K
AIETEUR
Court collision imminent as… Tuesday Edition
AG wants JSC powers reduced after Deputy Registrar appointment
August 16, 2016 - Vol. 9 No. 34
NEWS
Online: www.kaieteurnews.com
Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly
Drugs bond scandal...
Price $80
Online readership yesterday 104,269
Norton should
be sent packing Man’s body found under collapsed brick wall
Girl, 15, dies in car driven by stepdad
Home set on fire after sibling row
DEAD: Daveand Sanchar
- PPP Rohee
Suspect leads cops to cutlass in trench after murdering boy, 13
Presidential powers granted to Lands Commissioner ridiculous - Opposition
PPP gave thousands of acres of Berbice land to friends
Kaieteur News
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Tuesday August 16, 2016
Storage bond fiasco...
Norton should be sent packing - Rohee General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party, Clement Rohee firmly believes that Minister of Public Health Dr. George Norton should be fired from his position for his actions concerning the Sussex Street storage bond issue. Rohee made this assertion at his Party’s weekly press conference at Freedom House yesterday. He told media operatives that the Public Health Minister deserves to be sent packing for “the lies which he told in Parliament”. Rohee described Norton’s actions as most disgraceful. The former Home Affairs Minister said that he finds it even more dreadful
t h a t d u r i n g N o r t o n ’s presentation last Monday, the Government side in the National Assembly found the situation humorous. Rohee explained that when Norton was asked to give a specific location of the bond, he began making a mockery of the issue by giving confusing and inaccurate directions. “That is not a serious Government and a serious Minister. You ought to answer questions in a responsible manner.” According to Rohee, the Minister then proceeded to tell “a host of blatant lies” regarding the bond. One such untruth, he highlighted, concerned the certification
of the Sussex Street bond owned by Linden Holdings Inc. “He (Norton) said that the place was certified first by PAHO (Pan American Health Organization) and then he changed his mouth and said that it was certified by the Ministry of Health. He said that drugs were already stored at the bond. He also said that there was no rental paid for the bond, and later on as the truth came out, it was a totally different story.” The General-Secretary reminded that his Party had strongly suggested that Norton should go before the Committee of Privileges. “This slap-on-the-
PPP/C General Secretary, Clement Rohee
Public Health Minister, Dr. George Norton wrist... apology is unacceptable. Lies in the National Assembly and making statements like that in the National Assembly should be taken seriously.” The storage bond fiasco began last Monday when Norton was grilled in the National Assembly to provide details on the matter. During his presentation the Minister informed the House that he withdrew $25M from the Contingency Fund to be used as a security deposit to use the bond. However, money from that fund is only to be used when there is an unforeseen circumstance. Norton was asked to inform the House about the urgent situation which required withdrawing the large sum. To this inquiry, he said, “This has never been paid before because we, only during this year, were asked
to pay for rental of a particular storage facility.” Norton was then reminded that there was already $31M provided for in the budget to be used for the rental of buildings. Moreover, it was unclear why Norton chose to use money from the emergency fund, since such use had to be approved by Parliament before it is spent by a Ministry or budgetary agency. Regarding the rental of the facility in Sussex Street, Norton said that it is $12.5M. He explained that the Government was paying NEWGPC $19.2M per month for rental storage “so we had to find another means of storage.” However, NEWGPC d i s p r o v e d N o r t o n ’s statements, saying that the Company did not charge the
state $19.2M, but in fact had offered its warehouse for free over the last 10 years. Norton had claimed that the exorbitant price by NEWGPC created a situation whereby a new bond had to be found with haste, and he proceeded to use this as an excuse for not having a public tendering process. President David Granger recently weighed in on the matter in his weekly show, “The Public Interest.” He defended the Minister’s actions saying that Government found it impossible to afford the new rates being charged by NEWGPC. He said, “That caused the Ministry of Public Health to seek a new bond. That is how it all started and in seeking that new bond, the government obviously had to think about timing, it had to think about the short term storage of drugs and it led to the adoption, or the quest for a new bond that is under Linden Holding, a new company.”
Tuesday August 16, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Presidential powers granted to Lands Commissioner ridiculous - Opposition The People’s Progressive Party Civic is against the recent delegation of Presidential powers to the Commissioner of Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, Trevor Benn. According to PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee, this act is ridiculous, unnecessary and unconstitutional. In July of this year, President David Granger had made an order delegating certain powers to Benn, related to public lands and state lands. The order read, “The Commissioner of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission is hereby deputed to exercise on behalf of the President the functions relating to the sanctioning of renting and granting of leases, licences, and permission of occupancy of all Public Lands (government lands under the meaning of the Lands Department Act and State Lands under the meaning of the State Lands Act), conferred on the President by the President by the Lands Department Act and the State Lands Act respectively.” Rohee said yesterday during his
PPP/C General Secretary, Clement Rohee
GLSC Commissioner, Trevor Benn
weekly press conference at Freedom House, that the powers in respect of renting and granting of Leases and Permissions to occupy all public lands are vested in the President under the State Lands Act and the
Lands Department Act. The General Secretary is of the view that vesting such power in the office of the Commissioner is unprecedented in the nation’s history. He noted that these powers have
never before been given to someone outside of Cabinet. “This is an unacceptable situation, the Commissioner under the Guyana Lands and Surveys Act has exclusive functions to review and recommend leases for approval, now he will also have decision powers. The person recommending will also be the person deciding.” Benn was appointed Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the GLSC last April. Rohee explained that the situation is unique, since there was no mention as to what role the Board of Directors of the GLSC will play with the transfer of power. He said, “The power has gone to an individual, and so the CEO will now, in effect, have greater powers than his Board, an unprecedented and ridiculous situation.” The General Secretary suggested that it would have been better if the powers were transferred to the Board, which is a statutory body, to which the Commissioner would have had to present his recommendations for approval.
President David Granger Rohee suspects that this transferral will result in impropriety, whereby persons will pick up the phone and call the Commissioner to instruct him to lease lands to individuals unilaterally using his new powers. “In the circumstances, more and more public lands will go to those favoured by the regime,” Rohee said. In his final assessment of the situation, Rohee posited that the delegation of powers to Benn will clash with the GLSC. “How these two Commissions will relate to each other legally is anybody’s guess,” he said in conclusion.
Suspect leads cops to cutlass in PPP gave thousands of acres trench after murdering boy, 13 of Berbice land to friends - two others detained Three men, aged 20, 26 and 53, have been arrested for the murder of 13-year-old Daveand Sanchar, whose lifeless body was found on the roadway at Plantain Walk Access Road, Triumph, East Coast Demerara, around 23:30 hrs on Sunday. Sanchar’s body was discovered with a chop wound to the head about 15 minutes after he was called out of a wedding house by one of his friends, who is now on the run. Kaieteur News was told that one of the three suspects has cracked under intense interrogation and led police to recover the murder weapon -a cutlass - in a trench yesterday. That suspect had reportedly pointed out the other suspects to the cops. The 13-year-old, who would have celebrated his birthday in a few months, was murdered a few houses away from his home and just about three houses from a wedding house where his entire family were celebrating. Police in a release said that investigations so far have revealed that Sanchar was at a function in the said village and had an altercation with some men over a female. According to the police release, the 13year-old subsequently left the wedding and returned with a cutlass. A further argument ensued and it was alleged that one of the men took away the cutlass and dealt the teen a chop to his head. Whilst on the ground, he was given a severe beating with a stick by the men. The teen’s mother, Sukdeo Sanchar said that she was not aware her son was seeing any girl. She said that her entire family was at the wedding in the village when her son’s friend called him out of the function. “Less than 15 minutes after he left, someone run come call me saying that my son get chop and he lay down on the road,” the woman recalled. She said when she rushed to the scene; she spotted the teen lying in a pool of blood -
DEAD: Daveand Sanchar he was already dead. The woman could not say what led to the chopping. She admitted that the young man who called her son out of the wedding, is known to the family, and visited their home frequently. “I can’t say what happened and I don’t know why they killed him. He wasn’t a bad person and that boy (suspect) and him good,” the older Sukdeo said. The woman explained that she took the teen out of school a few months ago because he was not performing well. ”He was going with his father to work and I said that I would send him back to school later down this year,” the mother of three pointed out. Investigations are ongoing.
“The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government has proven itself a true friend to its supporters,” said a government official who spoke about the amount of assets the PPP administration gave to its friends, family and supporters. The official, who holds a high position in the public service, told Kaieteur News that vast lands, in and out of commercial areas, have been “handed over for a few pennies”. The official pointed out areas where land was given to friends of the PPP. Some of which he highlighted was well reported on in the media. These include lands that were given to Eddie Boyer, Ed Ahmad and others. However, the official indicated that it is much more than that. He said that thousands of acres of Berbice lands were given to a businessman identified as Hakeem Mohammed. Mohammed has been able to access over 4000 acres of state lands located at Moblissa. Kaieteur News was told that former President Donald Ramotar was the one who gave the land to Mohammed. The official said that Mohammed is well known to Ramotar. Contacted yesterday, Ramotar said that he indeed authorized the use of the land, because Mohammed had lots of cattle with nowhere to put
it. He explained that former Chairman of GuySuCo, Vic Oditt was in possession of the land for many years, “but he was not doing anything with it.” Ramotar said that Oditt was leased the land. However, the lease agreement came to an end quite some time before the land was handed to Mohammed. The former President said that a similar agreement to what Oditt enjoyed, was
handed to Mohammed. He stressed that “this is an above board arrangement.” He also said that he doubts that the land given was as big as 4000 acres. However, Kaieteur News understands that there is little paper trail about the process Mohammed went through to obtain the land. Sources say that he did not submit any proposal to the then government to justify access to such a vast amount of land.
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Kaieteur News
Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
POSITIVE WORDS, LITTLE ACTION The announcement by the Minister of Social Protection a few weeks ago that the government will invest in initiatives to empower youths is a step in the right direction, but the truth be told there has only been talking; the administration has not matched words with action. It has to educate the youths, create jobs for them and make sure that they are nurtured into becoming good citizens. In Guyana, youths in the 16-35 age groups are approximately two-thirds of the population, which means that the country has one of the more youthful populations in the hemisphere. Many of our youths are poor and jobless; others are hopeless. The high rate of unemployment amongst them is an urgent matter that should be high priority for the government. But it is not. The fact that youths are seeking quality and decent paying jobs, places immense pressure on the government – the largest single employer in the country. Employers of the private sector are under similar pressure to pay higher salaries and to provide better working conditions. There is a more highly educated youth workforce in the country today, which suggests that those seeking employment are expected to be appropriately remunerated. If not, they are likely to migrate to greener pastures. The assumption is that, if Guyana cannot afford to pay decent salaries to its highly qualified and talented youths, they will be absorbed by the richer countries. Based on this scenario, it is rather unfortunate that Guyana will not have those with the requisite skills needed to develop the country and improve the well-being of the masses. However, this is not unique to Guyana. Most developing countries are having the same experience. Statistics have shown that in today’s job market, there is an increasing number of youths who are currently employed in the private sector in supervisory and management positions. Employers in the private sector have recognized the value of having qualified youths in their workforce and have invested in them with the hope that they will be rewarded with good work habits. In Guyana, employers are aware that contract employment has become the norm, and it seems possible that some individuals will change jobs more than two or three times in their working career, which most companies would want to avoid. While the government has been accused of employing pensioners and retired military personnel, employers in the private sector have duly acknowledged and valued the skills of youths and are mindful of the need to provide sustainable and quality jobs to them with attractive remuneration packages and benefits. The crowning glory of this is that they are also offering job security in the form of tenure to youths. As the youths grow and develop in their jobs, they inevitably amass a wealth of experience that would serve the organization and/or enterprise in good stead in the future. Most employers in the private sector believe that while it’s important to have youths in their workforce, it is equally important to keep them for as long as possible. Employers with a vision for the growth and development of their businesses, and the country, know that by exposing young workers at an early stage will provide them with many opportunities, such as placing them in a position to recruit other employees with the requisite skills. Needless to say, this would place them at an advantage, because most new recruits will more than likely commit to working with the organization for a long time. Many in the private sector are of the view that there are greater benefits to be had in investing in young workers than it is for an older workforce. Most youths tend to bring fresh, innovative perspectives and ideas to business, and are more likely to ask questions and think outside the box. They can convince management to consider their viewpoints in a positive way. Considering all the above, government should invest in youths.
Tuesday August 16, 2016
Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email
RALPH RAMKARRAN’S OIL ESTIMATE OF US$5.5 BILLION IS EXCESSIVE Ralph Ramkarran, in his article in SN of August 7, 2016 ‘Guyana’s future as an oil producer’, estimates that Guyana can expect revenues of US$5.5 billion a year from the recent Liza oil discovery by ExxonMobil and partners. Ramkarran uses three variables to arrive at his figure: an oil price at US$ 80 a barrel, a daily production of 500,000 barrels, and a government share of 40%. Based on my own general understanding, this estimate is extremely optimistic because the numbers he uses are either highly speculative or, in one case, likely inaccurate. That said, as any other Guyanese, I hope Ramkaran’s estimate turns out to be correct. Maybe he knows something we don’t. But regrettably, revenues are likely to be more modest if we use more plausible numbers and formulas. First, there is no guarantee that the oil price will rebound to $80 a barrel by 2020 when production is scheduled to start in the Liza field. But that is not the main issue with Ramkarran’s calculation. Next, a yearly production of 500,000 barrels a day is five times more than that projected by the company itself based on known reserves. True, if more oil is discovered in other offshore fields, such as where the third well (Skipjack) is
currently being drilled, projected daily production could increase. But it is safer at the moment to work with the company figure of 100,000 to 120,000 barrels a day from the Liza field. Yet, this is not my main bone of contention with the Ramkarran estimate. It is the third variable in his calculation (a government share of 40%) that may be most off the mark if, as likely the case, revenue is shared between the Guyana government and the oil consortium based on the model agreement posted on the GGMC website. The terms to determine how production/ revenues are split or shared are contained in an agreement known as a Production Sharing Agreement (PSA). The model PSA on the GGMC website covers the three main elements in the calculation. First, there is a cost recovery element. The model agreement stipulates that the oil company can keep up to 75% of oil production (referred to as cost-oil) to recoup the cost of its investment on exploration, development and production. After the company has taken off this production, the second element in a PSA, called production sharing, comes into play. Production sharing in our model PSA divides the remaining 25% of production (referred to as
profit-oil) between government and company 50/ 50. Therefore, the government take is more likely to be around the 12.5% mark rather than Ramkarran’s 40%. From Liza’s projected daily production of 100,000 barrels, the government daily take will therefore be 12,500 barrels. Multiply that by whatever is the prevailing world oil price and you arrive (as a first approximation) at how much revenue the government can expect. A lower cost-oil (say 40% or 50%) greatly increases government revenue. But the decision on where to split production between cost-oil and profit-oil is not straightforward and depends on several considerations, such as having an attractive investment climate and the costs of extracting oil from the ground. True, as a company recovers more and more of its initial investment, the cost-oil factor should decrease— which would put more money in the government’s coffers. Should production decline simultaneously, however, due to resource depletion (without new discoveries) there would be a smaller pie to share. Other potential sources of government revenue from an oil deal do exist and include royalty, taxation and duty. Our 1986 petroleum act mandates royalty payments, but royalty
is hardly mentioned, if at all, in the GGMC and other official literature. The reason for this shyness is simple. Royalty as an upfront off-the-top payment by the company makes Guyana less attractive by increasing the cost of doing business here. I suspect that a small royalty rate may possibly be included in an actual PSA, but only for token compliance with our petroleum law. As regards taxes and duties, our model agreement indicates that these could be reduced or waived. The Order passed in the National Assembly on August 8th indicates that this is what the government intends. As currently advertised, Guyana’s model PSA is considered highly attractive not only because of the nice elements it contains (75% cost recovery, 50/50 production sharing, low royalty and taxation) but because of the elements it does not include compared to typical PSAs worldwide. Excluded are such elements as sliding scales (to determine, for example royalty rates and production sharing), production bonuses (recurring payments to government by the company when cumulative production reaches set levels) and signature bonuses (a one-off payment to government on (Continued on page 5)
Hi-Tech approach to parking meters DEAR EDITOR, Permit me to pen my bit on the Parking Meter fiasco. My greatest fear is we’ll get ourselves in a Gulliver position; entangled with no hope of freeing ourselves from a binding contract with machines which will soon be outdated or, at the very least, machines that malfunction too often. The problem has already been identified; we have too many vehicles requiring parking in the vicinity of downtown where most businesses are clustered. The immediate solution seems to be to peep over at the so-called developed countries to see what they’re doing with regards to solving this particular problem. Instead of looking overseas how about looking right here for a solution. Guyanese, in my opinion, are some of the most resourceful people in this part of the solar system. And I do
not say this lightly. Why the government does not sponsor a competition with a two-million-dollar prize to the person coming up with the best idea in lieu of knotting oneself to an expensive parking meter contract? At the risk of being labeled frivolous, if one hangs around beer gardens long enough listening to drinking buddies, one can pick up quite a bit of intelligent suggestions which the government usually pay millions to “think-tanks” to come up with. Some of these fellows, stimulated by alcohol no doubt, are likely to come up with a solution that is practical and prove to be far less expensive than the one currently being considered. Thinking outside the box, here’s my suggestion. How about a high tech approach? I have the idea but the groundwork has to be done. We create the parking areas but no parking machines; just poles with position
identifications. I’m supposing the average driver is in possession of a cell phone. Create an APP where drivers pre-purchase a certain amount of credit. When one parks one uses the APP to insert the pole position and number plate of one’s vehicle. One is also required to use the APP to indicate when one leaves the parking. Through the APP one’s time of parking is registered at some central location and the appropriate amount deducted from his credit. If one’s credit is too low a warning message is sent to one’s phone. To avoid pranksters, one is required to insert a password to prevent anyone else tampering with the transaction. Minimum patrols are required to ensure no one cheats the system. If a vehicle is found parked at a position when the owner has registered via the APP that he has vacated the spot, his vehicle will be impounded
with a fine attached. The same goes for a vehicle parked in a spot and has not registered that it has.CTV cameras are set up in parking areas as a “second eye” to ensure no one is short-circuiting the system (a common hobby of us, Guyanese). I’m not aware of this system being used in any other country but, not being the brightest bulb in my family, if I can come up with it I suppose others can too. We do not have to inherit every system from abroad. We can come up with our own. Consider this the first application for the proposed competition for the twomillion-dollar prize. And I haven’t even had a beer for the day as yet. Imagine the fountain of intelligent suggestions out there waiting for some motivation like the proposed prize money. Forget parking meters from abroad. We can get this done. M. Alves
Tuesday August 16, 2016
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Kaieteur News
WHY DO I ADVOCATE FOR CELEBRATING BURNHAM? DEAR EDITOR; Much of what follows formed part of a note I wrote and published on Facebook on May 17, 2016. I replicate it here with certain modifications for your kind publication after having read P.D. Sharma’s letter published in Stabroek News on August 11, 2016, titled “No Assessment of Burnham can stand if it ignores his election rigging.” I will not hesitate to say at the outset that I find Sharma’s letter repugnant, disrespectful and encompassing a bundle of hastily put together thoughts unaccompanied by even the slightest hint of any serious thinking. Even the very title serves as a distasteful
