Wednesday August 30, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Please stop this Cevons and Puran Brothers should Region 2 official be paid monies owed to them from bullying me DEAR EDITOR, I am seeking the media’s help and assistance of others in this situation here at my residence at Capoey compound. Mr. Editor I am a single parent with 3 children and 5 grandchildren. I am living at Capoey compound for the past 23 years (since 29th march, 1994) and a man (name supplied) who happens to live very close by and who was a top regional official in 2000 has been victimizing me for years. I wrote letters to the then president, Mr. Jagdeo but nothing happened. I get no peace; he is claiming my place as his own. Mr. Editor after the 2015 elections, I wrote his Excellency President Granger for the legal lease to my property. He sent my letter to the minister of communities Mr. Bulkhan and they made contact with me and after the process, I was told to go to the lands and surveys department in region 2 and apply for my lease which I did. Since October 2016, my lease was approved which I thank the government for. But the torment still continues to date, this man once the big wig in 2002 is now a big wig in the NDC There was some dirt at the back of my place on the sea defence and I asked the Regional Chairman, Mr. Ramdatt and the N.I.D.A engineer for some of the dirt and they give me. On the 24th and 25th April, 2017 an excavator came and put the dirt in my yard but the next day the rain started falling and my yard was flooded so I could not get a grader to spread the dirt. Whenever rain falls (for all the years) this man drains his waters in my yard and when I complain I am ignored; there is no betterment. This man has all his house gutters over at my yard. This was under the previous administration and under the present one, it is the same thing ...no change. On Tuesday 22nd August, I received messages that the region’s excavator and tractors with trailors were in my yard so I went home and saw the excavator operator
digging out the dirt. I ask the operator who sent him in my yard to dig the dirt and he said the engineer and the other man said the overseer and they left the machine and went over to the man who is bullying me. I called the regional chairperson and she said she did not know about the situation; she would have to find out. I called Mr. Derick Kowlessar from the Ministry of communities and he called up officials from the region and they knew nothing also. I later learnt that the big wig that is the subject of this letter here gave the okay to dig the dirt from my yard to take to a place in Queenstown to make a makeshift park. To my surprise yesterday about 8.00 am, I heard a loud noise in my yard and I looked out of my window to see the said excavator in my yard; again digging out the rest of the dirt and loading it in trailors again. I asked the operator who instructed him to dig again but he did not answer me but continue digging the dirt. I called Mr. Derick once again. I called the chairperson. I called the Anna Regina police. Mr. Editor I would like to know where is the change and betterment I was promised by this administration. I voted for change but to date I am being harassed, victimized and tormented. Why? Where is the better life I was promised. Ministers Joseph Harmon and Volda Lawrence and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootto know about my situation and how I was being harassed, tormented and victimized by the previous administration, and now the same continues under the present one...what did I vote for....better or worse? My yard was fenced and this NCD big wig cut down my fence and took away all my materials in 2002.Mr. Harmon is aware of that. Looking forward for your kind assistance to expose these matters for all to see. Sattie Naraine(Gita) Lot 4 Capoey Compound Region 2
DEAR EDITOR, Thank you for affording me the opportunity to express my concern and to discuss the ridiculous posturing that is being exhibited by the senior functionaries of the municipality of Georgetown with regards to the garbage collection and disposal operation in our once “Garden City”. I am currently residing in Georgetown and have been looking at successive debacles being played out as a result of poor judgment by officials who appeared to be mentally vacuous, lacking in vision, and who clearly do not have the interest in the welfare of those they serve, as a priority. The manner in which the garbage situation is being handled is an embarrassment not only to the municipality but to the government and the people of Guyana as well.
To begin with the disdainful manner in which the enormous debt owed to do contracted disposal companies, Puran Bros and Cevons, showed clearly that they (Mayor & City Council) have been utilizing delaying tactics designed to hamstrung these entities. Why was this debt allowed to accumulate over a period of almost three (3) years? Is the city really cash- strapped as it claims? Has central government ever provided any subvention during this time? Would offering these two (2) companies a paltry sum intermittently be adequate? Is this how financial commitments are honored? In light of the vast sums owed to these companies, one can well imagine the frustration and despair the management of these organizations must be
experiencing. Already, one of them has signaled its intention to reduce its workforce. The survival of these companies as well as that of their staff is at stake. These companies, I am sure, also have their own financial commitments to others as well. Is this the way Guyanese should be treated in their own country? What dismal signals are we sending to our perspective foreign investors? With every step we are sinking deeper into the morass of corruption and deception. The mayor and town clerk seem not to be cognizant on the way forward and continue to make conflicting pronouncements on various critical issues. There is a garbage crisis looming and a disaster in the making. One does not need to be very observing to note that our city is fast becoming a garbage city. Not to mention
the serious impact on the health and welfare of our citizen and visitors as well. Presently the three other contractors, contracted by the city council in the interim, have been striving courageously to alleviate the garbage situation. However, given their limited capacity and lack of other resources, their efforts can be compared to cleaning the Augean stables, and they are definitely no Hercules among them. In light of the above, I strongly urge these entrusted with the authority to exercise some prudence and foresight to satisfactorily resolve the issue with Puran Bros. Disposal Inc. and Cevons Waste Management with the greatest of urgency in the hope of averting a national disaster. M. Da Silva
Guyana is not a place where you can expect justice DEAR EDITOR, I refer to my letter of Tuesday, August 29 describing my frustration with how the rule of law operates in Guyana. I stopped the letter at my initial contact with the Guyana Lands and Survey. Here now is my experience. I rang GL&SC in Bartica and spoke with a senior official. He advised me to let my niece have Power of Attorney so that she could work on the land. I asked him for a copy of the Lease and he said he was going to Georgetown and would get a copy in a few weeks. I told him I was not prepared to give her POA and he said the Lease needed to be uplifted. He also told me that the rent had been outstanding since 2011. At some cost, I repeatedly rang this man but he never took my calls, so I asked my niece to visit him to get a copy of the Lease, but she was equally unsuccessful. I kept trying to reach him and on the 18th December 2015, I visited GL&SC’s website and was shocked by what I saw. Glaring from my computer was a Notice to all Leaseholders
demanding all outstanding payments by the 31st January 2016 and that failure to do so may result in Leases being forfeited. This was “By Order of Management.” I could not get in touch with the official so I rang GL&SC in Georgetown but they refused to accept my offer to pay all outstanding amounts and the coming year’s rent. Realising that time was running out I contacted Guyana High Commission (GHC) in London and stressed the urgency. I argued that I could not understand why GL&SC was refusing to accept revenue for the government. On the 29th January 2016, GHC told me that my payment would be accepted. Payment was made that afternoon. I still could not contact this official mentioned above in my initial contact, so I wrote to a higher authority. To this day I have not had a
reply from him, even though his secretary confirmed receipt of my correspondence to him. It is my belief that proper inspection of the documents will show that my half- brother, half-sisters and June have colluded to have June listed as a Lessee and someone fabricated an Affidavit to look as though our father had notarised it. Also, the Bartica official did not carry out proper checks in 2012 before signing the document that included June, and which also listed the amount of rent outstanding: the final amount demanded shows that his calculation was more than was owed at the time. I wrote to the Commissioner and asked why my half sister was included as a Lessee and in April 2016, I received a letter from GL&SC which informed me that I would be sent an explanation when the Senior Land
Registration Officer of Region 7 submitted a report. I was eventually told by GL&SC Commissioner, Trevor Benn, through my then legal representative that I had applied jointly with my siblings, including that half sister to lease the land. This I denied and demanded proof which, of course, could not be presented. Instead, he requested that the lawyer urged me to visit his office in Georgetown. I regarded this as an unreasonable request and again contacted the Guyana High Commission in London who passed the matter to Guyana Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Eventually, GHC advised me to follow Mr Benn’s advice. From early 2016, I had appointed a certain female lawyer as my legal representative and is a niece of my half-brother’s wife. I specifically asked her if Continued on page 6
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday August 30, 2017
Examination of the functions of the Public Utilities Commission DEAR EDITOR, Having written in two letters about the issues that could fall within the responsibility of the PUC, let us examine the capability of it to handle strong regulation. The other regulatory bodies of the region are structured with divisions to handle internal administration, public relations and complaints and regulations as a minimum (see the websites of OUR of Jamaica, RIC of Trinidad and Tobago, IRC of Dominica, Fair Trading Commission of Barbados, PUC of Belize and others around the region for their organization charts), Guyana’s PUC is structured differently.
effective and efficient public utility regulatory body. There might be a few name changes here or there but the organization remains the same. As can be seen from the above Guyana’s PUC has no regulation division, as such, with a head and a staff complement. There are two financial analysts and two engineers employed, but they do not form part of a division of the body. Seems strange that a regulatory body should not have a regulation division staffed with financial analysts, engineers and economists. Regulation should be the essence of the PUC’s existence and to not
contrary, its existence seems to be predicated on resolving complaints which are growing by the day and which caused the Commission to reprimand the utilities recently for the growing number of complaints. A regulatory body is there to regulate the utilities and to ensure that the causes for the complaints are removed. Multiplying complaints is a sad commentary on the efficiency and effectiveness on the regulation emanating from the Commission. Like Guyana, OUR regulates electricity water and sewerage and telecommunications. OUR has a staff complement of
The divisions shown in the matrix above are basically those employed by any
have a regulations division is to ignore the reason for its very existence. On the
approximately 50 persons. RIC regulates electricity and water and sewerage and it has
a staff complement of 39.Guyana has approximately 12. Believe me, all the others in the matrix above have greater staff complements than the PUC of Guyana. There is no regulations division, no library filled with books, orders of other Commissions across the region and electrical paraphernalia where the public could enter and learn something about how electricity works. There are no consumer committees around the regions to bring to the attention of the Commission the electricity woes being experienced in those areas here even though the PUC is charged with regulating e l e c t r i c i t y , telecommunications and water. A staff of 12 or thereabout cannot adequately carry out the functions of such a body. Someone needs to recognise that sad fact and ensure that the Commission is given the wherewithal to step up its regulations of those public utilities. Further, contrary to almost all but one of the regulatory bodies of the region (PUC of Belize), the PUC of Guyana is headed by an Executive Chairman. In that position the person is responsible for the day to day functioning of the body as well chairing the body of Commissioners. Commissioners of such regulatory bodies are responsible for making all
Govt. doesn’t want the Local Govt... From page 4 July and August 2016, Minister Bulkan continued to insist that the LGC will be operationalised once Jagdeo has stated whether he satisfied the requirements of the legislation and “consulted with all parliamentary parties.” In fact, the Act states “consultation with other parliamentary parties; “ vi) On November 4th, 2016, in response to a Question without Notice to a Minister on the delay in the appointment of the members of the Local Government Commission, the Minister admitted that a Commencement Order had not been issued to date and that that would be necessary to be done before the Commission could be appointed. Secondly he admitted that the government was still searching for suitable persons. He did not respond to whether efforts had been made to consult with the 71 Local Authorities with regard to their nominee; vii) During the debate
on the 2017 Budget in December 2016, the Minister was again grilled on the non-appointment of the LGC and questioned about the use of funds allocated in the 2016 Budget when there was no Commission in place; viii) In February, 2017, Teixeira told Stabroek News that whilst her party is of the view that the intent of the Act was for the Opposition Leader to consult other parliamentary opposition parties, the PPP/C was willing in the interest of not hindering the appointment of the LGC to play along and convene a consultation with all parliamentary parties to receive their nominees for his consideration in accordance with the LGC Act; ix) The PPP/C on May 23, 2017 invited the General Secretary, Minister J. Harmon of the APNU and the Chairman, Minister K. Ramjattan of the AFC to a meeting with the Leader of the Opposition to discuss the nominees for the LGC during the first break of the June 15,
2017 sitting of the National Assembly; x) The Chairman of the AFC responded formally that he was “unavailable in the month of J u n e ” . H e i s quoted in the press as saying “I have my work with me, which I complete during the break. They can’t just set a date and expect us to turn up if we already have other plans;” xi) At the June 15, 2017 sitting, during the first break, a letter was delivered from Minister Harmon’s office advising that Mr. Desmond Trotman was the named representative for the APNU to the meeting; xii) The meeting on June 15, 2017 was held with the Leader of the Opposition and his team with Mr. Trotman. The APNU representatives asserted that he was certain that APNU had nominees but that he was not in a position to name them at that meeting. As a result, it was mutually agreed that the APNU would submit its nominees for the Leader of the Opposition’s consideration no later than
June 30, 2017; xiii) On August 15, 2017, the General Secretary of the APNU was informed that having waited and not received any submissions as agreed, the Leader of the Opposition was proceeding to make his nominations. On the same day, the Minister of Communities was written to advising of the efforts made by the Leader of the Opposition to consult with other parliamentary parties and the re-submission of his original three nominees of July 2016. xiv) As of today, the government has not a) Issued a Commencement Order to bring the Local Government Commission Act into effect; nor, b) Named the three persons to be appointed by the President; nor, c) Consulted with the Local Democratic Organs to arrive at a nominee; So a year later, there has been absolutely no movement. Gail Teixeira
regulatory decisions and should be insulated from the utterances, recommendations and decisions of the executive. In Guyana, like Belize, the head of the executive is the Chairman and, as such, there can be no distinction between the utterances of the Chairman as the head executive and the Chairman as head of the Commission. Whatever the Chairman says as head of the executive can be construed as coming from the Commission itself. That is why there were so many court cases for bias filed against the Commission by the regulated utilities. The combination of the responsibilities of the Chairman and Chief Executive always prove to be very toxic. In addition, in Guyana, the PUC holds public consultations which it calls “hearings”. In the first place a hearing is a quasi-judicial process where witnesses give their testimony under oath. That has long ceased to be the case for the PUC. Consultations are held where witnesses testimony are not taken under oath and over which the Executive Chairman presides. In every other jurisdiction I know (except Belize) such consultations are presided by someone other than a Commissioner and Commissioners participate only by listening to the proceedings. The reason for this is simple. Whatever the Commissioners utter at such consultations can be taken as coming from the Commission. Commissioners are generally silent when in the public. In some jurisdictions they are not even allowed to speak to each other on matters before the Commission outside of Commission meetings.
