murder of his common-law wife, Rosanna Lakhpal. Khan almost died on Valentine’s Day in 2015, after she was allegedly attacked by Singh, who is presently in police custody for killing Lakhpal on July 29 at No.2 Village East, Canje Berbice. Alli’s relatives said that she and Singh, who is said to be in his late twenties, had been involved in a relationship while she was a 14-yearold school girl. They never lived together. A relative related that Alli
Brutally stabbed: Aszeema Alli
MURDERED: Rosanna Lakhpa
was very secretive about her relationship with the older man and they only learnt that he was in the habit of abusing her after the Valentine’s Day stabbing, which has left her with several scars and limited mobility in one of her hands. On February 14, 2015, Alli and Singh got into a heated argument over someone she was texting on her mobile phone. The incident reportedly occurred during a party at his home, shortly after Singh had allegedly lured Alli into a room and tried to force himself on her. Alli reportedly told her lover that she was seeing someone else. He reportedly punched her to the face, and after she fell, drew a knife and began stabbing her to her neck, chin, face, back and other parts of the body. Based on reports, Alli only survived because her brother-in-law
intervened. She has been reportedly living in fear since the ordeal and has been contacted by Singh on more than one occasion for the year. The other victim, Rosanna Lakhpal, had reportedly eloped with Singh while she was a student at the Berbice Educational Institute. The teen and Singh then returned to her mother’s house at East Canje, Berbice. It was here Singh’s allegedly killed her, two days after he was evicted from the home. Her body, with throat slit, was found covered with sheets in the hall of the apartment she and the unemployed man lived. The teenager worked as a baby sitter. The couple was said to be involved in frequent fights and arguments over Singh’s drug habit and unemployment.
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Monday August 14, 2017
Kaieteur News
AHI to move forward with Marriott’s Entertainment Complex - As Privatization Unit determines best way to divest hotel
AHI Board Member, Larry London By: Kiana Wilburg Public tenders will be rolled out in the next few weeks for the construction of the Entertainment Complex and Casino of the Marriott Hotel. This is according to Larry London who sits on the board of Atlantic Hotel Inc. (AHI). AHI is the special purpose company that was established to manage the Chinese built Marriott Hotel. London said that since the Government is handling the hotel’s debt, moves can now be concentrated on completing the Entertainment Complex. London said, “The Entertainment Complex is the cash cow. In a few weeks, we will be putting out tenders for someone who will be willing
The Marriott Hotel
Junior Finance Minister, Jaipaul Sharma to build and operate the centre in conjunction with us (the AHI Board).” While there is some US$11M that can be accessed from Republic Bank Trinidad for the completion of the Entertainment Complex, the AHI official said that the board would not be going this route. Instead, AHI would be looking for someone who can bring their own funds to the table. The AHI official also confirmed that there are already expressions of interest by four persons in this regard. Once the casino and entertainment complex gets up and running, London said that AHI would then take over the repayment of the Marriott loans which are now being handled by the government. As for the future of the
Hotel, London said categorically that the intention of the Government is to divest the structure. He believes that this is likely in the next four years. Junior Finance Minister, Jaipaul Sharma also confirmed to Kaieteur News last night that government intends to divest the hotel. Sharma, who is also a member of the Cabinet subcommittee on the hotel, said that the matter has been transferred to the Privatization Unit for advice. He said it was sent to there to determine the best way to divest the hotel. The Junior Finance Minister also sought to explain that selling the hotel is not as easy as ABC. He said that the previous government has tied the nation to a most unfavourable and technical
Management Agreement with the Marriott International brand. He said that anyone interested in buying the hotel would have to take it with the Marriott brand. The purchaser would not be able to change the name of the hotel, since Guyana signed on to a contract that would inhibit this for the next 30 years. Additionally, Sharma explained that even if the Government wants to sell shares, the Marriott International brand can have a say in that process. He said that the brand owners can object to it being sold to owners of competitive hotels such as the Pegasus Hotel. It has been over two years since the coalition administration has been in office and it is still unable to remove itself from the Hotel. In the mean time, the Government has taken the decision to repay the loan for the hotel. Government is forking out about $40m a month to meet the loan payments to Republic Bank Trinidad. The Government was also faced with finding US$4M to do necessary repairs needed on the Chinese built structure. Several critics have since lashed out at the government, stating that $40m could go a long way in providing services and catering for infrastructural projects which the nation is in need of. These include bridges in some communities, schools in far-flung areas and better health care services in the hinterland regions of Guyana. One prominent businessman who spoke with Kaieteur News recently indicated that he was disappointed to learn that the Government is servicing the Republic Bank loans for the hotel. The official said that what he finds damning is the fact that the nation is only now learning of Government’s decision to take on the pay-
ment of the loans. The businessman said that the Government should have been open with its people on this matter from the time it chose to take such a course of action. The entrepreneur also pointed out that when one considers that the hotel is unable to make enough of a profit to cover its maintenance fees and even meet the repayment of its loans, it underscores the fact that it was and still remains a project that is not viable. The businessman said, “The government made a promise when it was in opposition to get rid of it and so far we have seen no effort at all to get rid of it. Taking over the hotel loans is really a subsidy to the Marriott…” The entrepreneur said that it would be wise for the Government to cut their losses now and sell the hotel. He insists, too, that the Government should submit financial the statements for this company as soon as possible. The decision by Central Government to take on the payments needed for the Marriott Hotel has contributed to the increase of the nation’s overall external debt. This is according to the Ministry of Finance. In its half year report, the Ministry said that the external debt stock increased by 5.0 percent, from US$1,143.5 million at end June 2016 to US$1,200.7 million at end June 2017. The Finance Ministry said that this was due to a number of reasons. In this regard, it was explained that Guyana's external debt increased as a result of the decision taken by the Government, in April 2017, to transfer the Atlantic Hotel Inc. (AHI)’s financial obligations to Republic Bank Limited (Trinidad) to the Central Government. This is due to AHI’s inability to meet the repayment. AHI is the owner of the Guyana Marriott Hotel
Georgetown. One of the shareholders in the Hotel is the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICI). According to its head, Horace James, the new Board for AHI has been receiving unsolicited requests from persons who are interested in the construction of the Marriott’s Entertainment Complex and the benefits that might bring. With this in mind, James said that the board is currently working out how they are going to deal with that in terms of advertising and construction of the complex. James said, “But Marriott International is managing the hotel. There is a contract between AHI and the International brand for that. In terms of the loans, the hotel is not making money to service the loans. In fact, the Government has to pay US$1.2M every six months.” The official said that while this cost should have been handled by AHI and or NICIL, the latter simply does not have the money. He stressed that “NICIL cannot stand on its own two feet”. James said, “So the government is helping out both AHI and NICIL. Marriott can become profitable but I don’t think it should really be a government owned institution. That is why I think government is looking and will continue to look for a model to sell the whole thing or some shares in it…” The hotel was birthed by the previous Government but there were questions about the risks involved and the financing structure which give control to private investors despite Government spending the bulk of the monies. The 197-room hotel was completed are more than US$50M with real cost for lands and other concessions estimated at more than US$80M, critics of the project say.
Monday August 14, 2017
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Kaieteur News
The end of Caribbean athletic dominance The IAAF World Championships 2017 which concluded in London yesterday may have marked the decline of Caribbean Track and Field performance.
The failure of the Jamaicans, in particular, in track events which they had previously dominated is a sure signal that fortunes of the Caribbean in international athletics are
DEM BOYS SEH
on downward curve. The spotlight was naturally on the farewell performance of Usain Bolt, arguably the world’s greatest athlete ever. He showed why it is important for athletes to
ExxonMobil gun be de last straw to bruck Guyana back One man tell dem boys everything comes to you at the right time. Be patient and trust in de process. Dem boys agree wid that saying to a point. But dem would only be patient and place trust in a process if is something that de Man above directing. Dem wouldn’t put dem trust in any man much less politicians. Dem been around this world too long. Dem see too many things and dem learn from these things. Guyana process nuff people who come in de country and promise nuff things. Barama come and promise dem de moon and de stars. That company disappear from Guyana and people still waiting fuh see de moon. And de only star people seeing is wha de teacher tick off in dem li’l children book. BaiShanLin come and promise heaven and earth. If wasn’t fuh de Waterfalls paper dem woulda carry de whole earth and lef Granger praying to de heaven fuh leh dem bring back something. Dem Canadian gold companies
come and promise gold and diamond fuh everybody. De only people who wearing de gold is dem who live in Canada. Dem Australians come and promise Guyanese so much that de people would walk up to de sky pun a gold and diamond highway. De country can even get a gold independence ring fuh Soulja Bai. Two Russian bauxite companies come and promise to tun round de industry. Dem tun round de place till Linden deh close to de Venezuelan border in de North West and North West deh wheh Linden suppose to deh. Dem boys seh de Americans come now fuh oil and dem promise everything under de moon, de sun and de stars. Dem even promise Guyana things from below de sea. Dem boys seh by de time ExxonMobil done wid Guyana nobody wouldn’t have eyes to see. That gun be de last straw that bruck de camel back. Talk half and hope Guyana wake up.