preface which sums up the deficient thinking of its author. I cannot in good conscience allow this latest addition to the untiring tirade to malign Burnham to go unanswered. Sharma’s bias is evident early on. He offers that any brave soul who dares to pronounce upon Burnham risks his own honour and credibility. And that’s what obtained during the Burnham era is ‘as well-known as is unsaid- and unsayable.’ Tell me, wherein lies the objectivity? Sharma goes on to say that any researcher or historian who approaches a treatment of Burnham without bias engages in an act of courage more than he has a command of insight or
discovery. When Sharma speaks of Burnham’s vices he speculates about their truism; but reference to his followers’ articulation of his virtues is absent any acknowledgement of truism. Sharma does not stop there; he suggests that someone critiquing Burnham is likely to compromise his research, intuition and training in his effort to not excite the wrath of Burnham’s hero worshippers. Sharma’s most offensive statement is his reduction of the genius of Burnham to ‘the perpetuation of self, party and people via fraudulent means, especially when others might have won under free and fair circumstances.’ To determine that the full or fundamental
This man’s negatives outweigh his positives DEAR EDITOR; August 5 marked the 31st death anniversary of Linden Forbes Samson Burnham who was the longest serving head of state even though he died at a relatively young age of sixty two. Burnham ruled Guyana for twenty one years; first as Prime Minister and then as Executive President following constitutional changes in 1980 which bestowed on him sweeping powers even greater than that of the President of the United States. Despite attempts at reconstructing his image, Burnham will go down in history as someone who presided over the collapse of the Guyana economy and the destruction of the democratic fabric of the society. Despite our vast resources the country was reduced to one of the poorest countries in the
Western Hemisphere due mainly to undemocratic rule and mismanagement of the economy. There are some who gave him credit for raising Guyana’s international profile but this was done mainly to bolster his image as a leader of the Third World. The fact is that there was a significant divergence between the country’s foreign image which was projected as progressive and socialist oriented and the domestic circumstance which was characterized by rigged elections and the denial of basic and fundamental rights which included freedom of the press. Given such a scenario it is difficult to arrive at any satisfactory reconciliation between his actions at the domestic level and his utterances at the
international level which provided little if any space for political reconciliation and national unity. The verdict is still out on what exactly his legacy was and more particularly his contribution to the growth and development of a prosperous and cohesive society. There are many who are of the view that the negatives outweigh the positives and that Guyana under his rule never really benefitted from a leadership and governance style that encouraged the fullest participation of Guyanese in the nation building processes. Indeed, under his watch Guyana lagged behind several other countries in the Caribbean in terms of economic and social development. Hydar Ally
RALPH RAMKARRAN’S OIL... From page 4 signing of a contract). Indeed, Minister Trotman did indicate in an interview with an online oil industry journal that he favored the expansion of our PSA to include some of these terms. It should be noted that the government can sign different PSAs with different companies and even for different oil fields with the same company. The practice worldwide is for a government to demand a bigger cut in succeeding
PSAs as it gains experience and clout. In June this year, a new PSA was reportedly signed between the government and the consortium led by ExxonMobil. The actual terms of the PSA remain to be seen. But chances are they will follow closely that of the agreement displayed on the GGMC website. The country will still earn a game-changing several hundreds of millions of dollars from the oil discovered so far. But I doubt
whether the Liza field alone will be a yearly multi-billion dollar earner for the government. In this largely underexplored basin, revenues will approach Ramkarran’s estimate as more oil is discovered as it surely will. Sherwood Lowe
essence of Burnham is confined to rigged elections is gravely offensive and an exhibition of not even an elementary command of our history. Or alternatively, a comprehensive command of that tarnished aspect of our history which brands Burnham as nothing more or nothing less than a demon. It is this kind of intentional, disingenuous and convenient skirting of our history which right-minded people of any extraction must collectively guard against. I propose to write comprehensively and objectively about Burnham and his times and neither this brief treatment here or my recent poem calling for him to be celebrated in a massive way at our past independence celebrations should be received as even nearing a comprehensive treatment of this monumental man. My remarks here are inspired only by the
comments my poem has evoked. I have never met the man. As a matter of fact I was just shy of 3 years old when he passed. If I were to content myself with the media collage of Burnham and what I’ve learnt in school, my impression of the man would be most distasteful. Yes, school has done nothing more than thrown at me a few small paragraphs enveloping a brief academic treatment of the man. While school did not strap him to the cross and nail him in lieu of the thief next to Jesus, the patent lack of celebration of this man was evident. It was the media which alerted me to the importance of this great man. And yes, I say great man. The media have killed Burnham countless times. This for me begged the question, ‘why go to such lengths to kill this man very very dead?’ This naturally persuaded me to dig through the clutter. Burnham’s critics
have been and are many. A foremost critic of Forbes was Rodney, whom I admire deeply as well. My research has revealed both virtues and vices. Suffice it to say that the gravity of his vices does not outweigh his virtues. The PPP has over the years consistently and vigorously celebrated Jagan while simultaneously, and with perhaps a tad more vigour, decried Burnham. This sustained defamation of Forbes has invited no robust defence from the party which he founded. As a matter of fact, the PNC has done nothing distinct to preserve the legacy of Forbes. This, in my humblest estimation, is a travesty of the highest order. This complicity on the part of the PNC is unforgivable, and its patent silence on this issue over the years is perhaps more forensically damaging than the sustained efforts of Burnham’s (Continued on page 6)
Is Parade Ground still suitable for playing football? DEAR EDITOR; A closely guarded secret I have kept for years, after careful consideration must now be brought to light, moreover publicly. I’m in dire need of a mental evaluation, since from all indications my mental faculties are not intact, or it’s simply waning? Or is it with age my sight is failing that what I’ve read is unbelievable. Editor, this is in relation to an article published in K.N.03.08.16, captioned:” Banks D IH Ltd, / ABSAA Under- 13 InterCommunity Football resumes today”. Whereby in accordance with paragraph 1: “ Play in the Banks DIH Ltd/ ABSAA, inaugural Co-Ed Under13 Inter- Community Football resumes today, at Parade ground on Middle and Wellington Streets, starting at 10:30 hrs.” Putting aside the incorrect publication of one of the streets’ name that is correctly Waterloo and definitely not Wellington, Wellington is the continuation of Waterloo beyond North Road/ Church
Street. Maybe an oversight on behalf of Sports Editor, in not perusing the press release/ email properly! Nevertheless, how on “God’s Good Earth” of all places the Parade ground, was chosen as the venue to facilitate this competition? Is this for real, or a figment of my imagination? Are my mental faculties intact, or have I read a different Kaieteur News? The harsh but sad realities of the situation as it unfolds are: A. For over 2 decades the Parade Ground, which falls directly under the jurisdiction of the M&CC, was allowed to deteriorate to its present state, despite the fact on numerous occasions, towards garnering revenues. B. With a student population of approximately 5,000 within its close
proximity, for the corresponding period, they are devoid / denied of a recreational facility. C. Is it prudent to play organised football at such a venue, unkempt and nonmaintained, for the corresponding, moreover involving Under- 13 youths that some may be playing organised football, or some semblance of it for the first time in their lives? D. Sadly, is this because the majority of them are underprivileged, urban youths that they don’t deserve the basic amenities of a lavatory, change room, bleachers and a common stand pipe? E. Interestingly, how can Banks DIH Ltd, ABSAA, GFF and the Petra Organization that are (Continued on page 6)
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Tuesday August 16, 2016
Kaieteur News
An “Eye for an Eye” will not leave the world blind DEAR EDITOR; In responding to Mr. Mohammed’s letter ‘Guyana should abandon the Death Penalty’ (Knews Sunday August 07, 2016), I must say that he offers nothing extraordinary as to why Guyana (or even the world at large ) should abandon the death penalty. He presents a weak argument which is essentially a rant against a flawed legal system and corrupt public servants which allows for wrongful convictions. It follows then that if the system is not flawed and public servants were not corrupt, then he would not have any objections to the death penalty. What ought to be borne in mind is that the flag bearers against the death penalty are mostly of ‘European’ persuasion. History has taught us that we should be aware of such people bearing gifts because those gifts are always the precursor of an ulterior motive. In Canada,
the penal system is perhaps the single largest employer. It stands to reason then that the politicians, despite of what they may say, have no reason to reduce the prison population. By doing so they would then have to grapple with the unemployment and other social issues caused by doing that. It is to their advantage that prisons are kept full. Another thing is that unlike us, they have the resources to deal with crime and its social implications. By adopting their position, we end up spending a massive chunk of our national budget on crime and related issues; monies which could’ve been spent in other crucial areas needed for development. We are then unwittingly kept in perpetual poverty and social turmoil much to the glee of the West. As a Muslim, I believe in the death penalty for premeditate murder and other despicable
Guyanese have to become united to save the country DEAR EDITOR; In 2006, while flying to the US, I was conversing with a fellow passenger and expatriate who had just visited with his dead brother’s widow. I never questioned his sense of propriety but listened to his 10-minute rant about the crimes being committed by African-Guyanese. I then pointed out that IndianGuyanese also commit crimes and tried to stress that these crimes should be seen as Guyanese criminals committing crimes against fellow Guyanese citizens. He brought up the Burnham years, and I told him about a documentary, “Hearts and Minds.” An American reporter was telling a Vietnamese that the tonnage of bombs dropped on Vietnam during their war with America exceeded the total tonnage of bombs dropped on Japan and Germany during WWII. The reporter then asked the Vietnamese how she felt about what America had done. She replied that she did not feel anything because it was wartime, and the war was over. I pointed out to my compatriot that the Burnham era had ended in Guyana, and we needed to
move forward and build a country that is inclusive and beneficial to all Guyanese. My countryman continued his rant on “black” people in Guyana, and I told him I was returning from burying my brother and to please excuse me as I turned my head. I still get annoyed when I hear dogmatic declarations that Indian-Guyanese are victims of African-Guyanese, for I have seen Guyanese of all ethnicity, their swollen eyes red with tears, sadness and grief, suffering as the victims of crime perpetrated by fellow Guyanese criminals. This annoyance was aggravated when the opposition leader declared: “There is an assault on people of Indian origin. There is an assault of supporters of the PPP. What we thought would never return to Guyana, in just one short year, has returned with full force and even worse in some regards than Burnham era.” https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=ET1vM12mNN4 Should people tolerate this drivel from the man who sullied and betrayed the integrity of the PPP and the legacy of the great Dr. Cheddi Jagan? Right now, some of this man’s cohorts are being
investigated for misappropriation during their time in office. But let us focus on his statement of assault “on people of Indian origin”. As the opposition leader with power and access to reporters, let him show proof of the “fight” he has undertaken to address the alleged assault of his constituents. What has he done or is doing to address his claim of abuse of his constituents? At the same time, how has he served his constituents and how have they benefited during his tenure? How did he serve our country? Can he defend his free dealing with foreign investors that compromised our independence and ownership of our natural resources? I can go on with these questions, but people need to ask their own questions about his leadership. My focus is on Guyana as a nation. Once again, I reiterate what I have said in other letters. Unless we come together in spite of our ethnicity, we will be lost as a people because there are forces, within and without, vying for Guyana – Their Prize – our country, our nation. Stanley Niamatali
Some questions to the AFC DEAR EDITOR; I refer to the headline in the Stabroek News of Monday 15th August that the AFC is against the parking meter contract and it should be scrapped and Mr Sherod Duncan speaks for the party in relation to the said contract. Mr Duncan has done a fine job in raising awareness about this scandal and must be commended. But why only Mr Duncan? Where is the leadership of the party on this matter? Where is the leader Mr Khemraj Ramjattan and co-founder Mr Raphael Trotman? Where are the General Secretary Mr David Patterson and the acting Chairman, Mr. Moses Nagamootoo? Where is one of the spokespersons of the party Mrs Cathy
Hughes? Where are all these people who used to rant and rail (justifiably I must add) against the Jagdeo regime. Have they been silenced by the cushy jobs and big salaries? The free electricity, free vehicle, free trips, and almost free everything. Why only Mr Duncan on this matter? Can Mr Ramjattan also tell us who (and when) will speak on the Minister Norton/drug bond fiasco? The nation waits to hear. Finally, the fleet of vehicles, the big house, the big salary, the big pension that is looming have all conspired for Mr Nagamootoo to forget who killed Walter Rodney. When he was in the PPP he lectured to the nation as to the assassins. Now, he cannot remember! Talk about selective amnesia. Merlin Richards
offences (such as rape). President Granger, Mr. Mohamed and other like- minded ‘crusaders for life’ who feel that life is sacred and should not be taken under any circumstances, must look into their hearts and with all honesty proclaim that if such were to happen to their loved ones, they would ‘forgive’. When the shoe is on the other foot, the song is usually different. Mr Trotman rightfully said that when a single ‘terrorist’ kill or even attempt to kill a single citizen of certain countries , the Government of those countries do not hesitate to rain down fire and brimstone on the entire country from where the ‘terrorist’ belong, killing hundreds and displacing thousands in retaliation. A person who commits deliberate murder has no respect for the sacredness of life. He can kill again and again without hesitation. A learned Judge once said that freedom of movement does not entitle you to walk on my property. You cannot disrespect the rights of others and then expect others to respect those very same rights of yours. On what moral grounds must we respect the murderer’s right to life? If we kill the murderer then all we have done is treat him the exact way he had treated his victim. What is morally wrong about that? If we let him live because of some warped logic about the sacredness of life and he murders again, then we are morally responsible for his victim(s). Contrary to being brainwashed about the whole world becoming blind if the ‘eye for an eye’ law is applied, the world will in fact become a better place if this law is applied. The Creator is well aware of the sacredness of life and this is why he gave this Law so that His creations may appreciate the sacredness of life and so does not take it. Another ‘brainwasher’ used by the opponents of the death penalty is to say that ‘two wrongs do not make a right’. In other words by killing the murderer you are also guilty of a crime i.e. murder. It is saying
that to punish someone for committing a crime is also a crime. To say that the death penalty does not act as a deterrent is false. All Muslim countries which have this as a punishment for murder and other heinous crimes have shown a low occurrence of such crimes. In Guyana, the reintroduction of the death penalty by Desmond Hoyte and the resulting effect this had on the occurrence of banditry is enough as an example. There is no need to listen to the statistics of others. Crimes will always exist and the death penalty is not a solution to crimes but rather a fitting and deservedly punishment for certain crimes. Indeed, the justice system argues that ‘the punishment must fit the crime’ (which is actually the same as ‘an eye for an eye’) and this is the basis whereby a convict is sentenced to either one week or one year imprisonment. So what type of punishment will fit the crime for a murderer or rapist? If he is given life imprisonment and he commits murder again while incarcerated or upon escape, what would be his punishment then? Another life sentence? There is nothing to prevent him from committing murder again because he has already been given the maximum sentence. The criminals themselves when faced with the reality of death, spend millions (if they have it) fighting to have that commuted to life. This shows their fear of death and so if death penalty was certain and swift as in some Muslim countries, then less murders would definitely occur. The death penalty opponents also argue that due to the ‘horrific’ nature of death, it is uncivilized to place another human being in that situation. But this is the point, if death is such a ‘horrible thing’ that it deters us from executing the murderer then would it not deter a potential murderer from committing the act if he knows for sure that this ‘horrible’ punishment is awaiting him? Sheik Mustapha
WHY DO I ADVOCATE FOR... From page 5 opponents. The past 50 years have been nothing more than elevating Jagan to sainthood while demonizing Burnham; so much so that Burnham who died in 1985 is still being held responsible for woes in 2016. And the corollary of this has been to amplify superficial biological differences rendering our major races socially, politically and economically incompatible. My call to celebrate Burnham is not an African nationalist call. I think you guys have come to know me well enough to be mindful that I have a permanent distaste for divisive rhetoric and
actions. But my call is indeed nationalistic; yes, a call for Guyanese nationalism. While we may not agree with everything Burnham did, and of course some of us may feel more passionately than others about what we perceive to be his sins, we absolutely can’t dilute the fact that he is a giant of our independence struggle. And to celebrate this climactic independence without a proper recognition of his role in securing our independence would be the zenith of ingratitude. The call is not for the PNC within the coalition machinery to suddenly come alive to the virtues of its founder. It is
simply a call for us as a country- us as Guyanese brothers and sisters- to acknowledge in a collective way that a 50 year old Guyana could not have been possible without Burnham. Of course no acknowledgement in this vein can disregard the role of Jagan and the many others who have fought alongside our two now severely polarized leaders to secure our national identity. I singled out Burnham in my call because it is only him who has been singled out in our decades-long condemnation. It is time we learn to analyze our leaders and national contributors dispassionately. Ronald J. Daniels
Is Parade Ground still suitable... From page 5 listed among sponsors, with football knowledge accept this level of administrative inefficiency? Banks DIH ground, Thirst Park (Saturday and Sunday only) along with GFC and Camptown could have been approached for the use of their respective grounds, which offer a 110 percent more better playing surface. In the final analysis with former Canadian International and Hall of Famer; Alex Bumbury, GFF International Ambassador who’s in pursuit of establishing an ultra-
modern sports academy, in my estimation, it doesn’t deserve his name to be dragged into the gutter, with a football competition being played at the unplayable Parade Ground. If this facility was that good then Digicel and the GFA would have utilised it for matches. Nevertheless, I still need a mental evaluation to ascertain if my faculties are intact. Since this level of duplicity leaves much to be desired. By the way were official officiating personnel from the National Referees Council used for the matches? Lester Sealey
Tuesday August 16, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Court collision imminent as…
AG wants JSC powers reduced after Deputy Registrar appointment In March, she was interviewed for the position of Deputy Registrar of the Deeds Registry by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). Now, more than four and half months later, Attorney-atLaw Zanna Frank has gone to court, asking the Ministry of Legal Affairs and Attorney General Basil Williams, to explain why she was not allowed to do her job. Frank was reportedly granted court orders yesterday asking the Attorney General to provide reasons for his actions. The matter is heading towards a collision course between the Attorney General’s Chambers and the commission, a constitutional body, with the Government official believing that the appointment of Frank was not legal. The matter was first raised publicly yesterday when former AG, Anil Nandlall, in a letter to the editor, complained that Frank was being illegally sidelined, despite JSC being the authority for appointments to the Deeds Registry. Later yesterday, Williams
in a press conference at his Carmichael Street office expressed concerns about the appointment, and signaled his intentions to examine the revision of JSC powers with regard to the appointment of Registrars of the Deeds Registry. “I think that that is something we have to move quickly to remove from the law,” Williams said at the press conference. He pointed out that the Deeds and Commercial Registry is an autonomous body which falls under the executive arm of the state, while the JSC falls under the ambit of the judicial arm of the state. The AG argued that JSC’s appointment powers were an anomaly that was introduced by the previous administration. However, he said, the 1996 and 1980s constitutions do not make these provisions. “There was this struggle with the Chancellor and the Registrar at the time…as to who had the line control of the Deeds Registry and the Supreme Courts Registry also.” The appointment of Frank
Girl, 15, dies after car driven by stepdad slams into pole - mom, four-year-old injured A 15-year-old girl was killed and her mother and fouryear-old sister injured after a car, driven by her stepfather, slammed into a utility pole at Dundee Public Road, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara. The accident occurred at around 01.30 hrs yesterday. Police said that the teen, identified as Julia Ronald, of New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara, died on the spot. Her mother, Paula Ronald, 40, also of New Road, Vreeden-Hoop, sustained a broken hand, while four-year-old Nina Ronald is hospitalized with a broken leg. Her eight-year-old brother, and the driver, identified as Patrick Mayers, 43, escaped uninjured. According to reports, the family was heading home after travelling to Corentyne, Berbice, when Mayers lost control of his car, PNN 4887,
and slammed into a utility pole on the Dundee Public Road, Mahaicony. The vehicle then overturned. Julia Ronald sustained multiple injuries and was pronounced dead on the spot. Her mother and four-year-old sister were admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital. Police said that the driver was detained after a breathalyzer test indicated that he had consumed over the legal limit of alcohol. At around 22.00 hrs on Saturday, 27-year-old John Forde of 17 Supply Mahaica, East Coast Demerara died after he lost control of the car he was driving and the vehicle overturned in a canal on the Ann’s Grove Public Road, East Coast Demerara. And on Sunday, motorcyclist Dominic Fabian King, 27, perished after slamming into a utility pole on the Belle Vue public road, West Bank Demerara.