Guyana had its fair share of the toxicity of Chairman and Commissioners making statements at hearings or consultations in the number of times it was cited for bias based on statements made by Commissioners at hearings or consultations. In my opinion, the PUC’s consultations should be chaired by someone other than the Chairman and the Commissioners should not be allowed to ask questions. They should be there merely as observers of the process and for note taking. In addition, for some reason the powers that be in Guyana think that an Attorney-at-Law makes the best Executive Chairman and so all of the Chairmen of the PUC, except the first, have been Attorneys-at-Law. There are three other regulatory bodies in the Caribbean with Attorneys-at-Law as Chairman, i.e. URCA of the Bahamas, IRC of Dominica and Fair Trading Commission of Barbados. In these cases, the Chairmen are not Executive Chairmen and they are supported by Executive Directors who are professional regulators. While the Chairman of URCA in the Bahamas is an Attorney, his deputy is the most respected regulator in the Caribbean. Trinidad has an economist as Chairman. Belize has an engineer as Chairman. Jamaica has a professional regulator as Chairman. In the jurisdictions with Attorneys as Chairmen, professional regulators, with standing in the region as such, function as Executive Directors. In no other case is the Executive Chairman an Attorney-at –Law. Lance McCaskey
Guyana is not a place... From page 5 representing me would constitute a conflict of interest and she stated that it would not - this was communicated via e-mail. When she informed me that she had an appointment with Commissioner Benn - after I had repeated my request for proof - I asked if she required a Power of Attorney and the answer was no. However, after her visit to GL&SC she informed me on the 9th November that she was refused the relevant documents. Eventually, she sent me a photograph of what is purported to be my father’s Affidavit and a copy of a Lease for the property, signed by my half sister in question. In her missive, she suggested that the matter should be closed. I decided to dispense with her service. I wrote directly to
Commissioner Trevor Benn but he has not replied and after writing to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and being advised to contact GL&SC, either in person or through a lawyer, I obtained the services of a lawyer in London who wrote to him. He has not replied to him, even though his secretary has acknowledged receipt. From what I have read, it saddens me that life in Guyana seems to be tainted by social malaise. Therefore, my siblings’ success does not surprise me as this matter started under the previous administration, but I do expect the representatives of the current government to be keen to demonstrate their desire to abide by the rule of law. I wonder if the Bartica official is still employed at GL&SC. Nolan Griffith
Wednesday August 30, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Home owners get keys to Perseverance model homes Forty-sixyear-old Deborah Wilson is the first occupant of a duplex home constructed by the Government as part of its housing solution programme. After waiting 24 years, Wilson is now the owner of a complete home outfitted with all the amenities. She expressed her elation at being the first owner of a home in the model village at Perseverance, according to a government statement. “I feel so happy owning a duplex and I am the first to own one in Guyana. I had applied since 1993,” Wilson told media operatives at the simple handing over ceremony at Perseverance, East Bank Demerara. Winston Persaud, who will be her neighbour in the adjoining two-storey flat was also handed his keys. The duplex was sold to both occupants at a cost of $6.8 million. Persaud said he is satisfied and expressed gratitude to the government for affording him this opportunity. “I want to thank the Minister and all her staff for this opportunity of owning my own home. This is the biggest step in life and it’s a wonderful opportunity to own my
Deborah Wilson receives her keys from Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Valerie Adams-Yearwood home for the first time, it’s a big investment, it’s a lifetime investment and I will care it, because it’s a model home.” The two new home owners, who spoke with the Department of Public Information (DPI), and Gary Rowe, who will occupy the $7 million single elevated home, were the three persons who received their keys from Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Valerie Adams-Yearwood,
Winston Persaud receives his keys
yesterday. Minister AdamsYearwood urged the occupants to care the homes, since they are a part of the model village, and the CH&PA will be using the houses to show potential buyers. She also reminded them to adhere to the rules, which allow them to expand after five years. The Minister also announced that Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) will be constructing forty (40) additional flat concrete duplexes at Perseverance, Phase 2. CH&PA is currently awaiting the contractor’s performance bond, after which the contracts will be signed. These homes will be built at a cost of $540m, and sold for $7.1 million ($6.8m for the homes and $300,000 for the land), the Minister explained. She also disclosed that CH&PA had initially planned to build duplexes in Onderneeming, in Regions Two and Three, New Amsterdam in Region Six, Hope Experiment, Region Five and Amelia’s Ward and Wisrock, in Region Ten.
One of the duplex homes at Perseverance, East Bank Demerara. However, the minister noted that persons were not receptive to the duplex-style homes. She said that the CH&PA will have to host more engagements and consultations with residents on that programme.
In the interim, she said that the authority will be constructing the single elevated and flat houses in those areas. The CH&PA had on display and for sale, two single units and six duplexes at the
Housing Solution 2017 and Beyond Exposition held at Perseverance in May. A direct result of the expo is a renewed interest in the CH&PA’s housing solutions; over 3000 persons applied during the expo for units.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday August 30, 2017
COI INTO ANCESTRAL LAND OWNERSHIP…
Commissioner of Forests tells of conflicts between loggers and miners Commissioner of Forests, James Singh, has provided details about the process undertaken by applicants to obtain lands for logging and other purposes within the nation’s vast forest region. During his testimony, Singh shared information as it relates to the conflicts between loggers and miners, arising from the overlapping jurisdiction shared by the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), and other stakeholder agencies. The GFC official was summoned before the Commission of Inquiry (COI) into Ancestral Land Ownership and other matters, which is continuing at the Guyana Lands and Surveys (GLS) headquarters, D’Urban Backlands, Georgetown.
- details process to obtain logging, other concessions The exercise is spearheaded by Chairman Rev. George Chuck-A-Sang and Commissioners, Berlinda Persaud, Professor Rudolph James, David James, Paulette Henry, Lennox Caleb, and Carol Khan-James. During his testimony before the COI, Singh explained that although the GFC is responsible for the management of the forest estate and the issuance of state forest concessions or state forest allocations throughout the country, the Commission often interfaces with other stakeholder agencies, because of the overlapping jurisdictions it shares as it relates to said
lands. In response to questions by Attorney for the Commission, Darren Wade, the GFC official noted that because forest lands are used for multiple purposes; agricultural, eco-tourism and mining minerals, the forestry commission would often liaise with other agencies such as the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC), to avoid conflict between forest concession holders and miners etc. While he admitted that there were instances where conflict arose between the various operators, Singh told the commission that a multistakeholder approach has been adopted to alleviate the problem. The witness said that information sharing among the key agencies (GGMC, GL&SC, the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs and the Ministry of Natural Resources) has resulted in a greater level of cooperation between miners and forest concession owners.
“We have a very detailed allocation process, which is considered transparent and robust. In the process of allocating forest areas, we would publicly advertise that any person can go to the nearest forest station and uplift a map of the area they would be interested in.” “And if an issue arises, we try to work around it and resolve any conflict. The land can be used for different purposes, but we try as far as possible to have them (miners and loggers) coexist.” Explaining further his roles and functions before the Commission, Singh said as part of his duties at the GFC, he is tasked with ensuring that the five divisions within the organization submit their annual work plan for the approval of the Board of Directors of the Forestry Commission, as well as managing the implementation of the said work plan. Additionally, Singh explained that he would carry out other relevant duties delegated to him by the
Commissioner of Forests, James Singh board or the Government. The witness told the Commissioners that Guyana has 21.5 million hectares of land that stretch throughout the 10 administrative regions. He said that 12.6 million hectares of Guyana’s land mass represent forest lands. According to Singh, the expanse of land has divisions in Demerara, Berbice and Essequibo, which is two parts. Within those divisions there are forest monitoring stations with over 250 staffers located throughout the country. Additionally, he said that
the forest lands are monitored via satellite and other modern methods adopted by the GFC. In terms of granting of applications for forest concession, the GFC Commissioner explained that there is a process to be followed. “The list of applications for concessions is taken to the GFC Board of Directors for approval, it is forwarded to the GGMC and Ministry of Indigenous Affairs for their no objection,” Singh related “Once there is no objection, advertisements are placed in the newspapers, so that anyone is basically aware of the list. The list is also posted at every forest station throughout the country.” The list, he said, is further scrutinized by Forest Resources Allocation Committee of the GFC and later screened by a technical subcommittee before it is placed for final approval or rejection by the Board. Singh told the commission that the process has been subject to a number of audits, including international standards tests, and has proven to be very robust and transparent.
Wednesday August 30, 2017
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Kaieteur News
The silence which killed a bandit The 24-year-old man who was shot and killed yesterday after he allegedly attempted to rob a female businesswoman was very popular. His Facebook profile had over nine hundred ‘friends.’ Those friends would have had access to the posts which he made on his page. The posts go a few years back. In one post a pile of $1000 bills are photographed. He dodges the question of ownership, but that image is pasted many times on his page. There is also an image of a bottle of Hennessy and an AK 47 rifle. That alone should have raised red flags among his 900 Facebook ‘friends’. In another photograph, there is a picture of a handgun
with an ammunition magazine. All of this would have been visible to his “friends”. It was obvious that this man was going down the wrong path. Yet no one seemed to have tried to get in touch with the police. The young man was also seen sporting a gold chain with what appears to be a diamond pendant. For a then prison warder enjoying a small salary to be bedecked in such clothing should have raised red flags. It is sad that he lost his life. He was young and his life had hardly begun. But he was an adult and he made the choice of such a life, and from the comments and posts that he made on social media, it is clear that he enjoyed whatever he was doing.
DEM BOYS SEH...
The young man who was killed was said to be warder. Imagine having a bandit watching other bandits. The Guyana Prison Service should investigate the procedures which were used to employ him. It should investigate the background checks which were conducted. His death, at such a young age, should be a lesson for all young men in the country. Stay along the straight and narrow path. Do not get involved in crime! You are not proving anything to anybody, once the only way in which you can make money is by criminal means. That young man had no reason to be trying to rob that businesswoman. Poverty is no reason for crime. Generations of
De people want a local oil company, Soulja Bai Everybody waiting fuh de oil to come out de ground, but Guyana getting good advice from people who know about oil. Right now is two set of people dealing wid Guyana oil—ExxonMobil and de government. De two of dem got some agreement that de people want to see because dem really suspicious about ExxonMobil. That is a company that shaft almost all dem country that it deal wid. It tie up deals wid nuff of dem government and in de end is only de government people and Exxon collect de money. De people had no say. Now dem boys telling Soulja Bai that he got to involve de people. When Jagdeo sign de first deal wid Exxon he didn’t give a hoot about de people. De first thing Soulja Bai got to do is set up a local oil company just like how he got a local power company. That company gun keep a check pun de other company because it got an interest in de operations. A local company is not new. Nuff countries got dem own company. Trinidad got Petrotrin; Brazil got Petrobras and Suriname got Staatsolie. These
companies gun wuk alongside Exxon and stabilize de oil industry. It gun set up policies but more than anything, it gun offer shares in de oil industries to locals. That is wha Soulja Bai should wuk on; give locals a share in whatever Exxon produce so that everybody can see wha happening. Nobody can say that dem ain’t know wha going on because everything gun come out at de annual general meeting. This business is serious; is Guyana’s future. Guyanese got to protect dem children and grandchildren because de oil could run out and de country ain’t got nutten to show. Nuff people ready to invest and tek de strain off de government. Dem boys seh Soulja Bai can’t ignore wha people recommending. Dem trying to protect dem interest and save de country at de same time. Exxon refusing to meet wid de local media, because it don’t want to answer questions. And de people got nuff questions. Set up de local oil company, Soulja Bai. Talk half and remember de oil is Guyana own.
Guyanese have grown up dirt poor and not resorted to crime. There was a time when the shame of being branded a criminal was enough to force persons to stay away from crime. These days criminals are folk heroes. There are some women who even like to boast about their man being a thief or bandit. From all reports, there were women who were willing to associate with hardened and ruthless criminals. Blackie London, a notorious criminal, was actually in the presence of a woman who left home with her Bible, when the lawmen cornered him in a hotel in Eccles. It is greed, not poverty, which is behind the large numbers of our young people who are resorting to crime. There has been a breakdown in values in our society. The value of greed is now displacing honesty as a societal value. The young people of Guyana are under threat. It is
true that many of them cannot find jobs. But it is equally true that many of them also do not want to work. It is also true that quite a few of them do not have employable skills. But this has always been the case. Nothing has changed, except that being a bandit now is becoming a status symbol. Long ago, when a bandit was killed, even close members of the family were ashamed to be seen at that persons’ funeral. These days, when bandits are killed, the funerals are turned into a parade. It boils down to our
values. Poverty does not push people into crime. It is the legitimizing of criminality which is encouraging our young people to go astray. That young man who was killed yesterday, met his end because those who should have done something about his wicked ways, did not do enough. They let him down just as much as he let himself down.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday August 30, 2017
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN...
The slime eels will remain silent on this statement I wrote two columns likening a certain post-2015 mindset to a peculiar creature named slime eels (see Monday, July 31, 2017, “Slimy eels that crawled out of the gutter of dictatorship,” and Wednesday, August 2, 2017, “I encounter slime eels daily; yes every day.”). Those two articles dealt with columnists (in a certain newspaper purportedly coowned by Bharrat Jagdeo), commentators and letter writers to the newspapers, who from 2016 onwards (less than a year of the APNU+AFC
in power) discovered that the government of the day was practicing racial discrimination. If in less than one year, these slime eels could discern the practice of race bias in public policy, then where were these slime eels from October 1992 to May 2015; make that almost 23 years? Are these slime eels telling us that there weren’t minor and major decisions that favoured one ethnic community over the other? Of course there were, but slime eels are slime eels. This brings us to the
written outburst in the state media of Bibi Shadick. It is best to quote her. “I am a proud member of the PPP cabal.” This was a cabal that brought social and cultural devastation to this country. This was a cabal that for twenty-three years of hegemony could not stop daily blackouts. This was a cabal that, through Shadick’s role as a member of the UG Council, rendered that university moribund. This was a cabal under whose power people didn’t come out of their houses after dusk came between 2002 and 2008 because violent, criminal death stalked the land. This was a cabal that appointed a Commissioner of Police even though the most competent intelligence service in the world, the FBI, had forwarded to the American Government information of this officer’s involvement with the drug trade in Guyana. This was a
cabal when in power, between 2002 and 2008, over five hundred men between 18 and 40 years were killed in extrajudicial mayhem in which policemen and drug traffickers were partners in crime. This was the cabal that in one of the poorest countries in the world built a sixty million-US dollar Marriott Hotel when all around public infrastructure was falling down, including public schools. This was the cabal that made the largest investment in Guyana’s history, the Skeldon sugar factory costing 200 million American dollars - that never functioned properly from its time of birth. This was the cabal that took over ten billion dollars from the NIS account and just wasted it on Clico investment and the Berbice Bridge. If we had abuse of power legislation, as most other countries in the world have,
then that cabal of which Bibi Shadick is joyful to be a member of, would be in the docks at this moment. It can still happen if this present government can muster the vision to understand what historical justice means. This NIS scandal was the most ferocious manifestation of the sadistic nature of this cabal. This cabal endangered the livelihood of hundreds of thousands of people who worked their lives away, only to find out that the NIS may not have sufficient funds to pay them their expectant pensions. How sugar workers could have voted for this cabal that Bibi Shadick is proud of, has to be a moment of uncivilized madness. It is this psychotic culture and bizarre environment that Bibi Shadick is overwhelmed to be a part of. But what has the foregoing got to do with slime eels? You can wager and win handsomely that in tomorrow’s newspaper if you bet that the slime eels will come out denouncing Eric Philips as racist if he said he is proud to be an African rights activist. The slime eels in days to come will tell you that those
Frederick Kissoon PNC politicians are racist when they say that they were proud to be part of the past PNC government and embrace the present APNU leadership of the current administration. No problem if Bibi Shadick exclaims openly that she is proud to be part of the PPP, a party that almost destroyed Guyana, but it becomes a problem if any Black Minister of the present administration talks about the positive things Mr. Burnham did for Guyana. This is the disgust I have for slime eels. They are really slimy. Surely, you can criticize the current regime for mistakes made, but basic decency should drive you to admit that the members of the cabal that Bibi Shadick is happy to be part of should never rule this land again, and should be behind prison bars.