MP, Region Ten body collaborate on organic food project
Members of the Region Ten Shade House Cooperative Society and Member of Parliament, Jermine Figueira (centre of back row) pose for a photograph with their new tools. Member of Parliament Jermine Figueira and the Region Ten Shade House Cooperative Society have collaborated on a project which aims to ensure that citizens of Linden have access to food that is of an organic nature. The Parliamentarian said that this initiative is in keeping with President David Granger’s vision of food security in each of the regions. Figueira said, “Each community has its own potential customer base and those people will buy the product as long it is of a good quality, standard and more over if it’s organic. It is my hope that this will have a ripple effect to encourage others to join in to ensure we have the best food to feed our people while at the same time making money and creating employment opportunities for the residents
within each constituency.” The Lindener said that the Shade House movement has a number of opportunities for niche-market products. He said that the members of the cooperative society have the experience and the know-how to assist and collectively, they will work to realize the vision of food security one shade house at a time. To kick start the project, members of the movement were given farming tools which included; cutlasses, hoes, spades, forks, files, pick axes, long boots, and tools sets. The Parliamentarian said that these were all make possible by the Food for the Poor Organization and Mrs. Eslene Shockley of Caring For Others which is based in the USA.
know when to leave the world stage. He went to races beyond what he should have gone and was soundly defeated, to the point, by his own standards, of being humiliated. In one of the weakest 100 meters fields ever in a World Championship, the World and Olympic record holder came lamely out of the starting blocks and could never turn on the boosters in time to finish better than third. His relay performance effectively sounded his retirement gong, when back in the field in the 4 x 100 meters relay, he found himself back in the field and pulled up with cramps. Cramps or no cramps, he was never going to do better than a third place. Usain Bolt, over the past 11 years had come to symbolize Caribbean athletic
dominance. He belonged to an era during which Jamaica, the Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago, produced a number of world and Olympic Champions, both male and female, at the individual and in team races. That era has ended. In 2015, Jamaica was commanding in the World Championships held in Beijing, China. Jamaica tied with the Kenyans for the most gold medals (7). They won a total of 12 medals at those championships, third only to the USA which had a total of eighteen including six gold, and Kenya, which had 15 medals including seven gold. In comparison, the Jamaicans could only manage a quarter of what they achieved in Beijing. They only secured four medals of
which only one was gold. Trinidad and Tobago, an emerging start in world athletics only managed two, one of which was gold in a fantastic display in the men’s 4X 400 meters final. Bahamas, another of the Caribbean’s top sporting nations also underperformed. Kirani James’s injury and the shock defeat of Elaine Thompson, have raised serious doubts about the future of Caribbean athletic supremacy. On the other hand, the Americans have brought out a new crop of athletes so that when some of their big name athletes leave, the reserves Continued on page 11
Monday August 14, 2017
Kaieteur News
President overstepped authority in directing PSC to halt police promotions the GECOM Chairman. At least three officers - CHRISTOPHER RAM summoned to the
President David Granger
Anti-corruption advocate and lawyer, Christopher Ram
President David Granger is totally out of order. He has overstepped his boundaries, violated the Constitution and needs to be stood up to. That’s the opinion of Attorney-at-Law Christopher Ram, in response to reports that President Granger has directed the Police Service Commission (PSC) to halt promotions for members of the Guyana Police Force “until further notice.” In the letter from the Office of the President, dated July 26, addressed to the Commission’s secretary, Marvalyn Stephens, Minister of State Joseph Harmon said that President Granger had “directed that there be no consideration of promotions for members of the Guyana Police Force by the Police Service Commission, until further notice”. Chairman of the PSC, Omesh Satyanand, confirmed that the letter was sent to the secretary and it came up at a meeting. Ram told Kaieteur News yesterday that President Granger “has no authority to send any such letter and the Commission,” and the Commission should not heed the directive. He even
suggested the course of action in response to the letter. “The Commission should respond to the letter and make the point that the President is completely out of order in sending such a letter…” OMINOUS Ram said that the incident cannot be examined in isolation. He said that Guyanese have to prepare themselves and understand that if such actions are not addressed there will be more to come. “This sends a very disturbing signal,” Ram said. Ram said that President Granger is acting as though he is above the Constitution which is the supreme law of the land. The attorney stressed that such actions by a President “is a very dangerous trend to begin or to continue.” “I think it does not auger well for matters like Constitutional reform, which is being talked about, when the president shows such disregard to the Constitution; particularly in the context of previous comments, for example, the ones he made in relation to the appointment of
Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the alleged assassination plot were on the list to be promoted. These officers include Assistant Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken, for the post of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Crime Chief Senior Superintendent Wendell Blanhum for Assistant Commissioner and Assistant Superintendent, Head of Major Crimes Unit, Mitchell Caesar, to Deputy Superintendent. These officers were called to testify at the ongoing COI for the role each of them played in the investigation of the allegation made by Andriff Gillard, that businessman, Nizam Khan, attempted to recruit him to kill the president. The COI was ordered after it was reported that the investigation was poorly done. As the modus operandi of the Guyana Police Force is being examined at the COI, the president wrote to the Police Service Commission (PSC) and asked that all promotions be halted until further notice. Other officers on the promotion list include Assistant Commissioner, Nigel Hoppie to Deputy Commissioner and Senior Superintendent E. Thomas to Assistant Commissioner. From Deputy Superintendent to Superintendent: G. McAllister, R. Banwarie, R. Ali, L. Saul, G. Davis, C. Johnson, H. Winter and R. Martin. Assistant Superintendent J. Barker and S. Reid were listed to be promoted to Superintendent. The leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo in a statement said that the letter is another “vulgar and authoritarian” attempt by the President to trample upon the independence and functional autonomy of a Constitutional agency.
The end of Caribbean athletic... From page 9 would have already acquired a formidable international experience and reputation. The Americans were far superior to any other nation at the World Championships 2017. They ended with a staggering 30 medals, dwarfing even the mighty Kenyans. The decline of Cuba in world track and field and now Jamaica means that the Region has reason to worry. It was Jamaica which had picked up the baton from Cuba, long considered, the Caribbean’s track and field colossus. Cuban supremacy dipped in conjunction with its
economic fortunes. It no longer produces athletes of the pedigree of the great Alberto Juantorena, Silvio Leonard or Anier Garcia. Jamaica’s decline, as evident in this year’s world championships means that regional athletic supremacy has come full circle. Cuban athletic dominance was based on state-support of sport. When that support declined, the international performance dipped appreciably. Jamaica’s
sporting dominance was a result of investments which were made in providing its young stars with international exposure. That formula has now run its full course. Sporting supremacy tends to come in waves. Jamaica’s big splash is over. The Caribbean’s moment in the sun is over. With Caribbean cricket at an all-time low and with Bolt retiring regional fans, as well as those in the Diaspora, are likely have little to cheer about for a long time.