Attorney General, Basil Williams
Deputy Registrar, Zanna Frank
as Deputy Registrar by the JSC was out of jurisdiction, Williams contends. “The JSC was acting excessively and out of their jurisdiction.” The Minister insisted that he was not consulted on the appointment. Frank claimed she has a certificate in Industrial and Social Science: a diploma in Public Management; an LLBBachelors of Law Degree; and LEC- Legal Education Certificate. Williams argued that the appointment by the JSC violated the advertised requirements for the position. The advertised position required an Attorney-at-Law with three years or more experience in private law or three or more years in the Deeds, Commercial or Supreme Court Registry. “Ms Frank obviously is being used as a pawn in an attempt to disrupt the smooth functioning and
effectiveness of the Deeds and Commercial Registry authority which I had set in train as Attorney General,” Williams said. The AG noted that his administration had inherited a Registry that was “in total disarray” with “low morale” among staff, but the office of the AG has since restored confidence in the registries. “What we did at the level of the Board or Authority, we had the senior staff attend (meetings) and several decisions were taken about the promotions, etc,” Williams explained. PROPER However, in a Notice of Motion filed yesterday in the court, Frank insisted that she was properly interviewed by the JSC and approved for the Deputy Registrar. She tendered evidence including confirmation letters from the commission dated May 4th and 13th, 2016, which
disclosed her salary of over $300,000 monthly plus duty free concession every three years. Frank claimed that she was interviewed by Justice Carl Singh - Chancellor of the Judiciary (Ag); Justice Yonette Cummings Edwards Chief Justice (Ag); former Justice of Appeal Prem Persaud; former Justice of Appeal Justice Lennox Perry and Carvil Duncan – Chairman of the Public Service Commission. The new Deputy Registrar, in her court documents, said she reported to the Registrar of Deeds, Azeena Baksh, on May 9th, but was unable to do so, since “the Registrar informed me that the Attorney General had to formally introduce me to the Staff of the Registry”. Frank said that on May 16th, 2016, she attended a meeting with the AG who told her that he was unaware of the appointment as Deputy Registrar by the JSC. She claims that “the Minister of Legal Affairs then informed me that he will enquire from the members of the Commission personally to verify if what I said was true. Before the conclusion of that meeting, the Minister of Legal Affairs stated that he will have to sort out the issue with the Judicial Service Commission and will get back to me.” Frank waited, but the end of May came and there was no word from the Minister or the Registrar of Deeds Registry about the appointment. Frank said she wrote Bharati Deo, JSC’s Secretary,
on June 1st, to “enquire about the refusal of the Minister of Legal Affairs and Registrar of Deeds to allow me to take up my appointment as Deputy Registrar of the Deeds Registry”. NO SALARY The commission shortly after published the appointment in the Guyana Chronicle. Frank claimed that on June 20th she decided to report for work and was allowed to occupy the office designated for the Deputy Registrar. She has since been reporting for duties. However, Frank claimed that she was not placed on the payroll as the Registrar was awaiting word from the Attorney General. She has not to date received a salary. Frank said in the court papers that it was all the AG’s doing. “… I am of the belief that the Minister of Legal Affairs is deliberately taking steps to prevent me from functioning as Deputy Registrar even though I was appointed by the Judicial Service Commission in accordance with Article 199 (3) of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Frank claimed also, that she was overlooked earlier this month when the Registrar proceeded on leave and the Assistant Registrar, Penelope Whyte, will essentially be performing the duties. Frank said she sought legal advice from her lawyer, Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos, who said that Whyte cannot perform the duties of the Registrar and Deputy Registrar.
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Tuesday August 16, 2016
Kaieteur News
Plans apace for resuscitation of Berbice Blind Society The resuscitation of a Society for the Blind is currently on the cards for Berbice. Behind this venture is an overseas-based Guyanese, Ms. Norma Bovell. Bovell, who resided at New Amsterdam, Guyana over two decades ago, currently lives in Maryland, United States. Bovell’s interest in the Blind Society was spurred when she returned a few years ago and visited a cousin, Yvonne Roberts, in Canje, Berbice. Roberts, according to Bovell, was a Registered Nurse for many years. But Bovell revealed that she was very concerned when she discovered that her cousin was completely blind after undergoing a surgical procedure. “I told her let’s go to the doctor who did the surgery...I spoke to the doctor and the doctor checked her again, but only confirmed that there was no hope for her (Roberts) to get her sight back,” informed Bovell. It was in light of this development Bovell saw the need for her cousin to have access to a facility that has the capacity to cater to the needs of persons who are blind and visually impaired. She recalled that before migrating, there existed a New Amsterdam Society for the Blind, and she decided to seek support there. “When I enquired there, it wasn’t functioning for over 20 years although when I left I remember there was a vibrant functioning Society in New Amsterdam,” Bovell noted. She was, however, informed that services for blind persons are now incorporated into a regional handicap organisation. Wasting no time, Bovell decided to seek support there instead. “I attended meetings twice and it was sad...The blind people were complaining; they don’t get
Ms. Dawn Smith handing over her financial donation to Mr. Morris anything, even donations for the blind, the blind people don’t get,” Bovell said she was told. She decided to look further for help and was directed to President of the Guyana Society for the Blind, Mr. Cecil Morris. According to Bovell, Morris was only too willing to give his support and even committed to helping to resuscitate the New Amsterdam Blind Society. Another US-based doctor, Ms. Bovell said, has committed to donating support towards the construction of a recreational facility for the blind and visually impaired in the Berbice area. “I went to the Regional Chairman and he has promised us a land...when they get somebody to do the drafting we will get contributions to build that centre,” said Bovell. Morris, according to Bovell, has promised to take the fledgling Society under his wing until it evolves. Moreover, she was given his authorisation to seek donation in the United States to help resuscitate the New Amsterdam facility. Already
on board is Ms. Jennifer Conway, who has been volunteering her time as Secretary to the proposed resuscitated New Amsterdam Society for the Blind. She was able to secure help from VFO, the world’s leading assistive technology provider for the visually impaired. According to Bovell, she visited the organisation and was able to speak with its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. David Jepperson. Bovell disclosed that while she asked for a donation of one computer, a total of 10 computers were provided. The computers have installed software such as JAWS, magic eyes, among others, making them suitable for use by blind and visually impaired individuals. Bovell was also able to secure donations of walking canes, books, cards and dominoes for the blind. “To ship all of these things cost US$350 and I gladly paid the shipping,” said Bovell, who yesterday handed over the donation to the Guyana Society for the Blind. According to Morris, the sizeable and very thoughtful donation will help in the
(From left) Ms. Volda Bovell Hurst, Ms. Jennifer Conway, Ms. Norma Bovell, Mr. Cecil Morris, Mr Ganesh Singh and Ms Theresa Pemberton during yesterday’s donation development of blind persons mainly in the Berbice area. He pointed out too that “we plan to set up the Berbice Society in such a manner that it functions as it did years ago. We are basically into training our people and making them equip so that they can take their rightful place in society...and once persons like Ms. Bovell come through and help us, it means we can get our job easily and more effectively done.” Morris expressed hope
that other persons would emulate what Bovell has done to help enhance the lives of the blind and visually impaired in society. It is the expectation of Member of the Guyana Society for the Blind, Ganesh Singh that those blind and visually impaired persons who will benefit from training will pass on their knowledge to others. For now, he noted, the New Amsterdam facility will function as a branch of the
Guyana Society for the Blind, but the intent is for it to eventually become an autonomous body with linkages to the Guyana Society which is based in Georgetown. Also making a donation to the Blind Society yesterday was Ms. Dawn Smith, another US-based Guyanese, who donated a cheque for $20,000 to be used to help enhance the work of the Society. She too has plans to make future donations.
Father, two sons in custody following chopping spree A father and his two sons are now in custody following the brutal chopping of three men on Sunday afternoon at Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam. According to information, the three men injured are Aston Simon, 42, a father of
five, of 22 Sheet Anchor, East Canje Berbice, Jason Wilson, 27, an operator of Mai Mai Dam, Angoy’s Avenue and Carlos Motie called “Buddy”, 25, of 19 Sheet Anchor, East Canje Berbice. The incident allegedly took place around 17: 30 hrs on Sunday at Mai Mai dam. According to reports, the accused and Wilson all lived in the said area. The police had received certain information and had raided the house of the accused. The alleged assailants subsequently accused Wilson of giving information to the police. Members of the home started to threaten Wilson. Subsequently Simon relocated. On Sunday, Wilson accompanied by Simon, one Devon Hercules and Motie along with taxi driver returned to the area to inquire what was the source of the problem. However upon arriving they were set upon by the accused
and brutally chopped. Simon received the worst of the injuries; he received a chop to his neck, his left arm was severed above the wrist while his right arm was also badly chopped. Wilson was chopped on his upper back, his chest, while his left ear was severed. Motie was chopped to his right side rib. However another source stated that the men had a dispute over a woman. The men left the area and subsequently returned and were pounced upon by the three accused. Following the chopping the men had disappeared from the area. The police had returned to the area around 01:00 on Monday and nabbed the two sibling suspects. Their father was arrested around noon today after he visited the police station. Investigations are ongoing and charges are likely soon.
Tuesday August 16, 2016
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Kaieteur News
The people have a better government than they deserve It is said that the people get the government they deserve. This statement is a falsehood. The government is much better than the people they serve. If governments were to do what the people wanted them to do, the political landscape would be a wasteland. In Guyana, the people get better governments than they deserve. If, for example, you listen to what some of the supporters of the new government say, you will recognize that the government is better – not by too far – than those supporters. There is a view out there amongst some supporters of APNU+AFC that the government should rid itself of all those persons who would have worked at a senior level within the PPPC administration. It does not matter that those persons were not political appointees or were not part of the ruling party. So long as they would have served at a senior level within the PPPC, their heads were and are still being called for. There is a great deal of venom out there. You see and read comments on social
media and within the newspaper blogs about getting rid of this and that person because of their association with the government of the PPPC. The current government has gotten rid of many persons from the previous administration. Persons were removed from their jobs when the government came in. Others were pushed out. The contracts of others were not renewed. Some persons resigned because they knew they were not wanted. The new government came in with a mission to effect widespread change in personnel and it has. A number of its supporters have been given jobs and have replaced dismissed persons. This has not satisfied those who want to see a clean sweep of the old personnel. The government remains under great pressure to continue to effect change. There are supporters of the government who want persons removed and jailed. This is where the forensic audits come in. It was expected that the audits would establish massive corruption under the PPP and become the basis for not only discrediting
the opposition, but also for forming the basis for criminal charges. This unfortunately has not happened and, therefore, the new call from within the supporters of the ruling party is for persons to be axed. It does not matter whether they did right or wrong, their heads are being called for. The headhunters outside of the government are not asking whether there is sufficient enough basis for dismissing persons. They are simply using any and every reason in the audits to make a case for dismissals. The government does not really need forensic audits to remove persons. It can simply concoct any reason to dismiss persons. It can even be inconsistent in how it deals with the audits. The government is not being urged to be fair. The headhunters within their supporters want it to be fair. The government is being asked to be expedient, politically expedient. The danger of this is that by giving in to the base instincts of those who are calling for more heads to roll, the government is effectively destroying professionalism
Dem boys seh
Soulja Bai search fuh wha ain’t deh Somebody always causing trouble fuh Soulja Bai. Nutten cause nuff problem fuh him and all because he decide to sit down and listen to de man when de man explain that he got to save money. De way how he put it would mek a scientist proud. De man write down some figures he get from Babbie and then he match dem wid figures he get from Larry, but he lef out de fact that Babbie bond was finished long ago and that Larry bond couldn’t even get ahead without money from de government. Soulja Bai didn’t even ask bout de floor space. Jagdeo sit down and decide to test Soulja Bai to see how smart he is. He buy four pig and he paint 1, 2, 3, and 5 pun dem back. He loose dem in Ohh Pee compound. Up to now Soulja Bai got he security searching
fuh number four. Dem promise to break down de building in case de pig deh under de building. That is not de only thing that got dem boys thinking that anybody can fool Soulja Bai. Dem settling court matters and giving Soulja Bai de excuse that dem woulda lose de court case and woulda pay more than dem settle for. Soulja Bai tek that and he defending he Minister. Now people believe that dem got kickback in all them arrangements to settle. He also got a problem wid all dem people who shutting out de local farmers. Imagine wid all dem coconut trees Guyana importing coconut water. Dem importing tamarind balls and all dem things. Now every time people buy dem imported things dem actually helping de foreign farmers. Guyana farmers ketching dem tail
trying to sell wha dem plant, and people running overseas to buy de same thing from foreign farmers. Of course dem boys know that everybody want to mek a dollar. It mean that de foreign people packaging de things cheaper than dem in Guyana. Now we don’t even know if de coconut water that we import mix wid pipe water, but we bringing it in and punishing de locals. If de locals packaging dem products dem sure that dem local stores wouldn’t buy. But it worth a try. Soulja Bai can’t ban because of de Caricom treaty, but he can do something. He can ask de farmers to watch dem production cost and stop trying to sell fuh too much money. Dem boys always seh that a slow cent better than a quick dollar. Talk half and hope that we get some sense.
Ministry to release 2016 CSEC results tomorrow Although the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) officially released the results of the 2016 May/June Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations and the Caribbean Proficiency Advance Examination (CAPE) in Anguilla last Friday, candidates will from today be able to access their results online. Candidates will have to access their results by using their respective
login information, according to information made available by CXC. However, the local Ministry of Education will tomorrow (Wednesday August, 17, 2016) unveil the results at a press conference scheduled to be held in the auditorium of the Kingston, Georgetown, National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) at 10:00 hours.
within the public service. At the same time, it is politicizing the public sector by having to put so many of its supporters in top government positions at such a rapid rate and in such a short period of time. This is the main reason why people feel that nothing much is happening within the government. Nothing much is happening because there are too many new persons feeling their way around government. It is not that these persons are not competent. It is just that they simply lack the experience. This is happening because the government is being pushed by its supporters to effect widespread changes. Young people are not getting the opportunities they deserve. The government is bringing persons out of retirement and handing them top jobs. There are persons in their sixties who are being brought out of retirement and given top jobs, when there are able and capable young persons
who can do the job but are being bypassed. The media seem to have grown accustomed to veterans and retirees taking over. They have stopped giving the ages of the appointees. These changes are deemed, by the headhunters, as better than having to allow persons within the system to be promoted because of the fear that some person who worked under the previous government may qualify for such promotion. Professionals ran from the Burnham regime because of the politicization of the public service. They knew that once they did not become political, they stood little chance of rising to the top on merit. They opted to leave Guyana, and this is what contributed to the
brain drain. Guyana has never recovered from that situation. The present regime has to resist the temptation of giving in to the demands of those outside of the government who want to see anyone associated with the PPP be pushed out of the public sector. The government has to remain better than those who are pressing it to effect changes, because if those pressures are heeded, it will destroy the government system and politicize and militarize it further.
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Tuesday August 16, 2016
Kaieteur News
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
The Georgetown Mayor is talking nonsense The Mayor of Georgetown said that the motion to have a forensic audit was not properly worded. Why do you need a motion to have a forensic audit of City Hall for the years going back to the nineties up to the present time? A forensic audit is a bureaucratic decision. It comes into being when it is
ordered by the hierarchy of an institution. There was no motion before the Cabinet last year to have forensic audits of different public sector institutions that have recently concluded. The result of the forensic audit of the Georgetown Hospital is causing controversy. How did the audit come about? Did someone on the hospital board move a motion? Of course any organization can accept a motion about anything, but administrative power is the fulcrum on which decisions rest. You do not need a formal motion at the City Council to have a forensic audit. The City Council acting as a collective body makes decisions which are binding at City Hall.