Wednesday August 30, 2017
Kaieteur News
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Two contractors bid for construction of Hydro-Power plant at Hosororo The Guyana Energy Agency is moving ahead with its intention to resuscitate the Hosororo Hydropower plant. Yesterday, at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), two bids were opened in relation to performing construction work at the Hosororo site. The new work that is to be done at the site will include the construction of a 20-kilowatt hydropower plant. The Hosororo Creek is 4.6 kilometres south-west of Mabaruma, Region one. The aim of the project is to increase the energy mix of the Mabaruma electricity grid with renewable energy. There was an initial power plant at the site that was built in the 1980s, complete with a powerhouse and turbine generating 5 kilowatts of power. However the project was deserted a number of years after.
Further, Guyanese in various parts of the country can expect to see better road markings, as bids were opened for thermoplastic road markings to be done on a number of major roads. This project is split into 11 lots. Lot one is the stretch of road from New Amsterdam to Moleson Creek specifically from Canje Bridge to No.35 Village (Macedonia); Lot two is from Macedonia to Moleson Creek; Lot three is from the Mahaica Bridge to Abary Bridge; Lot four is from the Abary Bridge to the Rosignol Stelling; Lot five deals with the pedestrian crossings for the East Coast Demerara four lane highway; Lot six concerns the East Bank Demerara four lane highway; Lot seven is the from Golden Grove on the East Bank of Demerara to Timehri; Lot eight deals with the Soesdyke Linden Highway, specifically from the Soesdyke junction to Loo River; Lot nine is from Loo River to Mackenzie; lot 10 concerns the West Bank of Demerara Highway, from Vreed-en-Hoop to Patentia and Lot 11 is the Essequibo Coast Public Road, from Supenaam to the Pomeroon River.
Additionally, under the GEA, bids were opened for the supply and installation of one complete 2.5 kilowatt peak (kWp) and one complete 4.0kWp Stand-Alone Solar photovoltaic systems.
On the side of public security, bids were opened for the construction of a senior officer’s living quarters for the Guyana Police Force (GPF). The procuring entity for this project is the Ministry of Public Security. Twenty-five contractors are competing for this contract.
Further, bids were opened for the rehabilitation of hydraulic systems for the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA). This is being done in five lots.
Additionally, bids were opened for the procurement of one re-conditioned motor vehicle for the Rights Commission.
Bids were also opened for the modification to radio studios for 98.1 and 100.1 Voice of Guyana at the Head Office of the National Communications Network (NCN).
The National Communications Network (NCN) is also the procuring entity for bids that were opened for the supply and installation of a structured cabling solution for the NCN Head Office.
Businessmen in mystery plane probe released on bail Police have released the two Lethem businessmen who are at the centre of the investigation into the discovery of a Beechcraft twin-engine aircraft and illegal airstrip at Santa Fe. “They were released on bail, with certain conditions that they have to adhere to,” a senior police official said. Meanwhile, a police team that is spearheading the investigation has returned from Lethem. It is alleged that one of the suspects hired the other, who is a contractor, to set up the illegal airstrip in the area where the plane was discovered. Both men own heavy-duty machinery which
investigators impounded. The plane was seized after police and other security officials journeyed to the area amid reports of strange flights. They had discovered illegal fuel and other items near a makeshift airstrip days earlier. A number of men were seen running away from the aircraft when the officials descended upon the area. It is alleged that the contractor used his front-end loader to build the illegal airstrip about 10 miles from Santa Fe. It is believed that the plane, said to be Brazilian-registered, and the airstrip, were being used for illegal activities.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday August 30, 2017
‘Give Another Chance’ foundation reaches out to students
Members of ‘Give Another Chance’ Foundation, officials of V Net Communications and students share a moment at the ceremony. Give Another Chance Foundation of 43 ‘A’ Friendship, East Bank Demerara, has assisted a number of students from various schools who have excelled in the National Grade Six Assessment. At a ceremony held on Saturday at Island Style Café, Brickdam, the organisation donated a quantity of backpacks, tablets and cash incentives to 75 students from JE
Burnham Primary, Sophia P r i m a r y, St . G a b r i e l ’s , Paradise Primary, Graham’s H a l l P r i m a r y, K e t l e y Primary, Hopetown Primary, West Ruimveldt Primary, St . P i u s , St . St e p h e n ’s Primary and FE Pollard Primary. The entity also rewarded students from University of Guyana, St. Rose’s High, Brickdam Secondary, Houston Secondary, Starters Nursery, Christ Church and
Golden Grove Secondary. Founder of the charitable organisation, Miranda Thakur-Deen, said they started this initiative seven years ago in Wa k e n a a m , a n d h a v e decided to reach out to schools from across the country, adding that this is their second year in Georgetown. She stated they would also reach out to children during the Christmas season
and offer scholarships to students from the interior. “We want to help these students to continue to excel in their education, so we thought it best to support them as they prepare for another school term,” she posited. She expressed gratitude to V Net Communications of Delph Street, Campbellville, Atlantic Mining, Atlantic Marine, Famar Inc of Wakenaam, Cerulean Inc,
Wendy Seepersaud of Wireless and Giftshop, Valarie and Indal of Island Style Café, Glo-See and Sterling Products Ltd. Chief Executive Officer of V Net Communications Safraz Sheriffudeen who donated the tablets said he was privileged to be part of the venture and lauded Mrs. Thakur-Deen, who hails from Wakenaam, as well as other members of the organisation.
“It’s one way of giving back to the society; some students may not be able to afford certain luxuries, so this is a wonderful initiative by the foundation and children can now go one step further in their education. I hope that this serves as a motivation to them and other students since they are our future,” he said. Mayor of Georgetown Patricia Chase-Green was also in attendance.
Wednesday August 30, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Non-disclosure of ExxonMobil Contract…
Anti-corruption advocates rubbish Govt.’s ‘excuses’ Regardless of how many times it is repeated and carried by the media, the APNU+AFC Government continues to resist all calls to release the contract with US oil giant ExxonMobil. They have essentially given two reasons for their position. The first reason that was given was in relation to Guyana’s ongoing territorial issues with Venezuela. In this regard, several government officials are on record as stating that the Government has been ‘advised’ that now is not “an opportune time” to release the details of the contract with the oil company. The Government on this note has also been cautious about the information it releases in relation to petroleum matters. The second reason that was proffered by the Government was that not only are there confidentiality clauses in the contract which prohibit the release of the contract, but also, nondisclosure laws prevent the Government from making any such move. Two anticorruption advocates however recently dismantled the Government’s excuse in this regard. In his recent writings, Chartered Accountant, Chris Ram said that one of the pieces of misinformation in the public relates to the areas or blocks which have been allocated by the Government to operators. Ram said that this information is available on the internet. He said, too, that the law provides that for purposes of licensing and exploring for petroleum products, a reference map of the geographical area of Guyana had been prepared, divided into blocks, each identifiable by a number and/ or letter. The attorney-at-law said that the geographical coordinates and size of every block are also indicated on the map. He reminded that the law even states that if any block extends into a neighbouring country, only the portion that lies within Guyana can be constituted as a block. Ram said, “And for all those obsessed with secrecy and confidentiality, the law requires that the map be published in the Official Gazette, placed at any office specified by the Minister, and forms part of the Regulations. In other words, whichever friend or foe wanted to know what Guyana is doing in relation to petroleum matters, only needed to scour official sources.” Also addressing Government’s excuse in relation to the nondisclosure of the ExxonMobil contract
Opposition Member, Juan Edghill
Chartered Accountant, Chris Ram
Former Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran
was former Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran. In his recent writings as well, Goolsarran reminded that the authorities have resisted attempts to release the contract, citing a 1997 amendment to the Petroleum Exploration and Production Act that precludes it from making any such disclosure.
The Chartered Accountant said, “…If we are serious in our commitment to adhere to highest standards of governance, transparency and accountability, how difficult is it to secure a further amendment to the Act to enable the contract to be laid in the National Assembly, thereby making it available to
the public?” Goolsarran then underscored the importance of releasing the contract, since there have been a number of reports regarding how much Guyana stands to gain in the first few years from oil production. Kaieteur News recently carried an article quoting
Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, who said that based on the projections of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Guyana can expect to gain some US$380 million or G$78.47 billion annually. Goolsarran said, however, that without the ExxonMobil contract being made available, citizens have no way of knowing how this amount has been arrived at. Also lending his voice to the issue was Opposition Member, Juan Edghill. The PPP Executive said, “When you are in the negotiating stage of a contract, confidentiality clauses are necessary, because you are talking… you have competitors and people of other interest looking on. But the issue the APNU+AFC Government is missing is that we are way beyond an exploration agreement. We are in a phase for production and profit sharing. And that is the crux
of the matter. Nothing should obfuscate that reality.” Edghill added, “We don’t want semantics from ministers, we want to see the contract. We need to know what is happening in Guyana. We need a mature discussion about Guyana’s interest.” The Opposition Member said that most are very much aware of the fact that the investor, ExxonMobil, is simply here to make money. He emphasized that there should be no quarrel about that. In the same breath, Edghill noted too that the investment is also an important one for Guyana and a timely one at that. However, he stressed that while the investment is needed, that is not to say “you should throw up your arms and tell the company do what you want with me.” The Opposition Member insisted that a light of transparency needs to be shed on the contract; no excuses.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday August 30, 2017
Govt. faces monumental task to adequately prepare for oil production in allotted time By Abena RockcliffeCampbell Former Chairman of the Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago (Petrotrin), Donald Baldeosingh thinks that Guyana is too far away from the place it is supposed to be in getting ready to welcome an oil industry. Kaieteur News conducted an exclusive interview with Baldeosingh, and it was during that interview that Baldeosingh highlighted the fact that Guyana is in the midst of a very important era in its history. The Trinidad national said that it is imperative, for the sake of a brighter future that the relevant authorities
adequately prepare for a fullfledged oil industry. Baldeosingh said that Guyana’s oil window of opportunity may be closing even while it is opening. He gave credence to his statement as he pointed to the fact that the world is weaning itself off of carbon. Baldeosingh said that Guyana should therefore make every effort to maximize the benefits to be derived from being an oil producing country in short term since no one knows exactly how long the window of opportunity will be there. Baldeosingh said that in order for Guyana to maximize the benefits, it needs to be adequately prepared.
- Former Petrotrin Chairman The former Petrotrin Chairman said that everyone can rest assured that ExxonMobil and its partners are well poised to begin oil production come 2020. He said that the company would have already put everything in place. Indeed, there is nothing standing in ExxonMobil’s way. The oil giant has already received all relevant permission from the Government of Guyana. In fact, ExxonMobil’s Operations Manager, Doug McGehee had announced that data for Phase-two of the Liza development project is
already being analyze. So even before production for Phase-one begins plans for Phase-two is already in process. This is clear indication that ExxonMobil has, in local parlance, all its ducks in a row. BUT WHERE IS GUYANA? Baldeosingh, who has actual experience working in the oil industry, said that Guyana has a long way to go in its preparation. “Guyana has to do a lot of work to be ready from an administrative and fiscal standpoint. There are many polices that are needed to be in place.” Baldeosingh continued, “There is indeed a lot of work to be done in a short space of time. To be ready in two to three years’ time is a monumental task. It is almost a blessing that it is happening offshore.” Some of the things that Baldeosingh pointed to that need to be done include the educating of locals who can make meaningful contributions to the industry; the setting up of a national oil company and the setting up of a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF). Baldeosingh said that the
Former Chairman of Petrotrin, Donald Baldeosingh setting up of an SWF is one of the best things that the government can do for Guyana. Indeed, Trinidad’s heritage and stabilization fund has worked as a saviour. Baldeosingh said that other policies like the Local Content Policy need to be put in place. Guyana’s Local Content Policy is still in draft. Many have gone on record speaking about the weaknesses of this draft policy including Attorney-atLaw, Christopher Ram. In addition to the areas highlighted by Baldeosingh, there are indeed many other issues that Guyana needs to address in preparation for oil. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
needs to be strengthened. This newspaper already reported that the EPA approved an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) submitted by ExxonMobil which environmentalists say leaves much to be desired. The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) also needs to be enhanced. GRA announced that it is currently working on establishing an oil and gas unit. However, it is not clear if the officers manning that unit will be able to function at best in consideration of the fact that only the CommissionerGeneral of GRA, Godfrey Statia has access to the contact. GRA has since said that the officers will be made aware of the contents of the contract on a need to know basis. Then there is the Petroleum Commission Bill which has been tabled in the National Assembly. There have been widespread objections to the content of that Bill. Further, Guyana is a far way from becoming a member of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). In fact, Guyana has only recently submitted an application to gain membership to the transparency body. That application will be considered in October.
Credit union claims victimization after refusing minister’s demand A credit union is claiming victimization from a Government minister after the body refused to fork out a $2M donation. Yesterday, the Guyana Public Service Cooperative Credit Union (GPSCCU) said it is not ruling out actions against the Ministry of Social Protection and Minister Keith Scott. The credit union explained that the regulations under the Cooperatives Societies Act Chapter 88:01 requires that cooperatives pay to the Audit and Supervision Fund a maximum of either ten percentage (10%) on Net Annual Profits or one present (1%) of the working capital of the registered society- and this should be used for the benefit of the contributing credit union. However, this has never been the case over the years. The credit union said it had sought audience with former Minister of Labour, Dr. Nanda Gopaul, who agreed for a waiver of the requirement. GPSCCU said that last year, Minister Scott requested a donation of $2M. The credit union said that it refused and as a result, Minister Scott demanded that it pay to the Ministry of Social
Minister Keith Scott Protection $49,691,682. The credit union alleged that due to this impasse, the Minister obstructed the release of the audit reports for 2011 to 2013, as a result blocking the holding of the Annual General Meetings and the payment of dividends to the members of the GPSCCU for the years 2011 to 2013. “The request by the GPSCCU Ltd. to the Ministry of Social Protection for the auditors to continue and complete the audits of the GPSCCU Ltd. For 2014-2016 were also denied by
the Ministry.” The union said that its Committee of Management views the demand of Minister Keith Scott as contrary to the spirit and good intention of his predecessor’s decision and has attempted to impose a new decision retroactively. “To date, because of the existing situation the CCDO (Chief Cooperative Development Officer) has failed to authorize the release of the audited financial statements for the period 2011-2013 thereby, holding the membership hostage hoping that the Management Committee will accede to their unreasonable demand of the Ministry under the misconceived notion of entitlement.” The credit union called on Minister Scott to apologise for suggesting in a press release last month that there were fraud and corruption in the body, “which were carefully calculated to injure the characters of members of the Committee of Management…” “If this is not forthcoming, then the GPSCCU would have no other recourse, but to seek legal remedies through the Courts of Law.”
Wednesday August 30, 2017
Kaieteur News
Neither law nor logic favours withholding oil contracts - Ram The excuse by Government that confidentiality clauses inhibit the release of oil contracts in Guyana, particularly the one with ExxonMobil, does not sit well with a number of anticorruption advocates. Speaking recently on this matter was Chartered Accountant Chris Ram. On his website, www.chrisram.net, the anticorruption advocate said it is important for one to bear in mind that the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) under which oil companies are granted licences for the exploration and development of petroleum, indeed, imposes confidentiality obligations. Ram noted however that this is ONLY in respect of “petroleum data, information and reports obtained or prepared by the oil companies”. The attorney-atlaw said that any statement to the contrary is not only misleading but false. Ram said that the principle of transparency and the overriding public interest in such contracts have even caused a number of such contracts to be made available both at the national and international levels.
Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram In this regard, the Chartered Accountant noted that the University of Dundee, Scotland; Revenue Watch Institute, an NonGovernmental Organization; the World Bank, among o t h e r s (resourcecontracts.org) are facilitating the process by collecting and disseminating them in searchable databases on the internet. Additionally, the attorney-at-law commented, “Neither law, logic nor the public interest requires or favours the continuing withholding of the oil
contracts signed by the Government of Guyana ostensibly acting on behalf of the people of the country.” Kaieteur News had even carried an article which reveals that over 50 countries around the world make their contracts open for scrutiny. This was exposed by the website, Openoil.net. These contracts are also available for download on that website. Openoil has one of the world’s first comprehensive archive lists of oil contracts. These are pulled from states such as Mexico, Angola, Chad, Guatemala, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Syria, and Ukraine. ExxonMobil has operations in all of the mentioned countries in which disclosure of contracts is practiced. Officials, who support the Openoil webpage, categorically believe that all contracts which govern publicly owned natural resources and the livelihoods of people should be placed into the open for all to access and examine. This view, however rational or honourable, is not held by all of Guyana’s policy leaders.
GWI orders water tanks cleaned at City schools The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has intensified its water quality monitoring exercises throughout Guyana. It said that checks have unearthed a number of worrying finds with recommendations made for immediate actions at a number of schools. With the commencement of the new academic year approaching, emphasis is being placed on nursery and primary schools as these are the more vulnerable groups with regards to direct water consumption by students. As these exercises are completed, GWI said will be publishing the results of the water quality tests. In Georgetown, samples were taken from primary schools in an effort to assess the microbial quality of the water. “A detailed list of schools has been provided by the Ministry of Education, so that the exercise can systematically cover all of the nursery and primary schools within the various regions. Based on this list, there are 29 primary schools and 32 nursery schools in Georgetown.” The first batch of primary schools monitored included Comenius Primary,
Queenstown; Enterprise Primary, Lodge; F.E Pollard Primary, Kitty; J.E Burnham Primary, Kitty; North Georgetown Primary, Woolford Avenue; Rama Krishna Primary, Kitty; Redeemer Primary, Campbellville; Sophia Primary, Sophia; St. Agnes Primary, Church Street; St. Ambrose Primary, Third & Light Streets; St. Angela’s Primary, Thomas Street; St. Margaret’s Primary, Camp Street; St. Sidwell’s Primary, Vlissengen Road and Hadfield Sts; Stella Maris Primary, Woolford Avenue and Tucville Primary, Tucville. GWI said that of the schools monitored, a number of them recorded issues regarding the water quality in the tanks. It was recommended cleaning be done before the commencement of the new school term next Monday. Based on the results, urgent cleaning was recommended for the tanks at F.E. Pollard Primary; David Street, Kitty; Redeemer Primary; Stone Avenue & Sixth Street, Campbellville; and North Georgetown Primary, Woolford Avenue. “Whilst these locations require urgent attention,
routine cleaning is still recommended at all locations to prevent any growth of pathogenic organisms,” GWI warned. GWI also disclosed that a second round of testing found that all samples from a number of other schools were free of E.coli, except in the case of Agricola Primary. “GWI will investigate the Agricola Primary to see whether any contamination may be occurring along the distribution to this school.” The primary schools now requiring urgent attention include F.E. Pollard Primary; Redeemer Primary; North Georgetown Primary; Agricola Primary; South Ruimveldt and St. Stephen’s Primary. “This water quality monitoring exercise is ongoing as we pursue nursery schools and primary schools which we were unable to reach. Secondary schools are next on the agenda,” GWI disclosed yesterday.
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Bandit shot dead... (From page 3) that the bags containing the valuables were handed over to the two men and as they were making their way back to their waiting motorcar, the security man came out of the car and opened fire on the men. Reports are that the two bandits dropped the stolen bags and attempted to run towards their vehicle but the driver sped away, leaving them behind. This newspaper was informed that Munroe attempted to return fire but instead, collapsed on the roadway where he was later confirmed dead. His accomplice managed to escape, but made it easy for the lawmen by walking into the hospital. The police confirmed that he is nursing his injuries under police guard at the hospital, while attempts are being made to locate the getaway driver. The businesswoman was at the Sparendaam Police Station yesterday but she refused to speak to the media. DEAD BANDIT’S FACEBOOK ACCOUNT On Social Media, Munroe had posted several photographs of guns, ammunition and large piles of cash, including $1000 and $5000 bills, confirming that yesterday’s robbery attempt might not have been his first. In one of the pictures, a bottle of Hennessy can be seen on a bed with a high-powered rifle—looking like an AK-47 and two live rounds. A photograph of a pile of cash was posted with the caption, “Young money little boss for life make money all the time.” Munroe’s friends commented on the photographs— some asking where he got the cash from and others asking if they could have some. In one of the photos he posted with a gun, a friend asked what he was going to do, to which he responded, “I no u no.” Investigations are ongoing.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday August 30, 2017
Education Ministry aiming to produce more rounded students The Ministry of Education is aiming to produce more rounded students. This disclosure was recently amplified by Minister of Education, Ms. Nicolette Henry, and Chief Education Officer, Mr. Marcel Hutson. The officials’ response in this regard was forthcoming as they commented on the fact that some schools lack the facilities to allow students to adequately indulge in subject areas such Physical Education and Sports and Music. The students who have ready access to writing these subjects have been excelling. In fact, according to Minister Henry, among the 10 subjects where over 90 percent of students gained outstanding performances [Grades 1 - 3] at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examination were: Music with a 100 percent pass rate, Theatre Arts also with a 100 percent pass rate and Physical Education and Sports, for
which a 99.01 percent pass rate has been recorded. But according to the Education Minister, the vision of her Ministry is to eventually ensure that there is universal access when it comes to offering these subject areas. The Minister disclosed that while it is believed that subjects such as Physical Education and Sports are only offered in Georgetown, this is not the case since this, in addition to Theatre Arts, is offered in other school districts. She however added, “We recognise that not all schools in Georgetown are able to take those subjects at this point in time, and not all schools in the regions in Guyana are also able to take those subjects rights now.” While it is the intention of the Ministry to ensure that all schools are offered these subjects, Minister Henry pointed out that getting to that point will in fact take time.
“It is a process where we have to start with baby steps and then you get there.” In fact, she noted that it is a deliberate mission of the government to ensure that the school system produces well rounded individuals. “You would recognise that in 2015 we took a position as a Government to ensure that there was very close and seamless alignment with sports and with culture, and it is for that reason that we now have a Ministry of Education with a Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, it is to provide that level of alignment in ensuring that we prepare rounded students who are globally competent,” Henry related. But according to her, “at various levels it is a work in progress. It is eventually going to reach to every school and every child, but that is not something that happens in two years or three years or even five years, it takes much
Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry more time than that.’ Speaking on the issue too, Hutson said, “We are looking to incorporate sports at every level, the primary, the secondary level, and we have been working closely with the Department of Culture actually.” In fact, he informed that there are a number of persons who are working closely with the education system to (Continued on page 18)
Wednesday August 30, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Complacency among threats to HIV/AIDS gains “We live in fragile times, where gains can be easily reversed.” This has been the informed assertion of UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé, regarding the fight against HIV/AIDS. In fact, Sidibé has underscored that the biggest challenge to moving forward is complacency. As such, the UNAIDS Executive Director has concluded that despite the gains made, the quest to end AIDS has only just begun. His revealing sentiments have given perspective to the information contained in a recently launched UNAIDS Global AIDS Report, which highlights the current state of the disease. Talks in this regard have been engaged at a Caribbean Cytometry and Analytical Society [CCAS]’s expert summit which is currently ongoing in Barbados. The meeting is one that is designed to highlight the shortcomings to fighting the scourge of the disease and outlining workable measures to address these. Reflecting on the gains main, Sidibé pointed out that it was global solidarity and shared responsibility that have driven the success thus far in the fight against HIV/ AIDS. He however asserted that while there is need for efforts in this regard to be sustained, there are some challenges, apart from stigma and discrimination that threaten to undermine the gains. For several years, he ob-
- UNAIDS Executive Director
UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé served, resources for AIDS have remained stagnant, and “we are not on track to reach the US$26 billion of investment we need by 2020. Without more domestic investments and international assistance, we cannot push faster on the Fast-Track”. Without focused measures, he theorised that more people will become infected with HIV and lives will be lost. He has outlined further that without more community health workers, health systems will remain stretched and without changing laws, key populations will be left behind. “We must not fail children, women and girls, young people and key populations. We must engage with men differently. Men are being left behind in the push to 90–90– 90, in turn affecting the lives of women and children,” said Sidibé, who nevertheless re-
mains optimistic. According to him, the UNAIDS Report clearly demonstrates the power of the 90– 90–90 targets and what can be achieved in a short time. “It shows too that innovations are possible at every level - from communities to research laboratories and from villages to cities. It illustrates the power of political leadership to make the impossible possible,” he quipped. The 90-90-90 treatment targets speaks to 90 percent of people living with HIV knowing their status, 90 percent of diagnosed people on treatment and 90 percent of people on treatment with an undetectable viral load. Guyana is among the countries that have subscribed to the 90-90-90 treatment targets. But according to Sidibé, “When I launched the 90–90– 90 targets three years ago, many people thought they were impossible to reach. Today, the story is very different. Families, communities, cities and countries have witnessed a transformation, with access to HIV treatment accelerating in the past three years.” He pointed out that a record 19.5 million people are accessing antiretroviral therapy, and for the first time more than half of all people living with HIV are on treatment. Added to this, he un-
derscored that more countries are paying for HIV treatment themselves. Another astounding fact that Sidibé amplified, is that more people living with HIV are employed, more girls are in school, there are fewer orphans, and there is less ill health and less poverty. As such, he asserted that more families and communities are feeling secure. With science showing that starting treatment as early as possible has the dual benefit of keeping people living with HIV healthy and preventing
HIV transmission, many countries have now adopted the gold-standard policy of treatment for all. Moreover, Sidibé noted, “Our efforts are bringing a strong return on investment. AIDS-related deaths have been cut by nearly half from the 2005 peak. We are seeing a downward trend in new HIV infections...This good news is a result of the combined effect of a rapid scale-up of treatment and existing HIV prevention interventions.” According to Sidibé, every additional dollar invested in AIDS will in fact deliver a US$8 return. In the wake of dwindling
funding to fight AIDS, Minister of Finance, Mr. Winston Jordan, has stated Guyana’s commitment to invest in the local HIV/AIDS fight. This move has been publicly lauded by United Nations Special Envoy, Dr. Edward Greene. “Your [Guyana’s] Minister of Finance, unlike some Ministers of Finance, is not saying that we have so many other things to do…there is recognition that unless we sustain the investment in health and HIV/AIDS we will not overcome, but we will increase and reverse the trends,” Dr. Greene had underscored.
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SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. -CosmetologyCourses:$120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 647-1773/660-5257 SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyanapassport 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. Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigration Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496/ 662-6045 Computer & Mobile repairs systems upgrade, software installation, website development, mobile unlocking. Beats any price. Call: 647-7622/645-7471
WANTED 1 Accounts Clerk, preferably from E.B.D – 5 subjects CXC minimum @ gtcareers592@gmail.com 1 Diesel mechanic welder to work in the Interior, interested person can contact: 625-5136 1 Live in domestics, must know to cook. Call: 661-8673; 674-1767
Female worker wanted sound secondary education, computer literateTel: 622-5518 Urgently need one land to buy in Eccles, Providence, Herstelling, Farm, Zeelugt & Parfaite Harmonie- Call: 6560701, 651-1969
TOURS Holiday weekend tour trip to Surinam: Eid Ul Adha, August 31st – Sept 3rd, book early. Call: 665-5171/ 639-2663/ 658-3758/ 223-7589
Qualified teachers at Alfalah School Barbados for Secondary Level (CXC & CAPE). Email C.V to alfalahbds@hotmail.com Hopetown Gas station: Manager, Accountant. RA Soda Factory, Rosignol: Accountant, checkers, male & female workers. Call: 3302399/ 623-5920/603-0433 Vegetarian Gardens: Driver/ Driver Salesman. Call: 2277714/223-3448, email: info@ugiworld.com Experienced Cashier & Salesgirls, apply American Variety Store, 140 Regent & Light Street, Georgetown, serious applicants only One Female Gardner contact 223-5273/74 EXPERIENCED WELDER/ Fabricator, CARPENTER/ MASON, Labourer. Call: 266- 5569 One female tutor/ nanny to teach a 2 years old boy, from 7:30-12:00pm. $65,000 per month- Call: 623-1615 Female accounts clerk 2350yrs. Apply in person @ Alabama Trading 65-66 Robb Street, Bourda.
1 Caterpillar skid steer loader, model#:236 B, low hours. Contact: 650-0402\603-1402 1 -BMW 318 I, never register..!!! $ 2 M. Contact: 650-0402/603-1402
Mechanic for maintenance & repair of vehicles & equipment. Experience & references required. Call: 6182020,231-2250 Waitress for bar Call: 6122522
MEDIUM SIZE MINING BLOCKS FOR RENTAL. CALL: 669-4149
Zeelugt - $2.5M, Tuschen $2.5M. Call: 642-1252 Parfaite Harmonie way upfront, over 7 years finished. One concrete fence $1.5M. Already cleaned- Call: 656-0701, 651-1969 Herstelling New Scheme (110ft x 60ft) $1.8M- Call: 6560701, 651-1969 Uitvlugt New Scheme First Street (100ft x 50ft) 20ft reserve. All legal fees paid $3.2M. Already cleaned- Call: 656-0701, 651-1969
Building with three apartments in Diamond ideal for Pastors, Companies or Organization. Call: 680-5944/ 656-4211 Office space for rent @ North & King Streets, Georgetown. Call: 225-4708/ 225-4106
TO LET Furnished & unfurnished one, 2 Bedrooms downstairs two & three bedrooms apartment @ Bagotstown Old apartment at Providence and Road, E.B.D. $40,000 monthly- Diamond. Call: 216-2299/ 6721906/ whatsapp: 1-246-833-9739 Call: 652-1234 77 Light Street Alberttown: short stay, modern 1 bedroom apartment: A/C, hot water, kitchen, internet. Call: 268-7235999/ 592-683-7928/ addunidrakes@yahoo.com
One bedroom, self-contained apartment with parking facilities, located at Providence East Bank Demerara. Call: 6186207/ 673-1617
PROPERTY FOR SALE 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 and land available @ La Parfaite Harmonie, Providence, etc, we also assist with financing. Contact Pacific Development: 2236035/ 227-8274 Property @ lot 89 Robb Street Lacytown, Georgetown next door to Mike’s Pharmacy, size 3431.25 sq.ft. Call: 6175323 or 666-8052 Property 15mins from G/T public road, EBD - $15.5M. Call: 681-1312 1-3 Storey building @ Regent Street 60ftX52ft & 3 bedroom house @ Middle Road La Penetence 56ftX25ft. Call: 653-2477/ 685-6874
VEHICLE FOR SALE 2015 Ford F150 V6 2.7 litre, twin turbo, 4X4 automatic, fully loaded 34,000 kilometers, excellent conditioner. Call: 610-5370 1 Canter, case skid steer tracker. Call: 686-4354/ 6157842 One Leyland DAF55, dump truck. Call: 621-4740 Unregistered bluebird 1500cc, 31,000KM, front wheel drive, RZ bus good working condition, owner leaving. Call: 265-0204/2652171/682-7589 One Mitsubishi freighter mignon enclosed canter, 19ft. tray, in excellent condition. Call: 618-6207/ 673-1617
Sales girl at D.Singh and Sons- Tel: 226-1316 EDUCATIONAL Register @ IAE: full-time, afternoon, day/evening CXC/ CSEC classes for adults & repeaters:Mathematics & English A. Call: 683-5742/621-7365
Property for rent - 2 storey house at Republic Park, E.B.D$1200US. Call 647-1773
All sizes of solar panels, batteries & inverters. Come & check us out @ Boodhoo’s General Store. Contact: 2604115\260-4018 \650-0402
Porters to work in Alleyway. Apply at Alabama Trading, 65 Robb Street Bourda.