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Monday August 14, 2017
Kaieteur News
Guyana Shop aims to promote local products overseas
The Guyana Shop is located on the ground floor of the GMC building The Guyana Shop which operates out of the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) building on Robb and Alexander Street, Georgetown is looking to promote local products in the regional and international markets. The Guyana Shop’s mandate is to promote local products and sensitise the public on local products. This is done in many stages, including through street fairs or taking part in international trade fairs. Manager of the Guyana Shop, Kevin Macklingam said that all the advertising done for the local agro-processors is free. “We don’t charge them because that is part of our job.” He said that the Guyana Shop is the only place where such a large volume of local products can be found. Macklingam explained that at GMC, greater focus is placed on non-traditional products. “The traditional is rice and sugar. Anything besides rice and sugar, we are there; be it plantain chips, tamarind balls, pepper sauce or seasoning.” He said that the shop also sells a variety of medicinal
products predominantly sourced from Indigenous groups. These include ointments such as crabwood oil. He added that some persons would produce hair care products and facial products such as soaps, while others would produce herbal teas. He explained that the Guyana Shop has nine other locations across Guyana. He said that these locations are described as ‘Guyana Shop Corners’. “We have partnered with other supermarkets around the different regions and we try to encourage them as well. They have come on the bandwagon to help us to promote local products in their region.” The Manager said that the Guyana Shop has a presence in six regions, but the intention is to have a presence or a voice in every region. For the remainder of 2017, focus will be placed on Regions one and nine. “So by 2020 we’re supposed to be out of Guyana and into the Caribbean, and then we proceed into the North American area.” As it relates to the items currently being sold at the Guyana Shop, Macklingam
said that although products may come from the different regions, they are all required to have one standard. “That is, they have to be certified by the Food and Drugs (Department) and if they have business registration, that has to be up to date; also food handlers certificate. Food and Drugs would look at the labelling and packaging. We have a business agro development officer who also assists in packaging and labelling. So if they don’t want to go to Food and Drugs, they can come to us, we can help them source the bottles, the labels, assist them when formatting the labels and getting the nutritional values for each product, that is free right now.” Macklingam explained that although the assistance is being given free of cost, in the future, there may be a fee attached. However, he said that for now, the Guyana Shop has the requisite computer software to assist the agro-processors. He said that aside from this kind of assistance, the Guyana Shop tries to urge agro-processors to participate in trade fairs. Some recently
Porridge Mix, Smart Baby Porridge Mix, Cassava Flour and Plantain Flour produced by the Guyana School of Agriculture took part in a fair in Canada through a partnership with the Ministry of Business and Tourism. According to Macklingam, customers are still coming to grips with whether the products are manufactured locally. He said that based on the Shop being in close proximity to Bourda Market, it helps to stabilise the prices of certain commodi-
ties. “We set a standard price so that in the market or around the area, they cannot set a steep mark-up. Because we have a minimal market but ours is not to make profit per se, but we also try to encourage the private supermarkets to buy the local products…because previously we would have found when you go into a supermar-
ket you’ll see a few local products that are way down at the back and tucked into a corner that nobody is aware that these things are local.” However, he said that efforts are being made to change that trend so that Guyanese can be aware that the country has its own versions of some imported products that are better with competitive prices.
Six charged for Number 69 Village robbery Six men were on Friday charged with robbery under arms committed on Sachin Ramrattan of Number 69 Village, when they appeared before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court. Jointly charged were Satyavan Bhawan, aka 'Blacka',45, a labourer of Number 76 Village, Corriverton, Mahendra Singh alias 'Sunil', 33, unemployed resident of Number 72 Village Corentyne, Haresh Kumar Rai, called 'Ryan,' 34, a security guard
of Number 72 Village, Corentyne, Rabindra Kumar called 'Buckman,' a 27-year-old hire car driver of Number 73 Village Corentyne, and Khemraj Singh, 27, a fisherman of Number 69 Village Corentyne. Bail was refused and they were remanded to prison. The matter was postponed to August 24 for a report at the said court. On the 5th August, 2017 at Lot 100 Number 69 Village, Upper Corentyne, seven armed men stormed the home of Sachin Ramrattan. According to initial reports, Ramrattan's wife Vidya Gopaul, 26, and their 4-yearold son had retired to bed at 22:30 hrs. The pregnant 26-year-old who was not asleep heard a loud noise and voices when she awoke her husband. Fearful, the husband jumped off their bed and switched on the lights and it was then that they
realized bandits had entered their home. He switched on the lights to ward off the men while his pregnant wife bolted the bedroom door. The men were already in the house and banging on the bedroom door when Ramrattan, his wife and son scaled their bedroom window and landed on the neighbor’s shed. By then some of the men had entered the room after they escaped and fired two shots as they ran for their safety. They managed to run to Gopaul’s mother’s house located two houses away from theirs and immediately contacted the police. The men reportedly ransacked, ate and drank during the time spent at the house in search of valuables. They escaped with an estimated $1.2Million in jewellery, US $1000, a tablet and a cellphone.
Monday August 14, 2017
Kaieteur News
Caribbean American congresswoman denounces hate, violence in Charlottesville CHARLOTTESVILLE CMC – Caribbean American Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke has strongly denounced the hate and violence that engulfed this city in Virginia on Saturday as white nationalists and counter-protesters clashed in what has been described as one of the bloodiest fights to date over the removal of Confederate monuments across the Southern United States. “We condemn the hate & violence from racists in #Charlottesville. We will not be silent,” Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, wrote in a series of tweets on Saturday. “We will not be afraid,” added the representative for the predominantly Caribbean
Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn, New York. “We witnessed domestic terrorism today in #Charlottesville. Terrible. We cannot succumb to the forces of hate.”
Speaking Saturday afternoon at the beginning of a veterans’ event at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, US President Donald J. Trump condemned the bloody protests and blamed the “hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides.” That prompted Clarke to retweet: “Terrible. That man represents the worst of America. “Your false equivalency, dog whistles are sad,” she said, referring to Trump. “White supremacy is to blame….” Clarke, in her tweet, also urged the public to join her, local “Indivisible” groups and others at a rally, at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn yesterday, calling for “peace & sanity at home & abroad.”
Prime Minister urges developed countries to assist SIDS with infrastructure CASTRIES, St Lucia CMC – Prime Minister Allen Chastanet says developed countries should assist Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in their quest to combat the effects of climate change. According to Chastanet, time is running out for small states such as St. Lucia as they struggle to develop infrastructure capable of withstanding changes in weather conditions. His words of caution came at the recent signing ceremony for the exchange of notes for Japanese grant aid of EC$35 million to the government of St. Lucia for the reconstruction of two major bridges, south of here. Urging his countrymen not to take for granted
monies given to the country for capital works, the Chastanet underscored the need to make the country’s infrastructure more resilient to climate change. “In terms of upgrading the country’s already expensive infrastructure, time is against small states like St. Lucia in their fight to develop the road network and bridges capable of withstanding weather changes. “It is very easy for us to continue to come to these signings of agreements and almost take it for granted what we are receiving (but) this project has the opportunity and potential to protect the lives and the assets of many people,” Chastanet said. Chastanet said the policy
Allen Chastanet and strategy of government as it relates to climate change and its impact on the island’s infrastructure has been and will continue to be a top priority.
Venezuela says it’s holding 18, seeking others over raid on base Caracas (AFP) Venezuela is holding 18 people — soldiers and civilians — over a raid on an army base a week ago by a renegade group that stole weapons, the country’s intelligence chief said yesterday. An additional 23 people were being sought in relation
General Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez to the incident, said General Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez, head of the intelligence service known as SEBIN. He said that Interpol had
issued its “Red Notices” — essentially an international arrest warrant — for some of the fugitive suspects. But Interpol’s website yesterday did not turn up international alerts requesting their arrest. Among those detained or wanted were businessmen, union leaders and a journalist living in Miami, he said. The August 6 raid on the army base in Venezuela’s third-biggest city of Valencia resulted in two of the attackers being killed and eight detained after a firefight, according to officials. The suspected chief of the raid was former National Guard captain Juan Carlos Caguaripano Scott, 38, who was captured in Caracas days later.
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VEHICLE FOR SALE 2012 Nissan Bluebird: reverse camera, low mileage, unregistered. New model Allion coming -$3.3M negotiable. Call: 655-3400 SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana passport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535. INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Eagle’s: Re-gas -$8,000, Washing machine repairs, Gas Stove, Plasma flat Screen, computer repairs & more. Call: 697-2969/646-0966 Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigration Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496/ 662-6045 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158
SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. -CosmetologyCourses:$120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 647-1773/660-5257
WANTED Cosmetologist: all rounded, experienced, further training provided. Call: 647-1773 1 Accounts Clerk, preferably from E.B.D – 5 subjects CXC minimum @ gtcareers592@gmail.com Mature, experienced salesman/driver, able to work flexible hours, apply with reference/police clearance @ Key Food, Mc Doom Mature maid to work 3 Days weekly, must know to cook . Apply with recommendation @ Key Food, Mc Doom Village.
PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL:656-0087,6435122 ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM DOLLY’SCARRENTAL-CALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIALOFFERS! . CALL: 690-6494 AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL: PICKUP,9-11SEATMINIBUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILYOUTINGS,CHEAPEST RATE.Call:698-7807
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One LT 15 wood mizer sawmill with Perkins generator. Contact: 689-5059
CK2 Lancer – 134,000km $740,000 negotiable. Call: 613-5645
5 lots in Blankenburg, back of the gas station @$2.9 M each. Contact: 650-0402\6031402
Need experienced garbage drivers & labourers. Call: 6707920
One pit bull minibus, BTT series, in excellent working condition, with alarm, price – $1.8M negotiable. Call: 6259204/691-8272 Nissan X-Trail 2012, fully powered, TV, Nail, CD, BMW320i 2012, fully loaded, never registered. Call: 642-1137
Immediate vacancy exist for one checker to work @ Meadowbank Ice Factory, good handwriting. Call: 2311408/ 642-9191 (8am-1pm)
Wanted one experience cook. Tel: 623-8654, 265-3111 or 2260554.
Great Deals on video games & all gaming consoles. PC, video games & repairs – Call: 672-2566; 265-3231 1 - Mitsubishi Fuso 7 1/2 ton Canter, year :2007 - $ 4 M. Contact: 650-0402/ 603-1402 House & land. Just Arrive! Tundra, Tucoma & Titan parts. Call: 674-8911 Two (2) Caterpillar 324DL Excavators. In good working condition. Call: 600-3304, 600-3306/7/8 Caterpillar, Model: D6M, In good working condition. Price: G$10,000,000 negotiable. Call: 600-3304, 600-3306/7/8
1 Maid for East Bank area; 3 days per week, must know to cook. Call: 614-4358
Live in couple: duties husband (driving & mechanical skills), wife: (domestic), good rates and private cottage. Call: 2271830 1 Experienced person to work at Superbet outlet. Apply at August Beverages Enterprise. Call:225-5501
New Housing Developments @ Blankenburg & Schoonord, Houses and lots available. Cash or terms. Contact # 650-0402/ 603-1402
One 2006 Vitz -$1.350M Negotiable –Call: 639-1997
Tacoma V6. 2011 automatic, 4WD, cover to back tray, excellent condition. Phone. 694-2197
Experienced waitress. Apply at Hack’s Halaal with handwritten application, 5 Commerce Street (Day Shift only)
LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
Lawn grass - $1,400, potting soil -$800, Ficus, Exora, Purple Heathers – 4 for $1,000, Palms @ $1,000. Call: 626-1044
One Leyland DAF55, dump truck. Call: 621-4740
Live in waitress to work in bar. Call: 604-6606/ 6924649
FOR SALE One 306 Caterpillar excavator with 700 ours. Contact: 6024692.
RZ bus, good working condition, 2006 bluebird, 36,000KM, PVV 6406, 2009 unregistered Bluebird, 31,000 KM. Call: 265-2171/ 682-7589
Canter truck drivers to work on W.C.D -$30,000 weekly. Call: 684-8231
Drivers to work on water truck, must have experienced -$30,000 weekly. Call: 6294236/ 684-8231
CAR RENTAL
Monday August 14, 2017
Kaieteur News
PROPERTY FOR SALE Transported Property @ Grove - $16M, negotiable. Tel: 625-5461. Property @ 180 Charlotte Street Bourda, 1 building in front & 2 storey house at the back, L 120X B 30- $50M negotiable. Call: 624-7341/ 227-6817/226-5183 House/land at Durban Street, 3rd house between Victor/John 73X43 -$10.5M Call: 646-9997 Property @ Covent Garden, E.B.D. Call: 265-3586
TO LET 1 & 2 Bedroom tiled apartment@ Charlestown, decent working single/ couple -$40,000 & 50,000. Call: 225-1415/601-1585 from 8am-5:30pm (no children) Fully furnished apartment $95,000-$140,000. Call: 6445151
TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
LAND FOR SALE
One data entry clerk, must be computer literate & have passes @ CXC Maths & English. Apply PO BOX12118
26 Happy Acres, East Coast, 5,830sq (53X110), 25 Million, negotiable. Call: 614-4358
1 Counter clerk, must have a decent handwriting & passes in Maths & English. Send handwritten application to PO BOX 12118 Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic. Call: 223-7500 Monday-Saturday 8:15-4:15pm Female & Male fish cleaners @ Shakoor’s Seafood, Eccles. Call: 233-2546 2 Salesgirls preferably from East Bank, 1 Farm worker. Call: 265-3586 One experienced salesman, apply with written application & recommendation, also one general domestic. Apply @ Keyfood, McDoom Village.
Land for sale in Tuschen, Phase 1. Call: 679-1096 Tuschen Phase 1 -$2.5M, Zeelugt 1st New Scheme$2.5M, La Parfaite Harmonie$1.6M. Call: 642-1252 New Road Vreed-en-Hoop house & land- $50M, $5.5M, La Parfaite Harmonie house & land -$3.5M, Tuschen house & land -$2.7M. Call: 6046724/ 686-9608 La Parfaite Harmonie -$3M, $1.2M, $1.6M, $3.5M, $2.5M, Eccles -$6M, Farm- $4M, Herstelling $3M & $4.5M, Tuschen - $2.5M. Call:6662326 Land to cultivate rice 33.14 Acre, Plantation Betterhope, Essequibo Coast. Call: 667-3322
Full time cook needed, must know to cook different soups serious inquiries only. Call: 647-9988
Back half of land -$12M, Size: length 105ftXwidth 65ft, Well Street Ogle, East Coast Demerara. Call: 625-1514
Electrical Technician to work in Georgetown. Call: 6232277
La Parfaite Harmonie main road (50X100) - $3M, $1.4M, $1.7M, $2.5M, Eccles -$6M, Crane main road -$8.5M. Call: 604-6724/ 686-9608
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FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
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Property @ Middle & Cummings Street, Georgetown. Call: 667-3332 Transported property in Regent Street, between Wellington & Camp Street. Call: 667-3322
VACANCY
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Monday August 14, 2017
Kaieteur News
After criticism, White House says Trump condemns KKK, neo-Nazis
City Councilman Brad Lander, centre, address protesters at a “Peace and Sanity” rally yesterday, in the Brooklyn borough of New York, during a rally about white supremacy violence in Charlottesville, Va., (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews) CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (Reuters) President Donald Trump’s remarks condemning violence at a white nationalist rally were meant to include the Ku Klux Klan and neo-Nazi groups, the White House insisted yesterday, a day after he was criticized across the political spectrum for not explicitly denouncing white supremacists. U.S. authorities are investigating the outbreak of violence in Virginia, which has put new pressure on the Trump administration to take an unequivocal stand against that segment of his political base. Some rightists have claimed allegiance to Trump, a Republican. A 32-year-old woman was killed and 19 injured, five critically, on Saturday when a man ploughed a car into a crowd of people protesting the white nationalist rally in the Southern college town of Charlottesville. Another 15 people were injured after rival groups fought pitched battles using their fists, rocks and pepper spray in the streets. Democrats and Republicans criticized Trump for waiting too long to address the violence and when he did so, failing to explicitly condemn the white-supremacist marchers who ignited the melee.
Yesterday, however, the White House said: “The president said very strongly in his statement yesterday that he condemns all forms of violence, bigotry, and hatred, and of course that includes white supremacists, KKK, neo-Nazi, and all extremist groups. He called for national unity and bringing all Americans together.” The statement was emailed to reporters covering Trump at his golf resort in New Jersey and attributed to an unidentified “White House spokesperson.” On Saturday, Trump had said that “many sides” were involved in Charlottesville. “We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides,” he said. Yesterday’s TV shows, Charlottesville Mayor Mike Signer, a Democrat, said the police response was adequate with nearly 1,000 law enforcement personnel assembled. Signer blamed Trump for the violence, starting with the 2016 election campaign. “Look at the campaign he ran ... there is two words that need to be said over and over again, domestic terrorism and white supremacy. That is exactly what we saw on display this weekend,” Signer said on CNN’s “State of the Nation”.