Any councilor who tells the citizens of Georgetown that a formal motion to the council on the audit has to take place would be guilty of deception. The decision to have a forensic check on the books of City Hall is simple. At one of the statutory meetings, chaired by the Mayor, the Mayor herself can ask for a forensic audit. The table then goes into discussion on the merits and demerits. If confusion reigns and there is no distinct consensus, the Mayor can then ask for a vote. If a majority around the table votes for the probe, then the administrative arm (which is the Town Clerk) sets the process in motion. Mayor Patricia ChaseGreen is on record as saying that she welcomes a forensic
audit. All she has to do is to put it to the table. In fact, any councilor at a statutory meeting can request that the City Council accept an examination of its books by a professional firm of accountants. If, after the deliberations, there is consensus then the process begins. What is this nonsense about the wording of the motion as adumbrated by the Mayor? The Mayor must tell the citizens of Georgetown if the City Council can make a decision on its own to have a probe of its spending and use of money without there being a formal motion put to the table. Then there is the other dimension. The Local Government Commission can order a forensic audit of any municipality. In the absence of the Commission, the Minister of Communities can secure the services of a professional body to do the job. The simple fact is that the law empowers the Commission to so act once the Commission is functioning. Since we don’t have the Commission
at the moment, the onus is on the Minister to do the right thing. Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan is one of the better Ministers of the Coalition Government. He stands to lose credibility if he avoids making that decision. It doesn’t look like the City Council will entertain the auditors, so the Government has to step in. How can you get the citizenry to embrace and accept the findings of several forensic audits specifically designed to investigate financial skullduggery and illicit spending of the previous Government, but not at the City Hall, a place where if a poll was taken tomorrow of Georgetowners, there would be a landslide victory in favour of probing the books of City Hall? But more importantly, the Government’s refusal to investigate City Hall will play dangerously into the hands of the PPP and it will have racially charged overtones. The PPP will tell its supporters the Coalition Government wants to expose
Frederick Kissoon financial wrongdoing when the PPP was in power, but is protecting its own people who have run the City Council for twenty years and cannot account for hundreds of millions of dollars. Such demagoguery will resonate with the PPP’s rural constituencies and before you know it, the race genie will be out of the bottle. It is public knowledge, going back more than 15 years, that financial accountability has not been a normal feature of City Hall. What is even more shocking is that in the age of post-2015 governmental openness, the City Council has continued with its old, depraved ways i n the area of financial cleanness. It is not that there needs to be a forensic audit of City Hall, the point is that such a course of action should have been done since last year. City Council will not investigate itself. Some other entity or organization has to do it.
Tuesday August 16, 2016
Wanted US citizen jailed for forging Guyana passport Stacy Hamilton, a fugitive from the United States of America, was yesterday sentenced to a total of 36 months imprisonments by Magistrate Fabayo Azore after pleading guilty to two counts of conspiring to commit a felony, after she appeared before a city court. The 44-year-old woman from Houston, Texas, admitted that between January 1 and August 12, at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, she conspired with persons known or unknown to forge a Guyana passport in the name Tara Maughn. She also admitted that on August 12, at the Lethem Police Station, she presented the fake passport to an immigration officer. Police Prosecutor, Deniro Jones told the court that Hamilton is wanted in the US for pending matters she has before the court. He said that the woman entered Guyana via the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on January 1. He said it was while in Guyana, she conspired with persons to forge the travel document. The prosecutor related that on August 12, while at the Lethem checkpoint, Hamilton was stopped by an immigration officer and admitted that she had bought the fake passport for US$1,500 from a man. She further told the immigration officer that she intended to use the passport to travel to
JAILED: Stacy Hamilton
Brazil. Attorney Paul Fung-AFat represented the foreign national. He stated that his client has been living in Guyana for more than one year at Grove, East Bank Demerara. The lawyer disclosed that US officials have already made contact with Hamilton. Having considered the
woman’s early guilty plea and the seriousness of the offence, the Magistrate sentenced Hamilton to 18 months imprisonment on each charge. The prison terms will run concurrently. Magistrate Azore ordered that Hamilton be deported upon completing the jail terms.
Teen fined for ganja in pocket Magistrate Fabayo Azore ordered a 19-year-old unemployed man to pay $5,000 fine and serve six months of community service, after he pleaded guilty to have six grammes of cannabis sativa (marijuana) in his possession. On August 10, at Old English Mines, Upper Demerara, Tyrone Williams was found with the illicit substance by police. Police Prosecutor, Deniro Jones related that police ranks were on patrol in the area, when they observed Williams acting in a suspicious manner. He said that Williams was stopped and a search was conducted on his person and the drug was found in his left side pants pocket. According to the prosecutor, Williams was told of the offence committed and later taken to the station, where the drug was weighed in his presence. Williams was instructed to perform his community service at the Linden Magistrate’s Court twice weekly.
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Kaieteur News
Tyrone Williams
Billions in concessions given out by PPP/C govt. “was best for Guyana” Statia said that the main reason for this is the amount - Ramotar of concessions and waivers While the new government is crying out about the amount of huge concessions that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) gave to certain companies, former President Donald Ramotar is saying that his government did what was best for Guyana. The Ministry of Finance has recorded a shortfall in the collection of Value Added Tax (VAT). Last week the new Commissioner-General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Godfrey Statia told the media that in the first half of this year alone (between January and June) over $20B in exemptions were utilized by companies. He said that this contributed significantly to the drop in VAT collection. Yesterday, Ramotar said that the concessions he granted, benefitted Guyana in many ways. He said that much of what was granted would have stimulated production. “The ones granted to stimulate production were mostly given to rice farmers and miners,” said Ramotar. The former President said that other concessions were granted to encourage investments. “Offering concessions to attract
Former President Donald Ramotar investments is standard. Concessions were not given so that the beneficiaries can just drive around town.” Speaking about the huge concessions granted to BaiShanLin, Ramotar said that the company was not favoured in any way. He continued, “If a Guyanese had the kind of money and put forward similar investment plans, he or she would have been granted the same concessions.” Further, the former President said that the benefits Guyana got in return were evident. He said that now BaiShanLin’s operations are stalled “many people are feeling the squeeze.” Speaking about the shortfall in VAT collection,
that were granted under the PPP/C government. Another reason for the decline, he explained, was the “leakages” at the different ports of entry. Statia said that the GRA will have to shift resources so that improvements can be made in this regard. “At the domestic level we have to also shift resources into enforcement mode to go behind the businesses and make them comply. “So we are looking more at enforcement, compliance, investigation and further examinations so as to increase in the VAT collections.” Statia also stated that the PPP/C had been falling back in the payment of VAT compliance during its last years in office. “VAT refunds have not been paid timely for 2013, 2014 and 2015… these were inherited and we are trying to bring the system up to date. The Comm i s s i o n e r General said that already, the new administration paid in excess of $2B in refunds. And by the end of the year another $3B is expected to be paid. Minister of Finance Winston Jordan said, “All this inherited stuff is denying revenues to undertake current development.”
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Tuesday August 16, 2016
Kaieteur News
‘Large judgements inherited by govt. a burden on the nation’ - Attorney General Attorney General Basil Williams, speaking at a press conference yesterday, said that the large court judgements (settlements) that the APNU/AFC government inherited from the previous government are “a burden on this nation, it’s a burden on the taxpayers and people of this nation; the last government was a disreputable government.” He went on to express amazement at the opposition’s encouragement of settlements during their time, while now questioning the government’s payments of those settlements. The AG further pointed to another large judgement by the courts that was awarded to Trinidadian contractor Emile Elias. He said that had the previous government “exercised proper judgement”, the settlement would not have “ballooned into such a large amount’’. He noted that his predecessor Anil Nandlall’s insistence of prolonging the matter and taking it to higher courts such as the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) led to the build-up of interest which took the judgement sum to almost $7 billion dollars. Williams questioned; “Why didn’t they pay that judgement? That judgement was in their time.” He warned the media about condoning the mistakes of the previous government and visiting them upon the current administration.
Attorney General Basil Williams “We have nothing to do with those judgements, they should have paid the judgements; they conducted the cases.” He pointed out that in the Rudisa Beverages case, the then AG, Anil Nandlall, failed to produce any evidence in the CCJ. The Attorney General said that the former AG’s actions “opened the gates” for other companies to sue the government, and he made mention of SM Jaleel’s case against the government. He vowed to “vigorously defend those cases.” “The PPP must hold full responsibility for all those cases and the large judgements that were racked up...including Dipcon.” “I don’t know how I could be fixed with responsibility for Dipcon, which was a matter started under them (PPP).” He highlighted that it was a matter that was not in the
AG’s Chambers. He explained that Nandlall had reportedly put the Dipcon case into the hands of a private practitioner, hence his (Williams) ignorance of the Dipcon judgement. Williams pointed out that he only discovered about the Dipcon court judgement in Parliament when former President Bharrat Jagdeo pointed out that a large judgement was given under Williams’ tenure as AG. Williams said that upon discovery of the Dipcon matter, he issued directives for an appeal to be filed. He noted that the appeal is currently pending before the Court of Appeal. He explained that it is an appeal for extension of time on behalf of the government. He expressed confidence that the case will be successfully appealed. According to Williams, the Dipcon case “falls squarely at the feet of the PPP.” The AG labelled the PPP’s call for the judgements of the court to be ignored by the coalition government as “disrespect and disregard for the rule of the law.” He further pointed out that “it was a very corrupt regime we inherited the government from. We are fixing and cleaning up the mess that they have left and we will insist that the rule of law must exist in this country”. “We know they are afraid of SARA (State Asset Recovery Agency) but as people would say; ‘If you do nothing, you fear nothing’.”
Appeal to strike out elections petition for hearing next month A full court hearing is scheduled to take place on September 6 at the Georgetown High Court in relation to the summons filed to strike out the Elections Petition. The Petition filed on behalf of the People’s Progressive Party Civic, (PPP/ C) seeks to challenge the validity of the outcome of the 2015 General and Regional Elections. The applicant Opposition Member of Parliament, Ganga Persaud who was appointed Elections agent on the list of candidates for the PPP/C, had claimed that the elections were “unlawfully conducted” and that the result of the elections were affected or might have been affected by unlawful acts or omissions. The application was challenged by Chief Elections Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Elections Commission
(GECOM), Keith Lowenfield, via a summons. Retired acting Chief Justice, Ian Chang subsequently ruled that the summons to strike out the Petition was premature and therefore the Court should proceed in hearing it. However Lowenfield, through his attorney Roysdale Forde, filed an appeal against Chang’s decision. This was done on 14 grounds. Notwithstanding the full court hearing in three weeks, according to information obtained, it would appear that the substantive case of the Election Petition has been put on hold to facilitate the appeal of the summons. Following the outcome of May 2015 elections, PPP/C Member of Parliament Ganga Persaud underscored that the elections were not held in conformity with the Constitution of Guyana and
the Representation of the Peoples’Act, Chapter 1:03. As such, the opposition essentially requested a recount of all ballot boxes for the last elections and fresh elections were also called for. The PPP/C had claimed that the entire electoral process was flawed; that it contained many procedural errors and instances of fraudulent and/or suspicious actions. “Unrest, fake Statements of Poll (SOPs) and multiple voting were among several causes cited when the PPP/C filed its elections petition.” The presence of “huge mobs” at several polling stations and other strategic places, particularly in Region Four, were also cited by the party as another cause for intimidation and fear which in turn “rendered it impossible for polling, counting agents and duly appointed (Continued on page 23)
Tuesday August 16, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Start of Linden TV hampered by board appointment issues - PM The Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) stands ready to issue the licence for the operationalisation of the Linden Television station, but according to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, there are still some unresolved issues within the Region Ten community. During a walkabout in Linden by the Prime Minister on Saturday, residents of the mining town enquired about the status of the television station. “The Prime Minister explained that Channel 13 has already been secured for Linden, but there are still some issues that need to be resolved within the region before the station is granted its licence,” a Government statement said yesterday. “That’s the commitment, and I have been having talks with the Region Ten municipality, the business community, the former chairman and the NDC at Kwakwani… they all have to come together because it’s Region Ten. We ran into some problems because the law says in order to get a television licence you must have a company or a trust.” A trust company was established by the former Linden regional administration under the chairmanship of the then Chairman, Sharma Solomon. This trust, however, did not have the required number of persons. Hence, the current Chairman and Regional Administration need to be involved in this process which is currently ongoing, the Prime Minister explained. “We had a meeting… this is two meetings…the last time I came here at Watooka House, and recently in Georgetown, and we sat and we hammered this thing out and said these are the new 15 persons who will be the
directors of the television, and also we have some people who will be the trustees. Right now I am waiting on the original - the former board members - that is Mr. Solomon and company, to go and change over the name.” The Prime Minister said as soon as this process is completed and members are extended from five to 15 to include the representatives of the new council, the business community, the Neighbourhood Democratic Council at Kwakwani, the church, trade unions and the municipality, the licence will be granted. “I have already spoken to the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority, they are waiting to grant the licence, all you need is the licence, in the meantime you are having television, but the signals are coming from Georgetown…when I first became a Minister of Information, I came and handed over the television station to a people’s committee in Linden to run it and to have local programmes, you need to also do that. “We will help to train persons to make the local programmes and you can take part in your own activities and in your own life, and see yourself on television, so we are ready and willing to move on,” the Prime Minister told the residents. The provision of the Linden Television Station forms part of the Government’s plans to integrate communities and regions by way of communication. The Office of the Prime Minister is responsible for the implementation of this programme. The community has been clamoring to have its own television station with independent news and programmes after years of only hearing from a state television.
Jamaican jailed, fined $1.4M for cocaine in deodorant Jamaican national, Easton Stapleton, who was busted with cocaine concealed in rollon deodorant containers, at the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) last week, was yesterday sentenced to three years imprisonment and fined $1.4M. Stapleton, a father of four, appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where the sentence was handed down. The remorseful man told the court that his family is unaware that he has been incarcerated in Guyana. He begged the Magistrate for leniency and said that he is the sole breadwinner for his family which comprises four minor children. Stapleton claimed that someone invited him to Guyana to traffic the drug as a means of earning an income because his home is in the process of being foreclosed by the bank. He said that Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) ranks offered him a deal in exchange for his cooperation with the investigation. However, he stated that he feels as if he is “being thrown to the wolves” because of him being placed before the courts. Attorney Konyo Sandiford-Thompson prosecuted the case for CANU.
JAILED: Easton Stapleton
According to court facts, Stapleton was caught by CANU ranks attempting to smuggle 526 grams of cocaine out of the country via the GPOC on August 10, last. The illicit drug was unearthed after ranks searched a box containing roll-on deodorant and a quantity of markers. It was reported that the cocaine was concealed in the ball-like object atop of the deodorant. When Stapleton made his first court appearance last Friday, he claimed that he
went to the post office on instruction to ship a box containing the items. He said that when he arrived at the GPOC, he was told that he needed to provide a local address to do so. The man stated that he left the post office abruptly and tossed the items in a nearby garbage bin, since he did not have a local address. Stapleton added that as he was leaving the GPOC, CANU ranks pursued him, later questioning him about the narcotic.
Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Regional Members of Parliament, Jermaine Figueira (left) and Audwin Rutherford, in discussion during the walkabout.
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Tuesday August 16, 2016
Kaieteur News
Businessman narrowly escapes death during brazen robbery - elderly couple fearful after suffering similar fate
Persaud’s shop was the early morning target of bandits.