La Parfaite Harmonie, Zeelugt, Uitvlugt. Call: 681-8746
Herstelling (front), Diamond $3.5M, Eccles, La Parfaite, South, Cummings Lodge, Sophia, Canaan, Nismes, Highway.GME:231-7805/618-7483
3 Bedrooms house top and bottom flat in a yard - $35,000 monthly at Canal No2 Polder on W.B.D. Call: 613-1860/ 685-9721
Back to school sale! Laptops & Desktop computers from: $45,000 netbooks -$25,000, free games & software. Call FutureTech: 644-6760/ 660-2010
Need experienced garbage trucks driver & labourers. Call: 670-7920
LAND FOR SALE
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
Fully furnished luxury apartment 2 &3 bedrooms, long & short term stay. Call:664-2143
One Raptor Ford 4 DoorContact: 670-7920
Chef and Assistant cook preferably Carnegie trained. Call: 225-7933 or visit 173 Sheriff Street.
FOR RENT
5 lots in Blankenburg, back of the gas station @$2.9 M each. Contact: 650-0402\603-1402
One experienced pharmacy assistant to work in a reputable pharmacy in G/Town (flexible hours). Call: 227-0630
Technicians: refrigeration, washing machine, gas stove/ electronic- Call: 225-4822/ 6294946 Wanted in large quantities. Dried corilla bush. Contact: 665-1397
TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 2257878 (24HRS)
VACANCY One experienced salesman, apply with written application & recommendation, also one general domestic. Apply @ Keyfood, McDoom Village.
Welder, Arch-Gas to work in workshop on the West Coast on a percentage basis. Call: 684-1247
Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158
B&C Driving School: pickupdrop off. Call: 231-8719/6806826
Lawn grass - $1,400, potting soil -$800, Ficus, Exora, Purple Heathers – 4 for $1,000, Palms @ $1,000. Call: 626-1044
Cook/ Baker for interior. Applicants must be experienced. Call: 618-2020
General Maids to work shifts at Hotel. Apply in person. Call:225-9211
LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj Building- Call: 644-5166; 6222872; 615-0964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
Experienced curry cook, roti/ puri cook, cleaners, handy boy. Apply Hack’s Halaal, 5 Commerce Street. Urgently need 1 babysitter ages 35-50 preferably persons out of town. Call or whatsapp: 664-3918
Budhram landscaping services, free advice. Call: 656-1326
Eagle’s: Re-gas –low prices, washing machine repairs, gas stove, plasma flat Screen, computer repairs & more. Call: 697-2969/646-0966 Repairs at low cost: Fridges, air- conditioners, washing machines, TVs, microwaves, freezers- Call:629-4946 or 225-4822
Wednesday August 30, 2017
Kaieteur News
MASSAGE Angels Massaging Spa. Come relax and be pampered. Call: 694-9775
One pit bull minibus, BTT series, in excellent working condition, with alarm, price – $1.8M negotiable. Call: 6259204/691-8272
CAR RENTAL 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,9-11 SEATMINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 6987807
Wednesday August 30, 2017
Kaieteur News
GPHC wants “free flow” of traffic within its vicinity
A section of the parapet occupied by vendors. The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has over the years been dealing with a worrying inconvenience, related to crowded streets and driveways meant for ambulances. The roadways have oftentimes been blocked and passage difficult at crucial times, due to vendors on the parapets of the hospital, along with a vast number of taxi drivers in proximity. This was highlighted yesterday by an official of the institution The particular need of the hospital, according to the official, “Is for the free flow of ambulances and other vehicles bringing patients to the hospital and free flow for transfer from this side to the other side, and we also wanted to establish around here an environment that is healthy, even though it’s their thing… they (street vendors) are selling etcetera, we expect a certain standard to be upheld”. It was explained that the situation is one that has been present over the years, despite many initiatives explored. The issue resulted in a meeting being held, just recently, with both the vendors and taxi drivers, at which there was “a good turnout”. The official disclosed that, “our intention is basically to create a system where the taxi drivers and the vendors earn their bread and butter and we get our work done”. During the meeting, the opportunity was given to discuss the burning issue of impolite mannerisms exhibited by taxi drivers. The hospital official explained that, “Everybody wants to make a dollar, and we even talked to the taxi drivers about the way that they
approach people…So we are trying to raise the bar a bit, because, for instance, we would be going out and then you hear somebody shouting ‘taxi deh mommy, taxi deh babes’. You know? At the same meeting we asked them to refer to people in a more respectful manner”. It was disclosed that the meeting also touched on their mode of dress, “It was mentioned that they should not be driving with threequarter pants and slippers and all of that. We wanted to establish a system on a level of decency and some of them agreed, but although this was done, some people still shout out “taxi deh mommy” and “taxi deh babes”. “Since it was accepted for so long, changing that now will take some time, and I think that they will accept in time to come that it’s all about the good to society. We have to encourage that.” As it relates to the vendors, the official said,
“We cannot move them from there, and this is why we try to go through the way of discussing with them, us working together and keeping the place clean, of having a nice, orderly arrangement outside there where they park, etc”. The official added that the hospital sought their compliance in this regard, and made the point to all who attended the meeting that it could be a relative of the vendors or drivers that is being rushed to the hospital. “It is something that definitely has to be a collaborative effort in the understanding of both sides, bearing in mind that we are in the business of saving lives.” “We are putting some systems in place, but not anything which will not make people uncomfortable, because at the end of the day, we owe it to the patients. We basically had an overall agreement to work it out in that way.”
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Harvey rain is heaviest in history; Message from North Korean missile over Japan ‘loud and clear’ – Trump flood defenses strained
HOUSTON (AP) — As the human toll and the strain on flood defenses mounted, the city of Houston moved yesterday to open two and possibly three more megashelters, and the rain from Harvey officially became the heaviest tropical downpour in U.S. history. Louisiana’s governor offered to take in Harvey victims from Texas, and televangelist Joel Osteen opened his Houston megachurch, a 16,000-seat former arena, after critics blasted him on social media
for not acting to help families displaced by the storm. The city’s largest shelter, the George R. Brown Convention Center, held more than 9,000 people, almost twice the number officials origin a l l y p l a n n e d t o h o u se there, Mayor Sylvester Turner said. The crowds included many from areas outside Houston. “We are not turning anyone away. But it does mean we need to expand our capabilities and our capacity,” Turner said. “Relief is coming.”
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said he expects Texas officials to decide within 48 hours whether to accept his offer, which comes as Louisiana deals with its own flooding. About 500 people were evacuated from flooded neighborhoods in southwest Louisiana, Edwards said. In all, more than 17,000 people have sought refuge in Texas shelters and that number seemed certain to increase, the American Red Cross said.
Iran rejects U.S. demand for U.N. visit to military sites ANKARA (Reuters) Iran has dismissed a U.S. demand for United Nations nuclear inspectors to visit its military bases as “merely a dream”. It also said the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was unlikely to agree anyway. The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, last week pressed the IAEA to seek access to Iranian military bases to ensure that they were not concealing activities banned by the 2015 nuclear deal reached between Iran and six major powers. U.S. President Donald Trump has called the nuclear pact — negotiated under his
predecessor Barack Obama — “the worst deal ever”. In April, he ordered a review of whether a suspension of nuclear sanctions on Iran was in the U.S. interest. Iranian government spokesman Mohammad Baqer Nobakht responded at a weekly news conference broadcast on state television yesterday. “Iran’s military sites are off limits,” he said. “All information about these sites are classified. Iran will never allow such visits. Don’t pay attention to such remarks that are only a dream.” Iranian President Hassan Rouhani followed up later by saying the U.S. call was unlikely to be accepted by the
U.N. nuclear watchdog. “The International Atomic Energy Agency is very unlikely to accept America’s demand to inspect our military sites,” Rouhani said in a televised interview. Rouhani gave no indication why he believed the IAEA would decline the request. Under the deal, the IAEA can request access to Iranian sites including military ones if it has concerns about activities there that violate the agreement, but it must show Iran the basis for those concerns. That means new and credible information pointing to such a violation is required first, officials from the agency and major powers say. There is no indication that Washington has presented such information to back up its call for inspections of Iranian military sites. U n d e r U . S . l a w, t h e State Department must notify Congress every 90 days of Iran’s compliance with the nuclear deal. The next deadline is October, and Trump has said he thinks by then the United States will declare Iran to be non-compliant.
WASHINGTON/SEOUL (Reuters) - President Donald Trump warned yesterday that all options are on the table for the United States to respond to North Korea’s firing of a ballistic missile over northern Japan’s Hokkaido island into the sea in a new show of force. The missile test further increased tension in east Asia as U.S. and South Korean forces conducted annual military exercises on the Korean peninsula, angering Pyongyang which sees the war games as a preparation for invasion. North Korea has conducted dozens of ballistic missile tests under its leader, Kim Jong Un, in defiance of U.N. sanctions, but firing projectiles over mainland Japan is rare. Trump, who has vowed not to let North Korea develop nuclear missiles that can hit the mainland United States, said the world had received North Korea’s latest message “loud and clear”. “Threatening and destabilising actions only
Donald Trump
Shinzo Abe
increase the North Korean regime’s isolation in the region and among all nations of the world. All options are on the table,” Trump said in a statement. Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe spoke and agreed that North Korea “poses a grave and growing direct threat” to the United States, Japan and South Korea, the White House said. Investors flocked to safehaven assets after the missile firing. The dollar fell to its lowest in more than 2-1/2 years against a basket of major cur-
rencies but then rebounded, while benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note yields fell and the price of gold hit more than a nine-month peak. U.S. stocks recovered from a sharply lower open. Initial assessment indicates the North Korean missile was an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), the Pentagon said in a statement. Two U.S. officials said it appeared to be a KN-17, or Hwasong-12. Pentagon spokesman Colonel Robert Manning said diplomacy was still Washington’s preferred option with Pyongyang.
Juncker blasts Britain for ‘huge’ unanswered Brexit questions BRUSSELS (Reuters) EU chief executive JeanClaude Juncker blasted Britain’s failure to answer “huge numbers of questions” on its Brexit plans as negotiators held a new round of talks on Tuesday on a divorce due in less than two years. Hours after his chief negotiator Michel Barnier urged his British counterpart to “start negotiating seriously” when they met in Brussels on Monday, European Commission President Juncker echoed the bloc’s refusal to discuss the future free trade deal London wants before pencilling in terms for leaving the EU. Juncker scoffed at a raft of British negotiating papers published over the summer which Prime Minister Theresa May’s government said had shown London was responding seriously to the detailed proposals agreed by the other 27 EU states. “I would like to be clear that I did read with the requisite attention all the papers produced by Her Majesty’s government; I find none of them truly
Jean-Claude Juncker satisfactory,” he told European Union envoys gathered in Brussels for an annual conference. “So there are huge numbers of questions that need to be settled.” These included issues of rights for EU citizens in Britain and Britons in Europe after Brexit and the EUUK border that will stretch across the island of Ireland, he said. “We need to be crystal clear that we will begin no negotiations on the new economic and trade relationship between the UK
and the EU before all these questions are resolved ... that is the divorce between the EU and the UK,” Juncker said. “We cannot mix these issues up,” he continued. Barnier, he said, had firm instructions from the other 27 governments on the phasing of talks, even if he accepted that some issues could not be fully settled without knowing how trade will work. “First of all we settle the past before we look forward to the future,” he insisted.
Wednesday August 30, 2017
Kaieteur News
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Pilot’s remains brought to the city Chief Magistrate warns police recruit to stop stealing - TO BE BURIED TODAY The remains of the Air Services Limited (ASL) pilot, who crashed last Sunday near the Kaieteur Falls gorge, were brought to the city yesterday around 07:35hrs, by ranks of the Guyana Defence Force. The overseas-based relatives of Captain Imran Khan, arrived in Guyana sometime yesterday, and were present at a memorial service held at the Ogle Airport last evening. Khan was not married and did not have any children. The service was attended by members of the aviation fraternity among others. It was disclosed by Executive Manager of ASL, Annette Arjoon, that Khan
was employed with the organization for seven years. His remains will be taken to the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana (CIOG)’s headquarters on Woolford Avenue today, where Muslim rituals will be conducted. Arjoon reflected that the young captain was one who was beloved, and this was evident by the tremendous numbers of calls they would have received since his passing. She said that the pilot as well as the aircraft were insured, and further explained that the company’s airplanes are inspected by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) at least every six
The aircraft flown by Captain Khan at the time of the accident.
Captain Imran Khan months to make sure that they are safe. Captain Khan was flying a Cessna 206 Aircraft between Chi-Chi and Mahdia, Region, when the plane crashed
Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan was very compassionate with a 24-year-old police recruit who appeared before her and admitted to stealing his colleague’s mobile phone. Instead of sentencing or imposing a fine on Gladwin De Vieira for the offence, the Chief Magistrate reprimanded him and discharged the matter. De Vieira, who will be graduating in the next two weeks, was told by the Chief Magistrate to stop stealing because it could spoil the rest of his life. The Chief Magistrate told him, “I am going to gave you a chance today. It is your lucky day. If it does not belong to you do not touch it.” The Chief Magistrate commended him for wanting to become a police officer and reminded him that he is close to achieving it. De Vieira of 201 One Mile, Wismar, Linden, pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that on August 21 at the Felix Austin Police College, Eve Leary, Georgetown, he stole a Samsung Galaxy S5 cellular phone valued $75,000, property of Sherman Paul, who is also a police recruit. De Vieira explained that he stole the phone to “spite” someone who had earlier carried away his BLU cell phone. He told the court that on the day in question, he placed his BLU mobile phone to charge after using it to contact his mother. De Vieira said that the following morning, he discovered the phone was missing and
made a report. But he claimed that no action was taken, which prompted him to steal his colleague’s phone. According to the recruit, later that evening a Police Sergeant inquired from him about Paul’s cell phone and he admitted to taking it. He added that he returned the phone to Paul after being instructed by his superior to do so. He said that after returning the phone, Paul told him that he would not pursue the matter. The Chief Magistrate advised De Vieira that he cannot go about taking matters into his own hands, because although he reported that someone had carried away his phone, police sometimes take a while to investigate matters. According to Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore, on the day in question, Paul left his phone charging in the barrack room and went downstairs. When he returned, the prosecutor said that Paul discovered that the phone was missing and later saw De Vieira with the article in his possession. During a confrontation between the two men, Prosecutor Moore stated that De Vieira confessed to taking the cell phone which was later taken to the Inquires Office at the Felix Austin Police College by a police rank. The matter was reported to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown, where De Vieira admitted to the offence in a caution statement.