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Monday August 14, 2017
Kaieteur News
Trump’s threat of military action could bolster Maduro CARACAS – US President Donald Trump’s talk of possible military action in Venezuela could be a political lifeline for the country’s unpopular leader, who has long used the threat of US aggression to justify policies that have shredded the economy. President Nicolas Maduro has continued the freespending socialist “revolution” started by his predecessor, the late Hugo Chavez, almost 20 years ago. Key to the populist rhetoric used by both is a constant drumbeat of warnings that the US “empire” is planning an invasion to steal Venezuela’s oil. “He’s doing Maduro a favour by reinforcing the nationalist position that the Gringos want to come and attack Venezuela. This has always been part of Maduro’s rhetoric, and Chavez before him. And it has served them
Nicolas Maduro both well,” said lawyer Luis Alberto Rodriguez while sitting at a cafe, smoking a Cuban cigar, in one of Caracas’ wealthier neighbourhoods. “It’s not going to have any impact other than the government using it to further unify its people and attack the opposition,” the 44-year-
old added. Maduro loyalists, who regularly insult opposition leaders as Washington’s lackeys, wasted no time in pouncing. “Mind your own business and solve your own problems, Mr Trump!” thundered Maduro’s son, also named Nicolas, at the country’s new constituent assembly, which was elected last month to rewrite the constitution. The opposition’s Democratic Unity coalition yesterday issued a statement rejecting foreign threats to the country, without specifically identifying Trump or the United States. “The Democratic Unity coalition rejects the use of force, or the threat of its use, by any country (against) Venezuela,” said the statement published on the group’s Twitter account. (Reuters)
UNC: Govt. incapable of leading T&T Trinidad Guardian United National Congress (UNC) PRO Anita Haynes Saturday described the Government as incapable of leading the country and criticised Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s decision to go on vacation at time when the latest sea bridge fiasco was troubling citizens. The PM is on vacation in Barbados this weekend and returns today. “The Prime Minister has left at a time when there are serious questions about his Government’s handling of the procurement of the vessels to service the sea bridge, instead of attempting to answer those questions, Dr Rowley apologised while still not accepting responsibility for the debacle,” Haynes said in a press release. “In one of his first speeches after being swornin as Prime Minister, Rowley stated emphatically that the ‘buck’ stops with him, so we must hold him ultimately responsible for this port scandal, particularly because
of his refusal to take decisive action.”An apology before heading off on your seventh vacation and the second one in two weeks is unacceptable. It is clear that Rowley has no interest in representing the people of Trinidad and Tobago.” Haynes said T&T had been at the mercy of what was described as an “incompetent Keith Rowley administration” for 23 months, during which time she said crime had escalated, the economy “is in shambles” and there have been significant job losses as well as cuts to education and health care. She said the country could not identify a single thing the Government had achieved after two years of being in charge. “No one is better off now, we have tightened our belts, we have adjusted our living expenses and still Rowley and his Cabinet are asking us, as a population, to do more while the Government vacations,” she said. “The population will soon feel the effects of the cuts to
Anita Haynes GATE, as families will not be able to afford to send their children to school, and the Government has yet to adequately explain how the means test would be implemented.” She said in the face of all these cuts and the Government’s apparent mishandling of procurement procedures, they were yet to articulate a single item for revenue generation beyond taxes.
IDB study: Drugs and guns big part of T&T economy Trinidad Express - About one third of the Trinidad and Tobago economy is informal, a new Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) study released yesterday said. Economist Amos Peters, who a u t h o r e d t h e s t u d y, u s e d d i ff e r e n t methods to calculate the size of T&T’s informal economy and concluded it ranges between 26 and 33 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP). T&T’s GDP, according to the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago’s latest Monetary
Policy Report released July 21, is $154 billion. In layman’s terms, this means the informal economy, which includes illegal money, under-the-table employment, street vending, narcotics, guns and prostitution, could be moving just over $50 billion. While acknowledging that that figure is unacceptably high, former Citibank vice president, financial consultant Ved Seereeram said it may have worsened since the IDB completed its study, which looked at data up to 2014.
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Monday August 14, 2017
Russia says Syrian government doubled territory it controls BEIRUT (AP) — The Syrian government has increased the size of the territory under its control by 2 ½ times in just two months, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said yesterday, as Syrian forces backed by regional allies and the Russian air force seized thousands of square miles (kilometers) from the Islamic State group in the center of the country. Syrian government forces supported by Iranian-organized militias and the Russian air force have recaptured much of the country’s central Homs province from the Islamic State group in 2017. Most of the province is desert. It contains several energy fields as well as phosphate minerals. They are driving toward the city of Deir el-Zour, kept under siege by IS militants since 2015. Shoigu, in an interview on Russian state-owned Rossiya 24 TV, said recapturing Deir el-Zour “will say a lot, if not everything, about the end of the battle with” the Islamic State group.
Sergei Shoigu The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group reported Sunday that government forces killed at least 25 IS militants in a commando operation in the desert region. It said the soldiers rappelled down from helicopters to ambush the militants, under the cover of Russian air strikes. Russia has provided air support for Syrian forces combating rebels and the Islamic State group since 2015.
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Kaieteur News
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Monday August 14, 2017
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With budget cuts looming, U.S. aid chief vows to do more with less WA S H I N G T O N (Reuters) - Facing potentially deep budget cuts to U.S. foreign aid, new USAID administrator Mark Green says he needs to do more with less and prove to President Donald Trump that development assistance can further his “America First” agenda. In a first meeting with Trump back in January, Green made his pitch to the then president-elect, drawing from his experience in Central America to explain how U.S.funded programmes there could help slow the number of immigrants trying to enter the United States illegally. “I said ‘Mr. Presidentelect, I believe our development tools can help us achieve just about every one of your strategic priorities,’” Green told Reuters in his first interview since starting last week as head of the U.S. Agency for International Development. Green had previously worked on U.S-supported projects with indigenous mayors in Guatemala,
Honduras and El Salvador to improve living conditions “so kids hopefully don’t go 1,000 miles through the worst conditions imaginable and jump the border.” “It works and is a great way to use development,” he said, sitting in a still bare office at USAID headquarters blocks from the White House. Green brings a unique resume to the job: a former four-term Republican congressman from Wisconsin who served as U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania under President George W. Bush. In his last job as head of the International Republican Institute, he helped promote governance and democracy overseas. His time on Capitol Hill will be key to his new job. In a sign of his good standing there, Green’s nomination had support across the political spectrum, as well as among aid groups. Trump staked out his position on foreign aid on the campaign trail, casting it as a waste of U.S. tax dollars. And now his administration has
Mark Green proposed slashing the budget for foreign aid by a third, which could gut programs across a range of issues including health, governance, gender and education. But U.S. foreign assistance has traditionally garnered bipartisan support in Congress, which controls the aid purse strings. Green has stronger relations with lawmakers than his predecessors, who battled Congress on funding and objectives.
Kenya Opposition Leader defies pressure to concede defeat NAIROBI (Reuters) Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga called yesterday for a strike to support his claim to the presidency and accused the ruling party of “spilling the blood of innocent people” as he brushed off growing pressure to concede election defeat. The election commission on Friday declared President Uhuru Kenyatta the winner of the presidential poll by 1.4 million votes. International observers said Tuesday’s vote was largely fair and a parallel tally by domestic monitors supported the outcome. But Odinga’s NASA coalition says the whole vote was rigged, and that Kenyatta’s ruling Jubilee party has conspired with security forces to crush dissent. Odinga doubled down on his attacks in a speech to 4,000 cheering
Raila Odinga supporters in Kibera, Nairobi’s biggest slum. “Jubilee have spilt the blood of innocent people. Tomorrow there is no work,” Odinga told the crowd, which chanted back “Uhuru must go”. He promised to announce a new strategy on
Tuesday. Senator James Orengo, one of Odinga’s chief supporters, said the opposition would call for demonstrations. “When we people call you to action, peaceful action, don’t stay behind,” he told the crowd. He also called for a boycott of Nation television and newspapers, Kenya’s largest independent media group, over their coverage of the disputed elections. The rally, Odinga’s first public appearance since Thursday, made clear he has no plans to renounce his claims of victory despite calls from the international community for him to concede. Police and protesters clashed repeatedly in Nairobi’s slums on Saturday. Presidential spokesman Manoah Esipisu laid the blame at Odinga’s door.
UK employers see measly pay growth ahead, companies turn gloomy LONDON (Reuters) - British employers expect to raise pay only minimally over the next 12 months despite hiring more staff, a survey showed, suggesting the Bank of England is unlikely to come under much pressure to raise interest rates from their record low. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development said employers predicted their pay increases would average 1 percent despite more of them expecting to increase staff levels than in its previous survey three
months ago. “Predictions of pay growth increasing alongside strong employment growth is the dog that hasn’t barked for some time now,” said Gerwyn Davies, CIPD’s senior labor market analyst. While private-sector employers expect to raise pay by an average 2 percent, the median pay rise was dragged down by public-sector employers and charities which plan to offer pay rises of 1 percent and 1.4 percent respectively.