The premises belonging to Lennox and Verna Albert that was invaded by bandits Police on the West Coast of Demerara are investigating two daring robberies that have left business-oriented families not only traumatised, but contemplating the future of their income-earning endeavours. In fact, a victim of one of the robberies, Khemraj Persaud, is currently counting his lucky stars that he is still alive to talk about the ordeal. The 49-year-old man, during an interview with this publication, revealed that one of the two armed bandits who invaded his home yesterday morning fired a bullet that missed his head by mere inches. “I felt this thing pass me and I couldn’t believe was a bullet pass me head like that...I coulda lose my life this (yesterday) morning,” Persaud reflected. Persaud, who operates a small supermarket called ‘Vincent’, at 100 New Road, Vreeden-Hoop, West Coast Demerara, disclosed that the business, which is situated in the bottom-flat of his two-storey home, has been in his wife’s family for a number of years. This is not the first time that the business has been the target of bandits. But the incident yesterday, he recalled, was particularly traumatic. “This is the third time we get robbed, but this is the first time for this year,” related Persaud. He recounted that he opened his business place around 06:00 hours yesterday and had gone into a kitchen situated at the back of the shop to squeeze oranges and feed his bird. But what he wasn’t aware of was that someone had trailed him into the kitchen. Persaud said that he only realised he had company when he was struck behind his head and instructed to lie on the ground. After instinctively turning around to see who had hit him, Persaud said that he complied with the intruder. “He had this small gun in he hand, and is this gun he use to hit me in my head,” said Persaud of his attacker. Almost immediately, another gun-toting man appeared in the kitchen, Persaud said, and ordered him not to holler, after which he started to make demands for money. “I tell them the money in the shop, and they run into the shop and grab up all the money there (in a drawer),” Persaud disclosed. But this was not before one of the unmasked men fired a shot at Persaud who was still in a lying position. The man said that after the shot rang out and the men left to secure the money, he used another exit and ran out of his yard. From a safe location he saw the men checking their weapons and shortly after a car picked them up. Police ranks who arrived on the scene were furnished with a description of the vehicle and its registration plate, although it is
A distraught Khemraj Persaud suspected that the latter might be false. Persaud said the police also removed a spent shell from his premises. According to Persaud, the incident has left his entire family traumatised, including his wife and children. “We were thinking to expand our business, but this thing just scare me so much I thinking about putting a for sale sign,” Persaud added. YETANOTHER BUSINESS And Persaud’s family was not the only one to suffer at the hands of bandits over the weekend. The night before, another business place at Lot 4, Nouvelle Flanders Village (Crane), West Coast Demerara was robbed. The business place is operated by an elderly couple, Lennox and Verna Albert. They are both 69 years old. Speaking to this publication yesterday, the woman said that she and her husband were about to close their shop around 20:00 hours Sunday when their premises was invaded. She explained that her husband had just closed the gate that leads to their shop and was about to secure a shed when two young men scaled their gate and held her husband (Continued on page 20)
Tuesday August 16, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Tuesday August 16, 2016
Man’s body found under collapsed brick wall The yard that the man was hired to clean
- had been hired to clean yard
Dead: Kevon McKenzie
The arrow indicates where McKenzie’s body was discovered. The large pieces of the brick wall are believed to have collapsed on him as he was removing bushes adjacent to the structure
The body of a 21-yearold man was found at around 20.30 hrs on Sunday under a number of broken bricks in an abandoned structure in Quamina Street, Georgetown. The discovery was made
a day after he failed to return home. The dead man has been identified as Kevon McKenzie of Lot 970 ‘A’ Field, Sophia, Georgetown. The young soldier was
interdicted from the Guyana Defence Force almost a year ago, for absenteeism. According to reports, McKenzie left home around 09:00 hrs on Saturday to weed a yard on Quamina
Street, but never returned home. His body was subsequently discovered in the same yard. Kaieteur News was told that the man was hired to weed the yard and clear the
Home set on fire after sibling row A
family of six is now contemplating their next move after their home was reportedly set on fire by a disgruntled family member yesterday afternoon. The house, located at lot 14 Boerasirie Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara, went up in flames sometime around 12:45 yesterday. Two men were seen fleeing from the premises shortly after. Residents indentified one of the men as Dwight Marks, an occupant of the home. According to neighbours, Marks resided at the home with his two sisters, nieces and nephews. Residents recalled that on the night before, the suspect was
hear he walking up and down and talking how he gun burn down the house. But I didn’t expect he would ah do it. But he smart, he set the fire at the door so nobody could go in and do anything. When the fire reel (fire truck) come, dem man couldn’t go in because the fire was right by the entrance,” one of the residents said. No one was injured during the ordeal. This publication was unable to locate any of the family members for a comment yesterday since it was revealed that they would have left the home earlier the morning to go to an (Continued on page 20)
- Suspects on the run heard arguing with his siblings over the visitors that they would entertain at the home. Yesterday, residents claimed to have seen Marks enter the home with an unidentified individual as he uttered repeatedly that he was going to ‘burn the f***ing house down’. Soon after, a neighbour who requested anonymity said smoke could be seen billowing from the house. An alarm was raised and Marks and his apparent accomplice were seen running in separate directions. “Is the mattress he (Marks) light. I
bushes that were hanging from the walls of the aged concrete structure. This was the last thing he was seen doing. Although persons transverse the yard often, no o n e s a w M c K e n z i e ’s remains until Sunday night when the man’s mother, Waveney Elcock, and other relatives started searching for him. Residents in the area did not hear any unusual noises in the building. They believe that one of the walls fell on McKenzie and pinned him as he removed some of the bushes from the structure. The police are also working with this theory, but they are awaiting the result of a post mortem examination. Meanwhile, McKenzie’s relatives are expressing suspicion about his death. Elcock said when she failed to locate her son, she immediately started searching the area where he had gone to work. “I ask around and I ask the lady he was working with
and she said that when she went there Saturday to check on him, he told her to come back lunch time because he didn’t finish the job.” According to the mother, the woman then explained that when she returned to her property later that day she did not see McKenzie, but noticed his weeding machine and other instruments. The devastated mother claimed that on Sunday night, after receiving some information, she went to the Quamina Street property and started searching for her son. “We look all over until we see his rake and we searched right there. We first see his foot and when we move the bricks we pulled him up,” Elcock said, while pointing out that her son’s body had already started decomposing. “We found his cellular phone and ID card in his pocket—that’s how we identified him, because his face had already started to decompose.” McKenzie only tied the knot a few weeks ago.
The house ablaze yesterday
Kaieteur News
Tuesday August 16, 2016
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“Lawless” bus drivers charged with dangerous driving
Two of the minibuses impounded at the Ruimveldt Police Station yesterday
A
s a result of photos published in last Saturday’s edition of this newspaper, four minibus drivers were yesterday arrested and charged for dangerous driving. According to a source close to the investigations, the men were captured at roadblocks along the East Bank Demerara Highway yesterday afternoon. The minibuses initially caught the attention of the police, after they were photographed being driven in the pedestrian section of the aforementioned roadway to undertake the traffic during the rush hour, last week. The vehicles - BTT 8079, BRR 4053, BKK 6363 and BVV 4997 - have since been impounded at the Ruimveldt and Providence Police Stations. According to information obtained by Kaieteur News, the drivers are expected to appear before the court to answer the charges by Thursday (August 18). According to The Laws of Guyana, Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic 37 Cap. 51:02 on summary conviction, the offence of dangerous or reckless driving carries a fine of not less than $25,000 nor more than $50,000 or imprisonment for twelve months, and in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, a fine of not less than $35,000 nor more than $70,000 and
BVV 4997
Pedestrian section of the E.B.D.
BKK 6363
Pedestrian section of the E.B.D. Photos from KN’s Saturday August 13 Edition.
imprisonment for twelve months. The law stipulates further that every person who drives a motor vehicle on a road recklessly, or at a speed or in a manner which is dangerous to the public, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, including the nature, condition and use of the road, and the amount of traffic which is actually at the time, or which might reasonably be expected to be, on the road, shall also be liable on conviction to a fine of not less than $50,000 dollars nor more than $100,000 and to imprisonment for two years. In addition, the Act outlined that the court shall order particulars of any such conviction to be endorsed on any licence held by the person convicted. On a second or subsequent conviction under this section, the convicting court shall exercise the power conferred by this Act of ordering that the offender shall be disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence unless the court, having regard to the lapse of time since the date of the previous or last previous conviction or for any other special reason thinks fit to order otherwise, but this provision shall not be construed as affecting the right of the court to exercise the power aforesaid on a first conviction.
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Tuesday August 16, 2016
Betsy Ground man found dead in toilet T he police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a Betsy Ground, East Canje resident whose
body was found early Sunday morning, slumped over a toilet in his home. Dead is 31-year-old Ravidat Jagnit called “Ravi”, a father of one, and
a labourer. His body was discovered around 07:00 hrs by his sister Sabo Jagnit with whom he lived in the two-storey house, along
w i t h h i s s i x - y e a r- o l d daughter. According to the woman, her brother was in good health when she left him and went to bed around
21:00hrs on Saturday. She said that her sibling occupies the lower flat while she dwells in the upper flat. They had watched television together, something which they would do on a regular basis, before she retired to bed. She said that when she awoke on Sunday morning, she ventured downstairs and made checks for her brother in his room, but did not see him. The doors and windows were all locked. She became worried and made further checks. It was when she looked in the toilet that she was confronted by the unsettling sight of her brother’s lifeless body slumped over. The woman recounted that she saw no blood. Her screams attracted neighbours to the residence. The police visited the scene and the body was taken to the Arokium Funeral Parlour.
Dead: Ravidat Jagnit According to the man’s brother, Umdat Jagnit, his brother visited most of the family on Saturday and as usual was in a good mood. He did not drink and was not suffering from any known illness. A post mortem examination is expected to be done shortly.
Mahdia’s $720M road rehab hampered by rains, utilities removal
T
he cries of the residents in the m i n i n g community of Mahdia, Region Eight, are being answered with the rehabilitation of the internal roads. However, Senior H i n t e r l a n d E n g i n e e r, Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Naeem Mohamed, said that works are ongoing, despite challenges. In an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA), Mohamed said that the contractors are facing challenges with the removal of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) utilities. However, these are being addressed and the contractors are increasing the pace of work. To date, 15
percent of the work has been completed. The approximately $720M allotted in the 2016 budget will see two kilometres of the roads concreted, along with several drains, Mohamed explained. Additionally, works on the Mabura road will commence shortly. The contractors will be removing slush from the potholes and other areas, and in the dry season laterite material will be added, “so that the road will be more passable in time to come,” Mohamed explained. The contracts were awarded to J. R. Ranch Incorporated, but due to the heavy rainfall works were delayed. “It is challenging doing the grading, when the rains come. When you do a surface road in the rainy (Continued on page 20)
Tuesday August 16, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Greenwich chopping spree…
Woman maimed for refusing to ‘spend some time’ with ex-partner A young mother, who was brutally chopped in her sleep and as a result, is lying almost lifeless attached to life-support machine in the Intensive Care Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital, was attacked after refusing to “spend some time” with her estranged partner. Bibi Shareema Khan was chopped as she lay in her bed at her mother, Bibi Shameela Shamshudeen’s Greenwich, East Bank Essequibo home on August 3, last. The suspect sneaked into the house by breaking a window in the lower flat of the property. Harrinarine not only attacked the mother of his one-year-old child, but he also stabbed his son’s grandmother when she ran to her daughter’s rescue. The suspect later consumed a poisonous substance and succumbed two days later. In a recent interview, a terrified Shamshudeen, who has not seen her wounded daughter as yet due to her own condition, recalled what transpired just a little before 23:00 hrs on that fateful Wednesday night. The 50-year-old woman said that her daughter’s ex-
partner had visited their home to take $5000 for his child and asked Khan if she could go out and “spend some time” with him. He reportedly got angry when the mother of three refused. “My daughter told him that she is not a prostitute and he get vex and he left,” Shamshudeen recounted. She said that after the man left, she ate and informed her daughter that she was heading to bed, to which Khan told her that she too was going to take a nap - that was around 19:00 hrs on August 3. “I was sleeping and then I hear this girl shout ‘Mommy’ and I got up to go over to her room, thinking that she had a bad dream,” the woman said. Just as she was entering her daughter’s room, she saw Harrinarine with a knife. The man then stabbed her and ran away. A wounded Shamshudeen said that she then tried to crawl down the step to seek help. Although she was badly chopped, Khan managed to get out of her bed and was trying to follow her mother, but slipped on her
(Shamshudeen’s) blood and collapsed. “When I almost reached to the bottom of the step, I fall down and I only remember being lifted into a car.” Shamshudeen said that Harrinarine walked out on her daughter when she was only five months pregnant, claiming that he was not the father of her child. “He come back, asking her to take him back and she told him that he had to stop drink and get a place and start buy things for the house, then she will move back with him,” the mother said. The woman claimed that when the suspect and her daughter were together, they lived at her home for some time but experienced a number of problems. “If he buy two pound flour and he and my daughter get wrong, he does take the flour back and carry it to his mother house. Or if he buy lil oil and some other things, he gone hire a taxi and fetch way everything to his mother house and after two mornings, he coming back,” Khan’s three children are staying with her grandmother.
Bhawanie Harrinarine Bibi Shameela Shamshudeen
Bibi Shareema Khan
Contractor delivers on promise…
La Parfaite Harmonie Access Road rectified A section of the road that was experiencing spot failures has been fixed by one of the contractors, Gaico Construction.
The $605M La Parfaite Harmonie Access road which was experiencing spot failures has been rectified by one of the contractors, Gaico Construction. A few weeks ago, the section of the road was featured on the front page of the Kaieteur News with the caption: “Road built to last 20 years crumbles in 20 months,” and had resulted in a few raised eyebrows. Gaico Construction’s General Manager Komal Singh, had responded almost immediately where he had explained that
the spot failures were due primarily to the traversing of muddied tractors during the construction period. He had also stated that this was unavoidable since the farmer was at the time harvesting his crop and was making preparations for the next crop. All these he had pointed out, were occurring at a time when the company was under pressure to complete the job. Singh had stated via email that his company never runs from its responsibility, which is to give the stakeholders value for money spent.
He then assured this publication that his company was going to rectify the spot failures, although the defects liability period was over. During a visit yesterday, Kaieteur News observed that all the potholes were filled and there was a smooth flow of traffic. This publication understands that the works were carried out one day after the article was published. The highway was commissioned by the former President of Guyana, Donald Ramotar and former Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali.
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Tuesday August 16, 2016
Kaieteur News
Man gets 18 months for home break-in A man who was sent to prison earlier this year for threatening to kill his mother was given another jail sentence. This time he was jailed for18 months for breaking into a home. Kevin Christopher, 20, of 61 Houston Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, admitted that on August 11, at McDoom, East Bank Demerara, he broke into the home of Elizabeth Johnson with intent to commit a felony therein. Police Corporal Seon Blackman told the court that Christopher and the victim are known to each other. He said that on August 10, the woman secured her home and retired to bed. He stated that just after midnight the following morning, around 00:03 hours, Johnson was awakened after Christopher touched her foot. According to the prosecutor, Johnson raised an alarm, but the convict made good his escape. Blackman related that the matter was reported to the police station and Christopher was later arrested and charged. When asked by the Magistrate why he broke into the home, Christopher said with a smile “I do that for spite, cause she talk me name”. Prosecutor Blackman asked for the maximum penalty to be imposed on the man because he showed the court no remorse for his action. However, Magistrate Annette Singh said that she sensed something was wrong with Christopher and advised him to speak to the prison psychiatrist. In March, Christopher was sent to prison for one
JAILED: Kevin Christopher month after pleading guilty to assaulting and threatening his mother. It was revealed in court that he is a drug addict and would usually abuse his mother when she refuses to
give him money. However, Christopher had claimed that the argument between him and his mother started after she burnt some of his clothing.
Home set on fire after... From page 16 island in the Essequibo River. A police source told this publication that they are searching for the two suspects. Marks was described by residents as a troublesome character who would terrorise his family frequently. He was previously charged, one neighbour said, for chopping
his mother who now resides abroad. “He does beat up his sister dem and put them out with dey children. He de burn up his mother things already but his mother does sorry for him and she don’t lock him up...Everything for dem girl get bun up. Dem man (fire fighters) couldn’t get to save nothing” one neighbour said.
Businessman narrowly escapes... From page 14 up at gunpoint. The woman said that the men, one with a long gun and the other with a short gun, took away her husband’s licenced firearm and forced both of them (she and her husband) into their home where they ransacked all the rooms. “They kept asking ‘Where is the gold? Where is the money?’ They said they wanted everything. These were good looking boys, but
they were rough,” recounted Verna Albert. In addition to relieving them of more than $500,000 in cash, the woman said that the men also carted off colognes, male underwear, a cellular phone as well as a gold ring – the only jewellery Mrs. Albert had. The couple is troubled about the loss of the firearm since, according to the woman, “we waited five years to get this gun licence and just like that, the firearm gone.”
According to Mrs. Albert, over the number of years she and her husband operated their business they have been robbed multiple times, and therefore her husband had applied for a firearm licence. Police in a statement indicated that Lennox Albert was relieved of a .32 pistol with five rounds of ammunition. The couple is hoping that with the evident threat to their livelihood that they will be given permission to obtain another firearm.
Mahdia’s $720M road rehab hampered... From page 18 season it gets more complicated, the material becomes more plastic,” Mohamed said. Mohamed pointed out to GINA that maintenance on the roads is usually executed annually, since it would not be economical to carry out periodic maintenance. “We also cannot allow lots of time to pass before we do work on the road, so we have to choose the right time to get it done,” Mohamed said. Early in 2016 when Minister of Natural
Resources, Raphael Trotman and a team visited Mahdia, they were apprised of the poor state of roads in the community. Trotman reportedly assured the residents at that time that works were slated to commence this year, since in the 2016 national budget funds were allocated for the paving of roads in Mahdia. A total of $1.702B has been provided for rehabilitation of hinterland roads in Bartica, Mahdia, Ituni-Kwakwani and the Cassandra Crossing Bridge.
Tuesday August 16, 2016
Capital punishment to remains on books in St Kitts BASSETERRE – St Kitts and Nevis has not carried out the death penalty since 2008, but the law remains on the books and the Government stands ready to carry out the decisions of the court, said Prime Minister Timothy Harris. “We all are in favour in allowing the law to speak,” Harris said at a recent town hall meeting in Sandy Point. His statement was prompted by a question from a member of the audience about the use of capital punishment, which the Constitution allows in cases of treason and murder. “I have no objection to that. The Attorney General [Vincent Byron] has no objection to that. We must uphold the law,” Harris stated. The Prime Minister
however said it was his wish that there was no need for the death penalty to be implemented. He added that society should discipline itself, particularly parents with their children as they raise youth to be positive citizens. However, Harris, who is also the Minister of National Security, reaffirmed that his Government is guided by the rule of law and good governance, and that the Cabinet does support the law of the land with respect to capital punishment. Charles LaPlace was the last person to be executed on order of the court. He was condemned for violently killing his wife with a knife. (SKNIS)
Kaieteur News
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SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana p assport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535. INNOVATIVEMARKETING& PUBLISHINGINC–TEL:6004212: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Repairs at low cost: Fridges, air- conditioners, washing machines, TVs, microwaves, freezers- Call:6294946 or 225-4822 RAMDASS VISA APPLICATION & immigration services, room A-4, Maraj Building, Georgetown. Call Samantha: 227-0295; 615-9295 Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigrant Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496; 662-6045
VACANCY One nail Technician- Call: 609-7458
Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Repairs to LED, Plasma, LCD and other electronic items. Abdul Electronics. Call: 2250391 MASSAGE
SALON
LEARN TO DRIVE
VEHICLE FOR SALE
- Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 647-1773/660-5257
C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj BuildingCall: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).
2009 RX8, Allion, Music Bus, Small bus, Motor cycle, Benz. Call: 265-4979
Nails & hair station to rent. Call: 689-0888
One Trainee A.C, Refrigerator, Technician –Call: 231-0655 Kitchen Assistant: 2 males &female, experienced a plus, must be able to work weekends. Call Mr.Khan: 695-6550; 656-9313 1 Live- in housekeeper (long termemployment).Call:697-8797
WANTED FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
One experienced cashier apply @ Hack’s Halaal with written application, 5 commerce Street.