GECOM continues to withhold ads... (From page 21) Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, has refused to explain, saying he is awaiting the outcome of the state audit. GECOM’s Chief Accountant, Joseph Eastman, and Admin Manager, Michelle Ward, had also refused to take calls on how exactly taxpayers’ dollars were spent. GECOM’s Commission, led by former Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally, had noted that procurement was handled by the entity’s secretariat, headed by Lowenfield. Weeks after those reports by Kaieteur News, it appeared that GECOM and its officials took a decision to punish Kaieteur News. It stopped the placement of ads. Rather, those ads ended up in other newspapers. In normal practice, government ministries and agencies would place ads in all the media houses or the ones with the biggest circulation. Kaieteur News is the newspaper with the largest circulation in the country. An analysis by this newspaper found that between January and July, more than 80 ads, some full pages, were placed in Stabroek News and Guyana Chronicle, but not in Kaieteur News. Perhaps, the most glaring of it, occurred in April. During that month, on April 13, 16, 19 and 23, GECOM placed four full-page ads on each day in Stabroek News. Again, none in Kaieteur News. In early July, Kaieteur News reported on yanking of the ads. GECOM, however appeared not to care, despite that report. It continued in July placing over 20 ads in
Stabroek News…none in Kaieteur News. Government officials, over time, have acknowledged that state funds must be used in a manner that is transparent and according proper procurement procedures. With GECOM without a functioning Commission, in the absence of a chairperson to hold meetings, the entity has refused to explain itself. It was clear that GECOM has taken upon itself to use state funds to punish Kaieteur News. By practice, the ads are placed with state newspaper, Guyana Chronicle, as a must. Despite several glaring cases of procurement breaches, no action has been taken at GECOM. By contrast, several officials at other agencies have been sent home pending investigations. The state auditors have reportedly found several cases of worrying breaches of procurement procedures, excesses and wanton spending – in some cases, items were purchased for four or five times the retail prices. With GECOM in the spotlight over the selection of a new chairperson following the departure of Dr. Steve Surujbally earlier this year, the Opposition, especially, has been calling for reforms. With regard to the radios, weeks before the May 2015 elections, GECOM’s secretariat made a case for the purchase 50 High Frequency radios for use during the elections. Because of the emergency nature, the purchase was approved by the then Cabinet, under former President Donald Ramotar.
The communication radio sets were outdated and came too late for them to be deployed in time for the May 11, 2015 elections. The glaring breaches were not for those unserviceable radios alone. According to official figures of contracts awarded in 2015, there were two payments for Duracell batteries by GECOM. One contract was awarded on April 23, 2015, about three weeks before the elections, for $14,529,000. This contract was awarded to the company that was awarded the radio contract. There was another contract awarded to the same entity for $9,180,518 on May 21, 2015, making it a total of $23,709,518 paid for Duracell batteries in 2015. Three weeks prior to the election, the entity doled out $14.8M for the purchase of nippers/pliers from a King Street, Lacytown business. The owner is the brother of the individual whose company was awarded the contract for the batteries and radios. It appeared that GECOM paid out an average of $6,000 apiece for those pliers when they could have been acquired on the local market for $600. It was not even a familiar brand. This week, GECOM made the news again, after it was learnt that the locks were changed on the doors of Deputy CEO, Vishnu Persaud, who returned to work earlier this month after leave. He reportedly worked a week and then returned to his office on August 21, to find the locks changed. He was told that his contract had expired. He had been working there since 2001.
Wednesday August 30, 2017
CCJ looking for new President
Sir Dennis Byron PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC – The Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) yesterday said it was seeking a replacement for its President, Sir Dennis Byron, who is set to leave office next year after heading the Court for the past seven years. In a statement, the CCJ, which was established in 2001 to replace the London-based Privy Council as the region’s final court, said that the tenure of President is for a non-
renewable term of seven years. The CCJ also acts as an international tribunal interpreting the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas that governs the 15-member regional integration movement. “The process of seeking his replacement has already commenced with the post being advertised extensively. Communication has also been sent directly to regional and international stakeholders giving them notice of the start
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of this process. Applications for the post of the next CCJ President are due on the 18th of September 2017 and full details, including guidelines, are available on the CCJ’s website at www.ccj.org.” Sir Dennis, who replaced Trinidadian jurist Michael De la Bastide in 2011, said “it has been an honour to serve the region as the President of the CCJ. I am particularly proud of what has been accomplished by the Judges and the rest of the Court’s team during my tenure. “ It is now time for me to take on other challenges but I will look back at the 6 years I have spent at the Court, with pride and with a great deal of fondness,” said Sir Dennis, who has been a jurist for over 50 years and was first appointed as a judge in 1982. Sir Dennis was appointed by Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders on the recommendation of the Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission. (RJLSC). “The RJLSC is similarly responsible for the recruitment of the next President.
Jamaica PM holds talks with Police High Command on crime
Prime Minister Andrew Holness (in suit) meeting with Police High Command KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC – Prime Minister Andrew Holness has held talks with Police Commissioner George Quallo and senior commanders of the Jamaica Constabulary Force as the authorities move to implement new strategies aimed at curbing the crime situation here, especially murders. The meeting, the second since last week, examined the expectations ahead of the
implementation of the Zones of Special Operations. A government statement issued after the talks noted that Holness had emphasised that planning is critical to the successful implementation of the Zones of Special Operations. “I have taken time to ensure adequate preparations are made before the first zone is announced. Use the process of law enforcement to
exemplify proper policing. A key indicator of the success of the zones is that there must be no murders in the areas where you have control over,” Prime Minister Holness said. He said he understands the public sentiments in agitating for the zones to be implemented as safety and security must be restored in Jamaica.
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Kaieteur News
Digging dung - South Africa’s AmaBhungane heaps pressure on Zuma JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - A group of investigative journalists whose slogan is “digging dung, fertilising democracy” is holding South African President Jacob Zuma to account over his widely criticised links to a family of wealthy businessmen. AmaBhungane, which means dung beetles in the Zulu language, was founded by three veteran reporters to expose wrongdoing in South Africa. Together with online news site the Daily Maverick, amaBhungane in June released leaked emails and documents that they said showed allegedly improper dealings in government contracts and influence peddling by the Guptas, a family with close ties to Zuma. Zuma and the Gupta fam-
ily, which has said the emails were fake, have denied wrongdoing. Co-founder Stefaans Brummer said AmaBhungane, which was founded in 2010, had spent several years probing Zuma’s family business dealings, and had verified the authenticity of the leaked documents. “Our very first stories as AmaBhungane was a series called ’Zuma Inc’ and we looked at the Zuma family and how its business fortunes had grown since Zuma took the office of president,” Brummer said. He said the Gupta name popped up in several of AmaBhungane’s inquiries into Zuma’s family business links and the organisation was well placed to process the trove of information in more
than 100,000 emails and documents. “You fight hard for every piece of information and when something like this happens it’s like Christmas, you sud-
denly have a lot of information,” said Brummer. Brummer said AmaBhungane, which mostly uses external hard drives to store documents for safety
reasons, had sent a copy of the leaked Gupta emails to the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project - a global consortium of investigative journalism centres.
Reuters has not independently been able to verify the allegations in the so-called “GuptaLeaks” emails, sent between the Gupta brothers and their associates.
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Wednesday August 30, 2017
Wednesday August 30, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Marathon big three Bekele, Kipchoge and Kipsang to meet in Berlin Reuters - Three of the world’s top marathon runners will compete against each other for the first time when Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele takes on Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge and Wilson Kipsang at the 2017 Berlin marathon on September 24. Olympic champion Kipchoge, who has the third-fastest personal best official time of two hours, three minutes and five seconds, is keen to break the two-hour barrier and set a world record. The 32-yearold came close during the Nike Breaking2 project, when he missed out by 24
seconds at Monza, though his time is not an official world record due to aspects of the event not satisfying IAAF criteria. Com p a t r i o t K i p s a n g set a new mark at Berlin in 2013 but his time of 2:03:23 was beaten a year later by Dennis Kimetto, who currently holds the record with a time of 2:02:57. Three-time Olympic champion Bekele, who started running marathon events in 2014, also came close to breaking the record in Berlin last year but lost out by six seconds, after being hindered
by muscle problems. The 35-year-old is regarded as one of the best runners of all time and holds the world records for the 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters distances. Bekele has won five World Championship and 11 World Cross Country titles. ”It’s a dream match-up. It’s not often that the three strongest marathon men in the world race each other,” race director Mark Milde said. “As organizers we are crossing our fingers for good weather and thrilling competition.”
Wednesday August 30, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Get help setting up a reasonable budget. Look into ways of making extra cash. Help children with important projects. If you're looking to do something worthwhile, consider volunteer work. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Opportunities to pamper yourself may unfold. Romance will be yours if you get out and do things in large groups. Hard work will bring rewards. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Pay attention to small but important details. Family trips or projects should be on your mind. Your ability to visualize will help you convince others of the possibilities. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Travel is evident, but be cautious while in transit. Verbal abuse may lead to walkouts; don't make any rash statements you may regret later. Opposition is present and you should be prepared to counteract it as best you can. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Realize that you don't have to do everything yourself. Face any emotional problems head-on to avoid situations getting out of hand. Your temper may get the better of you if a colleague has tried to ruin your reputation. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Uncertainties regarding relatives will make situations uncomfortable if you attend a family function. Friends and relatives may be hard to take today.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Lovers may no be truthful. You will find yourself tied to the phone. Your domestic scene could continue to be in an uproar today. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Property investments, insurance, taxes, or inheritance should bring you financial gains. Major job changes or opportunities to get ahead professionally are apparent. Love could develop with someone of a different cultural background. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Yo u s h o u l d b e m a k i n g plans to spend some time with the ones you love. Heart to heart talks will clear up vague issues. You can make drastic changes in your professional direction today. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) You can make a huge difference to children if you are able to put yourself in their shoes. You may want to get involved in financial investments presented to you. Travel opportunities should be your first choice. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Be cautious while traveling; minor accidents are evident. Avoid scandals of any sort. If it can make you extra cash, it will be even better. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You can make or break your personal relationship today. Your domestic scene could continue to be in an uproar today. You may not see your situation clearly.
Winner Kenenisa Bekele (R) of Ethiopia and 2nd placed Wilson Kipsang in Berlin, Germany, September 25, 2016. File Photo
Santos, GFC and unbeaten Tigers win... (From page 39) far behind with goal in the 34th minute. In the second half, Beacons would have rightfully believed that they had a chance of overturning their one-goal deficit but goals from Dwayne Roberio in the 55th minute and Opara’s second in the 66th squashed those hopes. The final match of the triple header was a mouthwatering clash between the unbeaten Western Tigers and Police Football Club. The Tigers kept their record in the Corona Invitation Football tournament unblemished with
Report reveals... (From page 37) Pan-Arab Games. “The study shows that biological tests of blood and urine reveal only a fraction of doping cases,” said Harrison Pope, Harvard Medical School professor. ”As described in the publication this is likely due to the fact that athletes have found numerous ways so as not to be caught during tests.” The study’s release had been delayed for years as the researchers wrangled with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the international association of athletics federations (IAAF) over how it was to be published, researchers said. It has now been published in Sports Medicine magazine. WADA could not be immediately reached for comment. Athletics is desperate to improve its tarnished image after a doping scandal led to the banning of Russia’s track and field team from the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. More than 100 athletes have been found to have used drugs at the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympics during re-tests conducted last year by the International Olympic Committee.
a calm 2-1 victory over the Policemen. Western Tigers drew first blood when Dwayne Mc Lennon finished expertly in the 20th minute after getting behind Police’s defense. Police rallied hard in the very combative clash and got success in the 42nd minute through an Antonio Wallace goal. The second saw both teams enjoying their fair share of attacking plays but the Tigers proved more clinical and
comfortably clawed their second goal in the 71st minute as Phillip Rowley’s effort found the back of Police’s net. Those games brought the end of the round-robin stage and the quarterfinals will begin on Friday, September 1st with two of the four clashes. Camptown will play the second unbeaten team in the competition, Northern Rangers in the first match at 19:00hrs while Western Tigers will have a rematch against Police at 21:00hrs.
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Wednesday August 30, 2017
Defending champion Kerber stunned by Japan’s Osaka Sharapova sparkles on return New York (Reuters) Angelique Kerber became t h e s e c o n d w o m e n ’s defending champion to lose in the U.S. Open first round when she was crushed 6-3 61 by 19-year-old Japanese Naomi Osaka yesterday. The German sixth seed, who has not won a title since winning at Flushing Meadows last year, never got into the match against the 2016 WTA newcomer of the year. The last defending women’s champion to lose in the first round in New York w as R u s s ian S v etlan a Kuznetsova in 2005. ”I was always believing until the end that I could turn around the match, because I turn around a lot of matches,” Kerber told a news conference. “She played good, especially also at the end of the match. I’m always trying to go for it when I had the chance.” Kerber, however, barely got that chance as Osaka, who last year had been
described by 23-times grand slam champion Serena Williams as ’very dangerous’, put her on the back foot with her aggressive play. ”Today she went for it. I think she took the chances, and she played a very good match. But for me it was for sure not the best day and not the best match,” said Kerber. Osaka, who grew up in New York, broke for 5-3 and sealed the opening set with a sizzling winner down the line under the closed roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium. World number 45 Osaka broke in the first game of the second set when her opponent made a mess of a routine backhand, and she continued to pepper the court with winners to hold for 2-0. Kerber had four break points but failed to convert any as Osaka completed her demolition job to claim her first career victory against a top-10 player. She next faces either
Naomi Osaka
Maria Sharapova Swedish qualifier Rebecca Peterson or Czech Denisa Allertova, with a potential fourth-round clash against French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko looming. Maria Sharapova proved she will be someone to contend with for the U.S. Open crown after the Russian wild card outlasted second seed Simona Halep 6-4 4-6 6-3 yesterday to get the year’s final grand slam off to an electrifying start. Still shaking off the rust from a 15-month doping ban and a string of nagging injuries, the 30-year-old
Sharapova needed all her skill, determination and two hours and 44 minutes to snatch victory in front of a packed Arthur Ashe stadium. The victory becomes the highlight of what has been a torturous comeback for the former world number one, who returned to tennis in April after being banned for testing positive for metabolic modulator meldonium at last year’s Australian Open. Her progress has been slowed by a thigh injury that forced her out of the Italian Open in May and more recently left arm issues that took her out of the second round at Stanford earlier this month. However, there was no hint of distress against an inform Halep as she improved her record to 7-0 against the feisty Romanian in an
opening round clash that was played with the intensity more befitting of a final. Rarely do grand slams serve up such a mouth-watering treat in the opening round. With the U.S. Open draws ravaged by injuries and withdrawals, Sharapova provided a splash of glitz and glamor to the tournament strolling onto the floodlit court like it was catwalk in a jet black tennis dress that sparkled with Swarovski crystals. A wild card entry and ranked outside the top 100, Sharapova could have found herself up against anyone but the draw gave her no favors by slotting her in against Halep. Adding some heat to contest, Halep was one of several players to express
their displeasure over the five-time grand slam winner being granted wild card entries into tournaments instead of having to wade into qualifiers. Playing with freedom and power Sharapova ran the Romanian from pillar to post as she took charge going up a set and 4-1 in the second. Halep, however, was not about to surrender, sweeping the next five games to level the contest. Sharapova’s game is not yet firing on all cylinders but the Russian’s competitive fires still burn bright ands he broke Halep to open the third set then grimly hung on for the win, dropping to her knees and bursting into tears as the Romanian’s return sailed long.