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Lukaku hits double in United rout, Spurs also win
Dovizioso edges Marquez to claim victory in Austria Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso
Romelu Lukaku is the fourth Manchester United player to score a brace on his Premier League debut. (Getty images) LONDON (Reuters) Romelu Lukaku scored twice on his Old Trafford debut as Manchester United delivered their biggest Premier League win in nearly three years to rout West Ham United 4-0 yesterday. Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba also struck late on as United outshone all their rivals over the weekend to top the fledgling table, leading manager Jose Mourinho to salute their newfound confidence. Yesterday’s other game saw Tottenham Hotspur win 2-0 at newly promoted Newcastle United whose captain Jonjo Shelvey was sent off for a deliberate stamp on Dele Alli in front of the referee. At Old Trafford, a United side inspired by Nemanja Matic, their 40-million-pound signing from Chelsea, provided another expensive newcomer, the 75-millionpound Lukaku, with the perfect service. Lukaku, who also scored against Real Madrid in last week’s Super Cup, netted 25 times in the league for Everton last season and looked equally deadly following his move to United. The Belgian struck in the 33rd and 52nd minutes, first getting on the end of a perfect through ball from Marcus
Rashford and then heading a second goal from a drifted Henrikh Mkhitaryan free kick after the break. Martial and Pogba then ruined former City keeper Joe Hart’s return to Manchester with further strikes that sent the crowd away confident that last season’s problems of winning at home will not be repeated. “It was a dream come true,” said Lukaku. “The win was good, four goals and a clean sheet. “Jose Mourinho wants me to be the leader and create as much as I can. The fans want to see attractive football. It is just the start.” Mourinho was not inclined to get carried away, pointing out that United also started last season well, but said: “The team was confident — a word I like.” At St James’ Park, Spurs’ victory was almost as easy once Shelvey suffered his moment of madness in the 48th minute. The spark point was Alli’s refusal to give Shelvey the ball after the Tottenham midfielder was fouled. The 25year-old Shelvey responded with a stamp that left referee Andre Marriner no choice but to give Newcastle’s captain the third red card of his career. Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez said Shelvey
apologised to his team mates after costing Newcastle the match on their Premier League return. Shelvey will now serve a three-match ban. Goals by Ben Davies and Alli himself sealed the Tottenham win with Kyle Walker-Peters named man of the match on his Premier League debut. Bizarrely, the full back was a replacement for the almost identically named Kyle Walker, who joined Manchester City in the offseason.
(Reuters) - Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso held off MotoGP points leader Marc Marquez to claim his third victory of the season at the Austrian Grand Prix yesterday. Dovizioso, who started on a soft rear tire, took the lead with seven laps to the finish line and maintained a slender advantage over Honda riders Marquez and Dani Pedrosa, who completed the podium. “It was difficult this weekend,” Dovizioso said. “The battle was really nice. We controlled the race for the tyres. Three victories this season... it’s really good!” Marquez, who won the last two races, made a late challenge on Dovizioso in the final corner but the Italian defended well to win the duel and move up to second spot in the battle for the world title. “I was on the limit, pushing a lot. The last corner was completely on the limit, but this is
MotoGP. This is the show. No worries. Next time we’ll try again,” said Marquez. Dovizioso’s team mate Jorge Lorenzo finished fourth despite taking an early lead in dry conditions at the Red Bull Ring, while Johann Zarco finished fifth. Yamaha endured a disappointing afternoon with Maverick Vinales and Valentino Rossi taking the sixth and seventh spot, respectively. Alvaro Bautista secured an eighth-placed finish for Aspar Ducati, with Avintia Ducati’s Loris Baz ended ninth. KTM wildcard Mika Kallio beat last year’s winner Andrea Iannone to the 10th spot. World champion Marquez leads the overall standings with 174 points, 16 ahead of second-placed Dovizioso. Vinales slipped to third spot with 150 points, followed by Rossi on 141.
Svitolina dumps Wozniacki to clinch Toronto title
Svitolina needed just 77 minutes to beat Wozniacki. (Getty Images) TORONTO (Reuters) Ukrainian Elina Svitolina capped a remarkable week in Toronto by beating Dane Caroline Wozniacki 6-4 6-0 at the Rogers Cup yesterday to capture her tour-leading fifth title of the season. Fifth seed Svitolina, whose run to the final included wins over Venus Williams, Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza and defending champion Simona Halep, used a strong return game throughout the
77-minute match to beat sixth seed Wozniacki. “It was an incredible week. Played against great players, I beat them, and it’s just something really amazing and I am very, very tired,” said Svitolina, who was playing her third match in two days after rain pushed her quarter-final to Saturday. “I left everything out there. It’s been incredible that I could go through this. I didn’t even think that I could.”
The 22-year-old Ukrainian was so doubtful that she could even reach the final that she had a flight booked on Friday to the next tournament in Cincinnati. But Svitolina showed she clearly belonged, using a mix of powerful groundstrokes and an impressive return game to secure her fourth victory over a top-10 opponent this week. With the win, Svitolina will move up one spot to a career-high world number four when the new rankings are
released on Monday. Svitolina, who has yet to lose in a final this year, broke Wozniacki three times during the first set and another three times during a lopsided second set to deny the former world number one her first title since last October. Wozniacki was playing in her sixth final of 2017 but the 2010 Rogers Cup champion has yet to come out on top following losses at Doha, Dubai, Miami, Eastbourne and Bastad.
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Farah says British media trying to destroy his achievements
Mo Farah winning 5,000m gold at the London 2012 Olympics, the first of four double golds at global championships. (Getty Images) LONDON (Reuters) Britain’s Olympic and world champion Mo Farah said the British media were trying to destroy his achievements and repeated that he was a clean athlete during an emotional outburst yesterday. “It’s like I have achieved what I have achieved and you are trying to destroy it,” he told reporters. “You guys, so many times towards me, you have been unfair. I don’t know why.” Farah won silver in Saturday’s 5,000 meters at the World Athletics Championships — his final track race of a career in which he won two successive Olympic 10,000 and 5,000 gold medal doubles. The 34-year-old, who was born in Somalia and moved to Britain at the age of eight, has also won three world titles each in the 5,000 meters and
Monday August 14, 2017
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10,000 meters. In February, Farah’s coach Alberto Salazar denied administering banned supplements to his athletes and issued a firm rebuttal of what he said were false allegations against him in a British newspaper. The Sunday Times had reported that Salazar had used prohibited infusions of supplements to improve the performance of his runners, citing what the newspaper said was a leaked United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) report. Farah has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. “It’s like a broken record repeating myself,” said Farah when the subject was brought up yesterday. “If I have crossed the line, and Mo Farah has done something wrong, then prove it.” “You can write what you
like but I’m a clean athlete... and I sleep well at night, loving my kids, hugging my kids, showing (them) what’s right. That’s all that counts.” Farah, speaking calmly but looking exasperated, said his achievements spoke for themselves. “History doesn’t lie — everybody’s proud of me,” he said. “The fact is, I work hard at what I do and I achieve (it) through hard work... putting my balls on the line, year after year, and delivering for my country, and for the people out there.” “I’m going to still keep fighting, keep working, making my country proud,” said Farah, who will now concentrate on running marathons. “I am proud to be British and put my GB vest on and do it for my country.”
OBIRI WINS 5,000 METERS WITH ASTONISHING LAST LAP LONDON (Reuters) Kenyan Hellen Obiri produced an astonishing last lap to break Almaz Ayana’s resistance, win the 5,000 meters at the World Athletics Championships and claim her first major title yesterday. Ethiopia’s Ayana, winner of the 10,000 meters at the championships, and Obiri broke clear of the pack after one third of the race and opened up a huge gap as they set a blistering pace. Ayana led with Obiri on her tail into the final lap until the Kenyan, silver medalist in Rio de Janeiro last year, suddenly burst past with 300 meters left and stormed home to win in 14:34.86, more than five seconds clear of her rival. Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands prevented an East African clean sweep by taking the bronze.