Full/Part time service staff @ Indian Dining Restaurant, relevant experienced mandatory. Call: 654-7683
Experienced female bartender, live in/live out waitress, cooks & bouncers needed @ Eden Bar & Lounge, Garden of EdenCall: 652-0074
Clerk must be able to work Sunday-Sunday @ Ruimveldt Ice House. Call: 687-0615
Three bedrooms and two bedrooms apartments @ Granville Park, E.C.D –Call: 604-0883; 681-3660
Experienced diesel mechanic wanted to work in Georgetown. Call: 227-1717
Cashier for supermarket – 624-0033; Driver for water truck – 680-3863; Pump attendant /Security in store – 680-3863; Porters- Call: 6803863
One bedroom apartment preferably working couple or single person. Call: 638-8858
1 Male cook in the Interior. Call: 678-0565
LAND FOR SALE La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.2M & $1.6M with titles, Farm (110ftX55ft) -$3.2M. Call:6585897; 673-2692
EDUCATIONAL IAE: Register for full time school (Grades 7-11) CSEC lessons; adults and school leavers CXC classes. Call Mr. Roberts: 683-5742
Hair station rental at convenient location, Georgetown, Call: 638-1106, discounts given to newcomers, persons with experienced & clients 1-2 Storey house, 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, kitchen, dining, 2 living. Call: 694-3338 SELF CONTAINED: FREE WI-FI, ELECTRICITY, CABLE @ RESIDENTIAL LOCATION, OPPOSITE THE HARBOR BRIDGE$35,000-CALL: 643-8080; 600-5775
CAR RENTAL CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL. COM Aidan’s Car Rental: 4WD pickup. Call: 698-7807
1 Handyman to work urgently, four days per week with good pay, between the age of 30 to 40yrs old. Call: 641-3687 One security guard, apply to Millenium Manor Hotel 43 Hadfield Street W/Rust . Experienced driver to work with a Firm @ G/Town, able to drive all types of vehicles, ages 30-50. Call: 226-9764 1 Office clerk to work with firm G/town. Must be computer literate & have experienced in office procedures. Call: 226-9768 Private guard, attractive salary, night. Call: 222-4529; 689-4041 Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic –Call: 223-7500. Monday-Saturday 8:15-4:15pm Technicians: refrigeration, washing machine, gas stove/ electronic- Call: 225-4822/ 6294946
Happy Touch Day Spa: Come & Experienced heavens touch, visit us today! –Call: 690-6079
TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
Cashier to work in supermarket and one live in domestic to work in Trinidad. Call or text 1868- 683 1528
Teepee Suites Apartments: Lot 7 Princes Street, Charlestown, Guyana. Call: 592-223-7903/email: teepeesuites@yahoo.com
Lamaha property for rent: four bedrooms self contained spacious & comfortable in a secured area, serious enquiries only. Call: 689-4041
PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM Low down payment, cheap reates,special offer for the summer. Call: 690-6494
One 2007 Fielder stick gear $2.7M negotiable. One B12 Sunny $300,000- Call: 6165974, 618-8703 AT192, 212, Allion, Premio, Hilux Surf, BRR, RZ & Pitbull, Pajero Junior, Spacio: Cash / terms- Call:680-3154
Checkers, labourers, pump attendants & accountants. TI certificate needed (Berbice). Call: 330-2399; 623-5920
Hello the doctor is back! Have your gas stove service and repairs. Call: 601-0595; 220-4073; 220-5785 Jadesco Offers: Architectural designs, 3D modeling, building estimation/ quotation, rehabilitation works & general construction. Call: 612-0468, 629-3605, email: jadesco15@gmail.com
Tuesday August 16, 2016
Kaieteur News
1- Welder must have knowledge of gas welding to work @ 21 Broad St. Charlestown, Fat man Welding Shop. Call: 643-9125/ 223-5595
We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 2008 Toyota Axio -$2.6M, unregistered. Call: 691-7475 2010 Premio -$3.3M, 2010 Noah & Voxy -$2.5M, 2004 Mitsubishi canter 2 ton $2.4M, unregistered & fully loaded. Call: 642-7295 3 TON CANTER ENCLOSE AND OPEN BACK WITH 4D ENGINE, PRICE -$3.6M, NEVER REGISTERED – CALL: 617-2891 2009 BELTA -$2.3M, 2011 BLUEBIRD -$2.7M, 2009 IST -$2.7, 2012 RACTIS $2.6M, 2009 ARUIS -$2.5M –CALL: 617-2891 One Corolla Feilder Wagon year 2010 - $1.7M. Call: 2254816; 676-6379 1-2006 Nissan Dump Canter, 1-Potable trailer. Call: 6626567; 691-4340 Honda Civic M/Car “SS” series -$1.3M, very good condition- Call: 696-2815
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. ADORABLE FLUFFY PUPPIES FOR SALE. CALL: 615-0146 Purple Heart: 30X80 -$25,000, 32X80 -$28,000, 34X80 $28,000, 36X80 -$28,000, Free Delivery- Call: 688-9712; 6510717; 671-2490 CAT 320 BL excavator, 428 CAT back hoe, CAT930 Front End, 9 Wheeled Pneumatic Roller -Call: 275-0538; 683-7225 Trawler–Call: 682-8724; 6165954 1 Perkins V8 Turbo Charge 170KVa Generator in working condition, Call 223-7380 D4H CAT Bulldozer, Mack 8 Cubic Yard, cement mixer truck, all in working order. Call: 275-0538; 683-7225 Audi A4-$3.7M, BMW-$2.3M, Ist-$1,895,000,,Fielder$1,895,000, Spacio-$1,995,000. Contact#650-0402 Elevator (good condition), Diesel Generator (23KVA, 110/220V). Call: 231-1284; 223-9719 Prime commercial building for sale @ Broad & Charles Streets, Georgetown, 68,000 square feet. Call: 592-231-6694 Antique household items, plants, ceiling fan, computer monitors, sauna and much more. Call: 231-1284; 223-9719 1-Leylad DAF-45 $1.5M, 1-Cat 928F Loader-$6.9M,1-Hyster Forklift-$1.5M, Light Tower$800-000. Contact#650-0402
PROPERTY FOR SALE Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461 2 Storey house & land , 3 bedrooms, size 20x30. 2 inside bathrooms @ Best Village, W.C.D. $15 millionCall: 609-5620, 664-4415 House & land 2 storey concrete building (4 bedrooms; 2 self-contained), semi-furnished @ Grove & Diamond N/S. Call: 216-1861, 657-2300, 614-0578 One 2 storey wooden building, located at 29 Delph Street C/Ville on land size50X115, ideal for business. Call: 616-5084 Transported property, 5L Hilux pick-up, 1-complete music set. Call: 265-3586
TO LET 2X3 Bedrooms fully furnished luxury apartments for rent (short & long term stay). Call: 665-3505 One four storey business place located on Robb Street, next to Bourda Market. Call: 623-7731; 629-0636; 645-3489 1 Newly refurbished, 1 bedroom apartment @ lot 529 Section “B” Block “X” Great Diamond H/Scheme, E.B.DCall: 689-1518 anytime; 2164200 after 19:00 hrs 2 Bedroom apartment for rent (semi-furnished) @ Dennis Street, Sophia, (water & light inclusive). Call: 6626567; 691-4340
Tuesday August 16, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Our country will falter if its youth fumbles
Green Bartica Development/ Land Use Proposal presented to Agri. Minister
- President tells beneficiaries of key initiative “Our country will falter if its youth fumbles; youths will fail if employment is unavailable, employment will be difficult to find without education. Employment is essential to human development,” This was the core message conveyed by President David Granger during his feature address to beneficiaries of the Sustainable Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development (SLED), during an Aw a r d s Ceremony at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, Liliendaal, yesterday afternoon The President pointed to the fact that employment improves the quality of life throughout the world, and maintained that it shapes people’s expectation and creates a sense of identity. He continued that it is in that respect that government has committed to generating employment. He pointed to the Guyana National Service and the Guyana Youth Corps as the earliest attempts of the then government to prepare young people for the world of work. He reflected that the “deliberate dissolution” of the National Service in 2000 coincided with the surge in youth unemployment that is still having an effect on the country. “The administration therefore has re-embarked on a strategy to prepare young people for the world of work. The Minister of Finance as you’ve heard in this administration’s first budget presentation, a mere three months after the May 2015, general and regional elections, announced the launch of the Sustainable Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development (SLED) initiative, and that was in August 2015. The SLED initiative emphasizes this administration’s employment policy by encouraging entrepreneurship, particularly
Rear Admiral (Rtd) Gary Best (left) explaining the proposal
President Granger delivering the feature address at yesterday’s ceremony through young people.” He noted that it contradicts the criticisms that the current administration has no plan for the unemployed and the under-employed. “The SLED initiative is part of a programme that reinforces the administration’s efforts to stimulate economic development in communities, especially at the grassroot level; it has provided training, mentorship, business development skills and startup grants to individuals and groups.” He pointed to the launch of the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN) which has enabled 40 “youngish” entrepreneurs from Upper Demerara to facilitate their business enterprises through small loans. President Granger’s feature address highlighted education as a must, as it is needed for employment. “Young people must be equipped with knowledge of information technology in
order to work in an increasingly knowledge intensive job market.” He noted that the liberalisation of telecommunications will encourage increased investment and employment. “We will continue to encourage the growth of the information, communication technology sector, because of its potential for employment.” Speaking directly to the awardees, the President said, “No one can doubt your energy and your enthusiasm. Equally, no one can doubt this government’s commitment to a good life for all, a good life through education, through employment, through enterprise. This morning I am happy to congratulate all the awardees.” In concluding, he wished them success and expressed hope that the awardees would enjoy profitable enterprises.
Appeal to strike out elections... From page 12 candidates to carry out their duties and functions properly.” He named the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, and leaders of the eight political parties, which contested the last elections, as respondents in the matter. Lowenfield had noted that the Elections Petition discloses no reasonable cause of action, is frivolous and vexatious; embarrassing and oppressive and an abuse of the process of the Court. In his appeal, Lowenfield’s Attorney Forde
held that Chang erred in law when he failed to direct his mind to the Summons and to apply the proper principles applicable to the striking out of the Petition on the grounds. Forde outlined that the learned Judge erred in law when he made a finding and determination with respect to Article 163 (1) of the Constitution of Guyana and its relationship with Section 42 of the National Assembly Validity of Election Act Cap. 1:04 without affording the Appellant an opportunity of responding to the said finding.”
Rear Admiral (Rtd) Gary Best, Presidential Advisor on the Environment within the Ministry of the Presidency yesterday made a presentation on the Green Bartica Development/ Land Use Plan to Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder, as Government moves to have Bartica develop into Guyana’s first green town. The draft proposal has since been presented to the Ministry of Communities, National Land Use Committee
and the Commissioner of the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission (GL&SC). The green proposal which is presently in the second phase saw presentations being done on the committee’s plan to further promote inter-sectoral approach to environment and economic development. “Some of the elements which will be looked at during the planning will be mainstreaming, Disaster Risk Management, alternative energy, meeting international
standards and the land use plan which will determine the viability of the proposal,” Best said. The main objectives of the plan are to create a climate resilient economy and to establish a green pathway for the foundation of a new Guyana, which will result in reducing overall carbon footprint in agriculture, fisheries, water, forestry, waste, manufacturing, transport, construction, tourism and other sectors.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday August 16, 2016
Tuesday August 16, 2016
Freed from ISIS, Syria’s Manbij residents cut off beards, smoke cigarettes
A jubilant female resident smokes a cigarette. Manbij residents finally freed from the stranglehold of ISIS occupation celebrated in the streets Saturday, cutting off beards, burning niqabs and smoking cigarettes, things they weren’t allowed to do during the terror group’s two-year rule over the city. Jubilation broke out in many neighborhoods after ISIS militants lost control of Manbij to U.S.-backed rebels, and the Pentagon said the center of the city was liberated. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), an alliance of Kurdish and Arab forces backed by the United States, has battled to take control of Manbij in northern Syria since May and hundreds have been freed in this latest mission, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human
Rights. Many can hardly believe they are finally rid of the Islamist militants’ rule. Dozens of women in black niqabs — the full-body coverings which are similar to burqas but leave the eyes exposed — were photographed being freed by the armed rebels, many of them carrying babies, overwhelmed and in tears. One woman was seen hugging an armed female Kurdish soldier. Footage from Kurdistan 24 showed people cheering and dancing in the streets. A man pointed to an outside area and described it as an ISIS execution site. “Here they used to execute people and hung their heads here and leave it for three days. They would execute people for anything, using the excuse he did not
believe,” he told Kurdistan 24. A woman made the peace sign with both hands and she expressed her relief. “Thank God we are happy my brother. Thank God we got rid of ISIS. May God hold them to account,” she said. Defeating the militants in Manbij essentially blocks a supply route ISIS has between its heartland of Raqqa and Turkey. ISIS seized Manbij around two years ago and has used the city as a hub for recruiting and processing foreign fighters, the Pentagon’s Deputy P r e s s S e c r e t a r y Gordon Trowbridge told journalists, according to a statement. He said militants also used it “for dispatching operatives across the Turkish border for potential use in external operations,” the statement said. The chief of the US mission to fight ISIS, Brett McGurk, confirmed on Twitter that the city center had been liberated. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has documented the deaths of 1,744 civilians and fighters in Manbij since May 31. The United States backs the SDF with airstrikes as well as arms and military training. Since May 21, the SDF has liberated more than 1,000 square kilometers of territory from ISIS and taken out more than 600 fortified fighting positions, Trowbridge said.
French teen girl charged over Telegram app attack plan France (Al Jazeera) - A 16year-old French girl has been charged in the capital Paris with supporting the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant and trying to plan an attack, prosecutors said. The girl, whose name has not been released, was allegedly using a social media app to spread calls by ISIL to commit violent acts, the Paris prosecutor’s office said on Wednesday. A judge charged the teenager with taking part in a “criminal terrorist association” and “inciting to commit terrorist acts through an online communication medium”. Investigators said the girl was “extremely radicalised” and was the administrator of a chat group dedicated to ISIL propaganda on the Tele-
gram app, which has been used by suspected fighters to communicate, deputy prosecutor Laure Vermeersch said. Vermeersch said no specific targets had been mentioned by the teenager, who had no criminal history. Investigators are now trying to trace other participants in the chat group to find out if the girl had possible accomplices in her alleged attack plot or in spreading ISIL information. The girl was arrested on Thursday in the Melun region, a southern Paris suburb, during a police operation. It is not the first time an underage girl has been detained in France under suspicion of trying to com-
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mit an attack. In March, two girls aged 15 and 17 were charged with taking part in a “criminal terrorist association” for allegedly plotting to attack a target, possibly a Paris concert hall, in a copycat attack of November’s Bataclan massacre. Investigators said the plot was not at an advanced stage. France has lived under a state of emergency for nearly nine months, since the coordinated ISILlinked attacks in November in Paris that killed 130 people. Parliament extended the measure for six months after a lorry attack in the southern city of Nice on July 14, Bastille Day, that killed at least 84 people and was claimed by ISIL.
Parents of Nigeria’s missing Chibok girls ‘wounded’ after watching Boko Haram video
A still shot of the purported video of the missing Chibok girls. ABUJA (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Parents of Nigerian schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram more than two years ago said on Monday they felt wounded after watching a video posted by the Islamist militants that showed dozens of the girls. In the video published by the militants on social media on Sunday, a masked man stands behind a group of the girls, and says some of them have been killed in air strikes. Many of the girls’ parents in the northeastern town of Chibok said they tried to watch the video straight away, but were unable to see it due to the poor internet connection. Three of the parents on Monday drove two hours to the nearby town of Mubi, where they used a computer in a church to watch the video - hoping to see their daughters alive. “I couldn’t identify my daughter among the girls,” Yana Galang, the women’s
leader of the Association of Parents of the Abducted Girls from Chibok, said after watching the video. “It wounded my heart,” Galang told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone, describing how she broke down in tears and found herself unable to watch the whole video. Boko Haram kidnapped 219 girls from their school in Chibok, in April 2014, as part of a seven-year-old insurgency to set up an Islamic state in the north that has killed some 15,000 people and displaced more than two million. Some girls escaped in the melee but parents of those still missing accused former President Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria’s then leader, of not doing enough to find their daughters, whose disappearance sparked a global campaign #bringbackourgirls. In the video, one veiled girl could be seen holding a baby, while unidentified bodies could be seen on the
ground. “Some of the girls, about 40 of them with God’s permission have been married, some of them have died as a result of bombing by the infidels,” said the masked man in the video. The two other parents, who traveled with Galang to Mubi, were able to identify their daughters in the video. “This thing has become a wound for us,” said Zannah Lawan. “We are praying ... that we can one day see our daughters. If not, there is nothing you can say now,” Lawan added. One of the Chibok girls, Amina Ali, was rescued from Boko Haram in May by soldiers and a civilian vigilante group. She told her mother earlier this month that the girls were starved and resorted to eating raw beans and maize, and that some had died in captivity, suffered broken legs or gone deaf after being too close to explosions.
South Sudan troops raped, beat foreigners as UN force ignored calls for help NAIROBI, Kenya — The soldier pointed his AK-47 at the female aid worker and gave her a choice. “Either you have sex with me, or we make every man here rape you and then we shoot you in the head,” she remembers him saying. She didn’t really have a choice. By the end of the evening, she had been raped by 15 South Sudanese soldiers. On July 11, South Sudanese troops, fresh from winning a battle in the capital, Juba, over opposition forces, went on a nearly fourhour rampage through a residential compound popular with foreigners, in one of the
worst targeted attacks on aid workers in South Sudan’s three-year civil war. They shot dead a local journalist while forcing the foreigners to watch, raped several foreign women, singled out Americans, beat and robbed people and carried out mock executions, several witnesses told The Associated Press. For hours throughout the assault, the U.N. peacekeeping force stationed less than a mile away refused to respond to desperate calls for help. Neither did embassies, including the U.S. Embassy. The Associated Press interviewed by phone eight survivors, both male and female,
including three who said they were raped. The other five said they were beaten; one was shot. Most insisted on anonymity for their safety or to protect their organizations still operating in South Sudan. AP does not identify victims of sexual assault. The accounts highlight, in raw detail, the failure of the U.N. peacekeeping force to uphold its core mandate of protecting civilians, notably those just a few minutes’ drive away. U.N. peacekeepers in Juba have already been accused of not acting to stop the rapes of local women by soldiers outside the U.N.’s main camp and within their sight last month.
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Kaieteur News
Antiguan PM’s house broken TT Gov’t re-negotiates into despite 24-hour security US$850M energy project
ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) — Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne returned home from holidays in the Dominican Republic to find his home broken into, despite round the clock security by members of the security services. Public Safety Minister Stedroy Benjamin, on a radio programme in Antigua, said that no stone would be left unturned as the authorities probe the break-in at the prime minister’s private residence at Hodges Bay, north of here. He said while he is not pointing fingers at anyone, he cannot understand how the robbery took place at the property when the police and members of the defence force are providing security on a 24hour basis. “These are people trained to protect,” Benjamin said, adding “you could be sure of one thing that whenever that person is discovered the full force of the law will be brought against that indi-
Antigua’s PM, Gaston Browne vidual whoever that person may be. “It is reprehensible, it is wrong, it is absolutely disgusting,” said Benjamin, who is also the attorney general. He told radio listeners that the security diary of one of the guards had indicated
she had noticed irregularities with windows and other areas on the property before Browne and his family returned from their holidays on Sunday. Benjamin gave no details as to whether anything had been stolen from the house.