Andre Charles appointed Football Ambassador of Paramakatoi village President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Wayne Forde, has appointed Andre Charles as a ‘Football Ambassador’ of the Village of Paramakatoi on August 28, following his visit to the community from the 26th 28th August. Forde’s visit to the Region 8 community was on invitation from the Minister within The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and Patron of Women’s Football, Hon. Valarie Lowe. In a letter to Mr. Charles, Forde said: “I left your village with a renewed sense of purpose, clarity and direction. The many wonderful memories and inspiring moments I took with me will be cherished for the rest of my life. Your beautiful Paramakatoi is a picturesque village that is second only to the warmth of its lovely people.” The appointment is for
Forde with Andre Charles Football Ambassador.
one year and part of Mr. Charles’ responsibilities are: 1. Attending meetings with the Sports Council as a representative of the GFF President; 2. Attending GFF’s Congresses; 3. Welcoming visiting officials to the village on behalf of the GFF President; 4. Traveling
with the GFF President to Regional events; 5. Promoting the beautiful game of football throughout the region. During the visit, the President and Minister witnessed community football matches and also interacted with the villagers.
Wednesday August 30, 2017
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MSC Open Basketball League
Rafael Nadal beats Dusan Lajovic to reach second round Rafael Nadal won the US Open in 2010 and 2013
Wo r l d n u m b e r o n e Rafael Nadal beat Dusan Lajovic 7-6 (8-6) 6-2 6-2 to reach the second round of the US Open at Flushing Meadows. In a match played under the Arthur Ashe Stadium roof because of heavy rain in New York, Serb Lajovic served for the first set but Nadal broke back to love. After taking the first set
on a tie-break, the Spaniard dominated against the world number 85. Nadal will face Japan’s Taro Daniel or American Tommy Paul next. “It was tough at the beginning, he was playing well and not making many mistakes and I felt he was controlling the points too many times,” the 14-time Grand Slam champion said. ”At the end of that first set it
was important to get the break point back and I played a good point at 6-6, then hit a good winner to win the set. Then everything was changing. “I need to keep improving, but the first round is never easy, there are nerves out here when you play in his amazing place. Always at the beginning you want to do it well.”
Third seed Roger Federer is due to play his first-round match against American Frances Tiafoe in the second night session match on Arthur Ashe. No other men’s matches were completed on day two because of the rain that arrived after less than two hours’ play and forced the cancellation of the schedule on the outside courts.
Raiders extinguish Flames; Falcons puncture Pistons After faltering in their two opening matches, number one seed Retrieve Raiders have clawed back into contention in the Mackenzie Sports Club Open Basketball League with their second win by a solid 65-47 margin over Block 22 Flames when action continued at the MSC Hard Court on Sunday night last. Bankers Trust Falcons gained their first win in four outings downing Christianburg Pistons 65-59 in the opening match of the night. Raiders now have two matches remaining and should they win, it might just be enough for them to reach the final four and be in contention for the championship. Raiders, with this back to back win has moved to six points, the same as the other three top rated clubs in this seven team competition. Two of the other three teams
on six points, Half Mile Bulls and Victory Valley Royals are both unbeaten after three matches, respectively. Bankers Trust Falcons gained their first win of the league in their fourth match, getting past Christianburg Pistons 65-59. They were led by Quincy Richmond with 21 points, Lawrence Simon contributed 11, Stephan Duncan 10 and Thornton Wilson, 9. Lennox Lewis led the scoring for the Pistons with 18 points while teammate Otis Williams got 13 and Mark Louis 10 as the Pistons’ winless run continued. Matches will continue tonight at the same venue from 18:30hrs when Falcons bounce against Jets in the battle of the ward teams. Feature play pits the unbeaten sides, Half Mile Bulls and Victory Valley Royals in what is anticipated to be a fierce contest.
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Wednesday August 30, 2017
GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 League – Berbice
Cougars and Hopetown United Rangers grab full points in latest matches Cougars took over the leader board whilst maintaining the winless form of Mahaicony Thunder Hawks with a 9-0 drubbing on Sunday last at the #5 ground, West Coast Berbice when rivalry in the G F F / N A M I L C O Thunderbolt Flour Power National Under-17 Intra Association League continued in Berbice. Orchestrating the win was Shaquan George who blasted a hat-trick in the 27th, 36th & 42nd minute while there was a brace each for Dwayne Alleyne (13, 22) and Lamar Reid (30, 58). Netting one each was Cefus Chase in the 3rd minute and
Rayon Rose in the 54th minute. Over at Burnham Park, New Amsterdam also on Sunday, Hopetown United Rangers romped to a 4-2 triumph over Corriverton Links. By the end of the first half Hopetown were 2-0 up thanks to goals from the Nicholson brothers, Quency and Denzel in the 10th and 31st minute. The second half saw a much more determined effort from the Corriverton Links as they pressed forward with more intent but it was Hopetown Rangers which struck again in the 63rd minute through
substitute Shamar Sooklall to make it a 3-0 score line. Five minutes later Links pulled one back through Orwin Blair who breached the Rangers’ defence and goalkeeper Alex Inness in the 68th minute. A handled ball in the area gifted Links their second goal of the match as Captain Cyrus Nicholson made no mistake with the spot kick in the 70th minute. Hopetown sealed the deal when Dave Torrington converted their fourth goal, hitting past eth diving custodian in the 78th minute to seal the match 4-2 and their fourth win in six matches.
Richie Richardson appointed match referee for Independence Cup
Richie Richardson - Gallo Images Former West Indies captain Richie Richardson has been appointed match referee by the ICC for the three-match T20 Independence Cup between Pakistan and the World XI side - the first instance since 2009 of an ICC match official overseeing cricket in
P a k i s t a n . Richardson has been a member of the ICC’s Elite Panel of match referees since January 2016 and has officiated in 11 Tests, 19 ODIs and 18 T20Is till date. The Pakistan Cricket Board a n n o u n c e d t h e I C C ’s decision in a press release
y e s t e r d a y . ”The Pakistan Cricket Board today announced that the International Cricket Council has appointed Sir Richie Richardson as match referee for the Independence Cup to be played between the World XI and Pakistan at the Gaddafi Stadium on 12, 13 and 15 September.” The ICC has thrown its weight behind this series, working closely with the PCB to tackle security which satisfied the standards of the players’ body, the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations ( F I C A ) . Zimbabwe’s tour in 2015 the only international tour by a Test-playing team since the terror attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in 2009 had gone ahead with local umpires and match officials. Prior to Zimbabwe’s tour, several countries had refused to play in Pakistan, in the aftermath of the attack i n L a h o r e . The PCB, however, has been gradually pursuing more matches in the country. Earlier this year, a few international players turned out in Lahore for the final of the Pakistan Super League. (ESPNcricinfo)
Quency Nicholson, Denzel Nicholson, Shamar Sooklall and Dave Torrington - Hopetown Rangers FC
Chris Froome still leads Vuelta a Espana as Matteo Trentin wins stage 10 Froome is looking to become the first man to achieve a Tour de France-Vuelta double in 39 years.
Britain’s Chris Froome maintained his lead in the Vuelta a Espana as Italy’s Matteo Trentin won stage 10. Trentin pulled clear of a 15-man breakaway to beat Jose Joaquin Rojas and Jaime Roson Garcia on the 164.8km ride from Caravaca to Alhama de Murcia. The Quick-Step Floors rider has now won two stages of this year’s Vuelta. Froome retained his 36-second lead over Colombian Esteban C h a v e s , b u t I r e l a n d ’s Nicolas Roche made up time and is now level with Chaves in second overall. Having won his fourth Tour de France title earlier this year, Team Sky’s Froome is looking to become the first man to achieve a Tour-
Vuelta double in 39 years. Trentin powered past Rojas to win the rain-hit stage, which ended with a thrilling descent of the Collado B e r m e j o . ”I really wanted it. I was thinking about this stage for a while because the climb was hard, but it was a steady grind,” Trentin said. “It was something that I can handle pretty well. I knew the downhill was really technical. For me it was good having Rojas in the front group because he was really, really good going down. I could just follow h i m . ” Today’s stage takes the riders 187.5km from Lorca to Observatorio Astronomico de Calar Alto.
Overall standings after stage 10: 1 Chris Froome (GB/Team Sky) 40hrs 12mins 44secs, 2 Johan Esteban Chaves Rubio (Col/Orica-Scott) +36secs, 3 Nicolas Roche (Irl/BMC Racing Team) Same time, 4 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita/Bahrain-Merida) +1min 1 7 s e c s , 5 Te j a y v a n Garderen (USA/BMC) +1 min 27secs, 6 David de la Cruz (Spa/Quick-Step Floors) +1min 30secs, 7 Fabio Aru (Ita/Astana Pro) +1min 33secs, 8 Michael Woods (Can/ CannondaleDrapac) +1min 52secs, 9 Adam Yates (GB/OricaScott) +1min 55secs, 10 Ilnur Zakarin (Rus/KatushaAlpecin) +2mins 15secs. (BBCsport)
Wednesday August 30, 2017
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Magnificent Hope spurs Windies to historic win Leeds, England, CMC – Shai Hope became the first player in 127 years of first class cricket at Headingley to score a century in both innings as West Indies stunned England by five wickets in the second Test, to register their first Test victory in England in 17 years here yesterday. Coming on the backs of a humiliating innings defeat inside three days last week at Edgbaston, West Indies tore up the form books as they chased down 322 on the final day, to deny England their second straight win and tie the three-Test series at 1-1, ahead of the final match at Lord’s starting September 7. Hope fashioned a superb unbeaten 118 to spearhead the run chase while opener Kraigg Brathwaite struck an excellent 95. The pair put on 144 for the third wicket, a stand that pulled West Indies around from danger at 53 for two in the morning session and laid the foundation for the successful run chase. The stylish hope faced 211 deliveries and counted 14 boundaries while Brathwaite struck 12 fours off 180 balls. Jermaine Blackwood chipped in with a typical attacking 41 off 45 balls which further embellished the innings while Roston Chase carved out 30 to also lend support. England found their much-vaunted seam attack
Jermaine Blackwood hastened West Indies’ push for a win ©Getty Images
blunted and right-arm spinner Moeen Ali was the best bowler with two for 76. Resuming the day on five without loss, West Indies showed determination from the outset as Brathwaite and Kieran Powell (23) put on 46 for the first wicket. The left-handed Powell had stroked five fours in a 50-ball knock when he edged a defensive prod at seamer Stuart Broad and was caught at fourth slip by Ben Stokes, on the stroke of the hour. West Indies then suffered another setback in the third over after drinks when Kyle Hope was unluckily run out
without scoring. A firm drive by Brathwaite ricocheted off the bowler Broad and onto the stumps at the nonstriker’s end, finding the batsman short of his ground. There was no implosion, however, as Brathwaite and Shai Hope – for the second time in the game – set about repairing the innings, steering the tourists to 86 without further loss at lunch. Brathwaite, dropped on four by Alastair Cook at slip off seamer Stuart Broad in the fourth over of the morning, played positively to be unbeaten on 49 at the first interval and raised his halfcentury in the third over
following the resumption with three to mid-wicket off pacer Chris Woakes. Shai Hope, unbeaten on 11 a t l u n c h , p l a y e d delightfully on resumption, combining a series of beautiful off-side drives and wristy leg-side strokes, as he marched to his half-century inside the first hour. With his second century of the game in sight, Brathwaite perished in the penultimate over before tea, caught at slip driving lazily at Ali to raise England’s hopes of a late comeback. However, Hope remained resolute, anchoring two successive
critical stands in the final session that assured Windies of victory. First, he put on 49 for the fourth wicket with Chase who faced 58 balls and struck three fours before falling to a brilliant catch at mid-on by substitute Mason Crane off Woakes. However, it was the arrival of Blackwood that hastened the scoring and rammed home the Windies advantage. The attacking right-hander stroked three fours and two sixes, adding 74 for the fifth wicket with Hope, to put the Windies within touching distance of
victory. In the interim, Hope had reason for personal celebration when he raised three figures in the first over after the final drinks break with a single to cover, to mark his second Test hundred. Blackwood, meanwhile, was bouncing along merrily when he missed a charge at Ali and was stumped with two required for the win but Hope sparked team celebrations late in the day under the glare of floodlights when he clipped Woakes square for a couple to take the Windies over the line.
Guyana Softball Cup 7 is on, November 3rd to 5th The seventh edition of the Guyana Softball Cup organised by the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) is set to commence on November 3 in Georgetown and conclude, two days later. Members of the GFSCA executive met with Director of Sport Christopher Jones recently to brief him on the tournament and other undertakings by the association. A release from the association stated that nine teams from New York, Florida, Canada have already confirmed their p a r t i c i p a t i o n . Following their installation of lights at the DCC ground in Queenstown, The GFSCA recently constructed an all weather cricket practice facility at the venue. Currently, the association in collaboration with DCC is staging a hard-ball Under-13
From left Ramesh Sunich (VP), Lakhram Singh (Treasurer), Wayne Jones (Org. Sect.), DoS Christopher Jones, Ramchand Ragbeer (President), Anil Beharry ( Ass. Sect.), Ricky Deonarain (Club Captain). tournament which is being sponsored by Well Teen, Trophy Stall, Tropical
Spring Waters and Nauth M o t o r S p a r e s . Having won the Masters
category of the Guyana Cup in 2016, the GFSCA took part in a Softball tournament
held in Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, New York and Canada earlier this year and
were successful in the Masters division in Orlando and New York.
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Wednesday August 30, 2017
Tanvir’s magical spell hands Warriors comprehensive win over Tridents Sohail Tanvir
Rashid Khan
Jason Mohammed
An incisive spell of fast bowling from left arm seamer and man-of-thematch Sohail Tanvir handed Guyana Amazon Warriors a comprehensive 99-run victory over Barbados Tridents when the Hero Caribbean Premier League continued last night at Kensington Oval in Barbados. Tanvir finished with 5-3 off fours including 22 dot balls - the second best bowling figure in CPL
history only bettered by Shakib Al Hassan 6-6 for Ta l l a w a h s a g a i n s t Knightriders. His spell saw Tridents being skittled for 59 in 13.4 overs chasing 158, their third loss to the Warriors in head to head CPL outings. Asked to bat first, The Warriors lost Tanvir who was caught off Wayne Parnell for seven before Chadwick Walton was taken off Ravi Rampaul for 20 (3x4) as the Warriors were
reduced to 30-2. Luke Ronchi and Jason Mohammed added 29 for the third wicket before Ronchi was bowled by Imran Khan for 23 off 13 balls with three fours and a six. Gajanand Singh was then dismissed for one but Mohammed and Assad Fudadin put on 42 for the fifth wicket to steady the innings. Fudadin made 27 off 28 balls with one four and a six while Mohammed slammed three fours and two
maximums of 35 balls before he was taken off Rampaul for a top score of 42. Roshan Primus hit 21 off 17 balls with two sixes as Akeil Hosein picked up 2-19 while Rampaul 2-33. Tanvir Provided Warriors with the early breakthrough when he had Kane Williamson caught at third-man without scoring with the score on one. Ta n v i r e x t r a c t e d considerable movement and made further inroads when he had Dwayne Smith
caught by Primus for two before Primus had Imran Khan well caught by Kemo Paul for one as Tridents were reduced to 13-3 in the fourth over. Tanvir then trapped Eion Morgan lbw without scoring and had the prized scalp of Keiron Pollard caught at slip by Ronchi off the very first ball he had faced as Tridents fell into further trouble at 135. Leg spinner Rashid Khan accounted for Nicholas Pooran (11) before Akeil
Hosein lofted Paul to long on to depart for 17 of 25 balls with two fours. Khan had Parnell (02) lbw while Tanvir bowled Wahab Riaz (00) to complete his five-wicket haul before Khan wrapped up the innings when he uprooted the stumps of Shamar Springer for 16 as Tridents were bowled out for the second lowest total in the history of CPL. Khan took 315 from 3.4; Primus and Paul had one each.