Obiri ran a stunning final lap in around 60 seconds to take gold by a significant distance. (Reuters)
Lewis fireworks keep Patriots unbeaten GROS ISLET, St Lucia, CMC – Evin Lewis’ 92 made all the difference as St Kitts and Nevis Patriots defeated winless St Lucia Stars by 33 runs, to registered their third straight win and remain unbeaten in the Caribbean Premier League. Playing at the Darren Sammy Cricket Stadium on Saturday, Lewis’ fireworks helped the visitors up to a tournament-equaling 196 for six off their 20 overs, after they were sent in. The left-hander blasted five fours and seven sixes off just 52 balls but got little support as only Mohammad Nabi with an unbeaten 24 at number seven and Carlos Bratwaite, with 21, chipping in. Talismanic opener Chris Gayle failed with 12, striking two fours before fellow Jamaican Jerome Taylor removed his off-stump with a full length delivery at 35 for one in the third. Lewis then put on 47 for the third wicket with Brandon King (11) and a further 55 for the fourth wicket with Devon Thomas (9), to bolster the innings. With a century in sight, he steered a wide delivery from
Opener Evin Lewis … blasted 92. seamer Kyle Mayers to gully, to perish in the 17th over. Nabi and Brathwaite belted 31 off 13 balls for the sixth wicket at the end to give Stars a daunting target to chase. Speedster Taylor was the leading bowler with three for 46. In reply, Stars got 48 from opener Andre Fletcher, 23 from Rahkeem Cornwall and 21 from Marlon Samuels, but failed to get that one big innings necessary to turn the
game on its head. Fletcher struck six fours and a six off 33 deliveries, posting 32 off 21 balls for the first wicket with Johnson Charles (13) and 36 for the third wicket with Samuels. However, he and Samuels fell in the space of two overs, sparking a slide that saw five wickets tumble for 46 runs and Stars failed to recover. Off-spinners Mohammad Nabi (3-15) and Mohammed Hafeez (3-22) finished with three wickets apiece.
Powell warms up for Edgbaston with glittering century DERBY, England, CMC – Opener Kieran Powell hit a stroke-filled hundred as West Indies rounded off their preparation for the next week’s first Test in style, with another strong batting display at Derbyshire here yesterday. Playing on the final day of the day/night encounter, West Indies piled up 327 for six declared in their second innings, to follow up their first innings 427 for three declared. The left-handed Powell, who missed out on three figures on Friday’s opening day with 92, made no mistake this time around as he converted his overnight 41 into exactly 100 before retiring. Roston Chase carved out an unbeaten 60 to follow up his unbeaten hundred in the first innings while tail-ender Kemar Roach chipped in with 40 not out and wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich, 37. The work out for the batting group would have been much welcomed, coming five days before the day/night opening Test against England at Edgbaston. Powell led the effort in an innings which came from a mere 103 deliveries and included 19 fours, as he posted his seventh first class hundred. He put on 70 for the second wicket with Jermaine Blackwood (29) before retiring with a leg niggle on 158 for two. Captain Jason Holder (18) stretched the third wicket partnership to 68 with Dowrich before falling just before lunch to left-arm spinner Matt Sonczak (2-56). When the Caribbean side lost three wickets for 11 runs to slide to 223 for six, Chase and Roach further frustrated the hosts in an unbroken seventh wicket partnership of 104. Chase, with a score of above 50 in all of his four innings on tour, punched seven fours
Left-handed opener Kieran Powell.
and two sixes in a breezy 85-ball knock while Roach faced 89 deliveries and counted seven boundaries. West Indies declared at tea with no outright result left in the encounter and Derbyshire were 51 without loss when the two captains called it quits. Scores: WEST INDIES 427 for three decl. (Roston Chase 110 not out, Shai Hope 107 not out, Kyle Hope 105, Kieran Powell 92) and 327 for six decl. (Kieran Powell 100 ret., Roston Chase 60 not out, Kemar Roach 40 not out, Shane Dowrich 37; Matthew Sonczak 2-56, Charlie MacDonell 2-57). DERBYSHIRE 181 (Calum Brodrick 52, Ben Slater 39; Jason Holder 3-48, Roston Chase 2-5, Kemar Roach 2-31, Shannon Gabriel 2-64) and 51 without loss (Ben Slater 27 not out).
Monday August 14, 2017
Sri Lanka staring at massive defeat, series whitewash PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka (Reuters) - India’s bowlers left Sri Lanka staring at a big defeat and a series whitewash after another shambolic batting performance saw the hosts being bundled out for 135 in their first innings in the third and final test yesterday. The hosts, who also suffered heavy defeats in Galle and Colombo inside four days, were made to follow on and reached 19 for one at close of the second day’s play, still trailing India by 333 with nine second innings wickets in hand. Opening batsman Upul Tharanga made seven before he chopped Umesh Yadav onto his stumps for his second dismissal in the day. Dimuth Karunaratne was unbeaten on 12 with nightwatchman Malinda Pushpakumara yet to score. It was all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s 108, his maiden hundred, that set the ball rolling in the morning for the whitewash-chasing India, who posted 487 before being all out in the first over after the lunch break. Pandya smashed his hundred off just 86 deliveries before he was the last batsman out, giving Sri Lanka left-arm spinner Lakshan Sandakan his maiden fivewicket haul in tests. India fast bowler Mohammed Shami did the early damage to Sri Lanka’s first innings by dismissing
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Kuldeep Yadav picked up his second four-wicket haul in only his second Test and gave India a 352-run first-innings lead ©Associated Press both openers cheaply before left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav ran through the middle and lower order with four wickets for 40. Sri Lanka got off to a terrible start in their first innings when Tharanga edged Shami to wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha for five and inexplicably called for a review after consultation with opening partner Karunaratne. Replays showed a clear edge and Karunaratne soon joined his departed colleague back in the dressing room after falling in similar fashion for four.
Kusal Mendis (18) was then run out after a mix-up with captain Dinesh Chandimal before former skipper Angelo Mathews fell leg before to medium-pace bowling all-rounder Pandya without scoring. Chandimal was the only batsman to provide some resistance with a dogged 48 but became one of spinner Ravichandran Ashwin’s two wickets. PANDYA HEROICS Pandya’s century was also a maiden first-class ton for the 23-year-old righthander, who hit eight boundaries and seven sixes
in his knock. India resumed on 329-6 but suffered an early blow when they lost Saha for 16 in the second over of the day after the keeper guided seamer Vishwa Fernando’s left-arm delivery straight into the hands of the gully fielder. Kuldeep showed he was a more than capable lowerorder batsman with a wellcrafted 26, more importantly adding 62 in an eighth-wicket stand that d a m p e n e d S r i L a n k a ’s hopes of restricting the touring side to under 400. Kuldeep fell to his wristspinning counterpart Sandakan, who also dismissed Shami for eight. That brought Pandya, unbeaten on one overnight, and Umesh together for the last wicket, allowing the former a license to free his bat in search of quick runs. The clean-hitting Pandya soon tore into the Sri Lanka attack and blasted 26 in one over from Pushpakumara, hitting the left-arm spinner for two fours and three sixes in five deliveries. He reached three figures with a straight punch for four off paceman Lahiru Kumara. Scores: Sri Lanka 135 (Chandimal 48, Kuldeep 440, Shami 2-17) and 19 for 1 (f/o) trail India 487 (Dhawan 119, Pandya 108, Rahul 85, Sandakan 5-132, Pushpakumara 3-82) by 333 runs.