Bajan employers face pressure to monitor workers’ use of social media Barbad o s ( B a r b a d o s Nation) – Calls are being made for employers to develop policies on the proper use of social media both inside and outside the workplace. The Barbados Employers’ Confederation (BEC), the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) and the Human Resource Management Association of Barbados (HRMAB) all say that rules are absolutely necessary today when platforms such as Facebook , Tw i t t e r , Instagram and blogs are being widely utilised. Some employees have
Orlando ‘Gabby’ Scott found out the hard way that a questionable post,
tweet or comment, whether it is about work or not, could cost them their jobs. F or instance, a couple of months ago a chef at a leading restaurant was dismissed after a number of salacious voice note conversations and screenshots of messages between him and another man, were posted on social media. It is understood t h a t h i s e m p l o y e rs deemed that the publicity had brought too much negativity to the restaurant. (MB)
PORT OF SPAIN (Trinidad Express)-– The Trinidad and Tobago government says it has renegotiated a multi-million dollar agreement for the construction of the Caribbean Gas Chemicals Limited plant in the south of the island. In April 2015, the Japanese based Mitsubishi Corporation had signed a deal with National Gas Company (NGC) and Massy Holdings to construct a methanol plant in La Brea, with an investment of one billion dollars (One TT dollar=US$0/16 cents). The agreement had been signed with the previous P e o p l e ’s P a r t n e r s h i p government of then Prime Minister Kamla P e r s a d B i s s e s s a r, b u t Acting Prime Minister Colm Imbert told reporters that “wha t h a d b e e n happening all the time w a s the investors… had used their own money to start the project”. Persad Bissessar had turned the sod a few days before the September 7 general elections last year for the US$850 million project that brought together the Japanese-based Mitsubishi Corporation, the National Gas Company (NCG) and the Neal and Massy group here. Acting Attorney General Stuart Young told reporters that on coming into office, the Keith Rowley a d m i nistration was approached by the project’s investors for a sign off on the Attorney general’s opinion for the project, which did not happen under the previous government. “One of the things we found when we went back to the records is that on September 7, 2015, which is actually the day of the election, we found that an
Acting PM of Trinidad and Tobago, Colm Imbert unusual amount of pressure being put on the technocrats at the Ministry of the Attorney General by the politicians to have a sign-off of the AG’s opinion on the day of election,” he added. But he told reporters that what the previous government had agreed to was, “something that had the potential to expose Trinidad and Tobago to billions of US dollars in claims”. Young said this led to immediate talks with the Japanese government, the Mitsubishi Corporation and the Massy Group over the last several months. He said he also visited Tokyo as part of the efforts to re-negotiate the deal. “We were able to come up with a mutually acceptable amendment to the agreement that extricated Trinidad and Tobago from these potential billions of dollars in claims,” he said, adding that officials from the Mitsubishi Corporation came here this week to sign the amended agreement. Imbert, who signed the accord, said “whenever you have projects of this nature which are financed
by a foreign bank, they would either want a government guarantee or they would want what is called a letter of comfort where the government would give an indication that it would give its best effort to support the project financially, if there is a problem”. He said that until the comfort letter and the Attorney General’s opinion have been signed off, “the financing cannot be released by the bank”. Young said that the project will allow for the employment of 1,000 in the construction phase and 600 afterwards. He said Japan and the Mitsubishi Corporation now regard Trinidad and Tobago “as a bigger potential market for further investment.” The government said that in addition to receiving revenue from sales of natural gas to the plant, it is now a 20 per cent shareholder in the plant through NCG. Young said he will be making a statement in the Parliament on the issue when it resumes following the annual break.
Tuesday August 16, 2016
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Tuesday August 16, 2016
Boodoosingh debuts in SCCA... (From page 30) 5 throughout the caution filled race. In fact, there was a late full course caution late in the race which eliminated any chance of Boodoosingh to compete for the overall win. With about 2 minutes remaining in the 40 minute sprint, the green flag was shown. But, # 34, Boodoosingh was able to maintain his 4th position as he ran out of time to move up the standings. However, he was able to improve upon his best lap time on the weekend by clocking a 2:07.921(lap 3). To put this into perspective, he finished 1.997 seconds behind the eventual winner. The race was won in spectacular fashion by # 5,
John A. Weisberg of Webster, New York in the BERG Racing Mazda MX-5 after he made an awesome pass on the last turn of the last lap to snatch victory proving that until the checkered flag is shown a race is still to be won. The other CA Sport Nissan 370Z of #3, Vesko
Kozarov had mechanical issues which affected his overall position as he had to retire. Overall, the SCCA pro racing world debut for Kristian Boodoosingh of San Fernando, Trinidad in the Pirelli World Challenge Touring Car (TC) class was truly magnificent.
Rafeek century hands Superior... (From page 26) with 180-6. Akilah Castello smashed 61 while Roxanne Dominique scored 50 and Heema Singh got 36; Smith picked up three wickets and Telford two. 4R Lioness beat Blue Divas by four wickets. Batting first, Blue Divas got to 140-7
with Mickelly Taitt getting 39 and Sherry Ann Fraser 30; Kaysia Schultz and Shyon Goodluck had two wickets each. 4R Lioness replied with 141-6 in 12.3 overs. Abigale Scott blasted 71 and Akaze Thompson 20; Sangeeta Shaw had two wickets.
Tuesday August 16, 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Socialize with friends, but don't overspend on lavish entertainment. Offers of joint ventures are likely. You will be confused about the intentions of someone you work with. TAURUS (Apr. 21- may 21) You'll find it easy to talk about your feeling today. Don't hesitate to find out what your mate's intentions are. Don't overdo it. You need to enjoy yourself. You may end up being blamed if anything goes wrong. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You need to get involved in groups that offer physical activities. You can expect sorrow to evolve from the information you discover. You may not get your facts correct today; doublecheck before making any statements. CANCER (June 21–July 22) You should be on the road. Pleasure trips will ease the tension between you and your mate. Do your job and then spend some time with family; you'll be glad you did. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Extend an invitation to clients you enjoy spending time with. Don't let your jealousy be the reason for a decaying relationship. Emotional relationships will be plentiful if you attend group activities. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Don't expect anyone else to pay your bills for you. Use
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your added discipline to get what you want. Be careful while traveling.. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Any contributions you make to organizations will enhance your reputation and bring you offers. Join a club to work off that excess energy; but consider ways of doing that without spending the money. Listen to the advice given by those with experience. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Be creative in your pursuits. Opportunities to get involved in investment groups will payoff. If you try to manipulate emotional situations you will find yourself alienated. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You're in need of love. Travel may be confusing. Children's needs could be more costly than you anticipated. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Someone close to you may need help. Don't invest too much of your own money. You can ask for favors and get sound advice from close friends or relatives. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Don't be shy; if you want to spend more time with a special person, make a commitment. Try not to argue about trivial matters. You might be overly emotional when dealing with your partner. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Moves or the possibility of having someone different living with you may be difficult at first. You can't lose today unless you get involved in gossip or overwork to the point of exhaustion.
Annsert Whyte leads Jamaican trio into 400mH semis (Jamaica Observer) RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil — National 400m hurdles champion Annsert Whyte yesterday proved his mettle, leading not only the other two Jamaicans into the semi-finals at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, but the other qualifiers as well. Whyte ran a commanding and controlled race from lane one in his 400m hurdles heat to clock a personal best and fastest semi-final qualifying time of 48.37 seconds. His compatriots, Roxroy Cato and national junior champion Jaheel Hyde, are also into the 400m hurdles semi-finals. After missing out on the automatic qualifying spots in their heats, they both advanced based on their times. Cato clocked a season best 48.56s in his heat while
Annsert Whyte
Hyde managed a time of 49.24 seconds in his heat.
Princess She Not crowned... (From page 31) show were local jockeys Colin Ross and Rupert Ramnauth. They received accolades compliments of Ramesh Sunich of the Trophy Stall. The police had their work cut out keeping the massive crowd under control. The ranks led by Deputy Superintendent Terrence Brown and Inspectors Welch and Rose did a splendid job to keep things under control. The coordinator was Nasrudeen “Jumbo Jet” Mohamed Junior. However, despite the suc-
Mahaica XI capture... (From page 28) two overs. Mahaica XI defeated a Combined XI by 20 runs. Mahaica XI took first strike and scored 138-3 in 10 overs with Shawn Scot making 65 (3x4, 7x6). In reply the Combined XI scored 118 all out in 9.4 overs. Vickash Persaud made 40 (2x4, 3x6). Victor Pompey had 3-10 from two overs. New Doctors clinic won from Combined XI by 13 runs. NDC batted first and scored 83 -5 in 10 overs with Alex Culley blasting 45 (6x6). Roy Sanichari took 2-12 from two overs. In reply Combined XI were bundled out for 70 in 8.2 overs. Culley returned to take 1-4 from 2 overs to cap a good all round performance. The event was sponsored by Everest Cricket Club and Trophy Stall and administrated by The Guyana Softball League.
cess of the event the organisers must improve systems to accommodate officials and the media
Meanwhile, if we are to pay attention to the times clocked in the heats of the event, Whyte’s closest rivals going into the semi-finals are Karsten Warholm of Norway, who clocked 48.49s, and Javier Culson of Puerto Rico who clocked 48.53s.
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Tuesday August 16, 2016
Wolf’s Challenge Cup Troy Doris creates history, Rafeek century hands advancing to men’s Superior Woods triple jump finals comprehensive victory
Guyanese Troy Doris created local history when he leapt into the final of the Rio Olympics Triple Jump. Doris leapt to 16.81m yesterday morning in the preliminaries, qualifying for the finals today. “I’m excited to finally be an Olympic finalist. Time to make history,” Doris stated, in a social media video. Doris’ jump saw him as the sixth best overall jump for the day. USA’s Christian Taylor led the field with 17.24m, his best jump of the day. The US-based Doris has a personal best effort of
17.18m and will look to equal and surpass that mark to jump into medal contention to join local boxing great Michael Parris as Olympic medalists. Apart from Parris who
automatically advanced to the medal round by reaching the semifinals of the 1980 Moscow Olympic, Doris is the first Guyanese to reach the finals of any event at the Olympics.
Abigale Scott
Mahendra Balgobin
Ucil Armstrong
Wlodarczyk shatters world record for hammer gold RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) Poland’s Anita Wlodarczyk underlined her absolute dominance of the w o m e n ’s h a m m e r b y throwing a world record 82.29 metres to win the Rio Olympic gold by an incredible 554 centimetres on Monday. The only woman to have thrown the hammer further than 80 metres, the 31-yearold world champion had already broken the Olympic record with a second throw of 80.40 when she entered the ring for the third time. Whipping the hammer around her body eight times before launching it into the s u n n y m o r n i n g s k y, Wlodarczyk was screaming in delight before the ball even pitched on the grass of the infield, well beyond the 80 metre tape. It was far enough to better the mark of 81.08 she set in Cetniewo in Poland this month, as was her fifth throw of 81.74. “Competition of my life,” she told Poland’s TVP.
“After the first round I knew that I would get the gold medal and after the second one I went for it all. Massacre. “I think that no one made such a surprise during Olympics. I was close to beating the record for the second time. I didn’t want to hold back. “I thought, this is that day. It was worth giving it a go, because you never know if it’s going to happen again parents in the stands, fans cheering ... I think I’m the happiest woman in the world right now.” Unbeaten since June 2014, Wlodarczyk now owns the 11 best throws of all time. Her winning margin was by far the largest in the history of the women’s event. She was the second Pole to win the title after Kamila Skolimowska, who won the inaugural women’s hammer at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 before dying at the age of 26 of a pulmonary embolism while training.
“Everyone thought I’d win the gold medal,” said Wlodarczyk. “But the best thing for me is the world record, because I talked a lot about it. “I didn’t fail the fans, I didn’t fail Poland so that’s just great. It’s time to celebrate.” Wlodarczyk finished r u n n e r - u p t o Ta t y a n a Lysenko at the London Games four years ago but the Russian was unable to defend her title in Rio after being banned for doping for the second time in her career earlier this year. China’s Zhang Wenxiu threw 76.75 to add a silver medal to the bronze she won on home soil at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Former world junior champion Sophie Hitchon was third with a British record 74.54 from her final throw to claim a first medal for her country in the women’s hammer. “To get a bronze medal, I am over the moon. I didn’t expect that I would hold third, I just wanted to throw further,” the comparatively diminutive Hitchon said. “I had to double take a little bit. It was just incredible to see the number three there and a national record, I couldn’t be happier.” Betty Heidler of Germany, the 32-year-old former world champion and world record holder, finished fourth with a best throw of 73.71.
Akila Castello (left) and Roxanne Dominique
Mohamed Rafeek
By Zaheer Mohamed A fine century from Mohamed Rafeek handed S u p e r i o r s Wo o d s a comprehensive 106-run victory over Savage Masters when the Wolf’s Challenge Softball Cup continued yesterday. Rafeek stroked 106 not out as Superior Woods rattled up 234-1 off their allocation of 20 overs, taking first strike at Gandhi Youth Organisation ground. Surujlall Kumar got 60 while Baiju Persaud made 48 not out. Savage were sent packing for 128 in 16 overs in reply. B. Ramsaywak scored 29; Rudolph Johnson grabbed 6-38. At Malteenoes SC, Regal M a s t e r s b e a t M i k e ’s Wellman by nine runs. Batting first Regal managed 147-9 with Mahase Chunilall scoring 41 and Samuel Kingston 23; Sheldon Adams claimed 424 and Greg De Franca 2-22. Wellman responded with 138-7 in 20 overs. Lloyd Rooplall scored 44, Nandram Samlall 38 and Latchman Kallicharran 21
Latoya Smith (left) and Zola Telford not out. Mahendra Hardyal snared 3-27 and Fazleem Mohamed 2-26. Fisherman XI overcame Floodlight by six wickets. Floodlight got to 143-6, taking first knock. Anil Beharry made 40 not out, Patrick Khan 29 and Richard Persaud 20. Pooran Singh picked up 2-21. Fisherman replied with 144-4 in 17 overs. Ishwar Persaud and S. Rampersaud made 49 each, while Tanko Persaud made 31 and Robin Persaud 26. Parika Defenders defeated Albion Masters by four wickets. Albion batted first and scored 143-8. Randolph Latcha cracked 49
and Jaga Bojh 47; Beesham Singh captured 4-22 and Devanand Kannan 2-23. Parika Defenders made 1446 in 17.5 overs in reply. Ucil Armstrong struck 34 not out, Mahendra Balgobin 29 and Ramesh Rambharose 19. R. Mangalie had 2-25. In the female category, Mike’s Wellwoman beat Trophy Stall Angels by 17 runs. Wellwoman posted 197-2 in 15 overs. Zola Telford hit 89, while Latoya Smith made 69 and Joan Vansertima 28; Alicia Allen and Amanda Roberts had one each. Trophy Stall responded (Continued on page 25)
Kaieteur News
Tuesday August 16, 2016
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Clyde Perry Jordan: An Appreciation Inspired by schoolmates Vibert ‘Durdy’ Butts, Keith ‘Wiler’ Niles and Terry ‘Suzuki’ Nichols; Clyde Perry Jordon was determine that he would become Bedford’s Primary next national player. After dominating the under-14 and under-16 leagues with Coach Lennox Arthur for Pele FC, Perry was included in the 1973 Inter- Guyana Games under17 Team. Playing under the guidance of Club Coach Arthur and the Captaincy of club mate Patrick ‘Labba’ Barton, Perry’s first taste in national colours was victorious. Guyana defeated arch rivals Suriname and regained the Forbes Burnham Trophy with ‘Labba’ Barton over aged the following year 1974. Perry was elevated to the captaincy but the land of many waters failed to bring home the bacon. Perry’s boys surrendered the Forbes Burnham Trophy to Suriname in Paramaribo; this was Perry’s first international assignment overseas. He played an integral role when his club Pele FC won its first Demico League Championship in 1976. The
following year 1977 Perry and Clyde ‘Oiler’ Watson were the goal scorers when Pele FC won its first C o n c a c a f c l u b champ i o n s h i p g a m e against Voorwaarts of Suriname at the Mackenzie Sports Club, unfortunately Pele lost the returned fixture in Paramaribo and were eliminated. I n 1 9 7 8 P e r r y ’s international campaign began with two friendly international for the National Under-23 against Suriname. Guyana playing under the captaincy of Patrick ‘Labba’ Barton lost both matches at GFC and Mackenzie Sports Club. His next international in 1978 was also for the national Under-23s. This time against the touring Chinese Provincial Team Kwang Tung, he was also active on the international scene for his club Pele FC. They eliminated Racing Club of Aruba in the Concacaf Club Championship home and in Aruba. In the process they became the first team in Guyana to advance to the second round of that prestigious tournament but a g a i n Vo o r w a a r t s o f Suriname proved to be their
Former Guyana International 1978 to 1980
The Guyana World Cup team in 1980 pose for a photo. nemesis. Perry’s last international assignment in 1978 was against the touring Russian Textile Union Football Team; Guyana President XI lost 5 nil. He was included in the national squad the following year 1979 but Guyana withdrew from the Caribbean Nations Cup. He made his Senior international debut 1980 March vs Grenada at Bourda. In the World Cup Qualifier Guyana won 5 -2. Strange enough the return fixture in St. George’s was Perry last outing in National Colours. International Tours: 1974 Suriname InterGuiana Games –Captain 1977 Suriname
C o n c a c a f C l u b Championship with Pele FC 1978 Aruba Concacaf Club Championship with Pele FC 1978 Suriname Cconcacaf Club Championship with Pele FC
1980 Brazil Goodwill Tour with Pele FC 1980 Grenada World Cup Qualifier with Senior National residing. Perry is presently residing in his adopted country Canada and will
surely be an asset as a Coach imparting his skill and knowledge at the sport he embraced at Bedford Primary 48 years ago. There is an old saying; ‘who feels it, knows it.’ (Charwayne Walker)
Bahamian Miller wins 400m gold
Bolt eyes 200m record in race to immortality RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AFP) — Usain Bolt believes a new 200m world record is a possibility as he embarks on the next leg of his race for immortality at the Rio Olympics on Tuesday. The world’s fastest man electrified Rio on Sunday by romping to a third consecutive gold in the 100m, the first leg of his bid for an amazing “triple triple.” Bolt, who is desperate to better his 2009 world best of 19.19sec, said a new record could be on the cards as he geared up Today’s opening round of the 200. “I think if I can get a good night’s rest after the semifinals, it’s possible,” Bolt said. “I’m going to leave it all on the track and do the best I possibly can,” he added. Bolt has repeatedly said he wants to be the first man
to dip under 19 seconds for the 200m. That goal will probably remain elusive in Rio — Bolt’s fastest time for the 200m this year is 19.89sec, set in London last month. Four men have run quicker over the distance this season, with LaShawn Merritt of the United States leading the times with a best of 19.74sec, set at the US Olympic trials in Eugene on July 8. Justin Gatlin, silver medallist in Sunday’s 100m, is second fastest, clocking 19.75 last month. The closest Bolt has come to his 2009 record is the 19.32sec he clocked in winning the gold at the London Olympics in 2012. Nevertheless, the J a m a i c a n ’s k n a c k o f achieving the improbable means it would be unwise to definitively bet against him. Bolt says achieving his
“triple triple” — three consecutive Olympic golds in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m — will make him immortal. “Somebody said if I win these three gold medals I would be immortal and I kind of liked it. So I’m going to run with that one,” he said. Even with Sunday’s 100m title in the bag, Bolt insisted he would regard his Olympics as a failure if he does not add to his collection of seven gold medals. “I came here to win three gold medals, I came here to prove myself as one of the greats,” Bolt said. “If by any chance it doesn’t happen, I’m going to feel sad because I didn’t do what I wanted to accomplish. “I wanted to set myself apart from everybody else and this is the Olympics, I have to do it.”