Leading Windies to victory was my duty, says hero Hope Leeds, England, CMC – West Indies batting hero Shai Hope said Tuesday he saw it as his duty to see the team to victory on the epic fifth and final day of the second Test against England at Headingley. Windies started the day on five without loss chasing 322 for victory and Hope made a superb 118 not out as the visitors won under lights after another enthralling day’s play. The win boosted the Windies hopes of redemption especially following their innings defeat inside three days in the Edgbaston first Test, and now gives them a real sniff at a series win with one match left at Lord’s. ”Someone had to do it and that someone was me.
Today was my day and I felt I had to dig deep and take us home. This was a five-day battle and we gave it all we had. It was a remarkable Test match,” the 23-yearo l d s a i d . ”I feel elated. We’ve worked hard as a team and we’re pleased to get over the line. I am a professional cricketer for a reason so I always believe in myself. We fought hard throughout the game, so we needed to do well with the bat.” Hope added: “I’m just pleased to get the win. We needed this win. We fell way short in the first match so we sat down, looked at ourselves and came up with a plan on how to fight back, not just for ourselves as a team, but for the people who
support us. ”We know that we came here to play and that we have the fight, the belief and the players to do it, so we just needed to go out there and execute. I was just pleased to get the win that was the main thing, just to get us back in the series.” It was Windies’ first Test win in England for 17 years and the highest run chase in England since Gordon Greenidge’s double century to lead the great West Indies side to victory at Lords in 1984. Hope’s unbeaten 118 – with 14 boundaries off 211 balls – guided the Windies to an emphatic victory after they resumed the day on five without loss. This followed his first innings 147 – making him the first batsman to
Shai Hope
score two centuries in a first-class match at Headingley. The Test was the 534th first-class match at the venue and 76th Test match.
He also became the third West Indian to achieve the feat of twin tons in a Test in England – the others coming via the legendary George Headley at Lord’s
in 1939, and Gordon Greenidge at Old Trafford in 1976. Hope shared a matchwinning stand of 144 with Kraigg Brathwaite, who made 95 off 180 balls with 12 fours, to follow up his 134 in the first innings. Overall he batted for 10 hours in the match. ”Kraigg was brilliant throughout the match; he really set it up for us. In the first innings he made 134 and came back in the second innings to play another amazing knock, full credit to him,” Hope said. ”He has done it a lot for us and he’s become the rock of our batting. We played well in this match and we want to carry that momentum with us to Lord’s where we believe we can win the series.”
Wednesday August 30, 2017
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GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 League – West Demerara
Den Amstel swamp Jetty Gunners; Uitvlugt Warriors by WO from Golden Warriors Competition in the West Demerara Football Association leg of the G F F / N A M I L C O Thunderbolt Flour Power National Under-17 Intra Association League is set to continue on Friday and Sunday at the Den Amstel Community Center ground. On Friday from 09:00hrs, Crane Rovers will take on Jetty Gunners followed by a clash between Golden Warriors a n d Wa l e s U n i t e d a t 11:00hrs. Den Amstel, fresh from a huge win over Jetty Gunners will come up against Uitvlugt Warriors which will be a much sterner test from 13:00hrs. The final match on Friday from 15:00hrs brings together Eagles FC and Pouderoyen. On Sunday, Den Amstel will open against Golden Warriors at 09:00hrs with the final match from 11:00hrs between Eagle FC and Jetty Gunners. In latest action on Sunday last at the same venue, Uitvlugt Warriors did not have to break a sweat as they were winners via the walk over route from Golden Warriors. The story of the day however was the mauling
From right, Joshua Fraser, Anthony Benn, Keswyn Fraser, Ruben Dainty, Mortland Peters, Tadius Edwards, Malcolm Miggins and Mark Powell. that was inflicted by Den Amstel on Jettey Gunners, a huge 15-0 triumph. The players leading the goal feast were Keswyn Fraser with ahelmet-trick (20, 48, 51, 53), Ruben Dainty achieved a hat-trick (36, 65, 70), Anthony Ruben hit in a double (5, 10) with one apiece for Mortland Peters (2), Patrick King hit in an own goal in the 25th minute, Mark Powell (34), Malmcolm Miggins (60), Tadius Edwards (75) and Joshua Fraser from the penalty mark in the 80th minute.
Report reveals high level of drug use in athletics
Berlin (Reuters) - Over 30 percent of athletes who competed at the 2011 world championships admitted to having used banned substances in the past, according to a World AntiDoping Agencycommissioned study released yesterday. The study, conducted by researchers from Germany’s University of Tuebingen and Harvard Medical School in 2011, found that more than 30 percent of world championship participants and over 45 percent of athletes at the 2011 PanArab Games said they had taken banned drugs. The researchers asked a total of 2,167 athletes whether they had used
banned substances. A combined total of 5,187 athletes competed at those two events. The 2011 world athletics championships were held in Daegu, South Korea while Qatar hosted the Pan-Arab Games that year. A process of indirect questioning was used for the study titled “Doping in Two Elite Athletics Competitions Assessed by RandomizedResponse Surveys” in order to guard the athletes’ anonymity. More than 90 percent of athletes asked to take part agreed to do so. Only 0.5 percent of drugs tests in Daegu were positive, while the figure was 3.6 percent at the (Continued on page 31)
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Wednesday August 30, 2017
Double U-19 Champs receives Hero’s welcome
Double Champs Guyana with CGI’s Anand Sanasie, new Sports Minister Dr George Norton Director of Sports Christopher Jones and Chairman of selectors Rayon Griffith at Ogle yesterday. Sean Devers photo The Guyana team which won both the Regional U-19 three-day and 50-over titles in St Kitts & Nevis returned home yesterday to a Hero’s welcome at Eugene F. Corriera International Airport Ogle, greeted by new Sports Minister Dr George Norton, Director of Sports Christopher Jones, Secretary of the GCB/CGI Anand Sanasie and Chairman of the National Selectors, Rayon Griffith.
Flocked on the runway by the Media just after disembarking their LIAT flight, Minister Norton congratulated the youngsters for making Guyana proud while Sanasie said the team showed that the future of Guyana’s cricket is bright and despite the detractors, the victories attested to the development systems being implemented by the board. A proud Sanasie added
the 50-over format saw the return of West Indies players Baskar Yadram and Joshua Persaud to strengthen the side and informed that all members of the victorious youth team will be included in the various Franchises for the GCB three-day Franchise League with starts this Saturday with four matches. Skipper Renaldo AliMohammed said it was a great feeling to join Brian
Sattuar (2014 in Guyana) as the only Captains to win both titles in the same year and attributed the success to talent, team spirit and hard and committed work by the players and Coach Julian Moore. Raymond Perez who started his sports career as a cyclist a few years ago has proven his worth in this sport as he scored over 300 runs (most runs in the 50-over format) which contributed to
Team Guyana emerges Champs at Int. Martial Arts tourney in Suriname Rake in 79 medals
Team Guyana in Suriname. Team Guyana came out winners against their Surinamese counterparts in a just concluded International Martial Arts tournament held in the Dutch country. The 32-member Guyana team bagged a total of 79 medals (34 gold 27 silver 18 bronze). The team was led by Soke Dr. NazimYassim, Shihan Lloyd Ramnarine and Professor Dr. Christopher Norville and included a combination of
students from the Guyana Mix-Martial Arts Karate Association (21) and the Guyana International Kyokushinkai Martial Arts Academy (11). Held in Nickerie, students of the Guyana Mixed-Martial Arts Karate Association dominated the Free form and the 7 – 10 division Points Sparring while the students of Soke Nazim, The Guyana Int’l Kyokushinkai Martial Arts Academy was outstanding in the
Traditional Katas, Traditional Weapons Katas Points and Full Contact Fighting. Guyana Mixed-Martial Arts Karate Association won 58 medals (20 gold 20 silver 18 bronze) and the Guyana Int’l Kyokushinkai Martial Arts Academy achieved 21 medals (14 gold 7 silver). Soke Dr. NazimYassim said that he is very pleased with the team’s performance and that his dream is becoming reality of having
one united Karate/Martial Arts team to represent Guyana on the international scene. Gratitude was extended to Shihan Lloyd Ramnarine and the Guyana MixedMartial Arts Karate Association, Professor Dr. Christopher Norville of the Guyana Martial Arts Masters Association International and team Kyokushinkai Guyana along with parents, supporters and all others who assisted.
Guyana playing unbeaten in their six matches. Perez said his goal was to score the most runs and that he achieved. ”It was a bit difficult to move from cycling to cricket but I focused on my goal in St Kitts and I was successful since I made runs in both the three-day and 50-over tournaments. We did well because we played team cricket and had a very good leader (Ali
Mohammed)” stated Perez, who plays for DC, locally. Enterprise’s all-rounder Yadram, who won the Player of the Series for West Indies in both the South Africa and Zimbabwe series for his batting, ended with the most wickets in the tournament for Guyana in St Kitts. Guyana won their fourth consecutive 50-over title and lifted their 15 three-day crown. (Sean Devers) th
Diplomatic Community to face Quantum Leap Security in a charity T20 match The British High Commission, in an effort to match the excitement of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) whilst also providing monetary support for local charities has announced a game of T20 cricket match pitting the best the diplomatic community has to offer against the best of Quantum Leap Security. The match is slated for the Ev e r e s t C r i c k e t ground this Saturday bowling off at 13:00hrs with no entrance fee being charged, fans are being urged to support this venture. According to a release from eth British High Commission, whilst they cannot guarantee the same
standard of cricket seen on display in the CPL, they are aiming to ensure that the match offers entertainment and fun for spectators and players alike. We have no inside information on the composition of the Quantum Leap Security team, however we are confident that the Diplomatic team, comprising of talented players from the British High Commission, Indian High Commission, the EU and others will be victorious. Whatever the result, local charities will be the winner and we hope that you can show your support by coming to watch what promises to be an interesting spectacle.
Inter Ministries Tapeball re-scheduled for Friday The Inter Ministries; Government Agencies Tapeball cricket competition that was set for Sunday last, has now been re-scheduled for this Friday at the National Cultural Centre Tarmac starting at 09:00hrs. Teams are asked to note that registration will be closed today at 16:30hrs and can be done through James Lewis on 628 1656 or 666 5857. Among the teams that have registered so far are Melanie, Better Hope, Cummings Lodge, West Dem NDC, Eccles NDC, Craig NDC, Enmore NDC, Enterprise NDC and Pleasance NDC.
Wednesday August 30, 2017
Kaieteur News
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Twenty Team North Pakaraima Football Tournament Underway
Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Valerie Garrido-Lowe addressing the teams during the opening.
Tuseneng FC during the official March Pass. Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Valerie Garrido-Lowe on Sunday last declared open the North P a k a r a i m a ’s F o o t b a l l tournament being hosted by Paramakatoi Village, Region 8.
This is the first time officials from the Government and the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) are witnessing action in the twenty-team, male and female competition which has been ongoing for close to fifteen years.
Six female and fourteen male teams are participating in this year’s competition, drawn from Paramakatoi, K o p i n a n g , Tu s e n e n g , Monkey Mountain, Kanapang, Kurukubaru, Chuing Mouth, Chenapou, Bamboo Creek, Kato, Itabac
and Maikwak. Minister Garrido-Lowe during her address pledged the Ministry’s commitment to provide support for the tournament since she is pleased with the dedication shown by villages to preserve this competition
Petra/Corona Beer Invitational Football
Santos, GFC and unbeaten Tigers win to solidify their quarterfinal spots
Action between Police FC (Blue) and the unbeaten Tigers on Monday night. The Corona Invitational Football Tourney continued on Monday night with the three final round roundrobin matches at the Georgetown Football Club ground. Santos began the evening’s play in exciting fashion with an 8-0 drubbing of the young Eastveldt team. That game began at
5:00pm and by 5:24, former Alpha United winger William Europe, netted the first of Santos’ goals. Europe completed his brace in the 63rd minute taking Santos’ tally to 5-0 at that time. Kacy John was the most prolific in the match scoring a helmet-trick. He gained successes in the 51st, 62nd,
78th and 88th minute while Sherwin Skeet (26th minute) and Lionel Holder (90th), scored a goal each in the rout. The second match saw GFC making light work of Beacons FC 4-1 much to the delight of the home crowd. Benjamin Opara who led GFC with a brace opened the
scoring in the first minute of the match which was received with much fanfare from the supporters. Alerto Da Santa then doubled GFC’s lead in the 22nd minute before Beacon’s Quasan McCauley ensured that his team finished the first half not too (Continued on page 31)
over the years. ”You were waiting on word as to when to travel so when you were told to travel you were ready and Mr. President this is how dedicated and devoted the people are in these communities. This is how football influences our people that they walk for distances fetching their pots and pans and hammocks and come and tie them up and be here for days and play the best games they can play.” Region eight according to Minister Garrido-Lowe, possesse s a r i c h a n d unique indigenous talent that must be showcased around the country, the reason for her and the head of the local football fraternity attending the tournament. Meanwhile, GFF President Wayne Forde is the first sitting President to attend the tournament. He has committed to working with the Ministry to develop football in the hinterland, while also commending Minister Garrido-Lowe for her commitment and passion for football and football development. ”I think that today represents a momentous occasion for the people and for football in Paramakatoi. The hard working, committed Minister Valerie Garrido-Lowe is responsible for me being here, she is persistent and passionate about football and the development of the
indigenous peoples and we as a federation see this as a glorious opportunity to working in partnership with her.” He added that they have done tremendous work in the development and expansion of football in the hinterland communities since, “For the first time we have a female Under-17 team that has a total of seven players from t h e i n d i g e n o u s communities and five indigenous Under-15 players who recently returned from overseas and we at the federation understand that we would never develop football in Guyana unless we can tap into the exceptional talent that exists within these communities so you have a partner with you.” Forde noted that the stakes are also high since teams emerging winners of the male and female competitions will be given the opportunity to compete in a tournament in Georgetown. The Ministry donated trophies for the winning teams, while the GFF donated a quantity of football gear to the participating teams. Following the opening ceremony Kato’s Female defeated Chenapou 1-0 in the tournament’s opener. Other teams to record wins were Kanapang Female Te a m , C h e n a p o u a n d Kurukubaru which upset home team Paramakatoi. Matches are set to continue today with the third place play off and the finals of both competitions.
t r o Sp Kraigg Brathwaite got the Windies off to a great start, reaching 95 before falling to Moeen Ali.
Magnificent Hope spurs Windies to historic win
Shai Hope was named Player of the match ŠGetty Images
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