The collapse continued as Kusal Mendis was run out after a mix-up with Dinesh Chandimal ©Associated Press
Explosive Narine helps TKR sink Tridents
Opener Sunil Narine goes on the attack against Barbados Tridents during his 70 on Saturday. PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Man-of-theMatch Sunil Narine thrilled in his new role as opener with a career-best half-century as Trinbago Knight Riders stayed top of the Caribbean Premier League standings with a two-wicket victory over arch-rivals Barbados Tridents here late Saturday night. Asked to chase 153 at Queen’s Park Oval, TKR reached their target with five balls to spare, to notch their fourth win in five outings and move to eight points. The left-handed Narine was at the heart of the effort, cracking an entertaining 79 off 45 deliveries while Darren Bravo chipped in with 25. However, Narine lived a charmed life, dropped three times during his innings – on nine, 35 and 62 – in what proved an ordinary fielding effort from Tridents which saw them grass four chances overall. West Indies Under-19 star Shamar Springer claimed three for 32 to be the best Tridents bowler while South African new-ball bowler Wayne Parnell picked up two for 26. Earlier, Pakistan’s Shoaib Malik stroked 51 from 38 balls and passed 7,000 runs in his 275th match as Tridents reached 152 for nine off 20 overs, after being sent in. New Zealander Kane Williamson struck 30 but no other Tridents batsman
passed 20 in a disappointing showing with the bat. Fast bowler Ronsford Beaton claimed two for 24, while captain and fellow seamer Dwayne Bravo ended with two for 27. Dwayne Smith perished cheaply for 10 and Parnell for five to leave the visitors 19 for two in the second over but Shoaib and opener Williamson added 71 for the third wicket to rescue the innings. Shoaib faced 38 balls and counted five fours while Williamson struck a single four in his 35-ball innings. Once Williamson miscued a slog and holed out at short third man off off-spinner Narine, Tridents never regained their footing, and the next seven wickets tumbled for just 62 runs. Narine then got TKR off to a rollicking start in an innings laced with six fours and five sixes. New Zealander Brendon McCullum lost his off-stump to Parnell to the fourth ball of the innings for four with as many on the board but Narine then took the attack to Tridents, posting 47 for the third wicket with Darren Bravo and another 63 for the fifth wicket with Dwayne Bravo (18). Springer brought the game to life when he snatched three of four wickets to fall for 12 runs in the space of 13 balls but by then TKR was within touching distance of victory.
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COE BEMOANS BOLT’S ‘DEVASTATING MOMENT’
Usain Bolt of Jamaica is presented his bronze medal by by IAAF president Sebastian Coe. (REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach) LONDON (Reuters) Sebastian Coe said he felt huge sympathy for Usain Bolt after the Jamaican pulled up with a hamstring problem during his final event on Saturday, but believes the great sprinter’s departure will open the door for new talent to shine. “ I t ’s a d e v a s t a t i n g moment if you are mid-race a n d t h a t h a p p e n s , i t ’s horrible,” the IAAF president told a news conference ahead of the last night’s action at the Wo r l d Athletics Championships yesterday. Bolt pulled up while running the anchor leg for Jamaica in the 4x100 relay, his final race before retiring. He did a farewell lap of honor in the London Stadium yesterday evening before heading into retirement. “I do think this gives us an opportunity to cast a
light on the young talent that’s out there,” Coe said. “I can’t remember a time when the competition has been so competitive and the stories around them so compelling,” he added. “We have had some of the youngest-ever medalists and the emergence of such extraordinary young talent is what many people will remember this event for,” Coe said. “This is a really comforting place to be in at a time when we are asking what the sport looks like after Mo (Farah) and Bolt and for example with the emergence of (American 100 meters silver medalist) Christian Coleman we may be looking at the future face of sprinting for the next five years.” LARGE NUMBERS Coleman was beaten by compatriot Justin Gatlin and
large numbers of the 60,000 crowd that packed the stadium each evening loudly booed the man who has served two drug suspensions. Ed Warner, co-chairman of the London 2017 organizing committee, was surprised by the extent of the booing but understood the reasons. “My view as the organizer is the fans have the right to come and express their views about doping in our sport and people feel very passionate about it,” he said. Coe said he did not like to hear jeering but accepted that fans felt strongly about the issue. “I would rather not see athletes who have tested positive winning some of the biggest titles in our sport but he is entitled to be here,” he said. “I don’t think the IAAF has singled Gatlin out but we’re not here to choreograph public opinion. “I thought in a way the athletes took the lead in a dignified way that Usain dealt with he situation took some of the tension out of the response by the time we get to the medal ceremony.” After two years during which the sport has been battered by doping and corruption issues Coe said he felt the last 10 days had helped the process of recovery. “I’m speaking to federations, coaches and athletes more than ever before and my instinct is that there is a confidence and people are proud to be involved and seen to be involved in athletics,” he said. Coe believes the sport needed to learn lessons from the success of London and apply them to the Diamond League and other events and create a calendar that everybody can understand. “If we don don’t get those things right then everything we’ve achieved here will be a happy memory but won’t be a springboard,” he said.
Semenya takes another 800m title... From page 36 this week she was sick of talking about it. IAAF head Sebastian Coe said on Sunday that the governing body is in the process of making new submissions on the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and that a date for a meeting was still being discussed.
Monday August 14, 2017
Kaieteur News
Wilson said she had not expected a medal despite running into her best form at just the right time. “I was trying to focus on my own race, I tried to speed it up for the last 100 metres not matter if I came up short,” she said. “I pushed it 100 percent and I’m super-happy. The crowd was super-awesome
and super-special tonight. It was electrifying.” K e n y a ’s powerful Margaret Wambui, third behind Semenya in the Rio Olympics, had been expected to be in the medal mix but was never on terms with the leaders and, despite a strong finish, had to settle for fourth in 1:57.54.
Crossfit 12-12-12 Throwdown T&T Fraser and Rahaman cop novice bronze; Dillon & Duke end 10th and 6th in RX division While the RX pair of seasoned campaigner Dillon Mahadeo and Semonica Duke did not get on to the podium, the duo of debutants Stephen Fraser and Christina Rahman won respective bronze medals at the 2nd annual Crossfit 12-12-12 Throwdown in the Twin Island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday last. A total of 90 athletes from countries including St. Lucia, St Marten, Barbados, Suriname and the USA participated in what was a very competitive competition. Following the three events the Scaled (Novice) athletes had to compete in, Christina Rahman (Genesis Fitness Express) and Stephen Fraser (CrossFit592) both landed the bronze medal to ensure that Guyana was on the podium. The most experienced athlete on the eight (8) member Guyana team, Dillon Mahadeo (CrossFit592) who won bronze last year was unable to make it into the top 5 for the last event after not completing a clean and jerk in event 2B. Mahadeo had made a mistake with his weight calculation and as a result finished last in that event which made it almost
mathematically impossible to recover, especially given the very competitive field he was up against. Overall, he ended in 10th place. Seomonica Duke (Genesis Fitness Express/CrossFit592) on debut at this international level represented well and was in third place up to event 5 (only top 5 get to event 5) but had to pull out due to injury. Despite, she placed 6th overall. Team member and another seasoned campaigner Jamie McDonald commented on his teammates, performance: “I’m very proud of their performances given that it was their first time being exposed to the international stage. I am confident that we will be coming on even stronger in future competitions as the sport continues to take off in Guyana.” Team Guyana comprised of Dillon Mahadeo, Christian McRae, Ian Rogers, Timothy Mc Andrew, Jamie McDonald, King Solomon, Stephen Fraser, Paul Muesa, Semonica Duke and Christina Rahman. Participation was made possible with the support Fitness Express, Ansa McAl, King Solomon Shipping, N & K Investments, Genesis Fitness and Caribbean Airlines.
T&T SHOCK US TO LIFT 4X400M RELAY TITLE
Lalonde Gordon (left) overtakes American Fred Kerley to win gold in the 4×400 metres relay for Trinidad and Tobago. (Photo courtesy IAAF) LONDON, CMC – Lalonde Gordon ran a spectacular last leg as Trinidad and Tobago stunned the United States to crown themselves men’s 4×400 metres relay champions on the final night of the 16th IAAF World Championships here yesterday. The Americans led for most of the race before Gordon, who received the baton some five metres behind Fred Kerley, dramatically overtook his rival in the last 50 metres to clinch top honours for the Caribbean team in a worldleading and national record two minutes, 58.12 seconds.
USA finished with silver in a season best 2:58.61 while Great Britain also ran a season best 2:59.00 to end with bronze. “It was a big motivation to come here and win – give it big,” said Jarrin Solomon who led off the race. “We knew and we made sure that we set up the team correctly. We worked so hard and it means so much to our team. It has a special sweet taste for us this year.” Jereem Richards, who won bronze in the 200m earlier in the week, said his job on the second leg was just to go out and “make sure we have the chance to execute well on
the last leg.” Machel Cedenio was brilliant on the third leg, closing the gap on American Michael Cherry to ensure Gordon entered the last leg well poised. “I feel just grateful now. I think it was the best experience of all my career,” Cedenio said. Earlier in the women’s equivalent, Jamaica suffered disappointment when they failed to finish after Anneisha McLaughlin-Whilby pulled up on the second leg. USA won the event in 3:19.02 ahead of Great Britain (3:25.00) and Poland (3:25.41).