Shaunae Miller (BAH) of Bahamas throws herself across the finish line to win the gold ahead of Allyson Felix (USA) of USA and Shericka Jackson (JAM) of Jamaica. (REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch) RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, CMC – Bahamian Shaunae Miller won a dramatic women’s 400 metres final at the Rio Olympics here last night. The 22-year-old clocked a personal-best 49.44
seconds to beat World champion American Allyson Felix who clocked a season-best 49.51. Jamaican Shericka Jackson claimed bronze in 49.85. Miller went out fast and
pushed to the end as Felix closed the gap. Only a desperate dive after an initial stumble cause Miller to edge over the line ahead of Felix to crown a dramatic conclusion to the women’s 400m final.
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Tuesday August 16, 2016
C’bean Squash C/Ship in T&T
Team Guyana lose to B’dos in Women’s final Men’s team finish 3rd
Jason Ray Khalil Guyana women lost their team title in a tight battle with Barbados in the final by a 3-2 match score when the curtains came down on the Caribbean Senior Squash Championship at the Queens Park Oval in Trinidad on Sunday evening
Nyron Joseph Guyana wins came from Larissa Wiltshire and Taylor Fernandes who had helped tie up the match score only for Mary Fung-A-Fat to go down to newly crowned Caribbean Individual Champion Meagan Best 3-1. The Men’s team, playing
Ashley Khalil Kristian Jeffery in the third place play-offs in The Veterans team a rematch of their pool game a l s o e n d e d t h e i r on Friday against Cayman competition with a close Islands when they lost, 3-2 loss to the Cayman reversed that result to finish Islands. Winning for in third place. Nyron Joseph, Guyana were Ramon Jason Ray Khalil and Chan-A-Sue (40+) and Kristian Jeffery scored Alwyn Callendar (60+). crucial wins. They ended up placing
fourth in their category. The team finished in third place overall despite the injury to Sunil Seth.
Guyana will look to regain all titles next year in St. Vincent where next year’s championships will be held.
Windwards remain unbeaten Mahaica XI capture as Barbados, Guyana also win Everest CC 10/10
KINGSTOWN, Jamaica, CMC – Leaders Windward Islands crushed ICC Americas by eight wickets here Monday, to remain unbeaten in the one-day phase of the Regional Under19 Championship. Playing in the fourth round of the competition, the Windwards easily chased down 166 in the 31st over thanks to unbeaten halfcenturies from Alick Athanaze and Emmanuel Stewart, who both scored 57. They were 50 for two in the 13th over before Athanaze and Stewart came together in an unbroken third wicket stand of 118 to ensure victory without further loss. Athanaze took the attack to the bowlers, smashing five fours and four sixes in a 44ball knock while Stewart faced 80 balls and counted seven boundaries and a six. ICC Americas had earlier opted to bat first and were restricted to 165 for five off their 50 overs, with Arslan Khan top-scoring with 86 off 133 balls with eight fours. At Park Hill, Barbados also made light of an uncomplicated run chase to easily trounce Jamaica by six wickets. Opener Shian Brathwaite stroked an unbeaten 41 not out as the Barbadians, set
in.
Emmanuel Stewart … stroked a half-century to see Windward Islands to victory. 122 for victory, reached their target in the 32nd over. Stumbling slightly at 71 for four in the 19th over, Brathwaite combined with Dominic Drakes – who made 19 not out from 32 balls – in a 51-run, unbroken fifth wicket partnership to see Barbados home. Left-arm spinner Jeavor Royal was the best bowler with two for 30. Jamaica had been earlier undermined by left-arm spinner Joshua Bishop who claimed six for 36, and tumbled to 121 all out off 33.4 overs, after being sent
Michael Frew and Javelle Glenn both topscored with 26, pulling Jamaica around from a position of 16 for three in the seventh over with a stand of exactly 50 for the fourth wicket. In the other game at Stubbs Playing Field, opener Sherfane Rutherford missed out on a hundred as Guyana thrashed Trinidad and Tobago by 52 runs, after successfully defending 229 for six off their 50 overs. Rutherford made 93 off 140 balls with three fours and four sixes and Raymon Perez hit a breezy 55 off 68 deliveries with three fours and four sixes. Off-spinner Jonathan Bootan (2-34) and seamer Jarlanie Seales (2-37) both finished with two wickets apiece. In reply, opener Joshua da Silva stoked an unbeaten 73 but T&T’s batting collapsed to 177 all out off 44 overs, as Kheshram Seyhodan (3-32) and Marlon Hubbard (3-33) picked up three wickets apiece. Da Silva faced 108 deliveries and hit three fours and four sixes but was one of only three players in double figures but the only one to get past 13.
Shawn Scot is MVP
President of the Everest CC Rajesh Singh (left) presents the trophy to Mahaica Captain Avinash Persaud in the presence of his team mates. Mahaica defeated New Doctors Clinic (NDC) by 83 runs to win the inaugural Everest C r i c k e t C l u b 1 0 / 1 0 s o f t b a l l tournament which was contested recently. Mahaica batted after winning the toss and amassed 178-2. Shawn Scott stroked two fours and eight sixes in a top score of 72 and
shared in an opening stand of 130 with Victor Pompey who made 43 with six fours. NDC were bowled out for 90 in reply. Alex Culley got 22 (2x6); extras contributed 30 as Marvin Babb claimed 3-8 and Pompey 3-21. Earlier, Mahaica XI defeated Brickery All Stars by 65 runs. Mahaica XI won the toss
and batted first rattling up a challenging 120-4 in 10 overs. Shawn Scot made 59 (5x6; 2x4) and Victor Pompey 35 (3x4). In reply Brickery All Stars slumped to 38-7 in the seventh over and were eventually bowled out for 55 including 20 extras. Marvin Babb took 3-15 from (Continued on page 25)
Kaieteur News
Tuesday August 16, 2016
RHTYSC Raffle - Ticket # 982 wins Airline ticket to USA The holder of ticket # 982 is the winner of an airline ticket to the United States of America compliments of Fly Jamaica when the cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) held the draw for their 2016 Say Yes to Education and Sports Raffle. Held on Sunday last, the drawing was conducted at the Club’s Office in presence of Club members and members of the General Public.
The winning ticket was pulled by national female cricketer Sheneeta Grimmond. The 2nd prize of a bicycle will go to the holder of ticket # 464 while the holder of ticket # 310 has won an electric blender. The 4th prize of a large food hamper goes to the holder of ticket # 1630. Funds raised from the raffle would be used by the club to purchase school bags for less fortunate students in
Imam Bacchus SC overcome ECB/ GFRI Academy XI Imam Bacchus Sports Club defeated Essequibo Cricket Board Golden Fleece Rice Investment Academy XI by 30 runs in a 30-over fixture played on Sunday at Imam Bacchus ground Affiance, Essequibo Coast. Batting first, Imam Bacchus SC posted 213 in 30
overs with Parmesh Persaud scoring 47, Runraj Singh 36 and Navindra Persaud 31; Joshua Jones claimed 3-21 and Joel Fortune 2-53. Golden Fleece Rice Investment XI responded with 183 in 30 overs. Temal Jaikarran got 40, Fortune 20 and Jones 18. Govinda Gobin snared 2-16.
NAMILCO/GFF Thunderbolt Flour Power Nat. U-17 League
Monedderlust and Rosignol clash today; Cougars trounce Corriverton Links Arch rivals Monedderlust and Rosignol United are set to clash today at the Mahaicony ground in what is anticipated to be one of the most looked forward to matches in the ongoing Berbice leg of the GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power National Under-17 Intra Association league. The two sides over the years have produced exciting encounters which is set to continue today when the next generation of footballers, collide. Kick off time is 16:00hrs at the Mahaicony ground. In the lone match that was contested on Sunday at Burnham Park, New Amsterdam, Cougars roared to a comfortable 4-0 win over Corriverton Links, thanks to a brace each from
Q u i n t o n Crandon and Lamar Reid. Crandon sent Cougars into the lead 15 minutes into the match and by the end of the first 45 minutes they were up 3-0 on account of Reid’s double in the 32nd and 40th minute. Corriverton Links never threatened Cougars’ dominance on the match as the winners sealed the deal ten minutes into the second half when Crandon completed his double with a 55th minute strike. The respective associations that are contesting this inaugural and historic league have been battling inclement weather for the past five weeks which has put paid to their ability to have available grounds in playing conditions.
an effort to get them to stay in school and complete their education. Some of the funds would also be used to purchase cricket gear for the club’s cricket development programme. Persons holding tickets with the numbers 982, 310 and 1630 are asked to get in contact with the club on telephone number 337-4562 or visit the Club Office at the Area ‘H’ Ground, Rose Hall To w n d u r i n g n o r m a l working hours.
Club Member and National cricketer Sheneeta Grimmond draws the winning ticket while fellow Club Member Brandon Corlette looks on.
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Kaieteur News
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Tuesday August 16, 2016
Boodoosingh debuts in SCCA Pro Racing in Pirelli World Challenge Utah Motorsports Campus - Tooele, Utah, USA – Kristian Boodoosingh of San Fernando, Trinidad made his world debut in the SCCA Pro Racing series at the famed 24-turn 3.048-mile road course in beautiful Utah with a very technical and challenging track. August 12 – 14, 2016 saw Rounds 9 & 10 presented by ENERGY SOLUTIONS. # 34, Kristian Boodoosingh in the CA Sport/Nissan 370Z finished his practice session 15th overall in a time of 2:10.323 which was 3.402 behind the leader. When it came to qualifications, Boodoosingh qualified the CA Sport Nissan 370Z in 11th overall with an improved lap time of 2:08.474 which was 4.194 behind the pole sitter. Boodoosingh’s teammate, # 3, Vesko Kozarov in the other CA Sport Nissan 370Z qualified 3rd overall. As round 9 began, in the opening laps, # 3 Vesko
#34 Kristian Boodoosingh drives during the race. (photo provided by CA Sport) Kozarov in the CA Sport Nissan 370Z had a great start as he secured himself in 2nd behind the # 91 of Nick Wittmer of Canada in the Honda Ste-Rose Racing Honda Accord V6 who went from 8th to leading within a few laps. This battle remained for many laps before #3, Vesko Kozarov experienced some transmission issues around
the midway point of the 40 minutes race and fell down the standings. He was able to make up some ground while these issues were present but, the problems kept getting worse which saw him fall back down the standings. Meanwhile, #34, Kristian Boodoosingh rocketed up the standings just outside of the top 5 with numerous battles throughout
Horatio Brown & Kristian Boodoosingh. the field especially within the top 10. The # 91 of Nick Wittmer also slid off the track and dropped down the standings before ending up 4th overall. By the time the checkered flag was dropped, # 34 Kristian Boodoosingh placed 7th overall in an impressive debut. The CA Sport driver of Kristian Boodoosingh had a best lap time of 2:08.154(lap 8)
during the race and was 34.873 seconds behind race winner, # 2, Adam Poland in the Doghouse Performance Mazda MX-5. Whereas, # 3, Vesko Kozarov in the CA Sport Nissan 370Z finished 15th overall but, did manage the 3rd fastest lap time (2:06.652 on, lap 8) earlier in the race. Round 10 began with # 34, Kristian Boodoosingh in
the CA Sport Nissan 370Z starting in the 9th position in the 5th row whereas, his t e a m m a t e # 3 , Ve s k o Kozarov in the equally prepared Nissan 370 Z started in 3rd in the 2nd row. At the drop of the green flag, Boodoosingh made a hard charge towards the front of the pack and was consistently in the top (Continued on page 35)
Kaieteur News
Tuesday August 16, 2016
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Princess She Not crowned Queen of Port Mourant at 10th annual Guyana Cup Ghansham Singh and Family receive the winning trophy in the H1 and lower event.
The jumbo Jet connections receive their trophy for It’s MY Choice victory in the G1 race.
R&D Engineering builds Boyce/Jefford Classic VII
Office Manager at R&D Engineering Services Inc., Suraiya Sahid (left) makes their presentation to Colin Boyce yesterday at the 35 North Road Office of the Company. R&D Engineering Services Inc. continued to have its brand attached to the Boyce/Jefford Track and Field Classic when it handed over its sponsorship cheque yesterday, as organisers prepare to host the Seventh Edition of Guyana’s most lucrative athletics event. R&D Engineering was one of the first companies to support the event when it was birthed back in 2010 and signalled its intention of maintaining support. The Boyce/Jefford Classic VII
will be held on August 27-28 at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) Ground, Linden. “We are happy to continue to be part of the Boyce/Jefford Track and Field Classic because we can honestly say that we have been there from the beginning. We’ve seen the magnitude of the meet,” Managing Director of R&D Engineering, Reginald Roach, indicated. One of the founders of the Classic, Colin Boyce, said
that athletes can only continue to develop if they have the right platform to do so; he said that the main aim of the meet is to give athletics a significant place in Guyana with a major event. The meet offers a total of $2M in cash prizes for clubs and another $900,000 in individual cash prizes. In addition, the top performers will receive medals and trophies while the clubs will also get trophies for the Club Championships.
A large and vocal crowd that took up every advantageous point at the Port Mourant Turf Club was at hand to witness the running of the 10th Annual Guyana Cup Horserace meet held last Sunday at the Port Mourant Turf Club. The event was oganised by the Jumbo Jet Auto connections in collaboration with the Port Mourant Turf Club. The atmosphere was intense and the limited accommodation was quickly overcrowded event before the event began. The feature “A” class event was expected to be the pick. Before the start of the race it was downgraded to a C class event because Guyana only A class horse, Score’s Even, pulled out just before the start due to the soggy state of the track in some parts. The field was top class with the best animals in the country taking to the starting gates. There were some 14 of them lined up. The venue was pumped with patrons taking up every conceivable place including the fences and rails and areas set aside for officials. The wait was nervy as turfites waited with bated breath for the start of the much talked about 1800M event. It was Princess She Not of the Shariff Stable trained by Glendon “Grumps” Sooklall and piloted by Trinidadian Jockey Nicholas Patrick that showed that it was ready for the occasion with a decisive and dominating performance to take the feature event. The speedy Princess She Not went out early as it did last year setting a merry gallop followed by stable
mate Plum Plum which left the chasing pack with a lot to do. Coming into the event as runner up last year after it was defeated in a close race by double defending champions CP Got Even of the Elcock stable, the connection were determined that they will put their hands on the coveted prize. Some of the other runners made some moves along the back stretch, but Princess She Not was maintaining the lead as the animals turned for home and by then fans were getting into a frenzy and some even spilled onto the track. Princess She Not showed that she is ready to be crowned Queen as it changed gear and accelerated down the home stretch. With the experienced Patrick urging her on she increased momentum to gallop away to win by about five lengths and take home the coveted $4M bounty and the Banks DIH Tr o p h y a n d a n e x t r a $500,000 for winning. Patrick was able to ride away with a $200,000 bonus for riding the winning horse. Lady Budapest and Just call Me Boss ran in third and fourth. Speaking to connections of the Shariff Stable they stated that they knew the horse would have won. They were happy that the animal was kept out of the lime light. They had to change some tactics a bit. Isn’t She Charming ridden by Colin Ross of the Jumbo Jet Stable led a one two for the Jumbo Jet stable in the race for three year old horses with Wichie Poo Third and Caricom Dancer
fourth. Red And Lovely with J. Sookhan of the Night Eye Stable ran a lovely race to win the E1 and lower event as Right To Rule, California Strike and Perfect Windstorm occupied the other positions. It’s My Choice of the Jumbo Jet Stable with Ross in the saddles made all the right choices as it took the G1 and lower event ahead of Campador. Valtimore of Suriname and Captain Crook rounded out the money. Cat Massiah ridden by Paul Delph of the Ghansham Stable made a big move as it was the only locally bred animal competing in the H class event. It showed its class with a spirited run down the homestretch to beat out the foreign born horses to win the event. Quiet Strom ridden by Ramnauth had a rollicking day as it raced away with the H3 and lower event from She SO Special, Mary Ann and Super Bowl. Awesome Cash with Ramnauth had and awesome day as it won the 2 year old Guyana Bred event in a close finish from King Stanley with Seven Dust and King Stanley rounding out the money. Royal Cash also ridden by Ramnauth had a big pay day as it won the J1 event from Red Jet, Part Time and Secret Thinker. There was nothing mysterious in the L class event won by Mystery Man with Champ, Fire ball and Dirt Man getting burnt. The Jumbo Jet Stable away with the champion stable accolade. The outstanding Jockeys on (Continued on page 25)
t r o Sp
Bahamian Miller wins 400m gold
Troy Doris creates history, advancing to men’s triple jump finals
American Allyson Felix (R) finished with a silver medal, while Shaunae Miller of the Bahamas (L) won the gold. (AP) Troy Doris
Wlodarczyk shatters world Bolt eyes 200m record record for hammer gold in race to immortality
Anita Wlodarczyk (POL) of Poland competes. (REUTERS/Phil Noble)
Jamaica’s Usain Bolt celebrates after he won the Men’s 100m Final during the athletics event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on August 14, 2016. (Photo: AFP)
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